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Recording quality: A+
It was Fairport Convention’s first trip to the west coast in something like eight years. It was also the first time in the States as an acoustic four piece (Dave Mattacks was off touring with Richard Thompson). But they had little trouble drawing an audience as the first show quickly sold out and the second, nearly did.
Opening with “Slip Jigs and Reels” and then segueing into “Woodworm Swing” (with Maartin Allcock and Dave Pegg taking solos), the band showed how well the acoustic format suits this line up.
Alternating between sitting and standing, they played with the sense of fun that makes a Fairport gig so enjoyable. Jokes were flying, there was a relaxed approach to the songs and one couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement.
The set was a nice mix of old and new. “There Once Was Love/Innstück” from the new album was sandwiched between “Crazy Man Michael” and “Genesis Hall,” two songs Simon Nicol seems to have made his own. In keeping with the acoustic spirit, Ric Sanders was playing a regular wood fiddle which sounded wonderful on his “Portmeirion.” This was followed by “The Naked Highwayman,” where Nicol seemingly had difficulty in getting all the words in. (His attempt in the second set didn’t work much better.) Allcock, who had borrowed a mandocello off the wall (one of the benefits of doing a gig in a music shop) led the group in a rousing version of “Mr. Sands is in the Building.”
The next couple of tunes came from the new album: “Frozen Man,” where it was pointed out Peggy's new hair cut was a tribute to James Taylor, and “Lalla Rookh.” They were followed by a majestic “Hiring Fair,” a song that lost the beat in the middle, and it seemed like each of them were playing a different tune.
As is the tradition in any Fairport gig, “Maddy Groves” marked the end of the evening’s music with a spirited “Dirty Linen” bringing the crowd to its feet. They were back quickly for an encore of “Royal Selection #13.”
Fairport seems to have found new life in its acoustic format. No longer is it just the electric set minus drums, but a completely different take on their brand of traditional and contemporary material. As they enter their 30th year, it seems that they have life in them still.
— Jim Lee (Simi Valley, CA)
Maartin Allcock - guitar, mandolin & vocal
Simon Nicol - guitar & vocal
Dave Pegg - bass & vocal
Ric Sanders - violin