Reasons to go to a folk club

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.