| 12th
to 14th July 2002
VISITED, SNAPPED & REVIEWED
BY www.Ely.Org.UK
|
Fast
forward to Saturday evening and the Ely On-Line
revellers donned green wrist bands and joined
the many folksters already well into their second
day of the festival. Now, obviously, tradition
is a big part of the Folk world and I'm pleased
to report that the organisers don't try to fix
what 'ain't broke. So, a real ale, delicately
named, 'Dragon Slayer' played a large (and foaming)
part of my evening. The other day I re-read
my review of the last Folk Weekend and remembered
that my badly spelt, badly thought out meanderings
had been written while still held in the grips
of a Dragon Slayer hangover. However, as a traditionalist
myself, I succumbed to its pleasures again.
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First
band up, in the Dance Tent, was Xim, a quintet
from Norfolk who specialise in French music.
They combine bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, melodeon,
flutes and clarinet to produce a distinctive
dance rhythm. Judging from the faces of the
dancers they were going down a storm as this
was line dancing for people with something in
their trousers and skirts. Wahey! |
| Secondly,
from the main stage, was a duo, Brian Peters
and Gordon Tyrall, two solo artists who regularly
team up to play events such as this. Brian is
a leading exponent of the melodeon while Gordon
is a guitarist/flute player. They squeezed,
strummed and sang contemporary tales about things
such as the joy of having a teenage fan of Slipknot
living in the house. Luckily, no Slipknot at
the Folk Weekend.
As
the beer began to soak through we took in the
fine entertainment on offer in the beer tent.
In some ways I'd say I prefer these impromptu
jams to the more formal sessions in the main
tent. These jigs and reels appear to have no
beginning or end as they set your foot a 'tappin
and, strangely enough, make you feel very thirsty.
Like eating peanuts.
Next,
Firebrand, a quintet of celtic harp, fiddle,
flute, cittern, double bass and vocals. Kicking
up a veritable storm, I could hear jazz, classical
and even funk in their musical brew. Well, I
couldn't, to be honest, but it says that in
the programme. I'm tone deaf. |
 
Stewart the Steward makes sure
no-one gets "out of Order..!"
|
By
this time, as darkness fell, a strange kind
of Homer Simpson like moaning began to emanate
from the EOL trio...Fooood. Foood. Feed me now!
A vegetable curry later from one of the excellent
food stalls and we were ready for Waterson:Carthy.
However, we decided we were still hungry and
had a cheeseburger as well. There's something
about the catering at these do's that I love.
Burp.
Happy and full we ventured forth to watch the
headliners (although not the last band on),
Waterson: Carthy, who will need no introduction
for folkies. The, by now packed, main tent was
in awe as Norma Waterson told her tales and
they were every bit the cream of Britsh Folk
Music that I'd been told of. |
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THE
ELY FOLK WEEKEND FOLKED BOY THREE - John, Lee
& Karl
The Real Ale was unreal and the Folk Boy Three
have peaked early tonight.
   
My own personal favourites,
The Bushburys, were last on. Their mix of rock,
folk and blues played with the foot hard down
on the accelerator was reminiscent of The Pogues
in their hey-day and they attracted a few dancers
to the front of the stage. A right old Saturday
night knees-up in the Isle of Eels. As I wobbled
off on my bike I was already looking forward
to next years folk weekend which will be on
11th - 13th July 2003. I'll see you there
 
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A yocal Cowboy
sums up the Weekend..!
" Ay by gum, s'good 'ere
innit..?" |
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