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Folk goes pop.

07 Feb 07 - 02:31 PM (#1960235)
Subject: Folk goes pop.
From: Alec

Whilst I ,personally, was not particularly keen on the recent T.V show "Jam & Jerusalem" I always hesitated before switching off or switching over until after the opening titles ended.This is simply because I adored what Kate Rusby did with The Kinks' song "We Are The Village Green Preservation Society".Another in vaguely similar vein I remember was The Sandpipers ,Spanish language,version of "All My Loving"
Does anybody else have any favourite Folk or Folk style reinterpretations of popular songs from the last 50 years or so?
Might be able to burn myself a nice compilation C.D. out of this.


07 Feb 07 - 02:48 PM (#1960260)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Bernard

Well, there are already such albums in existence - 'The Reel and Soul Association' and 'Rubber Folk' to name but two!


07 Feb 07 - 03:00 PM (#1960268)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: ClaireBear

Richard Thompson's interpretation of Britney Spear's "Whoops, I Did It Again" is not to be missed, though he's admittedly not in his folkie persona when he performs it.


07 Feb 07 - 03:06 PM (#1960273)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Andy Jackson

Phil Downing, an old friend of Llantrisant Folk Club, did an amazing unaccompanied trad sounding version of the Rolling Stones "Brown Sugar"


07 Feb 07 - 03:08 PM (#1960277)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Alec

Thanks both Reel & Soul didn't quite do it for me.
Embarrasing admission,after being so long delayed,the fact that "Rubber Folk" had finally been formally released had goe completely under my radar.*Embarrased grin*.
RICHARD THOMPON!?!? "WHOOPS,I DID IT AGAIN"!?!?
I'll certainly give that a listen!


07 Feb 07 - 03:26 PM (#1960287)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: alanabit

You should hear his "Dear Janet Jackson".


07 Feb 07 - 03:28 PM (#1960289)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: GUEST,Ken Brock

Roy Zimmerman, formerly of The Foremen, does a hilarious medley of Beatles songs as though they were Celtic. He hasn't put it on any of his CD's as he hasn't gotten mechanical rights as a medley, which can be difficult.


07 Feb 07 - 05:24 PM (#1960411)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Scrump

Noel Murphy recorded an Irish Gaelic version of McCartney's "When I'm 64". And they thought "Rubber Folk" was a new idea.


07 Feb 07 - 05:25 PM (#1960412)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: bubblyrat

I had an LP of Beatles music performed by Bluegrass group " The Charles River Valley Boys ",and it was AMAZING !! I wish it was available on CD.


07 Feb 07 - 06:42 PM (#1960512)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: ClaireBear

Here is a link for "Oops!" graciously provided by NPR. Of course I spelled it wrong; what do I know about Britney Spears songs?

Anyhow, it actually is an acoustic performance, so maybe it is folkie after all. (But let's not go there, shall we?)


07 Feb 07 - 07:09 PM (#1960545)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: melodeonboy

When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought it was a slightly sneering reference to the Radio 2 Folk Awards!

(To be fair, many of the awards given this evening were not for pop music.)


08 Feb 07 - 02:51 AM (#1960784)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Alec

Thanks for the link ClaireBear.Simply amazing.
melodeonboy I can see why you would think that.I really wish I had thought of a better title for this thread.


08 Feb 07 - 03:33 AM (#1960819)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Dave Hanson

Steeleye Span set the ball rolling with their version of the Buddy Holly song ' Rave On '

eric


08 Feb 07 - 04:06 AM (#1960834)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Captain Ginger

Spiers and Boden do a great version of Tom Waits' 'Innocent When You Dream.' You'll find it on YouTube from a set at Wallingford.


08 Feb 07 - 04:27 AM (#1960844)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Jim McLean

I can remember Luke Kelly doing an amazing version of Tom Jones' Delilah in a club in Denmark Street, London, in the 60s.


08 Feb 07 - 04:33 AM (#1960851)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Geoff the Duck

Working on the principle that Jimmy Hendrix did an electric version of Bob Dylan's All along the Watchtower, I worked up a clawhammer old-time banjo version of Purple Haze. It worked pretty well.
Quack!
GtD.


08 Feb 07 - 04:48 AM (#1960862)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Stu

Plant and Page's version of 'Gallows Pole' from the live album 'No Quarter'.

Not pop, but better.

I agree Richard Thompson's version of 'Oops I did it again' by Britney Spears is actually pretty good.

Hayseed Dixie's first album is the dogs, though more bluegrass than folk.


08 Feb 07 - 04:52 AM (#1960866)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Scrump

I forget who it was now, but I saw someone do a 'folky' version of a Kylie Minogue song Can't Get It (or was it 'You'?) Out Of My Head (IIRC). But it was not intended to be taken seriously :-)


08 Feb 07 - 04:53 AM (#1960867)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Geoff the Duck

A few years back there was a band called The Joshua Trio, who did bluegrass versions of U2 numbers.
Quack!
GtD.


08 Feb 07 - 04:55 AM (#1960871)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Geoff the Duck

When Kylie first arrived after leaving Neighbours, our own MC Fat spent about a year trying to get I Should Be So Lucky introduced into the folk tradition.
Quack!
GtD.


08 Feb 07 - 05:04 AM (#1960875)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Les in Chorlton

Welcome to the Hotel Connemara!

By whom?


08 Feb 07 - 05:17 AM (#1960885)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: jiva

George Welch does a beautiful, gentle, slow version of 'She Loves You' (Beatles) - it can be quite magical when the room fills with the sound of singers/performers adding harmonies on the fading 'yeah, yeah, yeah'.


08 Feb 07 - 05:33 AM (#1960892)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Bernard

Les - that would be my Eagles tribute band with an Irish slant - The Eejits!

I'm also thinking of an Oasis tribute band - Obesis! We'll do 'Don't Look Back in Hunger'...


08 Feb 07 - 05:50 AM (#1960906)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Les in Chorlton

Maybe Bernard


08 Feb 07 - 06:22 AM (#1960929)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: DaveA

And just to pique the interest of Aussie catters, Al Ward - convenor of the Blue Mountains Folk Festival & suberb guitarist & songwriter - does wonderful acoustic versions of Tom Waits 'Shiver Me Timbers" & "San Diego Serenade".

I just wish he'd record them.

Dave


08 Feb 07 - 06:31 AM (#1960934)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: GUEST,John Robinson

Dave Burland's version of the Boomtown Rats' "I don't like Mondays", although he sang "silicone" rather than "silicon" ...

Emily Slade covered the Burland version.


08 Feb 07 - 06:35 AM (#1960936)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Les in Chorlton

River Deep Mountain High
You've lost that loving feeling
Hey Jude
A Whiter Shade of Pale

To mention only 4 from De Dannan

Now, what is that album called?


08 Feb 07 - 06:38 AM (#1960939)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Big Al Whittle

Of course Martin Carthy made a stab at that Gilbert O'Sullivan song. I forget the title, i do remember talking to Paul Downes shortly afterwards, and Paul absolutely idolised Martin - but he was young enough to catch the vibe of quite how drippy GOS was and asked him why he'd recorded it.

Allegedly Martin prodded him in the chest with a forefinger, enunciating, be-cause its won-derful song!

I have seen the man for a while, it it still in his set?


08 Feb 07 - 07:32 AM (#1960982)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Scrump

What song was it (the Gilbert O'Sullivan one)?


08 Feb 07 - 07:36 AM (#1960987)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Splott Man

Nothing Rhymed


08 Feb 07 - 08:22 AM (#1961025)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Pete_Standing

Mention of Martin Carthy reminds me he covered Heartbreak Hotel and New York Mining Disaster on his album Signs of Life.


08 Feb 07 - 08:26 AM (#1961028)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Scrump

Nothing Rhymed? Typical of O'Sullivan, never was much of a lyricist.

Just kidding :D


08 Feb 07 - 11:30 AM (#1961222)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: bubblyrat

Didn"t Fairport Convention do a Dylan number ? -----In French ??


08 Feb 07 - 11:48 AM (#1961244)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Scrump

Yes, they did several other Dylan sings too.

(Si Tu Dois Partir = If You Gotta Go, Go Now)


08 Feb 07 - 11:55 AM (#1961256)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Splott Man

It was their only brush with the singles charts


08 Feb 07 - 12:01 PM (#1961265)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Big Al Whittle

They got to number 17 with Suzanne - didn't they?


08 Feb 07 - 12:08 PM (#1961271)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Alec

Guinness lists Si Tu Dois Partir as their sole U.K. chart entry.
(No 21 July 1969)


08 Feb 07 - 12:09 PM (#1961273)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: pdq

The Charles River Valley Boys record "Beatles Country" (1966) was re-issued by Rounder (1995) as SS41.


08 Feb 07 - 12:10 PM (#1961274)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Songster Bob

The late Jonathan Eberhart, here in Washington, used to do the folky version of rock songs a lot. The best was one I may have suggested to him, which is "Bye-Bye Love" (Buddy Holly) as a bluegrass stop-time waltz. Try it. It works wonderfully, especially with the vocal harmonies.

Bob


08 Feb 07 - 12:12 PM (#1961275)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: NoMattch

I always liked Dick Gaughan's "Ruby Tuesday"


08 Feb 07 - 12:20 PM (#1961283)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: GUEST,kenny

Fairport even got on "Top Of The Pops" with "Si Tu Dois Partir". I remember seeing them.
"De Danann" did a whole album, as mentioned above - "Hotel Connemara" - but the only one that worked for me was "Hibernian Rhapsody" - an instrumental version of "Queen's" "Bohemian Rhapsody" - very clever.
Dave Burland used to sing "Willie & The Hand Jive", I seem to remember.
"Battlefield Band" recorded "Creedence Clearwater Revival's" "Bad Moon Rising", and also made a fair stab at Sting's "We Work The Black Seam". Pat Kilbride recorded that too.
But only the late, great Gordon Duncan could play "Thunderstruck"
[ I think it was ] - by "ACDC" on the bagpipes !!


08 Feb 07 - 12:55 PM (#1961322)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: KB in Iowa

Greg Brown and Bill Morrissey covered "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
They include some lyrics that aren't in the Stones song and it makes more sense.


08 Feb 07 - 01:47 PM (#1961381)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Ernest

Here`s a Bluegrass/Western Swing Band from Berlin who did a whole album of pop songs: "Jukebox Favourites" - Purple Rain is one of my favourites...

http://www.hotstrings.com/cds.html

Best
Ernest


09 Feb 07 - 03:44 AM (#1961999)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Splott Man

The City of Newcastle Pipe Band do a stonking version of We Will Rock You


09 Feb 07 - 03:59 AM (#1962004)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Scrump

Well, if you're talking massed bands - various concertina bands and brass bands have performed a lot of pop songs over the years. A few examples are available on CD.


09 Feb 07 - 04:08 AM (#1962009)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: SqueezeMe

The Barra MacNiels do my favourite version of The Ballad of Lucy Jordan.

MC


09 Feb 07 - 04:59 AM (#1962041)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Folkiedave

There was an LP made by.well let's call them the "Fairport Crowd" and it is still one of my favourites.

Gerry Conway, Dave Mattacks, Sandy Denny, Richard Thompson, Linda Peters (later Thompson), Trevor Lucas, Tyger Hutchings and one or two others.

That's be The Day; Don't be Cruel; Locomotion; Willie and the Hand Jive; Jambalaya; When Will I be Loved; Nadine; Sweet Little Rock and Roller;   plus one or two others.

As a dealer in rare vinyl I just happen to have a shrink wrapped (i.e. unplayed) copy for £8.00. Hours of enjoyment......


09 Feb 07 - 04:59 AM (#1962042)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Kevin Sheils

Back to the Kinks where the thread started remember Swan Arcade's "Lola"

And I first sang "A little help from my friends" in a folk style in a club in 1967/8 just after Sgt Pepper's release.


09 Feb 07 - 05:06 AM (#1962048)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Scrump

I heard a guy play Eleanor Rigby in a folk club last year (sorry, I forget his name - is he here?) and I (and others probably) winced when he announced his intention to sing it. But his folky arrangement of it went down rather well.


09 Feb 07 - 07:17 AM (#1962131)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: RolyH

Gerry Conway of Fairport used to do a version of Sandy Nelson's " Let There Be Drums"


09 Feb 07 - 12:00 PM (#1962332)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Mark Ross

At a party in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago somebody did a version of Dylan's 'IF YOU GOTTA GO, GO NOW, OR ELSE YOU GOT TO STAY ALL NIGHT"(I think that's the title)in French which gave it a Cajun feel. Best version I've ever heard.

Mark Ross


09 Feb 07 - 01:43 PM (#1962434)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Big Al Whittle

All of which proves in no uncertain terms, that today's folksingers are nothing if not decent open minded chaps.

Tolerant and good natured, they don't mind lowering themselves to play music which could be construed, in other circumstances, as complete crap - if the audience is a bit stupid and can't lay itself open to the profound cultural experience of our wonderful tradition.

Hip Hip for today's folkies!

Support the Folk Revival and keep live music really condescending!


09 Feb 07 - 02:52 PM (#1962516)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Alec

Not sure about the condescension weelittledrummer.
I have the privilege of living in an area where tradition is alive.
Though not always recognised as such Kathryn Tickell (for example)
is the "product" of a living tradition which will always be special to me.
She also performed on a single by Sting.
The songs of Geordie Ridley have a very special place in the affection of people in these area (They are certainly considered Folk locally)but he was pretty much the mid-Victorian equivalent of a pop singer/songwriter.
In truth I never served in Nelson's Navy or worked on a farm in Victorian England but I admire songs by people who did.
I also see my life reflected in another musical form.
"Something in the way she moves attracts me like no other lover"
Know how that feels.
"In the chilly hours & minutes of uncertainty..."
Had my share of those.
"Thank you for those days,those endless days,those sacred days you gave me."
If I could say one thing to my long-desd parents that would be it.
As I said in another current thread I believe it is possible to appreciate contemporary & traditional music.
It is also possible to incorporate them both in a single repertoire.
That which is worth conserving is worth conserving whether it was written in 1666 or 1966.
Just my view.


09 Feb 07 - 03:24 PM (#1962538)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: fat B****rd

At Ashley Hutching's 50th the band played FBI. I heard it on the radio. but I just know they did that walk.


10 Feb 07 - 06:58 AM (#1963078)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Big Al Whittle

Saw Jet do a gig at a Warners Holiday Break last year. Absolutely bloody fantastic. I went out and bought a bass guitar the next day. Just had to have a go at some of that before I passed off the mortal coil.

There were beat groups from all over Europe, who'd signed up for the holiday break just to pay homage to the man and get their tattered EP's and LP's signed by the man.

He's a little old bald guy now in his 70's, but he hi-kicked his way through FBI!

He talks a bit like Derek Brimstone.....he said, I lives in the Isle o'Wight these days. Ev'ry time I get the ferry, I wish I was Cliff Richard - then I could walk across......


10 Feb 07 - 07:06 AM (#1963081)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Nigel Paterson

The Halliard used to sing a version of 'Green green Grass of Home'. We re-wrote some of the lyrics to turn the song into a comedy number...it was funny in 1966!
                  Nigel P.


10 Feb 07 - 08:57 AM (#1963140)
Subject: RE: Folk goes pop.
From: Uncle Phil

And then there's Beatlegras, who play Beatles tunes bluegrass style. Check out the instumental intro to Eleanor Rigby on the "Listen to CD cuts" page.
- Phil