Where are the Womenfolk?

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Barbara Cooper of The Womenfolk
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 11:09 AM

http://thewomenfolk.com/

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 May 14 - 02:07 PM

Where can I get the lyrics to the song "Womenfolk" by the folk group Womenfolk in 1964?

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,TimoniumGuy
Date: 20 Jul 12 - 03:24 PM

I think I remember seeing The Womenfolk on the old Joey Bishop show and they sang "Hey Nelly Nelly", and "The Ballad of Murder Incorporated" very deadpan in their presentation of the later- quite fun.
It is so good to see that folks still remember them, and they have good lives.
I also think I remember "The Best is Yet to Come" used in a commercial, or am I bongers.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 12 - 09:29 PM

Hoping to contact Jean Amos. We knew one another 40+ years ago in California. The last time I heard from her was in the mid 60's. After that we lost touch.

BB

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 12 - 11:58 AM

I first heard The Womenfolk on the TV program "Hootenanny" back in the summer of 1966 (I think). The date is foggy, but their performance glued me to my chair. The song they sang was "The Last Thing On My Mind". From the beginning chords I was mesmerized. I didn't know people could sing like that. I remember how they sat, the words they sang, even what they wore. They helped a little girl realize there was beauty in the human voice and I've been singing ever since. Ladies - I bow to you!

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 12 - 12:56 AM

I am nearly 69 and still love your albums. I am going to try to transfer them to cd's so I can listen to them in the car. My kids grew up hearing them and now my grandchildren will hear them as well.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,David Steiner
Date: 23 Nov 11 - 11:13 AM

I wore out the first album and finally tracked down good copies of everything they recorded. They always struck me as the female version of the Limeliters, never quite sure whether to be Folk or Contemporary, and never able to have a real hit. Their first album is still their best. It's great to know that they went on to have wonderful, productive lives.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 09:21 AM

Menopause got them out of the mood for singing folk songs!

GfS

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Country Paul
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 01:23 AM

I hope Babs Cooper is still following this thread. Babs, I posted here several years ago re: Spectropop (www.spectropop.com) and your Indigo Records release of "Honest I Do," which is different from but as enjoyable as The Innocents' original version. Now coms a Spectropop inquiry from someone about a song youdid, "How Am I Gonna Leave You?" He'd like to know if it's really you, the year of release, what label it was on, and any other infoirmation a music fan would get excited about. If you don't want to join the Spectropop Yahoogroups discussion group, you can send me the info off-line at [e-mail].

I've also checked out the Womenfolk website and the Tom Otto links; nice to see you recognized with a good website and by a sincere fan. Unlike some, I DO really like "My Heart Tells Me to Belive" - very pop, yes, but as catchy as a briarpatch!

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,chowfunny
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 11:13 PM

The Womenfolk now have their own website, named appropriately enough, http://thewomenfolk.com/

Find out about them in their own words, view some pictures, and find out where you can download their songs.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 12:05 AM

the albums and songs for the Womenfolk are available on Itunes. I have the vinyl album of never underestimate the power of the womenfolk, and got the Itunes version downloaded to my IPOD.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Cory
Date: 28 Dec 09 - 01:26 PM

My mom was an original member of the Womenfolk - Terry Harley.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Kate Vachon
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 11:46 PM

Joyce James (Gibbs) was my neighbor and good friend in Brooklyn and later in New Hampshire. I just found this forum and am fascinated to hear of all the recent activity. I'm so sorry she's not around to share in the "revival!"

After Joyce died in 2001, I put together a CD for her friends with selected tracks from the albums and some later recordings of her post-Womenfolk performances. Jean, Lalah, Babs & Leni - if you have any interest in copies, I'll be glad to send. Please contact me off-list - [e-mail].

Peace to all.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Christina
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 12:17 PM

Hi Babs -

I remember listening to a recording you made of "Honest I Do" back in the 1960s. It was far superior in quality and feeling to the chart-making version by The Innocents.

Is there a copy of this song performed by you still available?

I have searched many years for any news of you. Today, I was delighted to find your artistry with "The Womenfolk" on MySpace. Excellent work. Please consider a reunion recording session of additional songs.

My best to you and your "Womenfolk."

Christina

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Tom_in_Mpls
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 10:29 PM

Every couple years for the last 10 years I have done a websearch for "The Womenfolk" and turned up nothing. Which was disappointing because their albums were a part of my upbringing. I still have the original "Womenfolk" vinyl and it is playing now. I enjoyed reading this and reading thru the various blogs and look forward to a 5-CD set by the 2009 Holidays.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,jayjay
Date: 18 May 09 - 04:25 AM

Peace,

A belated thank you for the words to the song (I haven't visited this site for a while). Of course I now have been able to download them and have them at hand. Please indulge me when I say that as a 2-3 year old (odd as it sounds) these songs sunk to the core of me "time after time without reason or rhyme as I thought of the days to follow". I have never heard harmonies and blends just like that - before or since. I'm hapy to have access to them again!

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Babs of The Womenfolk
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 04:01 PM

To: Tom in Ventura, CA; dan g in Lethbridge, Alberta; John in Tatsfeld, England and Mike in Texas:

Wow guys - such accolades! Your enthusiasm for our sound and our act continues to blow me away. The perspective that comes with the passage of time has proven that we did indeed have something very special to offer back then and the sound still holds today. Its just that trying to hold five alpha-females together, (all of whom sang, looked good enough & played guitar), was a daunting task as your can imagine. Be that as it may, I, for one, have been thoroughly enjoying all of the cyberspace activity around our group since Thomas Otto first stirred thing up (and got us talking to each other again) in 2007 with his original Tribute to The Womenfolk:

http://myporchblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/tribute-to-womenfolk.html

At this point, every recording we ever made is now available on Amazon.com/MP3 Downloads, and The iTunes Store – including the long lost singles: My Heart Tells Me To Believe & The Way I Feel. And Lalah's (solo) Lightspeed Album 2007 – is also available there. Now comes the discussion about the television shows: Red Skelton, Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, Hullabaloo, Mike Douglas and one of my favorites, The BBC's – Tonight in Person. So we are continuing to piece together this patchwork quilt of our time together. But, its not easy because we're on our own, and of course we're all trying to survive in our present day lives. At least three of us really want to start performing again even though time and distance and issues around the almighty dollar have been getting in our way.

But, be that as it may, all of you are so sweet. Thank you for your on-going support. We are eternally grateful for The Mudcat Café (and Tom's myporch blog) for the continuing discussion about The Womenfolk. And even though lately we haven't been able to rotate our tracks (technical problems) on our myspace site, in order to offer samples of the different ablums, we are still there. The blog entries go back to 2007 and you'll find some new pictures there as well. If you haven't already done so, please join us at:

www.myspace.com/1960sthewomenfolk

So, Tom, dan g, John & Mike – and all of you contributing Mudcatters. We hear you and Thanks Again!

Babs Cooper
The Womenfolk

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Penny and Jean
Date: 24 Jan 09 - 02:35 PM

Thanks for the thoughts, we're enjoying them. The instrument which opens "I never will marry" is a theramin, of all things. The odd word in the chorus of "Banshee" is wiieera - a nonsense word? Gaelic? Don't know.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Mike (mrab7163) in Texas
Date: 22 Jan 09 - 05:04 PM

I don't know why I felt I was the only one that ever heard of The Womenfolk. Fot an awful long time most people I talked to just shook there heads no when I asked if they had ever heard their music. My love affair with them started in the 60s. When I found The Mudcat everything changed, I found other "Womenfolkers" and have downloaded every soung they have made available on the net. I wore out two of their "Never Underestimate The Power Of The Womenfold" albums and thought I would never have the pleasure of hearing the rest. Their exceptional blending of harmony brought chills to your body when listening to them. oh sure there were and are other groups that sing well and harmonize, but there will never be another group like "The Womenfolk". They had a real quality that will never be equaled again. They made a lonely and borng tour of duty in the Aluetian Islands more bearable. To them I send my sincere thanks for a talent seldom seen or heard in the music business. God Bless you all.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Tom in Ventura
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:44 PM

Thomas,
The Womenfolk were on Ed Sullivan Show #810, November 22, 1964, and performed "Sail Away" and "Rock-Em Daddy-o", according to The Ed Sullivan Show episode guide.

Jean Amos(or Penny Palmer),
If you read this, could you please answer two questions about your album, Penny and Jean - Two for the Road? What is the instrument that starts out "I Never Will Marry"? Is it a woman's voice or a musical saw? And what are the words at the beginning of the chorus to "Old Banshee":
_____ ______ you trusting lovers
_____ ______, listen well to me
Strange things, evil things are near you
Listen to the Old Banshee

Thanks! It's only been bugging me for, uh, 48 years!

Tom in Ventura, CA

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 07:16 PM

I've added a post about my recent experience unearthing a 1966 television performance of the Womenfolk. Alas, I wish I could share it with you all, but unfortunately I was only able to view it at the Paley Center in New York.

http://myporchblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/esoteric-television-dial-m-for-music.html

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,John in Tatsfield, England
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 09:17 PM

I cannot believe that after all these years during which I thought I was the only fan of the Womenfolk in existence, that I now tumble on this website and find the ladies themselves are actually contributing. Hi girls! I have always enjoyed the memory of your appearance on British TV back in the 60s as a result of which I quite naturally fell in love with all of you and immediately went and bought the LP's which I still treasure today.Have always regretted not seeing you live but finding this website bridges 40 odd years of highly enjoyable listening to your special brand of music. In order to get to this website easily, I wil lodge this link under "Favourites". What could be a more appropriate heading?!

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,dan g in Alberta
Date: 01 Dec 08 - 03:26 PM

I'm one of the lucky few who still have a couple of Womenfolk
albums and have transferred most of them to tape and even had
a friend transfer some selections to CD. Stumbled on their music back in the late sixties when I played cuts of their albums on the radio here in Canada and by the time I fell in love with their music they had already disbanded and I've been searching yard sales and thrift shops for their albums ever since. I too have always wondered what happened to them and it's nice to hear they've gotten back together even if it's just to socialize and reminisce.. have spent many hours with their sensational harmonies, terrific voices and
wonderful lyrics and they always bring a smile,and brighten my day.
Specially enjoy their anti-war stuff like "Hey Nelly Nelly" and "First Battalion" from their Hungry i album. To the WOMENFOLK members= "Thank You" for the pleasure you've given me over the last 40+ years and all the BEST in the future !
dan g in Lethbridge Alberta

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Tom in Ventura
Date: 28 Nov 08 - 11:30 PM

Hi, Womenfolk!

I found out about you by doing a Google search for Jean Amos. I had been searching for a copy of Two for the Road (RCA LSP 2244) and after finding one, I was wondering what happened to Jean (and Penny, too). Thomas's tribute page came up in the search and now I am catching up on the music of the Womenfolk. I can't believe I've been missing out on such great recordings and performances for the last 40-plus years. I'm kicking myself for being such an unfocused, easily distracted young teen in those days, succumbing to the British Invasion of sounds while missing so much of those folk era years. Now it is time to catch up. Thank you so much for your beautiful harmonies, melodies, and immensely enjoyable performances. The song "Water Wheel" is a favorite. I know a song is working when I get goose bumps and misty eyed.

Tom
Ventura, CA

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST, To Ramona
Date: 02 Oct 08 - 11:46 AM

Thanks for letting us know Ramona.

The Womenfolk
Jean, Lalah, Babs & Leni

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,The Womenfolk
Date: 02 Oct 08 - 11:43 AM

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Ramona
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 12:56 PM

As I write, "Hey Nelly Nelly" is being loaded into my i-tunes. For some reason this one song was not available until now. Thanks to all the Womenfolk for getting their work to us again.

I had previously only heard the Hungry i LP.

From a very happy "Ramona"

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,The Womenfolk
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 02:08 PM

To Ramona and all who have had problems downloading The Womenfolk Vol. 4: The Womenfolk at The Hungry I (Live) Album from The iTunes Stores.

The technicians are now telling us that the problem is resolved, and the full album is available for purchase; we've got our fingers crossed.

Thank you for your patience,
Babs, Jean, Lalah & Leni

p.s. - And thanks to The Mudcat Cafe for this continuing chat. We love hearing from all of you.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Miles Hoffmann
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 05:51 AM

I got introduced to the Womenfolk in Dec of 1964 on a late night AM radio program called "Guest Star" with Lou Crosby.

"Guest Star" was a program sponsored by the US Savings Bonds. From then, going forward into the 70's I managed to find the debut album from our local library and made a cassette recording.

Since then, I forgot about The Womenfolk ... until into this decade when I stumbled across a "45" with their interesting tune . "Little Boxes in a thrift store.

..which revived my interest in this group. Going on more thrift store ventures, to my surprise, I did find that LP transcription of "Guest Star" mentioned above...and now have a safe copy of that original program.

And, thank goodness with the presence of eBay, I have now 5 copies of their self titled album, plus their "actual" debut album that they recorded with the Villagers.

It's fun to live great memories again ....

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 03:29 PM

100

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: Peace
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 12:57 AM

JayJay: They the lyrics you're looking for?

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: Peace
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 12:56 AM

Subject: RE: The Maybe Song
From: Roger Himler
Date: 08 Jul 98 - 12:44 AM

From the singing of Ernie Sheldon and Joyce James

Sure is today, with a kiss on the way,
Will there be more kisses tomorrow.
And many more kisses the day after that.
More kisses to lend or borrow.
Or will we be kissing in vain?

Maybe you and maybe me,
Maybe only yet to be,
Maybe yes and maybe no,
Maybe this alone to know.
Maybe thunder, maybe rain,
Maybe wonder, maybe pain.
Maybe once, maybe twice,
Maybe fire, maybe ice,
Maybe laughter, maybe tears,
Maybe moments, maybe years.

Time after time, without reason or rhyme,
My thoughts wing away with the swallow.
And then I start dreaming of you and of me,
And all of the days to follow.
Now will they bring pleasure or pain.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 01:45 PM

I downloaded all five albums at amazon.mudcat.org, and I'm really enjoying them (and Amazon paid Mudcat a bit for the privilege).

I'd like to see more reissues like this. There were so many good folk recordings on the Elektra label, and so few are available.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Ramona
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 01:35 PM

UK i-tunes now has volumes 1,2,3 & 5.

I'm still waiting for the live album, which I have not heard since the 60s.

Well done for getting the others on.

"Ramona"

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,To Ramona
Date: 16 Aug 08 - 11:42 AM

We will have our contacts check into it, and sent futher word later. Thank you for your perseverance. Its definitely a glitch.

Babs Cooper
The Womenfolk

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Ramona
Date: 16 Aug 08 - 09:20 AM

Hello

I have checked again. Only "Man oh Man!" is on UK i-tunes. If there is any way of checking up on them, I would love to buy the others.

R

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,The Womenfolk
Date: 15 Aug 08 - 12:12 PM

Ramona:

Thanks you for your comment. All of our albums should be on iTunes UK/European Union, as well as iTunes Australia/New Zealand, Canada & Japan by now. We made two tours to the U.K. back then and certainly want to include all of British friends, (and all of our friends around the globe), in presenting our albums as downloads to be enjoyed in 2008. Let us know how it works out. The Hungy i perform is a "live" performance album and best demonstrate what we did "on stage."   Again, thanks for the update.

Babs, Lalah, Leni & Jean
The Womenfolk

p,s, To learn more of what we are about , check out our mypace site:
The Womenfolk on MySpace

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Ramona
Date: 09 Aug 08 - 03:25 PM

I am almost happy. Today I bought "Man Oh Man!" from i-tunes. I had never heard the record before. It sounds good.

My true mission is to download the Hungry i album. My late uncle had it (and the LP is probably in my aunt's loft). I loved it so much as a child. Yesterday I tried to download it from Amazon, but they refused to sell me it as I am in the UK!

I hope it will go on i-tunes as I think that's the only way non-US residents can access the albums.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jun 08 - 01:00 PM

The Womenfolk have a Myspace page with recordings here (click), and five albums of MP3 downloads are available from Amazon here (click).

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 12:53 PM

Yes, that is her - Leni Ashmore Sorensen.
She now has her phd and is the african-american historian at monticello.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,The WF on iTunes
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 10:23 AM

"The Womenfolk Vol.5: (1964) Man Oh Man! The Womenfolk" is now available on the "iTunes Store".

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Amazon MP3 Downolads
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 06:05 PM

Link to Amazon MP3 Downloads

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00178FKX6/ref=dm_sp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1207508991&sr=102-12

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 06:01 PM

UPDATE: The Womenfolk Vol.5: (1966) Man Oh Man! The Womenfolk - is now available on Amazon MP3 Downloads. This set includes Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind."

WOMENFOLK MP3 DOWNLOADS

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Babs To Celtaddict
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 05:16 PM

Hang in there. We're working on making "Womenfolk" - as well as many other of our recordings, available for downloading. In the mean time, you can listen to "Womenfolk" for free on Myspace:

Sample Womenfolk Audios on MySpace
   

Thank You Mudcat Cafe.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: Celtaddict
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 10:44 PM

The site sounds good; I eagerly await 'Womenfolk' (the song) being added.

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: Celtaddict
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 10:36 PM

Wow! Great news! I just saw this thread and was excited to think that I would hear again a song I heard only once, ever in my life. It was 'Womenfolk' and I have looked for it, and sung it (yes, it impressed me so much that I can sing a good half of it from one hearing 40 years ago); the harmonies were wonderful. I never had an album. Now I am eager! Thanks for making downloads available!!!

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Womenfolk Downloads
Date: 12 Mar 08 - 10:24 AM

LET'S TRY AGAIN: Womenfolk downloads of our previously recorded songs are now available on our MySpace website . Here's the link:

The Womenfolk Store on MySpace

STAY TUNED: more songs will be added as we make contact with the publishers of our previously recorded songs.

The Womenfolk
Babs, Leni, Jean & Lalah

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Womenfolk Downloads
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 11:01 AM

Have you seen "The Womenfolk Store" and blog 3-11-08 on MySpace?

http://www.myspace.com/1960sthewomenfolk

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 08:58 PM

Let me try this again, with a proper link.

Check out this story about the Womenfolk in the Washington DC City Paper.

http://washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=34558

Subject: RE: Where are the Womenfolk?
From: zeppolien
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 05:06 PM

LATEST UPDATES ON THE WOMENFOLK; THE SAGA CONTINUES.

The Womenfolk on MySpace

Last Thing on My Mind