PLAINSONG - TUESDAY 25 OCTOBER, 8.30pm
Ziegelhüttenweg 221 60598 FFM-Sachsenhausen (Louisa) TEL 069 63307938
The UK based band Plainsong, who released only one album before their initial break up forty-four years ago, will partially re-form to make their North American debut in March/April of this year. The tour will support their newrelease, “Reinventing Richard: The Songs of Richard Farina.” For their North American live debut, Plainsong will be made up of Matthews and Roberts, presenting their songs acoustically. They will perform selections from the Farina recording as well as tunes from their varied musical presentations of the past.
Plainsong was originally a Britishfolk rock band consisting of noted musicians from other bands. It was established by Ian (later Iain) Matthews,formerly of legendary Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort who had a world wide hit with “Woodstock”;Andy Roberts, who’s accompanied the likes of Richard Thompson, Roy Harper and Chris Spedding; Dave Richards; and Bob Ronga.
The original group split up before the end of 1972 but, since the early 1990s, Matthews and Roberts intermittently performed and recorded together, with other musicians, as Plainsong. In 2015 they, along with multi-instrumentalist Mark Griffiths (Neil Innes, Cliff Richard’s Shadows and the Bonzo Dog Band) decided to pay homage to the Greenwich Village legend, Richard Farina.Reinventing Richard: The Songs of Richard Farinawas released in the Fall of 2015 on Omnivore Records. “We’ve attempted to conceptualize how his songs might have sounded, if written and first recorded in a 21st century electro/acoustic setting,” Matthews wrote in thealbum’s liner notes.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Fariña’s death in a motorcycle accident. He is largely remembered for two albums recorded with his second wife Mimi (younger sister of Joan Baez) includingCelebrations for a Grey Day(1965), chosen by Robert Shelton ofTheNew York Timesas one of the ten best folk albums of that year, andReflections in a Crystal Wind(1965). Fariña's debut novelBeen Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Mewas published in 1966.
Reviews:
I have been a fan of Plainsong for decades, so the opportunity to witness Iain Matthews and Andy Roberts performing, in an intimate setting, songs that I have known like an old family blanket was incredible—and there were plenty of others in attendance with the same reaction, including a lady at my table that had been a fan since 1978 and regaled me with stories of seeing them throughout the years. This was the concert of a lifetime for the original fans, and initiation for the younger members of the crowd, all of whom were equally entranced by Matthews' voice and presence and Roberts' playing and direction. I loved it—more than highly recommended, it is imperative for any fan of impassioned, impeccably preformed folk music. John Sellards; Boston. Mass.
In a year with some incredible bookings at the Red Dragon, there were none bigger than Plainsong. Iain Matthews and Andy Roberts represent all that is good in music today.C Maxwell; Red Dragon Listening Room; LA
It was a delightful evening that I didn't want to end! Iain's enchanting voice and accomplished guitar playing was perfectly complimented by Andy's accompaniment and background vocals. They charmed us with a mix of old and new songs, weaved together with storytelling, insightful history and witty banter. What a treat it was to see them live in the USA! We would love to see them again! Chrissy Almeida; Boston Phoenix.