The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #146595   Message #3752559
Posted By: GUEST,Allan Conn
21-Nov-15 - 04:04 PM
Thread Name: Can a pop song become traditional?
Subject: RE: Can a pop song become traditional?
It does seem a bit like that PFR. I feel that I am from a completely different world and to tell you the truth I'd never even heard of Davenport anyway! Putting aside Scottish folk songs (or as I thought of them in my youth - Corries songs) I actually was introduced to older folk songs via pop music. My mate was playing an old compilation cassette his older brother had made up. I think just after Annie Lennox singing "Wild Among The Flowers" something came on which made me take notice. It was Dylan singing "Blowin In The Wind" and from that day I became a Dylan fan. I then discovered many of his songs were based on older folk songs so I started looking these out. Fair enough trad songs are a distinct thing but I feel there is a continuum between these trad songs, more modern folk songs (ie Annie Laurie to Caledonia etc) and even some pop music be in folk type pop or folk rock etc.

Also this might infuriate some people but sorry it is my opinion. Dylan never had a great voice but in his younger days he could ctually sing. Good example is the Desire album. His voice is completely shot now. Can't listen to his recent stuff. I feel the same about some of the clips of some of the source singers. People raving about old old guys with, certainly by then, less than impressive singing voices. Seemed to be they were at least by then being lauded simply for knowing the songs rather than actual delivery. I know some will suggest that is heresy.