Help: Folk Music History

Subject: Folk Music History
From:
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 04:29 PM

Hello!

My name is Michelle. For an AP English class, I am composing a portfolio that traces the development of folk music through American history, from the Colonial era to the present time. If anyone has any information or free materials you could send me, I would be very grateful.

Thank you! Michelle [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 05:07 PM

Hi Michelle,

Lesley Nelson has some wonderful information at her Folk Songs in American History page. There are numerous links with nearly every song. This should get you started.

Mary

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 05:27 PM

A suggestion--make your subject a little more specific--such as focussing on a particular region, such as the Appalachians, or the West, or a particular type, such as Sea Songs or Murder Ballads it will be easier to write, and easier to research, since there are lots of people who have a special expertise or interest--

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: Bert
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 05:35 PM

Hi Michelle, welcome to Mudcat. Take heed of what M. Ted says or you'll miss the deadline for you project by about sixty years or more.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: Vixen
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 06:08 PM

Hi Michelle--

I teach College Composition and M.Ted is exactly right...So is Bert. The link above is excellent, and will give you a lot of information about a lot of music. Pick a focus that interests you and just stick to it, or you'll have a dissertation before you know it (try hundreds of pages!)

Good luck, and don't forget to document your sources!!!

V

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From:
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 06:42 PM

Tell us what you have (and whether is for 1st graders or grad students) and let us fill in some blanks, otherwise search the DT. Bert isn't far off on that time required if we start from scratch.

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: DonMeixner
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 06:57 PM

Michelle,

One of my particular fascinations is to trace a single song or family of songs from a certain point in history to the present. "The Royal Albion" through to "The Streets of laredo" or "Rosin The Bow" through to " Acres of Clams".

A scholarly effort I'm sure but a fun one, For me anyway, but then I think sailing wooden boats is great fun.

What do I know, at my age I'm lucky I remeber to breathe.

Regards,

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 11:58 PM

Hey Mary in Kentucky. Thanks a bunch for that wonderful link. Not only does it have lyrics and tunes to a bunch of great songs but the related links are awesome. More info than we can read in a lifetime.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: Joan
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 04:50 PM

Everybody's right. You're embarking on a major journey. Do you sing, play an instrument or listen to the old songs? That means you'll appreciate more what's in allthose books and links. On the other hand, your job is easy compared to the scholars and musicians who have traveled all over collecting from the singers and transcribing songs remembered from family and friends' singing.

For me, American folksong falls generally into two categories: Native and Naturalized. Naturalized songs and ballads were brought here by people who came from other places; native songs have to do with events that were documented in music in the US. Those songs all document history so much more vividly than any third-person history book account of what "they" did. They're primary sources of information about what was: wars, crimes, politics, family life, work--you name it!

Good luck in your searching, and above all have fun. Joan

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: Jack (Who is called Jack)
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 04:52 PM

Folk Music History is redundant.

Folk Music IS history.

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 05:03 PM

Here's another terrific site: American History in Song (click here).
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: Bruce O.
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 05:25 PM

There are lot's of books on the subject, like John Anthony Scott's 'The Ballad of America', the problem is that the notes often range from inaccurate to complete fiction. Scott gives Scots song and tune "The Bonnie Lass of Fyvie, O", but didn't know the reworked American version (1880) wasn't sung to that (Irish) tune (which he failed to recognize was a variant of the one he give for "Constitution and Guerriere").
Under "Katie Cruel" we have: "Katie Cruel" originated in New England in colonial times and has been sung there continuously from the 18th century to today.

The only version known is Rosa Allen's where she claimed (1899) that it was from revolutionary times. No other traditional versions are known.

One such book has a long history of "Yankee Doodle" that is complete fiction, saying the tune was in honor of Kitty Fisher in Cromwell's time. Kitty Fisher's brief fame as a singer was in the 1750's, a century later. And it was added that the tune was "Fisher's Jig" in a dance music collection of 1750, an outright lie. (No Yankee Doodle under any title in the collection, and no "Fisher's" anything in it, or any tunes called Jigs.)

Subject: RE: Help: Folk Music History
From: josh
Date: 02 Dec 99 - 12:58 PM

check out the lomax collection on rounder records. I believe their site rounder.com has a lot of info. Also, check out grossman's site at guitarvideos.com and all the new yazoo stuff at yazoobluesmailorder.com