Review: Radio 2 Folk Show

Subject: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 04:08 PM

Congratulations to Mark Radcliffe on a very entertaining programme kicking off the New Year on Radio 2. A refreshing change to hear a live broadcast with interaction with the listeners and a great selection of music. I know a lot of people had doubts about this new format but I think it was a change long overdue....and it's from Salford!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 04:17 PM

And they can afford live performances once again. It must be a big studio because they started with Bellowhead.

Next week it's Karine Polwart, followed by Fairport Convention. Then it's off to Glasgow for the Folk Awards.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 04:19 PM

Apparently, Media City is the bees knees...should be good!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 04:52 PM

But Mark Radcliffe gabbles and isn't pleasant to listen to. He needs to slow down a bit

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 05:40 PM

Was good, pity it's from Salford.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 05:41 PM

Same music, different presenter style. No BBC moulds were broken in the making of this programme. Nothing new was learned other than that Roy Harper will appear at the Folk Awards. Why?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 06:17 PM

Perhaps Roy Harper is presenting or receiving an award.

From Cambridge News

Cambridge Folk Festival 2012: Saturday. Paul Kirkley finds the festival's questing spirit in ruder health than ever.

"I'm the folk singer today," Roy Harper told the main stage crowd, perhaps a touch churlishly, on Saturday evening. You can kind of see what he means: the top-down reinvention of folk music over the last 15 years or so must be quite bewildering for someone like Harper: an unreconstructed, stubbornly immovable 60s protest singer still belting out anti-Vietnam anthems with nothing more showy than an acoustic guitar and a voice that was in danger of leaving Cherry Hinton Hall entirely stripped of wallpaper.

From Emma Hartley's Glamour Cave

Here's a scene I may have imagined.
G: And then I knew...
ME: (Caught up) What? What did you know?
G: It's going to have to be a lifetime achievement award for Roy Harper this year.
ME: Oh Genevieve! How could you?
(Wailing, fade to blackout)

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 06:33 PM

Probably because Roy Harper is an anti-Muslim xenophobe:

http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=135732

and Salford is one of the major centres of far-right activism in the UK (I am not going to give any links or even any search terms, you know how to find out).

Promoting a long-forgotten has-been-who-never-was like Harper must be a deliberate provocation on somebody's part. Radcliffe and his pals can't be that stupid.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 06:48 PM

Main problem is it's still on Radio 2!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 06:54 PM

Must have misheard the gabble.

I thought he said JOKE awards - seemed perfectly apt to me!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 02 Jan 13 - 11:56 PM

"Hats off to Roy Harper"....

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 01:43 AM

I heard the last ten minutes live (I usually follow the show on the podcast), enjoyed it, and look forward to catching up with the podcast. A different presenting style to Mike Harding, but pretty much the same mix of music as before. The sky would appear not to have fallen.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 03:19 AM

I've never heard him before, why does he talk so fast all the time ? seemed a bit frantic to me.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: r.padgett
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 04:47 AM

Mark Radcliffe a good start I thought and the pace of his chat was indicative of his nervousness at the first show

Hope he can keep to the down to earth approach and where Roy Harper fits in god only knows

Looks as though costs could be a factor, are they paying Bellowhead more than travel and Karin Polwart (nowt to do with me) for studio time!

Celtic Connections have aways done a great tv coverage so the Folk Awards should be great too

One point only BBC Folk Awards should be English!! Not British, The Scots have their own Awards for Scottish (predominantly artists and groups) if I am wrong, why??
Ray

Ray

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Acorn4
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 04:56 AM

I think Roy Harper is far more deserving of a lifetime award than Donovan was personally.

A widely unrecognised genius in my opinion, but then what do I know?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Enfield/Swindon Pete
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 05:47 AM

A good show - yep he gabbles - but was this show a sprat to catch a Mackerel?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 05:56 AM

Well Harper's marginally less barking than Donovan (give or take a sheep or two), no more irrelevant than John Martyn and will probably manage to be more in tune than Don MacLean, so it's probably a minuscule improvement in the Folk Awards tradition. Which is probably the only time the word 'tradition' will be linked with any of those three. Oh, but Harper did a song about cricket so he must be folk. And he lives in Ireland, so that's folky too.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: gnomad
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 06:11 AM

I hadn't encountered Radcliffe before, so could listen with an open mind. It seemed a bit frenetic for me (both presenter and much of the music) and a higher ratio of rabbit to music than my memory of what went before. Still, it is early days yet. I will give him at least one more go in a month or so, once he has had a chance to settle down.

Nice that there were some studio performers, but I'll reserve judgement until I see who is chosen, and how often.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 06:14 AM

Roy Harper is not a has been who never was.
He has been Roy Harper, and he still is.
Its not as though he never was Roy Harper.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: JHW
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 06:22 AM

I didn't listen to Mike Harding so I've long forgotten when his show ever was - when's the new show please?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 06:52 AM

Mark Radcliffe is a far more experienced broadcaster than Harding (he has had a prime time five days a week show on one or other of the main BBC stations continuously for 20 years, on top of all the other stuff he does, and for a while presented the Radio1 breakfast show - supposedly the biggest slot in radio) so I don't think its nervousness. That's how he talks on all his other shows too.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: SunrayFC
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 07:15 AM

A superb start to what will be a popular show. A professional presenter.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 07:24 AM

No bias there then ;)

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 08:24 AM

Well I have at last got around to listening to the new show.
Very good introduction from Mark Radcliffe. So now we know his pedigree and I for one am happy to give him a listen.
Unfortunately he fell at the first hurdle, for me, with the massively overated Bellowhead. But that's my taste.

I shall now listen to the rest.....It's getting better already!!

Good luck to all concerned.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Continuity Jones
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 08:28 AM

Well, I've been quick to say what a false clown I think he is, so I guess I should be as quick to say he wasn't too bad last night, thankfully. No forced wacky ness and even quite amusing once or twice.

I guess he must have read a few of the message boards to feel the need to put that big intro in stating his credentials. Fair enough. Hello Mark, keep the ants from your pants and you should be ok.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 08:37 AM

And is it getting better, oh yes!

One problem though, there doesn't seem to be a play list like there used to be.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 09:01 AM

What an astounding thread!

Firstly, I agree with Harry. Good show, well produced. Not all to my taste but in an hours worth of music that is to be expected.

Then, all within the first few posts, we get the old arguments of

- What is folk music? (Roy Harper at the folk awards? Gasp! )
- Let's knock the North (Salford? How could they have the audacity?)

and even, though I am not sure how Mr Campin will justify this one

- Harper has been given an award becaus ehe is an anti-moslem xenophobe and it is because the folk show is now from Salford! What?

Beyond belief. Well, no I guess not given the forum we are on :-)

I'll stick to whether I like the show or not in the future but, for reference, Roy Harper was and still is an exceptional singer/songwriter. Also, his opinions are as valid as anyone elses. Who dictated that all folk music must be left wing, anti-establisment dogma? As to Salfords place in the world? Well, I shouldn't be arguing for it as I am moving shortly but that is purely for work and economic purposes. It is becuase of people who slag off Salford that the work is no longer here. I hope you are all happy, especialy you Jack, that you are on the same side as Thatcher and her minnions in being party to the ripping apart of the mills, mines and factories that you happily sing about with tears in your eyes.

Cheers

Dave the, Salford and proud of it, Gnome

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 01:02 AM

Well put, Dave....some of the comments on this thread remind me why I abandoned the folk scene 10 years ago...I was hoping attitudes might have changed!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 01:41 AM

I shall look forward to the thread next week complaining that the Mark Radcliffe show isn't as good as it used to be ....

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 03:51 AM

I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds Mark Radcliffe's rapid-fire meandering style very irritating. It might be OK for late night slots to keep down royalty figures, but I don't find it suitable for a specialist folk show. We have enough time-wasting waffling presenters at clubs and festivals already! We don't need it on national radio.

Tone

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,GUEST,Dave W
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 04:09 AM

You're not on your own canalwheeler.

I have to confess to having just previously listened to Mike Harding's first podcast. No adverts !!

Radcliffe did sound nervous and probably was under a bit of pressure but I do find his presentation irritating. I had just last week watched a bit of Sky Arts Cambridge Folk and found him irritating there.

The fact that it its live, one of the controller's desires apparently, just gives more fuel to the waffle/banter fire.

It is his way and I'm sure lots of folk like it, otherwise he wouldn't be a successful presenter. It just doesn't appeal to this 60yr old northerner :)

Cheers - Dave

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Backwoodsman
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 04:16 AM

Errrrrrrmmmmm, errrrrr-ummmmmm,, errrrrrr-ummmmm-errrrrr-ummmm, errrrrrrrrrmmmm, don't know what you mean, Tone. :-)

Radcliffe's blathering presentation style, with the constant "errrrmmmm' and "errrrr-ummmm" interjections, is amateurish and irritating in the extreme. But it looks as though it's the same people telling him what tracks to play who gave MH his playlist so, apart from the drop in presentation standards, nowt's changed really.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,George Frampton
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 07:05 AM

Verdict: breath of fresh air!
There were a number of references to traditional events too which was different from its previous centralism towards the 1970/80's folk club movement. There was a reference to Haxey Hood, albeit as a lead into Carthy-Swarbrick singing 'John Barleycorn'.
It's wassail time, Plough Monday next week, followed by Whittlesea Straw Bear on the Saturday! I hope Mark can maintain the momentum.
There's more to 'folk' than artistes picking up gongs at awards ceremonies!
He'll be very welcome at The Volunteer in Sidmouth in August, anyway!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 08:17 AM

I don't see why Mark Radcliffe should have been nervous. He's hardly a novice presenter - he's been at the BBC since 1990. He's been on air almost daily ever since.

Whilst he won't appeal to everyone, he has received broad approval for his work. With Marc Riley he's won three Sony Gold awards for Best Daily Music Show.

We've now got a choice - Mike Harding's second independent show will come out today, Friday.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 08:22 AM

Would all those who are so ready to criticise prefer there was no folk programme on Radio 2 at all. E-mails and texts are, like it or not, a major feature of BBc radio programmes these days and, prsonally, I agree with George and found the new format a breath of fresh air and enjoyed the live feel to the broadcast.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 09:43 AM

Would all those who are so ready to criticise prefer there was no folk programme on Radio 2 at all.

That'll be the beebs attitude too. Take it or leave it. It might have been at least a good gesture if the beeb had consulted with its listeners before changing presenters. But it seldom listens. It just broadcasts.

Tone

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Mavis Enderby
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 09:53 AM

I'm listening to it now and enjoying it, even though I'm not a massive fan of Bellowhead. Looking forward to the forthcoming electric Chris Wood session in a couple of weeks.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: JHW
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 05:17 PM

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: JHW - PM
Date: 03 Jan 13 - 06:22 AM

I didn't listen to Mike Harding so I've long forgotten when his show ever was -
when's the new show PLEASE?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 06:47 PM

7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays....and canalwheeler....whether it be the B.B.C.'s attitude or not I'm just being realistic....and, personally, I don't see what all the fuss is about! Mike has his podcast - listen to that if you prefer and don't listen to the Radio 2 programme or listen to both. Where's the problem? Radio presenters come and go.                                       
I appreciate the heading for this thread was a review of the prigramme but surely this does not invite insulting comments regarding the presenter.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 07:25 PM

Oh it does, Harry, it does :-) Believe me, you have done a great favour to those who feel the need to complain. I suggest you start a thread about your favourite artist next and see how any people try to convince you that they (your fave) are not folk / crap / over-rated or evil devil worshipers who want to shag your cat...

BTW - I am sure I know the name - Are you from around Manchester / Salford and ever been to Swinton Folk Club? Ot are you famous and I should know anyway? In which case - I do apologise :-)

I also knew a Gill Basnett from west London way and worked with her at BOC Great West House for some time back in the 70s or 80s. She was mad as a hatter but a very nice girl. Just in case all Basnetts are related!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 07:43 PM

I've presented both Folk and Blues shows on the BBC for over 27 years. I had no problem with Mark Radcliffe as a presenter, but thats where it begins and ends. What is missing in buckets full in his presentation style is knowledge. Mark presented the show as if it was any other music show. His approach would have worked equally well for any music genre, and thats a shame. Making dedications to listeners is all very nice but also unecessary. It's not a crime or in any way unprofessional, but is not specialist music presentation style. Point of order if you are going to play 'Sitting on top of the World played in Cajun style good for you! But don't call it a Blues/Folk song, when it was written by Howling Wolf! Its also worth knowing that Howling Wolf was actually Chester Burnett. This is why the Blues Show is presented by Paul Jones, and this is why I miss Mike Harding.
On a positive note it's not hard and fast and can improve, but Mark needs to do his homework. However if (and I hope Not) he thinks it uneccesary or plain boring to come up with the goods then we've got a problem. Time no doubt will tell.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Mavis Enderby
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 03:50 AM

I thought it was first recorded by the Mississippi Sheiks in the 30's? As Mark Radcliffe states?

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: theleveller
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 04:40 AM

"Its also worth knowing that Howling Wolf was actually Chester Burnett"

I think, if you did your homework, you'd find that Howling Wolf was, in fact, Howlin' Wolf. I can see, however, that you are unfamiliar with the apostrophe.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 05:03 AM

Nyah nyah nyah-nyah.
So there!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: SunrayFC
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 07:51 AM

A breath of fresh air, long over due.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 10:17 AM

Carry on being clever Leveller. I'll bloody level you with your own apostrophe given half a chance!

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST,Harry Basnett
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 12:12 PM

Bit of a thread creep setting in but 'Sitting on top of the World' was originally by the Mississipi Sheiks....

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 01:26 PM

Listen again:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pgrp0/The_Folk_Show_with_Mark_Radcliffe_Bellowhead_session/

Can be downloaded with RadioDownloader.

Mark Radcliffe presents the first edition of his brand new folk show, live from Salford Quays.

To usher in the new programme and the new year, Mark is joined in the studio by the 11-piece folk phenomenon Bellowhead, who will perform tracks from their latest album Broadside.

Mark Radcliffe welcomes the band to the BBC's Salford studios for this, the first edition of Radio 2's new Folk Show. The weekly programme will see lifelong folk fan Mark explore the wide and wonderful range of traditional and contemporary folk and acoustic music from around the UK and the world, with regular interviews and live sessions from folk's finest performers.

Virtuosic, energetic and thrilling, Bellowhead's remarkable albums and live performances have captured the imagination of folk fans old and new. The band formed in 2004 when duo Spiers & Boden decided to revisit the concept of big band folk music and invited jazz and fellow folk musicians to form a group that, for many, has recast English traditional music in an exciting new light and significantly broadened its appeal.

Bellowhead's 2010 album, Hedonism, was recorded at Abbey Road studios and produced by the renowned rock and roots producer John Leckie. The record went silver, selling more than 60,000 copies, a remarkable achievement for an independently released British folk album. The band's 2012 follow-up, Broadside, entered the UK album chart in the Top 20, and earned the band two nominations in this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

An exhilarating and theatrical live band, Bellowhead have performed at the BBC Proms, Radio 2's 2Day and Live in Hyde Park events, and headlined festivals across the country. They have been the subject of television specials and are artists in residence at London's Southbank Centre.

Performing on the Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe in the next few weeks are popular and respected Scottish singer Karine Polwart (9 January), acclaimed songwriter Chris Wood (16 January) and legendary folk-rock pioneers Fairport Convention (23 January).

On Wednesday 30 January, Mark will join Julie Fowlis onstage at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall to host the fourteenth annual BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. The event will be broadcast live on Radio 2 from 7.30pm.

Broadcast on
BBC Radio 2, 7:00PM Wed, 2 Jan 2013

Available until
8:02PM Wed, 9 Jan 2013

First broadcast
BBC Radio 2, 7:00PM Wed, 2 Jan 2013

Duration
57 minutes

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 01:38 PM

On a minor nitpicking point I think you'll find that SOTOTW goes back to even before the Chatmons, even if they arranged it the way it has subsequently mostly been done. As, for example, did a lot of stuff first recorded by the Carter Family and generally credited to them. This stuff's called traditional music . . .

Once upon a time the BBC had wonderful broadcasters like the late Alexis Korner who could be erudite and entertaining, who could hook you in, educate you without you realising it, and inspire you to make all sorts of other discoveries. Specialist programmes need presenters like that, with both a breadth of knowledge and great populist broadcasting skills. Having had Barbara Dickson sleep on your settee 40 years ago or having lurked around in the artist bar at Cambridge Folk Festival is minor stuff compared to that.

Where are the people today who have that breadth of knowledge like an Alexis and the ability to put it over for both the casual listener and the already expert? Not found (or wanted, probably) on the BBC any more, that's for sure.

Subject: RE: Review: Radio 2 Folk Show
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 02:35 PM

Bit of a mistake to demand that presenters should be knowledgable and then claim Sitting on Top of the World was written by Howling Wolf. Motes and beams, Nick Dow.