[ Home/Menu ] | Festival/Folk Gathering Reviews | Concert Reviews |
Maidenwell Gathering: a good turn-out of new and known faces - some not seen here for some time - made the March 2008 Maidenwell a conveniently manageable size of mostly musicians. Lots of sessions both singing and tunes and some mixtures, good food and the Saturday night blackboard concert was enjoyable. August (8 - 10) Blues’n’Grass will
be our last time to enjoy the excellent hospitality of Gordon and
Debbie Pye, our popular hosts at the Maidenwell Hotel.
Review… DORRIGO FOLK & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Storm clouds cleared and a full moon smiled down on the Showgrounds in Dorrigo on Friday night for the opening of the 6th Annual Folk & Bluegrass Festival on the last weekend of October. Musicians in both Pavilions entertained the crowd with music covering folk, country, bluegrass, western swing, old-timey ...just to name yet a few. Robin from the Gumbaingerii people welcomed the audience to his ancestral lands, then Kiwi band Fiddlesticks got the entertainment underway in the main pavilion. The duo Cath Mundy and Jay Turner showed some of the breadth of the folk genre. In a high-energy performance, Juzzie Smith combined instruments and musical traditions from different cultures. Other performers included Tassie band Coyote Serenade with some easy-going country, blues, swing and hillbilly. Concerts in the Main Pavilion on both nights featured the re-formed band Backbeat and the glamorous Fellowship of the Strings. Tahlia, on guitar, her sister Ingrid, on djembe and vocal harmonies; also Jackie on hammered dulcimer and Greg playing para-Celtic harp, pennywhistle and concertina. Bush Poet’s Breakfast with Graeme Johnson, was held at the Heritage Hotel. Saturday night diners at Misty’s Restaurant enjoyed Anthony McGloin on guitar & mandolin. In the Luncheon Pavilion there was lots of bluegrass and excellent food! Dina’s Diner served more than 500 plates of yummy Festival Food. For those who love the more traditional sounds of mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar and autoharp – this was the place to be. On both nights the official program finished with the Sheepdogs - the size of the group growing and changing each night... Julie Ward
Planning has begun for the 2008 Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass
Festival, which will be on October 24-26.
Performer applications areavailable at www.dorrigo.com/festival
Review: Redlands Bluegrass Convention From 12th - 15th July, the place to be was Queensland for the best bluegrass acts in Australia. The 13th Annual Redlands Bluegrass Convention kicked off with a Bluegrass Spectacular at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, a well-known performing arts venue located in the heart of Brisbane. This was the first try at bringing bluegrass to the city and more than 130 people attended the concert featuring Melbourne’s Coolgrass, Western Australia’s Bluegrass Parkway and Victoria’s Davidson Brothers. From Friday the festival moved to its usual venue, the Kindilan Outdoor Centre at Redland Bay, starting with a Friday night concert showcasing some of the top talent that Brisbane has to offer. In previous years the Friday night concert had been held in Kindilan Hall but in the last couple of years we’ve outgrown the hall so for the first time, the concert was held in the marquee. It was a bit chilly, but the mulled wine was flowing and kept the audience warmed up. Well-known Brisbane folk band The Pirate Brides opened the concert followed by bluegrass trio Bushfire from the Gold Coast. Local singer/songwriter Sue Wighton’s band The Unsung Heroes came next featuring the talents of young Luke Moller (a.k.a. Fiddle Boy). For a change in flavour and locality, those frocked-up girls from Tasmania, the Wayward Sisters, performed next with support from dobro-maestro Gary Brown. Rounding off the concert with some contemporary girlie bluegrass was Tom Cat & the Bluegrass Kittens followed by some traditional blokey bluegrass from the Redlands Bluegrass Boys. Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny with workshops and slow jams packed into the day topped off by a walk-up concert in the marquee that afternoon which brought to light some talented festival enthusiasts including the Freiberg Family, Blonde-grass and Jaxonville. On Saturday night expectations were high as the marquee filled with an excited audience who’ve come to expect a top-class Saturday Night Concert at Redlands. Although our overseas artists cancelled, the audience definitely weren’t disappointed with a concert jam-packed with the best bluegrass artists from all over Australia. With some catchy originals and graceful vocals, Wendy Jackson from Melbourne gave us a taste of what was to come with her opening concert set. Next to come was Coolgrass with some quirky bluegrass and wild costumes (we loved that bluegrass version of the Time Warp!) featuring the combined talents of Jim Golding, Bruce Packard, Doug Wallace and Angus Golding. Trev Warner was next with Brendan Radford on guitar and gave us a set of excellent Australian bluegrass music. After the intermission rush on the coffee van and mulled wine, the Davidson Brothers woke us all up with a rousing set full of high energy, fast paced tunes interspersed by wise-cracks and humorous anecdotes. Hamish and Lachlan were admirably backed up by Peter Cooper on guitar and Andrew Toombs on bass. Bluegrass Parkway rounded off an exceptional showcase concert opening their set with a haunting a capella gospel number highlighting the group’s tight four-part harmonies. With Maria Duff on double bass, Guy Paris on guitar, Mick O’Neill on banjo and band leader Paul Duff on mandolin, Bluegrass Parkway were, as ever, a joy to watch and a pleasure to listen to. The organising committee would like to gratefully acknowledge the artists and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this year’s festival the best yet. Thanks also to everyone who attended this year’s festival. We hope to see y’all again next year! The Mad Ass presentation on 21 June could have been dubbed Fiddlers’ Delight, featuring two splendid fiddle acts; George Jackson & Davydd McDonald and Shetland’s Swingin’ Fiddles trio. Most Queensland folksters know Davydd for his springs-in-his-shoes Irish dancing (he was the Australian Champion for 4 years) but he took up guitar about four years ago and since November last year he has been playing with New Zealand fiddler George Jackson, recently proclaimed the Australian No Holds Barred Fiddle Champion. In a sparkling fusion of musical talents, these two kept the stage afire with a selection of Scottish, Irish, jazz and bluegrass tunes. Just for good measure, they topped it off with some irresistible Quebeçoise tunes, complete with rattling good footwork from George. More, please. A counterpoise between the fiddles was provided by singer, songwriter and guitarist Tom Bolton, a finalist in the Australian Songwriters' Association. Years of writing and an ear finely attuned to the styles and influences of contemporary folk music have produced a songwriter and performer who with a sound that is distinctive, delicious and eminently listenable. Tom Bolton is better known in his home state of Victoria but if the audience's reaction is anything to judge by he’ll be appearing more and more on stages around Australia. (If you’d like to take him home with you, check out his albums Acoustic Caravan and When I Cross the River). Swingin’ Fiddles exceeded even the high expectations that Shetland musicians engender. Teenagers Maggie Adamson and Laura Lockyer are incredibly good fiddlers, even by Shetland standards; their talent coupled with their unaffected youthful enthusiasm made them an instant hit. Sixteen year-old pianist Astryd Jamieson couldn’t make this trip due to ill health but her place in the line-up was filled by (non- teenager) guitarist Brain Nicholson, a long- time collaborator with the group. His many years as a professional (playing in Hom Bru and Maddrim) showed just how exciting and distinctive Shetlandic guitar can be. The audience was treated to traditional Scottish and Shetlandic tunes, contemporary originals, old-timey American pieces and even a song in Shetlandic about trowies (trolls) that displayed Brian’s talent for comedy. Many audience members were on their feet applauding at the curtain call and it’s to be hoped that the three – plus Astrid - will be back soon. Bless the Mad Ass and all who sail in her; she does a great service for the Brisbane folk community. Jan Nary
FOLK REDLANDS FESTIVAL 2007
FOLKREDLANDS FESTIVAL was a little quieter this year with theexception of the Friday night Bush Dance. Well over 70 energetic people, encouraged by Alan McMonagle and Stone the Crows Bush Band who played well over the finishing time for tireless dancers. Watch the web site for the next Bush Dance date. Saturday Garden Stage: a new duo, Topia (Julie Minto & Geoff Cawardine); next, Singer/Songwriter Peta Catiore, followed by poets Kathleen McGregor and Vic Blake. After lunch, Stockade (Chris & Chuck Euston) & Geoff Cawardine. (Read the Stockade blog in this edition.) Following was the delightful Anne Infante joined by Stockade later in her set. The afternoon on the Garden Stage concluded with a group who needed no introduction The Wayfarers - hear them at the Kookaburra Folk Club along with Anne, & many others. Saturdayon the Plaza Stage: Here for Indigenous Festival, TheDreaming were duo Indigie Femme (Tash & Elena) visit their website www.myspace.com/indigiefemme Next up were Mark Cryle & Jeremiah with a great performance, and then lovely Blue Grass Kittens (Lets not forget Tom ) - marvellous. Sunday on the Plaza Stage: The Goodwills - Laurel & Bob Wilson really can sing about anything, from Green Frogs to Cyber Infidelity. Noel Gardner and his band love performing at IndigiScapes. His songs tell the story. Ian Dearden, The Judge - what an interesting life he lives. Redlands Bluegrass Boys with guest singer Karley Kerr - heaps of talent. Redlands Country Music are Country Cousins, always there to help out at Folk Redlands, people like Pat Sailor, Robyn Boult, Colin & Sandra Pavic. Finishing up was Gibb Todd who needs no introduction, a familiar face at both festivals. Sunday Garden Stage began with the haunting harmonies of mother & daughter Echoes of Eden. Then the infectious sounds of Ingonish the ladies stopped people in their tracks! The Garden stage continued with Rebecca Wright, it’s never a problem for Rebecca to just step in and play; it’s her life, and it shows in all she does. Last but not least, the wacky Glenys Anderson backed by the talents of guitarist Chris Jack. Congratulations to Glenys who is to be married In November - Hey Lady, watch those TEETH! Some people came to buy plants at Indigie Day Out. The music a bonus for them .. and FREE as were the street performers Perch Creek Family Jug Band all one Family, traveling up from northern NSW. Ragged Band Morris - what would the festival be without Morris Dancers. Hosts: Colin Nightingale & Vicki Mc Donald. Sound engineers: Patrick Bourke, Chris & Chuck Euston and Geoff Cawardine, these guys worked tirelessly over the entire festival (also performing). Without you it couldn't have happened. Good work. BBQ: The Galloping Gourmets did well to serve so many people .. Great Food! Thumbs up to KLEENHEAT GAS who gave FREE gas for BBQs. The content of this review is not necessarily the opinion of the Folk Redlands committee or the Staff of IndigiScapes. Visit: www.folkredlands.com [top]
NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL 2007 – WHAT A YEAR THAT WAS! The 2007 National Folk Festival has been hailed as one of the best ever, with visitor numbers reaching a healthy 50,000 mark. We're really happy with the numbers, says Jared Wilkins, the Festival's Managing Director. We've never striven to be the biggest; quality and overall atmosphere are much more important and this year's National had a great vibe throughout. Evan Mathieson & Lyn (background)
Dave O'Neill, Artistic Director of the National, is more than
happy with the response to this year's programme.
Dave also says that the co-ordinators of this year's dance programme are to be congratulated. Next year's National Folk Festival runs 20- 24 March.
www.folkfestival.asn.au
Jan Nary
[top]
BLUE MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL - March 2007 By Denis Roche What can you say the sun is beating down, you're on top of the world and great music is about to break out in Katoomba. We start with Welcome to Country where a very young lad accompanied his mother on the hitting sticks. A big job at any age and not helped when you bang your thumb. But the show must go on. On to the first act Women in Docs – and how do we start but with a Queensland Joke. This was delivered by a blow-in from South Australia, one Dennis Olsen, whom I last saw capering about in tights to Gilbert & &, no not George, that's right Sullivan. The girls took it well, didn't use the strat in anger but they did notice. After a cracking set, on came Alistair Hulett and Dave Swarbrick keeping up the good fight for the left and the Red Clydesiders. Dave has undergone a complete overhaul and is running as good as ever, his web site swarbslazarus.com tells the story. To finish the night Mikelangelo & The Black Sea Gentlemen. What can you say. Well Mikelangelo is a sloppy kisser – yuk. Their hit number being The Marinade of Life. Where do these maniacs belong? Never mind. On that happy note off to bed. I should mention there a five stages total capacity about 4-5 thou. A main tent (fell down at the first go – very encouraging), another tent and three indoors. Day 2 Saturday – bright sunny and Hot with the Spooky Men in great form. On to Vin Garbutt in the tin shed, full house, I ended up on the floor in front (shameless-ed). Same show as East Brisbane Bowls Club, bought a CD afterwards and he remembers the EB Bowls. There was a lady with a Dutch hat on in the second row laughing her head off. You have been noted. Walked out straight into a cloud. Cloud at 1500m is cold wet damp and miserable no matter how many clothes you put on, that cold gets through. Then it rained. Does it rain upwards in a cloud? Next Boo Hewerdine. Never heard of him, but with a name like that you have to give him a go. He was great, very folkie writes his own stuff. He won a prize for Best Music in a Hospital Scene when a character in the Soapie Annandale has the misfortune to have a chimney fall on them. Well there isn't much dialogue with an emergency patient. At the end of the song they must decide whether to pull the plug. And the decision is …. No I won't spoil it for you. The tune is near enough to Bell, Book and Candle for those interested (very Yorkshire I thought). 15 mins late for the Fagans. A small venue but there was room for a littl'un at the front. Everyone was there the Olds, Nancy, James and Katie a great show on a mini stage one wrong step and Katie would have been in my lap. Next preparation for the big show 1¾ hours of Luka Bloom. Rain drizzling, the Main Tent already jammed. I bet the performer Kerrianne Cox a performer of Aboriginal tradition would rarely see so many. She was just back from a US tour and entertained with a mixed variety of originals. Once again I tried the old sitting on the floor at the front only at the end of this show it started bucketing down and the floor became another small stream. With kind neighbours help I smuggled in a chair (sorry Ann). And Luka put on a fine show the highlight being The City of Chicago which his brother liked so much he decided to keep for himself. On to Sabrina Dinan (intro for Luka Bloom) v. good original, the great Colum Sands (I thought he was a little tired for this one) and finished the night off with Dan Crary and Don Ross a pair of flashy guitarists. Time to get out of this cloud.
On came Rory McLeod , as he said himself less cheesy and all the better for it. The girl grooving away in the front who knew the words to every song was a bit of a worry. Then Eleanor McEvoy an original performer who created the best selling album in Irish history (it's in the notes it must be true). She is a performer with great warmth. Ralph McTell put on a good show. Now for someone original Laura Love. Big gal, big face, big smile. The show was an absolute hoot especially her fiddle accompanist Boopsy who made the small mistake of falling for a Jail bird (great bod though). First he cleaned out her house then those of her friends and neighbours. Boy, the gals had great laugh about that one! Laura plays a bass guitar Jackie Orszacky style - if you know what I mean. That was it, the main stage was 1 hour late and I couldn't take sitting in cloud no more. Only solution an indoor shot of the Blues. On the way down to the RSL there was a sylph-like figure who may have been what was left of Hat Fitz. Hat Hat, I said, Where's the rest of you? Right here mate. Mother always warned me not talk those Blues people.
On to the show. Hat and Itchy had us jitterbugging till we were fit to drop. ~ Nuf said. Last show. The big, bad Chris Wilson joined by Jim Conway. No Lazarus for Jim. What a show-duelling harps. On the axe none other than Jeff Lang himself. On the bass, having thrown away her cowboy hat, Sweet Felicia, who could have a little chat to Hat. What a show for an hour plus with mystery guest and a whole lot of booty shakin'. But it was not finished yet. I was staggering home when - what sweet sounds were those emerging from the Clarendon? They were ALL THERE – Eric, Vin, Rory (with his bloody trombone – this is a folk festival Rory, not a Salvation Army Revival Meeting ), Colum, Women in Docs, Boo, the Fagans, Paddy. There was barely room at the bar. Settled down to a great session headlined by the Fagans. At 1am Colum Sands hops on the double bass, at 2 am Rory arrives with his trombone. Admitted defeat at 3am but James Fagan was kicking off another round. And so to bed perchance to sleep – that's hostel dorms for you. BUT THERE'S MORE!
All week at the Harp Hotel, Tempe the acts were giving full
shows. I caught Ralph McTell followed by Colum Sands. Also on were
Women in Docs, Paddy Keenan, Rory and Eleanor McEvoy.
As Roy and HG would say too much folk is barely enough. [top]
NFF Don Henderson Concert by Don Nichols Songs of Don Henderson at The National Folk Festival, 2007 were showcased with the aim of republishing his songbook A Quiet Century, and producing a comprehensive CD of his songs. Between dashing from venue to venue, I managed to catch portions of this presentation of a number of Don's songs, the strength of which were augmented by a fine array of talent: Danny Spooner, Jenny Fitzgibbon, Tulca Mor, Tommy Leonard, Helen Rowe, Ann Bermingham, Dave de Hugard, Sally Henderson and Mark Gregory, who was also MC. Bearing in mind I had to flit between two concurrent events, items that stood out for me were Danny Spooner's Thirty Ton Line, Jenny Fitzgibbon and Tulca Mor's Rake and a Rambling Man, Tommy Leonard's War for Those who want it, and Ann Bermingham, Helen Rowe, and Sally Henderson singing What Makes the Grass Grow? and, together with Mark Gregory, It’s On! Altogether a great concert in a great cause - more info on the project is available on: http://donhenderson.com.au/ [top]
June Nichols Tribute Concert - Woodford Festival 2006 Nearly a year after her death June Nichols was remembered by colleagues, family and friends at a tribute concert held in the new grass-roots folk venue at Woodford, the Duck and Shovel, the folk baby of Keith Urquhart and Angela Kitzelman. June was a performer, editor, composer and she gave support and inspiration to countless others. A selection of her favourite songs, some of which she had brought from her Bahamian homeland, were featured along with her own compositions and performances by groups that she had co-founded. Mary Brettell, performer and now editor of the e-edition of Folk Rag, was the producer and driving force behind the concert. With input from the folk community, Mary compiled a list of songs people associated with June, then contacted performers to present the songs. The programme included such stalwarts as Anne Infante (who wrote Bahama Mama for June and performed it on the day), Martin Pearson, Cloudstreet, Pirate Brides and June’s own band, the Champion Moreton Bay Band. The disbanded Moreton Bay Morris, which June had helped start, was reformed for the day and performed with Belswagger Morris. The show was an absolute 'pearler' – everyone gave of their best, it ran like clockwork, the venue was just right and the audience loved it all. The concert opened with Martin Pearson singing a dignified and rousing Bringing the Sheaves, one of June’s favourites. (Less dignified - but fun – was Belswagger’s attempts to get a Mexican wave going in the final chorus of his closing song, “Rambling Rover”). Cloudstreet was joined by Belinda Ford on flute and Rebecca Wright on cello; John’s composition Dance up the Sun was complemented by Morris dancing that would have summoned the sun from the depths of hell. Pirate Brides had already played to a packed venue earlier in the afternoon but their energy was undiminished, offering a fine set Shores of Jordan, Ryk Rostron’s If I Had Wings, and Reelin' Down (Dan Hicks). The Champion Moreton Bay Band, with Don Nichols on bass, swung into John Barleycorn and a medley of polkas and finished their set with a moving rendition of the Silver Wattle Waltz, joined by John Thompson playing June’s concertina. The concert closed with a singalong, led by June’s singing Come Ye Lads from the CD Gathering Thyme, and closed with the song sung at her funeral, Bright Morning Star. Then it was tears and hugs all round. Mary Brettell and the performers deserve congratulations for creating an evening so filled with celebration that it positively breathed of June. It was wonderful to revisit the life of such a great folkie and friend. Jan Nary [top] | ||||||||||||||||||
Fiddles
at the Mad Ass
It's good to have
established links this year with the National Sound and Film
Archives, the National Archives, the ACT Cancer
Council, Youth in the City and the Butt Littering Trust, he says.
Day 3 either jump around or let the talent come to you. Easy decision.
I stay – in my chair – at the Guinness Stage. With a
great line-up starting with Mick Conway and the National
Junk Band on to Lisa Miller & Rebecca Barnard. Then
one of the highlights Eric Bibb & Danny Thompson. Danny
really adds some zip with his double bass playing and Eric has never
been better.