TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

I see that the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells are already advertising Fairport for Friday 12th February (my daughter's birthday!)

Anyone heard of any other dates?

All the dates are listed in the Cropredy programme.  I'm wondering what to do because High Wycombe isn't on the list! :o  I guess it'll have to be either Leamington Spa or Swindon.

They don't seem to be on the website yet, so might be some other dates added soon.

Not only no High Wycombe, but no Basingstoke either  :(
Is the tour shorter than usual to accommodate "Excalibur"?

The Maltings Farnham for me :)

Hold your horses! We would llike the Scandinavian tour to be finished, and what know else-....
'Therés November & December
And what else...??

Pontardawe for me.  8) ;D

Colchester ;D

Maltings for us too!

Theatre Royal, Portsmouth. Very green, go by train :)

ARGH!!!! St Albans is - again - when I'm in Scotland, and the Scotland dates are when I'm back in England.

And no Croydon, again!  Don't recall seeing the Stables either...  What to do??

Could someone copy the dates from the programme?  My parents went home with our group's copy...

You're in luck, Anna ;D

Thu 11 Feb Milton Keynes The Stables

Only just!!  Two days before we go to Scotland!!

hi - is there anything listed lincoln or in the area please  :)

The Drill Hall, Tues 16th Feb.

me too

many thanks for that - does anyone know if there is going to be an autumn tour this year?

I saw a date (I think) for Sept 25th.....but I can't find it now.....d'oh!

Brum as usual!

Don't think so.....end January to middle-ish of March. Seems longer to me, with plenty of Scottish dates this time.

Is there any news of who the support might be?

(Last year we stopped goping to Wycombe and went to the Union Chapel instead. Lovely venue with so much character.)

Farnham Maltings for me, hopefully with grandpa (and mum) in tow. :)

Cambridge is back on the list!! Yesss!!!  ;D

Support is Flossie Malavialle http://www.flossie-malavialle.co.uk/index1.html

Can't wait for the newly re-furbished City Varieties in Leeds on the 2011 tour !

Union Chapel for us again.

And?.......

Flossie's gig page shows "tour" end Jan to March - the dates coincide, but no details as yet.

I like the sound of her voice...

Tewkesbury for me - I assume the tour opens there as usual.

I'd really like to hear some new material next year - time for a new studio album, chaps?

Hmmmm - there was more detail, once-upon-a-time.....

Where & when please?

Sorry - my Cropredy programme, in which the dates are listed, is at home - and I'm not.
Anyone?

Feb 25th - Edinburgh, The Queens Hall

March 1st - Inverness, The Eden Court

2nd - Dumfries, The Theatre Royal

January

Fri 29th Tewkesbury The Roses
Sat 30th Margate The Theatre Royal
Sun 31st Yeovil The Octagon

February

Tues 2nd Worthing The Pavilion Theatre
Wed 3rd Harrogate The Harrogate Theatre
Thurs 4th Bristol St Georges Hall
Fri 5th Leamington Spa Centre
Sat 6th Truro The Hall for Cornwall
Sun 7th Exeter The Phoenix
Tues 9th Farnham The Maltings
Wed 10th Portsmouth New Theatre Royal
Thurs 11th Milton Keynes The Stables
Fri 12th Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall
Sat 13th Hunstanton The Princess Theatre
Sun 14th Cambridge Corn Exchange
Mon 15th Swindon The Wyvern
Tues 16th Lincoln The Drill Hall
Wed 17th Pontardawe The Arts Centre
Thurs 18th Chesterfield The Winding Wheel
Fri 19th Burnley Mechanics Theatre
Sat 20th London The Union Chapel
Sun 21st St Albans The Alban Arena
Tues 23rd Colchester The Arts Centre
Wed 24th Gateshead The Sage
Thurs 25th Edinburgh The Queens Hall
Fri 26th Berwick The Maltings
Sat 27th Huddersfield Lawrence Batley Theatre
Sun 28th TBA

March

Mon 1st Inverness The Eden Court
Tues 2nd Dumfries The Theatre Royal
Thurs 4th Isle Of Man Douglas Gaiety Theatre
Friday 5th Crosby Civic Hall
Sat 6th Birmingham Town Hall

Bugger no stafford this time!

You'll have to come to Brum then!!!

Thanks for that - Edinburgh for me  ;D

See you there!

Oh, they're not doing another one are they!

Yes they are Cocker.. and I hope sooo much to get to more than one next year....  this year was 'difficult'!!

Most people are happy to get to just one.  ::)

You lot are lucky - only a question of which gig to pick!   If they're not coming to Dublin this time I'll have to fly....or swim!    :(

Milton Keynes of course! They're on a Thursday this year? That's new. It's normally Wednesday. Might make it to St Albans as well this year.

Margate for me I think.  The Theatre Royal is a lovely venue.  Always wanted to play there myself.

Ryde Theatre Isle of Wight .. hmm I wonder if htey ever got paid for Freshwater ????

Freshwater ??  I think it was the Ventnor baddies that didn't pay up.  Don't think any of the Festival acts got paid, at the time.  Ryde should be ok though...seems to be a straightforward theatre gig    :)   (mainly standing evidently, seating is limited...eeek!)

gosh u are so right Mag :-[ Mind both ventor and freshy are out in the wilds.. :-X Last time at Ryde we had seats .. got to book tomorrow  ^-^

Theatre Royal, Portsmouth tell me to phone back end of October. Next season's bookings notyet contracted. Duly diarised  :)

05/03/2010  Crosby  Civic Hall
Gotta be the most un-accoustic hall in the world. but i will be there.

I suspect that I might be too, as I cross off another venue that I haven't been in...(yet)

Nearest pub to Crosby Civic Hall is the Liver - on the corner of Crosby Road North & South Road.  If coming by train, get off at Waterloo station, cross South Road and turn right - unless you fancy a (cheap) pint of Cain's, in which case, turn left & head for the Alexandra - about 100 yds from the station.  

The Liver serves decent Tetley beer, and is frequented by Liverpool supporters - Ray Clemence used to drink there from time to time.  There's a number of restaurants (Indian, Chinese) & takeaways in South Road.  Entrance to the car park for the Civic Hall is round the back - coming from Liverpool, turn right at the lights by the Liver, then first left

I was born in Handfield Road (no 63, but no blue plaque... yet) about 200 yards from the Civic Hall/library buildings, and went to Crosby Road North infants and then junior school just round the corner.  My sister appeared in the Crosby Music Festival at the Civic Hall aged about 11-12, playing a piano duet with Cherie Booth (later Blair) - they were taught by the same lady, Miss Parncott. Ah, memories.

I might turn up at Crosby as well as Tewkesbury - might even bring Mother & sister along...

Me too - I live within walking distance. It is a pretty horrible place though - I was in an amateur dramatics group many years ago and we used to do all of our shows there and the sound, even for the likes of us, was difficult.

On the plus side, I will hopefully be able to persuade my wife and kids to venture forth and see Fairport as it's so close to home.

Hooray - Just got my tickets for Crosby Civic Hall next March - and I've persuaded my wife and kids to come too!

Just discovered that Brum Town Hall tics are on sale now (sorry if I've missed this elsewhere) - tics duly booked!

DC

Looks like the Union Chapel tickets are on sale - £22 (plus booking fee), no reserved seat and bring your cushion. On the other hand it is only 10 minutes on the tube.

Chesterfield Winding Wheel tickets have just come on sale. Not on the website yet but available by telephone or from the box office. £17.00. Front row still available as I type!

Thanks Neil....  ;D ;D

Keith Donnelly and Flossie Malavialle for Support act!

Aha!  Irish Tour in March.  I won't have to swim after all.  That's at least one happy bunny here in Dublin!   ;D

I've finally booked my tix for the Stables! Pretty poor seats along the side, but better than not going! Phew, another few days and I night have missed out completely!

That won't be a problem with the Worthing gig. I'm amazed they keep coming back!  :-\

A very nice friend of mine  bought Tickets for Wyvern gig in Feb for my birthday, second row seats!

Tickets for Cambridge are now onsale - £17.50. Thinking of going to another venue this year as the sound at the Cornex can be worse than dire at times.

That's not bad. It's £23 for The Stables.

The Stables *always* add around a fiver to the cost of other dates for the same artist.

Don't forget that the people who 'own' it have expensive tastes....

Thanks Ollie, Oh Dear, I've just booked for cambridge as it's the only date we can fit in a long weekend and we have never been to Cambridge (2 birds/ one stone). Hope the sound isn't too bad from the front row of the balcony. Hopefully the atmosphere will make up for it.

Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, tickets just purchased  :)

It isn't too bad from there; it is worst in the stalls.

Thanks for that Ollie,   ::)

I'm surprised to hear you say that. I have been to a few gigs at the Corn Exchange, mostly RT but also Steve Earle once I think and the sound has always been fine. They are usually standing gigs though and I have been downstairs.

I agree, the sound was fine when we saw RT and Aussie Pink Floyd there last year; both were standing gigs. Yet when we saw Fairport, Steeleye and Red Priest, all sitting gigs, the sound was very muddy and the levels were all over the place. Odd.

Hi - not sure if anyone's interested, but I have 2 tickets for the gig on 20th Feb that I can't now use due to having to fly back from a work related trip to Canada on the day of the gig... If you or anyone would be interested, please contact me. Gutted - the venue is great, and I was looking forward to catching up with Peggy and ET, and the boys, c'est la vie. There's always Croppers....

Finally got around to booking for the Union Chapel. Bit later than last year when I made the booking on the evening of Christmas Eve. 9 of us going so not quite a pew full  ;)  

Take a cushion!  ;) ;D

I've just booked our tix for Leamington :)

Rats. Now I'm 16, I have to pay for gig tickets myself.... and I have no money....  :(

Buy posters people!  :D  :P :-\

Off to Margate...  Love the Theatre Royal!

Thanks for the reminder  :)

We have booked ours for Leamington :)

C x

I'm going to the Cambridge one - balcony seat, front row  ;D

Must get my tix.. left it a bit late this year!!

See you there Caz

Me too - for Cambridge anyway  :-[

Tickets still available at Colchester.

Maybe there will be songs from Excalibur - I'm hopeful! :D

i think they'll do "honour and praise" but i done expect anything else from excalibur

Would there be permission/copyright issues, do you think? (Sorry - don't know much about this sort of thing.)

I presume you meant "Fame and Glory" but "Honour and Praise" would be good too :)

You don't have to get permission to sing any song, just make sure that it is attributed to the writers/composers and make sure their names are accurately written on the PRS form. You just can't pass it off as being your song.. ;D

Thanks Jude.

So Jim, why don't you expect anything more from Excalibur?  It would be fresh in FC's minds and no rehearsal time necessary.  I know they normally perform it with about twenty other musicians and without them it would be different but maybe some of the songs could be adapted.

They played one numbeer from it last year, and I suspect they might attempt another trhis year - but it isn't FC material, so they may wisdh to stick to that.

Interestingly, Honour & Praise is not originally a Fairport song, but a John Richards number (as is The Deserter).  

If you don't know John Richards, check him out at

http://www.thejrbs.co.uk/

John has kindly agreed to play for nothing for me on 24 April at our Folk for Heroes gig with Red Shoes (equally generous).  I knew his well known stuff, but since booking the JRBS, I've listened to quite a bit and I'm really blown away with his songwriting.

Smashing little theatre.  I've acted there in the past.

There is also a PRS form for live work :)

C x

Yes I meant for live work.. For recordings it you make sure the writers/composers and publishers are noted on the sleevenotes for MCPS purposes, but you still don't need permission to sing or record other people's music

i think youre right, anyway i meant the one they did on last years winter jaunt

You'd better behave yourself girl!  I'm in the same row at the same show! ;D ;D ;D

OOH  on my best behaviour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am soooo looking forward to the Margate Theatre Royal gig. The venue should suit them and I think they'll enjoy it.

So, who's going to the first night in Tewkesbury?

Me - almost certainly - as long as it's not sold out.  Haven't been able to book until now as I haven't been sure where I would be with work.  Now looks as though I could even get there early!

Tewkesbury ticket booked - N23 - only another 3 or 4 left...  :)

We will be at the show in Cambridge.  ;D {:-)

Just booked for Worthing next Tuesday, though I am not sure why I felt I needed to book. Less than a third of the tickets sold for a gig that is only a week away. Pitiful!

I know I have said it before but I really don't know why the lads keep coming back to Worthing. It is diminishing returns year on year. There must be an alternative venue in the south where they would be more appreciated and which would be more financially beneficial.

It's the size of the venue that pays for the daily tour cost. I guess Hove Centre might be worth a try - Steeleye did quite well in there.

ONE seat left.......N2

Glad to see the chaps can still sell out places - as for me I will be giving the Wintour a miss this year - too many other things for me to see and too little money!!

I bet you end up going.  You know it makes sense ;D

Bought tickets for Cambridge today.  ;D

With no High Wycombe nor Reading venues this year, I've been wondering what to do. I've decided on Farnham Maltings, bit of a drive on busy roads but I'm sure it'll be worth it. Not been to a gig here before but I'VE GOT A SEAT!! so I'm happy now anyway!     Anyone else going here too?

Cheers
Joss

We'll be at the Maltings, see you there:-)

Yippee! The tour starts tonight!

If anyone's going to Tewkesbury - Chris, Jules(?) - let's try to meet up.  In the bar upstairs or in the pub across the road from about 6.30pm; unless there's a better option nearby?

THere is - around the corner (turn right out of theatre, right again & across the road).....but happy to meet in upstairs bar & go over together....

I think I know the pub you mean; I'll probably spot you in/around the foyer or upstairs at the theatre.

Blimey is it that time again already!!

Please feel free to post a set list spoiler!  :)
I have a small wager with myself regarding Sir Patrick Spens...  ::)

We would normally go to the Worthing gig, but this time round we thought we'd go for the "Theatre Royal" in Portsmouth the following week. Perhaps others are opting for this option in the hope that it will be a more atmospheric venue

How was it last night?

Any reports yet?

We should be told... please  8)

It is certainly atmospheric. We shall be there.

Come on, we're getting desperate! :D

Mind you, I can't really talk, since I kept you waiting over Anne de Bretagne.  Not that I'm making any comparisons between the two shows - I expect those who have attended the Wintour so far were so blown away, it has rendered them speechless! ;)

It's the third night of tour, and there are no spoilers! Something must be wrong! They didn't make you sign the offical secrets act as you entered the building, did they?  :o

The Theatre Royal is a small atmospheric theatre in Margate town centre.  At the Winter Gardens another boyband was "playing" in that JLS were in town.  Keith Dinnelly and Flossy made reference to this in their intro saying that Fairport were here and if you'd come for JLS you were in the wrong place, we then got the first 2 lines of the JLS song People in love.  Enough said.
Flossie and Keith were superb, I had seen Flossie as support on the SOH tour and was wll impressed then as Flossie would say"terribly good"!
Can't remember the set list but the chaps began with Si tu dois about which Simon said later it was good to hear it sung by a French person!  The set also included a couple of new tunes, jewel in the crown ( a different arrangement as Simon repeated a verse!) the dream song and the hanging song from Babbacombe Lee, dirty linen, john Gaudie, Walk Awhile Rising for the Moon, Ukeulele central, Rocky Road Fame and Glory and a medley of fiddle tunes put together by Chris and Ric.  Who knows, Matty Groves and Meet on the ledge brought the evening to a close.
An enjoyable evening, the second night of the tour, Flossie and Keith were a bit stressed as their CD was not available so they had a list operating to forward the Cd to those who wanted it.  However they did have a solo cd each on sale, and Fairport had the new DVD, the CD Sense of Occasion, the usual T shirt and also a sweat shirt as well as a different take on the programme.  I took a Fairport virgin with me and she was well impressed and she is talking of going to Cropredy.  I shall be seeing the chaps again at Tunbridge Wells and it will be interesting to see how the tour has progressed.

Harriet, I think you are my hero of the day!

Mmmm, "Rising For The Moon", that's an old favourite.
Thanks Harriet!
Look forward to more impressions!  ;D

Of to the maltings a week Tuesday.. I have missed the last 2 wintours due to not buying tickets untill the last minute so this time we got in earlier..  2 weeks ago there were still plenty to be had..

Thanks Harriet :)

Looking forward to Dream Song ... anything from BL always welcome ... and Rising For The Moon ... that should be good!  Don't think I'll ever tire of hearing Fame and Glory 8)  Oooh, it's all so exciting ;D

Cheers Harriet

Which version of Matty Groves did they play?  I understand they played the L&L intro on the first day.

Can't wait til Friday.

Morning all,

sorry for the delay in reporting the 1st night at Tewkesbury, but I've been a bit busy.

As already mentioned, a very different set list from last winter; 2 new pieces, a song from Chris which I have to say immediately impressed me, and an instrumental from Ric - quite upbeat & a definite jazzy feel.  Simon donned his specs for this one, so I'm guessing he was reading the dots...

"Dreaming" from JBL - now this was my least favourite track on the album, but the chaps played it very well, especially the (high) harmonies, and the arrangement that saw the final chorus fade away into a couple of minutes of solo Ric (elements of PDC) & then Simon counting in Hanging Song will, I hope, become a regular feature.

For those who like their Matty "straight" - you will not be disappointed.

Flossie & Keith were a little on edge, due to the non-delivery of the CD, but despite that, they turned in a well-received, professional set with no little humour.

Rather than possibly spoil the enjoyment for others, no more about the show, but a few little observations:

Simon seemed to have started with the wintour cold early, possibly a continuation of the cold he picked up on the Excalibur shows

2011 will be the 40th anniversary of JBL; Simon mentioned (on stage & afterwards) that it is an aspiration for the band to present the album in full at Cropredy next year.

All the chaps were in good spirits after the gig, Ric promising to provide sartorial advice to a lady who was shopping for clothes for a wedding the following day... "I'm the Gok Wan of the band", he said.

Meant also to say that Chris said that there would be a new Feast of Fiddles album out soon (a studio one)

Very nice sold-out gig at Margate Theatre Royal - an intimate venue with excellent acoustics. Good to have visitors all the way from Medway Harriet! Loved the new stuff esp the Jack Daniel's-inspired one by Ric - Simon told me they hadn't had much time to rehearse together and it was nerve-racking. He did look to be concentrating rather hard but then he often does! Great to the hear the Dream Song going straight into the Hanging Song. Also, Matty with NO reggae reggae, a bit of Excalibur, and WKWTTG with as much respect as ever. Agree, Keith and Flossie did a great job - both very funny as well as excellent musicians - and it was excellent to hear Si tu dois partir sung in proper French. Hope they made it all the way to Yeovil yesterday - breakfast then off I suspect.

Is "Best Wishes" still in the repertoire?

no, thankfully.

Canterbury was our usual venue on the Winter tour, but have seen the chaps in Maidstone (at the Exchange and also at the leisure centre Mote park)  would be nice if they visited Chatham's central Halls or even the Brook which is where Feast of Fiddles are at the end of March.

Yes, it is mentioned briefly on their website. On sale in time for the tour apparently. I'm hoping to be at the Chatham gig.

Meanwhile it is Fairport in Worthing tomorrow. I hope a few more tickets have been sold than this time last week.

So do they, I imagine!

Also at Tewkesbury....and also a bit late in reporting back  ;)

Not an awful lot to add to Paul's comments.

The link between Dreaming and the Hanging Song is indeed a reworked version of PDC, and was one of the highlights of the evening , together with Chris' arrangement of the Hen's March which included bits of most of the other fiddle instrumentals from the FC repertoire!

Peggy has a new Ibanez bass which was brilliant on Dirty Linen, but which sadly blew his amp shortly afterwards.

Spoilers are a bit redundant as the set list is on the front of the Tour t-shirt. Ric's new instrumental is called Danny Jack's Chase (his introduction will explain all) and is really good as is Chris' new song "Wouldn't Say No".

Having seen Flossie with SoH, we were looking forward to her support with Keith, but it didn't quite work for us. Possibly a combination of first night nerves and, as has been mentioned, the loss of a number of CDs somewhere between Doncaster and France. Thoroughly professional, but a bit disjointed.

Fairport, however, after a bit of a tentative start, really opened up after the Hens March. According to Simon, Tewkesbury has been venue of choice for Wintour first nights for 25 years. Friday must have been one of the best!

S&J

(PS Really ought to mention John Gale - Tewkesbury is always good, but the sound on Saturday was superb)

I just feel embarrassed and uncomfortable when I see them in a half empty theatre and ashamed of the town I live in. It is the Worthing malaise. I once saw Ian Hunter & Mick Ronson in front of not much more than three men and a dog here and Nils Lofgren & Max Weinberg with only a few more.

It could be worse though. I was at a benefit gig for the Haiti earthquake victims on Saturday. The capacity of the venue was 800. There were maybe 60 people there. No danger of somebody obscuring your view of the stage but the charity aspect just made it even more uncomfortable.

This all sounds promising - looking forward to seeing them in a few weeks. Just one question - is "PDC" an acronym for something that I am going to kick myself when it is made clear, or something in its own right?

Pretty Damn Cosmic....

Purchased 3 tickets for Tunbridge Wells on 12th Feb.

Only 13 seats left according to the theatre's website!

How long is the show including the support? Trying to sort trains to and from Harrogate for Wednesday.

Show began just a smidge after 7.30 in Margate, finished round about 10.30.  We hung around chatting to the band and getting autographs, made it home to the Medway towns just after midnight!

I'd allow 1930 - 2240.....or 30 minutes later if an 8pm start

Taxi home then by the sound of it!

shame :( I liked it

As this year is the 40th anniversary of the open air concert in Maidstone as featured on the DVD also my 1st fairport gig it would have been nice if they had managed a gig here either on the "Wintour" or the acoustic one.

So he was only a day late then :P)

I saw the chaps at The Octagon Yeovil Sunday night. Just got back to London this evening so quick report. I Really enjoyed the set. The Octagon was probably around 80% full - so pretty good crowd. Dream song was brilliant.  New songs interesting - plenty of fiddle work!

If you don't want the set list spoilt then i suggest you don't read the 2010 T -shirt untill after the gig as it seems to list all the songs including the new ones.

... but it includes 1 song not in the set (not at Tewkesbury, anyway).  Chris mentioned it would be in the set for the Spring acoustic tour though.

Thank you.

The T shirt actually included the names of two songs that they didn't perform at Yeovil.  

They didn't do their cover of "Wait & Bleed"?  ;)

Ooops....... :-[

Too many gigs!  John's efforts on behalf of FC were, of course, on Friday, but the sound mixed by Roger on Saturday was indeed superb, albeit for Gigspanner at Cirencester. (see seperate thread).

Looking forward to seeing them both again this coming weekend.

S&J

I'll be there.

me too ;D

So, just back from the Worthing leg.

I arrived late as a result of not being able to find anywhere to park. I'm not sure where all the car owners were though as the theatre was maybe slightly more than half full. At least the audience was, eventually, quite enthusiastic.

Flossie & Keith were excellent, a bonus as I had not really expected to enjoy them. Still no CDs though which was probably just as well as I have a bit of a history of buying discs by Fairport support acts, playing them once and then never listening to them again. Not in recent years admittedly.

As for the chaps... I think at least one member of the band may have enjoyed themselves a great deal at the folk awards last night! The between songs chat seemed a little laboured at times and they looked a bit tired. This was not reflected in the music however. Highlights for me were storming versions Dirty Linen and John Gaudie/The Bowman's Retreat along with the new medley of classic Fairport instrumentals including Bridge Over The River Ash as you have never heard it before. As with the last two years however the centrepiece was the Babbacombe Lee material. I can really see this line up doing justice to a performance of the whole album should they follow through with that idea. Dream Song was sublime. A slight pity that Ric did not try and emulate Swarb's angular solo from the album, prefering instead something more melodic but he more than made up for it with the new effects driven unaccompanied link piece that led into The Hanging Song.

The evening was of course rounded off with Matty which, in this more traditional reading, made for a refreshing change. Then it was MOTL and a surprisingly emotional farewell from Simon. Affection was passing back and forth from stage to audience and I got the impression that the band really enjoyed themselves tonight, even if they were a little subdued.

So did I!

Leamington was also a gig of two halves with the audience rather quiet until after the beer and ice cream break.  The venue came alive more in the second half and as a consequence so did the band.

Just a mention for the Pirates of the Caribean influenced Danny Jack's Chase - a really enjoyable new swashbuckler from Ric.

Like Gub-gub, my highlights included Dirty Linen and John Gaudie.  Thanks to Simon for the straight version of MG.  He says it was not a response to my campaign, but I'll kid myself that I am more influential than I am ;D

MOTL was enhanced by Flossie's lovely rich alto voice and her sparkly evening dress.

For any others who are keen on trivia; I liked Peggy's new 5 string bass. I note he is now playing it through a Laney.  Also liked Simon's diddy acoustic - what is it?

I spoke to Peggy about his new bass at The Dylan Project gig at The 100 Club in December - he told me it was the 1st time he'd used it live. Sounds like Simon's "diddy" acoustic might be his Rob Armstrong Parlour guitar ?

Have found I'm able to get away to the Portsmouth show on Wednesday evening...would love to see any TAWers there.

The diddy guitar had a triangular A on the headstock so, yes it was his Armstrong.

................and a tune which keeps coming back to you days after the gig!!!

We were also at Leamington. The seating doesn't get any more comfortable nor the bar less crowded but a really enjoyable evening nonetheless.
Flossie and Keith have completely reworked ther set since last week and are much more "together". The chaps, as always, were great value having really settled in to most of the songs. Highlights... Hens March Medley, a brilliant WKWTTG from Simon and the two BL songs with Ric's PDC link. Oh and Peggy's bass on Dirty Linen was terrific.

Enjoyed chatting to Martin D and Ellen - we've nodded to each other previously but never really spoken  :)

Very strange to be shepherded from the premises by a bouncer (well, steward really). That's not happened for years but it was after 11  ;)

S&J

Reading all these posts has made me even more excited about the gig at the Maltings tomorrow ;D Can't wait!!!!

And you never came and said hello to us ::) perhaps next time? ;D


C x

Just hoping the predicted snow for Friday doesn't scupper my plans of going to Tunbridge Wells on Friday!  :(

We're due to make a weekend of it to see the lads at Hunstanton on Saturday, unfortunately if there is any snow it's more than likely to be in that area.  :(

DC

It's already snowing there, I hear....

Tried to book Tunbridge Wells on line: it says it's sold out...  >:(
It'll be a first if it is! I suspect they're not opening the circle to on-line sales. Means I'll have to sneak out to phone a real person in the box office.
More later.

Just back from Farnham.......great show - brilliant !   ;D

Yes it was :) A slight crick in the neck from being a bit close to the front and to roght of stage, but all in all a good night.  I also have a date in my mind in December i am looking forward too.

The maltings do have to sort thier bar(s) out though.

Go on then, don't keep us in suspense!

It was announced that St Agnus Fountain will play the Maltings in December.

Portsmouth tonight. Anyone else going?

Yep I agree, it was brill and I also agree about the bars !
We are also looking forward to December :)

Highlight for me last night was the Dream song from JBL, it was really good to hear the PDC bit again from Ric.I used to have his cassette with it on , can't remember what it's called, but would like to replace it on CD if it's available-anyone know if it is?

We also really enjoyed hearing some of the old tunes again and Matty Groves intro was lovely [I wasn't keen on the reggae one!]

The new tunes were good too especially Danny Jack's Chase :)

Support act was wonderful, Flossie's voice is mesmerising , their song about the swans reduced me to tears, so poignant, and the rebel version of Green Grow the Rushes O appealed greatly as it is one of my fave trad songs and the new twist on it was so very apt to today's society!
All in all, we had a great evening ;D
Great to get a chance to chat to Martin D too :)

Yes, if the trains are OK.

Bar at the Theatre Royla is not great, I think there is only lager.

Paul

Ooohhh Yes !

Us in the Gallery (Black FC Sweatshirt and bald head will aid identification  ;D)

 The Isambarde Kingdom Brunel " Wetherspoons" is just 100 yards along the street.......... ;)

True. And I assume the mucky duck is still next door.

In the days of the music hall there used to be a hole in the wall between the two, so performers could get served back stage.

Paul

Last year when the Fairport's were in Pompey, the Wetherspoons was closed for renovation. The Mucky Duck wasn't an attractive option, catering for the younger element, DJ's disco music and shots. (whatever they are) ??? The other alternative is the Walkabout bar just across the road from the theatre.

There are now two Weatherspoons, the large one in the Guildhall Square and the smaller one, on the same side as the theatre, which used to be the White Swan.

Cheers Malc,
You can't beat local knowledge.

Gareth Turner & Mark Stevens of Little Johnny England were at the Farnham gig last night, Peggy informed the audience that the Johnnies were booked to play Cropredy (Friday)

'tis 'bout time....:-)

Oh that's brill news!!

Going to be quite some Friday!

My wife and i had a lovely night in Farnham.I'm not an autograph collector as i've got all the ones i want,Bob Dylan,Garry Sobers,Denis Law and George Best and a couple more.

However i decided that as i've got so much memorabilia,programmes,box sets etc that i may as well get a few signed. All the chaps were very nice to both of us but especially Dave Pegg.We almost left without seeing him as he was last out but i'm glad we hung on.

Peggy was brilliant,a real gent but then they all are ! I know lots of you know all this already but we were very pleasantly surprised.

Thankyou Fairport Convention !   ;D

Is this PDC you all talk of the violin effects solo as featured on the Cropredy video from 1997/8 ish?

I think so, but I'll have to dig out the video to make sure, and I think it's on the Sanders/Giltrap cassette released way back. I saw Ric & Gordon at a folk club in Midsomer Norton/Radstock & they were ace!

Thatused to be the mucky duck! It has obviously changed since I was there last.

Great to see Malcom and Martin, and a very good concert. Really enjoyed Fame and Glory, and the Babbacombe segment.

The people next door to me had not heard of "Cradle of Filth", which Simon compared Fairport to at one point.  ;D

Paul

Our posts crossed.

Yes it is the original PDC, with additional, and very subtle percussion effects by Gerry.

Paul

The circle is now showing as being bookable on-line  :)  105 seats available as at 3.30pm

Really good performance at Portsmouth last night, nice to see lots of the older material in the set. As for the venue, very nice atmosphere in an ornate theater, although no leg room whatsoever!

I will see all you Stables people at the Stables tonight...

Thoroughly enjoyed the Portsmouth gig (and it's a far more atmospheric venue than Worthing!).
Flossie and Keith were excellent.
Great to hear "Dream Song" again. Could there be a complete performance of "Babbacombe Lee" in the offing sometime soon?
I thought the version of WKWTTG seemed particularly poignant this time round too.
For me, this was the best winter tour performance for a good few years.
Well done guys!

(The programme / calander was a good idea too)
 

Good to see you last night Bill, has Adam regained the use of his legs yet ? That'll teach him not to choose to sit in a balcony seat in future

Hi Martin, I think he's paying the price for always wishing he was taller when he was little. They do say be careful what you wish for!

Simon mentioned at Tewkesbury that a complete JBL at Croppers in 2011 (the LP's 40th anniversary) is "an aspiration"...

Oh Good! Thanks for that info.

Great time was had by all at a pretty full house in Portsmouth last night. The band seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely (Simon's guitar problems aside), the new material sounded great, and a few old surprises were played brilliantly. Even my Fairport virgin companion was suitably impressed. A full-length performance of Babbacombe Lee is indeed in the offing if certain band members are to be believed, and the selections played from it last night were excellent.

BTW forgot to mention great set from Flossie & Keith...Flossie - what a voice ! what an accent !

She first supported Fairport way back when they last played the Renfrew Ferry - before it crossed the river! (so to speak!)

She certainly brought a new dimension to MOTL last night at the Stables. The band were a fair distance away as there was a platform (thrust stage?) between "us" and "them", so the sound was fairly broad anyway, but Flossie's voice adds a real depth to the song.
Simon is still waiting for a new pickup,  so the baby Armstrong did most of the work. Peggy's new bass is brilliant. Very clear particularly on Dirty Linen - one of the highlights, along with the BL miniset, Hen's March, the revived standard Matty........and pretty much everything else.

Lovely tribute by Ric to John Dankworth just before Danny Jacks Chase......a tune, incidentally which will be with you for days once you've heard it!

Great evening, can't wait for the next one.

S&J
 

According to Flossie's website, she is at Cropredy on the Thursday  :)

Another instance of the tour support getting a Cropredy slot....

TW tonight (yes, up on the shelf for us, means there should be quite a good crowd when they open the balcony) - just hope the snow has melted...

Assumed it was fairly standard. When did the Wintour support not get a run out at Cropredy?

Bizzarely,Tiny Tin Lady who had been at Cropredy before didn't appear the year that they were the Winter Tour support!

though if memory serves, they did do a signing at the cd stall

They were, indeed, knocking around in the crowd, Martin.

DC

thought so dr Clive,  good luck for your w/e in Hunstanton, hope the weather is kind to you

With a weekend in Hunstanton, the weather is the least of your worries!  :P ;)

Thanks Ollie - we've never been before, so we'll bow to your local knowledge!  ;)

I've just seen that Maart and BNC & Co are camping out in St Albans for a few days - just our luck to be away when they are here (who told them?)  ;D

DC

Belated report from the Stables - though I can't really add much to previous reports.  ::)

Please indulge me when I talk from my/dad's perspective - he had such a good time. I was quite nervous about taking him, as he'd only seen the Acoustic version, but as soon as Fairport came on stage, he noticeably sat up and paid attention. I try not to check-up on him too obviously when he's out, but this time I didn't have to bother ::). I could see his feet and his fingers tapping to the beat. When I looked at him, he had a happy smile on his face - he was lost in the music :)

At the interval, a lady came across and commented on how much he was enjoying it. It turned out to be Simon's wife and, when she found out it was dad's birthday, she went off to tell the band.

Simon name-checked him, and he got a round of applause - the grin got wider. I don't recall seeing him enjoy himself so much since mum died.

At the end we went up to the foyer where I saw Simon and thanked him. I went to collect dad - Sylvia came up again, and he met Simon, Ric and Chris. I'd bought a programme/calendar for me - they all signed it for him!! Harumph!  Dad was beaming from ear to ear. As we went out, he had a chat to Peggy (and a hug/kiss!). He said they were 'fantastic' - he couldn't keep still during the music. He talked the whole of the journey home (an hour) - and his comment as I finally left was 'incredible', a word he rarely, if ever, uses. And I think he's finally remembered the name Fairport Convention!!

Thanks chaps  :-*. Little things, but they meant SO much to him - thanks for taking the time. :-*

As for me, I get let out on my own, tomorrow, at the  Cambridge gig.

Thanks for sharing that Diane, marvellous stuff :)

Superb!  I trust you're taking him to Croppers next  :)

As I said elsewhere, I'd have to behave!!

Diane that is just so touchingly lovely...  :) :) :) {:-)

Absolutely superb at Tunbridge Wells last night.

Thought that the boys had got the mix of old and new spot on.

My daughter and I made a note of the set list if anyone wants to know it or hasn't seen the T-shirt! ;)

when can one expect a set list?
come on you lazy gets ::)

I've sent you a pm.

If anyone else wants to know the set list let me know :)

he's not lying
he did send ma a set list
good man

Thats brilliant Diane - what a wonderful birthday for him - there will be no holding him now!!  ;D ;D

That's what's worrying me!!!!! ;) ;)

Look out for me at the Cambridge gig tonight, you lot, as I'll almost certainly be too shy to come and find you!

Please come and say hello

Despite dire prognostications (thanks, Ollie! ;)) we had a superb time in Hunstanton at the weekend. The journey was good, the hotel fab, the concert absolutely super (even when Simon had a "senior moment" half way through Jewel in the Crown, which had to be abandoned as neither Simon, the Band nor anyone in the audience could provide the first line of verse 3!).

We shared a taxi (apparently the only one in Hunstanton) from the hotel with two Norfolk girls, with whom we are now firm friends, and had a really long chat with all of the band after the gig because the aforementioned taxi couldn't pick us up until nearly an hour after the concert finished!

As others have said, nothing else to add regarding the music (I'm in love with Flossie!), except that the Babbacombe Lee section is just brilliant, and I really do hope that it does happen in full in 2011. The more I re-listen to it, the more I believe what a tremendous job was done in writing it in the first place.

More of the same in St Albans on Sunday.

PS the venue was pretty full if not a sell-out; a nice theatre, which is sadly possibly going to have to close, so we signed the petition to keep it open.

DC

Well, Hunstanton is shut from October - June normally....

Swindon last night was highly enjoyable.  I do like the new songs a lot.  And I'm always happy when Rocky-Road is included in the setlist. The band (Peggy in particular) was on good form last night and clearly really enjoying themselves.  

Flossie and Keith were an excellent support act. In my opinion, Flossie has an absolutely outstanding singing voice as well as being a really nice person.  

Indeed, sounds like a marvellous evening!  :)
 

We saw Jez Lowe at Colchester last night.  When he heard that Fairport will be there next week, he mentioned how dead proud he was to have London Danny covered on Jewel In The Crown and suggested we ask Simon to sing it for us.  I think, maybe we know the answer already ;)

More chance of London Danny then "London River" (from Red & Gold).

(I'd like "I wandered by a brookside" returned to the set for Croppers, btw)

Has the current band ever performed London Danny?  

Anyone know?  

Never at Cropredy, according to the Expletive-Delighted site, which is up and running again (Hooray! ;D)

Not that I recall, but it is one of my favourites.

DC

It's one of mine, too ... but I like everything on Jewel In The Crown! ;D

I'd love to hear The Islands again, it'd be wonderful at Cropredy. It'd certainly make Dad's weekend.

Hi. I find I have a spare centre front row ticket for sale for The Chesterfield Winding Wheel tomorrow. Please PM me if you fancy it. Face value (£17.00) or nearest offer. I can meet you outside tomorrow evening and sort it out.
Thanks,
Neil

Oohh it was a hard decision but finally gave in to the temptation to go to Union Chapel Islington on Saturday night to catch the tour again...see you there !

 

I took a non folkie along to see FC at the Wyvern at Swindon.  She didn't know what to expect but came away with Cropredy DVD and a Dark Horses CD.  She loved it and so did I , I tougth the boys were on top from and very entertaining

Highlights for me Su de poitor thing!  Babbacombe Lee songs, festival bell, John Gaudie!

I've persuaded my wife (and two sons) to come to the show at Crosby Civic hall in March as we live in Crosby so it's not too far! - she's a bit reluctant, so I hope they'll have the same effect on her

That'd be Si Tu Dois Partir, would it Sian?!  ;D

I was very near though!

An interesting evening at Pontardawe Arts Centre tonight. Simon looks trimmer and fitter but was also seemed strangely out-of-sorts, perhaps because his #1 acoustic is in hospital and he was using #2, which, as he said, was still very good but didn't know all the nuances of all the tunes yet! Peggy hammed it up for a photographer all the way through and seemed to have a thoroughly good laugh, whilst Gerry was set so far back on the stage that I'm sure some people couldn't see him! Chris and Ric were star turns, although again, to me, Chris seemed a little off his game too. Probably my imagination.

The Babbacombe Lee tracks were wonderful, "Hiring Fair" was dropped from the t-shirt track list.

Some hilarity with PAC's sign advertising "Hossie Malaville", whoever THAT is. ;D

We arrived late (don't ask) and so only caught 3 or 4 of Flossie and Keith's numbers, which seemed lively and tuneful. They didn't join Fairport for meat'n'two veg, which is the first time I've seen the support not join in that traditional climax of the evening. However the handover "Si Tu Dois Partir" was nicely done.

Having been listening to Metal Matty on our way to PAC, I did find the vanilla version a bit flat. But that's just me, I know others liked it a lot.

Oh, and guys, the ukelele joke tune got old last year. It's positively ancient now.

Thanks, and onwards to the Field.

My turn tonight...  it seems ages...  8) ;D

Thoroughly enjoyed The Chaps last night at Pontardawe. Didn't catch them on the Wintour last time, so it was good to catch up with them at a smaller venue, as opposed to the field in Oxfordshire.  ;D

Flossie and Keith proved to be a most enjoyable support act, and they were enthusiastically received by the audience.

I thought FC were on fine form! (Not sure if Andy was at the same gig?  ;)) I liked Ukulele Central, but then it didn't particularly register with me at Cropredy.

Particular favourites of mine, "John Gaudie", "Bowman's Retreat" and "Dirty Linen" were a welcome part of the set list, and as Andy said, the Babbacombe Lee tracks were wonderful.

I also enjoyed hearing Fame and Glory for the first time. I spent some time (and cash)  at the merch table, naturally.  ::)

Fairport really lifted my mood in the midst of a dark February. Thanks Chaps. See you in August!  :-*

Chesterfield last night...  what a show... and very long too...

The chaps certainly give their time no matter how tired they might be.

They didn't have time for soundcheck as the weather on the drive up from Swansea delayed them till 6.30 (the show started at 7.30)
but it made no difference to my ears!  Well done John G!

I can't really add anything to the above posts, just to say that I always go home with a smile on my face, loving every minute of the gig!

This was my 21st consecutive Wintour in the lovely Winding Wheel theatre, always a night worth travelling theough the snow for.

Thanks chaps!!  :-* :-* :-*

Oh yes...  I loved Si Tu Dois Partir with Flossie and the way she sang in MOTL too.

Love the programme/calendar too!!

I've just realised that I haven't looked at the T Shirt properly but they didn't play Hiring Fair in Worthing either. And Flossie & Keith also didn't join in with Meet there. Perhaps what you got was actually a holographic projection of the Worthing show!  ;D

Echo of Jennys comments from last night. Excellent gig.
Flossie and Keith were terrific, we've got her booked at Coal Aston in April and didn't lose the chance of a mass flyer handout at the end of the evening. If they all turn up we're sunk!
Loved the new tunes from Ric, he and Chris stunning as ever - Peggy, Simon and Gerry were all clearly enjoying themselves.
Peggy's bass playing has to be as good as it gets.
I particularly enjoyed the choreography across the front line, nice moves men - even some head banging Staus Quo posing from Simon and Peggy.
Nice to meet Fred T Baker at the end of the evening.

As we left, Peggy was enjoying a ciggy in the doorway and seemed impressed watching the local girls go by. It  might have been snowing but there weren't many coats about !
If you've never experienced the sights of "Chessy" on a Thursday night you've never lived !

No Hiring Fair at Cambridge either, and My Love is in America wasn't played either (unfortunately), but Flossie and Keith did join in on MoTL.

Come to think of it, "My Love Is In America" was also missing from Wednesday.Didn't see it on the t-shirt, didn't know we'd missed it.

Prehaps those two will be included on the latter half of the tour.

I have heard that both songs will be featured on the spring acoustic tour.

There are so many songs in the Fairport canon that missing one or two is no hardship, as they'll turn up again another tour.

It's possible they have two set lists an A and a B .[or maybe more?]I should imagine doing the same set night after night for so many weeks could get a tad boring otherwise!

Oh yes... the delights of Chesterfield at night...  last time I was there it was to see Seth Lakeman on Halloween... when we came out we were surrounded by ghosts and blood spattered young men and all sorts of yukky stuff...  last night it was bare arms, bare legs, bare bums (ALMOST!) IN THE SNOW...  DAFT!!

God do I sound old   ??? ;D

Back to the set list...  those two songs weren't played last night.. I hope they will be on the acoustic tour  8)

A year or two ago the band played around with two set lists... a great idea.. if you manage to catch them twice and don't have a repeat of either one.. if you see what I mean  ::)

It seems to me that the lad in Ralph's is more innocent and in Fairport's he is more 'knowing'.  There are some songs I never tire of hearing and this is one of them.  Besides, it's slightly different every time you hear it, according to the singer's mood.

I'm not fond of Rocky Road though ... but I bet it's someone's favourite! ;D

I've never been a fan of Fairport's 'Hiring Fair'...I still shudder at the thought of that keyboard sound, I'm afraid.  It works well as a Ralph song though, at least it did the two times I've heard it...

Disappointed to have missed this Winter Tour, but looking forward to hopefully making it to one of the 'acoustic' dates.

My favourite version is the one from Old New Borrowed Blue which gets around the whole keyboard issue with some subtle acoustic guitar harmonics and is really rather lovely.

I think it's pretty safe to say, there will be no keyboard on the acoustic tour, so you'll be alright, David ;D

ONBB is my favourite recorded version too, although a live version at Cropredy is hard to beat 8) 8) 8)

I've never been a fan of the song and was beginning to think it was me against the world, its an excuse to water the horses

I LOVE The Hiring Fair...  soooo sexy... seductive... gentle  8)

Union Chapel Islington tonight - another great gig ; they seem to be getting tighter as the tour goes on. The new material has become more polished and the Babbacombe Lee selections were a real highlight. Keith and Flossie were brilliant enough for me to buy one of their CDs this time. The Union Chapel has excellent acoustics and atmosphere which seemed to rub off on the band tonight.

Lovely venue last night , first time i've been there.Same setlist as Farnham (i think) but no problem whatsoever with that.

Can someone post the setlist please ? I can't remember a couple.Also what's the name of the first new song that was played ? Introduced as a cross between Columbo and Clint Eastwood !

Chris L's new song called Wouldn't Say No

Thanks Dan.

Superb gig at St Albans last night, no changes to the set, which having heard it now for the second time I'm thinking is really well-balanced. I particularly like the reconstituted instrumental Hen's March + + - lovely. They seemed much more together last night compared to Hunstanton a week ago, and the sound was absolutely spot-on (and a definite improvement on the St Albans gig last year, where it was definitely "off"). Flossie and Keith on top form too, seemed much more relaxed than last week, and their banter has expanded in consequence. Their songs are growing on me, having heard the set twice, now. May well have to purchase the CD after a third exposure (Brum in a couple of weeks).

DC

I agree, a good outing. The sound at the Arena does seem to vary markedly, last night you could hear all the vocals but, on occasions, they sound as if they are emerging from behind a wet curtain. I liked Flossie's singing more than the songs but perhaps that was a first hearing and they will grow on me. Surprised at the number of empty seats.

I took the liberty of asking a couple of the chaps if they could consider returning to Croydon next year ! Apparently it's "too big."

Not quite sure what the implications are but if you are reading this how about Epsom ?

Too small - but a suitable acopustic gig, I reckon.

What would be the problem with Fairfield Halls Chris ? Is it that if they don't sell out there it will cost them money ?  I didn't quite pick up on what they were telling me the other night.

Too big for the hire fee - in other words the net 'take' from the night isn't sufficient to meret budget.

Lack of byums basically - no wonder when their booking fee is an additional 10% of the ticket - it really is disgraceful.

Thanks.Farnham and Islington again next year then hopefully ! Got the 100 Club to look forward to and i may even make it to Sevenoaks as my Sister lives quite near to there.

On a visit to Newcastle this weekend we did the tourist run round the Quayside area including a look round the Sage.
Fantastic venue with FC appearing there on Wednesday.

Do they play the main hall which looked huge to me or are they in the second stage?

 

Should tell you on their website, but I think it's the main hall.

As I mentioned, last year at the Arena was particularly poor (inaudible vocals, as you've also noted, and drums too loud) and I raised it as an issue with Simon after that. We usually manage to get pretty much the same seats (middle of the third row), so it isn't a case of sitting in a dead spot. So it was great to be able to report to Simon that it was very good last night (apart from the drums being a bit too loud right at the start, but that was sorted within half a song). Simon commented that "John Gale is very good", but also that the Arena is actually quite good acoustically from the band's point of view.

DC

We’ve had to wait many years, until Jack reached the age of 14, to be able to see Fairport at the Union Chapel, but it was well worth it.  The atmosphere there was brilliant, though not so positive about the acoustics, but that could have been our own faults for choosing to sit right down at the front, I’m sure further back would have been better.

Flossie and Keith were lovely and we are very much looking forward to seeing them again.  Dream Song /PDC and the Hanging Song were fantastic, loved Danny Jacks Chase and Fame and Glory…just made me come up in goose bumps with tingly bits…. :o




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Keith and Flossie...

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Those ukes...

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Peggy's aerobics...

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Great photos...reminder of what a good night it was !

Great pics Angela.. specially the one of Peggy's foot  ;) :-*

Glad you got one of Peggy on one leg (as it were) - he was certainly on fine form and seemed more than willing to pose for anyone with any sort of camera.

The acoustics were good in row 7  ;)

Last year we found the acoustics at St Albans better than the Union Chapel but it probably depends on where you're sitting. Having said that, the atmosphere at the Union Chapel was superb and unrivalled as a venue! 8)

Colchester tonight - yippee!!! :D  We had a phone call to say that it will be starting half an hour earlier than billed ... so if you are going, don't be late! ;)

Above 272, I see Mr Nicol has his instrument back from the guitar hospital.

Hope it's feeling nice and healthy  :)

Yes, but it had a bit of a glitch at St Albans - sometime in the first half it totally died (between songs, mercifully), necessitating a quick change to the Trusty Armstrong parlour. At the interval Simon told me it was in fact a slight mis-match between the (new) TRS socket and the lead he was using, a change of lead curing the problem for the remainder of the performance.

DC

Glad someone noticed  ;) ;D I believe it was its first post-op performance.

Last night the concert at Colchester was fabulous and refreshing. Great set and thoroughly enjoyable.   8) Simon's voice was superb, especially singing 'Who knows......' good acoustics at the Arts Centre.

Peggy's aerobics were not quite as energetic, the shoe wasn't quite covering his face, maybe he needs more drink in order to achieve this  ;D

Shame you didn't turn up FB 'cos there were plenty of spare seats even though it was a 'sell out'  :-\

Saw Martin Driver at the end creeping out from back stage and on the way out just spotted Katy's Mum.

Flossie and Keith are a great duo. Love the calendar/programme idea too.

That has to be one of the best Fairport gigs I have ever been to.  Colchester Arts Centre is reputed to have excellent acoustics and the chaps exploited them to the full.  They sang and played their hearts out: when they do it well, there are none who do it better!

The set consisted of the old and the new, with a balanced mixture of songs sung by Chris, songs sung by Simon and some instrumentals.  They have worked hard to breathe new life into the more familiar stuff and I hope we were an appreciative enough audience to make their efforts worthwhile.  

Everyone seemed really happy last night.  Simon was positively buoyant and I do think that as the daddy of the band (role not age), his mood tends to set the tone.  When he is feeling upbeat, it gives the kids permission to play – and play they did.  There was certainly lots of movement about the stage with playful interactions between band members and their instruments.

Fame and Glory – we were told that this is Sir Percival but to me he shall always be Gawain – the bravest and most honourable of the knights.

Rocky Road – less plinkety-plonk than I remember it and I actually found myself warming to it.  The intro helped too.

Who Knows Where The Time Goes – Simon has his trusty acoustic back so we were not denied that lovely and reassuringly familiar ‘tsing’ – the most moving song of the evening, I thought.

Matty Groves – an excellent blending of the more traditional elements and the rockier elements ... folk rock in fact!

John Gaudie – what an extravaganza that was - loved it!

Si Tu Dois Partir – always a fun song but with Flossie and Keith, even more so.  I’m not sure I’ve seen the band quite so animated – they bopped and bounced and grinned like toddlers who had eaten too many E numbers!  It was great!

I like the programme/calendar but won’t be using it as a calendar.  Instead it will go into my collection of tour programmes which is complete except for one that continues to elude me.  (Anyone got a spare copy of 1988 In Real Time?)  I suppose I should have bought two copies of the calendar but as we’re watching the pennies, it didn’t occur to me.

If you haven’t already bought tickets for this tour, I strongly recommend that you do and I guarantee (not in a legal sense, of course) you will not be disappointed – FAIRPORT LIVE ARE AT THEIR BEST!

P.S.  Nice to see you JJ and I think I might have briefly interacted with Martin Driver - he smiled at me when I was wrestling a big black heavy curtain :o

No, but one sold 3 days ago on ebay for £4.99.  You see them on there fairly regularly, and there were definitely a few copies or so around the car boot / bridge in Cropredy last year...

Actually I'll check again...if I have got one I'll let you know.

I have my searches set for 'Fairport Convention Programme' on ebay so I'm not sure how I managed to miss that one >:( (That's cross rather than angry.) But thanks for letting me know and thanks for checking your own stuff.  It's funny, the 1976 one was relatively easy to come by but that '88 one just seems not to want to be acquired for some reason.  I collect the Cropredy programmes too - 1979 flyer, '82, '83 and '84 still to find so if you wouldn't mind checking for those as well, I'd be ever so grateful :)

At last......Edinburgh beckons........and Berwick.......and Inverness!!!!!

Katys Mum

It was me that bought the In Real Time programme ! I got it with quite a few others , mainly from  Cropredy.
I  wasn't after it especially and as it's the only one you are  missing i think you deserve it more than me.

If you PM me your details i'll post it to you as soon as i can find a suitable envelope !

Sorry, that didn't really come out as I intended and it's been worrying me ever since I re-read it and now it's keeping me awake.  (Stop sniggering at the back!)  So I've rewritten it.

Si Tu Dois Partir – always a fun song but with Flossie and Keith, even more so.  It was great!  It made you want to bop and bounce like a toddler who had eaten too many E numbers.  Instead, I had to content myself with a bit of jiggling and foot tapping in my seat.

I'll be quiet now.

Billy, that is such a generous gesture and one I do not deserve.  I'll PM you :-*

Pictures from tonight's show at Edinburgh are on the Queens Hall Flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thequeenshall/4388557338/in/set-72157623219759211/

Anyone have a current complete setlist?

Thanks
Mark

As you have the programme, and the programme has the dates for the Spring acoustic tour in it, you couldn't be an absolute star and tell me if they're playing Kendal or Morecambe could you? Pretty please?  :)

I think they're now listed in a thread called #'Acoustic Tour 2010' or something like it...

Kendal , Brewery Arts Centre (tbc) , Wed 12th May

Big thanks from my parents (it was their Christmas present) for last night's concert in Edinburgh. They hadn't seen Fairport for a few years, having religiously gone to the Marlowe until they decided the new stuff was becoming uninteresting: from last night it seems their enthusiasm has been renewed  :)

Aha! A thousand thank yous! Just the ticket!

Chaps on top form in Edinburgh last night.  Particularly good to hear Rising for the Moon back in the repertoire.  Chris' new song - Wouldn't Say No - & Ric's new instrumental - Danny Jack's Chase - were very strong on first listen.  Loved the 'everything including the kitchen sink' fiddle tunes set of Hen's March/Four Poster Bed/Bridge over the River Ash/Brilliancy Medley & Cherokee Shuffle as well.  

Simon decided to leave the stage & played on Bowman's Retreat from the front row of the audience as well.

Good night all round.

Chris has written his View from the Van......

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

Was at Gateshead Sage on Wednesday, having missed last year's Newcastle New Tyne Theatre gig because of work.

I wasn't worried about the chaps at all; having been a fairly recent convert to seeing them live (1997 first time), I've got used to the fabulous entertainment on offer on a yearly basis. No, it was that I was taking my partner to see them for the first time. Before we met 4 years ago (and a lot of time since then), she's viewed my love for folk music with something akin to contempt, followed by confusion & finally acceptance.

So, I bought her a ticket (Row B in the stalls!!) for the gig. Guess what? She loved it!! Having only known "Si Tu Dois Partir," "Hanging Song," and "Matty Groves" from the set, she was listening with fresh ears. We now have a convert!!!

You never know, there may be a Geordie & a Canadian pair of neophytes at Cropredy this year. Fingers crossed.....

Glad to hear it went well - I'm in a similar situation next Friday at Crosby Civic Hall. I'm taking my wife and two boys along. The boys are quite looking forward to it, but my wife is a reluctant attendee. She knows (and likes) MAtty Groves, but other than that, she doesn't rally 'get' Fairport. I'm hoping she too will be a convert this time next week.

Thety've added a second night (March 11) AT Whelan's in Ireland...

Just heard from my sister that she is taking my Mum to the Crosby Civic Hall gig on Friday (we were both born within a few hundred yards of the venue) as part of her Mothering Sunday present.  Pity I can't make it as well.  

Mum's all-time favourite FC numbers are "The Hen's March/The 4-Poster Bed" and "Cell Song" from JBL.  So she'll be happy that the first is on the set list - pity the latter isn't.  (Though if Simon reads this, perhaps he could persuade the chaps to play it for her? Please?  ;) )

Great night in Huddersfield on Saturday.A full house again and a great selection of 20 items from the history of the band.
Bookended by 'Si Tu Dois Partir' & 'Meet On The Ledge' with extra vocals from Flossie & Keith (an excellent opening duo),all the band produced some highlights.
We were accompanied by friends new to the Fairports and they were impressed with the near-3 hour show.

Finally booked for Birmingham. Any further back and I'd be outside!

Really enjoyed the perfomance of Rising For The Moon with Chris on lead vocals.
Have FC recorded this song since Sandy's original which, much as I like it, is rather different to the "NEW" version ?

Couldn't agree more, and the Lawrence Batley Theatre is such a smashing venue - I really must venture over the border more often.  ;)

Here's a rough running order from Huddersfield:

Si Tu Dois Partir
The Happy Man
Rocky Road
Wouldn't Say No (Great Debut)
Jewel In The Crown
Rising For The Moon
Fame & Glory
The Hen's march et al
Ukulele Central (Dig that washboard)
The Festival Bell
Walk Awhile
Dirty Linen
John Gaudie
Bowman's Retreat
Dream Song (best vocals from the band)
Hanging Song
Danny Jack's Chase (How does Ric make it semm so easy?)
Who knows Where The Time Goes? (Simon's Highlight)
Matty Groves
Meet On The Ledge

Perhaps mr Penguin would add any I've missed?

Looks about to me!  8)

A year ago after seeing FC live for the very first time at the Theatre Royal Dumfries I wrote a short review for the eurotraders website which my good friend DavidMJS posted on this forum. Well last night I saw the Fairport’s for the second time, again at the Royal and I have to say they were even better.

No problems with the sound, Simon feeling and singing well after last year’s cold, his guitar well up in the mix and a great setlist all made for a highly enjoyable evening. Last year I said that I though Gerry’s drumming “plodded along”, I must apologies to the man for this rather disparaging statement because last night I realised just what a key player he is to the overall sound keeping the rhythm going alongside Dave’s great Bass playing.

Highlights of the night have to be the inclusion of Sandy’s “Who Knows Where The Time Goes”, “Dream Song > Hanging Song” and a storming “Matty Groves” which was dropped last year because of Simon’s illness.

Also worth a mention is the opening act of Keith Donnelly and Flossie Malavialle. Flossie has a beautiful voice and was quite mesmerising as she sang Keith’s well crafted songs. Their cd “Dark Horses” is well worth the £10 and having it signed by them at the interval was a bonus.

Finally I’d like to thank all of Fairport Convention for playing musical backwaters like Dumfries and I hope we long remain a stop off on future winter tours. The theatre might have been freezing cold but the warmth that they generated will keep these old bones going for quite a while.

Cheers, Phil.

Nice one Phil.  

I just wish they'd play backwaters like North Wales too  :)

Well if they play Dumfries next year grab your passport and you can stay with us.

Phil.

even fairport have some standards ::)
the odd gig in manchester is always appreciated

I'm getting excited now - Crosby Civic Hall tonight! Really looking forward to this one. Is anyone else going?

I will apparently be at this tonight after a shakey moment of doubt earlier in the week, first winter tour gig in 15 years hope it meets my expectations,

Are you not in Oregan today then Neil?

No, he'll be in the Liver (as in bird, not offal) - the pub across the road from the venue.  

I won't be at the gig (or the pub), but I'll be represented by my Mum & sister.

Kid sister told me the other day that she won the female vocal "folk song" section in the Crosby Music Festival in the Civic Hall - ooh years ago.  She can't remember what she sang, though.  So the chaps and she will have trodden the same stage - OK decades apart, but that's got to be a virtual Pegg number for her, and a virtual Miriam number for the band!  :)

Neil & Shankly - hope you enjoy tonight at least as much as I enjoyed Tewkesbury...

Ooh - do I get a Pegg number too? I've trod the boards, dropped my trousers and dressed as a woman at Crosby Civic Hall on many occasions when (in a previous life) I was in an amateur dramatic group.

I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I hope my wife (who is a reluctant attendee) comes away a fan!

No I am in Liverpool today although I will be in Oregon on Sunday it really is a small world we live in. I may be in the Liver but the schedule is tight today and food must be consumed at some point.

Just got back from Crosby Civic Hall and it was a great show. I'm pleased to say that my wife is now a convert! Not only did she buy a tee shirt, but she's also talking about a trip to Cropredy at some future date! She was also impressed with how friendly the band were after the show. We can't wait for next year's wintour now.

Oh, and Neil got a mention from Simon too, which was nice.

Glad to hear the show went well... sadly, my sister wasn't well, so she & Mum had to miss out.  They were (and still are) very disappointed, but as Mum said, there's always next year - or the acoustic gig in St Helens this spring (Cropredy's not really an option for her...)

Just booked for tonight.

I found these Youtube clips of the Huddersfield gig and noticed that Simon is playing the little guitar (Armstrong?) for Who Knows.  I was sure he used the big one (Santa Cruz?) at Colchester but am beginning to doubt myself now. :-\

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVZ5wAoo9HM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f_dWrs7sOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QJ3yjEqlQg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8f5RZq1XeY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRV8kU0ydv4

I'm reminded of how good those instrumentals were! 8)

He used the big guitar on WKWTTG last night at Crosby

Brilliant Janet, thanks...

I want to go to Brum tonight now!!

Me too.  According to AA Routefinder, if I set out now, I'd arrive at 7.30 so it would be possible ...  :D

Thanks Shankly - I could be remembering correctly then :)

Anyone still gridlocked in Birmingham, trying to find a way on to the M6?   >:(

Last time I went to Birmingham to see Fairport (a few years ago now,) it took forever to get ut of Birmingham..

I think they move the roads about while the concerts going on... ::)

They do Jude, they do!! That happened to me last year

Birmingham was great, better than St Georges in Bristol and well worth the journey up the M5. Shame they didn't do Weston this year. It only took us about an hour getting out of Birmingham >:(...easy enough to get in and park, awful to get out! Oh well...looking forward to Worcester next and then Cropredy.

I was somewhat underwhelmed by the gig, possibly due to being seated right at the back.

Yes, getting out of Birmingham was something of a nightmare, with underpasses and the A38M closed for maintenance, as I believe was a chunk of the M6. I suffered the crawl to the middle ring road, then took the A47 / A38 route out to the M6 toll. It took less than an hour to get to the M6 Toll services.

We thought Brum was great, a fitting end to a lovely tour.

No travel probs - we stayed overnight (as we usually do for Brum gigs). Our only issue was finding somewhere to eat before the gig - everywhere in the Broad Street area was full and booked out. We eventually managed to get in to the Cafe Rouge the other side of the Town Hall (towards the town centre), and we'd like to say thanks to them for getting us in and getting us fed just in time to make the start of the concert.

Met steve-n + Mrs steve and friends (we went to the same school, but not at the same time), and the inevitable Chris Bates; also Martin Driver (in passing), and PJ.

Thanks to the guys (+ Flossie & Keith) for providing great entertainmant and being so friendly.

DC

Can't disagree with the above - the chaps were on great form and the A435 towards Evesham was almost totally traffic free.

From a slightly tentative start at Tewkesbury this Tour has developed probably one of the strongest set lists in recent years - the two new numbers have fitted in brilliantly......and we're still humming Danny Jack's Chase  :)

Great to meet Dr & Mrs C - we Suffolk exiles need to stick together  ;)

Already looking forward to the Spring tour...


S&J

I parked in a multi storey, getting out of that was what took the time!
No such problems at the Huntingdon Hall I'm sure, bring on the Spring tour...and Cropredy!  :)

Oh, yeah - our hotel was near one of the multi-stories (Brindley Place) and we did notice the horrendous queue of cars trying to leave! We've never seen it so busy (see earlier post on difficulty getting in somewhere to eat) - can a local tell us if something special was on (other than FC, of course) to cause such crowds (who were mostly eating apparently to meet an early-evening schedule, then leaving at the same time as the post-FC crowd)?

DC

Sir Simon Rattle was conducting the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, playing Bach's St Matthew Passion at Symphony Hall that evening. That may have had quite a lot to do with how busy the area around Brindley Place was.

You can just picture the scene in the Rattle household when he realised he was already engaged and would have to miss seeing the the chaps!

You never know ..... he was at a performance of "The Mysteries" that I attended during the last revival .... and clearly enjoyed the "Grand Circle Dance" or what ever it was at the end!

More likely to have been The Stereophonics at the NIA. All three venues use the same car parks with one access road.

Thanks for the explanations!

All of that makes sense  8)

DC

So..............before anyone else asks. Why was Sir Simon conducting the Stereophonics?

s

Just in from tonight's Dublin gig in Whelan's.  Smallish venue but full and appreciative with a standing ovation at the end.  Simon particularly prolix with the intros., seemed to be enjoying himself.

Brother-in-law and I delighted to have been complimented on our "People's Republic...." t-shirts in the gents by Peggy himself (we let him skip the queue, he was burstin'!).

No support so slight amendments to the GB tour setlist:

Walk Awhile
The Happy Man
Wouldn't Say No
Jewel in the Crown
Rising for the Moon
Fame & Glory
The Hen's March etc
Ukulele Central
The Festival Bell
---------
Dirty Linen
Rocky Road
Dream & Hanging Songs
Danny Jack's Chase
Who Knows....?
John Gaudie/Bowman's
Matty
---------
MOTL

If you weren't there tonight, make sure you catch 'em tomorrow!

Well I had planned a visit to my parents and then realized that as if by chance the dates I had chosen coincided with the Crosby show, after a moments consideration calls were made and the valet made his way to the box office and purchased tickets.

Then the doubt set in, I had only seen Winter Tours in the dim and distant past and really had no idea what to expect as I had very little attachment to newer material beyond the CD's. On the day of the gig I got a little carried away meeting up with a friend and therefore got to Crosby only in time to eat quickly and then run to the gig so I missed going to the Liver and seeing if I could recognize anyone from their very small pictures.

I thought the gig started a little slow and disjointed but by the time they got to Chris' new song they had gotten into their stride and I remembered the extraordinary camaraderie Fairport have with their audience especially on the winter tour, Cropredy is a pilgrimage, the various events throughout the years as anniversaries come and pass are enjoyable, but the winter tour is a band reconnecting with it's audience, celebrating the past and presenting it's future. The newer tracks fit very well with the old favorites and the chaps really looked to be enjoying themselves. I thought the set was a nice mix of old and new and I find myself looking forward to the new album, and am now re listening to the more recent output.

As it looks unlikely that the band will be coming to the states in the near future I shall have to repeat this type of plan in the future and make the effort myself. It was nice to be mentioned by Simon if a little embarrassing, so thank you to whoever did that and next year if I make it I will make the effort to meet people and even say hi to the band.

I have to say though that Crosby Civic hall reminded me a little of being at a school assembly.

Neil finally home in Portland Oregon after being stuck in Manchester airport for 8 hours and Philadelphia airport for a day.   :) :)

We just wanted to say a huge thank you to all the chaps for signing the Uke, this will be a fine raffle prize for the Help The Heroes charity gig. It was the last night of the tour and even though they were exhausted, they still had time for a little oik like me to chase them round with a uke and sharpy. Thank's again :)


C x