TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Anyone going to see the lads tomorrow evening ?

If only I could be in Glasgow this week!

Fairport tomorrow, of course. But there's a "Martyn Bennett" night this week, too. It's almost a year since his tragically early death and this week the best pipers in Scotland combine with the best trance loopers to play the best music from the Isles and it's going to be absolutely bloody marvellous.

I do know who's going to that.  :)

I'm going to see the lads. There seems to be some confusion as to whether it will be an acoustic or electric set. Some of the info from the Celtic connections seem to differ. Not that this matter a jot. As Max Boyce used to say" I'll be there"
Until tomorrow
Mik

Make sure to post a review Mik... 8)

This doesn't seem to affect Fairport, but I just thought I'd better link this one (providing the technology works), could be useful info if anyone was planning to attend other parts of the festival

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=14677.0

Enjoy the lads Mik, please please, a review when you get back online?  TIA!

I'm off up there for the last weekend, Transatlantic Sessions etc. I'm going with a posse from Sain Records to put the case for including Welsh music in a Celtic Connections festival...

I wish I was... sounds tremendous - and they're "re-creating" his band (Cuillin) for the occasion.

I'll be spinning "Hardland" at some voulme tomorrow.............
 

How lucky am I - getting to see FC in my home city - a few of "The McB Clan" will be there....We usually have to come south of the border to see them but due to an excellent Celtic Connections programme they'll be here.
Lots of other really good stuff on too so hopefully the purse will be able to handle it....
Wish me luck!!!
Auntiebobble
XXX ;D

Yes, Fairporting tonight and Show of Hands on Wednesday.  Can't think of a better start to the year.

I understand it's an electric 5-piece.....wish I was there!

It's Martyn Bennett Night, tonight!

He's sadly missed Cocker. Where is the event anyway?

All the best with that Maart.. I think  that welsh Music should be included at the Celtic Connections..

Zouk   :)

Just got back from the gig in Glasgow this evening.

Fairport were on grand form.  They started with a terrific double whammy of Sir Patrick Spens (my home town of Dunfermline getting a mention!) & Woodworm Swing & the audience were firmly in the palm of their hands.

No great surprises thereafter with a selection from OTNH (I'm Already There, Wait For the Tide to Come in, Canny Capers, Over the Falls, The Wassail Song) mixed in with a few "golden oldies" including Crazy Man Michael, Walk Awhile, Adieu Adieu, John Gaudie etc - Finishing up with Matty Groves/Dirty Linen & Meet on the Ledge for an encore.  

The five of them looked to be enjoying themselves as much as we all did & it was a grand night.  Good support act as well - a fine young Scottish band called Breabach featuring two excellent Pipers.

I was accompanied by a Fairport virgin who came away extremely impressed.  A most enjoyable evening all in all.

A great night ;D

Do you think Simon was teasing when he replied to the shout to come back next year with 'why not later this year?'

Thanks for that review, GS. Simon.....TEASING?  surely not..............


Gower Flower

What a great gig last night, FC were on top form and Peggy particularly looked really well - it was so good to see him! I thought the venue was great and was pleased that it was packed out, and the tickets were reasonably priced.
Saw some old (very!) friends and met some new, sore feet from dancing, hoarse voices from singing along and that lovely glow you get when you are with your FC mates.
All in all a real treat, Can't wail till August!
Auntiebobble
XXX ;D

The Martyn Bennett tribute evening was held in a different venue and had a later start time Cocker. As the FC gig finished at 10pm, some folks took the opportunity to attend both events. 

As Auntiebobble has already reported, last nights Glasgow gig was a fantastic success. The chaps were on top form and clearly enjoyed themselves. The packed audience gave them a wonderful reception, it was a stand up event which helped create a wonderful atmosphere.
 Pic 1 soundcheck
 Pic 2 set list


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A couple more pics of the evening

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two more

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Lovely Martin.. and great to see Peggy looking so happy ;D ;D

Thank you :-*

Many of you will know this Cropredy regular, David was in the front row celebrating his birthday, the chaps dedicated Canny Capers to him.

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When we got back to the hotel, the fire brigade were in attendance, all the guests were standing outside in the cold. Fortunately most of them were pretty well fortified against the bitter chill, if you get my drift, so no one really minded. Whilst everyone huddled together for warmth, Simon ably assisted by Alan Thompson decided to sing an impromptu version of Roy Wood's "Run and get the Fire Brigade" with everyone joining in the chorus,                 well we enjoyed it !!!!  ;D.
Gez the sensible one, decided to forgo this singing extravaganza in favour of opening another bottle of Sauvignon.

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Last year there was a fire alarm went off at none o'clock in the morning. (Actually about 9am, but CC is a late night event more than just a concert thingy - Lunasa went onstage in the festival club the other night at 3:30am...) It was very interesting to see so many folk/folk-rock luminaries there gathered and to see what they'd decided to salvage from the room at such short notice. Everyone had their instrument and their laptop with them...

Maart - can't wait to get back there...

Thanks Martin for the great photos, a lovely reminder of the night. David was totally made up with his dedication - what a lovely thing for the guys to do. Hope they get back to Scotland soon, Auntiebobble XXX

Excellent, excellent!  Great reviews everyone, and pics to boot!  Many thanks to all.

Yours vicariously,

Off to the FC website now to see what all the Croppers fuss is about...

@

Many thanks to all who posted reviews and photo's.  Really good to see Peggy back on board.  Glad the chaps gave you all a good time.  Many thanks to the McB's for representing the Cropredy crowd.   ;D  [;-)

The Martyn Bennett Night - and I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend the peformance of some of his classical compositions that afternoon - was great. In parts.

The mixture of backing track and live playing was just right, I thought, and weighted towards the dance/trance aspect of things (and to be able to dance to "Harry's In Heaven" as live-ly as is possible was truly wonderful). So some of the finesse. the more delicate arrangements, was lost, but the night was geared towards a celebratory rowdiness of melody.

Some superb playing, and a high level of musicianship, and passion for the music.

After the main band, a combination of bagpipers and a samba band, which was pretty fab.

And then. The stiltwalkers - fabulously costumed - and the body-painted dreadlocked er "dancers".
Much unchoreographed writhing.

Now, I'm the first one to dance like a fool, but oh (insert grimacing smiley) we were embarrassed by them.

And there was the irrational, unavoidable sense of half expecting the boy himself. Let's raise a glass to him.

as said before, the lads seemed to be in a happy place and it showed. the music was good, the banter with the crowd was excellent. I would say it's a long time since I've heard them as tight. Gerry Conway was at his best. I was and still am a DM fan but Gerry was on top form. At one point he did something a bit different than he had in the past and SN turned and nodded in agreement. I was going to give Cropredy a miss this year but as we have just found out Swarb will be there. I may have to have a change of plan and start saving
Mik

A great gig.

The audience was really up for and the band duly obliged.

Best I've heard them in a while. Peggy looked to be enjoying it again.

They don't play up in Scotland often enough.