Ballad workshop in Glasgow

Subject: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:56 AM

Delighted to announce the seventh of Anne and Gordeanna's Ballad Workshops on Sunday 30th May. For full details and how to book (as numbers are limited), click on http://www.lauriesacousticmusicbar.co.uk
We also have a special guest appearance of Sheila Stewart on Sunday 13th June, giving an insight into the culture, songs and stories of the Travellers.
It would be great to meet some Catters at either event.

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:59 AM

Sorry! Thought I'd managed the blue clicky thing, but failed. Can a kind techie please help?

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: Banjiman
Date: 19 May 10 - 04:03 AM

Lauries Acoustic Music Bar

There you go.

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 19 May 10 - 04:46 AM

Thank you, kind sir.

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 20 May 10 - 01:41 AM

I see there's also a Sheffield Ballad Club thread currently on the forum.
In Glasgow workshops we focus mainly on unaccompanied Child ballads, and at the weekend I attended a marvellous singing event in Collessie in Fife where there was a whole afternoon of great ballad singing to a packed audience.
I'm just curious to know if there is some real resurgence of interest in these songs, or if I'm imagining it because I would like it to be so!

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: FairEllender
Date: 20 May 10 - 05:59 PM

I hope so too, EKanne! However I think there is a long way to go. There seems to be a prevalent attitude of inverse snobbery about ballads on the part of non-ballad singers (usually the ones running the sessions...), i.e that they are too long, too depressing, etc etc (I am told this week in week out; very saddening). Maybe it comes from reduced attention spans, an increase in singer/songwritery type songs being accepted as 'folk' at the expense of traditional songs, an increase in the 'intellectualisation' or 'academicisation' of ballads which can isolate people... Hard to say.

This said, there are certainly many people around of all ages and backgrounds who continue to be inspired by ballads, and this is why events like the ballad workshop in Glasgow are so vitally important. Looking forward to the next one!

Fair Ellender

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 21 May 10 - 10:48 AM

And looking forward to hearing you, Ellender!
Hope we haven't been 'intellectualising' ballads in our approach at the workshops, but we try to pick songs with a strong story and usually with emotional content which is still relevant today. (Maybe because I find long, rambling stories with a cast of thousands too difficult to follow - perhaps an age thing? Or perhaps because they lack the dramatic focus of a single incident ballad?)
Anyway, it has been a privilege to work with the workshop participants, exploring ideas with them and learning something new every time because of the surprising breadth of their knowledge and experience.
So roll on 30th May...

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 23 May 10 - 06:14 PM

Quick reminder for anyone whose brain has been addled by the heat - workshop is next Sunday and booking is advised as places are limited.
We've picked a grand song to share and look forward to meeting old friends who have already signed on and new friends who have yet to discover the treasury of our traditional balladry.

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: GUEST,Ian McDonald
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 12:37 PM

Hi there,
just surfed in.
Can you tell me a little about "The Glasgow Ballad Club"
Thanks,
Ian
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Ballad workshop in Glasgow
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 02:01 PM

Hi, Ian.
The Glasgow Ballad Club started in January and has since had 9 meetings - one guest (Sheila Stewart), one Singaround and 7 sessions where Gordeanna McCulloch and I bring a Child ballad to the group, teach a basic version of the tune aurally and then work together to fit tune and words into an attractive final song. And the singing is unaccompanied.
Most people have come to quite a few workshops and we now know each other well enough for volunteers to offer a ballad already in their repertoire for feedback from the group (though there is no pressure to do this).
It's been a grand learning experience for all of us, so will be continuing from the end of August - watch this space!