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StephenB
something about the grinding beat
Folkcorp Guru
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Posts: 682
Loc: Blackpudlian exiled in Ireland
An Sasanach is fearr in Eirinn
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« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2018, 12:17:05 AM » |
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Lovely thoughtful stuff.
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One boxing match - what's that? A bout?
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Staffan
Swedes stun easily
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Posts: 746
Loc: Skärhamn, Sweden
"Always look on the bright side of life..."
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« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2018, 07:02:37 AM » |
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I wholeheartedly agree. While reading, I am surprised to find I haven’t given the subject of Swarb’s voice a thought. It has always been there, perfectly suited for the songs and Fairport.  |
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" -Just a roll, just a roll..."
" -I was 16 now and full of life..."
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Dan O.
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« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2018, 07:29:25 AM » |
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Swarb's finest recorded vocal performances are "Hard Times Of Old England" from Whippersnapper's "Promises" album, and of course "To Althea From Prison" from "Fairport Nine"
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2018, 09:12:08 AM » |
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Swarb's finest recorded vocal performances are "Hard Times Of Old England" from Whippersnapper's "Promises" album, and of course "To Althea From Prison" from "Fairport Nine"
And, of course, Now Be Thankful. Jules |
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Now be thankful for good things below
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GubGub (Al)
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« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2018, 10:38:39 AM » |
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I've always thought it was odd that, from what I have read (having been more interested in Paddington Bear and Sooty at the time and only coming to these recordings retrospectively when I "discovered" Fairport in the late 80s), the 1970 line up came in for such heavy criticism for not having a natural singer/frontman. To my ears and eyes (at Cropredies when he was still fit) he was clearly both and the run of albums from Full House to Nine (with the possible exception of Rosie) are my favourite in the Fairport canon with wonderful singing throughout.
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2018, 11:07:49 AM » |
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I think some people's negative perceptions regarding Swarb's voice were largely down to bias regarding his vocal tone. He had a very 'folky' voice. You know, the one that non-folkies like to stereotype by sticking a finger in their ear. That slightly nasal quality. This was amplified by Swarb having a Brummie accent, with its flat vowel sounds, and this too came through in his singing. The Brummie accent, as many of us know, remains a mostly unloved regional accent. Personally, though, I love it which no doubt gave me a headstart on my Swarb vocal appreciation.
Jules
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Now be thankful for good things below
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Phil Perry
sufficiently persuaded
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Posts: 202
Loc: Hertfordshire
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« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2018, 01:40:05 PM » |
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Yes, this is a much overdue appreciation of his vocals. "Wizard of the Worldly Game" is another favourite. Only time where I would join the naysayers is on the rather grating "Bonny Bunch", although I do prefer the earlier version now on "Full House" CD.
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StephenB
something about the grinding beat
Folkcorp Guru
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Posts: 682
Loc: Blackpudlian exiled in Ireland
An Sasanach is fearr in Eirinn
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« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2018, 01:56:15 PM » |
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It would be good to have (and i think there's a market for) a one or two-disc compilation of Swarb's finest vocal offerings.
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One boxing match - what's that? A bout?
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Delfini (Diane)
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« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2018, 02:06:49 PM » |
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I always loved his voice.
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and all I really know is that kindness is better than any sort of terror, any kind of spite (Martyn Joseph)
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2018, 02:39:30 PM » |
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It would be good to have (and i think there's a market for) a one or two-disc compilation of Swarb's finest vocal offerings.
Yes indeed. I could compile my own Fairport one, but I'm sure there's lots of wonderful songs I haven't yet heard from outside that body of work. Jules |
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Now be thankful for good things below
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Poor Will (Bill)
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« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2018, 02:40:35 PM » |
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Always loved his voice too.
I really rate his vocals on the “Rosie” album (especially the title track) although I seem to be alone in my love for that particular album.
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In the words of the Zen Master " Don't just do something, sit there"
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Delfini (Diane)
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« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2018, 06:53:31 PM » |
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‘Rosie’ was the first F.C. album I bought. Loved it then; love it now.
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and all I really know is that kindness is better than any sort of terror, any kind of spite (Martyn Joseph)
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David W
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« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2018, 07:52:52 PM » |
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Swarb could sell a song brilliantly, he did not have a technically good voice but his personal charisma and swagger rode above the inadequacies of that. Someone once said , and I paraphrase, Chris Leslie sings like wants to take you home, meet his mum and have a cup of tea. Swarb sings like he wants to,take you round the back of the bike sheds, start smoking and ...
DW
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Delfini (Diane)
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« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2018, 08:02:35 PM » |
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I don’t know enough about the technicalities of singing/a good voice. I only know how a voice makes me feel/delivers a song to me so I ‘hear’ it. That’s enough for me. (Shallow I may be, but technical correctness, without emotion, doesn’t work for me)
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and all I really know is that kindness is better than any sort of terror, any kind of spite (Martyn Joseph)
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John From Austin
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« Reply #15 on: July 31, 2018, 09:01:11 PM » |
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Yes, this is a much overdue appreciation of his vocals. "Wizard of the Worldly Game" is another favourite. Only time where I would join the naysayers is on the rather grating "Bonny Bunch", although I do prefer the earlier version now on "Full House" CD.
This makes me laugh because I love "Bonny Bunch," and sing along with gusto in a horrendous faux-Brummie accent. |
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Paul
I've Got A Bike
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Posts: 4160
Loc: Hampshire
I was a fair young curate then.
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« Reply #16 on: July 31, 2018, 09:50:05 PM » |
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I wouldn't say that Swarb didn't have a technically good voice. OK, the tone was a little on the rough side, but his pitching was good, and his phrasing and breath control were excellent.
I can remember Simon saying, after a miss start due to Swarb not being ready. "Swarb just getting the last ounce of goodness out of that Capstan full strength."
Paul
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Jim
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« Reply #17 on: July 31, 2018, 10:16:05 PM » |
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I always loved his voice.
Me too. It had character, nobody sings Swarb songs like he did |
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The Dude abides
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #18 on: August 01, 2018, 01:18:44 AM » |
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I wouldn't say that Swarb didn't have a technically good voice. OK, the tone was a little on the rough side, but his pitching was good, and his phrasing and breath control were excellent.
Agreed. Jules |
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Now be thankful for good things below
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RobertD
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« Reply #19 on: August 01, 2018, 04:26:34 PM » |
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Also always loved his voice. I actually quite like When First Into This Country, Me With You and It Suits Me Well. Because I have none of the Whippersnapper stuff on CD (only cassette!) I don't listen to it as much, but Dan made a good point. The acoustic setting worked well, especially Loving Hannah.
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I'm just a little shy of Surf's Up and I'm deeper than Twist and Shout....Iain Matthews
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