As Festivals Director I've become somewhat concerned by comments made in response to the ValeFest music project's first pilot festival, Winterval, which as regular readers will know, took place in and around the Vale of Belvoir at the end of January.
It feels like the committee is expected to deliver perfect events from the outset, without being given space or time to test ideas and, more specifically, to be allowed to make mistakes.
Events, like almost anything else, have to develop over time, as Scott Berkun suggests in his book, 'The Myths of Innovation',
"The dirty little secret - the fact often denied - is that unlike the mythical epiphany, real creation is sloppy. Discovery is messy; exploration is dangerous. No one knows what he’s going to get when he is being creative.
"Creative work cannot fit neatly into plans, budgets, and schedules. Magellan, Lewis and Clark, and Captain Kirk were all sent on missions into the unknown with clear understanding that they might not return with anything, or even return at all."
Messy and dangerous in its way, ValeFest has already proved it's capable of delivering the goods. It's a good beginning.* * * * * * * * * * *
A number of radio listeners have been in touch asking what was meant by my reference to Quincy Jones' 'living Grammy record' in last week's blog.
The answer is reasonably simple;
Hungarian-born orchestral and operatic conductor Sir George Solti was awarded the most Grammies ever, winner of 31 awards and mentioned on a further 7: 6 won by an engineer and 1 by a soloist.
Sir George died in 1997.
Quincy Jones has so far won 27 Grammy awards. He has a prodigious musical output and shows no sign of slowing down. He could well win further awards in coming years.
Including her wins of a week ago, Alison Krauss has so far been presented with 26 Grammies. She too has a vast output and is, of course, far younger than Jones.
Whether Alison Krauss can overtake Quincy Jones and if either will succeed in beating Sir George's all-time Grammy award-winning record, time alone will tell.
Pleased as I was to see Duffy, Estelle and Adele receive Grammy honours, I was chuffed to bits that BB King, now 83 years of age, has been recognised for his brilliant album, 'One Kind Favour'.
Possibly his best work of the past 10 or more years, this album compares favourably with the all-time best Traditional Blues Albums.
Incredible work justly rewarded.
As if that wasn't enough, the Blind Boys of Alabama won their fifth Traditional Gospel Grammy for the fantastic 'Down in New Orleans'. What an amazing legacy for gospel music.
But it was Robert Plant who with Alison Krauss (now winner of 26 Grammy awards!) who picked up 5 awards and stole this year's show.
The blissful harmonies and delicate production by T Bone Burnett rightly won 'Raising Sand' Album of the Year, plus Record of the Year for Just Read the Letter, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for Rich Woman, Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album & Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, for Killing the Blues. Some haul!
And Alison Krauss is now just one Grammy away from Quincy Jones's living record of 27 Grammy wins.
Finally, because it was released earlier in the States which brought it into the eligibility period, my current album of the month, the fabulous Dr John & the Lower 911, with their album 'City that Care Forgot', won the gong for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Happy? If there had been a chandelier handy I would still be swinging from it!* * * * * * * * * * *
After the success of ValeFest's pilot music festival, Winterval (25-31 January) here in the Vale of Belvoir (pronounced 'Beaver'), I've received some quite humbling comments and testimonials from children, bands and others involved in the project.
Taking on the task without payment, if anyone ever asks whether all the effort to bring the community together through music, promote local musicians and help the local economy was worthwhile, I have only to look at those messages.
Some are or will be featured the ValeFest website shortly. Meanwhile, here's an example from a Vale of Belvoir venue manager;
"After talking to Mitch at length about the idea of ValeFest I decided it was a great idea and I'm glad we got involved.
"We thought at The Manners Arms that we would be best suited to an acoustic session held in our bar and lounge area, partly due to the night we chose and also the question would we fill it?
"Well, what can I say? - we had the busiest Thursday in months! We were full from 7.30 til close and a great night was had by all.
"This is definitely something we'd do again and help to support the ValeFest vision."
The Surfaris: Wipeout
Jools Holland & his RBO with Ruby Turner: Honey hush
Jools Holland & his RBO with Louise Marshall: I went by
Louis Armstong: Build me a kiss to build a dream on
Paul Anka: Smells like teen spirit
Lucinda Williams: Still I long for your kiss
Dr John & the Lower 911: Keep in goin'
Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet: Awful lonely
Seasick Steve: Started out with nothin'
Humphrey Lyttleton & his Orchestra: St Louis blues
Irma Thomas & Marcia Ball: Look up
Cyril Neville: This is my country
BB King: Midnight blues
Ben Waters: Hurricane
Martin Simpson: Pretty crowing chicken
Kris Kristofferson: A moment of forever
The Blind Boys of Alabama: I've got a home
Launching ValeFest WINTERVAL:
live tracks from Fiona Springer (vocals) & Chris Green (guitar)
Don't get around much any more
Ain't got nothin' but the blues
Georgia on my mind
Route 66
Passin' by
Click on image to download Winterval poster.
I'm incredibly proud of what ValeFest, Vale of Belvoir Festival of Live Music, has achieved in realising its first week-long festival across the Vale, Melton Mowbray and Grantham, 25-31 January 2009.
Bringing the community together through music, there is something in the events programme for everyone.
For a full list of activities see www.valefest.com
If you enjoy music why don't you come along? I look forward to meeting you.
As Festivals Director I've become somewhat concerned by comments made in response to the ValeFest music project's first pilot festival, Winterval, which as regular readers will know, took place in and around the Vale of Belvoir at the end of January.
