WMD
"I think that the folk clubs most under the cosh are ones that have bought the traddy gospel"
I wasn't going to bother - but seeing as we appear to be in the blame game, it's a bit disingenuous to put the failure of the revival on the 'Traddies' - it seems to me that nearly all the clubs, whatever their musical persuasion, are in a mess. It's just as likely that this can be put down to singer songwriters producing material that appears to be specifically designed to exclude the listener.... or failed wannabe pop singers using the folk clubs as a convelescent home until something better comes along.
"They go for songs sang in funny voices "
Do they really? It's my understanding that the 'traditional style' is based largely on the natural voice - akin to how people speak. Some of the most hilariously funny voices I have heard have been from those performers from say Yorkshire or Aberdeenshire, desperately trying to sound as if they have just moseyed along after branding a herd of cattle.
Apart from the confusion which appears to reign on the British club scene, many of the problems are obviously down to the fact that many of the clubs have fallen into the hands of people who neither like nor understand folk song.
I believe that folk song can be both relevant and enjoyable, it just needs a little respect and understanding on the part of those involved.
If you want to see how traditional forms can be used to create new, relevant and extremely entertaining songs, have a look at 'Sing Out', the collection of old and new protest songs edited by Fintan Vallely, or Con 'Fada' O'Driscoll's 'The Spoons Murder' - streets ahead of anything I've come across being written in the UK nowadays.
Youngsters are coming to folk music here in Ireland in enough numbers to guarantee it will still be played by the next two generations. It hasn't happened to the same extent yet with singing, but there are enough new young singers appearing on the scene to give me hope that it will in the not to distant future.
Anyway, sorry to interrupt - I'll let you get back to re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Jim Carroll