Singers wanted for London FolkMob event

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 08:04 PM

It was fun to watch the Youtube clip- thanks for that, though I would have loved to be there- maybe another time?

I think I spotted a certain Leadfingered person filming at the back there- perhaps other views may be made available shortly? :)

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Bainbo
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 03:44 PM

It looked like great fun - and yo couldn't have picked a better day, right during our mini-heatwave.

I was amused to see two predominant reactions among the unsuspecting onlookers (there were of course many exceptions):

1] (Presumably locals) I'm not even going to acknowledge it's happening, and I'll carry on browsing the stalls; and

2] (Presumably visitors) I'm going to spend more time trying to get in focus on my phone / camera than actually listen to it.

But it was an absolute delight to see how many smiles it produced on the faces of those watching. Well done!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 01:54 PM

Regret couldn't make it. Thought the video fine ~ gave good impression of Flash-mobbery, IMO.

Congratulations to organisers and all who took part. Well done!

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,moira (flyingcat)
Date: 03 Oct 11 - 08:33 AM

Hi fossil, unfortunately the person who was going to record it couldn't make it so some of the people who had come to sing offered their services. Better something than nothing. I thought it was pretty good under the circumstances. M

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 07:50 PM

Congratulations to everyone involved.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Fossil
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 06:35 PM

Well, lovely singing and a great idea.

I don't like to be too picky, but the YouTube clip didn't do it justice. Pity it wasn't recorded by anyone who had any idea of how to use a video camera. I ended up feeling faintly queasy from all the snap-panning backwards and forwards. Plus half the time you couldn't see what was going on, as the auto-exposure control was working on the bright buildings and sky in the background and under-exposing the foreground.

Not to say the event itself wasn't a wonderful thing and the singing was great! More of this, please... Next time, a good photographer, and record the sound separately on a decent mic, though. And the "mob" should coalesce, so that their sound is coherent, rather than being spread out.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 05:56 PM

I saw you managed to get yourself nicely into the video Moira (along with your brightly-coloured friend!).

Hope you (and Malc) are as well as you looked.

Best wishes
Mick

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,moira (flyingcat)
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 05:40 PM

It was brilliant! Thanks to Jim for organising it all and ust to let everyone know that at least one person was completely amazed and blown away by it. Roll on next time! Moira and Malc

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: severed-head
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 05:08 PM

I also hope there may be another event I can get to. I was in hospital (for hernia repair) at the time of rehearsal and still feel very fragile.
A friend sent me the Youtube link.
Garry

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: My guru always said
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 04:55 PM

Good to see that it all worked OK, good fun was had by all!

Wish I could have joined in, but apparently singers who couldn't attend the rehearsal were not allowed to join in. Or so I was told anyway. Maybe there'll be a next one & I can get to that?

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: severed-head
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 04:28 PM

Youtube video

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: My guru always said
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 03:41 PM

So, how did it go?

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 05:27 PM

Just to update, for those who are interested and who may be able to make it...

The date for the event has now been settled as October 2nd (a Sunday) at 2.30pm, with the rehearsal still at Cecil Sharp House on September 24th.

If you're keen to take part could you email Jim Morrison, who is organising the mail-outs, directly at [e-mail]? Jim can then supply you with a link to follow which will enable you to download the words and tunes so that we can all sing from the same hymn-sheet, as it were.

Many thanks, and hope to see plenty of you at the rehearsal.

Gervase

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 04:46 AM

I'm glad the squabbles about the name have died down, but it's perhaps worth mentioning that I was not until now aware of a club called "Folkmob" (despite having lived in Greater London for over 30 years) nor as far as I know has the original instigator of the event used that name. The email that I received from him had the subject line "Flashmob".

I would be delighted to participate, but for the fact that I can't make the rehearsal, which is important.

Richard

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Dave Earl
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 04:32 PM

And I'll be at Tenterden on the 1st so I have to rule myself out altogether.

Dave

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Dave Earl
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 04:19 PM

I'm at Whittlebury too so can't make the rehearsal I'm afraid.

Dave

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: autoharpbob
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 11:15 AM

So will the other song now be "A wizards staff has a knob on the end"?

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: SallyM
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 08:55 AM

I would also love to come to this event - but along with several others it seems, will be at Whittlebury. Is it possible to have a last minute early rehearsal early in the morning on the actual day for those who can't make the 24th ? in Cecil Sharpe House perhaps ?

Sal the Gal

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: My guru always said
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 03:36 AM

How're things going with this?

PM'd my email addy but haven't received anything yet. Was hoping to turn up despite being unable to rehearse.....

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Essex Girl
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 05:45 AM

I would love to have joined in but will be dancing (and singing)at Tenterden Festival that weekend along with a lot of other Morris sides.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 02:57 AM

MGAS: All we need in addition is to get a Morris side to dance "Mrs Widgery's Lodger" !!!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: My guru always said
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 02:52 AM

That Pratchett IS a good Boy!

This will be a fabulous way to bring Folk to the masses....

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 02:50 AM

Interestingly, "Pleasant and Delightful" has a pivotal role in Terry Pratchett's "I Shall Wear Midnight". However, in the villages of The Chalk it's called "The Larks They Sang Melodious"...it's only when Nanny Ogg turns up at the funeral that we get to know that the same song is called "Pleasant and Delightful" in Lancre :-)

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 02:28 AM

If folk could PM me their email addresses I can ensure that they get a copy of the material exactly as we'll perform it - and it would be fabulous to see as many as can turn up.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,moira(flyingcat)
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 07:59 AM

I'd love to be involved Gervase but like "my guru says", I will also be at Whittlebury. Could we rehearse together there maybe Moira

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: My guru always said
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 07:39 AM

Alas, cannot come to rehearsal on 24th as we'll be at Whittlebury. Bu**er!!!

I take it there's no way of helping out without rehearsal? Could there be a separate unrehearsed section as long as we know what we're doing before the day?????

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Phot
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 05:10 AM

Gervase, all I can say is, I really would love to be there and do the Flash thing (...Errr...That came out the wrong way!), once again the job gets in the way. The best of British to you all, and stand up for your tradition!!

Wassail!! Chris

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 04:47 AM

Gervase - were you at the Exmouth the other night?

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,EricTheOrange
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 03:27 AM

Gervase - good luck with the event, it sounds like a laugh. I wish I lived close enough to take part.

On a more general note (and it seems like your group is doing some of this) it looks like attending the rehearsal is an obstacle for many possible participants. Perhaps for future events you could get together a core who have practised together to lead the "performance" with many others unable to make the practice instructed using video / web technologies?

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 01:59 AM

@McGrath of Harlow: In fact Commando Trad DID do one event which was purely song, and very effective it was.(And it was rehearsed) However the songs chosen had guts and drive and were danceable to. I'm none too sure that Pleasant and Delightful has those sorts of qualities, but chacun a son gout as I suppose they'd say. Hope it works for those participating.By the way I wouldn't use the name Surge - there's a very large choir with that name on the South Bank! ;-)

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 04:37 AM

Right.
The date is now set for performance - Sat October 1st
The performance venue - London, TBA (negotiations under way)
Rehearsal and Q&As - Sat September 24th, all day.
Rehearsal venue - Cecil Sharp House
Programme - Pleasant and Delightful plus second song TBA before rehearsal.
Instruments - welcome, but must be covert and capable of being whipped out and played in an instant (thus it was with regret that we had to turn down Martin Carthy; it was the tuning, you see...).

I appreciate that the very notion of rehearsal may be anathema to many seasoned performers, but the hope is that on the day everyone can sing the same song to the same tune in the same rhythm at the same time (with harmonies for them as likes 'em).
To that end, the intention is to email out a sound file of each song together with notation and lyrics, so everyone can get to grips with it. On the rehearsal day we'll be trying to get the kick-off perfected; it's harder than you think to break into song 'spontaneously' when you're standing on your own in the middle of a crowd with precious little in the way of a cue.

I'd be hugely grateful if all those interested could PM me their email address (which will not be passed on to any third parties), and as soon as the sound files (which will be less than 3Mb) and the dots'n'lyrics are ready I'll send them over.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,Psychomorris
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 04:12 AM

Gervase. Any further details yet? Thanks Psychomorris

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 06:34 PM

My point being basically that while songs tend to fix passers by as observers being entertained, music and especially dance blurs the distinction between observers and participants. It's possible to join in.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 06:19 PM

Songs rather than tunes? I'd question that choice. Perhaps a street singere to start and a song in chorus at the end, but I'd say the main effort should be music and dance, as with Montreal's Trad Commandos.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 06:02 PM

Hi Gervase - all best wishes, but we'll be singing in the Red Lion in Swanage then!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Old Vermin
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 06:38 AM

From: GUEST
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 07:25 PM

Second weekend in September?

Was me not log ged in Sorry about that.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 02:59 AM

Open Mike - I have provided links to the facebook page and website of the real FolkMob above. Eltham is in South London.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 11:57 PM

Gervase, you've left Wales?! The "music event" sounds like a blast! I've enjoyed various ones found on youtube over the years. The "Sweet Adelines" did one here, recently. Not my kind of preferred music, but still neat. Getting music out and about, so unexpectedly, can be such a positive, uplifting moment for folks who are often rushing through their day. Goodonya and have fun!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: open mike
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 11:33 PM

is Eltham near London? It seems if the name London Folk Mob were specific.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: schlimmerkerl
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 07:22 PM

@ Richard Bridge. Sorry, it was Ronald Regan in debate with (i believe) Jimmy Carter. Anyway, sounds like a good idea. Some of you guys are kind of tightly wound…

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: JohnH
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 06:36 PM

To Richard Bridge... I'm sure that Dave Bryant and Brixton Bert would have approved!!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Old Vermin
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 01:57 PM

From: GUEST
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 07:25 PM

Second weekend in September? etc

Was me. old vermin, not logged in. Sorry about that.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 11:42 AM

Cheers for that, Rob; you're a gent.
I've only just returned to London (as in the past two weeks) after nearly a decade in the far West of Wales; as dark and damp as many arses!
And it would be great to have you there waving a whole bunch of keys. Details should be finalised this weekend, so I'll try to post an update on Monday.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 05:56 AM

Gervase....I'd like to apologise for the "up your arse" comment.

Your subequent good-humoured posts lead nme to believe that I might have just been a tad mistaken as to the location of your domicile :-)

I just get a bit fed up of people issuing a blanket condemnation of Mudcat if they don't get immediate positive replies to their initial posts, and I over-reacted to your follow-up.

I may even have a re-think on participating, if you can cope with a gobby git who sometimes has problels finding the right key.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,Eddie1 (Still sans cookie)
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 03:55 AM

In view of newspaper headlines in the UK over the last few weeks, can we expect to see an article along the lines of:-

"Mudcat contributor sentenced to 30 years deportation for using folk music social network to incite riot!"

I now have this mind picture of thousands of kangaroos, koalas and wombats jumping up and down while singing "South Australia"!

Eddie

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 03:48 AM

Don't worry about the the sniping, although it is one of the reasons I haven't posted much on the Mudcat of late after the best part of a dozen years of enjoyment here but, hey, that's a matter for another time.

At the moment what is good is that people are willing to come forward and take part in a fun event which will raise the profile of English traditional song. And that's worth celebrating. Keep em' coming!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 10:31 PM

Yeh - give the man a break, snipers all! :)

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 07:25 PM

Second weekend in September?

Swanage FF. Heritage Weekend outside London.

Perhaps it's for London folkies....

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 06:41 PM

Richard - Isnt an apology enough for you ? Especially from someone who (I Think) left the London Area when Eltham was still just 'The Barn' !

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 05:46 PM

Richard- give it a rest?

I think it sounds a wonderful event- more power to the elbows of everyone involved.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 05:18 PM

Not often I quote George Bush.

"There you go again".

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 04:51 PM

...anyway, apart from those who are mortally offended by the fact that the organisers seized on the name 'FolkMob' without a thought the the sensitivities of those who associate the name with what I always knew as the barn, the response so far has been gratifying.
Meanwhile profound and profuse apologies from the organisers re the working title - I have been assured that those responsible have now been shot. Twice.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 04:38 PM

Good grief, Richard, I don't think there;'s room in the arse for two of us!
Anyway, for them as is interest the FlashFolk/TradMob/SongSurge details will be posted after the weekend. And, rest assured, I'm not organising the event, so any discredit or shame I may have accrued will not reflect on the event itself.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 03:27 PM

Gervase, your belittling remark about "anyone in Eltham" is quite inapt. As I said, anyone who has folked in London over the last 20 years and probably more should have known of "FolkMob". It was the home venue of the late Dave Bryant of this forum, and it was the place of the wake/collection for Brixton Bert. It was in every edition of "Folk London".

The - indeed your - cavalier attitude to that name and goodwill tells us much to your discredit.

It is not merely that "it can be called anything on the day". You should not have called it that at all. You appeared to trade (intentionally or not) on the goodwill of the FolkMob folk club. That is the essence of the tort of passing off, or what USAians would call common law trademark infringement (if they didn't call it passing off or palming off).

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,Yvonne
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 02:48 PM

Ooops cross posted.

Glad you are back and made me laugh out loud too...nice one!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,Yvonne
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 02:45 PM

Gervase appears to have left the room...and who can blame him.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 02:06 PM

I am indeed merely the messenger, and the name FolkMob is just a handy moniker for a work in the planning; I'm sure it can be called anything people like on the day to avoid offending anyone in Eltham.
Many thanks to those who have already made contact. It's already looking as though we could have over 150 singers ready to startle the bejaysus out of unsuspecting Londoners, but the more the merrier. As soon as more details are finalised I'll post an update (assuming I can manage to extract myself from my own arse - bless you Rob!).

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 01:23 PM

Appears to me, Gervase is merely passing along the information from the organisers and is willing to be point of contact for mudcat peeps.

From his original post, one should not take it away that this is his event.

re the comment about English language - note that English is a proper noun and as such demands a capital letter E.... in other words One shouldn't throw glasses at stone houses or something like that.

Re the title Folkmob - out of consideration to the Eltham Folkmob the title of the event should be reconsidered unless the organisers contact and invite Folkmob members to play critical role in the event and credits to that effect in the film.

Sounds like a fun event, and I would love to be involved but practising in London in advance is not possible.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 12:54 PM

I think the point is that getting out a guitar would give the game away a bit

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 12:41 PM

No, Morningwood, you missed one of his points - guitarists do NOT count, it seems.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: morning wood
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 10:55 AM

"looking for singers and covert musicians"

I'm so covert you wouldn't know I was playing ;-)

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 10:24 AM

I do believe that there is a planned spontaneous gathering in Eltham this very evening. Put it around the internet surreptitiously and turn out in great numbers - expose these rugby players to their own culture and see what they make of it.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,Girl Friday
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 09:06 AM

Nice to see that Mudcat is back up again . Shame that the snipers are at it again though. In the past I have stood corrected when a word, or phrase that I had used had already been extant. Anyway, after the
recent riots... I would advise not to use the word "Mob" for a "sponaneous" gathering. What about "Folk Flash". "Flash Folk" sounds pretentious.


It sounds like a good idea, but please do not use "Folkmob"

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 08:23 AM

I don't do Facebook either, but regret don't think I shall be able to join in anyhow ~~ a bit too far for all the practices &c; but certainly wish the event well.

Agree, tho, that the 'Flash' element would be better than 'Mob' as part of the name ~~ both more seemly and more accurately informative as to what might be expected, as well as avoiding any possible confusion with a name that appears already to be pre-empted.

~M~

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: My guru always said
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 08:15 AM

Well I'm hoping that I'll be able to join in. Not sure about all the practices though as I'm in Surrey & can't get time off work.

I think it's a great idea and hope it goes well. I do agree with Richard about the word 'FolkMob' as I expected to see something about the club itself initially, but 'FlashFolk' (or similar) would work well.

I think that perhaps Gervase was a little deflated by not getting lots of positive comments really quickly about it and that's why he 'shrugged his shoulders' at Mudcat. I hope he keeps us informed here, I don't do Facebook.....

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 07:43 AM

Leadfingers: And Rob - Same goes for you - There is FAR too nuch sniping at other posters in this site these days -

Sorry, LF, but Gervase started the "sniping" by condemning the whole of Mudcat and being patronising after only 2 mildly critical posts, one of which pointed out quite correctly that "FolkMob" was a well-known designation in London for an existing club.

He came across as being very much "up his own arse" and compared with the friendly and inclusive people who organised the Liverpool event last year, not someone I feel any urge to engage in a closer acquaintance with.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 07:31 AM

I am surprised, given that FolkMob has been established for over 20 years, that anyone should fail to see that the use of that name will immediately be taken by a whole generation of London folkies to refer to the Eltham FolkMob.

I am equally surprised that anyone should tend to defend such a misuse.

Given that the essence of the proposed event (of which I tend to approve) is not that it is a mob, but that it is a flash event, I would have thought that the obvious name was "FlashFolk" or "FolkFlash" unless the intention was to mislead.

Certainly, I clicked on the thread title expecting this thread to be about FolkMob (the Eltham lot) not this event.

I agree however that Facebook is a likely useful tool for the proposed event (or, slightly tongue in cheek - Blackberry messenger).

FolkMob Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Folkmob-music-club/148578795159350?ref=ts

FolkMob website: https://sites.google.com/site/folkmobonline/home

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: matt milton
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 06:32 AM

I'd be up for that Gervase.

Are you on Facebook? A facebook group would be the most logical tool for organising this. There's also a bunch of other people who I can think of who'd be interested who aren't on Mudcat as far as I know.

Folkmob is the obvious name for it (irrespective of other folk soc connotations).
Though I suppose you could equally call it "Flashmob Company"

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,Square The Circle
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 06:14 AM

Dear Gervase, I think this is a splendid idea, anything that brings what we do to a greater audience I think should be commended. As you are organising a rehearsal perhaps a few more songs could be added and 3 or 4 different locations, dispersing after each one and resembling Flashmob style at the next location. After assembling a body of like minded people it seems a lost opportunity to only perform 2 songs in one location.

Good luck
Terry

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 06:07 AM

Nigel - Why make a snide comment like that ? I would expect better of you !
And Rob - Same goes for you - There is FAR too nuch sniping at other posters in this site these days -

I am all for participiating my self

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 06:05 AM

But they are neither pleasant nor delightful!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 05:40 AM

Well, there are several very rude verses too

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 05:17 AM

But I hope the Mob will sing it straight as the beautiful song it is, free from silly sfx & refs to sharks & squeezeboxes which might just have been funny during the Embarkation of the Ark...

~M~

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 04:57 AM

"Pleasant and Delightful" passes the 1954 definition anyway.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 04:39 AM

Gervase: Oh dear. Perhaps Mudcat isn't the best place to seek support for this! Never mind. As you were chaps; back to the 1954 definition.

What a ridiculously twisted comment...we had an event in Liverpool last year that gathered a significant number of people in from Mudcat.

BUT....the event itself was pretty "spontaneous". We certainly didn't practice together beforehand. We were given the tunes with sample melody of each and the order and number of the "A" and "B" parts over the web but then just all turned up on the day. Permits and insurances were arranged in advance, but that was all.

It wasn't "precise" and there were a couple of slightly ragged changes between tunes but it went down very well, and IMO was all the better for not sounding rehearsed to within an inch of its life.

It was filmed, and the originators of this type of event in the "folk" world, the Quebecois "Commando Trad" were credited on the film with the inspiration.

I don't see why you've immediately had a "down" on Mudcat...apparently merely because someone's had the "audacity" to point out that "FolkMob" is the long-established designation of a well-known London-based folk club and there appears to be the potential for confusion if a separate entity intends to adopt the name for its "flash" events. And I reckon it's really patronising for you to "explain" what a "Flashmob" is on here...I would imagine from previous threads on the subject that virtually all of us know exactly what they are. Patronising and bitchy comments are hardly likely to garner support, so you've perhaps initiated a self-fulfilling prophecy. I live only 45 mins away from central London and while I travelled from Kent to Liverpool specifically for the event there, that was because I liked the attitude and "laid-backness" orf the organisers. I feel no incentive at all to join in your event!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Marje
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 04:20 AM

It sounds a great plan and I wish I was close enough to be able to take part.

I think the idea with Flashmob-type events is that it's the audience who are "spontaneous", in that they are not expecting it at all. The active participants know exactly what they're doing, but with any luck they can make it look - at least at first - like an impromptu happening, which is what makes it fun and surprising.

For the second song, how about a shanty? Something obvious like John Kanaka-naka or South Australia might work. You might even get bystanders joining in.

I hope you get enough support to get a viable group and make a real impact. Maybe a quiet word with local press or radio would be in order?(at the last minute, so that they don't give the game away by announcing it in advance).

Marje

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 03:49 AM

Sorry, Richard: that should have been addressed to NIGEL.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 03:48 AM

Richard ~~ Gervase did not say it was to be a spontaneous event: he said it was to have 'the semblance of spontaneity', which implies very careful practice indeed to achieve: 'tight ... timing & pitch', as he says.

You are not any sort of actor, are you?

~M~

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: GUEST,Gervase
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 03:36 AM

Oh dear. Perhaps Mudcat isn't the best place to seek support for this! Never mind. As you were chaps; back to the 1954 definition.

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 09:24 PM

I admit to being a little confused.
You (or the organisers) want people to turn up a couple of days in advance to practise for a spontaneous event!

I thought folkies had a better grasp of the english language!

Subject: RE: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 08:52 PM

With all due respect "Folkmob" has long been the approved designation of the well known and excellent folk club that meets in Eltham - for many years at the Well Hall and now in the rugby club building.

Subject: Singers wanted for London FolkMob event
From: Gervase
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 08:02 PM

Around the second weekend in September there are plans afoot to launch a FolkMob event in London; the idea being to expose the unsuspecting English public to an aspect of their culture they never knew existed.
To that end, the organisers are looking for singers and covert musicians (no guitars, I'm afraid) who would be willing to attend a rehearsal at Cecil Sharp House at some point in the days preceding, and to be ready to perform on-key, with gusto and with a semblance of spontaneity at the event itself.
The precise venue, time and programme are still in flux, but the plan is to stage it at a major public space (not a station) in London on a Saturday, and to have just two songs - one probably being the iconic Pleasant and Delightful and the other being...
What is crucial is that the event has (a) a critical mass and that (b) it is tight as a duck's chuff when it comes to timing and pitch.
If anyone is interested in taking part, please PM me and I will furnish further details. Some bedspace may be available for those travelling from far afield to take part, and the hope is that, after the exhilaration of the brief but successful event itself, those involved can repair to somewhere more congenial to enjoy a rollicking singaround.
As the event's instigator explained, "The plan is to expose the great mass of the English public to their own culture - a culture that probably 95 per cent of them never knew they had."
The FolkMob will be filmed and the plan is to garner as much publicity as possible for traditional English song on the day and afterwards.
For anyone puzzled by what the hell I'm wittering about, do a search for 'flashmob' on YouTube. With the right numbers and the right input, this has the potential to be something really rather fantastic.