TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Any reports yet from over the water... please??

I had the distinct pleasure of attending Fairport's first US gig, in Charlottesville, Virginia.  I was really only familiar with the older FC material from the 60's - 70's, but came with an open mind and found them to be truly great.  Simon apologized for being a bit jet-lagged and therefore low energy, but Ric and Chris were bursting with energy and Simon did just fine.

I was amazed by Ric's playing, and then when Chris picked up his fiddle for double-fiddle pieces, I was doubly amazed.  The three of them play together so beautifully. 

I knew better than to expect much "old" material, but they did do "Now Be Thankful" and, of course, "Meet on the Ledge."  Instead, I got to catch up on the various cool songs and instrumental pieces these guys have been writing over the last 20 or so years. (I guess 10 in Chris' case.)

Even better, our band got to open for them - a dream come true. 

That's really good to hear! - and welcome by the way.   :)

Charlottesville..... aaaah... what a lovely place. Give my regards to Monticello!

My wife and I had the pleasure of seeing Fariport in Chester, NY last night. Simon also seemed low energy at this show but beside that, highlights abounded. Meet on the Ledge was stunning, the Hiring Fair into Summertime was gorgeous. My wife is not that familiar with the catalog but she seemed especially taken with the selections from Over the Next Hill, of which there were several.
We saw them last year at the first trio show and they seemed to have settled into the format quite nicely; the entire show was a treat. Another pleasant surprise was the length of the show given an opening act. Fairport played for a full 2 hrs.

Glad to hear the tour started well. The Pittsburgh show on the 24th will be my first Fairport show since the Columbus Meltdown. Can't wait

I'll be seeing them on the 29th if all goes well.

All of the shows are TOO far away for us to go.   :'(  We are not going to be able to see them at Cropredy this year. I guess we are just out of luck. Maybe next year.  ???

Still looking forward to the Cleveland gig on the 23rd!  ;D

News from Chris L on the website (http://www.fairportconvention.com)

I'm going to Cleveland as well, Jo!! :D

I had the pleasure of seeing Shawn Phillips at the Winchester two weeks ago.  It's pretty much a dive but I always seem to have a good time there and they get some great acts!

Yippee!!
Annette  :-*

More from Simon on the FC website, y'hear...

Can anyone tell me if they brought copies of Off the desk with them?

They are selling copies of Off the Desk for $15

I and my family also attended this show in Chester NY, and can also testify to the fine quality of the performance.  One additional note:  Simon was having a continual technical problem with his guitar during the set.  At one point, he said that he thought he needed to attach a wire and ground the guitar to himself (facetious or not?)  The quality of the set, despite this obstacle, was further testimony to the professionalism and perseverance of Simon and the whole group.

Cheers ///  Tom***

According to something i have just read, this Saturdays Fairport show from Sellersville PA will be webcast live.

Listen in at http://homegrownradionj.com from around 8pm EST (not quite sure when that is British Summer Time but no doubt that someone will tell me).

Some more pics on Fairport's website {:-)

That's intriguing, davidmjs...  According to my calculations that's either midnight or 1am (couldn't get my head round GMT/BST and/or EST/EDT issues) and I'm not entirely sure which day that'd be, being midnight...  Help??!!!! Anyone?

Still, I may just tune in when I get back from the pub later, see what's happening...

Having looked into it a bit further it seems like it's going to be Sat night / Sun morning, and I'm going to be at a friend's house in deepest darkest Clacton.  If anyone stays up for it, let me know how it goes! :)

Boy, they breed 'em big in that neck of the woods, don't they!

And has Ric only taken one t-shirt???

Has anyone noticed that most of the pictures on the webite today were from the Turning Point in Piermont NY and yet I never saw that show on the schedule. If it had been it would have cut down my travel time.

Maybe a private show?

I was aiming to go to Charlottesville, but RT scheduled a (last minute) Knoxville gig at the Bijou on the same date.  So, it was a question of driving 45 minutes vs 5 hours.  Anyway, it was sort of Richard's turn.  I hadn't seen him since late '99. :o WKWTTG!

By the way, how long has RT been doing Crazy Man Michael in his set?  Stunning!

Thanks to davidmjs I got to hear Fairport from Sellersville, Pa. even though I wasn't able to get there.

Thanks for the info david.

The first half is over and they sounded superb!!!!! They are fabulous musicians!!!! Simon, Ric and Chris--the best.

So far they did

Over The next Hill
Woodworm swing--Simon was fantastic on this.
Banbury Fair
Morris Dancing music
I'm Already There
Two instrumentals by Ric and Simon--Duke Ellington & Paul McCartney
Now Be Thankful
Canny Capers

Intermission

Sure hope I can get them for the second half

It's me again.

The concert at Sellersville is now over and what a second half it was!!!!!

Their music was breathtaking at times. Ric's Summertime and The Fossil Hunter superb!!!

They did:

Wood And The Wire
Over The Lancashire Hills
The Rose ?
The Fossil Hunter
Slips Jigs and Reels
John Gaudie
Hiring Fair
The Dancer

They were called back after much ado and ended with.

Meet On The Ledge

I was so pleased to be able to hear them live again but still have an empty feeling because I couldn't tell them how great they were, in person. You guys are so lucky to have them there and get to see them whenever.

Thanks again david for letting us know about HomegrownNJ !!! Your a doll!!

Yet MORE pics on the Fairport website {:-)

Yet *further* updates in the news pagers - three to be be precise!

Hi Rich. The snaps from Piermont were there because we had a travel day and opted for a hotel in Nyack, NY we'd stayed in before. It broke a long journey and we naturally made the short trip down to beautiful Piermont to drop in on one of our favourite gigs to surprise John, and have a splendid meal over the road at Pasta Rosa. The turning point was hosting a local school's "Battle of the Bands" style evening which was great!
Happy to clear that up
Simon, getting a haicut and doing his laundry,
Binghamton NY

Thanks!. I appreciate the response (and the great show)

Now, I’m probably revealing incredible ignorance here, so please excuse me, but what is that guitar that Simon is holding in all the USA tour photos on the FC site?  His normal acoustic is nowhere to be seen!  And yet, having just listened to the first half of the recording of the Sellersville gig, I am sure I can hear the acoustic on most of the songs/tunes. ??? :-\

That's the electro-acoustic he used to use in the Albion band.

Not sure of the make, it may be a Godin, but it is a telecaster shape, with a built in microphone. There is no soundhole to cut down feedback, and a very obviuos graphic equaliser on the front.

Paul

Thanks, Paul.  I'm not sure if I understand everything you said (not your fault - just my lack of technical knowledge ::)) but I get the general idea.  I can stop puzzling now! :)

It's a Godin 'Acousticaster'.  The controlls are Volume and 3 band tone.  The pickup is a piezo under the bridge, but they also have a set of 18 metal tines inder the bridge which are tuned to vibrate with the strings.  Very acoustic like tone, but pretty much feedback free.

Which was nice!!!

Simon's guitar looked like the same Godin guitar he used last year on the shortened USA tour (which started as 4 piece FC Acoustic and then unexpectedly contracted to trio acoustic).  I seem to recall that, last year, he started using it on some UK dates before the 2005 USA tour (from pictures and comment on this board and/or the FC website).

It seems to me (speaking as a non-player and only of limited technical guitar knowledge) that it has basically an acoustic feel, but is sometimes used with effects that move its sound in a somewhat electric direction.  One could imagine that it's a good guitar to use in the trio format, where it would be handy to have one guitar able to cover several bases, guitar-soundwise.

Cheers ///  Tom***

It probably takes up less of the scarce space available on a tour vehicle than would a full bodied accoustic.

Sadly, my son and I will not be ablel to see them in Cleveland tonight -- we're both sick as dogs.  :-[  I gave our seats to two friends who promise to enjoy the show on our behalf, so I'll have to take some small comfort in that.  :'(

There's still Cropredy.  *sigh*

Further fans photos & more of Rob's photos on the FC website...

Insightful to the nth degree! I'd prefer the old Santa Cruz any day but needs must when the guitar case is the size of a suitcase and a half and just as likely to be trashed, no matter how well built. I'm compromising but happy!

Greetings all,
   The Fairport 3 played a grand show in Pittsburgh last evening. First time in 10 years in "the Burgh" I didn't jot down a set list but highlights included I'm Already There, Rose Hip and Slipjigs & Reels.  Everyone seemed in good spirits. Copies of  Off the Desk seemed to be flying off the desk. This was the first chance I've had to have a chat with Chris. What a superb chap he is.

Jon

Just wondering if Fairport was affected by the flash flooding in so many of our northeastern states here in the USA.

It is devastating here in Pennsylvania. I live in the center of a mountain and was flooded last evening.

I hope they didn't run into any trouble.

Our bad weather hit on Friday, the night they were here in Cleveland.   Lots of flooding in our area as well. 

I will be seeing them in about an hour os so. Woo hoo.  But no beer,  So sad.   But FC  so  yeah!!!!

Further coverage on the FC website....

Yes, and which guitar did Simon play in the church?  (Old, new, borrowed ...?)

http://www.fairportconvention.com/news947.htm

I presume the switch was due to the power cut.

So, any review, Mindwarper?  I wasn't able to catch them on this tour.

Hi,

It was a fine crowd and the cafe looked to be at capacity. They played the same basic set listed earlier. I was surprized at how much Simon embishes. He also was doing the bass line with the use of his thumb. They joked a lot between songs as Simon had to retune do to use of a capo. The intro stories were fascinating. I thought the intro to Fossil hunter better then the actual song :) . I liked how they incorperated some common songs. When they gracefully changed into Summertime, it was such a nice change and it worked so well. The Beatle song was another good one. The highlght for me was Now be thankfull. Although the 1st morris dance came close. That morris song sounded much like raggle taggle gypsy from Planxty. I also think it is great that Simon after 38 odd years still signs autographs. It is a nice touch. I then saw him be his own roadie. "so I know its done right"  I gave Ric a tee shirt. I hope he wears it sometime. It is a limited printing of only 50 and has original artwork. During the Meet on the ledge oncore, they invited an old friend on stage who  played harmonica. I was surprised they didn't play matty, but I will live. I did bring a guinness in my car so I had one during the break. Made the 2nd set a bit better. It was a very friendly crowd with a few children present.  I had a great time and got a few good shots and a ok recording. My two cents.

Was the surprise guest George Galt by any chance Mindwarper?

If it was he's a lovely fellow and part of the very early days

Jude

I can listen to the tape and/or send/ post  a pic. I can't remember his name right off the top of my head.

A couple of new pics on the Fairport Site. Breakfast in America ;D

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Hi Jude,

It was George and here is another pic.

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Simon's guitar that evening in Bellville, Ohio was lent to him by Fate Christian (www.highlandsofohio.com) who, with his wife, made the concert possible.  Originally, the concert was to take place in the Bellville Opera House but was moved to the Unitarian Church next door.  Please note that Bellville is a small town, population 1,773, & it is hardly the place one would think of having an opera house to begin with.  Anyway, all of Bellville & surrounding area lost power sometime that day so the concert took place by candlelight.  Of course, there was pretty good light for the first set, it being summer and all.  The set list was pretty much as described elsewhere.  I particularly liked "The Rose Hip" & the Morris tunes were rather nice as well.  At intermission we got to chat with the band.  We had our four-year old daughter, Alice, with us.  Now, Alice is very fond of "Thomas the Rhymer" and wanted Fairport to play it.  I tried to explain to her that that song was performed by a diiferent group.  When I relayed this to Chris Leslie --with Alice at my side-- he knelt down & playing his mandolin, sang the chorus to "Thomas the Rhymer" for her.  It was very nice & sporting of him.  In any event, it was a very nice evening & we drove back to Columbus feeling we had witnessed something a bit out of the ordinary -- a completely acoustic Fairport concert.

Eric   

Thanks, Eric.  :)

Now I'm wondering, how difficult is it to play a guitar that you're not familiar with?

AS there is no 'Fairport Chatter' thread, I'lkl add a postscript here to say that both Chris & Ric's verdicts on the USA tour were that it was a complete success which they all enjoyed immensely.

I have photographic evidence of a first in Mr Leslie's life yesterday at Adderbury's Party in the Park, but am awaiting artist clearance to publish it here....

So no photo then Chris... no clues???

Still awaiting clearance - the Leslies are away on holiday (I don't expect to hear until I see Chris again, prob at the warm-ups), but Chris's daughter plays guitar in an all-female band called AFA (stands for Apologies for Absence), and Chris guested on a couple of numbers. Not quite Fairport material, tho.

First time Chris & Imogen have appeared on stage together, playing instruments.

And a well-deserved holiday too, I reckon.

Glad the chaps enjoyed the tour :)

Those pictures are lovely, did you offer them to the Fairport site.

Aw that George, he doesn't age at all :D

Jude

I did email FC and just got a reply from Rob last week. I am sorting which ones to send. I have quite a few and I don't want to overwhelm Rob. Just a few choice ones. Not to bad for a cheapie digital camera. I usually use Nikon 35 mm  or various  120mm, but this worked out well. The shutter lag caused me to miss a few, but I got a few good ones.  I called and asked about non flash photography before the show and was given the ok. I'm glad I got a few good shots. It was a wonderful show.  Hope all is well.  MG

Hi All!

When finally, here's a little pic of Simon from the June Fairport Trio show in Cleveland.   Thanks for being so gentlemanly, Simon! :D

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This has nothing to do with the Fairport Acoustic Trio, although I must ask, why are they plugged in if they are an acoustic band? anyway, I just come on on to ask, does anyone on here know how you put your picture and text on a post?

yours fairportilly, the kascade kid  :) ;) :D 8)

Go and look in the About this board bit

Read the thread 'Picture Please'

The difference is in playing acoustic instruments which are plugged in to a sound system to make them audible, as opposed to playing solid electric guitars like a Strat. If you played an acoustic guitar and/or sang in a club with no speaker system, only the first couple of rows would hear you, due to sound absorption by bodies and clothes.

......although Show of Hands do a couple of truely 'unplugged' songs and wander round the audience - fantastic (and very spooky) ;D

Unless you are a bass player who doesn't have the name Ashley Hutchings, in which case you carry on using your solid bodied instrument anyway.  ;D

Paul

I dunno, Peggy used to have a lovely Crafter acoustic bass (in purple).

amplfiication apart, the reason most bass players prefer leccy is theres nowhere on acoustic basses to rest the thumb/fingers