TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

I've been asked by Swarb and Jill to pass on this message. Apologies if it's not in the right place.

"It is with deep regret that I have to announce, that due to difficulties with the format and rehearsal time for the Liege and Lief concert evening on the 18th July 2009 at The Barbican, I am withdrawing from the evening’s events and will not be appearing.

I am extremely saddened by lack of dialogue between the band, the constant meddling with proposed guests and the inadequate rehearsal time that I feel is essential for a first rate performance.
I have strenuously tried my very best to promote discussion and remedy these matters.
I have to admit that there is nothing more I can do or say to influence anybody concerned in producing the kind of show that we should all be proud to be a part of.

Dave Swarbrick"

Oh sh*t.

Not good.  

Somebody probably should have started by telling him it wasn't (billed as, or specifically) a Liege & Lief concert evening, I suppose....  ::)

Oh no.

That is so sad.

Is it ok to forward this to other FC sites, like the list, or was this message specifically for TAW?

Thanks

So now what? I can't see this working without Swarb. What odds cancellation? I did wonder about scheduling and rehearsal. Fairport are all over the place this summer.

they're farking it up folks >:(

I'm not so sure, perhaps it could work, partially. The first album & "Holidays" were Swarbless, "Unhalfbricking" only slightly Swarb infested. Perhaps Dave Arbus could be drafted in to reprise his fiddling role. Someone was saying recently how good "A Sailor's Life" is without violin. It could work.

"Liege & Lief" however, would be a different matter. How disappointing & I presume his Canadian jaunt will still prevent him appearing at Cropredy. Double B****r.  :'(

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Is it ok to forward this to other FC sites, like the list, or was this message specifically for TAW?

Thanks
[/quote]

Swarb says it's fine to post elsewhere.

Looking at various websites, I don't think there was ever going to be an opportunity for long protracted group rehearsals for the Barbican events.

RT is on tour in the USA until July 1st.
Ian Matthews is on tour in Holland,
Simon & Peggy are in Brittany with the Anne de Bretagne project,
Swarb in Japan with Martin Carthy between July 1st - 6th (strangely he is also booked to play in Coventry with Kev Dempsey on July 5th) that's followed by two Lazuras dates 8/9 July.
DM is on tour in the USA until July 10th.

Surely the logistical difficulties of getting " the band" all in one place for rehearsals has not come as a surprise to anyone.

They're going to wing it from 40 year old memories.  It will be great.  (Rather against type, I've decided to be 'glass half-full' about the whole thing)  :)

It would appear that the only thing that resembles Fairport of 40 years ago is the inability of "management" in this case again Mr Boyd to organise and manage his "team".  

While I appreciate the difficulties of organising such events, if you book the bloody Barbican Centre and sell out it rather behoves the people organising it to do a "Ronseal".  Although what this concert is about has never been that clear.

So we exchange a night of Swarb for a night of Martin Carthy (musically really not my bag) , bestill my beating heart.

Yep, me too David. I'm still really looking forward to the evening
 

So am I.  

I just hoped that with that sort of venue there was going to be vision and rehersal, rather than any winging it.

It's a great shame Swarb feels unhappy about taking part, and I for one will miss his presence - musical & personal; however, I take heart from the fact that Fairport have managed on numerous occasions to pull out some memorable performances when events seemed to have transpired against them, so I'm still looking forward to the gig - just not quite as much.

(At least I haven't had to take time off work & pay for flights/ferries...)

 

poor swarb :(

From what Swarb said, I suspect he had been asked to perform on various tracks from Liege and Lief, but might not have been required for the other 3 albums. I certainly see the issues with guests; not sure what the motivation was for such an eclectic mix - possibly a case of trying to fit a quart into a pint pot and someone not noticing the contents spilling out.

Anyhow, maybe Simon will be along soon, and even if not it should be a *very* interesting evening - Fairport Unconventional, in fact.

I think it only polite that people respect his decision and just enjoy the evening. You will all have a fab night :)

C x

I'm sure we will C, but the fact remains that many of us bought tickets to see Simon/Peggy/RT/Swarb playing together.  So you can't really blame people for being disappointed.

Keith...how did you deduce that from Swarb's message?

Same as David's observation - "Liege and Lief" as opposed to Fairport All Star Line Up. And there is limited time; certainly not enough for all the albums.

Oooh it's just like Fairport really was in the 60s and 70s. Just when you've got used to a line up, someone leaves!

Boo! Like many others, it was Swarb's presence that made us shell out for tickets and overpriced train and hotel for the weekend. I was even hopeful he might have had a quick turn on the mic in some shape or form! Don't blame him at all- just very sorry for him that it wasn't turning out as planned. Don't blame the others either- it was clearly going to be hard to fit any proper rehearsals in. I had been looking forward to this event for months and months and now don't really feel like going at all!! If it is now the remaining earlier members with Ric standing in I'm sure it will be ok. Well, thinking about it, I suppose that's just what it will be- but with lots of guests. I'm sure I'll come round in a day or two but am a little disappointed at the mo.  

the initial idea was great but its been pissed about and farted around with, no wonder Swarb told them to bugger off, mind you he never really had much time for the esteemed mr boyd did he(see "big william" off "9" for further details)

Probably shouldn't say this, and no offence intended to anyone, but if they need a fiddle, I hope they get Mr Leslie to do it (he can do the vocals as well).

no Swarb vocals on L&L

I was thinking of Full House stuff (as we know Peggy is there too).

Still says "The line-up for the Barbican Concert will be combinations of Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, Iain Matthews, Dave Swarbrick and Richard Thompson – and an array of guest singers." on the Barbican website.

They most probably haven't caught up with Swarbs news yet.

Slightly off topic this (and not a complaint) but does anyone know if I have had a post modded on this thread. I can't think why it would have been but I posted from my hotel in France in the early hours of this morning but it doesn't seem to be here now. Did anyone see it? Or did I dream it?  :-\

I don't remember seeing it.. but I could be wrong.

Not that I can see Gub Gub, and I have been back to the beginning of June.

it's probably in a restaurant somewhee in France scoffing moules mariniere. Or Brie.. ;D

I wish I was, after a hideous journey home.

Oh well, I blame those Fairport types for keeping me up so late and making me tired and delusional!  ;D

were you hitting the absinthe?

That`s a bit like with the "Celtic Tiger" show a couple of years back.
They had a tour plan like ' evening 1: Vienna - evening 2: Madrid - eveing 3: Zurich - and this with just one stage !  It could not work. So, the easiest way out was to be surprised and cancel several shows.
Back to topic: Looking at the logistic problems stated above it must have been clear that it is a very narrow time frame any rehearsals could have taken place in. So, IMHO the reason for Swarb`s withdrawal is more to be looked for within the emotional / "self importance" drawer. Which is really Swarb`s drawer (to use the picture again).
FC had to tackle with more severe problems in the past and they did it very well.
We had a phantastic L&L - show at Cropredy and this Barbican event is celebrating 3 albums turning 40, not just L&L.
So, whoever is able to attend: enjoy and have a great FC night.
 

why are people guessing when they do not actually know what has happened? all sorts of b*****ks being said about him on the list as well... some v insulting. swarb is a member here and this is rude.

I am simply looking forward to an evening of good music in good company no matter who is performing. I just love listening to the music of Fairport.Yes it would have been great to see Swarb but if he feels unable to be there then he has reasons and we needn't be trying to second guess what they are. Let's not forget that it wasn't so very long ago, because he was so  ill, we might not have expected him to still be with us .We should be grateful that he is, even if he won't be there for this particular gig.

Well said Sam and Viv G. ;D Can't we just leave it there now peeps?

Unless you bought a ticket specifically because it was advertised as "combinations of Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, Iain Matthews, Dave Swarbrick, Judy Dyble and Richard Thompson – and an array of guest singers". Which is now not (for whatever reason) what you're getting.

No. For precisely the reasons that Skirky has stated above. I don't think most people on this board intend any disrespect to Swarb. It would be most out of character for that to happen but it has become increasingly unclear what this show actually is. It is clearly not what it was originally promoted to be and therefore people feel that they have been sold tickets under false pretences.

As for it being a celebration of 3 albums released in 1969, well, is it? That does not explain Peggy's participation. Don't get me wrong. Peggy is an enormous plus point for me but it adds to the confusion. If the intention had been to stretch to Full House (many people's hope I'm sure), then the absence of Swarb definitely becomes an issue again.

Whatever way you look at it, from Swarb's perspective, from ours as the audience and probably from that of other people involved, the organisation of this show appears to have been very badly handled and the promoters need to be more forthcoming about what it is they are actully selling.

Oh, this is slightly disappointing.  However, I'll admit the main draw for me and my friends was the appearance of Fairport Mk 1; a Full House tune or two would've been lovely, but I'm still extremely excited.

Only just seen this thread.  In fact I was unaware of the whole thing until my pal Guy told me.  I really hope this doesn't signal a total breakdown in relations between Swarb and the others.   :(

Jules

Possibly a total breakdown between Joe Boyd and others - which wouldn't be for the first time. I really would be surprised if there was any friction between ex and current band members now.

When all is said and done, whatever the reasons for Swarb dropping out, if it is something negative, surely we don't expect him to air his grievances in public, especially not on a bulletin board that members of the band also take part in

He's given us his reasons for dropping out.

Yes, it's a shame for the people who have bought tickets specifically to see Swarb with the band, but that's music for you. Artistic Differences - we've all heard the joke!

Donna

Well Swarb and Joe don't rub along too well - that's no secret.

But after the brouhaha over the 2007 Cropredy souvenir (remember, no Swarb), this latest upset may indeed drive a wedge.  I hope not, but it has to be a possibility.   :(

Jules

This year having seen the Winter Tour, the TCT Albert Hall Show, and the Acoustic Tour already, I'm now thoroughly looking forward to another evening of FC-related music played to a sellout crowd in a beautiful venue, regardless of which incarnation of the band is playing it. Shame about the show being Swarbless, but, as another member of this board has already stated - "the glass is half full." Whoever is on the stage will, I'm sure, provide a great evening of music.

Well said and that should be the end of the debate.

My take on it is that Swarb is essentially a band leader and therefore a man who likes things done in a certain way - a way which he feels will result in the best possible performance. If, as it seems from his message, this isn't happening he has two choices:

1. Bite the bullet, go with the flow and risk putting in a performance that he feels may be second rate.

2. Pull out with his reputation and integrity intact.

Both options have their merits, I guess it comes down to letting yourself down or letting other people down and, doubtless with much soul searching, Swarb has taken the decision to put his reputation first. A tough choice especially in the knowledge that many fans will be feeling very let down. I don't know what I would do in the same circumstance and can only guess at the annguish this has caused.

DW

Well said.

I am just happy to look forward to whatever is offered, and am very much looking forward to hearing stuff from the first album, which is my favourite, but which we rarely, if ever, get the chance to hear live;D ;D ;D

Yep, fully agree.

Please, as Sam says, can people stop pontificating about Swarb and why or why not he isn't playing? He has had the courtesy to let people know on here - he needn't have said anything and just left it to the promotors to explain. He hasn't done that he's let us know and apologised.  At least there is time for people who are disappointed to sell on their tickets or argue with the promoters for money back as they aren't getting what was advertised. So please no more conjecture.

Tasha,

Surely this is a discussion board and Swarb's decision not to play is something which is surely worthy of discussion. One sees speculation abounding on other areas of the board about matters far more serious than this one. There are many on this board who held Swarb in the highest esteem but does this mean we cannot express our disquiet about a decision he makes - after all as Malvolio said, paraphrased, what the greater do the lesser prattle on.

Fine words indeed.

I have to say, I agree with David.

Jules

I really, really don't want to rake up any more debate, but can you enlighten me about this?  I must have missed something here...

(A PM might be easier)

The suggestion that we might "leave it there peeps" is at best a joke... There has been a bad feeling about this almost since it was announced... I for one was ecstatic that early FC was going to be on the stage again - RT, Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Iain Matthews with necessary (and excellent) stand-ins for Martin and Sandy in the shape of the great DM and one (or, if necessary more) of the range of possible female singers plus Swarb. However, the "other guests" bit sounded worrying... particularly La Famille Thompson, Martin Carthy... others? Now we have Swarb checking out... no-one has a clue exactly what is or is not happening who or is not performing. Unacceptable. I cancelled a significant other engagement to attend what I believed (was strongly led to believe) would be a set focused on FC's best ever albums... What We Did On Our Holidays and Unhalfbricking... plus Liege & Lief (to keep the 40 years/1969 theme) and Full House (fine album but only included at a 1970 stretch)... Now? God only knows.... and I don't mean add The Beach Boys to the schedule (although that's always a nice option). So no... I won't "leave it there peeps"... And as for the curiously mad suggestion that Chris Leslie stand in for Swarb and sing.... PLEASE NO......

The suggestion that we might "leave it there peeps" is at best a joke... There has been a bad feeling about this almost since it was announced... I for one was ecstatic that early FC was going to be on the stage again - RT, Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Iain Matthews with necessary (and excellent) stand-ins for Martin and Sandy in the shape of the great DM and one (or, if necessary more) of the range of possible female singers plus Swarb. However, the "other guests" bit sounded worrying... particularly La Famille Thompson, Martin Carthy... others? Now we have Swarb checking out... no-one has a clue exactly what is or is not happening who or is not performing. Unacceptable. I cancelled a significant other engagement to attend what I believed (was strongly led to believe) would be a set focused on FC's best ever albums... What We Did On Our Holidays and Unhalfbricking... plus Liege & Lief (to keep the 40 years/1969 theme) and Full House (fine album but only included at a 1970 stretch)... Now? God only knows.... and I don't mean add The Beach Boys to the schedule (although that's always a nice option). So no... I won't "leave it there peeps"... And as for the curiously mad suggestion that Chris Leslie stand in for Swarb and sing.... PLEASE NO......
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i would love to be able to go to this gig...

jude is there.. that in itself is rare.
why " has there been  bad feeling about this gig from the beginning " .. for gods sake?

you say:

" However, the "other guests" bit sounded worrying... particularly La Famille Thompson, Martin Carthy... others? "

um why? all fantastic musicians, all with great pedigrees.. what is the problem. how can you possibly moan about this ? lol

this is a one off event, which i wish i could get to but can't. can people not just enjoy it and trust that fairport and associated musos will produce a wonderful show?

how bizarre ..

Ric for the violin spot, please. At least he doesn't sing.

What? You CANCELLED? You let someone down? I bet they're fuming and arguing about it on a messageboard somewhere.

I think there are points being missed here. There is no doubt that those involved can put on a wonderful show but it is not the show that was originally announced. It is not the show that I, for one, booked to see. People are entitled to feel disappointed and somewhat misled.

I will probably still go but I am much less excited about it than I was and my fervour began to dissipate a long time before this most recent announcement. It happened as soon as all of those guest names began to appear, diluting the Fairport magic.

This now seems much more akin to a Cropredy Saturday night. That is certainly a special thing but it is not what I and clearly many others here were, with some justification, hoping for.

It is a little like booking to see Simon & Garfunkel and then finding out that Paul Simon will not be appearing and his place has been taken by James Taylor, a fine musician unquestionably, but not the same thing.

It may be a little like that, but that's still an exaggeration.  I'm sure the Barbican will, if pushed, refund the tickets to those that don't want to make it and re-sell them to those that do.

 

i would love to be able to go to this gig...

jude is there.. that in itself is rare.
why " has there been  bad feeling about this gig from the beginning " .. for gods sake?

you say:

" However, the "other guests" bit sounded worrying... particularly La Famille Thompson, Martin Carthy... others? "

um why? all fantastic musicians, all with great pedigrees.. what is the problem. how can you possibly moan about this ? lol

this is a one off event, which i wish i could get to but can't. can people not just enjoy it and trust that fairport and associated musos will produce a wonderful show?

how bizarre ..
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Thank you for a customarily fatuous "reply". How can I possibly moan, you ask? Well how about being sold a bill of goods?... The earliest announcement about this spoke of "1969", "Thompson, Nicol, Matthews, Hutchings, Swarbrick, Mattacks, some or other female vocalist". Not the extended Thompson family, Martin Carthy, a lenghthening list not "FC 1969" not solely "Thompson, Nicol, Matthews, Hutchings, Swarbrick, Mattacks, some or other female vocalist"... Now I appreciate that you may not care. These others are - as you rightly state - "all fantastic musicians, all with great pedigrees".... BUT IT'S NOT A SPECIAL ONE-OFF FOCUSED EVENT PERFORMING/CELEBRATING 1969 WHEN FC WAS A GREAT BAND...

You do know the problem, don't you? Many on this site are (as someone actually put it) "just happy to look forward to whatever is offered"... regardless of whatever happens to be "advertised". I'm not. It's called discernment, love...

But no... really... thanks for the point-missing fatuity of a post... (and PLW can butt out)

i rather agree with jackie boy
the initial show was going to be the reunion of fc69
and while all the others may well be nice people and fine performers they arnt what it promised to be
and an underrehearsed sing along isnt quite what i was hoping for

Yum yum....Nice tone.

So you'll be contacting the Ticket office for a refund...and somebody who wants to be there can be.  Everyone's happy.  Move right on...

Ummm, would it make you any happier if I pulled out as well?  :-\
(I have no intention of doing so by the way)

And it will be in no way under-rehearsed, nor will it be a 'sing-a-long'

This thread is making me feel increasingly uncomfortable and unwelcome.. :'(

should anyone not want to go they could donate their tickest to me  ;D

I would love to see jude and all those fine performers

I'm with you there Billy!

I hope you don't feel unwelcome Jude! :-* I for one wish i was going its on my Birthday! But i physicaly can't get down there from work in time.
I can understand the upset at Swarb not being there etc, as I've already said, but if its not what Jack and others want to see then there is time to get refunds. However I don't see the point of being off about who is there.

No Jude, not at all, the idea of a celebration of early Fairport is fine topped off by the last hurrah of the FC69 line up
but it seems to have become something it wasnt initially billed as, and not what I had hoped for,
Swarb did have a problem with rehearsal time though
Its just that it seems like an opportunity lost
this is all a bit academic for me since i wasnt going in any case

Jude...I'm sure that none of this it directed at you, and I hope that other posters will confirm that.  I was delighted to learn after I'd got my ticket that you will be there.

I'm not sufficiently geeky to remember, (or look up, or really care) exactly who was in the band on each album, but I am looking forward to wallowing in general early Fairport nostalgia, and you're an integral part of that era for me.

And this is why I think it's a pity that Swarb won't be there.  And I don't really understand what Teddy and Kamila etc will add.  I'm ashamed to say that I'd never heard of Linde Nijland.  :-[


(PS, Tasha...it's my b'day too!)

I think we have the solution....

Unfortunately, this gig has changed from what was originally advertised. We are obviously not going to be told why, although artists have apologised here. There seems little point in continually rehashing or repeating upset feelings. We are where we are. Can we move on......

However, there are still many who would rather be there than not, so anyone not now wishing to attend can advertise their tickets here and I'm sure you will get takers. There is still time to cancel hotel bookings and the like, so iot's a good chance you won't even be out of pocket if you advertise now.

If anyone has anything new to add, please post it here.

If the astonishing impromptu performance of Time Will Show the Wiser a couple of years ago at Cropredy is anything to go by, it will be anything but an under-rehearsed singalong.

And don't forget Jude, a message board is a self-selecting minority: the vast majority of the audience won't have even heard of this board or be aware of this discussion. Enjoy the show and give it everything you've got!

Conclusive proof of your femininity if ever I saw it.  It's a bloke thing, isn't it?   :)

Thank you for a customarily fatuous "reply". How can I possibly moan, you ask? Well how about being sold a bill of goods?... The earliest announcement about this spoke of "1969", "Thompson, Nicol, Matthews, Hutchings, Swarbrick, Mattacks, some or other female vocalist". Not the extended Thompson family, Martin Carthy, a lenghthening list not "FC 1969" not solely "Thompson, Nicol, Matthews, Hutchings, Swarbrick, Mattacks, some or other female vocalist"... Now I appreciate that you may not care. These others are - as you rightly state - "all fantastic musicians, all with great pedigrees".... BUT IT'S NOT A SPECIAL ONE-OFF FOCUSED EVENT PERFORMING/CELEBRATING 1969 WHEN FC WAS A GREAT BAND...

You do know the problem, don't you? Many on this site are (as someone actually put it) "just happy to look forward to whatever is offered"... regardless of whatever happens to be "advertised". I'm not. It's called discernment, love...

But no... really... thanks for the point-missing fatuity of a post... (and PLW can butt out)
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 ::)

no need to be like this.. it is a message board not a testosterone contest  ;D
you have your opinion and i have mine yes? that is the point of discussion?
i have had the same convo with others here and neither of us have become abusive...
so polite request... CHILL .

well said and jude  :-*

Thank you for being so kind to me all of you that have messaged and posted.. it is quite odd to wear the two hats that I do, one as a musician and one as ole Jude the minimod and greyhound besotteder besotted person.

I do try to stay detached from these sorts of things, but sometimes I just have to stamp my wellie-booted foot :o

It will be a brilliant show and the songs from 40 years ago cannot be the same as when they were originally sung and played, and neither should they be, but hopefully the experiences and growth of the musicians playing them again will add an extra dimension.

I must practice my harping ::) ;D

So, who's organising the meet-up, so we can all say nice things to each other over a pint or two?

[will take this to the less angry thread]

Hmmm - it'll need to be someone with access to the local hostelries, as, being in the heart of the City, a fair number of hostelries in the locale are only open Mon-Fri.

Martin Driver would know one as he's prteviously organised a meet for a Barbican gig - which pub was it, Martin? And would you recommend it?

See other thread:

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=181

Can I just confirm that none of my comments are directed at Jude or Swarb or any of the performers, albeit that I think some of the "outsiders" are unnecessary. That certainly does not include our own beloved minimod!  :)

They do reflect my frustration at the lack of clarity around what this show is meant to be however, and the apparent conceptual change from the original announcement. I believe that we all heard of this show first from Swarb's own website so the latest development comes as a bit of an unfortunate surprise. Nevertheless, I'm sure FC67 will rock!

Hi Jude,

I'm glad that you don't have an intention of dropping out, but sad that you needed to say it (and I fully appreciate why).  I think you are a very special case with relation to the Barbican gig, in that you are an original FC-er, pre '69. As someone who wanted to go, but can't as it's the same night as a charity concert I'm taking part in, I know that if I'd seen you on the line-up, I'd be thrilled, cos you're the one!!! I can't say the same for Thompson family members and Martin Carthy, as they're not actually FC-ers.  Save them for Saturday night at Cropredy - it's what we want and expect to see then.

And Simon N - if you're reading this - please don't take this as a negative at you or the organisation. If I were going, personally, i wouldn't be asking for a refund, I'd just 'rearrange my thinking'and be expecting a different sort of gig, than originally.

 ;D

D
xx

Well said!
Come on you lot: change is inevitable (except from vending machines) so sort yourselves out.
Get yourselves along to the gig and have a good time!   O0

Dear all

An observation and a request:

Observation: With all the back and forthing about Dave Swarbrick's decision to withdraw nobody appears to have thought it worth 'tipping the hat' to him for his forthrightness in announcing his reasons for doing so. OK, he may have elected to word his announcement in such a way as to indicate 'underlying factors' (and thus opening this thread of what amounts to little more than speculation fuelled moaning) but some might call that diplomacy. It occurs to me that if he had chosen the route that most artists opt for - 'due to ill health' 'there in spirit' etc- this thread would have taken a very different route...

Request: If anybody is seriously considering giving the date a miss please let me know, I have a queue of people waving pound notes in the air that would love to relieve you of your tickets..

All best wishes

Mike

PS: My opinion is just that, my opinion, please don't reply with insults if those previously posted are the best that you can do. I have been insulted by professionals and found that the only rational response is '**** off' and then I'll get banned from the site and that would be a drag.

Pound notes?  You're showing your age there fella  ;)

I'll reserve any judgement I have until after the show - return train ticket purchased, Mrs Adam mollified (just) and still with a high feeling of excitement and expectation.... ;D

Love and wishes

Adam

(happy mood with too many pear ciders swilling inside!)

I guess in these days when every little bum note will be in broad electronic daylight on YouTube a day, exposed without the atmosphere of the gig that masked it, folk are a bit more circumspect...

That would be called Perry, I believe. (unless there was apple content with the pears)

Pear cider & perry are not actually synonyms. Proper perry is made from pear juice, while pear cider, as marketed by the likes of Heineken (Bulmers), or other majors is made from imported pear concentrate, contains water, sweeteners & other additives & is pasteurised. Perry orchards in the UK are rare & endangered & could not supply even a fraction of the volumes required to meet even current needs. While it's nice to see pears making a bit of a comeback, it is another dispiriting example of cynical & perverse marketing that is popularising an ancient product, while at the same time debasing it beyond recognition. Apologies for wandering off-topic

I was never in a position to be able to go to this gig, but I was pretty envious of those who could. I guess if I had been going I would be a little disappointed at Swarb deciding not to take part, but I'd at least try to see it from his point of view. The original posting hints at his reasons, but none of us knows how deep his feelings run. I don't for one minute think it is a decision he would have made lightly.
Given what Swarb has been through in recent years I think he has earned the right to do what he damn well likes and under his own terms.
Let's just thank whatever deity we may or may not believe in, (in my view our much maligned National Health Service had a major part to play in it) that Swarb is still amongst us, that he is playing and singing again and that he is still around to make his own decisions.

If I had been able to go, would I still be going? You bet I would and I'm sure that all of you lucky enough to be going will have a great time and make sure you raise a glass or two to Swarb in his absence.

my first visit to the TAW site for a few days...very disappointed that Dave Swarbrick will not be appearing at the Barbican. My wife and I decided many months ago that our budget this year would stretch to see the 69' Fairports at the Barbican show, we knew we could not afford Cropredy this year and this performance would offer us an opportunity to see all those wonderful performers under one roof...I am looking forward to the concert lots and holding tickets that position us three rows from the front means that I am looking forward to hearing this amalgamation (what would one call a group of fairports together?...a 'group of Fairports does not sound right...a gaggle of Fairports?) indoors...Not having seen DM perform for all of two years this will be an opportunity for me to hear and to see him in action...On the occasions that Jude took the stage at Cropredy it has always been a delight to hear her perform those early songs/numbers...a treat for all I'm sure...are you going to 'stage knit' Jude?...a more relaxing past time than stage diving into the audience. Swarb I'm sure will be missed by many who will be attending the show...Reading Swarb's announcement on these very pages I can certainly understand the reasons why he isn't performing...Not having seen recently who is appearing at Cropredy this year as far as Fairport members are concerned... I wondered if Swarb be performing at Cropredy? if so those of you who shall be in attendance at Cropredy may well get to hear Mr Swarbrick play some of those 69' tunes...If this is the case I shall turn green with envy...

...a frapple of Fairports. :)

Of course, it's a convention of Fairports......

The Barbican have updated the info about the concert on their website, as follows:

The Barbican has learned that violinist Dave Swarbrick has decided, for personal reasons, not to take part in the All-Star Fairport Convention Concert on Saturday 18 July. While we are sorry to hear this, this much-awaited reunion concert will still continue as planned, focussing on the music from the first five Fairport Convention albums - including Liege And Lief. Taking part (in alphabetical order) will be : Martin Carthy, Judy Dyble, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Iain Matthews, Simon Nicol, Linde Nijland, Dave Pegg, Kami Thompson, Richard Thompson, Teddy Thompson, Chris While and Kellie While.

Who's on fiddle?

Move away from the keyboard PLW - you're endangering not just yourself but innocent bystanders  ;)

LMAO @ both of you.

Jules

mps, bbc board members, the board of rover,do i need to go on ::)

Currently pursuing this with The Barbican.

Ah! A feast of fiddlers!

Ok, after a bit of string pulling, have finally found out that Chris Leslie will be playing, which is a relief -- he knows all the songs.

Obviously no Swarb singing, although that might not have happened anyway.

Am I allowed to say 'I told you'?   :)

I'm pleased.

As you say Chris, many of the pubs in the area are closed at weekends, so there is not a great choice of options in the vacinity of the Barbican.  "The Old Red Cow" located at 71, Long Lane,  is the pub we met in the last time.
Directions; turn right as you exit Barbican tube station, then immediately right into Long Lane, the pub is 100 yards on the left.
They also serve food.

http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub67.html

Martin, I've already suggested a venue in the Barbican Meetup thread; the Fox and Anchor.

Sorry Keith I have been away for a few days and hadn't noticed the meeting thread. The Fox & Hounds sounds good to me

Thanks.

Oops of course I meant to say the Fox & Anchor

Sill Anchor, Martin.