Humour in music: rewarding experience

Subject: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Escamillo
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 03:34 AM

I'd like just to share this experience and get back some opinions. For the first time in my life, I am participating in a humorous show in a very unusual group of dancers and actresses. (Two men among 40 women)

For many years I've sung as a tenor or baritone, as choralist with symphonic orchestras, or as soloist by the piano, strictly dressed in black and seriously attacking themes by Verdi, Wagner, spirituals and some blues or old jazz. This time I am a MARIACHI (mexican singer) singing my complains to my sweetie Simeona who funnily dances around me and shows a lot of hillarious expressions.

The lyrics is double-intended and makes reference to her unusual ability to pee a lot. Finally she runs out of the stage, supposedly to the toilet while I keep moaning for her indifference.

The gag has been tested in front of small audiences and was tremendously effective. People laugh their hearts out and we feel deeply rewarded. Next Friday we will perform in a downtown theatre for 300 people.

Have you ever sung just for the fun of making people laugh ? How did you feel? Let me say that I feel GREAT !! Laughs and applauses make a wonderful combination.

Un abrazo - Andrés, from Buenos Aires

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Sooz
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 04:13 AM

Laughter is good medicine - I love to make people laugh (by singing or otherwise). Between us we are doing our audiences the world of good!

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Mark H.
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 04:25 AM

The ribald humour in jug band music and hokum is a fine thing to share. Audiences really warm to it, and that feels good when you're in the band. You tend to find that anyone who could be offended doesn't get it anyway.
Keep it up! (!)

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 05:54 AM

"ever sung just for the fun of making people laugh"

Would you prefer to make them cry?


:-P

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: GUEST,Guest Strad
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 06:34 AM

Twice when playing "Da Sang O' Da Papa Men" with the Shetland Fiddlers I have seen people crying! I could never make up my mind if it was the beauty of the tune or the way we played it!!

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 07:34 AM

All music is communication and can be used to stir the emotions, either to make one laugh or cry. We all need a mix of those emotions and a song that makes you cry is usually a beautiful piece of work. I think that it is much easier to make people laugh with a song.

That's why Iike to throw a parody into the mix. Choose the right one and you can get people laughing.

In fact, there are one or two I've done where I have to make sure I'm not looking at the audience when certain lines are reached 'cause I know that their laughter will crack me up as well!

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 09:56 AM

Humour in music is great ,the only time I dont like it is when performers take the piss out of their material.
Humour is also very useful if a performer can use it well ,to create a rapport with an audience.
Derek Brimstone,DaveBurland,JohnForeman,come to mind.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 09:59 AM

Many of my favorite songs that I sing are humorous...In many ways, the way we laugh, and what we laugh AT, tells more about us than the serious topics, as humor is often only another way to express our view of the serious things.

Good laughter can break a somber mood and help us cope....and people who are laughing together are less likely to be angry with each other....(well, as long as the 'humor' itself is not designed to be provocative).

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Escamillo
Date: 14 Aug 07 - 01:21 AM

The director of the group (a lovely lady 82 years old) tells us that we have to get people laugh WITH us rather than AT us, emphasizing the idea of a common joy for artists and audience. I see it very similar to the other way, that´s to share with them a deep emotion that brings tears to them and sometimes can crack us up as well.

There´s another (secret) reason for which I enjoy this so much. My partner on the stage, Alicia, is my partner in real life. Three years ago I saw her at the theatre and suddenly knew that she was going to be someone important to me, after the loss of my dear wife. We re-made the story of the brilliant dancer and the sad gentleman in the audience, she brought me back to life, and now we perform together, and she can´t be more happy.

Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Bert
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 12:34 AM

Ah, a good thread Escamillo.

I guess I sing to make people laugh about half the time.

I was agreeing with you jacqui.c up to the point where you said 'I think that it is much easier to make people laugh with a song.' I do it because I enjoy making people laugh, but I don't think it is all that easy.

The internet has hackneyed just about every joke you've ever heard and if a new one does show up it is distributed world wide before sundown.

So it is quite difficult to find new subjects for songs that are funny and original.

Un abrazo to you too. (There ain't no more cane on the Brazos)

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 12:37 AM

I suppose its all right for them as likes laughing.

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 12:53 AM

When I saw this thread title I was reminded of another type of musical humor--that found in performances like the Hoffnung Concerts. Music that refers to other music in a humorous way. Hoffnung was great--only problem was the audience was laughing so hard, you had difficulty hearing parts of the performance.

Victor Borge. Steve Martin. The Smother's Brothers. Carol Burnett. There were or are some marvelous artists making the world laugh, and often times think at the same time.

SRS

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: GUEST,Bruce Michael Baillie
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 01:41 AM

I agree, I do quite a lot of humorous material, in fact I can do a whole evening of humorous stuff if required. Particularly in folk clubs you tend to get a lot of songs of'misery' death, suicide, wars, etc, sticking some humour in lightens the tone, and I've always loved 'parody' type songs.
It's quite simply great to make an audience laugh!

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 02:48 PM

The ability to make people laugh is a very rewarding thing as you immediatly know if you have made that all important link with the audience. However, unless you write your own material, a dedicated folk audience know all the songs, and there is nothing worse than dieing after you sing that hilarious obscure song you have just discovered, only to be told that Joe Blogg, floor singer, sings it (badly) almost every week (Remember Chastity Belt)
Oddly enough I resurected that song the other week and every one joined in with gusto as no one had heard it for over 30 years.

A good funny song can hide your shortcomings as a singer or guitarist (or both) but only for a short time.
I know I was that singer!!

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: GUEST,Peter Green
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 02:53 PM

I have seen Warwick Slade many times and he is very funny. He is also a great singer and guitarist.
(he told me to say that)

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 03:08 PM

I think the opposite - I don't anybody really gives much credit for writing humorous material, once they've stopped laughing.

I would advise young folksingers not to bother. By and large, folk audiences are happier with orgies of glum. Excruciatingly miserable isn't really sad enough for most of 'em.

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 03:43 PM

Sorry, I can't agree with weelittledrummer as I inevitable get asked who writes the humourous songs I sing. Also, at the Wessex Folk Festival I was asked several times if i write all my material. Wheather this was to aportion blame or not I don't know. The organisers also asked but that was for Performing Rights, a forgotten
little thing for song writters.

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 04:25 PM

I tend to re-write songs..traditional Folk songs... but in a humourous way...like I re-wrote "The Sally Gardens"...as a new funny song with the same old tune and called it "The Sadly Gardens" which went down O.K with most people....except certainly one who loved the original and didn't like it being altered...suppose you can't please 'em all eh?

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: GUEST,Fantum
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 05:37 PM

Singing to make an audience laugh has got to be one of the toughest jobs going. As a singer you do your song you get a clap of some sort and you move on. Sometimes you feel it went well and at other times so so.
But if you are trying to get a laugh and it fails you have died out there and you know it When it goes well as it obviously did for you Escamillo the euphoria is great and when it goes badly you crash. The risks are high and the gains and losses are equally extreme.
I have been singing for laughs for years and sometimes, just sometimes the night is yours the audience are yours and the glow inside can make your head spin and send pleasure through you like fire. Over the years I must have stood up to sing in clubs a thousand times and only 4 or 5 performances reach that level of success.
Most of my performances are competent and un memorable but I keep being asked to sing and the audiences still laugh and join in.
But the very bad ones are devastating to your soul and can seriously dent your ego and confidence.
But this is an up beat thread so Escamillo, congratulations on your success and may you enjoy many more rewarding nights.

Fantum

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 07:58 PM

a brilliant exposition Fantum. This is the unfathomable bravery of the showbiz footsoldier.

compared to the creative effort in putting together a real comic creation in song form - the creative effort in learning to perform a hundred verse ballad is piffling. yet some git who reads in the dreariest fashion , the said ballad, with the most tired jejune monotonous musical accompaniment will be considered your superior.

Look at these dullards that Mike Harding parades before the public every week as the cream of English folk music. Has any of them actually got a sense of humour? Those who have, have they learned anything or created anything since 1964?

Stick to performing dull traditional crap. Its the only way to gain respect.

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Aug 07 - 08:33 PM

"Stick to performing dull traditional crap. Its the only way to gain respect."

So George, (El Greco), will you please regale us with all 158 verses of The Greek National Anthem?

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 01:21 AM

Escamillo - I too, usually sing the classical stuff - I've been singing 'Ein Deutsches Requiem' for most of this year - we started rehearsing in January for two May concerts that expanded into two more last weekend.

Consequently, I'm really wrung out and need a good laugh so I'm brushing up a few funny songs for next week at Towersey festival.

Sometimes, it's not just the audience you need to make laugh. However, if you do, it is the most amazing high, knowing that what you are singing has purposely made someone laugh.

My singing has brought people to tears many times (no, not because it was so bad....), but it's the tears of laughter that mean more to me than anything else.

Besides - it's good for the voice to have a rest from all that chest and diaphragm work - but those techniques sure come in handy for belting out a shanty chorus!

LTS

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 06:35 AM

to be fair, it's not just the case in music.

Alan Ayckbourn has this gripe that all his plays are reviewed (and frequently dismissed) as comedies, no matter how serious and tragic the characters. the reason being that they don't have the superficial patina of glumness that say Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter's work has.

The late Kenneth Williams (Rambling Sid Rumpo) used to tell this story about his Headmaster saying to him, one day you will want people to take you seriously, and they won't know how to.

I really do believe - comedy isn't a great career move for most singer/songwriters.

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 09:04 AM

Another very obvious victim of this predilection of folk music fans for humourless bores must be Derek Brimstone.

I think it was Colin Irwin who remarked about Derek that his humorous presentation didn't necessarly work to his best advantage.

Derek's repertoire was for the main part quite earnest songs - albeit presented in a light hearted manner. And at his peak, he was one hell of a musician. if you look at his set lists of that period, you will see that (even in the days before digital tuners) he could skip effortlessly between half a dozen guitar tunings, with never a bum note or missed punchline.

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: GUEST,Bruce Michael Baillie
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 10:20 AM

...What a damned good discussion this is! and I agree with a lot of your comments, even the contradicting ones! I write humorous stuff myself (which often goes down well but sometimes doesn't!) so I can relate to 'Fantum' who says the rewards are great but if things go wrong the lows are dire (there is nothing worse than doing what you think is a killer funny song and no-one laughs) I also agree that once a funny song has been sung it has a short shelf life, far shorter than any good ballad or other song. Particularly on record, even I who love funny material don't actually sit down and listen to funny records, I much prefer something serious. Funny stuff is much better done 'Live'. Are 'funny' songs harder to write than 'serious', dunno?
'Comedy isn't a great career move for most singer songwriters'
...That's probably about right, but, I do like to keep a foot in both camps!

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Bert
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 01:54 AM

Singing and songwriting as not a great career move for singer songwriters.

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 02:19 AM

A lot of the humour in live perfomances comes from the audience. Some of Les Barkers' finest one liners have come as a result of ripping the piss out of me (and vice versa)!

I have an annoying laugh... I like laughing, and when Les is on, I do it a lot. I'm pretty intelligent and appear to have read the same sort of books as Les (except all those railway books), so I find funny bits where not many others might (as in Tom Lehrer introducing a song with a tale about the town necrophiliac who got his dream job in the town mortuary - one solitary giggle - 'the rest of you can look it up when you get home' or Michael Caine in 'Educating Rita', declaring he's going to change his name to Mary Shelley).

As you can appreciate, the audience is not miked, so hearing a live recording of Les take the piss out of me isn't as funny as when it happened because you can't hear my, and other audience responses. The same goes for musical numbers. Not everyone in the audience will get the joke and those that do are quite often afraid of laughing 'out of place'. That's why comedy recordings don't always last so well - unless you were there and remember the missing dialogue.

LTS

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Escamillo
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 03:38 AM

I´m learning so much ! I see that many of you have a large experience in humorous music, and all your comments are very valuable.

Certainly I feel many strange emotions, for example, people who come to see the rehearsals as artistic counselors, now come to greet me laughing hard, not the usual social smile. Of course this is good, but it amazes me. Another amazing thing is that the more serious I try to look, more laughter comes from the audience.

A detail: I try to perform as a real Mexican tenor, using all the vocal resources that any serious singer would use in a romantic song, while Alicia shows a hundred comic faces and attitudes dancing around me. The contrast has to be very funny.

Another gag we prepared is: she is a pedantic and decadent dance teacher (parody of some real divas) and I am his servant, seriously standing up there and helping her to change shoes, but when she needs music, I start to sing (as perfectly as I can) with some simple percussion or guitar: flamenco, tap, classical, tropical and folk. Gradually the pedantic diva gets a little horny and runs out along with her servant.

I really don´t know how to invent other funny themes, but I find that the parody of serious music is very effective. Ok, this is the beginning...

Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 06:25 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Willie-O
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 07:00 AM

I believe that the reason some people advise against performing or recording humorous or novelty songs is that you may find it a millstone around your neck a few years down the road. If it happens to be a good one or gets lots of airplay, you will be pretty much forced to perform it when the humour is long since gone for you. EG, "Alice's Restaurant".

One curious phenonmenon I have seen is the singer who sings all sad songs, mixed with absolutely hilarious stories. Two Canadian singers who do this are Garnet Rogers and Lynn Miles. In effect, their songs are the straight men to the jokes. I've always wondered why they couldn't get some of the humour into the music. But the net effect on the audience is interesting.

Abrazos all around!

W-O

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: bubblyrat
Date: 19 Aug 07 - 07:36 AM

I have been loitering ( or lurking ) at the back of the English Folk Scene for 42 years now, and it would not have been anywhere near as rewarding without the humourous input of The Yetties--Sid Kipper--Shep Wooley--Jon Isherwood--Pat Nelson--Jake Thackray--George Wilson--even Bill McKinnon can be vaguely amusing sometimes !! These are all people who can / could be utterly self-deprecating,or witheringly abusive of each other, with hilarious results, and Good Luck to them I say !!! And never let die the memory of Rambling Sid Rumpo and his obsession with Cordwanglers !!    PS ---Sorry if you don"t understand this in Buenos Aires, Andres --it"s an eccentric English thing !!

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 03:08 AM

Interesting thread. We in Juneau have one local musician who on occasion does funny or lighthearted material. Some Shel Silverstein, some Randy Newman and a few others whose names escape me at the moment. His songs are very well received, maybe because he does it so seldom that it catches everyone by surprise.

Let me add, Andres, that I'm happy for you and Alicia.

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 03:22 AM

Les Barker has the same problem with his serious poetry. Because in the UK he is known as a parody writer and comedy performer, he finds it nigh impossible to get any of his serious stuff heard. Performance poets in the UK get short shrift anyway, there are very few who pull in huge audiences such as Les or John Hegley have done... if you were to suggest an evening of poetry reading to most Brits, you'd get a mouthful of abuse and possibly a short, painful explaination from Mr Fist as to why it's a bad idea.

I happen to like some of Les' serious stuff. It's sensitive, illuminating and quite beautiful. I liked one piece so much I put it to music and sang it at a singaround. I then proceeded to have a stand up argument with an audience member when he insisted that it wasn't a Les Barker poem because it wasn't funny.

Sometimes, being famous for being funny is a rod for your own back.

LTS

Subject: RE: Humour in music: rewarding experience
From: Escamillo
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 10:25 PM

And the debut went on Friday 17, now 200 people laughing and many congratulations. We are really happy, and facing a four-month season from now on, all Fridays at night.

It has to be noted that our intervention is only 4 minutes in a 90-minute show (and Alicia performs alone in another 4-minute gag). We are not prepared for a career in humorous music which could be a very serious challenge, as some Mudcatters had commented above. But at least for this time, it is very rewarding.

As soon as some article appears in the newspapers, I´ll let you know. No, it won´t be in The Sunday Times, so you would have to recall some of your Spanish classes.

Un abrazo - Andrés