UK National Folk Music Festival

Subject: RE: UK National Folk Music Festival
From: 8_Pints
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 04:09 PM

I will echo all the above sentiments from Matthew and add that there were so many things going on at once, it was impossible to see and hear everyone.

My highlights would also include Sheila Stewart - what an amazing singer, and I loved Ishbel MacAskill. Even though she sang in Gaelic, I understood the sentiments of the songs through her wonderful delivery. I would also include the late night, informal, singarounds as high spots. Singer after singer sang so well - it was exciting wondering who/what was coming next!

It was also one of the friendliest festivals I have ever attended. I had been a little apprehensive beforehand as it is the first time in years that I've gone to a festival without Bob (He's been away in France all week on business) but I needn't have worried. I feel as though I've made lots of new friends, it was great.

I had a brilliant time and will definately be booking for next year!

Subject: RE: UK National Folk Music Festival
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 03:45 PM

Just got home from this - a wonderful weekend of great singing, storytelling, and...stepdancing!!! It was lovely to see and hear Packie; a very sprightly 85 years young. He's the only singer I know who can interrupt himself in a song and go on to tell a story or even sing another song before returning to the song he began with exactly where he left off!
It was also a treat to hear Sheila Stewart sing and talk about her life, and I relished coming across Mick Quinn for the first time. Danny Meehan is such a large man that a fiddle seems like a toy in his huge hands - and then he gets such sweet tunes out of it. I was stunned by the Orchard family who are real carriers of the English Gypsy tradition. Tom is a fine accordion player and a mean stepdancer, and his wife Jean and her mother Amy Birch sang a great version of "Broomfield Hill".
It was also a pleasure to hear Mark Bazeley, Jason Rice and Rob Murch playing old and new tunes so well. There are others I ought to mention but I can only say that the quality of the singing in the informal sessions was amazing all round.

Subject: RE: UK National Folk Music Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 10:14 AM

Helga !!? 8-)

Subject: RE: UK National Folk Music Festival
From: English Jon
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 09:26 AM

Might well make it up there. Pending purchase of new tent. See ya there.

EJ

Subject: RE: UK National Folk Music Festival
From: GUEST,John Moulden
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 06:07 PM

Packie intended to be there when I saw him two weeks ago. I'll be there too.

Subject: RE: UK National Folk Music Festival
From: 8_Pints
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 02:35 PM

Helga,

We heard that Kevin & Ellen Mitchell will also attend even though they are not booked artists.

Bob & Sue vG

Subject: UK National Folk Music Festival
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 02:16 PM

Next weekend is the the National at Sutton Bonington - the Nottingham University School of Agriculture, which is why the festival was cancelled last year because of Foot & Mouth. I hear that Packie Byrne is expected to be coming to this year's festival too.

Hope to see some Catters there - from both sides of the pond.

Kitty