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08 Nov 12 - 01:02 AM (#3432835) Subject: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Its happened twice in the ten days - I've been billed as 1) 'an unapologetically old school folksinger' 2) 'a singer/songwriter of the old school' I feel like one of Fred Dibhah's fucking steam engines. I didn't say I was old. Where is this old school I'm supposed to have attended? As far as I knew I was a young tearaway from Martin Carthy and his crew of senile songsters. Bollocks! |
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08 Nov 12 - 01:43 AM (#3432843) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Backwoodsman sans Cookie There's some good tunes played on old fiddles, Al. And by old-school folkies too. |
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08 Nov 12 - 01:44 AM (#3432845) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Ernest "Senile Songster" sounds like a good new lable if you don`t like the "old school" thing - put that on your posters/press kit. Alternative: "One-man-senior-boy-group" Sincerely, this sounds like a good idea for a song. Especially since you are good at writing that kind of songs. You might use the line "I`m not one of Fred Dibhah`s fucking steam engines: I stopped smoking years ago" for a start, but you might have to explain who Fred D. is/was. |
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08 Nov 12 - 01:48 AM (#3432846) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: michaelr Ernest is right, Al -- for a writer such as yourself, there's got to be a song in that. Please post it here! |
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08 Nov 12 - 02:19 AM (#3432849) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Georgiansilver Aging is inevitable Al!!... Be happy that you can still perform and you still have your.... what's the word... begins with 'M'... mem something..... ermmmm....... well.... ermmmmm 'MEMORY' that's it memory! |
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08 Nov 12 - 02:22 AM (#3432850) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Little Hawk Mojo? |
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08 Nov 12 - 02:29 AM (#3432851) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Bugsy If you're billed as an "Old School Folksinger" you're in good company. Take it as a compliment. You're still getting booked aren't you? CHeers Bugsy |
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08 Nov 12 - 03:00 AM (#3432857) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: theleveller Ah, but do you have the old school folksinger tie - essential wear for getting entry to folk clubs across the country? |
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08 Nov 12 - 03:03 AM (#3432859) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Richard Bridge Why refuse promotion? |
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08 Nov 12 - 03:33 AM (#3432866) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Don Wise "The Senile Songsters".......a new (folk?) supergroup?? |
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08 Nov 12 - 03:42 AM (#3432868) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Green Man Old folkies never die they just forget the words.... |
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08 Nov 12 - 03:46 AM (#3432871) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Dave Hanson You're gettin old Al, live with it. Dave H |
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08 Nov 12 - 04:00 AM (#3432872) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: cooperman Yes, write a song about it Al - make it a collapso, haha |
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08 Nov 12 - 04:12 AM (#3432874) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle I KNOW I'm getting old. I just didn't expect it to turn into my unique selling point. Come and see Big Al rambling on about people we've never heard of ....like Derek Brimstone and Hamish Imlach. I can remember sitting through some pretty excruciating shit when I was young, and people used to say, 'well its not his fault, he's old...' I didn't think I'd get there so quickly. |
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08 Nov 12 - 04:46 AM (#3432879) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Bugsy I've heard of Derek Brimstone AND Hamish Imlach and I'm only 64! CHeers Bugsy |
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08 Nov 12 - 04:47 AM (#3432880) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Dead Horse I'll have a word with Matron - it seems you've missed your meds again :-) |
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08 Nov 12 - 04:48 AM (#3432881) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Mike Yates Harry Cox, Sam Larner, Walter Pardon, Henry Burstow, George Spicer, Harry Upton, Johnny Doughty, Joseph Taylor, Phil Tanner...etc etc. You are in good company. |
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08 Nov 12 - 05:00 AM (#3432887) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Jim Carroll Joe Heaney once told us "it takes me all night to do what I used to do all night". I wouldn't mind getting old if I could still do all the things I could do when I was 25 Jim Carroll |
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08 Nov 12 - 05:10 AM (#3432892) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Leadfingers Getting Old is a VAST improvement on the alternative |
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08 Nov 12 - 05:28 AM (#3432898) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: redhorse Still, it beats the alternative............. |
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08 Nov 12 - 06:03 AM (#3432908) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Dave MacKenzie I suppose I'm an old school folksinger. I started our school folk song club, and the school couldn't open, originally, until Cromwell had moved his cannons from the roof! |
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08 Nov 12 - 06:39 AM (#3432921) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: WindhoverWeaver "Why refuse promotion?" Personally, I don't think we should promote refuse -- isn't that the job of X-Factor and the like? |
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08 Nov 12 - 07:39 AM (#3432936) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: kendall Consider being an old folk singer who has been robbed of his voice. |
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08 Nov 12 - 08:30 AM (#3432964) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,desi C It would help if you referred to what subject/thread you are rferring to!? |
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08 Nov 12 - 09:35 AM (#3432996) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Bert Here's a song for just that problem... I wanna have a mid life crisis but if the truth be told I can't have a mid life crisis My wife says I'm too old I wanna drive a bright red sports car with a pretty young blond for a date I wanna have a mid life crisis My wife says it's too late She said I coulda had a crisis at Forty or even at Fifty Five If I'd wanted a mid life crisis I should have done it while I'm still alive I want a pick up truck with monster wheels I want to be stacked up with sex appeal I want tatoos on my arms and chest A Harley and a black leather vest I want to let my hair grow long I want to get to Nashville with this song I want a Cowboy hat and belt and boots I want a hand tailored white silk suit I wanna have a mid life crisis but if the truth be told I can't have a mid life crisis My wife says I'm too old I wanna drive a bright red sports car with a pretty young blond for a date I wanna have a mid life crisis My wife says it's too late She said I coulda had a crisis at Forty or even at Fifty Five If I'd wanted a mid life crisis I should have done it while I'm still alive I wanna drive a bright red sports car with a pretty young blond for a date Spoken: I don't think my wife would go for the blond But how about a sports car? a 59 Subeam Alpine in British Racing green |
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08 Nov 12 - 09:40 AM (#3432999) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Well there you have it in a nutshell Gerard Manley Weaver. I know I was always refuse to the the hoity toities who won the great traddy/contemporary conflict. Why would I regard relegation to their ranks as promotion. In fact it feels a bit weird to be considered by another generation - one of them! Kendall - I take your point. I've got nothing to bitch about in relative terms. |
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08 Nov 12 - 10:38 AM (#3433025) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Lou Think about Pete Seeger - now he is both old, and old school (Americana style). Lou |
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08 Nov 12 - 10:59 AM (#3433036) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: terrier I don't think I know any young school folkies, maybe ALL folkies are old. Anyway, I remember Fred Dibner, he was a real knock down comedian, never failed to raise the roof, always had a stack of jokes..or was that chimneys, renowned for bringing the house down, and all those OLD jokes :) As long as your teeth don't glow in ultra violet light, you're OK. |
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08 Nov 12 - 11:08 AM (#3433044) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Elmore " Well my friends are gone, My hair is gray. I ache in the places where I used to play." - L. Cohen |
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08 Nov 12 - 12:04 PM (#3433086) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Musket Huh Elmore - I was going to quote from The Tower of Song, but you beat me to it! Well Al, a mate in Worksop called Mitch wrote a song, which I messed about with I have to admit, but he should get the credit, called Senile Skifflers. It is about some mates of ours who as well as playing in the folk clubs also did a lot of busking, dressed as Morris fools around Worksop and Mansfield. With your original comment, we could always write you a special verse. After all, you were part of the local furniture yourself once... As a taster from the original; We don't dress in high fashion, to be outrageous is our aim, Bowler hats and gay cravats adorn our manly frame, We'd like more winkle pickers, but now we've got the gout, So we wear wellies and our beer bellies mean skin tight jeans are out. Amen & druse. |
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08 Nov 12 - 02:08 PM (#3433175) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Will Fly Face it Al - you're an old, experienced, knowing, cantankerous, talented, hard-shell, "OLD SCHOOL" (whatever the fuck that is) musician. Enjoy! (Did you like the way I slipped "talented" in there?) If the cap fits... |
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08 Nov 12 - 02:11 PM (#3433179) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Harmonium Hero I'm 66 in a few weeks, and they don't call me Old School. They just don't call me. JK |
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08 Nov 12 - 05:17 PM (#3433286) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,leeneia You can't undo what's been said. So here's what you can do: walk onstage with a mobile in your hand and pretend to be sending somebody a text message. After a while, stick it in your pooket, look up at the audience as if you hadn't noticed them before and say "oh, hi." That will convince everybody you are a modern person. |
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08 Nov 12 - 06:04 PM (#3433318) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Bert Nice one Leeneia, I'll have to try that. |
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08 Nov 12 - 08:34 PM (#3433399) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Joe_F Round about 50 years ago I called myself a "boy dirty old man". I still haven't grown up. |
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08 Nov 12 - 09:03 PM (#3433411) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Charley Noble Bert- Thanks for the song! Big Al- What's taken you so long? Some of us old farts have been old for years! Charley Noble, born in the Pleistocene |
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08 Nov 12 - 11:22 PM (#3433453) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Bugsy I used to play with Pleistocene as school, Cheers bugsy |
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09 Nov 12 - 03:27 AM (#3433481) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: theleveller "Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty; For in my youth I never did apply Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood, Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo The means of weakness and debility; Therefore my age is as a lusty winter, Frosty," As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 3 My wife bought me a t-shirt with the first line of this on it. |
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09 Nov 12 - 03:28 AM (#3433483) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Backwoodsman Shouldn't that be 'Lustful', Pete? :-) |
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09 Nov 12 - 05:21 AM (#3433516) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: theleveller You speak for yourself, John! |
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09 Nov 12 - 06:29 AM (#3433537) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Backwoodsman sans Cookie Guilty on all counts, M'lud! :-). :-) |
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09 Nov 12 - 06:50 AM (#3433546) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Midchuck I have figured out that a full week passed, after I finally reached maturity, before the onset of senility. Unfortunately, it was the week I spent in the hospital last winter, recovering from my cardiac surgery, so I pretty much missed it. P. |
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09 Nov 12 - 10:45 AM (#3433658) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Pete Jennings Think yourself lucky, Al. I used to get intoduced as John Denver or, even worse, the Milky Bar Kid. I know what you mean about "old school", though: once, after playing a short set of relatively death-free folk songs - I think it included Lord Franklyn - the MC (younger, but not by that much) said "thanks for cheering us up Pete". Now they've renamed the FC as an Acoustic Club. |
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09 Nov 12 - 10:50 AM (#3433660) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,leeneia Re-reading the OP, I see that Al is called an 'old-school' folksinger, not an 'old' folksinger. One could be 16 years old and still be an 'old school folksinger' if one did it right. So, is there a new school of folksinging? If so, nobody told me. Could it be the Grateful Dead? Is Al old school because he doesn't have a rock-band setup? Somebody please explain. |
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09 Nov 12 - 11:25 AM (#3433674) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle I think there is a new school. A sort of post armageddon ethic. I think maybe its the finger picking of the guitar - none of 'em do that much. Sunjay Brain sticks ouy like a sore thumb. Perhaps a cavalier approach to political correctness - although I could never condone racism. Also presentation perhaps. I always respected minstrelsy - like Pete seeger an attempt to give songs their context. Whereas there seems to be an insistence that folk should be respecred as serious music with youngsters. One kid recently started her set saying - this is a Steve Knightley song, if you haven't heard of him - you should have.... I dunno where the attitude comes from. |
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09 Nov 12 - 11:57 AM (#3433695) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Romac Ah that I was where I should be Then, I would be where I am not Here am I where I must be Go where I will, I cannot........Can you still hear the guns Fernando? |
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09 Nov 12 - 11:59 AM (#3433696) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Dave Sutherland Well you won't cut it talking about Imlach and Brimstone Al; Mumford and Sons are the way forward for folk.......so they tell me. |
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09 Nov 12 - 12:09 PM (#3433704) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Padre - sans cookie Al, You have now officially entered the 'Metal" years: Silver in the hair Gold in the teeth Lead in the backside |
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09 Nov 12 - 12:57 PM (#3433731) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Peter I am with leenia on this and am suprised how many people aren't familiar with the expression. "New school"? - most of what gets booked by The Nest Collective |
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09 Nov 12 - 02:14 PM (#3433760) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: MikeL2 hi Al and gang Don't know about " old folksinger" but many ( many) moons ago I appeared on a charity show in my home town and was introduced as a "young whippersnapper who sings and plays this new stuff called rock & Roll". !!! Guess I am now an old whippersnapper eh?? Cheers MikeL2 |
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10 Nov 12 - 11:25 AM (#3434192) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,crazy little woman I think I saw a new-school folk band on YouTube. There were half a dozen young people in tight clothes and freaky hair-dos, there were red and blue stagelights, and fake fog was drifting about. The instruments were traditional and the style was hackneyed. (guitars went blangety-blangety throughout.) In other words, it was an imitation of a rock band. The ratio of males to females was about 5 to 1. (Females will be tolerated better if they can play fiddle, the hardest instrument.) 'Old style' would be a man (occasionally a woman) in plaid shirt with a guitar, talking to you for a bit and then singing a song. Chances are good you can even understand the lyrics. Big Al, i don't think you have to worry about being called old style. |
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10 Nov 12 - 02:16 PM (#3434305) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Mark Addison We went to the same old BGS school Al. Realised the other day that I'm older than the new Archbishop of Canterbury! That should never be. |
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10 Nov 12 - 02:57 PM (#3434320) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,matt milton "I think maybe its the finger picking of the guitar - none of 'em do that much. Sunjay Brain sticks out like a sore thumb." Ewan McLennan, Jason Steel, Michael Rossitter, Alasdair Roberts, Jack Day, Nancy Wallace, Ewan D Rogers, David Broad, Ben Folke Thomas, Olivia Chaney, George Frakes... and that's just off the top of my head. In fact I'd say fingerpicking is the norm among young folk guitarists I see |
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10 Nov 12 - 03:06 PM (#3434327) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Harmonium Hero To be honest, I wouldn't be offended by the term 'Old School'. To me, it means somebody who hasn't won a career on a TV show, but has gone out there and done the footwork; who knows the job and gets on with it. An 'Old School Folk Singer' would be somebody who has got established by doing the floorspots, and who gets up in a room with 30 people and sings/plays unamplified. Someone who doesn't hasn't got an agent. And you don't have to be singing Trad to qualify. I'd call Jack Hudson 'Old School'. And I reckon there are some young 'Old School' performers out there. I know Al wouldn't agree with some of what I say, but I'd say he was 'Old School". There's nowt wrong wi' it. Pity there isn't more of it. If there is something called 'New School' folk music, I would include Mumford and Sons (as somebody has already mentioned them). For years I've been growling about the modern use of terms like 'R&B" and "Soul", to describe music which seems to have bugger all to do with the music of - for example - B B King or Wilson Pickett. And 'Rock 'n' Roll' has long since ceased to mean anything. The word 'Folk' seems to be being used in the same way. We are being taken over by the Entertainment Industry. They have never known what folk music was. Their definition was always "with drums, it's Pop; without drums, it's Folk". To them it's just a label. Discuss. I'm off before the war starts. John Kelly. Old School Folk Singer. |
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10 Nov 12 - 03:13 PM (#3434331) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Backwoodsman sans Cookie Agree on all counts, John. |
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10 Nov 12 - 03:30 PM (#3434344) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST I think I saw a new-school folk band on YouTube. There were half a dozen young people in tight clothes and freaky hair-dos, there were red and blue stagelights, and fake fog was drifting about. The instruments were traditional and the style was hackneyed. (guitars went blangety-blangety throughout.) In other words, it was an imitation of a rock band. Yes, I saw that Fairport Convention documentary repeat on TV last night too. |
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10 Nov 12 - 04:05 PM (#3434362) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Thanks for that Matt Milton. I'm having fun checking out your list. However, I can see your point of view and I respect it. To me the first three seemed more old school than me. I can see them fitting seamlessly into the Harding programme and everything that goes with it. I did a gig with a very good songwriter from Bristol or Bath (or somewhere like that - bloke called Gaz Brookfield. To me Gaz exemplified the newe school. Made me feel like I was a dinosaur. Gaz and the cohorts that I see like him - bravely (heroicly in my book)coming up from the noisy student bars and and excruciating open mic scene seem more a conyinuation of what I have done. In my time I cut through playing the toilets by using electric guitars but playing them like acoustics. The new guys I have seen smack their guitars around - completely disinterested in finger picking - but they have evolved something that works. I can see why you would group Sanjay Brain alongside those guys you mention. But Sunjay's different - his heroes really are people like me and the late Roger Brooks - guys who played the shitholes, where folkmusic is found. I think thats what pisses me off about the 'old school' tag. I've always felt like an outlaw to the folkscene. If there was an old school, I was expelled years ago. |
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11 Nov 12 - 01:14 AM (#3434601) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Is that this Mark Addison? http://www.angelfire.com/folk/johnblanks/lincs.html Do touch base with me - facebook, or whatever! |
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11 Nov 12 - 02:30 AM (#3434608) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,John Blanks I believe it is indeed he, Al. Unfortunately the link to Mark's website is U/S now, OOD I think, and I've lost the password to my own website so I can't update it ("mmmmmm, silly old bugger", I hear you exclaim!). I'm sure Mark will look in to this thread again, so he should see your message. |
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11 Nov 12 - 06:58 AM (#3434661) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Betsy Cheer up Big Al - two more of us become officially Old School this week coming me and Garbutt reach our 65th Birthdays. I don't really remember where it all went !!! |
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11 Nov 12 - 08:13 AM (#3434674) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Yeh! Bugger, isn't it? |
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11 Nov 12 - 08:51 AM (#3434684) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Betsy Hi Al, I seem to remember having a great time though, what an exciting era to have lived through. Man on the moon , the Beatles , England winning the world cup when I was 19 years old. Ahhhhhhh....... |
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11 Nov 12 - 10:35 AM (#3434728) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Margaret Thatcher, Vietnam, Watergate, Idi Amin, 9/11, the miner's strike...... As that most relevant of folksong writers said, its loveliness goes on and on... |
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11 Nov 12 - 10:44 AM (#3434735) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity And now debuting as the youngest folk singer candidate for re-incarnation, let's give him a warm round of applause, please welcome the one and only, the dynamic Big Al Whittle!...all other just pound your walkers! GfS |
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11 Nov 12 - 11:14 AM (#3434760) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Betsy Aw Fuck !!!! - you're right Al - I forgot. I'm a bit like an average golfer - I only remember the good shots !! |
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11 Nov 12 - 12:06 PM (#3434777) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Sanity - I thought for a moment that was a district of St Helens. Butno, that was Sankey. So its an allusion to your desired and professed mental health. I would need to see the relevant papers to reassure myself on that point. Anyway, besides a villainous twirl of the moustache - and a dismissive curl of the lip at my humble efforts as a troubadour - do you have anything to add to the discussion? |
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11 Nov 12 - 04:03 PM (#3434889) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: JohnInKansas All that's required is a more friendly way to distinguish "old folk" from the newer (mostly) "filk." Just make sure your publicity describes it, not as "old" but as CLASSIC!!! ((As long as the crowd isn't suggesting "ol' fart oughta be stuffed in a museum, and they don't show up carrying torches and a rope.)) John |
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11 Nov 12 - 07:36 PM (#3434962) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,big Al Whittle I think we're getting into deep waters here.... Big Al Whittle , the Andrew Rieu of the folkscene... A classic approach to knob jokes, disreputable behaviour, and old farts savoured and respected.... http://soundcloud.com/denise_whittle/prince-harrys-knob |
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12 Nov 12 - 04:17 AM (#3435071) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Mark Addison |
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12 Nov 12 - 05:13 AM (#3435089) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Hello Mark! Give me an e-mail or a call denise_whittle@yahoo.co.uk or 01305854979 Floreat Bostona! |
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12 Nov 12 - 06:18 AM (#3435107) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Mark Addison So old I forgot to write anything! Will be in touch Al. |
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12 Nov 12 - 08:00 AM (#3435132) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: RoyH (Burl) After reading and thoroughly enjoying this thread I feel I must add my twopennorth. I am an old folksinger, and I DO like it, singing that is. I do have a few pains in places where I didn't have places before but I'll be 80 years old next June, and am mighty glad that I can still sing and tell a few yarns. I started as a professional singer in 1964, so I'm in my 48th year as a pro. Those years have given me so much pleasure and introduced me to so many great people that I don't want to stop. I thought I'd stop a few years ago when I had some health problems, but 'retirement didn't work' and I carried on singing, and was glad I did despite a few more problems thereafter. What I am now doing is trying to work up some 'Roy at 80' gigs next year. My birthday is 15th June, and I'll be looking for gigs from the 16th June to 16 December. Some clubs are already on board, and I'd welcome enquiries from any others, festivals too. I am of the old school regarding age, and regarding style and attitude,I sing unaccompanied, and endeavour to entertain and involve my audience throughout a performance, a very 'old school' approach. I had a really good 'Roy at 70' tour ten years ago, and I'm older and better now. Anyone interested please pm me here or email reharris@ntlworld.com I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers,ROY |
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12 Nov 12 - 11:11 AM (#3435243) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle I'll mention it wherever I can Roy. We have the Wessex Festival down here in Weymouth at the start of June. Is that one week too early...? I can;t help thinking you should be the celebrity judge at the Saltburn unaccompanied singer comp. And Pete Skinner is currently posting round to everybody a Fylde poster from 40 years ago with your name on it. You never know, Alan might have forgiven you by now and take a chance with another booking. I would like to think so. I know your career climaxed with that performance as boxing trainer in Boon (special skills payment for waving a towel and wearing a white jumper). Still forgive and forget..eh? (As I remember Jack Hudson, Mick Peat and I were the howling mob of fight fans drowning in a sea of theatrical stage smoke.) |
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12 Nov 12 - 11:38 AM (#3435263) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Ernest This thread has grown quite a bit. All this moaning surely must qualify us all as old school folkies... ;0) |
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12 Nov 12 - 02:28 PM (#3435394) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: RoyH (Burl) I'm not moaning Ernest. I like being an old folksinger. See message below.ROY. |
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12 Nov 12 - 02:45 PM (#3435400) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: The Sandman contact me, roy |
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12 Nov 12 - 02:47 PM (#3435401) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Backwoodsman sans Cookie I like being an old folksinger - it's keeping me young. |
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12 Nov 12 - 03:00 PM (#3435408) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity Big Al Whittle: "Anyway, besides a villainous twirl of the moustache - and a dismissive curl of the lip at my humble efforts as a troubadour - do you have anything to add to the discussion?" Yes!..My absolute Best Wishes and Warmest Regards! Keep on singin'! ....Besides, you have to knock their socks off....even if they are to stiff to bend over and put them back on! Regards!!! GfS |
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12 Nov 12 - 04:11 PM (#3435439) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: The Sandman "I don't really remember where it all went !!! old fk singers don't die, they just forget the f words. Betsy, they dont write em like that any more |
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12 Nov 12 - 04:14 PM (#3435441) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: The Sandman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9U6pjr3DEo no wonder you were lost for words |
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13 Nov 12 - 12:47 AM (#3435635) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Yeh that crowd would really understand a song about the good old days. What is WRONG with these 'in the tradition' people? Why CAN'T they see that a living folk music has something to do with a living audience understanding them? What's wrong with 'the tradition' in a nutshell! Gawd help us. |
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13 Nov 12 - 01:52 PM (#3435979) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Herga Kitty I must have blinked - it's no time at all since Roy was 70 (and still Burl-y). I really, really miss the National Festival (which Roy ran for a while IIRC) when young and old, traddies and revivalists, got together for a wonderful weekend of singing and playing (including in the bar until very late) at Keele, Loughborough, Sutton Bonington.... I guess you have to be old to remember any of it! Kitty |
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13 Nov 12 - 02:26 PM (#3435997) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: johncharles have the number of comments equalled Al's age yet? |
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13 Nov 12 - 03:10 PM (#3436021) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle I've seen Roy sing lots of times. One of my favourite memories was one night at The Robin Hood in Brinsley - Dave and Ruth Cooper's old club. Roy started off with One more day on the grey funnel line, and I swear there was this sort of woosh in the room when he sang the first line as everyone sort of leaned forward and sighed with delight at that voice. A great performer. |
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13 Nov 12 - 03:25 PM (#3436030) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Herga Kitty Did Roy roll up his shirtsleeves before he sang Grey Funnel Line...? Kitty |
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13 Nov 12 - 05:02 PM (#3436088) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: The Sandman I guess you have to be old to remember any of it!" not really, I am young, and I remember getting paid to play there |
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14 Nov 12 - 04:41 PM (#3436607) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,BigDaddy Was performing with a friend as a duo at a pub years ago. The chalk board by the door read, "Appearing tonight: Irish Meat Pies." Someone had decided to put the daily special on there instead of our names. We considered changing our name for future appearances, but... We briefly used the name "Parcel of Rogues," but gave it up when we realized most of our audiences didn't have a clue what a rogue was. And we were billed as the "Parcel Rugs," and "Partial Rugs." |
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14 Nov 12 - 04:51 PM (#3436613) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,AEOLA your ref to 'sanity' ..... Sankey! Remember it's Great Sankey!Enjoy every day. |
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14 Nov 12 - 05:40 PM (#3436632) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity Huh? GfS |
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14 Nov 12 - 07:10 PM (#3436693) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle If you say its great, that's good enuff for me. |
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14 Nov 12 - 08:19 PM (#3436735) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Seonaid If being an "old-school folksinger" means having enough respect for a song to learn it right and present it honestly, and caring enough about your audience to want them to hear it right and maybe learn to like the song themsleves, then I'll happily be damn well "unapologetic" about it. |
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14 Nov 12 - 08:38 PM (#3436741) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Hm....put it like that Seonaid - it sounds like a compliment. I really don't feel it was meant like that. More sort of....if this guy was a building, he wouldn't be on mains electricity - anyway what use would he have for a bathroom? Probably shts in the woods. |
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14 Nov 12 - 08:59 PM (#3436752) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Jack Campin Some time ago I came across a description of how traditional song gets passed on in Hungary. You don't find old people learning songs in their childhood and then amazing the audience with the same ones 60 years later: instead, there are different repertoires for each age group. You sing the songs that are appropriate for your own age, after learning them from singers not much older than you are. (To some extent you get the same phenomenon in other places, even the UK for some kinds of song). Advantages: - you get to keep learning new stuff. - you don't need an enormous memory since collective memory is working for you. - nobody complains that your old material was better. - the old-singer's music you get to do near the end of your life will suit an old person's voice and performing style. - you don't get to bore your audience rigid by singing about issues that only mattered before they were born. - songs written 40 years ago that nobody but the songwriter had any time for don't get rehashed, since the songwriter themselves would be too embarrassed to publicly perform a song that only made sense to the 20-something they once were. The idea that one man with his guitar gets to create songs for the ages that the world will want to pay to hear for his entire career is usually just plain delusional. Almost all singer-songwriters can expect to wake up one day as failures at best, grotesques at worst. |
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15 Nov 12 - 11:34 AM (#3436924) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Ernest (Just to get closer to # 100) Beats being a DEAD folksinger I guess... |
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15 Nov 12 - 01:17 PM (#3436978) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Seonaid I guess a lot could be read from the voice tone of the announcer. Makes a big difference whether it was respectful or dismissive. If the latter, just assume the poor whippersnapper didn't have a clue. (Nearing 70 myself, I deal with those who don't know to assess me.) You can't be responsible for anyone else's attitude or education. And yeah, wear your "old school" tie with pride -- You know, the one with the guitar frets painted on it! :o) |
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15 Nov 12 - 03:46 PM (#3437048) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: Lonesome EJ Al, you can't learn a hell of a lot in the new school. Stick with the old one. |
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16 Nov 12 - 12:39 PM (#3437446) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: RoyH (Burl) BIg Al, Thank you for the nice comments. Herga Kitty, I too miss that festival. My spell in chargeis the thing I'm most proud of in all my folk music life. I packed in too early, but there were a lot of other things going on and I just didn't have the time to give it full commitment. If a chance ever came I'd love to run it again. Yes, I still do the shirt sleeve rolling. Please tell Herga I'd like to roll my sleeves there once again. 'Roy at 80'still has blank dates. |
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16 Nov 12 - 01:46 PM (#3437467) Subject: RE: Being an old folksinger - don't like it From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle Not blank Roy....that sounds like an old school folk singer. |