By Derek Brandon

THE SUN CERTAINLY SHONE on John Les & Gill Williams - and on the rest of us! The scene at Conwy in the Public Park was idyllic - just take a look at the front cover ! There were jam sessions here, there and everywhere; barbecues; dancing both in and out of the tents, set on the all-but-level ground; picking ’til the real early hours - couldn’t go wrong. The concerts in the main hall in the town went off to perfection, despite the heat, with excellent audio.

Debbie McClatchy Quilting at North Wales    

Many of the usual bands were there but I won’t go into them - the one thing I will tell you about is something I thought I never would, and that’s the ‘Old-Time’ slots from Debbie McClatchy. This ‘girl’ is something else - a ‘born natural’ from near State College in the very centre of Pennsylvania, in the Northern Appalachians. She comes over as ‘the real thing’ more than any I’ve ever seen. She told tales, frailed banjo and sang - and laughed (if that’s the word!) in a most infectious way. She held the audience, solo, like no-one I’ve ever seen on a similar stage. Songs from her past, trad songs, children’s songs, comedy numbers - every one perfectly performed. And when not performing she sat in the audience and listened to, but didn’t necessarily watch, the other bands. Debbie made the festival for Jean, who actually listens to the words.

In the photo I caught her unawares, at the White Lightning concert in the marquee, quilting on her knee! What else can I say? If you’re a folkie book her at your local club - she’ll go down a bomb! And, unlike many currently in the folk scene who are bankrupting it, she won’t charge an exhorbitant fee. What’s more, like any single girl, she just loves for the guys to buy her a pint!

Updated 23rd Jan 1999