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2008 NEURUM CREEK ACOUSTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL by Anne Infante It might be small (one marquee, a session shed and a workshop arena); it might be short (from Friday night to Sunday afternoon); but there’s nothing at all undersized about the Neurum Creek Acoustic Music Festival. The brain child of Angela Kitzelman and Keith Urquhart, this predominantly camping festival is held at the beautiful Neurum Creek Bush Reserve and, in its third year, proved yet again that Angie and Keith, ably assisted by Don Jarmey, Helena Bond and assorted willing others, have discovered the perfect formulae for creating a weekend experience which is relaxing, entertaining, sociable and just brimming with outstanding performances - the cream of South-East Queensland (and beyond) artists. This year, as before, the acts were nicely combined in an on-going concert blending performers into a flowing, constantly varied turnaround of soloists, instrumentalists, duos, bands, Morris dancers, humour, sombreness, absurdity (and sometimes just plain insanity) to delight the large and highly appreciative audience which spilled out of the main marquee to sit under the massive party tree and the large sail at the sides. All performers were of the highest calibre; also outstanding were the MCs, who kept the festival running perfectly to time. Sound was once again handled by Ryk Rostron and helpers, who worked tirelessly and with infinite good humour throughout. Workshops and sessions were held for those eager to learn to how play dazzling instrumental guitar, sing and harmonise, write songs or play Aussie tunes. The Sunday Gospel session was a runaway success with wondrous harmonies soaring out across the grounds, drawing even more folk to the session. Yes, we’ll do it again next year and, yes, I’ll print more song books! This year saw the beginnings of a craft market, with a stall of quality home-spun, hand-knitted garments and knitting/spinning demonstrations, which encouraged other crafty folk to join in a spinning, knitting and embroidery circle. The days were fine and warm, the nights crisp, clear and glowing with moonlight; all over the campground people dropped into each other’s tents to jam, socialise and catch up, creating a wonderful buzz around the site. I had a great weekend. And, thanks to the fabulous Hydrangeas, all my relationship problems have been solved (come back soon Dolores, Dolores and Dolores - Australia needs you!) and thanks to Súnas I can’t get The Lonely Goatherd out of my head! Neurum Creek is growing in popularity. Weekend camping tickets sold out this year; if you weren’t there, put yourself on the email list for 2009 so you don’t miss this wonderful experience. Go to www.neurumcreekfestival.com or
Fun at the Laidley Music Gathering at Mulgowie The Mulgowrie Music Gathering on Fri 5 - Sat 6 Sept turned out to be a very enjoyable couple of days which we will repeat again early next year. Good food, good company, wonderful hosts in Roy and Colleen. We jammed our hearts out Friday night, and Saturday morning visited the market just around the corner for breakfast. After recovering we began until the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Nobby - Be There or Be Square By Joy Duncan Folkies Ahoy! Here's another festival to add to your annual date claim. From 6th - 9th June the inaugural Heritage Music Festival was held at the historic township of Nobby on the Darling Downs. Organizers, Julie Witney and Peter Dobe took a leap of faith in the rightness of things that people would come - and they did. The event's success can be gauged by the fact it remains a happy talking point with plans already in place for next year. In fact one enthusiast still sports his festival bracelet so he can relive the experience at whim. So what was the winning combination? Location and venues for a start. Nobby is a pretty little country town with a wide main street, parks, gardens and freshly restored buildings. While the five major venues were far enough apart not to suffer the noise bleeds characteristic of some small festivals, everything was within easy walking distance. This meant that one could mosey into the Pepperina Gallery for a coffee chat and concert, meander down to Rudd's Pub to check out the sessions, cruise over to the hall for a workshop or dance, then stroll across to the Heritage Museum or the Dilly Bag Gunyah for a glimpse into the past. There were plenty of nooks for spontaneous sessions. The pub had 4 discrete areas where music makers congregated and the verandah of the old railway station was a perfect drop in spot to play a few tunes. If there had been a theme for the 3 main concerts, it would have been variety - a wealth of short entertaining acts that constantly refreshed the senses. The program featured 40 plus performers with acts including celtic, country, belly dancing, rock, South American, swing, drumming, line dancing, orchestral, even a touch of the classics and some poetry. A diversity of performances from soloists to large groups and the range of instruments showcased meant there was something for everyone. With busking being encouraged, the inclusion of workshops and a bush dance, there was a firm focus on participation so the festival became a shared experience. Smart programming avoided those annoying main event clashes and allowed breathing space which so enhanced the relaxed atmosphere of the weekend The locals were just fantastic - friendly, supportive and, it seemed, as calm as could be at the sudden influx of musos. One of our folkie mates shared his experience when a session needed to vacate one of the pub venues for a private function. They were just so nice, he confided, it was the most politely we've ever been thrown out of anywhere :) On Saturday there was a small country market which included regional fares and wares while visual artists maintained a colourful presence throughout the festival. An enthusiastic local attendance was in evidence at the various workshops, concerts and dance. Of course it was the Nobby business people who ensured that we enjoyed a variety of food choices - coffee & cakes at the gallery, munch on the run food from the van, a camp oven at the gunya, the service with a smile general store/coffee shop and the pub meals where no food request seemed to be too much trouble. At $10 per head which covered any combination of camping, 3 main concerts, the dance and some workshops what else can I say but See you there next year.
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.
Mary Coughlan & Kristina Olsen in Concert Judith Wright Centre, Brisbane, 25 February 2009 Review by Jan Nary Kristina Olsen and Mary Coughlan are, individually, delights for the heart and the intellect. Put them together in one show, add the truly impressive talents of Brett Hirst and Tom Rainer on double bass and keyboard and if you’re not knocked flat - well, you haven’t got ears or you haven’t got a heart. Kristina Olsen opened the show and joined Mary in the second half, displaying the style, irreverence for things that are irrelevant, consummate musicianship and instant connectedness to audiences that have made her an honorary Australian in many hearts. We love her, and rightly so; her songwriting insights, impressive talent and wayward sense of humour are irresistible. Mary Coughlan is a too-infrequent visitor to these shores from her home in Ireland and it’s to be hoped that we see more of her in the future. Powerful music often comes from the same deep place as pain and Mary Coughlan is a performer who has used her time at the University of Hard Knocks to develop a style and narrative that’s driven by the places it’s been and the things it’s seen. From romantic ballads to songs about domestic violence (and perhaps the leap isn’t so great), language that has mastered poetry and the violent language of the betrayed home, it’s all part of her repertoire. Her delivery is utterly convincing, be it in the style of the great Scottish murder ballads or a seeming-innocent storytelling that would be at home in Father Ted. Mary Coughlan is a phoenix powerfully risen. It was a stroke of programming genius to put these two women together. They share enough qualities and attitudes to make for a cohesive and satisfying show but at the same time they are so strongly individual that they make exciting counterpoints and foils for each other. And their songs really tell it like it is. If ever they have the time to lecture they’d be rich resources for university philosophy schools.
WAC Review Our October Concert commenced with newlyweds Mark and Rachael Davey. Rachael has a delightful voice and is exceptional on the Irish fiddle and accompanied by her husband on guitar made for great entertainment. After the break, we were privileged to have the magical duo of Lara Thompson a versatile vocalist and guitarist and Murray Wall also a vocalist, brilliant guitarist and child prodigy (he insists he still is!). Lara is a ray of sunshine infusing her music with joy and happiness and their combined chemistry was truly magical. They performed a variety of soul, blues, swing and funk. Murray also performed solo displaying his amazing talent at times sounding like two guitars being played simultaneously. What an outstanding way to finish the year with world class entertainment. Woodford Acoustic Concerts (WAC) will recommence in February 2009.
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] |