The Enigma of Nic Jones

Subject: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 16 Sep 13 - 05:59 PM

Just a notification. Finally next Friday (27th) on BBC 4 (TV) The one hour documentary on Nics life will be shown. Well worth a look. 2100-2200 UK time. Don't know how available it will be in the US or Australia, but I'm sure people will be recording it here in the UK!.I'm sure deals can be done!

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 03:51 AM

Also, a repeat Saturday 28th 0200-0300 Same channel.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 04:01 AM

Thanks for the heads-up, Ralphie.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,nickp at work
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 04:10 AM

I'll be glued to it.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 05:00 AM

The broadcast time is 10pm, not 9pm - according to the Radio Times (which also has a photo and brief preview feature). Apparently the press release says 9pm, but it's 10pm.
Derek

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 05:16 AM

As it's a beeb programme, should be available on i-player also, if anyone unable to watch actual transmission.

~M~

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 07:24 AM

FOLK PEEL Sunday 20 October at The Continental, Preston 7.30pm £15.00

Nic Jones and Joseph Jones, Mike Heron with Trembling Bells, Emma Pollock

Part of the Un-Peeled Festival celebrating John Peel Day

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 07:35 AM

Yes there was a BBC publicity Dept cock Up! Tx time 2200-2300. Just set your timers to record! And there is a repeat of a Live Richard Thompson gig afterwards! Filling up my hard drive as I speak! Thank God for BBC 4. The best channel in the UK.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 07:51 AM

You got THAT right!! Date is now circled in red. Cheers for the heads-up -

B xx

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Eldergirl
Date: 18 Sep 13 - 09:40 AM

And TGFor i-player as whittlebury is that weekend!

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 23 Sep 13 - 07:20 AM

A reminder for your TV watching diaries, 'The Enigma of Nic Jones' is on BBC 4, this Friday (27th Sept.) at 10:00pm. It was trailed by the Beeb this morning (Monday 23rd). Dave Moran & I were interviewed for the film, but what's been used & what was consigned to the 'cutting room floor' remains to be seen! Either way, I shall be glued to the screen this coming Friday,
                                                          Nigel.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 Sep 13 - 09:03 AM

Glueing yourself to a television is unwise and can damage the flatscreen and invalidate your guarantee.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 23 Sep 13 - 09:11 AM

Al, my 'guarantee' expired years ago! (-;
    By the by, Nic & Joe are on BBC Breakfast tomorrow morning. Rumour has it, about 08:40, but that could be subject to change.
                                                       Nigel.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 Sep 13 - 09:49 AM

oh well glue away...!

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 Sep 13 - 09:49 AM

oh well glue away...!

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 24 Sep 13 - 04:24 AM

You might just catch a brief glimpse of me on Nic's film on Friday.
Don't forget, folks, 10:00pm, Friday 27th Sept. BBC TV 4. Having seen a short section of the film already, I can promise you a wonderful, moving tribute to a great performer, someone I'm also proud to call a good friend.
                                                 Nigel.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Sep 13 - 10:09 AM

I'll be watching or recording depending on how long I stay in the pub:-) Someone had to ask the question so I may as well get it over with.

Why does Nic need an enema?

:D tG

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: pavane
Date: 24 Sep 13 - 03:31 PM

I'll do my best to watch,but the other half may not let me

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Hagman
Date: 25 Sep 13 - 10:04 PM

Speaking of "deals being done", Ralphie - us poor denizens of Oz are refused entry to iPlayer and live Beeb.

Have yet to see this appear on the usual-suspect sites, alas.

By any chance can anyone help out a cobber, one way or another? There are many serious NJ fans down here, and we/they would be most grateful. (We promise to go easy during the upcoming Ashes tour.... ;-)

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 26 Sep 13 - 01:25 PM

I thought Nic was pretty irrepressible on BBC Breakfast, what an excellent chap he is. And not particularly enigmatic.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Andrez
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 07:02 AM

Oid loike ter add a request from another Oz catter fer a copy o said TV program. Are dere any kind 'earted chappies er chappettes over dere in de auld sod oo could lend an 'elpin 'and?

PM iffen yer can an oi'll take care o' th needs o'local catters.

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 07:42 AM

I can record it to DVD but I suppose this region will not be playable everywhere.

Dave H

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Andrez
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 08:53 AM

It should be convertable into a number of playable formats Dave if'n ye're willin ter do th initial recordin' it's be much appreciated 'n den oi moight be able ter contact Hagman n send im a copy too.

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 12:40 PM

I have set it to record but it is at 2200 and not 2100. 2100 is Rock and Roll Britannia so I may watch that too :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 02:47 PM

No problem Andrez.

Dave H

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 06:41 PM

Couldn't really get far enough back from the programme to judge its quality. All those old people I knew as young people... And the young people I knew as children ~~ Nic & Julia brought Helen & Joe to lunch with Valerie and me a few weeks before the accident; they only lived three Cambs villages away. Two lovely children, they were.

So I spent the whole programme with moist eyes. And then, right at the end -- there was my darling dead Valerie's name on the Archive photographer credits. And the tears really came. It's 2330 and I'm still tearful.

Sorry. This egotrip probably quite inappropriate. Apologies; but just had to get this down. Mudcatters are my friends in the main & I hope will understand. I will try to comment more rationally when have had time to adjust.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Paul Burke
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 07:09 PM

Michael: no shame in that, exactly the opposite. You're entitled to special memories of exceptional people, and thanks for sharing them.

But wasn't it lovely to see Nic and Joe singing together. And would Nic's voice have been less wobbly had he not had the accident? He's a few years older than me, and we all start to go a bit reedy about now. Martin Carthy of course has adapted his singing to his voice micro- incrementally over his career, but Nic didn't have that continuity.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: melodeonboy
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 07:13 PM

I can quite understand, Michael. Even as an outsider I found it very moving; it must have been that many times over for you.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Hagman
Date: 27 Sep 13 - 08:01 PM

Many thanks to all Mudcatters out there for offers of an off-air dub. We down here will be most grateful.

I was lucky enough to be at Towersey last year to see the NJ Trio when filming was going on for the doco. Certainly a highlight of my concert-going life. Uncanny how far the apple didn't fall far from the tree - could have sworn it was Nic playing that guitar, albeit backward.

(Dave H. - a DVD made on a home recorder or PC will be Region-free, as far as I know. The Region nonsense was only introduced for commercially-sold products; yet another attempt by media conglomerates to control product. Never had a private pressing that I couldn't play, and most recent players are either region-free or are easily crack able. The only stalwart appears to be Windows and computer drives, who still give you only 6 Region changes, for some reason...

And I for one can easily handle video files in raw format just written to a disc or download service - no great need to author to DVD or whatever)

TIA!

Michael.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 02:48 AM

I recognised the beach.
Is that where he is based now?

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Will Fly
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 03:19 AM

Oddly enough, Nic Jones was someone who almost passed me during his heyday - so the programme was, for me, almost new ground. And I have to confess, I also shed a tear or two. What a lovely family - and isn't his son a great performer! Very moving.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 03:40 AM

Yes - I only knew him by his music and reputation as well, Will. What a brilliant documentary though, regardless of whether you knew Nic before or even if you were not too interested in folk music. It will stay on the Sky box for a long time to come. Wonder if the beeb will do a DVD of it?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 04:15 AM

Yes.
Thanks for sharing your memories Michael.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 04:52 AM

Great programme! The only strange thing (to me anyway)was lots about The Halliards, and clips of them, but no mention of the Bandoggs!

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 06:15 AM

A very moving documentary which ended upon a triumphal note, both musically and personally for Nic and his hugely supportive family.

I ended my summer holiday early once and returned home just to see a Bandoggs concert. As an extra treat, Nic and Joe will be appearing in the Un-Peeled Festival in Preston next month.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 07:00 AM

its on again Sunday night.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Jim Martin
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 07:10 AM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03bsrrb

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 11:39 AM

I loved the programme, but without wishing to reignite well discussed matters, I was surprised there was no mention of the unavailability of Nic's earlier recordings, and the financial hardship this must have caused.

Does anyone know if there was a reason for this? Or did I miss something?

John

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 01:04 PM

I just drank it all in - superb stuff. And Michael, you are entitled to be emotional, it's NOT an ego trip, please don't apologise.

Ashley Hutchings said that he couldn't quite work out what it was about Nic. I can - integrity, taste, technical ability, charisma, and maybe a bit of hypnotism! Well, he always used to take me to another place and it looks like that applies to a lot of other people.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 01:41 PM

I wonder if history will be re-written.
I say that because I am a massive fan of Nic's but I was always disappointed that he didn't go down better! And I saw him lots and lots of times!
Maybe his laid back manner got to the audience and elicited a warm, but not wildly enthusiastic reception that his great talent deserved.
However, this time around, I feel it will be a lot different!

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 02:14 PM

He always filled our club back before his accident.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 28 Sep 13 - 03:42 PM

Yes, he got a lot of respect and people all said he was marvelous, but I don't remember him "bringing the house down!"
Although, on some of those old live recordings, there does seem to be a very enthusiastic response.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: vectis
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 05:21 AM

I am in New Zealand and can download it easily. Just activate "Expat Shield" before you access the BBC site and it sees you as having a UK isp address.

Simples...

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Andrez
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 05:47 AM

Hi Vectis, can you please clarify where I find the Expat Shield function?

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Ian G
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 05:51 AM

It was well done. Arising from it several things struck me; firstly confirming what a treasure Martin Carthy is, secondly isn't there a market for a series here - Bert Jansch, Danny Thompson, Tony Rose, Andy Irvine, Dick Gaughan, Ashley Hutchings, Swarb. etc etc - some sadly not around any more but all significant to the development of the music ? I'm sure people could easily make a list of fifteen, I know I could.
Thirdly, what is it about folk music that the media just doesn't get ? Especially English music ? Seems to me that if you don't stumble upon it like Carthy [and me !] or were born into it, like Eliza, you'll miss out on so much.
By the way, during one of the montages in the programme who else noticed Tony Rose's singing 'Bonny Light Horseman' ? My wife spotted it instantly, it took me a verse and chorus !

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Weasel
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 06:27 AM

Whilst in France I never managed to get Expat Shield to work.

Cheers,

Weasel

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 06:34 AM

There was also a tiny snatch of Bandoggs singing The Tailor in the Teachest, now that was one great band, pity they only made the one record, and only released on vinyl.

Dace H

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 06:36 AM

Jaysus I can't even spell me own name now.

Dave H

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Rev Bayes
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 08:17 AM

The programme definitely suffered from poor resourcing which showed through in the material available and the quality of the editing & narrative (and the research).

However, it's good to see the BBC putting these programs on.

Subject: RE: The Enigma of Nic Jones
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Sep 13 - 09:55 AM

'Thirdly, what is it about folk music that the media just doesn't get ? Especially English music ? Seems to me that if you don't stumble upon it like Carthy [and me !] or were born into it, like Eliza, you'll miss out on so much.'

What they DO get and what you don't is that this isn't the folk music of England. The folk music of England isn't a subsection of Martin Carthy's repertoire for when he's not deconstructing Heartbreak Hotel - or some other piece of musical trivia that the rest of the world has come up with.

The folk music of England is the music of the English people - what ever it is, it sounds more like The Beatles that Nic or Martin. I don't go this apothegm of carthy's - just because you're English, it doesn't mean you understand English folk music. yes it bloody does. It's you lot that don't understand.

Having said all that I was truly sorry for Nic, what happened to him . My first paid gig was support to Nic at The Tree Barrels, Ampersand. I saw his gig many times and admired him as wonderful musician. people forget he was a great fiddle player also.

He never really introduced his songs. And he sang some songs that other people did in quite a brisk manner, like the Banks of Claudie in a very slow way, it seemed to me. His records were better than the gig - he was a brilliant recording artist.