On stage patter

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,Rich
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 05:58 PM

Dry Branch Fire Squad

Any description would only cheapen them

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 02:24 PM

Linda Williams often refers to Robin as "my present husband".

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,The black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 08:19 AM

I remember that one of our ceilidh callers used to refer to his wife as his "first wife, not that we're divorced, it's just to keep her on her toes."
He couldn't use it once they were divorced!

At the end of a bad gig:-
"Well I hope tonight has been an educational experiece. It's certainly taught us a lesson".

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 05:39 PM

Two more masters at the art of patter - Gamble Rogers & Utah Philips

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 07:05 PM

Marje - yes, John C is a wonderfully engaging performer!

Kitty

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 03:48 PM

You're right, Kim.
So far, there's only been one dissenter of note.
The patter should roll off as the situation demands/allows/invites.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kim C
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 03:25 PM

Seriously, though, isn't onstage patter dictated by the situation? There will be times when it's appropriate and acceptable to act silly and other times when it isn't. I don't think anyone can make a blanket statement about what is or isn't correct because there are just too many different situations & settings we play in.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 02:41 PM

You're right, Kim. Puns are too easy.
My drawers are full of them!

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kim C
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 01:47 PM

Looks like a few people have had their funny bones removed lately. I wish them all a speedy recovery.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 01:28 PM

I remembered one clever comeback vis a vis the "dangling mike" issue.
It happened not to be in a music venue, but at a conference. The MC stepped up to introduce one of the speakers, when the microphone began, very slowly and methodically, to droop over. Standing silently, with a baleful look on his face, he said," Damn; I HATE that metaphor!"

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Marje
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 06:23 AM

A further thought or two on patter ...

I've just been to the Wessex Festival and watched John Connelly. We found him a most engaging performer and enjoyed both his songs and his chat. When he spoke between songs, he gave little snippets about his own background and the origins of the songs (both his own and other people's). He made the odd joke, but not unconnected gags, they were always something to do with the song's content or the area it came from, etc. It just came over as very natural, pleasant banter, and I'd urge anyone wondering what to do between songs to see him in performance if they get the chance. It showed me how a singer can be entertaining without sounding like a third-rate club stand-up comic.

Marje

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 05:34 AM

Mike Harding was, and indeed is, a fine performer. His storytelling is as much a part of his act as his songs. I don't think anyone on this thread would say they don't like a particular song because they have heard it before would they? Then why criticise someones storytelling for the same reason? The album, 'Mrs 'Ardin's kid' must be at least 50% chat but it still gets a play in our house periodicaly. Classic tales are like classic songs - You can listen to them repeatedly.

"What are you doing? You're drunk!"

"I'm not drunk, I'm reading this book."

"Put that bloody suitcase down and get to bed..."

I agree however that not many people can get away with it to the extent he did. Carrot, Connely, Williamson, Wedlock are some. The Oldham Tinkers are masters of it as well - And it works ever so well as banter between them.

(Got to be a Lancashire accent)

"We called our dog Grieg."

"How come?"

"All he did were pee agin t'suite"

Fun thread.

:D

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 05:16 AM

I've always had trouble getting my words into the right combinations. (which I think is where this started!)

Mick

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 04:27 AM

A double pun by MCP Jim. Mind you I'm sure it should have been Sanitary Clothes.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 04:08 AM

Sanity Clause?

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 04:05 AM

HK - Kevin and I are not yesterday's people - we're teddies.

Jim Lad - as Groucho Marx said of the contract in A Night At The Opera - "Everyone knows there ain't no Sanitry Clothes".

Mick

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 03:44 AM

Well some people are like old men's underwear...... they just never change.





Thought I'd better finish that. The possibilities were horrendous.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 03:28 AM

(nice to see that Kevin and MCP are still trading puns after all these years!)

Well we have a vested interest.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: coldjam
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 12:28 AM

Basically we're talking about the difference between professional entertainers and yer basic folksingers. If you're getting paid (and hopefully well) you will not make your audience sit there in uncomfortable silence while you tune or regroup... you have stuff to say. Hopefully it's something you've rehearsed so if the muse doesn't hit you, you have something clever to say that doesn't sound "read". Given enough gigs you come up with stuff on the cuff, but sometimes the old line is just too too perfect, and the point is to show THEM a good time...musically speaking of course!

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 11:06 PM

Good Evening Ladies & Gentlemen. For years I have suffered for my music - tonight, it's your turn!

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Jim Lad
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 05:46 PM

Well some people are like old men's underwear......

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 05:43 PM

"Some girls they wear spencers, but I do wear none" (pre-dates M&S, I think).

We had a briefs encounter at the Saturday night silly hats session at the Pennymoor song and ale (thanks to Gideon, possibly inspired by Bill Bryson).

Kitty

(nice to see that Kevin and MCP are still trading puns after all these years!)

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 01:55 AM

I've always liked: Thankyou faithful audient member!

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 07:16 PM

Hey .... wait a minute here .... THAT Mick wears underwear ..... This Mick is the keeper of the lime green thong of yore on the Mudcat. There have been many pale imitations, but only one original...

The other Mick

P.S. if you haven't got Mick Bracken's CD, you need to get busy. Great stuff, that!!!

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 05:52 PM

Noo that last dozen were BRILLIANTE

So that's how yez get yer kecks!!

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 01:37 PM

Come back Mick, give us a thong.. he lisped.....

Police are looking for a group of french onion sellers who have been stealing things locally. You got it - french knickers.....

(That one was awarded a special prize at the European Most Contrived Joke Contest).

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:57 PM

I don't think I can do this - As they say up here I can't get tanga'f it.

(And now he slips off)

Mick

(I should have said of them that they were more coterie than lingerie).

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:57 PM

Longjohn Silver would have been proud...

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:50 PM

Slightly flat on the g string there Jim Lad

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Jim Lad
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:47 PM

Well it's the thame old thong
but with a diferent meaning thince you put them on
Yeth, ith the thame.....

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:35 PM

Any good ones we can knick, MCP?

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:28 PM

Well there was too much bustle here early on

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Jim Lad
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:21 PM

You're coming on like a late bloomer, Kevin.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:14 PM

Jockeying for position

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 11:52 AM

Suspendered in admiration for you.

Gusseting with praise.

Welt to the fore with approval.

Stocking up with acclaim.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 11:46 AM

Well Mick I guess you appeared more in "shorts" than features.

Corse't may have been someone else

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 11:19 AM

No Kevin, you're thinking of Bra-veheart.

Folkiedave
I merely basque in their adoration (my patter wasn't as stinky as Anni suggested, just misdirected).

Mick

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 11:13 AM

Why does Mick's underwear adore him?

I think we should be told.

And if as he seemed to indicate this may have been part of a "collection" what is your immediate reaction?

I think we should be told that too........

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 10:52 AM

Mick

Were you in Brief Encounter?

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 10:04 AM

Kevin

I noticed the fault in my technique a little after I posted, but at my age I thought it was too late to usefully correct it. I have only my memories and a collection of adoring underwear.

Mick

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,ruler
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 08:53 AM

Best I've heard is "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have been told that you only play [insert name of festival/venue etc here] twice. Once on the way up, and once on the way down. It's great to be back."

Cheers

Steve.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 04:10 AM

with which I attempted to charm (alas, all too metaphorically) the pants of young (and not so young) ladies.

I'm sure you charmed the pants MCP but you'd have done better charming the ladies :-)

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: kendall
Date: 31 May 07 - 07:32 PM

Another way to look at this...if you just want one song after another, buy a jukebox.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Folkiedave
Date: 31 May 07 - 05:39 PM

Thanks I'll take that.....

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Jim Lad
Date: 31 May 07 - 05:37 PM

Go on then .... 99 ...

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,gsdoucette
Date: 31 May 07 - 05:22 PM

If you removed the patter from a Utah Phillips concert,you'd have a 17 minute show.If someone is unhappy with that,they're in the wrong room.the same is true of Rosalie Sorrels.Their audiences love them. It all depends on who's doing the talking.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Greg B
Date: 31 May 07 - 04:35 PM

Green Linnett put out a video of a Silly Wizard concert.

The stage patter on it masterful, led by Andy M. Stewart
and seconded by Johnny Cunningham. The interplay between
the two of them is priceless.

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 31 May 07 - 04:08 PM

MCP - Anni's reply was with a stronger north-east accent, too! Looking forward to hearing your on-stage patter when you guest at Herga in a couple of weeks' time.

Kitty

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 31 May 07 - 02:15 PM

I hadn't seen this thread until it was pointed out to me, so I will just say with reference to HergaKitty's post above, that Anni's remark wasn't addressed to my on-stage patter, but to my offstage patter - I was a cross between Oscar Wilde and Cyrano de Bergerac, though with an ever-so-slight North Eastern accent - with which I attempted to charm (alas, all too metaphorically) the pants of young (and not so young) ladies.

Mick

Subject: RE: On stage patter
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 31 May 07 - 01:18 PM

It's apparent that we all enjoy different aspects about performances. I love the stories, jokes, puns, and anything else that any given performer would wish to add to their show along with their music. I also believe there are audiences that simply enjoy just the music and could care less about any added comments. Whether you're just a storyteller, or just a musician, or someone that enjoys combining spoken word stuff with music and songs, there's an audience for all of it.

I have plenty of stories, intros, bad puns, as well as spontaneous verbage that I enjoy offering during my performances. I don't use it as filler but rather feel it's as much a part of my whole presentation as a musician/entertainer as any song I might offer. Yes, I've played some events where the addition of the spoken part of my show was less appreciated by the audience but I've never enjoyed being just a juke box.

This past weekend at the Folklife Festival I was busking most of the time. I enjoy offering a little of everything when I busk, both new and used material. As an introduction to my performances I enjoy telling the story about how I made my guitar out of junk that I found at garage sales. While recounting this tale to one particular couple who had paused before me, I was surprised that I wasn't even able finished the brief version of the story. I was merely pointing out the various items that I used in making my guitar when I was interrupted by one of the two who blurted out in a loud and incredulous tone, "Do you expect us to believe that?!" Then, without another word, they turned and walked away to check out my friend's craft booth of handmade toys across the path from where I was sitting. As they departed I added my standard response to those who have a hard time believing this simple tale, "Truth is stranger than fiction."

I firmly believe that you can't please everybody. You can only try your best at making as many people happy as you can. The rest will have to get their entertainment elsewhere. It's just that simple.