Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: oggie
Date: 03 May 07 - 05:44 AM

In a folk club I think the best I ever saw was Tony Capstick in the early to mid seventies. He was still basically a singer with a strong set of songs with the comedy running between them rather than a comic who sang. Lovely man.

All the best

Steve

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 May 07 - 05:59 PM

Alex Campbell was.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: growler
Date: 02 May 07 - 05:12 PM

Anyone seen 'Melodeonboy', AKA shirt murderer. If your around Keny, keep an eye open

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,BY ECK
Date: 02 May 07 - 08:59 AM

Definitely Muppett, saw him do a set in Ilkley the other week and he had the audience in stitches, even the bar staff came round to watch him.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 03:41 PM

There's no judgement involved. They just didn't go down well. Billy's attempts at humour fell flat, and Gerry's lack of projection was amazing. And, it wasn't just me who felt like that. That was the concenus of opinion of the gang of people I was with.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Rasener
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 03:22 PM

WEll that doesn't say much for your judgement then Tunesmith LOL :-)

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 07:25 AM

It's funny(!) that Dave Higham should mention The Humblebums( with Billy Connolly) because I saw them supporting Fotheringay( would that be right?), and I remember thinking that they couldn't create any sort of rapport with the audience! Amazinging, when you think that Gerry was a terrific songwriter and Billy went on to be a comedic icon.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Valmai Goodyear
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 07:04 AM

If you get the chance hear John Joseph of Sussex, but wear a hard hat in case of ballistic onions (from him, not from the audience).

Valmai
(Lewes, Sussex)

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 05:13 AM

". . . and Maxi and Mitch." Haven't seen them on our side of the pond for some years. Loved 'em. Are they still a going concern?

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Dave Higham
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 10:45 AM

I haven't a clue who's funniest now, but I'll tell you who I found to be hilarious between 40 and 20 years ago. The Humblebums (Billy Conolly), Noel Murphy (and 'Shaggis' on banjo, who went on to become Elton John's guitarist), Jake Thackray (a genius), Vin Garbutt, Roaring Jelly, Tony Capstick (much maligned,but when he was on a roll, especially on rare occasions with Dave Burland, he was wonderful and as good a traditional singer as most), Diz Disley, Cosmotheka, Mr Gladstone's Bag (with my hero John Watcham, The best Anglo player on this planet) and Maxi and Mitch. I could go on.

And a few of them are still around.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: muppitz
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 10:15 AM

Mrs Ackroyd band!!!!!!

muppitz
x

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Keith
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 08:56 AM

John Otway.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Arnie at work
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 08:54 AM

Anyone seen Flossie Malavialle yet? Her anecdotes of the days she spent teaching English in the N.East, told in her French accent, had the audience in stitches at Deal last year. I recall her saying that she didn't teach the kids so much as stop them from killing each other in school time. Can't wait for her return this year.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 04:58 PM

Oh aye - and the Oldham tinkers can still do it.

"We call our dog Grieg"

"Why's that"

"All he does is pee agin't suite..."

:D

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 04:56 PM

Everytime I stand up to sing anything everyone falls about laughing so I guess it must be me.

But my vote goes for Stanley Accrington and Staff Folk.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,PB
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 02:58 PM

Sorry Sooz miss your mention of His Worship

PB

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: danensis
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 02:33 PM

Many years ago I saw Mike Harding at a theatre in Oldham. He started at half past seven, had a quick break about quarter past nine, and carried on until after eleven. At that stage he went off the side of the stage, negotiated with the caretaker, and said that if we promised to get out quick he could do another half an hour. We never stopped laughing from the moment he started till we left at the end. In that time I doubt he did more than half a dozen songs, the rest was stories.

As for Jasper Carrot, I remember himgetting booed off stage at St George's Hall in Liverpool 'cos the audience were waiting for Harvey Andrews. When I saw Carrot twenty years later he was still doing the same "letters to Insurance companies" gags that he was then.

John

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,PB
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 01:36 PM

Noticed Fred Wedlock - we did support for him at Lancaster and yes he is one funny (and nice) Guy, everyone at the concert left the hall with a smile and to reiterate a quote once made about us and apply it to Fred's Concert "There wasn't a dry seat in the house"

Also *I've not seen mentioned yet, but well worth a mention, not only for their funnyness but great songwriting abilities - His Worship and the Pig. (*they have now)

PB

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Bugsy
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 09:26 PM

Derek Brimstone or Steve Womack.

Two Comedy Jewels!

Cheers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Sooz
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 02:32 PM

Mrs Ackroyd Band, His Worship and the Pig, Bernard Wrigley.....

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 08:47 AM

Fred Wedlock....seen him a couple of times at Swinton, and he made me laugh so much my ribs hurt!
Regards,
Myrtle.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 08:21 AM

Yes, its got to be last night's fun. Chris is a funny guy!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 08:20 AM

Gary Aspey without a doubt.

eric

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 08:15 AM

I used to love Cosmetheka. I thought their introductions were often much funnier than their classic music hall material.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Grab
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 06:28 AM

Les Barker is 100% for material but -100% for presentation.

My vote would have been Artisan, except sadly they're not performing together any more.

Show of Hands have some pretty good inter-song banter too, and it generally seems spontaneous, unlike others where it's pre-rehearsed. Cloudstreet (now moved back to Oz, I think) are also good. I'd not say they were funny acts as in presenting comic material though.

Past funny people would have to include Jake Thackray somewhere close to the top of the list.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: concertina ceol
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 05:57 AM

I saw Stanley Accrington & Keith Donnerly at Whitby Folk Week a couple of years ago and they were hilarious. I like Les Barker very much and he is extremely funny but he is not a "folk act" (or is he?). I would have classed him as a "performance poet".

I used to like Sid Kipper (and the Kipper Family) but I think he has gone off the boil slightly in the last couple of years.

As someone else said Chris Sherburn is extremely funny and an amazing concertina player. So two reasons to see Last Night's Fun :-)

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Splott Man
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 05:54 AM

I can't disagree with any of the previous.

How about The Amazing Mr Smith?
In their day, The Pigsty Hill light Orchestra, Gasworks, Cocky, Brownsville Banned, Mechanical Horsetrough.

One of the most naturally funny people I know has got to be Hilary Spencer.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: gecko
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 05:52 AM

'Last Night's Fun' for pure ad-lib wit and fantastic music!
YIU
gecko

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Betsy
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 02:49 AM

Great question and all good answers.
Garburtt doesn't really qualify as "Funniest Folk Act" as he doesn't purport to be a comic-type act,and you wouldn't(or shouldn't) book him purely as a Funny Act.In fact 99.9% of the songs he sings are serious subject-matter. The fact that his intros and stories are side splitting funny and brilliantly constructed makes him the funniest I've seen. In addition to all the good candidates mentioned above ,let me throw in another talented person - Dr. Bernado Wrigley, and, in their hey-day Mike Harding,Tony Capstick (R.I.P), Mike Elliot were certain to work their magic.
Apparently Jasper Carrot ran his own folk club in the Midlands , but we never saw him in our neck of the woods.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 06:40 PM

last nights fun!!!! chris is wetting pants funny

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Edward De Bono
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 06:02 PM

Tone Deaf Leopard are at the ctting edge of new wave comedy - can't be beaten!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 04:34 PM

Linda - I think it might have been the audience who were hysterical? And, yes I should have added Vin to the list of performers who have reduced me to tears!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 04:30 PM

Shep Woolley was hysterical at the Cyril Tawney Celebration.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 04:20 PM

I love Vin Garbut. I saw him last year at the Maghull Day of Folk and he had turned his - not so funny - heart condition and subsequent hospital experiences in to a comedy tour de force. The man's a national treasure!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 04:13 PM

Oh dear, how invidious - those already mentioned have all reduced me to tears of laughter, and no-one else's even got round to mentioning His Worship and the Pig yet! (Booked at Herga on 3 December)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 03:49 PM

Sid Kipper gets my vote, although at Miskin in 2005, Shep Wooley was excruciatingly funny. But, as I have said before, and others agreed, nobody could beat Diz Disley, Jon Isherwood & Pat Nelson performing together ( now no longer possible, sadly ).

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Scotus
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 03:44 PM

Although he's no longer exactly a folk act - how about Billy Connolly?

Jack

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Mikefule
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 01:37 PM

I haven't seen enough to nominate a funniest folk act, but Bill Whaley has the best deadpan delivery of any performer I have ever seen, live or recorded. Deadpan humour is one of the hardest sorts to perform.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: synbyn
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:43 PM

The Amazing Bonzo & Doris.......... never forgot!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Effsee
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:29 PM

Vin Garbutt!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Bernard
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:26 PM

Les, Sid, Stanley... can't choose between 'em!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:17 PM

New Rope String Band.

Wassail!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:11 PM

Funny ha-ha, or funny peculiar?

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: JennyO
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:07 PM

Les Barker for sure. Can't wait till he comes back to Oz again!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Morticia
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:01 PM

Sid Kipper or Les, I can never choose

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 11:57 AM

Muppet.

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 11:53 AM

MORRIS   PRANCERS???

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 11:46 AM

Les Barker does it for me !¬

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: GUEST,Anamika
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 11:43 AM

I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them together - I bet they bring the house down!

Subject: RE: Who is the Funniest Folk Act in the UK?
From: concertina ceol
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 11:37 AM

Stanley Accrington and Keith Donnerly (as a joint act).