Gig - Bishopstock 2001: Introduction

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If it could go wrong, I'm afraid it did for Helen Myers, organiser of Bishopstock 2001. It's original and by now traditional May Bank holiday dates were killed off by the nationwide foot and mouth crisis; the rearranged festival for the August Bank Holiday weekend was clearly never going to maintain the original line-up but it still looked a wonderful three days when we all bought (or retained) our tickets.

So, it has to be said it was extremely disappointing to get to Bishops Court Palace on late Saturday morning and only then to be told that the likes of Otis Rush, 'Gatemouth' Brown, Corey Harris and the Delta Blues Cartel were not going to be appearing. With the exception of the latter, the other cancellations were

The Bishopstock Stage

known well enough in advance not to be included in the professionally produced Bishopstock souvenir programme - so it seems more than a little unfortunate that the paying public didn't get to hear about them until inside the festival grounds. Johnny Winter's cancellation on the day of his scheduled headlining performance because of ill health summed up the ill-luck that befell this year's festival.

It's clear with the benefit of hindsight that postponement of this year's festival might have been the better option, although as we shall see later the music and overall feel of the festival were still a highlight of the year. But as we go to press with this review, the Primer understands that the companies associated with the festival have gone into liquidation, proceedings apparently starting only hours after the festival ended and a creditors meeting is to be held in September (and the web site has also disappeared!!)

For all its difficulties, Bishopstock was yet again a terrific showcase for blues and soul, (the old and the new) and it will be terribly disappointing if it's gone for good - but the signs are not particularly promising. And yes, 2001 was still a very fine event and it does have a unique and wonderful atmosphere - pick your day below to find out more.....

Check out the reviews by clicking on the links below - great music in spite of all the difficulties....
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