Review: Cropredy Festival 2004

Subject: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: VIN
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 06:55 PM

Had a fantastic time at Cropredy Festival last w/end.

(That's despite it raining pretty heavy at one point; getting me tent burgled while i was sleeping in it! Not the only one apparently; Me aging feet moaning severely with standing so much and one field being flooded so much it could'nt be used)

The music, as ever tho was a superb blend of folk, rock, contempory, dance and comedy. My highlights? Oh err the Oysterband, Family Mahone, Jerry Donahue band, Jethro Tull, Earl Okin (new to me but must see agin), Jez Lowe & Bad Pennies, the brilliant Nick Harper, themightyfirebirds. Gawd that's nearly everyone. My super highlights tho were Ashley Hutchings' Morris on set (superb music/dancing and featuring Mr Lacey himself!) and of course the Fairport finale with guests including Ralph McTell, Jackie McShee, Marrtin Allcock (of course), Martin Barre - brilliant night!! (and the many references to 'Swarb' showed that he was in everyones hearts).

I think the general consensus from the mighty crowd, the artistes including Faiport themselves is that the festival must continue.

Chris Pegg has done stirling work in organising this musical institution over the years and everyone will, i know, wish her well and the best of happiness in the future If she does decide to hand over the baton to someone else. So may Fairport and Cropredy live long and prosper!

Maybe one day our insipid, narrowminded, boringly predictable conservative mass media will finally notice this event and give it due recognition but there again maybe its better if they keep away!

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: Gamelon
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 07:18 PM

Got to agree wholeheartedly with you Vin, it was a brilliant weekend. Sorry to hear about your break-in though. Just thought I'd add that personally I thought "Mostly Autumn" on the thursday night were excellent. As for more people attending, it would make it a little overcrowded. Anyway the weather added to the whole Cropredy "experience"

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: sledge
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 05:36 AM

Had a great weekend, the rain was sort of expected but at least it was not of the Richard Thompson rain god variety.

Vin, sorry to hear about you getting burgled, it happened to quite a few I believe but the police did get a few people on site and a couple of cars were stopped with stolen gear in them trying to leave the camp sites, so maybe some of your stuff is waiting for you at Banbury police station. Nice to meet you, if only briefly.

Music was a good spread, Loved Earl Okin, Richard Digence, the Oyster band were terrific as were Tull, Show of hands and Fairport. The jewell though was the Morris on set, what ever you might think of Ashley Hutchings approach, this was great and kept the attention of a huge part of the crowd, well done I say.

The beer lorry was drunk dry by stages over the Saturday afternoon with first one Ale then another running out and emergency supplies of canned 6X arriving at the last moment.

Sincerely hope that the festival carries on next year in the form we have come to know and love.

Cheers

Sledge.

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 08:06 AM

Fairport should get in touch with Steve Heap, Sidmouth with Chris Pegg.

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 04:29 PM

LOL! Had wondered if part of those 'meets' had already happened....

My highlight's gotta be Morris On, absolutely fabulous! Wonder if they could exchange the sticks & pipes for Poi?

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: Phot
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 05:59 PM

Did'nt make it.....B*&^*!!!$%^F^&*(^?!~.......

Well Pi**ed off

Chris

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: GUEST,Lindsay
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 07:00 PM

I didn't make it either but my Morris team were in action (The Widders) outside the Red Lion and at other places and by all accounts went down pretty well.

Have a look at the pictures on www.thewidders.co.uk

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: VIN
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 07:25 PM

Hi Sledge, nice to meet a fellow catter if only briefly. Yes Ashley Hutchings' set was, as others agree, superb. The morris dancers were 'par excellance' (probly spelt wrong). My little burglary did not spoil my enjoyment one bit - eee the joys of camping eh?

Must sit a bit corrected about my go at the media as Mike Harding featured an interview with Peggy tonight on his folk/roots show on radio 2, about cropers and played some tracks from the new and fab Fairport cd, so ta for that mike!

Hope to see you next year sledge and all, fingers crossed eh?

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 08:30 AM

Is Earl Okin the bloke who used to a very passable trumpet solo with just his hands and mouth? If so I recall him doing Cardiff Folk Club (At the Students Union?) about 25 yeaRS BACK.
Quack!!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: My guru always said
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 08:55 AM

Thats the one Geoff - marvellous!!!

Subject: RE: Review: Cropredy Festival
From: sledge
Date: 22 Aug 04 - 07:59 AM

Fingers crossed for next year in the field.

Sledge