BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,folkiedave
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 06:19 PM

of an audience that (to this telly viewer anyway) appeared to have undergone a mass sense of humour bypass before being allowed in.

I have been with a couple of people who were there, this evening.

They felt the presenters were patronising and more concerned about themselves.

The regulars had suffered Frank Skinner's "beard jokes" before when he had last presented an award. Recycling cliches is not really funny whoever does it. What was Tamsin Greig on? Joanna Trollope managed to mention her book.

Simon Mayo has it right in his blog.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 05:53 PM

I think the problem was that far too much of the exposure was given to the lengthy, rambling, ego-charged speeches of the presenters and far too little to the musicians. Can anyone tell me, for example, why the sublime Andy Cutting didn't get up there and give us three or four minutes of sheer musical delight? I'd have traded a big lump of that tedious author's speech for that any day.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,S.T.M.
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 03:59 PM

Hi,

Just browsing this thread. There seems to be a lot of comments about unworthy winners such as Donovan and also some of the presenters. Whilst I agree they were not wholly appropriate to folk music, especially Donovon, I think we have to take note that without these "bigger names" it would have been very hard for the BBC to get funding to televise this event. Obviously times are hard and cuts are being made so I think we're lucky that our humble genre of music got a whole 2 and a bit hours of footage via the BBC (I know I know, it should be on every day). But yes, back to my original point- without the likes of Donovan and Frank Skinner, I doubt the funding for this would have been as high and thus it would not be televised to the masses. The folk awards may seem like a bit of a fix but I do think it's great it's given folk music some good exposure and also, introduced folk music to some of the public who may not have been introduced before.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 03:03 PM

At least he was funny. I thought.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: brezhnev
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 02:44 PM

Nice one, WalkaboutsVerse.

Welcome to the folk spectacle, where everything that may or may not have been directly lived has morphed into a representation guest-presented by Frank Skinner - now with watch-again edited highlights.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 01:50 PM

To be reasonably comfortble and to perform around-about their best, those on stage must have been fairly convinced that they were doing the right thing/were at the right venue - but, as suggested above, I think that must have involved a large amount of delusion.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,jims
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 01:28 PM

I once suggested Alastair Anderson for the lifetime award. As a musician, composer, Folkworks director, folk degree course leader, etc he has achieved a lot. I got a polite acknowledgement, then no more. I guess he's not famous enough compared with Donovan, Tom Paxton, etc.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: evansakes
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 01:05 PM

Looking at the 'red button' repeats I see the BBC have now censored one (apparently offensive) word in Chris Wood's rendition of 'Hollow Point'....

Maybe it will be reinstated after the watershed....

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: TopcatBanjo
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 12:45 PM

I watched the first hour via the red button transmission and then could not take it any more. Excrutiatingly embarrassing and amateurish....ugh!

Tamsin Greig - WTF? Was she on drugs or something? Wittering on for, what, 5, 10 minutes even? Not amusing in any possible way.

Too much wittering in general by the presenters of the awards. Indeed, much too long spent in introducing (and fawning over) the presenters of the awards.

Barbara Dickson getting to plug her crappy new song - jeezus, brass neck or what?

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: alex s
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 10:16 AM

That bloke from Bellowhead who kept butting in during the acceptance speech gets my my Tit of the Show vote. Pissed or what.......?

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 09:51 AM

The award presenters were generally a bit wordy but they tried valiantly in front of an audience that (to this telly viewer anyway) appeared to have undergone a mass sense of humour bypass before being allowed in. There were some rather tenuous links to folk music there... You'd think that, of all genres, it would have been possible to have a lot more live music in that huge great long show. A curate's egg, with Donovan undoubtedly the mummy chicken's arse.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 09:43 AM

Yes, 2006

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Surreysinger
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 09:27 AM

The awards should go to both Norma and Mike Waterson IMHO - far more significant for Folk (proper) than Donovan or, indeed the Levellers. Richard Thompson got one a few years ago, didn't he?

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Silas
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 09:10 AM

That guy from Fishermens freinds made the best acceptance speech I have ever heard - ever!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Silas
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 09:10 AM

The award should have gone to someone, anyone, who has made a significant impact on UK folk music.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,chris cole
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 09:07 AM

The award should have gone to Richard Thompson

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 08:48 AM

I didn't know Celtic Music had already been invented in Donovan's heyday.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: r.padgett
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 08:48 AM

Well!!

It isnt all available on the RED button as play back!

True the prog was 2 hrs plus on the live TV red button, however a LOT of editing down to actual performances (select) only lost a LOT of the ambience and feel of a LIVE event ~ a pity I thought and if THEY had thought about this before the winners could have had a better show of their talents

Maybe this will pave the way for MORE televised FOLK from English singers (including the Scots lad now based in Leeds)

There area lot of great singers and musicians out there

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,LDT
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 08:28 AM

@topsie never listened to the archers so couldn't comment. ;)

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: evansakes
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 08:24 AM

Lovely tweet last night from Martin Simpson...

"I didn't know Donovan invented Celtic Rock as well"

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 08:08 AM

"She did turn into her character from black books...."

Well she couldn't have turned into her character from The Archers, because she looks nothing like her.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 07:59 AM

I `ad that Simon Mayo in my cab last night. I was taking `im to the station from that BBC Folk Awards bunfight. `e looked very pleased with `imself.
`e said, "Evening Jim. Did you `ear the programme tonight?"
I said, "Well Simes, I `eard your bit on "Drivetime"".
`e said, "Whadya reckon then?"
I said, "You oughta get out more Simes. All that twaddle about bringing "folk music" to a popular audience and the codswallop about learning the notes on a guitar and sticking bits of paper `ere, there and everywhere. No mention of books about music and being taught. They were `aving a laugh, they done you up like a kipper".
`e said, "Blimey Jim. I thought they all did it that way!!"

Whaddam I Like??

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 07:51 AM

WAV:
There'll always be an England (our traditions are just that strong), and (unlike the Scots) we don't need an "English Folk Awards".

I didn't realise that the Scots needed an "English Folk Awards" either

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,LDT
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 07:07 AM

She did turn into her character from black books....the Bill Bailey comment just reminded me of the outtakes and commentary on the series DVD's.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 07:04 AM

Well, unlike WAV, I was there, Leafletting on behalf of the Folkwaves campaign, (with our good friends from the Radio London campaign to re-instate "A World In London" ....can you turn those bloody Djembes down from 11!)
The event was predictably what it always is, but none the worse for that.
Was well pleased with the well deserved awards distributed though.
Andy Cutting, Chris Wood, with an astonishing performance of "Hollow Point" and Eliza Carthy, accepting the award on behalf of her seriously ill Mum, with baby on stage...
It's all still available for UK viewers on the Red Button, (If you've gone digital!)
And listen again on BBC IPlayer, for the next 7 days.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 06:01 AM

oddly enough I think I enjoyed the presentations and acceptance speeches much more than the music I heard. But then Alasdair Roberts was the only nominated music that I actually enjoy. I thought Tamsin Grieg was quite funny actually

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 05:52 AM

The Bewilderingly Broad Church Folk Awards: let's all Americanise our music, back Fabio Capello, and go for a curry!

There'll always be an England (our traditions are just that strong), and (unlike the Scots) we don't need an "English Folk Awards".

Or, with distinctions for anthropology, http://davidfranks.blogspot.com/p/messages.html

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,le cheffie
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 04:35 AM

Over all i thought the presenters spent too long talking drivel,. If their time had been cut there may have been more time for live acts.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: r.padgett
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 04:30 AM

I loved every minute of it, even all the babes in arms!

Too many to mention everyone so diverse too is "Folk" Chris Wood seems like a nice lad and met Joan Armatrading ~ who was the other chap he got an award from?

Lots of celebs inb the audience too and Fisherman's Friends look a great bunch of down to earth folkies

Bellowhead ~ well of course and lots of talent

So how the hell did the BBC Radio Derby protest fair, I really am sorry that I watch on the "Red" button, NO NO well done to you!
Ray

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: theleveller
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 04:28 AM

Glad to hear Ewan McLennan won - well deserved.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Silas
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 04:17 AM

Tamsin Greig.

I bet she is feeling a bit of a tit this morning - what a performance - dire.

Overall, a good show though.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 03:24 AM

Had great fun leafletting the great and not so great last night!
Did a bit of networking with various BBC people, and journos. No, Folkwaves wasn't mentioned, didn't really expect it to be, but still worthwhile doing it, and thanks to the World in London campaigners for turning up to show their support.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 05:39 PM

Weird choice of presenters Tamsin Greig was appalling Joanne Trollope couldnt have been more patronising if she had tried, Roger Daltry had morphed into Hugh Grant but was at least coherent. Generally good result. Absolutely chuffed to bits that Ewan Mclennan won because if you know his stuff it is incredibly well deserved and he is one of the nicest blokes I know. Hollow Point was the worthy winner. Donovan??? do me a favour!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 03:23 PM

And the award for the biggest gobshite is...........(the presenters, not the nominees)

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 02:56 PM

It's great that it is being put on tv too but what a pity it has to be on the red button as I suspect only those who are already fans will press. I'll enjoy it none the less.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Bainbo
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 02:46 PM

I take back (some of) my previous comments. They were obviously trying to ease listeners in.

I turned off to have tea, then turned back on and heard Coope Boyes and Simpson, Kris Drever, Chris While and Julie Matthews, Emily Pportman, and remarkable Young Folk entrants whose name I didn't catch. And an acknowledgement that there was unrest over Donovan's award.

If I wasn't already a folkie, that would have turned me!

(Stilll haven't heard them mention the demo.)

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Cath
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 02:00 PM

In my view Donovan was never as good as he thought he was and still isn't!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Bainbo
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 01:35 PM

How's the leafleting going? Despite the weather, I hope you're having more fun than I am listening to the awards "preview" on Radio 2. Folk stereotypes confirmed - I can almost hear people switching off in their thousands.

I don't know why this should be - Simon Mayo is one of the few presenters I enjoy listening to. And Barbara Dickson came over well, but with a new album of traditional songs, she chose to play the only original one, and (in my opinion) not the best vehicle for her voice. Fairport Convention - a band still gigging, but they play the rather plodding Si Tu Dois Partir that must be - what, 40 years old? Very representative.

And Donovan. Oh dear. An embarrassment both luvvie-speaking and performing.

What a programme to present to a national audience.

Best bit was the "jingles" performed by Coope Boyes and Simpson. Ironic?

They haven't mentioned the demo yet.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 07:49 AM

Hi There sweetie! Expect to be leafleted then!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 05:35 AM

The reception starts at 6pm. I should imagine most of the invited guests will start turning up just before that.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 04:44 AM

I've actually got a Big Umbrella with BBC written all over it! Might be too much to carry though!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Surreysinger
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 04:07 AM

PS Better remember to take a trannie with you to listen to the live broadcast maybe. (That's transistor radio of course, not transvestite).

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Surreysinger
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 04:05 AM

Nah - I reckon he needs to wear something to distinguish him - red carnation, bowler hat, furled umbrella perhaps - and make him stand out from the crowd. Hmm, on second thoughts, he may already do that ?
(After all someone with 6'4" long hair just has to be distinctive, doncha think?)

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 03:37 AM

Watch it Dave!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,folkiedave
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 03:18 AM

It is true. You will find him very difficult to miss.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 01:12 AM

As far as I can work it out. Mondays running order is as follows.
soundchecks start at 1400 with Bellowhead, etc. Simon Mayors show comes live from th venue between 1700-1900 (inc a Live set from Coope Boyes and Simpson! how ironic is that.)
Then the awards from 1945-2200. I'm aiming to get there about 1500. Please pop by! I'm 6 foot 4 grey hair, big nose! You can't miss me!

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Surreysinger
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 08:48 PM

Thanks for that Ralphie. If that's the case then I'll see if I can manage to get up there - solidarity (and one for the pot) and all that! If I do, I'll bring the camera.

Well done on the recording of the Feedback programme. If anyone is interested in hearing the BBC "justification" from Stuart Thomas, and Chris Sweeney's eloquent questioning of him then you can do no better than listen to Ralphie's recording link here

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: NormanD
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 06:17 PM

Quote: "Have spoken with the people behind A World In London, who are planning to pop down, to show support, which is lovely!"

Solidarity forever!

The closure of BBC London's AWIL means that there is now no community-focused music programme in London at all - London being a city of a couple of hundred languages, all with related music.

The shutting down of folk and roots progs across the BBC networks is an effing disgrace.

Let's make noise - let's hope it gets heard.

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 05:01 PM

Hi Irene.
I'll be there mid afternoon....Have taken delivery of loads of flyers! So, will hopefully get to the great and the good as they arrive for soundchecks. The charabanc from Derby and points north, probably won't get there until 1800ish, but representatives from AWIL are planning on getting there ealier...so, hopefully I won't be too lonely!
I'm sure that people will stay for the whole event....Think about it..You've schlepped all the way from Derby?! Why not stay for the evening?
And there is a pub close by.
Apart from the obvious reason for being there, It's a great chance to meet other protesters as well. Have spoken with the people behind A World In London, who are planning to pop down, to show support, which is lovely! All for one, and one for the pot!
Lester Simpson for a Lifetime achievement award!!!! (Unlikely!)

Subject: RE: BBC Folk Awards Demo 7th Feb
From: Surreysinger
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 12:17 PM

Ralphie - it would be good if you could put the rough timings to be up there on here. I gather that the suggestion was to get there by at least 5.30 (although I do wonder if that might be just slightly late in view of the programme timings?)... but what I haven't been able to work out so far is exactly how long it's going to go on for (nobody has yet answered my question). If the intention is for it to go on until the awards actually finish to meet the outgoing attenders, then it might be worth coming up after my one and only work shift of the week finishes. (I don't relish the idea of taking the trek up to London to find that everybody has scarpered, and there was no point!)