"Angel Delight" is the sixth album by British folk rock band Fairport Convention, released in June 1971. This album is a cornerstone of the British folk revival of the early 1970s, marking a transition toward more traditional material.
The album was named after The Angel in Little Hadham, Hertfordshire, where the band was living at the time. It was also the only Fairport Convention album to reach the UK's Top Ten album chart, peaking at number 8.
The main members of Fairport Convention during the recording of this album included Dave Swarbrick, Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, and Dave Mattacks. Pegg's contribution heralded a marked change in the band's sound, now characterised by a rhythm section that was lighter, tighter and more versatile than before. This was the last Fairport album on which lead singer Sandy Denny performed, though she was not officially a band member.
"Angel Delight" is a collection of both original songs and traditional folk tunes rearranged by the band. Highlights include 'Lord Marlborough', a traditional song rearranged by Swarbrick, 'Bridge Over the River Ash', an instrumental tune by Dave Pegg, and the album's title track, a jester's tale that basks in British folklore.
