Jane bird wrote:

>I haven't heard "Hold Your Banners High" before, except >for the version that Grimethorpe Colliery Band recorded

I have that on the Miner's benefit tape, with a wonderful Tony Benn speech "voice-overed" . . is that the one you're talking about? But I must have at least two other recordings of it (including one by a B Bragg, IIRC).

>and you can hardly expect the band to be able to do >anything simelar to that.

Can't I?? IMO both "Banners" and "Low" were performed far to fast - either to be sung with, or for the meaning of their words, and their mood, to be conveyed. And I didn't find "Low" to have much passion at Sidmouth - so clearly this is down to taste.

>Perhaps you've seen John Tams on better form, on other >occasions.

Well he still has a most magical voice. That's part of why this was SO disappointing. But more especially, every band I've seen him in before - from Muckram Wakes to Home Service - I've been bowled over by the sheer originality of the band. Whereas this was a very competent but otherwise run of the mill Folk Rock outfit.

>it certainly didn't end early, did it?

Yes it did. The audience was leaving by 10.25 - whereas the scheduled finish time was 10.30, and the ACTUAL performance curfew is (I understand) 10.45.

>If you didn't much enjoy their set, I hope you prefered >Pete Morton's, in the first part of the concert. He's the >only person I've ever heard sing "To Be a Farmer's >Boy" and make it sound fresh!

Yes, a wonderful set, with a great mix of humour and more serious stuff. And I totally agree over "Farmer's Boy". Some of his stuff showed the sort of inovative approach I normally expect from Tams. And he went down well with my daughter and her friends (18-22 year olds) who are not usually [except for Martin Simpson] impressed by guys singing Eng. Trad. songs while accompanying themselves on guitar.

G.

Cheers, Jane