best thing seen at a folk club

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: breezy
Date: 09 May 07 - 04:27 PM

Hearing and seeing Diz Dizley perform the 'battle of hastings'

At the railway tavern catford.Sitting directly in front of Paul Simon and remarking 'I like this' and someone nearby saying it wasnt folk music

being captivated by Alex campbell's ability to not sing and to hold an audience in the palm of his hand, in a state of apparent total inebriation, every time i saw him.

Joe Stead emptying a bag of crisps into a pint of beer, or was it vice versa

les barker and bog rolls performing 'earwig-O'

The Old Rope S B

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Garvallagh
Date: 09 May 07 - 04:45 PM

Dan O Hara in McElroys Omagh St Paddies day years ago singing a song about a boy who goes to swim in a lake, all the while his sister is telling him not too, sure enuff the young fella buys the farm. Does anyone know the name of this song by the way?

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: PoppaGator
Date: 09 May 07 - 05:04 PM

Despite knowing NOTHING about the British folk-music scene and its many performers and personalities, to whom references are made in the serious, "on-topic" contributions to this discussions, I keep checking back here to follow the ongoing psychodrama centered around Countess Richard.

First off, I've never quite understood the gender-ambiguity built into a pseudonym that seemingly combines a woman's title with a man's first name. Is this deliberate? Of course, "Richard" could be a last name, but it does not seem to be this person's actual surname. (perhaps it is, and I'm wrong.) If it is a surname, actual or fictional, I'd like to know whether it is pronounced in the usual English mannner or (as is so often the case here in Louisiana) as the French "Ree-SHARD."

I have noted that a few respondants have objected to the Countess' "bad language," but that is one of the few among her traits that I actually kind of like. A little vulgarity never bothers me in the least. However, I do find it very curious that she never hesitates to type the word "fuck," but seems to have an aversion to ever spelling out the much-more-innocuous "folk," consistently typing in an asterisk, thus: "f*lk." What the hell is up with that????

This young woman seems to have very deep-seated psycholgical problems with the opposite sex, but my guess is that her sexual orientation is not really the issue; I don't think that any self-respecting lesbian would ever come out with some of the stuff she writes.

I know that one can't generalize about a human being based on internet text alone, but I strongly suspect that she's probably hetero in orientation and in (perhaps limited) practice, but that she can't maintain an onoging relationship with a male partner beyond the one-night-stand stage, and that her long-term friendships with male individuals are exclusively with gay men who provide "girlfriend"-type support and affection. Here in the US, if not elsewhere, there's an unfortunate, politically-very-incorrect term for this personalilty type: "fag hag."

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:06 PM

Poppa, she ain't young. But that is not the point. Likewise (forgive me if I state the obvious) the state or preferences of the countess's sex life is her business not ours.

She explains "f*lk" above.

And countess richard is a personality in a child ballad who is hard-done-by.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:24 PM

What a strange and insulting posting! If the time spent on composing it had been spent simply looking the answers to the questions would have been found in other contributions on this site.

The last points are really beyond belief (I'm a man by the way). They don't deserve a response from their target and I hope they don't receive one.

Despite the Countess's childish tendency to nit-pick about orthographical matters (as she likes to call them) and to self-indulge in personal sideswipes, the general thrust of her postings IS directed at the subject matter of the thread- something that PopaGator (something to do with alligators no doubt) seemingly has no interest whatsoever.

Since you don't mind earthy language PopaGator I suggest you fuck off until you've something useful to contribute.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: PoppaGator
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:31 PM

Thanks, Richard.

I apologize ~ to the Countess and to everyone else ~ for my rudeness, but I felt a need to 'fess up to my morbid fascination with a truly demented conversation, and undoubtedly went too far in spilling my guts about the thoughts that have unavoidably passed through my mind while indulging myself here.

I meant to use the phrase "like a moth to a flame" early in my previous post to describe my compusion to keep coming back here to track the latest developments, but forgot to do so. So now I've said it. I'm not proud of my inability to ignore this nonsense and just virtually walk away.

I missed the bit explaining "f*lk," will go back and re-read.

The ballad from which the name comes is undoubtedly in the DT, I assume. I'll check that out, too. I'm sure that someone is pleased that I have betrayed my own ignorance about that.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:32 PM

oooooooooooooooo, a hard man nowadays, is good to find....

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:37 PM

You can work them in sometimes, you see........


ah.... door, there, ok...

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:40 PM

very rude guest! Poppagator has written some things about music, and it IS hard to understand all this other nonsense.

It is offensive, if you're a man. In romantic matters, one is often expected to be the initiator - and its hard to get the attitude right - nobody pleases everybody.

some members have obviously found some of the things said not just offensive, but upsetting. Whatever her age and condition, she should be more careful of others' feelings. Some people are on their own and vulnerable, and basic courtesy costs nothing.

I just wish we could talk about music onthis thread. The Countess has obviously lived through some great evenings in folk clubs and met some great artists - perhaps known them as friends. It would nice to share some of her thoughts on that - rather than this other squabbling, which I find disturbing,

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 May 07 - 06:42 PM

"countess richard is a personality in a child ballad who is hard-done-by."

Psychologists doubtless would wonder why someone deliberately chooses a public handle that reflects that, but I don't.

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

Hmmmm. I could talk about the great performers I saw when they were young and unknown or the old troupers still able to raise their voices and the spirits of the audience, but I believe the best are the local lads and lasses with warm voices, sure hands on their instruments, and enough wit in their eyes and their words to leave us wanting MORE.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:08 PM

I am on my own, I'm vulnerable more often than not and I'm mega-pissed off with neolithic, aeons-past-sell-by, offensively patronising attitudes from certain posters who just have no clue how to conduct themselves in C21 civilised society, let alone a music venue.

Yes, I have always written to topic (that's the strap-line above the text box that no-one much seems to read) and responded to counter a post about predatory behaviour in a club. The contributor seemed to imagine this was 'harmless banter' and refused to face how intimidating and offensive this can be to some women.

My name was actually chosen for me by a friend when I first came into Mudcat about four years ago to defend a performer who was getting a kicking for being young, talented and successful, far too quickly for some. We wrote a parody of Child #68 to immortalise a ridiculously farcical situation and I decided to take the pseudonym as a shit-proof umbrella. A wise move, not that there are many who haven't seen through it. Now will you all sod off and stop trying to find out who my friends and lovers are. I'm not saying.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Ythanside
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:25 PM

The bartender calling over his shoulder,'I'm off home now, so just help yourselves and leave the money on the bar, and the last one out has to drop the latch on the door.'
This happened in Scotty's, Alice Springs at around 3am one January morning in 2002.
Memories, admittedly a tad blurred, are made of this.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,Guest of 06.24
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:36 PM

Credit to Popagator for his immediate and stylish retraction. And Countess- nobody's really interested.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:46 PM

Nobody's interested in what and how do you know?

Music venues have a strong interest in offering a harassment-free space. This makes commercial sense as well as being a better environment for music. Which is why the majority are there in the first place. Those whose motivation is otherwise would do well to take it elsewhere. Like Mars.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:57 PM

I dunno. I don't give a bugger who knows who I am. And nothing has happened to me. Perhaps different for a woman. Occasionally you feel persecuted and misunderstood. That's mainly because we're all from different places (in every sense).
http://bigalwhittle.co.uk/
if anyones in doubt!

Some people just spit poison across cyberspace like 14 year olds. They fail to grasp that we are mostly mature people, and we haven't come to our opinions and attitudes through cussedness or reading something some dim journalist has thought up - they are the sum of our life's experiences. They are the way we need to conduct ourselves to be the people we are.

The bold sexual innuendo that upsets the Countess is perhaps a way of reaching out. Don't we all ignore stuff everyday we don't appreciate. Perhaps the Countess is waiting for someone to say - well done gal! You showed those MCPs! A kindred spirit out there.

Lets hope we all find kindred spirits somewhere.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,Guest of 6.24
Date: 09 May 07 - 08:16 PM

CR: Nobody here's interested in the private details of your friends and lovers is what I meant. And WLD- I think some patronising git did say that. End of my little input.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 09 May 07 - 08:49 PM

Stop the psycho-babble.

I'm not in the slightest bit upset by 'bold sexual innuendo', if it's amusing.
Nor am I particulary upset at stupid speculation, just bored, contemptuous and unforthcoming. The Alligator has, however, apologised for his quaintly imaginative prurience.
I'm not usually intimidated at threatening and inappropriate male behaviour at music venues but would wish them to be safe place for those who do feel harassed and afraid.
Did some patronising git really say 'well done gal' for expressing this?
What I want is for it not to be necessary and that they would get on with listening to the music which is what they should have gone there for in the first place.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Michael
Date: 10 May 07 - 12:50 AM

This is a 'combination thread' answer to include the 'what got you hooked' thread.
In the mid '60s we had regular 'folk nights' Agricultural College with singer-songwriters and people who sang Dylan etc. So when I went home I found a local Folk Club and this strange looking fellow with pony tail walked on stage and with no introduction launched into 'The Fox Jumped Over the Parson's Gate'.I was gobsmacked and hooked; Pete Bellamy has a lot to answer for.

Mike

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 10 May 07 - 02:42 AM

The title that you are looking for Garvallagh is "The Lakes of Shilyn" or "Lakes of Coolfin" I have heard it sung both ways. Best thing - possibly Ewan MacColl singing "James Herries" in South Shields C1970 although there are really too meny to mention.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,Patronising git.
Date: 10 May 07 - 06:26 AM

CR: Yes.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,ROB THE ROADIE
Date: 10 May 07 - 09:09 AM

ANGIE WRIGHT SINGING "CRY OF THE WORLD"

SEE HER AT THE LEITH FOLK CLUB TUESDAY MAY 29TH IN SUPPORT OF CLIVE GREGSON.

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: PoppaGator
Date: 10 May 07 - 02:26 PM

I swore I would never come back here, but yielded to temptation as soon as I saw this thread title teetering the bottom of the "last-24-hours" list.

Countess: I think you're absolutely crazy, but find you endlessly entertaining. In turn, I acknowledge your right to hold whatever opinion you wish about me. I was off base expressing my idle thoughts, guessing at just what variety of abnormal psychology might apply to you. I'm sure that, just as for me and for all the rest of us, there is much more to you than what you choose to reveal in your cyber-typing.

Best thing I ever heard at a folk club?

"Looks like the next act didn't show ~ wanna play another hour?"

Subject: RE: best thing seen at a folk club
From: GUEST,Bruce Michael Baillie
Date: 11 May 07 - 01:48 AM

I couldn't honestly say which one thing is the best thing I've ever seen in a folk club but here's a short list of things I remember from the past 30 odd years

Hedgehog Pie
The Hot Pot Belly Band
the first time I ever saw Bernie Parry
Jeremy Taylor
Planxty
Christy Moore
Andy Irvine
Bernard Wrigley
Mike Harding
Gary & Vera Aspey
Irish band 'Burnt Peat' featuring on accordion none other than the man you catters love to hate DAVE BULMER