Hello Honest Annie. Although I don't play, sing, or folk-dance, I've literally been surrounded, and at times overwhelmed by folk music for the last fourteen years. If you've guessed that my partner is not only involved in music, but sometimes seems positively obsessed by it, you're right. Although he sometimes has difficulty knowing what day (or even year) it is, he has uncanny recall for the tiniest details of artists' styles, songs and instruments.

We've often discussed how difficult it can be for a woman to get taken seriously as a professional musician, but it seems that currently, women singer-songwriters are getting their due. Naturally the sylph-like 'babes' with breathy voices will be the first hired, but artists like Penny Lang, Arlene Mantle, Sylvia Tyson, Suzie Vinnick, Katherine Wheatley, and the list goes on, have made their mark on the Canadian folk music scene.

It was Harvey's mention of Malvina Reynolds that prompted me to contribute to this thread. I think my partner may also have met her, but I know how highly he valued her example to other women. She was a tough, long time activist, and communist, who fought for every inch. She produced satires, parodies, love songs, and when she felt the need to hit with a sledgehammer, she did.

I'd provide a link, but there's a lot of information on the net about her, so she's easy to find. Great thread, and I think most Mudcatters 'get it'.

Duckboots