XPost: uk.music.folk 
 From: jgc.hall@tiscali.co.uk 
  
 After the storming warm up gigs on Monday and Tuesday which I attended 
 with my wife I drove back up North to drop off Mrs Hall and collect my 
 2 sons, arriving at the layby for the FC list convoy at around 7.30am. 
 The convoy, consisting of about 30 vehicles moved off at 8.24am, and 
 thanks to wonderful organisation pitched up on field 2. After tent 
 pitching, drinking, collecting wristbands, drinking Pimms, and more 
 socialising, myself and my lads made our way to the festival field in 
 time for the opening of the festival. 
 Alas we didn't hear the Cropredy church bells, due in part to my mobile 
 phone going off at exactly the time of the ringing! Very embarassing;) 
 I blame a certain person from the Strawbs list who was caught up in 
 traffic....not anyone's fault of course really. (I was carrying the 
 Witchwood banner and was to transfer it to him later that evening). 
 Hope some of you saw it, it was a beautiful piece of work. 
 Anyway, to the acts: 
 Thursday. 
 Anthony John Clarke: 
 OK, but not my cup of tea. 
 Kerfuffle: 
 Good players, but so many of these young bands seem to sound the same to 
 me, with their instrumentals and arrangements. 
 Wishbone Ash: 
 Started with the Argus classics, moved on to some newer material, and 
 finished with Phoenix and Blowing Free. 
 Superb set, great guitar based (folkie) rock. 
 Seth Lakeman: 
 Stunning - Kitty Jay was astonishing. 
 Jools etc: 
 Enjoyed the ska section, and some of the instrumentals, but the vocal 
 guests were wern't for me - Lulu, yup the Ms Bassey of Crop. 
  
 Friday. 
 Hummingbird: 
 Pleasent, but not for me. 
 Mad Agnes: 
 Started well, but again got too bogged down in MOR contempory folkish 
 sounds. 
 Demon Barbers: 
 Some real folkrock at last! Great songs, great dancing to go with some 
 of the numbers. The rapper (NE English style of 'sword' dancing) was 
 especially noteworthy. The band put me in mind of a Mr Fox for this 
 century. 
 Last Orders: 
 Another young band with the usual expertly played tunes syndrome, but 
 the song about the whale was a real highlight. 
 Viva Santana: 
 Quite fun, nice and loud. Superior tribute band. 
 Show Of Hands: 
 Seemed a bit downbeat, and didn't grab me. In fact rather disappointing, 
 unlike previous times that I have seen them. 
 Fairport 1969:, Liege & Lief: 
 Faithful play through of the album, highlights for me were Come All Ye, 
 The Deserter, Farewell Farewell, and the cow bell medley;) 
 Richard Thompson Band: 
 Still not convinced by the new album material, but Hard On Me was a 
 guitar shredding highlight. The show was a workmanlike performance I 
 thought. 
 Saturday: 
 Missed Richard Digance due to various meetings - as I usually plan;) 
 Give Way : another rather anonomous band I'm afraid. Pleasent, but 
 nothing to write home about. 
 The Bucket Boys: 
 Country rock - not for me, but again nice playing. 
 Iain Matthews: 
 Not my style of singer/songwriter, but again pleasent enough. 
 The Strawbs: 
 At last a bit of excitement! Great set, excellent audience reaction and 
 participation. 
 Bob Fox and Billy Mitchell: 
 Lovely set, Meet Me On The Corner was a splendid ending. 
 Fairport: 
 Nearly 4 hours - Highlight, as it was in the warm ups was 'One More 
 Chance'. JD is a treasure, and sad that this might be Vikki's last Crop 
 for some time - she's going to NZ. 
 I enjoyed the back projections, especially the Lego Matty. 
 MOTL was the usual emotional ending, and great to see Steve Ashley up on 
 the stage just before this for 'Best Wishes'. 
  
 All in all, one of the best Cropredys ever, and great to meet and remeet 
 old and new friends. 
 Jon. 
  
 -- 
 jgc.hall@tiscali.co.uk 
 http://www.mcvax.org/jghall/ 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)