Entertainment For Lively Minds
Hootenanny!!!!
Posted by bungalowjoe on 1 January 2012 - 10:53am.
Just watching the Jools Hootenanny from last night. The show is getting a bit dated now and needs sparkling up a bit with a new host, new format and new guests. No atmosphere, mind you I think it is recorded in early December so that does not help
A very happy, healthy and prosperous 2012 to all of the Massive
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Hot Pants.
On Sandie Shaw. Had to remove my specs to save my tenuous grip on sanity.
That's OK
I had to hide behind the sofa for Cyndi Lauper.
More than a hint of the drunken Aunt at a wedding about her performances.
Sandie Shaw
was the least of my problems. As the GLW remarked she has an amazing pair of pins for her age.
Cyndi Lauper, however, yes, embarrassing aunt/neighbourhood tramp, and Betty Wright, although tolerable at first rapidly became Betty Wrong and even my alcoholic haze couldn't hide the extra pair of boobs she appeared to be growing.
Imelda May and Jessie J both got the GLW's approval.
Jools' habit of putting his boogie-woogie stamp on just about everything lost its novelty factor long ago, but is it time to hand over the young 'uns? I'd give him a few years yet as it's still better than the staple fare we had to endure before Hootenanny appeared on our screens.
As for that "novelty" 30's band
Expect either a session for the Podcast or a spot on a Word In Your Ear Gig sometime soon.
Did not watch it
but if you are referring to Caro Emerald, me & Gavin can testify to them being fab and groovy, having spent a free evening in their company last month. Word-friendly AND introduced by Kid Jensen of Sanatogen FM.
Poor
I thought most of the show was terrible, apart from Imelda May and a couple of others. Turned it off after midnight.
As long as they can sing
I love the Hootennany, and I thought the real-time dissing of it a few years ago was a long way from being the Massive's finest hour
As far as I'm concerned it's only about one thing; can the guests hold their own with the big band or not. Over the years there have been some abject failures in this regard; the Appleton sisters spring to mind
However last nights lineup - Betty Wright, Cyndi Lauper c/w Charlie Musselwhite, Jessie J, Caro Emerald, Buddy Greco, Sandie Shaw, the seriously impressive Gregory Porter and the awesome Ruby Turner - all delivered
I was very impressed with Cyndi as it happens, especially her reworking of Time after time as a dulcimer / string quartet, penny whistle piece
Plus Jools is a living embodiment of my theory that there is no tune that can't be improved by playing it as a ska version
The only thing that makes me shout at the TV is his insistence on having Jonathan Cainer on. How does that man get away with it?
While I'm on; a Happy New Year to all users of this website
I agree
I actually thought it was the best show for years. Imelda May was fantastic. Ruby Turner immense. Highlight was Gregory Porter doing "Work Song" which was captivating.. Hand it over to the youngsters? The youngsters were represented by the Vaccines with their third rate Ramones tribute act. Leave it to the experts. One final thing, any show that finds time on the BBC on such a widely viewed slot to venerate Rico Rodriguez has to be worth the licence fee alone. Rico deserves to feel the love while he is here and still plugging away on the trombone. A true legend in days when the words legend and icon are thrown out ten a penny.
Lighten up chaps
Jeez- there's some mean-spirited comments on here on this fresh start of the year.
Must say that I agree with most of Vince's post above. As someone who was too ill to watch it "live" - some weird bug that led to my first sober Hogmanay since 1969- I got round to catching it on iPlayer this afternoon.
Granted my perception is skewed by feverish symptoms, but I thought it was great. Remember this was the Hootenanny, not Later with... so it was party time, not a balanced choice of acts, and nearly every act seemed to be having a great time. Singing along, ska arrangements, old-timers having a ball, dancing (though preferably not Carol Vordeman) is part of the well-established set-up.
Ruby Turner (who normally leaves me lukewarm) and Gregory Porter were fantastic- even had tears rolling down my face at one point (I know: possibly refer to earlier fever point).
Charlie Musselwhite and Rico have such emotion in their playing. Jools on guitar was interesting to watch. Cyndi, Betty, Sandy and the Vaccines had mixed musical quality at times, but how does that explain the big grin that I had while I watched them? (Yeah I know- the fever.) Jo Brand's comments on Clarkson were the best I've heard from her since the 80's.
As someone who has been reading the Blue Nile book "Nileism" recently- fascinating, as I love them, but not the most joyful experience- Hootenanny was a great emotional pick-me-up.
People criticising Jools, the orchestra or the guests must have poor memory retention- you should know the format, you should know the general vibe. If you have sussed it out by now and don't like it, there is an alternative.
Someone has just told me that it's not even transmitted live! *insert whatever appropriate smiley you wish*
Happy New Year to you all- even the grouchy ones. You're a tolerant interesting bunch who make my life better. There are some forums/blogs that would rip the above viewpoint to pieces with venom. At least I know that anyone here who disagrees will be civil. (Cue words from the banned swearwords thread- and you can all f*** *ff!)
Did I mention that I was fevered?
The highlight
was Jools falling over at the beginning. A sign? Maybe.
The rest was like a 12" mix of the same record as his sodding rhythm and blues orchestra dilluted every performance to mediocrity.
The format is fine, it just needs a damned good shake up in the booking department and a new host. I nominate Lauren Laverne.
I wonder why they didn't edit his fall out?
Perhaps it adds to the live feel.
Appalling
Great songs ruined by desperate attempts to show off (yes Ms Lauper I'm looking at you) and the sound was awful. Imelda May's usually sharp and rockin band were made to sound like the weediest mobile phone speaker. Was this punishment for not using Jool's mob?
If all this has become is a glorified karaoke with Jools and his showbiz pals then that's fine buts its not Later with its mix of different music in any shape or form
Take the format round the back of the barn and shoot its brains out - its a knackered old beast.
Haven't watched it yet....
...and I'm not sure I will bother now! I have opined for some years that it depends very much on the guests and what they are asked to do - there was an awful year when Amy Winehouse failed totally to gel with Paul Weller, spending the whole time pulling her skirt down. 2007 saw Paul McCartney and Kylie and Madness and Kaiser Chiefs and was superb!
An aside - I saw Jools and the RBO + Sandie Shaw + Ruby Turner in the summer at an outdoor gig, and they were absolutely fantastic - much better live than on TV. I urge you to see them.
Much as I watch the show
Much as I watch the show each year as part of the NY build-up, it is predictable and needs a refresh. Unlike Later where it is often a showcase for new groups and albums, Hootenany just contains Jool's band, his touring acts and any favourites he can get his hands on. Perhaps the normal Later target audience are out partying and so the big names cant be bothered to show up.
Last night, Imelda was not as good as when live, Jessie J showed she has a great voice, Sandie Shaw has great legs for someone of her vintage and Cyndi Lauper - oh dear
Karaoke of the Insipid
*po-faced irony alert
Having just watched it again I can concur absolutely that Gregory Parter and Ruby Turner's performances are the embodiment of insipid karaoke*
I'm happy with the host and format
It's just that it doesn't always deliver on guests, but that's obviously personal taste.
What with "timeshifting tv" these days, I always just record Later.. and watch it, well, later, fastforwarding over the stuff I'm not keen on. Wasn't impressed with last night's line-up and will be watching it tonight. I reckon I'll get through it in about half the time!
I tuned out
frequently but did Roland Riveron or Vic Reeves make an appearance, very pissed and talking utter guff?
I was surprised
at the lack of celebrity guests. It did occur to me that Rowland Rivron hadn't made an appearance, being Jools' brother *joke* and Carol Vorderman et al didn't exactly set the place alight. Had the usual suspects made their excuses or were they otherwise engaged?
The whole thing seemed a bit of a damp squib but I only managed to stick it out till 1.00 a.m. so apologies if it picked up towards the end.
Not a classic
...but not bad either. I agree with all the comments about the R&B Orchestra wearing a bit thin, but Imelda May was great and Cyndi was good in a bonkers way once she stopped singing the blues. I am so fond of her I can cut her some slack. The rest were varying degrees of OK. We had pals round and it was on in the background so we zoned in and out according to the act, and it made a pleasant enough companion.
I enjoyed it a lot
I suspect that if you want rock then its not for you. Only The Vaccines fitted that bill. Generally I find post 1980s rock dull and when I watch Later the bands I like most are those whose 60s and 70s influenes I can spot. The Vaccines however sounded 70s and I was very pleasantly surprised having never heard of them. Carol Vorderman -she's had some work done, unnecessarily - really getting into them was great fun.
So yeah a very enjoyable show and if they repeat the formula next year I willl be happy.
I enjoyed it a lot
I suspect that if you want rock then its not for you. Only The Vaccines fitted that bill. Generally I find post 1980s rock dull and when I watch Later the bands I like most are those whose 60s and 70s influenes I can spot. The Vaccines however sounded 70s and I was very pleasantly surprised having never heard of them. Carol Vorderman -she's had some work done, unnecessarily - really getting into them was great fun.
So yeah a very enjoyable show and if they repeat the formula next year I willl be happy.
Watched it a day late
Really enjoyed it accompanied by a glass or two. Great to see a couple of local girls stealing the show. Good old Dagenham girls eh?
Sandy Shaw went to the same school as I did and I'm told Jessie J is a Romford girl too.
Not fussed one way or the other about the show
But no, no new presenter(s) please. Then it really would be shit. Jools is such good value for money. Did he really ask Warwick Davis what were his 'highs and lows of 2011' were? The acts were good. Imelda May was amazing, easily the best thing on it. Sylvester McCoy appeared to be very drunk. I do, however, find that dancing celebrities are very unsettling. Yes I know they need to enjoy themselves too and let some steam off. I just don't want to see it happening.