Miscellaneous - Cropredy, Oxfordshire 8/8/2013...10/8/2013

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 31 / 7 / 2013

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Article

For more than three decades Fairport's Cropredy Convention has been regarded reverentially by all those who really know about music as something rather special. 2013 proved no exception plus the weather was kind this year too. The line-up was a wonderfully successful mix with headliners like Alice Cooper, 10cc, the Levellers and Fairport themselves - joined on stage this year by guests Nik Kershaw, Tom Robinson and Martin Barre. And the supporting acts were all of impressive quality, regardless of genre. They ranged from the ethereal musical beauty of the Mediaeval Baebes singing ancient texts to original tunes played on ancient classical instruments to Irish acoustic band Lunasa, alt-folk rock band Moulettes, the recently re-grouped Romeo's Daughter featuring lead singer Leigh Matty who was on excellent form plus Peatbog Fairies, fresh from their base on the Isle of Skye. I was especially impressed by Edward II – one of the more influential bands to emerge from the English roots renaissance of the late eighties who stunned the Cropredy audience with the power of their folk roots/roots reggae performance featuring sweet vocal harmonies, blistering brass plus scattergun melodeon alongside a pumping, rock steady rhythm and bass section. Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman were a spellbinding combination with their haunting songs...you could have heard a pin drop as the 20,000+ audience savoured every moment of their set. And Brooks Williams, originally from Georgia, USA, was wonderful, gauging the mood of his Saturday afternoon audience perfectly as he introduced his well-chosen repertoire in the blues and Americana tradition. His easy-going vocal delivery belies his sheer depth, breadth and staggering virtuosity as a musician...no surprise he's rated in his native USA as one of the world's best 100 acoustic guitarists! Richard Digance, taking a two-day break from his Edinburgh Festival performance specially to play Cropredy as he does every year, reaffirmed his reputation as a major talent. Who else, playing the first set on the last day of the festival could have the whole packed arena on its feet within five minutes of appearing? hy has Richard Digance not had the far wider recognition he so richly deserves? Of course 10cc were all you would expect them to be – and Fairport Convention's two sets - acoustic to open the festival on Thursday and then the big finale on Saturday night - were as powerful and popular as ever. The band have defined the folk-rock agenda for over forty years and it is always a thrill and a privilege to watch them on their own home turf. Musically they seem simply to get better - and what a major achievement it is for them to organise and oversee this hugely successful Cropredy event each year. Fairport's reputation is such that they can easily attract an incredibly diverse range of musicians to join them annually for their unique event in this Oxfordshire field. This year of course included the amazing Alice Cooper who told me he was “delighted and honoured” to appear at Cropredy and had “admired Fairport Convention for forty years.” Alice did not disappoint. In its long history, Cropredy had never seen the like of this performance! From the first moment he crashed out on to the stage – amidst explosions and brilliant pyrotechnics – Alice gave his performance everything...and the audience went wild! This was the real deal; a full-blown Alice spectacular! Stalking the stage menacingly in a red and black striped suit, Alice slashed at the warm Oxfordshire night with a cane....creating an irresistible collision of classic Seventies rock with ghoulish theatrics of Hammer horror proportions. There were spoof executions, stunts with a guillotine and a straitjacket, an appearance by a boa constrictor wrapped around Alice's neck...this was not a folk festival as any of us knows it but the audience relished every crazy second of it. And, musically, Alice was truly impressive. Make no mistake, he cuts the heavy rock mustard. He doesn't hide behind the technical theatrics or allow backing vocals to overwhelm him. He was in fine voice and surrounded by top class musicians each demonstrating incredible virtuosity with stunning guitar, drums and bass solos. This was a top international rock act on peak form and the music could not be faulted. There were covers of greats like the Beatles, Hendrix, Jim Morrison of the Doors plus most of Alice's hits ending with ‘School's Out’ which received a tumultuous reception. In fact Alice later commented, “Who knew that the best rock'n'roll audience of our whole tour would be at the Cropredy folk festival?” - and, as a confirmed Anglophile, Alice was apparently quite overwhelmed at the amazing reception he had received here. Cropredy always attracts big names from the music and entertainment worlds who enjoy the fact that this is a traditional event with just one stage and one huge field as an arena. There are some stalls and a bar but no side shows or funfair or word sessions or workshops or VIP or corporate hospitality areas...and the small village of Cropredy with its rural community joins into the spirit of the festival. It is all rather refreshing. Plus the event is always very professionally managed by organiser Gareth Williams; even the toilets are plentiful - and clean! Amongst those spotted in the Cropredy audience this year were the veteran radio presenter Bob Harris, comedian Jasper Carrott, Frank Skinner, Marillion's Steve Hogarth, Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, Steve Winwood, Sir Tim Rice, Procol Harem's Gary Brooker as well as several of the cast of ‘Downton Abbey’. Fairport's bassist Dave Pegg commented, “We had a great time this year – it is a joy to play with people like Martin Barre, Tom Robinson and Nik Kershaw. It is also good to know so many in the audience enjoyed this year's event so much. We always try to get a wide variety of acts and we only book artists whose music we personally like. Alice Cooper put on an awesome show; this was one of the highlights of a great Cropredy. Musically I believe it was one of the best we've ever put on and the audience thought so, too.” Plans start now for Cropredy 2014. But Fairport face a major challenge in maintaining this year's gold standard!

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