I am not a folk authority

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 10:04 AM

Agreed. It was the ego's, myself included, that made me realise what the arguments were really all about! It is very liberating to not have an axe to grind!

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 09:57 AM

I agree with the previous anonymous guest who said that anonymity is preferable. I would go beyond that to say that ideally it should be required. An online forum is an opportunity to present ideas rather than egos. The ideas should be weighed on their own merits and not on the basis of who posted them. Most of the insults on this forum come from regulars who are continually fighting with the same other regulars over points that wouldn't be worth discussing if not for the need to perpetuate those ego wars.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 05:48 AM

Read this recently in a CD review on the Musical Traditions website:

"Too many people feel able to pontificate these days on folk music. And often their knowledge comes from books and libraries, rather than from the actual lips of the people who have produced this music."

(Review of double CD and book - Parchman Farm)

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 05:42 AM

I used to be a member and then stopped posting for a long time. In recent posts I have used neither my real name or a guest 'handle' as I think people should always address the points rather than the personalities. As long as the moderation team are happy for me to continue doing so, I will. Nothing to do with shame.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Musket
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 05:35 AM

Some people don't use their own names for the same reason we cut our names and addresses from envelopes.

What makes you think these comments are confined to Mudcat? Your thoughts, comments, likes, dislikes, other peoples' misrepresenting of what you say? All there for anyone to google. Max links it all to Twitter too.

When a couple of morons started putting my name in threads rather than Musket, two other members and I shared the name and log in to muddy the waters and show a degree of irony aimed at pompous prigs and idiots.

I suppose it's better than having no sense of shame eh?

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 05:20 AM

Hi folks.
This thread to date is an excellent illustration of why I look in to Mudcat once every three months or so.
A mixture of coat-trailing, sensible examples, pretty wise words, occasional fascinating aside, but also the occasional infuriating petty, witless, and usually ignorant insult that makes me not to read any more of what anyone says around here.
See you in three months.
Ewan McVicar
PS Still don't fully understand why some people do not use their own name here, I speculate it is because of the mudslinging element - the mudflingers I hope hide their names because at heart they are ashamed of what they do.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Speaker
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 07:44 PM

Those not from the hoary isles please ignore this thread.
[Ahem]
Folk Expert = internet access.
Real world expert = x (algebraic symbol for 'unknown') + pert (physics term for 'one drip under pressure.')
For mere Colonials a single passive-aggressive posting on Mudcat meets all requirements.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: MartinRyan
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 07:25 PM

... but then, I don't believe in authority - so folk off!

Regards

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 04:43 PM

Surreal thread! Thread dri...................

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 04:16 PM

Due to a portrait ageing gradually in the attic, I am old enough to remember the 1950's when the farm workers and horsemen used to gather to sing in Suffolk pubs of an evening. No-one was allowed to start a song before he had given its detailed provenance, a summary of alternative versions, its place on the shelves in Cecil Sharp House, and A.L.LLoyd's collar size.

Tell that to young folkies nowadays....

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 12:28 PM

... just an old folk singer with a lot of time on my hands and no one to talk to in the real world.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Musket
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 11:21 AM

"Authority" is subjective.

Lat year, a review of a booking I had in Manchester appeared in the local "trader." A copy was sent by a friend.. The bloke reviewing had a bad start.. the floor spot before him went on a bit and he didn't get a turn, so the night was buggered as far as reviews are concerned..

In the first set, (he had left by the second) I sang seven songs. Five were traditional, (Recruited Collier, Famous Flower of Serving Men, The Hand Weaver and The Factory Maid, Bonny Bunch of Roses and I played an instrumental Planxty, and was an updated version of a traditional song, (Ballad of Jamie Foyers, MacColl version.) I also happened to sing a Pogues song, written by the late Phil Chevron, "Thousands are Sailing." A few cheers in with the applause warms the cockles of your old heart and that night, I got a few to be fair.

For that, the reviewer put, "the problem is that he was a typical example of people who think they can come to our folk clubs and not sing folk music at all, just because what they play is popular."

I particularly liked the "our" as I reckon I was playing folk before the little runt was born. You have to watch these "folk authorities..."

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 11:05 AM

Guys, guys, personal attacks are just another way of avoiding the making of music. You don't want to get up out of your computer chair, tune up the instrument and start playing. But you don't want to admit that to yourself or to others. So you either start endless wrangles about origins or you start an argument. Or you argue about arguing.

Has anybody told you you're transparent?

(As Nero Wolfe once said, "This applies, ladies and gentlemen, only to those who deserve it.")

Right now there's a thread going about a song called 'Rosin up your bow.' It has entertaining words and a good tune, which is provided on the thread. Go for it!

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 10:50 AM

the folk authority is a bit like the local authority. they give you planning permission to sing folk songs - you can appeal the decisions of Ian Anderson to the committee.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Rahere
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 07:59 AM

Mods, can we keep this below the belt, please, where it belongs?

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Bounty Hound
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 06:23 AM

As 'talentless morons' go, Dick put on an excellent show at the Milkmaid Folk Club recently!

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Vic Smith
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 05:57 AM

On 16 Dec 14 - 03:15 PM I wrote -
" I have a very low opinion of those who would insult and hide behind a GUEST posting."

... and the post above helps me confirm that opinion.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 04:00 AM

In that case Vic.

Fuck you.

You moan about people then go inviting ridicule by unnecessary cutting comments.

Yeah, use your own name. Well done. Some do, some don't.

The irony surrounding the thread title is very funny when applied to your post.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 03:17 AM

Dick - can I join your club?

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: michaelr
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 06:48 PM

Hear hear BWL. GSS, just ignore the slaggers.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 06:03 PM

Folk authority! And folk the horse he rode in on too!

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 04:20 PM

According to Plato, this game was played (- perhaps not even for the first time -) by Socrates. A modern variant is: "Of course there are many people who are much more of a folk authority than I am. For example, ... em ... emmmmmm ..."

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Blandiver (Astray)
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 04:04 PM

You're much an authority as any of them, Dick - and a very gifted one at that. In the words of Fletch (it does feel that several of us are here or the long stretch - if you can't do the time, don't do the crime!) : Don't let the bastards grind you down.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Vic Smith
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 03:15 PM

.... and I only post under my own name. I have a very low opinion of those who would insult and hide behind a GUEST posting.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Some bloke in Scotland
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 02:52 PM

Look up "cathartic" in the dictionary then take the first step to lowering your blood pressure.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Vic Smith
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 01:51 PM

Give as good as you get Vic. Thats what I started doing.

Nope. I've never done that and I'm not going to start now. If I can't persuade by reasonable argument, I would rather leave it than stoop to insults. Insulting behaviour demeans the perpetrator as well as the victim.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Some bloke in Scotland
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 01:44 PM

Give as good as you get Vic. Thats what I started doing. In fact, three of us got together and shared a name, (still occasionally do) to wind the insulters up.

I have myself a little list......

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Vic Smith
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 12:21 PM

I think that the opening post refers to something written on an earlier thread on Mudcat.
It is horrible to be the subject of unfair insults on this forum. I know because it has happened to me.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Morris-ey
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 12:16 PM

I think the word "merely" is superfluous

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: doc.tom
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 12:12 PM

ARE ARE - oh..., pedantry! SORRY!!!!!!

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 12:02 PM

I certainly am not no folk authority either, but don't think I am talentless, and I don't expect you is either !

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,bsondahl
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 11:50 AM

I ain't no folk musicologist
I ain't no folk musicologist's son
But I can play folk music till the folk musicologists come...

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 11:45 AM

I agree with Leenia.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 11:25 AM

I'm not a folk authority either. I'd much rather play a song than argue about where it came from. Well, I appreciate a little background, but I don't want to run it into the ground.

Here's a kind of thread I hate:

Dumb Newbie: Does anybody know what was the earliest appearance of "The Sauerkraut Jig"?

Catter 1: It appeared in [name of book] in 1888. That establishes that it's in the public domain.

Dumb Newbie: Did it appear anywhere before that?

Catter 2: The A part is in [name of book] in 1819 as "The Bratwurst Cotillion." It's in 2/4.

Dumb Newbie: (starting to scream) BUT DID IT APPEAR ANYWHERE BEFORE THAT ??!!

Leeneia: What earthly difference does it make? It's a tune, either play it or shut up! We know it's PD, what else matters?

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 11:08 AM

chin chin.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,#
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 10:51 AM

"I am not a folk authority

I am merely a talentless moron."



Why do you consistently lead with your chin?

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 10:29 AM

I agree with Dick.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: johncharles
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 10:21 AM

SAD?

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: AlbertsLion
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 10:20 AM

I am too, but at least I get free beer and invited back - good enough for me!

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,Rahere
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 09:39 AM

The problem of talent among morons. As typified by Cowell.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 09:02 AM

Dick, is there a deeper message here?

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 08:51 AM

Well, it is often said that the first step towards solving a personal problem is admitting the fact to yourself.

So all power to you, Good Soldier. The best of luck in your journey.

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 08:49 AM

Discuss

Subject: RE: I am not a folk authority
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 08:22 AM

thank the lord for that Dick- plenty of those about!!

Subject: I am not a folk authority
From: The Sandman
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 08:13 AM

I am merely a talentless moron.