Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006

Subject: Bellowhead on Jools Holland
From: LesB
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 07:15 PM

Just got back from a fantastic night seeing John Spiers & John Boden, nr Blackburn. They announced that they had been recording a session for Later with Jools Holland, to be shown this Friday 1st Dec.
Yummie
cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Nov 06 - 07:40 PM

sounds good!!!!!!!!!! But you surprise me when you say thay "announced" . . . . when i last saw them they just played with no banter or info!!!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland
From: LesB
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 10:03 AM

Plenty of banter, witty intro's. They mentioned it as an intro to Rochdale Coconut Dance, apparantly the Red Hot Chillie Peppers started the intro jam that Jools always opens with, in Em. A melodeon friendly key.
It was also mentioned by the promoter/compare as part of the intro.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland
From: *Laura*
Date: 25 Nov 06 - 10:24 AM

Boden: Or 'the chilis' as we affectionately know them....
Spiers: You said you wouldn't mention it again....

sparkling form on Thursday at Bridport.

Subject: Late with Jools Holland 1/12/06
From: Dazbo
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 05:18 AM

Bellowhead on as well as Be Good Tanyas and Red Hot Chilli peppers.

Details

Subject: RE: Late with Jools Holland 1/12/06
From: Dazbo
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 05:25 AM

And read their backstage interview here

Subject: RE: Late with Jools Holland 1/12/06
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 11:11 AM

Bellowhead on as well as Be Good Tanyas and Red Hot Chilli peppers.

This should go on T shirts.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Dazbo
Date: 30 Nov 06 - 06:02 AM

Damn, and I did a search for Bellowhead before posting my heads-up and it never found LesB's thread :-(

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 03:28 AM

Would a tape or DVD copy of the programme as a raffle prize at the folk club be unethical?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 03:53 PM

The show seems to have a "Watch Again" facility on the website. BLICKY. I don't know how soon after the programme it becomes available or for how long it lasts. It uses Real Player to run, so could be a problem for some users.
The live programme is at 23:35 British Time (6:35 Mudcat time).
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 04:06 PM

He also has The Be Good Tanyas on who look as though they should be worth checking out.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: GUEST,*Laura* (on laptop)
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 07:26 PM

Well the Chilis just said they enjoyed Bellowhead!! yay. Excellent.

I saw the Be Good Tanyas at Larmer Tree and was very unimpressed... however.. the've just come on so this is their second chance...

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 07:42 PM

Enjoying the show. Be Good Tanyas were a disappointment couldnt undersatnd a word she was singing. Bellowhead were great!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: GUEST,Mr Fox at home
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 07:54 PM

Are they (Bellowhead) ALWAYS that far out of tune?

I mean, the bagpiper wasn't just playing a different song, he was on a different PLANET!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Dec 06 - 08:42 PM

I really hate that show. I don't even like people that I like when they're on that show.

just something in the air and round the block.....can't put my finger on it. Its all cut and paste - its like the music never gets GOING! Musicus interruptus.

I don't dislike Jools Holland, I can see he's really talented. But I don't think I've ever sat through a whole show. Sometimes, I've thought I must see it tonight, but I never stay the course.

Am I unique in this..?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 03:13 AM

I rushed home to see Bellowhead for the first time. Sad to say I needn't have bothered - our own village band plays better. They looked like Village People on silage and sounded pretentious and amateurish. Try again lads.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 03:30 AM

I don't think you should so sensitively understate you case Jim. If you don't like them say so.

I bought both CDs and I like some tracks more than others. I guess an hour or two live would be best. Yes, I am sure Jim would like to give them a couple of hours, a couple of hours of comminity service Jim?

They do make a lot of interesting music and they are a bit different. God, I sound like a Cof E vicar. Look I instantly loved Whapweasle and I am a bit disappointed by bellowhead.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 03:53 AM

Good point, Al. It's something I couldn't put my finger on until you summed it up. A bit like TOTP recorded live (except it ain't live, apparently each band gets two live takes prior to broadcast, with the best one used to jump about to unplugged for the cameras), there is no rapport built, the toe-curling interviews and that sideways look on Jools that only disappears when he's tinkling the ivories (very well, true).

Sharon Shannon did the Found Harmonium set on the prog, about 10 years ago, I suppose, and it never got going, as you said.

Curious, but perhaps it is an excellent pianist promoted out of his comfort zone, no chance to engage with any of the bands, and the forelock tugging to celebs.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 04:15 AM

Tv is clearly not the best place to hear live music, if that is what it can be called, especially music with some guts.

It is a bit dull, toe curling and cap-doffing but where else can you get Bellowhead, Be Good Tanyas and Red Hot Chilli peppers on one show.

I really like the Chilli Peppers but thought they did not sound so good. The BGTs were poor and Bellowhead sounded like..... well Bellowhead

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Darowyn
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 04:56 AM

I've always suspected that the problem with "Later" is that Jules Holland has the bands foisted on him by the production company.
The reason he comes over so oddly is that he is only too aware that many of them are absolutely useless!
Unfortunately showbiz rules say that he has to introduce them all as if they are the wonders of the age- so a certain amount of insincerity shows through - especially since JH is not above a bit of ironic over-enthusiasm for a bunch of musical illiterates who have just lurched about the stage thrashing at their instruments and screaming more or less at random then, without any apparent conclusion being reached, stopped and slouched away looking disgusted. (Jonathon Ross often has one of these bands on too)
I'll watch the recording of the show later today.
It's a shame that the only music programme on TV should be such a lame mish-mash, because there are some really good artists about.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: GUEST,...Onetime Catter
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 05:01 AM

Jools-bashing has become sadly something of a sport here over the years.

Personally I like the programme and many talented singers and musicians got their first real exposure to the public on it.

As for last night's programme, I personally liked the Tanyas' set (of one song only) but, there again, I'm one of those few on Mudcat who seem to like them anyway. I'd never seen or heard Bellowhead before and was a little disappointed given all that's been said about them here. Anthony David and Thom Yorke were notably good.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 05:20 AM

Isn't music a wonderfully personal thing. I couldn't understand anything that Thom York or the Tanyas sang and didn't spot much of a tune either, but there we go.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: shepherdlass
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 05:58 AM

I'm surprised so many were disappointed - yes, there were tuning problems with the vocal harmonies and the bagpipes, but that kind of thing seems to happen with most vocal harmonies on "Later" (someone's not giving them enough monitor volume methinks). But Rigs of the Time was great - full of energy and passion and great brass/wind lines. And Anthony David was absolutely fantastic, like Bill Withers crossed with Gil Scott Heron - and you could hear his words!

I like the bizarre mish-mash of Jools' show. Reckon they put on the big indie navel-gazing names to underwrite the interesting stuff that JH obviously likes better (shame they often get only one number). Yes, you have to plough through a lot of dross to get to the diamonds, but sometimes these diamonds come from surprising places - I remember first hearing and being pleasantly surprised by the Kaiser Chiefs and John Legend, KT Tunstall and Amy Winehouse on "Later" - and look at how many jazz and New Orleans greats he's managed to sneak into the prog too!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 06:55 AM

I liked Jordan a lot more than Rigs of the Time. The latter is a funny arrangement, and I hate when the arrangement of a song takes precedence over the lyrics, which is what i think happens in the Bellowhead version. Having said that, JB is a big proponent of Peter Bellamy's music and has done some really good interpretations in the past, so maybe one or two over-enthusiastic embellishments are allowed.

The thing I took exception to was the silly hat and the odd hand gestures. What was THAT all about? I think he must have felt the need to rise somehow to the occasion, but that's no excuse for Vogueing his way through a folk classic. He looked like he had some sort of palsy. At least during Jordan he took off the hat and played the fiddle, so he had something to do with his hands.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 07:09 AM

You tell 'em Ruth

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 07:14 AM

I love Jools Holland, and don't like what Bellowhead do to most of the folk songs they 'disarrange'
So there ya go Onetime Catter, not bashing Jools, or praising BH.
Agree with the person who liked K T Tunstall, discovered her on a Glastonbury reprise show, hope she doesn't get buried by the relentless pop juggernaut.
Giok

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: *Laura*
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 08:03 AM

No Ruth - he does the hand gestures and stuff all the time. He wasn't playing up to the cameras.

All the bands sounded flat I reckon - they just don't get going on the show.

See Bellowhead live they're fantastic.

xLx

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 09:03 AM

Hmm, the show was a definite letdown for me too. Bellowhead did their big best in the artificial environment, but they're so so much better truly Live. But then I guess another good reason for doing the show was to Make an Impression with folks who wouldn't normally catch their music - good gambit if you can pull it off. As for the Tanyas, well they can be brilliant live, but the sound on Jools' prog was unusually crap and you really couldn't hear a word of the singing. And they only got given one measly number. Thom and Anthony impressed me, but I was bored sick with Keane's (I think) four numbers (overkill or wot?) and I didn't really rate the Peppers this time round I'm afraid, I've heard them do much better. All a matter of personal taste I know, but there've been way better Later shows that've had a less promising or less tasty lineup.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 11:17 AM

Loved Keane Loved Bellowhead, did not like Tanyas did not like Chillis liked Thom loved Anthony but why is it on sooooo late................ the show is generally up and down, but because Hootenanny is so wonderful every NYE, I think I am prepared to suffer the low points once in a while.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 12:54 PM

"No Ruth - he does the hand gestures and stuff all the time. He wasn't playing up to the cameras."

I've seen him about four times this year, and I never saw him twitching away like that before. But maybe that's because I normally see him as part of Spiers and Boden, and he's too busy playing the fiddle to do weird hand dancing.

And there's still no excuse for that hat.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 02:18 PM

If it wasn't on late< Linda it would have to be called Earlier with Jools Holland@ :0))

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 02 Dec 06 - 03:18 PM

They could do a repeat any time and call it 'Earlier with Jools Holland'.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: *Laura*
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 10:16 AM

Ahh yes - Ruth - he doesn't do that with S+B - but with Bellowhead he does. I think it fits in with their 'Burlesque' image. He didn't wear the pink tie though :-( - he usually wears a pink tie with Bellowhead. hehe.

I'm also on a forum for the indie/rock band Dirty Pretty Things and a lot of people on there watched the show (mainly for the Klaxons) and most of them loved Bellowhead.... they were saying things like 'amazing' and 'mesmorizing'.. and someone started up a thread for them...
which can only be a good thing right??

some comments - if you're interested

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 10:38 AM

Burlesque is an interesting word to use to describe what they do.


"burlesque noun 1 a piece of literature, acting or some other presentation which exaggerates, demeans or mocks a serious subject or art form. See also travesty. 2 N Amer, especially US a type of theatrical entertainment involving humorous sketches, songs and usually strip-tease. adj belonging to or like a burlesque. verb (burlesqued, burlesquing) to make fun of something using burlesque; to make a burlesque of it.
ETYMOLOGY: 17c: French, from Italian burlesco, from burla jest."

Giok

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: *Laura*
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 10:45 AM

well I don't think anyone can deny that they're exaggerated!! hehe!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: folk_radio_uk
Date: 03 Dec 06 - 11:50 AM

If you missed it, it's on my site and youtube:

www.folkradio.co.uk

Cheers

Alex

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: GUEST,MikeofNorthumbria (sans cookie)
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 05:44 AM

Hi Folks,

Have only just caught up with this thread. Most of my thoughts about this show, and about the JH show in general, have already been voiced by Darowen, Shepherdlass, and others. But nobody has yet mentioned something which impressed me about both the Bellowhead songs last Friday.

The darkly dramatic presentation of the lyrics, and the quirky musical decorations that surrounded them, seemed to me to have distant echoes of Brecht and Weil. I kept expecting them to break into "Mack the Knife", "Surabaya Johnnie" or "Moon of Alabama". Did anybody else get that impression?

Just imagine a production of 'Happy End' or 'Mahagonny' with Bellowhead as the house band! Or even better, imagine BH performing an original 21st century ballad opera, with something of the bite of Brecht, and the craft of Weil. Now that really would be worth hearing.

Wassail!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 06:46 AM

That would certainly explain the East German suits!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Splott Man
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 07:04 AM

I agree Mike, my first impression of their album was "Brechtian".

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 07:16 AM

Brass should be banned in folk music.

It's the musical equivalent of sticking needles up your fingernails.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 08:10 AM

A little brass sensitively handled (see Brass Monkey or Strawhead) can add a lot to a tune or two but not unfortunately in Bellowhead. I much prefer Boden & Spiers who have a jaunty, upbeat old-song-in-new-clothes approach which makes them a joy to hear.

Can somebody explain to certain female singers that in song lyrics, consonants are not optional?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 08:14 AM

My ex-husband, seeing them at Cambridge two years ago, remarked that they were "Kurt Weill meets Lionel Bart".

I'm not sure he meant it as a compliment...

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 08:21 AM

Ex-husband? Bit premature aren't you, I thought you were just going through a sticky patch.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: GUEST, ...
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 08:34 AM

Could be a previous ex - does David know about it?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 08:45 AM

And you thought you'd already had the big Christmas storyline...

Subject: RE: Bellowhead on Jools Holland - 1 Dec 2006
From: shepherdlass
Date: 05 Dec 06 - 08:03 AM

Oh, come on, GUEST, brass should be banned from folk music? Lots of "the folk" of times past played in brass bands. Trumpets have been around a lot longer than concertinas. Anyway, if we're going to start purging instrumentation, why stop at brass - why not guitars, why not accordions, why not pianos, why not any vocal that resembles modern speech and phrasing? Why not prevent all broadcasts and recordings of folk music because these are new and therefore "inauthentic"? Living traditions surely have to have room for experimentation or they're museum pieces.