On a late-August Bank Holiday weekend when folk music lovers are spoilt for choice, with big-label events such as Shrewsbury and Towersey, and the last knockings of Whitby providing succour, alongside others such as the Cornwall and Cottingham Folk Festivals, other smaller but none-the-less important and enjoyable gatherings, often one-day events such as Over The Hill, might get overlooked. It is one-such, together with the artists involved, that will provide the focus for this brief review.
Now in its third year, The Mid Sussex Americana & Ale Festival is hosted by Hassocks resident James Walker, managing director of Brighthelmstone Promotions. Conveniently situated next to Hassocks railway station, the appropriately named Hassocks Hotel, with its renowned 300 capacity hall and glorious outside area, provided the location for the event, whilst an extensive range of tasty ales were supplied by the local Bedlam Brewery.
Thus, on a Saturday morning, I pitched up for nigh on twelve hour’s worth of music, featuring eleven acts. With three of these appearing during the afternoon on the Proper Cycle Cafe outdoor stage, it is debatable whether it was cooler inside the hall or outside where it was approaching 30 degrees. Despite the ‘Americana’ festival billing, as often seems to be the case, categories become blurred, and many of the artists who performed will be well-known to ‘folkies’ and their appearance on the bill gives an idea of the quality of live music that was available on a day away from the aforementioned ‘biggies’.
First up indoors, were Lucas & King, winners of the Fender Undiscovered Artist Of The Year 2018 and described here at Folk Radio UK as an “Exceptional duo”. With songs reflecting country, 60’s pop and more, Bo Lucas’ vocals were well complemented by Hayleigh King‘s empathetic guitar playing. A real treat followed as Jason McNiff was the first to perform outside, and what a great, accomplished set it was too. His interpretation of Peter La Farge‘s Ballad of Ira Hayes was up there with those of Dylan, Cash and Townes Van Zant. Paul Woodgate‘s 2014 words in FRUK “A bounteous mix of the finest roots music has to offer” still ring true.
A recurring feature of this mini-festival is the appearance of another Hassocks resident, Ben Featherstone. His gentle voice, at times reminiscent to these ears of I Am A Bird Now era Antony & The Johnsons was augmented on this occasion by some wonderfully symbiotic fiddle accompaniment from Charlie Cole. Two particular highlights from this eclectic set were St Catherine’s Hill and set-closer Chasing Stars. Look out for his very recently, 23rd August, released, 10-years-in-the making, Prisoner To The Wind, it promises to be special.
Back outdoors and a performance from one of the two acts from the US appearing on the bill. Originally from Woodbury, Connecticut, but now residing in Oxford, Loud Mountains have gained somewhat of a reputation for raucous live shows. Today, however, saw Sean Duggan appear solo, giving a good-humoured, entertaining half-hour set, including a great cover of Dancing In The Dark, (interestingly the second time I’ve heard this in a week, following a version by Blair Dunlop at Folk East too). An album release from the group still appears to be on the cards, despite brother Kevin’s recent decision to re-locate stateside.
Lucy Feliz, signed to the Union Music Label in Lewes, is currently being touted as one of the most intriguing songwriters in Sussex¸ being described, in her losfeliz guise at FRUK, as “the High Priestess of alt-folk” Performing in a trio, with Korg and drums, (apparently only the second occasion for the latter), which I believe will be recording a forthcoming release and then allied tour, the spot was atmospheric, with Lucy Powell‘s ethereal voice truly delivering a hybrid of alt-folk, indie pop and luminous nostalgia, despite some PA gremlins. Ones to watch out for. The final outdoor act, Society, treated the sun-worshippers to a melodic, good time, up-beat thirty minutes of their take on country/Americana-tinged music, with a new song, Indian Queen, being particularly well-received.
One of the anticipated highlights for me was always going to be the chance to catch Jamie Freeman playing live once more. Following the release of his exceptional May 2019 album Dreams of Falling, reviewed in Folk Radio UK here, along with an enthusiastic audience, I was not to be disappointed. With a set-list comprising mostly of songs from this recording, it was a consummate performance of the highest quality. The delivery of his latest single, The Fire, (official video here), co-written with Ben Glover, was poignant, moving and inspirational in equal measure, a song-writing tour-de-force, whilst the addition of a Taylor Swift‘s Lover, learnt only that very morning, was an added bonus – really!
An energetic set form Porchlight Smoker followed. Once described by Bob Harris as “An Absolute Gem” their superb blend of American Roots, courtesy of Scott Smith from Wichita, Kansas and Scotsman Steve Bell’s Celtic folk influence, with occasional clarinet added for good measure, also encompassed country blues with a great rendition of What You Gonna Do When The Well Runs Dry? Humour also ran like a thread through the set, as, in a display of one-upmanship, the status of the humble murder-ballad tradition was elevated several notches by the delivery of a mass-murder ballad.
Songs from their highly acclaimed latest release Fair Lady London, described by editor-in-chief Alex Gallacher as “yet another beautifully crafted and delicately delivered gem that will delight old fans and new” featured heavily in a beautiful set from Trevor Moss & Hannah Lou. The couple really do seem to go from strength to strength, and We Should Have Gone Dancing once again left an indelible impression, whilst Grand Tales In Tired Covers from La ferme de Fontenaille was another highlight.
With Brighton & Hove Albion fans returning from a home defeat to local south coast rivals Southampton swelling the numbers in the Hassocks Hotel¸ and the high temperatures refusing to abate, the warm sounds of Philadelphia’s Native Harrow captivated the audience. At the start of a several-week sojourn in the UK, Devin Tuel, along with her musical partner Stephen Harms, proceeded to deliver Laurel Canyon-style folk rock that evinced Joni Mitchell and Judy Sill, whilst at the same time creating a fresh originality. Rarely has melancholy been so uplifting. Kudos too, to Devin for the professional way in which she dealt with a broken string! Their latest album, Happier Now is a gem and was glowingly reviewed here in Folk Radio UK.
Opportunities to witness solo performances from Danny George Wilson, frontman of Danny & The Champions of the World and band member of supergroup Bennett Wilson & Poole are rare indeed, a situation which, as The Teskey Brothers might say is a “crying shame”. Performing songs that drew on a back-catalogue that also included songs from his Grand Drive releases, including the quite superb Firefly, recent work with BWP was represented by Funny Guy whilst The Truest Kind and (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket from Danny & The Champs were reprised, along with a special tribute to Barry Everitt and the now, sadly defunct, Borderline Club, Every Beat Of My Heart. Danny’s performance had folk flocking in from outdoors, and it continues to be a real mystery as to why Danny, with his undoubted charisma and musical talent, is not garnering the recognition afforded others of lesser talent.
The heat was certainly not having any detrimental effects on the crowd as local Sussex heroes Noble Jacks, taking a night off from festival duties, graced the stage with a show that as a minimum can be described as an explosion of frenetically driven, fiddle-led, musical energy. When I last witnessed mainstays Will Page and Matty Deveson at the Great British Folk Festival in Skegness I was alerted to their particular brand of raucous music, but tonight I have to admit being in awe of the quantum leap they appear to have made in the presentation and musicality of their live performance. Exuberance personified, it was akin to watching the Charlie Daniels Band on (legal) stimulants. Catch them if you get even the faintest opportunity.
Closing act William the Conqueror have been garnering plaudits since their interview with FRUK in July 2017, and the band continue to go from strength to strength following the release of their Ethan Johns produced On the Soundtrack album. Tonight their set underlined this popularity and cemented the view that they have progressed exponentially since the release of debut Proud Disturber Of The Peace.
So, a rather full, but thoroughly enjoyable day, was had, and special thanks must be offered to all of the artists, volunteers and especially Jim Walker – proof, to paraphrase Schumacher, that “Small can be Beautiful”
