Standards to Know

Subject: Standards to Know
From: wandersong29
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 11:10 AM

I'm always on the lookout for good music, and I'm always learning new songs. I was wondering...

What are some standards every good singer should know?

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 11:24 AM

So I'm not a good singer if I don't carry around a stock of songs I've learnt just because they're well-known?!

I learn and sing songs because I like them, because I respond to and connect with them personally and emotionally in some way - not because they're famous/what lots of people sing. That's not my criteria.

I appreciate some performing singers think differently - that it's good to be able to pull out something everyone knows. But I don't think you have to do that to be a "good singer".

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: wandersong29
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 11:31 AM

I suppose I should have rephrased that, lol... I spend a lot of time learning interesting, relevant, and beautiful but obscure songs... but I also really love performing with other people. I love the connection. To facilitate that, I was wondering if anybody here could think of some songs almost everybody knows... Just for fun, so I can learn them if I haven't. :o)

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: Genie
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 11:54 AM

"Standards" for what country?   Even within "folk music" that varies a lot.   E.g., what "every folkie knows" in the US (such as This Land Is Your Land) is not the same as what the folkies in the UK "all know" (such as maybe "Carrick Fergus.")   

I could list a few songs that are petty much sure-fire sing-alongs in folk groups in the US. Is that what you're asking? Or I could list my "top 20 standards" for retirement community gigs in the US. That'd be a different list.

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: wandersong29
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 12:03 PM

Yes to all... *grins* I've got very eclectic tastes. And I've got a voracious appetite for knowledge, too. Particularly when related to music.

Ultimately, though, probably just US and UK, though I've got nothing against retirement community gigs... ;oD

Thanks, Genie!

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 02:46 PM

Not exactly what you asked, but here's a great thread on Folk/Trad essential recordings and hence, essential songs to the genre (also note the linked threads at the top).

Its a 10 year old thread and some of the best posts are by members who have since died. One of the great things about the 'Cat is that we have every thread available and the thoughts and opinions of valuable people who are now gone.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 02:50 PM

LOL....Old age is killing me.....Here is the link to the thread which I meant to post above!

Essential Folk/Trad recordings

Spaw

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: JohnB
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 04:19 PM

One's with bloody good chorus's are the best if you want audience participation.
Sea Shanty's allways go down well.
Take a look at the repertoire's of people who you like.
It is easier to learn songs which you like, not one's which other people like, most of the so called standards have been done to death anyhow, create your own niche.
Or, just learn the chorus parts and you can join in with anybody.
Whatever you do, just keep on doing it.
Good luck, JohnB.

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 04:57 PM

Genie - just for the record: I don't know Carrickfergus and don't ever recollect hearing it sung. What made you pick on that one, I wonder?

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 05:00 PM

Ask your audiences and you'll find out soon enough.

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 06:04 PM

Even in a small area of UK the 'standard' songs in one club will be different to the ones in the next club up the road !

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: Genie
Date: 19 Dec 09 - 06:36 PM

}Genie - just for the record: I don't know Carrickfergus and don't ever recollect hearing it sung. What made you pick on that one, I wonder?"

I got that impression from reading Mudcat threads about a) songs "everybody knows" and/or b) songs that are so overdone that "everybody's sick of 'em." LOL
(The latter kind of reminds me of Yogi Berra's remark about some popular hangout:
"Nobody goes there any more - it's too crowded!")

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: wandersong29
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 12:21 AM

Thanks, Spaw! That was actually very, very helpful. Marvelous place to start rabbit-trailing from. :o)

JohnB, thanks as well! It's always great to have the audience sing along. Just learning the choruses is a good idea, too, and I can work from there on nailing down the verses of the songs I particularly like.

Good point, GUEST,999.

And very true, Leadfingers! I guess I'm just asking for a few titles of the most widely-known and well-beloved songs in you guys' repertoires... Ultimately to make sure I've got them all down. Plus, I'm always looking for an excuse to learn new songs. *laughs* Not that I need one. Music in itself is a good enough reason for almost anything!

Subject: RE: Standards to Know
From: Leadfingers
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:38 AM

Locally there seems to be an equal split of 'regular' songs between Unaccompanied trad and accompanied songs , with MOST singers doing one or the other , but rarely both