Cheers, MM!

Actually, as a result of this discussion I was moved just this very morning to unearth my antique Hofner Congress (fretless since 1977) with a view to figuring out a way of accompanying traditional balladry that was more Derek Bailey than Martin Carthy. I was so pleased with the results I put it up on my Myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/sedayne : The Wife of Ushers Well - first song on the player.

I think the results sound more Harry Partch (who he? see here) than Derek Bailey though, fixing the Shruti Box drone to the Tibetan Singing Bowl (which I'm using as a steel on the strings to set off some truly filthy resonances), and intoning the ballad to an essentially improvised modality. So some level of blues, or even Beefheart, in there too....

I don't expect this to be your cup of tea, but you mentioned wailing trad songs in your local folk club and I'm thinking maybe I should try something a little different tonight at The Steamer...