BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?

Subject: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: John J
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 11:37 AM

Whilst listening to BBC Radio2 last night on what they call a folk programme, they were promoting it as the best (folk?) website in the world.

Discuss.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: John J
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 11:39 AM

What I should REALLY have said was, they were promoting their (folk?) website, and THAT was the best in the world.

Now discuss.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: pavane
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 11:51 AM

I hate the Harding 'cowshed' approach. Preferred Jim Lloyd's more serious approach. And I didn't see much of interest on the site when I looked. But they obviously have to beware of things like copyright. And the program plays even less of interest than before. I suppose I can't blame the BBC for Eliza Carthy recycling all of Martin Carthy's stuff though. I just preferred the earlier version.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Ringer
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 11:57 AM

Well, I've stopped listening to M Harding. You get 1% gem hidden amongst 99% dross, and I just can't be bothered. As to the web-site, I've never looked, and have little inclination to do so.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Aidan Crossey
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 11:58 AM

They would say it was "the best" wouldn't they? I haven't been to visit it much since its launch, but I was underwhelmed by some bits ... the A-Z of artists for example ... and impressed by others ... the virtual session is a nice idea.

Not the best ... but a good effort and will probably get better. Don't forget, it's only a few weeks old. This thread will probably generate a lot of comment. Hopefully those responsible for the BBC site will pop in and take note.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 12:17 PM

The BBC one is ok, but nowhere near as good as this one.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 12:59 PM

Well, I think it has potential but it is far to early to start making claims about being the best site.

Jon

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: John J
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 01:03 PM

I sent an email to the site telling them just that Jon. I aslo pointed out that they could make a start in DECIDING what a good folk site should be like if they produced a half decent folk programme, refering them to BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Lancashire's outputs.

John

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 01:17 PM

The site and the programme is a bit over 'Rusbied' for me. Fine as she may be.

The BBC seem unable to grasp that there may be more than one talented (or young or female or even Jools Holland), performer in any genre they devote a music progamme to. No matter how talented that performer may be, seeing the same faces all the time does tend to get a little boring. There are many more such talents who could do with the coverage.

I do think the 'virtual session' on the site is a pretty useful feature though.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: GUEST,Kernow John
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 01:31 PM

I have to agree with the comments about the programme.
Far to much C&W, not enough English folk music and song and far too few performers. Seems to be the same few re-cycled.
I mention English folk music and song as the Scots and the Irish seem to have much better folk programmes already promoting their own national music. Not sure about the Welsh but would like to know especially of any on-line broadcasts.
As far as the site goes I think it's OK. Mudcat is far, far better as a folk site, but can someone tell me of others that are better than the Beeb one. I don't just mean lists of tunes and or words useful as they are but a site that covers the artists, the music and record reviews. I'd like to visit them.
Regards KJ

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: GUEST,Rana
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 02:25 PM

Looked at it when it first opened and felt it was a bit sparse but has potential - it looked good. To be called the best it would have to improve on sparseness - I'll check back sometime.

The following does look good - got the update by e-mail today. I did check the links section here, and either I missed it or it isn't there, anyway here it is.

www.folking.com

What do people think of this compared to the beeb's?

Rana

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 02:37 PM

I am glad that there others out there who are not fans of BBC's Radio 2's folk programme, or I should say it's presenter, Mike Harding.

How many of you remember the days when Tony Capstick presented the show?

Now I am showing my age!!

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: John J at home
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 03:03 PM

Tony Capstick, now there's a name to conjour with! I last saw him at Poynton Folk Festival around 1976 / 77. He presented 'Folkweave' as I recall. Happy days.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 03:23 PM

Rana, I have just taken a quick look at the foking site and there does seem to me rather more there. Also, given the choice of one or other, I prefer links to artists web pages to the write ups but maybe the beeb give links too (although they seem to have a strange policy about posting them in their forum).

Overall though, I think the BBC site has more potential. Maybe it is just me but whereas the BBC site itself looks well thought out, this one seems messy.

Jon

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Ralphie
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 04:11 PM

You could always try Andy Kershaws sight at Radio 3, Not that I'm biased or anything......No No No !! Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: John J at home
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 04:50 PM

I've checked the folking.com site, it looks good. At a guess I would say it was put together on a rather limited budget. That is no adverse criticism of the site, as I said it looks good and offers some good stuff. I'll go and have a play on it later. The BBC website on the other hand has behind it the huge BBC corporation. It should be good, it should be brilliant. Are the beeb giving us the site the think we need to have, while folking.com and the mudcat ARE what we want?

Mind you the beeb probably think they're giving us a folk programme.

John

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: GUEST,Rana
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 06:55 PM

Tend to agree with both Jo[h]n's - BBC has the potential of looking better, but there is more $$$ behind it. The people behind "folking" are probably more dedicated to folk and I think they've done a good job. It will probably have more reference to the talented, but not-big-name acts than the Beeb.

I think John J's comment "Are the beeb giving us the site the think we need to have, while folking.com and the mudcat ARE what we want?" makes a good point.

Will carry on looking at both though.

And showing my age - last folk show I remeber was Folk on 2 with Fairport tune (from Angel Delight?) as the theme.

Cheers

Rana

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: pavane
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 07:25 PM

Not that I am against Mike Harding as a performer, but he is a comedian and the program has turned into a joke.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 08:14 PM

A shufty round the sites mentioned confirms me in my admiration for the architecture of the Mudcat - the ease with which you can get around, and follow discussions, and so forth.

folking.com has some good aspects. But it's so clumsy and inflexible.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Tweedie
Date: 28 Jun 01 - 08:26 PM

The BBC Web Site as a whole is a tremendous resource, but the newcomers such as the Folk & Acoustic section should earn their stripes before singing their own praises.

Presumably Colin Irwin can't write more than one artist bio per week, but he seems to have not prioritised - where is Cyril Tawney, the late Peter Bellamy, Anne Briggs, Jo Freya, Vikki Clayton, The Kerrs to name a few rather significant (and mostly very active) performers ?

Yes, the Shockwave/Flash virtual session is nifty, though I couldn't see how to make the players talk about what inspired them.

Let's hope the author of the web site is reading this thread.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: wes.w
Date: 29 Jun 01 - 08:42 AM

Can I ask you all to look at the news item there on Tony Rose if you haven't already. Thanks!

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 29 Jun 01 - 10:35 AM

I think the site is really good, it is cramed full of stuff and they are puitting more and more stuff on it every day. I am impressed!

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: GeorgeH
Date: 29 Jun 01 - 11:30 AM

It's better than the programme . .

However, the serious Folk stuff on the Beeb is now on Radio 3 - Kershaw, late junction and the other one what Ralphie will (I hope) pop up and remind me about!

G.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Ralphie
Date: 29 Jun 01 - 05:04 PM

GeogeH Big List... Mon-Thurs.....Late Junction (Either Verity Sharp, Spiky stuff, or....Fiona Talkigton...slightly more sexy!) Fri...Andy Kershaw....nuff said. expect the unexpected! And...Sat 1300 Lucy Duran's World Routes...Just recorded tomorrows show, and it's brill Love as always..Ralphie Radio 3 is doing a good job....please listen, wherever you are.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio2 folk website: the best?
From: Ralphie
Date: 29 Jun 01 - 05:21 PM

If any of you Mudcatters out there, do nothing else this evening, please respond in someway....make up your own message...to "wes.w".. 's message a few lines up. It's not often that I'm moved so much by something. but Tony Rose IS one of the most important performers in England.....All messages, somehow, (Knowing you buggers!) will be forwarded to him....It doesn't even cost a phone call to do it! With luck, the Bandoggs project will appear soon. Until then...Much love to Tony and his family Ralphie xx