best thing seen at a folk club

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 May 07 - 07:14 PM

Oh dear,
The only response to a military person who describes a woman as a lady is 'fuck off'.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 May 07 - 07:16 PM

I don't think I've seen any 'best' things at f*lk clubs because they are mostly so false and populated by lechy blokes who don't have music as anything like their top priority. The 'best' things have been at informal sessions, in fields and places like Mexican tents or shower blocks in the middle of the night at festivals.

There was that Sidmouth workshop when Rob Harbron convinced me that the only way to play concertina convincingly was to pretend to be a chicken. And fiddle workshops where Nick Wyke, Kirsty Cotter, Gina Le Faux and Pete Cooper almost got me believing I could play fiddle after all. And a ceilidh in the middle of the Essex countryside when Fi Fraser very nearly got me believing the same thing. But it all started at Keele (forerunner of the National) where I met Barry Dransfield under a staircase, fiddling frantically. He said he couldn't read a note of music but if I was a youth orchestra player then I could do what he did. Why not? Well no, I can't but I still try.

I'm still trying to dredge up something good that happened at a f*lk club. One was at Islington (not yer average cliquey dump it's best not to venture near) when Jackie Oates recorded some tracks for her first demo. This is where I first heard Stocai too, and remained gobsmacked for a very long time. In fact I'd go to Islington just for the Angel band and stay there forever if they'd just keep on playing and playing. All that can compare is Musical Traditions with The Rakes/Duck Soup/Pigeon English/Posh Band and Simon Ritchie stepdancing on the table.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 02 May 07 - 07:19 PM

Maddy Prior and June Tabor when they were trying out some Silly Sisters material at the Cellar. Nic Jones at the Enterprise. Tony Rose a few years later in his only visit to Chicago.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,Addler
Date: 02 May 07 - 07:24 PM

Diane! You are talking out of your arse and picking a fight as usual. Don't respond to this I dare you. Just think before you respond, read through this whole thread at least before posting again. Please!!!

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 May 07 - 07:28 PM

Ah, I see an ever so SUPERFLUOUS wizziewig 'contribution'. No idea who this is, just that it is someone who crawls out from time to time, presumably to ogle women who don't mind. Certainly not what I'm in music for,
Crawl back under your stone, Don person.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 May 07 - 07:35 PM

Addler, no idea who you are and why should I care?
You presume to know who I am.
You clearly don't.
I'm kicking the shit out of those with idiotically archaic attitudes who have no place in my musical world, yet think it funny to try and make jokes on a forum.
It isn't. And it ain't clever. It exposes their stupidity and lack of musical awareness.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 02 May 07 - 07:44 PM

Tony Rose aged twenty two - his first summer holiday after qualifying as a teacher, back at Exmouth folk club with the Journeymen in the background singing Tavistock Goosey Fair - strumming an old Levin.

I don't know about the best - but he was bloody good.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Dave Earl
Date: 02 May 07 - 08:21 PM

Countess Richard.

See it's not just me who finds the way you choose to express yourself unpleasant.

Hold whatever views you like and most people round this board will defend your right to say whatever you want. You are however getting up a few noses with your bad language.

Back to the original theme though.

Just come back from the Lamb in Eastbourne where Devils Interval were the guests. Best act I've seen in a long time. Excellant singers and musicians and in my opinion the best thing to come out of the Newcastle University Folk music degree course.

You dont have to agree with me Diane but allow me to hold my view please.

Dave


Dave

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: woodsie
Date: 02 May 07 - 09:00 PM

Best thing I've seen at a folk club - a nice pot of tenners donated by the landlord!

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 May 07 - 10:02 PM

1. The effect on the audience of Brisbane unaccompanied singer Jenny Fitzgibbon, slight figure in short white sleeveless dress, singing "The Grave that they Dug him" - it seemed like everyone stopped breathing while she sang.

2. Martyn Wyndham-Read not leaving the stage after his advertised bracket ended & singing on for at least another hour, accompanied by Iris Bishop & John. magic

3. First apprearance of duo Lyrebird at any folk club, they did a 10 minute floorspot that left the audience going "wow" & were immediately booked by another club.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 May 07 - 10:30 PM

"what exactly is 'positive' about such wholly outdated, disasteful, sexist crap?"

Well, a prominent leading elderly Aussie politican known as '"Head-kicker" Heffernan' may now find his career suddenly and unexpectedly ended (even his own party is walking away from him!) after saying publicly in an article in the Bulletin that the female deputy leader of the Aussie Labour Party who has no children was 'barren and thus unfit to be a leading politican'.

Funny really, because his 'own goal' (which was meant to be a clever hitback because the Opposition leader was making comments that Johnny was too old-fashioned to stay as PM {after Johnny started attacking him as too inexperienced to be next PM!!!}) has now distracted the media from being interested in any possible shortcomings of the Opposition's political platform... now a very good chance that Little Fascist Johhny may actually lose the next election... pissing off 50% of the electorate is a dumb idea, to say nothing of pissing off ALL the pollies (of ALL parties!) wives!

Pretty 'positive' I'd say... :-)

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 03 May 07 - 12:08 AM

One of my best experiences was starting a song in a pub session and everyone joined in. The whole atmosphere in the pub changed. After the song there was a kind of silence for a short while when we realised what we had just shared. To me that's what folk music is about - who or what, PA's and mics don't matter.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 03 May 07 - 12:17 AM

Oh my!
The man in the silly hat has just seen my mates, The Devil's Interval (note correct form of their name).
I suppose that's typical of just how far behind the times blokes round here are.
The 'best thing' to come out of the Newcastle course?
There are dozens of brilliant acts from among six years of graduates. Seen them all?
Or are you judging them by a quick appraisal of Lauren and Emily's 'other attributes?
Tsk, tsk. Jim's rather pretty too, y'know . . .
Feeling a bit sheepish now for having opened your mouth, silly hat man?

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 May 07 - 12:21 AM

I have never even heard of 'The Devil's Interval' let alone seen them.

I thought I was the only one in the silly hat around here - maybe it's time for The Fooles Troupe to leave - too much competition!

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 03 May 07 - 12:29 AM

Too many to recall.
But, I do remember the late George Spicer at Elsies in Edenbridge,Kent UK, trying to finish a rather risque song before his wife returned from the loo!
Failed miserably, and had to revert to something more anodyne (Thousands or more or something!)
I think she knew what was going on!!

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 07 - 02:56 AM

The whole animal kingdom of which we are a part is prey to lustful thoughts.

And truth to tell, we are all revolted occasionally by the way other animals express the nasty squelchy business of sexuality. There is a wonderful Seamus Heaney poem called death of a Naturalist about him coming across a pond full of copulating frogs - and being by turns intimidated and revolted by the distasteful proximity one of the manifestations of the life force.

If that's how we old men seem to you - I can understand Countess.I suppose we're just not your idea of a nice pond of frogs.

lets adress ourselves to the music.   That's what I love to hear people talking about. On mudcat - you can almost hear their voices. I've been ill recently and I can't get out as much as I would like - sometimes on mudcat, its like being in a pub and chatting about all your old friends.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Barden of England
Date: 03 May 07 - 03:08 AM

The first time I saw Eric Bogle live. Not the best voice, nor the best player, but when he's singing his songs he really makes me 'feel' the words. Another one was when I heard Chris While for the first time. That voice is just stunning. And finally Ian Bruce, who has one of the greatest voices I've ever heard. When he sang 'From a distance' in a packed Marquee at Ely a few years back, without the aid of amplification, you could have heard a pin drop. Each one of the very special in their own way.
John Barden

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 03 May 07 - 03:20 AM

'Lustful thoughts' about frogs or anything else are scarcely the issue.
WLD wants to talk about music, as I do and have been.
He should be as appalled as I was at those unable to refer to a well-known female fiddler without a snigger over how she was dressed.
And even more so at how women are being trivialised and demeaned in this thread,
And most of all at those 'men' who claim nastily, that it is their 'right' to objectify women as 'the best thing seen at a f*lk club'.
I've come across more mature attitudes among 11-year-old schoolboys.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 May 07 - 03:25 AM

Among the normal women I am good friends with, they are not ashamed to giggle about 'male buns and six-packs'.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 07 - 04:59 AM

I think I gave up being appalled by musicians and their rather basic approach to life a while back. All that stuff in Amadeus - how could God have heaped his gifts on a filthy obscene child? - it has a certain ring of truth about it. n'est-ce pas?

I always suspect the 'nice' ones. Particularly in pullovers.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 03 May 07 - 05:04 AM

Oh, is that what the 'jumpers' are doing in the 'collapse of the clubs' thread?

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 07 - 05:17 AM

I ran away from that thread - you're a scary gal, Countess.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Dave Earl
Date: 03 May 07 - 05:19 AM

"Feeling a bit sheepish now for having opened your mouth, silly hat man?"

No

My Granny used to tell my brothers and I that "sticks and stones can break your bones but names will never hurt you"

Dave

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 May 07 - 05:51 AM

Perhaps we ought not to poke fun at the dress conventions of our European neighbours.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Grimmy
Date: 03 May 07 - 06:38 AM

I seem to recall a certain fellow called Musgrave going to church for reasons other than divine worship (I know what you're going to say - "yeah, and look what happened to him!").

I've had many best moments, but the one that has stayed with me is the first time I ever heard traditional singing.

I, a dyed-in-the-wool rock freak, was persuaded to visit the Old Blue Bell in Hull one night (HQ of the Watersons). It was spell-binding. Things would never be the same again.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:02 AM

That's right they opened the Sea Life Centre and built that bridge.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:12 AM

Countess, perhaps if you spent more time with mature men (albeit those who may find women attractive) instead of obviously spending time with too many 11 year old boys, your attitude to men might improve and make you more acceptable as a woman.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:22 AM

That's almost a proposal Mike........romance blossoms amongst the Mudcatters.

Spring here at last....?

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:25 AM

make you more acceptable as a woman

Acceptable to whom?
Fuck off . . .

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:29 AM

Keep trying Mike....deep down, she likes you.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Grimmy
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:31 AM

"That's right they opened the Sea Life Centre and built that bridge"

Yeah, the monkeys, but all after I had left, thank goodness.

I notice the Blue Bell is still there though.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Betsy
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:42 AM

Hi Georgiansilver - Richard Digance was as funny as a kick in the bollocks . He may have been humorous if you understood jokes about West Ham, same with Max Boyce if you understood Rugby/things Welsh .

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:54 AM

Roy Harris !!
It wan't a folk club, it was the Albert Hall, but he turned it into a folk club.

-

One day all women will have to wear burquas, problem solved.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Rasener
Date: 03 May 07 - 07:55 AM

Well I hope you are not going to kick Georgiansilver in the bollocks Betsy, as I am hoping to see him at Faldingworth Live tomorrow!

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:27 AM

With language like yours however Countess...I would not consider you a person suitable to spend time with....perhaps a few more of those beautifully chosen words now.....

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Splott Man
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:30 AM

Are we talking about Folk Clubs yet?

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:31 AM

Betsy, when I saw Richaed Digance in his ealry days of Folk Clubbing, his humour was much more generalised...it changed with TV fame I suppose to things he felt he could get a laugh with. His natural humour was much better before. Best wishes, MIke.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:33 AM

Les...even a kick in the b....... would not stop me from coming to Faldingworth Live to see George Papavgeris.....wouldn't miss him for all the Countesses in the world!

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:33 AM

I've absolutely no time nor inclination to spend time with you.
Better stuff to do.
I'll just leave it to the Villan or perhaps that nice (ha!) Mr Betts to give you a good kick in the bollocks.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:35 AM

Oh, is George going?
Perhaps he can put you on his lamb-roasting spit.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Surreysinger
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:40 AM

Am I allowed to add another best thing - not at a folk club (since someone else has already gone that route, I reckon I can) - but it'll have to be George Withers at the last National in Sutton Bonington, singing his "MBE" song with a devastatingly witty twinkle in his eye, with Martin Carthy, Brian Peters, Eliza Carthy, Spiers and Boden et al sitting around the wall behind him. He brought the house down, and I reckon was an incredibly hard act to follow .. I'm just hoping that he'll be at the Dorset Singing Weekend in Stourton Caundle as usual in June this year (health willing)!!

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:45 AM

The best thing I saw was in the Sunray at Osmington - the courteous behaviour from the audience to both booked guest and 'virgin' singer alike...


















but it was a very long time ago.

LTS

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 May 07 - 08:54 AM

Oh, don't say teh "v" word, it will get someone all excited again.....

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Grab
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:06 AM

It's a toss-up between Artisan and the Abbie Lathe group. Also Thomas Leeb, although that wasn't exactly a folk club.

And if compliments about someone's looks make you a lecher, then damn, the world is in trouble. Compliments do not mean that you're trying to get into the other person's underwear! Still, wait a few years and that problem will solve itself. ;-)

Graham.

(FWIW, the most fun I've had at a folk festival was the bellydancing workshops at Broadstairs, and it certainly wasn't simply because I was a lone bloke surrounded by several dozen dancing women of varying ages.)

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Rasener
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:14 AM

>>Les...even a kick in the b....... would not stop me from coming to Faldingworth Live to see George Papavgeris.....wouldn't miss him for all the Countesses in the world! <<

Good to hear that Mike :-)

Now then Countess Richard, don't you go giving George a bad name by suggesting that he puts human beings on his lamb roasting spit.
All George will be doing tomorrow night, is getting us to sing along with him and enjoying ourselves. I hope you are not driving him up here CR!!!

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:20 AM

Pssssst, hey George, wanna lift?
Only joking. If I was heading in that direction, he'd have to walk from Loughborough where I'd stop off for the ceilidh.
As it is, I'm not.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:21 AM

Ballad of Long Lankin by Magic Lantern - anybody?

Taffy Thomas (he of Magic Lantern fame) also had a folk club, somewhere in the murky depths of the Black Country - precise location forgot. And he had some great residents - Pete Coe, and Dan Fone - who later played in Ricky Cool and the Icebergs.

Remeber Pete's Derby Ram with affection.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:23 AM

Seeing as he has already been mentioned - A VERY young Pete Morton was one of the best things I saw at Swinton many years ago. It was apparant from the word go that he was destined for greater things. I still haven't forgiven him for getting me hooked on a band called Danish Dia Delight on a radio show he ran though:-)

Coals and Newcastle as well - I am now living up in the frozen North from Monday to Friday and have had the great pleasure of attending the Bridge Folk Club on a Monday night. Far from being cliquey I was made very welcome on the first singers night I attended and was then absolutely blown away by the students of Newcastle Universities Folk degree on the 'Rising Stars' night. If this lot go out into the world beyond accademia with th esame attitude they have now we need have no concerns for the future of folk:-)

Still not had a single 'best thing' though. It would probably be a close toss-up between Anthony John Clarke, Martin Marthy and Stanley Acrrington! Best folk releated band I have seen is no contest though - Runrig at Manchester Appollo.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,BY ECK
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:36 AM

Muppett threatening to bare his arse (and doing so) to the audience, if they didn't join in the chorus, you should have been there countess richard, even you would have seen the funny side of it

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 May 07 - 09:37 AM

One Nun Dead!