Fairport Acoustic Convention

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Date/Mon 29 October, 2007
Reviewed by/Denis Hill
Photography by/Nic Cooper

So finally, we managed to attract the legendary Fairport Convention to Plinston!

A clue as to the incredible longevity achieved by the band whose career stretches back over 38 years, was to be found in their gig list. Not only is the full band in regular and high profile action, but their acoustic alter ego on show at Plinston tonight also boasts an impressive diary. Then there’s the upcoming and intriguingly titled “Dylan Project”, not to mention the band’s own highly acclaimed annual Cropredy Festival in Oxfordshire which is seen as something of a pilgrimage, having attracted close to 25000 last year. With all this variety and reinvention, it’s no wonder Fairport’s enduring popularity is so widely envied.

This was a somewhat rare Sunday night gig in Plinston’s autumn roster but I was pleased to see a very healthy crowd as I took my seat – there was already an atmosphere of keen expectation as the Fairport four-piece struck up with the melodious Over the Next Hill containing a bit of playful plagiarism! Woodworm followed, giving percussionist Gerry Conway an early chance to shine. Ric Sanders on violin also showed his jazz credentials in an unashamed nod to the old master Stephane Grappelli.

Banbury Fair was followed by the beautifully rich but delicate Close to the Wind, telling the story of some Northamptonshire desperados called The Culworth Gang. Next up was the fetching little pairing The Sheriff and The Upton Morris Dance that almost made me want to wave my Kleenex.

I’m Already There, chronicling an arctic expedition gone wrong, was a particular highlight of a first set lit up by some sublime violin work and Sophisticated Lady with its Beatles interlude from Here, There and Everywhere was the icing on the cake.

Now Be Thankful (to your maker) and the energetic Canny Capers closed a set which oozed virtuosity, even down to the polished patter of frontman Simon Nicol. What a pleasure to hear someone with interesting and amusing things to say instead of the usual drivel!

The second half began with Wood and Wire and the quite sumptuous Lancashire Hills which made way for the evocative instrumental Rose Hip with its double violin sound creating an almost hypnotic feel.

Close To You gave us the tale of an unfortunate lighthouse keeper with too long to contemplate his recent “domestic”. Here, Simon’s vocals matched the plaintive subject perfectly. Fossil Hunter about a victorian lady who got no credit for her finds was a delight made memorable by Chris on the flute. Slip Jigs and Reels and The Dancer raised the tempo thereafter and Hiring Fair, a number penned for Fairport in 1985 by Ralph McTell was perhaps my personal favourite.

George Gershwin popped up unexpectedly in the lovely lilt of Summertime and Gaudie completed a more-than-generous second set.

The crowd went wild (or as wild as folkies do!) for an encore and what a super one it was with the expertly crafted Meet on the Ledge.

This had been musicianship of the highest order and surely one to repeat in the fullness of time. I have never been a real Fairport fan but I came away with a tee shirt and an invitation to the next Cropredy. Hmmm… tempting!

Fairport were:

Simon Nicol (guitar, vocals)
Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin)
Ric Sanders (violin)
Gerry Conway (percussion)