Hi Jack Campin and Crowsister.
Also worth checking out the John Tams revisit of the Radio Ballads from a couple of years ago. (available to buy).
In one episode called "Song of Steel" (iirc), the rhythm of the song is a steam hammer in a Sheffeld foundery. Must have been an archive recording, as Thatcher closed them down years ago.
A really fine example of "Musique Concrete"
The singers and musicians on that series of programmes (6 hours plus one about the Miners strike broadcast last month). made a completely valid input to what is happening to modern day ballads.
I'll let you go and find them.
As for Mr Miles comment about "going back to your routes, and listening to traditional singers and musicians"....OK...Have done that..For many many years. Jolly good too. and I have assimilated all that I have learnt, and allied that to what I am hearing today in 2010....It's called the Folk Process.
Learn from the past and added to the present. Nowt wrong with that.
If people choose to use electronica, rap, grunge, death metal, or anything else, what is your problem? No one is dragging you in chains and sticking your head in an enourmous speaker stack, are they?
If you don't like it, don't listen to it, very simple.
But, don't go dissing those people that want to take that path. Some of it, doesn't float my boat. I admit. But having spent 30 odd years recording John Peel sessions for a living, I've learnt to remove the blinkers. Every artist who came through Maida Vale was / still is treated with the greatest respect, whether it be the Copper Family or Oasis.
I don't "Have" to absorb anything...because I do it constantly, without thinking. And then I mould my music (Whether tunes or accompaniments) as I see fit, in a way that I like.
If you don't like it, don't bloody listen to it then.

I couldn't give a damn as to whether it fitted 1954, yours, Jim Carrolls, Ewan McColls , or indeed Uncle Tom Cobbleys definition.

But, I look forward to hearing the music of more opened minded posters material. Am intrigued by Crowsister for instance. Nothing wrong with the path she wants to pursue. CS. Let me know if you want me to record you...happy too.

Out of here now. Have got an incredibly non PC Urban Molly rehearsal to go too. (Where the band wrote all the tunes, and the dancers wrote all the dances. Oooooh how dreadful, should be doing Cotswold)

And, do you know what? I'm really looking forward to it.
(BTW, our absent Patron, because he lives in Donegal, and is 93, is Packie Manus Byrne. And 25 years ago, he joined in with the band and thought we where brilliant. You can't get more traditional than that....even found the Blue Bowler hat that he made for me, and the Lagerphone too!)