The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #128605 Message #2881370
Posted By: Bettynh
07-Apr-10 - 10:33 AM
Thread Name: Folksong-when performance/when political rally
Subject: RE: Folksong-when performance/when political rally
"You will know that a folk song performance is not a political rally when people of all varieties of political point of view join in singing. When after the song is over the presenter talks about the following and related topics: Rhyme scheme used in the lyrics, vocabulary used in the lyrics, history of the song, cord progressions used in the melody, history of the melody, background of the presenter, other versions, instruments used....so much to talk about."
I've been trying to imagine this. I can think of a few precedents: Leonard Bernstein's childrenss' concerts, Dave van Ronk's last concert, Utah Phillips' recorded songbook, Doc Watson and David Holt's 3-disc recording. None of them presented opposite points of view, all were very personal, but they did have the music-discussion format. Usually, the discussion preceded the music. Even the radio ballads sorta did this. But I can't imagine this as a routine thing, and I wouldn't call them concerts. I can imagine a radio series/podcasts though. If the opposing groups tend to be confrontational, editing might come in handy.
Please don't give up on folk festivals. I've learned a lot at the few I've attended, mostly by wandering into something completely unfamiliar.