Well I had planned a visit to my parents and then realized that as if by chance the dates I had chosen coincided with the Crosby show, after a moments consideration calls were made and the valet made his way to the box office and purchased tickets.
Then the doubt set in, I had only seen Winter Tours in the dim and distant past and really had no idea what to expect as I had very little attachment to newer material beyond the CD's. On the day of the gig I got a little carried away meeting up with a friend and therefore got to Crosby only in time to eat quickly and then run to the gig so I missed going to the Liver and seeing if I could recognize anyone from their very small pictures.
I thought the gig started a little slow and disjointed but by the time they got to Chris' new song they had gotten into their stride and I remembered the extraordinary camaraderie Fairport have with their audience especially on the winter tour, Cropredy is a pilgrimage, the various events throughout the years as anniversaries come and pass are enjoyable, but the winter tour is a band reconnecting with it's audience, celebrating the past and presenting it's future. The newer tracks fit very well with the old favorites and the chaps really looked to be enjoying themselves. I thought the set was a nice mix of old and new and I find myself looking forward to the new album, and am now re listening to the more recent output.
As it looks unlikely that the band will be coming to the states in the near future I shall have to repeat this type of plan in the future and make the effort myself. It was nice to be mentioned by Simon if a little embarrassing, so thank you to whoever did that and next year if I make it I will make the effort to meet people and even say hi to the band.
I have to say though that Crosby Civic hall reminded me a little of being at a school assembly.
Neil finally home in Portland Oregon after being stuck in Manchester airport for 8 hours and Philadelphia airport for a day.
