Stories that should be told (2) Nic Jones
004 Canadee-I-O, Nic Jones On August 5, 2010, "folk week" takes place in Sidmouth; on stage steps a man: he is unsteady on his legs, moving slowly and with difficulty, his gestures unnaturally mechanical, and his voice is faint, weak but deep. The audience greets him with a respectful and engaged silence. He manages to sing only three songs, but they are enough for those lucky enough to be there.
At least for those who know who that man is.
Nic Jones was one of the greatest English folksingers, one of the leading figures of that so-called "folk revival" which, between the '60s and '70s, produced extraordinary records from groups and soloists. Pentangle, Richard Thompson, Bert Jansch, June Tabor, Davy Graham, Sandy Bull (and I could go on for a long time, but you get the point). Among those names, Nic Jones's name should stand out: 5 albums to his name (and many contributions to important records), among which at least one absolute masterpiece (Penguin Eggs). A personal and original style, an exquisite instrumental technique, and a wonderfully happy writing; Nic was born to be at the top of his class.
Yet on February 28, 1982, 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 (it was hard even to hold a fork or to urinate...).
It takes 28 years for him to return to a stage, there in Sidmouth. Those who know, who carefully guard a copy of "Penguin Eggs," are there to witness - in silence - that small miracle.
He will try again a few more times in the subsequent three years, Nic attempting 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 enough.
