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17 Mar 04 - 12:33 AM (#1138844) Subject: Folklore: The American Folk Festival & Jean Thomas From: Padre A flashback to my past. In about 1960, I attended The American Folk Festival in Ashland KY, which was run by Jean Thomas, "The Traipsin' Woman." My questions are: 1) Did anyone else @ Mudcat ever attend the festival, and 2) what did you think about it as a festival and a 'showcase' for the musicians that were presented. I'll sit back and listen. Padre |
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20 Apr 04 - 10:57 PM (#1166743) Subject: RE: Folklore: The American Folk Festival & Jean Thomas From: Padre refresh in hopes of hearing something |
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20 Apr 04 - 11:15 PM (#1166761) Subject: RE: Folklore: The American Folk Festival & Jean Thomas From: GUEST,Lisa Null I have always enjoyed Jean Thomas's collections of songs and the unusual repertoire she collected. Mu Lord Ullin's Daughter comes form Jean Thomas. When i acquired about her among folklorists and others, I received negative feedback as she presumably urged traditional performers to emphasize their "quaintness" and their 'rustic" mountain ways. at festivals and public gatherings. With the hindsight of many years, I'm wondering whether Thomas should have been singled out for this-- it has been such a pervasive problem. I would be interested in learning more about Jean Thomas.... |
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20 Apr 04 - 11:59 PM (#1166783) Subject: RE: Folklore: The American Folk Festival & Jean Th From: toadfrog It is said of Jean Thomas that she was a highly talented woman who also wrote Hollywood screenplays, an exercise which appears to have influenced her non-fiction writing style (to the extent her books on folk music are actually non-fiction). It is also said that some of the folk songs she collected she actually wrote herself. The negative feedback, I think, was a reaction to a certain hokiness and tendency to self-promotion. (One doubts very much everyone in the hills really called her "Traipsin' Woman," as they do in her books.) Emphasizing quaintness is indeed a widespread vice. They say Leadbelly became very angry with Lomax for making him wear coveralls and sit on a bale of hay at performances! |
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29 Apr 04 - 10:21 PM (#1174573) Subject: RE: Folklore: The American Folk Festival & Jean Thomas From: GUEST,Curt She held the festival about 15 miles south of Ashland a few years,I lived close and attended the festivals when i was a kid. My brother's picture is in one of her books. I would like to find one of those books. |