This time AJC comes accompanied by a certain D.Pegg. That's him in the top picture flanked by Richard Thompson.In case you didn't know,Dave Pegg joined the Fairport Convention in 1969 and has been the only ever present member since while somehow managing to also tour and record with Jethro Tull and many others including local hero on an upward trajectory,Sunjay Brayne. When Ashley Hutchings left the band in 1969, it was Dave Swarbrick who persuaded Dave Pegg to audition and it was clearly a no brainer.
Peggy's bass and mandolin will on this occasion be embellishing the songs of Anthony John Clarke, a songwriter of considerable range and with that rare ability to hold an audience in the palm of his hand. Although his songs speak eloquently for themselves, I like AJC's criterion for the songwriter's craft.
'The songwriter has a responsibility. It's not enough to put a tune to some words or some words to a tune. The song is a vehicle for a notion that the writer has about something. It invites others into the notion, the feeling, the celebration, the private moment.
Fairport refer to him as a 'national treasure' and who am I to argue ?
Support from Chris Butler. Advance tickets available at the venue in Chesterfield Rd, Belper or by cheque made out to M. Jones with SAE at 167 Far Laund,Belper, DE56 1FP.
See you there.