Fabulous feedback about our Cowalfest concerts
Item Posted: Tuesday 1st November , 2005
We felt very privileged to be able to watch Jamie and his fellow musicians. It was a truly unique and refreshing experience to watch such a gifted natural performer. Our son Alasdair took part in the fiddle workshop. He is 13 and was truly mesmerised by the performance at the concert in the evening. An unforgettable experience.
Fiona, Duncan and Alasdair MacKinnon, Dumfries and Galloway
I'm writing just to say that the folk in the row behind us came from Mannheim to hear Donald Black -not for the Cowalfest as a whole, or to visit Scotland. I'm sure that they were not the only ones to come to this country only to hear him.
Donald Black's technique is extraordinary: he does some things that are very difficult to do on the mouth organ, and you couldn't tell unless you tried them for yourself. His passionate intensity and stage presence are also very attractive….
Jamie Laval has a rare purity of tone and mastery of the music. His powers of enchantment make him a star, and (he gives) a supernatural impression.
David and Evie Campbell
I chatted to a lot of people at your sell-out concert at Strachur. A surprising number were from overseas - including Alaska, Australia, USA, Germany. One lady had come from Denmark, specifically to see and hear Jamie Laval – but decided to stay and do some walking as well.
Everyone I talked to thought that Cowalfest was outstanding, and that having a range of other events such as your traditional music concerts added enormously to their overall enjoyment of the festival. The increased variety of events must be good for tourism and local businesses - as well, of course, as being a great benefit to the local communities. Anne Rendall, Dundee
In my capacity as a Scottish Tourist Guide, I brought along 6 people from USA who had requested a traditional music concert as part of their tour itinerary. I tailored our itinerary that night to stay in Dunoon (therefore using local hotels and facilities). They really enjoyed the concert and remarked how nice it was and different from the States, as the people were so friendly, it had a 'village' atmosphere compared to a large city concert hall and they had not expected to hear such high class music in a small area. They said it was more than what they had hoped to encounter on their visit here in Scotland and were delighted with the music. This shows that providing music of such a high standard, as part of Cowalfest or any such other initiatives will encourage visitors to Scotland into the area and they will spread the word about the quality and high standards of our concerts. Kathy Cameron, Inverarary
All four were not only talented, thoroughly professional and technically at ease with their instruments, but were all genuinely nice folk who were a pleasure to work with. They were very comfortable in engaging with their audience afterwards which is a rare thing nowadays, believe me. Ron Simon, Highgate Halls, Strone
I came along as Donnie Black is my cousin - but I really enjoyed the whole evening, and the American fiddler inspired me to pick up my fiddle again, which I haven't done in years (luckily I can still kinda get a tune out of it!).I would be really interested in details of not only concerts etc you are holding, but also any info on fiddle workshops. Karen Alexander, Oban
To have easy access to such outstanding musicians, promoting the delights of Scottish traditional music and culture in such stunningly beautiful surroundings has provided the icing on the cake for our move to the wonderful Cowal peninsula. Bill and Val Cassidy, Sandbank
An unforgettable experience. I booked walks for Saturday and Sunday, and the "traditional music concert" for something to fill the evening between. When the time came, I wondered about staying at home, not least because I thought it wouldn't be very enjoyable to go alone. I was so wrong.
I had no idea of the line up until the concert started - I think I was expecting to hear local schoolchildren or similar - certainly not a 'national champion' fiddler as the supporting act. Jamie Laval's playing was just so good, showing how classical violin training really can be adapted to Celtic fiddle. One of the pieces must have been a lament because it brought a lump to my throat. At the interval the older lady next to me said that she had "never heard anything like it".
Donald Black and Malcolm Jones were, of course, excellent as well, although the 'moothie' doesn't speak to me in quite the same way as fiddle music. And, unlike Jamie, Donald entertained us verbally between sets. All in all, delightful. When the second interval came and I realised there was more to come, I dashed off to get a key to my digs so I wouldn't be locked out, and got back just in time for the raffle draw. The rainbows must have meant something - my one strip of tickets won the Jamie Laval cd.
Then they showed us how all four artistes could play together. Maybe they finally realised we had been so quiet not through disinterest, but because we wanted to listen to them rather than to ourselves, when the audience insisted on hearing more ... and more ... but remained so courteous in its enthusiasm.
The other memorable thing about the evening was that - despite the professional line-up and the distance that some people had travelled to be there - it was, first and foremost, a local community event. Where else could you find such entertainment for a £7 ticket? Where else would you get a plate of home baking at the interval? Where else would the performance wait for lost property found in the car park to be returned to its owners? And where else would you be able to help put the chairs away afterwards? Maybe this is the special quality that it will be easiest (and most detrimental) to lose as the fame and fortune of the festival grows? It was just perfect this time.
Now I'm back on the east coast, sitting at the computer with very stiff legs from walking and Laval in the cd drive, wondering occasionally if there might be time sometime to dig out the violin from schoolgirl Youth Orchestra days and try to make a few notes adding a bit of a Scottish lilt ..... viva Cowalfest and the Fiddle Workshop, and thanks so much for the memory.
Dr Olivia Bragg, Geography Department,University of Dundee
We do welcome the raft of events now taking place in the area which must do a great deal to improve life in the community, indeed some of those on the walks had attended the concert previously and that helped form common bonds.
It does however take a lot of effort usually by a chosen few so thanks to you and your wife obviously and to all the others for all the hard work which went in to it.
Bruce and Jackie Smith, Glasgow
We both thoroughly enjoyed the sets performed by each pair of artistes - very different.
Lynn had doubts about mouth-organ music when we booked but found it fascinating and great fun. Jamie Laval seemed so relaxed about his playing yet produced some fabulous music.
Both groups displayed sheer enjoyment in their music, and this transmitted itself to the audience. They were world-class musicians and it's great to have such talent playing in such a small venue. Lynn & David Pratt
I do think you have all worked very hard and should be congratulated on what you have managed to achieve over the week. Angela Barnes, Kilmun
I enjoyed the atmosphere and the sheer pleasure at being able to see such great musicians at work, they complemented each other so well, their talents were unbeatable. I also congratulate everyone who helped to put this venue together - they also put so much into given everyone the chance to enjoy good music.
I hope you are given the support you need to continue with Cowalfest.
I moved up here three years ago and can hardly believe the talent in this area.
May I continue to be able to appreciate it all, thank you. Joy Handley
Last Saturday's concert was definitely one of the best the Fiddle Workshop has put on. There was a terrific atmosphere in the hall and the performers evidently enjoyed the reactions of the capacity audience. Only one thing was wrong: we didn't get enough of each set of performers: please can we have a full evening of each pair next time! Caroline Wilson
On holiday we happened to pick up a brochure of the Arts part of Cowalfest . Although expat Scots we had never been to a traditional music concert before. The standard of the music was superb. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and would come to another such concert. We come up to see our families, and now would plan to be in Strone to coincide with the next Cowalfest.
I bought the CDs and have been enjoying Donald Black's very much.
Many thanks to you, and the other organisers, for putting on such a successful event.
Good luck for next year! Rosemary Thomson Esher, Surrey
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening at Strachur. We were on holiday and this was our first night, what a nice surprise it was to find the music festival on. We also visited Dunoon on Thursday and saw a Harpist and Celloist playing on the seafront, in the open air. We felt that the community spirit during the Strachur night was something we have not witnessed for a number of years and it gave us faith that all people are not tainted by the way society is usually portrayed. Please can you pass on our thanks to all of the local community involved, and we hope to visit for future Cowalfests. Jane & Martin Goodwin, Southport
Loved the concert, especially Jamie. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him playing especially as his fiddle workshop had drawn my attention to some of the finer points of his fiddling so I appreciated it even more. The atmosphere was great and it had a really lively community feel to it.
Moira Witherow
The opening concerts were a big success. The music quality was excellent and content well balanced. Clearly everyone enjoyed themselves from the clapping and stamping of feet! Strachur had a bigger audience, which always means a better atmosphere, but they have the advantage of prior knowledge of Lochgoil concerts, so they know they are in for a treat. Strone was quieter, but nonetheless I think it went down well with those who attended and hopefully they will spread the word for next year. Anne Fiddes, Strachur
We were intending spending the night at Inverary, but when we saw the concert
poster at the Loch Fyne "Oyster" place we decided we'd like to go to it.As for the concert itself - it was superb!! We both really enjoyed it and thought the hospitality was excellent. Please keep us informed of future events and thank you and your colleagues for a wonderful homely evening and first class music. Linda More, Drymen
My sister and I thoroughly enjoyed your rapturous concert. Although it was my first visit to Scotland and I saw unbelievable sights for the first time, your concert was by far the highlight of my trip! As a harpist, I've witnessed quite a few concerts and heard some awesome musicians but never have experienced an evening like that night. Your beautiful soul was shining through to the audience and transforming us all. I hope you'll come to Germany with Hans soon, but if not, I'll attempt to get back to the States just to hear you again. I can't wait to hear the CD!!!
Linda Beougher and sister (Germany and Alaska)
First of all... thank you so much for the very warm welcome, friendliness and hospitality I received from both you and several people from Strone and Strachur communities.
I never expected this 'open arms' attitude from total strangers, but everybody I had some contact with made me feel as a special dear guest and a part of your community.
I will never ever forget this, and it will be the most important reason for me to come back to join the festival in the years to come, and in 2007 I will bring my sister, so that she too can experience the lovely Cowal people.
I truly enjoyed the concerts, and not only are they both so very fine musicians... they are great entertainers as well! Wonderful music combined with jokes and fun and a strong feeling of a warm connection between musicians and audience.
To see this top professional duo, who are both used to play for thousands of people in the big venues, playing with so much intensity and enthusiasm for a small audience in a small venue, was really something of an experience. To me they gave the impression, that Strone and Strachur were exactly the places they wanted to play on those nights, and I cannot strongly enough recommend everybody to join one of their concerts when possible.
It is my hope for Cowal and for your festival, that many other people will get interested in visiting this lovely part of Scotland. I didn't know much about the area before I came here, but that has certainly changed.
It will be hard to find a more welcoming and hospitable place to visit, and the fact that the festival can attract world class musicians like not only Donald Black and Malcolm Jones, but also high quality musicians like Jamie Laval and Hans York, tells its own story about the potential and ability this festival has to get even bigger.
It will be my pleasure to 'spread the word' and to encourage as many people as possible to visit your festival and enjoy the beautiful scenery in Cowal.
I know for sure... not ten wild horses can keep me away, I will be back for more of everything this place has to offer, which is quite a lot, and Cowal with its people now has its own big part of my heart. Karen Elise Tulle Sørensen, Denmark
We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The music was well - what can one say-out of this world. Having heard Donald Black once before we had an idea it would be good but it really surpassed all expectations. Donald MacKinnon, Ardrishaig