On Ron Olesko and Singer/Songwriters

Subject: On Ron Olesko and Singer/Songwriters
From: InOBU
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 09:36 AM

Great radio show about the MudCD, Ron ... however, you made a remark which reminds me of a discussion I am having regarding the definition of traditional. When you say the music of singer songwriters is not traditional music, it reminds me of the disagreement I have with some English ethnographers about Roma (Gypsies). Thomas Acton refers to the Roma as not being a people of tradition as they do not do things exactly as the generation before has done. The counter to this is put forward by Dr. Ruth Andersen, and I paraphrase both to the extreme here, but she points out that all human society adepts, and adapting within the pattern of one's people is the definition of tradition, that in fact, no culture is static. In that understanding, the fact that we discovered the notion of folk music in the past hundred years, does not mean that those who do what has always been done in the past, write songs of the people, wither you are Ireland's Zoozimus of the last century, or McGrath of Harlow, of this, that you are less traditional.
Just a thought,
Cheers
Larry

Subject: RE: On Ron Olesko and Singer/Songwriters
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 10:10 AM

Larry,

Either you misquote me or I wasn't clear.   I honestly have to listen to the interview to hear what you are referring to.

You might be referring to a comment that I made saying that there was a time when "folk" music just wasn't cool. The singer-songwriter explosion of the 80's and 90's led to a downplay of what most people consider "traditional" music. I'm not saying that what contemporary writers are doing isn't in the tradition, but there were some people who thought it just wasn't "cool" to sing Child Ballads or sea chanteys so most NEW artists were trying to sell their own wares. In recent years you have artists that are going back to the tradition and finding these old gems. There is a sense of history and self that we lose when we ignore the songs of our past.   

I've always felt that songwriters are part of the tradition. ALL folk songs have a start somewhere. If you read my playlist you will see that I give a fair share of my program to the songwriter.

I try to speak to what I feel most consider "traditional" as opposed to "contemporary".   Singer/Songwriters have become lumped into the "contemporary". The musicologist faction do tend to dismiss their contribution, and I think they miss something by doing that. Your point is well taken and it is one that I've always subscribed to.

On that note, I will say that I have complained about what I call singer-songwhiners. My personal definition of folk song, and one of the critera that I use to program my show, is that songs should offer something that can be shared. My personal taste is that I don't care for over-introspective songs. To me it is much like reality TV, there may a voyeuristic thrill at first but after a while it becomes a substitute for real feelings.   

Keep the songwriters and song interpreters coming!

Ron

Subject: RE: On Ron Olesko and Singer/Songwriters
From:
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 11:33 AM

Ron, have you any of Dave Stone's works? Check my folk page Folk for a number of links to different recordings of Dave's.

Subject: RE: On Ron Olesko and Singer/Songwriters
From: InOBU
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 11:35 AM

Much clearer... thanks Ron... I understand that in the short time one is aloted on the radio big ideas get abriviated. As to introspection, I completely agree. In the tradition is a balance between where we have been and where we are going. Thanks for the clarification... again, great show... Now that I figured out how to get it on mudcat, I will have to listen to back shows...
Cheers
Larry

Subject: RE: On Ron Olesko and Singer/Songwriters
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:07 PM

Thanks George!   You have a very interesting website, I will be checking a few sites!

Thank you Larry. It is nice to see that something I said got someone thinking! You made some interesting points about "the tradition", a subject that I have often wrestled with in trying to define.

Ron

Subject: RE: On Ron Olesko and Singer/Songwriters
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 04:14 PM

Nice site George.

Subject: RE: On Ron Olesko and Singer/Songwriters
From:
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 07:18 PM

Thanks. It's really just a mish-mash of things covering mostly my province's traditional style musicians.