Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: theleveller
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 11:32 AM

"I tell you who else is WAY overdue for an Award...Reg Meuross"

Agree with you there too, Lizzie. His new CD is his best yet IMO. Plus, he's a really nice bloke. Hope to get to see him and Jackie at The Rock later this year.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 10:42 AM

And futhermore, anyone who gets Tulse Hill, Brixton and Stockwell into one song gets my vote.
And I wasn't that far away that morning when the murder happened. London.......Doncha love it?
Well done Chris, and thanks for writing the song.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 10:33 AM

Guest Stan.
Apart from his telling song about the murder in Stockwell 2 years ago. His comment during his acceptance speech included the line "Folk music is the raspberry seed in the back tooth of the establishment" says it all really.
That, and his other writings over many years make him a really worthy winner.
and his comment "Thanks to all that voted for me, and Balls to those that didn't" gives one an idea of someone with a sense of humour.
That's why it was a defining moment for me.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 04:27 AM

If I may, I'd like to just put this part in a separate post, as it got lost in my many words above.

"I tell you who else is WAY overdue for an Award...Reg Meuross. Reg is not just a highly professional performer, but a wonderous weaver of stories into songs. He's got the magical ability to touch the heart with his words and I fully agree with Mike Harding that Reg is one of the best songwriters this country now has."

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 04:24 AM

"I agree with Lizzie that Duncan McFarlane Band are well overdue for an award. They must be Yorkshire's best-kept secret"

Thanks, levels..

Their gigs from years back are still fresh in my mind, not only at the first ever Sidmouth Folk Week, where they literally brought the town to LIFE! But in Otley too, at that fabulous gig in the wine bar, which was actually Otley Folk Club...I have NEVER seen so many people crammed into one room to see a band! People of all ages, young and old, all shouting and cheering, bobbing up and down as Duncan and his Band gave the full folk rock version of their repertoire...

It was nothing less than SENSATIONAL and I took as much pleasure from watching the audience react, as I did from watching and hearing the band..One of the best gigs I've ever been to. Just wish I lived closer to them all.

Later in the week we saw a very different band, this time giving their acoustic set...gentle and quiet, lulling their appreciative audience into good places. That was some gig too..and so good was the atmosphere, so friendly and relaxed, that I didn't really want it to end...



I tell you who else is WAY overdue for an Award...Reg Meuross. Reg is not just a highly professional performer, but a wonderous weaver of stories into songs. He's got the magical ability to touch the heart with his words and I fully agree with Mike Harding that Reg is one of the best songwriters this country now has.

This is why I get so angry that the same old same old keep on winning. It's hugely under-representative of the rest of the major talent in the folk world, and it's highly unfair too. I don't think there can actually be any other Award Show where the same people from the same Inner Sacred Circle keep on winning, year after year after year...

And to remove the public vote after the first year, as they did, PURELY because they realised that a band from the Outer Circle would keep winning, more than likely, was preposterous and it showed me in absolutely blinding light how corrupt and controlled the whole Folk Awards system is.

Big Fish in a Small Bowl rule it with an iron fist...and even though some headway has been made, it is not nearly enough.

Any other system that behaved in this way would, I'm more than sure, have a full investigation launched into exactly what's going on, but the folk world seems to be above and beyond all...

I like Bellowhead now and then, but I far prefer Spiers & Boden on their own and find the Bellowhead line-up way over the top at times...I'm afraid I cringed when I saw them last on Jools Holland and I do NOT think they are hugely representative of the magnificent talent which lies within the English Folk World.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,guest stan
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 05:05 PM

why did seeing Chris put it all into perspective then Ralphie?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 04:49 PM

Just seeing Chris Wood performing "Hollow Point" put the whole evening in context.
And it was great to see Danny Thompson. Shame he was playing for Donovan though.
Slightly amazed that nobody on this thread has slagged off Kate Rusby yet?
I'll give you time.....

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Olive Bennewith
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 04:24 PM

I think Fiddlers' Bid are amazing. They may be touring in England this autumn.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,lively
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 04:08 PM

lizzie tells an interesting story. Certainly one worth contemplating. Cant be having the common folk having any say in the "folk awards" or any kind of common place comprehensive bred ruffian might be getting awards. Saw the levellers on bbc folk awards, one bit of life among the well bred blandness of the rest of it.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: The Awkward Recruit
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 03:55 PM

@JennyO - Belshazzer's Feast were nominated for best duo last year - but lost out to the duo Show of Hands (Steve Knightley, Phil Beer and Miranda Sykes.)

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: theleveller
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 03:25 PM

Well done yet again to Bellowhead and delighted for Ewan Mclennan - superbly talented man.

I agree with Lizzie that Duncan McFarlane Band are well overdue for an award. They must be Yorkshire's best-kept secret.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 02:52 PM

Btw GUEST,S.T.M.

you may or may not find this recent mudcat thread an interesting read..

[just substitute "folk" for "pop".. in this context]


"pop as upper class culture"        


thread.cfm?threadid=135269


"yes m'Lady, just carrying young master Toby's instruments and amp to the stage,
.. prepare a refreshing ice bucket of champers and a freshly laundered towel,
then standby for further orders.
It's a privilege to roadie for such a fine young gentleman from such a good family, Ma'am..."

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 02:28 PM

I'm also going to see Bellowhead at Buxton and I'm counting off the days.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: JennyO
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 02:18 PM

Bellowhead and Show of Hands are both exceptional bands, and as far as I am concerned, I'd be happy to see either of them win anything.

I don't know much about the history of these awards and who has won them in the past, but a duo I'd like to see win (if they haven't already) is Belshazzar's Feast. They are also brilliant!

Also well deserved congrats to Eliza and Norma for their award, to Andy Cutting for his, and for James and Nancy for theirs. All wonderful performers.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Will Fly
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 02:14 PM

Fiddlers Bid are indeed a superb band - and I had to go up to Alnwick to see them last September.

To be honest, there are so many good folk bands/groupings of one sort or another out there that the whole 'award' schtick just seems utterly irrelevant to me.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 01:58 PM

Thanks sfmans - I was at the folk club on Monday evening and missed the news about Andy Cutting (whom I've known since he was at primary school....)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 01:16 PM

Agreed fifthwith Lizzie!!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 01:04 PM

"I'm getting a bid fed up with negativity and rants about Show of Hands so I'd just like to say I really like Bellowhead and am looking forward to seeing them at Buxton in a week or so's time."


Show of Hands just happened to be the band concerned at the time, Ian. I'm not ranting or raging that they didn't win anything. My post would have been exactly the same had Bellowhead won the first public vote, then been told that vote was being removed because 'they'd just keep winning it' due to their large fanbase, had they had the same numerically successful fanbase that the other band had way back then.

Of course, my argument is also that this probably would *never* have happened, because the Bellowhead lads and lassies are totally accepted, supported and much loved by those who control the Folk World.

This is NOT a rant about SoH or anyone else, merely about the crooked and incestuous system that for was too long has dominated the folk world.

If folks are happy to put up with it, fair enough.

Personally, I think it stinks, have been saying so for years, and will continue to say so, because this system is deeply unfair to the huge amount of other folk bands/performers out there who never get a look in because they are outside The Magic Folk Circle....some are new and younger, some have been kept outside for a very long time...and quite simply, in my opinion, that is totally wrong.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 12:32 PM

I like Bellowhead. They are the best live band that I've seen in many a year. I was glad they won but there was a little part of me that would have liked to see Fiddlers Bid win. They're very exciting on stage but I don't think that many people outside Scotland will have seen them. We had to go to Shetland!

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 12:16 PM

I'm getting a bid fed up with negativity and rants about Show of Hands so I'd just like to say I really like Bellowhead and am looking forward to seeing them at Buxton in a week or so's time.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 12:12 PM

nah.. just cheeky & mischievous..

I really like Bellowhead..

but then again, I passed the '11 plus' for all the good it did me..

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,S.T.M.
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 12:06 PM

Err, punkfolkrocker...what has that got to do with anything? Even if they were all bought up with silver spoons in their mouths (which, I don't know if they were or not) but, why would it matter if they were?

Seems like a bizarre and prejudiced comment to make.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 12:01 PM

Well done to Andy Cutting for the Musician Of The Year award (2nd time).

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 11:46 AM

just curious.. how many of Bellowhead are ex-public school.. ???

not that it means anything at the BBC..

or any awards nominations..


or anything..


errrmmm...


maybe they all went to ruff 'n' tuff comprehensives.. ???

or were even 'excluded' street urchins...

beating up posh kids and mugging them for their trombones and violins.....

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 11:45 AM

Bellowhead are indeed fine musicians but I can't stand them.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 11:28 AM

'Prodigies, Promises & Prizes'

A good name for a Folk Awards CD one year, possibly, maybe..brought to you by Incestuously Smoothly Done Operations Inc.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 11:23 AM

You know the BBC banned Best Live Act from being a public voted award because Show of Hands 'would just keep winning it'...as Mel, the Smooth Ops host of the F&A Board told everyone. There was a huge outcry of disgust from some of the Traddies when SoH *did* win, amidst accusations of vote rigging too, as they have such a large fan base...

I took this to task, stating that bands who have such a large fan base do so for a particular reason, and that is that they're very popular and appreciated by many folks, so therefore, they deserve to win.

But nope, out went the public vote after just ONE year...Yup, the FIRST ever public vote, Show of Hands won it...and those in control and I do mean ****CONTROL**** of the Folk Awards banned the public vote there and then...

Now of course, the band beloved by Those in Control of the Folk World 'just keep winning and winning' every year...and blow me down, no-one says a word about it....

One rule for the public and Show of Hands...and one rule for Those in Control and Bellowhead.

It's why I don't give a flying fiddle about The Folk Awards any longer because the whole thing is, in my humble personal opinion rigged and deeply incestuous.

I do acknowledge that Show of Hands *have* won many awards, but it's the 'year after year after year' handouts that I'm talking about...

Heyho...

Personally, I think The Duncan McFarlane Band should win Best Live Act and/or Best Band...and they are WAY overdue to win it too..but how the fiddle are other bands EVER going to get a chance when the same old same old keep on getting there, voted in by the cronies who run the show and adore their prodiges?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 11:19 AM

Going off on a slight tangent, I heard from a rather reliable source that they're going to re-record the theme tune to the Archers as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations. I wonder how popular that will make them?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: squeezeboxhp
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 11:16 AM

Steamchicken
Peeping Tom
for 2

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Alex
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 11:08 AM

Like who, Steve? Who are the bands just as great as Bellowhead who never get nominations, let alone awards?

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST,steve th
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 09:50 AM

but rather predictable, they seem to win every year. a great live band but there are other bands out there just as great that never even get a nomination never mind the award.

Subject: RE: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 09:44 AM

Well deserved. Best live band I've ever seen by a long way

Subject: Bellowhead Win at BBC2 Folk Awards
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 05:37 PM

Best Band and Best Live Band (for the 6th time I believe).
Congratulations