Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6

Subject: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 09:17 PM

Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03cvpmx/Transatlantic_Sessions_Series_6_Episode_4/

What do we think?

The musicianship and singing is superb, of course, but have the sessions become a little too formal?

What about those who are not part of the Ali Bain in-crowd? I think I preferred the earlier more dangerous sessions in a barn where others got a go.

Isn't it all a bit too much Jerry Douglas now? He's in everything.

"Do what ever Jerry Says, is, I guess, the deal." Teddy Thompson.

Maybe too true?

Tone

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 01:51 AM

Whilst you could just copy & paste all the whinging from the threads about series 1 - 5, the thread whinging about series 6 is here.

All the usual memes present and correct - too much Jerry Douglas, too many Celts and Americans, why hasn't the bloke who does a really good funny song about cheese at our local folk club ever been invited on, etc. etc.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: melodeonboy
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 03:30 AM

...."the bloke who does a really good funny song about cheese".....

Surely you're not referring to me?! :-)

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 03:54 AM

The last one on UK TV seemed to be drifting away from traditional music, Mary Chapin Carpenter ? what's that all about ?

They are wasting the talents of Mike McGoldrick and John McCusker, two top musicians.

It's definately going downhill.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 03:57 AM

Its all we got on this kind of music on the box. So its better than nothing.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 04:13 AM

I've never understood why I'm supposed to suspend my critical faculties when watching a programme like the Transatlantic Sessions - or any other programme for that matter. I really like a good deal of what I see and hear in this series - and some of it I genuinely find less interesting. Is making a fair comment about the series - which I think Canalwheeler has done (and he's echoed other commentators in his assessments) - just "whinging"? Of course it isn't - it's just fair comment - and it's perfectly acceptable in my book, as long as it's fair.

I bought the DVD sets for series 1 and 3, so I'm not antipathetic in any way, but I certainly haven't spent money on series 4, 5 and 6 - much as I eagerly anticipated them - because I genuinely believe the formula is now a little tired. It's good in parts but it appeals less than it used to. That's my assessment and I see no reason to not have it.

And as for the idea that, just because it's all we have on the TV, it's better than nothing - and therefore somehow immune from comment - I don't follow that line of reasoning either. If the series was really poor - which I don't believe for one instance, by the way - would we still accept it simply because there was nothing better? To do so would be an insult to the music as a whole.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 05:30 AM

"Whilst you could just copy & paste all the whinging from the threads about series 1 - 5, the thread whinging about series 6 is here"

@Steve

What are you, the Mudcat thread police?

That thread is about Transatlantic Sessions in general. This one is about Series 6 in particular!

My point was to flag up Teddy Thompson's 'whinge' about Jerry Douglas running the show, possibly said in jest. Probably not, but taken as a jest.

Actually I would have preferred to see his Mum or Dad on the show, but they are possibly not part of the Sir Ali Bain train-set.

Tone

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 08:47 AM

@Steve

What are you, the Mudcat thread police?

No, just an ordinary rank-and-file Mudcat user like yourself: and policing Mudcat would be a thankless task, akin to herding particularly hyperactive cats collectively threatened with a trip to the vets and a bath on the same day. Only more argumentative.

I've got a vague idea that Thompson Snr did appear on the TS at some point, but I can't find anything on Google to back that idea up so may be wrong (maybe I'm thinking of the Alison Krauss - led version of Dimming Of The Day).

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 08:51 AM

I should have known there'd be a Wikipedia page for TS - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_Sessions.

Oodles of Danny Thompson of course, but not a single sighting of Richard. Ah well.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 11:09 AM

Danny Thompson, at 75, can do what he likes as far as I am concerned. In the T Sessions, he always appears to be having a ball, but slightly aloof at the same time. He knows he's the best.... and he is.

Now if we had a TV prog of Danny Thompson and Friends, 'Folks that I have played bass for', that might be extremely watchable.

Is there a DT version of Pentangle?

Tone

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 03:56 AM

I watched last Fridays show and further to my earlier post, the drift away from traditional music continues, hardly any [ if any ] on Friday.

I may give it a miss from now on, it's a pity because it WAS a really good show.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 06:05 AM

The Phil Cunningham tune - 'Loch Katrine's Shore' was brilliant! Well worth listening, just for that!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 08:03 AM

Great piping from Allan MacDonald at the close of Ep. 5 screened Sunday on BBC2Scotland. Also outstanding, the superb John Doyle with his own 'Liberty's Sweet Shore'.

I guess it'll be on Four this coming Friday?

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 08:38 AM

If we all club together can we buy Donald Shaw a new harmonium? Sounds lovely, but there was a camera angle in last week's episode that showed just how battered and uneven the keyboard is, it must make playing it quite a battle ...

Yes wasn't Loch Katrine's Shore superb. Personally I'll happily sit through several Jerry Douglas dobro solos if they carry on putting gems like that in every now and again.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 09:24 AM

I'm a great fan of slide guitar, but even I thought there was rather too much lap steel in the episodes I've dipped in to (but then, I'd probably say the same about the pipes and fiddle!). Nice harmonies on the bits of the last episode I saw but much more country than folk, I thought.

RtS
(...and why no washboard & kazoo?)

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Will Fly
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 09:27 AM

Roger, I've put forward your name to Pelicula Films for the 2014 series. Expect a phone call any time... oh - and give my regards to Derek Guyler. :-)

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: cooperman
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 10:09 AM

From the beginning there have occasionally been musician/singer/tune combinations that didn't quite work for me but it's very much personal taste. More often it's been beautiful music not to be missed and I still greatly look forward to seeing it. For me this is a real gem in a sea of tv rubbish so lets not be too critical. I am a Jerry Douglas fan but agree that maybe he features too much. He represents the american side of things though which is what the programme is all about.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 15 Oct 13 - 01:00 PM

Fair comment.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Mick Tems
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 05:02 AM

For me, Friday night is stay-at-home night. I always watch Transatlantic Sessions with great anticipation; why don't the moaning minnies just follow the plot, which centres on a strong musical link between Scotland, Ireland and America, hosted by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas in a brilliant kitchen session? As a musician, I've lost count of the hordes of absolutely stunning world-class players; we always play "spot-the-muso" in the all-too-brief and magical half-hour that the programme is transmitted. The whole point of Transatlantic Sessions, as it is with a kitchen session, is the continuity of inviting the same friends back for more, with contrasting musicians adding to the interest.

To me, and for all the audience in Wales, Scotland and Ireland, Aly and Jerry are just superb, gobsmacking musicians; they keep me on the edge of my seat, just working out what they are going to do next. And what on earth is wrong with Mary Chapin Carpenter? She's an incisive, intelligent writer with a long history of empathising with celtic music (as was proved in this series, when she sang a luscious harmony with Karen Matheson.) Transatlantic Sessions is a perfect recipe for packing many famous musicians in, including Phil Cunningham, Mike McGoldrick, Donal Lunny, Donald Shaw, John McCusker and the lovable Danny Thompson. Every song, every tune, is a revelation. The absence of Welsh musicians still rankles, though!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 06:20 AM

Without reading back over all the previous posts I don't think anyone has disagreed that the musicians are all excellent. It is not the musicians that I find irritating but the way in which they are used. Everything appears to be over produced. As I said previously a lack of spontaneity. It's all so predictable.

I find it amazing that musician Dr Price is able to speak on behalf of all the audience in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. That's quite an achievement. Perhaps he could explain how he qualifies for this.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 07:51 AM

Steve above bemoans the lack of R Thompson. Absolutely so. Richard said somewhere that up to now, recording dates of the T/sessions have clashed with other commitments. I don't think he was making polite noises so there's always hope. Anyway, his son's doing OK on it, so's his uncle Dan....

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 08:55 AM

Wouln't you just like to be there. The idea of spending a week in a house with heating along with some top class musicians to accompany!
I think its a bit like owning premium bonds - the idea of what you would do with the winnings exceeds the expectation of the winning.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST,DaveMc
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 10:59 AM

Genuinely like the show but some guests just don't work. Mary Chapin Carpenter (whose early stuff I liked on record) doesn't really interract in the "session". She just sings her usual material like she's in a studio somewhere - complete with in-ear monitors. Kind of pointless. It even looks like she's miming for part of some tracks, but I guess that could just be the video editing being slightly adrift. The same goes for Cara Dillon (not that I've ever been a fan of the girly-tweeness of her delivery; it seems even worse in a grown woman). Bland product promotion.

The best parts are the interraction between the musicians. Michael McGoldrick and John McCusker, etc., are worth their weight in gold. What's required from the singers is that they use the occasion to do something different; to bring something to the party that helps create something new, rather than treating the assembled luminaries as a pick up band to promote the latest record.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Marje
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 12:57 PM

Did someone suggest Richard Thomson? But he ... he... he's English! How could he possibly have any musical ability? And how would English music have anything in common with that of the totally unrelated cultures of far-away countries such as Ireland or Scotland, or that of the US, where we know that no English people ever emigrated? And everybody knows that "The Dimming of the Day" is an Irish song ...


Marje

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Will Fly
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 01:10 PM

Oh Marje - how could you...! The very thought...! :-)

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST,Gormo
Date: 16 Oct 13 - 02:54 PM

Oh, dear!Has Aly Bain become the new Mike Harding?

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 01:56 AM

Actually just as a very minor point I was not 'bemoaning the lack' of Richard Thompson, I was directly responding to Tone's suggestion that Richard or Linda T should get a spot.

Marje's post is all too accurate though, but that's a whole other debate in the public perception of trad music as a whole ...

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 03:44 AM

"Marje's post is all too accurate though" Excepting that two English musicians have been pretty prominent in this series. The ever present Danny Thompson who plays on just about everything and Sam Lakeman has also been on several of the episodes this series.

I think it is more that many of the performers are picked (probably by the dual musical directors Bain and Douglas) from a smallish cirlce of performers rather than folks being excluded because of their nationality. The Scots involved tend to be mostly from the same old same old that is brought out by BBC Scotland on Burns Night and Hogmany, as well as some Irish (Bain is invovled in the Irish scene through his Boys of the Lough connections) and the Americans perhaps picked more by Douglas!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Marje
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 04:48 AM

You're right, of course, Allan, there have been a few English musicians in the series, and the occasional English tune or song. I was referring more to the fact that in this particular thread, people kept alluding to Irish, Scottish, Welsh and American music but saying nothing about English music and musicians.

I wonder whether Americans who view the series think that the music from their side of the Pond is adequately represented?

Marje

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Brakn
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 05:29 AM

So where is Michael McGoldrick from?

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 05:57 AM

Well, Will, I DID get a phone call, but alas, only from my local club. No, they didn't want me to perform: the usual MC couldn't be there, so would I step in. I was very restrained, only told a couple of my old jokes and resisted the chance at the mike to do Beethoven's Fifth on kazoo.

RtS

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 05:58 AM

T'would be nice if we had an English TV folk music/song programme called, perhaps, 'Full English'? But please, please please, not part of the Mark Radcliffe Highway!

Tone

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 08:26 AM

Richard Thompson lives in LA, his dad was Scottish, he's one of Danny Thompson's sidesmen, a relative was in a ceilidh band, he knows a bit about piobaireachd, he's a Sufi, plays a nice bit of bluegrass, and wrote "Galway to Graceland". Shoo-in!

(Sorry about that, just been listening to him and Linda performing "I'm a Dreamer". Unbelievable guitar part. Feeling somewhat pro RT/LT at the moment).

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 09:30 AM

It's a good thing about the Wikipedia article, because now I know what the heck ya'll are talking about.

"Transatlantic Sessions is the collective title for a series of musical productions by Glasgow-based Pelicula Films Ltd, funded by- and produced for BBC Scotland,[1] BBC Four[2] and RTE of Ireland.[3]

The productions comprise collaborative live performances by various leading folk and country musicians from both sides of the North Atlantic, playing music from Scotland, Ireland, England and North America, who congregate under the musical direction of Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas to record and film a set of half-hour TV episodes...

In addition to the TV productions, public performances of the Transatlantic Sessions have been staged recently... and five series albums have been released in both CD and DVD format..."

I'm glad to hear of it, although I'm not in a position to view it myself.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 10:05 AM

So where is Michael McGoldrick from?

I believe he was born and raised in Manchester, in a family originally from Ireland. For me, he's the joy of the sessions. I saw the whole kit and caboodle at the Royal Festival Hall in London last year, and it was slightly tedious in parts, I have to say. But the star of the show, with some stunning, heart-wrenching playing, was MM.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Brakn
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 12:09 PM

That's what I thought Will. He lives in Stretford - a top lad.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 01:23 PM

True true MB - so when is he coming to The Beech?

We saw them at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall and they were just brilliant. It's not really my music and I felt that some, possibly all of them, were underused - especially Mike McGoldrick.

I have just listened to 2 progs on BBC iPlayer and It is a bit samey and in danger of turning into Country Chamber music - a bit more bright and scarry please

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Brakn
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 06:58 PM

It would be great if he came to the Beech - I did tell him!

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Marje
Date: 18 Oct 13 - 04:38 AM

"Country Chamber Music" - I like it, Les! That's exactly where it's heading. Doesn't mean it's not good or not worth watching, but a little more edginess and spontaneity wouldn't hurt. And a little less of the po-faced, solemn, almost religious intensity with which they talk about the sessions, the venue, the relationships, etc. A little more fun!


Marje

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Oct 13 - 05:47 AM

Thanks Marge.

Maybe the ghost of Luke Kelly will visit them?

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Brian May
Date: 19 Oct 13 - 02:24 AM

Marje - you only said that 'cos it's true.
   
If Scotland goes independent, TS will be wiped from English screens everywhere . . .

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Oct 13 - 04:20 AM

If they broke the now formulaic presentation a little, here's what they could be doing: Kansas City Hornpipe/Jarlah's tune

This is an unbroadcast snippet from TS series 3, and it's really showing what's been lost over the years.

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Oct 13 - 04:56 AM

Thanks Will - great set of tunes played with much joy

How about throwing Dick Gaughan into the mix?


The Workers Song

Subject: RE: Transatlantic Sessions - Series 6
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 19 Oct 13 - 07:01 AM

Will,
Thanks for pointing out this piece, it really does show what we have been missing for so long. Why the hell was this not broadcast? it is one of the most exciting things that I have (had not) seen from these programmes. There must be more, probably very much more material like this on the cutting room floor. With a number of musicians of this calibre being thrown together for a few days there must have been some great impromptu sessions over the years. That is what we should be seeing, warts and all but I guess we never will.

Hoot