The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #166789 Message #4013551
Posted By: Big Al Whittle
14-Oct-19 - 04:28 AM
Thread Name: The current state of folk music in UK
Subject: RE: The current state of folk music in UK
I think the problem with your proposition is Jim that it leaves folk music in the archives and the libraries. Or the the province of a few sages.
The majority of the songs you approve of were written by young vigorous people living and participating in society. And of necessity they were on the edge of society - detached enough to comment on their lives. Did Sam Larner strike you as the guy who would spent his time rooting through libraries.
if we follow your predilection for the Irish model - people who would sit in classes being given a set of rules to express themselves - they have no appeal for me, nor I believe the English character.
The people's need to express themselves in song is folk music in our country. No one gets it together in five minutes, and stumbling across a roomful of people struggling with the chords of a beatles tune is not an inspiring sight or sound, but it deserves more respect than a sneer. Everyone starts somewhere.
We are doing our best. We all choose our own starting point. for you it was the Spinners - for kids today it seems to be a Chinese guitar and Oasis. Its their first step towards creativity, and as such worthy of respect.