Review: Radio 2 Folk Show

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 06:38 AM

Marks talking style is a bit like a gattling gun.

The programme still needs to get into the places where folk is actually happening - less concentrating on the few proffessionals whom most of us know anyway.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 06:06 AM

I have to admit that the show's content is fine, good even, although Radcliffe's stumbling delivery - errrrmm, errrr-ummmmm, errrrrmmmmm - is frustrating and irritating in the extreme. Surely an outfit like the BBC have facilities to give training to presenters - why don't they put him on a 'How to talk proper' seminar FFS?

Good to see British folk music appearing on other shows too, but I fear that this is just a show of support and solidarity for Radcliffe's new venture from his colleagues, and probably won't last long. Hope I'm wrong on that.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 05:11 AM

My, my....there are a lot of bitter people on here....bless..

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 13 - 07:37 AM

Another good reason not to listen to the anodyne Radio 2.
You know on TV you get +1 channels, where you get a repeat of preious stuff, but one hour later?
Well Radio 2 is like Radio 1 +10 (years that is)

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 12 Jan 13 - 05:43 AM

Bellowhead's 'Roll the Woodpile Down' heads Radio 2's 'A' playlist for next week....

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 11 Jan 13 - 01:05 PM

There are one hell of a lot of 6Music listeners who'd disagree with you!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 07:13 PM

When I first started ACTUAL broadcasting (Aden Forces Broadcasting Association), rather than InStation piped stuff ( Bawdsey Forces Network) I was told a GOOD announcer knows what he is going to say and HAS to be fully coherent . On that basis Mark Radcliffe is at best CRAP ! The Music content is OK , but Mister Radcliffe is NOT a good presenter .

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,JHW(cookie on old computer)
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 06:08 PM

PS me above
The hint of melody I was getting in the Karine Polwart song could be from one of Anna Shannon's songs

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,newbee
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 03:20 PM

I only listen in when my son plays all his folk stuff. I know nothing much of who or what just like listening. Every week for sometime I have listened to MH and found it fine although maybe narrowed by his station.
I thought MR was clearly staged and planned to wash all memory out. It will not be MR organizing it all surely it will be down to R2 to cover themselves and prove their decision to put in a middle ground popular DJ , so they are bound to dig in to their resources a bit to try and make an impact maybe- tried too hard to prove a point? they must feel insecure? Am sure MH also would have not passed up the live oportunites etc, if it had been on offer.
Personally I listen to the radio a lot and it gets a bit monotonous if the same voice and style begins to colour everything the same. I would prefer variation and am happy to listen to either but I did think MH seemed to have more heart felt passion for his subject which came through and not so much of the pop stuff.
Anyway done now so that's that. Don't mind MR.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 02:18 PM

It was repeated all day then, Nick - Chris Evens and Simon Mayo also played songs from the session. Very nice to see. Not heard last nights yet but will do this week - Along with Mike's podcast.

You've never had it so good :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 01:57 PM

Despite earlier misgivings MR is giving the music a mainstream platform that I for one was not expecting. A couple of songs from
Karine's session was repeated on Jeremy Vine and surprisingly Steve Wright. Anyone would think I listened to the radio all day (and they'd be right)
I agree with Geoff I would also like MR to calm down a bit, but over all it bodes well for the future. Carthy on desert island discs as well! We used to dream about this amount of mainstream interest years ago. I had a huge compliment from Jim Moray when he recorded a Traditional song he learned from me, and I might add made a much better job of it, so despite Karine's excellent session I've got to cheer for him in the forthcoming awards! All exciting stuff for the music we love.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Dave D
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 11:46 AM

Well, I thought the show was rather wonderful frankly. A real breath of uncliched fresh air after the reign of Mike. Loved the conversational style and the session performances. Okay, I am a big Polwart fan anyway and especially appreciated the anti-Trump song. But really good selection of other tracks too I thought. And the promise of good sessions to come. Looks set to become essential listening.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,JHW(cookie on old computer)
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 05:25 PM

I listened live tonight and found much to my liking, lovely fiddle and flute (name disappeared already)good songs from Karine Polwart, that King of the Birds was it has a memory of another melody but I couldn't pin it down. Looks like a studio guest will be a regular feature and his patter with the guest was sound.
I didn't like Angels Without Wings at all which was where I came in but glad I persevered and I chanced not to be near the radio to turn it off after the show and so overheard the first tracks of what follows. An insight into what a Folk Music programme has to compete with on radio 2.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 03:42 PM

Because it's a live show you will get trailers for other programmes...that's the nature of the beast....don't expect Mark's style to change too much - - as I said, it's a live show, he's working to a schedule and there are certain obligations he has to fulfil..i.e. advertising other programmes. Yes, the hour went by very quickly but there waqs a lot packed into it and the guest artists have to be given a reasonable time slot. Stick with it, Geoff..you may get to enjoy the new format.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,geoffwoolfe
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 03:16 PM

I suspect the music content of the show - as opposed to loud chat and trailers and sundry waffle is less then we had with Mike Harding.
Perhaps when MR calms down a bit I might listen again.
But thanks for the Pete Coe....
Sorry George F - not sure MR is right for the Volunteer!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 03:04 PM

...or 2002....anyway - great show tonight! Show of Hands, Pete Coe and loved the Gerry Rafferty track to finis off.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 01:43 PM

Quite agree, Nick....Chris Evans played Bellowhead this morning...incidentally it was on your Lancashire Drift programme when my wife and I first heard Spiers and Boden...must have been about 2001.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 01:19 PM

Mainstream Radio are pushing the show like mad. Up to two verbal trails per show. All good news in my book. Best of luck to Mark tonight.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 04:19 PM

I think Mark just wrote the foreward for the book 'Wayward Daughter'...

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: fat B****rd
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 03:59 PM

He's also written a biography of Eliza Carthy !!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 03:39 PM

Coincidence - Mark Radcliffe used to be a producer on The Organist Entertains!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Don Gato
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 02:41 PM

You know, you folkies really ought to think yourselves lucky. Many moons ago poor Nigel Odgen had his uniquely-biased yet totally-eclectic radio show slashed to a paltry 30 minutes, and so it remains to this day. That was one show you really could immerse into for an hour of cathartic bliss - indeed, it was on TOE that I heard the most amazing version of Les Baxter's iconic Quiet Village whilst driving south over Carter Bar one moonlit evening. Contacted the producer the next day only to be told it was a private recording sent in by a listener! Bliss! At 30 minutes it hardly seems worth it.

And what about Sing Something Simple? Soon as Cliff Adams popped off to school the heavenly choir that was it - gone for good despite a 40 year archive to draw upon (okay, okay I'm an optimist - but in my dreams the BBC actually cherishes this stuff). The last show I heard they were singing You Can't Always Get What You Want - coincidently, that was the last song I heard Peter Bellamy sing live too.

DG (siempre y cuando sea con dignidad)

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 06:05 PM

Looking forward to Wednesday's show....I think this thread might continue....

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: JHW
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 05:06 PM

Thanks to above cats for show time and player link.
I wouldn't like the job. Impossible to please everyone. Statistically,given how many folk turns are out there today and once were, any show he can only please some of the people some of the time. I'll certainly give it another go.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 04:49 PM

Well, was working today, (computer stuff) and listened to Marks show and Mikes show (and Colums show)and enjoyed em all. So now an extra prog to listen to in trhe week. Great.
Al

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 04:00 PM

Ahhh - Thanks Harry. Could be either.

D.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 03:50 PM

Dave the Gnome....Open Door Folk Club or a Fylde singaround or both about 10 years back...

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 02:02 PM

I agree as well but your comment of 12:09PM was one of the funniest come-backs I have ever seen, Nick. Many thanks for that :-)

Ever been back to Swinton BTW? Pete Ryder now does a one Friday a month concert type night at the White Lion. May be worthwhile you getting in touch? Not sure what (if anything!) he pays but it is much more contemporary and jazz/blues based than the Monday club.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 01:00 PM

I quite agree, Nick...a slanging match wasn't what I intended when I started this thread. For anyone not aware, Nick has been involved in the folk scene as a performer and recording artist for many years and currently presents a blues programme on Radio Lancashire...and I am not inferring this makes his views any more valid than views expressed by anybody else.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 12:49 PM

Yes I can take that on board, however I was really referring to an intimate style of presentation. It does not mean the other way is wrong or inferior, but I just like an inclusive style of presentation rather than here I am style. However I think you've got a point that the more streetwise style has a proven record of commercial success.
By the way if we could keep the discussion on this level without turning it into a slanging match it would be much more pleasant reading, and I'm calling a truce!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 12:25 PM

With all due respect to Mr. Dow I rather feel that Mark Radcliffe presenting the programme by imagining he is addressing a small room of folk enthusiasts will rapidly become the reality of addressing a small room of folk enthusiasts.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: johncharles
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 12:20 PM

At least the radio is reliable unlike the new Mike Harding folk show webcast thing which is not working again.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 12:09 PM

The Radio

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Stu
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 11:52 AM

"What is that SJ pillock on?"

Me high feckin' horse. The question is, what are you on?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 11:41 AM

"I for one am pleased we don't have some folk club wonk displaying their encyclopaedic knowledge and boring us shitless for an hour to impress their folk elite friends. How dull would that be? Some people don't seem to want to enjoy the music for what it is; their loss (not that I'm disparaging knowledge of the subject at all and I enjoy the detail myself, but don't force your brilliance on other people; that's boorish at best, disrespectful at worst)."

That has a ring of truth about it! Well said SJ.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 09:38 AM

Holy mother 'ave Moses! What is that SJ pillock on?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 09:02 AM

I was about to respond to the nameless 'Guest' above when I realised he/she is probably hanging around a bridge waiting for passing billy-goats....things really haven't changed here...

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 08:25 AM

why do folk listen to radio 'folk' music on radio anyway? It's been crap for years- nothing will change- get yourself some Cds and ignore them!- YOU know what you like so let all these folk' presenters' feck off and just get on with your lives....

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 08:19 AM

C'mon, SJ, don't beat about the bush. Tell us what you think...

:D

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Stu
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 08:14 AM

"What is missing in buckets full in his presentation style is knowledge."

Oh yawn. Here we go. So you know the length of Martin Carthy's tallywhacker and his favourite brand of plectrum - so what? If you were such a great broadcaster then why aren't you presenting the show and blinding us with your superior knowledge? Radcliffe is a musician and plays the music (which is worth more than knowing any amount of trivia), he understands the music and doesn't need to know which hand Shirley Collins wipes her arse with to get over the spirit and joy of the music.


"It might be OK for late night slots to keep down royalty figures . . ."

Ignorant tripe. Radders co-hosts a show with Stuart Maconie every afternoon on 6 music, and bloody good it is too (as is the radio station as a whole). You mean little comment is born of simply not knowing and spouting off anyway. Now you know.

As for his delivery style, it's subjective. I like it as he's a true enthusiast who loves the traditional music of these islands in it's myriad incarnations. I for one am pleased we don't have some folk club wonk displaying their encyclopaedic knowledge and boring us shitless for an hour to impress their folk elite friends. How dull would that be? Some people don't seem to want to enjoy the music for what it is; their loss (not that I'm disparaging knowledge of the subject at all and I enjoy the detail myself, but don't force your brilliance on other people; that's boorish at best, disrespectful at worst).

Looking forward to the next show.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 07:42 AM

I think Mark Radcliffe has served his apprenticeship. I suppose they could have asked Paddy McGuinness or Vernon Kay instead.

BBC Radio 2 Cambridge Folk Festival

2011 Mike Harding and Mark Radcliffe present three hours of musical highlights and exclusive backstage interviews from the 2011 Cambridge Folk Festival.

2010 Mark Radcliffe, Stuart Maconie and Mike Harding present three hours of musical highlights, interviews and backstage shenanigans from the 2010 Cambridge Folk Festival.

2009 Mark Radcliffe presents an hour of highlights from the 2009 Cambridge Folk Festival.

2008 Duration: 2 hours Mike Harding joins Mark Radcliffe to look back at musical highlights and interviews from this year's festival.

2006 Duration: 1 hour Mark Radcliffe presents the best music from the main stages and interviews with the performers.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: foggers
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 09:46 PM

I have liked Mark Radcliffe's style for some years, and I enjoyed the first show. I do agree that he could do a little more "homework" on folk music, having reflected upon the points made about good specialist music presenters like Paul Jones and Bob Harris.

And a folk programme on national radio is better than nowt.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 09:46 PM

he's more suited to mainstream broadcasting at the moment, and needs to alter his style.

Tell me, pray, what is a folk style of broadcasting?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 08:13 PM

Ok Fair enough, but it does not rob me of the wider point. Mark is a good broadcaster, but my simple point is that he's more suited to mainstream broadcasting at the moment, and needs to alter his style. I think if you listen to Bob Harris presenting his programme or Paul Jones for that matter you'll see what I mean. Mistakes are not a problem, after twenty seven years I still screw up (especially with my apostophe and writing credits it seems) Pausing and thinking out loud makes the broadcaster more human and seem accessable, all that is good, all of that Mark does very well, but a grounding in the music is desireable and it is essential to aim your style at a target audience. This is old school BBC training and unfortunately has been superceded by the the accross the board style which leads to the brainless demand to play trails that sweet FA to do with the show being presented. Result I am asked to play a trail for the latest BBC drama in the middle of my Specialist music show.
The thinking is rightly or wrongly that everybody is interested in everything which is not true in my opinion, and it leads to the one size fits all broadcasting style that we have in mainstream radio and TV. If I was producing Mark I would suggest that he imagines he is talking to a small room full of Folk enthusiasts, who really want to know something about the songs or the artists, and want a laid back approachable style, that includes them so they dont feel talked at. (Sorry I missed the apostrophe again) I also think that Mark is perfectly capable of giving that sort of presentation, and I hope this is what we see in the not too distant.
So no I'm not bashing Mark Radcliffe, but hoping that things might improve in time. No doubt you'll tell me what you think.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,roderick warner
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 03:39 PM

The late Alexis heard the connections in music, not being some one-dimensional purist. His radio programs were where he really shone - don't really see old Mike Harding playing Charles Mingus somehow (who had a big influence on UK music via Davy Graham/Jansch et al, tracking the influence lines). I saw his band Blues Incorporated many times, each occasion a different lineup of the best, mainly jazz musicians around, who were all better than him, but it never seemed to matter. Saw him on his all-nighter's down Les Cousins, come to think of it, playing electric guitar. Never less than interesting but I always felt that his musical ambition never matched his techniques/abilities. His great talent was bringing people/music together, I suspect - like a more interesting and cooler version of the breathless/annoying Jools Holland. But he'd been around a long time - since 'Trad Tavern' at least...

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 02:35 PM

Bit of a mistake to demand that presenters should be knowledgable and then claim Sitting on Top of the World was written by Howling Wolf. Motes and beams, Nick Dow.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 01:38 PM

On a minor nitpicking point I think you'll find that SOTOTW goes back to even before the Chatmons, even if they arranged it the way it has subsequently mostly been done. As, for example, did a lot of stuff first recorded by the Carter Family and generally credited to them. This stuff's called traditional music . . .

Once upon a time the BBC had wonderful broadcasters like the late Alexis Korner who could be erudite and entertaining, who could hook you in, educate you without you realising it, and inspire you to make all sorts of other discoveries. Specialist programmes need presenters like that, with both a breadth of knowledge and great populist broadcasting skills. Having had Barbara Dickson sleep on your settee 40 years ago or having lurked around in the artist bar at Cambridge Folk Festival is minor stuff compared to that.

Where are the people today who have that breadth of knowledge like an Alexis and the ability to put it over for both the casual listener and the already expert? Not found (or wanted, probably) on the BBC any more, that's for sure.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 01:26 PM

Listen again:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pgrp0/The_Folk_Show_with_Mark_Radcliffe_Bellowhead_session/

Can be downloaded with RadioDownloader.

Mark Radcliffe presents the first edition of his brand new folk show, live from Salford Quays.

To usher in the new programme and the new year, Mark is joined in the studio by the 11-piece folk phenomenon Bellowhead, who will perform tracks from their latest album Broadside.

Mark Radcliffe welcomes the band to the BBC's Salford studios for this, the first edition of Radio 2's new Folk Show. The weekly programme will see lifelong folk fan Mark explore the wide and wonderful range of traditional and contemporary folk and acoustic music from around the UK and the world, with regular interviews and live sessions from folk's finest performers.

Virtuosic, energetic and thrilling, Bellowhead's remarkable albums and live performances have captured the imagination of folk fans old and new. The band formed in 2004 when duo Spiers & Boden decided to revisit the concept of big band folk music and invited jazz and fellow folk musicians to form a group that, for many, has recast English traditional music in an exciting new light and significantly broadened its appeal.

Bellowhead's 2010 album, Hedonism, was recorded at Abbey Road studios and produced by the renowned rock and roots producer John Leckie. The record went silver, selling more than 60,000 copies, a remarkable achievement for an independently released British folk album. The band's 2012 follow-up, Broadside, entered the UK album chart in the Top 20, and earned the band two nominations in this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

An exhilarating and theatrical live band, Bellowhead have performed at the BBC Proms, Radio 2's 2Day and Live in Hyde Park events, and headlined festivals across the country. They have been the subject of television specials and are artists in residence at London's Southbank Centre.

Performing on the Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe in the next few weeks are popular and respected Scottish singer Karine Polwart (9 January), acclaimed songwriter Chris Wood (16 January) and legendary folk-rock pioneers Fairport Convention (23 January).

On Wednesday 30 January, Mark will join Julie Fowlis onstage at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall to host the fourteenth annual BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The event will be broadcast live on Radio 2 from 7.30pm.

Broadcast on
BBC Radio 2, 7:00PM Wed, 2 Jan 2013

Available until
8:02PM Wed, 9 Jan 2013

First broadcast
BBC Radio 2, 7:00PM Wed, 2 Jan 2013

Duration
57 minutes

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 12:12 PM

Bit of a thread creep setting in but 'Sitting on top of the World' was originally by the Mississipi Sheiks....

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 10:17 AM

Carry on being clever Leveller. I'll bloody level you with your own apostrophe given half a chance!