BS: A true folk singer is....

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 01:55 PM

I've just caught up with the latest postings, because I was in Sidmouth from Friday until today, for the midwinter reunion of the Middle Bar Singers. We just sang all sorts of songs to enjoy ourselves, and it was heartwarming to hear how some of the people who'd been terrified of singing to a room of people last year had gained in confidence since they actually did sing.

Kendall - that's a rave review, and I shall treasure it!

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: van lingle
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 06:15 AM

Lol, that disqualifies me.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Amos
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 09:16 PM

...knows better than to take the steel strings off a guitar while wearing a wooly Irish fisherman's sweater.



A

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 07:47 PM

"...is never paid. Paid singers are professional. Even if they don't earn their living that way."

I'd like to see that opinion presented to Martin Carthy, Stan Hugill, Alex Campbell, or Ewan McColl. The responses would, at the very least, be entertaining.

Kitty, not a folksinger, but a singer of folk songs? That kind of nitpicking, mean spirited, comment says much more about the critic than about you.

Having heard you sing, I just don't care what anyone else chooses to call it. You are a better singer than he will ever be a critic.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: kendall
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 09:20 AM

Labels are irrelevent. (Unless it's one that I use.)

Kitty, What really counts far more than someone who is giving out their opinion of your category, is, can you sing? Well, I have heard you sing, and I would much rather hear you than some unknown critic with an opinion.
You have a beautiful voice, and I would listen if you were singing the London phone book!
(expletive deleted)

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 11:34 AM

If all these definitions of folk and folksinger hold true - very lonely.

Dan

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST,Peace
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 10:33 AM

So, who's Alan Rose (the critic)?

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 08:55 AM

Its a wonder you have any friends Kitty. that's so reprehensible - singing folksongs and you're not a real folksinger. What was it gave you away.......not wearing Doc Martens, not having a nose stud, 666 not tatooed in your hair?

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Peace
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 07:57 PM

I say that because I'd prefer that they choke on it than I gag because of it.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Peace
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 07:54 PM

I'm with you on that, Gene. Too bloody true. Best to ignore them. Perhaps they'll choke on their bile and go away.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Gene Burton
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 07:50 PM

Those who can, do, those who can't, criticise. It's instructive to note that by and large the people in this joint most notorious for denigrating performers are people who don't play or sing themselves. Dare say that applies to the "real" critics in magazines, too.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: van lingle
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 06:30 PM

Someone who'd rather sing about the nobility of hard work than actually indulge in it.*G*

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 05:58 PM

"I was officially trashed in the Living Tradition as not a folksinger, but someone who sings folk songs...."

I wouldn't get too upset if I were you, Kitty. At least you got something vaguely resembling a critical response. Most 'Living Tradition' reviews are anodyne in the extreme ("this is a really nice disc - you should give it a spin" sort of thing). Perhaps their (completely unsubstantiated and unqualified) slightly negative comment could mean that you shook them out of their complacency?

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Amos
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 04:52 PM

FUBAR (Folkied Up Beyond All Rescuing).



A

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 04:47 PM

I was officially trashed in the Living Tradition as not a folksinger, but someone who sings folk songs....

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: frogprince
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 08:38 PM

...wasted on the sidewalk, in his jacket and his jeans,
wearing yesterday's misfortunes like a smile...

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST,Bert
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 12:32 PM

Nice one sian.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 03:22 PM

Someone told me my singing was folked up, so I guess I are one.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Gene Burton
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 03:16 PM

Whereas I'm just an acoustic rock singer songwriter. I have that on good authority.

(!splutter!?)

judge for yourselves...

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 03:00 PM

Me. I'm a true folk singer.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 05:42 AM

A TRUE folk singer is one who doesn't sing the Derby Ram....

I went to Derby Market
Without a word of lies,
And I saw a normal ram there
Of pretty well average size!

Indeed sir, it's true sir,
For lies are strangers to us,
And if you go to Derby
You'll wonder why bthe fuss...

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Dead Horse
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 04:08 AM

.......a thing of the past !

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Peace
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 03:01 PM

Works for me, Shimrod.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 10:04 AM

A folk singer is someone who doesn't believe in labels - or definitions - and, hence, can't tell his arse from his elbow ... possibly?

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: sian, west wales
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 09:41 AM

... someone who takes 5 minutes to introduce a 2 minute song.


And I'm pretty sure that I picked that up from Mudcat in the dim and distant past; not original, but deeper than it looks.

sian

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 07:41 AM

as, Lonesome EJ, but will it be "a true folk song"? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 02:30 AM

..writing a song right now that will be well known long after he is forgotten.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 08:52 PM

...usually somewhere where I ain't.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Ythanside
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 04:51 PM

known to be on the loose somewhere on Bodmin Moor. Members of the public are being warned to keep away until the creature is cornered and shot. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Peace
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 04:23 PM

That song was written by Steve Earle.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Peace
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 04:23 PM

Steve's Hammer (For Pete)

One of these days I'm gonna lay this hammer down
And I won't have to drag this weight around
When there ain't no hunger
And there ain't no pain
Then I won't have to swing this thing
One of these day I'm gonna lay this hammer down

One of these nights I'm gonna sing a different tune
All night long beneath the silvery moon
When the war is over
And the union's strong
Won't sing no more angry songs
One of these nights I'm gonna sing a different tune

Someday when my struggle's through
I won't have to strive
Until then all I can do
Is let my hammer fly

One of these days I'm gonna lay this hammer down
Leave my burden restin' on the ground
When the air don't choke ya and the ocean's clean
And kids don't die for gasoline
One of these days I'm gonna lay this hammer down

John Henry was a mighty man
Worked his whole life long
When he made that hammer ring
He always sang this song

One of these days I'm gonna lay this hammer down
And I won't have to drag this weight around
When there ain't no hunger
And there ain't no pain
Then I won't have to swing this thing
One of these day I'm gonna lay this hammer down

Yeah, one of these days I'm gonna lay this hammer down

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST,Smiler
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 04:15 PM

If I had a hammer............

There'd be no more folk singers!

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 02:29 PM

"All the true folk singers are dead, and I'm not feeling so well myself."

I'm not sure whom I'm paraphrasing but it will do for this thread.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 12:54 PM

"A true folk singer is..."

....enjoying themselves! (Usually at a session with an eclectic mix of material!)

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Bert
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 12:32 PM

Someone who doesn't edit the swear words out of the sea shanties.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: bankley
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 08:37 AM

someone who shouldn't be confused with a false folk singer

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Ernest
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 08:10 AM

...someone who is not going to do a Dylan medley when asked to do some of that mixolydian stuff...

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Gurney
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 02:11 AM

...is never paid. Paid singers are professional. Even if they don't earn their living that way.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 11:09 PM

Oh, you've BEEN to a Michael Cooney concert!

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 10:47 PM

someone who doesn't give a shit about the definition or provenance or origin of the music, they just like the danged stuff. Like Peace said above.

"This is a little ditty that was composed at 11:37 p.m. in a boothy in the hills above Camp, County Kerry by a young man who was supposed to be watching Lord Ventry's sheep but who had gotten some poteen. Since this was on February 19th, 1857, there were no wolves or bears around, but it was lambing time and, as you know, Camp is just a peninsula over from Killorglin, where they annually celebrate Puck Fair. That, of course...."

And the song never gets sung because the background gets in the way.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 10:09 PM

Far trout! That's what I meant to say!

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Dan Keding
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 08:56 PM

A folksinger is someone who enjoys the finer tings in life while knowing that those finer things are beyond their wildest financial dreams.

Also, someone who ignores the modern electronic tuner for the finely tuned ear that they have cultivated over the years - remember this is suppose to be a funny thread!! :)


Dan

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 07:37 PM

Right on, Art! Err....maybe I should say Left on, Art!! (The connotations are so different these days!)

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 07:35 PM

I wonder if you can....

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: gnu
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 06:41 PM

Imagine there's no fuckups.... that is good folkin music.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: dwditty
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 06:23 PM

John Lennon
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I'm kidding.....sheesh.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 06:23 PM

"Anybody with a good voice who sings good songs, regardless of source.

Maria Callas was a folkie? Just like Yma Sumac?

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 06:17 PM

Oh dear.

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 06:05 PM

...one who doesn't delete the words folk and/or folksinger from their own self description, promo packet, vocabulary and interviews---and therefore feels no guilt when using those terms even though, to some, folk is a filthy four letter word in these times of redefining and revisionist history.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: A true folk singer is....
From: Peace
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 05:38 PM

"Are you a folkie?"



I prefer peace to war, calm to storm, I cry when I see hungry children, and when people hurt, I do too. I like lots of music, from classical to jazz, trad to rock. I have a dislike for most of the 'political' -isms, and I think people are more important than things. If that's a folkie, then I guess I am too.