Dear Mike Harding

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: DaveRo
Date: 22 Jul 17 - 04:38 PM

Two years since I posted that, and reading another thread about Mike Harding prompts me to recommend The Mike_Harding_Folk_Show podcast again. Granted, his style is a bit marmite, but every week there are a some gems. (This is a pukka podcast, downloadable automatically every Sunday.)

A couple of weeks ago he played There's_Talk_About_a_Fence off a CD of that name by Rick_Lee, who was new to me. Nice banjo accompaniment. Despite the topical title it dates from 1999. I bought the CD for £1.99 on eBay.

Last_week he played The Company Says from Get Off My Lawn by another American, David_Stoddard. Also four variations of the Lover's Ghost ending with Grey Gallito from Salsa Celtica with Eliza Carthy. (Is that refrain Spanish or Latin?) Wonderful.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,DaveRo
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 07:49 AM

Yes, the podcast is much more varied and interesting than his BBC programme.

Here's the direct RSS link if you have a podcast client
http://mhfs.podomatic.com/rss2.xml

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 07:26 AM

In contrast Mike's internet programme is brilliant, this proves what he can do away from the constraints of the BBC, Smooth Ops and the people with vested interests telling what to promote.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Thompson
Date: 14 Mar 15 - 03:47 AM

This is an old, old thread going back to 2004.
Is Mike Harding still working for the BBC? His website says "When the BBC decided they no longer wanted the kind of show I did…"
Thanks for alerting me to the fact of Mike's show - met him many years ago on a week when he sang his heart out every night with great generosity and sweetness in a pub in Donegal - not gigs, he was attending a course and after the day's walking and learning and dancing we all retired to the pub.
It's nice to hear that he plays music from the mainland - it's rare to be able to hear music from Romania and France and Germany that often here in Ireland. It's also nice to hear music from our neighbouring island. I'm going to subscribe to his podcast.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,Mick Harding
Date: 13 Mar 15 - 07:14 PM

Your still a Wanker whatever.
Love Mick

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,MH Fan
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 06:18 AM

When I have emailed MH at the beeb it has been someone from smooth ops who has replied or contacted me.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,padgett (at home)
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 01:17 PM

I am not making excuses I believe I'm telling it as it is Dave!

You may well be right about giving out his email address and replies to his critics ~ but I reiterate that you need to know his terms of reference and such should/ought to come from him and his organisation
" Smooth Operations"

I say again if you dont like the content and can't get anywhere listen to other regional folk programmes which are more to your liking; stop hitting your head against a bloody wall and get a life!!

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 10:07 AM

Well then, why does Mike give out his email address ? why does he never reply ?

Stop making excuses for him padgett.

I can give you the answers to both my questions.

1. He wants only people who tell him how good it all is to reply.
2. He never replies to his critics.

Dave H.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,padgett (at home)
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 09:46 AM

But have you Emailed the BBC? start at the top Mike Harding is an employee ~ I dont know what actual control he has of content but he aint answerable to anyone but his boss!!

Ive told you that the production company has the programme

They are producing the goods the BBC thinks that they should ~ yes you and me know that its not what WE want, that is traddy English folkies ~ so either keep complaining to the BEEB or stop listening and put your support into regional BBC Folk preogrammes as I think I suggested in a post above.

Stop hitting your head against a brick wall, it hurts and gets you no where

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 09:15 AM

Hi padgett, I've emailed Mike Harding many times, see if you can guess how many times he has replied ?

ZERO

eric

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,padgett (at home)
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 08:28 AM

Eric if you dont like Mike Hardings programme write and tell them or listen to a programme which gives you a better spread such as Radio Derby and there's more there for the trads and knowalls like you and me!

I'm not entering into discussions on programme content, if you are happy not tell THEM! They have been given the Folk Programme and will stand or fall on its popularity that is balance of plusses against minuses

There are a load of BBC regional folk programmes which you can access, via the internet vote with your feet!

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 06:03 AM

padgett, if it is the duty of the BBC to cover the whole spectrum, to please everyone, why is Mike Harding charged with playing everything yet the TWO country music shows only have to play country music ?

Country music is well covered without Mike Harding playing it, it seems he will play anything to avoid playing folk music.

Incidently I love American folk music, I am half of a duo that plays a lot of American stuff-Doc watson, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and many more.

There is no need for Mike to play country, it is well covered.

eric

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,padgett (at home)
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 01:50 AM

It seems to me that a number of points need to be made.
Radio 2 is main stream Uk radio and there is an overall duty to produce a programme of good quality for the majority of a cross section of Radio listeners and not just for died in the wool traditionalists.
Mike Harding is the front man and a damn good job he is doing in keeping the folk flag flying
John Leonard is the producer.His credentials as a folkie person are the best and as a BBC producer even better. John was responsible for the BBC Radio Sheffield Folk programme for many years and has given a step up the ladder for the likes of Tony Capstick, Dave Burland and many other guest presenters such as Jim Boyes and Derek Elliot. Kate Rusby/Katherine Roberts also were helped by John.
If you want to throw stones at anyone try the BBC local folk coverage for example at the lack of folk programmes in the North/East of England.
Local coverage from the Humber through Sth Yorkshire suffered greatly
with the loss of the blanket coverage Henry Ayrton and Brian Swinton provided. Chance is that we folkies were not vocal enough in safe guarding this programme.

What is paramount is the Radio Derby folk programme of Mick Peat and Lester Simpson on Monday evenings who are able due to their time allocation to cater for the more traditional element and provide a good balance for we grass roots knowallsT
This programme can also be heard via the internet World Wide
So if Radio Folk is what you want! ensure that you know all the rules before you start knocking the establishment whose roots are deeper than you think
Good luck to Radio Folk, even if you don't necessarily agree with everything ~ could you do any better? I doubt it?
Ray Padgett

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,Guest:: MH fan
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 02:02 PM

I agree Wyziwyg, I don't care what anyone says, if it wasn't for that man I wouldn't have found the folk world. Just by chance, driving home one night about 3 years ago, I put the car radio on and heard Mike's programme, and for the first time I heard some wonderful music, a live programme from the Point in Cardiff - I have been hooked on folk ever since.

Whilst I agree some of the music played on his programme isn't british or traditional but the title of the programme doesn't say that it should be. I am also under the impression although don't know for sure, that producers are generally in charge of radio 2 programmes including choosing the music, so maybe everyone is shouting at the wrong person.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 04:45 PM

While I agree with comments on this thread re. increased coverage of UK trad on our only national Folk programme, I feel that we would get a more positive response talking nicely to Mike, rather than slagging him off. He is a seriously good folk singer/songwriter, who does, I am sure, agree with much of what has been said. Within the limits of what is acceptable to Auntie Beeb, he probably does all that he is able. He is the point of the weapon, and I'm afraid the rudder is at t'other end. I'm just grateful that BBC give us SOME folk. ITV doesn't seem aware of our existence, nationally or locally.

Don T

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,Mi Ha
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 10:34 PM

87

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 05 Nov 04 - 05:19 AM

All of 'em.

eric

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 03:21 PM

Begads, how many Christs does 14fret apostrophise so carelessly?

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,14fret
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 03:10 PM

Dear Mike, Chris Smither is not 'one of our best......' he's american.
He's just one of the best. For Christs' sake, get out more.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: bazza
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 02:39 PM

never mind folk music lets have english traditional music even half an hour a week,Bazza.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 02:10 PM

hahaha! Nice one John.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 04 Nov 04 - 02:07 PM

dear mike, you are rubbish.john

Subject: RE : dear Hilery Mckay
From: GUEST,bookworm
Date: 06 May 04 - 09:23 PM

love the book Dog Friday. That is because i love books like that!!!!!

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Betsy
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 11:11 AM

Apologies - glitch at this end - sending complete NOW

Hiya Guest, I don't think DG would care one way or the other - I would imagine he's got enough to go on with, like everyone else ( I'm assuming your not Dick !) . Strange thing though - now you come to mention it / or at least I've got round to thinking of it - I can't recall anyone singing that particular song in a Folk Club - or for that matter "Match stick men and dogs" etc. Were they in some way considered by the Folk scene "Off -limits " because they had reached commercial popularity ? It's difficult to know how it all works.
I have heard Chubby Brown singing the "Day trip to Bangor" which wasn't in a Folk Club - !! and I enjoyed the parody infinitely better than the original - but I'm that naughty type of person.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Betsy
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 11:02 AM

Hiya Guest, I don't think DG would acre one way or the other - he's got enought to go on with, like everyone else in any case unless you are . Strange thing though - now you come to mention it / or at least I've got round to thinking of it - I can't recall anyone singing that particular song in a Folk Club - or for that matter "Match stick men and dogs". Were they in some way

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 10:17 AM

Betsy - re Dick Gaughan, I didn't express myself clearly I'm afraid. What I meant was what would Dick Gaughan say about the loss of integrity not what he would think specifically of "Day Trip to Bangor" I've always considered Dick to be a performer of great integrity. Stay cool.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Betsy
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 01:29 PM

Thankyou GUESTs,JOHN OF ELSIE`S BAND and Earthling for your positive answers re David Bowie .
Does it not truly show the value of this Forum ???. I'm sure I'll have been to the Club as I used to scour the area looking for Folk Clubs to give my limited talents an airing.
In the context of the Thread - another name to reel off in addition to the others who have come throughthe Folk "Mill" although I must confess I'm not fond or (perhaps understand) his music.
I could say the same about Leonard Cohen and have another bunch of people disagreeing with me - was he Folk ?.
To Guest(above), its to easy to be selective and choose the Song "Day trip Bangor" what do you imagine the Pop World thought about Chirpie Chirpie cheep cheep or Birdie song etc.- We've all got our crosses to bear , but how come you have designated this a Folk song in the first place - it's simply your perception.
You have omitted the Dubliners and Spinners from your write up - and if Julie Felix was a Folkie - how come she only (seemed) to know One song - "Daddy's taking us to the Zoo tomorrow". Arrggghhhh!! The Yetties had their place in it all , and remember, when these people were doing their "bit" there wasn't the varity of songs ,music and musicians available the that there are today- they hadn't been properly uncovered / discovered and writers hadn't come to the fore.
Besides that's part of what folkies liked THEN.
Re:-Dick Gaughan - I suspect he would be much more generous than you suppose and see other sides to the song ,and, as Diz Dizley used to say - "It may be sh*te - but it's British sh*te" which is a humourous balanced thing to say.
As for Capitalism in Folk music - it's always been there.
Folkies are not ALL as squeaky clean Socialist, pure-minded , anti - materialistic as you would like to think.
A Folk Club HAS to make a profit otherwise the next time a Guest shows up the Organiser has to pay the balance out of his arse pocket -or short change the guest
Witness in any "Folk" song book you've ever picked up, see Song Title look for the Writer and then the Arranger. The arranger of a Song attracts Royalties in the same way as the Writer of the Song (and Music) and I don't know anyone in Folk music who hasn't written a song and not got it suitably protected in this manner.
Have your strong views and opinions and share them with us - we'll always listen ( but not necessarily agree) but also sift through all the sh*ite that's talked about our music otherwise you'll start believing in exactitudes - and we know it's just a hotch potch of music types which suit all,- some of the time, and, some.........
That's the idea - you're getting into the swing of it !!.
Good Luck,

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,Eddie Grundy
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 12:30 PM

Oi, them Yetties done a great job on my sig tune. Just need to get them bloody Archers out of my prog title.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 12:11 PM

"a large audience for Folk Music" ??? I really don't believe that Folk
is anything but a minority interest in England. But what is wrong with that? It is difficult to retain integrity once the Capitalists see a commodity they can market. They generally try to reduce any style of music to anodyne pap to increase their market. Remember "Day Trip To Bangor"? What would Dick Gaughan say! I always thought Country Meets Folk a truly dreadful programme. Hardings is a vast improvement. Also when Jim Lloyd was hosting the folky progs you could pick up the Radio Times and see The Yetties were on every bloody week in their own programme, and, in my opinion, if there was any band guaranteeed to turn off a general audience from Folk it was them. Ghastly.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,JOHN OF ELSIE`S BAND
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 11:19 AM

Earthling,
          Spot on. As Four Square Circle we played at "The Three Tuns" with Dave Bowie but it`s hardly surprising since both Robin and Steven Gray lived at Beckenham. I also remember a meeting in the beer garden at the back with Angie trying to promote a peoples theatre.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 10:55 AM

Rob - send suggestions to the BBC when you can whinge forever on Mudcat instead? Get real.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,rob wright
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 10:45 AM

We just have to admit we DO NOT LIVE IN A PERFECT WORLD. For years people have been suggesting this and that for improvements to radio and TV coverage of Folk Music. There has been the odd moment of pleasure ,of something special, But when it comes down to it ..it is all about money and to be honest Folk Music does not make a lot of money. Oh there are the exceptions and Mike Harding has what could be called a career but dont go putting him down. Send your suggestion the the BBC let THEM know that there is a large audience for Folk Music and who knows they might extend his programme or even put one on every night of the week and with different presenters just to please everyone.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,earthling
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 09:38 AM

Bowie played in the Three Tuns in Beckenham, now called the Rat and Parrot.Only a couple of miles from Croydon.He lived in Beckenham at the time.

He played in a room at the back, called The Arts Lab and sometimes called The Folk Club, it was late sixties/early seventies.Could be the one you are thinking of?

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Betsy
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 09:20 AM

As the thread has taken a distinctly nostalgic turn I'd like to throw this in .I'm a Northerner and as a young engineer I was sent to work on a Gas Plant on Purley way down in Croydon where I worked for about one year.I think it was near a Lambretta Scooter factory / outlet so that dates it a bit - poss '66 > '68.
I visited a few folkclubs - I thought one was the Cherry Orchard - can't remember which part of Croydon - but many years later - I was asked "did I go to the Folk club where Dave Bowie went ( possibly ran.)? "
Is this a red herring - was I being set up ? - I certainly can't recall him - though with my memory - that's saying nothing.
The only thing that gave it minor credence is his age group - which is not a great deal to "go" on , but it maybe a talking point in the boozer for some of you especially in and around Croydon.

To "From: GUEST,Scept'rd Isla " above - I promise I will write "perceived" a Hundred times - mea culpa, mea culpa, mea Maxima culpa.
Good luck on you all.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 07:42 AM

Saw Don Partridge just a few years ago busking in Hereford...

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 07:40 AM

Don Partridge it was Vin - Jasus, you must be as old as me!
Thank God for the Grekos, Betsys, Harveys and Vins in this world who preach sanity and reason to some of the ostriches who've posted on this and other similar threads.

Johnny :0)

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: pavane
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 07:33 AM

I still have a recording somewhere of the Foggy Duo somewhere, made at Hornchurch in the early 1970's.

Includes the classic song 'Since my canary died'

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: VIN
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 07:26 AM

Hi John,

The great Silvo is on at Poynton this w/end. Saw him there last year and he was as great as ever. I recently attended a Family Mahone gig the m/c university - most of the audience were about 30 years younger than me (mind you i think Shane McGowen was the main attraction) but with Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy and quite a few other not-so-oldies (saw a group of lads playing jigs & reels whose average age was about 13? and they were fab) so there is hope!

Methinks the one man band was Don Partridge john.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,JOHN of ELSIE`S BAND
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 07:06 AM

Vin,
    I well remember, when I was in "Four Square Circle", we did "Country Meets Folk" a number of times and worked with Wally, Malcolm Price, Red Sullivan, Brocklehurst, Johnny Silvo, The Foggy Duo, the one man band who made his name with "Rosie" whose name deserts me at the moment and so many more. And the numerous, good, paying clubs to be found all over. The age group of the generation that frequented the clubs then was so much younger than today. Is it possible to reclaim lost ground?

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 06:25 PM

Amen to that, Vin

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: VIN
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:44 PM

'septic'.......sorry betsy, just me little joke (i think when thatcher was around 'poisoned' would have been a better word) and for acrediting H.A with your previous comment! Quite agree with what you say. It used to get quite 'het' up (still do to an extent) when people used/use the phrase 'finger-in-your-ear music' - doh! Tried to point out that people like Mick Jagger, John Lennon and more recently Sting (on top o dee pops - wow eh) all have use their hands (not fingers) as harmony aids.

P.S Who remembers 'Country Meets Folk' with the late Wally Whyton and Brian Brocklehurst, the yetties etc - a great blend of sounds that was i reckon. Roll on the next revival then E.G but lets make sure we keep the remnants of the last one goin eh?

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 03:22 PM

They'll find a way, Pavane. The second wave of clubs may not be in pubs. House concerts, church halls, they'll find a way.

Just because 78s (and 45s and LPs) have gone out of fashion, it doesn't mean the old recorded music has disappeared. Same with the clubs.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 03:17 PM

99.9% with you, Harvey. All except the last bit about the second wave of organisers; I am more optimistic (perhaps the Greek genes at work here) that in the next 5-10 years we will see some young organisers. There will probably be just a handful of them initially, but the fire will catch again. We may not live to see the second wave in full bloom, and I suspect that by that time you will have been consigned to "traditional" in the young'uns' minds ;-). But I think it will happen.

Why do I think that? Simply because I cannot imagine that Spiers, Boden, Sam Pirt, Kate Rusby, John Moray, Ms Jones etc will sit at home and be quiet. They will start the second wave. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed...

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: pavane
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 03:14 PM

And how would they, with the new licencing rules coming in?

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: harvey andrews
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 02:45 PM

Seconded Betsy. In fact I proposed Folk Awards in an interview on Folk on Two many years ago and got flamed for it. I suggested that to gain a higher profile the folk community (in the broadest sense) could learn from Country music in America which organised and raised itself from the dead by using the media. I suggested a sort of team photograph of all the "famous" people who started in folk clubs, from Barbara Dixon to Jasper Carrott so that the general public would realise that a wonderful network of alternative people's entertainment existed across the country in folk clubs. I pushed the idea, so disliked by the entrenched as represented on many threads here, that folk, in its widest interpretation, is entertaining, otherwise it has no purpose. Martin Carthy is as entertaining in his speciality as any folk comedian, otherwise why would people pay to see him with such frequency?
Anyway, like Martin Peters, I was at least ten years ahead of my time. At least the folk awards exist now and on tv too. Unfortunately, the wonderful network of clubs that could have benefitted from such exposure is no more, and no one yet seems to foresee a second wave of young organisers building it again.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:42 PM

blar, blar, blar, always people going on about spelling!
this is music site, not spelling site, so wahts that got to do with it then.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: GUEST,Scept'rd Isla
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:37 PM

" no wonder we are sometimes percieved by the Media as an insular group of wierdos."

...who can'r spell.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Betsy
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:06 PM

Vin ,
I don't really like the term you used "septic" Isles , perhaps when Maggie was around - Yes , but I think I'd rather prolong the myth and stick to "septred" at the moment , and the phrase you attributed to Harvey was used by me previously in the thread - Harvey was merely elaborating on the phrase. Apart from all that - I'm in full agreement with you.
As to the Guest above - why do they feel the need to narrow the ( random ) band of names which I provided.
Paul Simon and Bob Dylan used to come to Britain to pick Martin Carthys brains , Christy Moore was as funny as any one else but didn't seek to highlight it , Vin Garbutt is probably more funny that all the others put together - and , are we going to dismiss that wonderful traditional singer Isla St Clair because she became "famous" etc.etc.etc.
All those people which I mentioned were/are legit singers and musicians,the fact that some of their talents blossomed in another direction during the years of their performance slogging around Folk Clubs, is, for me something to be praised.
For example the next time you are ridiculed ( as we've all been ) for saying we like Folk Music - just reel-off names of people who've come through our Ranks and watch the reaction.
Try to stop being so narrow minded,with views like yours, no wonder we are sometimes percieved by the Media as an insular group of wierdos.

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:59 PM

if anyone knows Mike harding, can you tell him about this thread?

Subject: RE: Dear Mike Harding
From: pavane
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:48 PM

I seem to remember that before one C. Sharp started collecting, it was commonly believed the English had no folk music?

Some things don't change