RaW Folk's first show back from the break featured an exciting competition to win a ticket to review 'Way to Blue: the Songs of Nick Drake', the forthcoming celebration of Drake's music curated by his producer Joe Boyd and featuring Lisa Hannigan, Scott Matthews and original bass player Danny Thompson among many others. The prize was won by listener Julie Ann, whose thoughts you'll be able to hear on next week's show. The programme also included a tribute to guitarist and singer Tim Hart, who passed away on December 24th 2009.
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
The Beatles - Maggie Mae (Let It Be)
The Imagined Village - Cum on Feel the Noize (Empire and Love)
Lisa Hannigan - Lille (Sea Sew)
Train Track
Jim Lauderdale - Where They Turn Around (Bluegrass)
Devon Sproule - Good to Get Out (Don't Hurry for Heaven)
Sam Carter - Oh Dear, Rue The Day (Keepsakes)
Scott Matthews - Elusive (Passing Stranger)
Nick Drake - Way to Blue (Five Leaves Left)
Vashti Bunyan - Diamond Day (Just Another Diamond Day)
Maddy Prior & Tim Hart - The Ploughboy and the Cockney (Summer Solstice)
Steeleye Span - Sheepcrook and Black Dog (Below the Salt)
The Unthanks - Lucky Gilchrist (Here's the Tender Coming)
The Leisure Society - The Last of the Melting Snow (The Sleeper)
Friday, 22 January 2010
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Gig Review: Steeleye Span Coventry 20/12/2009
Steeleye Span played the twenty-ninth night of a thirty date UK tour at Warwick Arts Centre on Sunday and delivered a professional performance of material from throughout their forty year career. The band have survived constant line-up changes, member illnesses and Mike Batt during that time and now feature Maddy Prior (vocals), Rick Kemp (bass/vocals), Peter Knight (fiddle), Ken Nicol (guitar/vocals), and Liam Genockey (drums), with multi-instrumentalist Pete Zorn joining the band on stage having previously filled in for Kemp.
Maddy Prior is undoubtedly the leading lady and although links and vocals were shared and a couple of instrumental tunes included, the band peaks when Prior takes charge. She has enormous stage presence even before she sings and twirls mesmerically in a scarlet gown, but her voice is as commanding and strong as ever, particularly resonant on Child ballad The Great Silkie of Sules Skerry, performed by Prior with Knight's violin as sole accompaniment. Other highlights included opening murder ballad Little Sir Hugh, Genockey's drumming on The Three Sisters and Cold, Haily, Windy Night, sung by Kemp.
There was slightly more of a focus on post-Tim Hart material (though only one track from 2009 offering 'Cogs, Wheels and Lovers') but Hart, who is in poor health, did feature on the interval entertainment, a forthcoming album of nursery rhymes. A couple of songs were less engaging, with Steeleye's distinctive electric folk at times sounding curiously more dated than a few of the ballads. This perhaps contributes to what is at times a slightly surreal atmosphere. An institution, a band almost as old as the university, had rolled onto campus with routine commercial bustle, although the unlikely site of Prior selling raffle tickets during the interval, flanked by two security men, was still unexpected!
This was a seasoned, not seasonal display, with Christmas tracks from 'Winter' and surely a staple encore classic Gaudete omitted in favour of "Unconquered Sun", a winter solstice song targeting the (niche) pagan druid market and an encore comprising a singalong rendition of All Around My Hat and blues-tinged Hard Times of Old England, featuring solos from most of the band. You can't criticise performers for being too well-versed in their songs and it did not feel as though they were going through the motions - but perhaps lacking the emotions you might expect from a 40th anniversary gig. The average audience member definitely remembered the first time around and a 25th anniversary sweater adorned one bearded patron. To borrow an album title - now I would have been six...
Set List
Little Sir Hugh
Cold, Haily, Windy Night
Seagull
Sheep-Crook and Black Dog
Babylon
Bachelor's Hall
I Live Not Where I Love
Si Begh Si Mohr
Gallant Frigate Amphitrite
Interval
All Things Are Quite Silent
Ranzo
The Great Silkie of Sules Skerry - Peter Knight & Maddy Prior
Unconquered Sun
Van Diemen's Land
Peace on the Border
The Three Sisters
Irish fiddle tunes
Bonny Black Hare
Encore
All Around My Hat
Hard Times of Old England
Maddy Prior is undoubtedly the leading lady and although links and vocals were shared and a couple of instrumental tunes included, the band peaks when Prior takes charge. She has enormous stage presence even before she sings and twirls mesmerically in a scarlet gown, but her voice is as commanding and strong as ever, particularly resonant on Child ballad The Great Silkie of Sules Skerry, performed by Prior with Knight's violin as sole accompaniment. Other highlights included opening murder ballad Little Sir Hugh, Genockey's drumming on The Three Sisters and Cold, Haily, Windy Night, sung by Kemp.
There was slightly more of a focus on post-Tim Hart material (though only one track from 2009 offering 'Cogs, Wheels and Lovers') but Hart, who is in poor health, did feature on the interval entertainment, a forthcoming album of nursery rhymes. A couple of songs were less engaging, with Steeleye's distinctive electric folk at times sounding curiously more dated than a few of the ballads. This perhaps contributes to what is at times a slightly surreal atmosphere. An institution, a band almost as old as the university, had rolled onto campus with routine commercial bustle, although the unlikely site of Prior selling raffle tickets during the interval, flanked by two security men, was still unexpected!
This was a seasoned, not seasonal display, with Christmas tracks from 'Winter' and surely a staple encore classic Gaudete omitted in favour of "Unconquered Sun", a winter solstice song targeting the (niche) pagan druid market and an encore comprising a singalong rendition of All Around My Hat and blues-tinged Hard Times of Old England, featuring solos from most of the band. You can't criticise performers for being too well-versed in their songs and it did not feel as though they were going through the motions - but perhaps lacking the emotions you might expect from a 40th anniversary gig. The average audience member definitely remembered the first time around and a 25th anniversary sweater adorned one bearded patron. To borrow an album title - now I would have been six...
Set List
Little Sir Hugh
Cold, Haily, Windy Night
Seagull
Sheep-Crook and Black Dog
Babylon
Bachelor's Hall
I Live Not Where I Love
Si Begh Si Mohr
Gallant Frigate Amphitrite
Interval
All Things Are Quite Silent
Ranzo
The Great Silkie of Sules Skerry - Peter Knight & Maddy Prior
Unconquered Sun
Van Diemen's Land
Peace on the Border
The Three Sisters
Irish fiddle tunes
Bonny Black Hare
Encore
All Around My Hat
Hard Times of Old England
Sunday, 13 December 2009
12/12/2009: Christmas Special
RaW Folk's Christmas party was as hip and happening as you'd expect (but with more breadsticks). Tunes ranged from KT Tunstall's kazoo-infected 'Mele Kalikamaka (Christmas in Hawaii)' to Joni Mitchell's sublime, melancholy festive lament 'River' - while Dylan's Christmas selection box was tucked into with glee as this week's Featured Album.
Meanwhile we basked in the glory of Mumford & Sons, whose Little Lion Man achieved sixth in RaW's annual Single of the Year chart countdown on Tuesday, finishing just four votes short of top spot. Many thanks to all for your support - and to everyone who has emailed the show or posted comments here this year. Merry Christmas to all!
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes)
Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds (Sigh No More)
Waterboys - World Party (Fisherman's Blues)
Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band - The World Turned Upside Down (Hang Up Sorrow and Care)
Featured Album: Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart
Bob Dylan - Winter Wonderland
Youngsters - Christmas in Jail (Doo Wop Christmas [various])
Slow Club - Christmas TV (Christmas Thanks for Nothing [EP])
Featured Album: Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart
Bob Dylan - Must Be Santa
KT Tunstall - Mele Kalikimaka (Christmas in Hawaii) (A Very KT Christmas)
Steeleye Span - Gaudete (Below the Salt)
Kate Rusby - Sweet Bells (Sweet Bells)
Joni Mitchell - River (Blue)
Featured Album: Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart
Bob Dylan - O' Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
The Unthanks - Tar Barrel in Dale (Lucky Gilchrist [single])
Meanwhile we basked in the glory of Mumford & Sons, whose Little Lion Man achieved sixth in RaW's annual Single of the Year chart countdown on Tuesday, finishing just four votes short of top spot. Many thanks to all for your support - and to everyone who has emailed the show or posted comments here this year. Merry Christmas to all!
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes)
Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds (Sigh No More)
Waterboys - World Party (Fisherman's Blues)
Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band - The World Turned Upside Down (Hang Up Sorrow and Care)
Featured Album: Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart
Bob Dylan - Winter Wonderland
Youngsters - Christmas in Jail (Doo Wop Christmas [various])
Slow Club - Christmas TV (Christmas Thanks for Nothing [EP])
Featured Album: Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart
Bob Dylan - Must Be Santa
KT Tunstall - Mele Kalikimaka (Christmas in Hawaii) (A Very KT Christmas)
Steeleye Span - Gaudete (Below the Salt)
Kate Rusby - Sweet Bells (Sweet Bells)
Joni Mitchell - River (Blue)
Featured Album: Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart
Bob Dylan - O' Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)
The Unthanks - Tar Barrel in Dale (Lucky Gilchrist [single])
Sunday, 6 December 2009
05/12/2009
No session guests this week but a busy show nonetheless, spotlighting a few of the nominees for the forthcoming BBC Folk Awards 2010 - the shortlist for which was announced on Wednesday. In addition, the show spearheaded the "Mumford & Sons for Single of the Year" campaign, imploring listeners to vote for the folk in RaW's annual chart countdown. Last year RaW Folk's listeners backed White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes to the heady heights of number 14, so let's see if we can do even better this year. Head over to radio.warwick.ac.uk/singleoftheyear to vote before 5pm today - and if you need any more convincing, please watch the video below (although beware - it's definitely not the radio edit). Don't forget to tune into Compact Disco on Tuesday from 6-8pm on RaW 1251AM to hear the Top 20 chart countdown live.
Finally, listener Em emailed in asking for views on the news that Dylan's A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall has been adopted as "an unofficial anthem" by the UN ahead of the Copenhagen climate change summit - and wondering how the UN sets about making such a decision. Did they vote on it?! If you have any ideas for alternative anthems, post them here!
Talking of Sir Bob, tune in next week for RaW Folk's first festive December show to hear tracks from his new album Christmas in the Heart - and to get you in the mood, here's the extraordinary video for "Must Be Santa".
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Demon Barbers - The Good Old Days (+24db)
The Darwin Song Project - Kingdom Come (Shrewsbury 2009)
Megson - Follow it On (Smoke of Home)
Show of Hands - Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed (Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed)
The Queensberry Rules - Sinking Town (The Black Dog and Other Stories)
Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds (Sigh No More)
Leddra Chapman - Wrap Me Up (Telling Tales)
Mawkin:Causley - Cutty Wren (The Awkward Recruit)
Kate Rusby - Blooming Heather (Awkward Annie)
Cara Dillon - Spencer the Rover (Hill of Thieves)
Martin Simpson - Duncan and Brady (Prodigal Son)
Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man (Sigh No More)
To view the full list of nominees for February's BBC Folk Awards, click here.
Finally, listener Em emailed in asking for views on the news that Dylan's A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall has been adopted as "an unofficial anthem" by the UN ahead of the Copenhagen climate change summit - and wondering how the UN sets about making such a decision. Did they vote on it?! If you have any ideas for alternative anthems, post them here!
Talking of Sir Bob, tune in next week for RaW Folk's first festive December show to hear tracks from his new album Christmas in the Heart - and to get you in the mood, here's the extraordinary video for "Must Be Santa".
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Demon Barbers - The Good Old Days (+24db)
The Darwin Song Project - Kingdom Come (Shrewsbury 2009)
Megson - Follow it On (Smoke of Home)
Show of Hands - Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed (Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed)
The Queensberry Rules - Sinking Town (The Black Dog and Other Stories)
Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds (Sigh No More)
Leddra Chapman - Wrap Me Up (Telling Tales)
Mawkin:Causley - Cutty Wren (The Awkward Recruit)
Kate Rusby - Blooming Heather (Awkward Annie)
Cara Dillon - Spencer the Rover (Hill of Thieves)
Martin Simpson - Duncan and Brady (Prodigal Son)
Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man (Sigh No More)
To view the full list of nominees for February's BBC Folk Awards, click here.
Monday, 30 November 2009
28/11/09: The Queensberry Rules
On Saturday The Queensberry Rules joined the show live in the studio to discuss singing about Stoke, making their breakthrough and bands beginning with Q. Phil, Gary and Duncan played two new songs from their sixth album Take Your Own Roads and finished off the session with an inspiring rendition of I Still Believe in England. To listen again to the session, visit MoreRaW here and for more info on the band visit www.thequeensberryrules.com.
Unfortunately the clock got the better of the Folk On or Folk Off result, which was a resounding Folk On to The Celtic Soul Brothers by Dexys Midnight Runners. Thanks once again for your emails and votes!
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Neil Young - Southern Man (After the Goldrush)
Train Track
Steve Goodman - City of New Orleans (Steve Goodman)
Nick Drake - River Man (Five Leaves Left)
The Queensberry Rules - Tracks [LIVE]
Martha Wainwright - The Maker (Martha Wainwright)
Johnny Cash - Big River
The Queensberry Rules - When You Come Home Again [LIVE]
Richard & Linda Thompson - The End of the Rainbow (I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight)
Folk On or Folk Off
Dexys Midnight Runners - The Celtic Soul Brothers (Too-Rye-Ay)
The Queensberry Rules - I Still Believe In England [LIVE]
Jez Lowe - A Call for the North Country (Bede Weeps)
Unfortunately the clock got the better of the Folk On or Folk Off result, which was a resounding Folk On to The Celtic Soul Brothers by Dexys Midnight Runners. Thanks once again for your emails and votes!
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Neil Young - Southern Man (After the Goldrush)
Train Track
Steve Goodman - City of New Orleans (Steve Goodman)
Nick Drake - River Man (Five Leaves Left)
The Queensberry Rules - Tracks [LIVE]
Martha Wainwright - The Maker (Martha Wainwright)
Johnny Cash - Big River
The Queensberry Rules - When You Come Home Again [LIVE]
Richard & Linda Thompson - The End of the Rainbow (I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight)
Folk On or Folk Off
Dexys Midnight Runners - The Celtic Soul Brothers (Too-Rye-Ay)
The Queensberry Rules - I Still Believe In England [LIVE]
Jez Lowe - A Call for the North Country (Bede Weeps)
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
21/11/09: Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band
This week members of the Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band from the University of Warwick Folk Society packed into Studio 1 to play a live session. You can listen again to their set at MoreRaW now. Plus don't forget to tune in at 18:00 this Saturday to hear The Queensberry Rules perform three tracks from their new album, Take Your Own Roads, live in the studio.
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (Blonde on Blonde)
Karine Polwart - Maybe There's a Road (Scribbled in Chalk)
Train Track
The Queensberry Rules - Tracks (Take Your Own Roads)
June Tabor - The Merchant's Son (Airs and Graces)
Chris Wood - Summerfield Avenue (Trespasser)
Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band - Horizonto / Dusty Windowsills [LIVE]
John Tams - Amelia (The Reckoning)
Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band - The Dashing White Sergeant / The White Cockade / The Ton [LIVE]
Folk On or Folk Off
Tyrannosaurus Rex - Dwarfish Trumpet Blues (My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows)
Tom Waits - Shiver Me Timbers (The Heart of Saturday Night)
Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band - Tam Lin [LIVE]
Jackie Oates - The Lark in the Morning (The Violet Hour)
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (Blonde on Blonde)
Karine Polwart - Maybe There's a Road (Scribbled in Chalk)
Train Track
The Queensberry Rules - Tracks (Take Your Own Roads)
June Tabor - The Merchant's Son (Airs and Graces)
Chris Wood - Summerfield Avenue (Trespasser)
Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band - Horizonto / Dusty Windowsills [LIVE]
John Tams - Amelia (The Reckoning)
Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band - The Dashing White Sergeant / The White Cockade / The Ton [LIVE]
Folk On or Folk Off
Tyrannosaurus Rex - Dwarfish Trumpet Blues (My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows)
Tom Waits - Shiver Me Timbers (The Heart of Saturday Night)
Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band - Tam Lin [LIVE]
Jackie Oates - The Lark in the Morning (The Violet Hour)
Thursday, 19 November 2009
6 Day Riot bonus interview
As promised, here is the blog exclusive bonus interview with Dan Deavin of 6 Day Riot.
Don't forget you can still listen to Tamara's interview at MoreRaW here and tune into the show on Saturday to hear a live session from the Warwick Folk Ceilidh Band.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
RaW Folk 14/11/2009: 6 Day Riot
This week's show featured an interview with Tamara Schlesinger of 6 Day Riot, though tragically not the fabulous but ill-fated recordings of O Those Kids and Run For Your Life, which technical malfunction of RaW's equipment rendered unfortunately unbroadcastable. Nevertheless, the programme still featured tracks from the band's new album 6 Day Riot Have A Plan, in addition to music from Take Your Own Roads - the splendid third album from The Queensberry Rules, who'll be in session on the show in two weeks' time.
To listen again to the interview with Tamara, click here for part 1 and here for part 2 and don't forget to check back soon to hear a short bonus blog exclusive chat with 6 Day Riot's drummer (and ex-Warwick Uni student) Dan Deavin.
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Seth Lakeman - The Hurlers (Poor Man's Heaven)
Simon & Garfunkel - Cecilia (Bridge Over Troubled Water)
Train Track
Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightnin' (Moanin' in the Moonlight)
Featured Album: Take Your Own Roads
The Queensberry Rules - Top Dog
6 Day Riot - Run For Your Life (6 Day Riot Have A Plan)
Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You In The End (1990)
6 Day Riot - Go! Canada (6 Day Riot Have A Plan)
Featured Album: Take Your Own Roads
The Queensberry Rules - Sauntering Ned
Folk On or Folk Off
Fredo Viola - Robinson Crusoe (The Turn)
Featured Album: Take Your Own Roads
The Queensberry Rules - Away, Away
Eliza Carthy - Picking Up Sticks / The Old Mole / Felton Lonnin / Kingston Girls (Rice)
To listen again to the interview with Tamara, click here for part 1 and here for part 2 and don't forget to check back soon to hear a short bonus blog exclusive chat with 6 Day Riot's drummer (and ex-Warwick Uni student) Dan Deavin.
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Seth Lakeman - The Hurlers (Poor Man's Heaven)
Simon & Garfunkel - Cecilia (Bridge Over Troubled Water)
Train Track
Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightnin' (Moanin' in the Moonlight)
Featured Album: Take Your Own Roads
The Queensberry Rules - Top Dog
6 Day Riot - Run For Your Life (6 Day Riot Have A Plan)
Daniel Johnston - True Love Will Find You In The End (1990)
6 Day Riot - Go! Canada (6 Day Riot Have A Plan)
Featured Album: Take Your Own Roads
The Queensberry Rules - Sauntering Ned
Folk On or Folk Off
Fredo Viola - Robinson Crusoe (The Turn)
Featured Album: Take Your Own Roads
The Queensberry Rules - Away, Away
Eliza Carthy - Picking Up Sticks / The Old Mole / Felton Lonnin / Kingston Girls (Rice)
Monday, 9 November 2009
RaW Folk 07/11/2009: Paul Curreri
A superb live set from americana/folk/country artist Paul Curreri kicked off a new season of RaW Folk. Paul played three tracks from his new album California and talked about life in the US and UK, the many influences on his music and his forthcoming UK tour. To catch Paul perform in Coventry this Thursday, visit www.tinangeltickets.co.uk.
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Show of Hands - Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed (Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed)
The Queensberry Rules - When You Come Home Again (Take Your Own Roads)
Paul Curreri - California [LIVE]
Jim Moray - Lucy Wan (Low Culture)
6 Day Riot - O Those Kids (6 Day Riot Have a Plan)
Devon Sproule - Ain't that the Way (¡Don't Hurry for Heaven!)
Paul Curreri - Once Upon a Rooftop [LIVE]
Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man (Radio Edit single)
Folk On or Folk Off
Sister Ray - Egg
Paul Curreri - Down By The Water [LIVE]
Paul Curreri - Letting Us Be (Songs for Devon Sproule)
Martin Simpson - Never Any Good (Prodigal Son)
Music Played
Artist - Song (Album)
Show of Hands - Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed (Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed)
The Queensberry Rules - When You Come Home Again (Take Your Own Roads)
Paul Curreri - California [LIVE]
Jim Moray - Lucy Wan (Low Culture)
6 Day Riot - O Those Kids (6 Day Riot Have a Plan)
Devon Sproule - Ain't that the Way (¡Don't Hurry for Heaven!)
Paul Curreri - Once Upon a Rooftop [LIVE]
Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man (Radio Edit single)
Folk On or Folk Off
Sister Ray - Egg
Paul Curreri - Down By The Water [LIVE]
Paul Curreri - Letting Us Be (Songs for Devon Sproule)
Martin Simpson - Never Any Good (Prodigal Son)
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
RaW Folk Returns
A new season of RaW Folk begins on November 7th featuring a live session from acclaimed Americana/Folk/Country artist Paul Curreri.
Tune into RaW this Saturday at 6pm - online at radio.warwick.ac.uk/listen - to hear the whole show live.
Tune into RaW this Saturday at 6pm - online at radio.warwick.ac.uk/listen - to hear the whole show live.
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