It’s been a busy weekend, hence the lateness of this week’s News Blog, and while the spirit was more than willing and did get me around three Festivals, the body this Monday morning is telling me that perhaps we’ve slightly over indulged. I only hope that my road crew of Sue and Barrie, who did a sterling job in getting me around are not too worn out themselves………….. Barrie especially who did all the driving in addition to much of the carrying……………. I cannot express just how grateful I am to them for everything.
And all this on top of a week where the little “grey scales” had had to work overtime as to where the non-Masher part of my life was having to go. But more of that later. First the music.
For reasons completely unclear as yet, probably because he can’t read! The Masher made a slightly less than professional start to his weekend’s activities by arriving late for his Birdsedge Festival set. Somewhere along the line he got 12:30 mixed up with 2:00pm, so he was greeted at 12:45 by a less than impressed Stage Manager. All I can do is apologise. It gave them a chance to check out the equipment though as without sound check The Masher thrashed out two songs before being hooked off.
Beware of ladies with clipboards. Must add that to my advice section.
Thankfully, my crew were on hand to capture the glory moment, and you can find pictures HERE
Great to meet up with Lou and his Lady, not seen them about for a bit, probably because I’ve not been to a few sessions recently.
Not a lot can be said for two song sets……………… so we’ll get in the car and head over to Heckmondwicke, where, by the time got there the music was already in full flow for the Acoustic Circus Day Festival at The New Charnwood.
And what an afternoon of varied music we were treated to, from the Electro Covers played by the interestingly named The Good Germans, amazing Blues from Gerry Cooper his fingers flying around his guitar even mid-Saturday afternoon and without fuel, the new sounds from a very young Omega3, the fantastic sound of Raspberry Tortoise (note must see more from this duo) and some super jamming from The Substitutes (I think that’s the name they eventually settled on).
I really enjoyed playing to a smashing audience who involved themselves in the songs and it was great to get an opportunity to frame the Masher as he should be framed………………. E.g. a set long enough to actually get folks involved. I’m told one lady got very upset by Fat People In Love, the Alan Moorehouse classic, SORRY – but until I found the perfect diet, poverty, I too was a Fat Bugger – I’m told. I think that’s what they use to call me.
So big thanks to Pete Long for putting the whole event on and his regular monthly Acoustic Circus Open Mic sessions. May the power be with you in West Yorkshire and please keep the great work up. Keep an eye on the Diary pages for when the next event will happening.
We also look forward to welcoming Pete with his VanrayUK hat on to Acoustic Rotherham 12 on the 31st July.
And of course should anyone of the acts on your list fancy a set at an Acoustic Rotherham all they have to do is get in touch, find out how HERE
And thank you to those at the event who have left some really nice comments about the set. Much appreciated, it’s always good when people “get it”.
Slide show Pictures of the time we spent at the event can be found HERE
And so after what seemed to be a very short sleep, we were up and at them early on Sunday morning, and making our way up……………….. the entire length of the A19 (the scenic route) to Middlesbrough, well, just a bit short of it, to splendid area of fresh air and gardens known as Nature’s World.
This was Folk all the way…………….. their nineteenth Festival………………. And what a packed action afternoon it turned out to be.
What’s more the weather held off for most of the afternoon. I have to admit I thought the clouds were saving it all up to make for a classic Masher set, but no, it was another poor soul who copped for the only short spell of rain of the afternoon.
A great turn-out on the Sunday from the South Yorkshire Folk Fraternity, with sets from Tina McKevitt, with guitar, and also doing a top secret duo set with Mien Host David Kidman. Welsh Geoff doing a short selection of his best tunes, have to admit to almost choking when Dave asked him to do a short one, anyone who knows Geoff will know that his stories in music are not exactly short on verses, and I mean that in the kindest way. The fantastic Tim and Julie Cole who are getting out amongst the Festivals this year with their fine traditional sound, and of course me.
Great to see ItsAcoustica, our old friends in music Kath and Andy with one of the most musically accomplished sets of the afternoon. It was nice to see jiva too, with Jimmy and Val who set a great standard for the afternoon to follow.
And Festival Favourites, Ian Tyzack, Sue and Bob Swales, Michael Woods (if only I could finger pick like that), what turned out to be Stan Gee Band, Paul Cornwall and Katie Prout, Monkey’s Fist, Monkey’s Moonshine Band, Festival Organiser Trevor Lister, and The Compass Rose Band. If I’ve forgotten anyone, it’s not personal.
The Masher of course had a rather strange spot, sandwiched between the Richmond Castle Cloggers Dance Team and the exotic Oriental dancing of The Daughters of the Sand.
It was a fun time for all.
I’d just make this observation, we were all told fifteen minute sets. What I found a little strange was that some people were allowed to run over this, in some cases substantially, while others, were curtailed – in fact the Masher was well below his fifteen minutes, well just below, 'cos his songs arn't very long.
Those who read the Blog regularly know I’m not a keen proponent of the fifteen minute set, it doesn’t allow the artist time to warm up and it doesn’t allow the audience to really get to know the music of artists that might be new to them. The affect is one of a Pot Boiler, not really satisfactory for anyone, and with the sort of act The Masher is, sometimes it does take time for people to “get it”.
On the other hand, and I know this from my own experience, the more acts you get in the bigger the audience.
Don’t want to be negative though on what was a lovely social event.
Pictures can be found HERE
The Masher and his crew were certainly very, very tired by the time he was safely locked up in Rawmarsh again……………………….. but well satisfied musically.
All we can say is a big thank you to everyone.
I’m sure that you are all saddened by the destruction of your Sunday Mornings by the closure of The News of The World. I jest of course………………….. could this be the end of an era as far as so called Journalism in this Country is concerned?
I’m sure we’ll be spending the Summer muttering our disgust at the games News International have been playing…………. And looking on paper after paper pulling the other apart………………… good time Cameron to do whatever he wants and get away with it.
UKFCN News……………………….. well, don’t expect much ‘cos it’s that time of the year when everyone is exceptionally busy either organising or playing. Hold back the revolution until the autumn please.
It’s hard to know where to start with all the great music heading your way this week.
But let’s start with a bit of bad news. The Star at Rawmarsh has temporarily closed. There are many rumours circulating and it all came as a bit of a shock after the fantastic success of this year’s Beanfest. I’m sure we’d all wish Chris and his Partner all the best in whatever they are now doing. So NO Jam Session on a Monday for the foreseeable future.
It’s Hillsborough Folk at Burton Street on Wednesday, Pete’s Email says it could be held in the Board Room this time, great, all those going could pretend to be Rupert Murdoch for the night.
Thursday and there’s a Special Charity event at Rotherham Trades Club, a very short stagger from The Bridge in Rotherham, which is good news for the members of Papa Legbas who are on the Bill, and seem to spend most of their lives in The Bridge.
Also Thursday, one of my favourites, Charlie Barker is playing The Princess Royal. Wish I could be there, but one fears circumstances will prevent.
And it’s another weekend of Festivals. Bombfest at Worsbrough Mill, always a great rocking event, the intriguingly named Air Do Festival at Keighey, and of course the two dayer Acoustic Festival over at The Venue, Stocksbridge with so many people appearing that I’d be here until next Christmas typing, but good to see Lou Marriott and Paul Pearson on the list, along with new friends Vanray;UK – where was The Mashers invite. You can find all the details to these and more by heading to the Diary Page HERE
And as I use match sticks to hold my eyelids open it’s time to close this week’s Blog. I’m bound to left out far too much of the other stuff I should have included so don’t be surprised if there is a part 2 later in the week.
Whatever you’re doing this week have great fun and keep it LIVE.
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