Reality Bubble

I was googling for info online and found Bo Bruce, a finalist on The Voice UK

She said the BBC spent no money on promo by The Voice, by comparison to the money spent by ITV on its shows – such as X factor. That acts appearing on The Voice UK are likely to fail once the show comes to an end.

The finalist stated that the BBC has too many restrictions when it comes to promoting acts in comparison to other channels. Leanne Mitchell’s debut album only reached no 134 UK album chart, and her single 'Run To You' peaked at 45.
"They just put out a single and didn't really advertise the fact that it was out there and available to buy..Normally you would have a huge marketing campaign before a big release. But you can't do that when you have won The Voice."
"Being part of the BBC, they can't be seen to do that. They have far more restrictions. If you look at The X Factor, they are allowed to heavily promote an artist or a singer. Because of that, they almost always have at least one number one single."

"BBC producers are not able to take control of the winner's career in the same way Simon Cowell does for his shows. I'm really glad I didn't win because it meant I could take my time.  Personally, it is better to be runner-up as there's less pressure to have an instant hit." Danny O'Donoghue said: "That's not the fault of the BBC. you can take an artist like that and question their work ethic." 

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/the-voice-uk/the-voice-uk-acts-are-doomed-to-fail-on-bbc-says-bo-bruce

The reality of course is that the BBC can't be seen to spend money on things like the media hype for a contestant ( the BBC has no revenues from advertising).

Entrants to these Tv show should view them as a platform or showcase. for some exposure. Reality shows are intense short-term spotlights and anyone searching for a longer term career in music should look for other opportunities to showcase – such as the slow burner approach online and those at the small venues.

These shows create a false bubble for young people's expectations and therefore it can often be hard to deal with let downs, and with some entrants being as young as sixteen. It is necessary to be aware of these limitations and have your eyes open to the artificial nature of these reality tv spotlights.

The slow down in sales of CDs has affected these shows with money now in the live shows and song royalties

Maya Angelou: Birds that fly from poverty

Maya was best known for her book ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, 1969, which brought her international acclaim. She died yesterday May 28 2014 and I was sad to hear of her loss. 
Her books centre on themes such as racism, identity, family, and travel. Angelou is best known for her autobiographies, but she was also an established poet.  She inspired many. 

She was a journalist, activist, novelist and poet as well as many other things. I was reading her Wiki page, goodness!  She was also a dancer, actress, singer, composer, screen writer, professor, lecturer, traveller and more. Angelou (not her real name) was also a mentor to Oprah Winfrey. In 2011 she received the Presidential medal of honour.

She used elements of the Blues, including the act of testimony when speaking of one's life and struggles, ironic understatement, and the use of natural metaphors, rhythms, and intonations. Angelou, instead of depending upon plot, used personal and historical events to shape her books. She considered herself a teacher who writes and she found relief in "telling the truth." Gillespie spoke of the ‘breadth and depth of Maya Angelou's spirit and creative genius" 

Maya wrote one of my favourite poems. She lived through hard times and her spirit won through. Who's to say that those same struggles too are what defines us?

Love builds up the broken wall

and straightens the crooked path,

love keeps the stars in the firmament

and imposes rhythm on the ocean tides

each of us is created of it

and I suspect

each of us was created for it.'  

'I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.' Maya Angelou

‘The most noble cause known to man is the liberation of the mind and spirit. ‘

‘All my work, my life, everything I do is about survival, not just bare, awful, plodding survival, but survival with grace and faith. While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated.’  Maya Angelou

http://maya-angelou-birthday_

Rab Noakes and Barbara Dickson Milngavie Folk club May 2014

Songs by Rab, songs by Barbara. Songs together.

Rab and Barbara gave us a real treat with a showcase gig of their favourite songs. They both looked well and clearly enjoyed sharing the stage together.

Rab looked smart in a dark checked suit while Barbara was glamorous. They spoke of how they met in the 60s at Sandy Bells bar Edinburgh. 

First they performed duet songs - Rab's Don’t Say Money Doesn’t Matter; James Taylor’s ‘Something’s Wrong; an Archie Fisher song Years of Rage and as they are both Everly Brothers fans they performed their song Sleepless Nights. 

We were then given alternate solos by Barbara and Rab.

We heard some of Rab’s excellent and well crafted songs, such as his song for Gerry Rafferty No More Time. Rab said he first met Gerald at Billy Connolly’s house, when they were in the band Stealers Wheel together. Rab also performed I’m Walking Here from his new album and the murder ballad, The Two Sisters. Noakes sang a Dylan cover and as he is a big Dylan fan he is rather excellent at doing Dylan.

To my delight Rab performed his well remembered ‘Branch’ which received good radio airplay and that he performed a few years back now on the Old Grey Whistle Test. I’ve seen Rab live a few times and this was the first time have heard the song live! 

Barbara sang a haunting song by Charlie Dewar, The Same Sky and a very charming rendition of one of those beautiful story folk ballads, the classic Scottish love song Rigs O Rye (which are like little treasures). She spoke of her first working with the folk legend Archie Fisher and of her shirt boxes of songs. 

Rab always includes an older song and they finished the set with the poignant Doris Day song Que Sera Sera with us all singing along.  

For their Encore Barbara sang her hit song Caravan ( I still have it in my head too!) and a Doug and Phil song, Long Time Gone.

Barbara has a poignant, beautiful timbre in her voice. The combination of Rab and Barbara's different styles and voices worked well and it was obvious they have a mutual respect for each other. The two performers know their roots and are comfortable in their own skins. They gave us textures and shadows, subtle tender and truthful messages and tones, that both helped to sooth and uplift.

Their 'Reunited' Ep April 2014 has a raw acoustic live feel, and such good songs. Reminds me a bit of 'Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris' dueting together - http://rabnoakes.bandcamp.com/album/reunited-ep

They were very well supported by Edwina Hayes form Yorkshire, who gave us funny stories and had a clear lovely vocal. She sang a Richard Thompson song and a song she had co-written with Boo Heredine, as well as her own songs.    

Big thanks to Jason, who because he cares passionately about music and particularly about folk music, runs a successful folk club. And congratulations for this his tenth year! 

Set LIst

Do Right Woman

Dont' Say Money Doesn't Matter

Two Sisters

Minorie

No More Time

As Wise as a Serpent

Branch

The Same Sky

I'm Walkin Here

Rigs O Rye

Tears of Rage

Sleepless nights

Que sera sera

 
 Barbara Dickson is a Scottish singer whose hits include “Caravan”, "I Know Him So Well" (a duet with Elaine Page) and "January February". Dickson has had 15 albums in the UK Albums Chart from 1977 to date, and had a number of hit singles. She has been described her as Scotland's best-selling female singer in terms of the numbers of hit chart singles and albums.  She has also performed in  many West end musicals on and tv and is a two-time Olivier Award-winning actress, Dickson's singing career started in folk clubs around her native Fife in 1964. Her first commercial recording was in 1968. Her early work included albums with Archie Fisher, the first of which, The Fate O' Charlie, a collection of songs from the Jacobite rebellions, was released in 1969. Her first solo album was Do Right Woman in 1970

This beautiful Scottish love song has long been popular with thirty-five versions in the Greig-Duncan collection. The earliest record of the song may be a chapbook with the title Ridges of Rye printed in Glasgow by J. & M. Robertson in 1799.

Piped Music

These days we listen to a great deal of piped music - or rather piped sound and extremely random playlists some random person (or machine?) came up with.

The worst I have heard is in Asda, and it is so bad it puts me off shopping there except with my music player in my ears. The piped artificial sound is irritating and mind numbingly bad.

M & S play 60s or 70s nostalgia for its aging clientele - which irritates also. I am older but I enjoy new music too, I don't like to be reminded of my age! 

People used to hear their music live - played by real instruments at their local or orchestra's in the park or singers at the theatre.

'Music' has become a a cheap commodity and when broken down into bite sized chunks it becomes like cheap sliced white bread or cheap chocolate - it may pretend to nourish our souls but really is instantly forgettable.

The sensible shops offer no annoying backdrop play lists. Some restaurants offer 70s or 80s songs, probably cheaper than new ones!  .

The best playlists I've heard is up at a lovely independently owned bar /restaurant in Callander who play lesser known folk artists and ceilidh bands.