'Fairport by Fairport'

[Jules Gray]

Thanks for your thoughts, Andy.  I'll wait until I see a cheap/second hand copy I think.

Jules

[GubGub (Al)]

Virtually no negativity. Truths about various events that I know (albeit third hand, from reliable sources) are ignored in favour of very much a fan's point of view being used by the author.

That's what I was alluding to in my earlier post when I said I did not think that Nigel Schofield was that kind of a writer (or actually, imho, judging from the Free Reed books, much of a writer at all). It is, as you say, strictly a fan's eye approach and he is far too close to his subject but then, I suspect that is why he has been chosen for the job. He is safe and was never likely to dig too deep or expose old wounds. It might certainly have been more interesting if, for example, Patrick Humphries had been given the gig.

I don't have the book yet and am still looking forward to it but it sounds as though my suspicions are confirmed and that the lack of emotional insight identified by the Mojo review is indeed the case.

[davidmjs]

It is, as you say, strictly a fan's eye approach and he is far too close to his subject but then, I suspect that is why he has been chosen for the job.

If he was 'chosen for the job' remember it was by the publishers and not by the band.

[GubGub (Al)]

It is, as you say, strictly a fan's eye approach and he is far too close to his subject but then, I suspect that is why he has been chosen for the job.

If he was 'chosen for the job' remember it was by the publishers and not by the band.

Indeed but given that the project is "Fairport by Fairport", has been authorised by the band with their full co-operation in its creation and is being promoted through their own website and newsletters I think we can assume that they will have had some say in what sort of book it was going to be.

[jude]

It is, as you say, strictly a fan's eye approach and he is far too close to his subject but then, I suspect that is why he has been chosen for the job.

If he was 'chosen for the job' remember it was by the publishers and not by the band.

Indeed but given that the project is "Fairport by Fairport", has been authorised by the band with their full co-operation in its creation and is being promoted through their own website and newsletters I think we can assume that they will have had some say in what sort of book it was going to be.

Doubt it...

[Brendan]

It is, as you say, strictly a fan's eye approach and he is far too close to his subject but then, I suspect that is why he has been chosen for the job.

If he was 'chosen for the job' remember it was by the publishers and not by the band.

Indeed but given that the project is "Fairport by Fairport", has been authorised by the band with their full co-operation in its creation and is being promoted through their own website and newsletters I think we can assume that they will have had some say in what sort of book it was going to be.

Just remember if he had "dugged too deep" his portrait of the band may have been as popular as Clinton Heylins portrait of Sandy, which probably sold well but certainly did not seem popular with some of her fans.

[Andy]

It is, as you say, strictly a fan's eye approach and he is far too close to his subject but then, I suspect that is why he has been chosen for the job.

If he was 'chosen for the job' remember it was by the publishers and not by the band.

Indeed but given that the project is "Fairport by Fairport", has been authorised by the band with their full co-operation in its creation and is being promoted through their own website and newsletters I think we can assume that they will have had some say in what sort of book it was going to be.

Just remember if he had "dugged too deep" his portrait of the band may have been as popular as Clinton Heylins portrait of Sandy, which probably sold well but certainly did not seem popular with some of her fans.

The unpublished and really rather good "No Thought Of Leaving - A Life Of Sandy Denny" by Pamela Murray Winters, covers many warts-and-all stories but is factual rather than nasty, which is what many readers thought of Clinton Heylin's effort.

[Jules Gray]

The unpublished and really rather good "No Thought Of Leaving - A Life Of Sandy Denny" by Pamela Murray Winters, covers many warts-and-all stories but is factual rather than nasty, which is what many readers thought of Clinton Heylin's effort.

Yup, it's possible to tell the whole truth without being a jerk about it.

Jules

[Brendan]

It is, as you say, strictly a fan's eye approach and he is far too close to his subject but then, I suspect that is why he has been chosen for the job.

If he was 'chosen for the job' remember it was by the publishers and not by the band.

Indeed but given that the project is "Fairport by Fairport", has been authorised by the band with their full co-operation in its creation and is being promoted through their own website and newsletters I think we can assume that they will have had some say in what sort of book it was going to be.

Just remember if he had "dugged too deep" his portrait of the band may have been as popular as Clinton Heylins portrait of Sandy, which probably sold well but certainly did not seem popular with some of her fans.

The unpublished and really rather good "No Thought Of Leaving - A Life Of Sandy Denny" by Pamela Murray Winters, covers many warts-and-all stories but is factual rather than nasty, which is what many readers thought of Clinton Heylin's effort.

Never seen a copy or read Pamela Murray Winters book, but it sounds like something worth tracking down, a shame she had so much trouble getting what she wanted published, I wonder how she is getting on now. Still haven't got my email or the fairport book, I think it may end up as a Christmas present for my dad yet.

[Hans Valk]

The unpublished and really rather good "No Thought Of Leaving - A Life Of Sandy Denny" by Pamela Murray Winters, covers many warts-and-all stories but is factual rather than nasty, which is what many readers thought of Clinton Heylin's effort.

Philip Ward (well known writer on Denny and regular of TAW as well) is not nearly as positive about Pamela Murray Winters manuscript as you are. He thought it not worth the trouble of salvaging it from the crevices of the internet, as he once wrote me. Maybe he will speak for himself when he reads  this.
You remain rather neutral about Heylin's book. I'm a Denny fan and I don't think it's as bad as everybody thinks it is. Sandy's later life was not what we would have wished for and Heylin is quite frank about it. Too frank for most fans, it seems.

All of which shows that it's best to read everything yourself and then make up your very personal opinion. Which I will do when I receive 'Fairport by Fairport'.

--
greetings from Holland,
Hans Valk

[Philip W]

Philip Ward (well known writer on Denny and regular of TAW as well) is not nearly as positive about Pamela Murray Winters manuscript as you are. He thought it not worth the trouble of salvaging it from the crevices of the internet, as he once wrote me. Maybe he will speak for himself when he reads  this.

  Gosh. Did I say that? Sounds a bit harsh. I think there’s much of value in Pam’s manuscript and have urged her to do something with it, but she says she has moved on – and fair play to her. She found new witnesses and tells stories that don’t appear elsewhere. The main problems I had with it are that she invents dialogue and, when it gets to the sad bit, resorts to a professor of psychology.  

I succumbed and ordered the F by F book on the strength of Kingsley Abbott’s review in Record Collector. Really hope it contains something new.

[Andy]

All of which shows that it's best to read everything yourself and then make up your very personal opinion. Which I will do when I receive 'Fairport by Fairport'.
greetings from Holland,
Hans Valk

Which is exactly what I recommended, Hans, so there you go. By the way, the "warts and all" approach does appeal to me, which is why I, personally, find FbF anodyne.

Greetings from Wales, by the way.

[Andy]

Am I really the only person here to have received their copy so far?

[Alan2]

Am I really the only person here to have received their copy so far?

Looks like it Andy.

[GubGub (Al)]

Am I really the only person here to have received their copy so far?

I think Staffan has his...in Sweden!

And...er...that's it. All seems a bit strange.

[Gouty (Gary)]

No sign of mine.

[Will S]

Nor mine.  No e-mail, no nothing...

[Staffan]

Am I really the only person here to have received their copy so far?

I think Staffan has his...in Sweden!

And...er...that's it. All seems a bit strange.

Sorry Al, I don´t seem to get it:
 
"A delivery was attempted for your item with reference LY639310441GB in SWEDEN before 15:39 on 10/12/12.

If redelivery or collection is unsuccessful, the item will be returned to the UK"

Since I work all day and I´m not at home 8-17 it´ll probably return to UK  
I was convinced I was gong to pick it up at my Post Office and sign for it there.
Now my fear is that they will make another attempt and then it´ll be sent back.....
I hope I am wrong. £20 was a rather heavy postage in the first place.

[GubGub (Al)]

It is an impressive performance from the publishers isn't it?  

Has anybody emailed them to ask what is going on?

[Glen S]

Not a peep here either...Thankfully it's not a Christmas pressie, otherwise I'd be getting a bit concerned...

Fingers crossed it will arrive before the weekend ?...But I'm not holding my breath !...