|
23 Jan 22 - 08:18 AM (#4133420) Subject: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,ottery Hello mudcatters, To lighten the end of January, my least favourite month of the year, I'm planning to hold a (not-at-all-sad, ahem) one person Burns Night. I've got the whiskey, I've got the playlist, I'm strongly considering cranachan, and I know I'd appreciate a really good Burns documentary to wash the whiskey down with. Does anyone have any recommendations? Something that digs pretty deep would be welcome, whether in literary terms, or through looking at the political and social context. I'm not a Burns scholar, but I've read the MacIntyre biography, and have been listening to the songs since I was very young. |
|
23 Jan 22 - 08:33 PM (#4133518) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,Gallus Moll I hope you will seek out Scottish Whisky (i.e. one without the 'ey' at the end!) - preferably a good malt, tho'that definition is a matter of personal taste....... Slainthe! |
|
23 Jan 22 - 09:54 PM (#4133541) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Joe Offer Stop at McDonald's and get a McHaggis???? My mother would wash my mouth out with soap for less than that..... |
|
24 Jan 22 - 04:55 AM (#4133562) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,RA 'The Tree of Liberty' by Timothy Neat. |
|
24 Jan 22 - 08:04 AM (#4133579) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Felipa check eventbrite for various online Burns events. here is one example, but it is at UK time (may be available for replay later): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/burns-night-online-tickets-213580504037 but you don't really need to pre-register for this one as it will be in youtube at 8pm GMT ON 25 Jan, Tune in for a unique Scottish celebration from the comfort of your own home: Join the Nest Collective online for a night bedecked in tartan and tam o’shanters, with whisky flowing and floorboards shaking, all in celebration of Scotland’s favourite son, Robert Burns. Dance along at home to a live ceilidh band (with demonstration dancers!), listen to contributions from celebrated musicians & invited guests, and enjoy the Burns ceremony itself. Join in with the festivities: Dance the night away to our ceilidh band from your own Burns dancefloor-of-choice. Get the haggis, neeps and tatties ready and cater your own Burns supper at home along with us! Cook, dance, listen and share in the wisdom of Robert Burns. Our very own Ceilidh Liberation Front band will provide the soundtrack to these ceilidh dances specially re-purposed for spaces large or small, for groups, couples or solo dancers – no experience is necessary. Come on in, don’t be shy. Lace up your dancing shoes and dosie-do before your dinner! Drams will be raised, sporrans polished, lassies toasted, dosies do’ed, willows stripped, and homage paid to Rabbie Burns in the most unruly fashion! This special live broadcast will available for free on YouTube, so everyone can enjoy. -------------------------------- I haven't tried these out, past events: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CJ7hwi5gM0 "We'll Dance, and Sing, and Rejoice, Man" RSCDS Edinburgh Burns Night 2021 Join the Edinburgh Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society for a socially distanced Burns Night. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5f_yDLZBaA ADDRESS TO A HAGGIS BY ROBERT BURNS PERFORMED BY ACTOR GARETH MORRISON only a couple of minuteslong, but suitable to play just before you dine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNNYwH2KLoo St Andrew's Society of Mexico Burns Night 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIFr1vs8UX0 Edmonton Scottish Society Virtual Burns Night 2021 you can listen to full albums of collected songs of Robbie Burns. I like Jean Redpath's singing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POred1oLNDY there's also Ewan MacColl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2GSB0CLpe8 compilation of Scottish singers and lots more. Not exactly what you asked for; Maybe I'll look at documentaries tomorrow. |
|
24 Jan 22 - 08:11 AM (#4133580) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Gallus Moll Tree of Liberty is an excellent suggestion! It looks at The Songs of Robert Burns project of Serge Hovey, features Esther Hovey, Jean Redpath, Lynn Shevitz and others - Hamish Henderson made some of these connections for Serge, helped him source the original tunes lurking in libraries in Edinburgh... Sadly every single person I just listed (apart from Tim!) has now passed away, so the documentary is even more of a treasure. (all of Tim Neat's books, films and artworks are worth seeking out) |
|
24 Jan 22 - 09:47 AM (#4133590) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: gillymor The fine Scottish singer Jim Malcolm produced a Burns "documentary" called Bard Hair Day. You can find the DVD at his website. Here's the trailer |
|
24 Jan 22 - 11:30 AM (#4133612) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Felipa I don't know if you can get a copy of /access to The Tree of Liberty and/or Bard Hair Day There is a series called The Robert Burns Guide, and one episode is an 18+ minute reading and analysis of Burns' poem "The Tree of Liberty" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkbcrl5q2pM The series on youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyAH3IYBcXqAOzR-DQ7jbPg covers several other Burns poems, including "To a Haggis". I think a documentary of the true story behind A'e Fond Kiss would be interesting, but what I have found instead is a modern film "A'e Fond Kiss" (2004) "Casim is a second generation Pakistani from Glasgow. Working as a DJ in Glasgow's coolest venues, Casim dreams of buying his own club. His parents Tariq and Sadia are devout Muslims and plan for him to marry his beautiful cousin Jasmine, who is soon to arrive in the UK. Plans go awry when Casim meets Roisin. A teacher at his sister Tahara's school, Roisin is different from any girl he's ever met. She's gorgeous, intelligent and definitely possesses a mind of her own. She and Casim soon fall deeply in love. But Casim knows all too well that, even if he wasn't due to marry, his parents would never accept a 'goree' – a white girl. As a Catholic, Roisin finds that her own community isn't very supportive either. When their relationship is discovered, the repercussions of the scandal reach far and wide and sparks fly as cultures clash and personalities collide." you can see a free preview and you can rent the online video via youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayPJIo2q7J4 |
|
24 Jan 22 - 12:54 PM (#4133633) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,ottery Thanks very much, guestRA and Gallus Moll! The Tree of Liberty looks like a great watch. I was just listening today to Jean Redpath's haunting version of Clerk Saunders. The Robert Burns Guide on YouTube also sounds good, Felipa. I've got the Tree of Liberty episode on at the moment. |
|
24 Jan 22 - 03:41 PM (#4133670) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,Gallus Moll When we are clear of the pandemic, lockdown etc .....come to Glasgow, to The Mitchell Library, the Burns Room. They have a large collection of books, documents, letters,basically hunners o' things to do wi' Robert Burns. A wonderful archive.....and when life is more normal I am sure they will return to offering educational talks, guided tours etc. There also used to be an annual Burns Conference in Glasgow,late January - excellent speakers, always interesting. Hope that returns..... |
|
24 Jan 22 - 03:46 PM (#4133671) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Felipa I meant I didn't know if you would be able to get access The Tree of Life and Bard Hair Day in time for Burns night. |
|
25 Jan 22 - 02:29 PM (#4133801) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,ottery Thanks, Gallus - Swansea's a bit far from Glasgow, but I'm sure I'll make it up there one day! The world of events and theatre and talks and bands and concerts can't come back quick enough. |
|
25 Jan 22 - 03:12 PM (#4133807) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Allan Conn There's a documentary on I-Player on BBC Scotland called "Inside The Mind Of Robert Burns" which is quite interesting. Wee bit music on it too. |
|
25 Jan 22 - 03:55 PM (#4133817) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,ottery Thanks for the tip - I should be able to pick it up via a catch-up service I get with my job. |
|
25 Jan 22 - 08:37 PM (#4133849) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Felipa "In Search for Robert Burns" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIxZYOWhzR0 |
|
25 Jan 22 - 09:55 PM (#4133853) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,Gallus Moll There was a lovely one on Alba (bbc Gaelic channel) Tuesday evening 21.00-22.00 I think, about Burns' Highland Tour (it might be first of series of 4?) - should be able to 'catch up'? |
|
26 Jan 22 - 01:47 AM (#4133868) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,ottery Spotted it on the catch-up service and 'preordered' it - for some reason it's on on there yet. Sar-sgeoil, I think it's called. Thanks for the rec, Gallus, I'm glad it's good. BBC Alba put out some wonderful material. Their documentary on the sinking of the Iolaire has stayed with me. I ended up watching Inside the Mind of Robert Burns last night. It was good - it didn't go into great depth, but I enjoyed the talking heads - Robert Crawford and Jackie Kay especially. And Robyn Stapleton who did the singing was new to me, and had incredible presence. Thanks for the link, Felipa. |
|
26 Jan 22 - 05:58 AM (#4133879) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,Gallus Moll Alba regularly repeats some programmes, just have to keep an eye open for them! Robyn is one of the Glasgow Conservatoire (formerly RSAMD) Traditional Music graduates, qualified a few years ago. She used to attend Glasgow Ballad Workshop (now Glasgow Ballad Workshop 2020 - facebook page) as did a number of students being tutored by Gordeanna McCulloch and Anne Neilson. I agree Robyn is an excellent example of how traditional and Scottish songs should be delivered - clearly, simply and from the heart! (I really dislike the 'performers' whose egos are more important than the message, the history of the song.... ) |
|
26 Jan 22 - 01:26 PM (#4133929) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,ottery I'll be keeping an eye out for her in future. |
|
27 Jan 22 - 11:15 AM (#4134039) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Tattie Bogle Yes, Robyn is a lovely singer: I think she comes from Burns country, I.e. Ayrshire. Another programme I watched on the Friday before Burns Night was on the BBC Scotland (Freeview 9) channel , called Music Vault - a Robert Burns special. This was a bit of a mixed bag, as it featured a number of Scottish singers perhaps better known in the pop/rock world than trad/folk. Some of it I enjoyed, some of it made me cringe! And if you use the Search function on iPlayer - type in Burns, you’ll find that and several other programmes. |
|
27 Jan 22 - 01:16 PM (#4134051) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,ottery I'm an impoverished millennial - I don't have iPlayer, but I'll be sure to remember that should I ever get a large pay rise!! |
|
27 Jan 22 - 05:56 PM (#4134083) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Tattie Bogle How do you communicate on here then, Ottery? You can get iPlayer on desktop, laptop, tablet, iPad, mobile phone - anything with internet access within the UK in fact. You don’t have to have a smart TV, or any TV, come to that! It’s just a matter of downloading the software to whatever device you use, and setting up a FREE account. And what “catchup” service were you using as per your post of 26.01.22? iPlayer is the BBC’s catch-up service. |
|
27 Jan 22 - 05:59 PM (#4134085) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Tattie Bogle P.s. oh but yes, you do have to have a TV licence. But if you don’t you’ll find plenty of Burns on YouTube! If you’re still flummoxed about iPlayer, I’m sure someone here would talk you through how to get on it. |
|
28 Jan 22 - 01:27 AM (#4134122) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,ottery Look, to be honest I overreacted a bit in my previous post, because being told 'just search on iPlayer' came over as deeply condescending to me.(Ex-librarian, digitally literate, now in a web-focused job). Like being told 'oh, just Google it'. These days, when people ask for recommendations, they aren't generally asking for instructions in how to use search boxes. They're asking for people's personal opinions based on something they've actually seen or experienced. I don't have a TV Licence. It's a luxury which I can't afford. This reply comes over as more snappy than I wanted it to, but I hope that for people who read it, when they see other threads asking for recs, they won't just add a post where they attempt to prove that they know how to use a search engine. I'm sorry that it's probably ungrateful, considering that I'm the thread starter, but I bet I'm not the first person to be given a different kind of knowing from the one they hoped for: not nabod (Welsh: to be familiar with something), but gwybod (knowing a fact, knowing information). |
|
28 Jan 22 - 07:32 PM (#4134211) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Tattie Bogle Ok, you don’t have a TV licence, so iPlayer is not open to you. I am posting late night on iPad, where it is actually more difficult to do the blue clicky links than on my laptop. Generally speaking I DO provide direct links and try to be as helpful as I can. I wasn’t aiming to be patronising. |
|
29 Jan 22 - 04:03 AM (#4134239) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Allan Conn I think folks don't always appreciate the generational differences either. My son is in his mid 20s and doesn't even have a TV. Yes he watches things on the like of Netflix and Prime on his laptop but to access I-Player you need a license or at least are supposed to have one. He doesn't and I don't think that is so unusual. At first it was because he was a student and now just getting on his feet financially. We offered to pay for his license but he declined. Having BBC TV doesn't seem to be a major priority in his life. We have friends in their 50s too who don't do BBC so have no TV but use streaming services instead. |
|
29 Jan 22 - 02:12 PM (#4134307) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Tattie Bogle Well we are in the Dark Ages as far as our grandchildren are concerned, as we don’t have Netflix! We only got Amazon Prime so that my husband could watch the Autumn Rugby test series, and now I see that the Six Nations games are going to be on BBC and ITV. And having reached the age when BBC licences used to finally be free, suddenly they are not any more! Ye canna win! |
|
02 Feb 22 - 04:02 PM (#4134950) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: FreddyHeadey I found it a bit heavy but this could suit others: BBC radio 4 - In Our Time - 2019 Robert Burns https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0009kkn Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the work of the man who, in his lifetime, was called The Caledonian Bard and whose fame and influence was to spread around the world. Burns (1759-1796) was born in Ayrshire and his work as a tenant farmer earned him the label The Ploughman Poet, yet it was the quality of his verse that helped his reputation endure and grow. His work inspired other Romantic poets and his personal story and ideas combined with that, giving his poems a broad strength and appeal - sung by revolutionaries and on Mao's Long March, as well as on New Year's Eve and at Burns Suppers. With Robert Crawford Professor of Modern Scottish Literature and Bishop Wardlaw Professor of Poetry at the University of St Andrews Fiona Stafford Professor of English at the University of Oxford and Murray Pittock Bradley Professor of English Literature and Pro Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow Producer: Simon Tillotson ____________________ + at the bottom of the BBC page there are a host of Burns links which could prove informative. |
|
14 Jan 23 - 10:00 PM (#4162492) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: FreddyHeadey ^ actually the BBC page with all the links is this one https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009kkn & they've a Burns Night recipe page https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/occasions/burns_night & a Burns Night Running Order https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/robertburns/burns_night_running_order.shtml |
|
24 Jan 24 - 05:07 PM (#4196050) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: FreddyHeadey The Do-si-do's and don'ts - dancing on Burns Night 5 Minutes On - Radio 4 - 21 January 2024 Just in time for Burns Night, there are now some new rules – guidelines, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society calls them – on how to be a respectful dance partner. They tell us not to just grab anyone from the line and assume they want to strip the willow, not to be judgemental with feedback, and to feel free to mix up the women and men. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0h68xzw ;) |
|
24 Jan 24 - 07:45 PM (#4196071) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: Tattie Bogle Maybe not all documentaries, but some Burns programmes tonight (25th): On BBC 4 at 7.30. a repeat of a music programme including various singers of Burns songs plus the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Other programmes throughout the evening on BBC Scotland’s channel (Freeview 9 for those of us in Scotland.) |
|
25 Jan 24 - 04:17 AM (#4196115) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,henryp Thursday 25 January 2024 Burns Night BBC 4 TV 19:30 Burns Night with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; Jamie MacDougal hosts a musical celebration of Robert Burns. BBC Scotland TV 20:00 Burns Night 2024 Alistair Heather presents a Burns Night with a difference! Joining the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are Kyle Falconer from The View, members of Mànran, Michelle McManus, Georgia Cécile and Shereen Cutkelvin. There are also pipers from world champions Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band, BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year Amy Laurenson, Young Jazz Musician of the Year Ben Shankland and BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year Terra Kin. Plus celebrity recitals from Karen Dunbar, Jordan Young and Len Pennie. 22:00 Beyond Burns; Scots Makar Jackie Kay looks at the lives of some of the extraordinary, and often overlooked, poets that Scotland has produced and how they have told, and continue to tell, our nation's story. 23:00 Loop Tam O'Shanter; A special performance by Karen Dunbar as she recites the iconic tale by Robert Burns. 23:10 Music Vault Robert Burns Special; Edith Bowman uncovers musical gems from the archives as some of Scotland’s best-loved bands give their unique interpretation of Robert Burns classics. |
|
25 Jan 24 - 07:44 AM (#4196139) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,henryp https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3g2jr027l8o BBC Robert Burns Who was Robert Burns and why do we celebrate Burns Night? 22 January 2024 Updated 3 hours ago |
|
25 Jan 24 - 07:52 AM (#4196140) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,henryp BBC Scotland Inside the Mind of Robert Burns 26 days left to watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000dnsf Mind of Robert Burns The documentary is interwoven with performances from The Burns Cabaret, in which Alan, singer Robyn Stapleton and actor Andrew Rothney highlight some of Burns’ most revealing work in front of a live audience. Classics such as Ae Fond Kiss and A Man’s A Man for A’ That share the stage with a less well-known version of Green Grow the Rashes and the political satire When Princes and Prelates - racy and obscene songs contained in The Merry Muses of Caledonia - Burns’s gift to a rakish gentlemen’s club. |
|
28 Jan 24 - 11:51 AM (#4196279) Subject: RE: Robert Burns documentary recommendations From: GUEST,henryp Podcast Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns 16 January 2024 Episode 14 - Robert Burns' music with guests 'Garbh Uisge' On this week's show we have the band 'Garbh Uisge'. We chat about songs such as 'Ae Fond Kiss', 'Auld Lang Syne' and 'Green Grow the Rashes'. Garbh Uisge treat us to some live performances and unfortunately I also sing. We hear some great Burns waltzes and fast reels, talk about the stories behind the songs and generally have a good time. Tune in, listen and maybe even sing along with us ... |