TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Hi all

I've read several articles and interviews online and in publications which tell me that Jerry Donahue has been compiling a "Fotheringay 2" album for some time now.  Does anybody know if this project is still going ahead, or whether it's been set aside?

I'd love to hear the finished product, as I'm sure many of us would.

Jules

Hi Jules,

There was a thread about Fotheringay a while back. I would love to see a box set with all the studio and live stuff, plus a dvd of the videos.

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=18992.0

While working with Jerry on "Many ears to please", he told me that he is still trying to put "Fotheringay 2" together. But there are many issues to settle, not least the legal ones. And also finding all the stuff he'd like to include on the CD. Besides, Jerry is quite busy playing live with various groups and artists. So progress is probably rather slow, but I got the impression it's still on. I will ask him next time I talk to him, but don't hold your breath.

Thor-Rune

Thanks for the info, guys!

Jules

It's obviously not very high up Jerry Donahue's list of priorities. Here's something from January '98 saying he's been "trying for a while now to reconstruct" Fotheringay 2: http://www.geocities.com/solukmavi/sd-fotheringay.html. It sounds like the kind of thing David Suff could be doing. His company, Fledg'ling, reissued the first album. He is much experienced in tracking down recordings and negotiating rights - look at his work on the Boxful of Treasures. And, in compiling the latter, didn't he go through all the Fotheringay studio material? I thought that was how Silver Threads and Golden Needles came to light. So, come on guys! There's a sad anniversary coming up in April 2008 and this release would be one way to mark it.

Well said that man, I couldn't agree more.  If Jerry was to hand over what he had so far to David than I'm sure David would be keen to see the project through if Jerry is too busy.  Maybe they could even work as a team.

Jules

Ooh, that looks tasty!

By the way, I heard from Mr JD himself recently and he said the project is still on, and he may have some news for us all real soon.  Yay!   [;-)

Jules

As posted above in Fairport Chatter, Fledg'ling has announced a September 29, 2008 release date for "Fotheringay 2."

Details are at the FC website.

Color me excited!

I am very excited about the official release. Is there a way to get the live material? I can't seem to sign up and would love some clean live Fotheringay. I look to their version of John the gun. Spet 29th is not far off. Great news.

Tracklist of Fotheringay 2:

John the Gun * Eppie Moray * Wild Mountain Thyme * Knights of the Road * Late November * Restless * Gypsy Davey * I Don’t Believe You * Silver Threads and Golden Needles * Bold Jack Donahue * Two Weeks Last Summer
http://www.thebeesknees.com/?cat=16

Above is the listing on the Fledg’ling site, 11 tracks in all. The News section on the Fairport site talks about an album of 13 tracks. However, I’d heard that ‘Lowlands of Holland’ and the untitled instrumental have been dropped from the final cut. Anyone able to confirm this?

I've just read this on another forum.  Can't vouch for it's accuracy...

"Anybody who knows Elliott from Wall Of Sound, well he's having a party on 28
September at his shop in Huddersfield for the release of the album...contact him to find out more"

This is their website for the online store at least...

http://www.wallofsound-records.com/index.php

I read something about that recently and I cannot for the life of me remember where.

I'm so stoked about this release!

Tried to order it today but it wasn't on the schedules yet at my local indie CD shop.  Patience, patience....

 8)

Jules

I ordered it yesterday from Fledgling:

http://www.thebeesknees.com/?page_id=204&category=10

I know Elliott!

I will try to blag an invite!

Bring it on! Fantastic news.  :)  :)

I'm puzzled. is this relevant to Fotheringay? if so, how?

Thusly.

Thought I'd cross post this from the other Fairport list....

Hi All,
 
Many of you may be aware that the second and until now unreleased Fotheringay 2 album is about to get a release at the end of September.
To celebrate it, I'm planning on a launch do at 7pm on Saturday 27th September at my shop Wall of Sound Records in Huddersfield. We're hoping to give everyone a first listen to the album and offer it at a discounted price on the night and hopefully make a bit of an event of it with some memorabilia/ pictures and guests. I can't confirm anything in detail yet as we're still working on it but it will certainly happen in some shape or form on that night. There will be no need for a ticket/ invitation and you'll all be be than welcome to come and celebrate this landmark release with us.
I'll keep you posted and if anyone has anything that they think they can contribute to the night, please contact me.
 
Cheers,
 
Elliot Smaje
Wall of Sound Records
42, John William Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1ER
West Yorkshire

For those (vast majority I assume!) who do not know Elliott, he is a top bloke and a huge RT fan - he contributed some of the tracks on the RT boxed set (and is ctedited in the backof the book). Also friendly as hell.

I'm sure that the press release above is genuine - i.e. he is doing it out of excitement and a sense of occasion, I don't know of him doing anything similar for other releases.

Also,  Wall Of Sound is vinyl heaven, I have even considered buying a deck so that I can go and shop there....

Oh, Duh! Move along ... nothing more to see here ...

what are amazon playing at?
£16.49 thats $33 to you yanks :o
http://www.amazon.co.uk/2-Fotheringay/dp/B001EN1QP0/ref=pd_nr_m_h__24?ie=UTF8&s=music

I know.  I hope my local indie CD shop is charging less than that!

Jules

Amazon.de has it for 16.99
€ that is.

Guess I cannot resist much longer

Fledgling has to be the best bet so far

Amazon in the US has it for $19.98, to be released Sept 30.

Better than the gouging you guys are getting, but still about $4 more than what I would be willing to pay for a single cd ...

WTH! Were the costs to produce this high enough to justify those prices?? Or are they overestimating the demand? I think I'll give it a few weeks and see if it turns up on Rhapsody.

It may well have a large, detailed booklet, or similar, which would raise the value a bit.

£11.99 on Play.com with free delivery :)

She's not wrong!

http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/6536508/-/Product.html?searchstring=fotheringay+2&searchsource=0

Or maybe there's a second disc?   ???

Jules

The postman has just delivered my copy. There is an informative booklet tucked away in the front of the sleeve.

I shall listen this evening. :)

Oh, it's out already?!  I thought it was the end of the month!  OK, I'm off to phone my record shop........

Jules

Me too. I thought it was Sept 29th.

Just have.

Interesting to hear those tracks which subsequently made it onto FC albums played less rockily. Never knew that Albert Lee started rehearsiing with the group. And JD's dad plays sax on one track.

Well done JD for putting it all together. Thank you. :)

Maybe Malcolm has an advance copy?

Jules

It came from Fledg'ling Records.

Yes the postman also delivered mine yesterday but package was hidden under a pile of washing so
I didn't see it when I got home from work last night so only just getting to hear it now!
I was surprised Fledg'ling records promised delivery in a few days when I ordered it last last week,
expecting to wait till the end of the month but it's here as promised. Well worth the wait
Just wonderful to hear Sandy sing Wild Mountain Thyme.
Thanks to everyone involved especially Jerry for pulling it all together.
Time to wind the volume up for Gypsy Davey

Bryan

Daughter gave me the good news over the phone: it´s arrived!
Tonight I´ll indulge in 70´s nostalgia!  :)

A detailed review would be nice to read.... please.

I don't want to spoil the pleasure for everyone waiting for the album, but rather overwhelmed I would like to pass on a few first impressions:
John The Gun- impressive opening, the song comes through as heavy, "beefy" with a tremendous vocal from Sandy. Totally amazing and with a phrasing I haven't heard in other JTG recordings. To me it's the definitive version of a song I hold very, very highly.
Eppie Moray- the sound makes me think of parts of Horslips "The Tain", heavier than what I've come to attribute to Fotheringay
Wild Mountain Thyme -lovely
Knights Of The Road & Late November, rather similar to later versions
Restless- softer than the RFTM version, I like this softer approach..
Gypsy Davey- the whole performance is more "electric" than the versions I've heard. This tension lifts the song.
I Don't Believe You- Trevor meets Bob. Again. Nothing spectacular but nice with a (to me) new FC/Sandy-related Dylan song The intro features "Rabbit" Bundrick heavily on (Hammond) organ.
Silver Threads....- a totally adorable version, rather low-key but with lovely backing harmony vocals. That's stuff I like.Great!
Bold Jack Donahue- Trevor at his absolutely best, a long narrative. Great musical buildup to a muscular sound just before the end.  I just wish that Trevor's vocals could have been mixed a bit higher up in the sound picture.
Two Weeks Last Summer- sounds to me like the "Who Knows..."-box version with backing/harmony vocals, which I like. Cool, laid,back, summerish.
Hope I haven't spoiled anybody´s fun, but it's a great record, I've fallen in love with it immediately and it will be played a lot in the time to come.
Thanks to Jerry, Gerry and Pat and everyone else involved for this labour of love!

mine arrived fron mr fledgling this afternoon and im stunned at quite how different it is from what i was expecting, eg the sax solo on John the gun,
it really is worth the wait and money , Well done and huge congrats to Jerry Donohue and all concerned for doing it and doing it properly [;-)



btw, i see amazon are down to £11.99 now

Wonderful service from Fledg'ling by the way - order placed online lunchtime on Wednesday, CD delivered less than 24 hours later!

... And it's delightful.  Like Jim said it is very different from what I was expecting.  I suppose I was expecting something a bit rougher round the edges coming from salvaged demos etc - not a bit of it.  This album has been lovingly put together and it sounds freshly minted.

Yes a lot of the material is familiar - the first Fotheringay CD (issued on Hannibal a good few years back) had Gypsy Davey & Two Weeks Last Summer as bonus tracks & quite a few of the other songs have emerged on Fairport albums (Knights of the Road - in fact it's a bit of a shock when the next track isn't Peggy's Pub! - Restless etc) & Sandy albums (Late November, Silver Threads etc) - but don't let the fact that you may already have other versions put you off buying this album.  The versions here are worth having & stand up well as strong alternatives to the already released versions.

All in all it's highly recommended.  Only one little mis-step for me is Trevor's curious vocal on Eppie Moray where his accent veers between the Australian outback & a music hall Harry Lauder impersonation of a Scottish accent.  Luckily Sandy steps in halfway through & shows how it should be done.

So buy this CD - you won't regret it!

I got my copy from Fledg'ling yesterday and have been plowing through it happily.

I noticed immediately that the version of "Two Weeks Last Summer" adds never-before-heard backing vocals and maybe has a different lead vocal than the version originally released as a bonus track on Fotheringay (1) circa 1992.  I also noticed that Pat Donaldson's thumping bass on "Knights of the Road" gives the song a completely different sound than the version on the Rosie album; not better than Peggy's, just different.

I miss Swarb's fiddle and Sandy's prominent harmony vocal on "Restless," but having another version of this amazing song is well worth it to me.  Most importantly, I'm so pleased to have the really new stuff, like "Eppie Moray."  My world becomes a better place with each new Sandy/Trevor recording that comes to light.

I absolutely love this CD! Arrived this morning. Been listening to Pink Floyd most of the day. This is a nice respite. :'(

In case you need any more persuasion to buy, there’s a sample track up at: www.myspace.com/sandydenny
Sandy’s lovely version of ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, one of the highlights of the album.

Hi Jules.
Any idea when the Fortheringay album is due out? ???
simmo

It's out already, simmo.

hes from macc, theyre a bit slow

My shop is still telling me end of this month!   :(

Jules

Actual shop release is Monday 29th.....

Anyone going to the official release party in Huddersfield on Sunday 28th?

Will JD, Gerry or Pat being going, I wonder.....?

Jules

Dear Fotheringporters, I received my pre-ordered copy from Fledgling yesterday and after first listening I' moved by tha clean sound making the album sounding like a this year production (therefore, among the best 2008 releases). Some songs are different from versions available in bootlegs and anthologies I knew before (i. e. John the Gun and Eppy Moray); Trevor seems better as a traditional singer (wonderful in Eppy Moray and Bold Jack Donaghue) then a songwriter (his two self penned songs are maybe the weakest moments in the cd). Sandy is Sandy, always the best voice in the Milky Way. The production is excellent; it took a long time, but now we have a new old jewel.

best

Paolo

All 3 I understand - it was mentioned on the shop's website when the date / time was announced as having to fit in with the three of them.

If only Yorkshire wasn't so far away, I'd be there like a shot.

Jules

aplogies if it is elsewhere in the thread but is this a cleaned up version of old recordings - or have Jerry, Gerry and Pat recorded new parts as well?

David W

new parts
the production makes it sound very modern
it doesnt sound like what you probably expect if youve heard the bootlegs,its  much, much better

Hmmmm....I'm often suspicious of overdubbing new parts onto historic recordings.  It's one thing if they were unfinished, but it's another if they are simply being redone just to sound more contemporary.

I'm sure I'll love the album, but I do think tinkering of this sort should be kept to an absolute minimum.

Jules

Huddersfield on a Sunday might as well be on the moon if you live in Suffolk!!    Have ordered 'online'....

Still says the 29th on amazon. Hope it doesn't sound to modern. Does it contain all the tracks or are 2 missing?

stick with the bootlegs

Although I'd prefer to euphamistically call them 'archive recordings', I'm sort of inclined to agree with you.

I've never heard the boots.  What's the sound quality like on those?

Jules

still waiting for mine from this mob.......................

You will be...until the 'official release' date.  

i see.i thought some people already had it from other sources.

straight from the label, fledgling

From Fledg'ling, as well. And 2 previously announced tracks (Lowlands and Instrumental) are missing.

best and cheers

P

Worth your time to find the boots  - simply for posterity's sake.  They are all radio soundboards - so they're fine.  I'm excited about the new mixes though.  If they did half the job that was done on the Gold Dust / Royal release from '97, it ought to be a real peach!

And your right.......Yorkshire is a helluva long way away!    

I can't wait for the vinyl release!

http://www.stamfordaudio.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=det&pt=&p=7097

PDQ too.

absolutely, return of post
well worth the extra new penny over play and amazon

I'm hoping to.

Come and say hi then....

Some fairly cheap options becoming available....although the very cheapest appear not to have any in stock as of now...

http://www.find-cd.co.uk/cds/B001EN1QP0-Fotheringay-Fotheringay-Vol2.htm

Just returned from the launch party, an interesting time was had, and it was good to meet Chris for the first time.


The new album sounds ace - according to Jerry, none of the recordings are the same as have been previously released, 'John the Gun' sounds particularly fine.
There are some overdubs because of things missing from the tapes, but these were at least done by the original musicians.

The remaining members of the band were there (along with Jackie McShee), but they did not play anything live because Kelly While was ill.
Karl Dallas (of New Electric Muse fame) interviewed Jerry Donehue, and at one point Elliot (from the shop) whipped out a bootleg of Sandy recordings that Jerry had never seen.

Had a chat with Kristina Donerhue aboout her performance of Battle of Evermore at Cropredy, apparently she was sh****ng herself as she has been a huge Led Zep fan since she was 8.

Pictures to follow when I sort them out.

In an age of disappointment and garbage how nice to get an album like this... after 38 years! It's superb... all those reminders how good they were... even live (they have a bad rep there but were bloody good on the few occasions I saw them including RFH - may have been QEH - Roundhouse and the infamous Elton John Albert Hall mugging...). For once it is no exaggeration to say this should be required listening!

Agree with everything Sir Martin says above - an evening well worth being witness to - and so good to finally catch up with Pat Donaldson, on sojourn from his South of France home.

Thanks to Sir Martin for the lift back afterwards!

 ;)Listening to Fotheringay 2 now...absolutely fantastic, thoroughly recommended to any fanatic of FC, Fotheringay or SD

I know I could have ordered it on line, but Barrow in Furness has no record shop, so I cannot share the joy until the weekend, when I can visit the small independent record shop in Bowness. Oh Barrow why do you mock me so!!!

theres no excuse really, i happen to know that the royal mail has been delivering post to your far flung corner of blighty for many years

Elliot (Wall of Sound owner) does the intro's, and proves that he can't get into his first Cropredy T-Shirt

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/mattygrooves69/Fotheringay3of31.jpg)


Karl Dallas interviews Jerry

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/mattygrooves69/Fotheringay7of31.jpg)

Elliot tries to sell Jerry a B**tleg

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/mattygrooves69/Fotheringay10of31.jpg)


This was then;

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/mattygrooves69/Fotheringay30of31-2.jpg)


This is now;

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/mattygrooves69/Fotheringay30of31.jpg)

Elliott, Jerry, Pat, Gerry and the guy from Fledg'ling Records who we have to thank for all this but who's name I managed to miss...

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o313/mattygrooves69/Fotheringay29of31.jpg)

David Suff.....

Is that the one at the top of the hill? I went there about 10 years ago, and was amazed to see it was still there last year - they had a wicked selection of folk and were playing the Neil Cowley Trio over the PA. I was pretty impressed with the selection of specialist music. Bought some Spiers and Boden, Houghton Weavers, and some stuff by a couple of Collisters. Better than the crumby selection in my local Borders, HMV and Zavvi.

Houghton Weavers :o
you actually bought summat by the Houghton ******g Weavers
norman bleeding prince's mob?
only marginally better than fivepenny piece i suppose

Is indeed at the top of the hill, still has a great range of folk, as well as country, world, and blues, and on lucky occasions a jolly cheap section. Howfen Wakes marvelous.

Well i'm still reeling from the launch. What a night! If anyone has any pics that aren't too embarrassing, could you let me have them. My work e-mail is..

elliot@wallofsound-records.com

I've got about 7 autographed copies left as I write. If you want one, they are available at..

www.wallofsound-records.com

If I can work out ways of fully utilizing the site, I'll try and post some pics there. Our next Fairport related do is a visit from Joe Boyd on the 10th December. I'll get details out as soon as they are finalized.
Thanks again to everyone who came and to the person in Suffolk who wrote that Huddersfield is a long way, isn't everywhere from Suffolk?!?

Elliot
Wall of Sound

Pat D is sporting an interesting look there isn't he - pink dungarees!!

Why is it that Pat turns into Spike Milligan in the sepia print?

Just ordered it from you Elliot, hope you've still got a signed one left for me  ;)

You are right!

He does look more then a little Milliganesque in the pics...

nice eyebrows and sideboards from the former slim Jim Baxter lookie-likie
the pink overalls  - was he making a statement?

Great photos from the launch party - really touching to see Gerry, Jerry and Pat together. Time to start canvassing for a Fotheringay-type recreation set @ Cropredy next year featuring the surviving members with a suitable frontline (featuring songs from both albums of course !) ?

...and a few rogue eyebrow hairs!

Jules

I vote for Chris While to do some singing!

And Simon does a good Trevor Lucas (at least if you go by his 'Polly on the Shore).

Lineup sorted.

Get em booked!

What a splendid idea Tasha, I third the proposal.  Chris While for vocals.

Like I've said before....

I'll dye my hair and be Trevor.

 [;-)

Jules

Will this be a Fotheringay reunion? Or a Nerve reunion?  ;)

I'll leave my hair alone & be Trevor

(well, it WAS red once...)  ;D

I just pre-ordered the 180 gram vinyl version of this.I can't wait to get it.I also can't wait to see the previously unpublished photos that are not available in the cd version.

I got this album in the post yesterday and track 1  (John the Gun ) is worth the money alone --- fab stuff  -----of it  .

Someone has probably said this already, what an appalling cover, nice inserts etc, the art department should be sacked.

Loved the album though.

McTell does a good Trevor Lucas.

Finally got my copy on Friday.  And now I can compare with the radio sessions too.

I really rate the new record.  The blnding of old and new seems to have been done very artfully to my ears.  It doesn't sound like a 'new' record to me, it sounds timeless.  Just a couple of minor niggles though...

1) John The Gun seems to have some digital distortion towards the end of the track.  Anyone else notice this?  Probably just a mastering fault, but a shame no-one caught it in time.

2) I prefer the version of Knights On The Road on Rosie, but this alternate mix is still very good (one of my fave Trev songs).  Makes me wonder why The Plainsman didn't make the cut though, as it too originated with Fotheringay.

3) I prefer the mix of Late November that was issued as a bonus track on North Star Grassman... - JD seems to have mixed his own wonderful lead guitar too low in the mix on the new version.

4) I wonder if Sandy was with-holding her new songs on purpose - surely she'd have wanted to do more than two of her own songs?  Makes me think she wasn't 100% behind the album at the time.  This lack of Sandy originals is the major fault with Fotheringay 2.

But those quibbles aside, a great album!  Wild Mountain Thyme is particularly wonderful.  Really pleased to have this and am now playing it repeatedly.

Jules

Just acquired this at a Pentangle gig last night...now to play it. :D

Only had one listen yet, very good.

Must say cheers to Elliot  for a damn quick delivery and saving me that last signed one, cheers mate.  ;)

Now, which 'new songs' would those be, Jules? It's not clear she had anything else of her own to offer in the second half of 1970... I suppose she could have dusted off one from the bottom drawer - like the lovely 'Now and Then', demoed for Fairport but not recorded with them.

I thought it was Joe Boyd who was less than 100% behind the album? As for Sandy's attitude, Jerry D told a certain biographer: 'It was at the peak of her enthusiasm with the band, the start of the second album. It was showing every sign of being a lot better than the first'.

I'm not sure it's better than the first, but it's pretty damn amazing.

I was just assuming that Sandy would have some of her North Star Grassman... tunes ready to go at this stage.  Maybe I'm wrong to assume this.....

Jules

The way Jerry D. told it, Sandy got the preasure to go solo after the base tracks for Fotheringay 2 had been laid down.

Yes, that's the way I understand it too.  I was just surprised to see only two Sandy originals in the tracklisting.....

Jules

My brother has bought me a copy for my birthday.  He's burned a copy and put it in the post.  Will it ever arrive...?  I really hope so, but the post to here is pretty dodgy (that's why he didn't send the original - I'll collect that next time I'm home!)

Those that haven't yet been tempted may be by this.

As part of a promotion through IODA and Fledgling I have three tracks for free download on Folk Radio UK station blog to tempt listeners with.

http://www.folkradio.co.uk/offbeat/2008/10/10/fotheringay-2-free-tracks/

Alex

;D Is it two or three?  :D

I've just been asked to remove them. Came as a surprise as the downloads are not from me but are hosted by IODA Promonet who are part of the IODA Alliance: http://www.iodalliance.com/

I've suggested that they take the issue up with IODA who offer such promotions to stations and podcasters worldwide. Though I better let you know

Still getting into this.  I gotta say that Eppie Moray is fantastic - full of drama and grit.  Terrific vocal from Big Trev!

Jules

Received my free copy from Fledg'ling, I was one of the Salut! Live winners so thanks to Colin Randall and David Suff   :D ;) :D

It's really brilliant and reflects great credit on everybody especially Jerry Donahue. Quite frankly I was prepared to make allowances but the sound quality is terrific. Obviously one can detect anomalies like Gerry Conway's style changing a bit since 1970 but that's creativity, innit.

Us folk snobs wrote off Wild Mountain Thyme as something best left to the Spinners. I used to cringe and say to myself "Oh, if only Sandy would record that she could crack it". At last - tears shed while listening. Eppie Moray is brill, Trev doing a Dick Gaughan before Dick Gaughan, and all round a worthy successor to Tam Lin. Late November is a wonderful "first cut" and also dead on the same pitch as our piano so I can play along and drive the cat mad. I must say I prefer the version of Knights of the Road on Rosie and I seem to have heard Trev do a better version of Bold Jack Donahue somewhere else but when all's said and done, they were originally only guide vocals.

At the moment my favourites are Thyme, Eppie Moray and Silver Threads and Golden Needles but the record is going to get a lot more plays so that may change. The relish on the baguette is Richard Williams' splendid sleeve notes - I used to sit next to him at school! Well done Rich, way to go.      

I'm still waiting for mine from Amazon. It is backordered.  I still wish they had made a box set with all the live stuff, bbc stuff, and the videos. But this is a good start. Can't wait to hear it.

Hi all. November issue of Ultimo Buscadero, italian rock magazine with good reputation awarded Fotheringay 2 with a 4 stars review (that's very good because this magazine usually prefers the US side of rock)

best

Paolo

It's also got a good review in the latest Mojo.

Jules

That's a great idea about a sort of reunion eg at Croppers. I second Chris While as female singer.

They would have to turn up in a Bentley, ans have a PA similar to Spinal Tap's to keep it realistic. Probably better not to book that Reg Dwight in a support spot either.

Saw this on sale for £8.99 in local Zavvi - decided to wait, though, as it seems Zavvi will be cutting prices again from tomorrow - in the stores that haven't closed down today. Possibly more bargains to be had...

£3 to d/l the whole lp from amazon
i call that a bargain