Folk 'n Acoustic, anyone??

What a week it’s been !  Last Saturday’s (10 Dec) “Cape Town Folk ‘n Acoustic Music Festival“  at the Cape Town International Convention Center was the first such gathering of some 22+ musicians from different parts of South Africa, plus a few from overseas.  The theme was folk stuff from the 1970’s, but I certainly heard more contemporary forms of ‘folk’ bordering admirably on funk, rock, and jazz – a “musical universalism”!  My only worry about such music offerings was that it was ALL GUITAR and voice!  The occasional percussion and accordion thrown in. (Not to mention 99% White attendance.)  Perhaps, this was because so many artists performed, singly or in duos, without their usual bands, to keep the price ‘affordable’.  But I think more just to hear the musical mastery of these individual artists. So for R180, the evening resonated with a good 4 hours of splendid, eclectic, and impressive acoustics.  I’d say, good value for money.

On the bill was:

Janie Bay and her brother, ‘Beard’, in a guitar duo;   Jullie Blundell and Christina Weir in dual guitar and singing;  Gavin Minter (who put this whole festival together!) singing on guitar with Mark Fransman on his rarely heard small accordion;  Louise Day played an interesting rendition of “You are my sunshine”;  Brian Finch showed off his 40 years of experience;  Tombstone Pete proudly took us through a rocking song commemorating his 8 months out of rehab!!   Using his guiitar as percussion.

After a much needed break to revive and breathe a bit, the next set included:

Guy Buttery did a ufo-styled piece, which was more electro-centric than acoustic, I thought, but certainly eiry – a “Martian folk” experiment. Playing his guitar flat on his lap allowed for percussion sounds to resonate. What a performer!  Then there was the young “Machineri” who has cut her first album; Rory Eliot presented a powerful and emotional piece. He was my favorite of the night!

Another break.  Then the firey Jack Mantis with an accordion duo. He’s off to USA for 3 months shortly. Young Natasha Meister from Canada blew us all away with cheers as she belted out a bluesy one with an impressive raspy voice punctuated with full-blown confidence. She announced that she was the first woman musician to be endorsed by Fender.  Then came Steve Newman with his always entertaining round banjo guitar.  Farryl Purkiss performed his adept guitar/harmonica pieces. Ard Matthews Just Jinger rounded out this splendid evening .  I think I’ll go again next year!  I think I’ll buy some CDs, too!