Peter Kennedy's Folktrax collections

Subject: RE: Peter Kennedy's Folktrax collections
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 06:17 PM

Thanks to Malcolm and Bruce(?) for drawing attention to this site. I've visited a few times & like a kid in a sweetshop I'm transfixed by the goodies on offer. BUT I can't yet bring myself to buy anything because of the problem Malcolm has mentioned; Peter Kennedy states that all singers have agreed to the release of the material, but I still find this less than convincing. Collectors also apparently have given material to him for study and have found it released without consent.
On the other hand Peter Kennedy's achievement is monumental, and all of us who enjoy traditional song and music are forever in his debt. His Folksongs of Britain and Ireland on recordings and in print is one of the wonders of our time.
I am honestly in a quandary here; I really , really, want this stuff, but for the present I would rather stick with Veteran, Musical Traditions, and Topic. At least I know that their artists have been treated as I would wish. I would like to be able to salve my conscience by buying from FolkTrax and making a contribution to EFDSS or the Performing Rights Society at the same time.
Having said all that I would urge anybody with an interest in tradition to make use of this resource, and not to mind the quality, and to square it with their conscience as best they can.

Subject: RE: Peter Kennedy's Folktrax collections
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 08:15 PM

Ah, he's finally fixed it!  Thanks, Nutty: I'd rather given the place up except when answering questions for people.  Thanks, too, Bruce (I'm pretty sure it was you) for starting the thread; I haven't bought anything from Peter Kennedy for years, and it's time I started again.  There is, I have to mention, a bit of controversy about FolkTrax and its relationship with its sources, which has not, apparantly, always involved letting them know that recordings of their singing or playing were commercially available; newcomers should also be aware that these are field recordings, and not studio quality.  That said, there is an enormous amount of very important material available through FolkTrax, which deserves to be far better known. Quite apart from anything else, the original recordings of most of the songs in Kennedy's Folk Songs of Britain and Ireland can be had, together with a wealth of material from very many traditional singers and musicians.

Subject: RE: Peter Kennedy's Folktrax collections
From: nutty
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 05:59 PM

I think I must have died and gone to heaven ..... what a wonderful resource ...
I can't believe that I didn't know all this was available
Ah well .... I'll never be rich (in money ) but I will be rich in music when I've made some purchases from here

PS Malcolm ...I had no problems using Netscape

Subject: RE: Peter Kennedy's Folktrax collections
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 05:04 PM

It's been up for quite a while, now.  Be warned; it doesn't work properly in Netscape!  Stick to IE or something like that for this particular site.

Subject: RE: Peter Kennedy's Folktrax collections
From: Mr Red
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 05:04 PM

Peter is oft seen in person at the Gloucester FC 1st & 3rd Wed at the "Englands Glory", London Rd, Gloucester.

Subject: RE: Peter Kennedy's Folktrax collections
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 04:43 PM

A wonderful place to wander. Thanks. I spent a half hour and will be back.

Subject: Peter Kennedy's Folktrax collections
From: GUEST,Guest #99
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 03:42 PM

Peter Kennedy's Folktrax now has a website!

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http://www.folktrax-archive.org/