FOLK EAST 22^nd August

Photo by Barry Burns

Bostjan Gombac, Mark Griffith,  John Halsey, Elliott Randal, Neil at…

Folkeast – the fabulous Suffolk Folk Festival literally just down the road from where we live. This is folk in its widest sense embracing all kinds of music. Invited to take part, Neil called on his friends – Mark Griffiths ( bass), Elliott Randall (guitar,) John Halsey (drums) and – Bostjan Gombac (ex Terrafolk) on everything you can blow through, as they just so happened to be rehearsing for a trip to Tokyo .

Neil first met Bostian when Terrafolk were performing at the tiny Pump House in Aldeburgh as part of the Aldeburgh Fringe. He was completely smitten with the band asking them to appear at Snape maltings with him the following year. Terrafolk have since undergone many changes but Neil and Bostjan have kept in touch always thinking about the possibility of working together. The Japanese trip is coming up in November so this gig was to be the perfect opportunity to try new things out. Five days went by with a mix of music, food and catching up, the perfect weather helping to extend the long days into lazy evenings in the garden..

The organisers John and Becky are clear about not wanting Folk East to get too big – just good quality food, a great selection of beers and lovely music on several stages as well as impromptu music in every other available space. Stalls selling clothes, jewelry and musical instruments,and lots of activities for kids of all ages. It is a festival which aims to showcase everything that is good about Suffolk including the beautiful undulating grounds of Glemham Hall.

The day of the gig we had breakfast in the garden. Strings were changed, arpeggios trilled and the final set list sorted so by 3pm everyone was ready to go to the soundcheck. This is always difficult at festivals because there is very little change over time, a lot of people and a lot of noise, but they managed. The band played a 60 minute set to roaring applause. Neil usually plays his own music but this time the band did ‘Big Rock Candy Mountain’ (featured in the film ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou’), as well as bringing ‘Song of the Sky’  out of it’s enforced seclusion. [Set list below]. The band and the audience had a great time.  (We stayed to watch The Young ‘uns – if you ever get a chance go and see them. They are 3 brilliant and hilariously funny young men who sing very real and moving songs in perfect harmony. )

Back home later, Mark cooked a pasta using whatever he could find in the kitchen.. Next day Mark and Elliott departed and Neil took Bostjan to Stansted the day after. The house was suddenly quiet. A fabulous week and hopefully the beginning of something really amazing called “Baby Dada”.

HERO OF THE MOTORWAY

ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE

JOE PUBLIC

BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN

CATS DON’T LIKE THE RAIN

SONG OF THE SKY

URBAN SPACEMAN

SLAVES OF FREEDOM

STEALING TIME