Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How'd it go?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How'd it go?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 07:05 PM

Tom - have you actually read the rest of this thread?? If you look back to the postings immediately after the festival finished, you will certainly see quite a few postings to say that people enjoyed the festival, and felt that it was the best one in several years!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How'd it go?
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 06:50 AM

Did people enjoy whitby this year then, lets hear some positive feedback, I had a great time, can't wait till next year

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How'd it go?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 04:31 PM

Giok - MC Fat will probably be able to help with contact info for Judie.

Vectis - I think you'll find that P&W are more West Midlands than Manchester! Very entertaining, and good harmonies, anyway!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How'd it go?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 04:18 PM

Right, so it's Judie I want to contact then.
Thanks Kitty
Giok

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How'd it go?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 04:16 PM

Giok - the so many kids, so few chimneys t-shirt was worn by Judie Knight (who sometimes drops into Mudcat as Lady Aelfleda).

Raggy -   According to the Bedworth festival website, Neil Parker and Paul Watts have their own website, http://www.folkfax.net/locals/parkerw.htm, although I have to say that my attempt to access it just failed. I suggest you PM MalcBedworth or send an e-mail to [e-mail] (rather than Vectis' suggestion of Claire Penny, who is coping with Roger's illness and isn't a Catter, as far as I know). Parker and Watts have frequently appeared at Bedworth, and are booked again this year.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 03:41 PM

Can somebody ask Pat{?}who ran singarounds in the Station, where she got the chimneys and kids Tee Shirt. I HAVE to have one.
Giok

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: vectis
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 08:22 AM

I haven't got their details (lost them) but the organisers of the Pennymoor Singaround in Devon will have their contact details.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 08:01 AM

More information needed, were they perchance on Glaisdale trip?

Two women?

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Raggytash
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 05:09 AM

Anyone any idea how I can contact Parker & Watts

Cheers

Raggy

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: LesB
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 05:05 AM

"of course you don't "??????

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,sessiongoer
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 04:51 AM

"All this bickering & bitching is precisely why I don't go to festival singarounds & sessions"

of course you don't

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: dozy rozy
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 03:05 AM

Soldier boy, don't let Heather on the web, cos I won't be allowed to phone you for another ten years.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: collierlad
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 08:16 PM

Some photo's taken in the Station Whitby Folk Week 2007 are here now!

The charity Cd recorded in the Tap & Spile (Station) has raised £285 to-date thanks to everone who bought a copy.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: vectis
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 05:08 PM

Parker & Watts sing that song Raggy. They are from Manchester way I think.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Michael
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 04:53 PM

I know some musicians (and singers, come to that)who definitely play with themselves.

Mike

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,musician
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 04:15 PM

I see! singers   sing with themselves but musicians don't play with themselves!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: cujimmy
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 02:22 PM

I attended sessions and singarounds all over Whitby throughout the week, had a wonderful time, made new friends,learned new songs and was sad when I had to come home on Saturday. Cant wait till next year.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Raggytash
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 12:49 PM

On the G;aisdale train run on the Sunday two lads (who have been out with us for the past three years or so) sang a song together called "I must learn something new" does anyone know how I can contact either of them

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: LesB
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 12:06 PM

All this bickering & bitching is precisely why I don't go to festival singarounds & sessions.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 11:13 AM

Brassy Sharman - I think you are missing the point.

A singaround is usually where performers take it in turns to sing, play whatever. If they want others to join in they make it known otherwise others should sit back & listen.

A session is where everyone joins in whatever is being played/sung.

A singaround is usually good for spectators whereas a session is more for the participants. (but applause is appreciated.)

Usually at a singaround everyone is asked in turn (by the 'leader') if they wish to contribute.
At a session you just jump in when ready.

Just my experience - may be different elsewhere. This is always the case in the weekly Whitby singarounds / sessions.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,flutegirl
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 10:43 AM

"It is a strange phenomenon that as a singer if you attend a music session you will undoubtedly be ignored by the musicians (unless you are recognised), but if a musician goes into a singaround they will be welcomed and asked to play. Why is this?"

Hmm, is it so hard to figure out? :-)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 10:27 AM

Oh dear. I had to ask someone not to play a melodeon in a singaround at the Station the person was clearly singing an unaccompanied song and he insisted on playing along.If it's unnacompanied that's exactly what it says on the tin !! It's all down to courtesy and respect really.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: brassy sharman
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 09:13 AM

Black Hawk , the point is that at a singaround you will be invited to contribute, at a music session the musicians will not even ask if you wish to contribute.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 08:55 AM

"I cannot understand why musicians should really need to be totally exclusive."
Well said Ray! The best sessions I went to at Sidmouth were the traditional ones in the evenings in the Volunteer, hosted by Ken Langsbury and Roger Grimes. They consisted of a mixture of tunes _and_ songs by turn. The musicians in question were mostly singers as well, and therefore thankfully unaccompanied singing was just that, and everybody was duly appreciative of each others efforts - it was NOT performance, but a sharing... and a really enjoyable evening was had by all.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 08:34 AM

Someone who walks into a session carrying a guitar, fiddle, mandolin etc. will be assumed to be a musician. Not everyone who walks into a session with a voice will be assumed to be a singer!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: brassy sharman
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 08:17 AM

It is a strange phenomenon that as a singer if you attend a music session you will undoubtedly be ignored by the musicians (unless you are recognised), but if a musician goes into a singaround they will be welcomed and asked to play. Why is this?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 08:04 AM

The music is played primarily for those playing it


What a pity that you cannot understand that bystanders love to hear your music too and why shouldn't they applause?

I cannot understand why musicians should really need to be totally exclusive. Sessions I have attended will often give way to singers

However too music pub noise will put singers off key, if not accompanying themselves

Why do musicians feel that they are not part of the social fabric which encompasses song?

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,musician
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 06:27 AM

flutegirl
you have hit the nail on the head some people are very serious and   decidedly noninclusive as well as being unnecesarily abusive.Official Lead Sessions & singarounds may well have customs & practices as set out by the leader - spontaneous pub sessions/singarounds should be just that.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,flutegirl
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 05:13 AM

GUEST musician
Well said - there is real distinction between singaround and session - perhaps what distinguishes them is the element of 'performance'. In my experience, singaround is more about performance, with lots of 'shhushing' going on and applause given (and expected). A real session is more inclusive, yet without the element of performance (although the occasional rogue 'show-off' can pop up in a session!). The music is played primarily for those playing it, and applause is not common, certainly among the musicians.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 05:11 AM

I am some what annoyed musician

Umaccompanied singers do not have to sing in your bloody standard keys necesarily! You make sure your guitars are tuned right and you play together nicely, ok

Keep off unaccompanied singers, snigger all you want just don't try to join in!

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,musician
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 04:40 AM

funny but some musicians feel exactly the same about off key singers 'joining in' in F and five eights or G and a quarter and trying to pull the musician off key. Personally I just like to see everybody enjoying themselves rather than just a few playing/singing at what they may consider to be some sort of concert standard and will happily try to adapt playing to any 'uninvited' (in a session!!!!!) singists. Or should we all be permenantly po faced and deadly serious?!!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 03:23 AM

If it's a song then people can join in with voices and sing in the chorus. For a guitarist to try to identify the key by noodling and then plonking away with chords that don't fit if they don't know the song is very off-putting to the lead singer and anybody else who wants to join in with voice/harmony. Tunes are easier because you can usually identify the key straight away by where the melodeon playher has his/her fingers or the guitarists their capos and chord shapes.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: r.padgett
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 01:26 PM

All this is pretty common ground and the etiquette and niggles will continue for ever

Not just at Whitby, people need to learn some basic respect I fear!

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,musician
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 12:11 PM

I thought sessions were about as many as possible joining in and enjoying playing/singing together rather than take your turn   solo performances. Perhaps some distinction should be made between 'singarounds' and 'sessions'

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 11:17 AM

I agree with Vulgar Boatman's "but", but I'm afraid it's not just happening at Whitby. There seems to be a declining standard of behaviour in singarounds and sessions everywhere one goes at the moment. I do wonder about the merits of having an organised session with booked leader(s). I was particularly P*****d off by the guitarists who insist on trying to accompany solo unaccompanied singers by noodling around until they find a key or, more usually, driving the singer into a key they hadn't intended. Saw/heard this happen more than once. If somebody wants to sing unaccompanied let them do so. If they want accompaniment they will say - this is in the key of X, please join in.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 09:20 AM

I had intended to leave the CHARM concert 30 minutes early to make sure I got a seat for George Garside.
I couldn't tear myself away; 'leaving early' became 'gathering up my belongings and standing near the door in the last intro, sprinting out of the Met as the last chord died away, and running most of the way to Middle Earth' (which wasn't as crowded Wed as Sun, fortunately for me).

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: brassy sharman
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 08:22 AM

Does any one have any photos they post to share of the Folk Festival?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Splott Man
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 08:20 AM

An addition to my favourites as my memory returns: the Wilsons and the Young Coppers singing Thousands or More together. They probably heard it in Scarborough!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Saro
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 07:14 AM

We had a fantastic week too, and the people attending the harmony workshop were as brilliant as ever. Thank you all. Sorry i only got to the Station for one evening, but better than nothing, and lovely to see lots of old friends. Re: "exciting plans" I know that new people always want to change things, but I hope, not too much. At least I feel sure that the new team will maintain the traditional strand that runs firmly through the week.
Best wishes
Saro

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 06:20 AM

The fringe still working well and some of the best singing around

There needs to be outlets for all abilities and there are some excellent singers frequenting the fringe events

The songs and singers continue to evolve which surely is what the living tradition is all about

WFF week obviously needs to make a profit or cover its costs to exist, the folk community is very wide indeed and there are very many unsung heroes who work without due reward in mundane roles

Stewards and organisers coffee makers programme sellers ticket/money collectors fetchers and carriers etc

Folk singing dancing storytelling playing instruments is all about participation and people will gravitate to their own needs and aspirations

Long may it be so at Whitby FF week

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: CannieShieldsLaddie
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 05:46 AM

Quite agree Surreysinger, we thought it one of the best for a few years. Our 33rd Whitby and we did mostly concerts and particularly enjoyed Viv and Vic Legg, Grace Notes and The Wilsons.

And when the Young Coppers arrived on Tuesday they gave the place a real lift. They were absolutely excellent and "keeping the family tradition up" as well as enjoying themselves at there first festival on their own.

Not too much change needed.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 05:34 AM

I tend to worry when I hear people discussing "exciting ideas and plans". Whitby this year was by far my most enjoyable festival/event of the year. (In previous years it was always the National - sadly now in moribund state) Discussing it on the train on the way back home we were all agreed that it's relaxed atmosphere, and the intimate and informal venues were what made it the most enjoyable for us. I don't tend to enjoy the "concert" type of event, although I'm aware that there are many who do. As a singer, what made it really enjoyable for me was the opportunity to see traditional singers of the quality and sort that you wouldn't normally see at other large festivals, and to indulge in singing opportunities that they don't tend to support either. Hopefully they won't set about changing things too much - it would be a shame to lose it's flavour and charm. However, that said, the organising team are, as far as I'm aware,traditionally inclined, so I'll keep my fingers crossed and wait to see what happens .....

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: brassy sharman
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 04:36 AM

Maybe resort back to using the Spa Theatre for concerts that need more room.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: treewind
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 04:25 AM

We had a lovely week.
At the Con club, where something always goes wrong, this time I was missing an instrument (left it in the car) and had to play a tune set on the wrong melodeon but it worked out fine.

CHARM had the best audience we've had yet. Thanks everybody who came along to support that, and all those who said nice things afterwards)

The Dan Quinn all stars ceilidh was huge fun, and it was a bonus that the dancers enjoyed it too, and even said the band sounded good. Totally unrehearsed of course.

And I'm slowly getting used to the idea that (at least some) people like the way we run tune workshops, as I've lost more sleep over that than anything else at recent festivals.

Whitby is going to change next year, I'm told. This year's was the first without Malcolm Storey in charge, and the new organisers were learning how it works. They've got exciting ideas and plans - no, I wasn't told any details....

Anahata

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Splott Man
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 03:54 AM

With over 600 events, with all the will in the world it's difficult to get to more than 35 in a week.
What we did manage and enjoyed thoroughly were Mike Waterson & Louis Killen, for all the reasons mentioned before, and isn't it amazing how many songs MW has actually written!; the Nortumbrian Ceilidh, especially 422, and those young clog and rapper dancers who were immaculate. Con O'Driscoll (is that haow you spell it?) and his remarkable songsm especilally the lament for his dog's b****cks, it's amazing how many different rhymes and euphemisms he squeezed out of one (two?) subject.
And the ABBA ceilidh!!!

Sorry we missed you Giok, Emma and Severn, we must have been in the same vicinity together at some point.

We missed the finale this year as we had an elsewhere first thing thing the next morning 200 miles west, but we did get there in time to see the tremendous Michael Marra for the first time when we got there.

Here's to next year

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: r.padgett
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 01:42 PM

The Beautiful Muff is of course from Steve Gardham's book East Riding Songster!

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Tig
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:26 AM

A big Thank You from the Campsite Stewards to anyone staying on the Rugby Club campsite for helping us keep it clean and tidy this year - despite the strange loo arrangement :-)

We only had to award a handful of Wally of the Week awards to those driving onto the Rugby pitch when asked not to. It wasn't our ruling folks, it was the only way we were allowed to camp there!

Roll on next year!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: GUEST,The Bar Staff at Station Inn
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 10:43 AM

We would like to say thanks to all of the folk week customers. We had a great time and we hope you did as well. Thanks for the drinks that were bought for us and especially to Jude and the singers in the front room for your generosity. See you all next time.

Pat, Emma, Haley and the rest of the Station Inn staff

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 08:14 AM

You mean its not about something to keep your hands warm?? I've lead a sheltered life! ;0)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Week 2007!/How's it doing?
From: nutty
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 07:57 AM

'The Beautiful Muff' is a very old song. Copies of the broadside circa 1850 can be found in the Bodleian Museum collection - HERE

Maggie does sing the song extremely well with just the right amount of pathos, so that you are not sure if the double-entendre is really intended.