There are certain musical events that pass into legend – things which people feel a need to claim they attended, even if they didn’t! Throughout the Saturday evening of November 3, one had a sense that one was attending just such an occasion.

In what was a logistical triumph (marred only by some inevitable teething troubles with the sound mix), Dave Pegg brought us an astounding array of the fellow musicians, classic bands and far reaching musical genres which have formed part of his fascinating career. At times, it was like being a drowning man having someone else’s life flash before your eyes!

The first half of the evening mirrored CDs 1 and 3 of his Box of Pegg’s retrospective sets – a chronological career overview. It began, surprisingly in an evening full of surprises, with Peggy accompanying Paul Saunders in full medieval costume, playing Windybag on the hurdy gurdy: Paul acted as MC throughout the evening, with costume changes!

Then it was back to the Brumbeat boom of the early sixties for a band which Peggy never played with but always wanted to – The Moonrakers, represented by original members John Carter on vocals and guitar and Martin Barre on lead guitar. Martin would crop up in a more familiar guise later – as would the rest of that configuration (Gerry Conway and Phil Bond). They provided a medley of beat band favourites – Livin’ Doll, His Latest Flame, Three Steps To Heaven and Oh Boy. PJ Wright followed to join Peggy for It Doesn’t Matter Anymore from their album – the song matching the era perfectly.

Next came the Brum blues scene – in Peggy’s case The Crawdaddies – Dave Peace and Peggy on lead guitar from the original band with Gerry Conway (racking up stage hours beaten only by DP himself that night) and Matt Pegg on bass. The Ugleys came next – Steve Gibbons on vocals with Roger Hill on guitar: The Ugly Blues was the chosen song and Steve’s performance was enhanced by a memory lapse and a fit of giggles (strange how funny the word seventeen can become!)

With a recreation of The Exception proving impossible, Peggy opted to represent a parallel activity as Roger Hill was joined by Ric Sanders to provide a Hot Club take on Sweet Georgia Brown which truly swung. Rock’n’roll, pop, beat, blues, jazz – as PJ Wright remarked this was beginning to seem like “a thousand years of unpopular music (sic)” – and so into folk. There were many “wow” moments that night, but one of the greatest was seeing Ian Campbell team up with Dave Swarbrick and Peggy once more for a moving and apposite version of The Old Man’s Song.

The roar that greeted Swarb’s arrival reminded us that for many of the audience, awareness of Peggy’s talent began when he joined Fairport – which is where we went next: a version of Dirty Linen from Full House, Peggy’s first album with the band for which Peggy and Swarb were joined by Jerry Donahue, Simon Nicol and Gerry Conway. The line up stayed on stage to move one album on and revive The Hen’s March/ Four Poster Bed from Angel Delight: all these years on its compact two-bar solos still brought laughter from the audience. From Fairport past to Fairport present as Chris Leslie and Ric Sanders took the stage to deliver a rocking Wait For The Tide To Come In.

The demise of Fairport at the end of the 70s saw the rise of Woodworm Records, whose output was represented by Steve Ashley, backed by Fairport, for Feeling Lazy from The Family Album, one of the first Woodworm releases.

There could have been no other way to round off the evening than with Jethro Tull – Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, Peggy and all the way from America Doane Perry on drums. There was even a guest appearance by Peggy’s original Tull costume! Bourree and Locomotive Breath were perhaps not the most startling of choices but the performance was astounding with Anderson in full one-legged playing, pixie walking mode. The second song was enhanced by the inclusion of two more Tull drummers – Gerry C and Clive Bunker – and Maartin Allcock on piano.

The first half had over-run, so after a compressed interval we returned for a set which featured solo artists with whom Peggy has worked – all of them playing on absolutely top form. David Hughes was first with a specially written tribute to Peggy, full of wry humour and in jokes. Then Steve Tilston with his classic Here Comes The Night followed by a rare performance of the song he wrote for and about Fairport, Over The Next Hill.

Rather than just recreate a Peggy and PJ performance on this special occasion, the duo chose to expand to a four piece with Gerry and Matt for a rocking version of Donegan’s Gone: Linseed Memories would also have a ‘live remix’ later in the set, with Matt on bass and Tiny Tin Lady on backing vocals and dance routine (yes, really!).

After Donegan we moved into line ups which filled more of the stage. For Dance With Me, annA rydeR was joined by PJ, Maart, Simon, Gerry and daughter Oonagh on harmony vocals. To the swelling list of musical genres covered, add Country !

For the first time in the evening, Peggy allowed himself time off stage, handing over the bass to Maart as Tom Leary was joined by Chris and Ric with Simon on guitar for a high speed Feast Of Fiddles medley. Then Simon introduced Beth Neilsen Chapman who was joined by two of her band for her song Free. Clearly in awe of the occasion (after her appearance she sat side stage to watch the rest, spell bound), she moved to the piano to introduce the song she sings on Box of Pegg’s – Sandy Denny’s Solo: Peggy returned to provide his distinctive bass part, and from stage right came both Swarb and Jerry to provide lead fiddle and guitar. The performance was spell binding, a real high spot in a night of gems, and one knew just how aware of memories of Sandy everyone on stage was at that moment.

“Follow that”, as they say. Peggy did – on came Dan ar Bras to play both the songs he donated to Peggy’s box: first was his tender and distinctive bilingual version of Rising for the Moon, the perfect choice within the set, and then his rocking instrumental Forces du Mal.

Ralph McTell was next – and by this point, dear reader, I was too enthralled to continue with detailed notes, but I know we got great versions of Maddy Dances (hadn’t heard it in years) and Weather The Storn.
Last of all in the evening was The Dylan Project whose medley of Like A Rolling Stone and Twist and Shout was a fitting climax to an astounding night.

Only the encores remained….Steve Ashley returned to lead Fairport in that song of his which closed their most recent album – Best Wishes. And finally, in an evening allowed extra time by the generous management, it was everyone on stage for Meet On The Ledge.

It was quite a night – but then it has been quite a career. We look forward to Peggy’s 70th, which he claimed would be taking place next year – when you’re having such a good time, why wait?

On and off stage, a splendid time was had by all. Happy Birthday Peggy!