BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2017

Nearly forgot with the Bank Holiday Spring Holiday but how much I enjoyed the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the first band on blew me away as I had no idea they were still going - the peerless Afro Celt Sound System [check the bagpipe player!] Wow!




Bit disappointed with Billy Bragg who to these ears was not in the best voice and his guitar needed tuning! Ry Cooder performed one of the oddest versions of his 'Jesus on The Mainline' which at least he cited with good grace had been discovered by the extraordinary Shirley Collins on behalf of the researcher and musicologist Alan Lomax. Shirley who was the highlight for me after not singing for over 30 years has made some kind of extraordinary renaissance come back. Truly a force of nature!




I guess he doesn't have to bother much anymore . . . . . . . .



hmm whilst noting this is a classic Woody it needed the Band and Bob Dylan to give this the true solemnity it deserved not this throw away version 

Of course there the awards for new voices and musicians and these gals blew me away too





Shirley - 'Washed Ashore'

peerless . . . . . .