John Tams' Radio Ballads blog - Part 3
John Tams writes:
I'm lucky to work in radio quite a lot, on both Radios 2 and 4, so it was an unalloyed joy to win a Sony Academy Gold for Radio 2 last year with The Song of Steel...
Ìý
Between you and I, John Leonard, who worked on the Radio Ballads, and myself have a drama project under commission with Radio 2 which will involve folk music so we'll keep you in touch with that.
I'll give it a good blogging when it's done and ready for you to listen to.
So what about the Radio Ballads - any more to come?Ìý I have already made a list of subjects we might deal with, should any more Ballads be commissioned, but I'd love to hear any suggestions you may have for future Ballad themes. Please post your thoughts here.
I am often asked if CDs are available of the programmes. Well, the six set of 2006 Radio Ballads plus the 'Songs From' CD are currently under a distribution review and when they return very soon there's likely to be an eighth to add to the collection.Ìý Perhaps a box might be a good idea to keep the set in good shape - any thoughts?
On another matter - I'll keep in touch with you over John McCusker's Under One Sky project, the album and winter tour.Ìý Sally and I caught up with John recently on the Mark KnopflerÌýWorld Tour where he's reaching a whole new audience and if
Following Mike's broadcast of the Radio Ballads 'Live' last Wednesday, I was personally cheered that is had gone down well with Messrs. Radcliffe and Maconie whose show follows on.Ìý It so inspired Stuart Maconie that he announced the Hospital Radio Ballads and I am moved to offer him my new backing group - The Trapped Wind Band. They're quite cheap but do require good ventilation. The boys thought Harding and Tams sounded like a shoe shop - cobblers is nearer the truth.
Meanwhile thank you for the platform - keep joining in and look after one another.
Comment number 1.
At 7th Jul 2008, JoeGBradford wrote:Hi John
Great to hear the concert at last on Wednesday - is the project you refer to the one you mentioned at the gig at The Priestley in Bradford - about Butterworth and the other English composers - I hope so. but whatever it is I am sure it will be great.
Shame you were not properly credited on R4 Pick of the Week - unless you have metamorphosed into Mike Harding since I last saw you in Dent
Mel on the R2 forum suggested that you may be looking for new subjects for the ballads - as a civil engineer can I suggest the road navvies
Cheers
Joe G
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 11th Jul 2008, EnglishFolkfan wrote:Joe G, out of interest you might like to go to
The Song of the Road
www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/radioballads/original
for details and a listen again to the Original Ballad on the building of the M1.
Heady days of empty roads back then when via the M1 North London to Birmingham was an hours drive away for a good Folk night out with Art College friends!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 16th Jul 2008, JoeGBradford wrote:Thanks
After making my earlier comment I suddenly realised that road building may have been one of the original ballads and checked the site out - I intend to listen when I have a few mnutes spare.
Joe G
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)