Queen's Birthday Honours

[gurnemanz]

I'm never sure about whether the likes of Adele merit these honours - selling loads of CDs - making loads of dosh out of something she enjoys doing!

This comment irks me and strikes me as a rather mean-spirited. I do not know too much about Adele and have only one recording in my collection - her version of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" on the recent Amnesty International 50th anniversary compilation. She has a strong voice and I like it the recording very much.

What does "the likes of Adele" mean? Presumably it is meant to demean so-called "popular" vocalists en bloc as in some way unworthy of serious consideration. Would one refer to the "the likes of Ella Fitzgerald" or the "the likes of Joni Mitchell"? She certainly is not run-of-the-mill. Her record sales have been phenomenal with one album selling 26 million worldwide. Whenever I have heard her speak she has struck me as refreshingly genuine and natural and not obviously motivated by or affected by fame and wealth.

Is there something wrong with being a professional singer and "making dosh out of what what she enjoys doing"? Would this not apply equally to, say, Anna Netrebko, who is, I believe, quite well paid and seems to enjoy what she is doing.

[amateur51]

This comment irks me and strikes me as a rather mean-spirited. I do not know too much about Adele and have only one recording in my collection - her version of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" on the recent Amnesty International 50th anniversary compilation. She has a strong voice and I like it the recording very much.

What does "the likes of Adele" mean? Presumably it is meant to demean so-called "popular" vocalists en bloc as in some way unworthy of serious consideration. Would one refer to the "the likes of Ella Fitzgerald" or the "the likes of Joni Mitchell"? She certainly is not run-of-the-mill. Her record sales have been phenomenal with one album selling 26 million worldwide. Whenever I have heard her speak she has struck me as refreshingly genuine and natural and not obviously motivated by or affected by fame and wealth.

Is there something wrong with being a professional singer and "making dosh out of what what she enjoys doing"? Would this not apply equally to, say, Anna Netrebko, who is, I believe, quite well paid and seems to enjoy what she is doing.

Even I have heard of her - she was featured singing the title song in the Bond film Skyfall.

A powerful singer with a distinctive voice. She's very fond of her mum.

[amateur51]

And an OBE for the Wigmore's John Gilhooly.

Good news, he's turned the fortunes of Wigmore Hall around with some good trustees, some determined fundraising and above all through the sheer excellence of the programming of music & artists. It's a world-class concert hall for chamber music, instrumentalists, singers, small ensembles. Whenever I take Americans there, they are thrilled by it

[french frank]

This comment irks me and strikes me as a rather mean-spirited. I do not know too much about Adele and have only one recording in my collection - her version of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" on the recent Amnesty International 50th anniversary compilation. She has a strong voice and I like it the recording very much.

We must be satisfied with the distinction made between Adele and PJ Harvey, on the one hand (MBE) and Alan Opie (OBE) on the other - even though the BBC recognises that the first two are 'Big Names' whereas Alan Opie is only a "little name' (presumably, as he doesn't figure in the BBC's list. However, given that there appear to be no classical musicians in that list (except Aled Jones...) perhaps whoever riffled through the list of those honoured just hadn't heard of them. Not a surprise, of course.)

Not that the ' "popular" vocalists en bloc' need grumble about being disparaged (if they are, by whoever): most people would be on their side, so they'll do all right.

Add: John Gilhooly - same point.

[VodkaDilc]

The "musicians" reported in the Guardian are Adele and P J Harvey but they don't print the full list......

....which is disgraceful, in my opinion.

The Guardian makes its readers feel like lesser mortals these days. The phrase, "more details can be found online" is guaranteed to get my blood boiling.

On the other hand, I'm not sure if my eyes could now cope with the minute print they used to use for the lesser honours.

(It's all a load of nonsense anyway. What's a good socialist like Robinson doing accepting such baubles?)

[Mary Chambers]

A CBE for Jonathan Reekie of Aldeburgh Music.

[amateur51]

On the other hand, I'm not sure if my eyes could now cope with the minute print they used to use for the lesser honours.

(It's all a load of nonsense anyway. What's a good socialist like Robinson doing accepting such baubles?)

In days long ago I used to write to recipients that I knew, just in case that I'd bump into them later & forget

No such requirement now which is great as ,like yours VodkaDilc, my eyes won't take the strain these days. At least on-line you can bump up the font size

Isn't the Robinson gong a case of lose-lose? - the donor scheme and the recipient being tarnished by the transaction?

cunning plan indeed

[Serial_Apologist]

When you live in this district, you gotta support Adele getting it - South Norwood address and that, it's like backing Crystal Palace innit!

[cloughie]

This comment irks me and strikes me as a rather mean-spirited. I do not know too much about Adele and have only one recording in my collection - her version of Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love" on the recent Amnesty International 50th anniversary compilation. She has a strong voice and I like it the recording very much.

What does "the likes of Adele" mean? Presumably it is meant to demean so-called "popular" vocalists en bloc as in some way unworthy of serious consideration. Would one refer to the "the likes of Ella Fitzgerald" or the "the likes of Joni Mitchell"? She certainly is not run-of-the-mill. Her record sales have been phenomenal with one album selling 26 million worldwide. Whenever I have heard her speak she has struck me as refreshingly genuine and natural and not obviously motivated by or affected by fame and wealth.

Is there something wrong with being a professional singer and "making dosh out of what what she enjoys doing"? Would this not apply equally to, say, Anna Netrebko, who is, I believe, quite well paid and seems to enjoy what she is doing.

Yes it would apply to Anna Netrebko. I've actually got little time for the honours system in general and so-called celebrities. I do not dispute Adele's abilities and achievements but do not see her award particularly appropriate.

[Mr Pee]

Isn't the Robinson gong a case of lose-lose? - the donor scheme and the recipient being tarnished by the transaction?

No and No.

[cloughie]

When you live in this district, you gotta support Adele getting it - South Norwood address and that, it's like backing Crystal Palace innit!

I'll settle for Joe Cocker and the Owls!

[vinteuil]

... well, Tony Robinson was the person I most loathed on the telewele. I shall loathe "Sir" Tony Robinson all the more...

[BBMmk2]

There are so many notable musicians that should be honoured really, I just cant understand why they are not?

[french frank]

... well, Tony Robinson was the person I most loathed on the telewele. I shall loathe "Sir" Tony Robinson all the more...

Oi! Oi! He would be top of my '6 degrees of separation' list. We were once both candidates in the same election. I beat him (though I didn't win either )

[BBMmk2]

Oi! Oi! He would be top of my '6 degrees of separation' list. We were once both candidates in the same election. I beat him (though I didn't win either )

Well done Frenchie!! Thumbs up there!!