Abbey Pub by Richard Sinclair
"Why did the singer in the band have the lock taken out of his front door? So he could come in at any time, and he didn't have to remember the key."
- Michael Bloom, Boston
The story started in 1993 when I traveled up to Milwaukee to see the Caravan of Dreams trio with Andy and Rick (since they were not playing in Chicago). I met Richard before the show and offered to try and get him a gig in Chicago if he toured the states again. The following year he did a solo tour and I was able to talk an Irish pub into allowing us to put on the show. Luckily Jim DeRogatis, music critic of the Chicago Sun Times, wrote a recommendation based on my handwritten note to him so we had a pretty decent turnout.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_DeRogatis
Things were very informal as I just collected cash at the door (I think we were charging $10) so that Richard wound up with a nice stack of bills at the end of the night. He wasn't too thrilled with the guitar amp that I had borrowed, and he kept fiddling with the amp and his guitars for much of the night.
For me however it was a magical gig getting to hear Richard play music from Caravan, Hatfield and the North, and lots of newer tunes from Caravan of Dreams and RSVP. I had a friend film the whole show using my Sony camcorder so the sound that you hear is from that recording. Richard played acoustic guitar, fretless bass, and an interesting electric guitar (possibly a Roland) with some synth type sounds.
Richard and Heather stayed with us for two days and we had a delightful time hanging out together before they moved on to the next city.
Best wishes,
- David Ashcraft
Track three is a veritable bass tour de force by Richard.
Tracklist
Credits
Richard Sinclair - guitar, Casio synth-guitar, bass & vocals
Recorded Wednesday 11 May 1994 at The Abbey Pub & Grill, Chicago, Illinois by David Ashcraft on his Sony 8mm camcorder. A DVD of the show could be available in the future, if there's interest.
www.chicagoabbey.com
www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35805-d478256-Reviews-Abbey_Pub-Chicago_Illinois.html
www.facebook.com/BarRescue/videos/the-abbey-pub-goes-up-in-flames/1476509399064015/
blockclubchicago.org/2019/08/16/the-abbey-is-coming-back-years-after-fire-forced-its-closure-but-the-pubs-longtime-owners-have-nothing-to-do-with-it/
Thanks to David Ashcraft for his kind assistance with the tapes & notes.
©️ 1994 Richard SinclairSongs Ltd., All Rights Reserved
License
All rights reserved.Recommendations
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The leading voice of the Canterbury Scene. Beginning with the Wilde Flowers, on to Caravan, Hatfield & the North, Camel and all his recent group efforts, Richard Sinclair's singing and bass playing have been a constant source of delight for lovers of Canterbury music. A deep, low voice, a talent for memorable melodies, and an imaginative and fluid technique on the bass and guitar are his gifts.