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   Review: Fairport Convention 45th Anniversary Tour 2012 – The Lowry, Salford
Reviewer: Dave Cunningham
The Public Reviews Rating: Four out of Five. Support act Kieran Goss describes himself as a songwriter. He could add raconteur to his CV .His hilarious digressions are an integral part of his act but go on so long that the number of songs has to be restricted to a handful. A shame as, even on a first hearing, they pack a powerful emotional punch. He is joined by the main act for a cover of an old Mowtown song. It is the sort of surprise that most groups would save for the encore but the weight of their history dictates the songs that Fairport Convention will use as a climax Fairport Convention has had a massive impact on British music history. With just one album they created the Folk-Rock genre that blazed a path (and set up careers for) a whole range of musicians. The legion of former members (the band change line-ups as often as set lists) includes the late Sandy Denny and the guitar God Richard Thompson who have made their own astonishing contributions to the music scene. But unlike Thompson, who continues to challenge himself and his audience by pursuing original music, Fairport Convention still concentrate on folk-rock and preserve their legacy by way of annual re-unions at Cropredy . This brings a feeling of over-familiarity with some of the songs that feature in their live set. The band try hard to avoid complacency .Old favourites are given a polish with Chris Leslie adding a banjo of all things to the epic murder ballad ‘ Matty Groves’. ‘ Crazy Man Michael’ is made even more disturbing by Ric Sanders’ frenzied fiddle playing. Folk music is essentially storytelling and Gerry Conway’s powerful drums add drama to songs that could otherwise just be museum pieces. The band is celebrating their 45th anniversary with an album of new versions of classics chosen by fans. This leads to some interesting choices and you have to admire Simon Nichol for attempting ‘Fotheringay’ after Denny’s bleak definitive vocal. At times the enthusiasm of the band overwhelms the songs. You would never know from their boisterous version that ‘ Sir Patrick Spens’ is about the death of a hero. But even their zeal has limits –the inclusion of a cheap joke suggests they might be getting fed up of performing ‘ Matty Groves’. Fairport Convention is a superb live act playing with both expertise and passion. Anyone going to see them is guaranteed an excellent evening and that most of the songs that they want to hear will be played. Which is also the only problem with the evening – a nagging sense that some of the songs have become worn and that at times the band are limiting themselves to being a jukebox. Set List : Reach Out (I’ll Be There), Sir Patrick Spens, Crazy Man Michael, Farewell, Farewell, Albert and Ted, The Cell Song, Genesis Hall, John Gaudie/ When John Broke the Prison Door, Mercy Bay, Fotheringay , Celtic Moon, Rosie, Jewel in the Crown, I Wandered by a Brookside, Hexshamshire Lass, The Hiring Fair, Danny Jack’s Reward, Matty Groves, Meet on the Ledge.
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