|
19 Mar 11 - 10:34 AM (#3116965) Subject: Folklore: Old Songs & Stories; For me, for Kids From: saulgoldie I hope this isn't too "all-encompassing." Here goes. I have recently been reviewing my CDs with two goals. One is to enjoy my music and evade the horrifying news that permeates the media these days. The other is to look for songs and stories that I might perform for youngsters when I volunteer my, um, "talents" in the schools. Some of the songs I have unearthed--yes, "unearthed" is the proper term--include: Wimoweh This Land Is Your Land Reuben James Greenland Whale Fisheries Blowin in the Wind Where Have All The Flowers Gone Aragon Mill Early Morning Rain Country Roads The John Birch Society The Universal Soldier Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream Whistlin Gypsy Hard Travelin Down The Road Roseville Fair Catch the Wind The Last Thing on My Mind The Marvelous Toy Mr. Bojangles Another Man Done Gone Mary Ellen Carter Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya Joe Hill (sung by Paul Robeson!) Hard Times Come Again No More And others. For me: I still like listening to these songs. In addition to not having good access to newer accoustic music, I find that they resonate with me more than some of the newer stuff that I have heard. Am I helping to destroy "Folk Music" by not getting with the newer stuff? Also, the older stuff has the advantage that I can actually play it with standard tuning and straightforward picking and strumming. For them: Is what I have listed here the best I can present to young people, or should I "get jiggy" with more current stuff to accommodate my audience rather than impose my own tastes on them in my attempt to enjoy the experience and also "teach" them some history? Also, I have been thinking of incorporating some spoken "songs" The Box The Sick Note On Education (a non-rhyming poem) and other more prosaic material in my presentations. Unfortunately, I have found very little in the way of recorded stories that I can learn (or remember from "back then"). So, should I include more recent material for myself? For them? Where can I get recorded stories? Are they relevant for youngsters? I realize that this is a lot to ask, and I recognize that this thread could drift in all sorts of directions. I look forward to hearing from the group wisdom of the Mudcat. Thanks in advance. Saul |
|
19 Mar 11 - 04:00 PM (#3117157) Subject: RE: Folklore: Old Songs & Stories; For me, for Kids From: GUEST,Alan Whittle Not at all theres a great resurgence of story telling in English folk clubs. I feel sure some will be on Youtube. I'm told taff thomas is very good. he used to a do a show called Magic lantern explaining the ballads with a magic lantern show - that was very good. Tim laycock was involved in that as well. many of the songs you have selected have great stories attached to them. best of luck - I believe in this in this sort of work. Folksong can tell astory much faster than the punchiest video. I know Brian peters does some work in schools - mostly about conditions for children in the indusrial revolution. I've no doubt, he will give you better practical advice than I could. |
|
19 Mar 11 - 05:37 PM (#3117200) Subject: RE: Folklore: Old Songs & Stories; For me, for Kids From: Anne Lister There's a lot of storytelling going on in the UK, quite a bit of it in schools, but it sounds as if Saul is in the US. To find out what's available, try using Google as there are several really useful sites with lots of stories and links to other stories as well as to storytellers, festivals, clubs and more. Mudcat tends to be more about music. As to what sort of repertoire you should acquire, the only rock solid guarantee I know is that you should follow your own instinct as to what inspires you and what you feel most comfortable with. Trying to find out what appeals to youngsters is probably not the best way to go, as young people vary as much as older ones in what they like and in my experience they will be fascinated by a real person performing live in front of them and ready to listen more attentively than you might expect. I've worked in schools here in the UK as well as in the US and most of my experience has been with "difficult" kids, so I hope this is useful. |
|
19 Mar 11 - 07:39 PM (#3117260) Subject: RE: Folklore: Old Songs & Stories; For me, for Kids From: GUEST,Stan There's a couple of recent threads about the Pete Seegar film, the power of music. You have a couple of his songs from that film in your list. He reckons that singing for children is his favourite singing experience. If you have not seen it you can find it on youtube. You really are in the best of company |
|
20 Mar 11 - 02:50 AM (#3117394) Subject: RE: Folklore: Old Songs & Stories; For me, for Kids From: michaelr That's a fine list of songs, Saul. (I could do without Wimoweh...) It's a good idea, IMO, to include more recent material. There's a slew of great American songwriters who have produced a stellar body of material over the past 30 years; some names that come to mind -- Steve Earle Lucinda Williams Gillian Welch Darrell Scott (check out his A href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su06XlGI-w8">"You'll never leave Harlan alive". |
|
20 Mar 11 - 02:52 AM (#3117395) Subject: RE: Folklore: Old Songs & Stories; For me, for Kids From: michaelr Sorry, that link didn't work out. |