Categories: uncategorized
Date: 25 February 2010 15:36:47
Last night I continued TOH's introduction to folk. We went to see Fairport Convention at the Sage. It was more than the half price student discount and excellent music that appealed last night, I was on a healing journey.
Back in the summer of 2006 Fairport were about to take to the stage for their headlining set at Cropredy when I popped to the loo. During that trip to the toilet I took a call from my brother; my mum had died. Thus, for me Fairport will always be linked in my mind with my mum's passing. The feeling of shock and numbness as I stood with my dad listening to their final song that night, which we gathered ourselves together enough to go and listen to, was indescribable. So last night was for me a stage on the journey of healing; Fairport were possible to listen to live again.
Flossie Malavialle , (who is doing a Haiti charity gig in Darlington on April 10th) and Keith Donnelly have joined together to produce Dark Horses and were supporting. Alot of Flossie's slightly offbeat humour from the Show of Hands support slot was missing and this was just half of an hour of beautiful music. Flossie's voice has an almost haunting aspect to it, although there is lots of humour. Before leaving the stage they were joined by Fairport and did a brilliant French number which I think is a Steeleye number, (although I don't know the title). This support act meant I had a happy TOH, because she is turning into quite a fan of Flossie's music.
As Dark Horses, (or whatever they are calling themselves collectively), left the stage Fairport played part on of their varied set. With 40 years of material you never quite get the same thing twice, (with two noticable exceptions). Last night it was a mix of album title tracks, prog rock and humour. The Ukulele Central number is an absolute cracker with its mix of washboard and ukulele's.Lyrics, song and chords are downloadable on the Fairport Website here.
The second half ended in the traditional Fairport style; "Matty Groves" - band leave stage - band come back on - "Meet on the Ledge". I managed not to disolve until the 3rd chorus of "Meet on the Ledge" and then not for long.
I'm glad I'm back in a place where I can enjoy the Fairport experience and appreciate them live. They are a truly great band who really do kick ass live. I leave you, though, with a bit of Dark Horses
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COOclCy32zw&feature=related[/youtube]