Rather than go along to Leeds or Reading or one of the many other high profile events taking place over the Bank Holiday we opted instead for the spectacular surroundings of the Brecon Beacons and Craig Y Nos Castle.
Well, while the Beacons are indeed spectacular the same can not be said of Craig Y Nos which is a 'modern' castle in decline rather than the ancient ruins that perhaps I had in mind. The other disapointment was that the stages were indoors, inside the rooms of the castle rather than outside in the sprawling gardens, which was a shame. but still the beer flowed...
The first person we had earmarked to see was Caroline Martin on the Folkey Dokey Stage. I hadn't heard of her myself but we caught a whisper that she might be worth a look. We got to the stage to discover that unfortunately, (or maybe not! depending on where your loyalties lie! ) Caroline couldn't make it and had been replaced at the last minute by PIP DYLAN of the Fence Collective accompanied by KING CREOSOTE on backing vocals. Check out the earlier reviews of KC and the Fence Collective for the history lesson, suffice to say for now that PIP is another from the Anderson Clan from up there in Fife, KC's brother and twin to the mysterious LONE PIGEON.
We arrive in time to catch two of the highlights from PIPs 'classic' first release on Fence ' It ain't a classical piece not by a long shot' in: 'Orr My Dawg' and 'Lazy Boy' ;arguably two of his best tunes. Pip's is a mixture of acoustic country and folky blues that at times cause's me to burst out laughing it's that good. In fact it's something that leads Pip himself to outbreaks of laughter and there's a great vibe between him and KC making it all the more compelling to watch.
Pip's second album ' Of All The Things I Like To Eat I'm Always Pleased With A Piece Of Cheese' is about to be re-released following it's appearance in Rough Trade's Albums of the year
list and has been given a bit of facelift. Not that it needed it I'm sure, Pip's playing is exemplary, he's a true technician and a master of his craft, flitting easily between the different styles. His lyrics are witty and wry and full of nonsense summed up in the line : "it's not fair on me or my dawg or my cat if I had one" from the brilliant 'Orr My Dawg'. It's a great surprise to see him and suffice to say that we were no longer bothered by the surroundings as long as the music stayed this good.
Thankfully next up on the main stage was KING CREOSOTE in his own right accompanied by Pip on his acoustic beat box that also acts as his seat and was designed and made by his own fair hand! KC also informs us that they will be available for general consumption soon; there's just no stopping these Anderson brothers!
KC's set is made up mostly of songs from his soon to be released 'debut' album on Fence/Domino ' Kenny and Beth's Musacal Boat Rides' . The difference here is that KC plays the accordian throughout: there's no sampler or guitars, just Pip holding the beat on his box and adding some backing vocals. If anything the songs sound even more haunting and beautiful than they do on the album with slower and even more spacious
arrangements. Kenny's voice sound's great with its unique Scots folk appeal that grows and grows on you.
My personal favourites are 'Homeboy' which was shortened to form part of the opening medley, 'Space', 'Missionary' and Bad
Jazz single 'So Forlorn' which he manages to play while also keeping one of those old space ship like spinning tops rotating the whole time. All this goes on before KC welcomes his close friend and fellow Fence conspirator JAMES YORKSTON on to the stage and things hot up even more.
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They play the closing song from 'Kenny and Beths' ,the melancholic wistfulness of 'A Friday Night in New York' which has all the elements of a KC classic song the mystery and the sadness, before finishing with a raucous rendition of Lone Pigeons 'Summertime Beeswing' and the Beta Bands 'She's the One' in honour of their absent brother currently ensconced in the States. The finale also see's them joined by another member of the Fife musical mafia in the form of The Pictish Trail, it's blinding stuff and nothing is lost on the gathered minions.
Later on the same stage come's the appearance of what was for many the highlight of the weekend in the shape of JAMES YORKSTON accompanied by one of his Athletes, Faisal, who plays just about anything he comes within reach of. JY is the most well known of the Fence Collective after his astonishing debut 'Moving up Country' which Rough Trade named as the best album of 2002, not enough however to prevent the MC , the 'Bard of Ely'
introducing him as Jamie Thorkston, obviously confusing him with that better known brothel buff and kids TV presenter.
The album is well represented here with 'Sweet Jesus', 'Tender to the Blues',' Cheating the Game', '6:30' and 'I know My Love' flying the flag. It's a wonder we get to hear any of the songs at all such is the enthusiasm from someone in the crowd who wants to
talk to James all the way through his set despite our hosts best efforts to shut him up. Thankfully JY eventually gets the better of him and we are treated to some new songs, one of which has a sixties pop riff running through it, a lyric about a Dublin hotel room and is a stone cold classic.
Faisal is a revelation to watch, it's amazing how many different sounds one man can generate and he does all this without batting an eyelid. Once again JY is joined on stage by his friends from Fence, KC and PIP, they continue the camaraderie and finish with an extended version of 'The Lang Toun'. It's a magical end to an inspiring performance from the leader of the modern Folk revolution and one he looked to have enjoyed we look forward to the release of his forthcoming EP.
Of course there were other acts we saw during the day, but none come close to matching the heights scaled by our friends from the North. The day belonged to the Fence Collective and I for one felt privileged to have witnessed what turned out to be a very special performance by them all in their singular and collective brilliance and putting all the go into this Green Man.
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