TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

I wonder if Bob will make the journey?  ;) ;D

Ashley reaches the grand age of 80 in 2025. To mark the occasion his son Blair is curating a very special concert to celebrate his dad’s six decade career in music. Simon Nicol will join a host of musicians and performers who have worked with Ashley over the years. Join us for Ashley’s ‘Million Dollar Bash’ in Birmingham Town Hall on Friday 18 April with tickets on sale from 10am 2 August.
For more information and how to get tickets visit: www.ashleyhutchings.com

That QR code doesn't work. Brum Town Hall website has the info...

https://bmusic.co.uk/events/the-million-dollar-bash-ashley-hutchings-80th-birthday-celebration

£44

Online booking opens tomorrow (Fri 2 August)

Christ...they had one thing to do.... ::) ;D

Ticket purchased! Looking forward to it

Thinking of everyone Ashley has worked with this is going to be an awesome gig but I imagine a logistical nightmare!

Ticket & hotel booked.  Can't be doing with driving home late. And not being able to sample some local beer(s).

Ashley and Blair are playing just up the road about a month before, so, tempting as the Brum concert is, I think I'll do that instead - 20 mins away and my own bed at the end rather than 3.5 hours and a hotel.

The whole tour is 'just up the road' for you, isn't it? ;)

I don't think I have seen the whole tour dates - just saw this one on the Plough's website

Actually I thought it was just a tour of the SW.  Not quite...

OK, so the gig is still 4 months off, but it looks like it's not even half-sold...

That's a worry, as ive got my ticket and booked a hotel

Just an idea....how does anybody who doesn't know, get a feel for who the hell they are from that poster?  Now, if I was designing a poster for a gig featuring Ashley then the words "Fairport Convention', "Steeleye Span" and "Albion Band" would feature pretty bloody prominently...

Bingo.

Jules

A good example was when I went to see Shawn Colvin at The Union Chapel a couple of years ago, and Blair Dunlop was the support.

Now, I've been following Blair since he appeared at the Barbican FC Early Years concert at The Barbican back in 2009, and I think he's excellent - his latest album is probably his best yet. However, the people sitting in my row at The Union Chapel had absolutely no idea who he was, and were intrigued when I told them.

At least four of them were impressed enough to buy cd's and vinyl from him in the intermission between his all-too-short set and Shawn's.

Maybe with no "son of" surname (Teddy Thompson  ;)), he's been allowed to quietly develop and get on without any weight of expectation ?

Bringing the circle closer together, Shawn Colvin's first husband was Simon Tassano, Richard Thompson's former long-time live sound engineer. Shawn was also briefly in RT's live band.

Lord, she had a 'mare at Cropredy. I think she broke a string on every acoustic on the stage.

It doubtless doesn't help that the tickets are priced at a hefty £44, but none of the "host of artists" who will be appearing are actually named.

Looks like the "£5 off first 300 tickets sold" offer is still good though.

We saw her two weeks ago at the Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years show. No broken strings. She's a Central Texas treasure.

There's a reel on Ashley's page previewing the lineup:

RT, Carthy, John Tams, Phil Beer, Kellie While, Graeme Taylor, Chris While, Ric, Polly Bolton, Simon, Joe Broughton, Ken Nicol, Bex Mills, Blair, Jim Moray, Michael Maloney, Jo Hamilton, Joe Topping, Dave Whetstone, Kathy Lesurf (sic), Neil Marshall, Fred Claridge, JJ Stoney, John Kirkpatrick, Guy Fletcher, Julie Matthews, Michael Gregory, Simon Care, Judy Dunlop, Mark Hutchinson, Mark Jolley, Pete Bullock.

Cripes!

Wow!

That's quite the line-up!  We'll be staying near Hay-on-Wye until that day, so I'm tempted to see if I can find a nearby hotel at a reasonable price...

Done it!  Bit scary - I don't think I've ever been to Birmingham before!  Not central anyway, other than going through New St on the train.

Can you give a link? I don't see it on his FB page or website, unless I'm being dim!

It's a 'reel' on his FB page, posted on the 8 Mar.  Don't think you can do a link to it but it looks like this

There's almost the "Rise Up" Albions line-up in there (other than "guest" vocalists and the disgraced Pickett)...

Believe me, that thought had been had...

That's a wonderful lineup, I don't think we'll see such a stella group on the same stage again. Not sure any other musician could call in so many friends. It's probably too far for us to travel but seriously tempted.

I've just booked my travel and accommodation, so if anybody is going and fancies a wee dram, do let me know...

Will do!

Due to circumstances (largely) outside my control, I am now unable to be here.

Therefore, I have two tickets available (Circle, Row E, 29 & 30.

If anyone wants a two for one bargain, I'd be more than happy to accept £40 for both. Original purchase price was £88 inc booking fee.  

An arguably surprisingly detailed description of what you'll be experiencing/missing (from Songlines magazine).  I'm quite happy knowing what I'm going to be seeing...so, it's all good to me...

Sad that we can’t be there 🥲

A suggested pre-show meeting venue for those of us attending?

The Wellington
37 Bennetts Hill
B2 5SN

Approx 5 mins from the Town Hall, lots of real ales.

What3words: ///cult.effort.diner

I will discuss with She Who Must Be Obeyed.  Any suggestions as to meeting up time?

Will try and make this.  Even more likely if they have any GF ales  ;) ;D  Anybody else staying in the Premier Inn, New St Station?

The welly has just about anything .. I am sure gf is on tap

We're at the Ibis Styles Birmingham Centre

Travelodge in Charlotte St - city centre. I expect to check in around 4pm, freshen up, do my hair (!) then head to the Welly

I definitely saw GF beers in there a couple of months ago.  Draught and bottled.

As regards time, my ticket shows 7pm start, and I can't find anything on the B:Music website to say whether that's doors or the actual show...

I aim to be in the pub by 5pm - leaving about 6.30pm

What is gf?

Jules

Gluten Free

Thanks. I am so unbelievably bad with abbreviations.

Jules

As Bob Dylan is playing in the state of Ohio on 17th and 19th, I think we can safely say he won't be gracing the stage in Brum on Friday.

I happen to think this "Bob's mate" business is somewhat overplayed ;) ;D

I'm sure it will be mentioned again on Friday night!

AH talked about how it all came about on the recent tour, and in the recent interview from the Cecil Sharp House festival.  He comes across as just being amazed that his hero actually knew about him and about Fairport's covers of his music back in the 60s.

I'm in the Wellington. No GF beer on draught right now, but I'm told there's a barrel due to come on line, amd there's a selection of cans and bottles. I am drinking Old Hooky

You're not strike breaking for a few quid, I hope...  ;) ;D

Haha, no, not a chance!

I'd arranged to meet a friend in Brum today, but they had to cancel at very short notice, so I went anyway, didn't actually see any rubbish in the city centre.

Is there any food available there?  Just wondering if we can fuel up there too before the gig?

https://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/

Looks like it!

The Wellie never does food but welcomes customers bringing their own. Plates, napkins and cutlery are freely provided. Whenever we go to Brum we always enjoy a lunch there. Try the Fireside by Black Country Brewery.

Ok...I've had a rush of blood to the head and booked a trip to Birmingham tomorrow - this event looks too good and potentially important to miss...

Staying at The Briar Rose Wetherspoons Hotel which happens to be in the same street as The Wellington, so I'll be there at teatime for the meetup...really looking forward to the show !

Well...I've just seen John Tams having a fag at the back of the Town Hall so I guess it is definitely happening  ;)

And Phil Beer posted a picture from inside the hall earlier too. Just got to our hotel and looking forward to it!

I'm in the Wellington... downstairs at the front.

See you shortly

Kick off 7 sharp. 3 sets apparently. 50 mins, 50 mins and an hour and a bit. They've thought of everything for my prostate less existence  ;D

Ps Joe Boyd is in the house.

Posted by Simon Nicol on Facebook

"Martin Carthy failing to be convinced by Richard Thompson’s fishy fishing stories."

What a lovely photo.

Jules

Brilliant x

For those that haven't seen this over on FB

Revisions from the info published in the programme are that Martin Carthy did Lovely Joan instead of Invitation To A Funeral, and Song of Two Bridges was dropped.

Couple of vids too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcX7SH8GhuQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8n6JWGvw34

From my point of view it was a near perfect gig, exactly how I'd hoped it would be.  Huge thanks to Adam who kindly gifted me his ticket.  Fairly certain I'd not have made the effort to get myself there without that delicious 'push'.  I'm eternally grateful for that generosity as it was a magical evening.

And what a fabulous evening it was. The setlist in David's post speaks for itself - a well-balanced show, some of it slick, some of it ramshackle but affectionately so.

My only minor criticism is that the 1st three Steeleye Span albums weren't represented, neither was the acoustic Albion Band era but that's just nitpicking in terms of what we were given. Three decent sets of eclectic musical variety.

As per the video above (2nd video in David's post), that was probably one of the best WKWTTG I've ever heard (and seen). Up there with Chris & Kellie While's rendition at Cropredy 2008.

Don't think an event like this could be repeated, so glad I decided at the last minute to make the trip.

Oh, and the TAW meet-ups at The Wellington before and after the show were lovely - great to finally put some names to faces !

Just watched the video for Who Knows. Blimey, that was moving.

Jules

Totally agree, Dan...on all counts (especially re: Steeleye).  There was also a comment on FB about Simon not appearing except at either end, which I was a little bit short in my reply possibly.  I mean he did have a significant Albion Band contribution (I saw him with them several times in the 80s, one of which - at the mighty Bohunt School in Liphook, Hants featured DM, Simon and Ashley) as well didn't he.  A Christmas tune might have been amusing too.  But this is all nitpicking...

One of the biggest joy of the evening to me was re-acquainting myself with all those vocalists, all of whom were in fantastic voice - Cathy, Polly, Judy et al

One final point - a joyous discovery for me from the evening was The Rainbow Chasers who I've previously, and for no reason at all, utterly discounted as a nothing part of Ashley's long career.  I thought they were exquisite.  Where do I go to jump on board - is it all good, or can someone recommend a particular starting point?

Also made a last minute decision to go (amazed that tickets were still available the nights before) and enjoyed it.  Such an array of talent on stage. The last three songs alone were worth the price of admission. Although it was, shall we say, a challenging night for the sound man.

Fascinating to compare and contrast RT, Ken Nicol and Graeme Taylor, three great guitarists with such different styles.

I thought it a bit odd that Ashley barely played. Maybe he's not able to?

I was in the second row dead centre and the sound was (a couple of bits of feedback aside) absolutely spot on for me.  I thought I spotted a bit of stage monitor back and forth with the soundchap, though?

You're absolutely right about the three great lead guitarists - chalk and cheese and something in between - all wonderful.

Odd?  He's 80.  Ashley is old and tired and a bit knackered, and bass guitars are hard work.  I was glad to see him pick it up at all.

Yes, even on his recent mini tour with Blair he only picked the bass up three or four times.  I suspect he is just too old now to do it much.  Even the other evening he seemed to be fading by the end, and spent much of the final set sitting at the back of the stage.

But my feeling about the other night was that it was almost perfect.  Yes, there were some omissions - both of material and people - but with such a career to represent, I don't think there's any way that you could cover everything without going on all night, and at their age... (and ours!).

Some of the highlights for me were the most unexpected ones - Cathy LeSurf singing as well as ever, if not better.  Judy Dunlop and Julie Matthews on The Willow. Michael Maloney reading Chekov's Notes from the Journal of a Quick-Tempered Man.  But really everything was just great.  Some things were a little under-rehearsed possibly, but it was all part of the charm of the evening. I hope there is a live recording.

I hope that Blair hasn't lost money on it - surprisingly perhaps there were still a lot of seats empty at the back of the circle, and even downstairs.

And for the Rainbow Chasers, I'd suggest starting with the recent 2CD retrospective Written In The Stars which contains both their studio albums, as well as some live tracks.

Thanks for the recommendation, Will. Totally agree with you on the rest  :)

Who sings lead on that clip of Who Knows? Is it Cathy?

Jules

Kellie While (see my pic of the programme on the page above which lists who does what).  ps Kellie is 49, Cathy is 72.  Just saying in case the lawyers get involved  ;) ;D

I have no thought of time.  ;D

Jules

Ha ha ;D

Kellie is fab. Love that clip. She absolutely nailed “A Sailor’s Life” at the 2009 Barbican show. Bewitching performer.

Unfortunately I was away so couldn’t go. I was at an Albion Christmas band gig and Ashley refused to shake hands as he had significant arthritis in his hands and he was in a lot of pain. Maybe that explains his lack of playing.

Very likely. How much did he actually play at that gig?

Now that I've listened to much of the gig  ;) ;) all credit must go to Guy Fletcher for such excellent drumming throughout!

Guy didn't play on all the tracks, btw.  Michael Gregory on a few, and another drummer (whose name I didn't catch) on a few.  But I agree, the rhythm section was superb all night (but I would say that, being a bass player...)  Hats off to Mark Jolley (and AH) playing the "low notes".

I think Neil Marshll was listed - great drummer. played with Blue Tapestry

If you haven't seen Graham Whitmore's photographs of the bash, as shared to Fairport's Cropredy Festival & Fringe on FB, then you really should make the effort.  I'm ashamed to say I even feature in a few of them myself ;D