peeriebryan Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 A reminder to everybody that the life story of Shetland country singer Thomas Fraser is on TV at 10pm on BBC2 tomorrow (Friday 19th December) It's an excellent documentary, really well put together with recordings of Thomas, archive footage, photographs, interviews with his friends and family interspersed with portrayals of Thomas' life featuring local actors The story is handled very sensitively by the producers with a healthy dose of humour. Thoroughly recommended! There's more info on the Shetland Music website with links to stories from the national media - Thomas Fraser film premiere The producers plan to release a DVD of the film next year featuring footage of performers at this years Thomas Fraser Festival Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Farkoff Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 With a certain Mr. Gordon Gibson shining in the lead role, I believe. Also featuring a vital appearance by Shetlands' own Mr. Peter gear. Marvellous!With a large helping hand from Karen and Dave at Burnt Candle Productions, they made a great piece. Something to be proud of, Shetland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeriebryan Posted December 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 ^ Completely agree Baron. As the producers acknowledge, it was the help and support of the community that made the film possible It bodes well for the future of film making in Shetland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EM Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 From their review:In 1953, Thomas’s life changed when electricity arrived in Shetland...Shouldn't this be "arrived in Burra"? I thought Lerwick, at least, had electricity from the 30's and that the 50's Holmsgarth station was just an expansion from the previous town centre one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 From their review:In 1953, Thomas’s life changed when electricity arrived in Shetland...Shouldn't this be "arrived in Burra"? I thought Lerwick, at least, had electricity from the 30's and that the 50's Holmsgarth station was just an expansion from the previous town centre one. Electricity supply was switched on in West Burra on 2nd May 1952. Lerwick had a DC supply from September 1932, from the Lerwick Town Council station in Market Street. Sometime about 1947 Hydro Electric took over and changed to AC supply. Holmsgarth Power Station came on line about 1953. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EM Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Interesting. So the initial Burra supply slightly pre-dated Holmsgarth. Any idea where else outwith Lerwick the Market Street generator supplied? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Interesting. So the initial Burra supply slightly pre-dated Holmsgarth. Any idea where else outwith Lerwick the Market Street generator supplied? As I understand it, the Hydro changed to an AC supply before they started transmission outwith Lerwick, and before the Holmsgarth station was built. I'd love to dig up information on this, so if any Shetlinkers have any little snippets of information please PM me.Then we can let this thread get back to the excellent subject it was intended for. And, while on that subject, can't wait to see the documentary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fjool Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 Just saw this on BBC 2 tonight. Brilliant. Really enjoyed that. Amazing fellow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlady Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 I'll second that ... Brill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Farkoff Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 I'm sorry to have to say this, the Tommy Fraser show was a dispointment.I was waiting for the moment when he decided that the sea was his prairie, and the lightning bolt zapped his heed and he decided to write his own tunes, rather than re-record some songs written by someone else.To me, it just reeks of Shetland self-importance at the fact that he had the family support to be able to buy a tape recorder and interpret some Hank Williams tunes. He didn't play live after he got a tape recorder because he knew he didn't have anything new to offer the listening public.I was expecting to hear at least one song written by the man himself, speaking of his life and where he came from, but of course, as he didn't write anything, that wasn't going to happen. I felt set up to recieve new and interesting information about the evolution of contry music, and recieved only the the facts that once Burra obtained electricity, a man bought a tape machine and recorded some songs by other people. I am not Impressed, especially considering the vast array of songwriting talent contained within these Isles not being given real support at a moment when the international media eye is looking at Shetland for what it can do in the future. If that is the best the past can offer,what hope for the future? I really hope I have not offended anyone directly with this post, because I want the very best for Shetlands' music. This is not it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fjool Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 There are writers, there are performers. Then there are performers who don't perform except for a tape recorder. I think that's an interesting story right there, all by itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 Maybe the guy didnt write his own tunes - but to me he seemed a real talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Farkoff Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 I agree in that it is a way for people to learn history, but Mr. Fraser din't add anything to the cannon of work of the the time, it's only interesting now because we can coroborate the evidence with the benefit of hindsight, and of course it's interesting to Shetlanders, but I ask "Where is his song?"He doesn't have one. They all belong to someone else.Perhaps he should have been a drummer, spending his time playing other peoples' songs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fjool Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 And the actors, who receive accolade for their performance of another's work, what of they? (Also merged threads) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron Farkoff Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 A bit annoyed now coz ive just spent ages writing a reply, only to find that there is no such thread. So my post is gone. How can I get it back?Please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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