did anyone hear Mike harding show?

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: GUEST,Jambo1874
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 05:44 PM

Marje writes "(and Declan, I think if you suggested to most Irish musicians that they're British, they'd bash you on the head with the nearest bodhran!)".

Methinks the bould Deco wouldn't dream of classifying Irish musicians as British. On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that he rates the bodhrán as more of a weapon than a musical instrument!

Or is that the accordion I'm thinking of? (YIKES!) :^)

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Marje
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 01:24 PM

I had all but given up listening to Mike Harding, but now I listen to it as a playback on the BBC website, which means I can skip 5 minutes if I don't like what's on. There's also a playlist, so I can see what's coming up next and make sure I don't miss the interesting bits.

I find it only takes about half an hour, as the other half is stuff don't like - American-style singer-songwriters, blues, etc, and more Irish and pseudo-Irish music than I want to hear (and Declan, I think if you suggested to most Irish musicians that they're British, they'd bash you on the head with the nearest bodhran!)

Also, MH has a habit (as mentioned re Nick Jones) of finding just one track on an album and just giving us the same track each time. I find myself wondering whether he gets special compilation CDs sent to him from the record companies, with one track from each of their latest albums, and that's all he ever hears.

It's better now I can listen to so much via the web, but not everyone can do this. I wish England had something like the excellent 2-hour "Travelling Folk" that goes out on Radio Scotland.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 01:14 PM

Declan,

it's the same "B" that stands for Irish, Scottish etc. In other words, a shared thing - which is definitely not reflected in the mix of the MH show.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Declan
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 01:02 PM

Bagpies are mlack and white mirds.

How can you have too much Irish music? ;-)

Which of the Bs in BBC stands for English ?

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:56 PM

A few weeks ago I emailed Mike via his Radio 2 website to point out that the Otter's Holt reel featured in the site's virtual session was written by the late lamented Junior Crehan and should be credited accordingly. Usually the BBC is fairly honourable about these matters, but on this occasion no response.

On the occasions I have heard it, I have found his show a disappointment, plugging a narrow range of performers, and a pale shadow of the show he inherited.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:56 PM

Thank you for the clarification, Malcolm --- and Declan, you shouldn't be setting fire to wine, it's a waste!

BJ

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:40 PM

I think Bullfrog knows about the Irish pipes. He was asking about bagpies, which I don't think Liam plays. %)

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Declan
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:24 PM

Bullfrog,

If it was Planxty then it was Liam O Floinn on the Uileann Pipes, which are a form of bagpipes.

The singers name is pronounced Losser (rhymes with dosser, tosser) eena Knee Hun-eela (or something close to that). I think its a lovely name myself. The first name means the flame of wine. The surname is usually translated to Connolly. There have been previous threads about her singing and related to her version of Inisheer, which is the first time that I know of that words have been put to the tune.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: John J
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 11:52 AM

I rarely listen to Mike Harding's 'folk' programme these days, simply because there's so little folk song / music played. I was therefore very pleasantly surprised to hear a really great programme on Wednesday evening. It was only towards the end of the show that I realised it was a request show, ie: a show playing stuff the listening audience actually WANT to listen to, rather than stuff that is chosen (by the presenter?) for us.

Perhaps the Beeb should ask their listeners (= their customers) what they want to listen to more often and we'd get more great programmes.

On the other hand, I've listened to stuff from all over the world and in my humble opinion find that the BBC is the best.

Cheers all!

John

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 10:57 AM

Me, for a start, IanN. Altogether too much celtic empasis, I'd say, with English components few and far between. When was the last time someone like Dave Webber was featured there, I wonder...I have given up on Mike's show, I don't bother tuning in any more, he's lost the plot. One thing is certain: If there's ever going to be another folk revival, the MH show will not be instrumental in it.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: GUEST,IanN
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 09:31 AM

Does anyone else think there's too much Irish stuff on Mike Harding's show?

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: pavane
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 08:53 AM

Personally, I much prefer Nic's earlier work, particularly his first 2 LP's. Songs like Annachie Gordon (which is where Mary Black got it from), White Copper Alley, Lord Bateman, to name a few favourites.
I suppose I could always request them myself!

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Grab
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 08:15 AM

Piper, did you just lean on the keyboard there? How on earth do you say that name?!

Graham.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Pied Piper
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:52 AM

I think Mike does a pretty good job, I've not listened that much recently because I have a Band practice on Wednesday nights, but I caught last weeks show and enjoyed it.
The mix of music is much more balanced between song and instrumental than it used to be in the old days, and Mike is a good Trad player who regularly plays at sessions.

All the best PP

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: greg stephens
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:46 AM

I wouldnt be too sure about there being entire channels devoted to jazz. There is a station called JazzFM but on the occasions I have inadvertently listened to it I didn't hear any jazz at all.(Of course, it depends what you mean by jazz....)

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: GUEST,T-boy
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:39 AM

Perhaps it's because Pot Stove is on CD and they don't like playing vinyl or cassettes.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 06:00 AM

It all seems to be on the digital channels that some of us havn't caught up with yet!

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 05:28 AM

The reason for that is simple.

Write to the BBC and DEMAND more folk and roots. And then when they ignore you write again.

And tell all your friends to do it. ~And then get them to tell all their friends to do it.

There are 350 folk festival (approx) in this country and the number of jazz festivals can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Demand that the BBC reflect this.

And they will point to local radio as the place. Tell them it isn't.

Dave

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 04:37 AM

why does folk music get so little time on the radio when there is entire channels devoted to jazz and classical music.
There aught to be a channel for folk and roots music.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: fogie
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 03:53 AM

You either play tried and tested "greats" or you risk alienating listeners who are not attuned to folk - must be difficult trying to please everyone -so as they say you may as well please yourself. Everyone would choose a different playlist. I think he does a fair job although personally I'd like more archive / older stuff, or more avant gard stuff.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 03:50 AM

Bagpies?

BJ

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: pavane
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 03:38 AM

Also, when Nic Jones is requested, why doesn't he play anything from the 'lost/bulmerised' LP's (Assuming the BBC haven't 'lost' their copies)? It always seems to be The Little Pot Stove.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 08:31 PM

It's a girl's name anyway, John, wouldn't suit you.

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 07:43 PM

Thanks pipes, BTW, I'm glad my name is John, I would not fancy writing that out every day!

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: smallpiper
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 07:40 PM

It was Lasairfhiona Ni Cholnaola followed by planxty

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: RolyH
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 03:51 PM

Thats nearly impressive Bill!

Subject: RE: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: okthen
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 03:48 PM

Could be Sinead Lohan.http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio2.shtml
Hope this works, need more practice

Subject: did anyone hear Mike harding show?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 03:42 PM

Who was that woman who sung the irish song, before the bagpies, i never heard her before and it was really nice?