Post by fatfingerjohn on Feb 19, 2014 15:54:13 GMT
Hi,
Went to see Fairport at Chesterfield last night (second time in 9 months so you'll see I'm a fan). Here's a quick review for anyone wanting to book, as the tour has another 12 or so nights to go.
Support act was Edwina Hayes who had a simple guitar style and lovely voice; sang a few of her own songs and also Waltzing For Dreamers (Thompson). She came back late in second half to sing with FC on Who Knows Where the Time Goes, lovely. Surprise of the night was that bass player Dave Pegg had broken some bones in his hand and couldn't play; his son, Matt, stood in and was excellent. Dave joined in some of the vocal harmonies; Farewell Farewell excellent.
Overall it was a great show, with perhaps fewer of the better known songs than usual as they were showcasing some new songs from an album they will be recording in April. It was good to hear the new stuff and amazing that after 45 years they are not prepared to sit on their laurels and rehash the favourites. Perhaps the overall set was a little bit weighted towards Chris Leslie's stuff although he is a brilliantly versatile musician and writes/adapts songs very well.
Once again the sheer infectiousness of Ric Saunders on the fiddle was the highlight for me and I think many others. I saw Ric a few weeks ago with his trio and he is worth anyone's few quid to see.
Highlight song? Apart from WKWTTG per above and the obligatory Matty Groves and Meet on the Ledge, I heard for the first time a rarely performed song which was not actually written by a FC member but a schoolteacher called Stuart Marson. The only youtube FC video I can find of it is attached below with a younger Simon Nicol accompanied by Dave Swarbrick. Have a listen; I'm desperately trying to learn the melody, arrangement and lyrics already.
The show started at 7.30 and didn't finish until 10.45; FC never short change you. Loved it.
John