I want to get deeper into Folk Music

Subject: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 30 May 06 - 11:55 PM

So I love folk music but I want to get in even deeper. Let me tell you all what I like so that you can help me on my way. I love Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, The Weavers, Leadbelly (I've never listened to much of him but what I've heard I love). So I can't really think of anybody else but if you all could direct me towards people to listen to and records to buy, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 31 May 06 - 12:39 AM

I'd start at the Library of Congress.

Don

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Azizi
Date: 31 May 06 - 01:05 AM

Hello,John henry's hammer,

Part of the difficulty in responding to your comment is that it depends on what the meaning of "folk music" is to you.

You could spend countless hours debating with folk here & elsewhere about what that term means. Some think that the best definition for "folk music" is narrow, while others' believe that it should be quite broad.

As a relative newbie here, my suggestion would be to spend some time reading through the songs listed in the Digital Tradition {otherwise known as the DigiTrad and indicated by the DT Lyrics feature in the Lyrics & Knowledge box}. Also, I would also suggest that you spend some time reading old threads on different genres of and subjects about folk music.

You can put key words in the Lyrics & Knowledge Search engine on the front page. However, due to a massive computer glitch or what have you, the specific messages don't seem to conform with the thread title, but the thread titles work {meaning you can click on the thread title and it will come up but if you click on the specific message you're likely to get a whole 'nuther subject}.

And since you included Robert Johnson in your list of folk artists, when I was new[er] here, I started a thread on the Blues. Though I later found out that there had been quite a number of previous threads asking the same "what is the blues/which blues artists would you recommend} questions that I did, I was-and still am-heartened by the considerate and knowledgeable responses I got on that thread.

Here's the link to that thread:

Feelin The Blues

Again, welcome to Mudcat!

Share, Learn, Enjoy!

and

Best wishes,


Azizi

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: open mike
Date: 31 May 06 - 01:55 AM

John McCutcheon
Carter Family

search each of the favorites you mentioned
and you will find lots of songs..
do you play? sing?

i am sure you will find that
many here also like the same
music...if you join ;as a
member you can contact them
by personal message and chat

welcome and happy searching

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 May 06 - 02:57 AM

Hi, Mr. Hammer - I'd agree with open mike that you might like John McCutcheon. Bill Staines is another one. In another thread, somebody posted a link to a page titled The 111 Greatest (Anglo-American) Folk Music Artists - there are some great suggestions on that list (although many of my favorites are on the "also considered but not included" list at the bottom of the page.
Bok-Muir-Trickett might really interest you, as well as the Golden Ring recordings - both are from Folk Legacy Music, my favorite record company.
Hope that helps.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 May 06 - 04:41 AM

The early Bob Dylan and Tom Paxton show how a contemporary artist can work with the tradition of those artists you mention in the very forefront of their minds.

I think if you chaseup some of the references that the sleeve note writer wrote on the early Dylan albums - Bob Dylan and freewheelin'. He was a very aware young man and he borrowed from the best.

there was a rather super book called The encyclopaedia of Folk Music - which was almost entirely American and I think it mentioned The Clancys. But it could open a few doors for you - if you could find an old copy.

best of luck. Paul Oliver's classic album The Coutry Blues is a very good compilation album. Personally when I first started out I found singers like Peter Paul and mary and Koerner Ray and glover more palatable than people like Robert Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson - but they are the real deal, when it comes to the blues.

Blues singers who worked the profitable part of their carrer with a white audience like Josh White, Big Bill Broonzy and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee - are easier to listen to in the first instance. I found Robert Johnson, very African sounding and harsh initially - but he is totally unique, his rhythms are complex, his skill at songwriting almost unparalleled.

What I'm say is, just follow your instinct, but don't let initial impressions be lasting ones. A lot of these peole are great artists, and don't be one of thos people who go round saying Picasso is rubbish. Keep an open mind.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 31 May 06 - 09:38 AM

IMO, the best introduction to real American folk music is Rounder's "Treasury of Library of Congress Field Recordings", selected and edited by Steve Wade. $12.98 +s&H at CAMSCO. Who will also be happy to make suggestions. Call 800/548-FOLK (3655), or E-mail

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: jeffp
Date: 31 May 06 - 10:27 AM

Something that I have found helpful is to read the liner notes of my favorites' CDs and seek out the people that they mention. Then find the people mentioned there. and on and on. It's a wonderful quest and you will find much enjoyment.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Roughyed
Date: 31 May 06 - 10:49 AM

If you can, find out where the live folk music is around you and go and listen. You will find songs and tunes you have never heard but will love and meet some of the best people in the world.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: open mike
Date: 31 May 06 - 11:10 AM

if you want to play music,
often the old time fiddlers
host jams or sessions. Here
you will find people from
all over the world on the
Cat. If you tell us where
you are, we might be able
to recommend some specific
places, people and events.

also if you see an announcement here
regarding a paltalk session, you can
go to the web site paltalk and join
in a live jam on line. again, welcome.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 31 May 06 - 11:26 AM

Let me recommend two books. Pete Seegers "Incompleat Folksinger" and Ronald Cohens "Rainbow Quest". Each offers perspective and history behind the music. I think it is valuable to learn some more about the musicians you are listening to.

Check out the folk radio shows in the area that you live in. While I have a bit of bias with this suggestion, I do think that you will discover great traditional and contemporary music that you will appreciate. If you live in the U.S. or Canada you might consider XM Satellite radio. Their folk channel "The Village" has some diverse offerings.

Your note and the artists you mentioned sound familiar as they were some of my first interests as well, and I am sure many Mudcatters feel the same.

I would suggest Rev. Gary Davis, Ed McCurdy, Cisco Houston, Phil Ochs, and especially Dave Van Ronk. These are artists that were popular during the Revival and beyond. It will grow from there!

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: open mike
Date: 31 May 06 - 01:30 PM

also you can get lots of information by subscribing to periodicals.
the magazines if find most interesting are
Sing Out !
Dirty Linen
No Depression

all contain artist info and interviews,
tour schedules and educational articles.

Laurel

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 06 - 04:02 PM

And, don't forget to check out Elizabeth "Libba" Cotton.

Also, I second the reference to CAMSCO! Ton of knowledge there and excellent recommendations. As well as Folk Legacy.:-)

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: artbrooks
Date: 31 May 06 - 04:48 PM

As friend Azizi said, "folk music" means different things to different people, and we have gotten into long (friendly) discussions here on just what it is, without ever reaching any conclusions.

There are many good suggestions above. I'd also suggest getting a copy of the (much maligned) Rise Up Singing (aka The Blue Book) and/or a copy of The Folksingers Wordbook. Also, depending on where you (physically) are, there are many groups that get together for recreational singing.   A (probably partial) list of these Song Circles is here.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: GUEST,van lingle
Date: 31 May 06 - 05:30 PM

Anthology of American Folk Music which was edited by Harry Smith has an incredible variety of tunes and performers. You can check it out at Folkways website. It goes for 70-80 bucks, is contained on 6 CD's and has lotsa' interesting liner notes. vl

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: GUEST,b
Date: 31 May 06 - 05:34 PM

to get deeper

you must jump

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: folk1e
Date: 31 May 06 - 07:04 PM

Every time you turn on the internet have a folk radio station playing in the background! The choice is large and you would do well to change fairly often (but keep your favourites). May I recomend "Folk Ally" as a good start if you are into "American". There are many diferent levels of viewing (listening) to folk music but I am not sure any could be described as being "Deeper"...... hey just have fun!

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 31 May 06 - 07:20 PM

Whatever you do, please check out the music of Stan Rogers!

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Wavery
Date: 31 May 06 - 07:43 PM

Great thread. Thanks! Saves me from asking a similar question.

And I love that you included Leadbelly in your list of artists. I'll take any opportunity to promote the music of that genre.

Leadbelly is among a group of VERY early artists to record folk music. His work is not only cool, but traces the origins of so much music to follow.

I agree that defining "folk music" is very subjective. Much (all?) of Leadbelly's music isn't original to him. It comes from much older sources. Primarily they were work songs passed down from generation to generation. They weren't written down or recorded until much later. The work songs Leadbelly sang probably derived from slaves in antebellum south, USA. Later, they were associated with prisoners who made up work chain-gangs. This is apparently where Leadbelly cut his musical teeth.

Arguably, his music and artists like him are the source for much of the jazz and blues music to come.

Other artists in the same vein as Leadbelly (not-necessarily work-songs, but early and historic folk musicians), include:

- Blind Willie McTell
- Bessie Smith
- Mississippi Fred McDowell
- Jelly Roll Morton
- Creole King Oliver

Somewhat later artists but also excellent:
- Buddy Guy
- Champion Jack DuPre
- Billie Holiday (Her version of "Without Your Love" is absolutely the best ever. Yes, not just my opinion. It's universally recognized by everyone. haha).
- Mose Allison
- J. Black (although his work can be hard to find, in my experience. Check out his version of "Paper Doll" if you can. I think it's one of the greatest.)
- Tommy Dorsey
- Louis Prima
- Charlie Parker

And so many others...

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: John O'L
Date: 31 May 06 - 07:47 PM

Folk music? You're standing in it.

(Sorry. I resisted for a whole day. Had to post it.)

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Wavery
Date: 31 May 06 - 08:01 PM

If you love more contemporary artists, try

- Eric Clapton
- Jack Johnson
- Nora Jones
- Ricky Lee Jones- album "Pop Pop" is great.
- Nick Drake
- Dave Mathew's Band
- Phish

These are just my suggestions. I could get in trouble with many of these as not really fitting into "folk". As has been said, folk music is hard to define.

So as long as we're out there I might as well add Simon and Garfunkel, John Lennon, The Indigo Girls...

-Eddie "Son" House is another ABSOLUTELY AMAZING older artist that just occurred to me.

- Etta James is also another amazing (but not as old) artist (Her version of "I've Been Loving You Too Long" is hauntingly fantastic).

Hmmm. I could go on but oughta stop. Hope this helps without too much controversy.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Brían
Date: 31 May 06 - 10:57 PM

I think you have a good start with Dylan, Guthrie, Seeger, Leadbelly and the Weavers. You might just try looking more closely at the artists you are interested in. I began following threads long before discovered Mudcat. Listening to Dylan, reading Anthony Scaduto's biography of Dylan, I became more aware of Guthrie's legacy to American music. Hank Williams and Jimmy Rodgers laments to train whistles, tuberculosis and the moon suddenly didn't seem square, but very relevant. I dug out my old Clancy Brothers albums since Dylan had borrowed heavily from them(Yeah, he stole quite a bit, but Liam didn't seem to mind). I began playing Irish dance music, eventually getting pretty good on the tin whistle. I began learning Irish Language and became aware of a whole body of work and style of singing that seemed so foreign to me, yet so comfortingly familiar. I became interested in the Carter family and appalacian ballads and saw that the social awareness in a lot of the music of the 60's and 70's did not spring out of a vacuum, but connected with themes that emerged, remained constant and is preserved in countless songs people sang and still do in kitchens, church basements and lotsa places that aren't necessarily on tourist maps or Carnegie Hall, but could be. Those are just some of the roads I have worn the soles of my shoes on this journey.

Brían

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Peace
Date: 31 May 06 - 11:10 PM

You'd do well to have a listen to Art Thieme, Jerry Rasmussen, Rick Fielding--to name a few. They show different sides of 'folk' as the mixed bag has come to be called. And you could speak with Art and Jerry via the Mudcat site. Open Mike is a singer herself, and she's interviewed a gang of people from the music scene. As someone said 'upthread', you're standin' in it.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Peace
Date: 31 May 06 - 11:13 PM

Louie Roy.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: mrdux
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 01:37 AM

. . . and by all means give a listen to Mississippi John Hurt.

Enjoy yopur explorations.

michael

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Brían
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 11:44 AM

I second that. There is a succinct, rich simplicity in John Hurts singing, lyrics and playing.

Brían

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Brían
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 12:40 PM

Johnhenry'shammer,

Although you are a registered member to Mudcat, I only see one posting in your history. I believe that a lot of good suggestions have been offered here. Does any of this help?

Brían

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: GUEST,ifor
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 01:02 PM

Try some Dubliners, Dick Gaughan , Alistair Hulett , Jean Richie and Coope Boyce and Simpson.
Ifor

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Kaleea
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 03:50 PM

Go to the live Music! Yes, listen to recordings & radio shows, but search out every kind of Folk Music you can find in your area (you don't mention where you are, otherwise, the 'Catters would be listing venues by the dozens) and go there. Find concerts, find jams--they'll certainly let you listen. Find festivals!    If you play an instrument, ask the people at the jams & festivals & concerts if they'll let you play along/teach you tunes/tell you where more opportunities are. Be openminded to any Folk Music you have not heard--how else will you know what you "like?" Go, listen, play, enjoy, ask questions. You'll find what you're looking for.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 08:29 PM

WOW!!!! Thank you so much for all of this. It truly does help and now I have a lot of "work" to do with getting into to all of this. Just to answer some of your questions: I live in the Denver, Colorado area, I sing,and am interested in learning the guitar. And also, if you reccomend (or have reccommended) an artist or group, can you tell me a little bit about them and what's good about them? Thanks a lot everybody.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: mrdux
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 11:52 PM

Since yuo asked: Missisppi John Hurt was sort of a songster, and an incredible fingerpicker, who played old songs, blues songs, folk songs, minstrel songs, some ragtime stuff, some gospel – he was a farmer and a sharecropper, recorded a few sides in about 1928, and, except for playing at local front porches, parties and dances around Avalon, Mississppi, where he grew up, pretty much disappeared from the public music scene for the next three-and-a-half decades, spending his life working the land. He was rediscovered in 1963, still in Avalon, and recorded quite a bit before he passed in 1966. He was a gentle and genial man with a warm, honeyed, honest voice, almost grandfatherly – and a dexterity on the guitar pretty much undiminished into his 70's – that can't help but make me smile every time I hear him. Some of my favorite songs of his: "Frankie," "Avalon Blues," "Candy Man Blues," "Stack O' Lee Blues," "Creole Belle," "Make Me a Pallet on the Floor." If I were going to recommend a couple recordings, try Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Sessions (Yazoo 1065, Yazoo Records), and The Best of Mississippi John Hurt (VSD-19/20, Vanguard Records) (recorded live at Oberlin College April 15, 1965). But it's all quite wonderful.

michael

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: open mike
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 01:43 AM

the best way to immerse yourself in music is to go to places where it
is all around you and wher eyou are encouraged to join in and learn
more. Perhaps Lyons Folks Festival or Telluride would be such places.

These are the festivals i hear about from Colorado.
also four corners and The 3rd Annual Folk Festival
is a free music concert held at Hideaway Park in
downtown Winter Park Resort July 8-July 9, 2006...

http://www.northforkbluegrass.com/ june 9-11

often there is a lot of jamming and sharing of tunes
at bluegrass events...and it is not always restricted
to traditional bluegrass. Perhaps you can locate a
song circle or jam session that meets regularly or
check music stores and see if they sponsor any gatherings.

i think there are a couple of mud cats in colorado
Rex used to be on here...i think he is up in
evergreen or west of boulder. and Katlaughing is in
western colorado butg night have some ideas for you.

let us know what you find!

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 11:40 AM

Look at the liner notes of the albums you already own and track down those writer and performer influences AND track down others who have performed those same songs, like was suggested above. Your taste will shift (broaden) as you listen to different renderings of the songs, and if you listen to each performer's other works and look into their other influences, you'll experience an exponential growth in your knowledge of songs and performers.

Once you have a list of folks you want to investigate further, consider visiting your public library to find their CDs or albums available to check out (and don't forget about Interlibrary Loan if they don't have what you're looking for). This way you can explore many but invest in those that really catch your ear.

Good luck!

SRS

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Peace
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 02:00 PM

Good basic guitar site here.

www.guitartips.addr.com/

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 02:24 PM

I concur with the recommendation for investigating the recordings of Gordon Bok, Ann Mayo Muir, and Ed Trickett (HERE and HERE). My singing voice is similar to Gordon Bok's (not saying it's as good as, just similar—I can sing the songs he sings in the same keys) and I like the songs he does, so I've stolen stuff off his records wholesale. Always goes over well with an audience.

A couple of others that I haven't seen mentioned yet who are well worth looking into—essential, really—are Peggy Seeger, Pete's half-sister (HERE) and the late Ewan MacColl (HERE), who worked together for years. Peggy is a virtuoso on 5-string banjo and guitar (Pete has said, "Peggy's the musician in the family.") and her voice is perfect for folk songs and ballads. MacColl wrote a lot of songs, but he has also recorded a huge amount of traditional material, especially Scottish.

I've met both Peggy and Ewan a couple of times, and in addition to being outstanding performers and very knowledgeable, they are about the nicest people you could meet. They definitely belong in the very nucleus of the record collection of anyone seriously interested in folk music (also, it's great stuff to learn and sing!).

Ewan MacColl also did a whole bunch of recordings with A. L. Lloyd (HERE), including "The English and Scottish Popular Ballads," nine LPs altogether, plus a couple of LPs of sea songs, chanteys, and ballads. Great stuff! Worth looking for. I was introduced to these recordings by Dr. David C. Fowler, an English prof who taught a course in ballads when I was at the University of Washington back in the Fifties. He played a lot of theme in class.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Scoville
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 02:43 PM

Ditto--what subgenre?

Country: Carter Family, Delmore Brothers, Bascom Lamar Lunsford

Cajun, Zydeco, Cajun Swing: Clifton Chenier, Lost Bayou Ramblers/Les Freres Michot, Hackberry Ramblers, Red Stick Ramblers, Joseph Falcon

Old Time: Original Red Clay Ramblers, Tom Ashley, Tommy Jarrell, Dave Landreth/Allen Street String Band, High Woods String Band, Dock Boggs, Buell Kazee, Olabelle Reed, Dwight Lamb, check out the Missouri Traditional Fiddle & Dance Network for some fun stuff (sorry, old-time is my pet genre).

Appalachian, Bluegrass: Jean Ritchie, Phyllis Boyens, Hazel Dickens

Blues: Robert Johnson, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Son House, Mance Lipscomb, Elizabeth Cotten, Etta Baker

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 03:11 PM

So I've been looking at some of my Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan albums and I have some names I want to run by all of you: Odetta, Malvina Reynolds, The New Lost City Ramblers, Studs Terkel, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Richie Havens, Cisco Houston, Dock Boggs, Josh White, Sonny Terry, and Brownie McGhee. Can you tell me about these guys and whether I should check them out or not? Thanks

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 04:25 PM

Of course!!!!   You can't go wrong.   By the way, Studs Terkel is not a musician.

Check out a wonderful series of reissues from Empire Music Werks. They are reissuing LP's that came out on the Tradition Records label. www.traditionfolk.com

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Brían
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 04:26 PM

I would recommend Cisco. You may have heard him sing in a lonesome tenor voice with Woodie. Great cowboy songs straight from the heart.

Brían

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 04:45 PM

Studs Terkel (HERE and HERE) isn't a musician, but he's been associated with folk music for decades because of his radio programs and interviews. He's a great observer of Life and the passing parade, has some very incisive things to say, and has written some really great stuff, often based on interviews he's done.

Acquainting oneself with Studs Terkel and his writings is a great mind expander.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 04:56 PM

Very true Don.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Brían
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 06:48 PM

That should be Woody(He posts red-eared).

Brían

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: open mike
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 10:17 PM

The New Lost City Ramblers was an interesting group.
One of the founders was Tom Paley the others were
Mike Seeger, John Cohen and Tracy Schwarz

and they were very "instrumental" in preserving
and popularizing old timey music. Some (if not all) of them
are still activiely making music..Tom will be touring
the Western u.s. this fall, and Mike recenly put out
a new c.d.

check them out.
http://www.pbs.org/americanrootsmusic/pbs_arm_saa_newlostcityramblers.html
http://www.johncohenworks.com/music/ramblers.html
http://mikeseeger.info/
http://tompaley.com/
www.ginnyandtracy.com/


New Lost City Ramblers:
40 Years of Concert Performances

Rounder Records
ROUN0481

The New Lost City Ramblers are known far and wide as the seminal group from the '50s who sparked the folk music revival. They collaborated with many old-time musicians and worked to preserve their music and bring them from obscurity to a wider, appreciative audience. This anthology collects some of their most memorable performances from the past four decades, 16 of them previously unreleased.

John Cohen, vocals, mandolin, guitar, kazoo, banjo
Mike Seeger, vocals, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, autoharp,
             mouth harp, trumpet
Tom Paley, vocals, guitar, banjo, kazoo
Tracy Schwarz, vocals, fiddle, guitar


Tom Paley also has a group called the New Deal String Band
and he and his son Ben have learned and recorded many Swedish
fiddle tunes, too.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 01:22 AM

I've been looking around the CAMSCO catalogue and I like it a lot but I realized that I didn't know if they were selling CD's or vinyl records. Anybody know?

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: GUEST,Mekon
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 05:58 AM

On the lines Ifor, Swan Arcade, Blue Murder

Also Annie Briggs, Peter Bellamy/Young Tradition

Roy Bailey/Band of Hope......

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Franz S.
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 01:07 PM

Malvina Reynolds was a highly prolific writer of songs, mostly political. Probably her most famous was "Little Boxes", inspired by the houses built along the hills of Daly City (just south of SF) in the '50s. Her songs are full of good social commentary and they're fun. I used her "Turn Around" as a lullaby for my youngest daughter, who turned around and played it for our dance at her wedding. Check out Rosalie Sorrels' "No Closing Chord" CD, all Malvina Reynolds songs. Rosalie of course is well worth investigating in her own right. Among many other talents she has recorded several albums of songs of the West (Idaho, Utah, etc.)

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 01:41 PM

Johnhenry'shammer - "getting deeper into folk" (or the study of Anglo-Saxon verbs or horticulture, for that matter) is a process of collecting things, then following them to see where they lead. There's nothing wrong with asking a group of people known to be interested in the same stuff "what about this one" and "how about that one" but you'll get mixed results. Following the clues is the best way to figure out what it all means to you. Up above you reel off a bunch of names, investigation of which could easily occupy you for a year or more. Moreoever, each one of those names will lead to others. Write 'em down. Find the info. Find the music. Report back with your thoughts & reactions, and you'll get TONS of worthwhile feedback on YOUR thoughts & feelings. We can all sit here & say "Yup, for sure you should check all these guys out, and don't forget this one or that one" but it's your journey, and it's WAY more fun following your own uniques sequence of signposts. My journey in folk music started in about 1949 or 1950 when I heard the Weavers "Goodnight Irene" on the radio in our kitchen. I had a lot of catching up to do, and I'm not there yet, but there are so many sidetrips along the way, and no two itineraries are alike.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: GUEST,Hootenanny (Nitpickin')
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 09:17 AM

Re Open Mike above, Tracy Schwarz was NOT a founder member of the NLCR. He was Tom Paley's replacement.

If you want to dip into a collection with a wide range of material, you could do worse than listening to the Harry Smith collection (of other people collections). This was responsible for getting hundreds if not thousands of us into the music since it was first issued in the fifties on 3 double vinyl abums. It is now available on CD.

Hoot

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: Susan of DT
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 10:42 AM

Johnhenry - CAMSCO sells new folk CDs. Dick Greenhaus is very knowledgable. Call him at 800 548-FOLK to discuss your interests. He can suggest CDs for you. Where are you? If you are in the Northeast US, you might catch us at a festival where we bring thousands of CDs. Next festival where we have a booth is Old Songs at the end of June in upstate NY.

Subject: RE: I want to get deeper into Folk Music
From: open mike
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 11:17 PM

i believe this person said he is in colorado...maybe denver area.

thanks for the info, Hoot.