A LARGE following, but a small band hits Southport!

Woodworm Records & Canny Concert Productions proudly present Fairport Convention Plus support from Vikki Clayton at the Southport Arts Center on Wednesday 6 February 7.30pm 

Fairpoint, one of British folk music’s most successful bands ever (even if the singles chart has never had them in the top 10), are coming to the Arts Centre next month, Within the British Folk Rock community, this is a band that has been going for 33 years and is now one of the most revered in this style. As the Times Newspaper said “A national treasure!” How many bands get that recognition? 

It was formed back in 1967, after taking the name from the founder member’s house called “Fairport” which is located in Muswell Hill, London. The band has gone from strength to strength. Simon Nicole’s band back in the time when music could be experimented with and they attracted revered folk fiddler, David Swarbrick and bass player Ashley Hutchings who went on to become a founder of Steeleye Span! 


The band has played and recorded with Jethro Tull, Richard Thompson, Soft Machine, Cat Stevens, The Albion Band, Robert Plant, Roy Woods, Whippersnapper, Beth Neilsen Carpenter, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Beverly Carven, Art Garfunkel, JOOLS HOLLAND and CHRIS REA, to name just a few! Fairpoint also became one of the first Western Bands to tour behind the Iron Curtain in 1971. By 2000, the band had played in the USA, Canada Tokyo, Australia, Bermuda, Holland, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Denmark and Norway and now attracts audiences in excess of 20,000 to their festival held in August in the Cotswold Village of Cropredy in Oxfordshire. Therefore, Southport Reporter wanted to know why chose Southport? The band said “We have been playing there for at least 10 years now, and we choose to play at Southport Arts Centre because it is such a great venue!” This, coming from a band as good as Fairport, is a massive eulogy to the town! Whether this is your very first Fairport concert or whether the band’s music formed the backdrop to your youth, you are promised a wonderful evening’s entertainment! This band is one of the first high billing acts to come to the town this year.

The current line-up is Simon Nicol (acoustic and electric guitars), Dave Pegg (bass and mandolin), Gerry Conway (percussion), Ric Sanders (fiddle) and Chris Leslie (fiddle, bouzouki and mandolin).
Tickets: £15.00 BUT BE WARNED Book now as tickets are selling fast!!! Box office (01704) 540011.

Article By Patrick Trollope.

Other events at the Arts center are:- 

Southport Music Festival. Mid-Day Recital – recitals given by young people. Saturday 2 February 1.15pm £3.50.

Parker’s Alibi. ‘The new Icons of the British Blues Scene’. Described as the New Icons of the British Blues Science Parker’s Alibi are now widely regarded as the hottest property on the R ‘n’ B circuit. Fronted by twenty-three year old guitarist and vocalist – Ian Parker, this exciting band’s ever-expanding itinerary now includes most of the major Blues Festivals as well as the internationally renowned Ronnie Scott’s. The band has shared the stage with legends such as Peter Green, Walter Trout, Paul Jones and John Mayall. In June 1999, they performed at the first hasting Blues Festival where USA blues veteran Sherman Robertson headed the bill. October ’99 saw the band warmly received by sell-out audience at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire where they opened for rock guitar hero Jeff Beck. November 2000 saw the band on the same bill as Walter Trout. Parker’s Alibi plays a blend of traditional and modern blues, which is complemented by a soulful streak. Saturday 2 February 8pm £7.50.

Vienna Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker. An enchanting Christmas story telling the tale of how Clara is given a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas present by Dr Drosselmeyer. During the Christmas party, Clara and her brother fritz fight over the nutcracker doll. That night Clara looks for her doll and falls asleep. Giant mice awake her. The nutcracker is transformed into a princely soldier who tries to save her but is wounded by the mouse King whom Clara then kills with her shoe. The Prince and Clara are then greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy who takes them on a wonderful trip to the Kingdom of Sweets. Sunday 3 February 7.30pm £17.50 £14.50 (£2 off concessions).

The Golden Bowl (12) r/t 129 mins. This film is a luscious adaptation of a Henry James novel will delight fans of Merchant Ivory. Monday 4 & Tuesday 5 February 7.45pm £3.50.

Birkdale School for Hearing Impaired Children February Fever Tuesday 5 February 7pm £5.00 (adults) £3.00 (children).

The band Members Coming To Southport! (Above)

Photo above taken by and copyright of Woodworm Records. 

 

Southport Melodic Jazz presents Keith Nichols Blue Four. Get in the mood for the Jazz festival with this supremely accomplished jazz pianist with a versatile repertoire of styles ranging from Fats Waller to Errol Garner. Sunday 24 February 8pm £12.00

Brendan Kennelly One of the foremost contempory Irish poets of this generation. Tuesday 26 February 7.30pm £6.00 Discounts £5.00.

Thursday 14 – Saturday 16 February 7.30pm £7.00 Discounts £5.00 Junior Theatre Workshops 3 & 4 presents a family show called Bugsy Malone. With great numbers, lots of action and a mass of splurging! Great fun for everyone.

Mike Sanchez with his band. One of the most exciting and charismatic performers of Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll in the world. Saturday 16 February 8pm £7.50.

Film:- Best in Show (12) r/t 90 mins. A colourful array of characters competes at a national dog show. Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 February 7.45pm £3.50.

The Flying Pig Company presents a family show called, Nellie the Elephant’s Circus Adventure. This show is a fast moving, panto-style adventure packed full of audience participation. Tuesday 19 February 4pm & Wednesday 20 February 1pm & 4pm £6.00 Discounts £5.00 Family Ticket (2 adults/2 children) £20.00.

CMP presents Carolyn Hester & David Blume, Concert, Thursday 21 February 8pm £7.50.

The All-Electric Puppet Theatre in association with RSPB presents Tales from the Wildwood. This is a family show with exciting puppet show with music and songs. Thursday 21 & Friday 22 February 1.30pm & 4pm daily £6.00 Discounts £5.00 Family Ticket (2 adults/2 children) £20.00.

Southport Amateur Operatic Society presents 42nd Street. This is a toe-tapping musical that is suitable for all the family. Sat 23 February – Sat 2 March 7.30pm Sat Mat (2 March) 2pm Tickets from £6.00.

Sefton Music Support Service, Mayor of Sefton’s Charity Fund Youth Concert. Come along and enjoy the exciting musical talent of Sefton’s Young Musicians. Thursday 7 February 7.30pm £4.00 Discounts, £3.00.

Music Review.

 

Singles - GARBAGE 

"Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)"

(Mushroom)

The one thing you can say for garbage is that they really don't sound like anyone else, and provided it comes in small enough doses I can tolerate, and even mildly enjoy their distinctive, perky Yanko-Scot pop-rock. When it gets going this is a nice little tune, though Shirley seems to be sounding oddly twee these days. But that funny little Vig man and his two stooges can't resist playing silly production beggars, and so the guitar riff keeps appearing and disappearing, which is mildly irritating. The remixes are, needless to say, *****.

Albums - THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH 

"Solid Bronze" (Mercury)

When Crowded House released their greatest hits album, the caption used to push it was something along the lines of, 'you know more of their songs than you think you do'. The same could be said of The Beautiful South. New tracks apart, all of those included are instantly recognizable from the extensive airplay that their radio-friendly style has received over the last twelve years.  From the poignant A Little Time to the over-played Perfect 10, the completely insane Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) to the soulful Blackbird On The Wire, all are comforting and familiar, like spending a Sunday evening in front of the television (or, at least, like spending a Sunday evening in front of the television when there was inspired programming like Bulls eye on our screens). The absolute perfect epitome of cheesy, easy listening.

Music Review Articles by Miranda.

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