They were a pleasant band and Polly had a nice voice.
Here’s a few photos:
Polly & the Billets Doux at the Great British Folk Festival – Photos
Holy Moly & The Crackers at the Great British Folk Festival – Photos
Donovan at the Great British Folk Festival – Photos!
I’ve seen Donovan here before. I was looking forward to it. He is quite a character. As a young kid of sixteen I was very taken with a documentary about him and Gypsy Davey wandering around the Scottish islands in what looked to me like the idea bohemian freedom.
He’s worked with the likes of the Beatles and in between songs regaled us with anecdotes that were humorous and insightful. It made for an interesting evening.
Donovan with his guitar and songs was delightful. He tended to focus on his early work and particularly his first two albums which was great for me – bit of a nostalgia trip. I enjoyed it a lot. It was great to hear the Buffy St Marie Universal Soldier!
Here’s a few photos:
The Levellers at the Great British Folk Festival – Photos
The Levellers hit the stage to a great burst of lights and a supersonic noise level that instantly energised the audience into a great bouncing mass!! This was Folk/Punk about as far removed from finger-in-the-ear Folk as you could get. They rocked!!
With a faldy daldy diddle di po!!!
Here’s some photos:
Kasim Sulton at the Great British Folk Festival – photos
Well Kasim has been around – Blue Oyster Cult, Patti Smith, Joan Jett, Cars, Meat Loaf, Hall & Oates………….. He normally plays bass but here he was acoustic and on his own.
It sounded a bit like Cars to me.
Americans at the British Folk? Folk? Well once again it didn’t sound too much like Folk to me.
Here’s a few photos:
Jona Lewie at the Great British Folk Festival.
Well I was very interested to see Jona. I’m partial to a bit of Stiff and I’ve never seen him before. I was hoping there was more to him than two Pop single hits. Stiff was rarely wrong in the early days.
I was surprised.
What we got was unique. It was quirky, zany, mad, idiosyncratic, undefinable and weird.
Jona had a keyboard and then an accordion. I wouldn’t say he was an expert on either but then he probably didn’t need to be. The act was like no other. Somebody on the way out (after the third number) remarked that he’d seen better busking at Blackpool Tower and that it was more suited to a second-rate bar at three a.m.
Well I’ve never seen anyone quite like Jona busking or otherwise. I could not quite make up my mind if it was utter trash or so individual that it almost worked. He certainly was enthusiastic!
I can’t say that it was anything to do with Folk either!
Here’s a few photos.
Martin Stephenson at The Great British Folk Festival – Photos
Chris Jagger at the Great British Folk Festival – Photos
I was intrigued to see what Chris Jagger could do. I wasn’t sure what to expect. He was no Jumping Jack Flash but I was greatly impressed with his solid, well-trodden voice. The music was excellent – a kind of Western Swing with heavy New Orleans style. Not the R&B and Blues of his famous brother. Neither were there the cavorting or histrionics. He gave a solid performance of interesting songs amply backed by a great double bass and brilliant violin. Juliette was extraordinary.
Of course I bought a CD.
Here’s a few photos:
Travelling Band at the Great British Folk Festival – photos
The Travelling Band had the unenviable task of following Bob Geldof. Not only that but they were delayed because of the huge crowd response and encores.
They were a good Indie Band who were quite lively and energetic and delivered a great version of the Stone Roses – Waterfall. Another not really a Folk Band at all!
Here’s a few photos:
Itchy Fingers at the Great British Folk Festival – Photos
