TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

From the FAQ on MartinBarre.com --

What band would you most want to join?


This one is easy! It would be Fairport Convention. They are a very musical band, always improving and full of energy and commitment.

They have a tremendous work ethic; sharing everything as a true band and all have the opportunity to write and perform their own ideas and share the stage.

The feeling of togetherness comes across to the audience and it is a delight to see! Also, they are the nicest people AND Simon can help with the Saturday Telegraph crossword...Perfect!

Martin Barre in Fairport...mmm, not a bad idea at all, as long as he doesn't insist on doing those whammy bar histrionics and annoying heavy metal harmonic squeals that he's been imposing on Tull's music since the late '80s. I think we had a similar discussion in another thread some time ago...as an afficionado of '80s hair metal, there's definitely a time and a place for '80s hair metal guitar and that's not JT or Fairport !

Having got that off my chest, Martin Barre's certainly able and versatile enough, but maybe a more ideal candidate for the post of 6th Fairporter/electric guitarist would be PJ Wright...

Just do it!!

Im with Dan....PJ would be more the man. Seeing him at Cropredy last year adding nice touches to songs like Reunion Hill I think he fits better. Nice words by Martin though!

Phrases like "sharing everything as a true band " are probably an indication of his current feelings about Tull and their lack of "true band"-ness, I suspect...

Make it so!  :D

Since Maart left the Fairport sound has really been missing electric guitar as a lead instrument, so yes, make it so!

My thoughts too .

I think the drop in earnings might be noticeable . I wonder if he's nearing pensionable age too. ;) ;D

Tell you all you need to know about Tull.
I love Martin's work, and have missed the leccy in FC these past fifteen years or so.
Oh, and he's coming 66, so I guess he needs all the cash he can lay his mitts on  ;)

When I first started getting into Fairport (1987) I always thought they and JT were pretty interchangeable anyway.
Look at Crest of a knave:
Peggy
Gerry
Ric
A drum machine on the album I believe but the video for Steel Monkey shows DM on drums.

Then Maart joins for Rock Island.

Same basic band just swap the "Front Man".

Ian Anderson, Martin Barre & Doane Perry were almost permanent fixtures at Cropredy for a few years.

I say Go for it Martin I would love some more rock in my folk!
 ;D

I know that many on this board are less than thrilled with the "safe-ness" of the current FC lineup, but I strongly suspect that taking a chance on ANY sixth member is not something they would even consider at this point. They have a good/reliable thing going with the current lineup, and I'm pretty sure "mixing things up" is somewhere rather far down their list of priorities (well below saving for retirement). That said, I agree with those who think MB might not fit into FC's musical policies as well as PJW, Songs from the Wood and Heavy Horses not withstanding....

 

I think his comments probably reflect his current feelings about Tull more than Fairport. I love the idea of him joining but wonder whether six permanent members would be financially viable given the size of venues that Fairport fill.

But on the other hand MB would bring a load of new fans with him...

I think Martin Barre was just answering a hypothetical question.  I don't think it's likely to happen, even if it is an intriguing thought.  

I'm not one of those who believes that there's anything missing from the current line up.  I just believe that Fairport do what they always do - utilise the talents of those who are in the band at the time.  If there were to be any further changes to the line up then I'm sure we'd see a shift in emphasis to incorporate the new member's particular strengths. When Chris  Leslie joined the band to replace Martin Allcock, we saw one gifted multi-instumentalist leave and another enter.  The lessening of the electric guitar influence on the songs is obviously noticeable, but I just like to go with the flow.  

Just my opinion :)

Mine too....this line up is hitting a peak at the moment...not bad after fifteen years0r so.

I agree, Fairport has never been better, only different. What they may lack in "edge" is more than made up for in "spirit".  Plus, I think the mandolin playing of Chris is musically (one note following another in exciting fashion) on par with past lead guitar work of RT, JD and Maart.

I'm pretty sure that on his first tour with FC, Chris played some lead electric guitar, before he went bouzouki mad.  That said, I really like the two fiddle FC sound on such new tunes as Danny Jack's return.

I'd like to see Martin B playing with them.  First time I saw Dave Pegg was at Hammersmith Odeon sharing the stage with Martin, but as the Tull bassist (deerstalker and all).

I was at that gig.
Tull, Stormwatch, 1979.
God that's a long time ago.
My boss doesn't go back that far!

Both electric guitar and the fantastic sounding batocaster early on.  DW

It's never too late for Chris to electrify his mandolin, a la Sam Bush.

And did he not also play electric mandolin on the studio version of "Wait for the Tide.." (I know Ric does the solos live)?

Both his Mandolin & Bouzouki are electric in the way that they have pickups & active EQ.
Mandolin here: http://www.bonnersmusic.co.uk/buy/Ozark/2255CL_Chris_Leslie_Signature_Model_Mandolin
Bouzouki here: http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/details1.asp/ProductID/4994/ozark-2244E-solid-top-electro-acoustic-f-bouzouki.htm

I want one of each by the way.

Not technically electric though, as they have piezo-electric pickups. A real electric has magnetic pickups.

Paul

Curse of the green bar!


Not sure I entirely agree Paul.
A quick search on the definition of an electric instrument brings up:

An electric musical instrument is one in which the use of electric devices determines or affects the sound produced by an instrument. It is also known as an amplified musical instrument due to the common utilization of an electronic instrument amplifier to project the intended sound as determined by electronic signals from the mechanical instrument.

It really doesn't matter how the sound from the instrument is transformed into electrical impulses it still counts.
(OK I will accept that a microphone attached or near the instrument does not make it electric simply amplified).
The signal output can be processed, enhanced and otherwise shaped to suit therefore it is electric.

Keith
(ready to be shouted down on this one).

Actually, your technical description is correct, but common usage is that an electro-acoustic guitar has a piezo pickup, and just sounds like an amplified acoustic guitar. Weirdly, the term semi-acoustic guitar is used for an elctric guitar with a hollow body.

The difference is in the impedence of the pickups (low for piezo high for magnetic) and the type of amplifier you plug it into.

Paul

OK Paul I'm blinded by science now.
Can I just say before I shut up that I still lust after those two instruments regardless of their classification!
In fact I've just emailed Eagle music to ask how much shipping would be to Norway  ;)

I have one of each! Although technically the mando is not the CL sig version, but the model he used to play before the sig version emerged. Annoyed (mildly) to see that the bouzou now comes with a hard-shell case. My mando came with a case, but at the time I bought it the bouzou didn't.

Both beautiful instruments to look at, play and listen to (IMHO), you'll love 'em!

DC

Back to Mr Barre -perhaps we will see him guesting at cropredy

Sorry to revive this old thread, but I am listening to Broadsword and am having a butcher's at Martin B's website in mental preparation for Cropredy and so the quote

"What band would you most want to join?
This one is easy! It would be Fairport Convention."

Ok, MickF, it was a hypothetical question, but don't forget this is his own website and he controls the content.  He was not being interviewed - he has used his FAQs to tell the world that he would like to join FC.  

I still think it would be great for Martin to join, even if as a part timer.  I hope he has made his wishes clear to the chaps.

Looking forward to seeing MB at Cropredy come what may :)

We can only hope.....

they are not taking on any more members as long as this line up is in existence,they don't need a 6 way split
ive said they need a lead guitarist since Maart left, what with Simons preference for acoustic and the direction they have taken in the last 15 years

Perhaps we should have a whip round so they can afford a lead guitarist then.

I´m looking forward to see Martin and his band here:
http://www.tullianos.com/

- but it would be a dream 'guesting' spot... MB has provided some of my fave Cropredy moments over the years (although I have to admit that's a pretty long list)