MEET ON THE LEDGE: A review of Fairport Convention's gig at The Queen's Hall in Edinburgh! Support came from Edwina Hayes, check it out!

 

 

Below is our review of Fairport Convention's gig at the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh! Support came from the talented Edwina Hayes! Check it out!

 

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PART 1 - THE REVIEW

 

You may remember our last live review of Glasvegas and The Strange Blue Dreams at the Old Fruit Market in Glasgow. If you're expecting more of the same old rock 'n' roll then we suggest that you turn away here as tonight's review is based on a night of world-class folk music.

 

Fairport Convention brought their 'Wintour' to Edinburgh's Queen's Hall last night and played a strong set including the classic tracks 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes?', 'Matty Groves' and 'Meet On The Ledge. However, first was the support act - Edwina Hayes. Edwina was given a fine introduction from the injured Fairport bass player Mr Dave Pegg and a warm welcome from the Edinburgh crowd. She went on to perform four self-penned songs will a beautifully unique voice, highlights were definitely 'Tell Me So' and the Boo Hewerdine co-write 'Bend In The Road'. Between each tune, she chatted and joked with the crowd and told stories of cake makers from Aberdeen, her knack of writing depressing (but lovely) songs and Eddi Reader getting lost on her way to a stage! Edwina then went on to perform a Richard Thompson number, 'Waltzing's For Dreamers', which was unsurprisingly received well and played to rival Thompson's version, showcasing her unique voice once again. Following this, she invited some special guests up for her last song - the members of Fairport Convention. Taking up their posts on the stage they performed a brilliant rendition of Nanci Griffith's 'Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness', before Edwina departed."

 

The Fairport set that followed was superb and kicked off with a storming performance of the title track from their 1995 album, 'Jewel In The Crown'. Following this was the slightly 'gothic' (as Chris Leslie put it!) folk song 'Doctor Of Physick' and then 'I'm Already There'. 'Home', 'Theodore's Song' and 'Cell Song' provided moments of discovery and each will be downloaded in the following days! However, the highlight of the first half of the set came with the ferocious 'Dirty Linen' which was performed at a furiously fast pace. So much so that stand in bass player Matt Pegg had to go and 'lie down' afterwards. Set one was concluded with 'Mercy Bay' and an explanation of Dave Pegg's absence from the bass - he had had an accident involving a washing machine... typical! He was still able to venture on to stage every now and then with his natural wit and to sing some harmonies."

 

After a twenty-minute interval Fairport returned to the stage for their second set. This included the revised version of 'Farewell, Farewell' and a brand new song entitled 'Myths & Heroes'. Edwina then returned to the stage for a fantastic performance of 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' which was followed by a Ric Sanders stand-up comedy routine preluding 'Danny Jacks'. The main set was then concluded with traditional folk song/Fairport classic 'Matty Groves'. And despite the fact that Simon Nicol promised that this would be their last song they couldn't resist the cheers, clapping and stamping of the crowd that lured them back out to perform the amazing, iconic 'Meet On The Ledge'. Again this featured both Edwina, Dave Pegg and the biggest sing along of the night.

 

Overall, a superb showcase of the folk world which can be caught again, as Simon Nicol kept reminding us, during August for their annual Cropedy festival in which fine weather and sunshine is ensured. Finally, it is no surprise that this band are still drawing crowds after being together for forty years and it was inspiring to see how willing they were to chat to fans beforehand, during the interval and after the show. Definitely worth checking out before its too late!



PART 2 - THE SETLISTS

Edwina Hayes

Run
Leave A Light On For You
Tell Me So
Bend In The Road
Waltzing's For Dreamers
Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness (with Fairport Convention)

Fairport Convention

Jewel In The Crown
Doctor Of Physick
I'm Already There
Home
Theodore's Song
Dirty Linen
Cell Song
Mercy Bay
(Interval)
Festival Bell
Wassail Song
Farewell Farewell
The Happy Man
Myths & Heroes
Too Close To The Wind
Grace & Favour
Who Knows Where The Time Goes? (with Edwina Hayes)
Danny Jacks
Matty Groves
(Encore)
Meet On The Ledge (with Edwina Hayes)



Hope you enjoyed this feature on Fairport Convention and Edwina Hayes! Check out our previous feature on Two-Bit Sister!
 

Check out Fairport Convention here - http://www.fairportconvention.com/

 

Check out Edwina Hayes here - http://www.edwinahayes.com/

  

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

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