TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Anyone know how the tour is going? I'm sure lots of us would like some reviews & pics...

Apparently very well, from the odd report elsewhere. And Simon's sunburnt foot (see FC chatter)

is it just me or does the web site seem to have nothing but info about Peggy at the moment and nothing about the us tour!  ???

I've tickets to the 2-Jun gig. Pics and gig report promised.  :)

What would you post on the website about the US tour? Bear in mind it only started on Friday, so is only 5 days old. I'm sure they'll take a review from you, Cat!

I'm going to the May 18th gig at The Winchester.  I hope they allow cameras!  ???  And this time, I made absolutely sure they don't need me at work that evening!

Worth taking it along - I'm sure the band will be OK with it, but avoid flash if possible - it puts other audience members off.

Would love to do a review Chris - but the furthest I am going this month is to Otley - not quite the same ring as going to the US - just doesnt seem to be any mention of the tour but sure will be following soon

Sorry - I thought you were from the USA!

I got a note from my friends in Oregon. They'd been down to see FAC at a festival in California. They had a long chat over several beers with a very jovial Simon apparently. The story has it that Rob B is (or was at the time) AWOL, whereabouts unknown  :o Simon had been handling all the promoters, travel, navigation, etc without any paperwork. Very resourceful chap that Simon...

C'mon Rob, it's San Jose, California, not Mexico!

Cheers

Nick

I will be at the May 17 show in Pittsburgh. Report promised once sobriety settles back in….

OK, who is Rob B?  :)

Rob Braviner who I believe has been the longtime Fairport engineer and I think handles all sorts of things really. If i'm wrong, pretty sure i'm not someone who is asleep in Europe will set me straight. Probably a goodly sign of far gone fanaticism when you can say who a musical organization's non musical functionaries are, and in my case I can speak to several, Tull, Beatles, Dead, Miles, Jimi  

Rob Braviner missed the first two shows last Friday & Saturday & joined up with the lads on Sunday.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to get to a show this year. Has anyone heard anything about a US release for Sense of Occasion? Compass Records hasn't had it listed
Rich

By it from the Fairport website shop http://www.fairportconvention.com/catalogue.php

Thanks but the exchange rates are a bit steep right now

Mmmm, yeah I suppose it is. amazon? or download?

Your wish has been granted....  (http://www.fairportconvention.com/general_news.php#news1)

see - sit on the top of the tree long enough and the fairy comes along and grants your wishes - great stuff  :D ;D

I'm amazed that the gig only cost 10 dollars!!!

Yeah! I'm paying twice that!  :o

... which actually is quite inexpensive. I paid $75 to see RT at the same venu last Nov.

Gosh me to thats just over  fiver isn't it? :o

How can they do it so cheaply??

Or why do we pay so much (relatively speaking of course...)?

I suspect supply-demand is the culprit unfortunately.

A guest dropped by... :)
http://www.richardthompson-music.com/catch_of_the_day.asp?id=731

No photo of the event then?

I'm going to go next year, a week in the States and FC. There'll be photos galore freshly posted from internet cafes. It'll be just my luck though that they won't bother going next year.

That has always tempted me!

Managed a lomg weekend once.....but hampered by not being a driver....

Y'know that is one of the drabbest, most unreadable webpages I have ever seen.

Sorry Andy, didn't realise you were having so much trouble. It says;
Richard Thompson recently joined Fairport Convention onstage at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, California for their encore 'Meet on the Ledge'.

Please come visit us! Recommended venues are Bodles Opra House in Chester NY http://www.bodles.com/index.shtml

The Town Crier in Pawling NY http://townecrier.com/index.html
Both of these are relatively close to New York City. Approx 60 miles.

The Narrows Center in Fall River MA http://www.ncfta.org/
Cape Cod is less than a hour away from this venue and it makes for a nice weekend at the Cape, Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.... Then a Fairport show at night. What could be better?? Sadly we won't be able to do that trip this year.  :'(

Thank you.

Pics of RT, yet another wish granted  ;)

http://www.fairportconvention.com/general_news.php#news1

and it's readable!!!

Greetings all.
   Thursday night's show in Pittsburgh was a real treat. All three were in very good spirits and played wondefully. The songs from the new cd sound much better live. I often wonder why they bother with the studio and don't just record new material in concert. I didn't keep notes but some hilights played were "The Vision" "Your Heart & Mine" "Close 2 You" and fabulous "Genesis Hall" and of course "John Gaudie"

Cheers

My two sons and I saw them at The Winchester in Cleveland last night.  Fantastic show!  My kids were blown away by the musicianship (as was I!), particularly on Canny Caper -- awesome stuff!  On the way out, my 13-year-old said, "I have a new favorite band!"

We took some pics, but the digital camera was acting up a bit.  I'll piddle around with them and see if I can put up something viewable.  

It was great getting to chat a bit with Chris Leslie after the show, too!   ;D

Glad you had a wonderful time Jo. Your thirteen year old evidently has great taste  ;D ::) ;)

Shirl

It'll take some planning but I just might take you up on that!

That's unfortunate. It could have been a rare TAW meet in the US  :'(

Could be an idea there Bob, how about the UK TAWers charter a plane to come out for the tour next year!?

... and follow them around like a group of Deadheads?  ;D

Has Fairport ever played anywhere on Cape Cod? I always thought Liam McGuire's on Main Street in Falmouth would be a perfect place to see them.

http://www.liammaguire.com/

That does look perfect. i've never been there. I'm going to have to make a point of visiting Falmouth one of these yrs.

Well......
Not sure about hiring a plane, but Fly Zoom (http://www.flyzoom.com/index.cfm?lang=EN&country=UK) have flights to New York for £129 single. So 2-3 people could fly, hire a car & do this reasonably cheaoly next year.

Anyone?

Watch out for extra costs with zoom. i'm using the this thursday.

  Ticket cost; £189.00.
  'extras'        £89.00
  Total;         £278.00   ...and a paltry 25kg bagage allowance (hand AND hold baggage)

Thanks - did they say what the 'extras' were?

It's all on the website Chris. Quite a few items on it. For a paltry extra £100 or so, they will provide you with an extra 6ins legroom and increase the bagage allowance to 35kg. I've been checking the prices for cropredy and needless to say, it seems far cheaper to purchase the tickets over the pond than in R.O.B. (rip off Britain) ..airline tickets that is

Yes, I noticed that too....£199 basic to Bermuda, but only USD149 from Bermuda.....for example.

Exchange rate.

Costs them more when they get here.

if youre off to the states just go with what youre wearing and an empty bag, buy shirts/tshirts etc when youre there , its miles cheaper than blighty

There's a recording of the May 6, 2007 Don Quixote's, Felton, Ca. gig up on Dimeadozen...

im off there as i wri

Can you post a link please??

Ta....

google "dimeadozen", youll need an account though

its a bittorrent download site, you'll need to be a member and have the right bit of software on your machine to download the show
 but hey your a plooky youth , why am i a wizzened, embittered 54 year old telling you how to d/l from tinterweb

I was just wondering where to find it on the site. Because I'm a 'yoof' and am 'too lazy' to look around myself  ;)  ;D  

Umm, sorry but I thought this thread was about Fairport's current Yankeedoodle tour? (mutter, burble, burble.....)

Sorry, yes, your right, um..... hope for some YouTube vids soon.

Technically it was, embittered old Jim helping lazy but youthful Ollie navigate the wonders of bittorrent to discover the joys of fairport acoustic convention in the USA.

 now there's a man with his eye on the ball

Saw the lads at The Towne Crier last saturday. Excellent show as always.

Still, it's just not quite the same without Mr. Pegg. Anyone else here in the US feel the same way??

I wish I could comment but that would require my having seen them live before ...This Sat will be my first time. :)

Wow, Bob! Make sure you take extensive notes and tell us ALL about it ;D ;)

That is definitely on my agenda  :)

Just arrived home from my first FC gig - totally satisfied.
It was an historic performance: Chris was indisposed with a chest infection, so Simon and Rick performed as a duo. Overcoming some initial technical issues, they gave a tremendous performance. My wife, who was not very familiar at all with Fairport (despite my playing them to death the past few weeks), exclaimed: "He's such a good fiddler!", so she apparently enjoyed it as well. I'm going to bed now. Pictures and setlist can wait till morning.  [;-)

The incredible shrinking band!  Glad you enjoyed it though, and let's hope Chris isn't too poorly...  Look forward to the pictures (of the duo, not of Chris being poorly...that would be silly)  :)

When my wife and I arrived at the Narrows Center in Fall River, already feeling the effects of a very hot, muggy evening, we could not miss the sign on the door announcing that Simon and Ric would be performing as a duo due to a chest infection afflicting Chris Leslie. Full of concern for Chris, we trudged up the steps to the third floor of the converted textile mill, only to discover the true meaning of "hot and humid". A very light breeze coming through the open windows was only felt by those fortunate enough to be sitting or standing near those windows, and a single fan was of no help at all. Fortunately, we came prepared with plenty of liquid refreshment  ;)

The FAD (Fairport Acoustic Duo) opened with Over the Next Hill, but technical problems (loud snapping sounds I suspect were coming from the monitors) forced them to stop midway through the song. While Rob B. and Simon attended to the equipment, Ric entertained us with some standup material until the problem was sorted, upon which, with no prior discussion it seemed, they launched into the song right from the point they had left off!
For the next two hours, despite the absence of Chris' vocals and mandolin fills, these two consummate professionals rose to and met the challenges of both the heat and the task of bringing us through 40 years of Fairport history. There were three songs with which I was unfamiliar: the one song they played from SoO, Your Heart and Mine, an instrumental, and Over the Lancashire Hills which I have since discovered was from a Simon Nicol solo album. I was a little surprised at the lack of SoO songs, but I suspect the absence of Chris Leslie may have contributed to that outcome.

Best wishes for a quick recovery to Chris. Here is the entire set list:

Over the Next Hill
Close to the Wind
Morris medley: Sheriff's Ride/Upton-on-Severn Stick Dance
Crazy Man Michael
Instrumental medleyL Sophisticated Lady/Here, There and Everywhere
Genesis Hall
Instrumental I did not recognize - I think it was Woodworm Swing
Travelling by Steam
Over the Lancashire Hills
Your Heart and Mine
Slipjigs and Reels
Wood and the Wire
Canny Capers
Hiring Fair
Meet on the Ledge

Pics to follow.

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Very glad to hear that you and your wife enjoyed the gig despite the humidity and Chris not being able to play. I remember thinking last year that Simon and Ric made a great duo when they did the Beatles song and then Summertime together.
Here's hoping Chris is better soon.

I and members of my family attended the Friday 1 June show at Bodles Opera House in Chester NEW YORK, and also the Sunday 3 June show at Joe's Pub in New York City (last show of this year's USA Tour).

On Friday night, Chris had a severe sore throat and could not sing, but he was on stage playing his instruments.  The setlist was almost the same as in Bob's report from Fall River Mass. the next night, adapted to have more songs that Simon sings, plus a few more instrumentals.  There was some difference in order, and we had one more instrumental (I think it was the medley from LIEGE & LIEF); we also had "Widow of Westmoreland" as the closing number instead of "Meet On The Ledge".  Also, "Girl From The Hiring Fair" segued into "Summertime" in the manner that the FAC configuration has been doing it for several years.

When I heard from Bob's report that Chris could not appear at all Saturday night, I was concerned that his condition was getting worse, but I still planned to attend the Sunday show, as I've heard from past reports that Simon and Ric do quite nicely as a duo (consummate professionals that they are).

When I entered Joe's Pub Sunday evening, I was immediately brightened: I saw 3 chairs on the stage, with Chris's instruments set out.  So I wondered: would we be back to Friday night's format?  Well, I'm happy to report that, while Chris has significant recovery to go, he DID SING!  He sang "Keep On Turning The Wheel" and "The Vision" from SENSE OF OCCASION, and also "I'm Already There" and "John Gaudie" (the encore), plus the backup singing he usually does on other songs.  In particular, I was surprised at the inclusion of "I'm Already There", because I think of that as real anthemic vocal workout number that one would want to be in full normal condition to do.  But Chris just would not be denied!  

In sum, the chaps delivered a steaming show to close out the 2007 USA Tour.  The people were very happy and were even clamoring for a second encore.  However, there was not time for that with Joe's Pub's format, whereby they had to clear the house to get ready for the next show with another band.

In particular, it was a happy occasion for me, because my son and his girl friend were there.  He'd had to miss the Friday show because that was her high school graduation day; but now on Sunday, he got to bring her to her first Fairport Convention show.

http://www.fairportconvention.com/general_news.php#news1

chris writes from america

There's a song coming, isn't there? The one about the school of dolphins displaced by the giant aircraft carrier. . .

thats a brilliant idea of the yanks, naming an aircraft carrier after an idiot.
It will turn up off some unfriendly country and all the "enemy" soldiers will be unable to fight cos they are laughing so much.

You can't really call RR an idiot Billy, be fair. He did leave a sizeable library to the nation, and some of the books hadn't been coloured in either!

Jackdaw

Interesting analysis of RR's white house diaries on the BBC t'other day. Basically, despite any appearance to the contrary, he appears to have had his marbles up to the end of his Presidency.

I'm no RR fan, and possibly willing to buy into a theory that the diaries must have been ghosted, but the BBC thought it unlikely....

If he was an idiot, he was an itiot savant, much as Muhammed Ali was/is. Low IQ, high cunning.

Muhammed Ali - low IQ?  I think not...  Ronald Raygun on the other hand....  ;)

Way off topic, but yes, according to standard IQ tests, Muhammed Ali is sub-100.

ANyhoo, I wonder if there will be any recordings from the sound desk made available by the band? I've never heard this version, and would be interested.

Have the trio ever done UK gigs or is an overseas touring set up only?

What would folks in the US feel if the trio toured with a couple of session men filling drums and bass as a full electric line up - would you rather see a slimmed down FC of "proper" members or would the core of trhe band with a couple of ringers be more acceptable?

Jackdaw

Yes, in May, the trio did a number of gigs in the UK before traipsing off to the US. See this page (http://www.fairportconvention.com/gigs.php).I would be up for it. I mean: if it was good enough for the Beatles ...
However, I'm not sure the economics would be good for the band. Touring as an acoustic unit is so much less expensive than touring with all the equipment required for a full-electric lineup. Given the roadblocks being erected by US Customs and Immigration, I was certainly happy to see them able to tour at all.

Are you sure? The page says: "40th Anniversary Tour - all dates Fairport Acoustic trio (no drums) "
I remember seeing a youtube clip with Gerry on percussion, but thought that might have been a one-off gig.

Oops - my mistake - that heading was referring to the US tour. Grabbing coat ...

The 3-piece did do some dates at the start of the acoustic outfit when Gerry was otherwise unavailable.

I saw the them in Ann Arbor, Michigan last month. It was a very good show with a similar set list as those shown above. Before the concert I ran into Chris Leslie on the street. We had a nice chat and I told him I was in from Seattle, Washington to see the show.
Well to my surprise, that night on stage, Chris  announced; "we would like to dedicate this next song to Tom who flew in all the way from Seattle". They then jumped into romping version of "Keep On Turning The Wheel".  

Needless to say, I was (in the words of the Rutles) shocked and stunned. ;D

A quick check on the Fc site and it seems poor Chris hadn't been too well on the US tour and at one gig Fairport Convenstion consisted of just Simon and Ric.

Described by the site as an "unexpected rarity" it seems that the envelope of what is Fairport may have been pushed open a bit too far now.

What next, Simon on a solo tour as Fairport Convention !!

THose in the know read their threads.

:o Really!?! I'm shocked! A duo, you say?? Wow, that must have been something to see...!
 ;) ;D

Oops - I should have read the rest of the thread before replying - Chris beat me to it

Nah, without drums and a bass it was probably rubbish  ;) Glad I didn't know about it.

mind you, a Ric & Simon duo set with drum'n'bass backing might be (ahem) interesting...

whatever next - a dubstep/morris mashup in da full house?  ;)

(Ric used to listen to the Prodigy when on tour a few years ago...)

I was at the Fall River duo gig.  Chris' absence due to illness was posted on the door of the venue.  Needless to say, the audience was very enthusiastic for what I thought was a very heartfelt performance by Ric and Simon.  Although I missed Chris' contributions (I had seen the 3-piece a week earlier), it was delightful to hear stripped down arrangements; imagine Canny Capers performed as a duo!  For those of us in the US, the economics of the exchange rate mean that it may be a long time before the full band performs in which case it is a privilege for us to see FC and FC material performed in whatever configuration that FC corporate deems viable.

Sorry I missed you. I posted a review and pics a couple pages ago. Did you see them?