#darkpearls
Nic Jones - Penguin Eggs
The Little Pot Stove On August 5, 2010, Sidmouth hosts "folk week"; an man takes to the stage: unsteady on his feet, he moves slowly and with difficulty, his gestures unnaturally mechanical and his voice dim, weak yet deep. The audience greets him with respectful and engaged silence. He manages to sing only three songs, but they are enough for those fortunate enough to be there.
At least for those who know who that man is.
Nic Jones was one of the greatest English folksingers, a leading figure of the so-called "folk revival" that, between the '60s and '70s, produced extraordinary albums by groups and solo artists. Pentangle, Richard Thompson, Bert Jansch, June Tabor, Davy Graham, Sandy Bull (and I could go on for a long time, but you get the idea). Among those names, Nic Jones's name should stand out: 5 albums to his credit (and many contributions to important records) including at least one absolute masterpiece (Penguin Eggs). A personal and original style, an excellent instrumental technique, and a wonderfully happy songwriting; Nic was born to be at the top of his class.
Yet on February 28, 1982, while returning from a concert, he crashes his car into a truck.
Coma, multiple fractures, and brain damage. Never to play again, goodbye to that magical and personal fingerpicking, goodbye to the violin, and even singing becomes difficult (holding a fork or urinating was difficult too...).
It takes 28 years for him to return to a stage, there in Sidmouth. Those who know him, those who cherish a copy of "Penguin Eggs" are there witnessing - in silence - that small miracle.
He will try again a few more times in the following three years, Nic will attempt to at least start singing again. Then, in 2013, after a concert at the Shrewsbury folk festival, Nic will throw in the towel and say it's enough.
