Who indeed knows where the time goes? Fairport Convention mark 40 years with a new CD, Sense of Occasion (Matty Grooves), which is, coincidentally, their 40th album release. Though the Fairport family tree has kept aficionados busy over the years, this line-up marks a decade together and Sense of Occasion, their first studio album since Over the Next Hill, probably their best since Rising for the Moon, continues where the previous album left off.

Led by the sublime voice of Chris Leslie, harmonies abound and this is perhaps shown off best on the opener, Keep on Turning the Wheel, a Leslie song that is about his longing for a sixties' VW camper van, evoking the period with spot-on Beatles harmonies à la Revolver. Leslie is in a rich vein of songwriting form, with no fewer than five new songs, and adding a much needed variety in tone for the band.

There are two revivals from the back catalogue - Polly on the Shore and a brave effort on Tam Lin, from their masterpiece Liege and Lief - always a tall order without Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny and Dave Swarbrick.

The band complete their winter tour on Sunday in Chipping Norton and they have been signing off their set with a new anthem, Best Wishes, an acappella version of Steve Ashley's beautifully poignant song. It is suited to the occasion and signs off the new album too - like best wishes from an old friend.

d=2,2,1Not to be outdone, bassist Dave Pegg teams up with his old Brummie mate guitarist P.J.Wright for Galileo's Apology (Matty Grooves). Wright, from bands Little Johnny England and the Dylan Project, and Pegg have some real fun on some great tracks such as Mark Knopfler's Donegan's Gone and The Journeymen, another from the pen of the great Steve Ashley. They can be seen at the Nettlebed Village Club on Monday. For tickets, call 01628 636620.

Fairport Convention play Chipping Norton Town Hall on Sunday. Call 01608 642350 for tickets.