sam lee, george collins

Subject: sam lee, george collins
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Dec 12 - 03:28 PM

heard this version today, which was quite pleasant,it was taken fro m an album ground of its own which was nominated for a 2012 prize.
I thought the arrangements were imganitive, but I thought the singer was making the fundamental mistake of singing to the acoompaniment, or being forced to follow the accompaniment rather than the accompaniment following the singer, neither do i understand the necessity for a long instrumental in the middle of the song, on the other hand the musical competence of the performers is very high.
I prefer the song unaccompanied. only my opinion of course.
or done like this in a simple manner here are two contrasting approaches, in my opinion the beauty of this traditional music lies in its simplicity, i realise there are a lot of people who will disagree with me,
but I do feel very strongly that the accompaniment should be an accompaniment and that if that cannot be achieved it is better done unaccompanied to allow the singer to sing freely
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1it2M7-ME0Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YfFbCmLGqE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAW2BRV4ZkE
yours sincerely Dick Miles

Subject: RE: sam lee, george collins
From: mikesamwild
Date: 23 Mar 13 - 01:59 PM

We went to see him and his Nest Collective at The Greystones in Sheffield the other night. Thomas McCarthy, the young Irish Traveller was also on his bill. It was a good night and I'm still making my mind up about Sam Lee's performance. He seems to have the confidence of travellers and gypsies from whom he collects songs and was 'apprenticed' to Stanley Robertson.

I'd be interested to hear other people'sviews. I liked George Collins . His co musicians play some nice material on a variety of instruments.

Subject: RE: sam lee, george collins
From: Tradsinger
Date: 24 Mar 13 - 10:15 AM

It may not be how you or I would sing it, Dick, but I do give Sam credit for trying something different, using modern recording techniques to create an atmosphere. I don't feel that one should be prescriptive about how a folk song is treated and Sam's version may well reach audiences that other versions wouldn't. Perhaps some people might even be tempted to seek out the Enos White recording and then give the song their own treatment.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: sam lee, george collins
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Mar 13 - 01:28 PM

to be prescriptive means to lay down rules.
if you consider that my statement about accompaniment is prescriptive, you are correct, accompaniment means to accompany it does not mean forcing the singer to follow the accompaniment, that should be a rule of accompaniment.
neither do i believe that trying something different is either good or bad.,it depends on the end result.
for the record,I was one of the first people to use the combination of clarinet and concertina, which at that time was different.
   reread my post again and you will see that I praise certain features of the recording.
my remark did not mention folk song ,but was a remark about accompaniment which applies to all music.so , at not time have i made any remark about being prescriptive about folk song.
I am curious as to why this thread has been revived, 3 months later?
I suggest Mike Wild would do better to start a new thread saying how much he likes sam lees version of george collins

Subject: RE: sam lee, george collins
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 25 Mar 13 - 11:54 AM

I didn't 'watch' all of it as I couldn't stand the video. As I don't have a TV I'm not used to that sort of crap though I guess others expect it.
I liked his voice, reminiscent of Dave Burland but I was too impatient to hear the story (albeit I know it) and he was dragging it out. Against that I reckoned the guitar was neither here nor there.
I would rather hear Shirley Collins. (no relation so far as I know)

Subject: RE: sam lee, george collins
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 25 Mar 13 - 03:37 PM

Sorry Dick - didn't like either version - Is that really the Sam Lee that collects from Travellers - as JHW said, whatever happened to the story?
Always found Shirley a little too limpid and milk and water for my taste.
Sorry again,
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: sam lee, george collins
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Mar 13 - 04:28 PM

yes, that is the same Sam Lee.