The Session >> Discussions >> The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Comments
The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I'm leaning towards greatest...
Did all thesessioners who said they'd meet up meet up? Did you see anything good? How were the tunes for ya? Anyone else see what 'late in the evening' got up to, er, late in the evening ?
Was great to see the WA crew there (Ormonde Waters, Dougal Adams, Tom Derrida etc..) and there just seemed to be SO much good music going on...
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I crossed paths with bb & Corey, Dow , kenny and SirNose.
I met up with Donough at last and our Worthys kindly posed for a photo together.
(Donough - we should have got Andrew Winton's Worthy seven-string lap slide to pose as well!)
Met some of the WA crowd and managed to end up with only one of Kevin's June long weekend flyers. Dear ole Kevin was near as ubiquitous as those blasted Morris dancers - every time you turned a corner you ran headlong into another thicket of 'em.
Didn't play many tunes - most times I wandered through the session bar there wasn't anyone there I knew or the session had filled one of those alcoves at the back and seemed to have a nice balanced number of folks just the way it was. I heard lots of great tunes, though, and that's as good.
Saw loads of stuff that was fantastic. Went to as much of the Irish stuff as I could manage. SirNose and Adrian's NLA Fellowship gig with katiebee was brilliant. Caught the first part of the Trouble gig at the Troubadour - brilliant as well. Saw Kevin Burke & Ged Foley, of course, and Ormonde's gig with SirNose. The Festival Fiddler's gig where about 8 of them took turns to play was fun.
Went to as many solo guitar/singer-guitarist gigs as I could fit in, too. Chris Smither was my "discovery" of the festival, nothing to do with Irish music of course but never mind.
Too many other gigs to remember ...
My car looked like it had done the Birdsville Track after four and a bit days parked in the dust.
Didnt last too well most days, in the middle of a back problem treatment changeover and not coping too well with it, so whatever late in the evening did late in the evening went unwitnessed by me (!) and I guess I missed out on a few sessions. But I don't get out much and haven't been free over Easter in a long time, so to get out, have a break and spend four and a bit solid days listening to great live performances was a whole new experience. Yay for the National!
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
All the musicians I talked to agreed that they'd had the best festival ever. I've only been to 3, but this one was definitely the best by a long long shot. All the other times I'd be hanging around till the early hours looking for a decent session and finding people stuck away up in a dark staircase trying to have quiet tunes, or outside in the freezing cold looking miserable. This time there were sessions going from the afternoon till the early hours of the morning every single day, and you could more or less choose at any point "what speed do I want to play?" and "who do I particularly want to play with at this moment in time?" and "what repertoire do I want to play?", and you could just go with it.
I'd actually like to thank Dave O'Neill for his generous support of the Irish session musicians from all over the country, and also for putting on a diverse gig program to keep the session musicians happy too, whether they're into the pure drop stuff or the new, funky stuff. There was something for everyone this year and it was absolutely bloody fantastic.
I was camping in the vicinity of late in the evening, which turned out to be a big mistake. The one time I managed to get to bed early (4.30am), he and Tom and the twins and bb and Sam & co. came and woke me up 2 hours later, ripped my tent open, and dragged me out by the sleeping bag into the sunshine and cool morning air, only to have another few beers thrust into my hand so I could start all over again. I forgave them cause they made me breakfast
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Oh I met up with Kenny too, but only had a few quiet tunes with him unfortunately because he had to leave the festival early to get a flight. I wish he'd stayed longer because there were loads of tunes I had in mind to play with him - namely some of the ones he's posted here.
Also met up with Donough again, who had his session.org jumper on!
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I caught a Donough performance quite by accident, sitting through the last half of a gig waiting for the following performer and lo and behold, they whistle Donough up on stage and away he goes. A nice surprise.
There certainly was something for everyone, from Grada right to the other end of the spectrum, and it's great to see the festival encourage sessions of all sorts, even if a lot of them aren't my taste - music doesn't belong solely to performers, after all.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I think I only met Donough of all the sessioneers, pity. Off to deliver a drum to Grada at Byron Bay now. Sold out of 15" bodhrans at the Festival, I hope they all turn up to one of Illig's sessions on the same night.
The National was fantastic and the music is in very good hands, great to hear the kids improving so much every year.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Hmm, kids, you're probably referring to different kids, mcknowall but my one gripe about the Festival is that there should be an audition/licensing/policing system for child buskers. I know lots of kids having a good time gives it a nice family atmosphere, and there were some kiddies who really could play, but most of them seemed to be endlessly strumming non-chords in non-rhythms or playing well-known bits of Bach and Vivaldi in minor keys but using the major third and committing similar acts of public torture. Harrumph!
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I'm bloody sorry i didn't get round to visiting you McK, I truelly meant to! Glad to hear your drums are selling, I threw a few people your way who were after tippers, hope you 'fleeced' them accordingly
a couple of memorable moments off hand were two *very* different sessions with various members of Grada. Had an exceptionaly sweet couple of tunes with Alan (both of us on whistles by that guy who runs OzWhistles from the blue mountains - not bad at all), chilled out, lovely, before Alan went off to become 'better acquainted with, er, various aspects of the Australian media... And sat in with Colin Farrell for what was possibly the fastest tunes ever. I'll never forget the look that passed between lateintheevening and meself after the first bunch of, like, 15 tunes in a row, both of us looking down on the limp, contorted lumps of flesh only vaguely recognizable as our hands. happy, happy memories..
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Know what you mean Tish, in fact i reckon there was a little bodhran 'player' who we should have a whip around for, so we can export him to Llig's session! (This little guy was pretty bad, but had at least learnt to play badly very, VERY loudly)
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
"I think I only met Donough of all the sessioneers, pity. "
McKnowall, I hope the pity was not meeting more sessioneers rather than........
Tish: I'm sorry I didn't catch up with you after that gig. My involvement there was a last minute decision but good fun. That was Steve Barnes (who runs the Festival over here - Fairbridge) and his wife Roz + Jenny Simpson (who used to run the National).
It might not have been to easy to get Andrew Winton's "Beast" into the session bar.
I'd love copies of your photos - pretty please.
Dow: The session.org jumper was a bit of an eyesore until I managed to spill some mulled wine down the front. It didn't seem so bad after that. Anyway it didn't make much difference to meeting any sessioneers.
I never did get to meet Curvyfiddle :(
Just spoke to Tom now, and he's not sorry for dragging you out of the tent.
That Trouble in the Kitchen gig in the Troubadour was awesome, not that the earlier gig in the Budewan wasn't a close second. I am looking forward to hearing more of this at Fairbridge this weekend when you all come over. Unfortunately I only got to briefly meet Ado out of that gang. SirNose I will make a point of introducing myself to you at Fairbridge.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I had meself a pretty good time at the nash too. Also enjoyed what I saw of the Trubbles gig. Those late night Troob gigs are hard to do, good to watch. There seemed to be a lot of good players this year. Or maybe I'm becoming more tolerant in my old age. I'll be at Fairbridge this weekend with Tulca Mor and Mystery Pacific and looking forward to some mighty toons with Ben, Ado, KB and whoever else is silly enough to sit up all night.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
If only you could sneak the whole crew onto the plane that would be awesome - do you think the cabin crew would notice
My problem with the sessions at the National was that guitars were in abundance and I don't enjoy being one of several guitarists in a session no matter what the size. I've only been playing the fiddle for the past 18 months or so and that puts me at a point where I have to sit out a few tunes too many - so I had my share of frustration over the weekend. If I found a session at my "standard" it wasn't always that good on the ear. If I played in a session with all my WA mates it felt like I hadn't left home. Better to sit and listen at a more challenging session.
As for Bodhrans - I heard some of the best and the worst bodhran playing over the weekend. No names - you know who you are.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Zookman, look forward to meeting you too. Is Kevin Higgins (flute) coming over with you guys?? He used to play with us here before when he lived in Perth.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Give him my regards if you see him
BTW I did quite like that Mystery Pacific stuff, but it felt like I should have had a good glass of red wine in my hand while listening.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Nice to hear that Grada were memorable at the National - they played to about 30 punters at my local RSL last night and then drove up to Byron straight after the gig! Even under those conditions they played with enthusiasm and there were some great moments when the trumpet player from Melbourne fired up and they lifted to another level.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
To SirNose, I would say greatest ever. I love the way how every year it's just a big love in with everyone complementing each other for the entire fest.
Speaking of late in the evening, he's gunna be down in a cupla weeks for a the Cure- themed dress up party. See yas there!
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
There's nothing worse than hearing about some third party's p*ss-up.
PS What/whose/which/where National FF ? Never heard of it.....
GP aka Grumpy Person....
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
gday all!
back in perth and just back from a day at uni and the tunes from the national are still buzzing around in my head! What an awesome weekend, it was great to meet you all and have some amazing sesuins!!!
Dow next time we have a sesuin and you go to bed early we pull ya tent down ;) beers till 9.30am was class Ben! Oh by the way ben whats this about teaching bodhran???
nicsta, rin,jemsta, bb, corey, benno,ben mack, dow, ado, kate, dale, kat, mim,jack (wow what a list!!!) and everyone else i met on the weekend from sydney and melbourne i look forward to playing tunes with you all real soon!
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Highlights for me:
-Attending Adrian "Ado" Barker's fiddle masterclasses.
He will be considered a great man some day;
I get the feeling he's on a mission
-Sitting near Ged Foley (on fiddle, not guitar) in a session and
enjoying his rock-solid rhythm ... and not realising who
that was until the next morning
-Spending a couple of hours observing Kevin Burke's right
wrist
-LIstening to great players in a few great sessions and hoping
no one can hear me
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Aha, the "grand bouche" guitar. That concert was one of the highlights for me, guitar being my first love, and that music relies so heavily on the accompanist having the style and sound spot on, so maybe your job is not so humble after all. (You are better looking than yer mate, though. :-p )
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Ok team, here's a sample for anyone who wasn't there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHXACU6kVBA
I've got a couple more but cannee be bothered putting em up right now......
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Yep.....I was there too !!!
PLUSSES.....
Trouble in the Kitchen's one off gig...on fire....
A present from Aido of an early CD...
The loveliness of Kevin Bourke and Ged Foley's music and KB's dry humour....
A Zouk workshop with James Fagan..
James Fagan and Nancy Kerr's gig....there no words to describe Nancy's skill and charisma..
A private flute lesson with Patrick Lyons....
Meeting Kenny, and playing The Boys of Ballisodare with him on flute.....
The varied and Yummy food stalls...
All our friends at our big camp site.....
And..........THE MUSIC..... everywhere...
MINUSSES.....is there such a word ??
Uncontrolled children screaming their lungs out at concerts...
A hassle over beer coupons,which was resolved after I dug my heels in...
Power drunk volunteer co-ordinators....
The Bar running out of Guinness with one night to go till the festival was over...
Juveniles not coping too well with alcohol....
Every second person with a bloody mobile phone stuck to their head.....
Cutesy wutesy child buskers who cant play....
I suppose I come across as a grumpy old man a bit here ( I am one though...proudly )...but I'm suffering a bit from the effects of an ordinary Friday 13th....see the thread on this subject...
All up,it was a great festival and we'll be back next year...Actually,I reckon I'll continue to go to the National until stumps is called.....
See ya'all...........Zoukboy
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Nice one sneetch, those are amazing.
aaahhhh, the memories..... This year was seriously one of the best ever. So much crankin music.
Who wants to come to Melbs for a relive the nash weekend at our house?
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to “The Nash”, and was very sorry that I couldn’t stay longer than the Friday. I was in a couple of sessions with you, “Sirnose”, but only found out who you were afterwards. I was there in the session on the Thursday night, and met “zoukboy”, and Mr & Mrs “whistler’sbrother” later on as well as “Dow” “Donough” and “bb”, but just as we were leaving, unfortunately. I also found out that I had indeed taken Ormonde Waters to a session in Aberdeen some 25 or so years ago! Someone who shall remain nameless gave me a copy of his CD with Dougal Adams which I thought very good, so “ceolachan” will be pleased to hear that I did the decent thing and bought a CD from Dougal on the Friday. This is a recording which I would highly recommend, [ and another nail in the coffin for those eejits who claim you have to be born in Ireland to play Irish traditional music ]. The guys also did a great set, with Ben Stephenson on guitar, in the main concert in the afternoon.
I sat in on a session on the Friday afternoon with Ged Foley and some players from Brisbane, among several others. I’d surprised Ged in a session in Adelaide 3 weeks previously – we reckoned it was about 12 years since we’d last met, and he didn’t recognise me at first for the perfectly good reason that “the last time I saw you, you had hair !” Can’t argue with that, I’m afraid. Some good tunes played in the couple of hours there, and very good company.
We went to hear a CD launch by a musician called Andy Rigby, who had just made a CD of his own compositions played on whistle. He’s written some very fine tunes, although I’d say he’s a better harp-player than whistle-player. Worth looking out for though, if you’re looking for some new tunes, and he has a companion harp CD coming out later in the year.
I managed to sit in on a very good session with Ormonde and Dougal, along with Ben Stephenson and fiddler Adrian Barker, and a few others. “Sneetch” has posted the link to a short recording from that session on “Youtube”, which I think he recorded after I’d left, but you can get an idea of how good it was. Just sorry I had to leave so early.
I’m very glad I was there to put faces to names, but really regret that I didn’t get a chance to play some tunes with everybody, especially you, “bb”. If we return to Australia at that time of the year, I’ll definitely make the attempt to get over to Canberra again, but next time it’ll be for the whole event. Thanks to everybody – hope to see you again at “The Nash”.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
"which I think he recorded after I’d left"
I see you didn't put my face to my name Kenny! I was around in the thurs and fri sessions but I'll give ye a clue- I'm not a he! Hopefully we'll get a tune in next time....
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Have you ever been to Kirriemuir, "sneetch"? Either that or, were you on stage with Andy Rigby ? Unless you answer yes to one of those questions, I've no idea who you are I'm afraid.
Nice to have almost met you, anyway.
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Lovely accounts, but what else could be expected of such a great lot of cantancerous characters, eh?
Good on yuh Kenny. Another baldy eh? I will 'name' ~ dow gave me a 'copy' of beautiful music from those realms, promising me that he'd supply the authentic thing with liner notes. I'm still waiting marc...
This festival and the life in the discussions prior meant it could only fly and be full of character and warmth. While you all were burning it up, and I hope not too many hangovers and sickies, I and my beloved were traipsin' about the Alps, all three ranges worth, Nord, Sud & Central...and we actually did get in a little music and dance, if not Irish, mazurkas and related forms ~ 'Germans', the '7-Step', etc. As much as I would have liked to have been there, I can't complain. Well, I can, like you all, in the end we had to come back here. We have more traffic and noise on the road outside our place than any of the autobahns we travelled on. We had many moments of 'natural silence', just the wind, the water flowing and birds ~ magnificent. The food was good too, if heavy on the meat side, and there was great beer (Urbock!!! ~ one of the strongest was 14%), and Schnapps, and 80 proof Stroh rum (Austrain)... We had two weeks of sun and managed a few peaks and passes... Mmmmmm... "The Mist Covered Mountains". So much will just be hills to us now...
I wonder if they need English teachers in Austria and the immediate surroundings of the Alps. But there is an itch to consider realms furhter South. There are good folks most everywhere... ~
The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I'm leaning towards greatest...
?
Did all thesessioners who said they'd meet up meet up? Did you see anything good? How were the tunes for ya? Anyone else see what 'late in the evening' got up to, er, late in the evening
Was great to see the WA crew there (Ormonde Waters, Dougal Adams, Tom Derrida etc..) and there just seemed to be SO much good music going on...
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by SirNose
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I crossed paths with bb & Corey, Dow , kenny and SirNose.
Dear ole Kevin was near as ubiquitous as those blasted Morris dancers - every time you turned a corner you ran headlong into another thicket of 'em.
I met up with Donough at last and our Worthys kindly posed for a photo together.
(Donough - we should have got Andrew Winton's Worthy seven-string lap slide to pose as well!)
Met some of the WA crowd and managed to end up with only one of Kevin's June long weekend flyers.
Didn't play many tunes - most times I wandered through the session bar there wasn't anyone there I knew or the session had filled one of those alcoves at the back and seemed to have a nice balanced number of folks just the way it was. I heard lots of great tunes, though, and that's as good.
Saw loads of stuff that was fantastic. Went to as much of the Irish stuff as I could manage. SirNose and Adrian's NLA Fellowship gig with katiebee was brilliant. Caught the first part of the Trouble gig at the Troubadour - brilliant as well. Saw Kevin Burke & Ged Foley, of course, and Ormonde's gig with SirNose. The Festival Fiddler's gig where about 8 of them took turns to play was fun.
Went to as many solo guitar/singer-guitarist gigs as I could fit in, too. Chris Smither was my "discovery" of the festival, nothing to do with Irish music of course but never mind.
Too many other gigs to remember ...
My car looked like it had done the Birdsville Track after four and a bit days parked in the dust.
Didnt last too well most days, in the middle of a back problem treatment changeover and not coping too well with it, so whatever late in the evening did late in the evening went unwitnessed by me (!) and I guess I missed out on a few sessions. But I don't get out much and haven't been free over Easter in a long time, so to get out, have a break and spend four and a bit solid days listening to great live performances was a whole new experience. Yay for the National!
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Tish
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
All the musicians I talked to agreed that they'd had the best festival ever. I've only been to 3, but this one was definitely the best by a long long shot. All the other times I'd be hanging around till the early hours looking for a decent session and finding people stuck away up in a dark staircase trying to have quiet tunes, or outside in the freezing cold looking miserable. This time there were sessions going from the afternoon till the early hours of the morning every single day, and you could more or less choose at any point "what speed do I want to play?" and "who do I particularly want to play with at this moment in time?" and "what repertoire do I want to play?", and you could just go with it.
I'd actually like to thank Dave O'Neill for his generous support of the Irish session musicians from all over the country, and also for putting on a diverse gig program to keep the session musicians happy too, whether they're into the pure drop stuff or the new, funky stuff. There was something for everyone this year and it was absolutely bloody fantastic.
I was camping in the vicinity of late in the evening, which turned out to be a big mistake. The one time I managed to get to bed early (4.30am), he and Tom and the twins and bb and Sam & co. came and woke me up 2 hours later, ripped my tent open, and dragged me out by the sleeping bag into the sunshine and cool morning air, only to have another few beers thrust into my hand so I could start all over again. I forgave them cause they made me breakfast
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Dr. Dow
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Oh I met up with Kenny too, but only had a few quiet tunes with him unfortunately because he had to leave the festival early to get a flight. I wish he'd stayed longer because there were loads of tunes I had in mind to play with him - namely some of the ones he's posted here.
Also met up with Donough again, who had his session.org jumper on!
And curvyfiddle too, who was nice.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Dr. Dow
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I caught a Donough performance quite by accident, sitting through the last half of a gig waiting for the following performer and lo and behold, they whistle Donough up on stage and away he goes. A nice surprise.
There certainly was something for everyone, from Grada right to the other end of the spectrum, and it's great to see the festival encourage sessions of all sorts, even if a lot of them aren't my taste - music doesn't belong solely to performers, after all.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Tish
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I think I only met Donough of all the sessioneers, pity. Off to deliver a drum to Grada at Byron Bay now. Sold out of 15" bodhrans at the Festival, I hope they all turn up to one of Illig's sessions on the same night.
The National was fantastic and the music is in very good hands, great to hear the kids improving so much every year.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by mcknowall
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Hmm, kids, you're probably referring to different kids, mcknowall but my one gripe about the Festival is that there should be an audition/licensing/policing system for child buskers. I know lots of kids having a good time gives it a nice family atmosphere, and there were some kiddies who really could play, but most of them seemed to be endlessly strumming non-chords in non-rhythms or playing well-known bits of Bach and Vivaldi in minor keys but using the major third and committing similar acts of public torture. Harrumph!
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Tish
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I'm bloody sorry i didn't get round to visiting you McK, I truelly meant to! Glad to hear your drums are selling, I threw a few people your way who were after tippers, hope you 'fleeced' them accordingly
a couple of memorable moments off hand were two *very* different sessions with various members of Grada. Had an exceptionaly sweet couple of tunes with Alan (both of us on whistles by that guy who runs OzWhistles from the blue mountains - not bad at all), chilled out, lovely, before Alan went off to become 'better acquainted with, er, various aspects of the Australian media... And sat in with Colin Farrell for what was possibly the fastest tunes ever. I'll never forget the look that passed between lateintheevening and meself after the first bunch of, like, 15 tunes in a row, both of us looking down on the limp, contorted lumps of flesh only vaguely recognizable as our hands. happy, happy memories..
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by SirNose
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Know what you mean Tish, in fact i reckon there was a little bodhran 'player' who we should have a whip around for, so we can export him to Llig's session! (This little guy was pretty bad, but had at least learnt to play badly very, VERY loudly)
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by SirNose
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Mwhuhahahaha, brilliant!
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Tish
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
"I think I only met Donough of all the sessioneers, pity. "
McKnowall, I hope the pity was not meeting more sessioneers rather than........
Tish: I'm sorry I didn't catch up with you after that gig. My involvement there was a last minute decision but good fun. That was Steve Barnes (who runs the Festival over here - Fairbridge) and his wife Roz + Jenny Simpson (who used to run the National).
It might not have been to easy to get Andrew Winton's "Beast" into the session bar.
I'd love copies of your photos - pretty please.
Dow: The session.org jumper was a bit of an eyesore until I managed to spill some mulled wine down the front. It didn't seem so bad after that. Anyway it didn't make much difference to meeting any sessioneers.
I never did get to meet Curvyfiddle :(
Just spoke to Tom now, and he's not sorry for dragging you out of the tent.
That Trouble in the Kitchen gig in the Troubadour was awesome, not that the earlier gig in the Budewan wasn't a close second. I am looking forward to hearing more of this at Fairbridge this weekend when you all come over. Unfortunately I only got to briefly meet Ado out of that gang. SirNose I will make a point of introducing myself to you at Fairbridge.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Donough
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I look forward to it Donough!, roll on this weekend! (if only we could sneak bb, corey (& bub) and lateintheevening onto the plane tomorrow..)
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by SirNose
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I had meself a pretty good time at the nash too. Also enjoyed what I saw of the Trubbles gig. Those late night Troob gigs are hard to do, good to watch. There seemed to be a lot of good players this year. Or maybe I'm becoming more tolerant in my old age. I'll be at Fairbridge this weekend with Tulca Mor and Mystery Pacific and looking forward to some mighty toons with Ben, Ado, KB and whoever else is silly enough to sit up all night.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by zookman2
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
If only you could sneak the whole crew onto the plane that would be awesome - do you think the cabin crew would notice
My problem with the sessions at the National was that guitars were in abundance and I don't enjoy being one of several guitarists in a session no matter what the size. I've only been playing the fiddle for the past 18 months or so and that puts me at a point where I have to sit out a few tunes too many - so I had my share of frustration over the weekend. If I found a session at my "standard" it wasn't always that good on the ear. If I played in a session with all my WA mates it felt like I hadn't left home. Better to sit and listen at a more challenging session.
As for Bodhrans - I heard some of the best and the worst bodhran playing over the weekend. No names - you know who you are.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Donough
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Zookman, look forward to meeting you too. Is Kevin Higgins (flute) coming over with you guys?? He used to play with us here before when he lived in Perth.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Donough
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Kevin won't be over this year. He doesn't really do many gigs with us anymore. Looking forward to it Donough.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by zookman2
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Give him my regards if you see him
BTW I did quite like that Mystery Pacific stuff, but it felt like I should have had a good glass of red wine in my hand while listening.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Donough
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I couldn't agree more. Django would approve too, I think.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by zookman2
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Nice to hear that Grada were memorable at the National - they played to about 30 punters at my local RSL last night and then drove up to Byron straight after the gig! Even under those conditions they played with enthusiasm and there were some great moments when the trumpet player from Melbourne fired up and they lifted to another level.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by dogbox
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
To SirNose, I would say greatest ever. I love the way how every year it's just a big love in with everyone complementing each other for the entire fest.
Speaking of late in the evening, he's gunna be down in a cupla weeks for a the Cure- themed dress up party. See yas there!
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by sneetch
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Photos will be on their way soon, Donough. I got a couple of your mini-gig as well and the Flying Saucer Reel is also on the shopping list.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Tish
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Hey zookman, were you one of the two Mystery Pacific guitarists in the great big guitar gig in the Fitzroy?
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Tish
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
There's nothing worse than hearing about some third party's p*ss-up.
PS What/whose/which/where National FF ? Never heard of it.....
GP aka Grumpy Person....
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
gday all!
back in perth and just back from a day at uni and the tunes from the national are still buzzing around in my head! What an awesome weekend, it was great to meet you all and have some amazing sesuins!!!
Dow next time we have a sesuin and you go to bed early we pull ya tent down ;) beers till 9.30am was class Ben! Oh by the way ben whats this about teaching bodhran???
nicsta, rin,jemsta, bb, corey, benno,ben mack, dow, ado, kate, dale, kat, mim,jack (wow what a list!!!) and everyone else i met on the weekend from sydney and melbourne i look forward to playing tunes with you all real soon!
cheers,
Tom
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by fiddly dee fiddly doo oh how all take it so seriously!
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Guernsey - look here:
http://www.folkfestival.asn.au/
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Tish
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Highlights for me:
-Attending Adrian "Ado" Barker's fiddle masterclasses.
He will be considered a great man some day;
I get the feeling he's on a mission
-Sitting near Ged Foley (on fiddle, not guitar) in a session and
enjoying his rock-solid rhythm ... and not realising who
that was until the next morning
-Spending a couple of hours observing Kevin Burke's right
wrist
-LIstening to great players in a few great sessions and hoping
no one can hear me
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Hup
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Tish, I was the good looking one second from the end with a big soundhole guitar. Just a humble accompanist really.
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by zookman2
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Aha, the "grand bouche" guitar. That concert was one of the highlights for me, guitar being my first love, and that music relies so heavily on the accompanist having the style and sound spot on, so maybe your job is not so humble after all. (You are better looking than yer mate, though. :-p )
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Tish
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Ok team, here's a sample for anyone who wasn't there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHXACU6kVBA
I've got a couple more but cannee be bothered putting em up right now......
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by sneetch
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
*sob*
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Bren
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Too much......
alcohol, good music, sessioning, playing, flirting, listening, eating (gozleme, thai, pofertje's), dancing, talking, festivalling......
....wake me up in a few days time! and will someone please do my laundry, wash the car, and book me in for more fiddle lessons whilst I'm recovering?
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by FiddleFancy
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
the first thing I see on that youtube is Carty! the famous stringbuster from down south!
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by geoffmc
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Oh, it's in OZ......
PS Just ordered an exotic wood 'zouk fingerboard from there. Now I've got to make the rest of it.....
# Posted on April 12th 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Can you guys PLEASE stop telling me about the great festivals I didn't go to? Argh! I have to go next year!
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by kjay_bc_box
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Yep.....I was there too !!!
PLUSSES.....
Trouble in the Kitchen's one off gig...on fire....
A present from Aido of an early CD...
The loveliness of Kevin Bourke and Ged Foley's music and KB's dry humour....
A Zouk workshop with James Fagan..
James Fagan and Nancy Kerr's gig....there no words to describe Nancy's skill and charisma..
A private flute lesson with Patrick Lyons....
Meeting Kenny, and playing The Boys of Ballisodare with him on flute.....
The varied and Yummy food stalls...
All our friends at our big camp site.....
And..........THE MUSIC..... everywhere...
MINUSSES.....is there such a word ??
Uncontrolled children screaming their lungs out at concerts...
A hassle over beer coupons,which was resolved after I dug my heels in...
Power drunk volunteer co-ordinators....
The Bar running out of Guinness with one night to go till the festival was over...
Juveniles not coping too well with alcohol....
Every second person with a bloody mobile phone stuck to their head.....
Cutesy wutesy child buskers who cant play....
I suppose I come across as a grumpy old man a bit here ( I am one though...proudly )...but I'm suffering a bit from the effects of an ordinary Friday 13th....see the thread on this subject...
All up,it was a great festival and we'll be back next year...Actually,I reckon I'll continue to go to the National until stumps is called.....
See ya'all...........Zoukboy
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by zoukboy
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Here's anothery- sorry they're so dark, they don't look like that on my camera! Oh well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi6OpTxlZWE
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by sneetch
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
K de last 2 -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5d47jB2z8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EOUDihtF6U
# Posted on April 13th 2007 by sneetch
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Nice one sneetch, those are amazing.
aaahhhh, the memories..... This year was seriously one of the best ever. So much crankin music.
Who wants to come to Melbs for a relive the nash weekend at our house?
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by nicstar
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to “The Nash”, and was very sorry that I couldn’t stay longer than the Friday. I was in a couple of sessions with you, “Sirnose”, but only found out who you were afterwards. I was there in the session on the Thursday night, and met “zoukboy”, and Mr & Mrs “whistler’sbrother” later on as well as “Dow” “Donough” and “bb”, but just as we were leaving, unfortunately. I also found out that I had indeed taken Ormonde Waters to a session in Aberdeen some 25 or so years ago! Someone who shall remain nameless gave me a copy of his CD with Dougal Adams which I thought very good, so “ceolachan” will be pleased to hear that I did the decent thing and bought a CD from Dougal on the Friday. This is a recording which I would highly recommend, [ and another nail in the coffin for those eejits who claim you have to be born in Ireland to play Irish traditional music ]. The guys also did a great set, with Ben Stephenson on guitar, in the main concert in the afternoon.
I sat in on a session on the Friday afternoon with Ged Foley and some players from Brisbane, among several others. I’d surprised Ged in a session in Adelaide 3 weeks previously – we reckoned it was about 12 years since we’d last met, and he didn’t recognise me at first for the perfectly good reason that “the last time I saw you, you had hair !” Can’t argue with that, I’m afraid. Some good tunes played in the couple of hours there, and very good company.
We went to hear a CD launch by a musician called Andy Rigby, who had just made a CD of his own compositions played on whistle. He’s written some very fine tunes, although I’d say he’s a better harp-player than whistle-player. Worth looking out for though, if you’re looking for some new tunes, and he has a companion harp CD coming out later in the year.
I managed to sit in on a very good session with Ormonde and Dougal, along with Ben Stephenson and fiddler Adrian Barker, and a few others. “Sneetch” has posted the link to a short recording from that session on “Youtube”, which I think he recorded after I’d left, but you can get an idea of how good it was. Just sorry I had to leave so early.
I’m very glad I was there to put faces to names, but really regret that I didn’t get a chance to play some tunes with everybody, especially you, “bb”. If we return to Australia at that time of the year, I’ll definitely make the attempt to get over to Canberra again, but next time it’ll be for the whole event. Thanks to everybody – hope to see you again at “The Nash”.
# Posted on April 15th 2007 by Kenny
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
"which I think he recorded after I’d left"
I see you didn't put my face to my name Kenny! I was around in the thurs and fri sessions but I'll give ye a clue- I'm not a he! Hopefully we'll get a tune in next time....
# Posted on April 16th 2007 by sneetch
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Have you ever been to Kirriemuir, "sneetch"? Either that or, were you on stage with Andy Rigby ? Unless you answer yes to one of those questions, I've no idea who you are I'm afraid.
Nice to have almost met you, anyway.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by Kenny
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Yep- I did Andy's thing! I'm sorry we didn't get to meet up properly but I'm sure we'll cross paths in the real world again.
# Posted on April 18th 2007 by sneetch
Re: The National Folk Festival: great festival, or the GREATEST festival?
Lovely accounts, but what else could be expected of such a great lot of cantancerous characters, eh?
Good on yuh Kenny. Another baldy eh? I will 'name' ~ dow gave me a 'copy' of beautiful music from those realms, promising me that he'd supply the authentic thing with liner notes. I'm still waiting marc...
This festival and the life in the discussions prior meant it could only fly and be full of character and warmth. While you all were burning it up, and I hope not too many hangovers and sickies, I and my beloved were traipsin' about the Alps, all three ranges worth, Nord, Sud & Central...and we actually did get in a little music and dance, if not Irish, mazurkas and related forms ~ 'Germans', the '7-Step', etc. As much as I would have liked to have been there, I can't complain. Well, I can, like you all, in the end we had to come back here. We have more traffic and noise on the road outside our place than any of the autobahns we travelled on. We had many moments of 'natural silence', just the wind, the water flowing and birds ~ magnificent. The food was good too, if heavy on the meat side, and there was great beer (Urbock!!! ~ one of the strongest was 14%), and Schnapps, and 80 proof Stroh rum (Austrain)... We had two weeks of sun and managed a few peaks and passes... Mmmmmm... "The Mist Covered Mountains". So much will just be hills to us now...
I wonder if they need English teachers in Austria and the immediate surroundings of the Alps. But there is an itch to consider realms furhter South. There are good folks most everywhere... ~
# Posted on April 18th 2007 by ceolachan