Ticket booked for the Friday !!

So finally here is my blog on the Sunday at this years Gate to Southwell Folk Festival. The day started with a local band Not Now John on the open stage, they did a fine set of covers ranging from Fleetwood Mac to George Ezra's Budapest.

Not Now John

Next it was over to the main stage to catch another set from Flossie Malavialle, followed by a solo set from Chris Wood both on the main stage. 

Chris Wood

After Chris Wood I went over to the second stage and first up once there was Ed Donovan and the Wandering Moles, who put on a fine set of original songs.

Ed Donovan and The Wandering Moles

Next up was what could be easily called a folk super-group, being The Tweed Project. Made up of the duo Greg Russell & Ciaran Alger plus The Mischa Macpherson Trio. Greg & Ciaran won BBC Folk newcomers award in 2013 & Mischa the following year. So the combination of award winning musicians and singers meant a real treat, and from such young artists.

The Tweed Project

Last on in the afternoon session on stage 2 was Dark Horses, a project featuring Flossie Malavialle & Keith Donnelly. The two combining to perform songs from their latest album "Under the rainbow". All songs written by Keith. The songs showed off the wonderful vocal talents of Flossie to their best.

Dark Horses

After having a wander around the site watching some of the Morris Dancers and having something to eat it was time for the evening session.

I decided once again to spend the evening at the Second Stage. First up were Blind Willies, hailing from San Francisco who proceeded to entertain with a mixed set of  folk, blues and Americana. Definitely a band worth seeing if ever you get the chance. I enjoyed them so much I purchased two of their albums.

Blind Willies

Second up for the evening were Mark Rogers & Mary Byrne, also from the states, this time from Brooklyn New York. This was their first ever U.K. visit, and they didn't disappoint.

Mark Rogers & Mary Byrne

After two lots of Americans it was back to the UK with Maia with their eclectic brand of "Sci-Fi Folk". Maia appeared at Southwell last year and this was a more than welcome return. They must be one of the most original bands to appear. With a mix of traditional folk instruments augmented with synthesisers and brass they delivered once again a fine set, complete with some wonderful harmonised vocals. 

Maia

Maia were followed by the winner of the annual open mike competition. Sadly I did not catch the name of the young man who won, though he was a very accomplished singer and guitar player, singing a couple of blues influenced songs as well as a more traditional folk song. The good thing is he will be invited to appear at next years festival with his own 20 minute slot.

And so onto the last set of the festival for me. Manran and guests, in the form of The Tweed Project. This was formed by both bands playing individually and also combining on other tunes and songs. By now it was starting to get very chilly and it was nice to have some rousing stuff to clap along to. Manran hail from Scotland and play as mix of traditional folk with a rock influence, with most of the vocals in Gaelic. And of course coming from Scotland they include the bagpipes.

Manran

So this years festival came to an end, and once again the line up was excellent, and I came away already looking forward to next year and the tenth anniversary.

Some bargain finds

It's not very often I go into shops like Poundland, but just the other day I went into the Mansfield store and found these three bargain CDs.

Opening track "Why walk when you can fly"

Opening track "He's a mighty good leader"

Track two "Shapeshifter Blues"

Not bad for just a pound each, all are a great listen. The last one by Pilote I had never heard of before, but the cover looked interesting and it's mostly acoustic guitar with a spaced out backing.

On this basis I might have to pop in more often !!

Gate to Southwell Folk Festival part two

Saturday morning 6th June 9.00 am, I set off back to Southwell for my second day at the folk festival. Once again it was  a bright sunny morning, though the forecast was for a breeze later in the day.

First things first on arriving on site, breakfast. A sausage and bacon cob and a mug of tea. Then it was over to the second stage to see John Thompson, Nicole Murray and Emma Nixon from Queensland Australia who perform as Cloudstreet. John presented his album "The Great War", a mixture of songs, poems and narrative about WWi and the contribution of the ANZACS.

John Thompson

The highlight of the set was a song about a young Australian girl, Maud Butler, who tried to sign up by dressing as a boy so she could be with her brothers, fighting the Turks. 

So time for walk around the site before the next set. This year the children's area was separated from the main site giving it a much larger area. Along with Jan's van a large black van that is used as a blank canvas for kids of all ages a chance to express themselves with chalks and paint, there was a climbing wall, Bungy trampolines and water zorbing

After the break it was time for my first visit into the Big Top and the main stage. First up was Anthony John Clarke who had appeared the previous day on the second stage, but now had a chance to play to a bigger audience. Once again he performed a very entertaining set.

Next up was one of the bands I was really looking forward to, and I was not disappointed, Coco and the Butterfields. They play a mix of traditional folk mixed with blues, jazz and hip-hop, featuring fiddles, guitars, horns, vocals and a human beatbox.

Coco and the Butterfields

After a superbly energetic set that had the crowd standing at the end in great ovation it was time for things to chill out and slow down somewhat. The quality of the music was however stepping up another notch in the form of three of the UK's top folk musicians. Nancy Kerr, Andy Cutting and Martin Simpson. Playing songs and tunes from their recent album "Murmurs" With three such talented musicians this turned out to be one of the highlights of the festival. Martin Simpson as always played guitars and banjo with consummate ease and with his usual dry wit talked about how some of the songs came about. Nancy Kerr is a top class singer and fiddle player and along with Andy Cutting on melodian and accordion we were treated to a right royal mix of traditional songs and originals. What more should be expected of this trio of award winning performers. Definitely worth catching if you get the chance. 

Simpson, Cutting and Kerr

A bonus for me was that I purchased the new limited edition "Murmurs" cd/dvd set and limited 7" vinyl, both signed by all three.

Time to move back outside and catch the end of a short set by Flossie Malavialle playing at the open stage next to the children's area. Flossie is always a delight and very entertaining with her mix of French and Geordie banter. Flossie comes from France but has lived in the North East for many years. She sings covers of other peoples songs, a mix of folk and just great songs, mixing in songs by Jaques Brel and Edith Piaf with folk tales.

Flossie Malavialle

Time for something to eat and drink before the evening session and back into the big top. First up was Keith Donnelly a Southwell regular who as always played his usual mix of comedic songs and told tales of being on the folk circuit.

Keith Donnelly

Artisan, the next group are a trio of singers who have been on the folk scene for many, many years. Totally acapella they have a great sound and are lately described as a legendary English Harmony Group, a description that is well suited. Featuring Jacey & Brian Bedford with Hilary Spencer they sing a mix of serious and humorous songs most written by Brian. There best known song "What's the use of wings" most famously covered by another folk legend Vin Garbutt.

Artisan

Next up more great music from Cutting and Wood. Andy Cutting returning to the main stage this time alongside troubadour and teller of tales Chris Wood.

Cutting and Wood

And so onto the last group of the day and one I was really looking forward to seeing.
We Banjo 3, four lads comprising two sets of brothers that play a mix of Irish tunes and Americana songs tinged with a large helping of bluegrass. Right from the off they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Superbly talented multi award winning musicians back in their native Ireland they playing was interspersed with some great chat amongst each other and with the crowd. I can honestly say for me they were the highlight of the weekend.

We Banjo 3

So that was it for my second day, one more day to go.