Post by leoroberts on Oct 6, 2014 8:36:05 GMT
I thought I'd write a short review of this year's festival - it may encourage one or two to think about attending next year. Or it may not.
The first thing to say is that the festival itself is quite small. Don't be thinking Glastonbury - or even Ullapool. There are, I think, about 30 weekend tickets (though you can also buy tickets for the Saturday evening concert only). So you're talking fairly intimate. The venue dictates this to a certain extent as it's not massive - but it is beautiful, the Plas Glyn Y Weddw Gallery on the Llyn Peninsular at Llanbedrog.
But the weekend begins with food and a singaround at the Llanbedrog Arms where a number of attendees have the chance to play a couple of songs, followed by short performances by some of the 'headline guests'. This was my first chance to see Phil Hare performing live - a long time ambition of mine and he didn't disappoint, closing the first half.
I'd booked accommodation at a local guest house: the impressively Downtonian Tremfan Hall about half a mile from the pub so a short walk back after the concert in pitch black darkness after a few Guinesses was a challenge - but one I mastered.
Breakfast was at the extremely civilised time of 9am. I shared it with this bloke who was also there for the festival. He asked me what I was looking forward to the most. I mentioned Phil Hare, of course, but also that, as a pretend bard, I was really looking forward to the songwriting workshop by Steve Tilston. "Yes, I'm looking forward to that, too", he said, "allow me to introduce myself - I'm Steve Tilston"
So, conversation ensued and breakfast seemed to be over too soon for me, but we had to get down to the gallery for the start of the day - Glyn Jones' and Paul Brett's introductions and welcomes. They'd never make good flight attendants, never once did guitbrett point out where the emergency exits or loos were...
The first session was davewhite trying to explain the dark arts of luthiery.
markthomson
Mark played all Dave's instruments to great effect (and applause) although I reckon he bottled out a bit when he saw that Muriel Anderson was taking an interest in what he was doing and graciously gave the floor to her...
There are no photos of the workshops/masterclasses, I'm afraid. All the tutors chose to position themselves in front of the picture window which, whilst giving wonderful views across the bay, meant photos were rubbish. Last year I (and a few others) suggested that tutors position themselves at the other end of the room - but this year I bottled out. The next masterclass was led by Welsh guitar supremist Gareth Pearson. Gareth is a self-proclaimed 'Tommy Emmanuel' disciple - and it showed. Fabulous technique, but why play one note when you can play 20? I was astounded by his ability but left rather cold by the musicality of it all. Maybe it's just my ears... or my age ... or both... Amazing that he does it all in missionary tuning, mind!
A buffet lunch followed before Steve Tilston embarked upon his songwriting masterclass. I was introduced to his music by davewhite who's version of 'Slip Jigs and Reels' in DADGAD has been played a few times at forum meetings. And Steve used this song to introduce his workshop. And he played it in DADGAD, too - Dave looked suitable smug
. There were lots of great tips and ideas, none of which I'll share with you. Serves you right for not coming yourselves.
Muriel Anderson concluded the day's masterclasses with a really engaging session (markthomson moved right to the front to make sure he missed nothing). It included nail care, new techniques (of which I am sworn to secrecy by Mark until he's practiced them), composition and demonstrations. All too short!
The afternoon concluded with markthomson leading a reflection session - and he had quite a few folk engaged with discussion about celtic guitar techniques whilst others played Dave's instruments and, having had Sybil demonstrated by Mark, Phil Hare took her up and was suitable impressed and complimentary asking "how much did you shell out for this glorious beast?". I pointed him to davewhite ...
A quick trip into Pwllheli for some food with Dave, Debbie and Mark (where I tried not to be offended by the fella asking me if I wanted salad on me burger) was followed up by the evening concert in the entrance hall.
... who was suitably brilliant playing his 6 string guitar and his new 'gittern' (though not at the same time; I'm sure Gareth Pearson would have tried)
Great performances by Gareth Pearson (though my opinion didn't change although his infectious enthusiasm was a joy to see) and Ben Smith who has the blues voice, and playing technique worth killing for. Who says a ginger can't play the blues?
The evening concert finished with Muriel Anderson's set. Not only is she bonny and personable, she can also play a bit. AND she has a lovely singing voice which she uses all too infrequently. There was a song about sushi which I wish I'd written...
Another breakfast with Steve where I got to ask him all the questions I would've asked had I the nerve to speak up during his masterclass such as "how do you know when a song is finished?". (the answer: you don't really. Sometimes you just know it'll work and putting in any more effort would be a waste of time.) He also gave me a CD and an invite to let him know if I was ever in Hebden Bridge (where he lives)!. He had to leave straight after breakfast as he was going to Spain for a walking holiday with his wife and friends - he does have the url of the forum, though, so he might just pop in at some stage...
I got down to the gallery early hoping to nick some instruments but davewhite was wise and had packed them all away so it was straight into Tom Newman's masterclass. Last year's was really interesting and this year was no different. It started off as an episode of 'grumpy old men' bemoaning the state of the music industry (all of it Simon Cowell's fault - and nobody disagrees with that!) before launching into the idea and techniques of harmony singing. guitbrett did a sterling advertising job for the forum, encouraging people to join and get involved.
davewhite and Debbie left just before lunch, markthomson stayed til just after lunch - a roast Sunday job, very nice it was too. The weekend concluded with a concert by some of the participants kicked off by Tom Newman (who did his Lonnie Donegan impression ...)
joanne (and her partner).
Having learned from the previous evening's experience, I staked a seat on the front row nice and early which meant I got great photos of people's faces obscured by microphones.
Phil Hare played 4 songs (well, 2 songs and 2 tunes) including the marvellous 'Hedge Fund Shuffle'.
davewhite, markthomson and Steve Tilston had sadly left before the 'artists' photo was taken ...
Gordon Giltrap and, in a break from the acoustic line up of the past, Steely Dan's lead guitarist about whom guitbrett is somewhat excited
The first thing to say is that the festival itself is quite small. Don't be thinking Glastonbury - or even Ullapool. There are, I think, about 30 weekend tickets (though you can also buy tickets for the Saturday evening concert only). So you're talking fairly intimate. The venue dictates this to a certain extent as it's not massive - but it is beautiful, the Plas Glyn Y Weddw Gallery on the Llyn Peninsular at Llanbedrog.
But the weekend begins with food and a singaround at the Llanbedrog Arms where a number of attendees have the chance to play a couple of songs, followed by short performances by some of the 'headline guests'. This was my first chance to see Phil Hare performing live - a long time ambition of mine and he didn't disappoint, closing the first half.
I'd booked accommodation at a local guest house: the impressively Downtonian Tremfan Hall about half a mile from the pub so a short walk back after the concert in pitch black darkness after a few Guinesses was a challenge - but one I mastered.
Breakfast was at the extremely civilised time of 9am. I shared it with this bloke who was also there for the festival. He asked me what I was looking forward to the most. I mentioned Phil Hare, of course, but also that, as a pretend bard, I was really looking forward to the songwriting workshop by Steve Tilston. "Yes, I'm looking forward to that, too", he said, "allow me to introduce myself - I'm Steve Tilston"
So, conversation ensued and breakfast seemed to be over too soon for me, but we had to get down to the gallery for the start of the day - Glyn Jones' and Paul Brett's introductions and welcomes. They'd never make good flight attendants, never once did guitbrett point out where the emergency exits or loos were...
The first session was davewhite trying to explain the dark arts of luthiery.
markthomson
Mark played all Dave's instruments to great effect (and applause) although I reckon he bottled out a bit when he saw that Muriel Anderson was taking an interest in what he was doing and graciously gave the floor to her...
There are no photos of the workshops/masterclasses, I'm afraid. All the tutors chose to position themselves in front of the picture window which, whilst giving wonderful views across the bay, meant photos were rubbish. Last year I (and a few others) suggested that tutors position themselves at the other end of the room - but this year I bottled out. The next masterclass was led by Welsh guitar supremist Gareth Pearson. Gareth is a self-proclaimed 'Tommy Emmanuel' disciple - and it showed. Fabulous technique, but why play one note when you can play 20? I was astounded by his ability but left rather cold by the musicality of it all. Maybe it's just my ears... or my age ... or both... Amazing that he does it all in missionary tuning, mind!
A buffet lunch followed before Steve Tilston embarked upon his songwriting masterclass. I was introduced to his music by davewhite who's version of 'Slip Jigs and Reels' in DADGAD has been played a few times at forum meetings. And Steve used this song to introduce his workshop. And he played it in DADGAD, too - Dave looked suitable smug
. There were lots of great tips and ideas, none of which I'll share with you. Serves you right for not coming yourselves.Muriel Anderson concluded the day's masterclasses with a really engaging session (markthomson moved right to the front to make sure he missed nothing). It included nail care, new techniques (of which I am sworn to secrecy by Mark until he's practiced them), composition and demonstrations. All too short!
The afternoon concluded with markthomson leading a reflection session - and he had quite a few folk engaged with discussion about celtic guitar techniques whilst others played Dave's instruments and, having had Sybil demonstrated by Mark, Phil Hare took her up and was suitable impressed and complimentary asking "how much did you shell out for this glorious beast?". I pointed him to davewhite ...
A quick trip into Pwllheli for some food with Dave, Debbie and Mark (where I tried not to be offended by the fella asking me if I wanted salad on me burger) was followed up by the evening concert in the entrance hall.
... who was suitably brilliant playing his 6 string guitar and his new 'gittern' (though not at the same time; I'm sure Gareth Pearson would have tried)
Great performances by Gareth Pearson (though my opinion didn't change although his infectious enthusiasm was a joy to see) and Ben Smith who has the blues voice, and playing technique worth killing for. Who says a ginger can't play the blues?
The evening concert finished with Muriel Anderson's set. Not only is she bonny and personable, she can also play a bit. AND she has a lovely singing voice which she uses all too infrequently. There was a song about sushi which I wish I'd written...
Another breakfast with Steve where I got to ask him all the questions I would've asked had I the nerve to speak up during his masterclass such as "how do you know when a song is finished?". (the answer: you don't really. Sometimes you just know it'll work and putting in any more effort would be a waste of time.) He also gave me a CD and an invite to let him know if I was ever in Hebden Bridge (where he lives)!. He had to leave straight after breakfast as he was going to Spain for a walking holiday with his wife and friends - he does have the url of the forum, though, so he might just pop in at some stage...
I got down to the gallery early hoping to nick some instruments but davewhite was wise and had packed them all away so it was straight into Tom Newman's masterclass. Last year's was really interesting and this year was no different. It started off as an episode of 'grumpy old men' bemoaning the state of the music industry (all of it Simon Cowell's fault - and nobody disagrees with that!) before launching into the idea and techniques of harmony singing. guitbrett did a sterling advertising job for the forum, encouraging people to join and get involved.
davewhite and Debbie left just before lunch, markthomson stayed til just after lunch - a roast Sunday job, very nice it was too. The weekend concluded with a concert by some of the participants kicked off by Tom Newman (who did his Lonnie Donegan impression ...)
joanne (and her partner).
Having learned from the previous evening's experience, I staked a seat on the front row nice and early which meant I got great photos of people's faces obscured by microphones.
Phil Hare played 4 songs (well, 2 songs and 2 tunes) including the marvellous 'Hedge Fund Shuffle'.
davewhite, markthomson and Steve Tilston had sadly left before the 'artists' photo was taken ...
Gordon Giltrap and, in a break from the acoustic line up of the past, Steely Dan's lead guitarist about whom guitbrett is somewhat excited 
although I could have sworn it was still there when I left it!!
Jo whoever he is.
