Peggy leaving Accoustic Convention

[Polly Oxford (Andie)]

Have I missed a thread on this, or is no one else as sad as me?

[koho (Koen)]

Well at least it makes things a bit more clear rather than this previous "guess the line up" period.
I think you should see FC Acoustic very much as a side thing however nice it can be.
FC 'proper' has Peggy. That's clear enough.
I mean, it's not as if he has left Fairport. He left a side project. Enabling him to start up another side project, with PJ. Good for him!

[Alex Lyons]

There's two ways of looking at it really, and I can see bits of both arguments.

Firstly that it's disappointing not to have Peggy there, perhaps especially for some who have came to Fairport via Tull...largely because of Peggy's presence.

But alternatively, and I think I'm more in this camp, it allows Fairport Acoustic to revert to what it was originally - something quite different to the band proper. I was listening to the superb 'Acoustically Down Under' CD over the weekend - if you haven't already got a copy, get on to Talking Elephant and order one ASAP! - and over nearly 80 minutes of absolutely magical music, was reminded just how different the acoustic line-up was. A totally different setlist to the electric band's set, and very different arrangements for the numbers common to both sets.

Unfortunately, after Chris joined the band - for reasons of rehearsal time, perhaps a degree of complacency - the acoustic line-up became more or less a drummerless version of the band, with a very similar set & arrangements. But the emergency trio, and then the more permanent trio + Gerry gigs have been an absolute revelation. You now know that if you go to see FAC, you're going to get something completely different, and surely that's got to be a good thing?

[Polly Oxford (Andie)]

Thank you both for that, I only managed to catch the full line-up last year, so I'm looking forward to a treat...

[MarkC]

I am looking forward to seeing the trio when they come 'round here again.

Odd there wasn't a more formal announcement, but who cares? I have seen the band many times and I have never been less than delighted with the shows; I am sure this summer will be no excpetion!

[musiclover]

I was VERY disappointed to hear this news. 

I had hoped Peggy would be with Fairport, this year, when they hit the states. 

I anticipated seeing the complete band last year at Sellersville, Pa. and really did enjoy the trio of Simon, Ric and Chris, but had hoped to hear some fantantic bass runs from Peggy's guitar this year. I think he is one of the best bass players I have ever heard.

Oh well, perhaps, one day I'll make that trip across thewater and see the complete band at Cropredy.

 

[Steve]

This came up on the Fairport Mailing List, and seems relevent to this thread:

To be brief (and diplomatic), Art ... (my view of what has occurred) :

Last year during the May-June US concert tour, a dispute was played out just as the band was preparing to go onstage at Allentown PA, in front of the entire assembled audience (I was there). Pegg was unfortunately the visible instigator of the kerfuffle, Chris refused to play with him under the circumstances, Pegg walked out. Ric & Simon gamely took to
the stage and did a fine improvised set.

Pegg did not complete the tour with the band, and the 3-person FAC was born. It appears that the dispute continued to have an impact once they were back in the UK in plans for the band's fall dates, and Pegg did not play in the lineup for the most part, tho he performed with the band at Crops. I understand that the American tour management is reluctant to see Pegg back on US dates he books, at least for the time being.

There was extensive discussion and speculation about all this on the list last spring, into the summer and thru the fall. It is a matter for the band to settle, not us. Nonetheless, all want the 'crisis' to be resolved - especially those of us in N.America denied the full line-up in the overseas concerts. I too remarked, upon seeing Dave's letter, that it appeared to give what we thought was a temporary situation somewhat more formality and permanence.

But there you are: as fans we can only hope for our own best interests being met, but ultimately it is the internal dynamic of the band that determines the outcome. I enjoy the repertoire as done by the FAC lineup, but now go to Crops to get my real Faiport Fix! :-)

Barbara Stewart

[Goaty]

And here was me thinking he'd made the 'no fly' list 

[Jim]

well, thats been public knowledge since it happened
it was all over these pages

[YaBB Master (Colin)]

well, thats been public knowledge since it happened it was all over these pages

But that could well be the reference document. It explains what happened and seems to be accurate. It is history, but seems to have been 'officially' glossed over.

Personally I think that it clears up a load of speculation, but now let's move on.