The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Froots

Subject: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Froots
From: Doctor John
Date: 01 Aug 99 - 05:43 PM

What do you (mainly UK) think of the (now oddly titled) "Froots" magazine. It seems to be all things to no people and is at the same time rude, sneering, arrogant and apologetic. I still buy it though, there's often the odd wprd, paragraph even of interest. I understand its attitude problem has come under fire from no less that Pete Seeger. It does review folkmusic USA (which is why I still buy it) whereas the excellent Living Tradition does not - not meant to. That was a wonderful quote from Mike Raven in this month's editorial; did anyone read it. What USA magazine can you recommend which does the pure stuff for an old bigot like me? Comments please! Dr John

Subject: RE: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Froots
From: SueH
Date: 02 Aug 99 - 01:31 PM

We have a sub. to Froots, which I am pleased to say expires soon. We won't renew it. I think they are a bigoted, self-opinionated bunch whose reviews seem to be based on whether they personally like something, rather than musical merit. Being based in the UK, I much prefer Living Tradition, which at least does review mainly English/Irish/Scots trad music & is full of ads for artistes suppliers & venues near enough to visit. They also seem a lot more open-minded.

I'm sure there are a number of good folk magazines in the US, some of which I thought I could remember before I started replying to this thread, but their names have totally deserted me! Sorry - I'm sure somone else will know though.

SueH

Subject: RE: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Froots
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Aug 99 - 02:05 PM

I got my final fRoots issue a week or so ago and haven't read it. The magazine simply doesn't have that much in it that's interesting enough to me to shell out the poundage to continue. They do get very sarcastic in the reviews and letters columns, but I actually kind of liked that. Well, except when I disagreed.

SingOut! is perhaps the most widely known US magazine. Old and new music and quite a bit of lefty politics.

Dirty Linen is another. I don't have a subscription, but I believe it's also old and new. Maybe less political.

Some URLs in case you're not spending enough time on line:
fRoots
Dirty Linen Folk World This is an on-line magazine only. There's and English and a German version, and they have different content. You can subscribe by e-mail (free).
Celtic Music Online is another internet-only publication.
FolkClub Online isn't quite a magazine, but there's a chat room with scheduled sessions and a message board.

Subject: RE: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Froots
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Aug 99 - 02:08 PM

One more time, with line breaks in the right places (I hope):

fRoots
Dirty Linen
Folk World
Celtic Music Online
FolkClub Online

Subject: RE: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Froots
From: Doctor John
Date: 02 Aug 99 - 05:51 PM

Sue, I think many agree with your opinion - certainly those I've spoken to browsing in record shops. I am based in the UK, by the way, and do get "Living Tradition" which is excellent for folk music UK but doesn't deal with the USA of course. I'll check out "sing Out" and cancel my "Froots" order like you. I've written several complaining letters to them over the years - about a very negative review of a Phil Ochs CD by someone who knew little about him and failure to review the Lead Belly and Woody CD's that SF have issued recently. Dr John

Subject: RE: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Froots
From: SueH
Date: 03 Aug 99 - 06:49 AM

Oh sorry, Doctor John, I thought you were in the US. Of course, that's the other thing about Froots - when you write in to complain about a review they then make unpleasant comments back - presumably to deter people from complaining. I think they have a very inflated view of themselves.

If you want to go to local (or UK-based in general) sessions & folk clubs, you can get more info by getting the various local magazines which are published - some of them, like Unicorn which covers our area, are free, others are 30p or similar. Wherabouts are you?

There is a US magazine called 'Fiddler' or something of the sort, I have a URL for it somewhere, so I'll look it out & post it.

Sue

Subject: RE: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Froots
From: Rana Sodhi
Date: 03 Aug 99 - 07:13 AM

Hi,

I only get Froots when I go back to Britain - my main complaint is it seems somewhat expensive, though that might simply reflect the normal price of things in the UK - I find it cheaper, often, to get the imported CD in Canada than to by the same in Britain. I will agree that some reviews can be somewhat scathing in FR.

I will recommend Dirty Linen - the URL has been posted above. I have subscribed now for the last 4 years or so. The reviews are excellent, and there are many (obviously you may not agree with all), and the articles have been varied and interesting. I've always had a courteous and prompt response on queries I've sent to the editor (including a second immediately sent out when a copy went asray in the post).

regards Rana