New to folk music

Subject: New to folk music
From: Dorrie
Date: 21 Feb 02 - 06:53 PM

Hiya

My friend is not new to folk music but very new to english folk music and askes me to lend her c.d's i think she'll like.

I have leant her some but i was wondeing if you guys can think of any english folk music i can suggest to her?

Please help

love dorrie xx

p.s she really liked the doonan family band

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 21 Feb 02 - 07:06 PM

Are you talking of traditional stuff, or current singer-songwriter type popular "folk music"? Makes a lot of difference.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From:
Date: 21 Feb 02 - 08:42 PM

There is a wide difference in styles of music between the likes of Pete Seeger, Kingston Trio, Ewan McColl, and the field recordings collected out of the Ozarks, or the Maritimes, or Virginia.

There is so much variance that it almost seems like totally different music.

Can you tell us what your friend has heard, and what she is enjoying. We can then suggest others of the same vein, and perhaps explain the differences between the types, and why she might like something different.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: GUEST,dorrie at college
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 08:26 AM

well she's in to the more trad stuff but just what ever your into would be good for me thanks d xxx

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: greg stephens
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 08:33 AM

din't think it would take long before we got to "depends what you mean by folk music"

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Mark Clark
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 08:54 AM

Are you referring to the folk music of England performed by British subjects or any folk songs in the English language?

      - Mark

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Snuffy
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 09:03 AM

Dorrie, by english folk music, I presume you mean "from England" rather than "in English".

Start her off with some samplers. There are plenty of "Best of English Folk", "Cream of British Folk" etc CDs going cheap (£10.99 for a double or even 4-CD set). These are not too hard to find - available even in places like Virgin, HMV, Woolworth, Asda, Tesco.

They cover a fair range on a single record - old field recordings (Harry Cox, Pop Maynard); 70s electric (Steeleye, Pentangle); unaccompanied-ish (Shirley Collins, June Tabor, The Watersons); instrumental-ish (Swarbrick/Carthy, Renbourne/Jansch); singer songwriter (McTell); easy listening (Dubliners, Spinners). And many, many more - I found Nic Jones that way.

A couple of these will give your friend a wide cross-section of what's been recorded over the last 40 years, and should enable her to decide which direction she wants to go next ("I don't much like X, but Y is amazing")

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Menita
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 09:27 AM

I was new to folk music 8 years ago-the first thing that opened my eyes to this world was Steeleye Span "Tempted and Tried". It really made me feel excited! I loved the Rock feel that they brought to trad songs. Then I fell in love with Fairport Convention with Sandy Denny. Have fun-the folk world is such a friendly place to go!

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: artbrooks
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 12:23 PM

As has already been said, there is a wide variety of music out there...saying "English Folk Music" is about like saying "American Folk Music". You said that your friend liked the Doonan Family Band? I'm not really familiar with that group, but perhaps someone who is could suggest some similar groups. I'd recommend the John Redburn Group, myself.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: InOBU
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 01:04 PM

LUCKY YOU DORRIE!!! You are the winner of the secret, win a Sorcha Dorcha CD contest! The rules were very simple, be the first to ask what to give someone new to Folk music... and presto... a Winner! Now, we have on our latest CD, some traditional Irish (Which being Anglo Irish myself, my be a wee bit Anglo Irish) for example a song from the United Irishmen's uprising of 1792, never before recorded, an old English classic, Tom of Bedlam, some great dance tunes with me on the Uilleann Pipes accompanied by the likes of the great MazzMlani Swift..., and a number of modern ballads in an Irish traditional (anglo irish?) mode about the issues of today, from the forced assimilation of Canada's native population to the loss of a quarter of our fire battalion's fellows (our band is based in down town New York City).
In short, you win 2 CDs, one for you one for your friend... just PM me an address here at mudcat, or at [e-mail].
To decide if the effort is worth it, feel free to start a post, perhapes something like, "Is a free Sorcha Dorcha CD a prise?" Or something like that so, McGrath of Harlow, Rick Fielding M.Ted, Sinsul, Sorcha, Katlaughing, or any other previous winners can attest to the hours of fun they have had with their Sorcha Dorcha CDs.
This plug for the band has been brought to you by the Plugomatic, so named by Spaw, a happy recipiant of a free Sorcha Dorcha CD... Remember, Spaw is the Mudcatter who in spite of all, keeps on ticking...
Cheers, Larry Otway... and the band...
PS also, from England on the CD, Dick Terpin, a great highwayman song...

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Francy
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 01:17 PM

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Willa
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 03:12 PM

Hi, Dorrie. I don't know whether your College or Local library has a Music library, but when I started looking for folk music just a few years ago, I went to the Music library in the nearest town .They had a decent selection of tapes/CD's for loan, and I was able to borrow a few at a time to listen to. They also had a good selection of tune/song books available.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: RolyH
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 03:26 PM

There is a pretty good cheap (£6.99) double CD out at the moment called "And we'll all have tea". An English folk anthology featuring artists from A.L Lloyd to Eliza Carthy and all stops in between.(Released on Retro R2CD 40-106)A good starter.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: death by whisky
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 03:36 PM

WANTED...New and exciting FREE CDs TO ADD TO MY COLLECTION...

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Dorrie
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 04:10 PM

thanks for your help and i'm sorry if my question was not satisfactory enough for some of you but i'm to good at writing such a specifice(i dont know how to spell that) question and i thought a generalisation would get a wider answer. I'm not at all new to folk(hence my view on folk music i like very different things but maybe not the same as my friend) but i suppose i dont mean english folk music i just mean not commerical folk as that is what she hates the most, and not irish folk as she has enough of that to fill a house. I just wanted to help her get a way in. I also dont know what to class as folk music. The way my friend puts it is 'i like the finger in the ear, old men in jusmpers stuff' and thats why i'm stuck as i like kate rusby, Eliza carthy, cara dillion etc.

that sounded like a rant but it wasnt sorry

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: weepiper
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 05:27 PM

The Copper Family
The Watersons
Martin Carthy and/or Dave Swarbrick
Brass Monkey
Shirley and Dolly Collins
The Young Tradition
June Tabor

That ought to get her started!

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Dorrie
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 06:08 PM

cheers i was thinking young tradition too. THANX D xx

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 06:14 PM

Dorrie,

Any reason why you didn't explain in your first couple of posts?

You'd have got better answers....

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 09:17 PM

Hi Dprrie, Willa is right, get yourselfs to Central Libary (Albion Street), the music section is on the 2nd floor. Did your little friend get to ride in one of Eddies trucks yet?

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 09:36 PM

The New Lost City Ramblers are not at all commercial ("We've got 20 long-playing, short-selling albums"). Here's a clickline to one of the real folk standard bearers of old time music. And for fourty years too. Folkways: New Lost City Ramblers, the early years

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: GUEST,John
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 10:27 PM

Dorrie, A couple of 2-CD sets I would suggest are The Folk Collection-Topic Records and Flash Company-Fellside Records. For something from the American side try The Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley. I hope your friend enjoys the journey. John

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Willa
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 08:19 AM

If you think your friend might like instrumental music, you can't go wrong with 422's CD. Now there's a group of highly talented *young* folkies, enough to convince anyone that folk music is definitely not just for the wrinklies!

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Hollowfox
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 10:11 AM

Dorrie, you are a good and generous soul to take up this quest for a friend. Beside what everybody else has suggested, your friend could always come here to the Mudcat and ask. Then she can tell us who she's liked so far, and we'll inundate her with Our Humble Opinions.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Dorrie
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 11:04 AM

right

willa-he never did get a ride but they made him a special little eddie truck toy with his name on it and he was so pleased he crying and it was all very emotional but thanks to everyone who helped me and my mum in that search. BIG HUGS TO YOU ALL.

guest-i thought i'd explained my self leaving myself to get a range of answers but i explained after.

everyone-thanks i've already learnt her one of my familys many signed 422 c.d's and she was impressed. I'll tell her all the other names and c.d's see what she thinks.

d xx

p.s also i'll try get her to join the cat buts she a shy one you know

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: InOBU
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 11:11 AM

Gee... looks like there is a need for a new contest, when I can't even give away a Sorcha Dorcha CD or two! (folks really do like us!) Dejectedly, Larry

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From:
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 12:45 PM

Sorry to hear, Larry.

Sorry, Dorrie, for the answer you got from GUEST.

Dorrie. I don't know where you are, but.... I'd like to suggest a number of the performers from the Scottish, Irish tradition, Cape BReton and Newfoundland.

We can begin with the Rankin Family's original CD, the Rankin Family.

The Barra MacNeils - Any of them. They have a compilation one - Until Now.

As mentioned in another thread - Dave Stone

Bill Staines

Wrigley Sisters

Danu

Corr

Corries

Ardyth and Jennifer - Celtic Harpists

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From:
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 12:53 PM

Runrig

Theresa Malenfant

Patricia Murray

Jim Fidler

Jim Payne and Fergus O'Byrne

Ron Hynes

Allister MacGillivray's songs <- He's usually not singing them.

McGinty

Buddy MacDonald

 

Now most of these folks I have mentioned are from Cape Breton or other areas of Eastern Canada. Some are from Scotland or Ireland as well.

If you need it, I can put up web-links for most of them.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: InOBU
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 01:59 PM

Hi George! Rankin family RULES! We in my circle of friends, where tormented by the death of John Rankin, and I URGE Dorrie to listen to them, great great band. AND, the contest is well under way, see the post about why U don't want a Sork Dork CD! Get in the game before they're gone! Also, if you like the Rankin Family, you may like Barracois and Le Bouteen Souriant. Cheers Larrry

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 06:10 PM

One essential CD to get is 'Voices' - wholly a cappella, iirr. And what about Roy Bailey? He doesn't sing many trad songs, more angry contemporary, but he certainly is of an age and power of voice to appeal to your friend!

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Dorrie
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 07:04 PM

sorry i doooooooooo want it i'm just not good at reading sorry and i dont understand the internet d xx

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 07:16 PM

Well, you've made a good start! Keep going!

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 07:25 PM

dorrie, well i'm not exactly old but i am past the first flush of youth, and i have definitely got a jumper on so perhaps i could recommend one of the many excellent albums i have recorded. greg

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:45 AM

as weepiper says Brass Monkey - not typical but stirring stuff.
Not totally unrelated does your friend like dancing? ceilidh specifically - but whatever - the dance rhythms do constrain the music in certain ways - its another angle.
Dorrie
If you can't hide behind an identity on the 'cat where can you? I suppose the name Shy Ann will be taken but there are others. Does she look at the threads without posting? That is one way to tell if it is for you.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Dorrie
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 01:31 PM

i'm sure she would like dancing. she's never bewen to a folk festival u know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! she's jealous of my summers

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Willa
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 04:03 PM

Dorrie; why not take her to Moor and Coast at Whitby (May 3rd, 4th, 5th) or Beverley FF (mid June) as a gentle introduction!

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Dorrie
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 04:31 PM

willa-beverley is cancelled this year!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: death by whisky
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 04:43 PM

What about a book. Songs of England ,Ireland and Scotland.A bonny bunch of roses.By Dan Milner and Paul Kaplan.Oak Publications.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: InOBU
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 06:32 PM

Dorrie, thanks for inspiring the contest to win Sorcha Dorcha CDs, it was a HUGE success. Do check out the post, titled Contest! "Why U don't want a Sork Dork CD". All the prise CDs are spoken for, but as you inspired the most successful Sorcha Dorcha contest yet, the offer for two CDs still stands. If you don't want to have them sent to your home, I'd be happy to send them to a local institution, church, school or anywhere you would be happy to pick them up. Our band likes to get new folkies off on the right foot.
Cheers, Larry and the band.

Subject: social dissent
From: GUEST,Dusty Lou
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 01:46 AM

Who would be considered the leading "social dissent" folk artists of the ninty's-2002's?

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: InOBU
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 11:03 AM

Me. See the post "Contest, Why U don't want a Sorcha Dorcha CD..." See, way down, the comment by Rick Fielding, but more seriously, I would say Si Kahn is pretty up there in the US and Billy Bragg in England, and Ewan Mcall just made it into the 90's so definately Ewan. (But do check out the comments by Rick! :) ) Cheers Larry
I forgot to add Eric Bogal - for both Scotland and the land down under...

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Willa
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 06:19 PM

Dorrie - you've ruined my evening!! sob, sobbbb Never mind, though, I'm going to a Blues and Ballads birthday party on Saturday, possibly Chris While/Julie Matthews gig on Sunday. That'll be five music days in one week - not bad going.

Subject: RE: New to folk music
From: Dorrie
Date: 26 Feb 02 - 05:04 PM

soooooooooooooooooooo sorry willa it should be on the weekend of my 18th aswell