What a festival! The Friday night and Saturday afternoon sing/play around at the Press Room was outstanding. Perhaps this is the only festival where both musicians and a cappella singers join together in perfect harmony at multiple sessions. The Portsmouth tradition is to mix in the best of a cappella shanties, traditional instrumental sessions, and instrument accompanied songs. By god, it worked. The Press Room would even become quiet for a soft ballad. This wonderful balance was no doubt years in the making and due in no small degree to Tom Hall's easy-going leadership.

The English-style town of Portsmouth offered multiple venues for performances all day Saturday and Sunday. The Athenaeum had the best sound, The Press Room the best pub atmosphere, the Rusty Nail pub the best space, the bakery the best - well, baked goods and coffee to go with songs - and the bookstore the best accompanied browsing. I'd like to see a ministage and sound system at the outdoor venue next year. Hull's festival has that right. There must be corporate sponsors to help with that. (Exxon sound stage? Maybe not. Sometimes you have to be careful about what you wish for.)

The tourist board of Portsmouth along with the mayor should be first ones in line to support this music festival. The town seems so appealing on a day when the streets are filled with music, dancing children, happy residents, and pleased out of town guests. I'm already making plans for a few Friday nights at the Press Room and 3rd-Saturday shanty sings.

I'm sure everyone who attended festival events has a whole lot of appreciation for the performers who seemed to play and sing at their best for this special event. What a playful and talented collection of groups and individuals. And once in your life, at least, you've got to see Ken Sweeney simultaneously play an English concertina and a diatonic harmonica. Amazing.