Fiddle Fair '08 Wrap
He has only just arrived back in San Francisco so apologies for the delay in posting our report (photos, video, and audio to come in a few weeks) from what was quite simply the best Fiddle Fair ever.
Of course we were unsure how the major change in format this year was going to work but we needn't have worried. All of the shows up the road in The West Cork Hotel were amazing while Baltimore was buzzing all weekend with mighty music, beautiful weather and a great atmosphere.
During the weekend we saw a lucky 13 very special acts in 8 very special concerts as well as at least 20 sessions of the highest quality (the best of these was probably Archie's song and dance routine at 8am on the Monday morning down in the Granville Girl's house)
Two of Donegal's finest musicians Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh and Manus Lunny got things off to a great start when they gave us a glimpse of the material on Mairéad's forthcoming solo album. Haunting vocals and Donegal grooves. What a beautiful lady!
Annbjørg Lien and Bjørn Ole Rasch became 'Paddy's' for the weekend and were spotted in several kitchens around West Cork. They charmed us all with their magical music and we're thinking of organizing a Fiddle Fair Field Trip to Norway pretty soon.
Over 300 kids attended the schools concert on Friday morning and were treated to music from Mairéad, Annbjørg and the 'straight off the plane' Republic Of Strings. This audience was very knowledgeable regarding music and was not easily impressed but eventually we won them over.
On Friday night the amazing Bríd Harper played an electrifying set with Marty Meehan and PJ McDonald. Savage tunes from the north of the country. PJ was a great mc and did most of the talking but I don't think anyone in the audience understood a word.
Next up were the wonderful Republic of Strings and their spiritual leader Darol Anger. We're always that bit extra excited when we host Irish Premieres and present someone making their first ever Irish appearance and we were all blown away by this remarkable group. Top class musicians and great craic as well, I'd be pretty confident we'll be seeing more of this Republican Expeditionary Force at future Fiddle Fairs.
The first of the Baltimore gigs was the Kerry sisters Aoife and Deirdre Granville's lunchtime concert at Dún na Séad Castle on the Saturday. Most if not all of the audience was in attendance well before the girls arrived (they hadn't been up late or anything) but after drinking about 18 pints of water they treated everyone to a beautiful show.
Up to the courtyard at the Glebe Café for the afternoon show where The Polskadots played a rollicking set for a packed and appreciative audience, These gals, along with Gorgeous George from Georgia, made many friends down here at Fiddle Fair '06 and made many more this year.
Back into Skibb for the Saturday night concert that was kicked off by the truly remarkable Jerry Holland and John Doyle. Jerry has been battling a serious illness for some time now and we were delighted and honoured that he made a visit to the Fiddle Fair. It's not just his beautiful music but his dignity and warm personality that will live long in our memories. As for John Doyle, he's just a genius.
They were followed by another group that were making their Irish debut, the brilliant Galician 7-piece, Berroguetto
Regular visitors to the Fiddle Fair from the musical instrument fraternity such as fiddles and accordions shared the stage with occasional dabblers drums and keyboards and total newcomers like Galician pipes and hurdy gurdys. The whole room rocked.
As we entered the final day only the hardiest were surviving. The shit hot late night sessions were taking their toll and stubble and smelly socks were beginning to appear. Thankfully the sun was shining, which always helps, and huge crowds were ascending on Baltimore.
Michelle O'Brien and myself were fairly nervous that morning because Leonard Barry was at a wedding the day before in Limerick and we reckoned he definitely wouldn't show. I had just managed to coerce Archie into stepping up to the plate when Leonard arrived looking fresh as a daisy. Straight out with the pipes and himself and Michelle gave us another mighty gig at the Castle.
Up to the Glebe again then for the Amphitheatre Concert featuring Laura Cortese, Caoímhín Ó Raghallaigh agus Breandán Begley, and our number one Fiddle student Jeremy Irons. A magical afternoon indeed!
An enormous crowd came to see this show, (obviously to see Brendan Begley) and we hope that the Fiddle Fair has found some new friends who may come back again, even if we don't have an Oscar winner on the bill.
Some great singing, fiddling and bodhran playing, followed by some more great fiddling, box playing, singing and dancing, followed the dulcet tones of Jeremiah reciting some poetry, and all topped off with a tune by Caoímhín, Breandán, Martin, Dennis, and Jeremy.
This surely was one of the all-time great Fiddle Fair gigs
That was soon challenged however by our finale at The West Cork. The atmosphere had really been building all weekend and the place was buzzing even before the Tip Kliphuis Trio took to the stage. Again there's always a special excitement when we introduce someone that most, if not all of the audience has never heard of. No preconceptions on either side of the stage and a sense of adventure in the room. Tim and the boys treated us to what for many was the highlight of the weekend. Playing the music of Stephane Grappelli they soon had everyone swinging and imagining they were in Paris in the 1940's - at least I was anyway
Finally the living legends Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill took us home. From the second they began to play a slow air called 'The Windswept Hills at Tulla' they had us. And everyone was spellbound by their hauntingly beautiful music. Towards the end they were joined by Darol, Caoímhín, and Tim for a truly memorable magical finale.
Phew!
As well as the amazing concerts we saw about 5000 sessions over the weekend - a great late night one in The West Cork (or several) stand out and I hear there was some great ones rocking the village for the weekend.
Just about the only bad thing about running this Fiddle Fair is that I can't get to see every single thing - it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it
I did have the pleasure of witnessing what was one of the highlights of the weekend though - the by now annual appearance at the early Monday morning session of the redoubtable Liam 'Archie' Cotter giving it loads while the rest of the village were turning up for work.
Maps: It was brought to my attention by Jean from Scotland that some of you had difficulty following my expertly drawn map on the back of the programme this year.
Jean and at least one other gentleman (so she claims) followed my directions for the Síbin and ended up in Tragumna! At least the weather was nice and I did see Jean later that night walking with what looked suspiciously like a guide dog
We're not sure how it happens but each year's festival truly does seem to get better and better and I think the 'pressure' of living up to previous ones is what drives us on - we're very like the Munster rugby team really.
I do know though that this Fiddle Fair wouldn't be what it is without the audiences we get from all over the place, especially those of you who travel great distances to be here and those who come back every year, Thank You!
If you have any thoughts or ideas for us we'd love to hear them - just sign up to the guestbook on the website and let us know. This will also keep you informed about other events we are involved in like Cork x Southwest, Glebe Gardens Summer Series, and a very special Fiddle Fair Showcase Tour that'll be happening in September.
You might even get the odd piece of Baltimore Gossip before it breaks in the mainstream media.
That's about all for now. Thanks again for visiting the Fiddle Fair and I look forward to seeing you down here in 2009.
All the best,
Declan
PS - If you see Michael walking around California put him on a bus
PPS - The photos from Fiddle Fair 2008 will be online in a few weeks