Folk Show Forum

Are Nick Drake and Iron and Wine considered Folk?

2010-07-30T15:22:49-05:00

I was always confused about this. Is folk music only about the rustic American countryside or are those two crooning singers also considered folk artists?

Am interested in suggestions for food songs. March is National Nutrition Month

2009-03-01T21:31:22-05:00

Would love to have any food songs you all can come up with…I’m onair March 7 and am collecting songs related to food…

Thanks!

Jennifer

Favorite songs about horses and horseracing?

2009-05-01T15:10:34-05:00

What are some of your favorite songs about horses and/or horseracing? (Perhaps this thread should be in misc?) While I’d rather be on two wheels than four legs, I’ve always been rather fond of:

Bill Staines, Just for Love

Garnet Rogers, Small Victory

Robert Earl Keen Jr.‘s take on Stewball

Garnet Rogers, Denbrae

hmm, strikes me that there’s something by Archie Fisher I might be missing…

Jim Malcolm House concert review.

2009-09-23T10:47:54-05:00

Two disclaimers: First, I was one of the hosts for the Jim Malcolm host concert last night. Second, although I have for some time very much appreciated Jim’s songwriting, and thoroughly enjoy his voice and Scottish accent, before last night I wouldn’t have recommended his live performance as an absolute “must-see”
At the concert last night, though, I saw a theatrical side to Malcolm that really bumped up my appreciation of his performances. If you’re familiar with the Scottish comic Craig Ferguson (host of The Late, Late Show that follows David Letterman) you might think of Jim Malcolm as “Robert Burns meets Craig Ferguson” The core of Malcolm’s concerts is his evocative and well-crafted songs, but he has a wicked good comic sense that he gives voice to as well. In the last year he’s spent part of each concert in costume as the 250 year-old Robert Burns, remarkably well preserved at that! It was an amazing comic performance, on top of stories and beautifully delivered songs that gave me new appreciation for Burns, as well as Jim Malcolm.

Susan Boyle’s _I Dreamed…. sold 701,000 in the US !

2009-12-03T12:00:13-05:00

I Dreamed a Dream” is a global sensation. It has become the fastest-selling debut in British history, according to the Official UK Charts Company, and it reached No. 1 in Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. According to Columbia it has sold three million copies around the world. (NYTimes 12/3/09)

So what does the success of this previously “frumpy unknown” (NYTimes) say to Folk fans? The vast majority of folk artists have very similar characterstics to Susan Boyle: an earthy unpretentiousness, a simple lifestyle, little concern for fashion. And to a significant degree, many folk singers also share a remarkable gift: a powerful and beautiful voice. And to top off all of that, most folk musicians also write their own compelling lyrics.

The NY Times article pointed out that “as a woman of modest and unfashionable means…she has what most…sensations lack: a compelling story.” And here is where I took the most encouragement regarding folk music: Folk artists almost universally have compelling stories. They are ordinary people with extraordinary talents, and when they get noticed, it’s because of those talents, not because of slick, expensive ad campaigns.

On the Folk Show, we hosts of the program love bringing these artists to your attention!

Folk Show Host is Finalist in MA Songwriter Competition !

2010-04-19T09:58:44-05:00

Congradulations to Folk Host Jim Colbert!

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:33:17 -0400
From: Mac McLanahan <mclanahan@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Songwriting Finalists Announced at Rose Garden Coffeehouse

The Rose Garden Coffeehouse in Mansfield, MA, has just announced the
three finalists in the 19th Annual Performing Songwriter Competition.
The quality of the entries was exceptional this year and the
decisions difficult. The three finalists are:

Jim Colbert, Bellefonte, PA
Chris Elliott, Leverett, MA
Larry Murante, Seattle, WA

They will perform their two songs live just before April Verch and
her band take the stage on May 15 in Mansfield. April comes to us
after her hit performance on the worldwide telecast of the Opening
Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and tours this past
year that included Australia, Alaska, and other far-flung places.
Congratulations to the finalists!

Does ukulele qualify as a folk instrument?

2010-07-25T14:20:05-05:00

In all openness, I have a ukulele website - UkeCanPlay.com - but my intent is to hear from the folk music world about my instrument of choice…

Recently I have seen some amazing cigar-box ukuleles being crafted and played in a more country/folk style than the typical Polynesian style. Even traditional ukes seem to be finding their way to folk groups, such as The Barnkickers.

Would ukulele players be welcomed in folk circles, and if so, is there any interest in learning to play this sweet sounding, four string beauty?

Nagano music

2010-07-25T13:55:40-05:00

here is Nagano music and clips

Folk Show Sat afternoon 7-24-10

2010-07-24T14:46:55-05:00

Ben and Mel DeYoung’s conversation about the Folk show this afternoon:

The Michael Mcgoldrick album , Aurora you have coming up, i like it though i know he rubs some traditionalists the wrong way, i think he is really talented at orchestrating the different layers of sound
me: What bothers the trad folks about his stuff?
bblakeslee-drain: He re-mixes in some electronica, some tabala drums, and brass, I like all his albumns, but when you read reviewws of them, about half the people seem to frown on that kind of stuff.
me: Oh, yeah, I guess that would get them going! I didn’t remember those elements in the album…
Yep, that’s a tabla, not a bodhran…
bblakeslee-drain: I think its a big plus, if 98% of other celtic stuff has a bodhran, its good soemone is mixing in other flavors. I mean, i love cake but the occational piece of pie isn’t a problem
me: I can see where the trad folks would think he’s sacrificing guts for pretty, but sometimes pretty is better
bblakeslee-drain: I’m looking forward to the Blind Bartimus version coming up, i haven’t heard that one b4
me: Yeah, sometimes the trad folk resist change. Kind of funny since many of the instruments they think of as trad havenen’t been used in celtic music for very long
bblakeslee-drain: Hello Leah.
me: Blind B is a bit primitive, but really good, imho
leahladybug: Hi Ben and Mel!
me: Hey, can I copy the preceeding to the forum and continue on from there…
bblakeslee-drain: Hah, i guess we should be there, right?
leahladybug: Didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, but was gettin’ some education while I was listening to the show!
bblakeslee-drain: Hah, no problems.

Mike Seeger

2009-07-29T14:35:57-05:00

Mark Moss of Sing Out! Magazine just passed on this terrible news about one of America’s last great troubadours:

<<?>>
From FolkLore Productions:

“With regret, we must tell you that our dear friend Mike Seeger has chosen to end the treatments against his cancer, and has entered hospice care. He is clear about and at peace with this decision.”

Mary Katherine’s note included a few words from Mike’s wife Alexia, indicating that they are headed home tomorrow (Thursday), and that family is gathering. She added that “musical memories and messages” mean a lot to Mike.

Anyone wishing to send a message should write care of Folklore Productions at: <mkaldin@folkloreproductions.com>
<<?>>

I know I wasn’t the only one on this list that saw Mike play this spring at the Lutheran Church in Reedsville—for folk enthusiasts I’m just not sure there’s a parallel performer in terms of his depth, range, and experience.

Adam