TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Some dates.....

Dartford The Mick Jagger Centre on Friday 17th May
 Masham Town Hall on Friday 24th May
 Southampton Brook on Sunday 2nd June
 Guildford Boileroom on Tuesday 4th June

All on sale....

Nettlebed Folk Club on May 13th.  I hope to be there for that.

I have booked tickets for a club here in Gothenburgh where FC are billed April 20th.I haven´t seen the gig confirmed @ fairportconvention.com, but if this gig is a prequel to an Acoustic Spring Tour, I am very pleased!

Dartford and Canterbury will both be local(ish) to us by then, so we hope to get to either one.

Complete list on the FC website.
S&J

Already booked mine for Southport - good to see the Arts Centre (now renamed The Atkinson Theatre) open again.

For the lazy...

09/05/2013     Abergavenny     The Borough Theatre     01873 850 805 - http://www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk/
10/05/2013     London     The Borderline     0844 847 2465 - http://www.reallylivemusic.com
11/05/2013     Cambridge     The Junction     01223 511 511 - www.junction.co.uk/
12/05/2013     Cromer     Folk on the Pier     01263 512 495 - www.folkonthepier.co.uk
13/05/2013     Nettlebed     The Folk Club     01628 636620 www.nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk
16/05/2013     Leek     Foxlowe Arts Centre      01538 385 260
17/05/0013     Dartford     The Mick Jagger Centre     01322 291 100 - www.themickjaggercentre.com/
19/05/2013     Mylor SOLD OUT!!     The Mylor Sessions     www.mylorsessions.co.uk
20/05/2013     Mylor     The Mylor Sessions     www.mylorsessions.co.uk
22/05/2013     South Petherton     David Hall Arts Centre     01460 240 340 - www.thedavidhall.org.uk
23/05/2013     Boston     Blackfriars Theatre     01205 363 108 - http://www.blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk
24/05/2013     Masham     Town Hall     01765 680 200 - http://www.mashamtownhall.co.uk/
25/05/2013     Chipping Norton     St Mary's Church     01608 642 350
28/05/2013     Swindon     The Arts Centre     01793 614 837 - http://www.swindon.gov.uk/artscentre
30/05/2013     Southport     The Atkinson     01704 533 333 - http://www.theatkinson.co.uk
31/05/2013     Bury     The Met     0161 761 2216 - http://themet.biz/
01/06/2013     Hailsham     The Pavilion     01323 841 414 - www.spyboy.co.uk
02/06/2013     Southampton     The Brook     02380 555 366 - http://www.the-brook.com/
03/06/2013     Didcot     The Cornestone     01235 515 140 - http://www.the-brook.com/
04/06/2013     Guildford     The Boiler Room     01483 440 022
05/06/2013     Gloucester     The Guild Hall     01452 503 050
06/06/2013     Canterbury     Canterbury Cathedral Lodge     01227 831493 - http://www.folkinthebarn.co.uk
08/06/2013     Tenbury Wells     The Regal     01584 811 442 - http://regaltenbury.co.uk/RegalCinemaTenbury.dll/Home
09/06/2013     Tring     Court Theatre     07543 560 478 - http://www.courttheatre.co.uk/

You lot seem to be insatiable -  FC wise!

Serious question
This is billed as a semi acoustic tour.
Apart from Simon playing acoustic, Gerry playing more percussion rather than full kit(probably) and smaller venues, what's the difference to the winter tour?
Blurb says they'll be playing stuff from festival bell and favourites chosen by fans. ( again?)
The acoustic tour used to be a drumless set, occassionally a trio, now that the full band is doing the semi acoustic shows how do they make it different?

They sit down.

They don't wear sweaters either  ;D

In general, smaller venues than the Wintour and more of a reliance on house PA's than carrying their own system with them. And they sit down  ;)

I'd already mentioned smaller venues, so the crucial difference seems to be................................... that they sit down! :o

I know. I was amazed too.  :o

So it's a not very Sprytour then?

Do the audience stand up? ::)

I seem to recall Peggy explaining a few years ago that they sit in acoustic chairs - they tried electric ones but didn't like them.

It appears i am going to the Borderline gig  :)

Havent been to an FC gig for some years, apart from Cropredy

Tickets acquired for Nettlebed - and the whole family are coming too  ;D

Cromer for me  :)

Nowt round by us again, ah well.

Not sure whether to book for Abergavenny if indeed the set list is unlikely to have changed from the Wintour.  :P

If it only took one day to rehearse for the winter tour (as we were told), surely it should not be unreasonable for us to expect an entirely different set list.  :-\

Good point Jan. I imagine the chaps can play most of their repertoire in their sleep after all this time! :D ::)

Indeed! ;D Which begs the question, why do we often get similar set lists? Or am I mistaken about that?

Perhaps it's what they enjoy playing?

I’m sure they also like to play what their audiences enjoy.

Richard Thompson makes some interesting points in this article about performer-audience relationships.  Maybe we should challenge them more and they should challenge us more.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/turnitup/chi-richard-thompson-interview-20130310,0,2500575.column

Having said that, the winter tour that included Babbacombe Lee and most of the tracks from Festival Bell was pretty exciting ;D

Looking forward to the chaps coming back to Gothenburgh, I also get a feeling that they will perform sitting down.  8)
 Even though I enjoy all of their performances, I would be excited if they for the FAC gigs would choose some less played songs from way back. When voting for songs to "By Popular Request" I misunderstood the task and send in suggestions for songs that I wanted them to rerecord.From "Rosie" Peggyś Pub and the Plainsman, from "9" Polly On The Shore and To Althea e.g.. Maybe it is the curse of being a so intense follower of the band that I want to be surprised with seldom played, hidden gems from the ooooold catalogue when I have a chance to see them sitting down. My first, actually....and it's gonna be good! :)

Like you, I'm happy to hear the chaps play absolutely anything (even Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! ;)) but I fear that may be some of the problem. As said before, on the back of the success of Farewell Farewell and Fotheringay, I hope we start to see this line-up reinterpret a few more oldies that they have never tackled before. Of course they still need to play new songs as well to prevent them becoming their own tribute band ...

Katy's Mum ( wanting everything her own way)


P.S.
Staffan, enjoy the gig - I was really glad for you when I heard the news about their visit to Sweden  ;D

Thanks Jen!
I will see them in very special circumstances, too. ;)

When "Old , New, Borrowed & Blue" came, I found it fresh and invigourating. If I remember correctly 5 or 6 songs were not performed before and several older songs suitable for an acoustic approach was added. I still find it -and its cousin Acoustically Down Under - a very nice listening, full of energy. Maybe as a result of a song list rather a long way from the ordinary electric one?

I'm not familiar with Acoustically Down Under but would love to hear Lalla Rookh, There Once was Love and Struck it Right.

If you are thinking of going to the FC Spring tour date in Masham on the 24th May, you may like to know that they will be supported there by my old friends The Conspirators, with whom I had a small indie charting hit with  our version of One Sure Thing. And John Gillies, who is their main guitarist and songwriter composed the music for 'Dreamtime' on my 'Talking With Strangers' album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHXCH2Zl_s0

I believe tickets are going fast...  :D

You going, Jude?   :)

No I shall be infusing drugs  ;D

Does that mean a pot of tea, Jude?

Big poster of the chaps in Gloucester advertising the Guildhall gig on 5th June.  I plan to be there... any other TAWers going?

Review of the Borderline show:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/may/13/fairport-convention-review

Excellent concert last night at Nettlebed - the chaps were on good form (though a few more fluffed lines than I'm used to hearing, even in songs like Matty G and Walk Awhile).  Really enjoyed the nautical theme, especially hearing Honour & Praise revived.  And all three of our kids came along and enjoyed it, so that was a plus too.

Only downside is that I feel knackered this morning!

The set list at Cromer last weekend was fab, sound and choice of material really good. I just wish, as they were headlining the end of a fantastic festival on the Pier, they had stood. It would have given it a rockier blast to what was a fantastic 'Fairport in different guises' day! I always feel Ric has a problem trying to stay even close to his chair  ::)

This comment was made by others at the hotel where I stayed...

No surprises at Dartford last night. The set list was very similar to the Winter Tour - instead of The Eynesham Poacher, Rosie and The Hexhamshire Lass we had The Wassail Song, The Happy Man and Cell Song.

The song introductions and jokes were similar too, although there was a very funny spontaneous comment. Chris made us all laugh when he introduced a song as being from Dave Swarbrick’s ‘Interesting Period’, in response to a heckler who had earlier declared that Swarb was ‘boring’!

Some of the musical arrangements were different but from my point of view, it would have been nice to have had a few new songs – maybe something new that Chris has recently written, something new that Simon has discovered or something from the back catalogue that this line-up have never performed.

However, I went to this gig feeling stressed and tense and came home feeling calm and relaxed ... so I’m not really complaining.

Katy's Mum (trying to be a bit more challenging ;))

Oops, forgot to add that Simon changed the words in Mercy Bay to buried the poor men that died (previously buried the three poor men that died/buried the four men that died, as pointed out by someone on this board). Sounded good to me ;D

Yes, a very entertaining evening at MJC Dartford last night. Lots of banter with certain lively members of the audience, who happened to be sitting right next to us..so it was very amusing at times, as we were able to hear all the 'internal conversations'!  Some of my long term favourite songs were performed...highlights (for me)...Dr of Physick, Honour and Praise, Banks of the S P, all of which I haven't heard for quite some time.  Unfortunately missed their Winter tour this year, so last night was great compensation....brilliant show

Fairport were at the newly refurbished Atkinson in Southport last night. Really nice show.

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Off to Bury Met later!  ::)

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We were there! Wasn't it good?
I was looking out for familiar faces but didn't see you sorry   :(

I'm not going to review last night at Bury Met because I'm no good at that sort of thing.
I enjoyed it, Nuff said.
I was laughing at an overheard conversation in the bar at the interval though.
Imagine if you will two later than middle aged gentlemen nursing glasses of red wine.

1.   I like that one on the left, he's good isn't he?
2.   Yes can't for the life of me remember his name.
1.    He took over from that other one about ten years ago.
2.    Yes........ Can't remember his name either Jim or Jeffrey or something?
1.    Mmm that's the one.

At this point I slowly walked away.  :-X

You do overhear some odd things at Fairport gigs don't you. Heard by my wife during the interval at Southport - 'Have you noticed that they haven't stood up once? I suppose it's their age.'

The best one I ever heard was at a Feast of Fiddles gig during Joe Broughton's solo slot, a woman behind us said "Ooh, he's playing Violin very fast."

...You don't say.

Or the time 10 years ago I was hovering near the merch stand, somebody marched up and declared "This can't be Fairport Convention, where's Trevor and Sandy ?"

A glorious evening with FC at The Brook in Southampton - the guys were on great form and really enjoying themselves. Highlights included Honour & Praise, Sir Patrick Spens, Dr Of Physick and the re-named Walsall (Wassail) Song !  ;D

Cornerstone Didcot last night and it seems to have gone just as well as on all the other nights. The boys on fine form with even the odd new joke (emphasis on odd!) Simon managed to reduce them all to hysterics with what seemed to be an unwitting double entendre about Ozzy Osbourne and the Fetsival Bell.

Nice mix of material between familiar and less so.  Very good Doctor of Physick and superb vocals from Chris on Cell Song. Highlight for me was the twin fiddles on WKWTTG.

Roll on Cropredy - they certainly seem well up for it!

'Salright Keith  :) (Hint anyone actively searching for me would always be advised to try the front row.  8)) LOL!

My first trip to Bury Met, in the company of Mic of this parish. FC were indeed on fine form, and the set list was full to the brim with many of my FC favourites. I managed to collar Peggy in the interval to ask Ric to say "hello" to Mic during the second half, and sure enough when they came back on stage I could see him clutching the scrap of paper  containing said request.

Mic's face was a picture when he called out her name. (She is rather fond of Ric, as it happens).

Thanks once again Fairport. A grand night was had by all, but especially Mic.

Excellent gig at Gloucester last night - the first time FC have ever played in this particular city.

Songs and tunes as per previous reviews from this tour; tonight, we had a very emotionally charged WKWTTG - Simon did mention in introducing this song that "on a good night" he'd like to think the band could invoke a little of Sandy's spirit... well chaps, you certainly succeeded last night. Special mentions in despatches for Fotheringay and Cell Song - you could hear a pin drop... just stunning.

And we had a special bonus appearance from Fake Thackray for a swift rendition, with FC backing him, of "Sister Josephine" - seems the chaps had bumped into him earlier in the day. "I remember when they could do this standing up" was his opening remark.  :)

Special mention to the Guildhall for thoughtfully providing Portaloos (at least for the gents) to help us get into that Cropredy feeling........  ;)

Sounds like you had a great evening.  But I'm sure I have seen Fairport in Gloucester - though it was a New Year's Eve gig and possibly billed as the Fairport Ceilidh Band or something - Beryl Marriott and others were playing with them.  Around 1986 or so?  (Correction - I think it must have been either New Year 87/88 or 88/89)

Yep, quite right Will.  I saw them the day or so before (or after) in Portsmouth and I've got some photos of the FCCB from Gloucester somewhere that i bought off the net.

Blimey - none of the chaps thought they'd ever played Glos before.  :o

BTW - the Ozzy/Bell "business" is now part of the patter.

I might be getting a little confused actually (as the FCCB Portsmouth gig was definitely in the summer)...I think there is some stuff on here (TAW) about it being a New Year's Eve gig...?  Do a google search for Fairport Convention Ceilidh Band and I think you'll get to the threads.  I can't search properly as I'm at work at the moment...

I can't remember trips out for work I had 25 years ago and more...I don't see why they should be any different  ;) :)

I'm sure it was Gloucester and New Years Eve, as I was staying with some friends in the Forest of Dean at the time, and we decided on the spur of the moment to do it.  I seem to remember that it was in a Lesiure centre...

This was the thread where it was mentioned before: http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=21128.45.  Sounds like it was one they may have wanted to forget - not many people and the promoter lost a lot of money!