Best price CD's from the winners of BBC2 Folk Awards
Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band opened the BBC 2 Folk awards ceremony on Wednesday 4th April with the great song 'charming little woman. The folk award show was broadcast on Radio 2 live from the Belfast Waterfront with all the big names from the folk music industry present to enjoy the event.
The horizon award was presented by Jamie Lawson. This award highlights up and coming talent and the winner was Imar.
Traditional Track Awards celebrates folk songs recorded in the last year and was presented by Val MacDiarmid who used her humour to introduce the winner Siobhan Miller 'Strata' who agrees with Val that the best upbringing is to drive around Fife learning about murder ballads. Siobhan has a new album out this year.
Then followed a riveting performance by one of the nomination for best group, Lankum the four-piece traditional folk band who take their name from a child murdering villain and was born out of two brothers Ian and Daragh Lynch who described themselves as psychedelic folk punk.
Best Dual was presented by singer songwriter Rab Noakes and the winners are Catrino Mckay and Chris stout, a Scottish harpist and Shetland Island fiddler respectively, who were away performing in Edinburgh.
Musician of the year was presented by saxophonist Leo Green who played with many artists including Van Morrison. Mosan Amini
Cara Dillon performed 'The Leaving Song' with her pitch perfect quavering vocals that raise the hairs on the back of your neck. Cara performed a song about the times when families who migrated to distant lands and so were unlikely to be seen again and so a sort of wake to see them off was part of the tradition. She also took the opportunity to remind the audience of the 20 year anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and sang a tribute song by Tommy Sands 'There were Roses…and the tears of the people ran together.'
Best Original Track was presented by Ralph McTell singer songwriter (Streets of London) from Cornwall. The winning song was The Granite Gaze by Lankum who thanked the Lord Jesus Christ and a host of others including ma's da's sisters bothers and some cousins who had helped them along the way.
The lifetime achievement award was presented to Sir Van Morrison and the audience erupted in rapturous applause. Donal Lunny playing Moving Hearts the stiring Celtic instrumental.
Best Group was Lankun and the award was presented by Singer musician and Actor of the family band the Fureys – the wonderful Finbar Furey.
Nick Drake was inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame having only achieved success with his music after his early death in 1974. Many of his songs are soundtracks to TV shows. A film ' Lost Boy' will be shown in about a fortnight.
Best Young Musician was presented by Lynette Fay and the winner is the sixth former Mera Royle.
Best Album was presented by Maddy Prior to The Young Un's for their new album Strangers.
The Good Tradition Award – 'There were Roses' writer Tommy Sands presented this award to honour contribution to keeping the folk tradition alive – The Armagh Pipers Club who spoke to the audience in Gaelic. The final award to the folk singer of the year went to the beautiful and inspirational vocalist and songwriter, Corrine Powers and was presented by Karen Casey
HORIZON AWARD
Ímar
BEST TRADITIONAL TRACK
Banks of Newfoundland by Siobhan Miller
BEST DUO Chris Stout & Catriona McKay
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Mohsen Amini
BEST ORIGINAL TRACK T
The Granite Gaze by Lankum
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dónal Lunny
BEST GROUP
Lankum
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Nick Drake
YOUNG FOLK AWARD
Mera Royle
BEST ALBUM
Strangers by The Young'uns
GOOD TRADITION AWARD
Armagh Pipers Club
FOLK SINGER OF THE YEAR
Karine Polwart