Old English Music
In recent years there has been an increase in the profile of English Folk Music. The 1970’s saw great success for Folk Rock bands like Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention, but after those heady days’ folk music slowly retreated to the clubs and pubs.
A new generation of artists has re-energized folk music and along with artists from the past they have generated a new interest in English Traditional music. They have taken traditional songs and reinterpreted them as well as writing new songs that follow the storytelling traditions of the past.
This list is mainly made up of those contemporary artists that have had such an impact, but there is still a nod to those who had an impact decades ago (many of whom are still going today).
Seth Lakeman
Kitty Jay
http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/
Kate Rusby
Ten
http://www.katerusby.com/
The Unthanks
Here’s the tender coming
http://www.rachelunthank.com/
Eliza Carthy
Red
http://www.eliza-carthy.com/eliza/index.cfm
Bellowhead
EP Onymous
http://www.bellowhead.co.uk/
Lau
Lightweights and Gentlemen
http://www.lau-music.co.uk/
Show of Hands
Country life
http://www.showofhands.co.uk/
John Tams
The Reckoning
http://www.johntams.co.uk/
Bella Hardy
In the shadow of mountains
http://www.bellahardy.com/
Jackie Oates
The Violet Hour
http://www.jackieoates.co.uk/
Chris Wood
Lark Descending
http://www.chriswoodmusic.co.uk/
Jim Moray
Sweet England
http://www.jimmoray.co.uk/
Sandy Denny
No more sad refrains
http://www.sandydenny.co.uk/
Martin Simpson
The Bramble Briar
http://www.martinsimpson.com/
Kathryn Tickell
Debatable Lands
http://www.kathryntickell.com/
Steeleye Span
The Best of Steeleye Span
http://steeleye.freeservers.com/
Fairport Convention
Liege and Lief
http://www.fairportconvention.com/
The Imagined Village
Empire and Love
http://imaginedvillage.com/
Mawkin:Cawsley
The Awkward Recruit
http://www.myspace.com/mawkincausley
Steve Baker
15.2.10
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Nottinghamshire Libraries Big Learning Weekend
Background
A partnership made up of Nottinghamshire Libraries, Adult Community Learning Services, local colleges et al with "transformational fund" support started planning "Nottinghamshire Loves Learning" weekend in October 2009.
The objective of the weekend was to provide a quality informal learning opportunity in all communities with a population of over 1000. The events would take place over the valentine weekend 13th -15th February 2010.
Libraries
A small project group was set up made up of members of both development and operational teams.
Our objectives were to:
The final programme actually included 35 events. Many of which were one offs but there were a series of Local History Events that we replicated at a few venues. There was also a mixture of events we created and delivered ourselves and events that we paid others to deliver.
The programmed included:
Results
We attracted 750 people to our events. The events were of high quality and evaluations were very positive. They attracted new library users. Our profile was significantly improved with items appearing on all local radio stations and in local papers. Unfortunately there was little interest from the television companies.
Lessons learned
Having a well known name to headline your programme is expensive but does pay off. Not only do people attend that event in significant numbers but:
Working with partners is valuable but have back up plans if they don't deliver or if they don't deliver on deadline
It is difficult to identify which sort of event worked best because similar events got different responses i.e. Swing Dance was well supported but tap dance wasn't. With variables like venue, community etc. it's not always easy to draw conclusions. However craft events where people could just "drop-in" on were universally successful. I think these events worked well because not only did they attract people to the event itself but they also appealed to people who had come to the library on other business but then felt free to join in. This didn't happen with the more structured events.
It goes without saying but the enthusiasm of local staff both in the run up to and during the event makes a huge difference. Make sure staff understand what the event is about, why we are doing it and what you need from them.
People are willing to travel so publicize all the events in one brochure, don't assume that they will only be interested in their local events.
Delivering quality requires imagination, enthusiasm, commitment and money. Don't try to do things on the cheap. If money is tight then concentrate it on an headline act and good marketing.
Our programme was too big i.e. it took a lot of managing especially when we were working to a tight series of deadlines.
Share the work as equally as possible amongst all members of the project team. As project manager this is something I could have managed better.
People will attend events on a Sunday even in a town where shops aren't open. We were told that people didn't come into town on the Sunday and it wouldn't be worth putting on an event. We proved that wasn't the case, we got good numbers on the Sunday
Don't underestimate people's ability to make even the most ambitious idea work. The biggest risks often have the most successful outcome. Don't play safe.
Conclusions
An excellent event that succeeded in raising the profile of Libraries
A partnership made up of Nottinghamshire Libraries, Adult Community Learning Services, local colleges et al with "transformational fund" support started planning "Nottinghamshire Loves Learning" weekend in October 2009.
The objective of the weekend was to provide a quality informal learning opportunity in all communities with a population of over 1000. The events would take place over the valentine weekend 13th -15th February 2010.
Libraries
A small project group was set up made up of members of both development and operational teams.
Our objectives were to:
- Host a minimum of 30 events
- At least 3 of the events would be on the Sunday
- The events would either be aimed at just adults or would be aimed at intergenerational groups. No events would be for just children
- The programme would be made up of 3 themes:
- A Sense of Place
- Music and Performance
- Arts and crafts
- Events should aim to attract at least 10 participants even in very small communities
The final programme actually included 35 events. Many of which were one offs but there were a series of Local History Events that we replicated at a few venues. There was also a mixture of events we created and delivered ourselves and events that we paid others to deliver.
The programmed included:
- Antique Antics with Eric Knowles
- Sculpture workshops
- Dance workshops
- Fancy a crafty weekend
- Community singing
- Learn to play chess
- Guitar lessons
- Local history workshops
- Relaxation techniques
- Play music with a skiffle band
- Song writing
Results
We attracted 750 people to our events. The events were of high quality and evaluations were very positive. They attracted new library users. Our profile was significantly improved with items appearing on all local radio stations and in local papers. Unfortunately there was little interest from the television companies.
Lessons learned
Having a well known name to headline your programme is expensive but does pay off. Not only do people attend that event in significant numbers but:
- More people will pick up the brochure because of that person's face on it
- It increases the profile of the whole event
- It generates more interest in the media i.e. gives them somebody to interview, photograph etc
- It generates excitement amongst the staff and that excitement is conveyed to the public
- Non-library users are more likely to cross the threshold
Working with partners is valuable but have back up plans if they don't deliver or if they don't deliver on deadline
It is difficult to identify which sort of event worked best because similar events got different responses i.e. Swing Dance was well supported but tap dance wasn't. With variables like venue, community etc. it's not always easy to draw conclusions. However craft events where people could just "drop-in" on were universally successful. I think these events worked well because not only did they attract people to the event itself but they also appealed to people who had come to the library on other business but then felt free to join in. This didn't happen with the more structured events.
It goes without saying but the enthusiasm of local staff both in the run up to and during the event makes a huge difference. Make sure staff understand what the event is about, why we are doing it and what you need from them.
People are willing to travel so publicize all the events in one brochure, don't assume that they will only be interested in their local events.
Delivering quality requires imagination, enthusiasm, commitment and money. Don't try to do things on the cheap. If money is tight then concentrate it on an headline act and good marketing.
Our programme was too big i.e. it took a lot of managing especially when we were working to a tight series of deadlines.
Share the work as equally as possible amongst all members of the project team. As project manager this is something I could have managed better.
People will attend events on a Sunday even in a town where shops aren't open. We were told that people didn't come into town on the Sunday and it wouldn't be worth putting on an event. We proved that wasn't the case, we got good numbers on the Sunday
Don't underestimate people's ability to make even the most ambitious idea work. The biggest risks often have the most successful outcome. Don't play safe.
Conclusions
An excellent event that succeeded in raising the profile of Libraries
Friday, 1 January 2010
David Peace, clever or annoying?
For Christmas I was bought the the first two parts of David Peace's Tokyo series. I'm a fan after the Ridings series. I'm a about a third of the way through the first part Tokyo Year Zero. The novel is set in post war Tokyo and superbly conveys the hardship, poverty and lawlessness of a city all but destroyed by war. This is a crime novel that begins with the discovery of two bodies.
The story is excellent but Peace's writing style is very idiosyncratic, with the thoughts of the main character interrupting the flow of the story and sometimes the dialogue as well. The book is to hard read and sometimes you want Peace to be less clever and to just get on with his marvelous tale. Anyway I'll stick with it for now and hope that the journey is worth the effort.
The story is excellent but Peace's writing style is very idiosyncratic, with the thoughts of the main character interrupting the flow of the story and sometimes the dialogue as well. The book is to hard read and sometimes you want Peace to be less clever and to just get on with his marvelous tale. Anyway I'll stick with it for now and hope that the journey is worth the effort.
Books I've read this autumn/winter - Larsson, Indridason, Theorin and Cotterill
i got a bit behind with my reading of Scandinavian crime fiction. So this autumn and winter I've been playing catch up. The highlight was the last installment of the Millennium series by Steig Larsson The Girl who kicked the Hornets' Nest. As good if not better than the first two books, a real pleasure to read. The third book continues immediately after the conclusion of The Girl who Played with Fire. Lisbeth is in hospital recovering from her injuries and Kalle finds himself having to save her from powers within the Swedish secret service who need her dead. The plot , more so than the previous books in the series, reflects Larsson's life long interest in politics and in particular how the establishment exploits power. An excellent series that every crime fiction fan should read.
Theorin's second novel "The Darkest Room" is set on the Baltic island of Oland. The plot is too complex to explain in a paragraph, but Theorin is a superb writer. His novels are full of atmosphere, menace and suspense. Cleverly playing on everybody's fear of isolation and the unknown. Place is extremely important in these novels, Oland is wild, beautiful, isolated and extremely dangerous when the weather turns. When things go wrong help is a long way away. Highly recommended.
Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indridason continues the series featuring the Icelandic Inspector Erlendur. Since the stunning debut Jar City the series has got better and better and Arnaldur more than anybody can be compared to Mankell for the quality of his writing and story telling. This novel revolves around the death of a woman who everybody, except Erlendur , believes to have committed suicide. A novel that explores the idea that a crime can be psychological not just physical. Simply brilliant.
Finally and away from Scandinavia. The Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill, set in Laos, is a much lighter crime novel with wonderful characters. Less twee than MacCall-Smith and a good choice if you want something that is well written but not too taxing or disturbing. An excellent series
Theorin's second novel "The Darkest Room" is set on the Baltic island of Oland. The plot is too complex to explain in a paragraph, but Theorin is a superb writer. His novels are full of atmosphere, menace and suspense. Cleverly playing on everybody's fear of isolation and the unknown. Place is extremely important in these novels, Oland is wild, beautiful, isolated and extremely dangerous when the weather turns. When things go wrong help is a long way away. Highly recommended.
Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indridason continues the series featuring the Icelandic Inspector Erlendur. Since the stunning debut Jar City the series has got better and better and Arnaldur more than anybody can be compared to Mankell for the quality of his writing and story telling. This novel revolves around the death of a woman who everybody, except Erlendur , believes to have committed suicide. A novel that explores the idea that a crime can be psychological not just physical. Simply brilliant.
Finally and away from Scandinavia. The Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill, set in Laos, is a much lighter crime novel with wonderful characters. Less twee than MacCall-Smith and a good choice if you want something that is well written but not too taxing or disturbing. An excellent series
Friday, 9 October 2009
The Complaints - Ian Rankin
In his first police procedural novel, since retiring Rebus, Rankin introduces a new character Malcolm Fox. Fox works for "The Complaints" the police department that investigates other police officers.Fox is less of a loner than Rebus and less bad tempered but like Rebus he is cerebral cop with a strong sense of justice.For those who are still mourning Rebus Fox is an interesting new character who I'm sure Rankin will flesh out and develop.Another success for one of crime fiction's most literary writers, highly recommended
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Chess Nomads v Radcliffe & Bingham 21.9.09
Sandeep Dhir - White
Steve Baker - Black
1 d4 d5
2 h3 Bf5
3 a3 e6
4 g4 Be4
5 f3 Qh4
6 Kd2 Bg6
7 Bg2 Bd6
8 e3 Qf2
9 Qe2 QxQ
10 Nxe2 f5
11 Nc3 Nf6
12 Ke1 a6
13 b4 Nd7
14 Rb1 f5xg4
15 f3xg4 Bxc2
16 Rb2 Bg6
17 Nf4 Bxf4
18 e3xB o-o-o
19 Re2 c6
20 Rxe6 Rd8e8
21 Rxe8 Rxe8
22 Kf2 Be4
23 Nxe4 Nxe4
24 Kf3 g6
25 h4 Nd6
26 Be3 Nc4
27 Bc1 Re4
28 Rd1 Nb6
29 Kg3 Na4
30 BxR Nc3
31 Re1 Nxe4
32 Kg2 Kd7
33 h5 Ke6
34 h5xg6 h7xg6
35 Kh3 Kf6
36 Kh4 b6
37 Kh3 Draw
Steve Baker - Black
1 d4 d5
2 h3 Bf5
3 a3 e6
4 g4 Be4
5 f3 Qh4
6 Kd2 Bg6
7 Bg2 Bd6
8 e3 Qf2
9 Qe2 QxQ
10 Nxe2 f5
11 Nc3 Nf6
12 Ke1 a6
13 b4 Nd7
14 Rb1 f5xg4
15 f3xg4 Bxc2
16 Rb2 Bg6
17 Nf4 Bxf4
18 e3xB o-o-o
19 Re2 c6
20 Rxe6 Rd8e8
21 Rxe8 Rxe8
22 Kf2 Be4
23 Nxe4 Nxe4
24 Kf3 g6
25 h4 Nd6
26 Be3 Nc4
27 Bc1 Re4
28 Rd1 Nb6
29 Kg3 Na4
30 BxR Nc3
31 Re1 Nxe4
32 Kg2 Kd7
33 h5 Ke6
34 h5xg6 h7xg6
35 Kh3 Kf6
36 Kh4 b6
37 Kh3 Draw
Jo Nesbo - The Dark Star
A couple of people have told me that if I like Scandinavian crime fiction, and I do, then I should try Jo Nesbo. So as i'm giving a talk "Wallander and Beyond" I thought I had better catch up with this Norwegian writer.
Nesbo's main character is Harry Hole a Detective with a drink problem (why do fictional detectives always have a drink problem are all real detectives alcoholics as well?). Harry is bit old school unashamed of acting on hunches and intuition but he is extremely intelligent and joins dots that his colleagues don't even realize are dots.
The Devil's Star, on the face of it, is the story of the hunt for a serial killer but it is in fact much deeper and cleverer than that simple premise suggests.
Nesbo is very good storyteller and I would highly recommend this series.
I've read a few Norwegian writers now and unlike Swedish writers they don't seem to place a great emphasis on a sense of place and atmosphere. These stories are set in Oslo but it could be London or Paris or any European city. For Norwegian writers the story rather than the place seems to be the important element.
On to the second one in the series now
Nesbo's main character is Harry Hole a Detective with a drink problem (why do fictional detectives always have a drink problem are all real detectives alcoholics as well?). Harry is bit old school unashamed of acting on hunches and intuition but he is extremely intelligent and joins dots that his colleagues don't even realize are dots.
The Devil's Star, on the face of it, is the story of the hunt for a serial killer but it is in fact much deeper and cleverer than that simple premise suggests.
Nesbo is very good storyteller and I would highly recommend this series.
I've read a few Norwegian writers now and unlike Swedish writers they don't seem to place a great emphasis on a sense of place and atmosphere. These stories are set in Oslo but it could be London or Paris or any European city. For Norwegian writers the story rather than the place seems to be the important element.
On to the second one in the series now
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