Sidmouth now?

Subject: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Challis
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 04:03 AM

I know it's already started (so, you're probably all there?) but I'm going to Sidmouth early MOnday morning - never been before

Any advice on sessions, etc?? Where do Mudcatters go? (I unsuccessfully tried looking through the forum search)

Thank you for help

xx

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Challis
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 04:25 AM

Ignore this! It's just popped up on the threads below....unless anyone who hasn't replied to that, hasn't gone yet can up date?

Cheers,

See some of you there, hopefully?

xx

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 07:50 AM

Middle Bar, Anchor Pub, just off the market square, down by the side of (I think) the York Hotel. Look for bright yellow Tshirts with anchors on them in red, and follow them. You may end up in the wrong toilet, but you will eventually get to the Anchor Bar.

Don't sing the Wild Rover in any form as there is a £5.00 fine - although I believe the tune is acceptable if the words are different...... but that may just be wishful thinking as I wrote a song to the Wild Rover tune, but have never dared sing it there. It's about toilet paper so if anyone does sing it there, remember it was me that wrote it and I charge a pint of beer for its performance in a public place.

LTS

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Challis
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 06:25 AM

Dear LTS,

Many thanks for that!!

Off now - just so long as I can find the tent :)?

Hille

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 07:39 AM

Bedford Hotel.

Make Don Thompson's day. He's the bloke of about 60 who sings funny songs and plays a quite rare (but not sort of collectable like Martins or Gibsons) Framus of about 40 years ago.

Ask him about Hazlitt FOlk (our club in Maidstone Kent)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Challis
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 06:41 PM

'ere - mentioning Hazlitt isn't likely to bring on some kind of spasm or anything, is it? :) I'd hate to ruin someone else's Sidmouth for them! :)

Cheers, Hille xx

PS - I think one of you Maids wanted me to let them know how our new club here in Worthing was getting on - a charabanc outing was mentioned? Let me know if that means any thing to you...

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Hawker
Date: 05 Aug 01 - 08:20 PM

Just come back from a VERY enjoyable Sunday night sing in the Anchor Middle Bar. For those of you who were there, I was the one who sang Union Miners! So now you know who I am, next time, make yourself known to me!
May try to make it on Thursday Lunch time for silly song session and singing in the sea! If not I'll be at Dartmoor, you can usually racognise me by the presence of 2 little girls of 10 & 6 and a beardy husband with a VERY loud voice!
Cheers!
Lucy

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Trevor
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 05:06 AM

Well, I can't resist any longer. I've got the sickie arranged for tomorrow and Wednesday and, being a first-timer as well, am looking forward to taking your advice. (Although I have booked for the Blue Murder gig).

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Trevor
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 04:15 AM

Back in work now after my first visit to Sidmouth. What a brilliant atmosphere! I just loved the singarounds in The Anchor (even though I committed the cardinal sin of passing the twig the wrong way after my song) and the Theatre Bar, and I got to hear Gervaise sing. Blue Murder were great - how do their voices stand it night after night? Does anybody know what happened on Monday night - somebody on stage in The Arena yesterday afternoon made a comment which suggested that the Incredible String Band gig was less than perfect.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: The Shambles
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 02:31 PM

"a comment which suggested that the Incredible String Band gig was less than perfect".

Well I never saw one that was but that was never the point.........

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Challis
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 06:33 PM

Just back!! First time and it was great - absolutely loved it!

Best bits? Monday night half the evening in the Middle Bar and "LADIES" night!! (that deserves a thread all by itself!!) Other half in the Swan - great session - nearly everyone from Sussex! - (How come nights in Sussex aren't this much fun? Altho' managed to palm off most of the newsletters from our new club here in Worthing - So, that's why I had so many left last week - every one was in Sidmouth!!)

Chris Smither - Arena venue - new to me and BRILLIANT!

It was just a revalation walking around the town and hearing so much going on!

Ouse Molly were fabulous last night - ditto Punjabi dancers..

Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tho' after dear little child in camper van on next pitch was frantically looking for her harmonica for a workshop session at unearthly hour ...slam...slide....slam...scrape...slam....slide..scrape.."Muuuuuuuummmmm!!" .. slide...scrape ..

Ah! the joys of camping!

What was your best bit?

Cheers, Hille xx

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 12:45 PM

Just arrived home and reporting in.

Haad a great time. Ran into a couple of Madcats wearing the regulation Mudcat T-Shirt. I missed out on the Middle Bar of the Anchor because I like to breathe when I'm singing and drinking. So I tended to use the Theatre Bar instead for singing, when I wasn't charging around trying to see performers.

Mudcatters Sam Pirt and Ralph Jordan were both well in evidence on stage, in various guises, and doing good stuff. It occurred to me, looking at Ralph up there with the Fraser Sisters on Friday night, that he'd make a great Puddlegumif they ever want to do an authentically musical version of The Silver Chair by CS Lewis.

I gather from people who saw The Incredible String Band that sadly they demonstrated the truth of the old proverb "here are no birds in last years' nests". Which doesn't mean thta people can't keep on performing, whgichg woudl be crazy to say in the context of folk music, but that you can't just recucle your gretest hits.

But I can't say for sure, since I missed them, and I went instead to the Cosmotheka Productions presentation of The Bakelite Boys' Pop Goes the Century, which was brilliant.

But one of the highlights was Shirley Collins re-emerging to give three brilliant talks in the Arts Centre about folk music, illustrated with tapes - in the course of which she sang once more - the ballad of Dives and Lazarus.

And then a few minutes later her eyes lit up and she charged over the window and threw her arms round this skinny guy leaning in - and it was Nic Jones, first time in Sidmouth for 20 years or so, and looking pretty good.

And later on at the end of the concert to raise funds for Tony Rose, at the end on came Tony and Nic together, along with all the people who had performed, and they joined everyone in singing The Summer Time is Coming. Magic.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 12:49 PM

Just arrived home and reporting in.

Had a great time. Ran into a couple of Madcats wearing the regulation Mudcat T-Shirt. I missed out on the Middle Bar of the Anchor because I like to breathe when I'm singing and drinking. So I tended to use the Theatre Bar instead for singing, when I wasn't charging around trying to see performers.

Mudcatters Sam Pirt and Ralph Jordan were both well in evidence on stage, in various guises, and doing good stuff. It occurred to me, looking at Ralph up there with the Fraser Sisters on Friday night, that he'd make a great Puddlegum, if they ever want to do an authentically musical version of The Silver Chair by CS Lewis.

I gather from people who saw The Incredible String Band that sadly they demonstrated the truth of the old proverb "here are no birds in last years' nests". Which doesn't mean that people can't keep on performing, which would be crazy to say in the context of folk music, but that you can't just recycle your greatest hits.

But I can't say for sure, since I missed them, and I went instead to the Cosmotheka Productions presentation of The Bakelite Boys' Pop Goes the Century, which was brilliant.

But one of the highlights was Shirley Collins re-emerging to give three brilliant talks in the Arts Centre about folk music, illustrated with tapes - in the course of which she sang once more - the ballad of Dives and Lazarus.

And then a few minutes later her eyes lit up and she charged over the window and threw her arms round this skinny guy leaning in - and it was Nic Jones, first time in Sidmouth for 20 years or so, and looking pretty good.

And later on at the end of the concert to raise funds for Tony Rose, at the end on came Tony and Nic together, along with all the people who had performed, and they joined everyone in singing The Summer Time is Coming. Magic.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 02:18 PM

I just got back too
The Tony Rose benefit was a real tear jerker at the end - nice to see Eliza Carthy too - shame so many people gave it a miss. Who were the rapper act they were fantastic

I have to agree with Challis that Ouse Washes Molly Dancers were fantastic, specially when they were playing outside the council offices and got moved on (we were paying a parking fine at the time)
I really liked the Shropshire Bedlams too, maybe because they had a habit of running across the road in front of traffic during a performance, or was it the Tuba that made the music stand out
The Johnson girls followed by Norma Waterson/Martin Carthy, was a wonderful night
Danu were spectacular, with Dan Milner/Bob Conroy/Johnson Girls kicking the night off
Now I am looking through the program to see who I have missed.....
Bill Jones and 422 were both superb (did we ever hear the broken plate? - or is it a comedy routine they pull every time)

There were lots of great pipe players doing their stuff in different groups and loads of talents youngsters everywhere

Once it was hard to concentrate on the music while Dave Swarbrick was looking so ill in a very very hot marquee

Fantastic Week, very tiring, think I need a holiday

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 02:26 PM

Oh but I didn't like the Bombards (I think thats what they are called) that were played during one performance at the Bedford - very loud in such a small room
And one day we walked from seaton to lyme regis along the coast path and I found a huge Tick climbing up my arm - Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 04:14 PM

.....so who was it that I always saw wearing a Mudcat T-shirt, saw him at the Tony Rose benefit I am sure and several other places, long after I had stopped wearing mine

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 04:14 PM

I found a huge Tick climbing up my arm

It really is remarkable how close the resemblance sometimes is between Sidmouth and the Mudcat...

The Bedford Dining Room is a dreadful venue. Hot, a badly shaped room for the audience, and a sense that we aren't really too welcome there anyway.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 07:00 AM

I was surprised to see that some of the audience seats in the Bedford are around the corner from the stage with a good view of the rest of the audience and the windows !

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: The Shambles
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 07:06 AM

Having performed in there (once). I can confirm all of the above.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 07:26 AM

was it that I always saw wearing a Mudcat T-shirt, saw him at the Tony Rose benefit

That might have been me. Honest, I didn't wear it all week... (I've a picture in the Mudcat rogues gallery.)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,RiS
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 12:31 PM

If you are now thinner than your photo, were wearing some kind of waistcoat, brought in a guitar case and left it at the side of the marquee - then it could have been you McGrath - or someone else !!

Is it a custom that folkies shall have their own tankard and have it proudly displayed clipped on their belt? I just lined up several wobbly plastic glasses of beer under my seat to help me combat the heat of the radio 2 tent

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 01:48 PM

Sounds like me, R of S. Weskit, guitar, and I went on a diet earlier this year.

No tankard on the belt though - mind, the old buggers who do that, and get laughed at for it, had their own back on the day when the bar in the Ham ran out of glasses, and they were the only ones who were able to get a drink.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Gervase
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 03:29 PM

Amen to all of the above - bloody brilliant Sidders (and no, it's not a tan, it's rust).
I managed not to spend virtually the whole week in the Anchor, and got to see some superb stuff. As for 'Catters - I met a couple, but CRS and a new quart tankad wrought havoc with the grey matter, so other than Kevin I can't for the life of me remember who.
Off to France now, but I'll doubtless add more when I get some sleep and sober up on my return.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Callie
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 05:54 PM

Dang - I was there at Sidmouth but didn´t think to check Mudcat to see if any folk were there!! I caught the Middle Bar a few times (and my partner went into the sea with them!) but found it a bit noisy & smoky.

The festival itself was absolutely brilliant. I was in 2 Australian groups who performed and we seem to have gone down really well, which is very encouraging!

I caught Tom Robinson in concert and thought he was inspiring. My other favourite gig was any where Heather Heywood performed. I hadn´t heard her before, and was able to catch her a few times in the week.

I´m in Barcelona for 3 weeks, recovering (some have it tough!), and then it´s back to Australia for me.

Cheers Callie

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 06:08 PM

First rule of life, on anything from festivals to car repairs, check with the Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Callie
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 01:26 AM

If the Sidmouth internet shop hadn´t charged five pounds for fifteen minutes, I might have!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 03:44 AM

I was in Sidmouth too... well only on the Thursday.

Did the set dancing workshop and went to the Irish tradition concert.

Got soaked through to the skin, and went to the Bedford for a music session.... hmmm!

And where on earth was the Volunteer pub... oh yeah and got the car wheel arch kicked in by some horrible unthinking caring YOB!

Concert was good though.

E

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: alanww
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 06:32 AM

Like Gervase, I had nearly all the week in the Anchor Middle Bar - and yes it is noisy and it can be a bit smokey but that's part of the challenge! When a really chorus song is sung, such as Lowlands Away or the Farewell Shanty, the sound generated is magic! The Johnson Girls from NY certainly enjoyed it, as did the Solidarity Choir from Sydney and Ian Bruce - all booked acts. Personally, I had the honour of winning both the best makeup prize at Wimmin's night and the Doom, Gloom and Despondency Competition (an early winner being Rod Shearman). A super week! Don't miss the reunion on 22 to 24 February 2002! But for now, Towersey here I come!

"Come fill up your glasses and let us be merry ... !" Alan

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 08:56 AM

Black Swan Rapper were the rapper dancers in the Tony Rose benefit (and just about everywhere else) - unfortunately I can't think of the name of their 'tina player. As has been remarked on, that was a wonderful concert (the best concert of the festival, and NOT just because of what it was achieving) and certainly the turnout was disappointing. At the end, Norma Waterson left the stage in tears, and several of the audience were in the same state.

I have to say the main Song/Dance lineup was rather lack-lustre this year . . Since that's where most 'catters interests lie I'll confine my comments to that area. The remainder is "IMO", clearly!

Best performance of all was the Fraser Sisters (well, more like the Fraser Extended Family, including the Fraser Blades). Close behind came a whole raft of others - including 422 (great tunes/arrangements, but - guys'n'gals - try to polish your stagecraft a bit. Stop putting itching powder in your whistle player's underwear so he can stand still; Sam slow down with your announcements - 'cause I don't think I managed to catch any of them), Patterson/Jordan/Dipper (why has Ralphie given up singing?), Danu, Hewlett/Swarbrick, Chris Smither, everyone at the Tony Rose benefit . .

A little further down the list came Blowzabella, Blue Murder and Sharron Shannon (Shannon's band's performance was excellent, but for my taste their repetoire is simply too undemanding, easy listening middle of the road stuff.) Similarly it was Blue Murder's repetoire which disappointed rather than their performance.

As far as we were concerned the Friday Night openers (La Volee d'Castors) were a waste of time; another invasion of musicians who seem to be being played by the note, since none of them would shut up for a moment (and the fact you can amplify your foot percussion to a level where it makes the audiences rib cages vibrate doesn't actually make that percussion any less boring . . ) The comparison between them and Bottine must have come from a befuddled mind.

As for Bill Jones - well, she confirmed my "what's all the fuss about?" view - if she were a guy she wouldn't get a listen, IMO. There was a youngster in the Shooting Roots showcase whose (unaccompanied) performance of "As I roved out" was an order of magnitude better than anything I've heard Jones do. (I don't have a clue who she was, but I'm working on finding out.)

That doesn't actually touch on my Festival highspots . . (One of which McGrath has mentioned; Shirley Collins account of her field trip through southern USA with Alan Lomax in 1959. We missed her "English Music" talk 'cause it clashed with the workshop my wife was giving.)

Against all expectations (given the line-up) we were agreed it was the Sidmouth we'd most enjoyed, ever.

George

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 09:27 AM

I wasn't at Sidmouth, but saw Bill Jones at Chippenham. Until then I had been of the 'what's the fuss' persuasion. But her performance at Chippenham was excellent. I don't think she's the best singer in the world technically, but she has a unique delivery and a quiet charm of her own.

And as for the wobbly plastics RiS, the trick is to collect them & put each new one inside the old one/s. You have to make sure the outer ones are completely empty though - otherwise you develop an embarrassing dribble.

Kris

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 09:58 AM

Yup, Bill has a quiet charm, I'll grant. No "balls" to her performance, though, IMO.

I quite enjoyed her the first time I saw her live . . then saw her in a "meet the artist" session at the same festival and was underwhelmed . . since when each contact has operated on a law of diminishing returns.

Let me make myself clear (well, that must happen occasionally) - there's nothing wrong with her or her performance . . but I don't find anything special about her, either.

But each to his own, of course!

G.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 11:52 AM

I thought Bill Jones was a bloke. I don't mean I saw her and thought she was a bloke, I never got round to seeing her, and got confused when I over heard people referring to her. I'm clearly out of touch. I've got used to women taking over men's names like Sam and Robin and Joyce, but Bill is a new one to me.

Blowzabella I was really disappointed with, because I was really looking forward to them. Maybe they were saving it up for the dance, but their concert I felt really dragged.

La Volee d'Castors - I quite enjoyed them. Not subtle maybe but I felt a good lively kick-off. Sort of more musically sophisticated Gallic version of the Saw Doctors, and I love the Saw Doctors.

The Frazer Sisters great stuff especially Sister Ralphie - though I'd have preferred them quieter and less bass and drums and so forth.

But the musical high spot for me was Martin Carthy with Eliza at the end of their spot at the Tony Rose concert (I think it was then. As good as Martin and Dave Swarbrick ever were I felt.)

And Roy Bailey was great, of course. God, I wish I could use my memory lapses as creatively as he does.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 12:04 PM

Well I was trying to resist commenting on the sound in the Ham . . . Pretty dreadful (depending to some extent on where you set), especially the excessive bass which certainly was an issue during Fraser Sisters (I thought the percussion was fine there, though). It was also dreadful at one point in Blowzabella (when some bass "feedback" started to swamp the performance). I totally agree with your disappointment over that concert . .

And I have to say I totally enjoyed everything I saw Liza Carthy do, which isn't how I've found her in the past. (There was a beautiful moment between her and Norma Waterson in the Folk Quiz!)

However (to reach the point!) I'm sorry not to have met you at the Shirley Collins workshops . .

Cheers!

George

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,RiS
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 01:17 PM

Loved the inspirational flute playing from the bloke in Danu
...and the piping from Slainte Mhath and Back of the Moon (Gillian Frame also did some excellent songs with B ot M)
The only thing I really didn't enjoy was John Kirkpatricks solo spot at the Tony Rose gig, too long and dull, I wanted more Carthy/Waterson
One evening at the music room stand Alistair Russel & Chris Parkinson were playing along with a roundfaced banjo player (Mike Harding looks odd cleanshaven, most of the instruments still had their parice tags on too, and people began to congregate as Sam Pirt and others joined in........unfortunately we had to leave for a concert next door!
I left Sidmouth with a new F whistle, lots of Chieftains CD's and many tunes spinning in my noggin '...brooms green brooms...'
Problem is I want to go again next year

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Callie
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 02:36 PM

Alan!!! I experienced your prize-winning entry!!!! I was the woman who had to be asked to leave the room twice because I was laughing so much!!

Who wrote that fine song? It´s been running through my head ever since I heard it (twice). My (uneducated) guess is that it´s by Shane McGowan. Am I close?

Callie (from the Solidarity Choir)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: JudeL
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 10:37 AM

If anyone is interested I have some pictures of both this years and last years "WIMMIN'S night" I can scan in, but I'm not sure how to post them, so would need some help. Jude

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,RiS
Date: 14 Aug 01 - 04:01 PM

Jude if you have any free webspace with your ISP you can put them up there and link to them, or create a webpage with them on
There are people far more knowledgable about this kind of thing than me around here, but if they are busy or can't help I would be happy to try and put them up in cyberspace from here
Might take a while and some HTML practice threads.......

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Challis
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 06:47 PM

Oh, and the other act I enjoyed was Belshazzar's Feast - very good musicians (and deftly funny at playing wrong notes in droll fashion with banter to re-focus chattering audience)

Which was the "best makeup" at the Wimmin's night then?

Saw Blue Murder - no complaints but agree repertoire was disappointing (and in parts sounded rather under rehearsed)

But, a lovely eye-opening time (i.e., clean town, beautiful flowers every where, pleasant, happy people and NO SWEARING! (In fact, a small group of youngsters gathered for an impromptu session under the tree after the Blue Murder - one got a little excited and started shouting how "F-ing great" it was and had a steward speak to her and apologised! Personally, although it might have seemed a little repressive - it was great to spend 3 days without listening to the great British public communicate with each other repetitively with one word of one syllable!!

Who's booked their campsite for next year? (Isn't that hill awful - cheers for the "special buses"?)

Cheers, Hille

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Aug 01 - 07:14 PM

Isn't that hill awful

Just you wait till you've been to Whitby - makes Sidmouth feel like a bowling green. You walk up a mountain to get somewhere, and when you come out, you find they've turned the landscape around, and it's still uphill going back.

But Sidmouth gets you into training for it.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 02:12 AM

Blowzabella have never quite recovered from the loss of Dave Roberts, who added that bit of insanity that all large bands need. Lots of us have the same problem.

LTS

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 05:42 AM

Yes, that sounds about right, Liz . . .

Ian Anderson (the Folk Roots one) commented elsewhere that he heard a lot of good young players all being terribly "safe" - and (sadly, as it goes against the grain) I have to agree with him. There was a lot of excellent music; some of the vocal stuff was really strong - because, with that material, if it's done well it can't fail to have an impact. But on the instrumental side even the best left me feeling "that was good but I've heard it all before".

Many of my festival highspots were away from the main venues; including Shirley Collins (could only make 2 of her 3 sessions), Walt Michael and company (stunning musicianship), and Kevin Rowsome (grandson of Leo) and Lorraine Hickey - they made me wonder why any of the "Irish" bands bother; their range of material and sheer emotive power put the typical "celtic" band to shame.

The main stage/arena events I thought really outstanding were:

Siyaya Arts (Zimbabwe) who gave a stunning and superbly staged Ham performance - half "dance" (with lots of song), half "straight" song.

Tom Robinson: Faultless! (Less well attended than I'd expected!)

The complete Wednesday night dance concert:

U. Stage (Japan): Taiko drumming, a wonderful "lion" dance, and great theatre. (They also performed street theatre around the Festival and were great fun.)

Ouse Washes Molly Dancers: Wonderful! Fully up to the standard of their "overseas" companions on the bill. Great music (never stopped to work out what was so effective about it - usually a good sign) and powerful dancing. Their first dance was based on a Norfolk murder (and possibly in slightly dubious taste); their second was titled "Battle of the Somme", was danced to "If you want to find the company" ("Hanging on the old barbed wire"), opened with a chorus of that song, and closed with a powerful rendition of "Ode to Joy" sung in German.

ALGAP Kenya: Excellent - but actually too unrelentingly fast paced to be fully appreciated.

Kuljit Bhamra and the Heritage of Punjab Dance Troupe: Stunning in every respect, and wonderfully varied - Bhangra music and dance, unaccompanied Punjabi song, Punjabi classical music . .

This really was the "not to be missed" evening, IMO.

and, as already mentioned, The Fraser Sisters!

There we are - a "vintage" year, with the highlights in the most unexpected places!

George

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Challis
Date: 16 Aug 01 - 11:46 AM

Definitely the Weds dance night!! (Altho' Chris Smithers had me in tears - (friend plays very similar blues, very similar persona and has been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer and had 6-12 months)...

Anyway, had any one managed to find Kuljit Bhamra's website - I caught him outside and as it has details of his solo cd apparently?

Cheers, Hille

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: alanww
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 02:15 PM

Hi Callie

My song for Sidmouth's Gloom, Doom & Despondency Competition was "Look at the Coffin" (but I think that it's Mudcat title is "Isn't it Grand Boys"). I only sang four verses - there are at least three or four more (and of course you can make up your own!). I don't know who wrote it but I believe that it was sung by the Clancys.

"Fare thee well, my Julianna ... !"

Alan

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Aug 01 - 10:11 PM

this may not be the Kuljit Bhamra website, but it's got some details about him and about his records.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Dan Milner - Liam's Brother
Date: 18 Aug 01 - 11:00 AM

It was my first time at Sidmouth. I had a couple of spots each day between Friday and Wednesday so I did not get around to other events as much as I would've liked. A lot of events I would've attended were opposite spots where I was singing.

I was booked with the Irish contingent much of the time and there were some marvelous advantages to that. For example, we were sitting right next to Kevin Rowesome when he played The Fox Chase! I thought Kevin Mitchell and Heather Heywood, in particular, sang brilliantly.

High points of the week were: meeting Nic Jones, Mike Harding and Alan Bell, and the 'Talking Tunings' workshop for guitar and banjo given by Martin Carthy and Bob Conroy. (Bob's brother had died a few days earlier following a very long illness and it was very beneficial for him to be so immersed in music.) I thought The Pack were very, very entertaining. As mentioned above, Bob and I did a set at The Ham before Danu assisted by Sam Pirt and The Johnson Girls. My wife, Bonnie Milner of The Johnson Girls, and I sang together at worshops, smaller concerts, during my talk on The Irish in America and at The Volunteer.

Just a great week!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: vectis
Date: 18 Aug 01 - 08:17 PM

I enjoyed meeting so many Mudcatters but had to leave on Tuesday because I was booked at Broadstairs.
I enjoyed the people and the sessions, especially the Theatre Bar (so civilised) and the Middle Bar (friendly, funny and gloriously loud).
I was singularly unimpressed by the expense of the place. The organisers would charge you to walk up the pavement if they could. Pity because this ruined the festival for me despite meeting so many lovely people there to enjoy themselves and sing themselves hoarse.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: dougboywonder
Date: 18 Aug 01 - 09:27 PM

2 things -

1) I was doing the lights in the Ham and the sound, though admittadly deadfull in places, was at times a triumph in the face of adversity, and to be honest the downright ignorance and unhelpfulness of certain "folk artistes". If an act is playing on a stage of the size of the ham and with the ammount of technical gubbins behind them, they should at least be aware of what said technical gubbins does to thier performance. I have never seen even the most amateur rock band make such bizarre requests of a sound man..... And yes, the lights were rubbish too but I was distracted, alright (buying Nic Jones pints in return for stories from his fractured memory among other things....)

2) I believe the young lady in the shooting roots concert would be Rachel Unthank for whoever asked.

Ta.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 01:53 AM

HEy Dougboywonder - you are spot on with this.... "I have never seen even the most amateur rock band make such bizarre requests of a sound man..." I've commented on such goings on in other threads (look out for June Tabor..... hint hint)

It's the higher up the ranks they go, the more absurd the requests get. I've done some lighting schemes and I tell you, the weirdest has been a rose spot (the person was quite pale and wanted to look warm and healthy - it just made him look sweaty) on a green backdrop.... it was great because as he moved about he went from sweaty to dead, and I'm sure the spot pusher was slowing down deliberately.... (poor spot pusher had been on the receiving end of his verbals..... not a happy spot pusher!).

Only the true greats (Jake Thackeray and the Carthys to name drop) have been more than happy to let us get on with it.... Tony Benn just made one request, which was for a table to put his flask of tea on!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 03:27 AM

dougboywonder it was may first time and I enjoyed every minute in the Ham Marquee - my thanks to you and the harassed young woman who had to keep dashing out to sort out the mikes on the stage
A plague on the annoying woman who held up the 'beer' queue for ages and ages one day while deciding which non-alcoholic drink she should choose

When we arrived at Sidmouth there was something on the radio about performers at Edinburgh, one of them did a song called 'Middle Class Blues'. It was very funny and many times while sat in the Ham waiting for the gig to start I was reminded, by the conversations around me, of the Middle Class Blues! Life is hard when there ain't no tonic water !!!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Ralphie
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 07:28 AM

dougboywonder
I hope you're not referring to me !!
Apart from a bizarre On-Stage resonance started by Dave's bass in the encore of the Frasers set on Friday, I have nothing but praise for the courteous treatment both my "beat combos" received, from Q and all the on stage crew.(also to Ollie and crew in the oven, otherwise known as the Bedford)
Only got to the Ham on the Friday, but, I know how tiring working in that sweat box can be for a week.
Trebles all round......(Except for Nic of course!...Hind legs off a donkey, or what. I'm surprised he got to see anyone!)
Here's to the next one
Regards Ralphie (PJD & Frasers)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,dougboywonder
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 10:51 AM

well.... June Tabor is a bit funny at times, but in my view she can get away with it by being so excellent on stage. She remains one of my favorite concerts at sidmouth of recent years...

No - bizarre requests (see if you can guess who each is coz I'm not going to name names.)....

1) Insisting the sound crew take "that awfull echo off my voice" in an empty arena with the monitors turned off...

2) Refusing to use a fiddle mic saying that it came through perfectly well on the vocal mic being used, and then wincing and cursing at the ensuing feedback.

3) the artistes parents standing at the sound desk and making "helpful suggestions" - things along the lines of "when she is talking you need to be able to hear the voice" or "Sometimes she plays at the same time as singing so you need to be able to have both things on at the same time..." - something I'm sure had never occured...

And those are off the top of my head.

But, yeah good festival, and thanks to all the mudcatter artists (Sam, Bob and Dan, Ralph many more I've temporarily forgoten)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: The Shambles
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 11:22 AM

I was singularly unimpressed by the expense of the place. The organisers would charge you to walk up the pavement if they could. Pity because this ruined the festival for me despite meeting so many lovely people there to enjoy themselves and sing themselves hoarse.

I didn't go this time but it looks as if not much has changed?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 19 Aug 01 - 07:31 PM

I've just got back from the FOAOTMAD Old Time Summer Camp at Peterborough after being at Sidmouth for a week, so i've just seen the comments for the first time. I'm astonished that no-one has said very much about the Incredible String Band concert. It was the worst concert I've seen for years. Robin Williamson was, as usual, excellent at everything he did, and if he'd been performing alone it would have been superb. Everyone else on stage was a total waste of valuable time that would have been better spent by me in the right hand (old time) bar of the Bedford. Mike Heron and Clive Palmer were like very average folk club floor spots, while Robin Williamson's wife Rose couldn't hold a note to save her life! Her mike was given a loud part of the mix and she destroyed the harmonies with dreadful off key "singing" that caused a large percentage of the audience to get up and leave well before the end. Very few of the songs were from the early ISB LPs that many of the audience including me and my friends had clearly gone to see and hear. It was a poorly prepared shoddy rip-off.

Lonnie Donegan's concert was very professional, with well prepared new versions of his old recorded songs. I preferred the first half which mostly had the old Leadbelly and Old Time songs that made his Skiffle music such a hit, but even his terrible chewing gum and dustman songs were well performed. Rock Island Line was about as far over the top as its possible to go. His voice is still as it was 40 years ago, and his stage presence and energy are superb for a man in his seventies. I am slightly biased in his favour because the following day he came and had a chat while I was playing banjo in the Bedford bar - a lovely friendly amusing guy. Made my day.

Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Gervase
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 09:28 AM

Took a dodgy right coming back from Sidmouth and ended up in France, so reflections on the festival were delayed.
In no particular order, I enjoyed Tom Robinson (great to see good mates yelling out that they're glad to be gay!), Dan and Bonnie Milner (aka Liam's Brother and sister-in-law, I suppose) and the Johnson Girls (wow!), the Solidarity Choir (nuff respect, Miguel, for walking into the sea in a leather coat in the pissing rain just because we mad Poms do it!), Coope, Boyes & Simpson & Blue Murder, Ken Hall and Peta Webb...heck the list goes on and on.
And, of course, the raucous, anarchic, sweaty mess that is the Middle Bar.
All in all, a great week.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 09:34 AM

Ray, good to hear Lonnie is still on good form. Whenever I've seen him he certainly gave it his all.
RtS (How do I look boys, dead or alive?)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 10:27 AM

The organisers would charge you to walk up the pavement if they could. I suppose you mean chargng to get into the Arena, which I think is a very bad idea, and causes a llt of antagonism to the festival from day trippers and such.

I don't think I'd consider going to Sidmouth without a season ticket, to give the freedom to drift in and out of everywhere. Pricey, but a lot less than the fare you'd pay to go to some boring place where there's nothing to do but get sunburnt.

With that, the additional expenses are no higher than on any holiday you'd go on.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: English Jon
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 10:47 AM

Well I had a great time getting drunk in the radway with Black Swan.

EJ

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 12:36 PM

There was a great deal of fine music to be had at no cost beyond that of a drink. For example, all of the performers were encouraged to drop into pub singing sessions and some of the singers I neither knew nor recognised were simply excellent. While buying single event tickets could mean disappointment when venues filled up with season ticket holders, a person who needed to stay on a budget could've have a really good time buying only 1 event ticket daily and pubbing, paddling and exploring the rest of the day. My train ticket, by the way, was 15 quid Birmingham-Exeter-Birmingham!

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:24 AM

dougboywonder: Lights in the Ham were fine - you could see the artists perfectly, and there was a welcome absence of "rock show gimics". As for the sound - I did (and do) wonder if the sound problems were at least in part down to tiredness . . expecting someone to mix three concerts a day is, IMO, somewhat excessive . .

And when vectis says "The organisers would charge you for walking down the streen" I think he/she is talking out of the wrong orrifice, frankly. You can have a great week at Sidmouth without paying any money to the Festival, if you choose (and many folks do). The admission charge for the Arena show ground is arguable, but the £5 for the week idea in place this year is hardly excessive. But, for heaven's sake, the festival must cost a fortune to mount, and the organisers need every penny they can raise.

Some people (fortunately very few, in Folk circles) don't recognise extreme good fortune when they're smack in the middle of it! (We encountered one stupid woman who seemed to think the fact that the Kurdish dancers had failed to turn up was the organiser's deliberate attempt to spite her, and whinging at the £5 charge for the working programme. Even apart from the fact you get the WP free if you buy a Weekend or Week season ticket, £5 is certainly not unreasonable for the information it contains . . )

Oh, and the Milners, Johnson Girls and the member of the Solidarity Choir we saw (at the "Convict Poet" performance) were all superb . . there was simply too much excellent stuff to list in a single post!

George

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:31 AM

RE: my post above, just heard from someone who went to the Guildford Festival that Lonnie's was the best gig there.
RtS

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:52 AM

Did anyone ever hear what happened to the Kurds?

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 08:19 AM

Nope, McG, I was wondering that . . Hey, English Jon, weren't you involved with the newsletter . . why was no news posted?

Cheers,

George

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Challis
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:20 PM

Dear McGrath,

I tried to get the KUljit Bhamra blicky to work but AOL didn't want to know - pls can you put it longhand ??

Many thanks, Hille

PS: It was my first time and I maybe I didn't spend as much as I could have done :) but, being involved in running clubs and booking people I thought it was a bargain - but then again I didn't stay on the fest cap site or buy a season ticket - just enjoyed walking about soaking it all up!! Getting ideas for a festival here in Worthing :)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:32 PM

I screwed up that Kuljit Bhamra link! Nothing to do with AOL, just me putting in the wrong link. Sorry - this should work better: http://www.keda.co.uk/biogs/kuljit_bhamra/kuljit_bhamra_body.html

Glad you liked it Hille. People gripe because it's traditional to gripe, and we're into being traditional in the folk world. And a lot of the gripes are justified enough. But, all in all, Sidmouth is magic.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Dave Barnes DGD
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 05:54 AM

Thanks to everyone that took part in the Doom, Gloom and Desponency this year. Alan's winning entry was a superb tribute to Rod Shearman who won the first ever DG&D with a version of 'Where will we be in 100 years from now'. I am already looking forward to judging next years entries. Regs. Dave.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 06:02 AM

GeorgeH, Nobody submitted anything to the newsletter re: Kurds. This thread is the first I've heard of it!

EJ

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,English Jon
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 06:37 AM

Some bugger's eaten my cookie!

EJ

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: alanww
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 07:31 AM

DG&D - Hi Dave Barnes!

After the event in the Dove we discussed getting a list together of who won it when, with what song and what they did to decorate the trophy. How's that getting on? You've got my email address I think, but I haven't got your's.

"When I was a young man my father did say ... !" Alan

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 08:41 AM

Yes, Cookie-less EJ, I guessed that would be the case. Cock-up on the internal communications front . .

Next time remember to screw the lid back on the cookie jar! And congrats. on the excellent work on the Newsletter.

Did your Radway-ing with Black Swan extend to dancing with them? FAR too enegetic for my taste! (Great to watch, though, and it was particularly wonderful to see them taking part in the Tony Rose benefit concert!)

Anyone know how much THAT raised?

G.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,DG&D Dave
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 09:23 AM

Hi Alan. DG&D Business is in hand, will send out known information to all concerned for vetting after the bank holiday.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: English Jon
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 09:42 AM

No dancing. Did play fiddle for them on and off during the week though.

EJ (rebiscuited)

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: GUEST,Hille
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 05:34 PM

Dear MofH,

Thanks for the blicky! Gosh, now the choice of which CD to buy first!!!

I thought Sidmouth was excellent (but then again I live in a town where they wanted to rope off the park and charge 15 quid to see Alvin Stardust (not listen, just see :)! Sad, or what? I just thought there was mind-boggling choice (albeit on very certain lines - but a tribute to sheer hard work, effort and organisation)

Thanks again,

Hille

PS: I am just going to start a thread "Your dream team festival line up?"

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Jack The Lad
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 12:16 PM

I was at the Sidmouh festival in 1996, Out of all the groups I saw performing, one of the best consisted of two guys and a girl( I think , or maybe there were four of them). Young people- who performed folk/rock- oudoors in a pub courtyard( near the seafront)in the afternoon hours. They were at it for hours, with an inexhaustable repertoir. I didn't get their name and have regretted it ever since. Does anybody have any ideas as to who they were and how I might contact them? Cheers, Jack The Lad

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 Aug 01 - 08:32 PM

Have bought a season ticket for the last 2 years and I think it's great value: main advantage being you can drop in and out of different events that run concurrently and thereby see who you want to see: the daily newsletter is vital for this to get (fairly) accurate running orders of concerts. And I still go to a lot of free sessions too. I reckon I just about break even costwise but get to a lot more workshops and concerts than I would have done on the "pay as you go" system. Tattie B

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 08:35 AM

I've just subscribed to Mudcat after returning from Whitby, and am catching up with Sidmouth comments. As a Theatre Bar MC I'm glad to hear Trevor enjoyed the Theatre Bar singarounds. If I'm allowed to run them again next year I hope you'll come back again. It was especially nice to have young singers in like Rachel and Becky Unthank and Rachel Reid.

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Aug 01 - 09:02 AM

Good to have you here Kitty. And I'm glad I caught the first of your posts.

Kevin

Subject: RE: Sidmouth now?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 27 Aug 01 - 06:34 PM

Heard about no Kurds on the first Friday when we got a longer set from the Quebecois band because no Kurds showed up. Perhaps they were in mourning for their compatriot who got stabbed in Glasgow that weekend? Tattie B