TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Lovely day at Martyn Joseph’s Pipefest at Lancaster University. A real sense of community with only 100 there and as usual inspiring performances and some great music. Gareth Bonello was enjoyable though as most of his songs were in Welsh, I found it difficult to fully engage. Liz Hanks’ cello music was lovely, whilst Miranda Sykes was simply great. She is becoming a much more confident solo artist - her version of I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free was superb.

As for Martyn, he was as fired up and passionate as ever. A lovely Cardiff Bay with Liz and Miranda backing him, and a couple of very strong new songs. So sad that this will be the last Pipefest for the time being, though Martyn was keen to stress he hopes it will return in some form.

I was there for most of the afternoon sessions. I enjoyed the songwriter's circle and Miranda's talk (with music) in the afternoon. Boy has she been through the mill health-wise. But her singing is as good as ever and I look forward to hearing more of her own songs. Hoping to see her and Hannah Martin on their tour next year.

If Pipefest does return I wouldn't be surprised if it moves to a different venue, perhaps closer to Martyn's Welsh fan base. Also the catering at the university is not great. MrsB was talking to someone who had been there last year and heard about how disorganised it all was.

But Nikki and Martin have done a great job over the years not just with Pipefest but bringing other artists to the local area. It was a shame they couldn't have organised one final Show of Hands gig as they - and Steve on his own - played here a good half dozen times in the 20 or so years we've been living here.

I do wonder if it's a very English thing about struggling with music not sung in one's local tongue?  In much of the rest of the world, foreign language music seems to be much more widely accepted (although obviously a lot more people have English as a second language to a much greater degree than is the situation with Welsh).  Fwiw, one of my Top 5 bands of all time - Datblygu - were Welsh language.  I also enjoy lots of other Cymraeg rock and folk.

Incidentally, I've got an extensive collection of MJ cassettes (albums, a few cassingles and some 'official bootlegs') which I'm trying to sell.  If anybody collects these kinds of thing, do let me know.

I think it can depend on who you're listening to - as in, is it a solo artist or a band? I have an album by Welsh group Plu which I really enjoy whereas I agree with David re Gareth's performance.

Likewise with those who sing in Gaelic. I like Runrig but find Julie Fowlis more like hard work. Also I enjoy listening to French singers like Sophie Lavoie and Fierce Flowers. But having some knowledge of the language does help!

Certainly not down to being English in my case - my degree is in French and Spanish! I listen to a lot of music in other languages from all over and in many different styles. It’s not Welsh either as I enjoy 9Bach. I think it was down to the musical setting and his having a gentle voice. Just didn’t grab me as the other artists did.