TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

May 29th 2009 - The Duchess, York

Do we know yet if it's a 5-piece again?

According the The Duchess website it is

Lichfield Friday 8th May.

Sunday 10th May Folk on the Pier, Cromer

Farnsfield Acoustic May 30th  {:-) ;D

Alexanders, Chester - May 15th. Tickets on sale!

I believe the full acoustic tour dates for 2009 are in the winter tour program - anyone got time to jot them down for us?

Is there any news on their intentions (or lack thereof) to tour the states this year?

Haven't got the programme yet but should have on Friday :) but I have found these dates so far :

Friday 1st May : Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford

Monday 11th May : New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth

Saturday 16th May : Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick

Monday 18th May :  Nettlebed Folk Evenings: Bruce Gomersall + Kith & Kin + Fairport Convention , Nettlebed Village Club, Nettlebed

Thursday 21st May : The Met, Bury

Friday 22nd May : Corn Exchange, Hertford

Friday 29th May : The Duchess, York

Blimey, I hope they get a decent crowd at the Theatre Royal, Portsmouth. From the outside you could be forgiven for thinking the place had closed down, even when it's open.

That's a pity...looks quite open from the website...

http://www.newtheatreroyal.com/

It was full to bursting for Maddy Prior last year. The restoration work inside is amazing. I went inside when it was derelict, and it looks wonderful now, with all the Edwardian ceiling decorations back. Pity they had to have a lighting gantry below it though.

The stage is enormous, so should easily accommodate Fairport.

Paul

So, picking yp dates elsewhere in this thread, the full list so far looks like this:

Friday 1st May : Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford
Friday 8th May : Lichfield
Sunday 10th May : Folk on the Pier, Cromer
Monday 11th May : New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
Friday 15th May : Alexanders, Chester
Saturday 16th May : Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick
Monday 18th May :  Nettlebed Village Club, Nettlebed
Thursday 21st May : The Met, Bury
Friday 22nd May : Corn Exchange, Hertford
Friday 29th May : The Duchess, York
Saturday 30th May : Farnsfield Acoustic  

May 1 Dartford, Mick Jagger Centre
May 2 Margate, The Harbour Arm
May 3 Hailsham, Hailsham Pavilion
May 5 South Petherton, David's Hall Art Centre
May 6 Dartington, Dartington Arts
May 7 Southampton, The Talking Heads
May 8 Lichfield, Arts Centre
May 9 Colchester, Arts Centre
May 10 Cromer, Folk on the Pier
May 11 Portsmouth, New Theatre Royal
May 13 Dublin, Stillorgan
May 14 Dublin, Whelans
May 15 Chester, Alexanders
May 16 Alnwick, The Playhouse
May 17 Boston (Lincs), Blackfriars Theatre
May 18 Nettlebed, Folk Club
May 19 Swindon, Arts Centre
May 20 Abergavenny, Borough Theatre
May 21 Bury, The Met
May 22 Hertford, The Corn Exchange
May 23 Leamington Spa, The Assembly
May 24 Haddenham, Arkenstall Village Centre
May 26 Leek, The Swan Hotel
May 27 Stirling, Folk Club
May 28 Bromsgrove, Folk Club
May 29 Leeds, The Duchess of York
May 30 Papplewick, Village Hall
May 31 Didcot, Oxon, Cornerstone

May the 30th.. Papplewick.. that's us.. Farnsfield Acoustic in a bigger venue...  tix on sale now!!

Abergavenny is my nearest. But it's not that near. Hmmm. We'll see. :P

Either Hertford or Haddenham for us

wooohooo Southampton  AND Portsmouth ...   :o ;D [;-)
nuff said :D

Portsmouth looks like the best bet for me.

Just to mention that May 29th is The Duchess in York, rather than the Duchess of York in Leeds.

http://www.theduchessyork.co.uk/whats-on/detail/121

A splendid range of real ales at the Talking Heads, though. :)

A Welsh date  :)

Not Lichfield Arts again! Difficult to get back from late at night.  Can only assume the chaps have fallen with the Robin at Bilston  :( (which dead easy to get to/from)

I am a dozy git....and obviously still haven't got my bearings in Denbighshire yet....yes there is a Welsh date, but Chester is just up the road, and it's a Friday night too.  Hoorah  :)

And tickets just ordered very straighforwardly online - http://alexanderslive.com/index.html with a print your own ticket option as well.  Good range of gigs coming up - the biggest inc Fairport are billed as outside concerts? - The Animals, Maggie Bell & Dave Kelly, Steve Gibbons, Family Mahone, Chris Farlowe, Blues Band etc etc

Oh dear, just noticed what it says on the website:

Fairport Convention, the legendary band and originaters of folkrock music, is in its 25th year. They perform a selection of material old and new - as well as favourites from their enormous back catalogue, the band will be playing songs and instrumentals from their most recent albums. Fairport's personnel has gradually evolved since that first Tour back in 1984. This year's line-up features Simon Nicol (vocals, guitar), Dave Pegg (bass guitar), Ric Sanders (violin), Chris Leslie (mandolin, fiddle, vocals) and Gerry Conway (drums).

This is what happens when you start inventing 25th anniversaries out of thin air!  I've written to them and told them to learn large sections of the (fairly accurate) Wiki article and that I'll be retesting them in a week.

 ;D

Though in their defence, the band themselves have been talking up this year as being the 25th consecutive year of touring as a full time concern since resumption of activities.

Yes, for the summer outside concerts they reserve the courtyard outside Alexanders for the audience.  The bands play on a small covered stage.  Based on the local weather in recent years, Fairport on May 15th is a better bet than the brothers and I on July 3rd.  We shall see...
If anyone should fancy a weekend in Chester there is usually the splendid charity beer festival at the Rugby Club that middle weekend in May.  And plenty of real ale pubs to sample during the day on the Saturday.

In which case, it's 2 years out (or 1, depending on what you mean by 'consecutive' ie do you count the first year)...the first full winter tour with the new post-Swarb band being in 1986.  The preceeding Winter tours (sometimes called Christmas and New Year tours) in the years 1981 (not sure about 80) to 1985 do rather confuse the issue too...  :)

Tics for Hertford Corn Exchange ordered yesterday - it seems that it's a "standing-only" gig - haven't been to one of those for nearly 40 years (apart from Cropredy)! :D

DC

Standing only acoustic gig?......

Dunno!  :-[ All I know is that Simon referred to the current tour during the Worthing gig (and I think in the programme) as being the 25th consecutive winter tour, acknowledging that the first of these was with the Swarb, Nicol, Pegg, DM (or was it Bruce?) line up and that by the following year everything ad changed, restoring Fairport to a 5 piece.

That's interesting...it at least explains the thinking!  It's all those Winter/Spring dates in the 4 years before that rather distorts the accuracy of the anniversary!  I think DM was in the band in early '85...he certainly toured the US with Swarb, Simon and Peggy a bit later in the year, the final dates with Swarb on board as a full member.  Prior to that it was with Bruce.  In any case, the band as a whole have definitely been going longer than 25 years....on that I'm sure we can agree, so hopefully Alexanders will amend their website accordingly (Did you see how I got that back on topic?!).  :)

As was the gig at Fibbers in York on last year's acoustic tour - and much the better for it too! And will probably be so at The Duchess this year.

One of Fairport's best acoustic gigs I have been to was all standing at Manchester's Band on ther Wall a few years ago.

They should do a Standing Room Only full tour!

Hear hear!

it wasnt all standing, i got a very nice seat at the side of the stage, but it was the best fairport gig i have been to since the 79 split, great energy from the band and a responsive crowd
the band on the wall should be open again soon, shouldnt it?

bugger!! I will be in knighton when the chaps are in colchester

All standing except for a few bar tables and stools wasn't it?! Similar a few lears later at Life Cafe Bar on Peter Steet in Mcr City Centre. Why do Fairport miss out Manchester on every full or acoustic tour now? Are we the only city this happens to?

Definitely.....but for me - electric, please!

that night at the life cafe was one i wont forget for a long time, the gig ended at 11.00pm and i was back to the car park for 5 past only to find that the paris of the norths car parks close for the night at 11 sharp and i had to pay for a taxi home and then get a pal to pick me up in the morning, take me back to the car park and get the car back  for some unfeasably large sum , get home them go to work like nowt had happened, bastard ncp and the now demolished gartside st multi story and the useless bloody council
rant over

Yep - I think they should do a tour of Rock Venues myself.  Places like

Robin 2
Crewe Limelight
Half Moon, Putney
Nottingham Rock City
Patti, Swansea

Sweaty dives, you know the kind of thing....keep dancing and if you stop your feet will stick to the floor.  Those theatres bore me to tears....

Hmmm - I know someone who got caught like that on Peggy's 60th stuck in a Brum Council car park.....and it wasn't me!

Not Rock City perleese.. horrible venue!!

Ghastly place...great venue for a gig.  It's got a great vibe to it when it's heaving and the music is loud and everyone is dancing.  ;D

Good things are being said locally about the new venue in Leamington - The Assembly Rooms.

THey're certainly pulling in some big acts....

Why not the Rescue Rooms then? Venue for a lively standing only acoustic show a few years ago but not been on the list since. Would be great for a full electric show too!

I don't like that venue either.. I was at that gig... but then I don't 'do' stand up gigs very well either...

Doddery old codger moi!!

The Picturedrome in Holmfirth fits the bill nicely then.  ;)

I've seen the Saw Doctors there the last couple of years, and the place really bounces!  8)

no stopping the bouncing at a docs gig

September, Jim. It's in today's MEN

hopefully I shall be at The David Hall in South Petherton on May 5th, last year when Fairport Convention played there tickets sold out in just a couple of hours and we were too late, better luck this year maybe  ;D

We decided last night that we will go to The Mick Jagger Centre in Dartford on May 1st

I think the choir party going to the Newcastle gig tonight has now got up to 14 members! If anyone else reading is going too, we're going to Tilley's beforehand for a swift half, and I would say come and say hiya, but you won't recognise me because I haven't got my classy orange rain poncho on today.

Love Smiths  

Hmmm, I know that Fairporters are very supportive of the chaps but an acoustic tour just a couple of months after a full tour has finished seems to be squeezing folks a bit hard IMHO.

David W

Different (generally much smaller) venues, different setlists.  The audience will speak...i'd be surprised if most of the shows weren't sell outs or near sell outs....

Anyway - though I know some footy fans that feel it's letting the side down if their seat isn't filled every week, it's not mandatory. You might as well say that the pub's got a cheek to be open EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!

I was talking to someone earlier today who's been to see Bob Dylan eleven times, which seemed a bit excessive to me.  

No-one is being forced to go are they?

I've seen Dylan 122 times.11 works out  about once every 4 years.....................Dartford and/or Portsmouth (Fairport) for us.

heh heh. I knew someone was going to be able to trump eleven times (that's "trump" as in "outdo", I'm not describing the outcome of a surfeit of beans) but 122 times has got to be.. I don't know whether to say "dedication" or "insanity"!

Does seeing Fairport 53 times (over 28 years) count?  That's still normal, isn't it?  Isn't it, Nurse??  ::) :)

you keep count?

I was wondering that too Jim!

Your potty training was probably better than mine....  ;D

It's actually a rough guestimate, but if I admit that in public I'll probably have to go and see my Anally Retentives Anonymous counsellor again....

Hells teeth - you'll be telling me your CDs aren't in order next.... ;)

Dave Pegg and Simon Nicol have seen Fairport more than any of you.

I was only pondering this the other night with a mate on the phone (honest - I really am anally retentive you see).  I assume Peggy, as the longest serving Fairporter, is quite far ahead on the how many gigs he's played front, but a couple of acoustic tours missed won't have helped his cause.  I think we should be told.  Or probably not.... ;)

Probably not, David. I think this sort of thing should be conducted in private, and under the supervision of suitably qualified staff.

Hmm, well Peggy's been in the band 40 years minus a couple of acoustic tours, but Simon's been in the band 42 years, missing out 5 years in the mid 70's but....

Who's been in the band longer?
There's only one way to find out...
FIGHT!!

If Peggy joined in 69 that makes it 40yrs and Simon's having left the band in 70 whatever would make Peggy the longest serving member.

Of course the duel in the parking lot is the only fair way to find out.

I'm somewhat perplexed as to why we need a fight to answer a question you've just given the answer to...??  ;D

but then there were all the pre-Fairport incarnations that Simon was a part of. which though not strictly FC, did consist of the core members....... ::) so you probably might be able to add another couple of years to his total..

Even so, but the years from 72-77 when Simon was missing surely means that Peggy clocked up more than enough gigs to see off a couple of acoustic tours and Simons pre fc years.

Jude wants a bundle....Jude wants a bundle  ;)

I would call that loyalty and devotion :-*
C x

quote author=davidmjs link=topic=29187.msg420459#msg420459 date=1235752032]


Jude wants a bundle....Jude wants a bundle  ;)
[/quote]

I don't need to fight. I am absolutely right. ::)

I think....

I don't need to fight. I am absolutely right. ::)

I think....
[/quote]

I meant between Simon and Dave as per the discussion!

I don't need to fight. I am absolutely right. ::)

I think....
[/quote]

I meant between Simon and Dave as per the discussion!
[/quote]

Phew! That's all right then.... :o

I was wondering how many people would unerstand what I was on about.....

Yes, I did already know the answer, I just thought it was an oppurtunity too good to miss ;D

You're a very naughty child. Go and stand in the corner and write something out 100000 times.  ::)

Yes miss  :-\

May 23rd Leamington Assembly now open for booking (01926 523001/www.leamingtonassembly.com)
May 28th Bromsgrove Folk Club also open - application form downloadable from http://www.bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk/page26a.html

Both unreserved seating.

S&J

Bookings being taken for the Papplewick gig too.. it's a FarnsAc production...  IM me for details.

Tickets for the Haddenham gig have just this minute gone on sale. Visit http://www.elyfolkclub.co.uk/ for more details.


Provisionally got mine  ;D

We got our tickets to see them at Dartford on May 1st. We just about got them mind, they were nearly sold out!

...and selling well. Hope to see some of you there  ;D

Tried to book online tickets for Margate, but the website states over 18's only  ???.  Don't think the boy's would forgive me if I left them at home.

tickets for South Petherton sold out yesterday in 75 minutes from going on sale..

http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/

booked 2 tickets today for the added gig at South Petherton on Monday May 4th  8)

Anyone else off to Dartford tonight for the first night of the tour?

the added gig on monday at The David Hall , South Petherton is now sold out but there are still 6 returned tickets on sale for the tuesday  8) http://www.thedavidhall.org.uk/catalogue/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=320

looking forward to monday  ;D

The tour kicked out off in style at The Mick Jagger Centre in Dartford. Anyone that wants to be suprised, look away now...

Yippee!

Just seen this KK. Dartford would normally have been the one for me but FA are on at Colchester Arts Centre this coming Sat. 9th May  ;D Really looking forward to it having read the spoilers!  ;)

Any one going to Lichfield on friday?

C x

Is anyone venturing forth to Leek?

I believe it's near me  ???  But, the buses stop a bit too early (according to the 'First' site)  ::)

Who is coming to the Papplewick gig.. it's in Notts you know  ;D

Would that I were Queen Amy, it would be good to see the Farnsaccers again  ;D

I do know it will be a cracking good evening!  {:-)

And who is coming to the Leamington Spa gig?

Who is coming to the Portsmouth gig ?

Not able to see them on this tour, so I hope at least two of the songs I haven't heard live listed get through the selection process for Cropredy. My daughter will be at York so will get a report from her in due course. To everyone else who is going to any of the shows - I hope it's rubbish!  ;)

I'm going to try and get to the Leamington gig.  Funds etc...  Here's hoping!

I was planning to but there is already too much month left at the end of the money!  :(

Are there any tickets left?

Wish you were Mic...

I'll be in Leamington this weekend clearing mum's house...  better check when the gig is...!

Just booked mine today, was told most of the stalls gone

Angie and I will be there. I shall be sporting a grey/purple embroidered FC sweatshirt of great vintage and rarity :)

Is anyone else going to the Haddenham gig. Still tickets left (AFAIK) if anyone is interested.

See you there hopefully

I might ;)

Phew!!!

 8) ;D

Just been putting posters up in the villages for the gig...  local librarian looked at the poster and said..

"Oh they're quite famous aren't they?"

 8) ;D :-*

That's made me really smile ;D

C x

Just got back from the Talking Heads gig - utterly fab what more can I say?

Sorry if I've missed it elsewhere (haven't posted on here in ages), is there anywhere to post photos?

debs


(For those at the gig who might be wondering, Lucy (age 3) did eventually fall asleep - in the car ^-^)

You can post photos as an attachment to your reply.

For details of how to resize and attach photos, see here (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=24279.msg301229#msg301229).

Who are Talking Heads these days? WIthout Mr Byrne, they're just "Talking..."

I think she is refering to the Southampton - Talking Heads gig by Fairport Acoustic Convention, Andy  :)

i did wonder when talking heads had reformed again, and when they reformed last time without david byrne they were just "...heads" Andy ::)

Guildhall, Lichfield - Never been there before, what a fabulous venue, evoking a medieval feel to proceedings, with flags hanging from high up in the rafters and a wonderful stained glass window towering over everyone.
We did take some live pics, but due to not using a flash, they are a bit blurry - nothing to do with the amount of beer we consumed heehee.
Superb renditions of "Walk Awhile", "Wood & Wires", the oak panels themselves seemed to appreciate the sound - fab sound from Simon on the desk. A very moving "Who knows where the time goes" by Simon, and the banter between songs was very humorous.
Two pics - one of the window, and second, the two of us with Peggy just outside the hall entrance.
Fab!  ;) ;) ;)

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That's a lovely venue.. been there several times...  have you the drink taken there C??  ;) ;D

Colchester Arts Centre last night, what a good night, good company, plus I think that band have a future and will go far... ;) ;D

Cocker Freeman put in an appearance.......eventually!  ::) Football pah!

Someone accidentally spilt gin all over me tho, so hic...wringing out my trousers as I type...

Colchester Arts Centre – very good sound – I felt my rib cage vibrate a few times.

Indeed there are still tickets, which is a bit surprising...

Just a few left for Papplewick.. it's near Nottingham you know...   ;D

A great gig at Portsmouth Theatre Royal (which to my shame, having been brought up in Pompey, I had never been in before :o). Wonderful, intimate venue - apparently a fire some years ago caused the stage to be re-built forward so the circle is almost on top of the stage - great for sound and vision.

Good to hear some songs from the 1990's which haven't had an airing for years and which, I suppose, don't fit so well nowadays with the electric line-up. First accoustic gig for my Angie who sat this morning with her head in Humphries' 'Meet on the Ledge', asking detailed questions!!!

Cheers, Martin, see you soon at Fareham :)

PS - I have also posted re last night in the 'Still missed after Forty Years' thread

Brilliant gig in Portsmouth last night, great fun. Nice to see so many friends there (lovely to meet TAWer Martin D) The guys are playing better than ever ! As mentioned previously, Simon's intro to MOTL was very poignant, this being the anniversary of the van crash. Also loved Gerry's exotic electronic percussion. Can only say if you haven't seen them on this tour - go, you will not be disappointed !

Chester, Alexanders tomorrow (Fri) night.  Anyone else going?

I've still got 16 days to go before I see this tour...  hope they don't run out of steam by then!

No chance dear heart, give them a hug from us :-*

C x

Two frontish stall tickets for Bury Met May 21st (which I think might be sold out) available cos I don't think I can make it. PM me if interested.

One spare ticket (standing) for Friday 22nd May, Corn Exchange, Hertford. I think it's an all standing event.

Please PM me if interested.

Cheers,

John.

Finally made it in here - it's only taken me a week to get round to posting.  Southampton gig was great.
We took a friend along to see them for the first time, I don't think it will be the last.

Anyhow, I've made a small gallery of images from the gig available over here: http://www.penguinphotos.co.uk/gallery/20090507/index.html
Enjoy!

GREAT pix... thank you!!

That's a nice hat Ric is wearing

I've just discovered the Chester gig tonight it outside.  Whoops!

Getting ready for Cropredy then...

The BBC weatherforecast says:

19:00 Heavy Rain Shower
22:00 Grey Cloud

So there is still hope... a bit ...  :-\

Report please!

Great photos Jools. Glad they are still enjoying Ric's new masterpiece. Looking forward to Monday at Nettlebed.
Sally

I just phoned Alexanders in Chester up...it's been brought inside due to the weather.  Going to be a tight squeeze.....!

Yes, Ric was particularly keen for me to photograph his hat.
 [;-)

Extremely disappointing Chester show, through no fault of the band, it should be added.  Was supposed to be outside but raining so had to come in but Alexanders were woefully unprepared for such an eventuality.  Then PA broke (I believe).  Let in at 8 pm in order to witness a sound check (what fun) whilst being crammed into far too small a space due to (what would have been a great dancefloor) the, believe it or not, diners crammed in in front of the stage (the waitering and the loud talking from some of the diners continued throughout the gig).  Band came on at 9.15.  I wasn't paying too much attention by then tbh and left halfway through the second set due to being too hot and bothered.  Won't be going back to Alexanders.  Harumph.

Great photos  ;D

By Crikey the guys were in great form last night at Nettlebed.  Fab set, fab sound, (thanks Mr Yorath)

Is anyone going to the Bromsgrove gig?

C&M

Bury tonight....anyone going ??  

Bernie (Southport)

The venue had hired in a digital desk (in order to provide enough channels) which proceeded to lose all its memory 2/3 way through the sound check - back to square 1, hence the sound problems.  After re-doing all the line checks assisted by Chris Hassall the house engineer and Chris Leslie, Simon the sound man did a fantastic job getting it all together more or less on the fly during the first couple of numbers.  And the band were on good form, I thought.  Set list as reported elsewhere.   Diners / crammed / variable bar service are typical of Alexanders, I'm afraid.

But you keep going back...with the band, and as a punter?  Not much incentive for them to improve then really is there?  :-\

Chris Leslie has written some News From The Front! (of the van...)

http://www.fairportconvention.com/general_news.php#news2

I thought that Handsonic of Gerry's was a set of bathroom scales! ;) ;D

I think you meant Chgris Leslie?

I've got one of those!  Looks like an alien toilet seat lid.  Endless fun they are...

Strange gig at Hertford Corn Exchange last night - mainly because I hadn't been to an all-standing gig since the 70's! The atmosphere certainly took me back several decades!. We were also treated to the obligatory noisy drunk, and I think the "standing only" setting seemed to give some people the feeling that they should feel free to talk amongst themselves between and during the songs. However, the "true" fans (as opposed to those who just wandered in off the street) seemed to be in a significant majority, and judging by the reaction of one of the Security (yes!) guys, the audience was somewhat different to their more usual clientele at that venue (he stood at the exit as we left offering his profuse thanks for being such a well-behaved crowd!).

Anyway, the band was up to the usual standard, despite the intense heat, indeed they chose to stand for the second half, explaining that the heat was in danger of putting them to sleep if they continued sitting down.

The set was pretty much as reported previously, I think, including "Best Wishes" as well as MOTL as encores.

Apologies to the lads for not staying to say hello at the end - we were too had and tired! Make that hot and tired!

DC

This annoys the Hell out of me! Anything that can be done? Or am I just an old and oversensitive, bad-tempered, moaning git?

I am a similarly-inclined git, in that case. As I said, I think standing up gives people the feeling that they are in a less "formal" setting and hence less constrained by the usually-accepted standards. Apart from annoying other members of the audience it's really disrespectful to the performers, IMHO.

DC

If you're that, that makes me a young and oversensitive, bad-tempered, moaning git! It really really pisses me off too. Worst experience I've ever had was seeing "An Inspector Calls" a few weeks ago. A crowd of teenagers from another school sitting directly behind us chatted throughout the entire 1h 45mins play, despite being told several times to "sssshhhh" by both the usherette and audience members. Even though we were at the back of the theatre, I'm pretty sure the actors on stage could hear it.

Anyway, hopefully we won't get any of that at Haddenham on Sunday (still tix left!!!) which I am really looking forward to. My first Fairport fix since Cropredy.

Just got in from Haddenham. Wonderful to see them again, and they were on their usual top form. Loved the two new songs, espeically the Festival Bell. the set list was as reported before and my favourites were

 

Enjoyed talking to Chris about Native American flutes in the interval, and he even beckoned me over at the end to show my how it worked and all the different fingering. Something tells me it won't be long before I'll have my own (mum fell in love with its sound). It now looks like I won't have to wait till the wintour to see them again as it now looks like I'll be at Croppers this year :D See ya all there  [;-)

Agree with most of the above. I adore Frozen Man and have been listening to the JT version for most of the week (and I know it's out of season, but I've also been listening to the Albion Christmas version).

Glad you enjoyed the gig, Ollie. It was rather wonderful, wasn't it? I thought they were on top form, both musically and otherwise. There were quite a few Fairport virgins in the audience, including one of my work colleagues, who has been listening to their music since the 60s, but had never seen them since last night. He and his wife have asked me to reserve them the same seats for next year...

Thanks guys for a great evening.  ;D

I loved "Festival Bell"  shall be dancing to that one come August

Of course, that should have been "...but had never seen them until last night", but you guessed that, didn't you?

Slightly out of sequence, but...the chaps performed a cracking set to a small (but perfectly formed) audience at The Assembly in Leamington on Saturday. Lovely room with great acoustics in a recently restored Art Deco venue, but little more than half full.

No matter - those who preferred to spend their Bank Holiday on the M5/M6 missed some great music. Set list is laminated so is probably standard for the tour, but particular highlights were Frozen Man (mentioned before), a reworked Woodworm Swing and Ric's violin on Crazy Man Michael. Oh, and Gerry's musical toilet seat.

We had Security as well..... ;D

S&J

I was missing - down at the brilliantly-run Black Horse Music Festival in Battle, East Sussex.

Great music, great weather and excellent lights for some great photos....

Can I just ask, has anyone put up a set list of this tour?  I have had a glance through the previous posts on the tour but can't find any mention more than one or two songs / toons.

Of course, I am willing to fully accept that, because I have just reached my 6th decade on this planet, I may not be looking just as hard as I should!!

Jack

PS Looking forward to Stirling tonight.

kascadekid did - see reply 89 in this thread.

Enjoy tonight - I'm sure you'll have a great time! ;D

Thank you, Katy's Mum!!!!

I'm sure we'll have a ball! Ta, again.

Jack x

I found this one on flickr



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Hair AND a white beard??  ;)

Just two days to go for me..  been out buying raffle prizes....

If anyone wants a ticket for the first prize of Ric's horrible plastic shoes...  IM me right away!!

Last chance...  8) ;D

'Ere now! What's wrong with that?!?  ;D

Heehee... nowt Bob  ;)

Just that when Peggy had hair he didn't have a white beard as well!!  ;D ;D ;D

It was so lovely to hear them play so close to home for us - literally 10 mins down the road. Even though they were all absolutely cream crackered they had the audience in the palm of their hands, and the happy banter was a real treat . . . Simon had lost his set list, and Peggy described him as now being listless, him and Chris were laughing like naughty schoolboys! Chris & Rick's "Ukelele" song got the whole audience joining in with the singalong chorus, and the whole venue rang like a bell. Our youngest daughter was very chuffed as all of them signed her Martin guitar, thanks guys. And we felt very privileged when Peggy decided to play our album through the PA during the interval.  8)

C x

Hmmm - that would be Chris & Ric's Ukelele song, I guess? ;D ;)

Bromsgrove - Thursday 28th.

Possibly not the gig the chaps would have wanted after the long trip back from Stirling. Problems with the PA meant that we took our seats while the sound check was in progress - interesting from our point of view, but probably not the most relaxing way to start the evening for Fairport.

The PA continued to play up for the rest of the evening. Various pops, whistles and crackles which eventually resulted in the loss of Simon's monitor and Chris' violin lead. The intermittent lighting effects were a mere sideshow.

It's at times like these that the sheer professionalism of Fairport really takes control. We'll remember the night for some really great performances, not for the odd hiccup soundwise. Someone had nicked Simon's setlist, but it was pretty much as before - Frozen Man and Ukulele Central have probably become the songs of the Tour, Fossil Hunter and Already There were really atmospheric (Ric's fiddle break on the latter gets better and better) and we had possibly the longest ever first verse pause on a emotional  WKWTTG from Simon.

Most bizarre sight of the night - Gerry's bass pedal striking thin air and still producing a beat from his toilet seat.

Sadly our last gig on this Tour - but Cropredy is just around the corner....

S&J

It would also be their Ukulele song as well... :P ::) ;)

touche....

Usual high standard performance at Stirling the other night as well.  The Stirling folk club mc was something of a 'character' - as Simon said Stirling FC's gain was the diplomatic service's loss! - & some of the club members in the audience were more than somewhat embarrassed when she launched into several tirades during the course of evening (expecially the particularly bizarre rant at the interval about the levels of audience enjoyment which she felt was obligatory!).  My first visit to this venue - the local rugby club's gymnasium decked out like a marquee - but nice sound & fine music.

There have been a lot of comments about Gerry's new gadgetry but I've not seen any mentions of Chris' new mandolin.  He was playing a brand new prototype of a Chris Leslie signature model produced by Ozark & what a beauty it is.  He was kind enough to let me get my hands on it after the gig - really nice action & a good acoustic tone but at the same time it produced a lovely sound when amplified during the band's performance.  Worth looking out for.

Fugger. I knew there was something else I meant to ask him after the Haddenham gig. A signature model! Is he the first Fairporter to have a signature model named after them?

Current member - possibly.....

RT has had a signature electric guitar for some years....

Well that's my new word for today........or am I just getting old.

Steve

So has Jerry Donahue.

Twice, for Fender and then for Peavey.

Paul

Hurrah, the day has come yet again, Fairport tonight at nice little village Papplewick Notts (10 mins from junction 27 M1), great location, bar, big safe carpark and a few tickets left ... 01623 794700 or 07742 185637

I shall be watching Uke Central with x-ray eyes..

have fun you lot, wish we could be there  {:-)

I wish you could too Angela.. it's been so long since we met  :-* :-*

ummmmm......8 hour round trip!

Never mind, only 75 days till Cropredy ;D

Haha.. you've done it before.. and further.. and in the fog.. in December!!

See you in The Field  8) {:-)

I'm feeling very tempted!

Give in to temptation Angela.. you know you want to!!!

Fairport at Papplewick 30th May 2009

The worst thing about putting on a Fairport gig is that the next day (today) I float about in a semi daze..  but know that on Monday I will have to get back to earth and deal with ‘other things’  :(  that’s life!

The best things about putting on a Fairport gig include spending time in the company of these lovely people, seeing the smiles on the faces of each and every member of the audience and knowing that I have played a small part in making this happen  :)

It was a wonderful night.  The  8) shone relentlessly, the band arrived early, as did much of the audience.  All the chaps were very well on form, though tired after a long tour.. there was an air of ‘end of termness’ in the atmosphere..  most looking forward to a bit of a rest.. though Chris will be out again within days on the Whippersnapper tour!

As they arrived in the van Puggs was hammering a sign saying ‘Fairport’ into the hard ground.. they gave him the thumbs up in welcome. The sound and lighting was soon up and the soundcheck done.  There was a bit of furniture moving as the band room was full of election cubicles for Thursday.. so they had an even smaller room as their own.. they could barely all fit in.. but at least it really was backstage!

I can’t add much to what has already been said here about the music.. it’s all been said and the set list was the same.  What I will say though is that it was magical…  a perfect gig on a perfect night  ;D

Puggs had deep discussions with Ric and Chris about Ukulele Central.. very exciting..  Mave the Rave.. aka Pastiemum was in seventh heaven.. after a long illness she was so happy to be there in the midst of this great music again.. and loved having her photo taken.. a lot!

Karen and I carefully wrapped Ric’s C ro cs in cellophane with ribbons and at the end of the interval I did the raffle with Chris… as already noted the winning number was called out.. No75.. and it was Delphini!!  {:-)  None of us could quite believe that!  The raffle was in aid of the RNLI, not sure how much was raised yet but the tin was very heavy.. so if you were there and contributed.. a big Thank You.

All too soon it was John Gaudie time, then Best Wishes and Meet..  I thought: ‘the next time I hear that I will be on a field…’ They said their ‘goodbyes’ and off they went.. we had another half an hour or so packing up time and left at midnight, leaving the hired in sound & lights man with at least another half hour’s packing up to do.

What a great gig it was, very memorable. Thank you chaps  :-*, please come again to Papplewick!

A couple of pix from last night...





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Great pix ;D

It was a great night of fun and music - and a real highlight to see Mave the Rave there :-*

Fantastic pics, well done Diane  8) (So glad these noddy boots are washable!  ;) )

Lovely photos of Mave PB!  ;) (and of course that other fella who's clinging around her neck!)  ;D

I seen him before somewhere. Bloody cheek to try and sneak into a photo with a famous TAWer, though. I think I saw him doing it before with Andy Leslie and Big Dave. Honestly. Who does he think he is?

Dunno Mike.. but he sings good  ;)

Mave the Rave isn't even a TAWer.. let alone a famous one.. mind you I think she must have honorary status by now!!

He just likes having his photo taken!

That's what I assumed.

some pix from Saturday..........

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I enjoyed doing the raffle  8)

Thanks for the pix Diane  ;D