Bromyard Folk Festival 2011

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: Dave Earl
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 04:38 AM

All I am saying is that I don't like the inclusion the "Free Toast" shout now.

The first time I heard it it did cause me to smile but the joke has now worn off and I think it is time for another witicism,pun,parody to be introduced.

Jenny is right about it being a bonding song but there is a serious element to it that gets overlooked when it is sung in such fashion at the end of a session of drinking and singing.

At the end of the day, it's a case of "You sing it your way but let me sing it the way I prefer" which I suppose works in both directions so I'd better drop the matter and let the Thread get back to what it's supposed to be about.

Dave

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: Dave Earl
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 05:01 AM

Might it have been this one Jenny?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaE5PgZxZv0

Dave

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 06:49 AM

I don't go to as many song sessions as most of you, can you explain the 'toast' please.

It was a great festival and the last acts on Saturday and Sunday in the main tent were excellent and NOT too loud, so either the organisers listen to feedback or the fact that the John McCusker Michael McGoldrick John Doyle Trio brought their own soundman made a difference.
We like to sit near the front but are usually driven further back at the end of the concert by the volume, sometimes out of the tent altogether. Not this year though.

Unsung festival hero in my book is Sheila Mannering who organises the Day of Dance on Sat. That influences our choice of Bromyard as one of our 4 annual festivals.

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: JennyO
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 09:14 AM

No Dave, that wasn't it, though it has a lot of round toast :) I think whatever it was, was sung by Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman in the last sing concert in the Arts Centre marquee.

Mo, all this reference to toast is to do with the first line of the last verse of Rolling Home, where it goes :"So pass the bottle round, and let the toast go free". A number of naughty people, myself included, have got into the habit of calling out "Free toast!" after that line, and there are some who don't like us tampering with the song that way, because it spoils it for them. Unfortunately for them, I don't think it's about to go away.

It's very subjective anyway, what people like or don't like about things being done to songs. Rob doesn't like people singing "tra la la" at the end of lines in "Sweet Nightingale". I really don't care myself. There are also songs where people sometimes do actions, which may or may not go down so well with some others - "Swing low, sweet chariot" comes to mind. But you can't please everybody, and you can't really stop those things happening.

It seems that in Australia, where I came from, there are more parodies and funny versions of songs than here. Rob was amazed at the number of parodies he heard while he was there. I think in general, us Aussies are a rather rebellious bunch who like to stir things up - with our strong convict history it's not really too surprising! A lot of Australian folkies are also well towards the left in their political views, and union songs are very popular.

Having said that, there are some songs I would not tamper with. I haven't really noticed a humorous song altering the tone of a singaround all that much either. Ones I've been at lately seem to fluctuate. You only need one person to sing a serious song, and the tone has been altered again. I like the contrasts.

Anyway, enough thread creep - back to Bromyard - they seem to be improving it all the time - I liked the dance displays down at the festival site, the food was good, there seemed to be something for everyone. Altogether we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and we'll be back next year. So we'll see you over breakfast next year, Mo :)

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 09:35 AM

Yes, you'll certinly see us over breakfast. And then we'll part company and go to a 'different festival' Sign of a good weekend - something for everyone, and everyone saying 'what a pity you missed...'
Luckily we didn't get blown off the Long Mynnd on the way home - it felt as if we were going to be but the views were worth it.

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: Dave Earl
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 09:58 AM

The only other "Toast go around" I can think of is " in The Bright Shining Morning(*The merry, merry,merry horn cries come come away")

verse 6
Come, fill up your glasses, let the toast go around.
We'll drink to all hunters, where ever they're found.

But I don't think I've heard Dave and Anni sing it so if this is wrong too I'm stumped completely

Dave

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: JP2
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 10:12 AM

Mannering or Mainwaring-------I think we should be told!

I must admit to being an Anti Free Toaster or "AFT" as we should call them.

I'll get the badges made!

A suggestion is that before every performance it should be decided,on a simple majority vote,whether we shout it out or not.

If it is decided that we do NOT shout it and someone does then the culprit shall pay fine of 50 guineas to the EFDSS/Morris Ring,or buy everyone in the room a drink,whichever is the greater sum.

The next song in our sights should be Pleasant and Delightful,I mean,honestly how on earth can shark,a shark,mark you play a melodeon,when research has clearly swown that they can't!

I'll get me coat!!

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: Wheatman
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 03:26 AM

You leave Charming and Delightful alone!! Sorry I missed the song sessions, I had a very good time, but not quite as I expected. I was saddened by the Hop Pole on Friday night seemed to be awash with beer and drunks. I did think the Crown and Sceptre was a great new venue, the only improvement I would suggest was keep the seating as a cafe style and cut the white lights. The the atmosphere on the friday concert could have been improved by doing this (I feel) rather than the more formal rows of seats. I think it could have been achieved without the loss of seating. The jazz evening was outstanding (except the rapper, which was rough)that was cafe style and with coloured lighting. Well done Bromyard, again!! We will return, gan canny. Brian

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: Mo the caller
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 12:21 PM

Sorry JP (and Sheila)
"Mannering or Mainwaring-------I think we should be told!"
I was ritin it as it is spoke

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: GUEST,Mrs Scarecrow
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 04:47 PM

The Hop Pole was indeed a disappointment the new management seemed to take a very avaricious attitude to the folk festival . We arrived to find them covering up their posters advertising rolls plus salad at £1.50 with ones saying rolls £3.00. Beer was £3 but only £2.50 or £2.70 in other pubs. When we returned to find the singing less than inspiring on friday night it took no time at all to decide on the Bay Horse who made us most welcome. We sang in there again breifly on Saturday but also had a good sing in the Queens. The Bay Horse again hosted a good session on Sunday lunchtime. The Hop Pole will have to show a significantly less cynical attitude if it wants to get our custom back.

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: JennyO
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 05:39 PM

That is very shortsighted of the management at the Hop Pole - they ought to know that word will get around. All of a sudden they will wonder why the crowds are walking right past on their way to somewhere else, and all they will get is the usual locals. I'm very glad we ran into you, Mrs Scarecrow, and found out about the Bay Horse. Glad to hear that Friday night was not the only session in there. Looks like that will be the first place we look next year, or the Queens.

Subject: RE: Bromyard Folk Festival 2011
From: Wheatman
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 04:13 PM

Information about proposed sessions nearer the time would be very helpful. Gan Canny Brian