Holiday, Part 1: Cambridge Folk Festival.

I love live music of all kinds, but I have a special little place for folk. It somehow makes me react in a happy way, every time. Thats what its all about, surely. I studied folk as often as possible during my degree and A Level, when there was free rein to prepare your own projects, and even where there wasn't but the essay title could be interpreted towards it! I soon became obsessed with the collection of it, by classical composers, (Vaughan Williams and Bela Bartok are the main ones) and how these 'songs of the people' (a middle class observation if ever I heard one... but true enough) spoke for the land from which they came, and became integral to their physical work (think sailors and shanties, and spirituals in America). Fascinating, rich stuff.
Events and day tickets to folk festivals were one of the highlights of my holidays when I was little. My Uncle is an avid fan, and he always seemed to be just back from, or just off-to somewhere. I used to love the names: Chippenham, Cropredy, Sidmouth (I remember going to this one with him). His bedroom at my Grandparent's house was full of LPs and tapes, and he would get in trouble for playing it all too loudly. I loved the diversity, and the energy of it all, and I really liked the atmosphere to the gigs I went to. It was time, this year, to return to the scene!

You know the wonderful thing about folk lovers, is that they are friendly, and laid back, and smiley. One of the performers remarked in a Sky Arts interview that I saw, that this was possibly the only festival where the crowd maintained their manners enough to stay within the white lines. So that transfers to the kinda people you end up striking up a conversation with, or camping next to. All of the staff were lovely too, and the main site was fab- there was a main stage, and two secondary ones (one for local bands and workshops) and just a 5 minute walk from all the billed stuff was a beautiful huge pond, and in a smallish tent was a little intimate venue where you could feel part of amazing busking-type stuff that you'd never come across. I was called The Den, and it was a lovely teepee, complete with living room features on stage, and rugs and cushions on the floor.

The Den

 Stage 2- Fiddle Workshop. This was early on in the festival- most people 

didn't arrive till the weekend. None of the site was this empty again!

 The Spooky Men's Chorale. As bizarre as it their name, but quite entertaining.

And the program was brilliant. I watched, amazed, as new acts were announced on the website, having conversations with said Uncle about all the things that he wanted me to see on his behalf, and looking everybody up on youtube. Traditional folky stuff galore, with some mainstream greats too, and acts you've probably heard of, on Jools Holland, and thought you might come across again, and recent successes in the folk arena who have managed to get mainstream recognition. Just a small taster:

The Secret Sisters,

Chris Wood,

Bellowhead, (Spiers and Boden also performed as a duo- fantastic!)

Kate Rusby,

Richard Thompson,

Saltfishforty,

Pentangle,

Peatbog Faeries,

Rumer,

Mary Chapin Carpenter,

Laura Marling,

Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends.

Whoa! I think I saw all of those, or remained nearby with a Greek salad and an Old Rosie, so that I could diligently say to my Uncle that I'd 'heard them', even if it wasn't something that could drag me away from a well deserved and well-queued-for meal. So this is an interesting thing- the elements of traditional 'folk' up against more household names. The hardcore folkies who have been going for years (and they all tell me that this is something I will really want to return to), have quite a bit to choose from, and those who just want it all (um, like me) have all of the above, and the new unsigned or newly signed performers to dip into.

 lovely flags at our colourful campsite

The performance tent at our site- open mics each evening. We camped away from 

the main festival and took a short bus ride in each day. It was nice to be able to retreat a little from it all, but the idea of staying on the main site is very appealing.

Then there were the announcements on the bill that made me jump up and down. So inspirational and wonderful was their music on CD and on Radio 1s Live Lounge (an avid fan here, of that programme), that I couldn't wait to get there. I also felt the need to get to these gigs 90 minutes early or so, so that I could find a space near the stage: Frank Turner and Newton Faulkner were the headliners.

Folk? Actually, not strictly... but there is something about this type of singer-songwriter, and story teller, that has firm roots in a folky idea- strong rhythms, personal feelings and stories, stuff that communicates so well, and is original sounding. Frank Turner (who is flibbing fantastic), has a new (beautiful) album out to promote, and is described as more of a punk-folk performer, but he was there for all of the above reasons, and he looked humbled by our reception. He was almost apologetic in interview, concerned about the reaction he might get from people who had come to see folk, and he sang his unaccompanied song to try and get some votes, and even had a guy on a recorder for us, but he was great. We went to the festival with my fella's sister, and two of her work colleagues, one of whom was in his 60s, and 'here for the banjos and Morris Dancers'. He thought Frank was superb.

Newton Faulkner is a feat of multi-tasking, and every single part of him is about the music-making. He has mastered a particular style of rhythmic guitar playing which includes drumming on the side of the instrument, with hammer-ons, harmonics and regular melodic and chordal playing. Its much funner to listen to than the clnical description sounds! His hit single 'Dream Catch Me'  may be familiar, and it is hauntingly beautiful, but its only half of what he can do. I haven't included links so far- I highly reccomend you check Mr Frank, Laura Marling, and the Fishermen out, but you must listen to this:

I'm a bit of a fan, and there was a signing tent where I got my programme, and my Fella got his 

guitar signed. Other musicians were there too, but the queues were long, and you ended up missing 

great music standing there, so Newton's was the only one we collected. 

We were lucky enough to go to a guitar workshop with him, which was  informal and relaxed, and not heaving to begin with, so we had the pleasure of being able to sit near the stage. A big part of this festival is giving people a chance to see or become involved. (Its a fantastic place for children- willow weaving, flower garland making, traditional story telling, and so it goes on...) We stumbled upon a fiddle workshop too, but I was too much of a chicken to take my violin. I will next year... I think! Anywhoo, we all sat there, struck a little dum by all that we were seeing. Its not the sort of skills you can grab in a day or a few weeks, but its just really interesting to be given a tour of his guitar and set-up, and shown what happens where and how to put it together. He tunes his strings very differently to the traditional way, which is an interesting idea, and gives an insight into just how much thought and prep goes into his style. And he's hillarious! So at ease with a crowd, and spontaneous and fun. What a nice guy.

We went to a vocal workshop with the Fishermen too- fantastic! You may have come across this traditional Cornish singing group- the BBC did a programme recently, with that Gareth chap from The Choir, investigating shanties, and they were featured. I think they have commercials and bits in the offing too. Good on them. They're highly entertaining- fantastic banter, wonderful accents, ofcourse (made me miss my Cornish relatives, although I do still see my dad regularly... but you know what I mean...) and beautiful harmonies and performances. Their album is good, Little Guy loves it, but you lose a little tiny 10% of something in the recorded article- they're just superb live, with minimal accompaniament , and if you ever get a chance to go to Port Isaac, I do believe they have carried on their tradition of singing by the sea on a Friday evening, for the locals. I know of a lovely fellow blogger who may have been to one of their performances on their home turf recently- we'll have to see what she says about it!

Port Isaac's Fishermen's Friends.

Oh, its been so lovely to sit and reminisce, and go through my photos once more. It really is the type of festival you'd want to return to, especially if there is somebody on the bill you need to see, (Stornaway and Joan Armatrading have previously played) because its a great venue.

Willow-sculptures: chinese lanterns decorating the camp.

Street artists. We saw a few of these- you couldn't escape. Best to move along 

otherwise they approached you! A beautiful fox in the background.

Returning to my little ones and their cousin, who they were staying with. I came bearing gifts! 

Little Miss L is modelling her new watch, Little Guy has his bumblebee sun hat, and Pickle Missy, as she is the eldest,  is sporting the folk festival essential- a flower garland.

And the camping? I survived- hurrah!  The weather was very kind to us, and the camp-showers have been updated from the ones I was told about- no solar power for us! Just regular over-used get-them-while-they're-hot ones that can sustain a lovely temperature when they are largely un-used in the mid-afternoon. Oh I must just post these links, if you get a chance, and you like your traditional folk,  The Willows and Feis Rois Musicians were my favourite little discoveries of the weekend.


xxx

An Evening Concert.

This should also be subtitled:

'and a post in which it becomes more apparent what I do for a living!'

It seems to have been a while since I blogged! I've been a busy bee, and have also been a poorly bee, and also a bee who was unable to finish her Photo Scavenger Hunt, but theres always next month. I think I'm back into routine now.

Let me tell you about a lovely evening I had at the weekend. There was me, my fella, a nice warm evening walk up to a beautiful church, and this lady:

source

 Forget your Take That tickets- this was the place to be! (Jealous, much?!..) I couldnt quite believe what I was reading when I found out that Tasmin Little was due to play with John Lenehan at a nearby church, and assumed it would be too difficult for me to go. But somehow there were still tickets at the 11th hour, and I managed to convince my other half (not known for his classical music leanings) that this was not to be missed. We were there early, so as to get the best choice of seats in our ticket price. I was thrilled to be very near the stage. This was the programme:

 Fritz Kreisler - Praeludium and Allegro

J.S. Bach - Sonata in E major No. 3, BWV1016

Mozart - Sonata No 17 in C major, K296

Grieg - Sonata No. 2 in G major, Op 13

Tchaikovsky - Melodie from 'Souvenir d'un lieu cher'.

Bartok - Romanian Folk Dances.

What a treat! There was a time when my life was steeped in classical music, and, much as I always loved the radio, and the Top 40, (and later on, Britpop and Indie and grungie stuff of all descriptions), I spent my Saturday mornings in Orchestras, my Sunday afternoons in choir, and almost everyday after school was a different music-based commitment or lesson. After my studies, I had no real reason to live and breathe orchestral music, and I enjoyed escaping it all for a while. I then decided that I missed it, but after I moved, there was no real way of getting together with others to make music anymore, so I started to teach, and found new interests to occupy my evenings (notably staying at home with my small children!) But I'm an all-round music kinda girl, and will listen to anything, and this programme took me right back to the days when I could call myself a pretty good violinist.

The Kreisler was a particular treat- such a lovely way to open the concert, and a real indulgence of mine. Due to the concert venue, it was unavoidable to hear her warming-up, and this was the one she practised before she came in- it was interesting to hear how she went over the notes, played it through slightly un-easily, double-checked her fingering and tuning just as any other debut-soloist might... even though she's far from this! Ofcourse she just slipped into another mode, and there were no signs of nerves onstage, just pure wonderful music-making.

The Bach was also very beautiful, and it was a new listen for me, just like the Grieg, which I must look out for a recording of. Of course the Bartok was the biggest croud-pleaser. I myself have a very tenuous teacher-student connection with Bartok. Aside from the fact that I love him, and I based my dissertation on his piano works, he also taught my violin-teacher's proffessor. You see? He is my Great Great Teacher...! When a student of mine played some Bartok in her exam last year, I had to tell her that she was his Great Great Great pupil!

And the lady in question, seems lovely. 'How can you tell from a concert?' I hear you ask. Ah- I just can! It was a fairly intimate performance, and she connected with everybody there. She gave music, and took pleasure in it, and seemed to have a wonderful musical connection with her very fine pianist. They shared smiles and private jokes between themselves during the energetic passages, through raised eyebrows and nods of heads, and they had a passion for the programme. There was a small incident where she came to the stage without the correct music, (which only made me like her more!) and he hopped off to collect it for her, and she filled the time on the mic with ease, talking fondly about the Kreisler that she had just played, and praising John Lenehan for his support and help. She also smiled, and looked genuinely grateful for applause, making the effort to look around the audience, catching the eyes of those that she could, to thank them back.

As with any good classical concert, the encore was a little bit of something special. (I once had the pleasure of seeing Maxim Vengerov at the Barbican in London, who, the previous summer, had sprung onto the world stage doing some impressive violinistic gymnastics at the Proms. I was a tiny bit disappointed to witness a purely Beethoven and Mozart programme, and had to wait until the second encore for a flash of his famous virtuosic playing!) My fella seemed a little surprised that they walked on and off the stage after they completed the programme, to recieve two more bursts of applause and then sat down to give us something unscheduled! But it was worth the wait. It was their own take (ie- lots of flourishes and scales and trills, and lots of opportunity to see the pianist's genius) on Monti's Czardas. Fantastic.

And what could finish the evening off nicely? A little trip to the pub, and a chance gig by a fantastic singer-songwriter. There were lots of covers of good tunes, as well as his own material. He has one of those little boxes that Little Boots used, and Ed Sheeren has, where they record a few bars at a time, layering claps, chords, backing vocals as they go- it was amazing to see him use it live. Plenty of Newton Faulkner-like guitar techniques too. Watch out for him- he's called James Kirby. Utterly inspirational. I told you I liked all music!


xxx

Today, I like these things... 2

Another one of these posts, like the one I did back in January. They're simple and fun, and a place for me to put all of my recent favourite discoveries, so that I won't lose them.

Last time, I was loving Last.fm. Well... I still am, for the reasons I outlined. Totally loving it. Its always in the background now on my computer... until I come across an artist who makes me turn that off, and immediately whizz to 'youtube' to hear more of them. Well look who I discovered through it yesterday, while I was playing with yeast and sugar solutions for dough (an unnecessary detail, but a true one) she's my new favourite singer, and I'm tempted to drag the man out of retirement, to see if Jim'll fix it for me, to have her come to my birthday party, and provide the music (and the stunning legs!!!! Jealous? Me?... and the bass player with the comedy folk-lovin-beard). She's something else...

Oh, I'm a big fan of green things appearing in my garden right now. Gotta love the Spring. I've planted out my toms (and am determined to be a good tomato mummy), into their own individual pots, and popped them in the mini greenhouse, along with a large tray of lettuce seeds. (I'm a girl who loves her salads... but you guessed that...) I'm also enjoying watching the poppies open up their lovely wide petals, and yawn in the sunshine, and close back up in the colder weather and darker parts of the day. How clever are my poppies?! I'm enjoying the hyacinths, and hoping to plant out the strawbs tomorrow. (You see? I'm using actual plant-abbreviations- as if I'm a proper gardener!) Better photos to follow in another post, but heres a taster...

Today , I liked our walk along the canal. Just me and my fella. It is lovely in all weathers, but as today was so yummy and warm, it was even nicer. Everybody we passed said 'hello', and we saw yappy dogs that looked like small cats, and ducks with curly tails, and had tiny conversations about nothing, because the company and the views were enough. I saw more blossom, and more types of blossom than I can ever remember seeing before. Beautiful.

Hmmm. Also, in keeping with my 30s list, I'm ticking off some reading:

which I stole borrowed from my dad. He knows about it, but to be honest, if I thought I had too many books on my shelf, unread... well, you know, his problem is much larger kinda thing... so he doesn't mind the odd three or four relocating. And he has the bestest books to choose from. Factoid.

I am also loving beeeeees, especially ones that come to visit, and buzz about, wondering if they could get into the My Little Pony Teaparty House, and if they did, whether they might ride on the little light-up-ride, make a cuppa, and play the sound-effect-piano. Mister Bee left eventually, but not without some confusion about my sliding windows. And he had no stripes!... but yellow legs. Fas-kinating. He was fun.

I love this place, and wish I had lots of money to buy all of the contents of its jewellery list. Its my kind of jewellery- quirky and beautiful.

I also like my children's creativity, and am happy to have their little works-of-art on walls and window sills to gaze at while they're away. And (I know its a little late... but its only just left for its long journey to its new bewildered grateful owner) look what Pickle Missy made her Great Grandma for Mothering Sunday!

xxx

Build a Rocket Boys!.. And my first outfit post (of sorts).

So Monday 28th March finally arrived! Its been on its way for a long time. Tickets were bought back in September, after a panicky text message from my sister, who was holidaying in Portugal, but who clearly had pressing things on her mind that prevented her from relaxing in the sun:

'Tell me you're online and waiting for tickets! Please please please! And let me know when you've got them!!'

 (or something to that effect)- you see that its been a long wait for her especially.

I went to see these Guys in the O2 (the Millenium Dome to those of us with a questionable sense of direction, and a limited knowledge of concert venues). Pootle, the big sister, can't mention the dome to me without reminding me about a dinner I cooked once, for our poorly mum, (who was in bed, else I guess she would have been cooking) when it was first built. It was mashed potato in a rounded shape, with sausages hidden underneath, and carrots sticking up out of it, to form a crude but artistic reproduction. I have no photo I'm afraid. You probably had to be there...
Where were we? Yep- we went to a very cool concert by

Oooh, it was good, and it was a fabulous evening too- such a treat to spend proper time with my sister, eating, wandering around and taking in the sights, reminscing. You know...

Its not often I go to a concert, and getting the childminding wasn't as straightforward as it might have been, but most importantly, what does one wear?

One wore this, casual but smart enough, and layered- black detailed wide strap top, grey thin hoody, and you'll have to imagine the skinny jeans and knee high boots.

Well actually, no, I have pictures of the boots, and the bag, which, tidily, says 'Millenium' on the front of it.

I was pretty chuffed with the way it went together actually :) ... although the Short Soft White Coat Decision combined with the London Underground wasn't my most memorable. I am sporting 'I've-recently-been-swimming, (well, splashing, doggy-paddle kinda thing) and-come-home, put-it-in-a-bun-thinking-I'll-sort-it-later, (then run out of time)' hair. I undid the semi-dry bun and spritzed with hairspray to capture the waves, trying to make them look intentional.

But all was good, and I painted my nails and got on the right bus and the right train. Hey, I even got to London early, where I discovered that:

• I love Paperchase

• All of the little shops in the train station thought I was a shoplifter

• Monsoon bags are too expensive, but rather beautiful

• The mascot for the 2012 Olympic Games is as uninspiring as the logo. (To be fair, little Wenlock looks much better in the press pics than in real life, and the story behind him is sweet enough, but I'm unconvinced. I'm getting off the soap-box now)!

• The O2 is a fab place to eat.

• The seats are spaced very close together, and are extremely steep.

I mean extremely steep- like they invented a new row for us, or so it felt. We were three rows from the very top, and I experienced the worst vertigo of my life. My legs shook until I descended back towards ground-level at the end of the gig. And my breathing was a little erratic (asthma-girl as you can see in the top picture). I took my hands out of the greasy cup holders that I was holding on to for dear life, to remove my coat, and to clap when essential, but at no other time- because I really felt like I was going to tip forward and roll down towards the band if I didn't!
I didn't go much on the venue really- not just because of this, but also in terms of what you could see. The screens were too low for the people nearer the top of the building to make much use of, and I'd have been quite unhappy if I was on the opposite side to us, stuck behind a chandelier!

But enough of that, because the meal was luvverly, and the company was perfect...

and ofcourse, the music was devine.
I didn't know that much about Elbow- they are Pootle's favourite thing really, so I was just happy to go along. I knew that I liked what I had heard, and I had their debut album, which is all lovely stuff. They're not yet a household name- the amount of people who said 'whoooo?' when I told them I was off to their gig... which is all a great shame after their Mercury Music Prize winning success. But perhaps it adds to their appeal- they're not at all mass-produced- they walk their own path. And their music is truly beautiful, live. I wasn't prepared for it at all!

It started off in a very civilized manner, with a string quartet doing the warm-up, playing arrangements of Elbow hits, ahead of the official support band. They weren't half bad either, the lead singer had a fantastic voice, and it was an interesting mix of styles. Oddly enough, they then did a Rock Star ending to their set, when they walked off the stage leaving the last chord still playing, with a fair whack of feedback. Pootle has designs on being a rock star, and we decided that most newer bands and artists would be tempted to do the same if they were playing to a crowd of potentially 20,000 people. But would you?!

Yeah, so, on to the main event. Guy Garvey, lead singer, is someone I could happily go down the pub with, and I reckon there would be hours of natural conversation. He is a fantastic presenter, on BBC 6 Radio, and a naturally funny man. He addressed the crowd, and bantered all the way through. I've never seen a band do that to this extent. He introduced most of the songs, and chatted away to people. Top Bloke. Gorgeous voice. And it was fabulous song after fabulous song- nothing I can write about there- if you're interested you should definately go listen!

Favourite moments? Well, I loved Grounds for Divorce, and have been singing it since.

I guess I won't need to worry about what I wear if I go and see them again...

Best quote of the evening? 'This next song is pretty good, and it mentions tentacles, which pleases me. I love a tentacle.'



xxx