Bedworth Folk Festival is unique in several ways. It is probably the U.K.'s biggest Winter Festival. It is certainly a rarity, in being entirely Indoors. (No wellies are required except to access the Car Parks at a few of the venues beyond The Civic Hall. It includes Nationally known and loved and local acts. Without fear, favour or discrimination. That is, unlike some regional Folk Festivals, Bedworth does not operate an unwritten Folk Apartheid Policy excluding anyone who is not part of some cosy Inner selection Cabal. And it sees "Warwickshire" as just that-not one small South-Eastern corner of the heavenly County. Thus, besides the visitors from afar you can get to see an immense diversity of eclectic material at "Bedduff" and that is why performers and festival-goers embrace it each year so warmly.
Last night saw Justin Archer, Joe Roberts, Dave Parr, Black Parrot Seaside, Maria Barham, Thru'ppnny Bits, John Kearney, Claire Latham, Terry Wisdom, Dave Fry , Phil Benson, Malc and Gill and Brian and Marie Phillips crack on from 8.30 until late. Quite breathlessly at times. Both Justin and Claire I believe were that rare item "a Bedworth Virgin"-i.e. they appearing at a BFC venue for the first time. Justin sang one of my personal favourites from The Boss-"I'm On Fire"-and also gave us an interesting adaptation of an early Crystal's hit. Which most of us were old enough to be able to sing along with. Joe sang "Wabash Cannonball" and I'm not quite sure what the other song was.
That modest icon Terry Wisdom noodled quietly away in that inimitable, self-effacing way he has, singing "Ain't Misbehavin" and other nostalgic classics with panache, elan and style. He and Jan are going to be doing a Black Bank Session in 2014. One not to miss.
Dave Fry had the audience rocking the walls and ceiling with a thunderous chorus of "Sweet Rose of Allandale." Dave Parr performed solo and also later performed with two other acts. He did two slightly naughty songs solo- one of which was in every way Camp. Someone told me it was by Paddy Roberts-but I've not tracked it down yet. I didn't have my pencil with me so I missed writing down all the other songs by other performers.But the mix was just stunning.
The Black Parrot Seaside Bigger Band (us three, supplemented by Dave Parr and Malc Gurnham) knocked out ribald versions of "The Odeon" "Albert Balls" and "What a Folking Liberty" . It really did get rather noisy, with the chorus singing probably audible in Exhall. However our rehearsals together have paid off- and the audience were able to laugh as much at the lyrics as at the missed chords. I didn't miss a single cue this time, and we spent a lot of time in the right key(s). On then to the 2013 Festival, of which more later, and a busy 7 days for the various Parrot line-ups. Do look us up if you're out and about. And "Thrrrpppp!" to you, if you are not.
