BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 10:47 AM

Something went wrong with my posting, the horses were great but unfortunately ' scat singing ' doesn't count.
eric

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Alio
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 08:48 AM

I also wanted Bob to win - that would have been really refreshing - but we thought the whole programme was pretty good. Never mind, he's coming on to Sounds of Folk on March 1st so I can drool then!!!

I'd never heard of the Waifs before but was quite impressed with them (as was my 23 year old non-folkie son!!) so I bought their album in HMV the following day - it's good!!

And I think that Co Down (performed by Danu, written by Tommy Sands) is the most beautiful song I've heard for quite some time.

Ali

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:41 AM

Eric,

According to Jackie Oates, 'Horses Never Smile', but if you click on their mouths, they start singing...

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:34 AM

Countess where, I clicked the blue clicky thing and nothing happens.
eric

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 07:31 AM

You never heard of Francis the talking mule?
eric

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 05:56 AM

Well, they don't, do they? Neither do the Waifs. Pleasant enough stuff though. Who needs labels?

Ain't ever heard no horses etc....wait a minute, I HAVE, here.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 05:02 AM

The Waifs remind me a little bit of The Corrs, I remember Mike
Harding asking the Corrs if they planned to do any more ' folk ' albums, the incredulous reply was ' we don't do folk music '.
eric

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Feb 04 - 01:41 AM

See also bbc folk awards

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 07:27 PM

I was so totally gobsmacked by June Tabor's electrifying performance of Hughie Graeme that I hadn't taken the slightest notice of what she was wearing. Only a few weeks ago though, I'd seen her at the Barbican Freedom Highway concert and conversation and I was impressed at how well she looked. A pensioner? If I could look half as good when I reach retirement age I'll be well pleased. And if I could ever sing a millionth as well...such a presence.

So I've just checked back to the video streaming on the BBC site. June looks fine to me while Joan Baez resembles a pop diva.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/folkawards2004/index.shtml
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Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 06:52 PM

WEll I watched it last night (at stupid o'clock on some obscure BBC Digital channel I think) and thought it was pretty good.

Joan Baez looked fantastic and sounded better. June Tabor appeared to have come straight from her housework and not bothered to change. If I had to choose between the two, I'd've said June was the pensioner.

LTS

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 12:22 PM

Oh, I don't *not like* the Waifs, Les. I just don't quite know what they are doing on a British Folk Awards programme.

Yes, I saw John K last week at a small club and Pete Coe will be there shortly on his annual visit.   Hurrah!   Though I've nothing against the large, multi-genre concert venues which often have a vastly better and more open-minded approach to music.

I just wonder why one such which doesn't claim to be a 'folk club' lands a prize for being one. I know it's Kate Rusby's favourite place to go out and it gets too crowded for her to see anything. But I still don't see why...

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: LesB
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 11:21 AM

I agree with countess richard about the Australian Pop Band. I thought I was the only one who didn't like The Waifs. They are good at what they do, but what they do is rootsy pop. Is it a case of the Emperors new clothes?
Most of the 'clubs' which win the folk club award seem to have been concert type clubs. I assume that the artists asked are of a similar stature to those on the awards show, but these artists only play the bigger clubs, as these are the only ones that can afford them. Try asking the likes the John Kirkpatrick, Pete Morton, Pete Coe, Duncan McFarlane, Ronin Laing, Gordon Tyrell, Maggie Boyle etc. The likes of which visit clubs large & small.
Les

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 06:31 AM

moan moan moan - try and enjoy it. BUT thats just my opinion.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 06:27 AM

And as for The Rock winning Best Folk Club, isn't this odd? This venue doesn't describe itself as such. It's a roots and acoustic venue, and a very good one too. It has a wide, cross-genre programme presented as concerts. Nothing at all wrong with this but as it isn't a 'folk club' why give it a prize for being one?

Surely it's the category that's wrong. Folk clubs in the 1960s revival sense are an outmoded backwater people by cliques whose last intention is to share our traditional heritage and make it relevant to life today. The Rock does this but it's still not a 'folk club'.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 15 Feb 04 - 05:39 AM

News broke today of a draft proposal to dismantle the BBC and set up individual production companies for the nations of Britain.
Could this lead to an adequate representation of England's traditional music inheritance which is so lacking in BBC output?
Wasn't it rather sad to have this year's jamboree dominated by visiting Americans and an Australian pop band?

btw Lady P, Best Band (Danú) was *not* a category voted for by the public. Only Best Live Act (Show of Hands) was open to public online voting.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: lady penelope
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 09:34 PM

As far as I can make out there were only two awards that were voted for by anyone other than the awards committee. One was Best group (Winner Danu) and best folk club (The rockingham) which was voted for by the folk acts themselves.

Personally, I wasn't up for June Tabor as folk singer of the year, but I think her voice has got vastly better over the years. But there is much more out there.

My main grump is The Unusual Suspects. If I want to listen to big band modern jazz, I'll watch Des O'conner. Eeeucch!

Loved the Waifs who I hadn'r heard before. And really like the current singer for Danu.

It's all subjective. The bits I like, someone else will hate.....it's all valid.

TTFN Lady P.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Fran
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 10:47 AM

I agree about Jez Lowe, and also Pete Morton, Steve Tilston, Derek Brimstone, Les Barker, the list is endless.

It must be the nomination system that is at fault, how can "The Kate Rusby Band" and The Eliza Carthy Band" make up half of the Nominations for best band!

What happened to The Oysterband, The Battlefield Band, Wolfstone, The Saw Doctors, Tanglefoot, Last Nights Fun, ColvinQuarmby, Fernhill etc etc etc

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 10:32 AM

er-actually, I was making a pun on the word 'here' -clearly irony is lost on you. I fail to see which of my remarks qualify as a personal attack on you Countess, unlike your own thread which accused me of sneering and of being a fairweather folkie -sitting back and moaning but being unwilling to stand up for change.I can assure you I do not indulge in either behaviour. Your aggressiveness is alarming. Perhaps you should read the threads again and reflect on who is having a go at whom.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Sooz
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 09:58 AM

How I agree about Jez, Linda. I've booked him again for Gainsborough Folk Festival this year. A great live act with no pretensions or prima donna-ishness. (Lighting crew, tour bus, choreography.........)

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 09:55 AM

If 'hear (sic) today, gone tomorrow' is not sneering, I don't know what is.

You happen to like Jez Lowe, well so do I. The fact remains that he was not nominated for an award which is why he could not win one. My suggestion that you challenged the nomination system was meant to be constructive. It is certainly what I intend to do.

Presumably you mean that you voted for him in the 'Best Live Act' category which was the only one open to public vote and which appeared to have been swung by massive block voting.

I hold no brief for the Folk Awards, believing them to have very little to do with what is actually occurring and regard them, as they stand, merely as an industry catching up process.

Arguments, to have any validity, must be based upon fact.. There is little point in attacking me because you dislike the constitution of a BBC-organised jamboree. You should rather join me in lobbying for change.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 09:14 AM

What a strange reply countess richard-firstly I do not sneer-it is unbecoming.Secondly, I bothered to vote and am entitled to opinions which I have freely expressed in Mudcat over the years and intend to continue to do so, even if no others agree with me. I merely challenge why people like Jez, who have contributed so much over so many years, do not appear to be acknowledge when the accolades are handed out. For staying power, I suggest we revisit this thread in ten years time and we will measure it more accurately. Finally, do not open your thread, invite 'the arguments to begin' and then accuse those, whose opinions may or may not differ to your own, of sneering-frankly it's crass-but I accept your apology.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 07:03 AM

Of the winners, Jim Moray who got the Horizon (which is, after all, for best newcomer) has been around for the least time. I have known his work for two years though he has been performing traditional music for a lot longer. And he is only 22.

Of the rest, they are here today, have been for quite some time and look unlikely to disappear. Perhaps it's the nomination system you should be having a go at?

Sneering at the Folk Award winners is a bit like rubbishing those elected to Parliament by a system other than proportional representation...

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 06:44 AM

I voted for Jez Lowe -don't understand why someone whose songs are sung by virtually everyone I know -who plays gigs internationally, who is personable and funny and has been a working musician for years does not get recognised. Frankly some of those who have won will fall into the 'hear (sic) today gone tomorow' category. What it must be like to be in with the in crowd.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 14 Feb 04 - 05:58 AM

A dual thread situation!

Nominations and winners are here - this might help concentrate minds...

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 06:57 AM

And whilst we're at it what about that incredible singer songwriter
Mr Jez Lowe!!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: okthen
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 06:53 AM

Just a reminder that the awaeds will be televised on Friday 13th on BBC TV channel 4 at 9 pm repeated Saturday 14th at 11:45.
On both occasions the programme will be followed by Steve Earle's Cambridge FF gig.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 06:10 AM

Yes I did listen to the BBC Folk Awards prog and it sounded as if it was a really good party, we have some keen folkies in the strangest places! Robin Cook and Stephen Fry! Stephen could make a living on the folk scene a very funny/humorous man

Good vibes to popularise folk into main stream music Radio 1 etc
But live music promoting our heritage alongside new music, home made music and participation. Musician ship is certainly on the up in the youngsters
Onwards and upwards!!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: breezy
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 05:58 AM

Lets promote British culture

Its just that we dont have icons like like Baez

Time for a Male singer and a female singer categories??

There are concert clubs and folk clubs again 2 categories

New songwriters category

Voting should be democratic and universal through the folk clubs

Nominations should come that way too.

Its an inside job at the moment with little appreciation for what is happening at root level.

But then ,this is England!! sorry the U K.

So lets have it.

Isnt Vin Garbutt the biggest male draw on the scene anyway?
there fore should he get an award every year?

Poor old Harvey still pulls em in and never a whisper, and who remembers Jeremy Taylor?

I do , Ive booked em and they are still at the top, they are pros, andthe audience proves it.

Bob Fox works and drinks his socks off, what a toubadour

Even Julie Felix sold out in St Albans last week.

Get real BBC an start giving the music some decent coverage not lip service.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 05:27 AM

Oh I dunno Juan. I should imagine a Jake Thackeray song could close lots of things...;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Juan Kerr
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 05:20 AM

Yeah... They would not close The Country music Association Awards with a Jake Thackeray number would they?

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Bobjack
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 03:45 AM

Did anybody else listen to it last night on radio 2? I thought it was a rollicking programme. God bless the BBC etc, etc, until the last ten minutes that is. Why end a British programme with a bloody Bob Dylan song? Aren't any of ours good enough for a finale?

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 11:30 AM

Glad to see that sense prevails on this thread and that others too felt that Bob Fox has been unfairly shortchanged on this occasion. He's one of the most hardworking and talented folk artists on the circuit IMHO and fully deserved to win the award, this year in particular. Like El Greko, though, I really appreciate June and this was a specially good year for her in terms of artistic achievement, so the jury's probably still out here.

As for the Folk Club award, well much as I appreciate Rob's work at the Rockingham Arms, he puts on excellent concerts with a healthy guest list, however, as Guest Padgett rightly points out it's hardly a folk club in the correct sense of the term so perhaps the remit for the award should be re-defined next year. Ho hum.

And do I hear some sort of an award for El Greko shouldn't be too far off? We can dream.....

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Tam the Bam (Nutter)
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 11:09 AM

That's great for all the winners but they're all winners

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Bobjack
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 10:56 AM

Mike Harding is a lovely little man so there.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 10:41 AM

I didn't think he was that popular.
eric

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 10:02 AM

Hey eric, it would be like that scene in Airplane where the queue forms to give the panic stricken woman a slappin'.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 09:26 AM

countess richard STOP picking on Mike Harding, thats my job.
eric

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 08:58 AM

El Greko, thanks for that: I am sorry to hear of June's problems

It's many years since I first saw her at Cleethorpes FF when it was on the pier
I also remember a club at Brentwood Essex when I was at college where she sang (1974)
Her voice has always been truly amazing
Hopefully Bob next year then!!
I think he is currently in Oz

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 08:50 AM

GUEST,padgett,

I too am disappointed a little at Bob's not having been chosen, he is my favourite male voice on the circuit. But my disappointment is tempered by the joy for June's selection. She is my favourite female voice and she does more than recordings. I saw her at Warwick festival last summer and was spellbound throughout. The hair is grey now, the hands seriously deformed by arthritis, but the voice is still that of an angel, and her presence on the stage is commanding from start to finish. Eliza and Kate are good too, but not quite in June's category, for my pesronal taste. They will get there, just not yet.
I'd have been hard put to choose between the two (Bob-June), as I like them so much. But I consider the choice to be the right one - this year...

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 07:54 AM

I am pleased that the Rockingham Arms has won an award, tho' I am a bit concerned as to the criteria ~ I thought Rob Shaw had dropped the folk bit out
It is certainly to be congratulated as being a concert venue favouring Folk acts and beyond
Are we into what constitutes a Folk Club? with the accent on club and aims!!

I am somewhat perplexed that Bob Fox has not been honoured, there are ahost of full time professionals out there on the road, as i type from my comfortable surroundings, doing hundreds of miles every week

Excellent tho she is what basis has June been selected, please? recordings alon? and yes I'll try and pinch one or two, she is very good!!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 04:05 AM

You can buy June Tabor recordings (and many others) direct from Topic who often have CDs on special offer.

Re Steve Earle: yes. Mike Harding is really big on stuff like that (as opposed to indigenous English music).

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 09:57 AM

I am glad to see June Tabor being recognized> I have always loved her music. I would like to own the new cd but the price is outrageous here in Canada.
Steve Earl ? isn't he an American country singer or am I confused.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Bobjack
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 08:50 AM

He should have won Musician of the year.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST,Hugh Jampton
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 08:16 AM

Mike`s got a lot to say for himself.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST,Mike Harding
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 08:12 AM

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 08:02 AM

Interesting set of acts. It doesnt particularly coincide with my own tastes...I see I only own recording by two of the acts concerned, Danu and Martin Simpson. This is hardly surprising, I suppose, as Countess Richard explained that the panel are drawn from people "from the biz who earn their living from writing and producing, etc". Possibly a very different set of results might emerge if the panel was drawn from those who primarily listened and performed, for example.
    I was having a discussion down the pub the other night, as one does, about the Dubliners. Specifically apropos of these award-type events.Because the intriguing, and rather depressing thing about the folk scene, as the awards draw attention to every year, is that there are no popular acts. Whereas the Dubliners could happily get in the charts in Britain, as well as Ireland, with hard-line traddy songs. it's a pity that no-one seems to be working in a style nowadays which is showing any signs of achieving that sort of breakthrough. Popularity isnt everything, but a little bit now and again wouldnt do the scene any harm..

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 07:14 AM

The nominations were:

FOLK SINGER OF THE YEAR
Bob Fox
Eliza Carthy
Kate Rusby
June Tabor

BEST DUO
Andy Cutting & Karen Tweed
Chris While & Julie Matthews
John Spiers & Jon Boden
Show of Hands

BEST GROUP
Danú
Eliza Carthy Band
Kate Rusby Band
The Waifs

BEST ALBUM
An Echo Of Hooves - June Tabor
Righteousness & Humidity - Martin Simpson
Sweet England - Jim Moray
Underneath The Stars - Kate Rusby

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
Co. Down - Tommy Sands (performed by Danú)
Country Life - Show of Hands
My Love Is In America - Chris Leslie (performed by Bob Fox)
Underneath The Stars - Kate Rusby

BEST TRADITIONAL TRACK
Early One Morning/Young Collins - Jim Moray
Hughie Graeme - June Tabor
Lord Bateman - Jim Moray
Prickle Eye Bush - John Spiers & Jon Boden

HORIZON AWARD
Dr Faustus
Jim Moray
John Dickinson
Whapweasel

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Andy Cutting
Dave Swarbrick
John McCusker
Martin Simpson

It's being shown on BBC4 on Friday - if you've got digytelly and nothing else to do. And I thing there's edited highlights on the Mike Harding R2 show on Wednesday, which will be put online.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST,Hugh Jampton
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 07:06 AM

Countess Richard,
                  I unfortunately was not able to view the occasion. Do you know who the other contestants were in the categories?

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: GUEST,Hugh Jampton
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 07:03 AM

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards 2004 Winners
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 06:47 AM

June's Tabor's latest CD is "An Echo of Hooves" (2003). Ten of the eleven tracks are Child ballads, so some may find it a bit heavy, but it's a masterpiece if you like that sort of stuff and her singing has never been better. The liner notes, which include the lyrics and their sources (including the sources for the tunes), along with notes on the songs' histories, are worth the money alone.

Martin Simpson accompanies her on 2 tracks, as does the Northunbrian piper Kathryn Tickell on 2 others.

Pete