Music

Maverick Festival 2014

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Yesterday at Maverick (our fourth visit I think). Another excellent festival, but a little less sun than we’re used to. Even had the temerity to shower on two or three occasions. As usual, we parked ourselves at the outside stage all afternoon. A fine selection of all things Americana, particular highlights included Flats and Sharp, Massy Ferguson, Rainbow Girls, Wynntown Marshalls, Dreaming Spires and Ward …

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Muscle Shoals – The Film

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A film about the creation and development of Alabama’s “Muscle Shoals sound”, this is an affectionate and informative documentary about the origins of the “Muscle Shoals Sound” (the “river which sings” holds the key, according to many of the local contributors) and the legacy of its success.

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Gwyneth Herbert’s Sea Cabinet

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Back to the Snape proms for the final time this year, this time to see and hear a performance of Herbert’s Sea Cabinet, based on the sights and sounds of the Aldeburgh coastline. Having said that, we didn’t get to see or hear Gwyneth for most of the first half of the concert, which was a tad surprising.

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Bellowhead at the Proms

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The Snape Proms always feature what could be loosely described as folk or traditional bands as part of the overall programme and this year was no exception. Lau has already played and on Thursday night it was the turn of Bellowhead, who are always fantastic value in a live setting.

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Three for two at Snape

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Saturday and Monday evening at Snape Maltings to see, firstly,  Clare Teal and then Lau, supported by the Elysian Quartet. We’ve seen the “British Queen of Swing” before (at Snape I believe) but this time she was accompanied by a small combo (piano, bass and drums) rather than a big band.

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Ely Festival 2013

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No festivals for a while and then two come along at once. Maverick last week and Saturday at Ely this week. Previously went to Ely in 2011 and always said we’d return – this is our folk festival for the year (at least for now, unless we make the long trip to Glemham Hall for Folk East) as we are again giving Cambridge a miss.

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Saturday at the Maverick Festival 2013

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Third visit to Easton Park and the second where we should have turned out for the three days rather than just the one. Definitely next year! Paul Spencer and Ken Ansell have clearly got friends in very high places – another cracking, sunny day to accompany the excellent music, good food and fine ales. I was less familiar with most of the artists performing this year, so it’s good to report such a terrific standard across all the stages on Saturday.

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War of the Worlds – Next Generation

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Filmed in front of the sell out audience at the London O2 arena in December 2012, caught this Next Generation – Alive On Stage at the Riverside in Woodbridge. Part of its new digital and streaming service, although this obviously wasn’t streamed as most of the specialised productions are. Spectacular production, great sound and incredibly skilled playing from strings ensemble and (very) large band. Very enjoyable although …

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Dave Kelly & Paul Jones

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Great acoustic blues set at the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge (last Wednesday). Hard to believe it’s well over two years since we last saw them at the same venue. Always fine stuff and this was no exception. Dave Kelly must be one of the most underrated slide guitarists around. The backdrop to the chosen songs are also always worth hearing, although Paul did seem to …

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Maverick Festival 2012

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Good Saturday at the Maverick at Easton Farm Park. Just the one day again (like last year), next time should really try all three days. A few quirks this time (the odd power problem early on had the knock-on effect of yours truly queuing 50 minutes for coffees, which is no fun, and quite a few of the ales were sold out by early evening.

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O Lucky Man!

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Has it come to this? Last night’s gig was a 70 year old Geordie who walked out on the Animals at the height of the band’s fame and once had a reputation for being ever so slightly chippy. However, that would hardly phase any Van Morrison fan, even if true…

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