Simon Nicol & Ric Sanders live CD

[davidmjs]

The Fairport Acoustic Convention line-up still exists in practice, if not in name, as a 4 piece when DM isn't available to play with them.  It started out as a drummer-less version of the band, and then Gerry would come along and play percussion.  Rather like they do for the opening set at Cropredy, with them all sitting down.

Of course.  And remember there was also a bassless (plus percussion) version for a couple of years as well (when Peggy had to sit on the naughty step for a bit).

[Godzee]

Okay, this is interesting - so the Fairport Acoustic Convention was just 1990s era Fairport without DM? Was Chris Leslie not involved in that acoustic lineup somehow but in the Maart era?

So does anyone know when the Fairport 'Acoustic' Convention brand was dropped? They certainly used to make a big deal of it, but now they have dropped that name - which in my opinion is a great shame.

The Fairport Acoustic Convention line-up still exists in practice, if not in name, as a 4 piece when DM isn't available to play with them.  It started out as a drummer-less version of the band, and then Gerry would come along and play percussion.  Rather like they do for the opening set at Cropredy, with them all sitting down.

[Metro96 (Keith)]

Okay, this is interesting - so the Fairport Acoustic Convention was just 1990s era Fairport without DM? Was Chris Leslie not involved in that acoustic lineup somehow but in the Maart era?

So does anyone know when the Fairport 'Acoustic' Convention brand was dropped? They certainly used to make a big deal of it, but now they have dropped that name - which in my opinion is a great shame.

The Fairport Acoustic Convention line-up still exists in practice, if not in name, as a 4 piece when DM isn't available to play with them.  It started out as a drummer-less version of the band, and then Gerry would come along and play percussion.  Rather like they do for the opening set at Cropredy, with them all sitting down.

This year's Cropredy poster advertises Fairport Acoustic on Thursday. So it seems they have not completely dropped the name.

[davidmjs]

Okay, this is interesting - so the Fairport Acoustic Convention was just 1990s era Fairport without DM? Was Chris Leslie not involved in that acoustic lineup somehow but in the Maart era?

I'm fairly certain Chris had only guested with Fairport (FC or FAC) occasionally prior to joining.  He played Cropredy '92 as a replacement for Ric, of course...

Basically all FAC was, was a way of differentiating it from the larger venued, louder fully electric Winter touring band and opening it up to smaller sit down venues et al during the rest of the year.  Obviously as time marched on the boundaries between the two got blurred.  They were almost meaningless when Gerry was fully present for all dates.  

[Metro96 (Keith)]

Obviously as time marched on the boundaries between the two got blurred.  They were almost meaningless when Gerry was fully present for all dates. 

I remember at one FAC gig with Gerry, Simon explained that they were sitting on acoustic chairs.

[Will S]

Obviously as time marched on the boundaries between the two got blurred.  They were almost meaningless when Gerry was fully present for all dates. 

I remember at one FAC gig with Gerry, Simon explained that they were sitting on acoustic chairs.

At the first FAC gig I saw with Gerry, I think Simon said that they had found him sitting in the back of the van, so decided they'd better let him come along anyway!

Yes, the boundaries did get blurred - mainly the difference seemed to be whether Gerry was playing the cajon or a drum kit, and if they sat for the whole set or not, so probably they just decided the different name wasn't needed.

[GubGub (Al)]

The Fairport Acoustic Convention line-up still exists in practice, if not in name, as a 4 piece when DM isn't available to play with them.  It started out as a drummer-less version of the band, and then Gerry would come along and play percussion.  Rather like they do for the opening set at Cropredy, with them all sitting down.

Has there not been a CD of this incarnation recorded at live shows last year on sale during the current tour? Or did I dream that? I can't say for sure as I didn't attend this year but will pick it up if it goes on sale in their web shop at the end of the tour, if indeed it exists.

[Will S]

Correct, there has been, and I imagine that it will be available soon, once the tour finishes.

[mickf]

It was on sale when I saw the 5 piece band in Swansea last week

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

Yes I bought it from Peggy in Lincoln, great set from Autumn 2023.