'Fairport by Fairport'

[Jules Gray]

I personally like Swarb's newest offer (which I don't believe is entirely a joke):

"any one buying Fairport by Fairport at Cropredy can send it to me I will correct it and return it signed for 20 pounds post free."

Now THAT could be amusing.

I think you're correct - he'd do it!

Jules

[David W]

Sorry but Swarb is coming across pretty badly as far as I can see - ok he feels he and others are misrepresented, and indeed "he was there"' as were Peggy and Simon as well of course who may remember things differently or wish to present things differently. The cash situation is just plain daft, the Fairport brand is clearly owned by Peggy and Simon and in their stewardship has achieved one thing it never did in earlier incarnations - financial stability for its members. To expect anything other than maybe a small interview fee for this sort of book is pointless (and even this would be unusual) my guess is it may have broken even but not much more than that, the author may have been paid a fee or may be on a commission basis - not enough to get rich on certainly.

As for playing at Cropredy again let us hope there is no connection with the book - if that is the case it seems very churlish, but as we know Fairport is a history of rifts and splits and his looks like another one,lets hope it can be resolved and friendships, if not professional partnerships, may remain strong.

DW

[Jules Gray]

As for playing at Cropredy again let us hope there is no connection with the book - if that is the case it seems very churlish, but as we know Fairport is a history of rifts and splits and his looks like another one, lets hope it can be resolved and friendships, if not professional partnerships, may remain strong.

Is Swarb saying 'no more Cropredy'?

Jules

[GubGub (Al)]

As for playing at Cropredy again let us hope there is no connection with the book - if that is the case it seems very churlish, but as we know Fairport is a history of rifts and splits and his looks like another one, lets hope it can be resolved and friendships, if not professional partnerships, may remain strong.

Is Swarb saying 'no more Cropredy'?

Jules

Yep.

[Jules Gray]

Is Swarb saying 'no more Cropredy'?

Yep.

Bummer.  Anyone have the full quote to hand?

Jules

[davidmjs]

Somebody else asks "So no guest spot this year then, DS? I was hoping for an a capella duet with Alice Cooper..."

Swarb replies: "haha. no Paul. Cropredy boots are hung up now for all time"

Later as people respond with 'what a crying shame' type comments, Swarb adds

"its been a lot of fun and i thank each and every one of you."

[Jules Gray]

How terribly sad.

Jules

[Andy]

There's plenty of time for healing before the 50th anniversary.

[Jim]

As for playing at Cropredy again let us hope there is no connection with the book - if that is the case it seems very churlish, but as we know Fairport is a history of rifts and splits and his looks like another one, lets hope it can be resolved and friendships, if not professional partnerships, may remain strong.

Is Swarb saying 'no more Cropredy'?

Jules

probably, but they will wave a few £50 notes under his nose to help him reconsider baby

[Chris Wade]

I keep going on facebook and the book keeps coming up as a suggested post or sponsored ad or something, and all I see is Swarb arguing with himself and looking a bit daft. OK, he doesn't agree with the whole thing, but couldn't he have a bit of dignity and take a step back from it. he looks like a moody teenager.

[Andy]

If he sees a number of factual errors I think he's entitled to point that out.

[GubGub (Al)]

If he sees a number of factual errors I think he's entitled to point that out.

I agree but possibly not at such infernal length and with such bad grace. He has made his point and it was a point worth making but it might be more dignified to let it go now.

Incidentally, I am not sure whether there was any intention to stir the pot (probably not) but I was amused to hear that whilst Swarb was repeatedly invoked from the stage at Cropredy, Nigel Schofield was actually invited on and announced as a fine writer or some such. I bet that has helped matters no end!

[Henry Tompkins (Pete)]

 he looks like a moody teenager.

Oh, but that's exactly what I LOVE about Mr Swarbrick!  

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

There was a LOT of copies of the book for sale at the merch tent...

[Andy]

Because they haven't sold as many as they thought they would?

[GubGub (Al)]

No, I think it is a new print run as a regular hardback without the cloth cover from what I can make out from their website.

[Sue & Chris]

The debate continues.  Swarb certainly continues to fight his good fight with regards to this book.  On Rocket 88's announcement on Facebook of the price reduction he's posted this (and much else besides):

"forget the guff thats in the book for a sec,answer me this please mr Rocket, who gets the money? i can give you a list of who doesnt if it helps. Judy Dyble,the Martin Lamble estate, .the Sandy Denny estate, Richard Thompson, dave Swarbrick,the Trevor Lucas estate, Jerry Donahue,Tommy Farnell. dan ar bras,Bruce Rowland, Dave Mattacks. roger Hill, and some i forgot. none of these fine people get a cent for the OFficial book on Fairport. who does well, you mr rocket, Nigel Schofield, Dave Pegg, and Simon Nicol. nuff said Mr Rocket."

This wouldn't be the same Swarb for whom the current members of Fairport raised money via the 'Swarbaid' gigs, CDs, etc, would it? Because I would venture that the money raised for him would dwarf any royalties that may or may not be accruing to them from the sale of this book. It's sad that he seems to have forgotten the kindness shown to him when he was at his lowest ebb.

[Nigel no longer of Lysander]

The debate continues.  Swarb certainly continues to fight his good fight with regards to this book.  On Rocket 88's announcement on Facebook of the price reduction he's posted this (and much else besides):

"forget the guff thats in the book for a sec,answer me this please mr Rocket, who gets the money? i can give you a list of who doesnt if it helps. Judy Dyble,the Martin Lamble estate, .the Sandy Denny estate, Richard Thompson, dave Swarbrick,the Trevor Lucas estate, Jerry Donahue,Tommy Farnell. dan ar bras,Bruce Rowland, Dave Mattacks. roger Hill, and some i forgot. none of these fine people get a cent for the OFficial book on Fairport. who does well, you mr rocket, Nigel Schofield, Dave Pegg, and Simon Nicol. nuff said Mr Rocket."

This wouldn't be the same Swarb for whom the current members of Fairport raised money via the 'Swarbaid' gigs, CDs, etc, would it? Because I would venture that the money raised for him would dwarf any royalties that may or may not be accruing to them from the sale of this book. It's sad that he seems to have forgotten the kindness shown to him when he was at his lowest ebb.

My thoughts on this topic perfectly encapsulated

Cheers Nigel

[Dubai Danny]

Haven't there been intimations of some kind of rift having developed between Swarb and FC within the last few years? I'm sure I've seen cryptic comments from Swarb in relation to Cropredy a while back that led to that conclusion.

For my part, put me down as very disappointed with the book. I wish I hadn't paid so much for it. I want warts-and-all, but at least the interview with Schofield suggests that such a book is in the works. The DVD is entirely inconsequential, and if that was really the best way of filling 45 minutes that they could come up with, I'm amazed they even bothered.

BTW has anyone got a link to Swarb's comments about the book on Facebook?

[Jim]

They are on Facebook,you would need to be a user and get befriended by the worlds greatest fiddler and grumpy old sod