Mudcat Cafe Music Historians

Subject: Origins: Mudcat Cafe Music Historians
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 12:30 PM

Based solely on opinion and best guesses it seems to me that folk music historians face a task that may be 100 times more voluminous than that of classical music historians. The classical music historians I knew seemed to write a prestige check they could not cash.
The inner resources of Mudcat Cafe are indeed tremendous in scope and in fact quite prestigious in my eyes.

I'm not proposing a 'my dad is bigger than your dad' argument but rather just mentioning the obvious for what its worth which looks like a fortune.

Subject: RE: Mudcat Cafe Music Historians
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 04:42 PM

Well, Donuel, in terms of cash, all this folk music we collect ain't worth much - but it sure brings a lot of pleasure. I think the Internet give enthusiasts of all sorts, the chance to publish what they know about what they love. I could name you many, many Mudcatters and others who have spent years on folk music projects that are really significant. I'm thrilled to have the chance to know these people and to collaborate with them.
I hate to name just one because there are so many good ones, but I take real delight in reading Reinhard's Mainly Norfolk. I could easily come up with a list of 20 remarkable folk music Websites, but then I'd be leaving out another 40. So, I'll name just the one for now. There are lots more in our Links section.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Mudcat Cafe Music Historians
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Apr 18 - 02:49 AM

What makes it valuable is that it is the Folk that are depositing a route to their collecting in one place, by and large. If Fakebook manages to keep its record of fakery for 100 years, historians will have a huge task, even with AI, in sifting for a subject.

A folkussed (sic) genre makes that task so much easier. Given the current ranking of Folk in the general mountain of data it is inevitable that somewhere like the Mudcat has a huge role to play.

I wonder - what plans have Max & colleagues got for the long term sustainability of the 'Cat's archive?

I face the same question with my Oral Archive how best to ensure its longevity after my demise. There are local archives that get copies, but how to leave 2Gb visible on the interweb? Any ideas?

Always assuming something as ubiquitous and fast changing, can remain backward compatible enough. cf, say, cylinder recordings or 9.5mm cine.