Davey Johnstone and Magna Carta: “Elizabethan”

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Davey Johnstone and Magna Carta: “Elizabethan” Concert of 1971 at the Royal Albert Hall

On June 23, 1971, the Royal Albert Hall in London was the stage for one of the most sophisticated and memorable moments in British progressive folk music. The band Magna Carta, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, performed the thematic concert “Elizabethan,” a spectacle that combined orchestral arrangements with the lyricism and lightness of folk. The event marked a milestone not only in the group’s trajectory but also in the career of Davey Johnstone, then a young multi-instrumentalist preparing to enter music history alongside Elton John.

Davey Johnstone had joined Magna Carta the previous year, replacing Australian guitarist Lyell Tranter. His recording debut with the group occurred in 1970 on the album Seasons, followed by Songs from Wasties Orchard in 1971—works that showcased his skill with instruments such as mandolin, dulcimer, sitar, and banjo. In a short time, Johnstone became a key figure in the band’s arrangements, imprinting his identity on compositions like “The Boatman,” written by him.

The June 1971 concert was conceived as a celebration of the Elizabethan era, with themed costumes, musical storytelling, and a symphonic rendition of the suite Seasons. The performance featured tracks such as “Parliament Hill,” “Elizabethan,” “Sea and Sand,” and “The Mason’s Apron”—the latter highlighted by a virtuosic solo from Johnstone that drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. The blend of intimate folk music with the grandeur of a full orchestra offered the audience a sound experience that was innovative for its time.

Although the recording of the performance was considered lost for decades, it was recently rediscovered and officially released by Repertoire Records. The album Live at the Royal Albert Hall 1971 revives the spirit of the concert, preserving not only the musical execution but also the atmosphere of artistic reverence that marked that night.

The impact of this event was decisive in Davey Johnstone’s career. Impressed by his versatility, producer Gus Dudgeon invited him to collaborate with Bernie Taupin on side projects and, shortly after, to take part in the sessions for Elton John’s Madman Across the Water. Later that same year, Johnstone officially joined Elton’s band, beginning a collaboration that would span decades and more than 2,900 performances around the world.

The “Elizabethan” concert remains a testament to the British folk scene’s power of innovation and to the emerging talent of a musician who would become a living legend in pop and rock music. For Magna Carta, it represented their artistic peak; for Johnstone, the beginning of a new era.