Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 11:25 AM

Les is right - there's little evidence of harmony in traditional singing but…the tradition of singing in unison is generally, despite its authenticity, most often misunderstood. So much so that, despite coming from an area where unison is the tradition, the Watersons moved into harmony singing relatively early in their career. However, listen to 'True Hearted Girl' by Lal and Norma or 'Gift' by Norma and Eliza and you'll hear the unison voices which exemplified the singing in Hull pubs in earlier times.

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: theleveller
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 10:30 AM

It's one of those folk standards that has been pretty much done to death. I think that trying a different arrangement is the right way to approach it although, personally, I'm bored to death with the bloody song.

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 10:18 AM

My favourite version of the song was by Hazel Sarjeant (King). Unfortunately I can't put in a link to it.

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: Singing Referee
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 09:56 AM

Re: Link to Blacksmith posted bt GUEST at 03 Feb 12 - 08:35 AM

It is indeed beautiful, and...

The performer, Wendy Arrowsmith will be appearing at Herga Folk Club, Pinner Green Social Club,Rickmansworth Road, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 3TJ on Monday 13th February. Music starts at 8:00pm

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 09:01 AM

Hey John. I think I got my sources and reviews confused.

But as for "Breathy "wee girlie" voices" - it set me thinking about the whole business of harmony singing and traditional songs.

Their is a genre of generally male harmony singing in which 3, 4 or more men will sing very tight, almost gutteral harmonies, on shanties and drinking songs and so on and this is taken my some as sort of 'solid trad singing'. I feel sure it must wear their throats out.

Aside from The Copper Family I don't think their is much of a tradition of harmony singing. The Watersons are unique but probably best described as revivalists? They are often described as the most traditional of traditional folk but although many of their songs are clearly traditional what they do with them is mostly their own work.

So, back to "Breathy "wee girlie" voices". Collections of young women and men sing old songs in harmony and play all sorts of instruments. Often the songs are traditional but the arrangemnets and performances, like the Watersons, are their own.

I like most of 'em but everybody simply has to listen and stop when they don't like what they hear?

Best wishes

L in C#

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 08:35 AM

Blacksmith...... Here's a more "robust" version for you. .....and beautiful!

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 08:29 AM

@ Les. Was that a non sequitur by any chance? ;-)

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 08:06 AM

I just can't see the point of it, why the title change ? it seems to be just for effect.

Moderately performed but lacking the guts and feeling of ' A Blacksmith Courted Me ' on the whole ' twee '

Dave H

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 07:02 AM

G.S.S.
The song I speak of is:-

"A blacksmith courted me...."

But the song on your post is excellent in it`s simplicity, musicianship and lack of clutter.

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 06:45 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvFArFAcXxU

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 06:45 AM

John MacKenzie,
My sentiments exactly. When I heard it I wondered what in heaven`s name were they doing with such a beatiful, plaintive song.
But I do apologise to all, on both our behalfs, for voicing an opinion.

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 06:45 AM

Bert Lloyd did a good version.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvFArFAcXxU great accpmpaniment from swarbrick too

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: GUEST,Georgina Boyes
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 06:21 AM

Brilliant new album and priceless Newsletters. What a combination!
Georgina

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 05:43 AM

Two years on from the gently experimental Silent June, the "chamber folk" duo Belinda O'Hooley and Heidi Tidow return with a set that shows even greater bravery and far more confident vocal work. The album is again dominated by O'Hooley's inventive piano playing, first heard when she was with the Unthanks, but here she also adds accordion, while the occasional backing is provided mostly by strings. To this the duo add their finest harmony singing to date, particularly on the unaccompanied tracks: the Irish ballad She Lived Beside the Anner and an exquisite reworking of Massive Attack's Teardrop. The Fragile is an appropriate title, not because of the music, but because of the lyrics. Many are concerned with ecology, old age and death, and at times they verge towards the sentimental. Then there's a self-written, charming lament for a much-loved cat, a bleak view of humanity as seen by a bird, and – best of all – the upbeat, true story of a 17th-century female landowner who seduced local women, to the fury of their husbands. An intriguing, ambitious set.

Les

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: Marje
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 05:10 AM

I can't say I like it - the way they've tweaked the melody makes it a bit anonymous and loses the character of the tune. And the accompaniment is pointlessly fussy. The best I can say is that the words are all clear, even though she doesn't sing them as if they meant anything much.

But then, I don't care for much of MH's favourite music as featured on his show. The track that preceded this was a boring American blues, which is even worse, and then there were some diddly diddy Irish jigs .

Marje

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 04:12 AM

At least he does not seem to be playing as much whiney American stufff recently.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 03:42 AM

Breathy, wee girly voices are what Mike Harding likes.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 05:37 PM

Sorry but it is composed of at least two of my betes noir. Breathy "wee girlie" voices, and overdone, and badly done, (and unecessary) vocal ornamentation.

Subject: RE: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 04:54 PM

Do you really think so, John? I reckon its worst crime is to be a bit inoffensive. It's kind of easy listening bossa nova folk, isn't it?...

Subject: Folk on 2 last night 1st Feb '12
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Feb 12 - 04:36 PM

David Gibb & Elly Lucas — Blacksmith
This must be the most abysmal version of this lovely song I ever heard!