Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'

Subject: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: Vic Smith
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 06:26 AM

It's called Gilderoy, You're My Boy on page 21 of the G2 section of today's The Guardian but in the on-line version, the headline becomes How I became a folk ballad singer and it is at http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/sep/27/i-became-folk-ballad-singer

Jude Rogers writes a pretty enthusiastic piece about attending a Ballad workshop at this year's Sidmouth Festival that was run by Sara Grey and her feelings about learning the ballad.

Also name-checked in the article are Shirley Collins, The Unthanks, Ellen Mary McGhee, Jim Moray and Jackie Oates.

The newspaper version has photos Jim Moray playing the concertina and of Jude sitting next to Sam Lee at the workshop - both looking really happy and as if they are having a really good time.

This must be amongst the best bits of publicity that straightforward folk singing has had in the national media for some time.

Subject: RE: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 06:48 AM

I agree - it's a lovely piece, full of enthusiasm but without any pro- or anti- folk partisanship pushing it. It beautifully describes falling in love with the song - the way we all should feel about them!

Mick

Subject: RE: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: Willa
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 08:22 AM

Yes, I agree with both of you; a very enjoyable piece.

Subject: RE: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 09:26 AM

I loved it. A smashing piece.

Subject: RE: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: Vic Smith
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 09:38 AM

I'm told by Those Who Know About These Things that "Sidmouth's press officer, Tim Chipping, was responsible for planting the article." and that Tim is the third person in the Guardian photo along with Jude and Sam.

Subject: RE: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 10:52 AM

Well in that case very well done to Tim Chipping, there's a man who knows how to get his job done!

Subject: RE: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: GUEST,John W
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 06:37 AM

Yes, a great article - but a pity that it didn't say that where Jude sang (and was welcomed by so many "smiling faces," was at Sharp's Folk Club which meets in the Bar at Cecil Sharp House every Tuesday - and which prides itelf on it friendly, welcoming atmopshere.

Subject: RE: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 07:37 AM

If you know of Sharp's, then it's fairly clear from her article where she was performing, but I agree if you didn't know of it the article doesn't tell you.

Perhaps she didn't want Sharp's swamped by the thousands of prospective ballad singer inspired by the article clamouring to get in!

Mick

Subject: RE: Gilderoy meets 'The Guardian'
From: Smedley
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 08:53 AM

Jude Rogers has also been on the Mercury Music Prize jury & once told me that it was her enthusiasm for the Rachel Unthank album 'The Bairns' that helped it on to the shortlist and almost win. So she has long-term 'form' as a closet folkie !