TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Have been listening to Blair Dunlop's version of Seven Brothers, which is an RT song Thompson himself hasn't performed on Blair's debut album
Blight and Blossom (hope I didn't reverse that title, I don't have it to hand at the moment).  I thoroughly enjoy the song and the performance,
but it got me to wondering if it might not be a good song for the current Fairport to tackle.

Then I got to thinking about other RT songs that I'd like to hear the chaps have a go at, and the one I really think they would add something
unique to would be One Door Opens.

Anyone else have any thoughts on whether or not they'd like to hear Fairport takes on either of these, or suggest other RT songs that would be good for them to grapple with?

Ever since I heard Sidney Wells, I've imagined the current Fairport band tackling a version of it -- though I always pictured it as a Cropredy performance with Richard Thompson singing and playing lead guitar.  Now I'm wondering if the guys could do a fun cover version of it without RT involved.

I reckon A Brother Slips Away would slot quite nicely into the current set.  Or Sunset Song from Sweet Warrior.

I'd love to have heard all of Richard's Henry The Human Fly played by an earlier incarnation of Fairport.  I know they've done a couple of these songs, but I often wonder what Fairport's follow up to Full House might have sounded like if Richard had stayed on and brought some of those songs to the band.

Jules

I've always thought that RT's album Hand Of Kindness (with the presence of Nicol, Pegg and Mattacks) represents what Fairport might've sounded like in a parallel universe if Richard had stayed and Swarb had left.
Back on-topic, the current lineup do a very good version of When I Get To The Border, it would be nice to have it recorded.

The potential to have become one of the biggest bands in the UK IMHO.

But to the question - howsabout Simon leading on Dimming of the Day

Having seen the Mattacks, Pegg, Nicol and Zorn band backing RT at Croppers, the wonderful 'Tear Stained Letter' comes to mind.  But I agree that 'Dimming of the Day' would be good too

I've always enjoyed Fairport's covers of RT's songs and at the risk of speaking heresy I think I prefer their versions of How Many Times and Poor Ditching Boy to the originals. It'll never happen but it would be fun if they decided to do an album of RT songs. This may not be the right line up for it though and I think they would have to stay away from some of the more hallowed material. I could certainly see them taking on Walking The Long Miles Home or Time To Ring Some Changes for example.

Just thinking about Tear Stained Letter has got me all goose pimples!

But to the question - howsabout Simon leading on Dimming of the Day
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So long as the high notes are not attempted!

You and me both Jules......... ;D

Sights and Sounds of London Town would suit.

I think Dimming is too obvious, given the various other cover versions out there.

How about:

Turning of the Tide
Keep Your Distance
Did She Jump
The New St George..

?

'Demons In Her Dancing Shoes' struck me as a 'new' Fairport song at the first hearing.

I definitely prefer Fairport's How Many Times to Richard's....its almost like another Walk Awhile I have always felt. However I prefer Iain Matthew's version of Poor Ditching Boy to both Richard's and Fairport's. Some I think the current lineup could comfortably do would be Sights and Sounds as mentioned by Bob, and maybe Miss Patsy. My dark horse choices would be some things like She Sang Angels To Rest, A Love You Can't Survive (Simon has gotten quite adept at singing very wordy songs such as this, a la Mercy Bay wherein he drops a lot of place names and such). Ah Well, you can dream can't you. I do agree that I cant see the current lineup doing say....Bad Again, Money Shuffle, Dad's Gonna Kill Me, etc...

First, I agree on both "HMT" and "PDB".
Then I must say I find the idea of Fairport doing a RT album rather refreshing to me. There certainly are enough RT songs  that would fit the band and the suggestions here are very apt. I love "Dimming..." and would love to hear the present line-up do it but on second thought I am not sure.... ;D  If Simon got the electric out I am sure they could do a great "Hand of Kindness" à la Hawkwood e.g.
Nice thread by the way. I 'll go through my RT albums and see if I can come up with any other song.... 8)

"Beeswing." I suspect Simon would do a killer job singing that one.

I know what you mean... But not sure you can improve on perfection

And I know what both of you mean!

Jules

Oh, you mean Christy's version?  ;)

V.difficult to split my favourite between the two, either live or studio versions.

True enough. But you can add variety! :)