Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.

Subject: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 05:27 AM

Not much on Mudcat about this Festival which was held 26th & 27th October 2007.

I made it for the Saturday. It was great.
Managed to see Waterson : Carthy, John Tams and Barry Coope, Steve Tilston, Les Barker, Keith Donnelly, Kerfuffle, Lester Simpson, Ruth Notman, Mawkin : Causley, Sarah Matthews and Laura Hockenhull.

I guess I got my moneys worth. First time I have been to The Assembly Rooms in Derby. What a wonderful place to hold a festival, together with the Guildhall.

Well done to all the organisers, stewards etc for all their hard work.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:00 AM

On reflection, the two people who shone out like a radiant beam IMHO were Saul Rose and Eliza Carthy.
Kefuffle and Mawkin:Causley were superb.
Watch out for Ruth Notman - this young lady is climbing the ladder and backed by Saul Rose and a lovely young lady playing Cello.
Folk is vibrant with so many young performers coming through.

I loved all the others I saw but the above stood out amongst what was an excellent line up.

I am sure others that went may differ in opinion or at least I should hope so.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:22 AM

I have to agree that we throughly enjoyed the items at which we were present. There was some great music and dance displays at the Friday night ceilidh while, as Villan says, Waterson/Carthy, John Tams and Barry Coope, Steve Tilston and Kerfuffle were all excellent at the Satuday evening concert. Important events in Luton kept me away from the Saturday afternoon events but friends were eager to tell me how good everything had been. Certainly echo the praise offerd to organisers etc for a most encouraging start to this festival.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 07:34 AM

If I'd known I'd ahve told my daughter but a bit late now

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 09:04 AM

Thats a shame Richard.
It will be on next year at a similar date to this year.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Irene M
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 12:20 PM

I have to agree with The Villan. I spent all day yesterday (Saturday) there, and despite a cold and a migraine, had a good day. The eye-openers for me were Kerfuffle and Keith Donnelly. Kerfuffle, were, I thought, astonishing, particularly the lass; and Keith did a great set with Les Barker, and then coped with three hyperactive kids later in the day (at one point, he was down on the floor mimicking one of them!).
Thanx Mick and co.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 12:33 PM

>>Kerfuffle, were, I thought, astonishing, particularly the lass<<

What a great voice and that dancing at the end. Well!!!!

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 02:05 PM

We could only attend a couple of concerts but Mawkin:Causley were brilliant. I'm so glad I saw them as I've been wanting to see Mawkin for ages.

We also saw 'Lark Rise' which was interesting. It might have been better had the actors not had their backs to the audience as we couldn't hear half of what they said. The music was good, though.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: oggie
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:17 PM

I was working my stall so I only saw bits and pieces. Kerfuffle were great and are one to keep an eye on. Tams/Coope were as good as you'd expect and are always good value. The musical chemistry between Saul and Eliza was amazing and credit must also be given to Martin and Norma for realising this and giving them the room to let rip.

Fun, well organised festival, only downer was the clash with Sheffield which may have affected numbers.

All the best

Steve Ogden (the wooden toy stall for them as was there)

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 06:45 PM

It was good to see you there Steve and to have had a chat. Mudcatters should support this guy and buy his goods. Genuine hard worker who makes everything himself. 10/10 there Steve.
The bookmarkers were well received :-)
Les Worrall

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Mitch the Bass
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 06:07 AM

I was there too. The ceilidh on Friday built up as the numbers increased later and Poynton Jemmers and Handsworth Sword did great spots.

I couldn't get to either of the Les Barker concert but saw Larkrise then the Demon Barber Roadshow and the final concert.

Larkrise was presented in the round even the the majority of the audience was on one side so some of the dialogue was lost but it was good nevertheless.

Also talked to Steve on the toy stall and played, or tried to play, his bandoneon. Thanks Steve.

No doubt there will be comment on the Radio Derby Folkwaves programme tonight - also run by Mick Peat and Lester Simpson.

Howard Mitchell

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:41 AM

Yes Villan, I too have been amazed at how little mention this excellent festival had attracted here on Mudcat.

I was there for both days, and agree that it was a brilliant event which seemed to inspire all the artistes to giving of their very best. I wish I'd been everywhere but that's impossible - yet I too would single out Kerfuffle, Mawkin:Causley, Waterson:Carthy (yes, especially Saul), and the Demon Barber Experience - but let's not forget Isambarde and Jez with his Pennies on the Friday evening.

Big Congrats to Mick and Celia the organisers, and Lester S, and everyone else who worked so hard to make it real good.

But yes, shame about the clash with Sheffield - any chance the latter might be agreeable to moving next year ? (I see Derby's already got its dates booked, which is a good sign)

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:19 AM

Forgot to write down the dates for next year. Can anyone remind me. I'm definitely going back.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: GUEST,Occasionally in Derby
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:30 AM

Were there any open playing or singing sessions?

Have to say,Derby city itself(not surrounding area)does not appear to have many.

Thanks,OID

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:17 AM

Here we are Chris - according to the flyer, next year's dates are 24-26 October, which would indicate an extension over three days is planned. Hopefully that might persuade Mick to programme in some singing sessions, whether organised or informal, but finding a room with suitable acoustics might be difficult. (There was a fringe young-musicians' session in the Assembly Rooms foyer this year.)

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 12:23 PM

Well I met MoorleyMan when I arrived and I don't think I saw him much during the day. Too busy doing his MC job me thinks.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 02:07 PM

Amazed not to see JACK HUDSON amongst the list of artists.
Surely one of the best songwriters Derbyshire has produced. (IMHO)
Perhaps next year then?
Regards to all other disappointed JH fans.
CdM

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: BB
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:45 PM

Perhaps there's a clue in the name of the festival as to why a songwriter, best or otherwise, wasn't on the list.

Sounds as though it was a great do - and of course, the Derby Assembly Rooms used to be the venue for the wonderful 'Dancing England' event.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 05:33 PM

Oh Barbara - >>why a songwriter, best or otherwise, wasn't on the list<< ? - ah, but there WAS a songwriter on the bill... indeed not just one but at least three of the nation's finest... how could you miss the incomparable Steve Tilston? Jez Lowe? John Tams?...

But yes Villan, I was indeed busy - however, in between "duties" I managed to catch the whole of Lark Rise and the conversation afterwards with John Tams et al, then grab a bite to eat before staying put in the Assembly Rooms main hall for the whole of the marvellous evening concert. I realise how easy it would be to have not seen much of you after we met, for most of the day, as the venues were all comfortably packed and all the events were justifiably popular! Good to meet you again nevertheless, my fine friend!

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 05:41 PM

Sorry I am to understand that Ruth Notman is not a songwriter? I believe the young lady calls herself a singer songwriter on her web site BB.
Perhaps the "FOLK POLICE" are sadly at work here.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:15 PM

Pace, O nameless GUEST (for you should not be allowed to be nameless).

I am aware that Ruth is a songwriter, but then so is Kate Bramley, and so you could also say is Lester Simpson... and then there's Ashley Hutchings.... and Les Barker for that matter.... and I'm sure there are others on the bill who are hiding their songwriting talents under a bushel. But let's not split hairs please. I merely named the three most obvious and well-known examples "at least", just to illustrate the point quickly, and there was no ulterior "folk police" agenda there (so allo allo, wot's all this ere then?)

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:30 PM

Shouldn't think so Capo!

Dark forces at work. Not the folk police - police are accountable. more like the folk M15/M16/Special Branch.

As you say - it is utterly disgraceful. Surely no other son of Derbyshire has been so vocally blessed, or shown such single minded devotion to the folk club movement. he could have 'sold out' a million times to make a more commercially based music, I have pointed out the avenues myself to him - but he's simply not interested. The folk clubs are from whence he sprung artistically, and he feels he has a right to be there.

We hear a lot of claptrap about 'traditional' musicians (who's tradition - not mine!) have never sold out. I bet they would have 'sold out' if they suffered the amount of persecution endured by Jack Hudson.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Rasener
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 04:13 AM

If you want to talk about who ahould or shouldn't be on at a festival, then please start another thread.
This thread was meant to be a thank you to the people who organised this festival, not who shpuld have been on. It was also meant to discuss the people who were on and who people liked and indeed mudcatters who met each other there..
Thank you.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 05:51 AM

Well said Villan.
I believe there is a separate Jack Hudson appreciation thread elsewhere - as there should be.
Let's not encourage hijacking of this thread, however worthy the cause.
Thanks to everyone who made Derby TMAF the great event it was.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: BB
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 03:27 PM

My apologies - I hadn't looked closely enough at the line-up, just the title. There was no intention to denigrate anyone, or to say that 'traditional' is better than 'contemporary'. It seems that people are too keen to read motives into others' words, and to yell 'folk police' at the first opportunity - although I'm not sure who that particular epithet was directed at (and please, grammar police, don't start yelling at me!)

Barbara

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Capo da Monty
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 08:46 AM

No highjacking intended just an expression of opinion relating to this particular event and not "who should or shouldn't be on at a festival". On that basis it seemed entirely relevant to this thread.
It certainly was a star-studded lineup even without the aforementioned JH.
My personal appreciation of Jack's work and concern at the lack of local(Derbyshire)+UK recognition is well documented on other threads and I make no apologies for it. (In fact another thread may indeed be appearing soon.)
Sorry to have apparently ruffled a few feathers but it was not clear from your first post what comments/opinions you were specifically looking for Villan on this thread.

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 09:28 AM

Lester Simpson, John Tams, Barry Coope,Cross o'th Hands, Feet First,Sarah Matthews, Laura Hockenhull, Ruth Notman, Mick Peat - sounds like a pretty fair representation from the Derbyshire (and Nottingham) folk scene to me, and apologies to those that I may have overlooked. Anyway where was Keith Kendrick?

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: Mitch the Bass
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 09:37 AM

Keith was at the Baring Gould Festival otherwise he would have been with us at least in the "Volunteers on Parade" in the foyer.

Mitch

Subject: RE: Derby Traditional Music and Arts Fest.
From: GUEST,Simon.S
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:12 PM

I thought Mawkin:Causley were fantastic, really fresh, exciting stuff