Dave Swarbrick

Acting

Dave Swarbrick

Born 1941-04-05 · Surrey, England

David Cyril Eric Swarbrick (5 April 1941 – 3 June 2016) was an English folk musician and singer-songwriter. His style has been copied or developed by almost every British and many world folk violin players who have followed him. He was one of the most highly regarded musicians produced by the second British folk revival, contributing to some of the most important groups and projects of the 1960s, and he became a much sought-after session musician, which led him throughout his career to work with many of the major figures in folk and folk rock music. A member of Fairport Convention from 1969, he is credited with assisting them to produce their seminal album Liege & Lief (1969) which initiated the British folk rock movement. This, and his subsequent career, helped create greater interest in British traditional music and was highly influential within mainstream rock. After 1970 he emerged as Fairport Convention's leading figure and guided the band through a series of important albums until its disbandment in 1979. He also played in a series of smaller, acoustic units and engaged in solo projects. He maintained a massive output of recordings and a significant profile and made a major contribution to the interpretation of traditional British music.

Acting credits

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Documentary reviewing the music and career of female singer songwriter Sandy Denny. Although deeply revered amongst fans of folk music and the 'singer-songwriter' genre, she has never received the universal acclaim so long overdue and so often heaped on those of a far lesser talent. This documentary attempts to redress this imbalance and reveal why she remains such an inspiration to so many. The film includes musical performances by Sandy Denny, reviewed and re-assessed by a team of esteemed experts, obscure footage and rarely seen photographs of Sandy, brand new and exclusive interviews with Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy, Dave Mattacks, Gerry Conway and John Renbourn, Fairport Convention biographer and all-round Sandy Denny expert Patrick Humphries, folk journalist Colin Irwin and Uncut magazine's contributing editor, Nigel Williamson.

Sandy Denny: Under Review

2006

Fairport Convention: Who Knows Where the Time Goes? poster
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Documentary following English folk-rock pioneers Fairport Convention as they celebrate their 45th anniversary in 2012. Fairport's iconic 1969 album Liege and Lief featured some of folk music's biggest names - including singer Sandy Denny, guitarist Richard Thompson and fiddler Dave Swarbrick - and was voted by Radio 2 listeners as the most influential folk album of all time.

Fairport Convention: Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

2012

Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort poster
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Directed by renowned British film director Tony Palmer, this film captures the band at the Maidstone Fiesta during the summer of 1970 as they run through their set of the time. This included various jigs and reels, and the songs Sir Patrick Spens and Now Be Thankful. The film also features two songs from Matthews Southern Comfort, the band led by former Fairport Convention member, Ian Matthews.

Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort

1972

Fairport Convention: It All Comes 'Round Again poster
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A full-length documentary tracing the history of Britain's premier folk rock group.

Fairport Convention: It All Comes 'Round Again

1987

Fairport Convention: Live in Paris poster
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Soon after Sandy Denny parted ways with the band, Fairport Convention performs at La Taverne de l’Olympia for French television's Pop2 program in 1970. Tracks include: "Walk a While," "Dirty Linen," "Sloth" and others.

Fairport Convention: Live in Paris

1970