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FOLK AWARDS 2005
PROPERFOLK01
Sub-titled accurately, if hardly trip-off-tongue as '27 tracks featuring all of the artists nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2005', such a roll call as presents itself here, would be hard to fault. The event began in 1999 as a means of celebrating what the folk movers and shakers had been up to during the previous 12 months. Years on, it can still provoke controversy (hip, hip!) and gets promo persons, journos, musos, broadcasters et al together in the Capital, for Pinot Grigio and canapes. (hurrah!) It's a shot at own-trumpet blowing for a music, which most of us visiting this site, would regard as a way of life but for the wider media, can be regarded as a Unibond League to Popular music's Premiership.
Anything which raises profile and heightens awareness, must surely be applauded and contained in this 2 CD set, is the very best that we've come up with, not only over the past year, but over decades. Tom Paxton, shortly to embark on his farewell tour, is justifiably set for a Lifetime Achievement Award For Contribution To Songwriting and hearing "The Last Thing On My Mind" again confirms an apt citation - a timely reminder of how much a part of the UK folk experience he's been over forty years.
Besides already assigned awards, there are 4 nominees in 10 categories and Whapweasel, represented by its pulsing "Relentless" could have well won the 'Best Dance Band' by the time you read this. Without wishing to take sides, if Uiscedwr don't hit the 'Horizon' heights (the invigorating "Everywhere" set on CD1) I'll get my coat! Show Of Hands - 'Best Duo' contenders, are the stuff of gooseflesh with "Country Life" and lastly, before my word count heads for the forbidden planet, The Big Session collective captures all of Ian Curtis' doomed, bleak alienation on "Love Will Tear Us Apart."
Seconds out, Round 7 and evangelists, eager to turn unbelieving chums onto, ahem, 'our' music need only sit 'em down with this package, saying this is the way, step inside.
Now can we come in from the cold please?
Clive Pownceby - January 2005
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Folk & Acoustic
