We checked in early evening at a delightful Bed & Breakfast just a couple of miles away... Mrs Graham is an absolute treasure! Then we drove down to the festival in good time for the start of proceedings. Having been issued with our 'Staff' badges, artist vouchers, obligatory wristbands, festival companion and timetable we headed to the bar for the opening session - we had decided not to bring our guitars this evening as we'd just soak in the atmosphere and check out what was happening where and have a look at the PA systems.
Dave Forshaw got things underway with a song and a few notices. Then he handed over to Shearwater for an unscheduled slot. Next was Mary Brettell (over from Australia), then Beeswing got the singaround session started in the cellar while Ron Gardner was next up in the bar. After Ron's spot we wandered around familiarising ourselves with the marquee, the reception area, the artists green room, etc... and we found ourselves back in the bar for the first of many sets from Paul Downes. By this time the first of the marquee performers were getting ready to go onstage and, as Paul concluded his spot we walked across to the marquee where Lush Acoustic were playing... after a little PA/microphone problem things got going there too.
We knew the following day would be hard work so decided not to stay late, and made our way back to the B&B.
Refreshed by a very hearty full English breakfast we drove back to the festival the following day and ensured that the bar PA was set up and working in time for the morning musicians session which was ably led by Ron Gardner. Then we took over the hosting from Ron and introduced and helped with sound for scheduled spots by Exiles from Eden, the Dealers (well, one Dealer), Tyde and our friends Acoustica (Andy and Cath Higgins) as well as an unscheduled slot from Chris Ricketts. 30 minutes later we were due to perform in the marquee, so we gathered our gear and made for the artists room to tune up - but by now, lunch was being served, so we had little room... but, what the heck, we managed.
Sadly, it was raining quite heavily as we braved the elements to cross to the marquee where Beeswing were on stage as the rain fell and the wind whistled around. At one point there was a massive gust which literally lifted some of the marquee supports out of the ground and we thought it was in imminent danger of collapse. Executive decision time... the marquee was closed for the day and afternoon marquee slots would be transferred to the cellar and evening slots to the reception area. So, back through the rain we went and down to the cellar where we did our slot acoustically:
- Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
- Different Dreams (jiva)
- When (jiva)
- Some Way Home (jiva)
- Passin Thru (Johnny Cash and Randy Scruggs)
- One More Song (jiva)
It all went down well with plenty of joining in from the audience. Time to eat... next stop was the kitchen to order a late lunch! Having been fed and watered it was back to bar where we caught a few songs from our friends Shy Talk (Les and Ian) before John Jeffreys introduced jiva as the next act. As things were somewhat behind the published schedule we basically plugged in and played without a sound check. We also cut our planned set to just four songs in order to get things back onto time:
- Love At The Five And Dime (Nanci Griffith)
- Two Old Friends (Chris Simpson)
- Lucky Man (Emerson Lake & Palmer)
- Dream On (jiva)
Not the most polished and pristine sound that jiva fans have come to know and love, but we played well and the packed bar seemed quite appreciative. We then took on hosting and MC duties again introducing Paul Downes, The Amazing Mr Smith (and, yes, he IS amazing and hilarious) and Ron Gardner who then took up the hosting baton for Gareth Scott, Exiles from Eden and jiva... yes, we were back on for another scheduled 30-minute slot. We had planned to do pretty much a repeat of the marquee/cellar slot as it was to different audiences, and so with Val on 12-string and Jimmy on 6 (Rio) we gave the jam-packed and noisy bar:
- Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
- Passin Thru (Johnny Cash and Randy Scruggs)
- Different Dreams (jiva)
- Some Way Home (jiva)
- When (jiva)
- One More Song (jiva)
Again there was lots of singing in all the right places, and it was LOUD! Then, in our MC role we introduced another friend and past musical colleague, Richard Ridley, followed by Roger from the Hexham Morris before the next scheduled slot from Lush Acoustic. Having set up the PA for them, we also passed on the hosting duties to them.
We had hoped to see The Amazing Mr Smith's second spot (this time in the reception area), but there was a huge queue and we didn't think we'd find space for us and three Taylor guitars - so we decided to call it a day and went to the B&B to drop off our guitars before making our way to Thropton for a late meal, a glass of wine and much chat with Richard.... and then back to the B&B to turn in for the night.
Our heads had hardly touched the pillows (or so it seemed) before it was time for another super breakfast and farewells to Mrs Graham, a truly genial hostess for our stay. It was a glorious morning as we drove into the grounds of Clennell Hall for the final day of the festival - and the bar was sparsely populated with festival goers having breakfast.
Shy Talk started the music, and were followed by Mary Brettell (who did an impromptu longer set while we waited for the next act). Paul Downes amazed us with intricate guir playing, gutsy songs, good humour and a great rendition of Steve Knightley's 'Exiles'. Then Dave Forshaw stepped up to the microphone and thanked everyone... organisers, staff, performers, audience one and all - he then introduced the newest members of the 'staff' family, yup... jiva... and we performed three songs to a very attentive and appreciative and full bar:
- Different Dreams (jiva)
- Some Way Home (jiva)
- One More Song (jiva)
This time we'd had a chance to do some twiddling with the PA settings and the sound and balance were much more to our liking - and this showed in the enthusiastic resonse and multiple harmonies from a packed house. It was great for us to have our last slot end on such a high.
Dave then brought Ron Gardner on for his final weekend spot, and he took up where we left off... the audience were singing along beautifully and enjoying his good humoured banter. We had to depart before Kimber's Men did the final fling, but we're certain it would have raised the rafters bringing the festival to a tumultuous closing crescendo.
A thoroughly enjoyable but exhausting week-end - we send our very best wishes our friends new and old... and we're already looking forward to next year!
Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Clennell Hall Festival website
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