Shipcote's Sign Session Cambridge Tale

Cambridge is very proud of its Festival, & so it should be.I indeed have happy memories of playing the Double Bass there in 1989 with Martin Stephenson.So it came this year, a mere 14 years on, I made my return , as a comman punter,camping on the wonderful Coldham's Common, with my 10 year old daughter Celia, in toe.

I also thought it a "Good idea" to haul a little Cello Guitar down for "potluck" to get a sign session & play a song or two, which of course, might well impress or more likely embarrass her. It should be pretty easy too, just kinda turn, up, adhoc at your own convenience (with my reputation!!!) sign up, & er "Bobs Your Uncle"......Well, you guessed it, how wrong I was!!!

Arriving on site,on a sunny early Friday evening,things were certainly looking dandy. I immediatly passed a poster on the side of the big entertainment Marquee, by the entrance proclaiming "Floor Singers Wanted" Fri-Sun 12.00-1.30am ,15 mins Max...See Terry @ side of stage 9.00-11.00am ...mmmm

If by some strange feat, I didnt get to play the club tent on the main site, I could always do a little ditty there, me thought.Anyway gotta get on & enjoy the Festival (Steve Earle, RonSexsmith, Laura Cantrell, John Hammond, Yonder Mountain String Band, Robert Randolph .....Shipcote??)

So Friday came & went, & Saturday morning ,after an early dip at the Swimming Bath's(never have I seen one so busy,& so many strange creatures there, reminding me of a "Flaming Lips" Show) at precisely 11.10 am I recalled, I was gonna go & put me name down for a floor spot!!!. Oh well, where off to the main site @ midday so I'll have a waltz along to the club tent & perhaps sign up for, I fancy singing/playing on Sunday, yes Sunday.

Not many in there mind, as I arrived, hey it was 12.15pm, but I got a huge shock to find on a notice board, the whole day/night schedule was absolutely full up.A band were finishing off there spot,then a young blonde Irish gal in a red dress, was given a rapturous applause even before she sang a note, & I was over to the presenter/MC quickly, with regard to tomorrow's sign up session.

She was very nice, kind & very forthcoming on "How to get to play".Basically if I stood in the queue at the required time, I'd probably get a spot @ Cambridge Festival 41th Anniversary 2005'!!!. I gave her the well rehersed " we've had a 5 hour drive from Newcastle , & I only want to do a song" routine but she wouldnt budge.

Apparently a lot of American Singer/Songwriter's on record label's wait for hours,at the designated times, just so they can say that theyve played Cambridge.Not me, oh no.If they dont want me, then Coldham Common it shall be.Saturday was great though,

Ron Sexsmith songs were that strong his piano fell over & my daugher in the children's tent,did a mighty fine T'Shirt with "Daddy Im Hungry "on it.

Sunday,after another early morning trip to the Bath's(I wasnt gonna wait1 Hour, in line for a Shower) I made my way to see Terry at the side of the stage & put "pen to paper" for an evening spot."Midget Gems"about school days ,bulldog & sweets would be a good one to play tonight, & "Oh My Fervent Heart" a Gospelly tune Id almost written for the Sabbath, & has "Family Campsite Singalong" stamped all over it,should please them .

Besides I sometimes sing it to Celia at night!!!With that in mind imagine my horror, on appoaching the Marquee & two words "FULLY BOOKED" written in blue felt trip, over "Floor Singer's Wanted" whacking out from the poster.Was I grim.??

How the hell could everybody want to play on stage.Only last night coming home I passed a crusty lot outside their tent, playing an acoustic version of "Video Killed The Radio Star" & they were happy. Well all's wasnt lost,anyway.After another fantastic day of sunshine, sunshine music "Orchestra Baobab, a great challenging performance from Steve Earle, & me & Celia having a "shindig" to Scottish crofters "Shoogernifty" I got to play.The guy next to our tent was a great percussive player on the bones(well stripes of tile actually) & fresh from the whole upstairs 'late night Bus' singing "The Wild Rover" we had a proper 'Jam' outside the tents.Everyone joining in.....

That sure made for a Special Festival & my best advice to novice is "if you can't beat em join em" .Take your Guitar,& have a singsong around the Campfire.That's a real session!!!

Shipcote