TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

My apologies if there has been another thread about this, I'm a longtime 'lurker' on here, but a seldom poster. Just realized, and with a brief consultation to Fairport Unconventional, comes the realization that in May 25 years ago, Ric guested on Gladys' Leap (25 years for that one too). Not long after came the call to join the band. 25 years! Hard to believe, considering Fairport waited 2 more years before their 20th! So if its cool to do this, maybe a little tribute here, some stories, and some favorites from Ric's time with the band. I have had the pleasure of chatting with Ric a handful of times, always a pleasure. Many favorites over the years, but especially Rose Hip, Portmeirion, Woodworm Swing, Rutland Reel of his own compositions. Also love his playing on so many things over the years- Slip Jigs and Reels, love the way his violin just flys in the solo of Set Me Up, and of course the evocative playing on Hiring Fair    

Cheers Ric, thanks for lots of memories and great playing!

Thank You, Ric for your music. Long may you run.
You are one of the reasons, why Fairport stand out.

Funny how some people still think of Ric as the new boy!!

Happy Anniversary Ric  8)  I shall play Portmeirion in tribute  {:-)

Agree with all the above - also love Summer in December, Canny Capers, Everything But The Skirl, and the new Danny Jack's Chase.

I walked down the aisle to Summer In December  :)

The Swedish Ric Sanders Appreciation Society says thanks to Ric for 25 brilliant Fairport years and Happy anniversary!
Staffan
Deputy Chairman
The Swedish Ric Sanders Appreciation Society






Carin, Chairwoman of The Swedish Ric Sanders Appreciation Society, and Ric, 2007

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...and
Portmeirion
Some Special Place
and
Woodworm Swing
have special places in our hearts!
staFCarin

I only have to hear one of Ric's distinctive violin intro's and I am whisked away into a field in Oxfordshire

PDC, Bowman's Retreat, Canny Capers and Woodworm Swing are my favs from Ric.

Thank you sir for bringing them into the world....

In January 1986, I trudged wearily off to Wimbledon Theatre to see the new line up. Having first seen Fairport in 1970, then many times during the 70s, and been at the Farewell festival at Cropredy in 1979, I wasn't really relishing the idea of Fairport sans Swarb. He'd been the engine of every gig of theirs I'd seen for 15 years. So this new bloke - how could he be anything other than a pale imitation?

I couldn't have been more wrong. Ric's extraordinary playing, along with his leaps and bounds around the stage signalled a completely new phase in the band's history. His strength is his individuality - he's never tried to be or sound like Swarb - he's a unique and brilliant player in his own right. Fab.

I took Ric into the MRI scanner with me yesterday... his beautiful music really helped  8)

It was a few years ago that Ric was the first person I knew to wear c*r* o*c*s (red ones)..  I now have several pairs along with quite a few of my good friends.  Thank you Ric for that.

In 1992 Ric had an accident..  severely threatening his future playing...  How thankful I am that he made a full recovery  8)

Thanks Ric for everything  :-* :-*

My first ever live Fairport Gig was supposed to happen in Newport, south Wales, several years ago. However, on arrival it turned out the the venue was still under construction and the gig cancelled.

A year later, another attempt to see Fairport for the first time. It couldn't happen again, could it? (A different venue, I hasten to add but I was still nervous!)

Imagine my delight then when Ric bounded onto the stage to begin proceedings.  ;D "There's Ric!" I shouted, involuntarily. I knew then that the gig was actually going ahead, cos if he was there, it seemed likely that the rest of the Chaps were too.  :)  I even remember the opening number - "Journeyman's Grace".

Thank you Ric for so much wonderful music.  :-*

How very true!

Mave the Rave and I both concur theres a touch of genius in our Ric . Thanks for the music and the introduction to those superbly comfortable classy shoes with little holes in which we arent allowed to mention here  ;D . We love him .  [;-)

To add to what everyone has already said, I think it's amazing how much Chris L and Ric compliment eachother musically. They're both great players, but completely different from eachother. However, when they play together note-perfect it's like nothing you've ever heard before

There were a few years around 87 - 92 when the combination of Ric and Maart was simply breathtaking and fairport rocked like they meant it. For those years I thank you Ric.

for that comment i applaud you 8)

Me too - that was when I was first introduced to FC  {:-)

That's me! I also think of "Wish You Were Here"  as late Pink Floyd.

My all-time favourite Ric moment (several actually since I saw them many times) was the Sanders/Baker/Clayton trio's amazing psychedelic version of 'Matty Groves!'. At the end of the gigs headbands would be donned, effects units would be switched on & the roof would be raised, much to the consternation of some of the sweet old ladies who'd come to see the nice folk group. I reckon it was actually more rocking than Fairport's heavy version, with the intro swiped from 'Run Like Hell', by Floyd.

On the negative side, it wasn't included on the 'Carried Away' live CD, which is a huge shame.

Ric, Vikki, Fred.... If you read this, next time you're looking for a track to contribute to a compilation I'm sure you have a recording of at least one of those performances somewhere!!!!!!

Of course he's really only on loan to Fairport until the "Rise Up" Albion Band reforms ;)

Congratulations Ric - thanks for the tunes and the shows, but not necessarily the jokes!  ;D

I've only ever know Fairport with Ric, being a young 'un... And I couldn't imagine it without him... And he's also been in Soft Machine, and played with John Etheridge, two of my other favourites... (And the Albion Band as well)

[For those interested, the Soft Machine album Ric played on - Alive and Well in Paris - is being remastered and reissued soon by Esoteric.]

Well it's about bl**dy time!