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St Albans Festival 2006
St Alban’s Folk Festival 2006
- from Margaret Bradford
Dust! Dust! and more
dust.! Freezing cold nights!
Could sound pretty miserable except when you consider the
magnificent warm sunny days, hundreds of friendly faces, & absolutely
top class acts on the programme.
OK. So we had the usual odd blackout, but this made for some innovative
scenes, like the a`capella singing of Wild Honey on the main stage by
candlelight. (Editor's note - and the amazing Wheeze
& Suck Band playing a fantastic acoustic set by torchlight a few nights
later.)
But personally it was one of the best festivals I’ve had at St Albans.
As a volunteer not only did I keep in touch with everything that was going
on, like the latest impromptu happenings, changes etc, but was constantly
chatting/joking with other volunteers and sang much more than I ever would
have done as booked performer and enjoyed it more.
Three acts which really stood out for me were Azo Bell, a master of the ukulele. He made it all look so easy. I’d never dreamed a ukulele could sound so good! Anthony McGloin, who also with a simple guitar could interpret so many emotions and every day happenings through music. Mundy/Turner from the UK on fiddle, guitar, piano and percussion pull together so tightly and with such vibrancy in their live performances which explore some quaint and poignant anecdotes. Must mention one of my favourites, Earlwood Greg and his beautiful bluesy-jazz guitar, always looks so relaxed!
My favourite fun event must be the karifolkie in the Fickle Wombat where Mothers of Intention and Full Circle provided the backing for anyone who wanted to get up and sing a popular song. I haven’t laughed so much for ages, or for Geoffrey W. Graham’s concert in the church at 11pm..what a gift of the gab! He had us in hysterics ( no chance of falling asleep) as he wandered amongst his audience using us as his characters in his recitals of popular Aussie poems.
Thanks Betty and John, Bilbo (hope you’ve recovered?) Bill Bekric, as volunteer co-ordinator and MC at the Fickle Wombat each night, Alison for five days of programming! ( a longer than usual festival this one) and Cec Bucello who got publicity out to all, as well as the many other volunteers who make the festival work so well.
See you there next year.
Margaret Bradford
St
Alban’s Folk Festival 2006
What
the Performers (& visitors) Said
A note
to say thanks for putting on a such a welcoming festival over the weekend.
Those idyllic moments where the human condition is spiritually lifted
are worth savouring, even if the nights were bloody freezing...... There
were so many entertaining acts...the professional level of folk music
has become so esteemed. Anyway Alison, thanks again for the festival experience.....one
may be buzzing until the next one.
Kind regards and gratitude.
Anthony McGloin
Thanks
again Alison for including me in this year's festival. I feel privileged
to have been part of yet another successful Snalbans. I heard some wonderful
talent ...old and new......and the Tuesday concert just blew me away [literally!
right back to Newcastle]
I got to jam with some interesting musicians - some little gems hiding
their light under a bushell.....and a couple of 'out there in yer face'
music hoons!
There's something special about the fest community here .......whether
its the intimacy of the fest where people get to know each other a lot
faster and easier, the colourful characters that are at home in their
skin and at home in this community, or the spirit of the people who make
it all happen, I don't know - maybe it's ALL of that and more. Whatever
it is, it's unique and I congratulate you and the committee and the army
of volunteers on a great job....and I thank you for letting me be a part
of it.
Maureen O'Brien
My first
St Albans Festival visit - FANTASTIC.
Beautiful setting, great crowd and excellent performers. Thanks for accepting
us as performers although unknown to the normal crowd we received very
good feedback. Congratulations on the excellent organisation of St Albans
& now that I understand the context I will surely be staying more than
one night next year.
Dez Williams (Twin Share) - President Macquarie
Towns Music Club
Just
wanted to let you know that Simon and I had a great time. It is such a
great little festival. I particularly enjoyed listening to the sessions.
Erika - Talla Tango
G'day
John and Betty,
Just a note to thank you both, and your band of merry helpers, for all
your hard work and endless effort in producing another wonderful folk
festival for us all to enjoy at St Albans.
This year must go down as one of the best Snalbans that we have been
privileged to attend and certainly one of the best organised.
Best Regards,
Vic and Helen Jefferies
I only got down for the Saturday and had a lovely time watching great
music and singing along. Great festival!
Brett (performer passing through from the National)
If anyone has any other reviews please contact:
Alison
Boyd
its a zero!!
Reviews of previous festivals
