50:50@50 Tour

[davidmjs]

Interesting review a little earlier.  Calling something you disagree with a personal attack on here is something i've become fairly used to over the years, but this quite clearly isn't that.  I'm fairly certain I'd have agreed with most of the views if I'd have gone to the gig.  The one thing i find so wholly tragic about the 'Chris Leslie issue' is that I think Chris is Swarb's natural successor - I massively prefer his style of fiddling to Ric's.  Quite why a) he's not the fiddler in the band, and b) he's now somehow the songwriter, lies at the heart (along with the decision to drop the lead guitar from the lineup) of all that I (and others) feel is wrong with what they are today.  The battle's lost, of course, and, yes, I really should get over it, but when you have such a strong connection with something, it really is hard.

[Jules Gray]

The one thing i find so wholly tragic about the 'Chris Leslie issue' is that I think Chris is Swarb's natural successor - I massively prefer his style of fiddling to Ric's.  Quite why a) he's not the fiddler in the band, and b) he's now somehow the songwriter, lies at the heart (along with the decision to drop the lead guitar from the lineup) of all that I (and others) feel is wrong with what they are today.  

Amen to this.

Jules

[hendo (Dave)]

If you don't like them then don't go to their gigs...
But don't be so rude about them

Exactly and more succinctly put than myself    I was at the Union Chapel gig last Saturday and came away happy. I was not expecting a rock band and got what I was expecting...if you go to see FC and expect expect something like LED Zep you are in the wrong place
[/quote]
I suppose some people went expecting to see something like their Fairport Convention.

[PJayBe]

Very pleased that the one thing that has gone of late is Ric's plucking on the violin that was prominent a few years back. A lot more annoying than the mandolin is now!!!

[Bingers (Chris)]

I suppose some people went expecting to see something like their Fairport Convention.

Hi Dave - not sure how anyone claim a version of a band as "their" version.

[GubGub (Al)]

Quite why a) he's not the fiddler in the band, and b) he's now somehow the songwriter

a) Because Ric was there first and had been for 11 years by the time Chris joined. Why Chris was not asked in '85 is a whole other question. Maybe he wasn't available.
b) Because nobody else is and somebody had to step up to make them viable.

The bigger issue is certainly the decision not to appoint an electric/lead guitarist.

[davidmjs]

I suppose some people went expecting to see something like their Fairport Convention.

Hi Dave - not sure how anyone claim a version of a band as "their" version.

Isn't fandom about a sense of ownership? It is to me...My Fairport is Simon, Peggy, Swarb and Bruce....Always will be.

[Bingers (Chris)]

The bigger issue is certainly the decision not to appoint an electric/lead guitarist.

Just wondering if anyone who could have filled this post then and now?

[hendo (Dave)]

The bigger issue is certainly the decision not to appoint an electric/lead guitarist.

Just wondering if anyone who could have filled this post then and now?

PJ Wright.

[Henry Tompkins (Pete)]

The bigger issue is certainly the decision not to appoint an electric/lead guitarist.

Just wondering if anyone who could have filled this post then and now?

It's too late now imo.

[Bingers (Chris)]

Hi Dave - not sure how anyone claim a version of a band as "their" version.

Isn't fandom about a sense of ownership? It is to me...My Fairport is Simon, Peggy, Swarb and Bruce....Always will be.

Sorry but music is for everyone and is not subject to "ownership"

[Bingers (Chris)]

The bigger issue is certainly the decision not to appoint an electric/lead guitarist.

Just wondering if anyone who could have filled this post then and now?

It's too late now imo.

Just curious is all

[GubGub (Al)]

Hi Dave - not sure how anyone claim a version of a band as "their" version.

Isn't fandom about a sense of ownership? It is to me...My Fairport is Simon, Peggy, Swarb and Bruce....Always will be.

Sorry but music is for everyone and is not subject to "ownership"

That is a spectacular missing of the point. The music isn't the issue. Most fans, certainly the ones I know, have a partcular affinity with certain eras of their favourite artists' career, usually the era in which they first encountered them and/or the era during which the fans were at their most impressionable.

[hendo (Dave)]

I suppose some people went expecting to see something like their Fairport Convention.

Hi Dave - not sure how anyone claim a version of a band as "their" version.

Yes, sorry Chris. I didn't phrase it well.
2 ish yrs ago a couple went to a Fairport gig and complained that Sandy and Trevor weren't there!!!
I was just trying to express that people who knew the band in the 60's, 70's 80's and even 90's who walk into a gig now , will find it a very different band.
My Fairport has RT and Sandy and Swarb in it and I suspect we all have a fave.

[Bingers (Chris)]

That is a spectacular missing of the point. The music isn't the issue. Most fans, certainly the ones I know, have a partcular affinity with certain eras of their favourite artists' career, usually the era in which they first encountered them and/or the era during which the fans were at their most impressionable.

If I've spectacularly missed the point, I apologise but I like music...all sorts and I don't regard it as ownership. If it is good (to my ears even if everyone else hates it or the band) I don't care and I don't criticise other people's tastes either

[Henry Tompkins (Pete)]

My Fairport has RT and Sandy and Swarb in it and I suspect we all have a fave.

That's mine too.

[Dan O.]

Quite why a) he's not the fiddler in the band, and b) he's now somehow the songwriter

a) Because Ric was there first and had been for 11 years by the time Chris joined. Why Chris was not asked in '85 is a whole other question. Maybe he wasn't available.
b) Because nobody else is and somebody had to step up to make them viable.

The bigger issue is certainly the decision not to appoint an electric/lead guitarist.

According to The Woodworm Era biography, Chris was approached for the vacant fiddle post, he's even referred to as "the obvious choice", but wasn't available at the time due to his commitments with Whippersnapper. Ric played on Gladys' Leap and the rest is history...

[sirspens (John)]

Well,well,well! It seems my little review caused a bit of a stir. I note some agreement with some of my observations, but I am sorry if at least one person “Jenny” has taken offence.

Some context here. I had seen no full scale reviews of this tour,to give me a heads up before attending, just snippets, so thought I'd put in my thoughts. I had already expressed my position of disillusionment with the current ( read past 20years) FC lineup and product, and my pessimism that it would continue so, but nonetheless the HOPE that I'd be pleasantly surprised?


To answer Jenny:

 I was at the gig reviewed above... and am saddened by the whole tone of the review.

If you were thee, you may have a different take on the gig- I didn't take a straw poll of the audience and report it, it was my personal view of the event. I'm entitled by dint of coughing up my thirty quid to take a view on what is served up to me. You don't have to read,or agree with my views

 for goodness sake this band has been on the road for 50 years... that half a century...  give them some credit please!

I don't know your history of involvment with FC but they haven't.This lineup 20 years.I did give them a LOT of credit- followed the band for years even during times of disillusionment, and credited that which I found good last night

much of the review to me sounded like a personal attack for no real reason.

Really, on whom and why?  I WANTED to be blown away, not to be disappointed- and when I WAS disappointed I identified why that was so. It seems many have similar reservations about Mr Leslie's contribution to FC. I've seen many comments on here re him being “twee”- I too have previously used that term, but have concluded that I think “trite” to be a more appropriate descriptor

Could the reviewer do any better

not the point.I'm no musician- I'm the punter/fan who pays the troubadour to be entertained

Sally Barker is, to me, one of the best Wintour guests they have had for a while, she plays for us too and is a lovely lady with a great voice.

Your opinion, you are entitled to it. I didn't, I feel, denigrate her, I just wasn4t enthralled. Vikki Clayton, John B Spencer, Fraser Nimmo, Beryl Marriott are just 4 “supports” that stick in my mind out of the many, Sally may head your list and I am pleased for you

 I just wonder why the reviewer would want to write so rudely about this band and their show.  They do their utmost to bring us joy and have never failed to make me and all our friends happy

rude is as rude finds. If you were there, you too heard Simon say he hoped we were all happy- and if not, say so- so I did. My prerogative anyway, whether invited to do so or no

I am glad he says he won't return to the Winding Wheel

I didn't- really must read more carefully. I like the place and it's pretty local to me. I don't rate the seating- check yourself next time, they are folding metal framed temporary seats, none too supportive for a 6'2” person like me. I actually said I would not be returning to a current lineup FC gig......

To expand on my review. This was NOT billed as a “Fairport Acoustic Convention” night. We didn4t get full acoustic, and I acknowledged that fact. HOWEVER, it IS billed as 50;50 old songs and new. Indeed this was fully exploited by band members in various media and on Clive Anderson's radio show. It seems at best disingenuous to portray a forthcoming tour of 50% old songs that were mostly played electric, yet do the current somnolescent treatment on SOME of them 6 I acknowledged those that rocked. I'd go so far as to describe it as perverse to play much of this stuff on a mandolin or banjo and refuse to honour these great songs as they were. Simon, I know, is a reluctant electric guitar player, but to give him credit he straps the thing on- Mr Leslie COYLD have done so, but chose not to. That peed me of not a little, fair enough I'd say from my point of view.

What saddened me most of all was that there was no EXCITEMENT, no BUZZ about the show. Nobody ran to the front to dance to the band, nobody got to their feet – the audience dutifully clapped along when exhorted to do so by Peggy, but that was it. It was all “grown up” and too “safe”

Despite being now 60+ years, with tinnitus and ETD problems in my ears, I want to go away from a gig with my ears ringing, my senses blitzed by shock and awe from volume, frenzy and a great light show. I take onboard that this is not what FC do now- but they DID, or at least three of 'em did, along with Mattacks and Allcock. “My” FC too was Swarb, Simon, Peggy and Bruce, and THEY really blew the mind! Let me have my sad longing for what was once truly amazing- I guessed I'd never see the like again, it was confirmed, I saw some traces of remaining greatness but all in all I left deflated and disappointed. I'm actually pleased if others didn't and loved what they got, as it will help keep “Brand Fairport” going- but you really don't know what you COULD have had in a different universe!

[hendo (Dave)]

That is a spectacular missing of the point. The music isn't the issue. Most fans, certainly the ones I know, have a partcular affinity with certain eras of their favourite artists' career, usually the era in which they first encountered them and/or the era during which the fans were at their most impressionable.

If I've spectacularly missed the point, I apologise but I like music...all sorts and I don't regard it as ownership. If it is good (to my ears even if everyone else hates it or the band) I don't care and I don't criticise other people's tastes either

It doesn't need an apology Chris. I am not sure where you got the ownership thing from.
It is more about identifying with a particular era of a band. I 'discovered Fairports in 69, aged 17. Important stuff.
So ','my' Floyd were pre DSOTM. Sabbath have to have Ozzie, not Ronnie James Dio, . Fleetwood Mac had to have Peter Green , etc etc.
I disagree with Simon Nicol a bit. A band is not like an  orchestra. Yes in an orchestra you can replace 25 players and it is still the Birmingham Symphony, playing the dots on the page. A band is far more intimate. Remove one piece and the whole dynamic changes.
Some artists, Cooder, Van Morrison, even Springsteen can change the band and it can go on cos it isbased around them .
Tom Petty thought he could change the drummer and he found it affected the whole dynamic and feel of the band.
So i don't own anything a bout the band it us just my memory of a particular time , event etc.
The first time I saw Oysterband, the Waterboys were wonderful. Both bands are diminished by losing people.
You can't replace Chopper.imho.
So some people discovered Fairport as the present line up and loved it.....and that is fine.
Hope that helps. G night.

[Bingers (Chris)]

That is a spectacular missing of the point. The music isn't the issue. Most fans, certainly the ones I know, have a partcular affinity with certain eras of their favourite artists' career, usually the era in which they first encountered them and/or the era during which the fans were at their most impressionable.

If I've spectacularly missed the point, I apologise but I like music...all sorts and I don't regard it as ownership. If it is good (to my ears even if everyone else hates it or the band) I don't care and I don't criticise other people's tastes either

It doesn't need an apology Chris. I am not sure where you got the ownership thing from.
It is more about identifying with a particular era of a band. I 'discovered Fairports in 69, aged 17. Important stuff.
So ','my' Floyd were pre DSOTM. Sabbath have to have Ozzie, not Ronnie James Dio, . Fleetwood Mac had to have Peter Green , etc etc.
I disagree with Simon Nicol a bit. A band is not like an  orchestra. Yes in an orchestra you can replace 25 players and it is still the Birmingham Symphony, playing the dots on the page. A band is far more intimate. Remove one piece and the whole dynamic changes.
Some artists, Cooder, Van Morrison, even Springsteen can change the band and it can go on cos it isbased around them .
Tom Petty thought he could change the drummer and he found it affected the whole dynamic and feel of the band.
So i don't own anything a bout the band it us just my memory of a particular time , event etc.
The first time I saw Oysterband, the Waterboys were wonderful. Both bands are diminished by losing people.
You can't replace Chopper.imho.
So some people discovered Fairport as the present line up and loved it.....and that is fine.
Hope that helps. G night.

Hi Dave thank you for this, I now fully understand and fully agree about what you are saying. I was perhaps getting a little too (wrongly) upset about certain comments. I've calmed down and can see things a bit more clearer. Thanks again for your comments

Chris