Ade Edmonson on folk

Subject: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 04:43 AM

Did anyone hear Mark Radcliffe's Radio 2 show last night? AE the comedian was talking about his love of folk music. He said he got into it when performing in Sheffield and hearing Kate Rusby in another part of the hall, he's also a big fan of Rachel Unthank. I noted that his wife's show 'Jam and Jerusalem' (Clatterford in the US) also features Kate doing the title song and had her performing in the last episode.

His definitions of folk may be broad but does anyone else think it good that folk is moving into mainstream consciousness and pop programming?

PS I missed a D out his name.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 04:58 AM

He certainly attends the Folk Awards, though this year Jennifer Saunders wasn't there. Their daughter goes, too.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:05 AM

His daughter actually sang a song in the first series and she wasn't all that bad

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:06 AM

I don't really think it lies in the hands of 'important' people. Thank god.

Not Ade Edmonson, not Matthew Paris, not Gyles Brandreth, Mrs Thatcher....or even George Bush.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:16 AM

Not even as a way of opening the eyes of the unworthy WLD?

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:35 AM

Well this is of course where I diverge from many on this site. i tend to think that folk music is the natural province of the unworthy.

From Sam Larner to Leadbelly to Christy Moore, they weren't the type of character that gets invited to the BAFTA's or Buckingham Palace.

I think when the dull and worthy get involved - you're half way up shit creek, even if you don't realise it.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Banjiman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:40 AM

Ade Edmonson always struck me a extremely "unworthy" (in a good way!). Seems like a good bloke and I am pleased he has good musical tatse.

I can only see good coming out of him highlighting "folk" music on Radio 2.........

Where's the harm?

Paul

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:43 AM

FWIW, I reckon once Folk became the pet of middle class music collectors and preservationists of all stripes the horny handed sons of the clod didn't get a look in. On that basis if pop radio takes one or two people on a trail ending in Leadbelly I'm all for it. The chances of yer average 18 year old being exposed to folk, whether they be tractor driver with sat nav and jacussi or city desk pilot is about nil.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 05:45 AM

Excellent - legions of Holby City viewers as folk fans! It'll be the "dancing round your handbag" ceilidh at Sidmouth LNE this year!

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:00 AM

(I say that facetiously, by the way, as I actually watch Holby City...Adrian Edmondson's character is much lamented!)

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:07 AM

You're ahead of me Ruth - I don't have a telly! The kids have one in their room, or so I've been told. It's amusing that people don't approve of the abuse (Parris) or the praise (Edmondson), perhaps there's a man in a smock with a tankard who has never left his village or his job as ratcatcher whose opinion would be valued?

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:11 AM

Ooh, i have one! He's my handyman, but his family were the village blacksmiths for generations. He hunts vermin with ferrets, does that count?

He likes the Pogues, the Fureys and Eastenders - do you think he'd be seen as an appropriate arbiter of taste?

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Banjiman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:15 AM

Ruth,

I hope you're not suggesting there's anything wrong with Eastenders?

Paul

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:19 AM

"do you think he'd be seen as an appropriate arbiter of taste?"

Certainly. Not my taste as 'refined', boot string pulled up, class traitor with an eclectic musical appreciation but definitely authentic folk taste.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Hawker
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:35 AM

Ade's daughter Ella can be seen this weekend at Crediton Folk Festival in Devon, and she can be heard on her myspace here!
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:35 AM

Banjiman, no one is more hooked on the storyline of Stephen's burgeoning sexuality than me, mate.

:)


my point was really that, in my village, you do meet people who are the descendants of the "rustics" beloved of the collectors - but they listen to Irish music! Never mind - I'm trying to revive the Plough Monday plays - there was a lot of interest when everyone found out how much drinking is involved.

We do have one chap called Roland, in his 80s, who has never spent a night out of the village...

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 06:50 AM

I agree with you Ruth. The only folk we have now is folk revival, nothing wrong with that at all but it ill behoves us to ride high horses about how the stuff is broadcast (or not) or by whom.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:00 AM

Burgeoning sexuality? The guy trashed a mannequin last night! Seems to me Stephen's sexuality is symptomatic of a wider misogynistic disgruntlement as evidenced by his ongoing difficulties with Jane. Still, Eastenders never did two-dimensional did they?

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:03 AM

He trashed a mannequin in his gay denial, surely!

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Acorn4
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:22 AM

Once again this begs the question "can 'normal' people like folk music?

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:42 AM

A least he didn't trash poor Stacy, though I did find the scene quite disturbing on various levels, symbolic or otherwise - though perhaps not quite much as that brief moment when I really did believe Sean had put Wellard in the pot! Not so much for Wellard himself, more for the extent to which Sean seems to have gone off the rails of late...

Meanwhile, I'm just off to order myself one of THESE

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:44 AM

My God - partial agreement from me with remak=rks my WLD and GigiII on teh same thread.

I like that he likes it. Maybe one day he'll learn what it is. I also like the fact that someone (even if it's Al who normally only likes contemporary unworthiness) can recall that folk springs from 600 years (or more) of exploitation pillage rape death incest racial bigotry and oppression. Let's hear it for the unworthy. They're GEFF!

I try very hard to be unworthy - and to appreciate what I am doing and do it well - but of course that's not good enough for SWMBO.

Incidentally my first reaction was "who"? until someone put his full first name.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 08:34 AM

"Once again this begs the question "can 'normal' people like folk music?"

Depends what you mean by normal of course. I'd suggest it's nearer modern art or opera, i.e. so far divorced from 'normal' people's everyday experience as to need lengthy exposure or a little guided 'eduction' to get it. If Ade Edmondson is the front desk where teenagers sign on for the long haul, that's fine by me. I wouldn't put folk alongside an appreciation of Girls Aloud, Holby City or a Bruce Willis movies as a barometer of functioning normality.
Folk is no more emperor's new clothes that contemporary art but it ain't bottled Englishness neither.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,Ewan Spawned a Monster
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 09:40 AM

Richard Bridge, this maniacal obsession with the member you refer to as SWMBO - berating her even on threads that she hasn't posted on, is starting to get very feckin' tedious. Now - take a deep breath, think nice thoughts and it'll all start to feel a lot better.

Meanwhile, 'Stenders has never been the same since they saw off Tiffany.

Back on topic, good for Ade Edmondson. No reason to get sniffy because quite a famous person likes folk.

Apparently Prince Philip is a huge fan of both Hatfield and the North and Matching Mole and has an extensive collection of rare film footage and live bootlegs. various graduates of the Canterbury scene are frequent late night visitors to the palace.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 09:46 AM

...and who is Gigi? Much as I like the idea of being named after the Minnelli film, truly I haven't got the legs. Are we named after demons in your personal canon? I rather hope so.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Banjiman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:29 AM

"'Stenders has never been the same since they saw off Tiffany."

But of course we now have Tiff mark 2, Bianca's offspring.....fantastic stuff!

Paul

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 12:48 PM

"I think when the dull and worthy get involved - you're half way up shit creek, even if you don't realise it."

You never spoke a truer word, WLD!

Of course, this happened to Rock Music years ago. Now everyone, including David Cameron and the Royal Princes, consider themselves to be "hip to the latest sounds" (or whatever - you know what I mean!) and old rockers get themselves knighted. Yuck!!

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 12:49 PM

the only problem with "names" making it attractive is that it will become a fashion again. That means change. It also means the ettiquette built-up over the years will change.

Good, bad or indifferent - you have to deal with it. Be aware.

Folk has long been characterised by concern for fellow man at a macro and personal level. I just don't see as much of that in the binge-drinking, debt-happy must have society, the trade will be the other way - and you can see the signs already. With Festival organisers feeding on it. Till next year, then the business model will change, or die.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 01:00 PM

Out of interest, since when is Adrian Edmondson "dull and worthy"?

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 01:39 PM

"It also means the ettiquette built-up over the years will change"

There's etiquette?!? Maybe folk could do with a Reformation?

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 01:56 PM

Gigi (I) was "Guest guest" from teh USA who rabbited a lot.

"Guest Glueman" is also Gg, hence Gigi(II).

99, change hands - Why should I be nice to someone doing her conceited worst to wreck the music - even to make it a music without a name - because she thinks we are not good enough?

And knowing about something does not make it dull and boring. Even some drummers count the beats rather than just banging da rocks.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 02:14 PM

Fascinating.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 02:28 PM

A land fit for heroes......

A folk music fit for Ade Edmonson......

A daunting prospect indeed.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 02:46 PM

Do you come as a pair?

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 03:08 PM

Gus has just puked up over Dawn's new dress; and me sitting down to a nice goulash!

And what was that about Prince Philip? Prince Philip? You sure? Now Charles I would understand...

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Gervase
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 03:50 PM

Do grow up and get a grip on he right end of the stick, Richard.
She can defend herself, but Diane Easby is certainly not trying to wreck the music. She's merely stated (and I agree with her) that an awful lot of what gets performed in clubs and sessions is performed excruciatingly badly. But enough of that heresy - look at what it's done in other threads, with all the shaky eggs, folk creationists and flat-earthers coming out
of the closet to insist that there's nowt wrong with murdering a song or a tune!
And good on Adrian Edmondson - although in an ideal world and a less uptight nation, liking folk music should be unremarkable.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: glueman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 03:58 PM

'Nobody's in a position to judge me/what I say/folk music" certainly has its appeal as a philosophy. I must try that on my bank manager/clients/wife and see if it sticks.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: stallion
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 04:03 PM

Banjamin "         "!

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 04:06 PM

The acclaimed melodeon player Luke Daniels used a shaky egg at the Oxford FF the other day.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 04:11 PM

he did. As the music reached quite a tense, emotional crescendo, I decided that the theme of the piece was The Session, in which the musicians become increasingly agitated by the peripheral shaky egg players...

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Banjiman
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 04:40 PM

Banjamin "         "!

Pete,

Sorry, missing the point?

Probably me being thick........

Paul

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:03 PM

The Luke Daniels and Donald Grant ensemble were performing "Islands", a piece commissioned by The Performing Rights Society Foundation with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Scottish Arts Council, so I wonder if they could be called a folk creationists. For me, this melding of the folk and classical traditions was the highlight of the festival, well that, Mawkin:Causley and the West Berks beer.

How many folkies does it take to change a light bulb? Only one but we all like to join in, dispute over who really invented the light bulb, say that there are alternative and better ways to do it and that the original instructions are to be found in a library manuscript.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:06 PM

Gervase - stop to think. Is it consumerist (and if so ask yourself what consumerism has done to so may other things) or is it the vernacular? No person has the right to decide who can and who may not. She will take what descends through us and turn it into mere entertainment: pap for money.

Gigi(II) - you asked, you don't like the answer?

Do we come in pears? No, I prefer oranges. And we have never met but still disagree a lot.

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: stallion
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:40 PM

speechless! ;o)

Subject: RE: Ade Edmonson on folk
From: GUEST,John Reynolds
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:22 PM

Google, 'lead belly a life in pictures' for an advance peak at a beautiful book that
shows the real Lead Belly. He was not the "murderous minstrel" glorified in the press.
Tom Waits did Introduction, Glenn O'Brien the Foreword. Lead Belly's niece, Tiny Robinson
and I edited. Publisher is the highly acclaimed Steidl. Book is 250 pages, retail $50.
Has anyone on this site ever explored odd lyrics to Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene" that
are sung around the world? Worth exploring, no?