2018 BBC Folk Awards

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 09:13 AM

OK, in fairness, it's probably the BBC sounddepartment that has the cottonwool up their ears, or isn't up to the job.

Donal Lunny & Zoe Conway at folk awards 2018

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 10:34 AM

Exactly, Peter. On the slow air it started with I could hardly hear Donal as the fiddle was drowning him out. Laughable considering he was the one being showcased, but the Beeb rarely get anything right.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 11:37 AM

In the middle of all this whingeing I'd like to say congratulations to all the artists nominated, shortlisted and the winners.

In my view the Awards celebrate folk music and bring people together for a good time which is no bad thing. They also raise awareness of the genre which no amount of playing in the back room of a pub would do.

In running Awards there are many different ways of creating a shortlist and whichever way you choose to do it you will get complaints. I know that to be a fact as I am involved in the multi genre Yorkshire Gig Guide Grassroots Awards! We do it differently to the folk awards (in that we have public nominations and votes followed by a judging panel to choose between the top 5 nominations) but still a small minority complain about the outcome. However the atmosphere in the room on the night of the Awards makes it worth while. In our case our Awards are a way of celebrating the riches we have in the Yorkshire live music scene. Though they do it differently (and I only occasionally agree with the results) the Folk Awards do the same for the music we purport to love

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Allan Conn
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 06:14 PM

I enjoyed the performances on the whole. Especially Lankum but I love their albums and love her voice. Yes more of a Lizzy Higgins earthy type voice but I like that. I know some people prefer a sweeter voice. I wasn't so keen on Eliza's performance though I do like the track itself and said album.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Allan Conn
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 07:32 AM

Punkfolkrocker I think you would enjoy listening to more of Lankum who won the Best Group category. Both their current album and their previous one under the name Lynched. Here they are live doing a more uptempo song from their current album. They are also shown quite a bit on the series "This Aint No Disco" which shows that they seem to be quite far from the middle-class stereotype that folk are throwing about concerning modern bands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzciq8q0Gfw

Likewise I really like The Young'uns. Who won the best album category and are maybe not all that young but can sing a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuK0C_zj3_0

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 11:22 AM

A couple of points:

It is not a "competition" because no one can apply for entry to it;

If you don't like it, don't listen;

No one cares what those who don't like either the concept or the programme think.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 12:04 PM

"No one cares what those who don't like either the concept or the programme think."

What if the BBC no longer likes it...???

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 03:35 PM

It is their programme, so their choice whether they continue to commission it.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 04:10 PM

I suspect BBC is possibly losing interest judging by the decreased coverage this year...?????

No Red button full extended version...

No HD catch up - SD streaming / download only...

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 05:37 AM

BBC Radio 2 Simon Mayo Drivetime
Mary Portas sits in with a Folk Awards warm-up

Mary prepares for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in Belfast by linking up with hosts Julie Fowlis and Mark Radcliffe. 2015 Young Folk Award nominees Wildwood Kin will play live in the studio for Mary and pay tribute to Martin Luther King.

In the final extended part of the show Mary will be taking All Request Folk calls, plus we'll be hearing about the songs that influenced some folk legends from the stars themselves in First Time Folk, including Judy Collins, Seth Lakeman, Jon Boden and more.

22 days left to listen; Awards warm up

Clip; Wildwood Kin

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 10:40 AM

OOPS! Sorry about the blank post.
Mary Portas talking to (I think) John Leonard was embarassing, especially when she confused Donovan with Don Partridge - Mr Leonard didn't have the heart to correct her!

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 11:11 AM

... Mr Leonard didn't have the heart to correct her!". Or possibly the knowledge.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 05:03 AM

"Best Original Track" :https://youtu.be/cZo5qs2VamE

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Vic Smith
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 06:19 AM

Morris-ey -
It is their programme, so their choice whether they continue to commission it.

The BBC is not an investor directed commercial business. It is a public government broadcasting company funded almost exclusively by taxpayers. I would have thought that each of us has a say in what the BBC chooses to broadcast and in the way it presents British traditional culture.
I chose the music that I broadcast in the 27 years that I presented in a BBC local radio but the decisions that I made about what should or should not be included went far beyond my personal choice or taste. There were a myriad of other factors taken into consideration.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 06:40 AM

Vic

I do not know how the BBC decides what programmes to commission, but I do know that I have never been asked about it.

Anyway, I was not suggesting the BBC should not continue to host folk awards but whether they do or not is their call.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 09:34 PM

Sue Townshend was a great truth teller about English society.

I always loved that bit where Adrian Mole says, "I'm fed up with this life. I want to live on Planet Radio 4."

We're not going to sort out the problem of the BBC's divorce from reality.
Every so often it bites us on the bum. The reporting of the miners strike. The Brexit referendum. The 'troubles' in Northern Ireland. John Major's claim that he 'had no plans' to increase taxes. Blair's fear of attack from Saddam Hussein's WMD's.

On a scale of one to ten - the Folk Awards are about minus 14 thousand.

I get more than a bit fed up with the misguided belief that the beeb has some unique relationship with English society. Its loyalties are always to the poshocracy.

And this discussion every year is a pain in the balls.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 06:41 AM

Dónal Lunny with Zoe Conway were sublime and Paul Brady showed how it's done. The rest ranged from dreary to dross. Please spare me those breathy singers with little-girl voices!

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 06:57 AM

"Please spare me those breathy singers with little-girl voices"

I couldn't agree more!!

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Hamish
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 10:31 AM

I am delighted that Siobhan Miller has deservedly won a category (and been nominated in another) cos she's fab ...
...and I have got her booked to play Berkhamsted Campaign for Real Music in November and it's a useful credential to quote to those who may not know so much about "this" sort of music.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Johnny J
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 06:00 PM

"it's a useful credential to quote to those who may not know so much about "this" sort of music"

Of course, these things can be very meaningful when it suits. When I helping out on the folk club committee and helping to organise other folkie events, I would also mention any such successes too.
:-)

And, YES, I also genuinely believe Siobhan is very worthy of recognition too but I can't say that about everyone who wins awards.

Subject: RE: 2018 BBC Folk Awards
From: Johnny J
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 06:06 PM

Incidentally, I just got around to watching the programme tonight with the aid of my Amazon Firestick.... Aaarrrggh

I thought the choice of performers was fine. All talented and currently highly respected. However, I was less keen on the actual performanCES themselves.
Whether it was the choice of material that The BBC chose to televise or the songs chosen by the acts themselves "to suit the occasion", the excerpts didn't really show most of them at their best although I did quite enjoy the contributions from Donald Lunny and Paul Brady.