BBC Folk Awards 2014

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 08:18 AM

@John from Kemsing: Yes, I noticed the same thing. I'm not sure they had any input into the mechanics of the track getting played, and they might not have actually heard which track was played. But if they did, i think it was just politeness on the Carthys' part.

I think everyone's being a bit curmudgeonly about the folk awards. I have no interest in 99% of the acts featured, but I found myself quite enjoying watching it regardless. There's very little on the telly I ever really want to watch anyway. I rather liked the fact that it had the vibe of being the Professional Folk Musician's equivalent of the Office Christmas Party.

Can you honestly say that if you, as a performing musician, were nominated for an award, you wouldn't go along? For the free booze, if nothing else?

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 08:13 AM

I was pleasantly surprised by Tony Christie's apparent sincerity. As a pop-singer merely presenting an award, he came across as more genuinely interested than some previous 'lifetime achievement' winners have done!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 07:09 AM

Well I don't mind seeing up and coming talent, showbiz points and all that notwithstanding (and I do agree with them), but we still seem to be fixated somewhat on spotty kids who equate playing as fast as they can with playing well. A good few people up there a bit past their sell-by dates too. Well done Bella Hardy, and I also thought the young woman singing at the piano (I can't remember her name, but I will) will be someone we'll see more of. I can't be doing with "supergroups" at all but isn't Nancy Kerr wonderful! Come on, folks. Things are looking up. Fisherman's Friends are singing again and there was no Donovan or Don McLean!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: johncharles
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 06:31 AM

This is "The Folk Industry". It will pass.
john

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 06:10 AM

Simon Mayo did his show (1700-1900) from the hall as a 'pre-awards' spot. Not actualy part of the awards themselves. I didn't hear it but I suspect that is what John's comment refers to. But I have been wrong before, occasionally :-)

DtG

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: doc.tom
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 05:22 AM

John from Kemsing - OK, now you've lost me completely! Were you listening rather than watching? I understand the interval programme was different on Radio to TV. We watched and saw no interview or any mention of Elizabeth Cotton.

I thought it was slightly more folk-like than last year - but still a long way from home. Definitiely some very right bits though.

But Will's right - that was show business. Take it or leave it.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 04:52 AM

That neither the interviewer (Simon May?) nor Martin Carthy pointed out that the song Elizabeth Cotten sang was not "Freight Train", since that was the song they were talking about, was rather surprising.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 04:23 AM

Absolutely spot-on, Will.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: Will Fly
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 04:15 AM

I've never watched it or paid any attention to it, and I've always thought the concept of "awards" for branches of popular (or even unpopular) music is nonsense. When I see the variety of talented people who play at sessions and singarounds I attend even just locally, the concept is meaningless.

It's just showbiz, folks, if you like that sort of thing.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: Johnny J
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 03:44 AM

I'm delighted for Bella Hardy.

Unfortunately, her profile in Scotland isn't as high as should be even although she lives up here.

The clubs and festivals up here seem to prefer all those "feisty wimmen" type voices rather than something which is pure and sweet(but still strong).

Emily Smith is a notable exception, of course, and so is Julie Fowlis but she is mainly a Gaelic singer. There are one or two others but they are few and far between!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: LesB
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 02:58 AM

So far only watched the 1st half (recorded), Far from same old faces the 1st 2 categories, Best Duo & Best Trad track, I had hardly heard of any of em!
I'll watch the rest when I get time.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 09:22 PM

the thing is, if a heat seeking missile took that lot out - English folk would still be pretty much as is, and they enjoy it - bless 'em!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 08:45 PM

approx 1.20 am - I just chanced upon the tail end of the show on BBC red button.

Oh dear, that really was crap.

Sincere, well meant, highly respectful - yes, most definitely;

but a pitiful embarrassment to watch on a national tv channel.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 08:20 PM

I thought the awards richly represented the new interpretations of traditional song developed in part by the Full English ( by which I mean the full team as well As the artistes- a delight to see that the beautiful melodies so long submerged are coming back to the surface again.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 07:10 PM

Never mind. The lads from Port Isaac who we know so well down at St Kew were performing again at last. Tears streamin' down me grizzled old fizzog, they were. Proper bloody folk music!

Subject: BBC Folk Awards
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 06:36 PM

Can't believe I'm really the first to start this thread, but here goes.

Let's get the gripes out of the way first. Same old faces....

Most embarrassing moment...Greg Dykes. Why don't they get somebody who knows a smattering about folk to read their script first so they don't spout so much shite?

Apart from that I quite enjoyed most of it.

I think it's getting perilously close to us needing another short snappy word to describe the traditional stuff. There was a sizable percentage that didn't come anywhere near even the widest meaning of 'folk' though to be fair they keep tagging on words like 'roots' and 'acoustic'. Perhaps it would be more accurate if they just called it 'music'.