Fairport@Forty DVD

[Jan_]

I couldn't resist - just had to have a peep at the DVD.  Red and Gold is sublime. (Long contented sigh)

I might be wrong, but it seemed to me that one FC member in particular seemed a little bit emotional at the end of the evening and maybe just on the edge of ...  (Aaawww.  It's nice to know it matters to them as much as it does to us.  Sniff, sniff.)

[claire]

I got mine yesterday, and I love it!!  A fantastic record of a great weekend; thanks to all involved.    I'm just wondering how soon I can monopolise the telly again to have another reminisce (sp.??).

[Keith]

The highlight for me (as a confirmed RT fan) is "Time will show the wiser" ... a terrific capture of a great performance (and a huge "thank you", in passing, to Keith Farnish for his YouTube uploads of both "Time..." and "Sloth" - oh! how I'd have *loved* the latter to be included in the dvd).

Cheers, Spooley.

A little birdie tells me that I'm on the DVD somewhere, with a camcorder in my hand  

[Jan_]

We watched it last night - all 133 minutes of it!  

What a wonderful and fitting tribute to Cropredy, the fans, the band and their fellow musicians.  From the clever opening to the poignant ending it was a joy.  Even if all the evening's contributors were not featured in a performing role, they were there in spirit and you could sense their presence through the photos and the atmosphere.  As already said, Red and Gold was sublime, Time Will Show The Wiser was mighty and recording the band members' reactions as they left the stage was both revealing and heartwarming, to say the least.  

Buy it now - I don't think you will be disappointed.

(Encountering Matty in the middle was a bit disorientating! )

[Shane (Skirky)]

Well, DVD seen, considered and reflected upon, and I must say I think it's a first class piece of work, summing up both the Cropredy experience and the state of the band here and now in fine form. There have been many many comments about what has been left off but it's clear from Simon Nicol's reflections to camera that the current band "...ten years - that's three years longer than The Beatles") are determined to be in no way their own tribute band and that they fit in old material as it suits the line up, and as a product of the current Fairport Convention I think they have been wise in limiting the opportunities to see them as a band reliant on past glories to maintain them. Not that I wouldn't very much like a companion DVD with all the other stuff on, mind, but I haven't been given an opportunity to buy that, so I'll concentrate on what is actually on offer. It's not a documentary and it's not a complete live show, but I like the way that the two strands weave around each other - it's very much like being at the festival itself for me, in that you are taken wandering off around the village before returning to the site for some more music, dipping in and out of the experience. The interviews don't outstay their welcome, and it's always fun scouring footage of the bar to see if you made it onscreen.    
 Quibbles? The solemn opening staged scene is embarassing, and rather belies the later concentration on living in the now with its handling of the early albums as if they were rare museum pieces, but the avuncular Mr Nicol more than makes up for it with his easygoing tours of the campsites later on, even if his and Ric's forays from behind the wire do at times flirt with the feel of a sort of royal visit to a housing estate "Hello...and what do you do?"   Much is made of the loyalty of the fans and the glorious forty year history (apart from that bit where the band split up, yes? Hmmm) and the affection that the group have for the crowd, their bandmates and friends, and vice versa, comes across in spades. But call me curmudgeonly, I just don't get the continued fascination/obsession (delete as appropriate) with Tiny Tin Lady. I've tried and I really can't.
 Is it expensive? Well, it's twenty quid for a single DVD, but it is over two hours long and there's nary a couple of minutes wasted, and although I disagree with some of the comments on the FC site about these being "our friends" (not on this one, matey - I'm very much their customer on this matter, and besides, they never phone, they never call, they do write every so often) I do back up the small business v. economies of scale argument that means that with a small run the costs are necessarily going to be higher per unit, and that's got to be passed on somewhere, but I spent twenty quid in the pub last week, that evening's gone, I don't remember too much of it and I won't be able to experience it again and again like I will this. If you feel the need, I'm sure The Man will have cheaper copies before too long, at which point I commend you to rip his arm off in order to get hold of a copy. It's by far the best FC/Cropredy souvenir you're likely to be able to (legally) own, and you should do. IMHO.      

[Ancient Muse (Andy)]

But call me curmudgeonly, I just don't get the continued fascination/obsession (delete as appropriate) with Tiny Tin Lady. I've tried and I really can't.
    

Ditto  


Excellent review/analysis by the way Skirky, especially about being their "customer" on this occasion.

[gower flower (Shirl)]

But call me curmudgeonly, I just don't get the continued fascination/obsession (delete as appropriate) with Tiny Tin Lady. I've tried and I really can't.
    

Ditto  


Excellent review/analysis by the way Skirky, especially about being their "customer" on this occasion.

Ditto Ditto.  Thanks Skirky. I was always going to buy it, but your review was masterly. Thanks.

[Jan_]

Skirky, I don't share your view that the opening scene was embarrassing and I didn't think the aim was to create the impression that the early albums are museum pieces, even though some might think so.  I think it was just meant to reflect wistfully and respectfully on the early days and was a device to set the ball (turntable) rolling and incorporate a song which has often been used to put the last year in context.

As for friends being customers - I don't have a problem with that.  I have 3 SftBH Cd's.  They probably cost me more than the average CD I could purchase in Tescos.  I've never met you, although I have spoken to James and hmulley and corresponded with them a few times but I consider you all to be 'friends' of a sort and don't mind paying a little bit over the odds for your quality product.

And Ric didn't remind me of the Queen at all.  I thought he was very natural in front of the camera.  Simon did seem slightly self conscious at times but only a bit.

The rest I agree with.

[Shane (Skirky)]

As for friends being customers - I don't have a problem with that.  I have 3 SftBH Cd's.  They probably cost me more than the average CD I could purchase in Tescos.  I've never met you, although I have spoken to James and hmulley and corresponded with them a few times but I consider you all to be 'friends' of a sort and don't mind paying a little bit over the odds for your quality product.

 My point exactly, although probably not phrased terribly well. There have been several points made regarding how much the DVD should cost, but possibly without considering that what you're paying for is the content rather than the actual artefact itself. I mean you can get twenty blank CDs at HMV for pocket money, but no-one's considering that that should be the benchmark for setting the price of (say) Over The Next Hill. Neil Young's Landing On Water, on the other hand...  
I always enjoy being educated, informed and enlightened by my friends, that's why I hang out here.
Love
Skirky.  
ps Thanks for owning the SftBH CDs btw, another two hundred copies to go and I think James might have paid off the credit card bill he ran up recording them...

[Chris]

A little birdie tells me that I'm on the DVD somewhere, with a camcorder in my hand  

Hmmm - another one tells me I'm on there too....which I was trying to avoid!

[Delfini (Diane)]

A little birdie tells me that I'm on the DVD somewhere, with a camcorder in my hand  

Hmmm - another one tells me I'm on there too....which I was trying to avoid!

Never mind chaps - we won't look

[Jim G]

Just watched my (signed) copy of the DVD.  Thought it was really groovy - much better value than £20 worth of Mars bars or Oxo cubes and certainly more melodic.  

Has anyone seen themselves on the film yet? I know where we were on the night, but every time the camera sweeps the audience the picture seemed to end up by fading into a misty effect just as it reached where I was. Will have a slow motion look when I have time.

Personal faves were Matty and Red and Gold, where it's the first time I have heard Edmund's cornet contribution properly! Usually his playing seems to sort of fades in and out when you are on the field - thought it was  wonderful.

Only complaints really some of the interviews have a lot of bass interference going on in the back ground and a few places where there are snippets of songs - just get yer taste buds going and they whip it away from yer - the blighters!

[Paul]

Unfortunately Edmund's contribution gets lost because he doesn't always know where his microphone is. I noticed Ric was being really careful to make sure it was right in front of Edmund, but he does wander off line sometimes.

Paul

[Hedgehog]

Oh dear...

Received a text yesterday from Anna - it would appear that I'm on it, talking to/at Ric!   I only went over to pass on felicitations as I thought it was safe as the camera was turned orf.  Then the Man turned it on again.  Curses!!

I was planning to pick up a copy of the DVD at Yeovil in any case, I'll just have to remember to watch it from behind the settee!

[Goaty]

Has anyone seen themselves on the film yet?

Every time I'm in frame (lurking behind the monitor desk stage left) it's either too dark or one or more of those pesky musicians are in the way  There is a tell tale red glow visible on occasion though

I've watched it about 4/5 times now thanks to the demands of visitors.  I'm glad to say that it hasn't started 'getting old' yet in any way, if anything, it gets better

[PLW (Peter)]

Just watched my (signed) copy of the DVD.  Thought it was really groovy - much better value than £20 worth of Mars bars or Oxo cubes and certainly more melodic.  

Oh, I don't know. I always sprinkle a little crushed CD into my Boeuf Bourgignon. Adds piquancy.  

[johanna/ulla]

Hmmm - another one tells me I'm on there too....which I was trying to avoid!

You are. Several times  

I love this DVD. I watched it yesterday and I think it captured the special Cropredy atmosphere. What I desperately missed while watching it was the pint of 6X in my hand  

[Andy]

Bought the DVD last night and we watched it this evening. Some sublime performances and others that are missing for whatever unspoken reason. It's odd to have a mention of how wonderful "Meet On The Ledge" was when it isn't on the DVD.

Wrt the inter-song interviews, I really liked the Simon & Ashley show, but you could have lost Jools and Lulu - their comments were almost completely irrelevant.

Good to see Mr Farnish halfway through!

Lego Matty is still a joy - I can see this turning up on MTV!

£20 is a bit steep, but as Simon said, none of the band drives a Bentley and I don't begrudge them a penny.

[Waterloo Wonderer]

Good to see Mr Farnish halfway through!

Was it a new or a recycled image?

Exiting stage right - at speed

[Joss]

A little birdie tells me that I'm on the DVD somewhere, with a camcorder in my hand  

Hmmm - another one tells me I'm on there too....which I was trying to avoid!

I think at least twice!!  And me too, but just once, my 3 seconds of fame - and in such hallowed company!