Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas

Subject: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 11:47 AM

From Monday 21 December, BBC Radio2 has a four part series every evening at 22:00 celebratinging "mostly forgotten Christmas carolling traditions being kept alive in areas of England and Wales". Presenters are Kate Rusby, Billy Bragg, Julie Fowles and Jon Boden.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 12:15 PM

They are Dungworth, Padstow, The Welsh Plygain tradition, and Leigh-on-Sea. I am assuming in that order.

Not sure who is presenting what especially. Kate was recorded at Dungworth three weeks ago.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 12:26 PM

Poem, cum folk-carol, 230 of 230, from WalkaboutsVerse:
CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY

As gospellers have said,
Beneath signalling skies,
On land dusty to tread,
A trough in a stable
Was the strawy first-bed
Of a divine baby -
The forgiving Godhead.

A season for new hope -
There then and here now;
The yuletide of goodwill -
There then and here now.

In respect of this chance,
Beneath bright or dark skies,
Faith's the star that we glance
Attending Christ's churches
And trying to enhance,
With singing and ritual,
Our God-loving stance.

A...

(You may hear it here.)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 12:56 PM

Geez, he gets his doggerel in at any excuse, no matter how tenuous!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: EnglishFolkfan
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 01:10 PM

Thanks for that Dave, haven't quite finished marking up my Radio Times yet for seasonal viewing/listening/recording ~ a mix of music, nature, a bit of costume drama and sometimes all 3 together ;o)

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 01:19 PM

What has that uninvited input from WAV got to do with a plug to, what sounds like an interesting series of programmes?
Thank you Dave, I'd missed that one.
Looking at the hosts, it should be interesting.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 01:43 PM

you expressed my thoughts John!
Al

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Surreysinger
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 02:57 PM

Dave (Folkie variety) - is one of these the programme which Catherine Bott is involved with ... or was that a Radio 3 job? and if so, do you know when that one is going out??

(And yes chaps, agreed on the unrelated and irrelevant insert!)

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 03:14 PM

Not at all.

Catherine Bott will present her normal programme (without my valuable assistance I might add). The programme will cover early carols (as part of her Early Music Show) but the starting and finishing music will be carols from Dungworth. I stopped singing so he could get a decent recording.

Precisely when this is to be broadcast I am currently not sure. I might add that she is really lovely in real life.

And gossips. We got on well together!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: melodeonboy
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 05:58 AM

Thanks for that. I'll tune in.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: EnglishFolkfan
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 11:35 AM

Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
Episodes: 1/4 Monday 21st, 2/4 Tuesday 22nd, 3/4 Wednesday 23rd, tand Christmas Eve Thursday 24 December 10.00-10.30pm GMT each day.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pdkn3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pdkt9
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pdkw1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pdkxx

BBC Radio 2 goes on a journey to celebrate local voices and different carolling traditions around England and Wales. Across the country, pockets of people have been keeping alive Christmas traditions that were lost to most people hundreds of years ago. This Christmas, they're inviting listeners to step into their homes, pubs and churches to share their festive sounds.
Keeping Tradition Alive At Christmas explores the centuries-old tradition of singing secular carols, songs and lyrics that locals fiercely claim as their own in the village pubs of small towns around Sheffield. Also featured is the procession in Padstow, as locals go from street to street singing the Cornish Curls they have proudly nurtured.
On a frosty winter's night, in tiny villages dotted across North Wales, there's a local tradition in which Plygain singers step forward in a candlelit church to present the Christmas hymn that has been in their family for generations.
Also featured is a good old knees-up at Leigh-on-Sea, where Christmas revellers have introduced their own carolling tradition to welcome Yuletide. Borrowing a lyric here and a melody there, reviving old instruments to play their songs, a group of carol singers, musicians, folk fans and storytellers meet to celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way.

Presenters in this four-part series include Billy Bragg, who explores West Country festive traditions; Julie Fowlis, who hears some Welsh Plygain singers; Bellowhead's Jon Boden who lends his voice to a good old knees-up in Leigh-on-Sea; and Sheffield-born folk singer Kate Rusby. (via BBC Publicity)

Posted this info on the Facebook Group: Newport Folk Festival 2009 Chat members, to share with our friends on there.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 12 Dec 09 - 11:42 PM

Wasn't there one about burning Christians in wicker baskets?

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 04:58 AM

We still do that one Dick. However the people are not too keen on having it filmed since the last time, when a local lord was replaced by Christopher Lee. What has also slowed the celebrations down has been a distinct lack of virgins of either sex.

In the meantime you can find details of these BBC shows here.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 05:44 AM

The Radio 3 is the Early Music Show. I was told it would go out on the day after Boxing Day, Sunday 27th, at 1pm, and the Radio Times confirms there is indeed a show then. Sadly I shall be singing at the last session, but there's always listen again!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 06:21 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:51 AM

Just a reminder - it's tonight!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 05:43 PM

Well, if the rest are as good as t6onight's offering, it's well worth the listen.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 11:30 AM

Were the Derek and Mary mentioned the same Derek and Mary that run Banbury Folk Festival? Certainly sounded like Derek!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 11:36 AM

Yes......

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: open mike
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 12:23 PM

it appears as if it is possible to listen to this online.

I posted in another thread about a program
that there is a t.v. program on PBS which
features cornish christmas carols sung in
a mine here by descendants of miners from
Cornwall. the Mine is the Empire mine in
nevada city/grass valley california.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Merek'n'Dary
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 02:29 PM

Yes we confess - It was us! What a pity there was so much of Kate Rusby and not enough of the wonderful, wonderful carols! Also the funny thing is we never saw her there once when we were there! Looking forward to the rest of the series though.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 02:34 PM

The week you were recorded I don't think she was! She was poorly so she and JB came the following week!

I think we need to listen to all the shows before making a judgement about the music. The reason is that they might have found that the recordings wee spoilt by a poor singer (me for example) and thus not been able to use them as much as they might have liked.

If there is a lot of talking in the others we will know for sure.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Merek'n'Dary
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 02:43 PM

Point taken Dave, although we were sat by you and never noticed a bum note from you!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: EnglishFolkfan
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 03:39 PM

Well I really enjoyed listening last night, these full voiced singing rousing chorused Carols are what make the Seasonal mood for me. Was lucky enough to live on the SW edge of Sheffield for a number of years and that's where I was introduced to the' Tradition'.

Three more to look forward to and then 2 hours of archive to keep and listen at leisure or share and enlighten others.

Good production on this first episode, and a brilliant choice of using 'big name' Folk Artists talking knowledgeably and passionately about 'theirs and our' music.

Castleton Singing tradition also explored on this BBC Radio programme Music Matters A Midlands Christmas available on iPlayer here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pcg4x/Music_Matters_A_Midlands_Christmas/

and Website with more info & videos here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pcg4x

Info on this gained from a msg from JoGBradford elsewhere. I've listenagained and loved the broad sweep approach but the intimate gem interviews made it. A great record of the enthusiasm people do have for all kinds of music: Super ~ the phrase 'put the music where the people are don't drag people into temples'.

One knew it was the lovely Bella Hardy at the first note!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: GUEST,Peter in Cheshire
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 04:12 PM

Just found this discussion group tonight, I had the pleasure of going along to Kate Rusby's Christmas Carol night last Friday in Stoke-on-Trent.It was a great night and the people of Stoke were in good voice. But I have to say that the Sunday pub sessions in South Yorkshire sound really great. Merry Christmas to you all.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 05:47 PM

Another great program, even if it wasn't the one that the Beeb thought they were transmitting. Even the digi-box kept telling me that I was listening to Billy Bragg rather than Julie Fowlis. Hopefully they'll put it right tomorrow, though I'm not going to know till Sunday when hopefully the two untransmitted programs will be on my hard disc. Have a merry Christmas, Good Yule or happy Holy Day!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 06:56 PM

Dave,
Monday
Pity the radio programme wasn't swapped for the TV one! Absolutely wonderful stuff. Caught it by accident on way back from London in the car.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: EnglishFolkfan
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 08:09 AM

Last items on Verity Sharp's Late Junction last night (Tues 22nd & on iPlayer now) were:

Grimesthorpe Colliery Band playing & then the singers of the Royal at Dungworth singing 'Diadem'

At 29 minutes in Verity had played Chris Wood & the EAC arrangement of 'While Shepherds Watched' followed by church bells .... bliss.

Listen out for the Christmas Eve special commission Late Junction, looks like a storytelling musical feast, for info check out the website & thread by Mel over on BBCR2 Folk msg board.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 05:04 PM

Missed that one, EFF, but am about to hear the third Keeping Trad. Alive.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Vic Smith
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 05:35 PM

Go to
http://www.villagecarols.org.uk/Grenoside%20Festivals/Grenoside2006/kilmore2006.html

and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on mov01315.mpg - just one verse of the Kilmore Carollers. Frankly, it can't get any better than this.

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 08:13 AM

I `ad that Father Christmas in my cab the other day. I picked `im up late coming out of `arrod`s. `e looked well put out, as if one of the children `e was giving presents to `ad yanked on `is beard and pee`ed in `is lap.
I said , "What`s up Santa. Old el Fayed sold your grotto or something? I `ope its nothing to do with them nippers on your lap?"
`e said , "Certainly not Jim, nothing like that. There`s me trying to keep the tradition of Christmas alive and all I get is aggravation."
I said, "I dunno. We seem to be doing alright. Bit of snow, tinsel `ere and there, chicken dinner, Carols and the Mumming plays."
`e said , "I know all that but `ealth and Safety now want a risk assessment of me and going down the chimneys. They says I gotta lose weight!!"   

Whaddam I Like??
`APPY CHRISTMAS AND LUVERLY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: GUEST,davindaire
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 05:44 PM

Does anybody know of an archive with the Kate Rusby episode available for download? I can't find it anywhere. Best wishes, Peter

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 06:33 PM

It's gone from the BBC iPlayer - Episode 3 goes in 23 hours, and 4 24 hours later!

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: GUEST,sing4peace
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 07:33 PM

I love a good carol sing as much as the next person and this program sounds like a truly lovely collection of songs and traditions but for what it's worth, I rather liked walkabouts verse above. Imagine inserting some mention about the origins of the Christmas "tradition". It was the only part of this conversation that had anything to do with what Christmas is really about.

IMHO.
JK

Subject: RE: Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 05:28 AM

This conversation is about a series of radio programs called "Keeping Tradition Alive at Christmas". There are already quite a few threads discussing what Christmas is really about.