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BEAUTIFUL VOICE: Kate Rusby at Larmer Tree Festival

TEA time on Sunday, a warm sun on our backs and the beautiful voice of Kate Rusby rings out across the Larmer Tree lawn I must confess it was enough to bring a tear to the eye and lump to the throat of even this hardened old hack.

This was the 18th festival at this idyllic North Dorset setting, and, once again, it boasted an understated yet stellar line-up of often under-rated or soon-to-be-big acts. Headli-ning on closing night, for example, was Seth Lakeman, the young Devonian hunk who has done more than most to make folk cool. Award-winning Tinariwen, Tuareg nomads from Mali, conjured up some fascinating rhythms during a mesmerising hour or so of soulful desert blues.

Sometime Robert Plant collaborator Justin Adams whipped up a 21st century Afro-blues storm along with Gambian griot musician Juldeh Camara and ace percussionist Salah Dawson Miller; while the Bedouin Jerry Can Band, on the charming Garden Stage, brought the sounds of the Sinai desert to the lush green countryside.

There were further unexpected delights away from the main stage, with feisty Florida country singer Elizabeth Cook belting out her anthem Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman, and the Martin Harley Band blazing a bluesy trail down by the tea garden. Gaelic singer and multi-instrumentalist Julie Fowlis, meanwhile, is surely destined for a great future.

The festival, which kicked off with Jools Holland and Eric Bibb last Wednesday, also featured The Levellers, Orchestra Boabab and Dengue Fever, and proved, beyond doubt, that when it comes to music, it's a wonderful world out there.

10:49am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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