The 20th Gower Folk Festival 2013

By Gareth Cornfield

The Gower Folk Festival, over the weekend of 14-16th June was a wonderful time. This is the 20th year of the festival and it was held in the Greyhound Inn, Oldwalls, organised by the Halfpenny Folk Club. Previously it was at the Gower Heritage Centre.

This however was a return to their roots as it was here that the festival started. I was stewarding for the weekend so was able to enjoy all that was going on.

Friday was the traditional dance evening, with workshops by Kerry Fletcher and music provided by Molten Amba.

Molten Amba hail from England and consist of Richard Jones on accordion, Chris Walshaw on pipes & whistles, who are old friends of the festival. They have teamed up with Bruce Knapp, guitar; Dudley Phillips, double bass & Martyn Baker on percussion. They bring jazz rhythms & sensibilities to British & European dance music. They certainly kept feet tapping.

Saturday had workshops in guitar, piano accordion, fiddle and bagpipes. There was a “Come All Ye” session where festival goers provided the entertainment. There were songs and instrumentals from a wide variety of musicians. The chat about the songs was enthralling with some songs known by other names in different parts of the country! A really enjoyable time.

In the main marquee, the music continued through the afternoon with the only break right up to 6.00pm being to reset the stage for the next act. These included: Molten Amba in concert mode; Jon Loomes; Jack McNeill & Charlie Heys and Cupola: Ward.

The evening session kicked off with Lori Watson Rule of Three. They hail from Scotland and are fiddler Lori Watson together with Ali Hutton on guitar & John Somerville on accordion. Lori has just achieved her doctorate in Scottish Traditional Music, congratulations! They delighted the audience with songs that had feet tapping and those that were almost painfully beautiful.

They were followed by Alaw. This is Welsh for melody and is particularly appropriate for this group. They are Dylan Fowler on guitar, Oli Wilson-Dickson on fiddle and Jamie Smith (of Mabon fame) on piano accordion. A relaxed set with a lot of chat and great music. Their album is coming out in the next few weeks and is one to look out for.

Then the evening was rounded off by Fay Hield & the Hurricane Party. I don’t know if it was the weather but the mood felt a little flat on Saturday night. It had been very cold & windy yet could feel muggy as well. This made it hard for the band to lift the atmosphere. I felt very sorry for them as I know they are better than they appeared to be on Saturday. There was no faulting the musicianship that was on offer, nor the quality of the singing.

The festival continued on Sunday with workshops in Welsh Tunes; more dance; how to play the spoons; melodeon and fiddle. There was also another “Come All Ye” session of tunes & songs.

The main marquee hosted a concert by Cerddcegin (Kitchen Music in Welsh) a three piece from Wales consisting of two fiddles & a harp. The tunes are traditional, learnt from friends & old manuscripts. It is magical music formed from the land & shaped by playing together in warm kitchens, hence the name.

Lucy Ward followed and wowed the festival crowd with a set of supreme confidence. Wonderful, original songs delivered in a unique style. She delivered great versions of old songs including a highly ribald version of the John Prine song, “Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawaiian” that was hilariously suggestive. She certainly impressed and had so many people coming up to congratulate her, including me, that it was a long time before she could leave. Lucy won the Horizon Award in 2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. I can see why. She has an album coming out soon and a current single. I recommend both.

Builth Wells’ Jack Harris had the tricky task of following her. He did a good job of it! He has travelled the world with his story telling & lyricism. A great guitarist, he fuses the narrative traditions of folk & blues.

Barrule took the stage next. They are a Manx band, Jamie Smith, again, Tomas Callister on fiddle & Adam Rhodes on Bouzouki. They create a distinctive sound with great arrangements of marches, jigs, reels, slow airs & songs sung in the Manx Gaelic language.

The evening session started with Saul Rose & James Delarre from England. They have been to the festival before, but not as a duo, which they have been since 2012. Whenever they get together, the music flows, virtuoso fiddle & melodeon, great tunes & songs.

Fasta followed, a trio of Sophie Lavoie from Quebec on fiddle, her partner, Fiachra O’Regan on uilleann pipes & Patrick Doocey on guitar, from Connemara. Sophie & Fiachra were a hit when they were last at the festival in 2010. Now they have two children and have added Patrick to the line-up. They served up a delightful mix of songs & tunes.

The final act of the festival was the Paul McKennna Band from Scotland. They were brilliant! The interplay within the band & their stagecraft & audience interplay were of a standard that belied their age. This without mentioning the songs. They were great examples of the storyteller’s art. The musicianship was of a high quality with the percussionist impressing with his incredible bodhran and cajon playing. He had many a jaw on the floor. The rest of the band was no less talented, delivering a tight performance. They lifted the roof & were a fitting and to a great weekend of music.

The weekend was a resounding success and was enjoyed by all in spite of the weather.

I have already booked the time next year, I suggest you do too!