Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Janie
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 08:51 AM

What Mark Cohen said.

Janie

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GUEST,greg stephens
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 07:29 AM

Well I am a 100% folkie, and I love oldtime music. But I am a Brit folkie, and I suspect the implication of the word may be radically different in America. To my way of thinking, oldtime(in this context) means "American folk music", so it would be funny to be a folkie and not like folk music. But I believe "folkie" in this American context carries implications of "liker of modern singer songwriters", and obviously someone in that category might not like oldtime.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 05:01 AM

I think part of the problem is that old-time music isn't at its best when it's just being listened to. To get the most out of it, you have to play it or dance to it. As a contra and square dancer, I'll take a driving old-time band over a bluegrass band any day of the week. The music plays differently, too, when it's played for dancers than when it's played in a circle on a porch. Not that one is better than the other, but when a good band is truly interacting with the dancers I think even Martin would have to agree there's a drive and an edge to the music. And ever since I was in Bruce Molsky's band lab at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in 1989, I've learned what a joy it is to sit in one of those old-time jams with my guitar, being the drum and bass, and hearing the fiddles and banjos get inside the tune, making subtle changes with each repetition. But as my dad used to say, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla. And butter pecan.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 03:24 AM

I think Greg's point was that the "traditionalists" do respect Old Time, whereas the "folkies" (for which, read "contemporary singer-songwriters and their fans", at any rate in America) often don't. Could be wrong, mind: I'm a foreigner, after all.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Neighmond
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 03:21 AM

I can't play or sing any more remarkably than the next person, but I find that one of our fellow 'catters was right when they said that the difference between old time and bluegrass was with bluegrass the performers use the song to show how good they are, and with old time music the performers use themselves to show how good the song is.

FWIW

Chaz

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 03:09 AM

Thankfully, a lot of Mudcatters AREN'T traditionallists. We have some very open minds here, and there's always room for something good... no matter what genre.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 03:03 AM

Most of us, if we're honest. A thoroughly interesting and informative discussion, and enlightening for those of us who would consider "folk" and "old time" to be essentially the same thing approached in a different way. Good upright bass players are in short supply, true; but catch one that can handle a bow and you'll get a whole new perspective on those "celtic" slow airs, for one thing.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 02:04 AM

I think most folks contributing to this thread have much in music that is common to each of them. Various instrumental preferences shine through. Every individual has his own pet instrument[s]. The sound of celtic piping [Scots or Irish] has a "blood-call" for me. Reels and jigs. The harp, fiddle, or elbow pipes; slow airs. M.G. might note that his much-loved upright bass can have little part to play in such, and may even feel like belittling the genre in consequence. He shouldn't, as far as I am concerned. There is an abundance of "bass-friendly" and quality material there for the playing. And I'm one of the host of music addicts who enjoys the good music from that airt. There are fair swathes of the "music industry" which kind of get up my nose. Most of these can be found in the myriad "top twenty" one month [at most] wonders of the pop world, in the "listen to what I have found" ancient rubbish occasionally dug up by "traddies" , and in the insidious trash churned out by those who persistently give American Country music a bad name; a bad name which it need not have, by the way, for there are many truly topnotch ballads in the country genre.
   So I think we should all recognise that there is much in every musical genre that is of high quality and is enjoyable. And there is a fair proportion of each that is plain crap.
    I go to each session with little doubt that I am about to enjoy what I will hear---for the most part. Those who are on the learning curve should have respect too---we all started with raggedy edges [and some of us STILL have them!]

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 02:00 AM

Yeah for Art!! (Thieme, that is)

I personally dislike virtuosity for its own sake. Showiness and flamboyance? I have noted that often (but not always, certainly) those who are so incredibly able in their playing can't sing worth a hoot. To ME (who cares, right?) Old Timey is the WHOLE package. The instruments, the singing and the poetry! Folk music (again, to ME) is music that has come from and survived through oral tradition (or kitchen tradition) There are "folk" songs which aren't. I think that these are what might be called "synthetic old timey". Music created to sound like old time or traditional music but which were created last month or are created to speak to a particular event, political position, social injustice, etc. These can be wonderful and powerful but I try to keep these seperate from what I call old timey and don't really like "folk" as a description of that catagory.

I have a large white lapel button which says "Folk You!" I'm not sure where I got it but I know I have had it since 1962 or so.

I think that "folkies" are those people who like "Puff the Magic Dragon" or "Blue Tail Fly" (as opposed to Jim Cracked Corn). They don't like Old Timey because it is "bonafide" (to quote Penelope McGill-Warvey). I think that people who perform folk music, oral tradition music, music from other cultures etc. are performers and presenters of music which moves or informs us or both. I guess it is easier to call them 'folkies' than "people who perform and present music which moves and informs us".

I spent a lovely evening listening to the Ozark Hens (last Saturday) who sing and play old timey string band music and old style country gospel and confess that they do it because they have fun when they do. Me too. I had fun listening to them, I had fun playing in the jam after the performance. People who get jacked up about what is right, correct, impressive, showey and flashy are missing out and missing a point. In the old days, people played music because it was fun. How many of you expect to become "stars"? Reach fame and fortune? Secure a "following". And why?

Coyote Breath

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 12:48 AM

Sorry, I remembered wrong. It Wasn't Archie Green who told me that. It was his co-host and M.C. at that festival, Prof. Robert Cosby. (Studs Terkel did some M.C.ing there too.)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 12:36 AM

Amos, hello,

For starters, of the revivalists who specialize in this music, look at anything that has ever been recorded by the The Philo Glee And Mandolin Society(one LP), the New Lost City Ramblers, the Double Decker String Band, Mac Benford, Alice Girrard and Hazel Dickens---.

In the 1960s, these people learned the old-timey structures and sounds and instrumentalities from the great exponents of this music that had first recorded it thirty years earlier. The N.L.C.R. especially taught the generations following them exactly what OLD-TIMEY music was, is, and how to do it. Some bands, like the amazing Red Clay Ramblers took old-timey music in other directions that were wonderfully inventive while still retaining the old-timey sound inherent in earlier inventive bands bands like Charlie Poole and his North Carolina Ramblers.

In choosing their name, the N.L.C.Ramblers were tipping their hats to Charlie Poole and his ramblers. And the Red Clay Ramblers were tipping their hat in turn to Mike Seeger, Tom Paley, John Cohen and Tracy Schwarz----the N.L.C.Ramblers. It realy is amazing how this music keeps on keeping on. As an old style words-loving folksinger, I mourn the passing of the balladeer in this brave new folkie scene. I think I know the secret of the survival of old-timey music though. It's a vital part of the social dancing community. As long as it remains a part of this dynamic social scene it will inspire the youth to pick up and learn these instruments and styles.--------------------------------- As folklorist Archie Green told me back in 1961 at the first University Of Chicago Folk Festival: "There's nothing like a square dance or a revival meeting for populating a new nation." ;-)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Amos
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:47 PM

Say fellas -- what are some of the great definitive songs that you identify in your minds as "old timey" rather than "folk" or "bluegrass"??

Do you have some idea of a definition in mind that could be laid down for those of us interested in following the conversation?

Is "The State of Arkansas" old-timey? How about "The Unfortunate Man" or, say, "Down in Rackensack", or "Poor Willie Sutton"?

Is "Get Along Home Cindy, Cindy" oldtimey? Seems like it to me, but I am curious about the categories being thrown around here. "Darlin' Corey"? "Roving Gambler"?

Some of these are played more often by bluegrass groups , I guess. Just wondering how the line is drawn as you-all see it.

A

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: rich-joy
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:09 PM

ahhh ... I accidentally hit the "tab" button and it posted me!!


I was about to say that many of us Folkies in Oz also LOVE Bluegrass Gospel (but NOT coz of any religious message!!!)

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: rich-joy
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:06 PM

PS

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: rich-joy
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:50 PM

Well, there are a great many Folkies down in Oz who absolutely LOVE American Old Timey music!!! Our beloved 'catter, Stewie, is a notable case in point! There's great HEART in this music!

Bluegrass is popular as well, but there's a perception that BG is perhaps less "accessable" - unless you're a shit-hot player, that is??!!

In Oz, "singer/songwriters" and "acoustic music" are often regarded as "folk music" by the general populace!
But to "Folkies", these categories are, at best, "contemporary folk" ...

Cheers!
R-J

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:17 PM

There are so many great and beautiful aspects to old time music- but I understand how it's an aquired taste. My first old time music fix was listening to The New Lost City Ramblers. I liked a lot of their songs but at first I didn't hardly understand the fiddle tunes. I looked up a lot of the original recording artists they mentioned and listened to them - like Uncle dave Macon, Charlie Poole, Grayson and Whitter, The Skillet Lickers, The Delmore Brothers and more and gradually got myself an education and understanding of the music. I started playing banjo and picking up songs and fiddle tunes from there, and gradually many tunes got worked into my soul. The first time I arrived at an informal old time festival I got out of my car and walked right into the most powerful presence of fiddle music with banjo, guitar and bass I have ever heard - a sound that penetrated my veins. It was exciting, spirited, beautiful and complex and played with sheer love and drive - I became addicted to the quality and the aspects of that music and since then I am constantly still learning great things about it. Old time music can be very complex or very simple - often in it's simplicity the listener doesn't realise the complexity of it until they try to play it themselves. It's an understanding - an education. Once you get it, you're hooked.
Often people ask me what kind of music I play and I try to explain it like this: something like bluegrass but an earlier style related to folk music. It's terribly hard to explain unless they hear it.
In Toronto old time music concerts are few, but are respected by the audience and presenters when they occur. Folk festivals are for the most part not hiring old time musicians unless they are very well known or have big fiddle bands with good looking fiddle playing ladies in them (not to dis them - they are very good too!) and traditional music in general is gradually dissapearing from these festivals in favor of the modern singer-songwriter. This is the age of the singer/songwriter- it's what sells to the buying younger generation for the most part.
At Clifftop - in the hottest old time spot, you'd swear that the music is everywhere and is part of a huge resurgence- and it is true that there are so many good recordings available now and many young people are learning to play really well, but the old time scene is still really pretty small and unknown for the most part.
I have high hopes for the music- I can see the enthusiasm and ability of new players, new tunes are now being made up all the time, and the singer songwriter craze will give way to performance opportunities of traditional music more in the future.
By the way a Canadian friend of mine has released a CD of all new old time Canadian tunes, and it's one killer great recording! Check out Brian Pickell's website and his "Fresh Canadian Fiddle Tunes" CD if you are interested. http://www.brianpickell.com/music/
Arnie Naiman

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GLoux
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:14 PM

Spaw-

Ahh...From your "friendly" response, I get the sense that you've got the answer to my question, but you're not talking...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:14 PM

I guess it is the difference between those who like a drive on a mountain road at a reasonable pace, and those who need the Indy 500. Depends on how much adrenaline you need in your system. Fast banjo players amaze & impress, but bore me...

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:11 PM

Y'know--"Old Timey" catch-as-catch can jam sessions, in common with Celtoid "sessiuns" and Bluegrass jams are essentially masturbatory in nature. Them may be fun for those participating, but they can be a monumental drag for listeners. The biggest objection I've encountered to any and all of them is that they're boring, loud and tend to take over from any other music that may be present.

Good bluegrass is fine (though a bit rigid in structure for my taste); good Celtic music is fine; good "Old Timey" is fine. Too much of any of these tend to be not good. Good or bad, they're loud.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Once Famous
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 10:07 PM

OK, OK

First of all my "damn" was neither fun spirited or mean spirited.   Let's just say it was....................spirited.

Gloux, you will never convert me. I've been kicking around 40 years and have played with 'em all. I have been to concerts with old-timey acts and they have not been memorable.

I have tried to sit in with my upright bass with this lot and have had to try to pinch myself to stay awake.

If someone does not know what I mean when I say that the music has no edge, than I guess I feel sorry for them.

Defend it all you want, enjoy it even more. I'll take a hot banjo player any day. Thank God music evolves.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Scoville
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 09:55 PM

OK, so I'm not sure why folkies/old-time-ers butt heads, either, and I don't mean to be antagonistic, I sit on the old-time side of the fenc first. I spent my college years playing square-dance music in the midwest (my unofficial minor). There are many enormously talented and creative old-time musicians, past and present. Martin Gibson just isn't listening to the right recordings.

A. It's so damn repetitious.

If you're talking about the instrumentals, yes, it can be repetitious. It's called dance music. It helps keep square- and contradancers on cue. However, if nobody's dancing, it doesn't have to be and shouldn't be. Any old-time band worth their salt can trade off leads and play some variation.

It's no more repetitious than most UK or Irish tunes, really (not suprising, since it's often descended from them).

B. It lacks any edge

What does that mean? Just because a lot of us--not all of us--don't want to cave in to the latest "fusion" fad doesn't mean we lack edge. Part of the point of playing these tunes is their preservation, not their bastardization. I gave up listening to modern bluegrass and country when they became so commercialized (specifically, when Nickel Creek won a bluegrass award).

C. It usually is played without a bass rendering it somewhat hollow for me.

This is a band-specific complaint. Most old-time bands would KILL to find a good bass player. Personally, I think there is a general shortage of competent but not-too-showy stand-up and washtub bassists (bass is the bodhran of old-time music; my friend Rex the bodhran player always says you want somebody who can keep the rhythm above all, play some interesting variations, but doesn't overpower the melody).

D. The newest song seems to be Old Joe Clark

A lot of old-time musicians write their own old-style music and "Old Joe Clark" isn't by any means the best of our repertoires (I personally cannot stand that song and refuse ever to play the melody again; I've hated it since I first learned it on the piano 20 years ago). Even at that, so what if they're old tunes? The traditional UK songs are even older but nobody seems to be complaining.

E. It lacks flashy and flamboyant leads

A) so, not everyone is that egocentric. B) that's not the point; the point is that it's a band effort. C) No, it often doesn't.

F. Every one always plays at the same volume as there seems to be a lack of dynamics.

If you're talking about recording quality: this depends a lot on the band and the recording quality. Many of the recordings I have, even if professionally produced or remastered, are recorded on low-rent if not homemade equipment, which does a number on sound recordings. If there were a *bigger market* for this kind of music, better-quality recordings would probably be available, but since there isn't, these artists are probably funding the recordings themselves if they are recording at all.

If you're talking about arrangements: again, depends on the skill and creativity of the band. I can't believe anyone could accuse the original Red Clay Ramblers of lacking dynamics.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GLoux
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 09:55 PM

Technically, the organizer of the house concert series wasn't putting on a directly-sponsored Philadelphia Folk Song Society event, but the head of the PFSS and other prominent board members were in attendance. The folk scene here is larger than the PFSS and it is a very close knit community.

But, getting back to my point, which Jerry has once again managed to prompt this poster to sharpen, I'm trying to understand what, given the initial responses to my question, may turn out to be unique to the Philadelphia microcosm. We have a thriving old-time community here, but it is only minimally represented in the "folk" events. There are excellent, broadly talented acts (instrumental and vocal) both local and within the greater regional northeast US that could be playing in the "folk" venues but aren't.

This has led to the formation of a small number of organizations in the area that cater to the old-time community, most prominent of which is the Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music, who has a very vital concert series of old-time and bluegrass in the area. Another organization has recently formed to bring even more old-time music to the area. For example, this new organization is sponsoring a concert by "Jawbone", a new group featuring Tony Trishka, Bruce Molsky and Paula Bradley this upcoming weekend. Major headliners, to be sure, but not sponsored by the folkies, but rather by a grass-roots old-time group. Don't get me wrong, I'm SO grateful for the BFOTM and this new organization's efforts to support old-time...because I'm so much a student and fan of old-time music, I consider myself lucky to live where I do.

Getting back to my original question, rephrased a bit softer, or otherwise embellished...why isn't old time music more warmly embraced as American folk music by the folk community? Why do singer-songwriters dominate "folk" when old-time IS American folk music? Is old-time too grass-roots to be accepted?

-Greg

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 09:50 PM

I think around here you'll find the premise of this thread is bogus. Then again we have a lot of newer members this past year or so that may differ.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GLoux
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 08:53 PM

It sounds like that Philadelphia organiser just didn't like folk music.

That's my question, too...Why was she organizing for the Philadelphia Folksong Society?

-Greg

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GLoux
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 08:51 PM

MG-

I'll take the lack-o-malice comment and accept it...

But, let me change my mind and say I lied about turning comments around:

A. It's so damn repetitious, the songs seem to go on forever. I keep wondering, "is this the last time we are going to play it through?"

A.1. Question: Is the use of the word "damn" nice-spirited or mean-spirited?

A.2. Most JAMS that I'm involved with are with people who are just learning the tune, so there is an effort to play a tune long enough to make sure someone who doesn't know it can pick it up well enough to remember it. We try to avoid tunes that have been literally beat into the ground (like Old Joe Clark).

A.3. I've never been to an old-time CONCERT that was "so damn repetitious". Have you ever been to an old-time CONCERT? The Big Medicine concert in West Chester, PA last weekend was phenomenal. Perhaps you're choosing to form an opinion just based upon some JAMS with some old-time starters. Have you ever stood in the shadows of a crowd observing Bruce Molsky in a JAM? David Bass? Rayna Gellert? Rich Hartness? Richard Bowman? My wife, Palmer? There are many more I could list and I'm sorry if I've offended anyone by not including them (that's why I included my wife...).

B. It lacks any edge

Refer to A.3. above. Bluegrass has become too predictable, too formulaic (if that's a word), too rule-driven...and I think bluegrass has lost any semblance of subtlety. The rhythmic subtlety of old-time is perhaps its strongest attraction for me.

C. It usually is played without a bass rendering it somewhat hollow for me.

Maybe this is the olive-branch bridge I can toss to you...There are many excellent bass players in old-time music who have eschewed bluegrass, or continue to maintain a high-regard for bluegrass...but, having said that, there needs to be more bass players in old-time. At a good old-time festival like Clifftop, I would say that good bass players are the most sought-after musicians, followed by guitar players. The principle instruments are fiddle and banjo. Bass in old-time is not glamorous, but if really good, is the heart of the band. I've observed some bluegrass bass players who get into an old-time jam start slapping the bass or otherwise start trying to draw attention to themselves, which distracts from the point. That's a major difference between old-time and bluegrass...the point is to contribute and not show that everyone is a virtuoso.

On the other hand, a lot of old-time is done without a bass. With you being a bass player, I will duplicitously assert that this could be a sticking point for a bass player, but hope you could pick up a guitar, banjo or fiddle, too...

I was just re-reading the liner notes to Gail Gillespie's TRAVELING SHOES CD today and there's a paragraph about my friend, Tolly Tollefson, and her playing with the New Southern Broadcasters:

After spending most of her musical years as a fiddler she has recently found a calling with the stand-up-bass. A multi-talented musician, Tolly enjoys contributing to the music on whatever instrument she happens to have in her hands. As she says, "Playing old-time music is what is fun, the instrument you play it on is secondary."

D. The newest song seems to be Old Joe Clark

Refer to A.3. above. There exists a short list of fiddle tunes that have worked their way into the bluegrass repertoire that is so stagnant that it has never ceased to amaze me (Bill Cheatum (sp), Old Joe Clark, Sally Goodin, Devil's Dream, not to mention the show tunes like Orange Blossom Special, Listen to the Mockingbird, etc.) that the literally THOUSANDS of other great fiddle tunes are so painstakingly ignored so that points like your D. point prevail. A suggestion: get your band to learn Ed Haley's BLUEGRASS MEADOWS. It's completely different from the hackneed, typical BG repertoire, and it's got BLUEGRASS in the title!!

E. It lacks flashy and flambouyant leads

No it doesn't. In a JAM, the fiddle has the lead and the banjo is right there with it. It lacks slick ("LOOK AT WHAT I CAN DO") all-about-ME showiness because the heart of the music is not the individual, but the whole group, or JAM. Most typically, a JAM sounds a whole lot different, rhythmically and intensively (?) at the end than at the beginning, because it builds each time around. Geez, fiddlers like Bruce Molsky get criticized for being too flashy. Of course while singing SONGS while performing in a CONCERT, the vocals have the lead and there are some over-the-top singers today (and of course, in the past)...Ginny Hawker, Carol Elizabeth Jones, Beverly Smith & Carl Jones...Big Medicine's vocals are incredible...so vital...

F. Every one always plays at the same volume as there seems to be a lack of dynamics.

Having no individual breaks cannot be equivalenced with a lack of dynamics. After so many years of listening to it and playing it, I find the formulaic break-taking of bluegrass one instrument at-a-time to be boringly predictable and lacking in dynamics. To hear a rhythmic groove of fiddle, banjo, guitar and (if we're lucky) bass raising the roof higher and higher as the dynamic intensity increases is one of the things I live for.



Martin Gibson,

I'm not trying to be adversarial here, but on the other hand, I can't passively sit by and take your comments about the music I love and have spent so much time working on, without reacting. No malice on my part intended. Just give old-time a real listen...I know a lot of over-the-top bluegrass musicians who have come around to old-time.

Look out. My mission is to convert you...you're doomed...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 08:48 PM

Hey GLoux: Which definition of old-timey music are you talking about? The obviously prejudicial one that claims that old timey bands just keep playing the same boring, simplistic tunes endlessly?
THat's not what the Double Decker String Band or Major Contay and The Canebrake Rattlers do (for more recent bands) and it sure ain't what Charlie Poole, Gid Tanner, Grayson & Whitter and the Carolina Tarheels did. Now, I've been at festivals where, the moment I sit down to play a song, I have eighteen approximately tuned banjos and fiddles joining in. If that's what people think "old-timey" is, then I agree that it does go on and on.

Now, we all show our prejudices in here.. me included. I happen to love old-timey music in all it's myriad ramifications. Fortunato (Chance and his wife) do a wonderful approximation of an old time radio program (including phony commercials) and I consider their music olf-timey. It sure as hell isn't new-timey.

Maybe "what we have here is a lack of commnication." You may be dealing with the age old split of singers and instrumentalists (all of whom sing. There are certainly coffee house venues that have developed a loyal audience who come to sing along on easy chorus songs, where they might or might not respond to an old-timer band. Try to sing along on the Chorus to Charlie Poole's Frankie and Johnnie.. Coffee houses and concert series take on a life of their own after awhile, narrowing down to singer-songwriters, bands or more tradition-based singers. There is a little bit of petrification that occurs through time where the audience limits the range of what they are willing to listen to. My best advice is, stay away from places like that. When someone would tell me that their audience wouldn't like my music, I just said, "You know your audience... thanks for being honest," and moved on. When I would tell musicians the same thing who asked for bookings at the series I ran, too many of them responded "I can make anyone like me." Yeah, sure... I was really gald not to book them with that attitude.

Now, I was still running my concert series, I'd book your band in a heartbeat. And my audience would love you, as they loved other old-timey bands. And, just exactly the opposite of what people criticize old-timey bands for, my audience liked them because they put the song first. If that meant a lack oaf fancy breaks between each verse, that suited my audience fine. The came more for the songs than for fancy instrumental licks. Didn't make the audience superior to a bluegrass audience. Just different.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:32 PM

I sing all sorts of stuff and play all sorts of stuff , from Jazz and Blues to unaccompanied harmony ! I get well paid for playing whistle and mandolin in an Irish band and spent yesterday evening at an Irish session . However , Irish music is NOT as enjoyable as English tunes to MY ear , and a whole weekend of Unaccompanied Singing would leave me cold . Its all a matter of personal taste , and bad mouthing someone who doesnt have the same taste as yourself seems to me to be totally unproductive ! We used to have a serious dichotomy in UK between SOME traditional people and SOME contemporary people , which seems to have evened out in the last few years . For Pete's sake , its ALL music , so just enjoy it all !

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GLoux
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:17 PM

Martin Gibson,

You (fortunately) have apparently not scratched the surface of old-time (American) music.

I'm not going to, but I feel I could turn almost all of your comments around and direct them right back at bluegrass jams I've been involved in.

Come to Clifftop. Look me up. You'll believe...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Once Famous
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:15 PM

Let's clear the air before we go any further.

I have no malice at all toward my old-timey musician cousins or that they enjoy what they have a passion for.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GLoux
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:09 PM

PoppaGator...you're absolutely right, it is one of those American/Amurican (I'm a search-sensitive (ss) kind-of-guy, unlike Jerry) folk music issues that we never talk about and that our own Martin Gibson (a bluegrasser!!) has recently presented VERY strong negative opinions about that I want to get to the heart of. (Did I just dump some gasoline on the fire? I hope so...)

-Greg

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:05 PM

Shambles said it. There's a place for contemporary stuff, but it's always second place.

But is this complaint by Glouz really well-founded? Looking at the film of Down From The Mountains, the spin-off concert from Oh Brother Where Art Thou? I got the distinct impression that there's a lot of respect for traditional American music from people whose respect is worth having.

It sounds like that Philadelphia organiser just didn't like folk music.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: dulcimer
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:04 PM

I play folk and old-time (Carter Family era). Much of the music is the same, just a different way of presentation. But....there may be a lot of old-time music that is associated with country music and that leads to bluegrass and what I currently call "rock" country music. So maybe people/folkes don't want to get that close.   On the other hand, I don't like a lot of the contemporary folk music like I hear on the NPR show "Folk Sampler."   Sounds more like "soft" rock to me. I like more traditional folk music.

I play about twice a month with old time fiddlers, pickers, and singers. They do a lot of country music from the 40-70s. I slip folk and Irish in, and it is appreciated (or at least tolerated). I have played in a wide variety of music situations and have never been told what to play or what not to play. The people might not appreciate my playing, but haven't had comments on the selection of music.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: Once Famous
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:01 PM

Gloux

The old-timey stuff that I have been exposed to over the years and yes, unfortunately have disliked is because:

A. It's so damn repetitious, the songs seem to go on forever. I keep wondering, "is this the last time we are going to play it through?"
B. It lacks any edge
C. It usually is played without a bass rendering it somewhat hollow for me.
D. The newest song seems to be Old Joe Clark
E. It lacks flashy and flambouyant leads
F. Every one always plays at the same volume as there seems to be a lack of dynamics.

Now, I consider myself somewhat of a folkie, a country singer, and a bluegrass player. I am not saying any of these opinions mean spirited, but am trying to be very honest. When that hammered dulcimer comes out in a bluegrass jam, it can clear out the room.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 06:51 PM

From my point of view 'old time' IS American folk music.

Subject: RE: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 06:48 PM

Hmmm, interesting.

Too bad you're in the US, playing American old-time music. I get the impression (by reading Mudcat, of course) that in the UK, all forms of older traditional music are *much* more respected than any contemporary singer-songwriter stuff.

Subject: Why do 'folkies' dislike 'old-time'?
From: GLoux
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 06:45 PM

I'm following Jerry's lead on asking provocative questions...

As an old-time musician, I am constantly amazed by the "knee-jerk reaction" by a more-than-significant number of folk musicians who dislike old-time music. This is not new...I have memories going back 20+ years of snide remarks, cliquish-behavior, and "it's just not cool" body language.

Locally (in the Philadelphia area) there is a series of folk house concerts that I've enjoyed from time to time, and I approached the organizer last year about my band getting on their schedule...her reaction was basically, "Old-Time??? No way". She never even heard us.

To me, the best old-time musicians are the ones who are most respectful of folk tradition.

Is it the folk music = singer-songwriter conundrum?

Is it that folk music must be about "contemporary" issues in "contemporary" language?

In this forum, I've observed posts about old-time music that were, IMHO, uninformed, wrong, and just plain mean-spirited.

Why? It is almost like some are defending a secret consensus among a predominant percent of folkies that old-time is crap. Is there a secret hand-shake?

What are the real issues here?

-Greg