Swarb is one of my all-time favorite musicians. I love his singing voice, and his fiddle playing was the best of them all. I wish he had taken better care of his health.
It was so funny when he came on stage and badgered everyone. We were on the front rail watching the look of horror on their faces as Swarb insisted on SPS. What a performance though - pulled it off perfectly. RIP David - the undeniable GOAT.
Just been to see Fairport this evening, sat in row 3 watching Peggy’s fingers flashing across his bass guitar frets all night - he’s an incredible musician. They all are.
I saw Swarb and Martin Carthy at Woolwich Tramshed late 1970s or 1980. At the interval I went to use a urinal and Swarb walked in and used the one next to me. As is the custom, we completely ignored each other. He didn’t wee on my foot. Happy days 😀.
Swarb was the heart and soul of fairport, .... sadly missed...., I mean..., I like fairport before and after swarb, but to me, he was tha magic ingredient....., no offense to ric saunders....
Ric Saunders is a fine fiddler, but Swarb had magic in his fingers. And a lot of experience. Started gigging in '59, and taught the Fairports all they needed to know about trad British folk. I like to think that he's up there, somewhere, telling Guy Clark and Nanci Griffith how to make it rock. And John Prine, of course. Stellar talents all. Rip in Peace!
One of my favorite concerts of all time was Fairport sandwiched between David Rae, co-writer of Mountain' s hit "Mississippi Queen." He was a fine acoustic slide player in his own right. Traffic was the main attraction. The concert was about this time of year in the ancient year of 1971 at the Academy of Music in NYC. David's fiddle playing & sense of humor, was the highlight of the evening in my opinion. Fairport since that show has remained one of my favorite groups.
@@billdyke9745 He had magic in his fingers alright.I was never lucky enough to see him with Fairport but saw him with Martin Carthy a few times and my god could he play.He never lost that wicked sense of humour either.
Legends all! The first I ever heard this was in a moonlit forest in the autumn of a young year and now I am listening to it in the autumn of my old years. I Let's keep on, hearties! We might very well meet on the ledge.
Hubby and I were there - on the front rail near the o/p filming. The look of horror on the other's faces when Swarb dropped SPS on them was a sight to behold! It was a magical evening.
I saw them in 71 at Glastonbury. They had the whole crowd doing English folk dances. It was the best festival I ever went to. Swarbrick had a cigarette in his mouth the whole time. He was an icon.
Had the pleasure of meeting Dave Swarbrick at a very intimate folk club setting with his then band Whippersnapper, I was the treasurer and paid them a very modest fee for all that talent. Legend ❤
Thanks so much! This is the best video of Swarbs crashing Cropredy. I saw him back in the seventies-- "Where can I get me a steamy skipper to sail this mighty boat of mine?"
I'm not absolutely sure as we don't see anyone playing Mandolin, but i assume it's Chris Leslie who must be out of shot. He usually plays on the right (as we look at the stage) beside Peggy. At the time I was trying to keep the camera on Swarb and his unpredictable nature.
