The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #170178   Message #4115355
Posted By: GUEST,JHW
04-Aug-21 - 06:10 AM
Thread Name: style not repertoire
Subject: RE: style not repertoire
Primarily I wouldn't sing anything that doesn't feel right. I wouldn't sing Hugh of Lincoln either, nor Long Lankin which I have done.
'Feeling right' is hard to define. Maybe is part repertoire, part style.
Many songs I sang before 'the troubles' I wouldn't now, but still some Irish songs (eg Colm O'Lochlain book)

I've recently sung (probably Brian Peters collation) of Kemp Owyne. My Book of Ballads has this as Kempion and every verse has an essential glossary. No use singing a song which needs a glossary. The audience won't listen.   

If Folk Clubs ever exist again style and repertoire are both important but also what the audience can be bothered to listen too. Maybe audiences want too easy a listen? I'm trying to decide whether this is a good time to knock singing in the head.