Seth Lakeman at the Station Sessions
(DCFC post to come later. But right now I am having all the feelings about Seth Lakeman after finally meeting him after ... wow, it really has been six years.)
So I first heard about him after he was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2005. I was having violin lessons, and then this guy turns up on tv playing the fiddle and singing at the same time. Love at first sight. Before this, I wasn't into folk music at all, and I am so glad he changed my mind. Classical music is great, it really is, but folk music just has a... more raw energy. I find, anyway. Some of the most fun I've had has been playing at a ceilidh with my folk music group at school.
Anyway. I waited, and waited, and waited, but he doesn't really come on tour 'up north' too much, and I was too young to go to Manchester to see him live, even though I'd heard all the wonderful things about his concerts. I was stuck with CDs.
Until it was announced that he would be playing a free(!) gig at St. Pancras rail station. I couldn't NOT go. Hour and a half trip or not Thank god for university! It was only a short set - played six songs (I think). But he played Send Yourself Away and Kitty Jay, which are a couple of my absolute favourites. I HAVE to go to one of his actual gigs, someday. He did say he was going to come back to London around March. Not at the last place he played, though - apparently he was blacklisted for making too much noise. I'm not really sure why the venue agreed to host a band (he usually has a couple of other people with him on bass and drums) and not expect them to make noise...
This is the end of Kitty Jay, recorded on my phone, though, so hardly the best quality.
Here have another - better - video:
I still remain consumed with jealousy at his violin playing. I suck at double stopping, so I could never play any of his songs on violin.
And then this happened:
I was not at all expecting for him to stay behind afterwards. He was so, so lovely. One girl was taking a picture for her friend and said her hands were shaking too much, and he just said 'Take a couple'. And when he put his arm around me it wasn't even a cursory thing, he actually pulled me to him and gripped my shoulder. I... Yeah. Just about managed to stay cool. Was not prepared was not prepared Good day, I think!
So I first heard about him after he was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2005. I was having violin lessons, and then this guy turns up on tv playing the fiddle and singing at the same time. Love at first sight. Before this, I wasn't into folk music at all, and I am so glad he changed my mind. Classical music is great, it really is, but folk music just has a... more raw energy. I find, anyway. Some of the most fun I've had has been playing at a ceilidh with my folk music group at school.
Anyway. I waited, and waited, and waited, but he doesn't really come on tour 'up north' too much, and I was too young to go to Manchester to see him live, even though I'd heard all the wonderful things about his concerts. I was stuck with CDs.
Until it was announced that he would be playing a free(!) gig at St. Pancras rail station. I couldn't NOT go. Hour and a half trip or not Thank god for university! It was only a short set - played six songs (I think). But he played Send Yourself Away and Kitty Jay, which are a couple of my absolute favourites. I HAVE to go to one of his actual gigs, someday. He did say he was going to come back to London around March. Not at the last place he played, though - apparently he was blacklisted for making too much noise. I'm not really sure why the venue agreed to host a band (he usually has a couple of other people with him on bass and drums) and not expect them to make noise...
This is the end of Kitty Jay, recorded on my phone, though, so hardly the best quality.
Click to viewHere have another - better - video:
I still remain consumed with jealousy at his violin playing. I suck at double stopping, so I could never play any of his songs on violin.
And then this happened:
I was not at all expecting for him to stay behind afterwards. He was so, so lovely. One girl was taking a picture for her friend and said her hands were shaking too much, and he just said 'Take a couple'. And when he put his arm around me it wasn't even a cursory thing, he actually pulled me to him and gripped my shoulder. I... Yeah. Just about managed to stay cool. Was not prepared was not prepared Good day, I think!