Canterbury Sound Festival

Mount Ephrahim Gardens, Canterbury, England, July 30th 1970 2000


Top left to bottom right - Don't know, audience at sunset, Gong and audience,
Gong, Caravan (honest), Arthur Brown goes walkabout.

Ian

I didn't really go to this festival with any intention of doing a review - just to enjoy myself. But feel I owe it to the organisers to state just how much I did enjoy myself and maybe encourage our readers to go to the festival next year.

The first thing that strikes you on arrival is the perfect English setting. Approached by some country roads Mount Ephraim is a large English country estate usually only known for its landscaped gardens. We arrived just in time to see the first major act of the day Man from Wales. Good set but to be honest they seemed a bit lost in the festival surroundings and are better suited to playing small halls or pub venues.

David

Man were already on as I arrived and playing 'The Ride & The View'. It may not have been their best performance but on a sunny day in an idyllic setting it was great to hear a guitar band who jam. They also played C'mon, Stuck Inside The Popemobile (from their current album Endangered Species), another track I couldn't name and finally 'Many Are Called But Few Get Up'. Regular keyboard player Phil Ryan was absent but whoever was playing the keyboards did a grand job. Overall not the tightest of Man sets but as I said those guitars still sound fine.

Ian

Next up was Arthur Brown and his Crazy World playing an acoustic set. Started (rather tempting the fates) by doing a cover of Dylan's a 'Hard Rain', it was getting a little stormy at that time but luckily it blew over. Arthur, dressed as a Victorian country Gentleman was perfect for the surroundings. A great showman with a great voice. The last track of his set was of course 'Fire' (The full album version) but did he tease the crowd! Stopping the track just before the famous "I am the god of Hellfire" bit to joke with the audience about being a "one track act" and how much control that gives him over the audience to tease with the opening etc. He then walked off the stage and sung the track whilst walking (with a radio mic) amongst the gathered throng.

David

This as the first time I had seen Arthur Brown live and he was immensely entertaining, serving up a sort of gothic acoustic set backed by cello, percussion and acoustic guitar. In addition to the numbers Ian has mentioned he also sang 'I've Put A Spell On You'. My kids age 7 and 10 loved him.

Ian

Next up were a reformed Coliseum featuring John Hiseman (one of the worlds finest drummers) Dave Greenslade (perhaps best known for his 70's prog keyboard extravaganzas) and blues man Chris Farlowe on vocals. Great English late 60s jazz-rock set. Outstanding track was a cover of Jack Bruce's 'Theme From An Imaginary Western'

David

This was also my first time seeing Coliseum. They served up some excellent jazz-rock but in places it seemed rather dated and overall lacking soul. Fine playing from all concerned with Clem Clempson and Dick Heckstall-Smith really making me sit up and take notice. Could have done without the drum solo though. These things should have been banned years ago.

Ian

Then the band that I had really come for - Broadcasting live by Radio Gnome the one and only - GONG! Playing two or three tracks from their latest album combined with a couple of classic (inc. Masterbuilder). The band, as usual, swept me away. Like with the best of Phish jamming - one minute you are standing there just listening the next moment you are IN and WITH the music - your whole being / soul, whatever you want to call it, just surfing the crest of each musical wave. Often described as the Godfathers of the UK Dance scene (The Chemical Brothers state them as a major influence) you will never find a finer bunch of silly English / Australian pseudo French eccentrics. I JUST LOVE THIS BAND - AND SO DID THE CROWD.

David

I fully agree with Ian on this one, Gong were the highlight of the day delivering silliness and trance funk in almost equal measures. Ladies and gentlemen we were floating in space. Didier wasn't there but Theo Travis filled the sax post admirably and as I said for their Hammersmith gig a few months back, Gwyo on keyboards really has improved the sound.

Ian

Each band had been restricted to an hour set but by the time Caravan (who paid for this whole event) came on things were running behind. Caravan must be considered THE Canterbury band but unfortunately things were against them and with restricted time and sound problems only had time to put in a five song set (one of which was a medley of a early less well known tracks). They ended with the classic "Nine Feet Underground' and with apologies to all that because of the time restriction/curfew they had no time to do the traditional 'Golf Girl' encore - a shame but that was the only thing that spoilt a great day (except the beer tent running out at 5pm).

David

Caravan were OK but not exceptional with the highlight for me being the tracks from Girls That Grow Plump In The Night which I haven't heard live for very long time if ever. Pye's voice seemed a bit shaky throughout and I am not at all sure that Dougie's admittedly brilliant guitar really suits the band. It was great to have Geoffrey Richardson back on flute and viola. The medley of tracks from different era's put together by David Sinclair was another highlight but they really must lose that awful Liar song. Sadly I had to leave before Nine Feet Underground with two very exhausted but happy children. They had a great time and so did I. Thanks Caravan. Any possibility of getting Richard to guest next year?

Ian

Restricted to an audience of 3000 (I don't think it sold out) - this was the most peaceful, relaxing well organised musical event I have ever attended. Everyone was friendly to everyone else. People brought in picnics complete with chairs and tables. Kids (let in for free) safely explored the ornamental gardens. Even the beer and food were at normal pub prices.

Everyone was there for one reason only, a love of good music played well. I look forward the July 14th next year !!! Just hope the weather then will be as perfect as it was this day.

David

Seconded! I'll be there next year as well. Hopefully they'll get a slightly better PA and move the mixing desk to the front of the stage rather than off to one side. All it needs is Roy Harper and it will be more like 1971 than 2001 - and why not too! What's so funny about peace love and understanding?

David & Ian August 2000