I know this comes very late, but thought if there was any place to leave some memories for posterity, it would be here.... I couldn't post next day because I flew to Ireland for a week, returned home in time for a week of flu, needed to get my computer repaired, and finally joined Talkawhile after enjoying the threads for a couple months..... And didn't want to post while Cropredy was occuring in real time...
The Barbican show was a dream come true for me. The Fairports don't get to the States much in any form (though RT does!) and to be in London for the weekend and see this lineup...I must've been borrowing against some luck equity account that will surely need to be paid back.
When Jude, Richard, Simon, and Ashley (who she didn't hesitate to name as Tyger) walked onto the stage, the swell of love in the room was palpable. And what a delightful surprise when they launched into "Satisfied Mind," one of my very favorite old folk-country songs, with lovely vocals by Judy with the boys harmonizing on the choruses as they might have in Ashley's flat. I only learned afterwards how difficult it usually is for Jude to play autoharp these days, so that makes it even more special.
So much has already been said, but a smattering of memories: One Sure Thing; Iain & Simon harmonizing the haunting hums on Fotheringay; Some Sweet Day, what a surprise!; Simon bantering of Genesis Hall that "after all these years we should at least be up to Leviticus"
; each member taking a turn at the mike at some point, and Dave Mattacks' being the highlight. His coming clean about buying Unhalfbricking in advance was truly a LOL moment, and Ashley's reaction was precious....AUTOPSY! A SAILOR'S LIFE...it really was worth the price. Seeing THESE GUYS truly finding & milking the groove was something to behold.
I've gotta disagree with almost everyone re: Ashley's bass sound/volume. I must've had Baby Bear's chair, because from where I was sitting (back row of the middle section, dead center by the aisle) the mix was just right all night...after a slight volume raise for Mattack's snare, which had been my only wish! Ashley was masterful on bass, I was loving every note and I thought he was NICE 'N loud and he was very much in the Sailor's fray. Having the great fortune to meet him after the show, I mentioned how special it was to see "you guys jam" on that song, and he said with no little (if quiet) emotion, "yeah, that was something, wasn't it?"
Ashley raising his fist as Simon launched into Come All Ye, Simon & Ashley harmonizing on the choruses (STRONG); Thompson's rhythm stabs getting louder & more wicked on the later verses of Tam Lin; Mattacks doing the buildup snare fill for "Set him free!" in the Deserter; Richard flashing timeout to Simon before the Matty false start; the beautiful Crazy Man Michael that I've heard no one mention; Chris Wile's finest moment, I thought, and the haunted hushed ending where you could've heard a tear drop; the Lark's In the Morning Medley!!! & instrumental finale of Matty Groves....SMOKIN' stuff from the boys; Simon's noting before Matty that "well, I guess you know what's next"
Ashley leaving the stage after a distinguished performance of 17 songs as THE bass player...is that a treat or what?
Then.....Peggy!!! Haven't seen him since early 90's Jethro Tull, and what a walking fun factory he is. The Full House set is short but OH so sweet.... The harmonies on Walk Awhile filled my heart to near bursting (and finally a lead verse from Richard!), Doctor of Physick was WICKED, and then...."This next one's a Scottish ballad".....SIR PATRICK SPENS made my night. To me, it's the quintessential Full House live song, and after Swarb rsvp'd I'd mentally removed it from possibility. When I realized after a half-second what they were playing I had to stifle a "YEAH!" Once again, to see those guys singing those lines, those harmonies (with Richard smoking on the breaks) was really something. Can I pause here to say how much I loved Chris Leslie? I'd never seen him, and he totally won me over, musically, vocally, and with his humbly joyful spirit. He shared more than a few moments with RT, the two meeting eyes from opposite sides of the stage in a line of energy zapping right through everyone else. And then......DIRTY LINEN. Classic. Absolutely smoking, Pegg's bass firing like an automatic weapon (remember, too, people, he plays with a pick so it's bound to be a sharper sound than the Guvner's). The team of Pegg/Thompson facing off with team Nicol/Leslie in an ecstatic battle of riffs....and Dave Mattacks supplying both sides with lethal rhymic ammunition. Come to think of it, musical MVP of the night just might have to go to Mr. Mattacks. Sensational all night.
My gosh, this novel is going to get me kicked off this board after my 2nd post! I'll just say I was getting filled up during Si Tu Doir Partir, and with Meet On the Ledge the tears flowed openly. Simon, Iaian, and yes! Richard! each taking a verse, to see the whole family up there (I've never been to a Cropredy so indulge me!), Richard bellowing a "WELLL" on the last chorus where Sandy might've....... Ashley just taking it all in (still singing along) from beside the drum kit; which he confirmed afterwards was indeed what he was doing.
A concert, and an evening, I'll never ever forget. Did I mention that I met Jude afterwards, too, and she gave me a hug??!!!
