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Last week I discovered a gem of a Festival, namely "The Lewes Guitar Festival" just half an hour away from my home in Eastbourne.

I drove down on Tuesday afternoon and saw the delightful Devon Sproule from Central Virginia, videoed one of her songs and took loads of photos then met her after her fine set, got a signed CD and fell in love with her.

I repeated the exercise on Thursday, saw a young guy from England, James Chadwick again in the Lewes Castle Gardens and videoed part of his last song "Hallelujah" written by a world famous singer/songwriter whose name escapes me!

Go here for the James Chadwick version and enjoy the ambience of the Castle that I tried to create, http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mF9bT6UyV80

Well I never, I thought someone would have commented by now about James Chadwick's valiant attempt at "Hallelujah".

Hi Little Big Voice ~

I, for one, will make it a point to watch this tonite. I was so consumed by other matters last night that I completely forgot. No matter the outcome of my opinion, I'll make it a point to comment.

Thanks for bringing it here .


~ Lizzy

Dear Little Big Voice ~

I'm at home now and have just listened to James sing Hallelujah. I can understand your disappointment that no one commented on it. There are a number of things I enjoyed. I like when someone sings this song with a simple air of sincerity, as James does... and I like his undeveloped voice and his unpretentious way of relating with the audience. I like the way he quickens the pace with some of his words to keep the sound of the song from dragging. I appreciated the way he had the full attention of the crowd; except that of the very young one, who sounded a bit distracted... or, perhaps, excitedly 'singing' along .

I enjoy those simple, outdoor, sitting on the grass in a great environment, the wild flowers waving in the breeze, small and intimate concerts. A comfortable family day with attentive listeners. Lewes appears to be all of that. You did a great job of taking in the setting for us, your camera scanning the surrounding areas and people, including to the top of the stone towers. Beautiful castle walls and towers. Thank you even more now for bringing this to us. I love it that the concert was SOLAR powered, too !! I wish I had been there that day.

Now that I've given you my feedback, I'm going to watch and listen again.

Thanks.


~ Lizzy

Thank you for those kind words, I do try hard to please and share my enjoyment and my Sony Cyber-shot digital camera has never been so busy, since my daughter bought it for me out in Hong Kong ~ 18months ago.

It never ceases to amaze me what you can do with such a small camera and how it still picks up the sound pretty well, even when I take you flying past the Flag and up into The Castle Ramparts.

I had never met James Chadwick before and of all the artists that I saw at Lewes, see my videos for Devon Sproule and Emily Maguire, James was the most accomplished guitarist, although the sound of the sweet ladies' voices was better to my old ears.

Did you rate the James Chadwick video for me?

In the Castle setting this version of "Hallelujah" reminded me of the Movie "Shrek".

The flowers in the background on my video were most definitely not wild, they are all carefully nurtured by Lewes Corporation and I will post a photo of The Grange Gardens where Emily Maguire and Jill Barber performed, to show you the sheer beauty of these Lovely Formal English Gardens.



Jill Barber said onstage that she was badly jet-lagged from her flight from Halifax in Nova Scotia, but took a walk through those gardens that morning and asked herself "What have I done to deserve this good luck?".

The Gorgeous Grange Gardens in Lewes, East Sussex.

You must always take time out, "TO STOP & SMELL THE ROSES".

Did you rate the James Chadwick video for me?

No, I didn't, LittleBigVoice. I completely forgot about that part... and I returned to it once again last night before I went to bed. It was the last thing I saw and heard before turning off my computer. I'll return and do that, though. Thanks for the reminder . I'll check out your other videos, too. You've clearly been putting your daughter's gift to good use and having lots of fun with it, as you do. I really do appreciate your taking in the whole of the scene you experienced, instead of just staying focused on the stage. When Lightning video'd Odetta in N.Y.C., she did that, too. It makes such a nice difference.

The flowers in the background on my video were most definitely not wild, they are all carefully nurtured by Lewes Corporation

Proof positive that some of our errors can open new and wonderful doors that we never dreamed were there ! I would have to feel as Emily did. Astonishingly beautiful... especially the second one with the women and children sitting on the grass. My eyes can't believe the richness of what they're seeing. All the stone and the trees play as important a part, as well. In what part of England is Lewes? What is its nearest largest city? I may see what I can do to get that photo printed out and framed. It's just too beautiful to stay locked away in a thread here.

Lewes is perfection as a setting for a concert. Thanks for adding to what you originally posted here. I feel like I've taken a mini trip to England .

Hallelujah !!!


~ Lizzy

Well Lizzy I am not one for bribes but if you rate James Chadwick's "Hallelujah" well, then I am prepared to print some of my photos of Lewes in East Sussex on The Sunshine Coast of Olde Englande, if you could somehow, secretly give me an address!

I would gladly accept such a beautiful gift, LittleBigVoice, and the bribery term can be dispensed with... I thoroughly appreciate your efforts in bringing a full experience to the viewers of your video and I would rate it high, regardless.

I've not been there yet, to do so or to see your others; I had some paperwork to do, so went where I could sit outside and drink coffee at a great, new little place that makes me feel like I'm in Key West or St. Augustine. Then, to the post office before they closed. Just back home now. I'll be going there soon and will also send you my address. Any others would, of course, be welcome... however, just that one would be more than enough. I love the feeling that the women and children bring to the scene... so it's great in more ways than one or two or three or four. It's perfectly balanced for my taste and vision.

I really appreciate your kind offer. My plan involved Wal-Mart or someone's house. I don't know. I was going to have to ask someone with greater computer expertise than I have, but I figured there had to be a way. Thank you.


~ Lizzy

Thanks for rating my video on YouTube of James Chadwick's rendition of "Hallelujah" at The Lewes Castle Gardens.

A copy of my photograph of the Gorgeous Grange Gardens in Lewes should be winging its way over The Big Pond right now!

You're welcome ... and thank you so much ~ any number of frames are anxiously awaiting . I'll let you know when it arrives .


~ Lizzy

Here is a shot through a Wall at The Grange Gardens!

Phenomenal place . That's a view from the opposite side, either before or after the other woman and child arrived or left. Gorgeous framing. Too bad you weren't able to give her/them copies of your photos. Thanks for posting this, LittleBigVoice .


~ Lizzy

Oh, my ~

Your thoughtfulness is so appreciated, LittleBigVoice . Now, I have the larger one on my wall, so it's the last thing I see as I walk out my door to a scene that doesn't hold a candle to the photo . The slightly smaller print is already framed, too, for taking to work with me. Thank you so much for sending me two of them!!

Thank you, too, for including the others... those two beautiful sunset on the water ones... some high land visible on one, only the beach on the other. Beautiful.

Then, the group one and the two close ups of her.

The biggest surprize photos were of the roses. The one you refer to as "my rose, 'Papa Meilland'" ~ do you grow roses and you cultivated this particular, beautiful one covered with tiny dewdrops or having just been freshly watered? Or is it yours because it's your very favourite? Such a huge surprize , the closeup of the multi-coloured variety of roses in the round, pale blue, 'clear' pressed-glass bowl... or is it cut-glass? Such a beautiful photo... soon to be framed, as well. I think I'll take it to work with me. I know there will be many comments and I might as well share it. You obviously have a serious interest in roses . To what extent are you involved with them?

What I especially appreciate is your one-page letter on heavy stock that accompanied your gift of photos. It's so rare any more that we actually receive 'real' letters from people . A day of beautiful memories for you. Thank you so much for sharing them with me in the ways you have, Little Big Voice. I really appreciate your willingness and your extra, unexpected gestures.


~ Lizzy

The photos are fantastic. Please may I snaffle the one of James Chadwick and use it on James's website?