TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

This has just been posted on the FC list, from Swarb's site:

"To celebrate the 40th anniversary of three Fairport Convention albums there will be a big Fairport Concert at the
Barbican in London on Saturday 18th July. Swarb will be taking part, alongside other Fairport alumni and there will be a
few surprises on the night. Watch this space for further details."


Looks fantastic. Hopefully, after not going on the Wintour, I can persuade my parents to take me.

Wow! I'd really like to go to this one...

Saw R.T recently at the concrete jungle,looks like I may be going back there in July now.Thanks for the update BB

I'll be there if the dollar continues to hold its own against the pound.  ;D

Probably the same RT concert I went to, (last Tuesday?)- know what you mean, nice concert hall, but I got fed up of signs to the place which seemed to "run out" before you got anywhere near there, difficult to fine toilets, expensive and inaccessible bars, corridors and walkways which seemed to go nowhere, floors- and lifts to them-which gave confusing signs about what actually went on in them. Even the more "normal" pubs nearby all seemed to close early for no good reason and sold expensive crappy beer!

I suppose you're right. ;D
Never thought of it before. ;D

We ate in Spitalfields before the show and the only reasonably priced pubs near to Barbican are wetherspoon pubs,Hamilton Hall in Liverpool street station or Cross keys further down Bishopsgate,both a ten or 15 minute walk to the venue.Tje show we went to was January 15th found the Barbican itself pricey and a strange walk from the Silk st entrance to the concert hall.

Exactly, (about the strange walk)- there is a pub called the White Hart, (be careful as I think there are 2 pubs of the same name in the immediate area- don't know what the other one is like), which I found just around the corner from Liverpool Street station, which sold a variety of unusual real ales, all about £2.90 a pint which is almost the same price as my local pub in Nowich. Well kept beer it was too; just a shame about the very loud background music which nobody was listening to.

Try the Sekforde Arms in Sekforde Street, Clerkenwell. Youngs/Wells. 10 mins or so from Barbican (or one stop on the tube from Faringdon)

Ok, what's the score on getting early news on ticket sales?  Any chance of a prompt from anyone in the know?

I've not been to a gig at the Barbican since the Pentangle reunion in '82, so have no idea how it all works there....  Am NOT going to miss this (he says crossing every digit).

Join their mailing list - it 'usually' provides advance notice of the on sale date to the public - but if you really want the best seats, you'll have to join their membership scheme foradvance sales.

I just want a seat...!  Thanks...I'll join the mailing list.

Now, I appreciate that this show has not been officially confirmed yet but nonetheless, my mind has been wandering as to what we might expect. Assuming a reconvening of the L & L line-up from Cropredy '07, with added Peggy, my dream programme would be-
Set 1-Full House
Set 2-Liege and Lief
Encores-Sailor's Life/MOTL

Any advance on that?!

As this is 2009 and the 40th Anniversary of WWDOOH / Unhalfbricking and L&L, and we know IM is playing, I'd expect more from the first two of this trilogy.  Surely Full House will be next year... ;D

Ahh..Good point. I wasn't aware that Iain was appearing. As this will clearly become an annual event, I'll look forward to getting my fill of Full House and Angel Delight next year then! ;D

Tut tut, man...you'll have to wait for 2011 for Angel Delight and Babbacombe Lee.  Personally I'm already getting excited about 2016 and the 40th anniversary of Gottle O'Geer... :)

Now we know this will be brilliant
we know there are issues to be dealt with regarding payments, rights etc
but can this opportunity please not be wasted, unlike cropredy 07, to get a proper dvd/live album out
an occasion like this will be recorded and leaked onto the web, so bang a few heads together and make sure this is preserved for posterity in professional quality.
theres going to be thousands of fairport fans who will be unable to attend,at least let us get a souvenier of what will be a great night

Likewise The Jerusalem Tavern isnt a bad place to stop off at before the Barbican not especially cheap but good brews and about five minutes from Barbican tube station (and is certainly open till a reasonable time too, and is normally fairly quiet after early evening city folk have gone home)

Yes! yes! yes!

 ;D saw rt at the barbican last month . it is a great venue with loads of roooommm  acoustics are pretty good too. I will be going and look forward to meeting other TAW members . I stayed at Barbican Hotel its not too far with a good breakfast.................................dizzydaveP ;D [;-)....  

I agree, the Barbican is a lovely venue, comfortable seats, good views.

Watch out for the price of a botle of beer though.  :o

Would agree with Annie above; the actual concert hall is a great venue- comfortable seats, good sound, with a nice "vibe" to the place- but long queues in the intermission to pay £3.50 for a small bottle of beer. I didn't bother when going to see RT. There are 3 eating places within the Barbican itself- best value is probably the downstairs "lakeside cafe"- very busy, but large space- most concert goers seem to go there early evening- food is not that cheap, (but not too expensive either), same sort of prices for beer and wine as in the bars.

Has anyone any more information about this event, other than that on Swarb's site? I only ask as it is the same weekend as Latitude and as I have previously mentioned we were thinking of trying to get tickets for that this year (on sale 23rd March). I'm a Barbican member and haven't had any details - nor is the date shown on their website so I imagine that all sorts of negotiations are now taking place having got the Winter Tour out of the way. If anyone has any inside info they could share that would be great.

I'm also reliably informed that it is our wedding anniversary that day!

Confirmation from Swarb, Ashley & RT. Details still being thrashed out, I assume.

Update from a Barbican press release:

"• Witchseason Weekender. A celebration of the Witchseason label and the man who did so much to support and promote the British folk-rock scene in the extraordinarily creative years of the late 1960s, Boston-born producer and label boss Joe Boyd. Curated by Boyd himself, the first concert will be a reunion concert by Fairport Convention, with original members including Richard Thompson and material from the group’s classic albums, such as Liege and Lief and Unhalfbricking. The second will feature the music of the Incredible String Band with guest appearances by Richard Thompson, legendary singer-songwriter Vashti Bunyan and Canadian folk hero Kate McGarrigle. (18 and 19 July)"

and from Iain Matthews:
(part of) SCHEDULE
...........
JULY
18TH. BARBICAN. LONDON. w/FAIRPORT
19th. TWICKENHAM FOLK CLUB.
20TH. RAVENSWOOD HOUSE. SUSSEX
23rd. BUNGAY THEATRE. SUFFOLK
24TH. ACT. HINKLEY
AUG
7-10TH.SCOTLAND. SONGWRITING WORKSHOP.

What are these things called seats that you keep mentioning???

If tickets go on sale anytime soon, I'll lock m'self in for a trip across the pond this July.

Call me selfish, but I'd like to see Iain sing "Meet on the Ledge" once in my life.

I very much doubt he'll get it all to himself!  Does (very prominent) backing vocals count ('86 Crop)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0bPrbf_Nw0

This event has finally been put up on the Barbican's website but-
a)Appears to only feature the current line-up plus Richard
b)Appears to be sold out!!
Anyone in the know able to share anything further with us?

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=8999

That is so far removed form my understanding of the situation as last discussed with Joe Boyd and the bookers at the Barbican it reads like Science fiction! Joe's busy on a film in New York right  now but I shall ask him for clarification ASAP and get back to you all.

Have just spoken to the Barbican box office, tickets for this event will go on sale at 09.00hrs tomorrow (Friday 3rd April)

Thanks Martin.

I shall be on the website asap tomorrow morning to book...

Excellent. Me too!
Thanks very much for the update, Simon. I hope the evening DOES turn out how you planned!

It's just been explained to me that it's 'sold out' to the members - i.e. the members early booking allocation has all gone - but Martin is right with his info above. Also bookable by phone at that time.

I've heard back from Joe (he's actually on the West Coast now) and he has lit a fire under the chair of whoever it was who wrote the PR blurb referred to earlier. Who knows how long it will take for the smoke heat and fumes to percolate up to the point when the CORRECT information is uploaded, but at least the process has begun.

Clarity would be good!

Simon,
  Will there be a DVD/CD of this momentous occasion for those of us who'll find it difficult [read nearly impossible] to attend? Please, please say yes!

Not my department I'm afraid to say. We'll have to wait and see if anyone can be bothered to negotiate with everyone involved. (For myself, I shall not be erecting barriers, but I am only one of many...)

Is the line-up as reported on the Barbican website?

;D I don't think so:

Thank you for that useful assistance Mr B. What I really should have said, and meant to say, was, what's the line-up? Like, what's the format? I've heard rumours that the Incredible string Band are also around. If that's obvious and everybody else in the world already knows everything, please be gentle with me Bob, just electronically pat me on the head.

Sorry, I was assuming it was going to be the same one that appeared at Cropredy. That's what I understood from the initial announcement that appeared in this thread:
http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=30379.msg411609#msg411609

Of course, that thread didn't really provide the details you're looking for so I will step back and let the ones who know for sure provide the answer.

Never assume, Yank, never assume. Especially when you're dealing with a website that announces that the tickets are sold out before they have gone on sale.

??? But I wasn't dealing with that website: I was referring to an announcement that appeared on Swarb's site ... Never mind, it appears I've rubbed you the wrong way and I do apologize.

No you haven't Bob. No apol necess.

I'm obviously in the wrong membership list as I don't seem to have had any communication about it.  :(

Online early tomorrow then.

Tickets are now available on the Barbican website just got 2 tickets in row A of the circle.See you there ;D

I think we'll be sitting next to you by the looks of it!  Hoorah for decent tickets  ;D

Tickets booked at 8.15 this morning. Row G of the Stalls.

Looks like it is going to be a Fairport summer. I have 4 Fairport related gigs inside a month an a half!  :)

Really looking forward tis one though.

Hurrah!...
just got my B38 ticket...

simply awesome!

'n since i'm travelling from Adelaide, i've purchased for ISB the following night - B30 for that one

does anyone know of a halfway decent backpackers anywhere in the vicinity??

i'm SO excited!

CHEERS!...
'n U-BEAUT!

ian

We're in  :D - Row H of the stalls.

Must get on and book Cropredy this weekend.

E32 - right in the middle of the stalls!  ;D

B29 next to Ian for the ISB gig

Fairport Convention Concert: B34 - B35
Very Cellular Songs: H39 - H40

Now I just have to look for a decent hotel or something and a rowboat

It's tempting to get a seating plan and then we can all colour it in to show where we are. We are H26-28, although to be honest I would have taken almost anything just so long as I was in the same room.

B46 in the stalls.

Apparently not!  Was told at 9 am that telephone booking was for Members only until 17 April. So, given the info from others (above) a quick dash home at lunchtime to book over the internet.

Can't say I'm terribly impressed with the Barbican's organisation.

S&J

Strewth! That has got to be wrong.....if they're selling to all & sundry online!

Mind you, it states on the website now that sales to members online isn't until the beginning of July, when it's likely to be sold out.

Barbican management are really going to get a rocket up their a*s*s, I reckon on this....

Yes, a bizarre way to market an event. Still, can't complain too much, bagged front row seats, albeit at one end, B19-B20.

C36-37.  Can't help feeling this thread is turning into a bizarre game of battleships.  I am taking my 8 year old to her first proper gig.  One day she will understand Dad's strange musical tastes but at least it gives me an excuse to take the wife's James Blunt CD off the player and replace it with Fairport on the basis that I need to get No 1 daughter up to speed.

In my experience, the best way of removing a James Blunt CD from the player is with a hammer and chisel....

Oi!  Leave James alone >:( ::)

Oh, OK, make that a blunt chisel, then.

Current info on the Barbican site - it's been updated since I first read it this morning:

This event goes on sale to Barbican Members on Fri 3 July at 9am

A reunion of this folk-rock supergroup, to play the music from the first five - classic – albums, including Liege And Lief.

During the late 1960s ‘The Fairports’ brilliantly explored new and contemporary ways of representing folk music, culminating in Liege And Lief  in1969, soon after which the group splintered into many fascinating solo projects while original member, guitarist Simon Nicol, and fiddler Dave Swarbrick persevered in keeping the group together.

The band underwent many further permutations as members came and went, before announcing their retirement at the band’s own festival, Cropredy, in 1979.  By this time, their star vocalist and composer of the classic Who Know Where The Time Goes, Sandy Denny, had died tragically young of a brain haemorrhage.  Nonetheless, the later 1980s and the 1990s became a fertile period for a reformed version of the group, who also enjoyed continued songwriting contributions from Richard Thompson. 2007 was the band’s 40th anniversary year, and they celebrated by releasing the album Sense of Occasion and performing the whole Liege And Lief album live at Cropredy with the 1969 line-up of Dave Swarbrick, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Simon Nicol and Richard Thompson – with Chris While taking the place of the late Sandy Denny.

The line-up for the Barbican Concert will be combinations of Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, Iain Matthews, Dave Swarbrick and Richard Thompson – and an array of guest singers.

Part of the Witchseason Weekender, July 18 & 19
A celebration of the Witchseason label and the man who did so much to support and promote the British folk-rock scene in the extraordinarily creative years of the late 1960s, Boston-born producer and label boss Joe Boyd. Curated by Boyd himself, these concerts are a reminder of the continuing vitality and relevance of the scene which produced Nick Drake, Sandy Denny and Fotheringay, Fairport Convention, the Incredible String Band and the UFO club – all aspects of the legacy of the Witchseason label and production house.

We're in the fourth row (stalls).

DC

Still don't understand why you have to wait until July to book if you're a Barbican member. Very odd, and I'm glad I didn't join.

You going to be there, Jude?  Never having been to a Cropredy warm-up, it would be nice to hear you sing indoors with the boys...  :)

I suspect a not insignificant typo - April and July both have a Friday 3rd. But then that doesn't explain the availability to all-and-sundry today.  ???


DC

My presence hasn't been requested, so probably errr no..... :-\

A significant omission Jude.

Indeed! There's still plenty of time to be asked though... he said, hopefully.

An omission,sure.
But to be fair, wasn't it announced that it would be a sort of 69 celebration with songs from albums 2,3 & 4?
Still, they ideally could kick-off the procedings with "Time Will Show The Wiser" and "Jack O'Diamonds" before going on a Holiday

They did in one announcement, but as there have now been at least three announcements from the Barbican all saying something different, it is hard to know what you are really going to get.

That's absolutely right :)

Ah, confusion will be the epitaph of the Barbican's staff...

The chaps haven't asked me to sing either.  :(

E35 in the stalls for me!

I hope this is going to be filmed for TV. A really significant gig.

Preferably with a vaseline lens to stay in the mood of the sixties.
And because of the fact that most on stage will be in their sixties then too  ;)

Looks like a fair few TAWers are going - anyone care to suggest a venue for a pre-gig drink & get-together?  Last time I went to the Barbican must have been over 20 years ago, so I'm sure its changed a lot since then...

Shall we do that nearer the time - or we'll only forget!

Uh-Oh!!

;D

Good thinking, erm, who was it again?  ;)

Was going to book but the £15 tickets are restricted view and £25 is a bit steep. :-\

Ive booked seats at the Barbican with 'restricted views' on many occasions and have had a perfectly good view of the stage, unless Im mistaken you will just be further to the side rather than the centre but still a good view and £15 is a bargain imo.

check the site again JJ
rear circle seats   £20
all seats in the balcony £15
unrestricted views

Ok, ok Martin!  ;) Your online sales pitch and persuasive informative post made me investigate further so have booked circle seats at only £20. Just hope its not miles from the stage and that Fairport aren't microscopic dots...

 See you there.  ;)

Jx

Just booked online, stalls row G, apparently restricted view. Just looking forward to being there, should be fantastic.

Yeah, and lets hope the hall doesn't get flooded or the earth get struck by a comet or a plague of killer woodlice............

Third row tickets secured!!! I cannot believe this great (greatest barring Sandy Denny) line up will be live on stage again... This has made an old (very) man extremely happy!! Sod the recession... I look forward to Mr Nicol's Charlie Christian pick-up, custom ebony fingerboard and gold-plated Grover tuning pegs. Let the years roll back. Dye the hair and lose the beard!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Got my tix.  Now begins the delicate process of negotiating with Mrs. John to actually make the transatlantic flight.

Have just seen that the Barbican sent me an email about exclusive members booking opening today. Sent at 15:14, tickets bought at 09:00. Bit late, chaps!

Managed to get row D tickets (which I'm rather excited about!).  But I never heard anything about it from the Barbican either.  Hmmm....  Thanks to the guys on here for the heads up!  Really looking forward to it!

As there seems to be some interest in London Gigs: can I point this week of events at Kings Place out to you? It's not far from Kings Cross and not a venue I've had the pleasure of visiting yet, either through the front door or the stage one, but have heard great reports of. (Prepositions notwithsatnding.)

Notable for a bit of a Swarbfest on Friday 17th, Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham the day before, and and a great day of workshops (Morris all the way to Klezmer..) with a rare opportunity to hear Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, whose incredible musicianship really can stop the clock. (This is on the Saturday 18th). If you haven't heard this pair, I think you really should. And Frankie Gavin is there as well!

http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/weekly-themes?theme=49

I hereby declare I have no business interests herein!

Already have tickets for both the Blazing Fiddles gig on the Wednesday & the Swarbfest on the FRiday, who now "shares the evening with Chris Leslie, current member of Fairport Convention, fiddler Gina Le Faux, and  Kevin Dempsey from Swarb's latest band Swarb’s Lazarus"

There are times when I wished that I lived near London.. not many but musically some!!

Well, despite all the earlier confusion, tickets arrived safely in this morning's post.
Do feel ever so slightly sorry for Barbican Members though.....

S&J

I have just been informed by my son that I will be there  ;D

On my birthday!

yep, received my tickets today too

what a nice son you have  :)

Now it says "This event is on priority sale to Barbican Members until 16 Apr."  :o

The Barbican don't seem to know whether they're coming or going...when I rang for tickets (last friday)was told that I couldn't order them  over the phone for another 2 weeks (?) but I could order online. So I did...wish I hadn't wasted my time in their phone queue system. Still, got 'em today...wahey ! Roll on 18th July !

Perhaps that should have read "... and members of TAW".

Our tickets arrived today - must put them in a safe place.

To be honest, apart from the members only confusion, (and I am not a member), I've always found the Barbican ticketing system efficient, comparitivly cheap especially in terms of booking fees, etc. and friendly and also seemingly well-meaning whenever  I've had telephone contact with them.
Our tickets also arrived today by the way.

Mine too so that aspect is obviously efficient. it is a little unfortunate if they have made a hash of the preferential booking for members but fortunate for many of us here.

I had a look at the seating plan for the stalls today and it is about 75% sold out, maybe more. The remaining seats are all to the sides.

My ticket was in the post this morning as well.

Tickets were waiting for me when I got home last night,  :)

Ticket arrived yesterday - only 14 weeks & 3 days to go...  ;)

if anyone wants to take myself and JIll for a slap up dinner and give millie a great big beef bone I will divulge the contents of the show to them   ;D  swarb

Swarb , you know that i want to............ but its a cash flow thing you understand  ::)

Mrs. and Mr. John from Austin will take Swarb, Jill and Millie anywhere they want to go for dinner.

We'll firm up the plans when we come to see you in Toronto in May.  ;)

For that, I'll even tell you about Ric Saunders' birth mark!  :o

Urrrgh!

Careful, Swarb! You know how tetchy these bloody fiddlers get about spelling their names right.

Ohh Swarb... do tell us where Ric's birthmark is...  I did give you sandwiches and a cuppa at Farnsfield  ;D ;)

Give over, woman!

What are you going to do with information like that! Honestly, you haven't been the same since 10cc.

good Lord Cocker, did you think I meant Ric Sanders the esteemed fiddler, so sorry I meant Dick Saunders an old drinking mate of mine who's party trick was to show his birthmark and you had to guess what it reminded you of!  "the last turkey in the shop" was the winner   Swarb :o

What a tease you are MrSwarb!!

Cockler.. I dunno what you mean!

Oh Swarb, you are a One. ::)

at last! my ticket has arrived...
posted the 6th, arrived the 16th

anyone else coming from adelaide?

CHEERS!
ian (sans birthmark)...
well, a little 'un - but we won't go there!

Martin Carthy is planning to perform a couple of Sandy's songs at the Barbican event

anyone else coming from adelaide?

We're coming from Adelaide's sister city, Austin, Texas:  http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/siscity/adelaide.htm

Like South Australians, we talk funny and wear big hats.

Well that would be blooming typical, your ticket gets to bloomin Oztrayleeeeeeeeeeaaarrrgh before mine gets across flaming London, blast the  blighters.

blast the blighters?...cor blimey o'reilly!

talkin' funny?

she'll be right mate - fair dinkum!...
now where's me boomerang?

fingers crossed that martin carthy IS involved...

singing a couple of sandy's songs? - now that sounds delicious!

i'm going to sidmouth to catch waterson carthy - they haven't been down here since '99

Wizard lingo you colonials come out with. In you're in the smoke you need to con the bunny and keep your minces on your wonga, at all times!

Following his rather dismissive approach to Sandy's songs at the anniversary gig last year I am not so certain it will be delicious

To be honest, I hope there are not too many guest vocalists other than a female stand in for Sandy, preferably Chris While. I would rather have an evening of pure undiluted '69 Fairport, or perhaps 69 - 70 Fairport as I see Peggy is involved.

I have to agree there. But maybe Martin is not appearing with Fairport, but solo, or with Swarb, or...

To be honest, I hope there are not too many guest vocalists other than a female stand in for Sandy, preferably Chris While. I would rather have an evening of pure undiluted '69 Fairport, or perhaps 69 - 70 Fairport as I see Peggy is involved.

I'd pay good cash money to hear Iain Matthews tackle some of Sandy's parts.

That fellow can sing.

Same here

she'll be right mate...

i'm hoping swarb 'n carthy...
and MY fingers are still crossed!

I've booked  :D  ..somewhere in the stalls .... Do  I have to dress up O0 or will the T shirt do??? [;-)
now where should I stay .. where is everyone else staying?

No disrespect to the honourable duo, but isn't this supposed to be a celebration of Witchseason and Fairport 69 in particular? It is a rare enough thing that this group of people will play a full show together. It would for me be a real shame to dilute that with excursions into guest performers and solo projects.

Hi Dave, Definitely a Tshirt for me, but then that is dressed up in my book.

I've reserved a room at the Ibis in Wembley @ £36 a night
http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-3141-ibis-london-wembley/index.shtml

Precisely.

hi dave...

i'm going cheap on the accommodation - being on an 8 week trip...
so i'm headed to a 6 bed mixed dorm (i'll only need one!) at 'smart russell square' hostel at 39 pounds for two nights...

as for the 't' shirt - YES!
and that's dressing up for me too

but i've only got 2 fairports...
the crops 05 which is somewhat in your face, and an 'over the next hill' from the 05 US tour, bought at the mill

now which will i wear?
since i'm travellin' light i can only pack one...

watcha fink?

go topless and buy one there  :o  :D  ;)

thanks angela - quiery answered!

um - almost!
what about on the legs?

head no problem - i have a handsome FC cap

CHEERS!

Anything except socks and sandals!  ::) :D ;)

Socks & Cro'cs ;D

i don't have horrible plastic shoes - will an alligator do?

heh - who is fiddlin' about!?!

i wrote 'no horrible plastic shoes' not 'horrible plastic shoes'...!!

i think horrible plastic shoes are ok - i just don't have any!

but there's a few rivers north of here where alligators gather...

now that's really wierd!

i write c-r-o-c-s and the 'puter writes 'horrible plastic shoes'

spooky!

ah yes there are various words like that on here

L***a and Christmas for example and cheese used to be one as well

They're called 'Vagaries of the Yabb'



Edit: Christmas and cheese are obviously allowed at the moment.....:-)

c-o-o-l !!

but how come Goaty got away with it?  ???

he's a fake moderator ;D

Superfluous apostrophes have their uses ''''''''''''''''''''

Indeed - see that small space between the 'o' and the 'c' in his post?......

Yes.

that's sneaky and very clever  ;)

i'm almost too scared to mutter a word in case it might cause a small explosion...!

Only "almost" too scared I notice...

i used to like guy fawkes night...!

um - i mean...

which word turns into a catherine wheel!?????????!

doh!...

here we go again - saddies when they should be happies!

as the rainbow lorikeets screetch outside...

We've got Ring-necked Parakeets here mate, so don't come the Galah with me.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/ringneckedparakeet/

Yay!  A friend got me a ticket, so I'll be there!  ;D Row D in the circle, he says...  

See you all there.

folks near and very far are travellin' to celebrate and be part of what will be a brilliant evening - it'll be HUGE!

I'm coming over from Oslo, too. But I became aware of it slightly late, so it's row S for me. But this evening should be an absolute cracker. Oh, the expectations - a dangerous thing, isn't it?

I might have just said yes to something :o

Ooh goody! Sounds promising?!  ;)

Good news Jude.. wish I could be there!

Excellent news, Jude.....  There wasn't too much arm twisting involved I hope....

Jude...a great 'yes' from us too...for what ever that something is...does it involve some singing, on a stage, with a band?

What?  Damn.  I was hoping for some juggling.  Or maybe a little synchronised book shelving.....

I was hoping to keep that as my surprise talent..... ::) ;D

I expect to see random knitting as well ;)

Jude and Iain:  It's a long long way down to Reno, Nevada...

Booked. We had to shift a few things around, but I'm sure it will be worth it  :)

I've just notced that Chris While and July Matthews are playing at Brampton Live on 18 July, which presumably means Chris will not be deputising for Sandy at this.  :(

They are playing at Brampton on Friday 17th so......... :)

Oh yes... with an extended RT solo... nothing too gratuitous, just maybe a stretch-out 7 minuter?? "East-West"??? "Let's Get Together"

And whilst it would be great to see a warm-up act of (say) Swarb and Carthy I also trust this will emphatically revole around FC/WWDOOH/Unhalfbricking... Can't wait!

Two sets, no warm-up, he says hopefully....

couldn't agree more

OK...

Dear Sanity Claus (essentials in red)

The set...

Time Will Show The Wiser
Reno Nevada
Tale In Hard Time
She Moves Through The Fair
Sun Shade
I'll Keep It With Mine
Percy's Song
Jack O'Diamonds (natch)
Chelsea Morning
Midnight On the Water
East-West
The Lord Is In This Place
Eastern Rain
Morning Glory
Morgan The Pirate
Si Tu Dois Partir
WKWTTG
Meet On The Ledge
End of Barbican Holiday

oh yes.... and...

Shattering Live Experience

From While & Matthew Website tour page

Fri 17th Carlisle Brampton Live      
Sat 18th Carlisle Brampton Live      
 Julie Matthews Solo (Special One Off)

The bottom line may be very significant

I went to see Jethro Tull on tour last year. There was a woman in the front row, knitting! Ian Anderson couldn't believe his eyes and asked her what she was knitting.

i wasn't a singing voice for Ian was it?

Speaking to Chris While on Monday night, she confirmed she will be singing at the Barbican, but expected it to be only on three songs!  Now that can't be right, surely?  In the light of her many performances with Fairport, most notably the whole of Liege and Lief at Cropredy (and the amazing WKWTTG last year with Kellie) I reckon she's about the best interpreter of Sandy's songs around at the moment.  So c'mon chaps, give Chris some more songs and make her 300 mile trip worthwhile as well  ;)

MartinD (long-time lurker and occasional pop-up)

Don't agree. I'm hoping they share out the vocal duties as widely as possible, even bring in some new talent.

Me too.  But to be honest, I'm also rather hoping they rather concentrate on the rather fine run of (admitedly male) vocalists they've got on the stage for the duration as well....

I hope this isn't going to turn in to a sort of "Tonight Matthew I am going to be Sandy Denny". I'm looking forward to a celebration of Fairport 67 - 70. There is only one of everyone else (though I presume DM will be Martin Lamble on the relevant songs). We only really need one "Sandy" or maybe two if Vicky Clayton has not yet left the country.

Some "new talent"... are you kidding me? You have the new FC all year round, winter tour, acoustic tour, Cropredy... Bring on all the "new talent" you like... The 18th July show will, I hope, be solely reserved for the REAL 1969'ers (other than the honorable substitutes where the vicissitudes of history dictate). Share oiut the vocal duties between Iain, Richard, Simon... even Ashley (hold on there - ed)... and an appropriate "guest Sandy"... what more does one need? It will be great!

I want to hear DM sing.

And Simon play drums.

I have to say that the "Dave Mattacks Plays The Cole Porter Songbook" has always been one of my favourite albums... More swing than an election night with Peter Snow!

There was an interview with Joe Boyd on BBC 6 Music on Sunday:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00kcjjc/Guy_Garveys_Finest_Hour_10_05_2009/

Talks about the Barbican event and says Chris While, Martin Carthy and Teddy Thompson will be amongst the vocalists.

Matty Groves also gets an airing....

Teddy, eh?  Interesting.....

By why?  ??? I love Teddy but I'm geting a bit confused about what this gig is meant to be.

It will be what it is, I guess.  I'm looking forward to it greatly.... I think 'we love Fairport from 40 years ago' freaks can be a bit precious about things, sometimes.  It will be great...of that I'm fairly sure.

I love Fairport from almost every era. But Fairport and guests is Cropredy Saturday night. I thought this was supposed to be a celebration of the Witchseason years. I'm sure it will be great. I'm just not sure that it will be what it first appeared.

Have you heard anything to suggest it won't be?

Martin Carthy and Teddy Thompson!  ;D

We should remember the two concerts at the Barbican are being put together by Joe Boyd to celebrate the contribution made to folk music by the Witchseason label.

This is what the Barbican website tells us about the event;

The lineup for the Barbican Concert will be combinations of Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Dave Mattacks, Dave Pegg, Iain Matthews, Dave Swarbrick and Richard Thompson – and an array of guest singers.

The evening is part of the Witchseason Weekender, July 18 & 19 A celebration of the Witchseason label and the man who did so much to support and promote the British folk-rock scene in the extraordinarily creative years of the late 1960s, Boston-born producer and label boss Joe Boyd.

Curated by Boyd himself, these concerts are a reminder of the continuing vitality and relevance of the scene which produced Nick Drake, Sandy Denny and Fotheringay, Fairport Convention, the Incredible String Band and the UFO club – all aspects of the legacy of the Witchseason label and production house.

It's Joe Boyd's gig, so I guess the musicians who agree to perform, will do as he requests.

Personally, I hope that Fairport spend the whole evening covering ISB tunes.  And Mike and Danny T return the compliment the following day  ;D

that would suit me just fine David,  I have tickets for both gigs

i just know i'm going to be aglow with smiles 'n glee both nights - hurrah!

I think 'we love Fairport from 40 years ago' freaks can be a bit precious about things, sometimes.

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Agree with you mon brave... Nothing to do wth being b***** precious... a LOT to do with looking forward to what has been trailed as a celebration of 1969 FC... not the Incredible String Band, not Martin Carthy, not Teddy Thompson... Plenty of other opportunities for all those acts... 1969 FC is a pretty rare event. I'd rather it was not hijacked!! You listening, Boyd?

Thought I would see how sales were going - stalls sold out, 2 left in the circle and about 30 remain in the balcony as of about 5 minutes ago.

I dont know....These guys (Martin Carthy & Teddy T.) probably haven't even stepped into rehearsals yet and people are already down on their presence :-\.

My money is on Martin Carthy delivering the Sailor's Life that we've been waiting years for and Thompson Jr. handling some of Swarb's vocals on the Full House stuff (Doctor of Physick, Sloth, Now Be Thankful maybe...)- the vocal blend on which would be great , I'm sure. Seems obvious to me that since Peggy is involved, and Full House is the last of the Joe Boyd Fairport records, that they will stretch to some stuff from this period as well as the 67-69 era.

We'll see- I'm betting they'll be a few tears by the end of the night though..Oh, special request for Iain Matthews to sing Book Song and Who Knows Where The Time Goes (my favourite version bar Sandy's on Unhalfbricking).

Counting down the days....

Well, yes, that might work if Swarb is still not up to it. Very different sort of voice though.

Maybe different from Swarb's but he's big on the Everly Brothers and a great harmony singer. Saw him do a staggering Heart Needs A Home with RT a few years back and the blend was really great. Am probably barking up the wrong tree but don't see why it wouldn't work....

Of course, I'd love (and hope) to see Swarb sing those parts but Fairport with RT,DM etc is a loud band and i don't think he owes us ...Just seeing this lot playing together again is enough of at treat, for me at least  ;)  

i've just swapped my shared dorm cheap booking for a 'sundial court' single room - a hall of residence for the guildhall school of music and dance -

very inexpensive and a short walk away from the barbican

25 pound a night - no breakfast, but there's a supermarket around the corner and 2 pubs across the road...
so the blurb says...

swarb should do it ! his voice sounds cracking despite everything he has been through. and he has been singing more and more... dammit i would love to go to this  >:( >:(

I think I'm past the tears. They were shed at Cropredy 07. They were tears of joy though. This is going to be a rare privilege and a delight and I am going to enjoy every moment of it.

To drift slightly off topic for a moment, I think tears might be shed at the Mott The Hoople gig in October, for the same reason as they were on the Friday night of Cropredy 07. It will be something that I never expected to see.

But I digress...

had a transcendant 8 minutes whilst swarb played an amazing solo classical piece warm up for his church of the trinity gig with alistair hulett down here on 31 march 07

amazing acoustics, 3 other folks in the church whilst early arrival punters queued outside

it felt extraordinary that swarb was back with us, and in adelaide!

anticipation of being at the barbican gig has me spinning...!

Thanks to Ian's post above re accommodation, I've just booked a room at Sundial Court - £31 (plus £4.50 for breakfast on Sunday) & booked return coach from/to Gloucester for £10.  Bargains!

Thanks for the tip, Ian - see you (& everyone else) in July...

wowza...
didn't know breakfast could be included in any deal...!

'onya!

ps.
i previously tried to book the wembley ibis, where martin is staying - but t'was booked out

birds of a feather...

I wish they'd had halls when I was there back in the 70's! the college wasn't at the Barbican then though it was near Blackfriars and was a grotty old place.

Twenty tickets left when I last checked.

I think I booked possibly the last single room at this Sundial Court this morning, from what the woman at the end of the 'phone line said when I called. Don't usually go in for hotel (or student halls rooms) after gigs in London- it's normally stay with friends in the Hackney area, or a long, tiring, late night drive home, so this will be a rare luxury for me. Us of a certain age can pretend we are young student, budding musical geniuses, staying there for the night. (This being the Guildhall School of Music).

i'm actually doing the deja vu thingee to the max the previous weekend...
meeting up with friends who shared maryland cottage, mumbles 1969/70 - what a year!

we've booked into a hall of residence at swansea uni, where we actually all were resident 1967/68...

where does the time go?

Who knows?

Somebody had to say it!

well, after a coupla beers - james squire have a newie - 'sunset lager'...'n it's a great drop, especially after an afternoon of shovelling sand 'n gravel...

anyhows!
time?...

just a lot of days, a bloody lot!

I sense that you lot will have a mega post gig party! Enjoy guys  [;-) [;-)

All booked up now.

We have decided to make a weekend of it and have booked a aparthotel (whatever that is) for Saturday night, tickets for Fairport on Saturday and Very Cellular Songs: The Music of the Incredible String Band on Sunday.

Plus advanced booking train tickets has saved us a bomb - £8.00 return. ;D ;D ;D

Really looking forward to it. ;D ;D ;D

Me too Sandra, really looking forward to the Barbican weekend. Perhaps nearer the time we can arrange a pre gig meeting for refreshments

I'm sure we will Martin ;D ;D ;D

We should certainly get refreshed !!!

According to her website (www.lindenijland.nl) Linde Nijland is taking part in this, and also doing a "freestage" event beforehand.

Quite a leg-up for her - from doing her two-person Sandy tribute show to singing with the band.

So is she likely to be the "Sandy" for the evening?

Somebody reported here earlier that Chris While was booked for three numbers, so this thing seems to be heading for multiple "Sandies". Personally, I can't imagine Linde singing over an electric band.

Well and truly sold out now, as is only right and proper, of course.....still plenty of (rather too many actually, by the looks of it) tickets for the ISBfest the following night...the extended lineup there now includes Mike Heron and Clive Palmer, Richard Thompson, Danny Thompson, Alasdair Roberts, Trembling Bells, Dr Strangely Strange & Robyn Hitchcock.

So not very much of anyone then?......perhaps explains the ticket sales?

ISB sans robin williamson is i suppose less of a drawcard, but it's been that way for more than a goodly while, and the reality is - the 2003 ISB 'live at the lowry' is a lively and very entertaining 2 hour DVD, and the bonus interview with mike heron and clive palmer something of a treat...

speaking from afar, i find it extraordinary that a gig now also including richard and danny thompson, and the excellent robyn hitchcock isn't attracting more attention

the ISB songs still sound wonderful, and with fresh voices and new interpretations 'tis a prospect that i am anticipating with glee...

this moment?

yes please...!  

maybe, but "with fresh voices and new interpretations 'tis" NOT ISB... anyway the only ISB ever worth a light was the INTERNATIONAL SUBMARINE BAND..... don't all rush

This is a conundrum.  We booked tickets for Iain's solo concert at the Twickenham Folk Club, which conflicts with the ISB show.

Hmmmmmmm...

Go with Iain Matthews!

youre a very wise man at times Jackie boy
ive tried to get the incredibles but i suppose its one of those you had to be there acts

I was there and I didn't get it then... The Beatles loved them... I recall McCartney turning up at The Roundhouse with entourage (that bunch of freeloading shysters known as "The Fool" if I recall) to see the String Band in about 1969... I had somehow been inveigled into attending.... More hippies than you could shake a chillum at... Too winsome by half. Best thing about any of that lot was the title for one of Mike Heron's albums: "Smiling Men With Bad Reputations". Now that, friends, is one cool title!

Meanwhile.... to get back to the International Submarine Band for a moment..........

Me neither Jack.

The dilemma is...do I love RT enough to sit through an evening of ISB stuff?  Or shall I just wallow in the Saturday show and leave it at that?

I've never met anybody who think the String Band are 'alright'.  A few love them.  A load loathe them.  If you're not fully on board I'd stay away.  But I speak as someone who wants to be there, but can't!

Jack, I saw a reference to the International Submarine Band in Unterberger's book about an hour before you namechecked them, and I can't remember anything about it (trying to watch TV at the same time, not a good idea) The bloody index is useless. Could you enlighten us a bit? Ta!

Loved the reference to the Fool by the way, you're bang on the button there. Why the hell couln't the Beatles have commissioned Bruce Lacey or Viv Stanshall to throw their money away instead?  

I will still be in my proverbial cups after the previous evening (so long as we don't get 150 guersts who had sweet fa to do with FC in 1969!!  >:( ) Advice? Wallow deeply on Saturday!!

Unterberg book? Not the one about The Velvet Underground?

I'm one of the 'love them' as far as the Incredible String Band go. Still remember seeing them at various festivals and the De Montfort Hall in the late 60s.

I'm going to the concert on the Sunday and I'm really looking forward to it.

Jim is right though - they are an all love or all dislike, they do not attract fence sitters.

That was Gram Parson's first band wasn't it? Very country-flavoured rock as one might expect.

Yes, but more rocky than you might expect at times.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xnp20QcH0s

Anybody got any idea what time this might finish? I'm getting a bit worried about getting home. The Barbican is in the wrong part of London for me and I haven't booked any accommodation. I should be ok provided it finishes by about 11pm.

It's a 7.30pm start isn't it? I can't see it going for more than 3 hours, probably less.....

With a 7.30 start I would have thought it should be done and dusted before 11pm. If you want to find out for sure you could always try calling the box office on 020 7638 8891 between 9am - 8pm and posing the question

I doubt they'llknow until aday or so in advance.....even the band for the night may yet not know.....

You are probably right Chris but if anyone is worried about getting home, it's worth a call. There is also a fair chance they have a curfew in place at Barbican

The concert is scheduled to finish at 10.30.

Whether that allows for encores, roof-raising or unexpected jollities I don't know :)

Sure was...

"Sometimes I get real mad
When people treat me bad;
I don't have time to think
and so I get real mad.
I bite my nails and if that fails
IO go get myself stoned;
but when I do I think of you and then I hurry home.

WHERE I'VE GOT CHORES TO KEEP ME BUSY
A CLOCK TO KEEP MY TIME
A PRETTY GIRL WHO LOVES ME
WITH THE SAME LAST NAME AS MINE;
AND WHEN THE FLOWERS WILT,
A BIG OLD QUILT TO KEEP US WARM.
I'VE GOT THE SUN TO SEE YOUR BLUE EYES
AND TONIGHT YOU'RE IN MY ARMS"

Those are ISB lyrics Bob... it's not addressed  to you  ;)

from another site................ (Sandy Denny group)


I`ve received a message from Linde Nijland, a Dutch musician and a Sandy fan. She says she`ll sing one or two Sandy Denny songs with Fairport on July 18th in the Barbican Hall, London, as part of an All Star Fairport Convention concert. Linde will also play a set with Bert Ridderbos at the Barbican freestage earlier that day.

I think that news appeared earlier in the thread?....

message 222  :)

Apologies.I don't have time to read everything.

At my age I welcome the repetition...

By the way, anyone know if Linde Nijland is singing on 18th?

According to Joe Boyd's latest newsletter guest vocalists are: Martin Carthy, Chris and Kellie While, Teddy and Kamila Thompson and Linde Nijland.

Not sure if all these names have appeared before - Kamila and Kellie were new to me.

That's too many guests. Why have I got a slightly sinking feeling about this?  :-\

Hi Jack - no it was "Eight Miles High", his second folk-rock one. Got it from our public library, somebody cool and switched on must work there!  ;D

He makes a few contentious statements about the current-ish English scene but generally it's quite a good read. Seems to be one of those people who absorbs arcane knowledge like blotting paper - I got lost once or twice!

It'll be fine GubGub...you'll enjoy it. :)

Please, how do you get a newsletter from Joe Boyd?

http://www.joeboyd.co.uk/subscribe.html

Does anyone know the policy on taking videos for personal use at the Barbican? I feel a YouTube coming on.

Isn't there a rather large contradiction inherent in this request? ;)

Ok, non-commercial use: there isn't going to be a DVD made of this, too many rights to sort out (unless Jude knows different).

Last time I was there, you couldn't even take stills on your mobile phone. :(

Would he fit? He's looking a bit larger these days...  :-X

Well, in that case I'm definitely taking the video  ;D

They'll ask you to stop - and I have seen people thrown out.

Your call, of course.

And I have to say - quite rightly.

I am getting sick to death at paying good money to see gigs only to be elbowed to one side while someone gets their perfect 'pics' or being forced to watch through the lens of someones camera. It was the one and only thing that annoyed me at the Big Session last weekend.

The old addage of 'take nothing but memories' is still the best in my opinion, and a lot of artists/venues are also coming round to this way of thinking, hence the bans.

No one has ever had to look through my lens, nor have I ever got in people's way - that's just rude. As it is, the concert has been sold out for weeks, and lots of people would like to see a clip or two, I'm sure: memories are made up of all sorts of things, but would everyone rather this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP_iD1miEVQ) not been taken, for instance?

Did you ask Percy?   ;D

It's a bit different in a festival context anyway....lots more space etc etc

But indoors especially, I can't stand over-zealous photography/filming at gigs.  But then I like listening to the performances, seeing the photographs and watching the youtube vids.  So I am a total hypocrite.  Nothing new there  :)

As I understand it currently, Fairport's usual policy of welcoming cameras to their gigs doesn't apply to this one as it isn't being put on by them.

It'll be the usual policy for those with press passes of the the first three numbers I understand, and after that, none at all.

Nobody has said there will be one, but nobody has said there won't, so who knows?

I shall hold fire (if I do any filming) until it's for sure, then. Wouldn't want to cut into publishing rights.

You're not alone

seems your sinking feelings were right?
http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=32014.msg444275;topicseen#msg444275

Does anyone know who organised this - as opposed to promoted it? I just can't work out why certain guests have been chosen: nothing against them, but they don't seem very relevant to early Fairport.

Presumably Joe Boyd, or those on behalf of Joe Boyd?

...hotfoot from the angry thread; has a meetup been organised?

There are plenty of pubs in the vicinity, especially between Liverpool Street and Barbican on foot. I wouldn't recommend the pubs beneath or in the immediate vicinity - all Slug and Lettuce type places.

This looks like a good one:

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=181

Is it worth finding one that does food?......

It does. Even has rooms.

Barbican site has been update with the news about Swarb but also seems to think it's the first 5 albums:

Thats a pretty good line-up, as far as I'm concerned. I don't have a problem with any of the Thompson family taking part, and it would be great if Linda was there as well... Linde has a great Sandy type voice, hope she duets with Iain. great that Judy and Ahley will be there too. Martin Carthy - hmmmm. Does he play the violin?/

Exactly! And if not, who will?

I have it on good authority that Jude will be covering all the violin parts on her harp. True, honest.

Yes. I will be knitting them all mulicoloured dishcloths without zips. They will be attached by Peggs

... attached by the fair hand(s) of Puggs?  ;)

I'm really looking forward to this celebration, as I missed out on the early line-ups, only really picking up on Fairport around 71 (Angel Delight), although I'd been aware of them via the great John Peel's shows.  To see and hear, as far as possible, the original line-up - augmented by years of experience - will be a privilege.

Tonight's the first of 3 weekends of gigs for me - Imagined Village in Frome, then FC '09 in Adderbury next week (must find me fez!) & FC '67-69 in a fortnight.  

No problem, a bit of "unhalfpicking" should soon get them off, hopefully just in time for the Michael Jackson tribute part of the show.  ;)

Don't!!   :o

With specials guests "Moonwalk Morris"  ;)

That' is *not* an image I needed to come into my skull...

The Barbican website is listing several events before kick-off on the 18th:

"FreeStage pre-show 5.20 pm: Blair Dunlop, Linde Nijland (5.50pm) and Iain Matthews (6.30pm)."

Blair Dunlop - would that be Ashley's actor son?

Plus a film at 4pm about Vashti Bunyan (87 minutes).   

Alternatively there is a nice pub in the vicinity if that doesn't grab you... ;)

http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=32053.0

Always skulking around the site and never really the courage to post but couldn't resist today as..only 11 days to go - man I am excited!! Shame about Swarb not appearing though.

 Yes sure is. He's a singer songwriter as well as actor. Playing at  BIRDSEDGE VILLAGE FESTIVAL West Yorkshire this weekend


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You can really see his dad in him, especially the eyes.

Jules

Gosh.. he's grown...

I was at the Fairport gig in Chesterfield when his birth was announced.. Ashley was there too I think.

At the gig or at the birth, Jen?  ;)

Yep, Blair's got his Dad's eyes.

(BTW - elder son of Jacko, Prince Michael I, has his father's nose... in a little box.  Sorry, but I couldn't resist it........)
 

Ashley and (presumably) Blair nearly didn't make it to the Barbican.

Good friend Dave, driving Yellow Peril Skoda pickup in Chesterfield last week, bears down on distinguished looking chappie and dark haired young guy waiting to cross the road. Dave clocks them, stops, winds down window and says "I wouldn't stop for most people but since it's Ashley Hutchings....."

Ashley, totally unfazed, smiles, gives regal wave, and proceeds on his way with companion. A draw, I think.    

Only 2 days to go. In spite of things I may have said on this thread and elsewhere I find myself getting quite excited! That may be partly down to having found an interesting looking pub to go to first though!  ;D

His act is rubbery.

Me too, Gubgub

tyred old joke ::)

Inflated sense of humour....

I've got interesting, and lovely, people to go with; and decent beer promised; and a concert that seems to be like Chinese boxes. And I'm seeing Harry Potter the night before (just a big teenager I am), and going camping the day after  :D

Right, as we career towards Saturday evening, what songs are people hoping to hear (however implausable)? There's certainly a lot to choose from if the evening is based on the first five albums...

For me, the evening will have been a total sucess if we are treated to The Lobster and A Sailor's Life.

Anybody else?

That's one out of leftfield and one definite I'd say/hope!  I trust you're at least half happy at the end of the gig!

I'm pretty sure anything they chose to play from the first 5 will satisfy me.  The Ballad of Easy Rider would be a buzz though.  I love that song...and their version of it.  

Controversial I know but I'm not fond of A Sailor's Life.

I'd love to hear,

Time Will Show The Wiser
I Don't Know Where I Stand
Jack O Diamonds
Chelsea Morning
One Sure Thing
(How much time have you got Jude?)
Suzanne
I'll Keep It With Mine
Tale In A Hard Time
Genesis Hall
Doctor Of Physick
Sir Patrick Spens
Poor Will

I think MOTL, WKWTTG and most of L&L are pretty much a certainty.

If I was attending, I would be pleased to hear that set list too with the addition of Reno Nevada.  Good call GubGub

Do you think?  They've done that though haven't they?  And sans Swarb this time as well...  I reckon there will be 3 or 4 from L&L.

Reno Nevada is pretty definite I'd have said!

Really looking forward to it...if it's as good as the Fairport:The Early Years set on the Friday night @ Cropredy 2002 then it will be brilliant !

That is most of it!  ;D

So (a max of) 'half' equates to 'most' in GubGub land does it?  Interesting  :)

Dear mods

I'm not sure where this thread is leading, but I am somewhat disheartened by the unpleasantness of the tone of some of the posts

so could you please prune, for the sake of communication and in the name of "it's nice to be nice"?

Or not, if you think I'm being a little harsh  {:-)

Right then.

I'm off to that London in a bit. I have my sandwiches and my passport and my harp.

I'm a bit daunted but I will do my best

See you there  :-*

Jude, have a wonderful time, and enjoy every minute  :D

See you tomorrow, Jude (don't forget to pack a few copies of your new CD!) - and everyone else that's going.  Safe journey, all.

Just have to decide whether to go to the "free" pre-gig sessions or the pub.  At the moment, I'm leaning towards the music; after all, I'm sure some of us may well be having a post-gig drink...

So, to all of you who are lucky enough to attend this show, have a great time, enjoy.

Looking forward to your comment/reports.

Enjoy Jude! You'll be great.  ;D :-*

You'll be great, Jude!  Sing up and sing out!   :)

Jules

I'm sure you will and I know we will!

That's the way I'm leaning too - may drop down that pub for a late lunch (2-3.30ish) before heading over to the Barbican....

break a leg Jude or whatever it is that musos say.
You'll be great, everybody's rooting for you, and everyone else up on stage

Pub for me and a couple of TaW friends at about 17:00

Fox and Anchor.

Have a great time all.. wish I was going (but I WILL be seeing E2 instead!!  ;D :D 8).. they always make the sun shine!)

Could do with E2 here at the moment... have not seen the sun all day. Summer? What summer?

OK - sounds like a plan - Fox & Anchor at 5pm for a swift one, then off to see Iain M in the foyer.

If anyone going to this tomorrow would also like tickets for the ISB tribute gig on Sunday I have two to give away, free, gratis, as we found out today that Mr S has to be back in Oxford Sunday night to work.

I will bring them with me tomorrow.

Have a great and historic night-so jealous of you all.

Those not attending might be interested to know you can download a programme for both events from here: http://www.barbican.org.uk/media/events/8999fairportprogfinallowres.pdf and then I suppose you put a compilation of your favourite bits from the first few albums on and shut your eyes ...

I've just noticed that sharing the stage with Richard Thompson on Sunday night is one Green Gartside, who I have always presumed to be the subject of the line "Her boyfriend plays in Scritti Politti" in the song "A Bone Through Her Nose". In the context of that song, I never took that line as being very complimentary.  ;) Interesting.

Just heard from Jude that rehearsals today went well ;D ;D ;D

Roll on tomorrow ;D

That's great. Go Jude! Have a great time, everyone.  {:-)

If they don't get claimed as a pair, I will gratefully relieve you of one of them.

Incredible evening!

Glad you had fun - wish I could have been there too
(but I was making a chair cover at the farm.......so the dog can sit on it :-X)

Indeed it was - splendid way to spend one's wedding anniversary!

I will sort out a set list shortly (unless someone beats me to it) but a cup of tea has just been poured for me.

Jude, you were amazing. It was just beautiful. Thank you  :)

was it being filmed or recorded?

Here we go - hope I have got this down correctly - apologies for any errors or omissions.

Fairport at the Barbican 18th July 2009

Cast in order of appearance:
Simon Nicol, Ashley Hutchings, Richard Thompson, Judy Dyble, Iain Matthews, Dave Mattacks, Linde Nijland, Kellie While, Teddy Thompson, Kami Thompson, Chris Leslie, Chris While, Dave Pegg, Linda Thompson plus occasional intros from Joe Boyd

Set list
Early song - don't know the title (SN, AH, RT, JD)
Time Will Show The Wiser (SN, AH, RT, JD, IM, DM)
One Sure Thing (SN, AH, RT, JD, IM, DM)
Jack O'Diamonds (SN, AH, RT, JD, IM, DM)
Fotheringay (SN, AH, RT, IM, DM, LN)
Some Sweet Day (SN, AH, RT, IM, DM, KW)
Genesis Hall (SN, AH, RT, IM, DM, KW, TT) Teddy Thompson lead vocal
Autopsy (SN, AH, RT, DM, KT)
Who Kows Where The Time Goes (SN, AH, RT, DM, KT, TT) Kami Thompson lead vocal
A Sailor's Life (SN, AH, RT, DM, KW, CL) Kellie While standing in for Martin Carthy at short notice. MC not able to be there due to Norma Waterson's illness

- Interval -

Come All Ye (SN, AH, RT, DM, CL, CW)
Tam Lin (SN, AH, RT, DM, CL, CW)
The Deserter (SN, AH, RT, DM, CL, CW)
Medley (SN, AH, RT, DM, CL)
Crazy Man Michael (SN, AH, RT, DM, CL, CW)
Matty Groves (SN, AH, RT, DM, CL, CW)
Walkawhile (SN, RT, DM, CL, DP)
Doctor Of Physic (SN, RT, DM, CL, DP)
Sir Patrick Spens (SN, RT, DM, CL, DP)
Dirty Linen (SN, RT, DM, CL, DP)

- Encore -

Si Tu Dois Partir (All plus LN but minus JD & CW)
Meet On The Ledge (All the company)

Exeunt omnes

Early song - don't know the title (SN, AH, RT, JD)

A Satisfied Mind

They also played I'll Keep It With Mine

Ooops - yes they did. KW singing if I am reading my notes correctly and it came after Some Sweet Day

Thanks also for the title of the first song.

I only knew it because it's on the Bob Dylan album "Saved"

Is that the one on The Byrds' Turn, Turn Turn album?

How many times
Have you heard someone say
If I had his money
I'd do things my way
But little they know
that it's so hard to find
One rich man in ten
with a satisfied mind

etc.

Wonderful evening @ The Barbican, nice to see many TAWers there ! Blair Dunlop played a very proficient set (one to watch), Linde Nijland was pretty good and Iain Matthews was excellent. The cockle-warming Judy Dyble started the main show, I'll just mention some highlights : Fairport '67 were superb, Judy sang beautifully, Teddy & Kamila Thompsons' harmonies on WKWTTG, Kellie & Chris While were  fabulous all round, Kellie singing "A Sailor's Life" in the absence of Martin Carthy (due to Norma's illness), the Liege & Lief section brilliant, the Full House part great (with 4/5 members present), great to see Chris Leslie cut loose on the fiddle tonight (tonight he was THE Fiddler of Fairport - no Swarb or Ric dominating the proceedings), RT was great and played within the context of the band (again, didn't take over), Ashley was solid and showed great authority on Danelectro bass, Peggy was as good as ever, Simon seemed to be having a whale of a time (very importantly emphasising that FC are a current working band, and that CL is one of the backbones of the current lineup), and DM was "inch-perfect," revealing that he had bought a copy of Unhalfbricking prior to joining the band in order to learn "Autopsy," thanking FC for saving his life before he ended up in a really bad prog band ! Si Du Tois Partir and MOTL  (IM & RT singing the verses with SN) finished a great night...roll on Croppers !!!

Absolutely storming. Dame Judy on superb form, Thompson famille all imperious, Mr. Hutchings fabulous, the Whiles stupendous. A real shame if you missed it on purpose.

'twas fabulous!  Sailor's Life was fantastic, a real jaw-dropping moment for me.  Jack O' Diamonds was great too.  But it was all  brilliant!  Best night I've had in ages.

It would be great if most of that company were available for Cropredy, although I'm not expecting a lot of people as surprise guests as it isn't a big anniversary year, or is it ?

I've been listening to Cropredy Capers this evening and had forgotten how good Ian Matthew's version of WKWTTG was.

A definite well done to everyone involved. That was everything I could have hoped for... Particularly great to see DM again. Absolutely magic 8). Thought the multi vocalists thing worked out fine too. Props in particular to Teddy Thompson for Genesis Hall (moody as hell) and Kellie While on I'll Keep It With Mine and A Sailor's Life. But hell it was all good. Swarb's absence was obviously a downer in the build-up but can't help thinking that Chris Leslie played it spot-on- in the freewheeling, winging-it, spirit of the Fairport of old.

Any thoughts of the rest of the weekend being an anti-climax should be kicked into touch with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds tonight ;). Life is sometimes so sweet :)    

Yes indeed - the very same Satisfied Mind. A great version too. I wonder if they first heard it on Turn Turn?

Absolutely stunning night - all the songs sounded fresh and vibrant  - too many highlights to mention, but Sailor's life, Time will show the wiser and Doctor of Physik blew me away.

One of the best gigs I have been to, and a real testiment to the skill (and durability) of Fairport (in all their guises)

Adam ;D ;D ;D

Hopefully, Simon will read this thread and set us right.

Well, I had no preconceptions; and a jolly good time all round, although I much preferred the first half.

Jude - you were radiant. Truly. :-*

 ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D

Brilliant! Marvellous! Fantastic! - the gig of the year.  (Steady on, Mother, says daughter, it's only July!)   My 'feel good' indicator was on the ceiling all evening.

Thank you to everyone concerned who put themselves out and made the effort to bring us that little enormous gem.  It is much appreciated.


PS  Jude, you were fab and I really liked your outfit.

I introduced myself to Chris Bates - what a lovely, friendly chap.

I spent nearly all of the first half of the gig with absolute goosebumps, but even the second half was just wonderful too.  I don't think I've ever grinned so hard in all my life; from the moment it began until the final notes of Meet On The Ledge, I was in absoute heaven.  I'm trying to think of highlights or individual accolades, but every time I try to conjure up some magnificent memory, another one comes along and pushes it out of the way because it was all so. bloody. good.  I want to single out nearly everyone (in particular DM and Iain Matthews - surely the best drummer and best male vocalist the band have ever had), but can't.  All I can say is that this wasn't nostalgia for me (since I only discovered the world of Fairport about seven years ago), but was seeing a band who may have put out their debut four decades ago, but whose passion and abilities have been undimmed by time.  The vocals were amazing - props to Jude and to Iain Matthews for Time Will Show The Wiser and Jack O'Diamonds! - and the guests were extremely well chosen for the most part.  I'm still reeling from Kellie While doing I'll Keep It With Mine and Linde Nijland doing Fotheringay.  Even as a Cropredy 'casual' (only three festivals to my name), I've seen enough Fairport to think I'd never in a million years see them perform these, much less with most of the band who recorded the original versions.  Just thinking about Iain and Simon's haunting, graceful backing vocals for Fotheringay is sending a shiver down my spine.

The second half was almost as much a delight, but having been spoiled by seeing the performance of Liege & Lief at Cropredy 07 and the marathon set they did that Saturday, this didn't quite match it, although I'm always happy to hear those songs, especially Doctor Of Physick.  On the plus side, I'm glad that the absence of Swarb was dealt with in a sensible way, rather than let it become some enormous white elephant that no one wants to mention.  Chris Leslie did a fine job in filling his shoes. 

Even after the delights of Fairport@Forty Cropredy, I'm still feeling extremely privileged to have been at this gig; the worst case sceanrio is that it's convinced my Mum to come to Cropredy next year.  

Minuses?  Well there has to be some, but they're pretty arbitrary and amounts to 'Less Joe Boyd interrupting the flow of things, and a bit more RT, who sang what amounted to two verses on his own'.  But I guess, given the nature of the program, both were understandable.  Still, with a bit less chat we could've had Sloth.

But still, that's in the top ten of gigs I've ever been to.  Thank you so much to everyone involved.

I should also give enormous thanks to quodlibet, who was kind enough to answer my call for tickets, and not only that, front row tickets.  We were sat right at the feet of Messrs Nicol and Matthews (and later Leslie), and I'm still reeling that I went from not knowing about this gig one month ago, to having what were possbily the best seats in the house; I saw genuinely damp eyes from a lot of the participants at the end of Meet On The Ledge, and felt the same way too.  We took quite a few sneaky photos, which I'll try and share with you all later today.

It was a great evening, and as others have said there were so many highlights or little moments to treasure that it seems very difficult to pick any out for special mention, but I will add one and that was Ashley walking round to the back of the stage to stand behind Dave Mattacks during MotL. He was leaning on the monitor singing away and looking around the hall, but I suspect also to make sure that DM wasn't alone at the back.

One other thing is that I don't think anyone has mentioned is that the opening words of the evening were spoken by Judy who was fab.

Everyone seemed to enjoy it and the Nicol, Thompson, Pegg, Mattacks, Leslie line-up can turn and play for me any time they like! (But no offence to the current team intended)

Great night, kicked off splendidly with a few pints in the charming Three Kings pub in Clerkenwell. Then on to the show, about which it has all been said reall. It was fantastic and if Jude was at all nervous, it didn't show.

They played much of my fantasy set and finally found a way to make me love A Sailor's Life, never a personal favourite but absolutely storming on the night, probably the highlight of the show.

No sign of it being filmed. I hope it was recorded but I suspect their may be contractual difficulties in releasing it for some of the performers. Incidentally, I thought both Linde Nijland and Kerri While were outstanding. Bring them to Cropredy please. Nice to see Linda Thompson too and she seemed to be enjoying herself.

Just one TDT issue and nothing to do with the gig. I'd just like to say thank you to Transport For London and First Capital connect for closing the Victoria Line, the Bank station interchange and the main line through London all at the same time and making my journey to and from the Barbican nearly impossible!  

I agree.

This is true for me also, though five years rather than seven.

I've always liked A Sailor's Life, which a few people were converted to last night by the sound of their posts - for me, the conversion moment last night was to "Autopsy", which I've never really appreciated before. I will be listening to "Unhalfbricking" with renewed interest later in the day.

The Barbican may be hideous on the outside, but the acoustics were fabulous.

Can't really add anything to what has been said - it was a great evening and I feel privileged to have been there. But I would like to know if they ever recorded the Satisfied Mind song that the show kicked off with. It was the only song that I hadn't ever heard before and I loved it!

Just too amazing - it can't get much better than that. Emotional too. Thank you so much to ALL involved.

I can only really echo what everyone else has said.

From the TAW meet up in the delightful Fox and Anchor where we almost took the place over, to the last dying notes and beyond, what a great day. I laughed a lot, and cried some. Most of the time I was just beaming from ear to ear.

What made it for me was that the whole concert was played as a group - no 'stars', no egos, no nothing except damn fine, tight music that took me right back some 40 years. This was the Fairport I grew up with and loved. I can only thank them for making me twenty again, even if it was just for one all too short night. I hope it took them back there as well.

Well done and thanks to all concerned.

ps to all who we met - we still didn't get to use the dishwasher!

wll done all involved xx

A truly magnificent event.  The 2nd half was superb (Leslie was an awesome super sub)....but the 1st half magical and climaxed (in all senses of the word) on one of the best live musical experiences of my life....A Sailor's Life was that good.  Hats and everything off to everyone involved but special mentions to the Thompson kids....Teddy was more assured, but his sister was equally fantastic...and Kellie While who was quite simply wondrous.  It was a real treat to see Linda at a mic at the end, even if I couldn't actually hear her voice (and why no mic for Tyger at the death?  I thought that was a little odd).

Confirmed my own rather weird prejudice that L&L is a definite No 5 in my order of preference of Fairport's first 5 albums (WWDOOH, UHB, FC, FH, L&L), but also that that run is probably the finest by an English band ever (not even the Beatles made 5 albums that good on the trot).

Thankyou so much to everybody involved.  From where I'm sitting, Swarb made the wrong call (but I have no doubt it was right for him).

Oh, and the funniest moment? Jude nearly jumping out of her skin when Tyger hit the first thundering notes on his bass (probably a bit high in the mix even for me in truth!).  I trust no lasting damage was done to the ears, Jude!

Wonderful.

Ditto!

I really can't add anything not already said - my gig of this decade, without doubt! Sincere thanks to all!

The Barbican were kind enough to allow me to record the whole show in images! So I never did get to sit in my front row seat.....I'll try & get some shots up later this week.....off tomorrow morning to witness Swarb's Lazarus's last ever gig....

There'sa fullsome review here (http://s3.excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=31674&threadid=648291)

Ah, that would explain it. The view was great, although you couldn't catch the fiddle too well.  ::)
I'm really looking forward to seeing your work.

An utterly wonderful evening. Everything I'd hoped for and more.

Many, many highlights but for me, as for many others, the defining moment was A Sailor's Life - it really brought tears to the eyes and whilst I'd be intrigued to hear Martin Carthy's take on the song (best wishes to Norma, by the way) it's hard to imagine what we heard last night being improved upon.

Big thanks to Jack who provided me with a ticket when I thought I'd missed the boat - he may be a hard card but he's also a diamond geezer!

I've put my photos from the front row on my Facebook profile - even if you're not on Facebook, you can see them here (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=282126&id=578085712&l=f4095c19a6).  I only put up the most interesting ones, but there twice as many taken as I put up.  

Enjoy!

P.S. If anyone wants to use them for anything, please PM me first.  Ta.

A fantastic evening, really enjoyed it all. As a 'recent' Fairporter (last 10 years or so) I now understand exactly what others mean about the early years. Just loved hearing songs from the early albums but to see DM drumming and watching Richard 'effortlessly' playing just blew me away. Jude you are a star.  {:-)

It was so well presented by Joe Boyd, then have the story continuing by each of them as the years began to unfold. I thought how well suited the female voices were with the songs they sang.

I didn't hear about it until it was too late.  God knows why.  Anyone know if it was recorded for CD or DVD?

Thanks so much to all of you for posting reviews/photos....sounds like a brilliant night in every sense of the word! (Chris B mentioned on the FC List that it was recorded- fingers crossed that rumor is true- and we can all listen to this on CD in the future) ;D

I'll be extremely surprised if this doesn't feature on the Winter Tour merch table!

If they're savvy, they'll have it available for Xmas presents too....

Thanks everybody for the writeups (and phots!). B*gger, I knew it would be a great evening but we just couldn't make it, trying to juggle too many things at once.

However, have got tickets for RT near Ashby de la Zouch on 24th July - support act young David Swarbrick! I do hope they get together for an encore or two.....  

Sorry to disagree, but I didn't think so.  I found it hard to warm to him, especially when he cast Chris Leslie in the role of trainee!  I'm grateful to Joe Boyd for 'organising' this gig but not keen on his presenting style.

He really didn't (imho).  He described Chris as a 'student of Dave Swarbrick'.  I'd be interested to see whether Chris actually disagreed with him (despite Simon doing so on his behalf).  You could tell he meant it in a friendly fashion.  And his honest tribute to Swarb's contribution to the band (despite the long personal antagonism between the pair) did him great credit I felt.

I'll agree with you that the presentation was a little awkward though.  In truth, it didn't really need it....

Likewise. That aside, WOW. Easily one of the best gigs of my life.

I arrived in London a little later than planned but made it to the Fox & Anchor pretty much in time for the TAW meetup. Bumped into Sandra & Mr S on the street as they were off to see Jude and it was nice to share a pint or two with various TAWs.

I lucked out spectacularly when the person I am staying with, who I'd not heard anything from and was panicing about how we were going to find each other, turned out to be sat in front of me. Dr Clive and Bex provided great company in the seats next to me and I'm very sorry if anyone reading this was the person sat behind me.

Jude: You were absolutely superb :D

It was enormous fun to do, despite all the inevitable hanging around that happens at events like that, the Barbican staff were so organised, that it made the whole show really easy to do.

It's certainly a peculiar place though, the whole Barbican complex, I can't tell you how many times I got lost, trying to find the way either from or to backstage. In fact I still haven't got the hang of where any of that area is in relation to anywhere else.... :o

Seems like a bit of a dream now..it was so lovely to be playing with them all again. Gringringrin!

signed
the small junior school headmistress with the secret hippy past.. 8)

P.S. the recorder that I played at the concert has been signed by Ashley, Simon,  Richard and myself and I am going to auction it on ebay in aid of one of the rescue greyhound charities ;D

I'll announce it when I've put it up properly

Thanks to everyone sharing their feelings about an obviously fabulous evening. Special thanks to ThomA for a revieiw that went to my heart.
For us who couldn´t attend, all we can hope for is a (video) recording of an evening that seems very special.

There were cameras pointed at the stage, but they were just the kind used to relay live video to the monitors outside the main arena. Sorry to disappoint but I didn't see any proper recording cameras anywhere.

I've just got back after spending the day in London; can't add much more to what has already been said, other than one of the best gigs I've ever been priviledged to be at, and the best Fairport gig   I've ever been to. Ranks as a really good "Early Fairports" on a Friday night at Cropredy, but then so much more than that. A very emotional, powerful and life-affirming and uplifting evening as far as I was concerned. And on a more mundane note, nice to have a warm bed to fall into, (Sundial Court, student halls), just around the corner, after this magical night had ended. Made a change to a tent at Cropredy on a Friday night!
Nice to have met some TAW's in the Fox and Anchor beforehand- sorry I had to leave early to meet the friends I had arranged to be there with.
Two very slight moans- and not to do with the gig itself- the group of youngsters who were sat next to us, who came very late, and missed most of the first half- I think because they wanted to have a few drinks first. I wasn't sure whether to feel annoyed or sorry for them, especially as they appeared to really enjoy what was left of the music. The hassle of trying to find my room late at night, at Sundial Court, after the all-night security guard had just disappeared, (well, allright, maybe that was more my fault, shouldn't have had those last drinks!). By the way, this was a great idea that somebody on this board found out about. If you are going to any evening events at the Barbican in University vacation time, you can stay the night in Sundial Court for about £31 a night plus breakfast. A bit bare, not en-suite, and somewhat functional, but just 5 minutes walk away and very clean and comfortable. Was hoping to see some TAW's there but there was only a big group of young overseas schoolkids there at breakfast time this morning.

A night of magic, superb.  Heartfelt thanks to all involved.

We loved the whole evening but it was  a shame that we were too late getting into London to get to the right pub and meet you all. [stupid Sat Nav took us through all the worst traffic! should have let husband go with his directional instincts!]

Uh-oh! ;D

Thanks TomA for letting us see some of your images...I can not really add to what has been written...it was a great evening and a real joy to have been in attendance...My wife and I had a great day at the Barbican and it was the first time that we didn't get lost wandering around the place...As well as the concert the day provided a great opportunity to see a really great exhibition too...'Radical Nature' did anyone go and have a look at it?

I certainly hope there is a CD to be made available of the concert as has been suggested.

Great to see Jude on stage and I really enjoyed all the guest performers.

Well, there is absolutely nothing I can add to all the positive reviews - probably the best Fairport "event" I have attended, and that goes right back to 1971.

Still grinning stupidly, looking forward to seeing Chris' pics & a CD release (please!)  

When Jude, Simon, Ashley & Richard started playing, the years rolled away, the smiles started and there was a palpable feeling of love (yes, love) passing between stage & audience.  

Thank you, all of you, for a wonderful evening that I shall never forget.

Fabulous evening - Sailor's Life was worth the price of admission alone.

As has been said (many times!!) everyone on stage was on top form, but special mentions for Chris who, whilst by no means imitating Swarb, really picked up on the 70's style of fiddle, and DM - who was simply awesome.

And whilst MOTL was always going to be emotional, it was also possibly the most musical we've heard from an extended lineup.......

S&J

Agree with all this.  I'm just counting my pennies at the moment.  I think I can afford £3.47 for the recorder (me want).  That can feed a greyhound for a we..., er, day...can't it?   :)

You're not alone.  Wonderful venue(and the layout is probably very logical),  but having parked, it took almost as long for us to find a way in as it did to navigate from the end of the A40. And trying to refund a prepaid car park ticket was ......interesting.

Judging by the number of confused people we passed several different times, we're sure they're still trying to find a way out from previous concerts.

S&J

Coo that's over a week's worth of food David... try and get up to a month's worth. Look down the back of the sofa. and try the pockets of that jacket you haven't worn for years.... ;D

We just followed the yellow brick road (yellow line) from the underground straight to the Centre.  If that hadn't been there I'd never ever have found it!  Not been since the Pentangle reunion there in '82.  

Incidentally, great Italian right by the station.  Preposterously empty considering the decent food and welcome we got there!

Not that jacket Jude?  Oh, God, you haven't seen that jacket, have you?  I'm not going in there.  You never know what I might find....

I too stayed at Sundial Court - approx 300 yds from the Silk Street entrance.  Basic, but clean, and I'd definitely stay there again. Very cosy little pub just round the corner.  Went out for a run early Sunday morning, managed not to get lost in the City (not part of London I know at all well), saw most of the tourist-y sights before they were obscured by, er, tourists, and got a wave from the lady doing her hour on the fourth plinth...

Wholeheartedly agree with all the positive comments. Concert of the year/decade, and the participants looked to be enjoying themselves as well. And I picked up Talking With Strangers number 97...

But, does anyone know how the Sunday night ISB evening went?

Not me, Im afraid.

I've always said I'd go to see RT doing anything, anywhere.  But there are limits, after all.

Aah, you saw them at Cropredy in 2000 then, I guess.

I still treasure the look of complete non comprehension on the faces of the All About Eve fans waiting for AAE to follow on. The ISB are forever known as "the band whose name must not be mentioned" in AAE circles.

Having said that, the first three ISB albums are wonderful, and that's what they were meant to be celebrating at the Barbican gig.

I saw then in the late sixties and they were a wonderful if slightly eccentric band.

I missed them at Cropredy and so had nothing to dent that image.

We did have tickets for Sunday at the Barbican but had to miss it due to work commitments. I too would be interested to know how it went.

Saw them in the sixties too.  Hmmm.

Back to Saturday night...perhaps I could just add a little to my almost 'words fail me' post immediately afterwards.  (We got back to my son's flat and his flatmate was just about to turn off the PC, so I couldn't resist being the first to give a reaction!)

It was so good, that I am almost deterred from ever seeing Fairport again, on the grounds that anything else will now be an anticlimax.

And to close the first set with A Sailor's Life was genius on someone's part.  It gave us a chance to spend several minutes blinking in disbelief and wonder.

There's a bit about the ISB concert on the ISB message board here

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/ISB/message/58495

 ;D

Robyn H and Richard T doing Williamson was like Buddha and Jesus doing God then....I'm really glad us folk-rock fans avoid hyberbole at all times  ;D

Looks great...I hope there was a decent crowd there (don't like the comments about Rose in the review, mind - although they did make me laugh out loud: Rose did join in the chorus, albeit a long way from the mike, which was probably wise)

During the Cropredy weekend my wife will be doing her one hour on the forth plinth...a 6am-7am slot

I saw the Robin/Mike/Rose/Likky ISB at Liverpool Philharmonic in about 1969-70 (I think); a schoolfriend wanted to go, so I went as well.  The only seats left on sale were orchestra seats - i.e. on the stage behind the band - and a jolly good evening it was too.

Come to think of it - as I've been on stage with Mike Heron (singing, albeit quietly), as has RT, does that get me a Pegg number? and would it be 3 or 4, as I can't remember the formula, only that it's less complicated than the Duckworth-Lewis method.  ;)

3!

I forgot to mention in my post how much I enjoyed hearing Matty done "straight" for once!

I to enjoyed the straight Matty also...over the past decade it has become quite a wayward child.

Wasn't there, but it does sound like a good way of re-visiting some wonderful music. More like a one-off tribute than the Fairport evening. Presumably Williamson and Heron don't get along these days?

I think it's reasonable to make that assumption, at least in professional terms.  The last reunited incarnation at least was not a terribly happy ship whilst Robin was still in them I have heard.  Without him though, people don't really think they are seeing the ISB....so it's all a bit complicated!  But this is all speculation and heresay so not that helpful I suppose.  It's worth stating that I've heard that Robin did agree to do the gig but then soon after changed his mind.

Just fabulous!

Can't really add anything - still grinning from ear to ear.

Did get the chance to thank Joe B personally for making it all possible.

Chris L did a fab job.

DM is simply the best (and always has been, for my money).

The guest singers were absolutely right for each song they did - sorry to hear that Norma isn't well, but not being a fan of Martin Carthy meant I was more than happy not to hear him, and as noted elswhere Kellie While has given me an appreciation of A Sailor's Life which has heretofore escaped me. A great end to the first half.

Good to meet Mike B, too. And see Chris (but then I always seem to see Chris!).

Thanks to all concerned, it was just wonderful, including being part of an audience who all seemed to feel exactly the same!

DC

What a fantastic weekend at the Barbican, nice to meet so many TAW's too. The Fairport show on Saturday was just tremendous, good to see Ian Matthews and DM back in the fold for the evening, Jude got the show off to a fine start and RT's soaring guitar work added so much to the overall sound. It's a shame that for whatever reason some people decided they could not participate in the event but the subs CL and Kelly While both did a sterling job, which meant despite the doubts expressed by a few board members, the evening wasn't devalued in the slightest. Everyone I spoke with agreed it was the gig of the year.

The ISB Very Cellular Songs evening on Sunday was another triumph, a terrific group of musicians revisited some of my favourite ISB songs. With each song performed by a different combination of artists, there was always danger of confusion on stage, so a special mention is due for the stage crew, who did a magnificent job.
As Jude points out there is a very thorough review on the ISB message board which I wont try to improve upon. I did take some pics of the two concerts which will give a flavour I hope to those who couldn't be there.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16610726@N07/sets/72157621615276387/

Sounds like A Sailor's Life was the highlight for many. Let's hope we get a repeat at Cropredy.

Add Time Shall Show the Wiser as well

Good call.

It would be easier to say what I'm not particularly interested in seeing again (the Liege and Lief material, not that it wasn't fab) than it would be to list what needs to be seen again.

But if we don't get another rendition of A Sailor's Life from that crew again in a few weeks (please tell me Kellie doesn't have another gig?), I may have to cause a riot.  On my own, if necessary. :)

As I may have mentioned before, Fairport Saturday night was the eldest (now aged eight) first gig.  Second row from the front and dead centre.  I tried to explain to her how life does not get much better than DM playing unbelievable drums to a Sailor's Life.  I think she now understands.  Apologies to anyone sat around me as she asked a question about the music or band members during every song.  However, one must not put the young off learning and they were quite good questions.  Mainly about who was related to who.  Actually more complicated than I first thought.

A blown away performance.  Do it again, do it again....................

Well, if Kellie's presence will quell a riot, can we have her do I'll Keep It With Mine again too because that sent shivers down my spine.

Equally I want to hear Linde Nijland do Fotheringay again.  And again.  And again... (Ideally with the Simon/Ian harmonies)

Lovely gesture.   Also very much appreciated Simon's comments about Chris L, after Joe Boyd's slightly erroneous intro.......needed to be said methinks.

A fabulous show all round, congratulations and a thousand thanks to everyone concerned with it's creation.

40 years ago my mate Kev and I turned up at The Fairfield Halls hoping to hear Sailor's Life live - it was something of a cult track at our school.

Instead we heard L&L for the first time - stunning, life changing, - but I've had to wait 40 years for Sailor's Life.  I've no adjectives to adequately describe the feeling on Saturday!

Come all Ye was a spine tingling start to the second act.

We only got back from London late last night so excuse the somewhat belated post. Without doubt the best Fairport gig I've ever seen, the early years sets at Cropredy are always special but this was something else again. Special mention for Kellie While, I'd not seen anyone get anywhere near Sandy's performances on I'll Keep It With Mine and Sailor's Life until Saturday but she nailed both of them - a repeat at Cropredy please.

Good to finally put faces to a few names at the pre-gig meet at the Fox and Anchor, great to meet you all.

Sunday was excellent, way beyond my expectations to be honest. My only previous live experience of the ISB was that Cropredy set, so a certain amount of trepidation was understandable.

Star of the evening IMHO was Robyn Hitchcock who was the glue that held the whole thing together, not an easy job with the on-stage personnel changing after virtually every song. I've followed Robyn's career from his early days in the Soft Boys in the 70s but this role revealed a side of him I'd not seen previously.

Special mention also for Alasdair Roberts who was perfect for My Name is Death and the Joe Boyd endorsed Trembling Bells whose Cold Days of February was my personal highlight of the evening, stunning stuff. RT was a pleasure to watch as always, performing a great solo October Song, which he made sound like one of his own and then duetting twice with Robyn and once each with Kami and Abigail Washburn .

So a really good night, I went along with more curiosity than expectation and loved every minute of it. A big thank you to Sandra for the tickets by the way  :) I owe you a pint or three at Croppers.

There's been some grumbles from people that Kami Thompson forgot the words to Painting Box, but I don't know to what extent or how much .

Anyway, on a more positive note I briefly mentioned that my Fairport-novice mother, who only owns Unalfbricking and Liege & Lief came along to Saturday's show and was utterly blown away by the performances of everyone there.  Her favourite Fairport track is Autopsy, and she couldn't stop raving about how well it was done.  She was also very touched by everyone singing Meet On The Ledge, which she wasn't familiar with.  

P.S. I believe that she and my girlfriend have designs on Iain Matthews, as they seemed to both be swooning with affection every time he sang.  All I can say is that I hope I look that good when I hit 63.  

A cheeky question I know but Mr Nicol, if you feel the urge, I am sure we would really like to know your thoughts/reactions/memories of Saturday nights' excellent performance.

Kami stumbled over one line of Painting Box when she appeared to lose her way, happily the moment passed almost unnoticed by the majority of the audience, who like me seemed totally enthralled by the whole experience of hearing those ISB songs performed live.

Certainly unnoticed by me. Unlike the moment when Chris While forgot how many verses come before the first chorus in Come All Ye... {:-) (not that I'm grumbling; no siree!)

and the moment when Mr Nicol "forgot" the running order of L&L - Groves M was nearly promoted up the order.   :)

Upcoming, just as soon as I can find some time!
In the meantime, I've just enjoyed yours......here! (http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/my-night-with-fairport-convention)

Get yourself down to Moira Welfare Club on Friday then, where RT is being 'supported' by none other than Swarb.....I'm trying to....

I hope I look that good when I hit 43.  I certainly don't at 42.   :)

Thanks Chris...sadly I don't think I'll make that one.  If it were just a bit nearer...

Thanks for the link to the review...brilliant Skirky, well done.

I'm told there's something, presumably a review, in tomorrow's NME, (three pages from the back if you want to read it in the newsagent's  ;))

Now then, what about those Cornbury photos?  I hope you haven't lost them!

stuff starting to appear on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU4gmv5We6M&feature=related meet on the ledge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTUYN21CqLU&feature=related meet on the ledge different angle nice picture of Jude!
doctor of Physik http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQNdjWKsBb0&feature=related

genesis hall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4NCNYha_w4&feature=related

Corrected Genesis Hall Fotheringay  :-[ link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQdO6ZsCNlQ&feature=channel_page

Thanks Andy!

That's the Fotheringay link.  ::)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4NCNYha_w4&feature=related

That's Genesis Hall.  :)

Can't add much to what has been said already other than to echo the praises heaped on the evening.  It was indeed wonderful.  I think I slightly preferred the first half, if only because it was much rarer to hear most of those tracks played live.  Everyone who took part did a great job.  Lots of shivers down the spine, and can't wait for the CD if it ever sees the light of day!

I really enjoyed Linde Nijland's pre-concert set in the foyer, and could easily have coped with some more of her singing during the evening.  We were expecting Iain Matthews in that slot and arrived just in time to hear his last two songs, but I'm glad that we did hear Linde's set instead.

Here is a video of Robyn & Richard at the Sunday evening "Very Cellular Songs" concert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gVzYlGFQTE

love the vids, it looks like it was a great night.

Anyone know when Kamila Thompson's CD is coming out?

Unfortunately no, and last time I saw her play she didn't either!

Good vids and, not being a fan of Teddy Thompson, was very pleasantly surprised by the great job he did on Genesis Hall

Kamila has started work on her second album while still looking for a deal to put the first one out!

She said on Saturday (as did Linda T) that it's likely she'll be putting out herself if she still hasn't found a deal by the autumn.....

Form an orderly queue...  ;D

Interestingly, the last time I saw TT was supporting Al Stewart at Festival Hall in 2001, and was impressed enough that I spent a year trying to write a song as good as I Should Get Up (which was definitely played that night, even though it only came out in 2005).  He's definitely got a lot better since then.  

Without wishing to drag things off-topic, there was another support act played with Al Stewart that night, and I have a strange feeling it was Andy Roberts (Plainsong etc) cos he mentioned something about working with someone from Matthews Southern Comfort, and also Nicky Hopkins.  Can anyone shed any light?  

Oh, and since I'm posting, I had an inward grin this morning at remembering the catcalls to Joe Boyd when he said 'Fairport' (where the band's initial rehearsals took place) was Ashley's place, and Simon had to step in and clarify...

He certainly has. The first time I saw him was when he was playing with his father on the acoustic tour that was later released as Celtschmerz. He sang Persuasion and I remember thinking that he had inherited the purity of his mother's singing voice.

I bought his first album when it came out but was disappointed as, allegedly, was he. The opening track was great though. The second album was a big improvement, if not quite as good as the critics said it was but last year's A Piece Of What You Need was a corker from start to finish.

Just watched the first one whilst having coffee on my own in the office which is just as well as I have come over all emotional! :'(

I have seen "Meet On The Ledge" played live numerous times, but it still never fails to grab me.   The Barbican rendition, with that enhanced lineup, was just over the top, even though I was only able to see it on YouTube and not in person.

Thanks to all who put their musical skills and hearts into this concert!


Cheers ///  Tom M.***

Just dwelling on with offtopicness, but this sounds like Julian Dawson. The someone from MSC will have been Matthews himself, when both were members of the 90s version of Plainsong. And he's written (writing?) a biography on Nicky Hopkins, who just before he passed away played on one of Julian's albums.
Back to FC at the Barbican, then ;-) Cool Youtube footage!!

What, Kami can't find a record deal?  She's a great singer, has some very good self-penned material, has stage presence and has a great band of people on the album.  The music world continues to astound me.

Ah, there we go.  Of course it was Julian Dawson.  Nearly eight years of mystery solved.  Bless you internet.  Blinternet.  

Anyway, back on topic; when're we going to get the Angel Delight - Tippler's Tales follow up gig?  I'd certainly pay to see that.  

Aha! I see what you did there!

The ISB concert at the Barbican is reviewed (somewhat belatedly) in the Guardian this morning by Robin Denselow. There is a one-line mention of the Fairport concert the night before- "Richard Thompson had played on the same stage the previous night in a rousing Fairport Convention retrospective."

I suspect there will be a more substantial review of the Fairport gig coming in the Weekend edition...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQdO6ZsCNlQ
Linde Nijland did do a marvellous job here ...
(and Dutch too!)

DM was "inch-perfect," revealing that he had bought a copy of Unhalfbricking prior to joining the band in order to learn "Autopsy," thanking FC for saving his life before he ended up in a really bad prog band !

Just to correct the historical record for posterity, he said "really bad fusion band."   :)

A remarkable show, well-reviewed here.  Absolutely worth the trip over.  I briefly spoke with Joe Boyd the following night at the ISB show, and he was pleased that we came all the way from Texas just for these shows.  Mrs. John from Austin took a photo of me with Linda Thompson after the ISB show.  You'll have to take my word for it, because just before the shutter clicked Ms. Thompson cheekily covered her face with her hand.

This is true, I saw it happen and briefly spoke to Linda after that.
If I had known it was a fellow Talkawhiler ........

Nothing I could see this morning.....

Just got back from a week's camping in various places - we left the next morning after the Barbican concert, for which I entertained Ms Mulley, and had the pleasure of the company of numerous Talkwhilers in the Fox and Anchor (yes, the drinks were a bit steep, but very well kept), a couple for the first time, and very nice it was too.

Just a brief thought on the show itself; it was wonderful to see Jude in such great spirits, and voice and overall I thought the first half was wonderful. Surprised at the quality of the guest contributions, which certainly buried any worries I had prior to the event, and it was good to hear such a candid admission from Joe Boyd about "disagreements". A Sailor's Life was brilliantly done, especially, with the musical image of storm to calm being sublimely carried by Thomson, Mattacks, Nicol and Leslie (couldn't really hear Ashley's bass most of the time).

Second half was not so great, at first; for me and perhaps a large chunk of the audience, Chris While's slightly diva-esque performance on a night where the focus was Fairport *the band* didn't sit comfortably, and the applause seemed a little muted. Full House, though, really kicked Bloke Folk arse (yes, "Bloke Folk", you heard it here first), benefitting from Peggy's blinding dexterity...he really is a brilliant player, often overlooked by those that praise RT's pyrotechnics.

Well worth the journey, and the ticket price; some very nice memories to keep in my head.

Oh, and here's a photo of Helen telling JJ not to be so shy about photos in the pub  ;D



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I looked for the smilie but couldn't see it.  You are joking?!

Nope, maybe it just washed over me compared to Peggy's thundering Fender 5 string.

Weird...that's the exact opposite of what I thought (and felt!)....my reality was that Ashley's bass was FAR far too loud in the mix...Pegg's was about right.

The lovely Keith, with beer of course, great pub the Fox and Anchor.  ;) Thanks for recommending it.  ;)

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Skirky discussing Pork pies. Who is talking to Sandra in this pic please, anyone owning up to being a TAWer ? ???

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Blimey, once she finds out who's nicked her flute they'll be in big trouble... ;D

Has anyone posted a video yet of A Sailors Life from the Barbican?I would love to see that.

As we left the auditorium at half-time Joe Boyd was heading to towards the sound desk muttering about getting the bass levels reduced.

That is the lovely Col D of this parish ;D



Actually it was my imaginary piccolo and I was playing my latest imaginary composition called 'A kick in the shins for Skirks'.

I thought Peggy's bass was made by Crafter...

BTW I agree with Keith re Ashley's bass - rather low in the mix from where I was sitting.

Also agree that Peggy's playing was (and is) magnificent - Peggy and DM - the perfect rhythm section, IMHO...

DC

I really enjoyed the show but my only gripe was that the sound was a bit muddy at times. 1st time I had seen Iain since Maidstone 1970 he doesn't look a day older.

Starting to come to the horrible realisation that there isn't going to be a recording of this doing the rounds (although a full recording of the following night's ISB festivities has - almost literally - just appeared).

Has anyone heard anything from the 'official channels' as to whether it was indeed recorded officially, and to whether a recording is ever likely to see the light of day?  Given the number of people on stage (and the resultant labels, managers etc etc) it would probably be a nightmare to organise so I guess probably not, but one can but hope....

I'll ask the question this evening, if I can remember....

Did you remember, Chris?

I did - and unfortunately - it wasn't recorded on multi-track.

As discussed, the clearance of rights was considered too complicated....

Thanks for the answer, it's not your fault that it isn't the one we hoped for.

But this leaves room for the two track recording via the mixing desk, which was undoubtly made
It will be no trouble to release that in about 50 years?
I can wait.

I was told that this wouldn't be seeing light of day, except possibly - no guarantee - as a freebie track or two from the website at some stage with a low bit-rate.

I know this comes very late, but thought if there was any place to leave some memories for posterity, it would be here....  I couldn't post next day because I flew to Ireland for a week, returned home in time for a week of flu, needed to get my computer repaired, and finally joined Talkawhile after enjoying the threads for a couple months.....  And didn't want to post while Cropredy was occuring in real time...

The Barbican show was a dream come true for me.  The Fairports don't get to the States much in any form (though RT does!) and to be in London for the weekend and see this lineup...I must've been borrowing against some luck equity account that will surely need to be paid back.

When Jude, Richard, Simon, and Ashley (who she didn't hesitate to name as Tyger) walked onto the stage, the swell of love in the room was palpable.  And what a delightful surprise when they launched into "Satisfied Mind," one of my very favorite old folk-country songs, with lovely vocals by Judy with the boys harmonizing on the choruses as they might have in Ashley's flat.  I only learned afterwards how difficult it usually is for Jude to play autoharp these days, so that makes it even more special.

So much has already been said, but a smattering of memories:  One Sure Thing; Iain & Simon harmonizing the haunting hums on Fotheringay; Some Sweet Day, what a surprise!; Simon bantering of Genesis Hall that "after all these years we should at least be up to Leviticus" ;D; each member taking a turn at the mike at some point, and Dave Mattacks' being the highlight.  His coming clean about buying Unhalfbricking in advance was truly a LOL moment, and Ashley's reaction was precious....AUTOPSY!  A SAILOR'S LIFE...it really was worth the price.  Seeing THESE GUYS truly finding & milking the groove was something to behold.

I've gotta disagree with almost everyone re: Ashley's bass sound/volume.  I must've had Baby Bear's chair, because from where I was sitting (back row of the middle section, dead center by the aisle) the mix was just right all night...after a slight volume raise for Mattack's snare, which had been my only wish!  Ashley was masterful on bass, I was loving every note and I thought he was NICE 'N loud and he was very much in the Sailor's fray.  Having the great fortune to meet him after the show, I mentioned how special it was to see "you guys jam" on that song, and he said with no little (if quiet) emotion, "yeah, that was something, wasn't it?"
Ashley raising his fist as Simon launched into Come All Ye, Simon & Ashley harmonizing on the choruses (STRONG); Thompson's rhythm stabs getting louder & more wicked on the later verses of Tam Lin; Mattacks doing the buildup snare fill for "Set him free!" in the Deserter; Richard flashing timeout to Simon before the Matty false start; the beautiful Crazy Man Michael that I've heard no one mention; Chris Wile's finest moment, I thought, and the haunted hushed ending where you could've heard a tear drop; the Lark's In the Morning Medley!!! & instrumental finale of Matty Groves....SMOKIN' stuff from the boys; Simon's noting before Matty that "well, I guess you know what's next" ;D
Ashley leaving the stage after a distinguished performance of 17 songs as THE bass player...is that a treat or what?
Then.....Peggy!!!  Haven't seen him since early 90's Jethro Tull, and what a walking fun factory he is.  The Full House set is short but OH so sweet....  The harmonies on Walk Awhile filled my heart to near bursting (and finally a lead verse from Richard!), Doctor of Physick was WICKED, and then...."This next one's a Scottish ballad".....SIR PATRICK SPENS made my night.  To me, it's the quintessential Full House live song, and after Swarb rsvp'd I'd mentally removed it from possibility.  When I realized after a half-second what they were playing I had to stifle a "YEAH!"  Once again, to see those guys singing  those lines, those harmonies (with Richard smoking on the breaks) was really something.  Can I pause here to say how much I loved Chris Leslie?  I'd never seen him, and he totally won me over, musically, vocally, and with his humbly joyful spirit.  He shared more than a few moments with RT, the two meeting eyes from opposite sides of the stage in a line of energy zapping right through everyone else.  And then......DIRTY LINEN.  Classic.  Absolutely smoking, Pegg's bass firing like an automatic weapon (remember, too, people, he plays with a pick so it's bound to be a sharper sound than the Guvner's).  The team of Pegg/Thompson facing off with team Nicol/Leslie in an ecstatic battle of riffs....and Dave Mattacks supplying both sides with lethal rhymic ammunition.  Come to think of it, musical MVP of the night just might have to go to Mr. Mattacks.  Sensational all night.

My gosh, this novel is going to get me kicked off this board after my 2nd post!  I'll just say I was getting filled up during Si Tu Doir Partir, and with Meet On the Ledge the tears flowed openly.  Simon, Iaian, and yes! Richard! each taking a verse, to see the whole family up there (I've never been to a Cropredy so indulge me!), Richard bellowing a "WELLL" on the last chorus where Sandy might've.......  Ashley just taking it all in (still singing along) from beside the drum kit; which he confirmed afterwards was indeed what he was doing.

A concert, and an evening, I'll never ever forget.  Did I mention that I met Jude afterwards, too, and she gave me a hug??!!! :) :) :)

"Humbly joyful spirit" - I don't think I have ever heard Chris described better.

Welcome Tony and thank you for this review. I agree with every word and it has brought the memories flooding back. Gig of the year, maybe of the decade. What a shame there will not be any audio souvenir.

Thanks Tony for that great review, which took me straight back to the Barbican again, and just made me wish once more that there was going to be some more long-lasting memoir of the evening.

It will indeed be the gig of the decade, I reckon.

great stuff...a lovely review Tony and I really enjoyed reading it.

Yes, a great review of a fantastic evening. Any audio of the proceedings would be so well-received, it's such a shame that full multi-track recording couldn't have been organised.  Just imagine - a double CD available in time for Xmas...

Great review Tony. I almost feel I was there!

Get yourself over to Cropredy some time.

Fantastic review Tony. One of the best gigs I've ever been to in my life.

In the absence of an audio version has anyone been sad enough to assemble an iTunes playlist of the the songs played that evening in the right order? OK - that'll just be me then ...

Great review, sums up a great show, couldn't have put it better myself, etc. !

Ha, I've actually thought about it!  On burned CD, that is, since I'm still living in the last century and still don't have iTunes.

I'd originally planned to drop by the Fox and Anchor before the show and commune with some of you, but was still at the Tower of London (doing a touristy turn, I confess) when I realized it was 5:20pm and I still had to tube all the way across town to my hotel, grab my ticket & change, and make my way to the venue!  Quite typical of me, though!

Thanks, PLW, I certainly hope to!  Nearly did this year....maybe next....!

I have to join the line of folks saying "great review", Tony.  That was a terrific read.

Jules

I thought it was lovely too  ;D 8) :-*

Super review, Tony. A couple of questions; 1. Are you a professional writer or musician?  2. Did you take notes?

Very nice review indeed Tony, thank you.

Our friends John and Kathleen come over from Portland every year Tony. it can be done!

Would you like me to put you in touch to discuss the logistics of the journey?

Cheers

Nick

Well, the dam has broken ... 'nuff said ...  ;D

 ;D ;D ;D

Oh happy days.  Very very much looking forward to this arriving on my hard disk  ;D

Damn! I still haven't figured out how to do this stuff. Curse my IT illiteracy!  :(

I put Come all Ye into Adobe Audition and deleted the false chorus - took a while  ::) but it can be done ;D

I'm planning to take this weekend to boost the spoken parts as well.

This is all far too clever for me. I'm just grateful to be able to hear it at all, which I am currently doing!  :)

I'm lost.   ??? ???

Is there something I've missed?  I'd like to know about it if so.

Will, you arn't lost you are in Bangui, Central African Republic
for some unfathomable reason, but there you are ::)

Thanks for pointing that out, Jim.  I feel so much more located now.

I have also been enlightened about my other questions.

Wasn't there an Albion line up with Ashley, Simon, Chris's While & Leslie during the mid 90s?

Probably. If you went outside and threw a stone in the street, you'd probably hit someone who has been in The Albion Band!  ;D

Wasn't that Geoff Wilson a member at one time?

It's on Dime

Welcome to a few weeks ago, billy.

Mrs. John from Austin took a photo of me with Linda Thompson after the ISB show.  You'll have to take my word for it, because just before the shutter clicked Ms. Thompson cheekily covered her face with her hand.

Now, two years after the fact, I have figured out how to post photos:



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