CAT On The Prowl

Folk Begins at 40!

Those of us who have reached a ‘5’ or an ‘O’ in any decade after the age of 20 begin to appreciate the passing of time and the fleeting meaning of life, and some of us may even feel a tinge of anxiety about the looming of the big ‘4-O’.

But for many of us, we seek solace in the old adage that ‘life begins at 40’ and may start looking forward to a new phase in our life.  Some of us may, just may, decide to mark this point in our existence with a celebration or special event.

With Cambridge Folk reaching this grand ol’ age, I, like many regulars here at the festival, was eagerly looking forward to a shit-kicking time and a good ol’ knees up in jubilation that the festival is still going strong and improving with age like a fine wine.

Where’s The Party?

I remember vividly at the end of last year’s festival speculating with the some of the FATEA team which performers we would be treated to for this extra special event. 

“Dido” Karl suggested. “No, surely a bigger name than that!” cried Nick. “I think it would be really appropriate to have Paul Simon” I commented. “He was one of the performers at the very first Cambridge Folk all those years ago and hasn’t he just started touring again?” I continued.

So, imagine my dismay when the line-up was first announced? Paul Simon?  What was I thinking?  How could I have been so stupid?  You poor deluded soul!

Okay, okay.  Perhaps I was being unrealistic, bearing in mind the probable size of the budget made available by the Cambridge County Council and the capacity of the Cherry Hinton site. 

But, surely we could have been treated to at least some of the new talent that has been emerging over recent months?  Katie Melua, Jamie Cullum, Norah Jones or Amy Winehouse would not have been out of place in the line-up, but alas no. 

Continued