'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra

Subject: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: Anne Lister
Date: 10 Aug 19 - 10:28 AM

For those of you with access to the BBC website - the play I heard this morning may be of interest to those of you who love Irish traditional singing, and those who love to discuss how folk musicians cope with a commercial folk world. Written by Patrick Carroll. I leave it up to those who know more than me to decide whether any characters are based on any real individuals. But it was a treat (to me) for a fictionalised tale with some good songs. Here's the link

Subject: RE: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 10 Aug 19 - 06:06 PM

It's been a good listen, thanks.
I very rarely look to see what's on 4extra and I'd not heard it trailed on r4.

"Two young Irish singers meet: Aidan is part of the folk-rock revival and Joe is a traditional singer from Sligo. There's friendship and respect until their careers and affections diverge."

Written by Patrick Carroll.

Aidan ... Adrian Dunbar      <<<<
Joe ... John Keegan       <<<<<<<
Maurice ... Tony Doyle
Nandy ... Gerard McSorley
Patsey ... Sean Rocks
Annie .... Jane Whittenshaw
Colin .... Eric Allan
Davidge ... Alan Barker
Dr Booth ... David Bannerman
Megan... Joanna Myers
Compere ... Richard Pearce

Director: Pam Brighton

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 1991.

Subject: RE: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 10 Aug 19 - 06:51 PM

https://www.patrickcarroll.co.uk/c-v-and-credit-list/

Subject: RE: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: Anne Lister
Date: 11 Aug 19 - 06:03 AM

Yes, I've looked Patrick Carroll up, too, especially as another one of his plays, "Testimonies", was on last week and centred on some hill farmers in Wales. Intrigued and impressed to see that he's an American writer, now living in Cornwall, but who was in Ireland for some time and wrote song lyrics for a number of Irish folk bands. Wonder if any 'Catters know him personally - if he lived closer I'd try to meet him. He wrote "Scattering Day" in the 1980s, according to his credit list.

Subject: RE: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 Aug 19 - 06:50 AM

Delighted that it had been repeated - I heard it first time around
It was said to have ben based on Connemara singer, Joe Heaney and there was long discussion on whether the collector was Tom Munnelly or Christie Moore
Tom, who knew Patrick Carroll, thought it was based on him, but was never sure - the story is pure fiction with real incidents thrown in, including Joe's meeting with Ewan MacColl (they were great friends who had total respect for each others work)
Ewan and Peggy did a marothon interview with Joe over a period when he stayed with them in London) - a part of it was used for the double CD, 'The Road From Conemara'
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 11 Aug 19 - 08:06 AM

Cost me an hour and half's sleep yesterday morning. I'd woken up just before 6 as it was starting. Normally I'd have gone back to sleep but I thought it sounded interesting so I listened to it, then had to get up at 8. Since I hadn't gone to sleep until after 2, it cost me dearly! But I enjoyed it a lot.

I'd made my own guesses about Joe Heaney and Ewan MacColl, but had no idea who the collector might have been. Thanks for the info Jim.

Mick

Subject: RE: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 Aug 19 - 11:03 AM

Incidentally, Pat carroll (no relation - honest) helped edit and annotated a fabulous album of recordings by the piping master, Seamus Ennis - well worth a search if it's still around
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: Anne Lister
Date: 11 Aug 19 - 06:10 PM

Thank you, Jim - and I'm pleased that I've enabled others to listen in!

Subject: RE: 'Scattering Day' on Radio4Extra
From: Marje
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 08:28 AM

And thank you, Anne, for the heads-up, and to others for endorsing it. I've just finished listening, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Marje