Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4

Subject: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 04:54 PM

Sorry I'm abit late for this one. A friend pointed me to this on thesession:

Transatlantic Sessions 4 starts on BBC Scotland tonight

Just thought I would give a heads up for anyone interested, its on BBC2 Scotland tonight at 10:50pm, the rest of the UK get to see it on Friday 18th at 20:30 on BBC4. Don't know when its on RTE ;)
I found this bit of blurb online about who is on it....

"Music co-directors for TRANSATLANTIC SESSIONS FOUR (scheduled for autumn transmission by BBC Scotland, BBC4 and Ireland's RTE and with DVD/CD release thereafter) were Nashville dobro king Jerry Douglas (eleven Grammies and counting) and Shetland's own Aly Bain.

"House band" members were Russ Barenberg (guitar) and Todd Parks (bass) from Nashville, Ronan Browne and Mike McGoldrick (pipes and whistles) from Ireland, Scots Donald Shaw and Phil Cunningham (accordion and keyboards), James MacIntosh (percussion) and the legendary Danny Thompson (bass).

American star guests were Rosanne Cash, Alison Moorer, Martha Wainwright, James Taylor and Dan Tyminski and with fiddle virtuoso Stuart Duncan. From Ireland came singers Karan Casey, Mairead Ni Maonaigh and Liam O'Maonlai and the great Donal Lunny (dobro), Dezi Donnelly (fiddle) and Niall Vallely (concertina). Keeping the home flag flying in this year of Homecoming were Julie Fowlis, Karen Matheson, Emily Smith, Jenna Reid, James Graham and Allan MacDonald."

I've enjoyed the other three so hopefully this will be as good.

Unfortunately (?) I'm in the middle of France at the moment en route to Italy so perhaps someone could DVD it for me

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 04:56 PM

A bit late as in it was on BBC Scotland yesterday

"C'est la vie le biscuit ecrouble" as they don't say in France but better than never and BBC4 viewers can still catch it

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 05:38 PM

iPlayer now.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 05:41 PM

But not in France so I'll need to wait to return

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 05:43 PM

It's available for a week I think

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Nick
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 06:15 PM

I will probably want a more long term record of it if you know what I mean...

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 06:26 PM

Yup me too, and it can't be recorded off iPlayer, nor can I record it off BB4 as it's satellite stuff


JM

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Weasel
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 06:32 PM

Sorry if I'm being thick, but why can't you record it if it's satellite? I can record freeview channels (but admitedly I don't receive them by satellite on my wall)

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 04:59 AM

Good question, I'm not sure why, perhaps it's rubbish. I will try it and see, I'm only going on hearsay
JM

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 06:05 AM

I don't have any problem on videotape but don't know about DVD!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 07:14 AM

I can record DVD from Sky, the recorder picks it up on channel 8.

CC

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 06:26 AM

For info there is also a programme on the Music of Scotland presented by Phill Cunningham on BBC4 Tuesday evenings at midnight.

CC

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 07:09 AM

Wow - just watched it on BBC iPlayer - I could hardly stay in my chair! If this is the standard for the whole 6 programmes - and there's no reason to think it isn't, then the DVD recorder will be red hot on Friday nights on BBC4.

It's highly likely that an official DVD of the series will eventually be commercially available - and I shall certainly get it. The Trans Sessions 3 set was superb.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: TopcatBanjo
Date: 16 Sep 09 - 08:10 AM

Brilliant news - thanks for the heads-up! Particularly looking forward to seeing Dan Tyminski and Stuart Duncan getting in amongst it.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 07:38 AM

Watched it on holiday in Scotland. Most of it was ruined by that blo8%*y drummer!
Ray

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: G-Force
Date: 20 Sep 09 - 09:35 AM

... and the ridiculously small graphics (we can't afford a 50-inch screen, nor HD).

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Runesmith
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 02:04 PM

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 02:10 PM

I enjoyed last night's show; however, I think they should rest Jerry Douglas! I love his playing but he dominates so many arrangements. I wonder who's been invited to perform but has turned down the offer. Being set in Scotland, they should have had Archie Fisher on the show by now.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Paco O'Barmy
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 03:44 PM

Call me an old silly if you like, but can't we show anything on TV that doesn't have Americans in it????

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions 4 - on BBCScot+4
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 05:38 PM

Yes but then it might not want to be Called "Transatlantic Sessions " .. Paco . I would love to heard English,Welsh, Scottish and Irish sessions . Here in the USA as well . Lets work on making that happen .. Perhaps PBS New York or Boston could help pay to produce that show if BBC did not want to . All the best , Guy

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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: evansakes
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: evansakes
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: 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: 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: 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: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 07:50 PM

Far too warbly for me too!

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: evansakes
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: 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: 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 - 07:37 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: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 07:46 AM

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