BBC rubbishes Eng. Folk again

Subject: RE: BBC rubbishes Eng. Folk again
From: masato sakurai
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 06:35 AM

Nearly a hundred years ago (in 1907), Cecil J. Sharp wrote in English Folk Song: Some Conclusions (4th ed., rev. by Maud Karpeles, p. xix):

The subject of English folk song has recently been very prominently before the public. Twenty years ago, however, it was only by a very few people that folk songs were known to exist in this country; and even they, probably, were quite unprepared for the developments that have since taken place. At that time, and for several years afterwards, it was generally assumed that we had no folk songs of our own, and that the English peasant was the only one of his class in all Europe who was unable to express himself in terms of dance and song. How, in the face of facts as we now know them, such an amazing misconception could have originated, obtained credence, and escaped disproof for so many years, is an enigma which we will not here attempt to explain. It is enough that recent researches have finally disposed of the grotesque supposition. Those who realize all that this means, and who perceive the fresh prospects that have been brought into view, are naturally jubilant.

~Masato

Subject: RE: BBC rubbishes Eng. Folk again
From: fogie
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 06:07 AM

Don't forget how famous he once was! Working on Crackerjack gave him time to write Vincent, and American Pie. I can see he was never an English folkie.

Subject: RE: BBC rubbishes Eng. Folk again
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 06:02 AM

Is it Friday already?

Subject: RE: BBC rubbishes Eng. Folk again
From: The Shambles
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 05:43 AM

CRACKERJACK!

Subject: RE: BBC rubbishes Eng. Folk again
From: The Shambles
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 05:42 AM

Can't really expect much from an ex Crackerjack presenter.

Subject: BBC rubbishes Eng. Folk again
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 05:32 AM

R2 presenter Don Maclean on Sunday read a letter from a listener complaining that he had said there was no English folk tradition, only Irish and Scots.
DM was very dismissive and off hand in his reply. He said that he only meant that English music and song was not "exported" to America as Irish and Scots was.
After all, he said, you never hear Greensleeves or A Lover And His Lass in the Nashville top ten.
I did send an E Mail to DM but I can not write with much knowledge about the history of folk here and over the water. Perhaps someone else could put him straight please.
Keith.