This time, we finish John Tobler’s 1991 notes:
“After Simon went Albioning, three different Fairport line-ups occurred within nine months, during which time Dave Mattacks also joined the Albion Country Band, but soon rejoined Fairport. Group members joined, rejoined and left, until about three years ago the final [the “final” one is probably the current one (summer 2014), but who knows?”] line-up of Peggy, Swarb, Simon and Bruce Rowland convened.
“It wouldn’t be a Fairport concert withot a surprise, and this one has a version of “Orange Blossom Special”, on which numerous American country stars, mainly fiddle players, have demonstrated their instrumental agility. You can guess who spotlights here. “Farewell, Farewell” is a fitting title for the swansong of a fine group whose pioneering work will not be forgotten in a hurry. Remember them this way.
“Or even better, use some hindsight, because while they did pursue other projects for a period, Fairport Convention also instituted a riotous event known as “The Fairport Reunion”, now in its 83rd highly successful year. Every August [and this one is no exception!] sees an army of ten thousand or more Fairport freaks, folk/rock fans and immensely thirsty people descend upon the innocent village of Cropredy in Oxfordshire and provide it with a tourism boost which Malibu wouldn’t sneer at. And while you’re here, come and buy some great folk/rock CDs, tapes and albums – ours is the tent with the Securicor van parked behind it.
“John Tobler, 1991
“This album hasn’t been available for years, and never before on CD. Only rap fans are excused from buying one (in any format, or even better in all three).”
With those words we come to the end of this section of the Blog dealing with Fairport Convention in the 1970s.
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