Topic: Grey TV

[GillE]

It's nice to see TV broadcasting shows which reflect how many older people are still active and cognitive, not drooling imbeciles who should be locked in a retirement home.  Tonight, there are two examples, The Invisibles on BBC 1 and The Artful Codgers on Channel 4.  Sadly, the programmes are being broadcast simultaneously at 9pm so viewers with only one viewing (or recording) facility might have to resort to Channel 4+1.

I shall record both to watch later - I've got tickets for Steeleye Span tonight.  I guess that ranks me firmly in the middle of the 'Old Codger' brigade .

[Clive]

Oh I saw them around 8 years ago as supporting act to Status Quo.  They were very good!

[Simon]

Did they make more than one record, then? 

[GillE]

Oh I saw them around 8 years ago as supporting act to Status Quo.  They were very good!

So did I - at the NEC.  You weren't there too, by any chance?

Rik - they've had two hit records; All Around My Hat and Gaudette, the latin song that's played on the radio every Christmas and makes people wonder who sings it.  The thing is, it's the albums and live performances that have made them successful, not the singles.

[Simon]

I'm Simon, he's Rik! 

[Rik]

And you're forgetting Padstow, Sam.

[Simon]

I also couldn't help but note Clive's appearance at the mention of 'drooling imbeciles'. 

[Sandra]

Is Maddy Prior still the lead singer Gill ?

Her parents were good friends of an aunt of mine and I used to meet up with Maddy quite often in the late 1970s if she was in Blackpool at the same time I was and occassionally had drinks with the rest of Steelye Span in their hotel. They seemed to be nice people but I wasnt into most of their music although some of it I liked.

[GillE]

Yup, Maddy Prior's still their lead singer.  Her voice has lasted quite well down the years and some of the albums the band have made lately have been well worth listening to - more rock than folk.  Mind, you still get a phenomenal number of deaths in most of their songs.

Rik, Simon; apologies for the mix-up.  It's an age thing .

[Rik]

Yup, Maddy Prior's still their lead singer.  Her voice has lasted quite well down the years and some of the albums the band have made lately have been well worth listening to - more rock than folk.  Mind, you still get a phenomenal number of deaths in most of their songs.

She's also done some interesting work with the Carnival Band, traditional treatments of hymns and carols.

Rik, Simon; apologies for the mix-up.  It's an age thing .

But Simon is younger than me.

[Simon]

Much! 

[Rik]

Only an acne's width away.

[Clive]

So did I - at the NEC.  You weren't there too, by any chance?

Cardiff International Arena Gill.  Obviously the same tour though.  I would be interested if you remember the exact year as "8 years ago" is just a wild guess on my behalf.   

[GillE]

She's also done some interesting work with the Carnival Band, traditional treatments of hymns and carols.

She seems to tour every other winter with the Carnival Band.  I reckon they're an even better act than Steeleye.  Most of the band are very accomplished musicians in their own right and I believe their leader, Andy Watts, is actually a professor of music.  I fell in love with the act after I heard their Cajun version of Angels From The Realms Of Glory; I've got the DVD and most of the CDs .

Clive, the Quo version of All Around My Hat charted in 1996, so I suppose that was when they toured.

[Clive]

I also couldn't help but note Clive's appearance at the mention of 'drooling imbeciles'. 

I can drool as good as anybody!   

Clive, the Quo version of All Around My Hat charted in 1996, so I suppose that was when they toured.