Reasons to go to a folk club

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey.
Date: 05 Jun 17 - 04:01 PM

I have lived and played in Germany for many years and could if I wanted play in pretty big halls. The English folk club circuit I did for many years and with great musicians we had a great time. Here in Germany folk's know the songs I wrote and I play only where I wish.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 05 Jun 17 - 08:32 AM

"Opportunity to buy a raffle ticket and possibly win a bottle of very questionable quality wine"
I am proud to say that at our folk club we offer our raffle ticket purchasers a choice of wine should they win - cheap or cheapest!!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Jun 17 - 03:33 PM

"And floor singers with concealed firearms" marginally worse than floorsingers with concealed music stands

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 Jun 17 - 02:43 PM

If our folk clubs were in The US, we'd not only have ignorant people in the exact same way as here, but you'd have strange people trying to moderate anything beyond their narrow dim intelligence and try to bonk you out of the pub...

And floor singers with concealed firearms.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Jun 17 - 01:13 PM

well when i got the lp home and played it, i could see why no one had picked it in the last three months.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Jun 17 - 07:15 AM

To see quality professional performers,some singers at singaround clubs are not prepared to try and listen and learn and try and improve.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,A bloke from near where Al used to live
Date: 02 Jun 17 - 10:45 AM

I've seen some raffle prizes in my time Al, but who donated the right gang of arseholes and why did you covet them?

I once won some rump steak at The Brown Cow. Does that count and were you buying up books of tickets to beat me to it?

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,abcd
Date: 02 Jun 17 - 08:45 AM

Good singing.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 08:54 PM

There are some people who are, shall we say, a wee bit lacking in the art of listening and/or chosing a time to leave.

In sessions, it's not cool to look through your book, send texts or to carry out long conversations during someone else's turn.

It's also not cool to leave immediately after your turn. Best to stay until one other performer has sung a song or played a tune before making your exit. Or better still, leave just before it's your turn.

Alas, I have to hold my hand up and admit I've done all of the above no-nos at one time or another. ;-)

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 08:50 PM

It's off-topic I know, and, once I've listened to the Soul Music edition featuring the Siegfried Idyll I may start a thread on it. I detest Wagner's views and won't have his music in the house, but I've known that piece for many decades and, well, struggle to see the man in the music. Back to the fray...

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 07:23 PM

I don't really think we can expect audience to stay the whole evening if they don't want . But I think it ill mannered when performers do their spot and disappear soon after. But it's even worse when they stay and talk through everyone else's turn , if those people have had the manners to listen to them

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Guest Sandman
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 03:07 PM

JHW, You are a good singer

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: JHW
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 02:37 PM

I listened to the Radio 4 Soul Music programme on Siegfried Idyll. Wonderful. Soul Music (R4 link will expire)
(Yes I know about Wagner being antisemitic)

Point is I can't play an orchestra, only a guitar and sing, so where can I go to do that - down the folk club.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 01:47 PM

i once went to a folk club for three months, a club i didn't like very much because i wanted to win a raffle prize that no one ever picked - but i wanted.

i got it in the end.

right gang of arseholes!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Johnny J
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 10:35 AM

OK. I'll make a comment on the "floor spot". They were fine in their own way. ;)

I've not been that good at attending other folk clubs of late and, not even my own, for good personal reasons. So, I Maybe shouldn't be too critical.
However, speaking more generally, there often seems to be times when people come just to support their pals whether from another folk club or not. I agree that it's courteous and respectful to stay for the whole night and many times this just doean't happen.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 10:19 AM

Slightly unfair that: I thought the floor spot duo were very good, with a wide choice of material well-performed. As for the roving support, several of us attend both clubs, and others, on a regular basis: luckily for us, there is a vast array of club nights and sessions to choose from in and around Edinburgh. For the Club Treasurers, it's all "bums on seats", so no bad news there, especially as non-members have to pay more to get in. And you are not in a position to know whether those doing the floor spots have other regular commitments elsewhere on that night of the week: very possibly they do. And they did stay for the whole evening, unlike some who just come to do their floor spot then immediately leave: not very courteous to the guest when this happens.
Last night's main guest has appeared in the past as guest at that same club you are talking about, where he was well received too.

On another tack, and thinking about those clubs who do both guest and session nights: in those I go to, it is very apparent that we have 3 different populations:
Those who only come for sessions and never bother with guest nights (prefer to perform themselves rather than listen?)
Those who mainly only come for guest nights, perhaps attracted by the main guest, and
Those who do support both (which includes club Committee members who have jobs to do!)

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Johnny J
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 09:49 AM

These days there are so many different arrangements and organisations claiming to be folk clubs, therefore any number of reasons.

My regular folk club tends to be busy according to whichever guest happens to be booked although there can be occasional abberations.

Last night, there was a very good guest but one who doesn't usually attract a large local audience which is a bit of a shame. Sadly, in Edinburgh, the punters tend either to support the "tried and tested" perennials or whoever happens to "flavour of the month" at the time.

Anyway, I was pleased to see that the audience was fairly healthy for a change but realised that it had been swelled by several members of another folk club who had just come along to support some of their own members who were doing the "floor spot". That's fair enough I suppose and I'll make no comment on the standard of the support although the main act was streets ahead. However, it would also be nice if the "visitors" might choose to make a return visit to the club or even just make a point of going to see the main act again somewhere. However, "I hae ma doobts" as the might say in Midlothian.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Desi
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 06:24 AM

Opportunity to buy a raffle ticket and possibly win a bottle of very questionable quality wine or a CD by someone you've never heard of

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 17 - 04:29 AM

"I first started going to folk clubs as a professional under age drinker. I was, of course the youngest person in the club. Now, forty years on? I looked around and I was the youngest person in the room. "

A club settles down with the same audience for a decade or two and it becomes a closed group and some can be quite uncomfortable for the casual visitor.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Vic Smith
Date: 31 May 17 - 01:17 PM

Vic and Will - I remember it fondly! Thanks for making it possible. 
Good memories here, Dave, of the time you performed for us and stayed with us.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 31 May 17 - 07:53 AM

Vic and Will - I remember it fondly! Thanks for making it possible.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Jack Campin
Date: 30 May 17 - 12:16 PM

I was just imagining the kind of impromptu musical collaborations you often get in a jazz setting - but in a folk setting. It's the difference between being a guest who gives a performance, and a guest who invites other performers to join in the performance.

I have seen it in folk clubs. The nearest you get to it is probably when a guest singer encourages the audience to "join in the chorus".

Our local accordion and fiddle club used to do that - at the end of the evening anybody with an instrument (i.e. all the people who'd done floor spots) got up on stage for a medley (described as a "stramash") with the guest band. Worked very well, but the club is in decline and they haven't done it for a few years now. One reason why I don't go any more.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 May 17 - 11:02 AM

He was indeed - and one of the numbers was "Sweet Georgia" - not "Shallow" - "Brown"!

As I recall, Dave contacted me (via Mudcat) beforehand to see if I could back him with guitar on SGB. He was looking for someone to play it in F, rather than in the more popular key of G. Luckily, F was the key that I usually play it in - as at Shoreham Airport a fortnight ago.

There's a meaning in all this, somewhere - but I'm buggered if I know what it is!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stats link
Date: 30 May 17 - 10:57 AM

I go to a folk sing around that does just about what it advertises - so it wouldn't please some posters here due to being accommodating to all levels

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Vic Smith
Date: 30 May 17 - 10:47 AM

At a jazz concert, impromptu musical collaborations don't take place but at informal sessions they do.
At a folk club, impromptu musical collaborations don't generally take place but at informal sessions they do.
I write "generally" for folk clubs though I can remember quite a number of occasions where they have done. For example, at our folk club we presented the first ever performance outside America of a remarkable multi-instrumentalist called Dave Ruch and he was joined on some numbers by a local guitarist called Mike Ainscough.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 May 17 - 10:44 AM

I've also just remembered an occasion at a folk-ish club in Chichester where Ian Chisholm and meself were playing the last guest spot of the evening. The organiser and his friends played mandolin, dobro and double bass, and we decided to ask them up to sit in with us and finish off the evening in style.

They looked very surprised at being asked - I don't think it had ever happened before - but came up and sat in, and we did finish the evening in style.

It's good to break down the fourth wall occasionally.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 May 17 - 10:33 AM

Oh, I'm quite aware of the differences between jazz and folk sessions, Vic. I was just imagining the kind of impromptu musical collaborations you often get in a jazz setting - but in a folk setting. It's the difference between being a guest who gives a performance, and a guest who invites other performers to join in the performance.

I have seen it in folk clubs. The nearest you get to it is probably when a guest singer encourages the audience to "join in the chorus".

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Vic Smith
Date: 30 May 17 - 09:58 AM

.... and I should have thought of this one:-

Mention "Brown" and they will think of Shallow and not Sweet Georgia.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Vic Smith
Date: 30 May 17 - 09:53 AM

"You don't often get that sort of session-style jamming at a folk club."
Mike, This may be because The Shoreham Airport do has always been a jazz session and in getting on for 60 years of going to folk clubs, I have never encountered a "piano/bass/drums trio and a saxophone quartet" in one.

I you say "Armstrong" in a folk club, people will think that you are talking about Frankie and not Louis. Mention "Davis" and will think you mean Rosie and not Miles.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 May 17 - 09:46 AM

i was doing a gig on the strip in Benidorm about 12 one night. IN walked a black guy, an American who introduced himself as Max Sax who was part of the Drifters backing musicians, and he'd finished his gig at The Benidorm Palace - just wanted to blow a bit of jazz. did my best to oblige.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 May 17 - 08:21 AM

I like the cut and thrust of any gig - not just folk clubs (which I do occasionally) - banter from the audience is always great fun and applause is always welcome.

And I love the ever-changing face of a regular session, where familiar tunes can take on a different style and character depending on who turns up. every one is different.

What's also great fun is when a guest appearance turns into something more embracing. My mate Wolfie and I were doing two 20-minute guest spots at a charity evening at Shoreham Airport a week or two ago. The other people at the event (the hosts) were a piano/bass/drums trio and a saxophone quartet. We were halfway into our first set when we could sense the musicians behind us joining in in their heads. So we said, "OK - we've got the makings of a big band here - let's crack into Sweet Georgia Brown." Which we did - with solos from Wolfie on guitar, a double bass player, and an ancient clarinettist called George - who swung the socks off everybody. Great fun! At the end, there was a communal jam on C-Jam Blues.

You don't often get that sort of session-style jamming at a folk club. If you know of one that has it, let me know!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 May 17 - 05:29 AM

i always think that there is a sense of the lineage of the English folk club movement by some of the audience in a folk club - something that is missing in open mic nights. And that awareness is to me what makes it folk music - rather than an adjunct of the music business.

The movement was a lot broader than some allow. for me the ghosts are there - Jansch, MacColl, Capstick, Ian Campbell, Derek Brimstone....

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 30 May 17 - 01:43 AM

Alex just got back from the road. The Email is [e-mail] or the old business one [e-mail]
kind regards
Nick

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 May 17 - 11:23 AM

People do change their names but rarely change their character to go with it as the above exchange demonstrates. But, yes, let us stick to folk clubs. Folk clubs are an exceptionally good way to meet and get to know the artists. Unlike a concert venue they are sat amongst you and easily accessible. To clarify my earlier comment about good reasons not to go, this proximity can be a two edged sword. There are some artists that would be better kept separate from the audience.

DtG

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Andy7
Date: 29 May 17 - 10:21 AM

Open mic nights? Some of those can be friendly and welcoming.

But I agree, there's nothing that quite matches the ambiance of a good folk club.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Andiliqueur
Date: 29 May 17 - 10:05 AM

It was my first visit to Mickleby last Saturday and yes that was what I wish from a Folk Club. It was well run and friendly in a private room where we could all share our love of songs,words and stories. Where else could I do that but a Folk Club?

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: JHW
Date: 28 May 17 - 05:22 PM

Well I thoroughly enjoyed my night at Mickleby last night and wrote all about it as a Reason to go to a folk club, ie why I'd go again but as its not here i cba to explain it all again.
Sorry for being serious.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 28 May 17 - 11:55 AM

I play the lewd... 😜

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 28 May 17 - 10:48 AM

'Etymologically related to "oud"'

and, I imagine all going back to the arabic العود   like the English word lute, Dutch luit and German Laute

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Guest So
Date: 28 May 17 - 09:40 AM

Singers and Instrumentalists not specifically one or tother

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 May 17 - 07:46 AM

The "laud" can mean a few different things - Mediterranean bouzouki-like instrument, found in Spain and its former colonies. Etymologically related to "oud" but tuned differently, fretted and with a flat back. I'd guess Garbutt had one of these:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laúd

Related instruments (tuned in fifths) found in Greece ("laouto") and Turkey ("lavta").

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 May 17 - 05:20 AM

I know, Kenny, but I forgot to mention it!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 May 17 - 05:00 AM

"And sing us a song! Say a poem!"
According to Burns, the motto of the Crochalan Fencibles was
"Sing a sang, tell a story or put your prick on the table"
A way forward perhaps!!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 28 May 17 - 04:27 AM

What's wrong with Vin's whistle playing ? A highly individual style, to be sure, but perfectly valid. Also picollo, and on his 3rd LP if I recall correctly, flute, and some string instrument he called a "laud". [ Can't seem to find anything about that - possibly meant "oud" ? ]. In any case, he has more in his musical "armoury" than just guitar.
Dick Gaughan is also a very capable tenor-banjo player, and played mandolin on 1 track on his first solo album, "No More Forever".

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 May 17 - 06:37 PM

Most of those people you call singers are also consummate instrumentalists, Dick. Chris Wood, amazing guitarist and fiddle player. Martin Carthy, say no more. Roy Bailey, beautiful guitarist. Ron Kavana, fabulous and award-winning player of the guitar and octave mandola as well as being pretty mean on the fiddle. Dick Gaughan, superb guitarist. Vin? Well his guitar playing works really well for him.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 May 17 - 04:08 PM

WESSEX FOLK FESTIVAL
COME ALL YE!
And sing us a song!
Say a poem!
Tell a joke! Do a dance!
Or play a tune!
at the Old Rooms, Weymouth
8pm Friday June 2nd
Hosted by singer/guitarist
BIG AL WHITTLE

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 May 17 - 02:48 PM

big cheers Joe & Jeri... 😎

Subject: RE: this thread is going to be deleted.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 May 17 - 02:23 PM

OK, so I combined the threads and undeleted all the messages. Go back to talking about folk clubs.
-Joe-

---

Yeah, so did I. Sometime around when I posted at 2:03. Then I kept on fixing it for a while.
Didn't you recently say that when one moderator was working on a thread, others others should leave it alone? Haha -Jeri

Subject: RE: thisw thread wasn't supposed to be deleted.
From: Jeri
Date: 27 May 17 - 02:03 PM

Hey Joe, I got it. I think somebody (who wasn't me) must have really been lost in the weeds.

Subject: RE: This thread has been deleted.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 May 17 - 01:48 PM

Yeah, I can't figure out why "Reasons to go to a folk club" was deleted, eiter. I tried to undelete it, and I get an error message. I thought moderators were supposed to talk with the music editor before deleting or closing music threads, but what do I know?

Maybe it was deleted by mistake. There was a squabble about Dick Miles changing his name to "The Sandman" (I changed the name at his request). I suppose that was some justification for deleting those messages at the time - but that was no justification for deleting the entire thread.

So, Dick Miles wanted to change his useer name. Maybe he wanted to make a new start. I didn't see it as an attempt to deceive anybody, so I changed his name for him.

-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor and Registrar-

Subject: This thread has been deleted.
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 May 17 - 01:24 PM

Can't make my mind up...

would "This thread has been deleted." work better as a folk or punk song...???

..or better still a hybrid cross genre fusion...?????

Gotta admit it's too hot at the moment to be getting too worked up with righteous sense of injustice...

But the floor is open to kickstart any good humoured resident songwriters... 😜

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 May 17 - 09:47 AM

.. or even worse the folk ninja wassassins... 😜

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 May 17 - 09:41 AM

It's the wassailants I worry about :-)

DtG

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 May 17 - 09:19 AM

WE know your name, we know where you live..
Late one night when you least expect it we will come round your house and sing folk songs at you...

That's why i prefere to avoid folk clubs, and hide behind PFR.... 😨

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 May 17 - 09:05 AM

FWIW Guest Guest neither The Sandman nor Good Soldier Sweck reveals the identity of the poster whereas Dave Polshaw does. However, no point getting hung up on these things. Back to the topic, I think we may have seen one good reason to not go to folk clubs .

DtG

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 27 May 17 - 08:59 AM

'if he wants his identity revealed it is for him to do it'



Which is just what he effectively did through his posting behaviour, content of his comments and style of writing.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Jack Campin
Date: 27 May 17 - 08:33 AM

If somebody keeps changing their Mudcat pseudonym, that means we need some other way to refer to them. In practice that means their real name.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Guest Guest
Date: 27 May 17 - 08:28 AM

Dave,if he wants his identity revealed it is for him to do it.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 May 17 - 08:03 AM

I have no reason to hide my identity, Dick, have you?

Yes, it is Dave Polshaw and I was born as David Polakow. Both facts have been repeated often on here so no points for deductive reasoning I'm afraid!

DtG

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 May 17 - 06:18 AM

judging by the tone of the poster, Dave the Gnome,aka Dave Polshaw.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 May 17 - 05:45 AM

yes its Dick alright.
yes those instruments were always there. there just seems a lot more of them these days. or perhaps thats just round here.

i think maybe its because its easier to buy them nowadays.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 May 17 - 05:14 AM

I am not usually any good at these things but from the confrontational tone, the odd use of SHOUTING and the novel interpretation of capitalisation of names I think I can safely say that The Sandman is the artist formerly known as Good Soldier Sweck . Yes?

:D tG

---

You guessed right. Don't make a deal of it. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 May 17 - 02:26 AM

RoyBailey singer, vin garbutt , dick gaughan, martin carthy, chria wood, ron kavana all singers

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 May 17 - 02:20 AM

"Theres a lot more melodeons, fiddles, accordions etc about than there were about 30 years ago."
IMO,that is wrong, there were loads of people playing melodeons[PeterKennedy was partly responsible]there have always been lots of fiddlers,playing irish music and english and scottish that is my experience.THE MELODEON WAS VERY POPULAR FOR MORRIS MUSICIANS TOO IN THE SEVENTIES AND EIGHTIES
however the technical standard is much higher now.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 May 17 - 11:09 PM

interesting Steve that so many of the acts you liked were intrumentalists. Theres a lot more melodeons, fiddles, accordions etc about than there were about 30 years ago.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 May 17 - 08:31 PM

Well my reason for first going to a folk club was when I heard that Andy Irvine was the guest at the Tree Inn Folk Club in Stratton, near Bude, in about 1991-ish. We started going to the guest nights quite regularly after that, and within a couple of years I was playing a tune or two there with my kids, who were far better than me in those days. The club was run by John and Cheryl Maughan who always managed to get amazing guests, generally every other week, the likes of Chris Wood and Andy Cutting, the House Band, Dick Gaughan, Vin Garbutt, Liam O'Flynn, Ron Kavana, Martin Carthy, Davy Steele, Flook, Sileas, the Barely Works, Roy Bailey and many more. But for the encouragement and support of that folk club I wouldn't have got into traditional music and would have missed out on decades of fun playing it. The club collapsed in the mid-90s after a move away from the Tree that never really worked, but John and Cheryl carried the torch onward in Boscastle and we kept the music going at the Tree in the form of a session, a bit eclectic at times but still well in keeping. I outgrew the folk club but remain eternally grateful to it!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 May 17 - 06:58 PM

locally i will admit there are more 'open mic' and acoustic music nights in pubs than there are folk clubs. i suppose 15 years ago they would have called themselves folk clubs, and they have overtaken folk clubs in popularity.

i've played folk music in these places and gone down alright and got bookings from there. but they aren't folk clubs. in Wimborne theres one club that makes fun of the present situation and calls itself - i can't believe its not a folk club. terrific little club as well!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 May 17 - 03:57 PM

We may all be talking about different scenarios: some folk clubs only ever have guest nights, others only ever have sessions, and there are are various shades in between, as in one club I help to manage, where we just have 3 guest nights oer year, and the other monthly meetings are sessions.
To my mind, these are all valid set-ups for a folk club, although not all songs could definitely be categorised as "folk" (no, I'm no gonna go there, it's been debated to extinction already!) All these clubs of which I speak enjoy a very friendly ambiance, and good music, which is what keeps me going there.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 May 17 - 03:06 PM

have they taken over?
folk clubs are pretty much as they have always been. i've been around folk clubs since 1964 and last week at the sailors return weymouth i heard many of the trad songs that i heard back then.

the fact is the price of petrol and beer went up; you got middle aged and then old and you can't be arsed to get up from in front of the telly; the artists you used to like are either dead or retired, or have lost their edge - like you - they're no longer young.

Stop giving rein to all that nastiness.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,bignige47
Date: 26 May 17 - 10:43 AM

I stopped going to Folk Clubs when the Singer songwriters took over,

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 17 - 09:44 AM

Reasons to go - to hear folk music
Reasons not to go - too often feels like you are crashing a private party, luckily these are usually, although not always, the clubs complained about by alex.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 May 17 - 06:01 AM

IN MY EXPERIENCE, The following folk clubs, HAVE WHAT THEY SAY ON THE TIN.
Swindon, Lewes, Black Diamond,Mickleby, Stockton, Darlington Britt,Wolviston Welly[ wilsons], Bodmin,Redcar,Sharps,Faversham,Stanford,Penzance, Tonbridge,Brinklow, Bollington, LEIGH ON SEA,CROSS KEYS LIVERPOOL,Maidenhead,Lymm.
However several times members of the audience have come up and said how pleasant it is to hear someone singing trad songs

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 26 May 17 - 03:51 AM

I used to go to folk clubs to listen to folk songs - in those days they did what they said on the tin.
When that ceased and I was no longer able to choose what I paid for, I stopped going and so did thousands of others - Ireland, where I now live, has never really had a strong club scene
The youngsters in Ireland are now taking traditional music up with a vengeance and producing some of the finest musicians I can ever remember hearing - this has guaranteed that it has a future for at least another couple of generations.
This is largely due to the fact that a number of dedicated people have established a foundation that does what it says on the tin - whatever the participants decide to do with it, that foundation will remain in the form of archives, recordings publications and music schools like the annual Willie Clancy Summer School (the 45th is due to take place in the first week in July)
There's a valuable lesson in that if someone cares to learn from it.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Mo the caller
Date: 26 May 17 - 03:30 AM

Perhaps the best reason is the same as the reason for / benefit from joining a folk dance club or a choir or a walking group (or....). The chance to be made welcome in a group of people who share an interest in something you love (/ enjoy / might come to enjoy).
I am not a regular folk club attender (too busy dancing) but was made very welcome at Nellies in Beverley at a time when I had to be away from home and was very glad of the friendly contact.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 17 - 06:20 AM

Not that I've been to a (more formal style) folk club in years my main reason for going to one would be a guest I wanted to hear.

On the price of drinks, I think it's largely a matter of "pot luck". The cheapest regular folk venue for beer I might get to is the Norwich pub that is hosting the weekly Irish sessions - his regular prices are very reasonable for the area. Possibly cheaper again depending on how you look at it is the Norwich Folk club - as far as I understand it they have no bar but welcome people bringing their own drink.

I think when one is looking for a venue, the main considerations are a suitable room for the occasion, a friendly environment and supportive management. If you are are lucky enough to have cheap drinks (or eg. it's not unknown for a session to offer one free drink for each participant), it may be considered a bonus.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: alex s
Date: 25 May 17 - 06:19 AM

I have, Nick. I'll email you the details. You will be very welcome. Love to herself.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 May 17 - 05:46 AM

Still the same principle though, Jack. The beer in the folk club was the same price as the beer at the bar when the folk club was not on. My point was that I have never come across a folk club where the beer is cheaper than the standard proce of the bar where the folk club is running.

D.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 May 17 - 03:51 AM

A chance to enjoy a couple of pints, cheaper than the pub.
All the ones I have been to have been in Pubs and you buy your beer at the standard bar price. Where are folk clubs that run their own bars?

Edinburgh Folk Club used to meet in a bar run by Edinburgh University Students Association (temporarily closed for refurbishment of the building). It had the cheapest beer I know of in the Edinburgh city centre. Quite why EUSA thought it was a good idea to subsidize students getting sloshed I wouldn't know.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 24 May 17 - 07:07 PM

Generally cheaper than going to a festival or big concert hall to see the same artiste. And you probably get a good 2 x 45 minute sets out of the main guest.

And speaking of tonight....you coyld have seen me in support mode!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 24 May 17 - 07:03 PM

Why don't you start a monthly singers club then Alex like you used to do. I would support it when gigs allow. You could lay down a few rules to raise musical standards if you think it would be necessary.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: alex s
Date: 24 May 17 - 06:54 PM

There are also reasons NOT to go to certain clubs.
Lazy buggers who have made no attempt to improve or learn anything new for years. Same old...
So-called poets who read other people's work from books. Talent?
People who can't be bothered to get in tune and think it's so funny to say "it's good enough for folk" Offensive!
Heads buried in song books so that you couldn't hear it even if you wanted too. Maybe not a bad thing after all.
The upshot is that all the good performers stop going, so all that's left is utter mediocrity.
How different from the vibrant clubs of yesteryear.
Boo hoo.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Will Fly
Date: 24 May 17 - 05:12 PM

Al, you're reminiscing about the good old days again!

Personally I like to play a little jazz beforehand...

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 May 17 - 02:28 PM

oh yes! and sing folk songs....

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 May 17 - 02:27 PM

a chance to meet people - sell them insurance, lure them into a lonely place - then kill and eat them!

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,dunelmian
Date: 24 May 17 - 02:21 PM

We meet in the Tap and Spile in Durham which serves GOOD beer. My best offering is that we class ourselves as preservers of good, mostly traditional songs, We are all friends and our attendance ranges from 6 to 16. We finance guests by a raffle and our next guest is a return visit by our friend, Benny Graham on 1st June but we are mainly a singaround club which started in 1969,

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 24 May 17 - 12:53 PM

Dave beat me to it..

Mind you, our local folk club is in a wine bar these days and you have to go down the corridor to the main hotel bar for beer, he only does (rather good) wines.

Others I go to vary with both the beer prices, quality and oh, attention...

I must admit, the folk clubs where you don't get ignorant buggers flicking through folders or talking are becoming few and far between, sadly. This particular subject has been beaten to death on Mudcat so I'll not reopen it but in many places, the informality of singarounds rather than stage make for a more informal reception to your songs and tunes.

Still, I have a loud if not angelic voice and can get rather "Blessed" when dropping hints to those with low attention spans or poor social skills.

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 24 May 17 - 12:41 PM

There's actually a regular folkish club at the Ritz in Burnham on Sea, Somerset, that has local cider on tap;
and possibly beer at social club prices...???

http://www.burnham-on-sea.com/guide/ritz-acoustic-club.php

Also has a bloody good stage for performers, due to being a converted fleapit...

That much I know from the annual folk fest.. now sadly discontinued...

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 May 17 - 10:34 AM

A chance to enjoy a couple of pints, cheaper than the pub.

All the ones I have been to have been in Pubs and you buy your beer at the standard bar price. Where are folk clubs that run their own bars?

Apart from that, good list :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: GUEST,Sol
Date: 24 May 17 - 06:19 AM

1) No Prima Donnas or the male equivalent - well, very few ;-)
2) You have an audience who encourage you to play and/or sing.
3) You are generally not restricted to playing music of one genre.
4) You meet people from all walks of life.
5) It gives you a break from all the propaganda that's currently on the telly and in the Press.
6) It's the closest you'll get to the old days when people interacted with each other without the use of a social media electronic device.

Subject: Reasons to go to a folk club
From: Andy7
Date: 24 May 17 - 04:32 AM

Reasons to go to a folk club, in order of importance:

1. A captive audience for your songs or tunes, politely appreciative whether you perform well or badly; much better than playing on your own at home while the family stays in the other room with the TV turned up loud.
2. A chance to enjoy a couple of pints, cheaper than the pub.
3. A chance to chat with people other than the family.
4. Somewhere to go in the evening, slightly more interesting than TV and much less tiring than the gym.
5. A chance to sit through other peoples' music, and feel good about applauding politely whether they perform well or badly.