American listeners can hear some fine folk and acoustic music from across the pond streaming online and archived on the Web sites of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
“The Mike Harding Show” on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2’s Mike Harding, a talented folk artist in his own right, hosts a fine weekly folk programme on Wednesdays at 8-9 p.m. (London-time) that is audio-archived for a week, along with past playlists, at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/harding/. Coming up on his show: (Feb. 7) Highlights of the Folk Awards 2007, during which Pentangle and Danny Thompson received Lifetime Achievement Awards, the band Bellowhead won several awards, Seth Lakeman was named Folk Singer of the Year, Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick took Best Duo honors, and 25-year-old mandolinist Chris Thile (formerly of Nickel Creek) was named Musician of the Year; (Feb. 14) Eddi Reader, a Scottish singer-songwriter; (Feb. 21) general show; and (Feb. 28) Nic Jones, an influential figure of the 1970s British folk scene.
“Folk Britannia” on BBC 4
Although the three-part BBC 4 series, “Folk Britannia,” that aired in 2006, is not archived in its entirety, information on the evolution of British folk music from the end of World War II to recent times, along with video clips of concert performances, can be found online at www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/music/features/folk-brittannia.shtml) Also posted is a set list from a concert of songs of protest and social conscience recorded at London’s Barbicon Theatre last February, along with short video clips from that event.
“Folk Club” on Radio
Colum Sands of The Sands Family (fine Irish singers all) hosts “Folk Club” on Radio
“Folkwaves” on BBC Radio
Mick Peat and Lester Simpson host a two-hour broadcast that airs on BBC Radio Derby Monday nights at 7 p.m. (local time) and can be heard online for a week hence at www.bbc.co.uk/music/folkcountry/listen/
“Celtic Heartbeat” on BBC Radio
Frank Hennessy spins traditional and contemporary Celtic folk and acoustic music for BBC Radio Wales listeners on Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (local time). The show is archived for a week online at www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/celticheartbeat/.
Like/Follow Us!