Sunday at WOMAD offers legends Rolf Harris and Gil Scott-Heron
WOMAD 2010 review
Thursday 29th July 2010
Sunday's start is earlier with participation in the Tai Chi record attempt in front of the main stage, it was even energizing and quite amusing although that could be down to being half cut from the night before. Mamas Gun are a great follow up as the sun gets scorching their funky seventies groove thang keeps those limbs moving. Javier Conde provides airy flmanco guitar to soundtrack the relaxed feel of a festival lazing in baking temperatures.
Living legend Rolf Harris draws the biggest crowd of the weekend at the Siam to punctuate his banter with a few songs. I'm heading for Kormac's Big Band where a barbershop quartet, and trad instruments give DJ Kormac's hip hop tunes a band new life when I walk into a guy with a gun. It's a bit of a shock the Abu Dhabi band are performing in front of the Charlie Gillett stage waving their guns around, personally I don't agree with them having these rifles even if they are made safe, and despite them explaining it's part of their 'culture'. Imelda May's rockabilly drenched set has me soon forgetting the incident and Afro Celt Soundsystem keep up the big sound, getting us dancing to their infectious beats.
The last act on the main outdoor stage is Gil Scott-Heron who proves a fantastic headliner, okay so he's rambling and laid back, but I'm of an age to appreciate his cadence, his stoies and his songs. At various times the singer sat at his piano isjoined by fantastically accomplished musicians. We're treated to hits like 'We Almost Lost Detroit', 'The Bottle', and 'Winter In America'. All of us left WOMAD with Gil's words echoing in our heads, "Be Safe, Be Free, Be Strong." I dashed up to watch a bit of DJ Kentaro who was high energy but wanted to get back to that slow gravelly voice, and on the way back went to see the completed stage now lit up in the failing light. Returning to the min stage to watch the end of a vintage performance from a legend, his performance wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but for me it was one for all the cool kids.
WOMAD had offered us a weekend of varied music from across the globe. We'd missed being in this flagged realm with great food, and a happy vibe. Some things never change at WOMAD - the real ale had all run dry. A lovely weekend in the sun.
review by Scott Williams photos by Karen Williams / Phil Bull
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