Who or what are the 'Folk Police'

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: harvey andrews
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 02:49 PM

Good post Eliza. I remember your mother as a vibrant young thing in the vibrant young Watersons! Judging by her recent work the voice is NOT fading. However, this lyric from 2000 was written to express much of what you posted
                     FADING VOICES

FADING VOICES ALL AROUND
STILL I HEAR THEIR JOYFUL SOUND
ONCE THEY STOOD BESIDE ME WHEN
WE WERE YOUNG AND SINGING THEN
SONGS THAT CAME LIKE SHOOTING STARS
TO SHINE THEIR LIGHT ON OUR GUITARS
WORDS THAT SET OUR SOULS AFLAME
THINKING ALL OUR LIVES A GAME
FADING VOICES ALL AROUND
STILL I HEAR THEIR JOYFUL SOUND

THE ROAD, THE GIRLS, THE SUN AT DAWN
THE TUNES THAT IN THAT HOUR WERE BORN
SIDE BY SIDE WE TOOK THE STAGE
AND NEVER THOUGHT WE'D REACH THIS AGE
SOME JUST GAVE IT ALL AWAY
AND LET THE BOTTLE WIN THE DAY
SOME JUST WATCHED THEIR SPOTLIGHT DIE
TILL DARKNESS TOOK THEM FROM OUR EYE
FADING VOICES ALL AROUND
STILL I HEAR THEIR JOYFUL SOUND

OLD SOLDIERS NOW AS YOUNG ONES COME
NEW TALES TO TELL NEW CHORDS TO STRUM
NAMES THAT ONCE WE HELD SO DEAR
ARE UNKNOWN TO THE YOUNG ONES HERE
BUT FADING VOICES ALL AROUND
STILL I HEAR THEIR JOYFUL SOUND
ONCE THEY STOOD BESIDE ME WHEN
WE WERE YOUNG AND SINGING THEN
OLD SOLDIERS NOW, OUR TORCHES BURN
STILL BRIGHT BUT TAKE THEM IT'S YOUR TURN

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: Folkiedave
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 03:20 PM

I would hate to think I was one of the "folk police" and Eliza as often in these cases is bang on. The only suggestion I make to younger folkies after a long time of experience in folk music is "listen to the tradition". Since I am prepared to wager that Martin and Norma passed on that advice as it was passed to them, then I reckon that is OK.

Blatant commercial plug. Homlfirth Festival has a great reputation for promoting young people and this year is no exception and we will continue to do so whilst ever they keep coming forward. Kate Rusby sang a Tanita Tikaram song for her first public peformance there. We look forward not backwards.

Regards,

Dave Eyre
www.holmfirthfestival.com
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: ET
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 02:40 AM

Bringing the debate round to my version of the Folk Police - the hard working and dedicated members of the Local Authority Licensing Team, who give there time in the evenings freely (well at overtime rates plus traveling expenses and a hospitality charge), they are going to flourish under the new Licensing Act-checking darts players for anyone watching, checking for entertainment licences etc. You may be interested to know one one such of these people who recently raided a local pub and ordered the "session" into a small room, ordered the licence holder to form a club, ordered him to insert frosted glass incase we were seen through the door, argued with a fire officer who said the frosted glass obscured the fire starting when banjos were layed to fast, and then failed to turn up the following week when the BBC turned up with cameras.

We must be indulging in one of the most dangerous hobbies in the world me thinks!

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: HuwG
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 04:56 AM

GUEST, ozmacca, could you provide a link to an image of the uniform ?

As far as I know, the uniform of the British Folk Police Service (when worn on ceremonial or formal occasions) combines a black tunic, jackboots and peaked cap, with the check shirt, corduroy trousers and straggly ginger beard of an archtypical Somerset folkie.

The members of the service are known to their oppressed victims as, "The Black and Tats", from this mixture of clothing.

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 11:33 AM

Dunno about "The Folk Police" but here in Ireland we have a very musical V(o)ice Squad!

Regards

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: Folkiedave
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 06:19 PM

One of my favourite groups............wished I could get them together...............legendary round here.......and have donated a track to the Holmfirth Festival CD for the 25th Anjniversary of the festival.

Dave

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: toadfrog
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 11:20 PM

Well, in the old German Democratic Republic they had the Volkspolizei. So perhaps it's something Teutonic.

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: GUEST,ozmacca
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 11:54 PM

HuwG - Sorry, but in the interests of protecting the identity of these selfless guardians of the traditional etc etc etc etc, I am unable to give you a link to an image. However, in the interests of furthering popular recognition of the members of this etc etc etc, let the mind's eye conjure up this picture of the Royal Orstrilian (Light) Folk service, or R.O.L.F.s as they have come to be called. There are three main arms of service, dedicated to maintaining the purity of Instrumental, Vocal and Dance customs, though it is common to find officers from one branch serving with distinction in other fields.

The distinctive hat (slouch, tatty) is worn on many official ocassions, with badges from Folf Festivals and Folk Clubs etc attached. These indicate, not arms of service as may be expected, but years of membership in the force. On special parades, such as in the presence of HRH the Q and PP the D of E, or their viceregal deputies, a number of corks are suspended from the brim. The bottles from which these corks are drawn are indicative of rank, and the number of corks indicate the officer's ability to sound authoritative on any subject regardless of actual evidence.

The sleeveless black waistcoat is usually worn unbuttoned except in the presence of Morris dancers, when it is fully buttoned. The shirt is white for other ranks, and checked for field officers. Where the shirt is striped, this denotes that the wearer is seconded to special duties with the Multi-Ethnic Secret Service, and the colours of the stripes denote the national heritage in the care of the officer.The shirt sleeves are rolled up above the elbow in all but the most inclement weather.

The trousers are usually black or brown corduroy, depending on the arm of service but denim jeans are sometimes seen when the officer is on plain clothes duty. Braces are part of the standard combat webbing, and are often seen in bright colours to indicate the arm od service.

Boots are usually elastic sided and black, but most officers tend to leave these in natural camouflage condition, except when on special parades. In a number of active service situations, trainers have been issued, and these tend to be teated in a similar manner.

In every situation, the officer carries a notebook and pen or pencil, with which to record instances of failure to comply with regulations, and some officers may be seen with tape recorders. When an officer so armed is encountered, the potential perpetrator is strongly advised to take one of two courses of action. Firstly, pack up the instruments and depart without singing, or secondly, ply the officer with two things, questions on the recognised standard regulated version of the piece, and strong drink.

I believe that the local uniform may vary from place to place, but these protectors of our traditions will continue to stand against the evil forces of polluting influence for as long as somebody will listen to them.

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: mooman
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 04:18 AM

Ozmacca,

A pretty flawless piece of intelligence work and, as a fugitive on the run myself commiting the traitorous offence of playing also jazz, blues, rock and latin music and, worse still, incorporating it into my folk and Irish music, I can confirm that they are among us, both cybersniffing out pockets of resistance here on the 'Cat and in physical person at Gatherings where their presence has no doubt coerced some to comply unwillingly with "the rules".

A further hint for identifying the chief officers and enforcers. Increasing rank is usually inversely proportional to the size of the pocket book, which may often be secreted in the pocket of the leather waistcoat and directly proportional to the hardness of pencil used. This is so that such senior officers may make their intelligence reports of any infractions in tiny writing in easily hidden form.

Must run and hide...

moo

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 04:42 AM

Why dont they arrest mr Howells.

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: Ralphie
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:27 AM

Well, as an Englishman, I'm ashamed to plead guilty of the charge of abusing a concertina, by making it play Swedish, Norwegian, French, Belgium (Yes! Belgium!!) tunes, as well as English. (and a bit of Jazz too!)
I hope the court will look kindly on me, and I accept any sentence that it sees fit..(And may the Lord have mercy on my soul)
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: DMcG
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:29 AM

Can I nominate old Thomas Wood of Kirby Malzeard?

Lucy Broadwood, writing in 1893, quotes a Mr Bower as follows:

Mr Bower says; "Taken down by me from old Thomas Wood, of Kirby Malzeard who sings and repeats it. But he will have nothing to do with the present Christmas sword-dancers or "Moowers," who, he says, 'Have never had the full of it, and don't dress properly, nor do it in any form, being but a bad, idle company; but were originally taught by him to make up the numbers at the Ripon Millenary Festival.'"

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 06:54 PM

Ralphie,

"Being found abusing a concertina while in charge of the said instrument" is NOT a criminal charge instituted by the Folk Police, with any form of mandatory punishment. It's a commendation. Your OBE (Order of British Ethnicity) will be in the post any day now.

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: Fortunato
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 09:26 AM

Never forget your gospel according to Pogo: "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Subject: RE: Who or what are the 'Folk Police'
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 09:01 AM

Hmmmm. . . that quote from Rolf Cahn bothered me. I DO like to sit (with two friends in particular) and sound just as much like the Carter Family (Little Moses and a lot of other things they did) as we can, thinking that if we can get the letter of the song right, the spirit will somehow descend on us. And sometimes it has. We do this more for ourselves than for an audience (usually this is in our own living room) and maybe that's the difference. Old time music (what I do most) is a participatory sport IMHO.