Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 May 08 - 09:06 PM

Well, I saw this Duck guy do "Dueling Banjos" with a banjo and a kazoo...

It was one of the high points of my visit to Whitby.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 May 08 - 08:42 PM

100 just to be boring !

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Michael
Date: 06 May 08 - 08:01 AM

Guest, Barney Stone: I was just reading this thread thinking 'When I get to the bottom I'll put in my two pennorth for John Tams and there he was.
Saw him & Barry Coope at Moor & Coast this weekend, his warmth and humour are amazing.

Mike

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 May 08 - 07:30 AM

Dr Sunshine is also appearing at Chester Folk Festival ay Whit in his other incarnation as Dave Hunt http://www.chesterfolk.org.uk/festhome.htm

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Rupert
Date: 06 May 08 - 07:04 AM

Dave Gibb has a rather humerous view of life.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Barney Stone
Date: 05 May 08 - 02:07 AM

Not forgeting John Tams of course. Hardly a comedian but a man that has a wicked sense of humour and tells a fabulous anecdote. The other would be Doug Hudson. Haven't seen him live now in years but his solo shows were great. I particularly remember his song Sing Like Bob Dylan. A classic of its time.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Captain Swing
Date: 04 May 08 - 07:44 PM

Walkaboutsverse !

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 May 08 - 06:06 PM

john foreman.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 May 08 - 07:07 AM

Dr Sunshine are (is) at Southwell this year. I believe. I don't know whether its the old pavement show gig, or something new. He was in small letters on the reverse side of the handbill with Bill Caddick.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 08 - 06:19 AM

The sadly missed Joe Scurfield and the Old Ropes for me. Incomparable.
But the New Ropes are doing a fine fine job.
Don't miss them if they're near you

http://www.newropestringband.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 04 May 08 - 05:58 AM

WLD,

Cosmotheka, ditto

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 May 08 - 05:38 AM

Tony Capstick in my book was a great singer, and some of that was because he was a great comedian. He could put such personality into a song like John Blunt. All the hesitations - all the spoken and half sung words. It was a sort of poetry - it weaved a spell.

I can understand Richard's point, but some people just have a great way with a funny song. Its a skill, part of the way we English use language - and though it may not fit your narrow definition - it is a folk art, and one we should be glad we have it.

Think of Derek Brimsone singing Jeremy Taylor's Young Paul or George Formby. What Formby did - must reach back centuries - its so English, so Lancashire.

Cosmotheka were, to my mind, one of the best acts on the folkscene ever. I miss them terribly.

I saw Mr Gladstone's Bag, and they didn't really excite me as much as Cosmotheka - but they were pretty sharp - they had their shit together.

Anyway I like someone who can do a funny song. Bernard Wrigley is great, and its not just material. Its almost exclusively skill. Your heart plummets when a floorsinger gets up and attempts The Mole Catcher. But when Bernard gets out the bass concertina and looks down and says, this covers a multitude of sins! Gets me every time.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 04 May 08 - 04:36 AM

Hard to catch us breath laffing so much at Dr Sunshine & Professor Wingnut, many moons ago!

Caught a glimpse've the good doctor of mirth at the Shrewsbury Stewards partly last weak end, absolutely spiffing!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: glueman
Date: 04 May 08 - 04:16 AM

"Who cares? Wit is an adjunct. We should judge folk musicians on the quality of their folk music."

I promise not to make a habit of this but find myself in agreement with Herr Bridge. What has folk, even my sloppy backsliding definition of the genre got to do with comedy? A few comics came through the folk club circuit in the 60s and 70s for no better reason than that's where people who didn't go to the Palais or Cinderella Rockerfellas went. Even Victoria Wood who has written some truly brilliant stuff like Dinner Ladies makes me want to take a piece of four by two to her when she sits at that piano. I don't get wry ditties and satirical songs, nor by the watching figures do the rest of the nation.
Sing a great song well or tell jokes.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 May 08 - 07:47 PM

A couple of blokes who play with us in the pub of a Friday night. You won't know their names anyway but bejaysus they are funnier, wittier and more warm-hearted than most of the paid dudes I've encountered.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: cptsnapper
Date: 03 May 08 - 03:15 PM

I used to like The Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra as well as Maxi & Mitch

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 03 May 08 - 01:32 PM

"Who cares? Wit is an adjunct. We should judge folk musicians on the quality of their folk music."

How typical...darkly non-humourous as I've long suspected. It's the overall performance rather than the individual parts that's important, music, humour, audience approach. yeesh!

Charlotte R

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Rambling Syd Rumpo
Date: 03 May 08 - 01:19 PM

Good King Boroslav looked out,
On a feast of grungers,
Saw them whirdling 'round about,
Armed with rubber plungers.



Brightly shone their moolies then,
With their possetts glowing.
He knew not from whence they came,
But 'e knew where they were going!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Acorn4
Date: 03 May 08 - 01:10 PM

In a more modren context, agree with previous posters that Les Barker and Keith Donnelly together take some beating. Love the line:-

"War is God's way of teaching George.W.Bush Geography".

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Acorn4
Date: 03 May 08 - 01:06 PM

In a former life, I went to a concert in a village hall in Sussex and saw a double billing of Ron Geesin and Jeremy Taylor. That somehow set the bar for me.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Betsy
Date: 03 May 08 - 12:48 PM

Stan Crowther of Rotherham wrote some really funny stuff, unfortunately for most of us he became an MP so his songs "disappeared".

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Aunt Anastasia
Date: 03 May 08 - 07:26 AM

Obviously the Czeztikov brothers and Gary the amazing psychic goat boy !!!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Old girl
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 06:30 PM

This has been a trip down memory lane, so many great acts with each one being hard to follow, we had Shep Wolley at our club last Thursday he is still One of my top 10 and I'm looking forward to seeing him again soon

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Susan B
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 02:05 PM

Balshazzar's Feast have the humour AND the great music. I was crying with laughter at Sidmouth, but I think that they reserve the laughs for live performance - their CDs are "just" great music.

That isn't to say that most of the other suggestions aren't great as well - it has been good looking through this thread and thinking 'I must get round to seeing so and so'

Susan B

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: naughtyforty
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 01:14 PM

Yes he did - he even appeared on the credits on one of his TV series!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Seaking
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 08:13 AM

Jasper...sorry

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Seaking
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 08:04 AM

Didn't Keith Donnelly write for Jaspor Carrot at one time ?

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: nutty
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 08:01 AM

I have to disagree with Betsy with regard to Jasper Carrott.

I payed all of 2 shilling and six pence to see him perform at the Cutty Wren Folk Club in Redcar and came out with ribs that ached for weeks

Absolutely brilliant as a live folk club act - never felt the same about him on the TV.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: naughtyforty
Date: 15 Oct 07 - 07:10 AM

For me it is definitely Keith Donnelly. His kids show is fantastic - he is brilliant at dealing with the kids comments always coming back with a funny retort. Apparently he can be hired for kids parties now. If only I lived in the Midlands!!!!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Irene M
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 02:05 PM

Roaring Jelly and Bill Hill, but not at the same time.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Seaking
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 01:51 PM

I saw The Amazing Mr Smith at Banbury last night, totally brilliant. Followed immediately after by Idiot and Friend, a fantastic line up for one show. Keith Donnelly was in great form, I loved it when he announced the Rugby result in the middle of one of his sketches... 'France - neuf, England - more than eneuf'.

Chris

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 08:31 AM

Why, Don, they would be comedians of course.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 08:26 AM

Show Of Hands.

eric

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: paula t
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 07:05 AM

How about.....

Derek Brimstone,Keith Donnelly,Les Barker,Bernard Wrigley and the amazing Spooky Men's chorale?

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 Oct 07 - 04:38 AM

Couple of nominations for LNF so here is a Chris Sherburn story.

They were at the Rockingham Arms and there was a table on stage with a cup and saucer on which unnoticed by the band gradually moved to the front. Eventually it fell off with a bit of a crash and without missing a note Chris turned to Nick Scott and said " I think that were meant for you Nick".

Genuinely funny and extremely witty. Best Irish-style anglo-concertina player on the planet.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Oct 07 - 11:37 PM

I totally agree Chris. And he was a pretty damn good musician!

I was talking to Derek on the phone today, and he told me a brilliant joke which I won't steal his thinder by sharing with you - anyway _ I can't tell them like he does!

My phone call also forms the basis of another thread about Derek. Please check it out.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Chris Newman
Date: 13 Oct 07 - 11:17 PM

The funniest person I ever saw in a folk club situation was Derek Brimstone. I know that he's retired from the general scene - a great shame.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: TheSnail
Date: 13 Oct 07 - 10:10 PM

GUEST,Dave Usher

Does anyone have email contact information for any of the members of Mr. Gladstone's Bag?

John Watcham is current squire of the Brighton Morris Men.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,OldGit
Date: 13 Oct 07 - 06:46 PM

Dave Turner
Stan Arnold
Where are they now?

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 13 Oct 07 - 06:20 PM

And purveyers of funny songs, Richard?

Where do they fit into your particular world vision?

Don T.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Oct 07 - 06:07 PM

Who cares? Wit is an adjunct. We should judge folk musicians on the quality of their folk music.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Dave Usher
Date: 13 Oct 07 - 02:45 PM

Does anyone have email contact information for any of the members of Mr. Gladstone's Bag?

I have some old recordings I made of them at a barn concert in Sidmouth in 1974 that they might want. If anyone else wants an mp3 copy, contact me and I will send it to you.

I am also trying to get the words for "Bakewell Witches" and "My Fiddle Is My Sweetheart", two of the songs they did there. I have most of the words from the recordings, but can't understand all of them. If anyone wants a challenge, perhaps you can help decipher the lyrics from the recording.

As for the Bakewell Witches tune, I am told that nobody in Bakewell knows there was a tune about that event. So it would be a real gift to Bakewell to repatriate their song.

Thank you

David Usher
[e-mail]
St. Louis MO USA
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: melodeonboy
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:01 PM

'ere; nobdy's mentioned Peter Buckley-Hill!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: breezy
Date: 09 May 07 - 03:53 PM

Jeremy Taylor ?

All those mentioned are always entertaining.

As an 'act' the Old and new rope string bands did it most polished of all.

stan Accrington is very witty

Once there was a Stan Arnold

Vin Garbutt has the right balance of song and patter as could Anthony John Clarke if he put his mind to it !!!

H W and the P come highly recommended,

Sis and Les are an acquired taste whereby you need to be very knowledgeable of the originals

Alex cand Diz and Noel all deserve a mention

Gary and Vera along with Wriggley seldom ventured south, unfortunately

1812 were one of my favourites

Shep Woolley's career has taken a lift since playing the Windward Club and Brimmo can still woo you with his timing.

All in all , not that many, but great fun and its what the folk scene needs.



Did i notice villan creep in here

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Dark Slender Boy
Date: 09 May 07 - 02:17 PM

Obviously, the funniest folk act is Jim Carroll and Pat Mackenzie - a laugh, a song and a fist-fight.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Brakn
Date: 09 May 07 - 08:52 AM

In a folk club - Accrington Stanley.
On a football pitch - Stanley Accrington.



or the other way round

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Bruce Michael Baillie
Date: 09 May 07 - 12:50 AM

...the Czeztikov Brothers and Gary the Amazing Psychic Dancing Goat Boy!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Rasener
Date: 09 May 07 - 12:18 AM

Well I have His Worship & The Pig at FL on Saturday. They are funny, so I will let you know how funny.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Anamika
Date: 08 May 07 - 06:30 PM

But what about these days?

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 07 - 10:06 AM

"Countess Richard"