After the storming warm up gigs on Monday and Tuesday which I attended
with my wife I drove back up North to drop off Mrs Hall and collect my
2 sons, arriving at the layby for the FC list convoy at around 7.30am.
The convoy, consisting of about 30 vehicles moved off at 8.24am, and
thanks to wonderful organisation pitched up on field 2. After tent
pitching, drinking, collecting wristbands, drinking Pimms, and more
socialising, myself and my lads made our way to the festival field in
time for the opening of the festival.
Alas we didn't hear the Cropredy church bells, due in part to my mobile
phone going off at exactly the time of the ringing! Very embarassing;)
I blame a certain person from the Strawbs list who was caught up in
traffic....not anyone's fault of course really. (I was carrying the
Witchwood banner and was to transfer it to him later that evening).
Hope some of you saw it, it was a beautiful piece of work.
Anyway, to the acts:
Thursday.
Anthony John Clarke:
OK, but not my cup of tea.
Kerfuffle:
Good players, but so many of these young bands seem to sound the same to
me, with their instrumentals and arrangements.
Wishbone Ash:
Started with the Argus classics, moved on to some newer material, and
finished with Phoenix and Blowing Free.
Superb set, great guitar based (folkie) rock.
Seth Lakeman:
Stunning - Kitty Jay was astonishing.
Jools etc:
Enjoyed the ska section, and some of the instrumentals, but the vocal
guests were wern't for me - Lulu, yup the Ms Bassey of Crop.

Friday.
Hummingbird:
Pleasent, but not for me.
Mad Agnes:
Started well, but again got too bogged down in MOR contempory folkish
sounds.
Demon Barbers:
Some real folkrock at last! Great songs, great dancing to go with some
of the numbers. The rapper (NE English style of 'sword' dancing) was
especially noteworthy. The band put me in mind of a Mr Fox for this
century.
Last Orders:
Another young band with the usual expertly played tunes syndrome, but
the song about the whale was a real highlight.
Viva Santana:
Quite fun, nice and loud. Superior tribute band.
Show Of Hands:
Seemed a bit downbeat, and didn't grab me. In fact rather disappointing,
unlike previous times that I have seen them.
Fairport 1969:, Liege & Lief:
Faithful play through of the album, highlights for me were Come All Ye,
The Deserter, Farewell Farewell, and the cow bell medley;)
Richard Thompson Band:
Still not convinced by the new album material, but Hard On Me was a
guitar shredding highlight. The show was a workmanlike performance I
thought.
Saturday:
Missed Richard Digance due to various meetings - as I usually plan;)
Give Way : another rather anonomous band I'm afraid. Pleasent, but
nothing to write home about.
The Bucket Boys:
Country rock - not for me, but again nice playing.
Iain Matthews:
Not my style of singer/songwriter, but again pleasent enough.
The Strawbs:
At last a bit of excitement! Great set, excellent audience reaction and
participation.
Bob Fox and Billy Mitchell:
Lovely set, Meet Me On The Corner was a splendid ending.
Fairport:
Nearly 4 hours - Highlight, as it was in the warm ups was 'One More
Chance'. JD is a treasure, and sad that this might be Vikki's last Crop
for some time - she's going to NZ.
I enjoyed the back projections, especially the Lego Matty.
MOTL was the usual emotional ending, and great to see Steve Ashley up on
the stage just before this for 'Best Wishes'.

All in all, one of the best Cropredys ever, and great to meet and remeet
old and new friends.
Jon.

-- 
jgc.hall@tiscali.co.uk
http://www.mcvax.org/jghall/

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff. 
Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming 
away.

Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to 
lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.

Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and 
FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very 
enjoyable.

I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap 
tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were 
doing there is beyond me.

The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have 
been better off at a pub somewhere.

On 17 Aug, 02:11, "Jeremiah Harbottle"
 wrote:
> I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff.
> Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming
> away.
>
> Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to
> lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.
>
> Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and
> FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very
> enjoyable.
>
> I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap
> tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were
> doing there is beyond me.
>
> The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have
> been better off at a pub somewhere.

Cropredy is known to be an eclectic mix of stuff with something for
everything.  You may have thought Viva Santana was crap, but the
majority of the 20,000 crowd roared their approval. Maybe Cropredy
just isn't for you if you are simply looking for three days of music
that exactly fits your template.

On 26 Aug, 07:47, Zeke  wrote:
> On 17 Aug, 02:11, "Jeremiah Harbottle"
>
>
>
>
>
>  wrote:
> > I thought Jools Holland was absolutely terrible - boring same-y stuff.
> > Couldn't stand more than an hour, so joined the heaps of people streaming
> > away.
>
> > Seth Lakeman - good for four songs, then very boring - the songs seemed to
> > lack variety. Frantic strumming, all very energetic, but lacking something.
>
> > Thought Show of Hands were excellent, as were the Strawbs, Wishbone Ash, and
> > FC's sets. Thoroughly enjoyed Richard Thompson. Mitchell and Fox were very
> > enjoyable.
>
> > I agree about the other young bands. Fairly nodescript. Quite what crap
> > tribute acts like Viva Santana and cover bands like The Bucket Boys were
> > doing there is beyond me.
>
> > The Santana tribute went on, and on, and on, and the Bucket Boys would have
> > been better off at a pub somewhere.
>
> Cropredy is known to be an eclectic mix of stuff with something for
> everything.  You may have thought Viva Santana was crap, but the
> majority of the 20,000 crowd roared their approval. Maybe Cropredy
> just isn't for you if you are simply looking for three days of music
> that exactly fits your template.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Something for everyone - sorry!

> Cropredy is known to be an eclectic mix of stuff with something for
> everything.  You may have thought Viva Santana was crap, but the
> majority of the 20,000 crowd roared their approval. Maybe Cropredy
> just isn't for you if you are simply looking for three days of music
> that exactly fits your template.

Just go fuck yourself.

On 28 Aug, 23:56, "Jeremiah Harbottle"
 wrote:
> > Cropredy is known to be an eclectic mix of stuff with something for
> > everything.  You may have thought Viva Santana was crap, but the
> > majority of the 20,000 crowd roared their approval. Maybe Cropredy
> > just isn't for you if you are simply looking for three days of music
> > that exactly fits your template.
>
> Just go fuck yourself.

That last remark only confirms my suspicions - Cropredy just isn't for
you I'm afraid.

On 29 Aug, 09:28, Zeke  wrote:
> On 28 Aug, 23:56, "Jeremiah Harbottle"
>
>  wrote:
> > >Cropredyis known to be an eclectic mix of stuff with something for
> > > everything.  You may have thought Viva Santana was crap, but the
> > > majority of the 20,000 crowd roared their approval. MaybeCropredy
> > > just isn't for you if you are simply looking for three days of music
> > > that exactly fits your template.
>
> > Just go fuck yourself.
>
> That last remark only confirms my suspicions -Cropredyjust isn't for
> you I'm afraid.

Anyone knowing how Cropredy markets itself and then reading this
thread might be thinking 'so much for the friendly festival'
I ran a little competition at my blog - http://salutlive.com
- and the winner (two tickets for the festival) wrote a very measured
piece on his likes and dislikes, which I posted in full (don't ask for
the link - easy enough to find if you visit the site).
It was only my second Cropredy, The first was several years ago. It
was very wet as we arrived,  there were 40-deep toilet queues and
someone on stage was doing Sandy (as I thought) not very well.
The 2007 event for me was just the Friday (Cropredy was for me just
one element of a charged weekend back in the UK from France).
But I loved it. Viva Santana were not especially my glass of plonk but
sang and played well enough to hold interest. Show of Hands were
superb and Liege and Lief, and particularly Chris While,   will stick
in the mind for ever. I had to go before Richard Thompson but left
wishing I could stay for the rest of the weekend. That is some
compliment from me since I was driving after L&L and was therefore
dry, a state I dislike in conjunction with music.