Revel in the genius of ‘master of all songwriters’

Dylan fans are in for a very special treat with the arrival, at the Barbican Theatre, of The Dylan Project. By no means simply a tribute band, these guys – who are all consummate musicians in other ensembles – pay homage in the very best way, by putting their own sublime spin on the music, while offering the opportunity to revel in the genius of this master of all songwriters.

“We only do eight or nine shows a year,” explains Dave Pegg, aka Peggy, probably best known for playing bass with the Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull. “We’re all so busy with our other projects during the year, but around Christmas time we have the chance to get together and it’s a real treat.”

As well as Dave on bass, Steve Gibbons puts his own magical spin on the vocals, Gerry Conway holds the groove superbly on percussion and drums, while Phil Bond brings to life Dylan’s mid period with piano, organ and accordion.

It all started with a reunion of some members of the Uglys, the Birmingham band Dave and Steve started out in. “We both said how much we loved Dylan,” says Dave.

“Steve had been contemplating doing an album of Dylan songs, I offered my services and we recorded it at Wormwood Studio in Oxfordshire back in 1998. We enjoyed making the album so much it seemed only natural to play some live shows...

“There’s no set list, which is how Dylan works, so every show is different and we are particularly looking forward to playing Plymouth for the first time as we hope that Martin Barre [Jethro Tull guitarist, who lives locally] will come and join us for a couple of numbers.”

Although The Dylan Project has never performed in Plymouth before, Dave says he vividly recalls playing at the legendary Van Dike Club as a member of Fairport Convention, the night the club was raided.

“Our fiddle player Dave Swarbrick was arrested – they said he had a lump of dope in his violin case, but there was no evidence. He was then flown down by helicopter to attend the ensuing court case, but got off, all expenses paid.”

Around 170 police raided the concert, consisting of an audience of 500 but ultimately only two people were convicted of possession.

“The police were particularly mean as they confiscated everybody’s coats on probably the coldest night of the year,” says Dave. “In fact the whole affair was completely shambolic, but the best thing about it for us was that it got us in the Guinness Book of Records!”

Earlier this year, Dave published his autobiography, Off The Peg, which contains a plethora of such fascinating anecdotes – although the Van Dike incident doesn’t make it.

“When you have been a mu- sician from the age of 17 to 71, there are just too many stories to cram into 270-odd pages,” he says. “I’ve been very kind to all my musician friends, but I’m just lulling them into a false sense of security – the next one won’t be so kind!”

Dave says he gave a copy of his book to his good mate Robert Plant. “I was playing a show with my regular partner Anthony John Clarke – we go out as Grim & Tonic – and we were in Stourport-on-Severn and the guy who owns it said ‘Robert has asked to open for you!’ Well that was a brilliant night – 250 people in a room meant for 100!

“I asked him, ‘did you read my book?’. And Robert replied that he was glad I’d written it as he had forgotten nearly everything...”

Back to the Dylan Project and, given that the band tour at Christmas, will they be including any of the tracks Dylan recorded for his charity Christmas album in 2009? The album, met with some pretty mixed reviews.

“We were snowed up in a Scottish hotel for three days a few years back and Steve wanted us to do the single off the album, Must Be Santa, so we rehearsed it for a day,” recalls Dave. “We performed it when the snow thawed and the audience came, but it was a complete disaster. Then it was requested a few nights later in Newcastle – but died a death. So no, we won’t be doing that one!”

The Dylan Project play the Barbican Theatre on Saturday, December 8.