Reputation earned - how?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 06:42 PM

Thanks Meself - Being in the UK I wasn't too sure what "time zone" you were in!.

To help you along, a few notes about the other tunes on Myspace, all Dunc's compositions:

Woodshed Boys - written about the guys in the UK who kept the tradition going by singing songs in their garden sheds because their wives "wouldn't have that horrible music in the house". Walter Pardon and Harry Cox – no actually, let Duncan tell you himself – look at the "Songs" page on his website and click on Woodshed Boys CD, top left column. Scroll down and he gives the story….

In fact, now that I've checked, Can't Go There and Jigalo are also on the Woodshed Boys CD and so there is a brief explanation of them on the same page.

Jigalo is great – Dunc tells you it was on one of his early CDs, back when he was nowt but a young whipper snapper, but he doesn't mention that in it's first incarnation it sounded more punk than anything else!.

I'd best shut up and let the music tell it's own story… Enjoy Meself.

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 06:28 PM

I think that would have been the tune - I stand corrected! And yes - a lovely tune.

I'll hop over and listen to some more in a bit ...

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 06:25 PM

Meself - I'm going to stick my neck out and say that I bet the tune is Planxty Newman, as found on both Dunc's website and Myspace site.

This is a tune Duncan wrote last summer while on holiday in France, visiting Mark Newman. This is therefore "in the traditional idiom" rather than trad (and a lovely tune to boot).

www.myspace.com/theduncanmcfarlaneband

It has a few additional tracks on it as well if you'd like to listen.
Please do.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 06:16 PM

Guest, Meself - you say you've heard a cut of Dunc playing a trad tune. Can I ask which one, as a matter of interest, please?.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 06:01 PM

HFA - don't leave us, please! I think that somehow the strands of this thread have become very crossed and muddled here, which probably just goes to prove the point you were making.

I'm more than happy to stand up and be counted as a great fan of Duncan, his acoustic band and his electric band, whatever label now happens to describe them. I must admit though, that the first time I came across them, at Cleckheaton 4(?) years ago, the "tag" in the programme biog that caught my attention was "celtic".

It just goes to prove that what is written does have an effect on who might come to see you "on spec" and so accurate representation is a must.

Not being a performer myself I don't have a problem in this area but have had similar problems in other activities I do.

My final comment Duncan is that people like Nic Jones, whose songs you include in your repertoire, appreciate your interpretations / arrangements. That must be the highest accolade and to my mind means that what you are doing (however you - sorry - "one" describes it) is right.

I'll buy you a pint on Saturday!.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 05:16 PM

Don't know. It's not one of them high-falutin' no-shirt, no-shoes, no-service joints, is it?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 05:06 PM

Are you allowed in the chat room?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 04:55 PM

Oh no - he's starting to sing ... Jim? The kitchen?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 04:31 PM

And I'm a Scot though born of Irish stock!

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 04:18 PM

Strictly for the sake of clarification: I am not American. Well - I am North American. I do however herewith raise a glass to my south-of-the-border American friends!


(Jim, um - can you come into the kitchen for a minute?)

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Rasener
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 04:09 PM

Exactly Jim Lad :-)

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 04:01 PM

Who knows a wee bit about football!

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Rasener
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 03:09 PM

I'm a Brummie

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 03:06 PM

I'm one too.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 02:47 PM

That's one!
"Meself" is two!

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: DebC
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 02:28 PM

I, for one :-)

Debra

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 02:23 PM

And who are the Americans, here?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: DebC
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 01:46 PM

I don't write songs at all, yet I have been described as a singer/songwriter. I am like Duncan, where I do about 1/2 traditional and 1/2 contemporary songs.

I really dislike the labels that we are forced to be shoved into.

BTW-I know Duncan, I have heard Duncan and I am certainly NO Duncan McFarland :-) (That one was for the Americans)

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 01:20 PM

Iwas once described in a kent newspaper as Dick Miles comntemporary singer accompanied by Ernie Warner on guitar,theclub was Faversham.I am a singerof Traditional and contemporary[in traditional style]on concertina,these days Iuse GUITAR as well.Ihave never been accompanied by Ernie Warner.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 01:11 PM

I read Duncan's opening question, read his short bio and presumed from those that he considered himself a Traditional Folk Singer who is being misrepresented as a Singer/Songwriter.
Some disagreed, offering the opinion that he was indeed "Traditional Folk Singer".
Nobody picked up on the fact that he considers himself a "Guitarist".
Clearly he is experiencing some difficulty in getting his message across.
I could just as easily have provided him with a bio, more in keeping with his own persona, had I known just what it was.
If you want the reviews to portray you in a certain way, then your bio must provide that foundation. (You, as in anyone)
Two lines on a page won't do it for you (Too much guesswork) nor will two pages. (They'll only cut & paste)
A fine guitarist, he may be but even if I was looking for one, I would have sifted through his page and very quickly, forgotten it.

Duncan: Judging by your reaction, we are all capable of being misunderstood when it comes to our written word. Just as you are.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 12:31 PM

Thanks to this thread, I listened to a cut of Duncan playing a trad. tune on guitar, and it was terrific. Anyone asks, I'll tell'm so.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 12:18 PM

Over 40 years, I wrote 2 or 3 songs that I ever sang and/or recorded. Several festivals billed me as a singer/songwriter only---even though I always called myself, and indeed always was, a folksinger.

Why?

Because their audiences had ceased to show up for folksingers. They filled the joint for singer/songwriters.

Seeing the gigs dry up for the music I cared so much about, made it sad, but easier for me when my health dictated I truncate my career.

Art

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 11:30 AM

So How does one earn a reputation? ......
Sit back, read the thread
and see just what kind of reputation
Duncan has earned here.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 10:54 AM

Duncan, I think what happened here was Mudcat's helpful side, not an attack on you.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 07:27 AM

Jim - I 'popped' in with an answer to a humourous comment re 'sheep'.
I didn't realise you needed feedback on your re-write of my website - sorry.
I really didn't know how to answer your posts.
I wasn't after comment on me, as such - used myself as an example of how I believe folks get the 'wrong idea' about someone.
Was actually asking (in original post) for 'others' to speak up if they'd had the same experience themselves!

You may not agree, fine - but the point is - a club that has had me as guest THREE times before
over a five year period has advertised me on the net and other publicity as 'mostly his own songs'
This is just plain WRONG.
The 'bulk' of my set (merely a term meaning 'the greater part'
I don't know why you find the term so objectionable
- but your call - no worries) - is always Trad songs.
I believe a different set of folks attends, or not,
depending on accurate representation of the music 'on' on any advertised night.
That's where I was coming from....

As for my site...
The description at the head of my site is a 'list'
Guitarist first.
That's my forte (I hope!)
Singer comes second.
Songwriter limps in third as it's the least important in my view.
At no point do I call myself a singer'songwriter - though others do - that's my point!
The 'list' on the site goes on...
Trad FIRST!
Then 'other writers...
tacked on as a last thought - 'his own songs'.

The thread was about being misunderstood, misrepresented - I wanted others in the same boat to speak up - but you turned it into a dissection of me - that's why I stayed out of it.

I will now bow out and leave Mudcat well alone - at least while I have a re-think - it's too hot in this water - thanks - Duncan

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 08:19 PM

To quote a portion of an old joke:

"I build ten bridges, but do they call me Pierre th bridge Builder? Non!
"I play with the symphony orchestra, but do they call me Pierre the violinist? Non!"

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 06:20 PM

Ah! That would explain it ...

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 05:22 PM

Dick just tripped on the wrong thread without realizing it.
I've noticed in the past few days that the page does an extra wee hop, just as you are clicking on the title.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 03:30 PM

I think I'm getting my consciousness raised. Do go on; this is all new to me.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 02:17 PM

good Reputations[in the case of folk artists] are usually earned buy being professional,going out doing the gigs and delivering the goods.
Bad reputations[Celtic Music ],are usually earned fairly as well,serving people like Topic [re Nic Jones] with injunctions,withholding collections of traditional and revival material from the public domain.
Is it possible not to keep attacking Diane Easby,I have never had a problem with her posts.[but then I avoid if I can,comments that could be nmisconstrued sexually]
It is very difficult for men to understand what it is like being a woman,For instance men can go into a pub on their own without it being assumed that they are there to be picked up,Men can often walk home at night without the worry that some man will attempt to sexually molest them,and so it goes on.
[ but that is why some women can become defensive] it is a result of the way men/society [newspapers that carry page three]stereotype them,treating them as objects ,treat men/ women as objects and you start to treat them with disrespect.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 01:47 PM

LOL! I'm sure I'm safe on that account!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Rasener
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 01:12 PM

Duncan Mcfarlane

Jim Hancock with Clarty Sough

These people are definately real, click on the links above.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 12:35 PM

"Reputation guidance", eh? Hmmm ... Well, first of all young lady, you'd better not step out the door dressed like that!

Second of all, it has recently been made quite clear on another thread that male folkies are an unusually lecherous species of humanity - you do NOT want to be seen in their presence!

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 12:27 PM

PS maybe JimLad will write me a rep.

:~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 12:16 PM

Has this matter come up previously on this thread - did I miss something? Or are you just playing it really, really safe? One can't help but wonder, can one?

It has come up a number of times in threads, when I have realized I've been misunderstood. When I take the extra care (assuming I know I'm going to be addressing UKers), I seem to be taken with good will, and when I don't I seem to get taken as a self-aggrandizer or attacker. But I'm the same person either way-- it's just the idiom.

I guess I'm looking for reputation guidance myself. :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 12:09 PM

I mean - did one miss something? Or is one just playing it, etc.?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 12:01 PM

Has this matter come up previously on this thread - did I miss something? Or are you just playing it really, really safe? One can't help but wonder, can one?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 11:57 AM

One couldn't care less!
Or, as you would say...
I could care less.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 11:37 AM

Can I please request a blanket OK from Brits?

In the time and place I grew up, I was taught to use "I" and the meant-to-be-generic "you" and related verb tenses under most of the cases you Brits use "one."

And I find it really hard to go back and edit "I" and "you" out and put in "one" and all the related verb tenses when I am trying very, very hard to post something helpful without allowing idiom to distract and offend.....

Can I stop doing that?

May one post in one's native idiom without giving any one offense? :~) Or is there a US-to-UK auto-translator that will do the job?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Dave Earl
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 11:37 AM

"You think they're the Countess?"

Now there's someone who has made a reputation fro herself.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 11:31 AM

Could be. You think they're the Countess?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 11:27 AM

Has anyone seen Jim Hancock and Duncan McFarlane together?

Could they be the same bloke?

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 10:41 AM

So he's been in and out, made a comment and not one word of thanks for the bio.
I think, my suspicions have just been confirmed.
Duncan make the flowers grow, for all I care!

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 10:35 AM

Well I'd never heard of either of them until I read Duncan McFarlane's new bio. Boy, if he came in here just to get famous, it worked.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Rasener
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 07:26 AM

>>Duncan McFarlane and Jim Hancock. Can't say I have heard of them before - have I ?

Have you guys ever been to Faldingworth Live? <<

THey have both been main guests at Faldingworth Live :-)

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 03:49 AM

Black Sheep for me, please Liz - thanks - Duncan

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 02:58 AM

Of course, if it's a different reputation he's after, I know a rather good looking sheep....

LTS

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 02:53 AM

Appreciate it or not, it has already had the desired effect that several people who'd never heard of him before, now have.

Oh, and 'destined to be' is perfectly acceptable English.

LTS

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 03 Jun 07 - 12:15 AM

Heh, heh! I'm wondering if Duncan will actually appreciate his new bio when he returns.

Subject: RE: Reputation earned - how?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 11:32 PM

Jim - are you okay?