I want to get deeper into Folk Music

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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 31 May 06 - 12:39 AM

I'd start at the Library of Congress.

Don

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.