2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Seaking
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 08:15 AM

The programme is being shown again 0030 Tuesday morning..


Radio 2 Folk Awards 2005
Mike Harding and Mary Ann Kennedy host the annual folk awards, featuring live performances from many of the nominated artists including English originals Martin Carthy and Steeleye Span, American folk legends Tom Paxton and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Scottish songstress Eddi Reader and hotly tipped newcomer Karine Polwart.

There's also an eclectic rollcall of guest presenters, including Terry Pratchett, Noddy Holder, Bruce Dickinson and Charles Kennedy.

Performances include:

Bellowhead - Copshawholme Fair
Martin Carthy - Bonny Woodhall
Eddi Reader featuring Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain - Willie Stewart
Kathryn Tickell - Herd
Tom Paxton featuring Ralph McTell - The Last Thing On My Mind
Oysterband The Big Session featuring June Tabor and Show of Hands - John Barleycorn
Karine Polwart - The Sun's Comin' Over The Hill
Ramblin' Jack Elliott - San Francisco Bay Blues
   
   
   Tue 22 Feb, 00:30-02:00 90mins Stereo Widescreen

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 08:44 AM

Akenaton, apropos of your remark about 'Big Edna' setting Rabbie birlin' in his grave. I know what you mean but I've heard a lot worse, and every time I watch her enjoying herself on stage I can't help thinking, not only would Rabbie have liked her, but he would have fancied her as much as I do.
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST,Prize Pedant
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 08:52 AM

Stereo Widescreen ...oh yeah? Don't worry if all you've got is a Freeview box with tiny screen and mono sound.   In fact. this is probably the better option.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 12:35 PM

pervert....

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Bloke in the Corner
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 12:58 PM

Fancy anyone going up against their holinesses Lord Aly of Bain & Lord Philip of Cunningham!! No chance for the opposition there! No-one plays it the way those boys do.
June Tabor couldn't be heard because he song was pitched even below her register so she couldn't get any power in her voice. Katherine Tickell's pipes are, amazingly, very quiet, - a friend plays the same type at a local session - and the sound man obviously saw 'pipes'and set his level for Scots pipes.
For the rest, God bless Tom, Paxton, but he really couldn't do 'Last thing' justice any more. He should have left it to Ralph McTell, who could also have taken us on a tour of the streets of some capital city.
And why no mention of Eddy Reader? A great performer and, for my part, the best music of the evening.
Oh, and up he came again, Mr Carthy. OK, he's a legend. But if he goes any slower he'll stop, and his song was a bit boring. Here endeth..

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 01:09 PM

Ah Bloke on Corner, Edi Reader has been mentioned twice under her pseudenym of 'Big Edna'. Dinnae blame me Edna, it wis thon Akenaton so it wis, ah think ye're pure dead brilliant so ah dae!
Pervert; sycophant; moi?
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST,Demons Fan
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 06:48 PM

LesB "Really enjoyed Bellowhead, but a bit cheeky pinching half of the Demon Barbers Roadshow (Who should have been nominated!!!)."

Hi Les, I agree that the Demons should have been nominated, but this from an email to their mailing list suggests they were more than happy to be there:

"It's not so long ago that we announced our new managers...Queen Mab's Music.
Now we have been offered the opportunity of celebrating this in style!…a collaboration with one of their top acts at the Radio 2 Folk Awards 2005.
bellowhead have been nominated for both 'best group' and 'best live act' and will be opening the party with a specially adapted version of copshawholme fair.
Somehow The Demon Barber Roadshow are going to join them with:
Bry - fiddle; Ben - percussion; Tiny & Fi – clogs; Damien, Lee, Will, Andy & Dave – rapper.
Total people on stage: 20…what fun!"

Cheers, Pat.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: breezy
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 05:12 AM

How is Vin Garbutt?

These awards are divorced from 'folk' as I know it.

Its a dying body desperately striving for its next breath.

The BBC does sod all for Folk.

Its a shame, but its true.

Pandering to the mass media and thus giving 'folk' professionals an over inflated opinion of their own self importance.

Folk clubs will continue to decline.

Now wheres my play station.


This Friday 25th Feb at the Windward Club at the Royal British Legion in St Albans , Redd Sullivan and Martin Winsors Guitarist the fantastic Chris Flegg


On Sunday at the Spotlight Folk and Song Club in The Legion

George Papavgeris


start 8.00 no-smoking

Where its at.

Well, what did you expect?

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Essex Girl
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 08:33 AM

Congratulations to Kathryn Tickell, the best performer on the awards. Nice to see Steeleye, I remember singing at the same clubs as Maddy Prior in the sixties, but where were the singer/songwriters. Although Karine's song was very pleasant there are far better 'down south' i.e. Les Sullivan and El Greko. Eddi Reader sang C & W. These awards are not representative of folk music in this country, only of what the BBC wants to put out.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 09:09 AM

Essex Girl, did you miss the start? Bellowhead plus some of the Demon Barbers put an an opening act that was really hard to follow and a brilliant showcase of where English music is now.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Ralphie
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 09:47 AM

Hi Peoples.

Regarding the sound quality, I can't comment because I haven't seen or heard the programme yet.
Usually at a gig like this, each feed from stage is split 3 ways, 1 for Front of House, 1 for Monitors, and 1 for the Broadcast mobile. (that's every single Mic/DI etc)
All of whom mix accordingly.
TV normally take the Radio Mix, maybe adding some more Audience mics (for use during applause etc). Whether this was the case this time, I'm not sure, but I'm seeing the Man that did the "Radio" mix later today, and will quiz him!!

But you may be able to get the point that with each act only doing one piece, and the changeovers having to be seen as slick for the TV bods, it can get a bit hairy outside!!

At least at Glasto, Reading etc, the bands do 50 Mins or so, and you can treat the first song as the soundcheck! (Hence the much used phrase "Here Mate, Don't do your hit single first!" Didn't really apply to Paul McCartney though!!)

Will report back later...

Cheers Ralphie

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Ralphie
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 05:06 PM

Reporting back.

Yes, it's as I suspected...Too much to do, too little time.
Obviously, at an award ceremony, you can hardly do re-takes!! and with several technical difficulties during the day, it was a case of winging it on the night...It happens sometimes.

But, to reply to an earlier note from GUEST "In the know". I'd love to know at which specific occasion he managed to get his own sound man running a BBC Mobile!!

Even Phil Collins never managed that. It wouldn't even be considered I'm afraid.

Something to do with Health and Safety. So, please enlighten me

Thanks Ralphie

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 05:59 AM

I agree about the sound quality I had to turn the volume up to nearly all the way at the second half of Steeleye's performance. Maddy Prior was fanastic tho :-).

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST,Lancashire Lad
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 11:29 AM

Hasn't Mike Harding got fat?

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 11:43 AM

I thought the denim jacket was a mistake; and don't you mean fatTER?
Giok

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Santa
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 04:24 PM

Well, I enjoyed it. I thought it represented the people I see and hear at my club and the festivals I go to, plus a few I now want to go and see, plus (inevitably) a few that just didn't sound good on the night. No, it didn't give an award to everyone who might be thought worthy - nothing for Threllfall Ellison and Edwards, if I can name one - but we all have our favourites.

For the BBC to put on that, followed by the superb Copper family film, and an hour of June Tabor magic.....let's give them a bit of praise where it is due, not be forever whinging into our beer and sandals!   Now for the repeat on a more accessable channel?

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Ralphie
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 04:32 PM

Santa.
Couldn't have put it better meself...!
Lets get lobbying!

Ralphie

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: muppitz
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 07:46 AM

The only 2 things I have to say about the Folk awards is:

"Isn't it time Bob Fox got a look in?"
The guy is constantly out there performing, he is of top calibre and a total gentleman!
Did anyone else see him do a set with Vin Garbutt at Saltburn Folk Fest 2004? THAT WAS bloody magic, I wanted to bottle it up and take it away with me!

And Karine Polwart deserved everything she got, she has a wonderful voice, writes some cracking songs and is really friendly to boot!

muppitz x

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 08:51 AM

The only 2 things I have to say about the Folk awards are:

Stop it. No more money for bean feasts. In time it will become as ridiculous/pointless as all the other awards.

Those Demon Barbers were good. Use the money saved from above to (at least part) sponsor them going into schools to enthuse the kids about trad dancing.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: MuddleC
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 05:01 PM

QUOTE..Yes, it's as I suspected...Too much to do, too little time.
Obviously, at an award ceremony, you can hardly do re-takes!! and with several technical difficulties during the day, it was a case of winging it on the night...It happens sometimes.

SOOORREEEE! that does not cut it.. Beeb have been doing outside broadcast for donkey's years, and obviously have 'lost the plot'
I thought the telly was on the fritz, fiddled with treble bass stereo, nicam, loudness, even oiled the hamster's wheel... but to no avail. BEEB spooks, If you expect live acts, monitor the mix on a portable telly, then you can hear the balls up that you are making... perhaps the sound guys didn't appreciate the difference between blues, country, pipes, acoustic and vocal... for it was all there

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Ralphie
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 11:35 AM

Oooh!
I'll consider myself slapped then.
No other comment needed.
Certainly won't start a flame war of the "My Balance is better than Your Balance" variety. Let's just agree to differ.
Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST, Sir Mike Harding
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 11:46 AM

Bugger off you lot!

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: MuddleC
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 03:41 PM

Ralphie, didn't intend to pillory you,

it just seems that modern TV crews(directors) seem to like only alighting on someone/thing for oneandahalf nano seconds before cutting to another camera for 3 nanoseconds, then off to yet another 'snapshot...... blink and miss at least three camera cuts... perhaps its a matter of getting the eye blink rate right in order to see the same picture/subject for more than 1 second.... as 'folkie' audiences are a bit older, our attention span is longer than that of the young 'goldfish' viewer...
and this is made worse by 'dumbing down' the significant voice/instrument in a set by swamping them with the multiple supporting instruments in the ensemble, thus losing the very characteristics that they are known for

Regards
-Victor Meldrew

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Ralphie
Date: 24 Feb 05 - 05:04 PM

MuddleC.

Point taken, and humbly accepted.
Critisism is always valid, and yours will be passed on I assure you.
Don't get me started re TV coverage of such events...Please!!
Having now heard the R2 coverage....Bugger, Glad I wasn't on that gig!!
Just to let you know, the main balancer on the Radio truck, is one of the best. Life sucks sometimes....
Mea Culpa!

Ralphie (pleading for more soundcheck time ....please)

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST,Geoff Evans
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 01:32 PM

hi, somewhere in this thread there is mention of the Ongley Arms at Eyeworth. My parents kept this pub for nearly 40 years until its closure - I grew up there and I cant remember a folk club - I would really like to know when this was ?? look forward to hearing from you.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 01:45 PM

Well I just managed to see a video of the 2005 BBC folk awards. I am soooo pleased that soooo many "stars", "movers & shakers" and big important people, are "Folk fans", and have been since........well for ever? (or at least since they were asked to say a fiew sincere words on the show). So we have had our heads patted and we can all feel asured that there is not too much wrong with liking folk music after all, go back into our wooly jumpers and waistcoats and Laura Ashley circa.1976 skirts and head scarves and shut up, our ONE folk television show of the year has been and gone. This show was NO advertisement for Folk music, badly cobbled together and generaly as rough as the proverbial badgers bottom. The sound was worse that bad, close to unbroadcastable. Unfortunatly some of the performances were far from acceptable either. Can someone tell me ....How tall is Mike Harding? The Oyster Band, why? What is the hand thing that Big Edna keeps doing? Why did nobody say "Maddy, no". Best of the night was Steeleye Span, Kathryn Tickell and Noddy Holder.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST,Hugh Jampton
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 03:29 PM

John C, I couldn`t have said it better myself.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Feb 05 - 04:51 AM

Big Edna always does 'that thing' with her hands, I think she's descended from Isadora Duncan.
Giok

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 26 Feb 05 - 01:15 PM

Well Giok, I hope she is more carefull when mixing scarfs and open top sports cars. As it hapens, Big Edna was on telly again last night, on BBC4 on a Celtic Connections program. She sang some rather weird song (doing that folkie thing of singing sitting down with the eyes closed) and half way through....she did the hand, latter improvising by attempting a double hander!!. Strange song or not, she was in excellent voice, she is a grand singer with power, range and control but the choice of material and arangement too often lets her down. This Celtic Connections program WAS an advertisement for folk and Traditional music with tremendous performances from Kathryn Tickell, Mairtain O'Conner, Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, Larla O Lionaird and Michael McGoldrick. There is another program on shortly but I don't have a date.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Feb 05 - 06:56 PM

She's got Karen Matheson doing it too - the hand thing, I mean! They were both at it at Hogmanay!

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Santa
Date: 27 Feb 05 - 06:18 AM

2nd programme, same time same place (Friday 9pm BBC4?). The first was repeated on Saturday night, so presumably so will the 2nd.

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 27 Feb 05 - 09:00 AM

yeaaaayyy there was a flute on Celtic Connections....viva les blowy things!!!!! Not just any flute either but my fav Michael McGoldrick. Ahhh the BBC have risen again to the call


Sarah

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 05:28 PM

I woz there in the Arches: what a band! Can't wait for his next CD!
TB

Subject: RE: 2005 BBC folk awards - opinions?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:10 AM

I agree with Mike