TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

I'm afraid I wasn't there, but am pleased that pretty much everyone enjoyed Cropredy despite the heat. As an ardent Home Service fan, I have a couple of questions. a) Did John Kirkpatrick take any lead vocals? b) Was there any reference from the stage as to to whether they will be playing any further gigs?

Kirkpatrick wasn't there. No explanation from the stage as to why not - the programme stated he would be.  And nothing mentioned about further gigs, as far as I recall.

It was an enjoyable set, very much based on 'Live '86'.

Thanks for that - pleased to hear they were on good form, even if there was no news on the future. But the absence of Kirkpatrick very much reminds of me of an HS appearance at Cropredy a LONG time ago. That time the mysterious absentee on stage was Bill Caddick (RIP), but when we looked around at the crowd a few feet away from us, there he was, giving it his all in terms of vocal support !!  ^-^    

I was somewhat disappointed that John Tams decided to bring up politics and state that he’s a socialist and told us what the country needed and what we should all do. I was there to hear the music and get away from reality for the weekend. I’ve nothing against the odd political song but I didn’t want to be lectured from the stage even if I agreed with what was said. Sorry to be a pain but it took the edge off it for me.

Have you met John Tams before?   ;D

Yes thanks, I’ve seen him many times with Home Service and with Barry Coope and I’ve not been aware of him lecturing me before.

He's never not mentioned politics at any gig of his that I've been to over the years.

I guess you were just (un)lucky.

A classic HS set, with JT starting looking a little frail i thought, but growing in power to a brilliant Babylon.

Perhaps you’re right and I didn’t notice. Not to worry, it’s hardly important in the overall scheme of things. 😊😊

Worse than JT's politics is that damned picolo. Never had to endure that in Howard Evans' day!!!

Pretty certain Andy Findon is playing piccolo (amongst other things) on both Alright Jack and the Live 1986 albums.

I fell in love with the Home Service years ago at Cropredy, and they did not disappoint. John Tamms may have lost a bit of power in his higher register, but he has lost none of his fire. Must have done all of my favourites, I was singing along to Alright Jack and Babylon with the best of them.

Paul

I was up close for all the set.  It was clear how passionate he was about what he was saying.  He meant it, maaaaaaan!!  Whether you agree with him or not, you have to admire a man with principles that he sticks to.

Difficult to avoid politics with many of the best artists because of their fierce social conscience - Eliza, Chris Wood, Martyn Joseph, Young Uns, Martin Simpson etc. As with John Tams, take away the political material and you lose many of their best songs.

If you want to avoid political debate, you need to where they don’t have it - the Conservative party perhaps. (Little bit of satire there. My name’s Ben Elton, thank you, good night!)