BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)

Subject: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 11:04 AM

Linked to the English Traditional Folk Music evening planned for Wednesday 19 March on Radio 3, the BBC Radio 3 website has started a thread discussing the future of English folk. Sadly, only 10 messages on that thread (11 now with mine); which would lead the powers that be that interest in folk music is low. All of us Mudcatters may be happily talking to each other here, but THEY don't listen in - we need to take the discussion to them.

So, get off your bums, folks, and start posting on that thread (look for it under "Topic - Late Junction", "then English Traditonal music", on the BBC Radio 3 website. You need to register first, but it only takes a minute).

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Micca
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 12:04 PM

If you try here Then click the English Folk Music box you get to it, I think

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 12:24 PM

You beat me to it micca!

Go to BBC Radio Online, then click on Radio 3, then in the left menu click on message boards, then at the bottom right click on Late Junction, then click on the first topic English Folk Music.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 02:40 PM

BBC R3 The state of English folk music

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 06:45 PM

Mr Greko...
Yes Indeedy...Have thrown in my 4 pennorth, as has Anahata and others..
Lets support our gallant friends in Media land...and who knows what might happen...Look at the stuff that is now being shown on BBC4.
It wouldn't have happened without input from all you chaps and chappesses out there.
Go On...It's only 1 E Mail after all
Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Mr Red
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 06:53 PM

I had a look, made my mark. I will be recording or listening on the night. Thanks for the advance warning.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 07:01 PM

Good on Yer Mr Red...
Although, unlike the massively efficient Mudcat, Radio 3's message board seems to take Sunday Night off!!
Nice to be held in a queue though...Bit like the Circle line at 8 am..! (Ref for London readers only)
Enjoy Weds show..
Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 06:04 AM

A whole evening of English traditional song and music on BBC Radio 3
next Wednesday, quite amazing really, but it hardly seems to have been noticed by Mudcatters or by anyone else if the number of messages on the BBC 3 website is anything to go by. The BBC use these responses to judge the potential audience and we should be flooding the site with comments. Of course the BBC could be right- no interest in the English tradition, only Scots, Irish and American

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 06:25 AM

GUEST.
Quite right....Come on you people !!
I can't keep posting to the site. It would look like a conspiracy!
Cheers Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Harry Basnett
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 07:23 AM

Stuck my oar in a couple of times....come on kitties.....let the Powers That Be know we're out there!!

All the best...................Harry.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: GUEST,Eliza C
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 11:07 AM

Normally I would post to register my vote too, but I can't cos I'm in the programme. Really glad that they are doing this, I only wish they had chosen more imaginatively the people taking part. I would like to hear what Greg Stephens would have to say in the debate, or someone like Katie Howson maybe. As much as I love them to pieces, I don't know how much about English folk music the Oysterband know, for example. I suppose the rationale is that they represent modern English rootsy music, based somehwere close to the tradition. I am looking forward to it though, and I hope that interesting things are said and done. Great to have the opportunity anyway, even if everyone's eyes will be cast towards Iraq. x ec

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Harry Basnett
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 12:25 PM

Bit baffled about the Oysterband myself, Eliza...ne'er mind it should be an interesting programme and I'm just grateful the BBC have granted so much airtime.

Have fun!

all the best.........Harry.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: RolyH
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 04:43 PM

I've put a message up.

Don't forget those of you in the UK with a dish, Radio 3 broadcasts on channel 853 on the Sky satellite.Pretty good digital sound if you plug it through your music system.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 05:04 PM

Sent a plug in too............

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk
www.holmfirthfestival.com

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 05:14 PM

Not sure I can I get on to this chat, I have ntl cabletv internet, not a computer. But I'll have a go.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 05:30 PM

Well I just had a look but I cant figure out what to press to join up. And it seems to say it's shut for the night anyway. Can anybody offer any advice to a person lacking in savoir-faire when it comes to chatrooms/message-boards all this kind of thing?

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: John Routledge
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 06:01 PM

Have now registered. Looks like a move in the right general direction if sufficient response is received by the Beeb !!

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: vectis
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 06:59 PM

Joined up and posted. We should make the most of the chance to get noticed. There are precious few of them on the BEEB nowadays.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 04:29 AM

Good on you, folks, keep at it. Perhaps we can continue posting there after Wednesday, offering our own "post mortem" views too (OK, I know, wrong choice of words, but you know what I mean...)

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 04:44 AM

Oh, and it's actually a good read too !!
(Just a sneaky way to keep this thread at the top of the heap until tomorrow !!)
Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 04:50 AM

Greg-As you know, I use a similar internet set up to you, I have just had a look at the site, but can't seem to figure it out.I will have a look later, and if i get any sense out of it, i will let you know how.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 04:58 AM

Does anyone know where to write the message? I just had a good look at the site, and can't figure it out, there is no box to write in like here.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:02 AM

John...
assuming that you're registered, Just click on the reply tag at the end of the message you want to answer, and a new page pops up.
It's not like here, sadly, as the messages don't appear sequentially, but as seperate conversations..My posts move all over the place as other people come along. Very confusing at first!
Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:10 AM

thanks ralphie, ill have another look.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:15 AM

I agree Ralphie - I really don't like their messageboard setup - very confusing till you get the hang of it!

I tried starting a discussion on the Radio 2 folkies board about the recent folk awards & the possibility of Regional Folk Awards, but it soon descended into a discussion about the Oysterband :-(

It did prompt a few letters though, and another discussion so it's well worth posting on the BBC boards if you can get your head around it!!

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:25 AM

Ah...Guru...So that was you was it??
It's interesting also, to try and match peoples real names, to their Mudcat handles!!
Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:38 AM

How do you register? That's what I couldnt find when I had a look. As a VIP has actually flatteringly suggested I should make a contribution, I want to make the effort, but I got a bit confused.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:52 AM

Mmmm Greg...Don't know what system you use..!!
But just under the Radio 3 Logo at the top of the page are the words "Log Out"...Now, I'm assuming that for newcomers that would say "Log In"..But, for me, as I'm already "Logged In"..I'm not sure!!!
And, If I Logged Out, I might not be able to Log In again..Still with me??
Anyone else help??
Regards Ralphie
And, No VIPs around here, only a lot of Billy-No-Mates LOL!!

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 06:01 AM

i think its stupid and too complicated, why dont they make it easy to understand like mudcat, the bbc have got millions, they should make it easy for people.john

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 06:17 AM

Hello, i figured it out in the end, i told them to start a radio station for folk music, as there is one for jazz music, [jazz fm}, and 2 for classical music, [bbc3 and classic fm}, i wonder if they will?

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 06:18 AM

John...Agreed.
But, In their defence, They've only recently started doing the Message Board lark....No doubt it will improve with time.
Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 06:26 AM

Ralphie thanks for advice, I will now intrepidly venture in again

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 06:31 AM

Oh Greg...You're not going "To Boldly Go" are you?
You know what will happen to this thread if you do...We'll be Shatnerised, and sent below the line....!!

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 07:15 AM

wow I got in a registered. Then I found a sort of thread with ralphie, john from hull(assuming the suspiciously well spelt John Evans is him) et al. Trouble is, I then realised I didnt know what the programmes was in terms of artists etc. I'll try some other clickies to find out and have another go. My, this is exciting. I had no idea there were so many nerds in the world.
I will just mention that I found Malcolm Douglas' contibution as useful and to-the-point as his stuff on Mudcat always is.
OK, I'm taking a deep breath and going back down.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 07:19 AM

Yes Ralphie, that was me - out of dis-guise :-) Mainly just threw the topic in & gradually gave up with it when they all started changing the thread titles & waffling on about the Oysterband.

Have just posted my small contribution to the Radio 3 thread, it doesn't seem to have actually gone on, but maybe they get 'held' fist, so I'll check again later! All good stuff...

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Harry Basnett
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 08:03 AM

Hi, Hil...

         The messages seem to go to a 'moderator' first to check for inflammatory comments, foul language, etc. and are then posted after the all-clear! That's why I more or less repeated one of my messages 'cos I thought I'd messed things up when I submitted it.

All the best...................Harry Basnett.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 08:11 AM

Thanks Harry, that explains it! I'll check later :-)
Hil

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 03:58 AM

Apologies for this...
But, 1 last refresh for this thread (Promise!)
Please go to the Radio 3 links above, and register your comments re tonights Radio 3 programme.
For too long, very little notice of English Music has been taken by the British Media.
At last, we, the silent majority, have our chance to hear (hopefully!) intelligent discussion on the music that we love.
DO IT !!!

Regards Ralphie...(Getting off soap-box!)

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 09:56 AM

Keep up the publicity Ralphie. I've just put a message on. there seemed to be different strings of related topics all going on, I just bunged mine on what I thought was the end of the "English folk music "thread, but it seems to have appeared in the middle. I couldn't really understand how it all works, but then I'm thick.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: GUEST,Bystander
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 10:35 AM

This topic certainly seems to have introduced a lot of people to the BBC radio threads even if half of them don't seem to understand how it works.
On Mudcat every reply is listed in order, so if someone starts a thread about banjo playing in Mongolia, after about thirty postings it can become a thread about treacle mining in Burgess Hill.
With the BBC way of doing things, if you want to make a contribution about Banjos you click on to the first reply and it is added below that one. If you want to talk about treacle you reply to the later posting and it appears below that.
I see on the classical music forum they are complaining about all the jazz and world music on Radio 3!

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 10:40 AM

Ah, that explains why i like Mudcat so much. I love thread-drift (unless it's a thread I started, in which case I expect people to stick to the subject I told them to).

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 11:27 AM

Hey, I've got the hang of this Radio 3 place. you can start a New Thread, just like Mudcat, and then you go Top of the List!! Wow. Mind you nobody's replied to me yet. And no sign of any rude GUEST yet, so it's not quite like Mudcat.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 11:38 AM

I thought I'd cracked it by replying directly to the original post rather than to a reply, but I soon got moved further down the page, and now I'm over on the second one! Never mind; I haven't started on the rôle of folk song collectors and that "glass case" foolishness yet...

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 11:47 AM

Hah! Look again, Greg...

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 12:01 PM

Right, I've just replied to you George. nobody's mentioned Iraq yet. I've posted to one thread saying how how important the old music is, and then started the other one saying how important it is to be open to multi-cultural new influences. trying to cover all bases here.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 07:47 PM

Enjoyed the night, my alter ego even got a mention on air!

Oysterband? Well I don't particularly applaud all they do but as <HUSHED TONES> Martin Carthy </HUSHED TONES> himself said "You can do anything to a folk song and it will survive - except ignore it"

Particularly liked Liza's quote (is it yer own Liza?) "Ancestors whispering in your ear"

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Ralphie
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 09:15 PM

Oi you lot....
I was doing a Band for John Peel all evening...So, Haven't heard it yet!!
Looking at the various cat sites, though...seems like it stirred up a shit storm!!
Well done to Malcolm D for getting a mention from young Fiona !!
Will get to hear it on Friday, hopefully.
But, even if you didn't like it, you've got to admit that it was an interesting experiment.
Off now to clear my head from the sounds of Drums and Violas!!
Sleep Well
Ralphie

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 19 Mar 03 - 09:39 PM

I was surprised to be quoted (particularly first), but not surprised that the next sentence I'd written didn't get an airing:

"The media has to take some of the blame for this, having engaged over the years in relentless stereotyping. I've lost count of the number of times I've heard young, very self-consciously "clever" comedy acts go for the lazy option of a cheap laugh at the expense of Morris dancers, for example..."

Fortunately, other people made much the same point later on. I suppose I should mention that I am not a morris dancer; nor do I have a pot belly or wear arran sweaters (other stereotypes invoked). I do have a beard, and I do drink beer, though never from pewter tankards. If I put my finger in my ear, it is done in private, in order to remove wax. I have never seen anybody put a finger in their ear in order to sing, and neither has Norma Waterson; who has been around longer than I have.

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: Deni-C
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 02:24 AM

how are we doing number-wise? I can't find the total.....

deni

Subject: RE: BBC Radio 3 website discussion NOW (UK)
From: GUEST,Santa
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 04:22 AM

What a good evening! Shame I had to give up the folk club to listen to it.

But in many ways an opportunity wasted. How many times did an interesting discussion start only to be stopped in its tracks because it was time for the next song? And after the song it was off down another alley altogether.

And where were those who would argue differently? Those, maybe, who would suggest (cogently) that English folk music is effectively dead and maintained by middle-class fat bearded beer drinkers (Hello! that's me).... they must exist or there wouldn't be quite so many people willing to argue the reverse. The discussions were excessively one-sided, a bunch of good friends having a natter.

And the repeated PC about the Wicked English History was disappointing - if that had any relevance to the tradition it certainly wasn't made clear. Just English = Bad, Everyone else = Good. Cobblers.