entertainment scene

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 4

entertainment scene

“Fairport Convention" is a name synonymous with change, having survived its original founding group. Judy, Ashley, Richard, Simon, Martin and lan, and others by many years.

Fairport made its first appearance in 1967. By December, 1971, the sixth Fairport has entered the lists, bereft of any original members. It was reformed in May, 1968 - June, 1969, again in September, leaving other groups — “The Bunch," “Morrison." “Steeleye Span," “Fotheringray" and “Albion Country Band.”

Bemused fans can take refuge in a previous Fairport release—A HISTORY OF FAIRPORT CONVENTION (Festival 277/8) which offers a detailed “family tree” as well as music.

In total, 15 musicians have taken their Convention places. The band, now composed of Dave Swarbrick (fiddle.

mandolin, vocals), Dave Pegg (bass, mandolin, vocals), Trevor Lucas (guitar. vocals), Jerry Donohue (guitar, vocals), have been together for some time with latest edition Bruce Rowland replacing Dave Mattacks on drums.

As «. band Fairport initiated the movement toward electrified, traditionally rooted folk music in Bri in.

To date they have released 10 albums, the last two being “Fairport 9" and “Fairport Live,” which was recorded partly at the Sydney Opera House and partly at gigs around England.

Although formed in England there is a cosmopolitan fla >ur to the band. 1 ie only true blue Englishmen are Dave Pegg and Bruce Rowland. Dave Swarbrick is of Polish extraction. Trevor Lucas forms the Australian contingent (he also happens to be married to Sandy

Denny), and Jerry Donahue the American.

Sandy Denny, now very much a solo artist in her own right, will rejoin Fairport Convention as their lead singer for the New Zealand concerts. Since leaving Fairport she has had a band of her own, g,. solo, and yet still tours on occasions with them.

Sandy has three albums to her credit. The last, which was released here late last year, is “Like An Old-Fashioned Waltz,” but a nexv album, “Sandy,” is expected to be released here to coincide with the tour.

Each of the five members in the current group is committed to keeping it together and Fairport Convention now shows a degree of solidarity not seen in some time.

They give their only Christchurch concert at the Tov.n Hall this Sunday night.