Is this folk music?

Subject: RE: Is this folk music?
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 09:23 AM

PS - I might only say that because I'm identifying myself on clarinet, circa 1984. Is that what this is?? Certainly sounds like the sorts of sessions we did back then whilst under the influence of Beefheart and The Fall (and other substances). Weird on another level entirely.

Subject: RE: Is this folk music?
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 09:08 AM

It sounds like non-musicians having fun on each others borrowed instruments; either that or it's a cynical attempt at faking weirdness for its own sake. As an experimental / free improviser I tend to take things rather more seriously in terms of resonance and technique, which doesn't preclude rough edges & a certain naivity, God forbid, just maximising on the sonic potential of this thing called music which takes a lot of hard work & chops. It's mistaken to say anyone can play like this without putting the work in, just as it's mistaken to think anyone can paint like Picasso at his most primitive; some of the most awesome & technically accomplished musicians I know are free-improvisers. Sadly, this just sounds like people who can't play.

Remember the Third Ear Band? They did the most far out folky weird free improv and were some of the most amazing musicians on the planet as this brief clip proves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1XrbbIV-g8

Maybe the Tradition of this sort of thing passed long ago?

Subject: RE: Is this folk music?
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 08:00 AM

I used to do this a lot in high school. For a second I thought it was one of our tapes!

My friends who play this sort of thing nowadays (all of whom are both very technically proficient and musically educated players of jazz) call it, I believe, "improvised music." It owes an obvious debt to jazz, but I think they prefer not to bring any baggage that comes with that word.

It's fun to hear live, as the musicians switch instruments and explore their environment, sometimes doing a spacial thing with the sound.

Subject: RE: Is this folk music?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 07:52 AM

It's some kind of far-out jazz, with a bit of Meredith Monk influence.

It'd work better as part of a live show, with more than a still picture to look at.

Subject: RE: Is this folk music?
From: theleveller
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 07:49 AM

I've no idea what folk music is (no, don't go there) but I also quite like it - in an ambient sort of way.

Subject: Is this folk music?
From: GUEST,mark E
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 07:32 AM

I wonder what people here think? Is this folk music? And if not, what the hell is it?

There's more here

Strangely ... I think I quite like it!