fairport Acoustic Tour

[Geetee (Gareth)]

Shirl! Missed you!! However, Boston here we come! Hopefully, nice lunch on the way!
GeeTee! You are a star. What a great day!
I thought that the show was fantastic and highlights for me were Mercy Bay, Cape Horn, Honour and Praise, Cell Song......all of it!!

Mixed emotions, elation and inferiority all at the same time.
The brand leaders proving yet again that there is more than a mere 43 year history separating them from the rest of the musical world!
Simon Yorath for Prime Minister-Hi Fi sound.
Without doubt gig of the year for me so far (and I've seen a few) To quote you and one of  your favourites  "Tip Top" !!!
 

[Andy Tuck]

Thought I had already posted my views. Firstly, a big thank you to Jeremy for putting the gig on.

This gig was even better than the Wintour. Every track worked well and was impeccably preformed. Mercy Bay was great and is also my favorite on the new CD. Chris's singing just seems to reach new heights every time I see them.

Jeremy has already mentioned WTWTTG, it was a truly marvelous rendition.

All in all a fabulous evening. Great to see Shirl and especially Pastieboy looking so well.

[steve-n]

Chipping Norton Theatre on Sunday for the last (but one) ever Fairport Acoustic gig - they'll be dropping the Acoustic tag after Friday's concert at Stroud.

Very much a home fixture for most of the band, so a full house was with them from the start. Set list as before and, also as before, WKWTTG was absolutely wonderful, made even more poignant by Simon's dedication to Sylvia and (possibly a Fairport first) his mother-in-law.....  Peggy's bass really complements Simon's vocal perfectly.

Under normal circumstances, this would probably have been the highlight of the show, but was possibly shaded by a truly  brilliant Cell Song. There was an almost audible collective intake of breath before well deserved and prolonged applause.

43 years of practice has really paid off....

S&J

[PaulT]

If anyone's planning to go to the Stroud gig on Friday - there are "plenty" of tickets left, according to the box office; however, the online booking service isn't working properly at the moment, so it's best to ring them: 01453 760900.  Tickets are £18 each, £16 for concessions.

[gower flower (Shirl)]

A very enjoyable evening last Friday in Leicester. Good to see Andy, Pastie and Mave the Rave, EdtheFolkie and JohnnyBMental.  

Anyone who has not visited the Y Theatre in Leicester needs to be made aware that leg room in the front row of the Balcony is very restricted. Ouch! I managed to find alternative seating during the second half.  

Chris Leslie's performance of "Cell Song" once more brought tears to my eyes. This time, I was more aware of the harmonies towards the end. Truly mesmerising. I also enjoyed "I'm Already There" which has a particular resonance for me. A shame that Simon said it was taken from "A Sense of Occasion" instead of "Over The Next Hill".  

Ric was on fine form. I loved "Danny Jack's Reward" and "Woodworm Swing", a particular favourite of mine.  

There was plenty of the usual silliness.....you know, the Ikea joke that sometimes appears in the middle of Matty Groves.....

The chaps seemed to be having a good time - always a good sign - and the audience was suitably appreciative.

Roll on Cropredy!

[Big Martin]

After going to Bristol, I was hoping to drag The One I Love out to Stroud tonight as it's on her doorstep. Unfortunately she's under the weather, so the semi-joke about her being TOIL has backfired again as she's hard work again. Maybe I'll get her to Cropredy some day.
Enjoy yourselves if you're going.  

[PaulT]

Well, Big Martin, it was a sultry Stroud Subscription Room that was almost full; the chaps were on fine form, in fact (and sorry to rub it in!) but the performance was up there with the very best I've seen them play... then this morning, my Cropredy ticket landed on the door mat...

     

[Ruth from Stroud]

Well, Big Martin, it was a sultry Stroud Subscription Room that was almost full; the chaps were on fine form, in fact (and sorry to rub it in!) but the performance was up there with the very best I've seen them play... then this morning, my Cropredy ticket landed on the door mat...

     

They were great, weren't they! We had a fantastic evening.  

[steve-n]

A late decision for us to go to Stroud, but not difficult as we'd enjoyed Chippy so much on Sunday. Had a lovely drive down through the Cotswolds in beautiful evening sunshine for the very last Fairport Acoustic gig...apart from the inevitable reunion at Cropredy ...

Bit of an end of term feel to some of the banter between songs (loved Ric's connection of Woodworm Swing with John Lee), and as Paul has already said the performance was great.......Fairport at their very finest.

Must mention the superb sound by Simon Yorath. We were in the second row and absolutely everything was crisp, clear and loud enough without being excessive. Had a quick chat with him afterwards. both he and the chaps were really impressed with their first visit to the Subscription Rooms, so that's another potential venue for a future tour.

Finally, thanks to Jill and the staff at the Subscription Rooms who were really friendly throughout and particularly helpful when we asked if we could have the Fairport banner from the front of the building. Goodness knows where we're going to hang it, but it makes a great souvenir.

And Jill enjoyed the concert so much that there's every possibility that she'll take a trip to Cropredy in August.......

Great evening, brilliant end to tour.

S&J

[PaulT]

That's your flag for Cropredy sorted then - no problems finding you car/tent with that banner fluttering above it!