Farewell to Music

[shewhomust]

I would have told you that the last time I saw Dave Swarbrick was with Martin Carthy at a Musicians' Benevolent Fund benefit at Cecil Sharp House, which LJ tells me was in 2012 - or maybe at his solo gig at the Waiting Room in Eaglescliff. But no, in fact it was just over a year ago, in concert at the Sage, once again with Carthy. But then, for over twenty years every time you saw Swarb could have been the last time.

There's a very good obituary in The Telegraph ("Well, they've had practice," says durham_rambler).

I was looking for some suitably solemn or melancholy piece to embed here - O'Carolan's Farewell to Music, say - and was tempted by Fairport's Farewell, farewell, which is thematically apt, but not really a showcase for the man's talent. But I couldn't resist this (and not just because I've been listening to Dorten Yonder rehearsing their own 'Chickens!' set:

Watch on YouTube

And, just for durham_rambler, a bonus track from the archives:

Watch on YouTube

Comments

[grondfic.livejournal.com]

I agree we've really had some 17-20 extra years of Dave's music (since the last Obit!). The wonder was that he continued bravely for so long.

We saw him and Carthy in October 2014. His voice was reduced to a hoarse whisper, but the tunes rang out as brightly as ever. He was a genius and a hero. We will miss him.

Many thanks for posting the links.

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

Didn't he hold his bow funny? Saw him at Cropredy years ago, and we are due to see Fairport next week. I hope they still feel able to do the gig.

[nineweaving.livejournal.com]

I was just watching that "Hens March" last night, and smiling. I wish I'd been in England more, to see him soldier on.

Nine

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

It's a long time since he was part of the band, and they've seen a number of changes since - I'm sure it'll be fine. Where are they playing?

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

You seem to do pretty well for English musicians, considering...