Co-Operative Cambridge Folk Festival
Saturday
There's nothing routine about Cambridge, apart from my start to the day, Breakfast at the Unicorn, head to the site, specifically the Club Tent, try to finish writing up as much of the previous day as possible whilst waiting for the workshop to start. It's at that point routine stops and another great Cambridge day starts.
The Saturday workshop is a singing one. It's being lead by Rachel Unthank, though Becky is also about to provide moral support and no doubt join in.
With the exception of Newcastle's relegation, it's been a good year for the Unthanks, a new album, "Here's The Tender Coming" recorded and ready for release, under the new name The Unthanks, rather than Rachel Unthank And The Winterset and a big tour to support it.
Over the years, I've learnt that singing workshops are surprisingly energetic. There's a lot of warm up exercises to be done. These are normally done in private, but in public it seems like quite a good way of shaking off a hangover as well as loosening up the vocal chords.
Rachel Unthank says that she normally teaches children's workshops, the audience are happy with that, I think we've found our level. It's hard work, but those taking part are really enjoying themselves. At one point Rachel is joined on stage by Becky. Both mention the support they've had over the years from the Folk Works organisation and seem keen to pass some of that support on.
There's rumours of a flash mob event at Stage One so I head across the site. It's been organised by Jon Boden and people are supposed to bring their instruments. Jon Boden arrives in a yellow gator, the closest thing Cambridge has to a Banana Split mobil, to find no one there. Embarrassment is avoided when it transpires the flash mobbers have gathered in the wrong place and that actually a couple of hundred have made it.
The idea of a flash mob is supposed to be quick in and quick out, this was more of a flash gig with Jon Boden taking the mobbers through a tune or three of simple instrumentals that everyone could join in on. The numbers increase as curious bystanders wander over to see what's happening.
If it's 12:00 on Saturday, it means it's time for the Brian McNeill Session, always one of the highlights of the festival for me. Not only is it a great way of getting tips about who to watch later in the weekend, its also an opportunity to see combination of musicians playing together that you are never going to see elsewhere.
The Session starts the way the previous year's Session finishes, with as many musicians on the stage as possible and a quick run through a tune or two.
Paul McKenna, Ewan Baird, Ruairidh MacMillan, Adam Brown, stay on stage and kick off with "P Stands For Paddy", off the Paul Mckenna Band debut album, "Between Two Worlds".
Its a quick introduction to an instrumental set before diving into the tunes and barracking the crowd into life. Brian McNeill comes to the stage to haranguing the crowd as well, it's past noon you've not got any excuse any more.
The set of instrumentals begins building the pace and the audience gone with it. There's a lot more life in the audience now and even a bit of dancing. There's a threat of rain later but for now everyone is ready to enjoy themselves in the midday sun.
Paul and Rauiridh, give the crowd a rest, choosing to perform a ballad as a duo. It really brings Paul's voice to the fore, showcasing what a powerful and moving instrument it is.
There are times when silence is a good thing. Apart from the duo on stage, there's not a sound to be heard during the song, a massive contrast to the sound coming from the audience once it was over.
Time for a change of band and a change of gender, if you'll excuse the slightlysexist link, it's time to hear from the Shee.
The band start with a bluegrass bassed song, with Beth Salter doing the vocal duties, in the sultry humidity, a bit of bluegrass seems to hit the mark.
I'd caught a full set from The Shee on Stage One yesterday and had been really impressed, the more intimate nature of Stage Two brings the band closer together, they look like a band now rather than musicians sharing a stage. It makes their music feel that little bit warmer as well as they're now close enough to spark off each other and risk a little more improvision.
This is followed by a set of football related tunes, though the girls didn't mention it made me think of the former Ipswich and England manager Bobby Robson, who had so recently passed away. Even though it wasn't intended to be, I found it a fitting tribute. It also showed how different parts of the festival can come to mean different things to those attending.
It all seems too short and it is, such is the nature of the Brian McNeill Session, but we may well be picking up any of the musicians later on for some more stunning songs.
The great thing about the Session is that you never know what you are going to get next, sometimes it's a join, sometimes it's a contrast.