I think the Festival Band is now officially withdrawn from the Faversham International Hops Festival. I've heard a lot about this in recent weeks and it's still as confusing as it was at the start. Some say that there needs to be a change to the festival, to bring new acts in and make it less folky. Look at the programme though and you won't see that reflected. Morris displays? Yes. Same Kent-based groups doing R&B, Cajun etc? Yes. Not a great deal of change then. The two days will start with not the Festival Band, but Tanglefoot Appalacian Cloggers on Saturday and Dindon Sauvage - Cajun on Sunday. (Used to be Wild Turkey)
The sessions are still going though. It's the run up to the festival season - Broadstairs, Hops, Deal so there will be changes as there always is in August. Mutterings about new sessions at the Deal Hoy, probably on a Friday and also possibly the Anchor in Faversham possibly on a Sunday but nothing definite yet. I expect there to be an Irish Session one evening at the Hops festival - there usually is.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Sunday 15th July 2006
Interesting Times.
Have you ever found that politics and personalities get in the way of your music? Well it's happened to us. Every year, a bunch of well known and not-so-well-known musicians form into the Faversham Hops Festival Band to play for the enjoyment and celebration of the town. Giving their time largely for free, getting up early on both days of the weekend to start things off, they have become an established part of the proceedings. Well this year, for whatever reason, they are probably not playing. The reason? Well, several have been mooted, and it would not be right to repeat them here. Maybe the Hops committee just felt like a change in emphasis. Many of the musicians have their own bands like Ralph Jordan, some have their own Barn Dance Bands like Mike & Ruth Wheeler and Barbara Kelly, some are very well known on the folk scene like Bob Kenward and some are very well known session (that's serious professional session) musicians like Felix Krish. All-in-all an array of talent that would normally cost a fortune to get together for a gig. The rest of us? Itinerant session (that's playing in a pub for fun) musicians.
Anyway, Wednesday's Irish was one of the quietest for a long time with only 4 musicians - and that after the stunning fiddle-fest of the previous week. Thursday though brought out a wonderful gathering of the usual session, plus Bob Kenward, Keith Kendrick and Chris Cair so a good night was had by all. And not a thumper in sight.
Last night I joined Watershed, as I occassionally do, for a barn dance at Littlebourne Barn which is a fantastic venue if you need to hold an event. Everyone danced and it was a really good evening.
Tonight is Stelling Minnis (The Rose and Crown) - Irish session. Let's hope we get more than Wednesday.
Oh and just before I go, Adrian O' rang to let me know that the launch of his CD, 'The Weaving' is at the Alma in Deal on August 6th at 7:45.
Have you ever found that politics and personalities get in the way of your music? Well it's happened to us. Every year, a bunch of well known and not-so-well-known musicians form into the Faversham Hops Festival Band to play for the enjoyment and celebration of the town. Giving their time largely for free, getting up early on both days of the weekend to start things off, they have become an established part of the proceedings. Well this year, for whatever reason, they are probably not playing. The reason? Well, several have been mooted, and it would not be right to repeat them here. Maybe the Hops committee just felt like a change in emphasis. Many of the musicians have their own bands like Ralph Jordan, some have their own Barn Dance Bands like Mike & Ruth Wheeler and Barbara Kelly, some are very well known on the folk scene like Bob Kenward and some are very well known session (that's serious professional session) musicians like Felix Krish. All-in-all an array of talent that would normally cost a fortune to get together for a gig. The rest of us? Itinerant session (that's playing in a pub for fun) musicians.
Anyway, Wednesday's Irish was one of the quietest for a long time with only 4 musicians - and that after the stunning fiddle-fest of the previous week. Thursday though brought out a wonderful gathering of the usual session, plus Bob Kenward, Keith Kendrick and Chris Cair so a good night was had by all. And not a thumper in sight.
Last night I joined Watershed, as I occassionally do, for a barn dance at Littlebourne Barn which is a fantastic venue if you need to hold an event. Everyone danced and it was a really good evening.
Tonight is Stelling Minnis (The Rose and Crown) - Irish session. Let's hope we get more than Wednesday.
Oh and just before I go, Adrian O' rang to let me know that the launch of his CD, 'The Weaving' is at the Alma in Deal on August 6th at 7:45.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Thursday 6th July 2006
I suppose I'd update this quicker if I thought anybody read it.
Now, the Reculver barbeque was almost a music free zone. There was almost a sunset. High spots I suppose were the Fire Brigade arriving only to find a barbeque and after I'd left, apparently the Police arrived probably expecting to find some New Age Travellers or some such.
The English session last week was more of a session - i.e. going round, giving turns rather than a frenetic band practice. The Irish sessions were boosted by fiddle power. Our resident fiddler, Adrian had relatives over. Now there are apparently 8, yes EIGHT fiddlers in the family, we only got three and very good value they were too. They made a huge difference to the Sunday and Wednesday session (Wednesday in particular was cracking) but sadly going away now for a while (back to Finland and Rome respectively). Also had an itinerant fiddle player and guitarist from Devon. She thought it strange that 'folkies' and musicians did different and separate things. We thought it strange that anybody might think they'd want to do anything together. Maybe they're different in Devon.
English, or mixed lumpy tonight. We say every week is different and it is.
Now, the Reculver barbeque was almost a music free zone. There was almost a sunset. High spots I suppose were the Fire Brigade arriving only to find a barbeque and after I'd left, apparently the Police arrived probably expecting to find some New Age Travellers or some such.
The English session last week was more of a session - i.e. going round, giving turns rather than a frenetic band practice. The Irish sessions were boosted by fiddle power. Our resident fiddler, Adrian had relatives over. Now there are apparently 8, yes EIGHT fiddlers in the family, we only got three and very good value they were too. They made a huge difference to the Sunday and Wednesday session (Wednesday in particular was cracking) but sadly going away now for a while (back to Finland and Rome respectively). Also had an itinerant fiddle player and guitarist from Devon. She thought it strange that 'folkies' and musicians did different and separate things. We thought it strange that anybody might think they'd want to do anything together. Maybe they're different in Devon.
English, or mixed lumpy tonight. We say every week is different and it is.
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