The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #166050 Message #3989808
Posted By: r.padgett
29-Apr-19 - 04:24 AM
Thread Name: uk folk clubs high standard
Subject: RE: uk folk clubs high standard
Round in circles ~
Q It no longer guarantees that a prospective puter will hear a folk song if he or she turns up to a folk club - simple as that
A Punter is not a word I like in relation to folk gatherings
Q/A Folk clubs ~please define what you understand by Folk songs ~ the modern definition includes traditional but many written songs are regularly sung at folk gatherings folk gatherings are places of social entertainment also
A Pubs continue to be flattened and house built ~so the folk clubs of old continue to diminish
A the Polka Hop in Wakefield and Fernandes Tap has "mixed sessions" singing and playing well attended per month
A The Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield monthly Sunday pm event attracts unaccompanied singers singing largely Traditional song (no accompaniment) with professional singers such a Jess and Richard Arrowsmith, James Fagan, Matt Quinn and Rosie Hood ~ work permitting
Q People have written about feeling "out of place" or "unwelcome" if they sing unaccompanied folk songs - one contributor to this forum described ballads as "inappropriate" singers or audience??
A Times they are a changing!
Q Pat pointed out to me last night that a survey was carried out some time in the seventies that suggested there were around 1,600 clubs in Britain - Dave puts up 186 as evidence of a "successful folk scene" - do the math and come back and tell me that is an improvement, or even holding its own
A I disagree ~ successful folkscene has moved away from pubs ( they are diminishing see above) but concert clubs and alternative venues are being sought and have been established in the circuits and continue to attract paying customers ~current example Show of Hands at Barnsley Civic theatre May 2019
Q People on this forum during these exchanges have described the need to set a standard of performance (not particularly high) in folk clubs as "elitism" - the same with the use of crib sheets and mobile pads, rather than learning the word
A Yes in Folk clubs where these still exist not a good idea to have new singers as support for an expensive guest
One of the worst aspects of the scene is the move away from grass-roots, resident based local clubs to festivals and booked guests
A The problem is that weekly supporters are often the life blood of the folk club and often do not want to see paid guest and stay away !!