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Title: Swarb the singer Post by: Jules Gray on July 30, 2018, 11:53:45 PM Just came across this nice little article celebrating Swarb the singer. I couldn't agree more.
https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/salute-dave-swarbricks-singing Jules Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: StephenB on July 31, 2018, 12:17:05 AM Lovely thoughtful stuff.
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Staffan on July 31, 2018, 07:02:37 AM I wholeheartedly agree. While reading, I am surprised to find I haven’t given the subject of Swarb’s voice a thought. It has always been there, perfectly suited for the songs and Fairport. :)
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Dan O. on July 31, 2018, 07:29:25 AM Swarb's finest recorded vocal performances are "Hard Times Of Old England" from Whippersnapper's "Promises" album, and of course "To Althea From Prison" from "Fairport Nine"
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Jules Gray on July 31, 2018, 09:12:08 AM Swarb's finest recorded vocal performances are "Hard Times Of Old England" from Whippersnapper's "Promises" album, and of course "To Althea From Prison" from "Fairport Nine" And, of course, Now Be Thankful. Jules Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: GubGub (Al) on July 31, 2018, 10:38:39 AM I've always thought it was odd that, from what I have read (having been more interested in Paddington Bear and Sooty at the time and only coming to these recordings retrospectively when I "discovered" Fairport in the late 80s), the 1970 line up came in for such heavy criticism for not having a natural singer/frontman. To my ears and eyes (at Cropredies when he was still fit) he was clearly both and the run of albums from Full House to Nine (with the possible exception of Rosie) are my favourite in the Fairport canon with wonderful singing throughout.
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Jules Gray on July 31, 2018, 11:07:49 AM I think some people's negative perceptions regarding Swarb's voice were largely down to bias regarding his vocal tone. He had a very 'folky' voice. You know, the one that non-folkies like to stereotype by sticking a finger in their ear. That slightly nasal quality. This was amplified by Swarb having a Brummie accent, with its flat vowel sounds, and this too came through in his singing. The Brummie accent, as many of us know, remains a mostly unloved regional accent. Personally, though, I love it which no doubt gave me a headstart on my Swarb vocal appreciation.
Jules Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Phil Perry on July 31, 2018, 01:40:05 PM Yes, this is a much overdue appreciation of his vocals. "Wizard of the Worldly Game" is another favourite. Only time where I would join the naysayers is on the rather grating "Bonny Bunch", although I do prefer the earlier version now on "Full House" CD.
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: StephenB on July 31, 2018, 01:56:15 PM It would be good to have (and i think there's a market for) a one or two-disc compilation of Swarb's finest vocal offerings.
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: delfini (Diane) on July 31, 2018, 02:06:49 PM I always loved his voice.
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Jules Gray on July 31, 2018, 02:39:30 PM It would be good to have (and i think there's a market for) a one or two-disc compilation of Swarb's finest vocal offerings. Yes indeed. I could compile my own Fairport one, but I'm sure there's lots of wonderful songs I haven't yet heard from outside that body of work. Jules Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on July 31, 2018, 02:40:35 PM Always loved his voice too.
I really rate his vocals on the “Rosie” album (especially the title track) although I seem to be alone in my love for that particular album. Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: delfini (Diane) on July 31, 2018, 06:53:31 PM ‘Rosie’ was the first F.C. album I bought. Loved it then; love it now.
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: David W on July 31, 2018, 07:52:52 PM Swarb could sell a song brilliantly, he did not have a technically good voice but his personal charisma and swagger rode above the inadequacies of that. Someone once said , and I paraphrase, Chris Leslie sings like wants to take you home, meet his mum and have a cup of tea. Swarb sings like he wants to,take you round the back of the bike sheds, start smoking and ...
DW Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: delfini (Diane) on July 31, 2018, 08:02:35 PM I don’t know enough about the technicalities of singing/a good voice. I only know how a voice makes me feel/delivers a song to me so I ‘hear’ it. That’s enough for me. (Shallow I may be, but technical correctness, without emotion, doesn’t work for me)
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: John From Austin on July 31, 2018, 09:01:11 PM Yes, this is a much overdue appreciation of his vocals. "Wizard of the Worldly Game" is another favourite. Only time where I would join the naysayers is on the rather grating "Bonny Bunch", although I do prefer the earlier version now on "Full House" CD. This makes me laugh because I love "Bonny Bunch," and sing along with gusto in a horrendous faux-Brummie accent. :) Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Paul on July 31, 2018, 09:50:05 PM I wouldn't say that Swarb didn't have a technically good voice. OK, the tone was a little on the rough side, but his pitching was good, and his phrasing and breath control were excellent.
I can remember Simon saying, after a miss start due to Swarb not being ready. "Swarb just getting the last ounce of goodness out of that Capstan full strength." Paul Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Jim on July 31, 2018, 10:16:05 PM I always loved his voice. Me too. It had character, nobody sings Swarb songs like he did Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Jules Gray on August 01, 2018, 01:18:44 AM I wouldn't say that Swarb didn't have a technically good voice. OK, the tone was a little on the rough side, but his pitching was good, and his phrasing and breath control were excellent. Agreed. Jules Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: RobertD on August 01, 2018, 04:26:34 PM Also always loved his voice. I actually quite like When First Into This Country, Me With You and It Suits Me Well. Because I have none of the Whippersnapper stuff on CD (only cassette!) I don't listen to it as much, but Dan made a good point. The acoustic setting worked well, especially Loving Hannah.
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: polly13 on August 06, 2018, 02:28:40 PM I've always loved Swarb's voice too. I always considered it the archtype English folk voice.
Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Poor Will (Bill) on August 06, 2018, 03:14:57 PM On the subject of Swarb’s singing, I saw him a few years ago at the time when he had just started to try a couple of songs, having not sung for a long while since his operation.
After the gig I said how great it was to hear him sing again. His response was, “If that’s your idea of singing, you need your ****ing ears testing!” Title: Re: Swarb the singer Post by: Amethyst (Jenny) on August 06, 2018, 04:32:27 PM On the subject of Swarb’s singing, I saw him a few years ago at the time when he had just started to try a couple of songs, having not sung for a long while since his operation. After the gig I said how great it was to hear him sing again. His response was, “If that’s your idea of singing, you need your ****ing ears testing!” ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |