TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Saw the lads at Didcot Cornerstone tonight (what a great venue)  sound was very good, seats comfy.

I thought for first night the guys were tight and on great form (a few false starts) the first half was great,but the second half was sensational.

Chris Leslie sang a song and was joined in vocal harmony by Simon and Peggy and it was awesome the hairs stood up on the back of my neck, and there was a silence in the audience when it finished, before rapturous applause.

I had been toying with giving Croppers a
miss this year, but i hadn't seen FC up close for a while and i had forgotten how bloody good they are.

Several songs evoked Cropredy memories for me, and if I closed my eyes i was in that field.   How could I even consider missing it!

Saw Jude, but too shy to butt in and say Hello!

Oh you should have done Sian, but it was a great evening wasn't it? I had Brian, (Simon's and my old friend from pre Fairport days) and his wife staying with me overnight so the chance for them to meet up was too good to miss as they live in Canada..  ;D

Chris Leslie sang a song and was joined in vocal harmony by Simon and Peggy and it was awesome the hairs stood up on the back of my neck, and there was a silence in the audience when it finished, before rapturous applause.

What was the name of the song?  Was it a new one?

Glad you had such a good time  :)

I've got tickets for the Birkenhead show on 18th May - unfortunately, my son has an exam at 9 o'clock next day, so has decided it is unwise to be out the night before - as a result, I have 3 tickets going spare (I'm still going) - if anyone wants them at face value, pm me.

Looking forward to the Bloomsbury Theatre tomorrow. Anyone else going?

It was the cell song, but I haven't heard Chris sing it so beautifully before and the guys harmonies were spot on!

Ah thanks... that's gorgeous!

It was the cell song, but I haven't heard Chris sing it so beautifully before and the guys harmonies were spot on!
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Totally agree, it was gorgeous.  A great gig all round. The new material came across really well, especially Darkside Wood and Mercy Bay, and this seemed to refresh the oldies (songs, that is, not perfomers!) Ric's playing particularly wonderful on Crazy Man Michael.

Roll on Cropredy!

I'm glad I read this - I'd forgotten to book my ticket for the Colston Hall on 26/5!

Now done and can't wait.

The Bloomsbury Theatre last night proved excellent. A good start was pre gig beer a the Bree Louise (http://www.thebreelouise.com/) where I both bumped in to an old work colleague and enjoyed a beer in the company of Messrs. Nicol and Pegg.

Having seen the Wintour only a couple of months earlier it was good to have a very different set. A jaunty Walk Awhile kicked things off and led in to a very varied set. There was some overlap with stuff from the new album of course, plus Cell Song from Babbacombe Lee. This was, if anything, better in the acoustic context. The highlights really came in the revival of some unexpected songs, particularly Honour and Praise, which I hadn't heard live in a long time.

The encore was of course the usual MOTL, but it was somewhat disappointing to be sat in the middle of an audience none of whom showed any inclination to join in.

Overall impressions were that this was a more vibrant and more relaxed gig than the wintour and probably one of the better FC gigs I've been to in recent years.

Finally after an excellent evening from the Chaps it was back to the pub for a couple more beers.  [;-)

Now I am really looking forward to Sunday night at Holmfirth!
Honour and Praise is my all time favorite FC song (possibly excepting Wat Tyler)(can you tell my era?). :-[
I will be singing!  ;D

I had not heard honour and praise before, but I really liked it on Sunday , what a great song!

I remember seeing FAC perform this at Chipping Norton theatre with Ric bounding over to the piano by the stage and pounding out the chords for the "fight for honour and for praise" refrain..

No piano this time, but a fine rendition.

Really excited about Dartford now!! I've never seen them do Honour and Praise, really looking forward to that!

Mixed review (to say the least!) in the Independent newspaper.....

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/fairport-acoustic-convention-bloomsbury-theatre-london-2279680.html

Ah, perhaps he's the chap we upset lol

C x

I'm being treated to Leicester, Boston AND Chipping Norton!! Can't wait!!
And this is all a surprise birthday pressie!!

Lovely gig in Canterbury as always. Can be added to the list of occasions where MOTL wasn't the last song - cock-up by Simon, quite funny really - but they really made Matty count after that. BTW what's with the matching socks and horrible plastic shoes? Chris just needed a little black hat to look like Ric's twin!

Superb gig at Holmfirth last night.The Picturedrome is a great venue complemented by 2 bars (the Box Office is a source of Landlord & Nook beers) which added to the more 'relaxed' atmosphere compared to the Wintour at LBT Huddersfield (a great theatre also).
From the opening Walk Awhile to Meet On The Ledge the band were on fine form and deserved the standing ovation (plus bonus dancers!)
8 songs out of 14 from The Festival Bell was a good balance in two-part set. Possible return on the cards next year to the Holmfirth Festival of Folk.

Honour and Praise - wow. Looking forward to the Acoustic Festival end of next week.

I agree with much of the review, and especially the last paragraph: "Who knows..." and "Cell Song" really were standouts.
I don't agree with his assessment of the humour, though. I wonder what radio stations he listens to to describe Simon's humour as "stlited drive time banter"? The latter's observations were, as ever, witty and astute. His description of being at Nettlebed as "like putting on an old pair of slippers" took on another meaning for me, though; being in the audience felt like being in one of those slippers - rarely have I been in a room quite so airless!)

The funniest moment of the evening was not, however, verbal; it came when Gerry dropped one of his sticks on the lead into a song and the rest of the band were so creased up it took a few minutes before they could attempt the song again.

Of the songs from the new album, "Mercy Bay" stood out - the rhythm is quite hypnotic.

Thise of you stilll to go - do enjoy.

Thankyou, certainly looking forward to the Saturday gig in Dartford.  Missed the Wintour through Lurgy descent ..... mustn't miss this one :)

I went to two good shows in the last few days , Bloomsbury Theatre and Fairfield Halls. It's a shame both venues were half empty.

Money is tight, and people are having to make a financial decision on whether or not they can afford to attend a Wintour, Spring tour AND Cropredy.
I know we've had to.  Hence our non appearance at the two venues that you mention.

Dartford tonight. Looking forward to Honour and Praise. Hoping for Reunion Hill in place of the perspiring policeman.

Will see you there :)

Very few reiews and indeed comment about the acoustic tour - is it possibly an indication that FC are touring too much at he moment on verious guises and even the biggest fans have run out of things to say?

Well, well, well, what a revelation that was - perspiring policeman transformed into dangerous detective! I am surprised no-one has thought to mention how much Fairport have developed this song.  The mood was entirely different – loud, exciting, full-on, aggressive even (not sure I've ever heard Chris Leslie sing like that before) and I was surprised to find myself liking it. Mind you, my sympathies still lie with the woman and if I could write songs I would definitely write one from her point of view.

All in all an extremely enjoyable evening at the Mick Jagger Centre which I have to say seemed pretty full.  Fairport never cease to amaze me with their talent – lots of different musical textures. They can melt your heart in one moment and take your breath away in the next. Some songs were as cosy as old shoes and others challenged my ears and my conceptions. There was a lot of laughter and a lot of love between band and audience. It was live music at its best! Eurovision on the telly? .......... NO CONTEST!!!

(Bumped into some former teachers of Katy's and said hello to Dan and his parents :))

I know it is considered bad form to double post but I was just making a set list from memory (as you do! ;)) and realised that Simon sang nearly double the number of songs as Chris which must be pretty unusual these days.

Well, well, well, what a revelation that was - perspiring policeman transformed into dangerous detective! I am surprised no-one has thought to mention how much Fairport have developed this song.  The mood was entirely different – loud, exciting, full-on, aggressive even (not sure I've ever heard Chris Leslie sing like that before) and I was surprised to find myself liking it. Mind you, my sympathies still lie with the woman and if I could write songs I would definitely write one from her point of view.

Wondering which song this was Katy's Mum please??

Wouldn't Say No presumably

Yes, as you say, unusually more of Simon's vocals this time.....and very fine they were too.  'Honour and Praise' was just fabulous.....can't not sing-along (hopefully not too loudly!) and one of my all time favourites 'Travelling by Steam'...again, can't help joining in.....don't know why I love this one so much, but I always have done....only seen it performed 'live' once before, that was a few years ago at a small festival near Glasgow, when Vo Fletcher was standing in for Peggy.   Also loved Mercy Bay....brilliant performance by all.  Thankyou Fairport...lovely evening.

Yes, Wouldn't Say No - sorry to be cryptic.

Thank you.. must have another listen  :)

The Balloch festival! I was there, on the way back home from a holiday on Skye. Despite the absence of Peggy, it was one of the very best Fairport gigs I've ever seen.

Yes Balloch! that was the one :)   We were holidaying "On the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond" at the time .... and yes entirely agree...it was exceedingly good...lots of exhuberant, very vocal and appreciative people in the audience, and some dancy ones as well.

Me too, even though the set is likely to be shorter. I couldn't fit in any other FAC gig. I did manage to see Ric, Vo and Catherine Howe perform just before FAC's tour started.

 Anyone going to the Banbury charity concert on Monday?  ???

Excellent show last night at Birkenhead - the setlist was pretty much as previously reported. I thought the treatment of 'Cell song' was beautiful and the band seemed to be really enjoying themselves. I must give personal thanks to Ric for renaming 'Woodworm swing' as 'Mandy's birthday swing' for the night in honour of my wife's birthday (which is actually today).

Ipswich next Tuesday anyone?
http://bpa-live.com/movers_fairportacoustic.htm

What is it Shane - a pre season friendly?   ;)

If only it had been this week, I've just returned from seeing relatives in town. Would love to have tied it in with a FC show.

Leicester on Friday, quite looking forward to this!

I will be at the Leicester gig too!  {:-)

Do say hello.  I'll be the one doing the definitive headless chicken impersonation while simultaneously attempting to count audience numbers...

Yes, Leicester on Friday for me too. A mere hop, skip and flight from Glasgow!!

My goodness, that's what I call dedication.  :D It would be good to spot the two of you.  :)

Saw FAC at the Acoustic Festival of Britain at Uttoxeter.

Enjoyable. No surprises.

I was a bit put out by the couple who rammed chairs to within a couple of yards of the stage, to get under the canopy and out of the possible rain, and abused somebody who had the temerity to stand in front of the chairs between them. He, well over 6', then stood well forward of his chair for most of the set. Grrrr.

 Good show in Banbury last night: Very impressed with 'Mercy Bay', and 'The Cell song' was quite lovely - never heard it before! :-[

 One criticism - too many middle-tempo, middle-of-the-road songs (half the concert seemed to go at the same plodding pace); but 'Matty' and 'Meet on the ledge' were really good, passionate renditions. Only my opinion of course. And Chris seems to be singing better than ever!

Also at Banbury last night.
St Mary's Church is a wonderful venue* and sitting beneath the stained glass window which inspired two of the songs in the set (Already There and Mercy Bay) seemed to add to the experience...
Thoroughly enjoyable evening - no great surprises in the set list, although, as others have said, it's nice to see Honour and Praise back. Chris' Cell Song was brilliant as ever and there was a really passionate WKWTTG from Simon. Thought the pace was pretty standard for a  Fairport Acoustic (ie chaps sitting down) gig and they seemed to have hit the right spot audience-wise judging by the standing ovation at the end.

All this, and over £6,000 raised for Katherine House Hospice......can't be bad!

S&J

(*except for the limited bar and queue for the loos)

Friday eh? Hmmmm

Fingers crossed for favourable ash-cloud movements....

Why? Someone flying in?.....

Oh, yes, Mr Westwood! :-)

Hoping to make it on Friday, although I do have a cash flow issue. Currently I am solvent to the tune of £2.47. Still, payday on Friday, so assuming it's not a sell out I should be there.

Tickets booked for Friday. Looking forward to meeting some of you there.

If you want a pint of real ale before the gig, the Barley Mow just round the corner is the closest. Should be in there myself and if previous occasions are anything to go by, you'll probably find the band there as well.

After being really rough last week I was beginning to think I was going to have to miss out on last night's Bristol gig. Luckily, the hospital seem to have cornered what's wrong with me and stuck me on the right pills, so I was there.
Great gig - Simon in tears doing Who Knows and dedicating it to 2 ladies in the audience who's late mother's favourite it was and who's funeral it is today! I liked the mix of old stuff (some I've not heard them do before) and items from the new album. Chris' singing on Cell Song was wonderful, perhaps the best I've heard from him. Nice collection of Cropredy veterans in the audience (judging from the response to mentions) so not just me singing along to Meet On The Ledge!  
Made me think that the last time I saw Fairport in the Colston Hall was the "Rising For The Moon" tour (mid 70s) - with only Peggy in the band from then. ::) That dates me!
Roll on August.

An impromptu decision to go to Leicester tonight . There are tickets still available . I've got 2 saved behind the desk . See you all there .

Wish I could be there, but  **** keeps happening...

Enjoy! xxx

Shirl! Missed you!! However, Boston here we come! Hopefully, nice lunch on the way!
GeeTee! You are a star. What a great day!
I thought that the show was fantastic and highlights for me were Mercy Bay, Cape Horn, Honour and Praise, Cell Song......all of it!!

A wonderful gig in Leicester last night.

The first half highlight was definitely Honour and Praise, a heavy and full on rendition that pinned you back in your seat, but even that was outdone by Who Knows Where The Time Goes in part two.  I've never really been a fan of anyone else singing Sandy's songs, with the possible exception of Chris While, but Simon's vocal on this sent shivers down the spine and brought tears to the eyes.  It was a performance that redefined the song, recast it so that it resonated with forty years of experience and life and all that entails.  The obvious difficulty Simon had in singing it also felt right somehow, because it wasn't an easy listen either, but at the end you knew that you'd been part of a shared and transcendent moment, one of those you go to gigs for but rarely find.

Mixed emotions, elation and inferiority all at the same time.
The brand leaders proving yet again that there is more than a mere 43 year history separating them from the rest of the musical world!
Simon Yorath for Prime Minister-Hi Fi sound.
Without doubt gig of the year for me so far (and I've seen a few) To quote you and one of  your favourites  "Tip Top" !!!
 

Thought I had already posted my views. Firstly, a big thank you to Jeremy for putting the gig on.

This gig was even better than the Wintour. Every track worked well and was impeccably preformed. Mercy Bay was great and is also my favorite on the new CD. Chris's singing just seems to reach new heights every time I see them.

Jeremy has already mentioned WTWTTG, it was a truly marvelous rendition.

All in all a fabulous evening. Great to see Shirl and especially Pastieboy looking so well.

Chipping Norton Theatre on Sunday for the last (but one) ever Fairport Acoustic gig - they'll be dropping the Acoustic tag after Friday's concert at Stroud.

Very much a home fixture for most of the band, so a full house was with them from the start. Set list as before and, also as before, WKWTTG was absolutely wonderful, made even more poignant by Simon's dedication to Sylvia and (possibly a Fairport first) his mother-in-law.....  Peggy's bass really complements Simon's vocal perfectly.

Under normal circumstances, this would probably have been the highlight of the show, but was possibly shaded by a truly  brilliant Cell Song. There was an almost audible collective intake of breath before well deserved and prolonged applause.

43 years of practice has really paid off.... ;)

S&J

If anyone's planning to go to the Stroud gig on Friday - there are "plenty" of tickets left, according to the box office; however, the online booking service isn't working properly at the moment, so it's best to ring them: 01453 760900.  Tickets are £18 each, £16 for concessions.

A very enjoyable evening last Friday in Leicester. Good to see Andy, Pastie and Mave the Rave, EdtheFolkie and JohnnyBMental.  :o ;D

Anyone who has not visited the Y Theatre in Leicester needs to be made aware that leg room in the front row of the Balcony is very restricted. Ouch! I managed to find alternative seating during the second half.  :D

Chris Leslie's performance of "Cell Song" once more brought tears to my eyes. This time, I was more aware of the harmonies towards the end. Truly mesmerising. I also enjoyed "I'm Already There" which has a particular resonance for me. A shame that Simon said it was taken from "A Sense of Occasion" instead of "Over The Next Hill".  ;)

Ric was on fine form. I loved "Danny Jack's Reward" and "Woodworm Swing", a particular favourite of mine.  :D

There was plenty of the usual silliness.....you know, the Ikea joke that sometimes appears in the middle of Matty Groves..... ;D

The chaps seemed to be having a good time - always a good sign - and the audience was suitably appreciative.

Roll on Cropredy!

After going to Bristol, I was hoping to drag The One I Love out to Stroud tonight as it's on her doorstep. Unfortunately she's under the weather, so the semi-joke about her being TOIL has backfired again as she's hard work again. Maybe I'll get her to Cropredy some day.
Enjoy yourselves if you're going.  

Well, Big Martin, it was a sultry Stroud Subscription Room that was almost full; the chaps were on fine form, in fact (and sorry to rub it in!) but the performance was up there with the very best I've seen them play... then this morning, my Cropredy ticket landed on the door mat...

 :)  :)  :)

They were great, weren't they! We had a fantastic evening.  :) :) :)

A late decision for us to go to Stroud, but not difficult as we'd enjoyed Chippy so much on Sunday. Had a lovely drive down through the Cotswolds in beautiful evening sunshine for the very last Fairport Acoustic gig...apart from the inevitable reunion at Cropredy ... ;)

Bit of an end of term feel to some of the banter between songs (loved Ric's connection of Woodworm Swing with John Lee), and as Paul has already said the performance was great.......Fairport at their very finest.

Must mention the superb sound by Simon Yorath. We were in the second row and absolutely everything was crisp, clear and loud enough without being excessive. Had a quick chat with him afterwards. both he and the chaps were really impressed with their first visit to the Subscription Rooms, so that's another potential venue for a future tour.

Finally, thanks to Jill and the staff at the Subscription Rooms who were really friendly throughout and particularly helpful when we asked if we could have the Fairport banner from the front of the building. Goodness knows where we're going to hang it, but it makes a great souvenir.

And Jill enjoyed the concert so much that there's every possibility that she'll take a trip to Cropredy in August.......

Great evening, brilliant end to tour.

S&J

That's your flag for Cropredy sorted then - no problems finding you car/tent with that banner fluttering above it!  :)