2006 Report
THEIR T-shirts said it all: Stonehaven Folk Festival is an 18 year old blend comprising the finest ingredients, and may contain nuts. And the verging on lunatic antics of some performers prompted enthusiastic responses from eager audiences.
Cult American band Hayseed Dixie delivered homespun bluegrass music turned loud
and raucous thanks to the heavy metal influences of a legendary encounter with
an AC/DC vinyl record played at slow speed. Their high-volume,
booze-fuelled renditions entertained a packed Town Hall for the festival's first
ever standing concert. Lead singer John Wheeler adopted the tones of an
evangelistic preacher, introducing their songs, which were performed with crazy
stage antics belying the group's superb fiddle, banjo and mandolin skills.
The madness continued on Friday with the New Rope String Band, in what was their
first appearance in the town since their reincarnation from the Old Rope String
Band. They had to cancel their appearance last year following the tragic death
of Joe Scurfield. But his comic genius lives on with Pete Challoner and
Tim Dalling who have joined forces with two outstanding musicians Jock Tyldesley
and Vera van Heeringen. Their delivery of mirth-making musical
entertainment kept the audience of Friday's evening concert in stitches with
sketches such as a beautifully choreographed game of tennis with an invisible
note that pinged from player to player.
Tim Dalling delivered a festival highlight at the Kiddies concert in the St
Leonard's Hotel when he demonstrated the art of accordion playing whilst upside
down with his head in a fish tank.
But it was the irrepressible Vin Garbutt who proved one of the biggest hits of
all. He took to the stage on Sunday as the final act of the festival - and
almost refused to get off. Playing encore after encore, without even
leaving the stage to let the audience ask for one, he 'blathered on' regaling
his listeners with hilarious tales of his recent heart by-pass operation and
almost forgetting to sing, but delighting when he did.
Folk Festival chairman Andy Popplestone said: "There was something for everybody
throughout the weekend. "The New Rope String Band were fantastic, some of
their routines were so clever. Anyone from three to 93 is going to enjoy them.
Plus, they are fantastic musicians. Vin Garbutt was asked to do 45 minutes
and stayed on stage for almost two hours. He was outstanding."
The lighthearted appeal of the Festival was also apparent in regular highlights
such as the World Paper 'n' Comb Championship and the Aqua Ceilidh to music by
Galik Bred. Dan Druff and the Nit Pickers showed most prowess with the
Izal and regulation plastic comb, delivering a winning rendition of King of the
Swingers, while 'Sandy' won the supreme championship award and 10 year-old
Georgia Hill of Walkerburn took the under-12s trophy for the third year running.
With Heather Young, Georgia also won the under 12s group category.
All of this hilarity does not detract from the performers who come to Stonehaven
and delight the crowds with lovely music. The McCalmans' outstanding
performance with beautiful harmonies showed why the veterans have remained
popular for decades. And, much newer to the scene, Emily Smith wowed the
audience with her blend of delicacy and powerful singing.
One of the youngest stars was Maeve O'Boyle, who had a big break last year when
she appeared at the first acoustic youth stage. Maeve's performance made
such an impression she was encouraged to enter the Danny Kyle open stage at
Celtic Connections, where she became a prestigious Danny Award winner.
Introducing this year's youth stage, Maeve told the waiting youngsters there
were people there listening, who could help them in their career, if that is
what they wanted. So, she said, 'no pressure'. Maeve went on to sing three
of her own compositions, including an emotional tribute to her grandfather in
Belfast, before dashing off for an appearance at T in the Park.
The festival, which receives support and sponsorship from the Scottish Arts
Council and Aberdeenshire Council, was declared a success by members of its
organising committee, though they did agree there were fewer visitors to the
town than in previous years. The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in
Portsoy is thought to have lured some folk fans northwards. And, of
course, there was a football match on Sunday that attracted some interest!
And one of the festival events was a washout - Saturday's Plainstones concert
had to make a hasty move into the Town Hall when rain quite literally stopped
play. But with the hall filling to capacity, compere Ron Gardiner who with
Mike Cruse organises the event, said it proved a great success and the musicians
didn't have to compete with passing lorries.
There can be no doubt that the tills in Stonehaven's pubs and cafes were kept
ringing throughout the weekend. But the Festival also proved a boon to
some local charities. The town's Sea Cadets cashed in on the need for
cheap accommodation, running a packed campsite and serving hot, cooked
breakfasts. And down at the Mineralwell site, the first multiple birth of
the festival took place when a camper's cat delivered five kittens.
The Lions Club ran a successful bar in the premises of Aberdeen and Stonehaven
Yacht Club. A big hit with session players, it was full to capacity with locals
and visitors alike.
Stonehaven man Alexander Robertson was one of those lucky enough to find a seat
and spend a few hours enjoying the music. He said: "I enjoyed it very
much. The Festival is a good thing for Stonehaven. We could do with more of
them. They should hold it twice a year."
Thanks to Jane Cruickshank of Mearns Leader for this Report