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Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)

07 Feb 14 - 07:46 AM (#3599085)
Subject: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: greg stephens

Was having a bit of a discussion about acts to put on in Penkhull village hall, and the question comes up "What acts on the folk scene are really entertaining?".   Meaning entertaining to normal members of the British public, not just entertaining to people who go to folk events. During the great wave of the folk revival there were a host of such people, eg Mike Harding, Billy Connolly, Jasper Carrot and so on. But how about now?   I was hard put to get beyond the New Rope String Band and Biggles Wartime Band. But I don't get out much, maybe others can enlighten me? Are there more?


07 Feb 14 - 07:50 AM (#3599087)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST

Try The Young Uns

They are superb


07 Feb 14 - 08:40 AM (#3599098)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Jack Campin

Sandy Brechin.


07 Feb 14 - 08:42 AM (#3599099)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,Allan Conn

We had Dave Gibb playing a couple of years back and his between song banter was hilarious


07 Feb 14 - 09:22 AM (#3599113)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,John Foxen

Stanley Accrington played a blinder at our club which has a high proportion of people who think music from the Fifties is folk. But because he knows the tradition he won over the folkies as well. Funny and clever with some very good serious songs.


07 Feb 14 - 09:39 AM (#3599124)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: greg stephens

I onkly know Sandy Brechin as a spectacular accordionist with Burach. He's a solo entertainer as well? Is it the accordion playing, or jokes in between tunes or what?


07 Feb 14 - 10:18 AM (#3599139)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: it'smagic

Yes, what are you defining as entertainment? If people like the music, they will be entertained. If they don't like the music, they won't stick around for any banter or jokes.

Maybe it could be drawing the audience into the show, letting them participate, performing songs they can sing along to - in other words making them a part of it all. I go to a lot of Scottish, Irish, English and American folk (and other) gigs and I find practically all of the acts - as well as being good musicians - to be entertaining and friendly, with or without the (often contrived) jokes.


07 Feb 14 - 10:30 AM (#3599146)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,another ull lad

There's a guy I see at a number of folk festivals around the pubs, who sings unaccompanied shanties, folk songs and a range of really funny parodies,very good at getting people involved. Also seen him acting as M/C at the music festival in Dent, think he's from somewhere in West Yorkshire as one of his songs is a parody of the John Denver song country road, but he's changed it to be set in Yorkshire, Don't know his name, but he's very recognisable as he's curly hair and a beard and glasses he's also always in shorts and very little else. A very entertaining chap. other than Dent though I've not seen on stage, but I'd pay to see him perform, he's so full of energy.


07 Feb 14 - 10:47 AM (#3599153)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Steve Gardham

Bernard Wrigley's still about. Peg-leg Ferret. Vin Garbutt. James Fagan tells a mean story.


07 Feb 14 - 11:38 AM (#3599177)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Tattie Bogle

Colum Sands: great songs and stories and has people rolling around laughing: from N Ireland so may have to wait for a tour.
Flossie Malaviaille too, tho' the last time I saw her thought there was a wee bit TOO much talk versus song time. Does some great Piaf numbers among other things.
Quicksilver (Grant Baynham and Hilary Spencer).
Robin Laing (appeals to whisky lovers too!)


07 Feb 14 - 12:01 PM (#3599189)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Leadfingers

Stanley Accfrington was VERY good at Maidenhead last week - And Les Barker is ALWAYS good entertainment , especially if you can olant a couple of 'hecklers' in the audience .


07 Feb 14 - 12:52 PM (#3599213)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: The Sandman

jim eldon


07 Feb 14 - 01:02 PM (#3599217)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Richard Bridge

Are the Phatt B'Stards still about? I fear not but they were always most amusing.


07 Feb 14 - 01:26 PM (#3599229)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Jack Campin

Sandy Brechin plays his own tunes solo for quite a lot of gigs. He has a dead funny line of patter linking them. You would have to like the accordion to go, I guess, but he isn't your usual accordion-and-fiddle-club act.


07 Feb 14 - 02:14 PM (#3599256)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Big Al Whittle

a bit late in the day to. start worrying about it. theres two generations that have grown up thinking that presentational skills are unimportant, all minstrelsy rather dodgy and reeks of sell out.
and as long as we keep our noses to the grindstone and churn out a po faced tradition, then all will be well.


07 Feb 14 - 02:31 PM (#3599260)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST

Vin Garbutt always excellent


07 Feb 14 - 02:46 PM (#3599265)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Will Fly

Are the Phatt B'Stards still about? I fear not but they were always most amusing.

I bump into John Scott Cree occasionally at the Charlwood village singaround but, according to a Facebook page, the B'stards have hung up their instruments as a band.

John, of course, is always great fun.


07 Feb 14 - 08:28 PM (#3599347)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Betsy

Bernie Wrigley and Vin Garbutt fabulous performers , Bob Fox terrific - as indeed are the Wilson family - the Doonan family - Tom McConville with or without his band - get stuck in there !!!!loads to go at .


08 Feb 14 - 04:53 AM (#3599399)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST

Perhaps you could get Dave Boulton and Jeff Parton to do a come back gig - at least their travel and accommodation costs should be low (unless they've moved on since I last heard.)


08 Feb 14 - 05:17 AM (#3599402)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,Joe G

The Dent MC mentioned earlier is my friend Muppett who often pops in here - great for getting a night going.

I can also strongly recommend the Jon Palmer Acoustic Band - saw them last night for the umpteenth time and they never fail to get the audience smiling - even the more cynical looking members of the pub audience were won over and tapping their fingers and feet by the end

Also check out the duo Plumhall - great songs and tons of charisma

Finally Roger Davies goes down a storm everywhere - though many of his songs are very Yorkshire based the settings can be transferred anywhere and he sold out of CDs at Shrewsbury FF - a true entertainer too

And very finally Dave Vermond though I am not sure if he does gigs further afield - hilarious and moving songs and great fun between the songs too

(I am assuming you already know Jez Lowe!)

Joe G


08 Feb 14 - 05:24 AM (#3599404)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: G-Force

Geoff Higginbottom, as long as you don't see him too often.


08 Feb 14 - 05:24 AM (#3599405)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Dave the Gnome

Geoff Higginbottom - Already mentioned via the Phatt B'stards I think. He goes out of his way to do stuff outside folk clubs as well as in.

Cheers

DtG


08 Feb 14 - 10:42 PM (#3599645)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: cptsnapper

John James


09 Feb 14 - 08:13 AM (#3599731)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Big Al Whittle

Bob Dylan


09 Feb 14 - 08:26 AM (#3599734)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: greg stephens

A quite stunningly entertaining act, to folkies and civilians alike, is Gordie McKeeman and his Rhythm Boys. But we've put them on already. I want someone to rival them


09 Feb 14 - 10:51 AM (#3599765)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,kreep

Jez Lowe


09 Feb 14 - 11:00 AM (#3599767)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Banjo-Flower

The Hut People

Gerry


09 Feb 14 - 12:21 PM (#3599792)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: The Sandman

Notts County football fans


10 Feb 14 - 04:42 AM (#3599967)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Teribus

Billy Mitchell


10 Feb 14 - 04:56 AM (#3599974)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,another ull lad

Ar Cheers Joe G, YEAH Muppet that's him, does he gig anywhere?


10 Feb 14 - 06:01 AM (#3599990)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Dave the Gnome

That's odd - I just noticed that G-Force and I both mentioned Geoff Higginbottom at exactly the same time! Does the G stand for Gnome by any chance?

:D


10 Feb 14 - 09:19 AM (#3600050)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: G-Force

Nope. Stands for gravitational.


10 Feb 14 - 04:46 PM (#3600178)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Old Grey Wolf

Gladstone's Bag?


11 Feb 14 - 11:01 AM (#3600387)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,Caligula

Loxley are always good value with a minimum of between-song banter (which personally drives me mad), and also Karine Polwart.


11 Feb 14 - 11:08 AM (#3600389)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Les in Chorlton

That Boat Band are good.


11 Feb 14 - 11:25 AM (#3600396)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Big Al Whittle

this is a bit weird really. I suppose the intention of most acts is to entertain. otherwise being a folk singer who doesn't give a shit about whether he/she entertains you -well it would make you a very odd cove.

and the fact is that different things entertain different people.


12 Feb 14 - 04:58 AM (#3600645)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,Ted Crum (Steamchicken)

Someone mentioned Gladstone's Bag. Are they still about, and if so are they the same Gladstone's Bag who used to perform that hilarious striptease to The Lost Chord which I recall seeing at Bromyard in the early eighties?

Sad to say Cosmotheka, the best entertainers I ever had the privilege of sharing a stage with, are no longer available because of Al's tragic and premature death. However, if you want a master-class in how to present our sort of music to an audience, go to a Belshazzar's Feast booking and be amazed. Both presentation and music are witty and professional, and are an example to be recommended to any aspiring artists on the scene.


12 Feb 14 - 06:14 AM (#3600663)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,Selby

Carthy Hardy Farrell Young saw them on Saturday night thought there banter and set material excellent.In my top 3 seen in the last 12 months.
Keith


13 Feb 14 - 01:13 AM (#3600998)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST

Has anyone heard of Seize The Day?

Awesome musicians with wry humour and indomitable spirit


13 Feb 14 - 09:18 AM (#3601081)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST, topsie

I used to enjoy the Panic Brothers (Reg Meuross and Rich Morton). I believe they are doing a reunion tour this year.


13 Feb 14 - 07:16 PM (#3601259)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST,Joe G

How could I have not mentioned the Hut People!!! Pure entertainment and incredible musicianship


13 Feb 14 - 07:57 PM (#3601267)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: Big Al Whittle

idea for another thread

folk acts that pretend to really entertain, but in actual fact, they don't really entertain - they just pretend


14 Feb 14 - 01:09 PM (#3601492)
Subject: RE: Folk Acts that Really Entertain(UK)
From: GUEST

Huw Williams paired with Robin Huw Bowen. And they're great in schools too.

sian