Swarb's News

Coventry Music Hall of Fame

Swarb will be inducted into the Coventry Music Hall of Fame on March 22nd. His plaque will be next to the one for The Specials.

New Tune's Album

Scottish fiddle and mandolin player Duncan Wood has recorded an album of 37 specially written tunes by Swarb. Check the shop page for details. Click below to hear a couple of extracts

Dip o' the Wizzer / The Powder Monkeys The Clearances / The New World March

A Unique Opportunity

Jill has one of her original paintings for sale on e-Bay. Entitled "Epona" it is a wonderful image that has only previously been available as a print. Check it out here.

RIP Ian Campbell (1933 - 2012)

It was with sadness that we learned of the passing of Ian Campbell on Saturday 24th November. Ian, along with his sister Lorna and his Folk Group were part of the British Folk Revival in the 60s and were central figures in the vibrant folk scene of Birmingham. He was responsible for the first ever live recorded folk album ‘Ceilidh At The Crown’ in 1962. Following this, they switched their folk club to the Digbeth Civic Hall where they started what was to become the largest Folk Club in England– The Jug O’Punch. At the Jug they performed and played host to artists such as Liam Kelly, later of the Dubliners, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon, as well as local and national folk performers.

Fiercely political, Ian remained true to his Scottish and socialist roots throughout his life and never lost the love of playing and interpreting ballads and folk songs live on stage, and it was this environment where his music really came to life.

Condolences to Lorna and his sons Duncan, Robin, Ali and David.

Below is some footage featuring the Ian Campbell Folk Group in their Heyday. With thanks to Ian and the Birmingham Music Archive

New Fairport Live CD - NOW RELEASED Click here to buy

Click the image to see a larger picture of the cover

Swarb has assembled a live double album celebrating the late 1970’s line-up of this classic band. Entitled 4 Play, this brand new double CD features Fairport Convention Live from 1976 -79. Release is scheduled for July 16th 2012. Order the album from Swarb's Shop - £10.00 inc. p&p (Mainland UK) / £11.00 inc.p&p (Europe) / £12.00 inc. p&p (USA & Rest of the World). Tracklist below.

Disc 1	Disc 2
Walk Awhile	Royal Seleccion No.13
Journeyman’s Grace	The Eynsham Poacher
Dirty Linen	Sir Patrick Spens
The Poor Ditching Boy	Sloth
Bonny Bunch of Roses	The Hens’ March / Four Poster Bed
Run Johnny Run	When I Get To The Border
James O'Donnells Jig	Flowers of the Forest
General Taylor	Limey’s Lament
Sir B. Mackenzie’s	Matty Groves

Exciting News from Jill

Dave's wife Jill Swarbrick-Banks has been appointed Artist in Residence to Coventry Cathedral. The world famous Cathedral celebrates it's 50th Jubilee in 2012 with great festivities and events. Jill is their very first Artist in Residence and is very thrilled to be a part of their auspicious year. She will be keeping a blog on her website www.jillswarbrick-banks.co.uk, including sketches and updates of her work for the Cathedral.

Swarb Film and Article at "Salut"

Swarb appears on Colin Randall's "Salut" website in footage from the old Fairport Maidstone film with an accompanying article. Click here.

Swarb on Film - New Documentary

The Gonzo Media Group have released a new film and live album about Dave. The film "Accompanying Dave Swarbrick" is a documentary portrait of Swarb and of a tour that Dave made with Danish author and musician Lars Kjaedegaard. The package will contain both the documentary film and also a live album featuring both Dave and Lars. The Gonzo website can be found here. NOW AVAILABLE IN SWARB'S SHOP

Lars Kjaedegaard has conducted an interview where he talks about the making of the film and his reasons for wanting to make it. You can find the interview here.

Swarb CD “raison d’être” on Shirty Records - REVIEWS

'raison d'être' has received rave reviews in over 20 magazines and publications. Here are just a few selections:

His fiddle flits and swoops like a swallow in full flight ...both his sense of humour and cavalier instinct are intact. FROOTS

We Brought the Summer With Us features Dave Swarbrick' s playing at its best. A truly stunning end to a brilliant CD. Raison d'Etre shows just why he is one of the select few. LIVING TRADITION

… he treats us here to his full range of enduring skills, through hearty baroque to classical, Irish and ceilidh music. MOJO (4stars)

...listen to his masterclasses in bowing on Sweet Alban and A Jigg Called Long Time/Running Footman's Jig/The Brown Joak' and laugh and weep. R2 (ROCK’N’REEL)

Lifetime Achiever Swarb, fiddle player by appointment to the universe. NETRHYTHMS

Raison d'etre brings to the listener a selection of great tunes played in Swarb's inimitable style and is the work of a fine fiddler who simply refuses to lie down and rest on his not inconsiderable laurels. EFDSS MAGAZINE

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE REVIEWS IN FULL

Swarb's Biography

At long last, Swarb has decided to commission his long awaited Biography. He has given the substantial, but very exciting task, to his partner and confidante Jill Swarbrick-Banks. Jill has already written the near complete history of her decade so far with Swarb, which records first hand his Daily Telegraph obituary episode, emphysemic years and bi-lateral lung transplant, their life together and the very many anecdotes of course. And so, it was Swarb's natural inclination to ask Jill to write his life story, warts and all!

Jill obviously has a massive task ahead of her, accumulating information of every type concerning Swarb. So a request! If anyone has any information, memories, anecdotes, photographs, films, rare facts...scandals, nice stuff, in fact anything at all on Dave Swarbrick, Jill would be immensely grateful to receive it! Please don't forget to add your name, a contact address and / or telephone number, possible date of event, text or photograph...and any background info. to back it up please. Everything will be totally confidential. Jill & Swarb would be extremely grateful! Please make contact here in the first instance.