Chance for me to spout.

Just as it is difficult to define "folk song", it is as hard to define "singer-songwriter" without being specific. For example I reckon Mike Waterson's (to keep it within the family for this thread) "Stitch in Time" is as good as it comes. Anyone want to deny the validity of "Shoals of Herring" or "Fiddler's Green?". Or loads of Vin Garbutt stuff?

If singer-songwriter is shorthand for "boring songs which I have written about my girlfriend/boyfriend who I have just left/fallen in love with.." then nothing clears a folk club quicker.

I have been in the lucky position of having aspiring perfrmers sending records to me in the hopes of getting bookings. By far the largest number were from people who I describe as wearing their angst on their sleeve. Heaven knows what they do to folk clubs.

As far as comedians are concerned I honestly reckon Norma is wrong on this one. Martin certainly did one or two liners, Mike has known to raise a laugh too. Once the jokes took over from the singing then they left the folk clubs and worked elsewhere (Carrot, Connolly or rarely did clubs Capstick, Harding).

If anything IMHO it is the LACK of a good laugh and chorus song that closes clubs. Went to see Les Barker last Friday who is purely a poet who does folk clubs and he filled a place. And some thread creep a bit - there was a lad called Joseph Topping who is a great singer I do hope we hear more of him.

Best regards,

folkiedave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk