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Natural history of folk (BBC radio) Attenborough Related threads: Review: David Attenborough field recordings (6) Folk Programme by David Attenborough (2) (closed) |
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Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: Vic Smith Date: 13 Feb 14 - 10:00 AM An excellent programme, overall. A few slip-ups have been mentioned and I think it was unfair to play Shirley Collins (which I was expecting given DA's well-known total admiration) and her sister Dolly without mentioning their names. I was somewhat bemused by the fact that I had met or had made friends with the vast majority of people in the programme - many of them no longer with us. |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: GUEST,Hootenanny Date: 13 Feb 14 - 09:49 AM I agree with Will that the musical samples were almost certainly not left to David Attenborough. To be even more nit picking the opening recording of Estil C Ball of Rugby Virginia was not made until 1959. The TV programmes were broadcast 1953/54. Earlier recording of Estil 1938-42 made by John and Alan Lomax were/are available but I guess that the 1959 stereo recordings being of a better quality may have influenced the producer. Not a criticism, just an observation. Likewise I believe Ian Cambell to have been a far better singer than the song's author. I wonder if there is any chance that the radio series "As I Roved Out" could be ferretted out. If the BBC were serious about an archive of folk music surely they still have these recordings. They made it worthwhile to get out of bed and listen on a Sunday morning. Hoot |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: Will Fly Date: 13 Feb 14 - 07:08 AM pity David Attenborough didn't know the difference between Ewan MacColl and Ian Campbell, he went on about Ewans voice etc, the played Ian singing ' The Shoals of Herring ' and again later said it was Ewan. Don't necessarily blame Attenborough for that, Having recorded his script, the musical extracts will have been edited in later, either by the producer or by a technician. DA may not even have heard the final product before it was broadcast. |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: C Stuart Cook Date: 13 Feb 14 - 06:36 AM It was excellent. Sniping is pointless given the time, the equipment available and the new birth of the whole enterprise. |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: MartinRyan Date: 13 Feb 14 - 06:13 AM Just so long as he keeps away from the mating rituals... ;>)> Regards |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: Dave the Gnome Date: 13 Feb 14 - 05:51 AM I have not listened yet but have every intention of doing so. I must admit having a bit of giggle when I heard it advertised. I was just picturing the venerable Mr A, safari jacket and all, peering from between the slats of a chair and whispering in hushed tones, "Here we have that most elusive of creatures, the traditional folk singer, in his natural environment. He is currently displaying his winter coat of Aran wool and impressive facial hair. Note how he regularly drinks from the pewter vessel he carries on his belt and screws up his eyes in concentration when the tribe begin their communal chants. Wait! What is this. There seems to be an interloper, covered in denim and carrying a strange six stringed instrument. Could this be one of the tribes deadly enemies? The contemporary singer?" Camera pans back to contemp. and traddy circling each other with deadly stares... :-) Cheers DtG |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: Dave Hanson Date: 13 Feb 14 - 04:17 AM I thoroughly enjoyed it, pity David Attenborough didn't know the difference between Ewan MacColl and Ian Campbell, he went on about Ewans voice etc, the played Ian singing ' The Shoals of Herring ' and again later said it was Ewan. Dave H |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: Leadfingers Date: 12 Feb 14 - 09:01 PM Listen Again |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: GUEST,John from Kemsing Date: 12 Feb 14 - 06:37 PM It is an absolutely fascinating programme, especially the tales of David Attenborough having to overcome the attitude of the BBC hierachy of the time in respect of televising something as commonplace as "folk music". It is a must for anyone with an interest in the genre and the recordings of the singers and musicians who we came to see later in the folk clubs are a real treat. |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: Steve Gardham Date: 12 Feb 14 - 06:25 PM Absolutely magic! Held me spellbound for the full hour. The OP suggested it was a series. I got the impression it was a one-off? |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: Leadfingers Date: 12 Feb 14 - 05:45 PM Anyone who can get BBC Radio 2 on Listen again , this is WELL worth while !! 2230 on Wednesday 12 th . A LOT of original recordings as well as reminiscence !! |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: GUEST,Jon Dudley Date: 07 Feb 14 - 04:05 AM I forgot to say that apart from what Bob told us and what he wrote in 'Songs and Southern Breezes' I know little about the collecting scheme. It would be for a proper scholar to dig through the BBCs written archive (which I believe is extensive) when I think a fascinating story would ensue. There must be a few people still around who were working for the Beeb back in the day. |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: GUEST,Jon Dudley Date: 07 Feb 14 - 03:55 AM The story of the BBCs collecting programme really is worthy of some detailed documenting. The roles of Brian George, Frank Collinson et al are all important along with that of a young David Attenborough. An equally young Chris Chattaway produced a documentary programme 'Away from it all' from the Coppers temporary home in Cheriton, Hampshire, in which the redoubtable Turp Brown can be heard singing. As I've said elsewhere on Mudcat, Bob Copper confirmed that, with tape being at a premium, much was wiped, if for example it was thought that 'better' versions (either of recording quality or because it was an 'inferior' or incomplete song) were already in the archive. Sounds dreadful but that's the way it was - thank goodness we do have a wealth of material preserved from those days. Rather nice that the collectors' results were aired on prime time radio shows like ' Country Magazine' etc. back in the day. The collectors meetings in 'The Stag' or 'The George' when they got together to share the fruits of their labours with the BBC, were legendary. Don't forget either BBC employees and radio actors like John Sharp (who later played Ezra Biggins in 'All creatures Great and Small') who lived in the country and often acted as 'talent scouts' pointing the collectors to notable singers who frequented their local pubs. Of course once the music was being heard on radio, the public began to write in too, amongst them a fifteen year old schoolgirl from Sussex, Shirley Collins…but that's another story. |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: GUEST,henryp Date: 06 Feb 14 - 05:53 PM "It was live, it was the Beeb, so naturally no tapes still exist" Not my words, Jack, but David Crawford in the Radio Times. If you feel strongly, send your objections to the Editor. Whether the comment is fair or not, there are still no tapes left, so none will be heard in this programme. |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: GUEST, topsie Date: 06 Feb 14 - 09:05 AM In the early 1950s, at infant school, we were recorded playing and singing 'The Farmer's in his Den' - I wonder if it could have been part of that scheme. |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: GUEST,Jack Campin Date: 06 Feb 14 - 08:47 AM That snipe at the Beeb is hardly fair. Tape is expensive; storing it archivally is even more so. Can you name any other broadcaster that did better at the time? |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: GUEST,henryp Date: 06 Feb 14 - 08:19 AM It was live, it was the Beeb, so naturally no tapes still exist - Radio Times |
Subject: RE: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: Rain Dog Date: 06 Feb 14 - 07:51 AM As a prelude to the Radio 2 Folk Awards, which are on Wednesday 19 February at the Royal Albert Hall and live on Radio 2, Sir David Attenborough recalls his early TV career, producing The Song Hunter a traditional music series presented by Alan Lomax – and how these influenced natural history programmes. Attenborough is renowned for bringing spectacular nature into the nation's living rooms, but his first television series, broadcast 60 years ago, was quite different - and yet not unrelated. As a young producer, Attenborough made The Song Hunter- six programmes presented by the American folk music collector Alan Lomax (who had recorded Leadbelly and Jelly Roll Morton) - in which traditional musicians from all over Britain and Ireland sang and played. The Song Hunter was broadcast live so no longer exists, but Reg Hall saw the programmes on the army base where he was doing his National Service. This was a life-changing experience and he went on to work with and record several of the musicians featured. Prompted by such recordings, Attenborough recalls the trials and wonders of the enterprise, like how Lomax blew the budget bringing half a dozen women from the Hebrides to perform their tweed Waulking songs. At this time, the corporation was engaged in great endeavours - the BBC Folk Music and Dialect Recording Scheme. Peter Kennedy, Seamus Ennis, Hamish Henderson and Bob Copper were employed to gather songs, tunes, tales, customs and dialects. They travelled all over Britain and Ireland and recorded 700 people aged from six to 96. Some these turned up in The Song Hunter. So Attenborough's career began with folk music. More than this, the way that the material was gathered - searching for, finding, waiting for and recording people in their natural environment – has much in common with the way that, to this day, natural history programmes are made. Some of the personnel and the equipment overlapped. Peter Kennedy did pioneering work recording birdsong with the parabolic microphone he used for recording musicians. The BBC issued LPs of folksong and LPs of birdsong made by the same people, with the same gear, sharing the same office. Attenborough, Copper and Kennedy recount these days in previously unbroadcast recordings. Chris Watson, who works with Attenborough today, considers the parallels of natural history sound recording and the collecting of music and, to Attenborough's delight, there is remarkable music by some of the people he first broadcast 60 years ago in The Song Hunter. Presenter/ Sir David Attenborough, Producer/ Julian May for the BBC Wednesday 12 February 10.00-11.00pm BBC RADIO 2 Natural history of folk |
Subject: Natural history of folk (BBC radio) From: G-Force Date: 06 Feb 14 - 07:42 AM BBC Radio 2 are starting to trail a new series 'Natural History of Folk', presented apparently by David Attenborough on Wednesday nights. Anybody got any more details of this? |
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