TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Tickets now on sale for

       Tuesday 13th May - Cox's Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon
        Wednesday 28th May - Huntingdon Hall, Worcester

Just reading through the newsletter - Peggy's rejoining FAC  ;D ;D It will now be a complete unplugged version of the band. I'll have to get to a gig.

Did he ever really leave? I was under the impression that it was just a question of logistics until he got things set up in France.

That's brilliant news...I'm so pleased....  ;D

Interesting that the newsletter claims a strong stylistic difference between the FAC gigs and the wintour. Does that indicate a more electric approach for the wintour this year? I hope so.

Certainly intriguing isn't it?

Personally I'm looking forward to hearing about how Simon gets on with his new Flying V.... ;)

Is anyone here going to be at the Nettlebed gig on 19th May?  I'm hoping to be there and it would be fun to run into a few people if anyone is around.

Yes, Richard the husband and I have received our tickets for Nettlebed, we will, if allowed, be standing at the back

Grace

Hope to see you there then.

From the Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, programme of events, March - May 2008.

"Fairport Acoustic Convention - 28th May.
.....in May 2007,the band celebrated its fortieth anniversary: and in August 2008 Fairport's Cropredy Convention sold all advance tickets for the very first time.


Obviously something to do with Ric's time machine..........


S&J

What, the one he's going to buy last Tuesday??

Didn't he buy the Time Machine next week?

dates are on the website - will they ever play Manchester again....?

WHHOOPPPEEEE!!!!!

 ;D ;D ;D

I was about to say whoopeeee! I can fill in the dates on my calender, then I read the website.  They're NOT playing in Kent  :'( :'( :'(

How can I break the news to Dennis...no more Fairport til Cropredy :'(

Bummer! No visit to the Robin at Bilston this time.  To Shrewsbury or not to Shrewsbury? that is the question.

Lots and lots of naughty words  >:( Oh well, one day, I will get to see FAC.

Hmmm. Southampton is the nearest to me. Bit too far for a school night I think.

Some of you may be despairing too soon! Don't they normally do some gigs in the autumn as well? We saw FAC (well, those who managed to turn up, anyway  ::) ) in Maidenhead last September. Still, as I don't know for certain that that will happen again, I might finally have to find out exactly where Nettlebed is, just to be on the safe side.

Just a few miles out of Henley....

 :( :( :( :( :( :(

Do not afear, I will be begging to having words with one of the organisers of the Ely Folk club... you never know

Go for it!!!

Seems they're covering parts of the country that the electric tour didn't approach.

Before someone tells me, I smugly know Southampton is in Hants  ;);D

anyone driving to any shows from the London area with room in their car ? i'm in Sutton and i'll buy your ticket or the petrol or whatever.if you don't ask........................ :-[

Since FAC only plays UK gigs- I understand thar two Scandinavian tours in two months is a little too much to hope for - can we poor souls who cannot make it, hope for a recording, please? ONBB is 13 years old now and I´ve read so much positive things said the last year´s acoustic tours.  :)

May 29? Might it not be half-term? It is for us, so 'twill be a family outing  :)

The question is : 'Can I be arsed to go to Birkenhead?'

 :( :( Nowhere easy to get to from here either  :( There's usually a Kent/Cambridge date isn't there?

Not usually a Cambridge date, as far as I know.

Ely FC have been e-mailed....

Just got my three tickets for the tour when they visit Chesham  ;D  ;D  ;D

I'm delighted to see that the band are playing in Blackburn, just down the road from me. I can see the venue with a pair of binoculars from my house!
It's a good walk, and for once I'll be able to have a few Thwaites during the night and not have to drive.

Yes, we shall do that! And the Tickets arrived yesterday did they not?

 the baby brother rang me tonight to inform me that they are playing at Rheged near penrith again and did i fancy it?
i politelty but firmly refused,i saw the leccy band there a couple of years ago and it really isnt a place to see a band if you dont get there dead early and bag one of the few seats near the stage

Not sure what Ely FC can do... your best bet is Blakeney in North Norfolk, Ollie; on the 22nd.May. The venue is small, intimate, very "down to earth". You'll know what I mean when you get there. Best combined with an afternoon, if not a day, in this pretty and atmospheric seaside village. May is a good time to be in that part of the world.

Quote:

May is a good time to be in that part of the world.

Especially for ornithologists/birders.

Um, sorry about this but

WOOOOOO!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

http://www.elyfolkclub.co.uk/

Fairport Acoustic Convention will be at Ely Folk Club on 26th May!!!!!! Tickets are £16.  

 ;D ;D ;D

Your lucky, they're playing close to you. I'm seeing them in chesham, which is an hour away from me, I'm sure it will be good though.

I wish I'd known that a couple of weeks ago.  In school holidays too.  Got tickets for Chesham now.

Oh well, c'est la vie, I suppose ::)

Tickets only went on sale today. I've got A8 and A9.  ;D

I have suggested to Katy's Dad that we go twice, but he's not buying it (literally). :(

Dunno what their returns policy is like, but Ely is cheaper (and closer than Chesham)

 ... and a pleasanter route (although pleasant is not a word I associate with the M11!).  I'll ask about the returns policy - hadn't thought of that, so thanks BB :)

I'll see you there then! ;)

Probably! ;D

Do you know something about the Elgira's returns policy that I don't know? ;)

No ???

I've had a reply from the Elgiva.

Anyone want to buy two tickets for Chesham on 6th May? (reduced price obviously)

There's no mention of the Ely gig on the FC site.  Are you sure it's going ahead, Olly?

Well, the organiser of the folk club told me personally (by e-mail) and it's on their website Ely FC) so I guess so.

Thanks for that.  I followed the link to the seating plan and not many seats have been reserved.  Hopefully, once it appears on the FC gig list more people will become aware and more tickets will be sold.

I hope so to. I was the one who suggested it to Ruth, and if it's a flop... :-[

Now added. Few!

Excellent news! ;D

Maybe there's still some hope that they may do a gig in the south east {:-)

Y'know, I'm not sure I see the point of the full 5 piece doing an "acoustic" tour. Why bother? It's just a tour to venues alternative to the Spring Tour, surely? For the full 5-piece band the costs cannot be very different and to be honest, I like Simon on 'leccy geetar.

Having two tours with the full band will potentially allow them to rock out in the winter, get all reflective and emotional exploring their inner angst in the spring ready for the full on revelries of the festival, a few months repair and then do it all again.

I admit that when I first heard the acoustic set up several years ago, I was a bit disappointed and thought it wasn't much different to the electric set up.  But the last few years it has been very different, allowing them to express different aspects of their personalities through their music.  I hope it continues like that and the latest newsletter seems to indicate that it will be.  I'm looking forward to having DP back and not just for his bass part on Over The Lancashire Hills, if it gets played.  His contribution should allow for an expansion of the repertoire.

With the acoustic line up, I'd like to see Peggy not only use his bass, but use the mando and other things more often, like with PJ.

Having read the last few posts.

Is the acoustic tour an indulgence?

I'm still undecided about going to Birkenhead. Although the yeaterday's Guardian Breakfast section has given me another nudge across the Mersey.

An indulgence? For the band? For the audience? What do you mean, exactly?

If it's a papal indulgence (not sure they are still around, anyway), that's fine by me! Get to heaven sooner when you go to see your favourite band...

I thought that read Paypal...  ;D

Indulgence.. no..  just another opportunity for us to hear/see them again, slightly differently..  ;D ;D

It looks looks we will be in Chipping Norton  ;D {:-)

An indulgenmce - hmm, not quite sure what WW means by that.

I wonder if it is Fairport sowing the seeds for the next 10 or so years - I can't see then cranking out the full rocky stuff when Perggy's 70, but I can imagine them doing acoustic stuff.

David W

Well, they've being touring an acoustic set for some years now, so I guess they see it as a chance to play different songs & arrangements in different venues/towns.

I wonder if it might not serve a few purposes:

a) keeps the money rolling (trickling?) in
b) maintains FC's public profile as a touring band
c) keeps the repertoire fresh.



 

Andy, you have to take into account that the guys are working musicians, like everyone else, if you don't (bother) to work, you don't earn an income.

  Unlike the winter tour when a team of seven go on the road with the band, tour manager, truck driver, bus driver, stage crew loading in and out, building and managing the stage and FOH PA, monitor engineer and guitar technician, plus merchandise team.
The FAC tour visits smaller venues, uses in house PA systems, the guys load in and out themselves. Yes they still need a tour manager, a minibus and hotel rooms but the whole operation is on a miniscule scale compared to the winter tour.

Was just asking.

I personally have no problem with the tour and if finances were different the decision to go would be easier. The price of a ticket is the equivalent to one week's petrol to attend college. The threads previous to the one I posted appeared to call into question a five piece acoustic tour and I was fishing for people's opinions.

If enough people want to go and it is financially successful then why not.

As for plenary indulgences it can't be much of a sin if it is atoned for by attending a Fairport gig. Although I'm sure there are some people who'd argue to the contrary!

Martin,

I wasn't under any illusions about them needing an income. If the FAC tour is much lighter on costs and equipment-humping then that's reason enough to do it.

A

And it is different :)

The first time I heard them do 'Summertime' was as FAC and it was sublime..............

I would love a recording of it  ;D



PS Well done Olly for the Ely gig  :),   >:( because I'll probably be on holiday

I REALLY wish they would do on 'off the desk' recording for us...

Presumably that would mean that they have to bring a load more equipment, thus negating the benefits (to them) of FAC....

No excuse  ;)

That wish has my full - and devoted - support! 8)

The tour started tonight. First gig, The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury.    

I look forward to a review and - hopefully- a set list to go with tomorrow´s breakfast then!  ;)

Really looking forward to seeing them on tuesday. ;D ;D ;D

I'm looking forward to seeing them on Tuesday at Chesham too but I'm not looking forward to driving round the M25 on my own in the rush hour: Katy's Dad will be going straight from work by train :-\ ;D :-\ (That's nervous laughter)

Anyone been to gig yet?
I'm hoping for some spoilers.

Enjoyed a top gig at York Fibbers despite the effects of a full day's consumption of York's cheapest firewater and the surreal transformation of the venue seconds after the gig finished into the town's premier indie nightclub. I was hoping that some of the indie kids might have been allowed in early to catch the end of a great set in the vain hope they might have been converted but sadly not. And as they boogied to Oasis et al they had no idea what they could have witnessed moments earlier!!

Anyway, the gig itself - considering the band had played Norway and Shrewsbury the two nights previous and we obviously worn out they did superb. The aformentioned libation limits my memory of exact setlist but included great versions of Lancs Hills and Already There along with the staple setlist of previous acoustic tours.

I don't know if its the done thing to run through a wider setlist for those of you who don't want to know before you go so I won't say anymore unless pleaded with.

But I did have a chat with Chris in the interval and suggested that we should make it our mission to try and get the band on the revamped Later with JH programme -- get writing in kids.

Great evening in an all standing down and dirty club venue complete with posters for Ozzy Osbourne's latest album on the walls - I wish FC would play more if these gigs!

If you haven't got a ticket for a gig yet get one bought.

And I wasn't well the next morning.

Saw them at Rheged on Saturday night....totally worth the (almost) 2 hour drive :)

They were all their usually friendly selves, and their set was great.

Banks of the sweet primroses was simply beautiful. Think Chris sings it amazingly

And John Gaudie, going in to Bowman's Retreat, was another highlight

Cropredy fever is upon me already! And Whippersnapper in June. Can't wait!

You should have seen Chris's reaction when we said we were going to Whippersnapper in Cockermouth, he was genuinely made up - said he would be working on the setlist on the next week or so. Which gig are you going to Tamlyn? There's a few of us booked into a campsite in Cockermouth to make a weekend of it - you are welcome to join the party..!

I kicked myself (not literally!) as I chatted to Chris about 3 times on Saturday night at Rheged and totally forgot to mention the fact I'll be seeing him in Whippersnapper in June!
I'll be at The Sage, Gateshead. Can't wait! Although no camping unfortunately!

So Chris, if you're reading this, I'll see you at The Sage (btw, I'm the one you said looked like a cross between your daughter and Kelly While!)

Anyway....back on topic!

Acoustic Tour is great....

Oh, and if anyone does want to hear the set list, I have a copy, so send me a private message  :)

? Why not publish it here ?

I just thought some people might not want to see it if they've got tickets for the tour....they might want it to be a surprise!

Start a spoilers thread, so those who want to know can see and those who don't can't  :)

We are supposed to be at Chesham at this very moment, but unfortunately poor hub has flu and is coughing horribly as I speak. (....err.....tap)
Oh well! never mind, will have to make do with "Waking the dead"......entertaining and gripping but perhaps not quite as musical :)

There are many words to describe last night in Chesham. I'm going to reduce it down to just a few words:
Amazing, Brilliant, Peggy's Acoustic Bass, Gerry's Tubs.
The setlist was as follows(as much as I can remember)-
1.Walk Awhile
2.Widow Of Westmoreland
3.Spring Song
4.Over The Lancashire Hills
5.I'm Already There
6.Woodworm Swing
7.Rocky Road
8.Now Be Thankful
9.Mock Morris '90
[interval]
10.Travelling By Steam
11.Close To You
12.Banks Of The Sweet Primroses
13.Portmeirion
14.Keep On Turning The Wheel
15.The Hiring Fair
17.The Wood And The Wire
18.John Gaudie/The Bowman's Retreat
[boys go off]
19.Meet On The Ledge

I will have the full review and pictures on here soon ;D ;)

Here's the full review-
http://fairport-67206.piczo.com/?g=32778510&cr=2

Here's some pictures-
(http://file045a.bebo.com/10/original/2008/05/07/16/4938638061a7670169426o.jpg)

(http://file045a.bebo.com/10/original/2008/05/07/16/4938638061a7670169494o.jpg)

Here's some more-
(http://file045a.bebo.com/10/original/2008/05/07/16/4938638061a7670169567o.jpg)

(http://file045a.bebo.com/10/original/2008/05/07/16/4938638061a7670169643o.jpg)

They should really screw with peoples heads one year and alll change positions on stage - Peggy far left, Ric centre right, Chris centre left, Gerry far right and Simon at the back hehehe. ;)

... :o :o :o

Just booked for Southampton on 29th and was asked if I was over 18 (it was on the phone ;D). Apparently the venue has such a policy!

And then swap instruments and roles, quite a number of interesting combinations to choose from.  ;D

They could get the audience to draw lots.

for their clothing?

Thirty pieces of silver or would that be The Dylan Project?

Southhampton is the only venue they are playing down south and we can't go for that very reason.  Don't think I could possibly pretend that Jack's 18 ::)

Hand out pencils and pads?

Agreed!  Rheged was a great gig in an 'interesting' venue!!

My journey was only spoiled the following morning when, on finding out that the train from Penrith to Carlisle wasn't running en route back to Glasgow, a bus was thoughtfully provided; however, the poor young man beside me spent the journey loudly and continuously chundering into a plastic bag.  A Marks and Spencer one with the holes in to let the food breathe....

Any takers for Stirling tonight?  We are heading out en famille.

Cheers

Jack

I'll be at Stirling.  Only 10 minutes from the house as well!

Can't wait.

Do say hello.  I'll be the one with wife and weans in tow.

See you at Bridgehaugh!!

Jack

Another excellent gig at Birkenhead Friday night.  The set list as mentioned earlier but also a request....As Chris announced John Gaudie, some of the audience shouted for John Lee......Chris joked it was the same chap...Off the gang went and before the encore of MOTL Ric, Simon and Chris announced that they had had a little chat behind the curtains and decided to sing this one which was "John Lee".  My Gosh, it fairly took my breath away as the poignant voice of Mr Leslie sang the closing words of John Lee,that once he had been hanged, that the hangman had earned his fee...peeps around me were in tears, I had actually thought it to be another song a more lively one......then all came back for MOTL...more tears in eyes.....
It is always a good night if there are a few tears (it is the Northern way of enjoying oneself !!)  ho ho...
Well the boys did us proud and got TWO standing ovations for the last two tunes !!

I've booked for Blackburn in a fortnight and wonder if that song will be included on the set list again ????
Taking plenty Kleenex just in case.

Enjoy the next few gigs, Pocklington as was Birkenhead...sold out !!!  

Bernie (Southport)

Tuesday 13th - Cox's Yard, Stratford upon Avon.

Quite possibly the smallest venue on this tour - audience seating seven chairs wide in about 7-8 rows plus  a standing area behind - so the stage was pretty tight for a five piece line-up. Gerry almost disappeared from sight behind Simon and Peggy but made his presence felt audibly!

Brilliant set (list as previously posted) with the chaps on top form - Portmeirion( a tune which has been a bit tired recently) has been reworked by Ric and Chris with a great mandolin interlude. Spring Song, WKWTTG, Keep on Turning the Wheel and (of course) Lancashire Hills work really well with an acoustic line-up.

Other domestic details....Ric coped bravely with having had a tooth extracted earlier in the day (the Tooth Fairy story got the biggest laugh of the night) and the guys at Cox's Yard obviouisly read the "Cropredy" section of this board - they were trialling video screens for those at the rear of the venue who couldn't see the stage!!

Great night - we've got two more to go (obviously the chaps have quite a few more).

S&J

I was hoping to go to The David Hall In South Petherton to see them but the gig sold out in just a few hours,


FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Sun 18th May - 8 pm.
£17.50
SORRY SORRY SORRY - Now completely SOLD OUT

We have been absolutely overwhelmed with demand for this event - our poor box office volunteers (all unpaid) have been run off their feet trying to cope with the demand and the sad news is that we are now sold out.  

Blimey, the ticket price was a bit steep, wasn't it? :o

That's about as much as the Wintour, and now both bands are the same size....

Not many tickets left for Ely in a few weeks - http://www.elyfolkclub.co.uk/seatingplan.pdf

I'm pretty certain I didn't pay that for my Wintour ticket.

I did  :-\

Was about that at Southport.

The previous Saturday I got Oysterband, Dervish, Brass Monkey, Moishe's Bagel and Breabach with The Bothy Folk Club playing in one of the bars for £23. Same venue. Actually the whole of the Arts Centre not just the main theatre.

Still is five pints that much to pay to see a band.

yep paid around that to see them at stafford :)

Sounds about right in the current marketplace to me....ticket prices HAVE risen considerably in the last few years, but seeing a name band with (lots of!) history and getting change from a twenty quid note is pretty fair going...imho.

I paid more for my Winter Tour ticket.
The Stables are expensive though.

Just home from the Brigg Fiddle Festival and one of the very best Fairport Acoustic sets ever!

It was a round trip of 133 miles.. but well worth every single mile.. apart from the diversion towards the end...

The last time I saw FC Acoustic it was the FC Acoustic trio at Papplewick as Gerry had hurt his hand (I think).. tonight as on all this tour we had the full five piece and they excelled themselves..  truly excelled!

The evening was organised by the Wooton fiddle club and the first 15 mins was given over to the club and about 8 of its members who played some great fiddle tunes.. most noteably including our lovely friend Sue.. just superb.  This slot was just the right length as an intro to Fairport.. some support slots can go on for far too long.

Fairport came on.. all smiles.. the set list I expect was the same as above/on a previous page..  it included two of my very least favourite FC songs.. but the rest of the night more than made up for that!  Highlights for me....  Cell Song just before MOTL was just stunningly haunting.. I really hope that gets an airing at Cropredy.  The Hiring Fair was just beautiful..  Simon said it almost made him want to be 17 again.. as did Peggy ;D  Being at a fiddle festival we had to have John Gaudie and Bowman's Retreat as well as the wonderful Portmeirion..  not heard often enough for me.  Now Be Thankful was also a highlight.

There was much mention of RT and Swarb as well as Huw Williams and Ralph.. and Steve Tilston. Cropredy was also mentioned once or twice and the DVD .. naturally.

But it wasn't just the music that made the evening tonight..  they all appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.... and that impacted on the audience.. there were jokes galore.. references to Ric's removed tooth and its ipod replacement, references to both Chris and Peggy's hair, and to the animal smells that Simon was going to treat us to in the second half...  oh how we laughed.. and laughed..   at one point causing Simon to ask me if the tablets had kicked in yet  ;D

It was a lovely, relaxed, happy and very memorable evening.. thanks chaps...  I will see three of you next at Cropredy.. one at Farnsfield and another in Gateshead!!
 :-* :-*

I expect I will think of other things to add before I go to sleep.. but they will have to wait til tomorrow... tired now... night night...  ^-^ ^-^

Can't wait for Nettlebed tomorrow night...

Anyone else going to be there?

Hi Will...We're hoping to be there! Do say hello if you can - I'll be the one squinting and blinking, as have just had eye surgery. Never been to Nettlebed before, so looking forward to it very much.  :)

Well, the Nettlebed concert was great last night.  Don't think I can add much to the descriptions of other concerts - the setlist was as posted earlier, with the addition of Cell Song from Babbacombe Lee before MOTL.  It is the first time I have seen the band since Cropredy 2006, and I thought it was wonderful.  I really enjoyed some of the rearrangements of old songs - Hiring Fair in particular, which has always been a favourite of mine - and hearing a few of the newer songs live too.  Cell Song was incredible.  I'd love to hear this line-up do the whole of Babbacombe Lee.

It was nice to meet Anne as well.

Also enjoyed Nettlebed - the atmosphere was very different from the theatre type venues I've normally attended. It was very hot, crowded and friendly. I was worried that I was not going to be able to see anything, but was lucky;  I was sitting behind two broad-shouldered gentlemen, whose heads neatly framed the stage for my good eye!

Nevertheless, I found it more comfortable to keep my eyes closed for much of it, which was actually rather lovely during some of the quieter songs. To sit thus listening to "Banks of the sweet primroses" and "Now be thankful", just letting the sound of some of my favourite songs, performed live, wash round me, was very moving. As Will said, "Cell Song" was fantastic, as was "Hiring Fair," which Simon very sweetly dedicated to his wife, who was in the audience.

I'll stop now, before I get maudlin, but the whole evening really was both a tonic and a treat  ;D

Tell us more - what gig is this?

The festival  ;D ;D ;D

Just a note. Ely FC has now sold out.

Wow.
It'll be a good night!

Here is a link to the photos I took at the Rheged gig on 3rd May....quite a few really good ones I think:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19318&l=3dcfc&id=512114644

Enjoy  ;D

Very good photos.
I see Peggy has given up on the acoustic bass completely!

well done to you for getting a seat at the front, its not a good place for gigs though, i went last time they were there and although invited, pollitely refused the chance to see them there again
  was there a good crowd?

Please excuse me for being an ignoramus, but what is the instrument Chris Leslie is playing on this tour that looks like a cross between a mandolin and a guitar?  I'm sure someone here can tell me,

Bouzuki

There were alot of people there, but what was advertised as 'a standing gig for that special festival atmosphere' wasn't really.

I chose to sit on the floor, along with about 5 others, hence the good pics (and actually did end up giving it a slight festival atmosphere!) The rest of the crowd either stood right around the edges (leaning against various things) or found a secret stash of chairs which more and more people proceeded to take and arrange around the edges.

I agree, not the best place for gigs in terms of crowd/atmosphere, but a lovely building and the band were fantastic. I loved being able to take pics without a) being told you're not allowed (The Sage, Gateshead) or b) having people's heads in the way  ::)

Really?  A friend of mine who knows more of these things than I said he didn't think it was a bouzouki.  And It looks to be a different shape from the bouzoukis I have seen before.

But I will bow to your superior knowledge.

Isn't it a mandolin with an extra long neck to give options?

mandola?

I don't think so - I think it is in the same range as the mandolin with an extra octave or something.

The differences between the beasts http://www.robinbullock.com/article02.htm

Great pictures, thank you Tamlyn!  I can't believe you're really called that and you're into Fairport...

OK, so if I understand that article correctly, it's name is whatever you decide to call it within the range of bouzouki, cittern, mandola, etc.  Anyone know what Chris Leslie calls it?  I don't have my CDs handy (they are all on the iPod) to see what it says on them.

Bouzouki.

Looking forward to seeing it in action tonight at Southampton.

My mandola's called Eric :)

28 May - Huntingdon Hall, Worcester.

Another terrific gig. Whether it was Geoff Curtis on the desk or the acoustics of the ex-chapel, the sound was really good and lifted some of the songs (Close to You/Keep on Turning/Rocky Road) to a new level. The Cell Song as first part of the encore was spine-tingling.
Perhaps as a result of the chaps being tired towards the end of a long tour(although it certainly didn't show in the performance) both WKWTTG and MOTL were quite emotional.

Shame the Hall wasn't quite full. Maybe the addition of Peggy to the acoustic line-up gave the impression to the casual attendee that this would be the Wintour recycled. Those who were fortunate enough to be part of the Acoustic tour can confirm that this certainly wasn't the case - if anything the bass has added a new dimension to the acoustic presentation. And it's always nice to see Peggy anyway! As complete non-musicians we still can't get our collective heads round a five string bass!

Only two days to Chippy....

S&J

You should meet her friend Michael. He's crazy, man.

 ;D ;D ;D

Are all your instruments called Eric? :)

Yes.  Apart from Sam & Audrey.

Any reviews from the last gig of the tour at Chipping Norton ???  There must have been some people there from the board, but nothing has been posted........ Should have been the best night of the tour, but then if Blackburn was anything to go by..it would be hard to top that.....excellent show....love them guys me !!!

Bernie (Southport)

Hi Bernie,
Sorry, I meant to post a quick review when we got back but sadly failed.Yeah,it was a great show to end the tour. A lovely theatre serving great Hooky in a lovely town next to a super pub on a lovely spring Saturday.Can't go wrong really! The three of us were staying at the recommended Crown and Cushion up the hill a bit from the theatre and we popped down to the Chequers next door about an hour before the show where it was nice to meet the chaps outside having,variously, a few pints of Landlord and some chips. Chris suggested we visit the nearby Rollright standing stones on the Sunday,which we did.Peggy told us to expect a "mellow" show as he gave us the impression he'd had a few.If he had,however,it certainly wasn't apparent on stage as the band were incredibly tight throughout.Same set as the rest of the tour and no guests but great acoustic versions of Lancashire Hills,Portmerion and Hiring Fair to name three that particularly stood out-with some great vocal delay from Simon on the latter.Overall,the audience were a little reserved-I suspect a large number of tickets are sold to "friends" of the theatre who might not,necessarily, be mad Fairport nuts-but they all seemed to enjoy it. The chaps were on good form afterwards and Ric was slipping away to Spain for a few days the day after to do some recording with Vo.Even managed, along with Simon, to get a quick one in at the Chequers afterwards. All in all a lovely weekend and a great show to end the acoustic tour.I suspect the next time we see the chaps it'll be within a stones throw of Chipping Norton but in slightly less intimate circumstances!

We were there as well and can't really add much to Neil's excellent review except to say that we didn't think the audience was particularly reserved. The one thing that strikes you about Chippy is how noisy people are before the show and during the interval - perhaps because they all know each other! Totally agree that standing outside the Theatre on a warm spring evening with a glass in one's hand looking across the rooftops towards the Cotswolds is the perfect complement to a great Fairport Convention gig.

S&J