Nic Jones on BBC4

[Head Man]

It seems that in September BBC4 will be airing a documentary of Nic Jones the British folk singer who was so badly injured in a road accident in 1982 that he was not expected to live. He never recorded again after his accident.

Preview here:

http://www.mojo4music.com/4151/nic-jones-documentary-to-screen-on-bbc/

For those not familiar with his work then have a listen to some tracks from his best known album "Penguin Eggs" (my favourite folk album of all time) for a taste of the beauty of his music and guitar playing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlFKwY_YgZ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPOmNXW2Mzc&list=PLE7EB1A670431BCA7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj0phYz38NU&list=PLE7EB1A670431BCA7

Edited August 30, 2013 by Head Man

[A Lark Ascending]

They don't get much better. Stunning guitar playing (listen to 'Canadee-i-o'), and a brilliant way with both a traditional and contemporary song (he seemed to be moving that way in his last few performing months). The other thing I like about him is that he sang in a plain voice, shorn of cod-ploughboy (though you can hear that on his first couple of records, long OOP for infamous legal reasons).

I saw him not long before his accident. He's making a bit of a comeback singing (played Sidmouth this year though a couple of days before I got there) and did a nice dry interview in fRoots a while back - a very dead-pan, self-deprecating sense of English humour.

My favourite performance is 'Annachie Gordon' locked away on the predecessor to Penguin Eggs, The Noah's Ark Trap. Dreadful that that one is locked away.

I can recommend the three 'live' discs that have surfaced in recent years. If nothing else they get him some royalties.

Edited August 30, 2013 by A Lark Ascending

[A Lark Ascending]

Very good longish article about Nic here from a few years back:

http://www.propergandaonline.com/depth-cult-nic-jones/

[A Lark Ascending]

Really moving programme.

Contributions from the likes of Martin Carthy, Martin Simpson, Chris Wood and Jim Moray alongside Nic and his family.

Worth catching on the iPlayer even if folk music isn't what you normally listen to. One of the common themes is the impact of 'Penguin Eggs' when heard by chance by listeners who had never paid attention to folk.

Edited September 28, 2013 by A Lark Ascending

[mjazzg]

Thoroughly enjoyed this programme about someone I knew absolutely nothing. A nice insight into the keeping alive of the tradition (is that 'conservative? ) and at the same time adding to it with original contributions. Another sale of Penguin Eggs imminent.

[A Lark Ascending]

I especially enjoyed Martin Carthy's exuberant contributions. I've heard him talk about music live, on radio and TV and he always just overflows with warmth and enthusiasm (I just love the radiant beam that overtakes him when he's talking about music he loves). You rarely hear a negative comment when it comes to fellow performers.

He also came up with my favourite quote about folk music (and I think you can apply it across music) - "The only thing you can do to ruin a folk song is not play it.'

[mjazzg]

I especially enjoyed Martin Carthy's exuberant contributions. I've heard him talk about music live, on radio and TV and he always just overflows with warmth and enthusiasm (I just love the radiant beam that overtakes him when he's talking about music he loves). You rarely hear a negative comment when it comes to fellow performers.

He also came up with my favourite quote about folk music (and I think you can apply it across music) - "The only thing you can do to ruin a folk song is not play it.'

and to stay so positive at the mercy of the British rail system for all these years.....

The comment I liked in the film and I really can't remember who said it was "I don't like the idea of someone owning a song...". As someone who knows so little about Folk music this comment seemed to get to the essence