I'm posting this on behalf of Bob Askew.

Richard

Bob says:
BALLAD CHAT.
Bob Askew: Chair.
A chance to sing (or play) a ballad, and talk about it with others. Or just come to listen and talk. The emphasis will be on the discussion e.g What you think the ballad is about, and what you like about it. We can also cover where the song came from and different versions etc.   
Venue: the bar at Cecil Sharp House 7-9pm
Wednesdays: January 23rd, February 20th and March 20th 2013 .
The first two ballads are:
The HOUSE CARPENTER/DEMON LOVER
The TWO SISTERS.

This is a free monthly discussion. I aim to run it very informally with opportunity for everyone to chip in. The structure can be adjusted to suit all present. We will start with two Child ballads each time, and two participants can each choose a ballad for the following session. The ballads can be sung, but bringing a recording is an alternative. Professor Francis James Child's The English and Scottish Popular Ballads should be the main source, but we can also consider some similar ballads that Child left out.

I particularly enjoy hearing what people like about each ballad (what the ballad means personally to them). I feel that folk songs and ballads mean different things to different singers, and to different listeners; and that there is no right or wrong about this. Different opinions add to the glory of the song.

Participants can decide whether to do any preparation for the discussion. I would value the opinion of someone who is hearing the ballad for the first time as usefully as someone who has read and listened to everything that they can find. I tend to value listening above reading, but I am aware that the ballads can be complex, and that written texts can aid understanding. Texts to every Child ballad are available on the internet. Child, Bronson and others have written much interesting material about them for people who wish to read more.

It is a free session, but it would be nice to hear from you if you intend to come, so that I have a rough idea of numbers.

Bob Askew
Bob_askew@hotmail.co.uk