Skip to content

Store & Venue Finder
Select your local currency
Fairport Convention

"Babbacome" Lee

£37.99

Released: 24th January 2025. ''Babbacombe' Lee' was Fairport Convention's foray into the concept album, so loved by groups in the 1970s. Instead of looking at something fantastical or progressive, the group went back to the tale of John 'Babbacombe' Lee, the man they couldn't hang: The gallows failed three times after he was convicted of the murder of Emma Keyse in Torquay in 1885. Dave Swarbrick found details of the trial in a junk shop, and the band worked up the story into an album. Released at the end of 1971 with ephemera from the day telling the story, ''Babbacombe' Lee' had episodes listed rather than tracks. It contained the most original material of a Fairport album to date, and was seen as taking folk-rock a huge step forward. Within weeks of the album's release both Dave Mattacks and Simon Nicol left the group, leaving Swarbrick and bassist Dave Pegg to lead Fairport on through their next chapter. Today, ''Babbacombe' Lee' is one of the group's most enduring albums.

More info

Format

Vinyl 12" Album

There was an error adding this product to your basket. Please try again.

Ring & Reserve

*Availability subject to change.

To reserve this item in store, call: 03333 230 667

Delivery
*Free UK delivery on orders over £20
(exclusions apply)
Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Click & Collect (UK only)
Get it delivered to a UK store near you with FREE Click & Collect available on this product.
  • Details

    Released:
    24th January 2025
    Category:
    Folk
    Format:
    Vinyl 12" Album
    Barcode:
    805520241038
  • Description

    ''Babbacombe' Lee' was Fairport Convention's foray into the concept album, so loved by groups in the 1970s. Instead of looking at something fantastical or progressive, the group went back to the tale of John 'Babbacombe' Lee, the man they couldn't hang: The gallows failed three times after he was convicted of the murder of Emma Keyse in Torquay in 1885. Dave Swarbrick found details of the trial in a junk shop, and the band worked up the story into an album. Released at the end of 1971 with ephemera from the day telling the story, ''Babbacombe' Lee' had episodes listed rather than tracks. It contained the most original material of a Fairport album to date, and was seen as taking folk-rock a huge step forward. Within weeks of the album's release both Dave Mattacks and Simon Nicol left the group, leaving Swarbrick and bassist Dave Pegg to lead Fairport on through their next chapter. Today, ''Babbacombe' Lee' is one of the group's most enduring albums.
  • Track listing

    Disc 1

    Track name
    Artist
    1.The Verdict
    Fairport Convention
    2.Little Did I Think
    Fairport Convention
    3.I Was Sixteen (Part 1)
    Fairport Convention
    4.John My Son
    Fairport Convention
    5.I Was Sixteen (Part 2)
    Fairport Convention
    6.St. Ninians Isle/Trumpet Hornpipe
    Fairport Convention
    7.Sailor's Alphabet
    Fairport Convention
    8.John Lee
    Fairport Convention
    9.Newspaper Reading
    Fairport Convention
    10.Breakfast in Mayfair
    Fairport Convention
    11.Trial Song
    Fairport Convention
    12.Cell Song
    Fairport Convention
    13.The Time Is Near
    Fairport Convention
    14.Dream Song
    Fairport Convention
    15.Wake Up John (Hanging Song)
    Fairport Convention
  • Delivery and Returns

    Delivery charges

    UK Delivery:
    • Orders under £20 - £2.99 
    • Orders £20 and over - FREE*
    • Click & Collect - FREE**
    • Express Delivery - £5.99
    International Delivery:
    Costs are calculated at checkout based on parcel size and weight. Find out more here.

    *Some items are only available via a dedicated delivery service, for an additional charge.
    **Some items can only be delivered via Click & Collect to an HMV or Fopp store of your choice.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


    When will my order arrive?

    • We aim to dispatch in-stock items within 24 hours* 
    • Standard UK delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 48® service, usually within 2-5 working days (including Saturdays).
    • Express UK delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 24® or DPD, usually within two working days (order by 2pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).
    • International delivery: Tracked service, usually within 3-5 working days.
    • Pre-orders: dispatched with the aim to deliver on the release date.
    *Where an item is 'Back in stock soon', we usually expect stock within a week and will dispatch it once available.

    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.

    Will you tell me when my order is on its way?

    • You will receive a dispatch email when each parcel is on its way.
    • Orders may arrive in multiple parcels, depending on stock availability.
    • Out-of-stock items will follow as soon as we receive stock.
    • You can check the status of your orders in your account.
    For more information, please visit the Delivery section of our Help Centre.


    Trusted Suppliers

    Items marked 'item fulfilled by Exertis on behalf of hmv' are dispatched directly by Exertis via their approved couriers. Your delivery details will be shared with Exertis and their courier to fulfil your order.


    Returns

    • We're happy to accept returns for unwanted items within 30 days of receipt, provided they’re in their original condition with all seals intact. Clothing and technology items without a seal may be opened for inspection (as you would in a shop) but must not be used and should be repackaged carefully.  
    • Some exclusions apply, please visit the Returns section of our Help Centre for more details. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Sign-up for emails

Sign-up for emails

Sign-up for emails

I'd love to hear about offers and promotions from hmv*