Do You Think that RT Made Fairport "Good"?

[David W]

I think he was there during a magical time when things were new. Everone was fresh faced and trying new things. RT added a voice or style to FC. But others have added their style as well. It is like a conversation. He was there at the beginning, but we are still talking. Without him, the talking still happens. He was just there adding his uniqueness at the magical beginning.

Congratulations on one of the finest, most articulate posts I have ever read on this board!!

The fans and Fairport having a 40 year convesation with folks stepping in and out, adding their opinions and moving on..

Fantastic  

Jackdaw

[PLW (Peter)]

Has any other band been blessed with so many genuinely influential figures? I doubt it. Ashley, Sandy, RT, Swarb, Iain Matthews, Mattacks, all made a huge impact on the music scene in their own ways.

Having said that, there's no doubt that whenever RT plays with them the whole thing goes up a gear.

[Paul]

Do you think that Fairport made RT good?

It must have helped his playing ability and songwriting to have spent his formative years with an excellent rythm guitarist, bass player, drummer, singer and fiddle player.

Paul

[PLW (Peter)]

Do you think that Fairport made RT good?

It must have helped his playing ability and songwriting to have spent his formative years with an excellent rythm guitarist, bass player, drummer, singer and fiddle player.

Paul

Good point, Paul. We are all only as good as the team we play in. Fairport have had some magical combinations of musicians over the years. Currently manifested in the wonderful interplay between two wonderful violin players of contrasting style.

[PL (Peter)]

Good point, Paul. We are all only as good as the team we play in. Fairport have had some magical combinations of musicians over the years. Currently manifested in the wonderful interplay between two wonderful violin players of contrasting style.

Agree wholeheartedly, not to forget the ( already stated somewhere in this thread) grossly underrated part of Simon Nicol.
But anyway, the current line-up is a cracking team and as a band more than the sum of the individuals.

Peter

[GubGub (Al)]

Agree wholeheartedly, not to forget the ( already stated somewhere in this thread) grossly underrated part of Simon Nicol.

Here here. These days I find myself, whenever listening to Fairport (with the obvious exceptions) very much focussing on Simon's guitar playing. It is completely inspired & inspiring to me. It's beauty is it's subtlety. It does not call attention to itself but if you took it away from any on the recordings they just wouldn't be the same. In some cases they may even fall apart.

[Paul]

Agree wholeheartedly, not to forget the ( already stated somewhere in this thread) grossly underrated part of Simon Nicol.
But anyway, the current line-up is a cracking team and as a band more than the sum of the individuals.

Peter

Very true. That's why I mentioned rhythm guitarist in my list. Pity he doesn't write more as well.

Paul

[Mindwarper]

I think he was there during a magical time when things were new. Everone was fresh faced and trying new things. RT added a voice or style to FC. But others have added their style as well. It is like a conversation. He was there at the beginning, but we are still talking. Without him, the talking still happens. He was just there adding his uniqueness at the magical beginning.

Congratulations on one of the finest, most articulate posts I have ever read on this board!!

The fans and Fairport having a 40 year convesation with folks stepping in and out, adding their opinions and moving on..

Fantastic  

Jackdaw

Why thank you. May we continue our conversation with FC for many more years.