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As usual we went to lots of gigs. Mostly folky, but a few classical and a couple of jazz concerts.
We started the year with The Bothy Band. They were formed in 1975 by Donal Lunny after he left Planxty. They play traditional Irish tunes - but so well - even now if I hear a band playing jigs and reels I think - very nice, but not as good as The Bothy Band. And amazingly, nearly fifty years later, they reformed for a couple of gigs - so we just had to go!
It feels that there are a lot of farewells at the moment. June Tabor's magnificent tie-up with the Oysterband did a farewell tour. It'll be the last time we'll hear her singing White Rabbit'. And I'm sure it'll be the last time we see Robin Williamson, from the Incredible String Band, who is 81. We also saw Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band's farewell tour. Next year we're going to see farewell tours for Al Stewart, who will be 80 and Peggy Seeger, who will be 90. It feels like the end of something.
Luckily there are loads of excellent young musicians still just about managing to make a living out of music.
We've just come back from seeing Kate Rusby at Cadogan Hall in London. The start of Christmas...
The Bothy Band. It's been 48 years since we first saw them.
We still have our original Bothy Band ticket from 1976 (Mike's 24th birthday.) Well, why not?
Alasdair Roberts at King's Place in London.
Aly Bain and Phil Cunnigham. The funniest men in folk music, not to mention their musicianship - the best.
Rowan Rheingans at Green Note.
Trish Clowes and Ross Stanley at Wigmore Hall.
Our annual catch up with McGoldrick, McCusker and Doyle
We went to see Brian Cox, talking about the Universe. "I specialise in the Universe and all that surrounds it" as Peter Cook once said.
Katherine Priddy's album launch at the Union Chapel.
Jim Moray. Always brilliant. Supporting Richard Thompson.
Richard Thompson and Zara Philips at The Corn Exchange.
Richard Thompson - with Dave Mattacks on drums!
Walking back with Chris from the Richard Thompson concert.
RANT at the wonderful Stapleford Granary.
The Mad Professors ride again (it's all getting a bit difficult - lugging those amps etc... sigh!)
The Sam Sweeney Band. Two wonderful guitarists - Louis Campbell on electric and Archie Churchill-Moss on acoustic
Kate and Mike at Folk By The Oak
The mighty Furrow Collective
The Young 'Uns
Lucy Farrell at Folk By The Oak
Folk By The Oak
The magical combination of Karine Polwart and Dave Milligan. At her best...
A fascinating display about the reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo longship
Rebuilding an Anglo-Saxon ship. I nearly wrote 'hip'.
Folk East. Awake Arise, doing their summer set. The reason we went to Folk East really.
Folk East young climbers
Robin Williamson! Our hero...
John Kirkpatrick. Still rocking at a mere 77...
A Midsummer Night's Dream - in King's College Gardens. It somehow doesn't seem Summer without it...
June Tabor! Farewell with the Oysterband.
Leveret. Mesmering and magnificent...
The Proms, with Beethoven's Seventh Symphony.
The Orchestra of the Swan, with readings from Laurie Lee.
Calan - also on their farewell tour.
Bella Hardy and Jenn Butterworth were amazing.
Bellowhead! Who else?
The peerless Maddy Prior - with the Carnival Band. Farewell Tour!
Kate Rusby at Cadogan Hall. Christmas has really arrived...
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