Cambridge Folk Festival - Sunday 30th July

[Albert Tatlock]

My rambling blog type thing ... Pictures are still in my camera here at work (I've come straight back to London from Cambridge this morning, so have to be omitted today). I'll try and get back to it tomorrow. I have to say that I am quite pleased with alot of them.

 

On arrival in Cambridge I had a couple of hours to spare in which to wander round the city - I hadn't been there since a drunken attempt at croquet on a college lawn almost exactly 20 years ago. It is as lovely a ever (I much prefer it to Oxford) and all was strangely calm - Welsh Rich had obviously not yet risen from his usual Saturday night rampage. By midday the temperature was soaring - with the humidity that has also plagued us this heatwave summer. There had been predictions of thunderstorms, which would have been typical for the day I turned up at the festival, but all stayed balmy (maybe too hot) for the entire day and night. Bussed down to the festival site and had a wander round getting into the atmosphere. I took it as a good sign that the cider stall had a sign up saying "Minimum order 4 pints".

 

[Picture - general view from the very back]

The family/picnic/cider consumption/sunbathing/socialising area, stretching down to the main tent. There are relay speakers so everyone can hear, and those who choose not to sweat it out in the masses can do their thing here. Personally, I generally need to be able to see the facial expressions of the artists if I am anywhere near interested in their music. It's a good job many choose to enjoy the festival this way though, as there certainly wouldn't be enough space to fit everyone into the performance tents (same applies if the weather was bad). I only got a glimpse of the vibe here late on in the night, but it seemed alot like the friendly atmosphere I had enjoyed at the Sidmouth Festival I used to attend when I lived in Devon.

 

Early on even the covered area was full of people who had staked out their claim with a picnic blanket (which is a bit of a problem when they get so uptight about others trying to get in to stand when they take up so much space - luckily this issue faded a bit as the day wore on and they were crowded out), so I had to pick my way through to within about 20m of the stage as Capercaille kicked things off in a Gaelic Skye style at 2pm. A great start, with good upbeat tales of death and longing except for the occassional lapse into jazz funk. I am allergic to slap bass I had to cut this short after 40 minutes as I was meeting up with Welsh Rich + 1 (). Just prior to that I got a chance to see local Cambridge acoustic guitar duo Ezio from afar in the second tent - Ezio Lunedei and Mark "Booga" Fowell - the latter a real character and nifty guitar player, with a Johnny Vegas looky-likey thing going on. Very entertaining and they were kicking up a storm.

 

Made the hook-up with Rich + 1, then at his suggestion made our way back to the main tent for the John Butler Trio. Rich had overhead some snippets from his performance the previous day (most of the acts do two shows - Friday/Saturday of Saturday/Sunday, giving a chance for people to avoid clashes).

[Picture - John Butler in full effect]

This festival stretches the boundaries of folk in all directions, and this was about as folkie as Led Zeppelin. If you had heard that E.C. is God, forget it. J.B. is God. Do yourself a favour and see this man. The songs are not so special, but once he gets playing, it is just extra-ordinary. I have discovered that he has already had alot of success in his native Australia, but this felt like I was witnessing a career defining performance. Astonishing, absolutely astonishing. Nice demeanor (like a understated JT patter at times between songs). During the day it struck me that the audience was like a Welsh rugby crowd - knowledgeable through having a majority who have played the game (or instruments/folk club membership in this case), won't stand for any nonsense (it's all about the music - leave your egos at the door), and recognise true class when they see it (even in the opposition in the rugby analogy, which has been more often than not in the last 15 years). Here was a mixed crowd of all ages that just erupted in adulation. Just a special moment. Strange thing about him, and some of the other acts I witnessed, was that in all probability it is not something I would listen to or buy at any other time, but live I was just enthralled and have so much respect for this guy. Again, a 'folk' festival seems to have a much higher level of musicianship on show than a corresponding rock event, so even if something down the bill is not quite to your taste, there will always be something in the playing to appreciate. On the same sort of point as above, the only artist I have heard negative comments about was Tift Merritt - who apparently came with an attitude - expecting a response that the crowd did not judge as worthy. Unfortunate. I don't know anything about her other than a single live song played on Radio 2 on Saturday night. I was not overly impressed I have to say. Someone I also heard then and did love was Nickel Creek. They were playing again on Sunday, but that was the only scheduling clash I could not avoid - by that time I had such a good position in the main tent that I could not leave it. After the dust had settled, Rich + 1 went off to see Cara Dillon, whilst I stayed for Eddi Reader. Given the mass of people it was unlikely that we would meet up again without sacrificing music time or prime locations, and so it proved. I hope the rest of his day was as stellar as mine.

 

[Pictures - the lovely Eddi Reader]

4:30 pm and slightly delayed by the uproar over John Butler (there were strictly no encores in an effort to keep to timekeeping - except for the headline acts), Eddi and her band timidly gathered on stage and got themselves sorted out with the roadies before the performance proper. Another thing I liked about the weekend - was being party to this sort of mini soundcheck by each group. Eddi sang Mystery Train almost to herself as a vocal warm up (her Dad was a big Elvis fan). I have always loved Eddi Reader. One of the most identifiable jawlines in British music, and the same can be said of her voice. Simple songs you may think, and you'd be right, but a voice I care for, and she gives herself into a performance with such joy. She's quite a character too if the inter-song banter is anything to go by too. One of the most special moments of the whole day for me was the rendition of Allelujah from the old Fairground Attraction debut album. She also felt obliged to perform Perfect - dedicated to her late father and also to the demise of Top of the Pops (the last show went out on Sunday night). As I said, she had quite an act to follow, but I and the rest of the crowd were basking in her voice and sweet nature, so even Perfect was welcomed as a summer's day sing-a-long rather than a cheesy moment. A second treat was Ae Fond Kiss - duetting with the lead singer from Capacailli. There was a fair amount of sitting in and helping out between the acts. Her hour and a bit, plus John Butler, had already made the whole trip worthwhile for me, and I was still far from the reason I had come in the first place.

 

That was the end of the afternoon session. In the brief pause the crowd thinned out a bit and I made my move to the front. It was a tough decision. I was already feeling pretty drained and dehydrated (I had a bit of water with me but had to ration it - balancing against any possible bladder issues (if I had got to the front then it was too good a chance to miss Emmylou), and I had not eaten since some sandwiches at 11 am, but I was here for the music not the fast food. The "string supergroup" Mozaik kicked the evening off at 6pm. From what I gather they were formed from some members of the Irish band Planxty, with some Appalachin type Americans thrown in and a Bulgarian (I'm guessing from the instruments and influence). They gave us a set of hypnotic rhythms and complicated time signatures - taking in all forms implied by their membership. Although it did tend to get a bit samey for me, the playing was absolutely top notch and incredibly tight, and they were having a ball, which was good to see. 7:10pm, and a complete change of atmosphere, from the complicated to the simple, from the largely instrumental to being all about a voice. And what a voice. Bettye Lavette. 60 years old, 45 years in the business, and can still strip paint at 40 yards. A female James Brown complete with false 'exit'. She proceeded to scream, cry, and wail here way though tunes of rejection and heartache. She had the spirit move her alright. She has recently won some awards (at last) and was very pleased about it. She is the real thing - soul before it became all about bling rather than balls. A glimpse into past decades when Otis and Sam where knocking them dead. Wow! So that was two fantastic voices in the day, and the best for me was yet to come.

 

[Pictures - Emmylou, plus alot of others, but I've forgotten to put the placemarkers in at other points]

Emmylou. She could cough up phlegm into a tin bucket and it would be music to my ears. This was the big one. Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose appeared on stage and got themselves kitted out during the changeover. The former playing low-key percussion (i.e not a drum kit) and mandolin, the latter handling all guitar duties that Emmylou was not covering herself. There was also an unknown (to me) stand-up bass player. I can only judge from what I've heard from the live Spyboy album, but this acoustic line-up was, I thought, a much better framework in which Emmylou could to weave her magic. Her voice was not competing with anything too overpowering. All the subtleties and nuances were highlighted. In short, it was just plain glorious. Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose each had a little bit of technical/electrical difficulty a couple of times, and if I was being really mean I could say that they did not quite reach the levels of musical mastery I had already witnessed from others that day, but what they did bring in abundance was fantastic additional harmonies, which more than made up for any former perceived weakness, and made the stand-out a capella songs possible. Again, for this reason I much preferred this to a Spyboy lineup.

 

Emmylou appeared onstage to a fantastic reception, and looked radiant and obviously pleased to have made it to this famous festival at last. A couple of songs to clear out the pipes, and then it was all glorious. This was not a set that was going to knock anyone's socks off. Nothing as upbeat as a Get Up John, for example. But it was an hour and a half of exquisite beauty, just the perfect showcase for that voice. It seems to me that Emmylou is singing as well as ever. I did see here in '93 or '94 I think, at the Royal Albert Hall. Whilst this show had the benefit of featuring the Hot Band (their last tour maybe?), I came away thinking that Emmylou seemed to be slightly restricted by the type of songs she was singing and was, to some extent, going through the motions. Just my personal perceptions. Even her vocals were not quite what I had hoped for. Since then she has gone through her reinvention, branching out in different directions, defying convention, and appears to me to be a much more fulfilled artist. There is no single artist I have stuck with consistently as long as Emmylou Harris. Yesterday night she repaid that debt (as if?) in spades. I had had some trepidation in going to this show - my regard for her is such that it was almost set up to be an anti-climax, but I had the pleasure of experiencing one of the most special shows of my life. Thanks Emmylou. As you said, you can now add the Cambridge Folk Festival to your resume. I'll write you a reference if ever you need it!

 

What I remember of the setlist first two and last two in order, the rest are up for grabs. Perhaps one or two more that I can't recollect. I thought that this was a great list - nothing predictable (apart from Boulder to Birmingham, but who would complain about it's inclusion - not me) and with a mix of different eras and rarities.

Here I am

Orphan Girl

The Pearl

Red Dirt Girl

To Know Hime is To Love Him

Love and Happiness (song from All the Roadrunning that was never performed on the Mark Knopfler tour)

Goin' Back to Harlan

A Love That Will Never Grow Old (from Brokeback Mountain)

Spanish is a Loving Tongue (cover - old radio favourite of Emmylou)

Ain't nothin"....baby (a capella)

After the Goldrush (cover - of course. Nice nod to Neil in the banter, and introduced as 'another girly harmony'.)

Sweetheart of the Rodeo

Strong Hand

Boy From Tupelo

Bright morning star (a capella)

=encore=

Boulder to Birmingham

 

Those three ladies grouped around the a capella microphone sending it out was just something special. Personal note, just towards the end of the last but one song of the main set I had a bit of a funny turn. The heat had finally got to me and I had to sink to my knees for a minute or so. For a horrible moment I thought I might throw up. Weird. Luckily made it back to my feet for Bright Morning Star. I believe that there was another song on the setlist for the encore, but the applause between other songs must have stretched things out a bit, plus Emmylou did a fair amount of talking between songs, with that lilting delivery just as pleasing as the singing to me. There was a following act and the ultimate strict curfew time to hit. She is touring in September and October in the US - largely with the set up featuring Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose. She is sounding better than ever. You really must not miss a chance to witness that unique talent.

 

10 pm and the main tent began to thin out a bit. There is a deliberate policy of not putting the headliner on last, so that there can be a more gradual flow of people away from the site (those who are not camping anyway). I was now on the barrier (had been in the second row prior to that), and was grateful for something to lean on. The temperature had dropped a bit, so I was now feeling very tired, but OK. On next were Croft Number 5. The Blurb says "Drawing strength from a deep-rooted Scottish music tradition and inspiration from techno and electronic music, they create a global dance sound which swings from instrumental funk to electro-folk." I say: if you could imagine Neu! getting marooned in the Outer Hebrides for a winter, this is what they would sound like. It was loud folk-trance music that had brought the younger element in the crowd to the front and headbanging away. It was different (for a while until it got samey) and energetic, but I had had a long day, so after 25 minutes decided I could take no more. However, the cool night air felt good, and then from the second tent I heard the bouncy beats of Salsa Celtica. I was revived by the power of dance! Straight in the tent and witnessed a writhing mass of humanity - a raucous last 45 minutes of pure magic. The joint was jumping, quite literally, and the pores I thought could sweat no more went into overdrive again. Whoever organised this festival had served up yet another tasty treat. Bagpipes, fiddles and pipes meet a horn section and latino piano and percussion! I counted 14 people on stage, but there could have been more - they did not stand still long enough to count properly. An announcement of "That's it" was greeted with a near riot, and two more songs! A great way to end the night.

 

The walk back to the centre of Cambridge and my hotel gave me a chance to unwind, but I was still badly dehydrated even after grabbing a drink on my way out. After bumping into Rodrigo y Gabriela in the hotel lobby (would have liked to see them play earlier) I flopped into the bar and ordered a soft drink. I must have looked like some sweaty roadie, as when the barman asked me if I was "From the festival?", which I was, he said "It's OK, there's a tab". Free drinks! Even so, I could not bring myself to drink any alcohol. I knew how I would suffer the next day. Looking round I say a spread of sandwiches and later chips. Also, I saw Mike Harding and the Ezio boys, and what must have been some more luminaries from the British folk scene, but I did not recognise them. Radio 2 and/or the organisers must have had a few people staying at the hotel. I piled into the chips and felt the energy flooding back into my body. It had been a good day indeed.

 

Now I really have to do some work (at least until Rich posts), but it is days like yesterday that make all the days of work worthwhile!

 

Festival diary - nothing from Sunday up yet

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/cambrid...y_friday1.shtml

 

Galleries - nothing from Sunday up yet

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/cambrid...lleryhome.shtml

 

There are mini artist bios and things here:-

http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/public/ff/arti...ists_list.shtml

[Welsh Rich]

Welsh Rich had obviously not yet risen from form his usual Saturday night rampage.

 

The rampage was on Friday night - you were lucky to meet me on Sunday, man did I have a hangover and a half on Sat until the "hair of the dog" helped out in the evening!

 

Welsh Rich + 1 ().

 

 

 

I was there for the whole weekend, from Fri night onwards and I have to say it was the best weekend I've had in ages. The atmosphere was brilliant; very relaxed and chilled - even in the heat. I've finished the weekend with a very nice tan and a poorer bank balance from buying CD's of the bands I saw who were impressive.

 

For me, the highlights on Saturday were Rachel Unthank in the Club Tent; geordie lasses with a twist of odd folk music and voices that sent shivers down my spine - fantastic stuff.

 

Then I caught Dervish a fanstastic blend of upbeat folk with thumping bass that was really great and danceable stuff. Tried to catch them again on Sunday morning, but missed them.

 

I shall second Andrew's thoughts on The John Butler Trio - a fantastic live act. If the Red Hot Chili Peppers had listened to more folk than funk at school. His guitar playing was sublime; the sounds he managed to conjure up from his 12 string was impressive. The crowd definitely went wild for them and I can now see why. He's got an impressively long back catalogue which I'm going to acquire and give a listen to, I just hope it doesn't disappoint.

 

Cara Dillion who I saw instead of Eddie Reader was also impressive. More political than I gave her credit, my girlfriend (the +1 Mr. Dowdall is referring too!) wanted to see her and I went along as I'd dragged her to plenty of stuff. Dillion's more upbeat stuff was great, but the slower numbers tended towards bland, folk by numbers.

 

I then went to watch a friend playing the accordian on the open-mic with a friend (Diamond Dave and Sam!) doing traditional irish folk music - very good too, even got the crowd dancing, but 15 mins wasn't really enough!

 

Emmylou Harris was impressive. I couldn't get as close as Andrew, but could see her from our stand point. I don't know a great deal of her back catalogue, I came across her through Gram Parsons. Her voice live is just incredible, so clear and sharp. Once again though, I though the more upbeat numbers that got my foot taping were better than her gentle ballads which can tend towards samey. But the capella stuff was really moving.

 

Glad you had a good time Andrew - tried to spot you leaving, but unsurprisingly, we missed you. Hungaround for a more bands then headed home. Very tired in work this morning!

[Albert Tatlock]

I was there for the whole weekend, from Fri night onwards and I have to say it was the best weekend I've had in ages.

As I said, I'm really happy it turned out that way as I had given you a bit of encouragement to go - though for once it didn't clash with you birthday trip back home. Wonder about next year (he wrote thinking how he might be able to get in as a Cambridge resident).

 

Club Tent

That seems to be the place where the hardcore folk was happening. If I knew anything about any of them I might have been tempted, but it would have been a bit of a gamble. Then again, who ever picked the artists did such a good job throughout.

[Welsh Rich]

As I said, I'm really happy it turned out that way as I had given you a bit of encouragement to go - though for once it didn't clash with you birthday trip back home. Wonder about next year (he wrote thinking how he might be able to get in as a Cambridge resident).

That seems to be the place where the hardcore folk was happening. If I knew anything about any of them I might have been tempted, but it would have been a bit of a gamble. Then again, who ever picked the artists did such a good job throughout.

 

Thanks for the heads up for sure - it worked out well in the end as Helen was already going and so were a couple of other friends. Definitely going to go next year if things work out.

 

As for the Cambridge residents thing, they didn't check whether I was or not when we went in on Fri night, just gave us a wrist band...

 

Club Tent is just good to hang out in when there's nothing else on - shelter, it's own bar, good music! Nothing to lose

[Welsh Rich]

I've managed to upload some photos... Excluse some of the quality, I'm still getting used to it!

 

Teddy Thompson (not as good as his Dad)

 

Some random Aussie folk from the Club Tent

 

Rachael Unthank

 

 

 

Cerys Matthews (not very good photo)

 

John Butler Trio

 

Me, bleary eyed, with my + 1

[Albert Tatlock]

I'll have a look tonight (blocked site). I have heard that Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones was around checking out young acts. Wonder what he thought of John Butler?

[Albert Tatlock]

Link to them all

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47093568@N00/

 

Some of the ones I like follow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47093568@N00/

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Nice review. I wouldn't complain about Boulder to Birmingham either. I first heard that song on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion in 1996, when it had temporarily changed its name to The American Radio Company. Emmylou and her band were delayed by a blizzard, and when she came on she was clearly glad to have reached the gig. She did a stunning version of the song, along with Abraham, Martin and John. I've been looking for a recording ever since.

A great performer and a truly underrated legend.

[Albert Tatlock]

Boulder to Birmingham ... I've been looking for a recording ever since.

There is a live version on the Spyboy album, but I guess you mean that particular show...

Seriously she's not highly rated in the US? That's criminal

.

[M. (hristine]

Planxty, Nickel Creek and Dervish.

 

Where else would I find mention of three favorite bands all together in the same thread?

 

Wonderful review and lovely photos as well.

[froggie]

great read... thanks

[Welsh Rich]

Nice photos Andrew, especially the Emmylou ones.

 

Was going through my notes last night so I'll hopefully have a full review up shortly...

[Albert Tatlock]

great read... thanks

So... is John Butler on your radar in Australia? The Independent described him as 'jam-band like', which would be a first for me

[Albert Tatlock]

Planxty, Nickel Creek and Dervish.

Because I like you I will not take offence that you left Emmylou off that list

It's easy to spot the Irishman in the middle of Mozaik isn't it. Watching the grey haired ex-Planxty guy (the one in what is probably the best of my photos) was great fun - he was having such a ball on stage.

[froggie]

i was at the pub with a friend before and he came on the jukebox... the trio are pretty big here

 

a few of years ago, they used to play lots of university campuses

[Albert Tatlock]

Hmmm, not sure a juke box would do him justice, but live is another matter for me. Seems like a nice guy too. He said he gave up being an art teacher to "play music and pull strange faces"

[froggie]

i've seen them live once.... great live act. i've only heard one album, but the tunes they did live sounded much better.

 

down here, they're one of those "underground" bands that everyone seems to know and love

 

he's a wizz on the 12-string, eh?

[Albert Tatlock]

he's a wizz on the 12-string, eh?

Indeed, and for those looking at the picture and just see an 'acoustic' guitar, it was producing everything from folkie strumming to being a flaming electric axe.

[Welsh Rich]

I must admit to being a little nervous about listening to his stuff on record and whether it'll do it justice... just hope it does!

 

Also, Andrew, could I use a couple of your photos for the review? I was thinking of your general view, the john butler one and one of the emmylou ones too.

[Albert Tatlock]

Also, Andrew, could I use a couple of your photos for the review?

Sure, go ahead. I forgot to bring in the actual originals on a memory stick this morning that I could have emailed you - which you could have cropped or something if necessary (and get rid of the red eye on the smiling Emmylou picture). I don't know if you can get the original size back from flickr - although that may indeed be the optimum size since when full scale a few of them are a bit more grainy when using the zoom.

FYI, Croft Number 5 have already decided to split up later this year.

 

You can also quote me on the "She could cough up phlegm into a tin bucket and it would be music to my ears" too .

[Albert Tatlock]

Planxty, Nickel Creek and Dervish.

 

WEDNESDAY 02 AUGUST

BBC Radio 2 Cambridge Folk Festival Highlights

7:00pm - 9:00pm

 

If you go to the BBC Radio 2 website you'll be able to stream this (with their 'listen again' feature). Might be something that takes your fancy.

[Welsh Rich]

Any news on the TV coverage, Andrew?

[M. (hristine]

Because I like you I will not take offence that you left Emmylou off that list

It's easy to spot the Irishman in the middle of Mozaik isn't it. Watching the grey haired ex-Planxty guy (the one in what is probably the best of my photos) was great fun - he was having such a ball on stage.

I adore Emmy Lou. I just figured you were swoony enough for all of us.

[Albert Tatlock]

I adore Emmy Lou. I just figured you were swoony enough for all of us.

You know how to hurt a man.

(It's high cheek bones every time )

[Albert Tatlock]

Any news on the TV coverage, Andrew?

I have seen Friday 11th and 18th August mentioned, 9pm, BBC4. But, checking the schedules online now shows I Claudius. ? Will keep my eyes peeled. I can't remember if there were cameras working for John Butler. God I hope so. Should be some YouTube gems shortly afterwards.

 

I also think that there were several special impromptu sessions recorded in the VIP/performers area - the radio programme might give more insight into that.