Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Nedd_Ludd
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 06:25 PM

Many questions re latest series of Transatlantic Sessions -

Why was Julie Fowlis only given one song?

Why was the final session cut prematurely from iplayer?

Why did Dan Tyminski go home early?

And, what has happened to the 'TomT Scotland' clips of previous sessions on UTUBE - I was looking for the Karen Matheson's splendid version of Sandy Denny's 'One more chance' but couldn't find it.

It was good to hear Donal Lunny singing - it was like a flashback to Planxty in the 1970s.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 11:59 AM

No-one said that it did add to the performance, John.

By the same token I would hope that no-one's critical faculties would ever be adversely affected by an artist smiling at a certain point during a performance.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 07:13 AM

Does one's family background add to, or detract from, the quality of one's performance?

Sorry, but I hope I never let someone's history, affect my criitical faculties.

JM

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Rog Peek
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 06:28 AM

"even allowing for variations in taste, it defies comprehension that anybody could categorise Alison Moorer's rendition of Carrickfergus as "awful"."

I also agree.

And if this was a reference to my posting, we need to get something straight. I did not catagorise anything. If you read my posting you will find that I did not say "it was awful" but that "I thought it was awful", just as Guest Martin said he thought it was the best he had heard.

Will is correct when he says "All it demonstrates is that musical tastes differ", I was merely remarking on how broad the differences can be.

Rog

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 06:04 AM

OK maybe the word winsome was wrong. "Endearingly rueful" perhaps? Either way, it didn't do much for me. I'm afraid I've never heard of the singer concerned, so know nothing of her family history.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 05:17 AM

Bob, the series will soon be released on DVD and there's a full track listing for the six programmes here

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 04:14 AM

even allowing for variations in taste, it defies comprehension that anybody could categorise Alison Moorer's rendition of Carrickfergus as "awful".

I agree, completely.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 09:29 PM

I accidentally tuned into this halfway through a gorgeous song that in some way had Dan Tyminski involved in it...I have been trying ever since to find out what it was...(It wasn't man of constant sorrow but that was on the show)

If anyone has the show recorded would they mind posting the track names from this episode...I would be much obliged

Thanks

Bob

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 08:01 PM

Apart from the warbles it was the extra Hs:
Hi wish i was
Hand instead of and, etc
The accompaniment was very good.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 09:08 PM

I've certainly heard poorer renditions! She's welcome to sing at our session anyday. That said Emily Smith's "Siver Tassie" still comes out tops for me.

CC

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 11:14 AM

If you knew a little about her family background you'd realise the poignancy of that particular line to Allison, Greg.

I think you'll find her smile was anything but winsome...

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: greg stephens
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 10:18 AM

I was doing all right with Carrickfergus till she unleashed the winsome smile on "till I get a drink".

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 09:32 AM

Watching the latest one I was struck once again by the complete absence of ego among the musicians present at these sessions.

For me Donal Lunny summed it up perfectly last night "The song is the thing. I think everyone is there to serve the song and to support and facilitate what she's doing. That's our job"

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 10:56 AM

next thing we'll be reading that she altered " THE " melody.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 10:46 AM

I'm not aware that she 'altered' many of the words? At least she included the middle verse attributed to Dominic Behan (which many singers sadly omit)

Which are the definitive lyrics for this 'traditional' song anyway, Dave?

Would they by any chance be the ones you first heard? :-)

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 09:52 AM

I can't understand why she had to alter the words so much, it ruined a good song, Margaret Barry did the best version.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:39 AM

What I don't like is the "pleading" stresses she adds to certain notes. To my ears, it jars and seems out of place.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:32 AM

John MacKenzie said "...it was all about her technique"

Damn right, it's all about technique. The one that very few of us have and that takes many years of dedication, blood, sweat and tears to perfect.

Same thing's true of Jerry Douglas on the dobro, Ronan Browne on the whistle and uilleann pipes, Aly Bain on fiddle, Donald Shaw on accordion, Russ Barrenburg on guitar and Danny Thompson on bass. These are the best in the business and they play with the best in the business. Listen without prejudice and put aside the fact that she's American and that she's what many people would call a "country" singer. She seems to understand that song and conveys it better than any Irish singer I've ever heard (with the possible exception of Noel Murphy)

You don't have to like that rendition of Carrickfergus but by any definition it's anything but vile and awful.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Will Fly
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:32 AM

With respect to the parties debating "Carrickfergus", it seems to me that there's no end to such an argument. All it demonstrates is that musical tastes differ. And to put links to other, rougher versions on YouTube is no argument for the quality of the version under debate. (Actually, I quite warmed to the old boy with the beard singing his heart out - might be me one day...).

As far as my personal taste is concerned, I like my music a little rougher than this, and I think that, compared with TS3 - the whole of which I have on DVD - this series seems a little smoother and a little sweeter-flavoured. But - that's just my personal taste.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: BobKnight
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 08:03 AM

In my very limited experience of Carrickfergus, I though Alison Moorer's version was excellent. Sounded a bit like Linda Rondstadt - and that's no criticism. The only jarring note being her strangulated vowels at "Ocea-ON."

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 07:46 AM

and of course, her version pales in comparison with this tour de force

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 07:37 AM

mea culpa, there was me thinking Alison Moorer had laid down one of the most beautiful versions ever of Carrickfergus, when all the time I should have realised that this is the way the song should be performed ...

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 07:24 AM

You're right Murray it wasn't awful, it was vile.
Too much vibrato, too much warbling. She was trying for vocal effect and it didn't really matter what song she was singing, it was all about her technique.

JM

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 07:16 AM

even allowing for variations in taste, it defies comprehension that anybody could categorise Alison Moorer's rendition of Carrickfergus as "awful".

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 07:06 AM

Allison Moorer's "Carrickfergus" was right up there with Emily Smith's "Silver Tassie" as among the highlights of the series.

At first I also thought Allison amended and overdecorated the melody a little too much. But by the end of the last verse I was won over by the sheer emotional power of her delivery. I've watched it several times since on YouTube and it gets me every time. The arrangement and sensitivity of the accompaniment by the house band is immaculate. Plus it has to be said Ms Moorer in addition to a powerful set of pipes has a wonderful control of dynamics.

If you watch it, I'd say do so all the way through before you make judgement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNEgKGEDfOk

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 02:04 AM

I agree!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 07:50 PM

Far too warbly for me too!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Rog Peek
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 01:00 PM

Isn't it amazing how tastes differ, I thought Alison Moorer's version of Carrickfergus was awful.

Rog

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 08:57 AM

Totally agree with TwickFolk, it was a gem.

CC

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Martin
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 01:29 PM

Allison Moorer's version of Carrickfergus was the best I've ever heard.
Watching the series endlessly on iplayer !!!!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 06:12 AM

This week there won't be a dry eye in the house after Emily Smith sings 'Silver Tassie'.

It just doesn't get much better....

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Declan
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 02:49 AM

Generally RTE show folk/trad programs in a half hour slot at 7:30 on Fridays. They've just started a new series of Come West Along the Road (an archive series, which often features some really good stuff) so I suspect it will be a while before the Transatlantic s
Sessions is transmitted there.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 08:36 PM

Thanks Declan. I did check out RTE today.
Managed to download both episodes 1 and 3 of what iPlayer calls sessions series 3 (but then when they launch they become series 4!)
Tried repeatedly to download or even play epsiode 2 but "there is a problem, try later".
To clarify the rules re iPlayer (as there seems to be some confusion above!):
You can watch things for up to 7 days after the tranmission if you DON'T download the programme to iPlayer downloads. (the exception being, as with Transatlantic Sessions, if the BBC decide to make all episodes of a whole series available for longer)
Once you have downloaded a programme to iPlayer, you have it for UP TO 30 days, BUT!!! - once you start watching it (even if only for a few seconds!)you then only have 7 days to watch it before it self-destructs.
If you forget to watch it at all, it will self-destruct after 30 days.
You cannot record from iPlayer to DVD using the BBC technology.
See above for Nick's method.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Declan
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 03:52 PM

RTE haven't started showing this series yet, but I expect they will eventually, as it's a co-production between them and the BBC.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick_
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 09:23 AM

A friend of mine spoke to Jenna Reid when she played there and I think she confirmed that they were only there for a few days. Her Myspace blog tends to confirm it too.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick_
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 09:12 AM

Mrs Annie - NOT the BBC Iplayer downloader but the Linux get_iplayer which is a different beast.

Let me put it this way I have two files, one from each programme - one an mpg4 file and one a mov file - which I can copy from machine to machine and could burn to disc if I cared to. My understanding is that if get_iplayer spots a file that is more than 30 days old it will prompt you to delete it - as keeping it after that time is illegal. So it depends on your conscience. Now I'm back from my holidays I will no doubt use my DVD recorder if I want to see the other episodes again.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Will Fly
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 08:57 AM

If you buy the DVD set of Transatlantic Sessions 3 (out last Spring), they do include clips of the technological background, and it's quite clear that, after very brief rehearsals - perhaps only on the same morning - they play live. And there is, of course, more than just one take.

Basically, Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas plus the producer sort out the combinations of performers with the house band, get them together - they may not have much time because the performers may only be there for a very short period - and get the music rehearsed and performed. What struck me about the "3" sessions was the consummate artistry and technical brilliance of the house band ensemble - and, of course, they've performed with each other many times over the years. The whole thing is certainly 'staged' - you're quite right - and always has been. Just a little more obvious, perhaps, at the moment.

I'm sure there'll be high and low points - depending on one's musical tastes - over the 6 programmes in the series. The 2nd one was, for me, not quite so exciting as the fiddle tunes which opened programme 1 - but let's hope there's more of that later on!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TwickFolk
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 07:35 AM

Having just watched the first two of the new series I'm wondering if Transatlantic Sessions is perhaps losing some of it's mojo.

The settings on these new ones look much more 'staged' somehow and the atmosphere is more like a studio session (after much rehearsal and many 'takes'). Previously it looked much more informal somehow. More like a drawing room than a studio. I know the tracks have always been carefully recorded but you'd never see close-ups of a 64 channel mixer and people with headphones on. Previously the microphones and any cables and recording paraphernalia would be much more hidden. Now you see clips of James Taylor's entourage being transferred from the airport in a people-mover where before you'd see some hungover musician walking across a yard on a misty morning after a heavy night!

I always liked to imagine the sessions and songs were spur-of-the-moment choices where a couple of people sneaked away to an empty room and were eventually joined by whoever happened to be around. There seems to be less spontaneous interaction these days...did the likes of James Taylor and Martha Wainwright join in on any songs other than their own? It would be nice to see a bit more of that sort of spontaneity.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 07:33 AM

Now I'm confused!
It says above, and in the Radio Times, that it's Series 4.
But the BBCiPlayer says it's series 3 that they're currently offering for download: so which is it? Dates seem to correspond with the Series 4 showings.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 07:17 AM

If it is shown on RTE, you can usually go back and watch again for a lot longer than just the 30 days BBCiPlayer allows (and then only if you download it). Just go to the RTE site and search for the programme name.
I was still watching the Ronnie Drew tribute programme months after it was shown on RTE.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 06:21 AM

I could only download the 2nd prog. There was no download facility on the 1st. Nick - is there a secret password or summat, to bypass the IT-Control-Freak-Lock-Down-Technology? :-)

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 05:26 AM

ah, that. BBC iPlayer automatically deletes them. I thought you had found a way to save them permanently. :/

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick_
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 03:07 PM

You are expected to delete the files after 30 days of course

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick_
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 02:38 PM

Mrs Annie - if you go to Get Iplayer all will be revealed. Field tested and it works fine

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 02:10 PM

Seen them, and Archie was featured. Great!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 01:48 PM

Already mentioned but the Scotlands music series presented by phil cunningham is brilliant for the access you get to people rarely if ever seen on tv.

There have been two episodes so far: love and loss, and work songs. I have thoroughly enjoyed both. the second is still on the replay service.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 01:37 PM

>>Yup me too, and it can't be recorded off iPlayer,

>>>>Actually you can...


Nick,

Please tell me how!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 07:32 AM

Just watched the first show - Dan Tyminski and His Royal Highness James Taylor were excellent, Julie Fowlis absolutely wonderful.

Now for the next one!

And yes, why no Archie?? Esp. as he's a BBC employee already, and one of Scotland's greatest treasures!!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick_
Date: 27 Sep 09 - 04:52 AM

>>Yup me too, and it can't be recorded off iPlayer,

Actually you can...

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: BobKnight
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 10:45 PM

It's easier to sell to American TV if there are Americans involved. Plus, they made a series a couple of years back called The Celtic Sessions, or Highland Session, I can't remember quite what it was called, but it was very good.