Folk Buddies

Forget the Radio 2 folk awards; never mind the Hugo; here arethe 2016 Montpelier Station Awards for the nicest folk moments oflast year, voted by a panel of blogger and podcaster living atAndrew's house

Bristol's most enthusiastic folk talk show is back with Andrew talking to himself about Luke Jackson, Martyn Joseph, Chris Wood, Gaz Brookfield and Blackbeard's Tea Party

The Folk Buddies are emotionally drained because "Walk the Line" is such a moving film and also whisky. So they carry on talking about Johnny Cash's songs. Andrew like the one about great military defeats; Clarrie likes the one about sweet shops; but oddly enough they both like the one about hangovers.

The Folk Buddies leave their guns at home as they walk the line into a burning ring of fire and watch two movies about the life of Johnny Cash -- "Walk the Line" (the serious one) and "Walk Hard" (the funny one.) No one does the joke about Bob Hope and Steve Jobs. A Johnny Cash Playlist

There's an intermission during the Folkbuddies Folk Film Festival during which ice cream and popcorn can be purchased. Andrew reviews some gigs, and reveals his folkiest moment of the year so far.

The Folkbuddies decide to spend a few weeks reviewing their collection of folk-theme movies. This week they are watch History of Future Folk, Morris: A Life With Bells on, and A Mighty Wind. Red wine becomes involved.

Dogs; cats; bulls; blacksmiths; bantam cocks; ladys' bottoms and Jesus. All bickering is suspended as Andrew and Clarrie talk about Jake Thackray: the best, the very best of all English poet singers. Listen to some of his songs right here.

In which the Folkbuddies listen to music, watch morris dancing, eat food, and nearly get punched by a famous film director.

Yes...it's the highlight of the folkbuddies year...The annual awards for the the best folk music of 2014, chosen by a committee of bloggers and podcasters living near Montpelier Station.

It is still 2015. Andrew and Clarrie are still listening to last year's stack of CDs. They unexpectedly agree about Maz O'Connor, and predictably agree about Martin and Eliza Carthy, Bellowhead, and O'Hooley and Tidow. They say they aren't going to have the same argument about Luke Jackson they did last time, and then do. Andrew says "Hang on..." too often. GUARANTEED PENGUIN FREE.

Andrew is all by himself. He talks about Circus of Boom, Hobo Jones, Chris Wood, and other great gigs that he has been to. By himself. INTRODUCING: Penguin Buddy. WARNING: May contain poetry

Andrew has been to hear Ushti Baba, Calico Jack, a big celebration of Bob Copper at Cecil Sharp House, and some youngster name Luke Jackson. Clarrie isn't around, so he get's to pontificate without interruptions.

It is the year 2015 AD. Two Folk Buddies take off their space helmets, jump out of their jet cars, switch off their personal communication devices, and look back on some of the music they were listening to in 2014.

Mulled wine; mulled cider; kittens; mince pies in the shape of Christmas trees; terrible, terrible Christmas records: these are a few of the Folkbuddies favourite things. Caution: May contain singing Playlist (naughty) Playlist (nice)

The Folk Buddies have been to some gigs. They talk about them. PLUS: Andrew's nephew explains Mumford and Sons. Play List.

The Folk Buddies continue their autumnal ruminations about folk, fairy tales and feminism. They turn their attention to contemporary faerie-influenced bands like Heg and the Wolf Chorus and the Emily Portman Trio. This leads to an unprecedented outbreak of unanimity. As ever, a play list.

It is quite literally Halloween, so the folk buddies decide to have an in depth scholarly discussion about Tam Lin. They end up bickerig about who they love more, Sandy Denny or Maddy Prior. There's a playlist and everything.

In an orgy of topicality the folkbuddies turn their musical eye north of Hadrian's wall, to Scotland! Home of Dick Gaughan, Karine Polwart and even some artists whose names we can pronounce. Listeners are warned that Andrew eats Haribo throughout.

As autumn settles upon the UK like a wet rag, let this twenty six minute bucket of podcast offcuts be the kindling that lights the fire of laughter in your hearts or something I don't know.