Thomas Fraser film - Shetland Lone Star

[TeeAyBee]

[ There was a couple of things I didn't like - some of the reconstruction sequences had slightly shaky camera moves at the beginning of the shot. That's a very minor point, but it looks a bit messy. I wasn't keen on the yodeling out to sea and the tape player with notes drifting out across the waves. Looked a but twee IMO and not a choice I would have made. A cutaway shot of the reels turning on the tape deck would have sufficed.

 

However, the content of the programme was very good and very enjoyable.

 

I quite agree, the content was great and the fact that a small company made a BBC level programme using HDV as a format bodes very well for us up here. The graphics were cheesy and a little "Fast Show - Jazz Club" - Nice.

 

The shaky work was I though deliberate to simulate rickety 16mm stuff from way back when but perhaps I was reading too much into the shot. Maybe they should have used my grip gear rather than just my PAG?

[Fatal Paper Cut]

The shaky work was I though deliberate to simulate rickety 16mm stuff from way back when but perhaps I was reading too much into the shot. Maybe they should have used my grip gear rather than just my PAG?

 

Well, the specific shot I meant was when the young Thomas Fraser descended from the loft, and headed out the door. There was a distinct camera bump in that shot.

 

And I have no idea what the hell that shot of the boat going round and round in a tight circle was meant to be. Maybe if it'd have been cross-faded with a shot of an LP spinning on a turntable, then ok. It might have worked. Stuck on it's own, it looked a bit stupid. But like I said, minor points.

 

Totally agree that a programme shot here on HDV is a good thing, and can only help raise Shetland's profile in regard to tv production particularly since BBC Scotland is still almost completely biased toward a central belt mentality. Of course, you don't actually have to ship up a crew from south to make a good film here

[roadslave]

I agree some of the musical notes coming out of the gramphone and the "yodeleee" looked a bit 'cheap', totally unnecessary as well. Strange choices especially since the rest of the animation was really good i thought.

 

The boat turning round i think was meant to signify the fact that when TF had his 2nd boat accident, he was knocked unconcious and the boat went round out of control. It was this suspicious movement which alerted another boat at sea which then came to his aid. But, the film didnt explain this so it was a bit lost...

[peeriebryan]

There's going to be a musical dramatisation about Thomas Fraser touring Scotland this autumn - http://www.shetland-music.com/news%2c_reviews_and_previews/latest_news/thomas_fraser_immortalised_by_national_theatre_of_scotland/

[Duncan McLean]

I am writing the muscial show about Thomas Fraser's life that Peerie Bryan mentions. It's called Long Gone Lonesome and will be in Hamnavoe immediately before the Thomas Fraser Festival this November. Should be a good night out.

 

I reckon Road Slave is right: Thomas was a great interpreter of other people's songs. He shares that with many of the greatest blues and country singers (and trad fiddlers.) He edited and adapted the versions he learned from, to suit his voice, his guitar style - and his own personal interests/concerns/obsessions. Just listen to the first track on the first reissue CD: Thomas's version of Brakeman's Blues differs considerably from the Jimmie Rodgers original, and from the ten or so other versions I've heard. Because he was a creative artist, an interpretive one: he put his own stamp on everything he sang and played.

 

By the way...not too late for any good stories to be fitted into the show (including sitting on fiddles.) Send me a private message if you want.

[Mattie]

I look forward to seeing this show. The man was quite remarkable and I enjoy listening to his music. It is sad though that he received his fame posthumous!!

[peeriebryan]

"Shetland Lone Star" is on at 9pm tonight (Sat 24 October) on BBC2