Saturday's line-up at Cambridge contains a mixed bag of folk acts
Cambridge Folk Festival 2009 review
Wednesday 12th August 2009
I have been a big admirer of Crooked Still's modern take on bluegrass for many years, so on Saturday morning I armlock my weekend companion and hurry along to Stage 1 for the midday start. We weren't alone, as a sizeable crowd had gathered to catch the day's first act. Most musicians are probably still coming round at this time of day, so it was very gracious of vocalist Aoife O'Donovan to make a point of thanking us for showing up. The band showed no signs of fatigue though, and they got the early riser crowd moving with their energetic set. Banjo player Gregory Liszt's between numbers rhymes might have gone down better with a late night crowd, however. Even his bandmates seem to glaze over as he recites them.
Next up is Hayes Carll, a name I was completely unfamiliar with before today and musically I am left relatively unmoved as his slow country ballads bring the mood down quite dramatically. His dry wit conveyed in a laid back Texas drawl is very entertaining, however, and much more memorable than the songs. Maybe just an error in billing him directly after the more upbeat Crooked Still.
Jim Moray has been a controversial figure in folk circles. He could well be the Marmite of the traditional music scene. Some have called him 'the saviour of English folk music' while others have denounced his use of computers to produce his songs. The appearance of a rapper on a track on his last album 'Low Culture' must have been the last straw for many. It did, however, manage to win the fRoots album of the year award in 2008. So love him or hate him, he certainly brings attention to the folk scene. Today though he looks lethargic and may have had a later night than Crooked Still last night, and runs through tracks from 'Low Culture' as if it was a rehearsal.
The addition of ex-Flook members Brian Finnegan (whistle/flute) and Ed Boyd (guitar) to Cara Dillon's band have given a meatier sound to the multi-award winning, sweet voiced singer from Derry, Northern Ireland. Her set consists of traditional and original songs, but you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. For me the only thing lacking in this line-up is a bit of percussion, making you wonder why that other ex-Flooky John Joe Kelly didn't migrate along with his former bandmates.
From Northern Ireland to Scotland now as Blazin' Fliddles take the stage. Today they are all sporting Stetsons which they apparently acquired at last night's gig in a drinks promotion, giving them a very un-Scottish look. So many fiddles on one stage is not everyone's cup of tea, but if you're a fan of the reel and Strathspey, this gutsy, frenetic performance gives the genuine atmosphere of a Scottish ceilidh. They occasionally catch their breath with a more gently paced waltz.
Martin Simpson (along with Richard Thomson) is the kind of performer who, for anyone with a few pretensions to being a guitarist, make you want to go home and smash your instrument up. His fingerwork is literally breathtaking. It's not all technical though, and his songwriting can also be very moving, such as the moving tribute to his father, 'Never Any Good'. A brilliant and generous musician, and allegedly an all round decent bloke, Martin could be seen round the festival chatting to his many devotees.
Booker T is one of those acts who is best remembered for one or two instantly recognizable hits, namely Green Onions and "the one from the cricket" (Soul Limbo). That was a long, long time ago however (1962 in the case of Green Onions) and he wouldn't still be around if it wasn't for his undoubted mastery of the Hammonf B3 organ, with its classic and enduring retro sound. He appears today with some very useful sidemen to give a soulful but sometimes rocking out blues set. It's entirely instrumental though, and the odd song or two would give it more depth.
Los Lobos are also best remembered by most for their cover of 'La Bamba', but that was absent from their set tonight, and some would say thank goodness. This is probably an effort to confirm their status as proper folk musicians as they open with acoustic instruments and a distinctly Mexican feel. They appear out of sorts though, due to some technical issues in the sound check which persist through their first few numbers. They gradually warm to the task, and the second half of the set consists of more North American style rock. The crowd seem happy, but for me they fail to live up to their promise on this occasion.
The Saw Doctors may not be the most talented musicians at Cambridge this weekend, nor the snappiest of dressers (middle aged men in sportswear?!) or have the wittiest of banter. But they sure know how to entertain an audience. Their entire set consists of crowd-pleasing country tinged rock and tonight they reaffirm their place as Ireland's favourite live band, opening with chart topper 'N17' and keep the crowd moving to the end of the night, blissfully unaware of the monsoon that awaits them outside to cool them off.
review by Douglas Coulter photos by Douglas Coulter
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