quodlibet (Ian)
Squeeze it, Eliseao
Folkcorp Guru 2nd Dan
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Loc: Hereford. UK
In nīz bogzarad
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« Reply #126 on: June 03, 2017, 12:20:57 PM » |
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For anyone wanting a full gig review, this from the Friends of Fairport FB page,
"Fairport Convention
The Union Chapel London 27th May 2017
The fiftieth anniversary concert
On Saturday night at the Union Chapel in Islington, 8 O’clock was approaching. Just before Fairport started I was talking to Kingsley Abbot, one of those present at the debut gig, I asked him what he had been doing that night. “Waiting for them to start playing” was his reply. 50 years on and he was still waiting. In between of course there had been some very memorable moments. Those are all for elsewhere of course, tonight it was about tonight. There were several attendees of that first gig present, including Judy Dyble who joined the band shortly after that debut performance.
A few minutes later Fairport took to the stage 50 years to the day on from their debut at St Michael’s Church hall a few miles away. No support, the entire night was theirs, celebrating from the early albums through to their most recent release of course. In fact, that’s where they started with “Our Bus Rolls On”, the latest of the inward-looking songs, about the band and life on the road.
Jumping back to 1969 for “Genesis Hall”, then back up to date, for “The Devil’s Work” and “Summer By The Cherwell” time passed rapidly. “Slip Jigs and Reels” has been in the set on the current acoustic tour, a welcome return, I always liked this piece. Back to the 50:50 @ 50 album for the cheap version of the expensive recording of “Danny Jack’s Reward” written to show off the rhythm section, performed doing exactly that. Time next for a guest to join the party, Jacqui McShee sang “Lady Of Carlisle” on the album, and tonight saw the live debut of the song. As they always do Fairport made the guest spot the high point of the set. It’s always a treat to hear a new song in the set for the first time, the occasion making it even more so.
Although halfway through an acoustic tour, this one off electric show had a slightly different set list from both the Winter and Spring tours, but a regular in both over the years has been “Who Knows Where The Time Goes”. Tear raising in it’s beauty on the night. Up-tempo and with Chris on the banjo it was “Bring Me Back My Feathers” that closed the first half.
During the interval there was time to mingle and chat again, the band were at the merch stall signing anything, “except personal cheques” as Chris had stated. It was soon time to re-take our seats for the second half, featuring largely older material..
Many favourites were included, all spot on performances. “Sir Patrick Spens”, “Fotheringay”, and the more recent but still old “John Gaudie” and “Portmeirion”. Ric’s intro to that being a five minute stand up comedy spot that betters some comedians that I have seen. No doubt he was coached by his old friend and Fairport fan Bobby Bragg who is sadly no longer with us.
Guest time again, and as she did on the winter tour Sally Barker took the mic for “Rising For The Moon”, dancing throughout as she sang. Both Sally and the song are firm favourite with the audience who once again responded with long and hearty applause at the end.
Slowing the pace for “Farewell Farewell”, the sound floated around the chapel beautifully, as it did particularly on Ric’s solo on “The Hiring Fair” which followed. It was to the new album again for “Eleanor’s Dream” the latest of Chris’ songs about Franklin. That was almost it, time for the two non-surprises / required songs of the night. Following “Matty Groves” the applause was long and loud. A they returned to the stage we were prompted from within the audience to sing “Happy Birthday” which we all did gleefully. Sally returned to take the second verse of “Meet On The Ledge”, and we all sang the chorus. Sound was perfect, and lights highlighting the beautiful architecture of the building as well as the band, but as we all know, there is only a next gig to look forward to after that song. So we spilled out onto the street, or in to the bar to talk about the evening, and indeed the previous fifty years. That had been a great performance on a special night. Thanks Simon, Peggy, Ric, Chris and Gerry. Now, it’s on to the BIG party at Cropredy. It’ll soon be here."
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