Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular

Subject: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: fi_in_nz
Date: 31 May 06 - 04:34 PM

Anyone else getting v.fed up with the playlist on Radio 2 folk programme? Kate Rusby EVERY week (is MH having a fling with her or somat?), hardly any airing of new artists (by that I mean artists who've been on the scene for 10 years or less ..... Kate Rusby excepted of course) or musos who aren't members of the Waterson/Carthy clans, or who weren't having a beer in MH's front room last week. Is this supposed to be a MH and his mates club? I for one would love to hear something new on the show, but I've pretty much given up. F

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: John J
Date: 31 May 06 - 05:37 PM

We used to have a superb folk programme on BBC Radio Manchester, but the BBC decided it didn't fit in with their idea of what a local radio station should broadcast. Now we get mindless phone-ins, oh and lots of football. The good news is that Bernard Cromarty and Ali O'Brien (sp?) having left the BBC now produce a very professional programme on the Radio Britfolk website.

BBC Radio Lancashire's folk programme is good, 'Lancashire Drift', broadcast on Thursdays 8pm local time. I think it may be repeated at some time too.

As for your original observations, I have a quick listen now and again to see if things have improved. They haven't.

Best wishes,

John

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: melodeonboy
Date: 31 May 06 - 05:46 PM

I was actually asking, jokingly, before the programme started, whether he was going to play Kate Rusby yet again this evening, and blow me down, not only did he play one of her songs but also gave her three other plugs; and all in a one-hour programme! Do you think he's doing it deliberately just to wind people up?

Well, "fi in nz", I think you have a point. I think the playlist does need freshening up a bit (and I speak as someone who's actually a great fan of the Waterson/Carthy clan!), and introducing more new bands would be a good idea.

I did, however, think that the information on festivals along with songs by those who are performing at the festivals was worthwhile, particularly for those who are not that familiar with the folk scene and who may be encouraged to investigate by what they heard .

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 01:40 AM

Mike Harding, John Leonard and the whole Smooth Operations team are well past their sell by date and need replacing as a matter of urgency.

Mike is surely Kate Rusbys manager or publicist.

Last nights show about UK festivals was remarkable for AGAIN failing to mention Whitby Folk Week, I asked Mike last year, why he didn't mention it, and he said there wasn't time, [ eh ? ] but they would give it a plug this year, and then didn't, what a wanker.

eric

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: fi_in_nz
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 02:00 PM

Hi All, I'll have to look out for the Britfolk radio programme, and see if we can get Radio Lancashire over this side of the Pennines (doubt it, but I'll look for it on the web).....

I'm sure R2 gets bombarded with stuff to play and yet they/he still manages to play the same stuff week in week out. 10 days ago took the biscuit when he played the latest Kate Rusby/Ronan Keeting (not folk at all) travesty. I too, like the Waterson/Carthy clan, but there are heaps of other great musicians out there playing wonderful music who need an airing much more.

Eric - have to say I hadn't noticed that he didn't mention Whitby since it's def on our hit list for festivals this year since our great mate Terry Free will be there..... catch him if you can.....(not sure if he's a guest or will just be in the pubs, but you'll know him anyway from the pic on the website), but you're right, HOW can you possibly be doing a guide to FF's and not mention Whitby.   I reckon MH lives in his own little (insert adjective to your liking) folk world.

F

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: treewind
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 02:27 PM

MH's "folk world" is different from that of his R2 programme. The BBC and the Smooth Operations team dictate the programming, MH is just the front man, and elsewhere is a performer in much more of a folk style.

But whether you like it or not, the place to listen to folk music on BBC radio is Radio 3. Late Junction, Monday-Thursday 10:15pm - midnight. Lots of other stuff (mostly interesting) but you get more folk music there every week than you do in Mike Harding's program, and MUCH more adventurous programming altogether. You can hear it any time on listen again.
And that Verity Sharp's not a bad fiddle player herself.

The other place to listen to folk music is Radio Britfolk as already mentioned.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: folkwaller
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 05:36 AM

I must agree with eric the red. The programme is rubbish.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 06:10 AM

I thought MH lived in Ireland now anyway, not a good place to live if you are presenting a British folk music programme. Otherwise it's a great place to live.
G

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 06:24 AM

Mike shares his time between Ireland and Dent, hence the plug for Dent festival, no doubt very good, but what has he got against Whitby ?

eric

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 06:29 AM

By the way, I saw Mike many times when he was doing the folk club circuit, [ before he got too big ][ not a bad pun that ] and he really was an excellent singer, musician and songwriter.

eric

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 06:31 AM

He was indeed, I still enjoy his Red Specs album too.
G

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: John J
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 05:32 AM

Mike's a Lancastrian, Whitby's in Yorkshire. Mind you, so is Dent. Just a thought.

JJ

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 06:08 AM

Well when he's not living in Ireland he's living in Yorkshire, so he's not totally stupid.

eric

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: shepherdlass
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 06:47 AM

I actually feel sorry for Mike Harding: it's hard for anyone fronting the one-hour a week folk remit to get the balance right. R2 is by nature populist - so I suppose playing the big names is part of the job. Without more time slots it's hard to see that this situation would change. Late Junction is bound to be the place to hear less well-known material because R3 is permitted to be more esoteric.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 12:52 PM

Treewind, I couldn't agree more about LAte Junction. Not only is the content better (it has a different remit of course) but it is far better presented.

Sherpherdlass, I can't imagine why anyone would feel sorry for MH. Getting the balance right may be difficult, but he doesn't even attempt it. And if the fault lies with the BBC (as treewind also suggests) how come the show was so much better when Jim Lloyd presented it? Harding is dire in this job and, for the sake of whatever reputation he has left, he should give it up.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 01:39 PM

There are so many different aspects of folk music it must be impossible to please everybody and get the balance right. Its all a matter of opinions in my opinion because I quite like the programme.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 02:58 PM

One night my Lada died on the way home from a gig in Northampton. I waited about 2 hours in the cold before the RAC man arrived and he said I'm sorry, I know you'll think this programme is rubbish, it's Mike Harding, but I never miss it - I hope you don't mind. And I listened to Mike all the way home nearly.

what I'm saying is, he may not be much good, but he's better than waiting in the cold on a slip road near the MI. You see if you could get the setting right, you would really enjoy him.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST,
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 03:15 PM

Hear hear Anahata

I thought most people would know that it's producers that choose the music for BBC radio programmes, I listen to BBC Radio 2 for a fair bit of the day and presenters always thank the producers for their choice of music (maybe Mike should do the same).

I have to thank Mike Harding, for it was his programme that introduced me to the wonderful world of folk 4 years ago and that's good enough for me. These days I much prefer the unaccompanied and more traditional stuff but I still wouldn't knock what I first heard.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 04:00 PM

Well I'm currently a great fan of Late Junction since they played my new record the other night. But I will also become a Mike Harding programme fan, just as soon as he plays it too.
Basically, it's all a matter of taste.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 04:26 PM

I heard that, Greg, if you mean the Boat Band CD, and quite liked it. I'll send you a fiver if you ever get it played on the Harding show.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 04:54 PM

Some harsh comments about Mike going around here really. He has to play what he is given and its the people behind the prog are the narrow minded ones who play the same names all the time. I honestly enjoyed the prog when Ralphie did it for a while - less flavour of the week feel to it. But - apart from that - kick the real guilty buggers - WAKE UP BBC RADIO - there are plenty of very excellent artists out there. Get out into the clubs and record them there instead of promoting labels in 'top of the flops' hour.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST,MikeofNorthumbria(offBase)
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 10:16 AM

Hi there folks,

If BBC Radio 2 Playlists are forced on the presenters by the producers, then how come Humph seems to have total artistic control of his (excellent)"Best of Jazz" programme on Monday nights?

Wassail?

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 10:18 AM

I quite like the MH show, but if folk don't there is some evidence that they read the meesageboard on the R2 site so as Mike suggested the other week 'stick your opinions up there'.

The board is in dire straits at present, the 'moderators' a mysnomer if ever there was one, are on the rampage. Beset by angry fans at changes to their football boards they've decided to pick on the folkies, prsumably because we don't matter.

fx

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: r.padgett
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 10:22 AM

No mention of Radio Derby's Folk Waves programme can listen to it on your computer as you can Radio Brit Folk


Mick Peat and Lester Simpson Radio Derby Monday at 7pm 2hrs and


Tom Bliss and Dave Evardson and many other Folkies promoting this (Radio Brit Folk)

Ray

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Fiona
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 10:25 AM

Don't know why I was a guest (10.18)......mutter grumble...

Yes loads of folk progs on the jolly old beeb Ray, but just one poor beknighted board!

fx

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 12:21 PM

Would that be "outlandishly beKnighted"?

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 03:43 PM

I saw Mr Harding on Deansgate, in Manchester, only last week. I felt like shouting abuse but it wouldn't have done any good and I'm far too well brung up - so I said nothing.

"Kate Rusby EVERY week (is MH having a fling with her or somat?)"

... the mind boggles! I think we should be told!!

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 01:57 AM

why abuse, he's happy enough where he is.

30 years ago when he was prancing round doing a gig on telly from Buxton Opera House, he had a black balacalava on and the audience were in hysterics as did his side spltting routine as a reggae singer.

At the time I was working as a teacher in school in Lozells, Birmingham opposite the Black Wax reggae records shop. The staffroom wag called us Rourkes Drift Secondary.

I realised then, that most of us lived in a parallel universe to some sections of the English folk music crowd.

I'm sure there are points of confluence (after all, we share the human condition), but BBC radio folk music shows were always unlikely to be one.

Best left as it is.......and all the best to all parties

bigalwhittle.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 02:45 AM

Just to correct a post from GUEST (Anon) a while ago.
If I am the Ralphie you are referring to, I haven't had any involvement with the Mike H show for many years. It's produced by an independent company. And way back then, only in a technical way.
As for the rest of the arguments. The show, being as it is on a national station, has to be more mainstream to attract the general listener. It's not a "Folk" show. It lost that name many years ago.
As others have stated, (and if you're reading this, you have the technology to access them!) there are some great UK radio shows on the web.
Radio Derby (Mick and Lester)
Radio Shropshire (Genevieve), the excellent Britfolk.
IMO MH does a good job considering the remit of the show.
If you don't like it, find something else to listen to.
The web is saturated with music from all over the world. My "Media" folder has about 30 websites bookmarked. Go Looking peeps!!
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 04:09 AM

In an interview published in Living Tradition 42 (March/April 2001) Mike Harding talks down to his listeners:

'I am sick of people telling me how to do the job. There is an English disease, it may also be a Scots or an Irish disease, but it is certainly an English one. If you dig a hole you will soon find six people standing round looking down the hole at you, with no shovels in their hands, telling you how you should be doing it. If you want to dig, get a shovel.'

And what happens when you pick up a shovel? Yeah, right . . . some hypocritical bastard from Smooth Operations pops up saying how much they value our input. Even then, it's not their fault entirely that the programme is such crap as the playlist is dictated entirely by the remit from R2. This is called called 'follow through' and the same LT piece MH says:

'People don't always understand the concept of follow-through . . . the trick is to tempt listeners to stay with you and try to avoid sharp edges . . . we are not trying to satisfy the committed folk listener . . . it is not our remit just to reflect the music currently going on. . . I don't want to waste energy arguing with somebody from a folk club in Lower Eccleston . . . ' etc etc.

Yeah, right. Arrogant git. Though he couldn't do it differently even if he wanted it curtains for Smooth Ops outsourcing contract which stipulates that the hour between 8 and 9 on a Wednesday evening has to merge seamlessly on from the foregoing bland, MOR country crap which is presumably the reasoning why the output sounds as if its provenence is a mythical mid-Atlantic island.

So, don't listen. I don't (after first glancing at the playlist), while fully recognising that if audience ratings plummeted this could well mean the end of any programme (however dumbed down with wifty-wafty Celtic and mid-Atlantic sounding transatlantic snigger-snoggers) devoted, allegedly, to 'folk' on national network radio. Does this actually matter? Why should there be one niche programme that comes in for so much negative criticism which scarcely serves to enhance the image of traditional and roots-based music? Shouldn't it be everywhere on the airwaves as part of all kinds of broadcasts? (Actually, it is, though usually uncredited, especially on R4).

Some better places to listen:

Late Junction (obviously)
The Acoustic Stage (24 hours with no stupid talking)
Radio Norway (dedicated wall-to-wall 24-hour trad from a public service broadcaster . . . hmmmm).

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 04:30 AM

oh let it go countess, you will do your blood pressure no good, and no one, who could do anything about it, gives a shit.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 06:13 AM

This piece by Mike Harding is quite remarkable in that he actually replied to some criticsm, normally he just ignores it all unless you are praising him or his show [ or Kate Rusby ]

When I was having a go at him a few years ago, he would never reply to my emails, but slagged me off personally in a letter to the Living tradition.

I'm definately not on his christmas card list.

eric

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Scrump
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 06:36 AM

Remember this is Radio 2 - national audience, so they only include stuff that's on their playlist, i.e. stuff that has widest appeal in their opinion. If they started playing more obscure stuff the ratings would fall and the show would be taken off the air. I don't see how we can expect it to be any different, unfortunately :(

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 07:08 AM

Question, if Humphrey Littleton gets to play only jazz on his programme, and the TWO country and western programmes play only C&W, Paul jones plays just plays blues or R&B, why does Mike Harding have to play EVERYTHING ? no-one has ever explained this to me.

eric

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST,Dazbo
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 08:22 AM

QUOTE: "    'People don't always understand the concept of follow-through . . . the trick is to tempt listeners to stay with you and try to avoid sharp edges . . . "

As someone who never listens to MH (and when I look at the playlists more often than not I don't feel that I missed anything) it seems that if the show must have follow-through someone with a modicum of sense could easily play the more adventurous material between say quarter past and quarter to giving enough time to alleviate this outlandishness at the start and the end of the show.

"If you want to dig, get a shovel" well if I had the money to start up a radio station I would (and I'd never play Kate Rusby!!) but as I don't, I think that's a very insulting thing to say, Mr Harding.

But follow through is bollocks as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't matter how much the sharp edges are knocked off blues, country and (especially) jazz, they all send me rushing to the off switch. I'm glad MH's show is there but how much do I wish there was a show on the BBC nationally that does "satisfy the committed folk listener"?

PS Mike, if you read this can I have that hour I lost listening to Rubber Folk back please?

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 10:02 AM

Well said Dazbo, I thought it was just me who thought Rubber Folk was a waste of airtime, and crap as well.

eric

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 10:24 AM

"Follow through" my arse!!! Radio 2 has recently had dub/reggae series by Mark Lamarr, 50's rock and rock by Suzi quatro! Even the bloody HOME ORGAN has it's own series in "The home organist entertains" every tuesday night. Where's the follow through after that shite?

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 03:22 PM

Ralphie, of course there is excellent stuff accessible via the web. But is it unreasonable to ask why the BBC - the world's premier broadcaster - should have such a huge black hole when it comes to folk/traditional music? You say MH is "doing a good job, considering..." but do you think he's as good in his field as Jim Lloyd was, or as Humph and Paul Jones are in theirs?

The Beeb's feeble showing in this territory was underscored several weeks ago when its truly dismal Folk Britannia series was followed by a wonderful show about Katherine Tickell and Northumbria.... on Channel Five!

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 03:38 PM

Blimey Fionn. (Peter K, or both!)
Didn't mean to start WW3!!
Don't even work for Smooth Ops. Have to agree with Anahata. (or he'll kill me)
MH is just an entry level show into what David Jacobs would call "Our sort of music".
It matters not whether listeners follow their hearts to discover all the rest of the music that we enjoy (whatever that is).
I will not pontificate about this. If people who listen to the Radio, (BBC 1,2,3,4.5.6,etc) hear something that is of interest.
Well thats bloody brilliant.
If that leads them somewhere further....even more brilliant.
And, if there is a national programme that gives people a gentle entry to "Our kind of music". Whats the problem?
Part of the BBC's remit is to educate.
I'll say no more
Ralph

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 03:46 PM

Except.....!!!
To answer your specific question.
Yes, I could do a better programme!!
With a smile Ralphie... (Late Junction and Andy Kershaw rule!)

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: John J
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 03:46 PM

The BBC here in Manchester have chosen to educate us with football & mindless phone-in programmes in place of the now discontinued but really excellent folk programme that was presented by our Ali & produced by Bernard Cromarty, that marvel of accordion, guitar, concertina, mandolin etc etc, plus of course: the mixing desk. Oh and he's not a bad singer either.

We are fortunate indeed that Ali & Bernard are now found on Radio Britfolk.

John

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 04:35 PM

Not on Radio2, but on Radio Wales. Another plug for Celtic Heartbeat a three hour Saturday night programme from Frank Hennessy. Available for 'listen again' for one week from being aired

CHEERS
Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 01:33 AM

The BBC policy seems to be to axe good folk music programmes, as in the Manchester one and the totally brilliant Henry Ayrtons Real Music Show on this side of the Pennines.

eric

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Grab
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 01:54 PM

Don't forget the "Folk Club" on one of the NI BBC stations too - well worth it.

FWIW, it's a pretty broad scope he's got, so he's never going to please everyone. But it would be nice to see some more variety.

There is actually some substance to the "privatise BBC radio" campaign. If BBC radio is a public service, then it needs to be providing things that private radio can't, which should mean *more* rather than less specialist programmes. In particular you can easily lose all the drivetime, breakfast show and phone-in programmes which contribute nothing - so goodbye Terry Wogan, Jeremy Vine, and (pray god!) Chrises Evans and Moyles. We can but hope.

What bugs me is that there's 1 hour per week for folk, 1 hour per week for blues - and 1 hour per week for wurlitzer organs. Not to knock people's taste in music, but there can't be that many wurlitzer organ fans around, surely?

Graham.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 03:50 PM

Tim Moon's show on Monday at 8pm on Bradford Community Broadcasting (86.7fm if you live in West Yorkshire, on the internet - Bcb's own site and Radio Britfolk, if you don't) is excellent. A broad definition of folk music is used - recent guests have included Julie Ellison, Neil Innes and the Hall Brothers - there's always something interesting going on. Give it a go.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 04:21 PM

Oh dear, Greg - as soon as I heard him say "North West," I knew my fiver was gone! Send me your address, and it'll be in the post. I must take back everything I've said about MH.

(As on Late Junction, the track played sounded a bit box-haavy. Is it the same on the rest of the CD? Or maybe it's just the effect of listening on an indifferent car radio. Couldn't hear banjo at all, but I guess you were in there.)

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 04:24 PM

I may have ventured the ocasional slight criticism of BBC folk coverage in the past, but I wouild like to go on record to say that the Mike Harding programmme is currently scaling new heights of taste. Its playlist is well thought out,and compelling, and certainly seems to have a finger on the pulse of what is seriously happening these days.
   And by the way, he's just played the title track of the Boat Band's seminal "A Trip to the Lakes", stonking, gradely and cracking Cumbrian music, available on Harbourtown HARCDo47.
   Oh, and earlier in this thread PeterK(Fionn) said he would pay me a fiver if this record was ever played on the Mike Harding. I call on heaven, and all Mudcatters, to witness his obligation to me.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: melodeonboy
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 05:12 PM

Yeah; credit where it's due. The Boat Band track was bloody brilliant. I also thought the interview with Julie Fowlis was very interesting, and her music was wonderful.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 05:35 PM

I haven't listened to it (well I don't) but yes, well, of course The Boat Band was bloody brilliant and so is Julie Fowlis. We all know that, don't we? It's not exactly new news. But just run your eye down the rest of the playlist. Apart from a track from the (fairly) new Jon Boden CD (and not by any means the best one but better by far than most other stuff listed), why waste an hour of your life?

Just look at what was on Late Junction last night and I'm catching up on now.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 05:53 PM

Let's just say tactfully that the BBC tends to concentrate its specialist folk interest on Radio 3's Late Junction, these days. But times may change.
In the 70's Radio 2 played some remarkably interesting stuff, and some crap. Trouble is, nobody could agree which was which. Nowadays the station is going for bland(in the folk area, that is), and I suspect not pleasing as many people as it would like. I do not, personally, believe that Mike Harding plays his own choice of records, and I suspect that if he did it would be a more idiosyncratic and enjoyable show. I do feel though, that things are slightly changing for the better, looking at the BBC as a whole. WEll, let's face it, things are bound to be on a turn up if they've started playing the Boat Band.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 05:59 PM

PeteK/Fionn: I was playing guitar on that track. Let me tell you the tracks I played banjo on, you can hear it loud and clear: I mixed the record myself!
    Have that fiver with you next time we meet.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Bill Brillo
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 06:08 PM

Interesting thread. I've stopped listening to MH; same songs, same artists, week in week out with the occasional plum: but I can't be arsed to listen to the same things week after week in the hope of something different, also I'm not that fond of Irish country music, that's my choice. I agree with those who recommend other, local Beeb stations, Genevieve especially, how can anyone be that laid back? but how come no mention of Michael Brothwell on Radio York, Wednesday night 7 - 8 pm. You can listen over your supper and then go down ther pub, missing MH into the bargain!

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 11 Jun 06 - 02:25 PM

Noted, Greg. Believe me, I want to clear the shame of this debt as soon as possible!

Immediately after the MH show, complete with the Boat Band, Radio 2 followed up with the Charles Hazlehurst show, which included an interview with June Tabor. He was almost as sycophantic as Harding would have been, but it was a good bit more interesting. The fact that June Tabor was a studio guest on the show immediately following Harding's leads me to think that those who say the playlists are imposed by the Beeb are probably right.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 10:42 AM

Well done Gregg for getting on Radio 2, it is a rollickingy good CD.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: stallion
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 06:09 PM

Re - Micheal Brothwells show on radio york - it is now two hours and is broadcast on the net and has a "listen again" feature. He is doing a tremendous job of promoting local performers amongst "mainstream" folk performers. He is also approachable, honest, patient and enthusiastic, send your cd's and if your anything like you will get air time, even a chance to do a live set ( he plays our cd for heavens sake!) Pass the word on ( I have to say not all the music is to my taste but he has that   "John Peel" attitude in not being afraid to give new stuff a go)

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: pavane
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 01:34 AM

Note: I wrote the following yesterday, but couldn't post because Mudcat seemed to be down!

I think one of the main issues is that it is a closed shop. You can't get onto the playlist unless you are already known, and you can't get well known if you are not on the playlist. I really can't understand how people like Eliza Carthy (sorry, I don't like her) can be pushed and while more talented performers are totally ignored.

How did John Peel manage it? He found and highlighted many relative unknowns in the early 70's (Steeleye Span and Nic Jones as examples).

We need a program which can promote new talent nationally.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Alio
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 05:02 PM

Thanks for the mention John J.

I now present 2 shows every month for Radio BritFolk - in the 1st and 3rd weeks (or it could be the 2nd and 4th weeks!) Bernard will correct me if I'm wrong!! He's done a brill job turning his attic room into a fantastic recording studio.

I'm not sure if Mike has carte blanche to use whatever material he wants, or if he has to follow any guidelines set by the BBC. But for me, the secret is to vary the content as much as possible, so quite often I'm playing tracks which I may not personally choose to listen to otherwise, but that I know many others love! Or it could be artists who are virtually unknown, but deserve to get some airplay.

I also try to vary the guests I'm interviewing - next month it's Jennifer Cutting from America re her new album Ocean, Songs for the Night Sea Journey.

I still feel sad about BBC GMR though - they did offer me 20 minutes every other week, at around 11p.m. in someone else's programme!!! I didn't fancy that for some reason!

Ali

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 05:29 PM

Jennifer Cutting . . . omigod let's see:

LINER NOTES: May this music, like the ocean, give you a buoyant vacation from gravity

fRoots REVIEW: Frankly, one would rather drown swiftly in the Bay of Biscay than be forced to listen to this abhorrent concoction of the twee and lumpen and lyrics which rarely rise above the level of doggerel. Numerous folk luninaries participate but their identities are best kept secret.

Upon being challenged by a fan of new-agey, celticky drivel, the reviewer added: . . . one of the worst albums released in the entire history of recorded music - pointless pap with some 'mystical' oceanic thread supposedly surrounding its existence. It's awful, mind-numbling garbage and the disc is already hanging from the tree above my raspberry plants.

Personally, I thought this was excessive cruelty to birds.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: pavane
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 02:04 AM

Certain to be a regular on the MH show then.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: dozy rozy
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 07:16 PM

Well, fiona, you certainly started a discussion.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Scrump
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 07:05 AM

MH gets a lot of stick in this thread, but I norm ally find his show quite interesting whenever I get a chance to listen to it (which isn't often because I'm usually out at a folk club on Weds, and I rarely get time to "listen again"). I agree his choice may sometimes seem unadventurous (which as others have said is more down to the Smooth Ops than MH), but he still occasionally slips in a few gems (the Boat Band track last week is a case in point), and it's still better than b*gg*r all.

IMO we should be encouraging him and the BBC by writing / emailing the Beeb and praising the show in large numbers - that's more likely to result in getting more folk programming on the Beeb. Slagging the show off will just get it taken off the air. Just my 5p's worth.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: stallion
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 07:42 AM

good point nearly an apple drink. trouble is there are so many unsung heroes labouring in the clubs that don't get any recognition at all. If it doesn't get recognition the whole tradition will die at the roots and folk bands will have to be "manufactured", eg, "Spice Beards" from the stable of Carthy, Rusby and Waterson.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 10:43 PM

Greetings all.
I used to listen to the MH show weach week while waiting to pick the MRs up from work.
It was quite good for te first six months then started to seem a little limited.
After lsitening to that bloody awful stuff with brass instruments in it for couple or three shows and the carthies /watersons/et al I stopped listening an opton open to all.
I listen to Charlie Gillet and my mates playing and people at the local Folk club (Hi Big AL.) The MArket Raison folk Club.
Some of you sound as if the only way to hear Folk Music is via Mike Harding,It is one hour a week! get a life or a cd player!
Or get on the bus and go to a club or a concert.
It isnt the end of the world is it?

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Scrump
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 04:28 AM

Agreed, TimTheTwangler! The whole point is that we should be in clubs making and listening to folk music, not sat at home listening to it on the radio.

Subject: RE: Folk on Radio 2 - MH in particular
From: Mr Fox
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 07:35 AM

Scrump, et al - Of COURSE it's unadventurous, it's radio2 for God's sake! If radio 2 went adventurous the sun would go nova.

CountessR - Jennifer Cutting is one of the few subjects I agree with the godawful Froots on. Remember 'New St George'? If you think she's bad on her own...........