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Favourite artists
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Subject: Favourite artists From: Paul Date: 21 Sep 98 - 04:53 PM All right now. It's time I came clean about something. I haven't really listened to what we would formally call "folk music" for very long. Of course I'd always sang all of the songs at summer camp and Sunday school; but that's about it. I've developed a real obsession for John Prine and Arlo Guthrie (saw Arlo at the Ottawa Folk Festival; mighty fine!). I especially like their three or four chord, campfire-type tunes. I've got quite a bit of their stuff, but don't know who else to buy. Any suggestions? |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Roger Himler Date: 21 Sep 98 - 05:14 PM Paul, You might try Joel Mabus. You can catch him through songs.com. His songs are deceptively simple and he is a fine instrumentalist as well. Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Joe Offer Date: 21 Sep 98 - 05:20 PM Hmmm. You could raise a bit of controversy here, Paul. There are those here who might not consider Arlo Guthrie and John Prine to be "folk," although people here seem to be getting more tolerant lately. Let's see who I might recommend for someone with your tastes: the late Steve Goodman and John Prine worked together on a lot of things. Steve wrote "City of New Orleans," which was recorded by Arlo. Steve did a lot of very creative (and very funny) stuff. Tom Russell - many of his songs are about the Western U.S. He writes most of his own stuff, but there is a "timeless" quality to his songs. I think many of them will become classics. Stan Rogers - I take it you're a Canadian. The late Stan Rogers is probably the most popular Canadian folk musician of the last 20 years, although there are many others who do wonderful stuff. Ian Tyson and his ex-wife Sylvia Tyson are also good examples. Another Canadian group I really like are Tamarack. John McCutcheon is a master at most acoustic instruments, and he writes good songs for both children and adults. he also does a nice smattering of traditional songs. Bill Staines sings mosly his owns songs, many about the western U.S. (although he's from New Hampshire). He writes the kind of songs that people love to sing along with. For a gentle introduction to more traditional music, you might go to Folk-Legacy Records and order anything by The Golden Ring, Bok-Muir-Trickett, or Gordon Bok. OK, so there's a start. I wonder what other people will recommend. There are so many good performers to choose from. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: John in Brisbane Date: 21 Sep 98 - 10:56 PM I see that Luka Bloom is due to perform here in the next couple of weeks. Apart from the fact that he is Christy Moore's brother, I know virtually nothing about him. This thread seemed as good a place as any to ask.
Regards |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Big Mick Date: 22 Sep 98 - 12:13 AM Luka a.k.a. Barry Moore wrote a very good, very simple song called "City of Chicago", as well as several others. He is a fine singer/songwriter. I had a chance to hear him perform at the Guinness Fleadh on Randall's Island in 1997. I would consider Doc Watson to be on very fine folk singer, although some wouldn't consider country blues to be folk music. I would take issue with them. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: mcmud Date: 22 Sep 98 - 12:27 AM Add Hedy West and Debbie McClatchy to the list of fine folksingers. Their recordings are hard to get. Annie's Front Hall used to be a good source for hard-to-get folk recordings. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: alison Date: 22 Sep 98 - 12:35 AM hi, Saw Luka Bloom a few years ago in Sydney, unfortunately can't go this time. He was great. I don't know how his guitar strings stood up to the workout he gave them. slainte alison |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: kevin ryan Date: 22 Sep 98 - 01:48 AM I cant' say that any of the following are actually considered "folk singers"--as was mentioned above, what is or is not a folk singer inspires much discussion these days--but they are well worth an ear as singer/ songwriters. Iris Dement, Susan Werner, Dar Williams Richard Shindell, Greg Brown, Guy Clark, the late Townes Van Zandt. There are many, many, many more, but..... |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: kevin ryan Date: 22 Sep 98 - 01:50 AM OOOPS! Forgot to mention some other worthies (favorites of mine)--Bruch "Utah" Phillips and Art Thieme. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: BSeed Date: 22 Sep 98 - 02:14 AM Gee, you are all so young! Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives, Leadbelly, Odetta, Harry Belafonte, Rambling Jack Elliot. On a decade or so, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Kris Kristopherson and Willie Nelson (from the folk roots [outlaw] branch of country), early Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and on and on... --seed |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Dave T Date: 22 Sep 98 - 07:00 AM I think of people like John Prine, Steve Goodman, Guy Clark, Townes van Zandt as singer-songwriters. I like all of their stuff. Other singer-songwriters to try out are Gillian Welch (her songs have a very traditional feel to them) & Fred Eaglesmith (a fellow Canadian). For more traditional folk music I like Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Utah Phillips, etc. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Bob Schwarer Date: 22 Sep 98 - 08:08 AM I'll go with Norman Blake. Give James McCandless a try if you can find anything by him. Several CDs are out, but I lost track of where to find them. Bob S. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Big Mick Date: 22 Sep 98 - 10:04 AM Hey Seed, I'm with you. Most of who you put on the list I would include in mine. You know, we could get in trouble hanging around with all these young folks. Must be a mid-life crisis or something. :-) Mick |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Rockaday Johnny Date: 22 Sep 98 - 10:24 AM Just get the new Art Thieme CD -THAT'S Folk Music! |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Barbara Shaw Date: 22 Sep 98 - 12:37 PM In traditional folk, I also really like Stecher & Brislin. And then there’s the whole "Bluegrass" branch of folk music, which is almost a separate culture. The list is very lengthy, but you could start with Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley, and work your way up to Del McCoury, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Lynn Morris, Doyle Lawson, Tony Rice, Laurie Lewis, IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, and on and on. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Allan S. Date: 22 Sep 98 - 12:58 PM Bunch of young whippersnappers Dont forget John Cohen & Tom Paley [New Lost City Ramblers] Early Judy Collins, John Roberts & Tony Barand, Jean Redpath "old ways are best" Allan S. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Bert Date: 22 Sep 98 - 01:29 PM Not in any order...
Allen Damron |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: takeo Date: 22 Sep 98 - 08:31 PM i want to add paul clayton who sang good sea shanty songs in 60s. his voice is very soft and guitar accompaniment is simple enough for relaxing to the mood. -takeo |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Sheye Date: 22 Sep 98 - 09:03 PM A list would be impossibly long, so many artists, so many talents. If put to the test, the first name up is Kris Kristopherson. Saw Arlo Guthrie and Ramblin' Jack at Edmonton's folk fest this year. They were great! |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Big Mick Date: 22 Sep 98 - 11:40 PM I have been listening to Art Thiemes new CD and I must tell you all that this man is astounding. Do me a favor though and just keep that between us. I wouldn't want the old coot to get a big head. ***grin*** It really is a fantastic CD, and he is on my list. Also, Brendan Nolan, Mother Maybelle Carter, Christy Moore, Pete Seeger, Woody Gutherie, Arlo Gutherie, Joan Baez, Tracy Chapman, Bob Marley, The Clancy Brothers, The Conklin Ceili Band. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: mcmud Date: 23 Sep 98 - 12:47 AM Re: old-timey string bands, add the Red Clay Ramblers, Fennig's All-Star, and the Raquette River Rounders. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: DWDitty Date: 23 Sep 98 - 05:53 AM I consistently go back to Dave Van Ronk who covers country blues, folk, celtic, bawdy, show tunes, as well as a few originals. His music backs up his claim that he can tell a lie, but he can't sing one.
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists guy clark From: ron in powell river bc Date: 23 Sep 98 - 09:43 AM anybody know the title to the song he did on cmt 6 years ago , part of one verse goes ,iM GOING TO TEXAS ON A SLOW TRAIN |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: John M Date: 23 Sep 98 - 10:04 AM Stan Rogers, Trust Me ! |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Earl Date: 23 Sep 98 - 01:48 PM Here's a few who haven't been mentioned: Roberts & Berrand, Happy Traum, Artie Traum, Bert Jansch, John Rebourn, Spider John Koerner, Tom Rush, David Bromberg |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: BSeed Date: 23 Sep 98 - 08:59 PM I just heard on KPFA (our local indispensable station--PFA for Pacifica) about 45 minutes of Guy Clark--what a fantastic singer, guitarist, story teller, character. He's gotta be on my list. And Big Mick--I'm too damned old for a midlife crisis (my emotional age, however, is two or three decades short of midlife, so maybe it's still coming). --seed |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Bill D Date: 23 Sep 98 - 11:31 PM Peter Bellamy, rest his soul.....and the Copper Family..and Jeannie Robertson and her daugher Lizzie Higgins....and like several have said, Utah Phillips, and yes, Paul Clayton... others..The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers string band..that old guy played the hell outta that fiddle!....and Sam Hinton!! (still answering questions on rec.music.folk last I saw..)....and most of the Fisher family ---Archie, Ray...Cilla..etc...and the Seeger clan.. and...Ewan McColl I guess I won't put anything after his name...maybe in another post.. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Mo Date: 24 Sep 98 - 06:06 AM Not to mention Mary Black, Capercaillie - though I'm not sure they are really folk - more "traditionally influenced". I'm also a big fan of an English group called Coope Boyes and Simpson, out of the same stable as John Tams, definitely worth a listen if you can find their albums (No Masters Publishing). Go on then Art - where can we find your albums on the Western side of the Atlantic? Mo |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Dan Calder Date: 24 Sep 98 - 06:20 AM John M mentioned Stan Rogers, and I heartily agree, but also check out what his brother, Garnet Rogers, has been doing lately...fabulous music! He writes a lot of his own stuff, but also tosses in some "traditional" tunes to round out the mix. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Date: 24 Sep 98 - 11:57 AM Speaking of Canadian Folk singers.. don't forget the following... The Barra MacNiels, Rita and Mary Rankin.. Mary Jane Lamond And last, but not least.. Great Big Sea... |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Paul Date: 24 Sep 98 - 01:22 PM Joe & Dave: Please Please PLEASE take back what you said about Arlo and John. I've always considered them to be the very definition of folksingers. If they're not, then it seems that we need to define our terms. With Mr. Prine and Guthrie being "singer/songwriters", does that mean that we are sticking with a fairly rigid definition of folk music, that the song must have been written by Mr. Traditional, years upon years ago, and then gone through the "folk process" of being claimed and then reclaimed and rewritten every couple of years. I suppose I can live with that. By the way, thanks for the answers everyone. Now if you would only be willing to send a small donation, I would love to buy some new CD's. Paul. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Joe Offer Date: 24 Sep 98 - 04:23 PM My tastes fit with yours, Paul, although I do tread lightly in some areas so I can keep the Folk Police off my back. I like songs that groups can enjoy singing without a lot of practice or pretense. If it's so personal that only the songwriter can sing it, I usually don't like it. If it's so archaic it is more of a museum piece than a singable song, I probably won't like it, either. There's a wide range of music in between - that's the stuff I like, whether it's "folk" or not. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Paul Date: 25 Sep 98 - 01:49 PM I know exactly what you're talking about Joe. It's a genre of music that I've taken the liberty of naming: "Songs That I Can Whistle". I think that pretty much sums it up; ever tried to whistle the Macarena? |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: lingolucky Date: 25 Sep 98 - 03:34 PM My taste in folk music is for the REAL OLD timers. Dave Macon, the Carter family, Flatt & scruggs, Bradley Kincaid, an on and on. The one I"d really like to find on record is Peg Moreland, who sang on WFAA, Dallas from the twenties to the fortie or fifties. Anybody know a source for recordings? ane Goldsmith |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Bill D Date: 25 Sep 98 - 04:09 PM Paul...that discussion of what is or is not 'folk' has been pretty well beaten to death here..(with me being one of the major floggers *grin*)..what is important is that no definition can tell you what to like..calling something 'folk' is an easy thing to do, and carries a certain 'aura'...so then we take stuff we 'like' and subsume it under labels that feel good. The result is, that whole styles get taken in simple because no one wants to find another 'easy' word for a definition. I don't think Arlo & John are 'really' folk, although the folk/traditional influences are easy to see. But I do like much of what they do. They have something to say, and they say it pretty well. Folk and Trad are, for me, catagories which make it easier to label bins in the music store...if everything is in one big bin, you might as well just call it 'music' and not have differentiations like 'singer-songwriter', 'country', 'bluegrass', etc.....I sing and listen to a LOT that would not define as 'folk'...I just like that label reserved for a more narrow range of stuff...(notice I did not try, right now, to define that range in detail..still working on my thesis,,,*smile*) |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: BSeed Date: 25 Sep 98 - 06:08 PM Bill, are we to infer that you are going to define "folk" for us, and that your definition will exclude Arlo and John? How about Arlo's daddy, Woody? Pete Seeger? Lead Belly? The Carter Family? Anyone who wrote their own songs and whom we can identify? In order to be folk, do they gotta be dead and anonymous? Just wondering, --seed |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: BSeed Date: 25 Sep 98 - 06:28 PM By the way, and back on the subject: Back when I was listing many of my favorite folk singers (Hah, Bill!), I was blanking out on Tom Paxton. Someone else mentioned him above, but I thought I'd just add him to my list, after being again reminded of him on the thread Talking Vietnam Potluck Blues. The database known as Joe Offer provided a link to the TVPB. --seed |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Roger Himler Date: 25 Sep 98 - 07:11 PM Seed, I warn you! Do not get sucked into a discussion of what is "folk." I am putting it into the category of unresolvable discussions. There are things I don't discuss with friends, because the beliefs are deeply and strongly held and we are not likely to change the mind of the other. I, too, have suffered the stings and arrows of outrageous folk definitions. I like it when we stick with songs we like. This thread is "Favourite artists" and Paul wisely put folk music in parentheses. Let's keep it that way. Roger in Baltimore |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Sep 98 - 09:19 PM Well, taking off on what Bill D says, my punkrocking children sing and listen to a LOT that I would not define as 'MUSIC' - I'm sure glad they think of themselves as adults and live on their own, so I can listen to real music once again. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Big Mick Date: 25 Sep 98 - 09:34 PM Folk Music, hmmm! Let's see, now wouldn't that be music of the folks. It seems to me that it is music which talks of peoples struggles with the everyday problems and blessings of drawing air on God's good earth. I know that back in the forties and fifties my father would have thought of the Weavers, Odetta, etc. as folk singers. But he would hardly have thought of Bob Dylan, Donovan, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Barry McGuire, etc. as "folk" even though they were singing folk influenced stuff made relevant to my generation. I don't think of folk as much as a genre as I do a style. For example, Bob Marley, to my way of thinking is a folk singer in the Reggae tradition. I don't know if I am making any sense, but music of the folks, or people, can include country blues, reggae, Irish/Scottish, et al. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Paul Date: 28 Sep 98 - 09:06 AM Big Bill Broonzy once said, "Hell, it's all folk music. I never heard a cow sing!" |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Earl Date: 28 Sep 98 - 12:53 PM I also do not want to get sucked into a discussion about the definintion of folk music but I would like to make an observation. It seem like the term "folk music" no longer means "music of the people" any more than "modern art" refers to "art that is current." In both cases the terms are no longer accurate for what they label. There are probably hundreds of songs that most people can sing from memory without ever consiously learning. Most are pop tunes from one period or another. It seems to me there should be some term for these songs that everyone seems to know. They are not folk songs but have gone beyond the lifespan of the average pop song and become a part of our common experience. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: John M Date: 28 Sep 98 - 01:41 PM I like to do a blend of Country, and Rap . Ilike to call it Crap ! This is a joke ok I broke my promise. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: rechal Date: 28 Sep 98 - 03:29 PM Don't know if Richard Thompson is really considered folk music, but I love him and plug him whenever I can. New Lost City Ramblers are terrific. The Bothy Band. Steeleye Span (folk-rock). And Hazel Dickens, for keening Appalachian/bluegrassy type stuff. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Lillian Date: 28 Sep 98 - 05:18 PM what about Anna and Kate McGarrrigle, Priscilla Herman, Kate Wolf, Buffy St. Marie, Nancy Griffith, Allison Krause? |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Kiwi Date: 28 Sep 98 - 06:30 PM I just have to comment on a few of the previous posts...
Spider John Koerner rocks!
Arlo Guthrie used to freqently play at Waterloo Village, New Jersey.. right in my father's backyard, give or take a few minutes driving time. Unfortunately, this was before I saw the light of reason and expanded my music tastes to multiple genres. Sigh.
And since my music taste is so obscenely wide and my music collection obscenely varied, I'm not going to try to make any genre distinctions to pick out my favorite folk artists. :)
Slán, Kiwi |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: The Shambles Date: 28 Sep 98 - 07:02 PM I don't care what you call it but it's good music anyhow. How about Doc Watson, Dick Gaughan, Richard Thompson, Linda Thompson, Ralph Mctell, Leadbelly, Rory Mcleod, Julie Matthews, June Tabor, Joni Mitchell, Woody and (he whispers) that Bob chap. |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: skw@ Date: 29 Sep 98 - 04:21 AM Nobody has mentioned Brian McNeill so far! He is one of the best songwriters and musicians I can think of. - Susanne |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Nora Date: 01 Oct 98 - 12:34 AM add John Gorka; Rory Block; (I know the folk police will be at my door, but..) Sleepy LaBeef; Cordelia's Dad; Pentangle; Waterson:Carthy; Jerry Alfred/Medicine Beat; Lucinda Williams; Christine Collister; Patty Larkin; Sandy Denny etc.
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Brack& Date: 06 Oct 98 - 05:15 AM Ahhhh......What about Luke Kelly and Loudon Wainwright 111 |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Bert Date: 06 Oct 98 - 09:45 AM John M, You have got to listen to Vance Gilbert's "Country and Western Rap" It's great! Bert |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Einnor Date: 06 Oct 98 - 10:38 AM I still have to say Guy Clark . |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: rosebrook Date: 07 Oct 98 - 10:19 AM John M, I like the country and rap joke! Have we heard mention Tracy Chapman? And although I know he's too crude for your taste sometimes, Joe, Loudon Wainwright III is on my list, along with Shawn Phillips, and Jonathan Edwards. May the "Main Point" coffeehouse from Bryn Mawr, PA. R.I.P. - my point of introduction to folk music. Rose |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Susan from California Date: 07 Oct 98 - 12:21 PM Favorite artist? Not necesarily(sp?) folk? Patty Griffin is an amazing singer songwritter that I haven't seen mentioned yet-her first cd- "Living with Ghosts" is sparse and powerful and poetic and evocative. her most recent cd is probably more accesible, and tho I love most of it, I only like some of it. And thanks to suggestions on another thread, Mississippi John Hurt is what I have had in my car cd player for most of last week. Another interesting singer songwriter is Kate (or is it Katie)Curtis? I'll have to check on that one , but she has a song- something like "when the wolf comes to your house" that blew me away. Now I had better get to class.... |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: JVZ Date: 07 Oct 98 - 01:27 PM Well, folks, you've named a great many wonderful people. However, if you folk purists are interested in someone who has gone into the mountains in search of true local folk music, in the same way as was once done by the Lomax's; then give a listen to David Holt. You won't be sorry. JVZ |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: OSh Date: 07 Oct 98 - 06:10 PM Liam Clancy, Tommy Makem, and Robbie O'Connell are great Irish Folk artists (their music is not limited to the "Celtic" tradition though). Go back to old 'Leadbelly" for some good southern folk/blues. Osh |
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Subject: RE: Favourite artists From: Bill D Date: 07 Oct 98 - 07:18 PM for BSeed...I sort of lost track of this thread..you asked if I intended to define 'folk'...I set myself a goal awhile back of writing up my personal idea of what 'folk/trad' means and a more general idea of what it even means to have categories at all...(obviously, I think categories are useful if there is some general agreement about them)..the famous Big Bill Broonzy line is cute, but solves nothing. The real problem is, there ARE categories...the record stores use them...but the parameters set to determine what goes IN each category are slippery indeed! The problem is especially tricky with folk. If you like Irish or 'Old Timey', or C&W, it is a bit easier...but all these get called 'folk', too...so I prefer to call a certain type 'traditional', even though that still doesn't solve the problem, as 'trad' is gradually being updated. Therefore, my 'thesis' will NOT draw any rigid boundries, but only point out a few things which would exclude some things...is 'Iron Butterfly' folk? I don't think so...if you do, we shall never be able to run a record store together...*smile* Is Arlo? Is Woody? Is John Prine? Depending on how many of the ctiteria on my checklist you apply, the answer is 'sort of but not really'. None of them have all, or even most, of the criteria which came with the early notions of 'folk/trad', though all of them have some, and Woody is durn near there! (many of his songs are being sung by people who have no idea of who wrote them...oral tradition, etc.) But, I repeat...any definition requires agreement to be useful. If I want to listen to folk music , and a club advertises such, I need to double-check what THEY mean by it! I may want old ballads, while they are booking Mary Chapin Carpenter. Having less eclectic tastes than some, I consider this a nuisance, but there is little I can do. This web site is run by Max, and he is pretty liberal about what he encourages...the database is administered by Dick G., and he is less liberal about what he fills it with..if I were doing it, I would be even less liberal. *shrug*...as I said in a long ago thread, I wish there were other sites doing a similar thing for singer-sonwriter stuff...etc..and drawing most of that traffic away from this one, but since I am a guest here, I make do and sift for what I want...It's just that every now & then something triggers my Linnean soul and I ramble on like this about Genus and Species..*lol*...(I also work with wood, and really HATE it when someone calls a wood by some local variant of a common name and then tries to sell it to me without knowing or caring what it 'really' is..)"yep, that there is Ironwood"..(there are 40-50 species that get called 'ironwood')....I know, it is not exactly the same thing as the music question, but..... So..one of these days I'll have enough of my thesis to throw out for perusal, and it can then be debated, revised, or ignored by the multitudes...I guess it is mostly just an exercise for me, to work out in detail my own opinion and be able to debate better ..*grin* |
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