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Post by andyhowell on Oct 23, 2017 8:47:36 GMT
I was never sure about Mike Harding’s show on Radio 2. But after the Beeb cancelled his show he kept it going as a Podcast. This was a far better show than the BBC version as Mike could venture into subjects the BBC would have been wary of.
Last night’s show was his last I shall miss it. Recent programmes have featured the great Bright Phoebus (rereleased) and a special with Martin Simpson.
Apparently the server rental is paid up for the next 18 months or so. There are over 200 podcasts to download, featuring wonderful acoustic music.
Well done Mike.
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Post by earthbalm on Oct 23, 2017 10:19:56 GMT
I read this on Twitter yesterday. A great shame - I've subscribed to and downloaded all of the broadcasts via iTunes.
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Post by jangarrack on Oct 23, 2017 11:31:18 GMT
I was fortunate enough to get see Mike Harding perform many years ago and he was amazing, his stories were incredibly funny yet somehow still believable. In between all the stories he played and sung some great songs including 'The Accrington Pals' which was very moving. Some info on that here. I also loved his television series, however long ago that was.
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Post by vikingblues on Oct 24, 2017 7:42:48 GMT
A great shame that the podcasts are ending - but what a wealth of material he has left freely available just now for any who want it. I believe he has financially broken even on the project - another mark of the man that he was happy with that result. A real enthusiast on Folk, and a major part of the revival of the folk scene in the 1960s with his own club and many folk artists getting bed and board in his house. Christy Moore has mentioned that his first card had Mike Hardings home as the contact address. It was no surprise that the BBC, run by ex-bankers and with an ethos to match, dispensed with his show. He'd only gone from 70,000 to 860,000 listeners after all. Axed by phone too - very unprofessional. Mark
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Post by leoroberts on Oct 24, 2017 10:18:33 GMT
I paid the princely sum of £2 per month - which was £2 more than asked for but about £10 less than the podcast was worth. It is great stuff - and introduced me to loads of artists.
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Post by Andy P on Oct 24, 2017 11:33:28 GMT
It was no surprise that the BBC, run by ex-bankers and with an ethos to match, dispensed with his show. He'd only gone from 70,000 to 860,000 listeners after all. Axed by phone too - very unprofessional. Mark And replaced by Mark Radcliffe, a rather phoney non-folkie poseur imho, whose main ambition appears to be to transmogrify into John Peel (it's a non-starter). All part of a wider process which has been aptly described as the Mumfordisation of folk music. I have great memories of Mike from Crewe Folk Club, where he was a regular and very popular visitor in the late 1960s/70s. A highly versatile guy and a fantastic ambassador for the folk scene for 50 years. Blimey, this is starting to read like an obituary. Uncle Joe's mintballs Keep you all aglow Give 'em to your Granny And watch the bugger go. Away with coughs and sneezes Keep a few in hand Suck 'em and see and you'll agree They're the best in all the land. (M.Harding)
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Post by Riverman on Oct 24, 2017 12:03:52 GMT
I have nothing against Mark Radcliffe (apart from his constant "erm, err"-ing) and I'm sure he doesn't choose the music for the show, but it's infinitely drearier, and much less eclectic than in Mike's day. Too much session style diddlee-dee for my taste - nothing against a bit of that but it seems to dominate the programme now.
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Post by andyhowell on Oct 24, 2017 16:37:44 GMT
I rather like the more radical edge of the podcast over the radio.
As for MR I just find him insubstantial I all kinds of ways.
I remember when Mike was away for a while years ago and his BBC slot was filled by Ralph Mctell - guest presenters who really know their stuff is a good idea!
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Post by curmudgeon on Nov 10, 2017 17:58:05 GMT
Totally unrelated, but at the Cambridge Folk festival Guinness tent one year (can't remember which ....can't remember anything much) a couple came up to me and said - "you're Mike Harding aren't you?" I turned from my freshly poured Guinness, and saw the guy next to me smiling - so I said "no,I'm not ...but he is!"
MH was standing there and grinning.
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Post by 007 on Nov 10, 2017 21:00:07 GMT
Seems very appropriate that I came across this today being Remembrance Weekend for those that have never seen or heard it, a very moving sing by MH
The old Lie Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 11, 2017 9:53:02 GMT
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Post by vikingblues on Jan 7, 2018 22:42:18 GMT
Having downloaded all of Mike Hardings Podcasts, looked at the playlists and now started to work my way through listening to them, I'd like to thank Andy sincerely for the heads up. The range of types of music is huge, but of such a high overall quality. It's great to have a guide in charge of the process that has such a great background knowledge and a real interest in the music. The high number of less well known artists is most refreshing and very welcome - I suspect Mike was more able to do this when released from the BBC shackles. I was also very pleased today to find in Podcast 37 at 30:15 minutes Mike Harding introducing a particular song as a "stunning song" and as "chilling, brilliantly written and sung beautifully". The song in question being "The Bell" by Martin Simpson, which in a baffling move, was put on the second CD of "Vagrant Stanzas" - a CD only included in the deluxe version of the album. One of the Best Songs of not only the year the CD was released, but also of all songs I have ever heard. I strongly recommend anyone who hasn't heard it to give it a listen. Mark
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Post by andyhowell on Jan 8, 2018 8:32:39 GMT
The Bell was recorded for the revived Radio Ballads. I agree though, it is such a brilliant song I can’t really understand why it was only on a Bono’s disc. One of his best songs!
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