fR316 PAGES 38-39-40-41 1/9/09 12:37 Page 2
39 f
was a great alternative on the other stage
with the Demon Barbers and while the
people outside the tent may have drifted
away, those inside really loved it.”
Apart from some hilariously laconic
banter from gnarled Texan Hayes Carll and
a gorgeous set from Diana Jones – the only
artist all weekend to play the main stage
completely solo – the Americans weren’t
up to much. Why did Buffy Sainte-Marie
make her first UK appearances for 15 years
backed by such a god-awful second-rate
rock band? Why were Los Lobos so sub-
dued? And as for Lucinda Williams… suit-
ed and booted roadies (!) laid a carpet (!)
on stage for Lucinda, who stropped about
the cameras, was charmless and went
down like a lead balloon.
We don’t like that sort of behaviour at
Cambridge, Ms Williams. Look at Jon
Boden and Martin Simpson, here and
there and everywhere in various line-ups,
playing brilliantly. See those copies of
Simpson’s new album True Stories flying
out of the Proper stall do you, Ms
Williams? See Oumou Sangare seducing
everyone with those big smiles, sensual “Look,” says Eddie Barcan, “she’s a superb. Mumford & Sons were a great way
dance moves and jangly music? See Imelda tortured soul. She doesn’t write songs to start on Thursday. Ruairidh Macmillan,
May’s fabulous rockabilly? See Jim Moray about things she reads, she lives them. Imelda May, Hot Club Of Cowtown. And I
getting the crowd singing an obscure old The first thing she saw coming on stage loved the Waterson family, all the stuff Jon
XTC song? See Mairtin O’Connor, Cathal was the photographers in the pit and she Boden did… and I thought Jim Moray real-
Hayden and Seamie O’Dowd lifting the reacted… it wasn’t a diva moment, it was ly blossomed at Cambridge this year. There
roof? See a smiley Paul Brady cooking up a just how she felt at the time. It was good were a lot of highlights…”
storm? See everyone lining up to join the that the photographers recognised they
thrilling climax to Lau’s set? See Mike were making her feel uncomfortable and
Above: “People take up more room now.”
Waterson’s festival-stopping solo perfor- left of their own accord. I happen to think
Below, clockwise from top left: a back-
mance of Teasmade? See Rachel and Becky she went on to play a really good set
stage warm up including John McCusker,
Unthank, Eliza Carthy and Bella Hardy drawn from right across her catalogue. I
Boo Hewerdine & Eddi Reader; BBC Radio
dancing backstage with assorted children spoke to her after and she was really con-
2’s Mike Harding with Mike Waterson;
to Bellowhead? See the new generations cerned and apologetic. I don’t think she
Beth Nielsen Chapman; Bella Hardy. Fac-
of Bodens, Simpsons, Lakemans and understood her own reaction…”
ing page: this year’s biggest CD seller at
Carthys getting into the festival spirit?
And what were your highlights, the festival was Martin Simpson; Oumou
Go home Ms Williams and think about Eddie? “What excites me is seeing the Sangare heads for the stage; that every-
what you’ve done... developing acts. I thought Hayes Carll was where man Jon Boden.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92