You should look a bit closer,JohnJ. 9 categories with 4 contestants in each = 36 nominations. 9 of that 36 are Scots, [ if we can include "Salsa Celtica" as Scots, ] - that's 25% from approximately 10% of the UK population. Whether any of them will win, though......................
Well, the Scottish artists are very predictable too. Not that they are unworthy, of course. Some of them are nominated for more than one category so there's not as many as nine.
Both Karine and Julie are winners from last year but good luck to them. They're both great.
John McCusker has long been an honorary member of the English folk mafia and Kris Drever is a member of his band.
As I say, all these artists are undeniable good but also very Radio Two and Mike Harding show friendly.
Nothing wrong with your maths Kenny but you'll agree (?) that there are only five Scottish artists nominated here, albeit SC is in three different categories with KP and KD being nominated for two awards each.
Of course, many of the English acts are in the same boat.
My point is that while all of these people are very worthy, the nominations are always predictable as others here have also observed. Good luck to them all, just the same.
Are you not even *slightly* concerned that no Irish acts get a mention?
I'm impressed by the fact that you're defending the awards with such gusto. Perhaps, you're on the voting panel or something?
I'm not defending anything. I was merely contesting your inaccurate assertion that "precious few" Scottish acts were included. Even by your accounting method, removing duplication of nominations, 5 out of 25 are Scots = 20%. The musical talents from Scotland are very well represented in that list, which you seem unwilling to accept.
Why should I be "concerned that no Irish acts get a mention"? I am not responsible for the ignorance of the current state of Irish music of the people who made the nominations, but if I had had any sway on the nominations, you could be sure that that list would look very different.
Chris Thile is quite incredible and his repertoire is amazing, from Bop Jazz, to Bach, to even Irish music. Here is a rendition of him playing with the Mutual Admiration Society (about 2:45 into it) and does a nice Molloy-esque version of the Maid Behind the Bar.
If you are ever in the LA area one needs to go to The Watkins Family hour at Largo its probably one of the best shows and the atmosphere is very intimate.
As for the "no Irish musicians" argument, it's perfectly obvious: this is the BBC Folk Awards we're talking about, and the first letter of "BBC" does stand for "British". Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Irish musicians come under that heading...
If this were the RTÉ Folk Awards (if there's such thing), would you really expect people to cry out in protest that there are no English musicians?
Being Irish (or playing in an Irish style) have, disproportionally, been well represented in previous BBC awards (some have said it's almost impossible to win the Young Folk award if you don't play 'Irish' or at a push, 'Scottish'). Don't think you need to worry, this year is obviously an error in planning
OK, I'll take on board the comments from Kenny and one or two others here. You've made some very good points.
I think my main problem with the Radio Two awards, generally, is that the nominations do tend to be a bit predictable and the same names usually crop up. As I've said, I actually enjoy the bulk of them(as my CD collection over the years has proved) but there's so much more out there. *This, of course, applies to the English folk scene just as much as Scotland or Ireland.*
Basically, I'm not overkeen on the idea of awards in general. No matter which way they are organised, there will always be flaws.
BBC Folk Awards
BBC Folk Awards
FYI, as I don't think it has been submitted here yet.
BEST GROUP - FLOOK
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR - MICHAEL McGOLDRICK
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - PAUL BRADY
BEST EVER BODHRAN PLAYER (ACCORDING TO HIMSELF) - BLISS (nahh, just joking)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/folkawards2006/winners06.shtml
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Rudall the time
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Flook, again. Good grief.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Dragut Reis
Re: BBC Folk Awards
that was predictable
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Well, it won't happen the next time.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/folkawards2007/nominations.shtml
We look forward to the return of Bellowhead, perhaps ?
Come back, Flook. All is forgiven.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by John J.
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Incidentally, not one Irish act(and precious few Scottish) amongst them!
I don't understand how Chris Thile qualifies either, even although he's a great musician.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by John J.
Re: BBC Folk Awards
You should look a bit closer,JohnJ. 9 categories with 4 contestants in each = 36 nominations. 9 of that 36 are Scots, [ if we can include "Salsa Celtica" as Scots, ] - that's 25% from approximately 10% of the UK population. Whether any of them will win, though......................
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Kenny
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Well, the Scottish artists are very predictable too. Not that they are unworthy, of course. Some of them are nominated for more than one category so there's not as many as nine.
Both Karine and Julie are winners from last year but good luck to them. They're both great.
John McCusker has long been an honorary member of the English folk mafia and Kris Drever is a member of his band.
As I say, all these artists are undeniable good but also very Radio Two and Mike Harding show friendly.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by John J.
Re: BBC Folk Awards
I don't see anything wrong with my maths, John -please show me my error. What is your point in all of this ?
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Kenny
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Yeah John, you racist.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Dr. Dow
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Nothing wrong with your maths Kenny but you'll agree (?) that there are only five Scottish artists nominated here, albeit SC is in three different categories with KP and KD being nominated for two awards each.
Of course, many of the English acts are in the same boat.
My point is that while all of these people are very worthy, the nominations are always predictable as others here have also observed. Good luck to them all, just the same.
Are you not even *slightly* concerned that no Irish acts get a mention?
I'm impressed by the fact that you're defending the awards with such gusto. Perhaps, you're on the voting panel or something?
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by John J.
Re: BBC Folk Awards
I'm not defending anything. I was merely contesting your inaccurate assertion that "precious few" Scottish acts were included. Even by your accounting method, removing duplication of nominations, 5 out of 25 are Scots = 20%. The musical talents from Scotland are very well represented in that list, which you seem unwilling to accept.
Why should I be "concerned that no Irish acts get a mention"? I am not responsible for the ignorance of the current state of Irish music of the people who made the nominations, but if I had had any sway on the nominations, you could be sure that that list would look very different.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Kenny
Re: BBC Folk Awards
The TG4 awards are for Irish music so I doubt anyone is complaining.
A Spiers and Boden fan ;)
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Steady on lads!
Leave all the arguing to the Yanks.
I thought we Scots were a bit more civilised.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by Rudall the time
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Chris Thile is quite incredible and his repertoire is amazing, from Bop Jazz, to Bach, to even Irish music. Here is a rendition of him playing with the Mutual Admiration Society (about 2:45 into it) and does a nice Molloy-esque version of the Maid Behind the Bar.
http://www.archive.org/download/mas2004-07-21.dpa4061.shnf/mas2004-07-21t06.dpa4061_64kb.mp3
If you are ever in the LA area one needs to go to The Watkins Family hour at Largo its probably one of the best shows and the atmosphere is very intimate.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by michael_coleman
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Kml, what do you mean just joking? I was getting the suit out to attend prizegiving.
Ah well, at least I am better on the bodhran than Brady, McGoldrick or anyone in Flook, whoever they are.
And for an awful pun, it is just a flook that they won, bet the judges haven't heard us.
# Posted on December 18th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: BBC Folk Awards
As for the "no Irish musicians" argument, it's perfectly obvious: this is the BBC Folk Awards we're talking about, and the first letter of "BBC" does stand for "British". Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Irish musicians come under that heading...
If this were the RTÉ Folk Awards (if there's such thing), would you really expect people to cry out in protest that there are no English musicians?
# Posted on December 19th 2006 by Joe CSS
Re: BBC Folk Awards
RTE/BBC BOTH THE SAME AS FAR AS REPUBLICANS ARE CONCERNED
# Posted on December 19th 2006 by Saint
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Tiocfaidh Ár Lá!
# Posted on December 19th 2006 by Dragut Reis
Re: BBC Folk Awards
(Only kidding, ye f**kin' eejit!)
# Posted on December 19th 2006 by Dragut Reis
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Being Irish (or playing in an Irish style) have, disproportionally, been well represented in previous BBC awards (some have said it's almost impossible to win the Young Folk award if you don't play 'Irish' or at a push, 'Scottish'). Don't think you need to worry, this year is obviously an error in planning
# Posted on December 19th 2006 by Compo
Re: BBC Folk Awards
Isn't Michael McGoldrick Irish (just had the grievous misfortune to be born in Manchester
)
Pressed post button by mistake in the first post
# Posted on December 19th 2006 by Compo
Re: BBC Folk Awards
OK, I'll take on board the comments from Kenny and one or two others here. You've made some very good points.
I think my main problem with the Radio Two awards, generally, is that the nominations do tend to be a bit predictable and the same names usually crop up. As I've said, I actually enjoy the bulk of them(as my CD collection over the years has proved) but there's so much more out there. *This, of course, applies to the English folk scene just as much as Scotland or Ireland.*
Basically, I'm not overkeen on the idea of awards in general. No matter which way they are organised, there will always be flaws.
# Posted on December 19th 2006 by John J.
Re: BBC Folk Awards
seth lakemen is cack
# Posted on December 21st 2006 by S.McMullen