The Yorkshire dales Bluegrass Festival, 1997
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Fine weather, a fine site, friendly people and real ale at £1.30 a pint made a promising start. The groups fulfilled that promise at the ‘Dalebilly Festival’, 18th to 20th July. The star event of the Friday evening was White Lightning and it wasn’t surprising to learn that they’re one of the four groups nominated for the Best Bluegrass Group of 1997. They’re young, energetic, enthusiastic and a bundle of talent. Talking of “young and energetic”; not all bluegrass fans are, which leads to a dilemma for festival organisers. At about 11 p.m., when the star turn begins their set, we’re bound to see some of these older folk getting up and heading off home to bed; they have sat there for 3 hours and, not unnaturally, are tired. With empty seats the atmosphere is lost and the group can’t help but be disheartened. What about putting the main group on in the penultimate spot? After that everybody’s merry and will have a good time whoever comes on! The Down County Boys... Well, that’s what 30 years of practise does for you. There’s a program on Radio 4 called The Tingle Factor , a choice of music which makes one’s hair stand on end and a thrill run down the spine. Sinner Man from the The Down County Boys is a natural for this; not only are the traditional harmonies superb but in the final harmony of the chorus they find a chord which is out of this world... What was that? Who did that? Am I hearing things? Next time round... No, there it is again ! They’ve added a new colour to the rainbow! I nearly yelled my first “Yee-Haaa”!!! Patrick Hatton, Southport, UK Click for general Yorks Dales festival details
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