We Have Moved !!!

Hi all. I hope you are all looking forward to the hols? And thank you for calling.

Please make a note that FTF has moved home for the time being. Our new details are folktalkinfolk@wordpress.com. All the usual folkieness will be found there. We are off to a bit of a slow start but will be full steam ahead come 2013. Annie will be reporting on any of the gigs she manages to see down south. Mr G will be keeping his usual eye on the ball and I will try to point out the obvious and the odd album I think may be of interest.

So hope to see you there and from us all have a super Christmas and Folkie New Year.

Regards from A, G and PJW.

Eleanor Shanley..........

At Last.......

Hi all and sorry for such a late posting but it is looking like the end of the road for my 'steam driven' laptop! It has served me well over six years so thumbs up for Toshiba!

I also have another preamble to this post. While doing the research as to the availability of this album  (lets face it it would be pointless suggesting an 'essential' album for your collection if you can't get your 'ears' on it!) I got quite a shock. I visited the usual places and boy do you have to dig. When you find it, the cover photo is 'not available' (I have included one for you) and the price seems to range from £9.99 to £49.99!!!! I'm sure if you want an mp3 download it would be cheaper but you can have the pleasure of the hunt.

When most 'folkies' hear the name Eleanor Shanley they think of that great Irish folk band DeDanan, to which she was the 'front lady' from 1988 to 1992, and a top job she made of it too. Lets face it, DeDanan have had their fair share of superb 'front ladies' with the likes of Delores Keane, Mary Black and Maura O'Connell, so know a great voice when they hear it! If I had been a betting man at the time I would have put money on a successful solo career being a mere formality. But it never seemed to turn out that way. Despite collaborations with Christy Moore and Sharon Shannon. Plus recording with Ronnie Drew, Eddi Reader and Delores Keane she never seems to get what she rightly deserved! So I am going to try my best to convert you to 'Shanleyism' with the album Desert Heart.

For all the 'finger in the ear' gang I'm afraid you will only find one traditional track (If I Were a Blackbird). The balance are offerings from other greats of the folk world. When I say "great" I mean Richard Thompson and several members of the MacColl dynasty and in my book they deserve 'great'. This could also be one of those albums you buy for one track (now come on we have all done it!). For me, every last 'pee' of your £9.99 is worth parting with for Mr Thompson's 'Galway to Graceland', just fantastic. If you are still in the mood for getting value for money add Mr MacColl's 'Sunday Morning, Holloway Road' then it only works out at a fiver a track! Joking aside, I cannot find a 'spanner in the works' anywhere. Check it out, you will be glad you did!

Dinner party trivia for you: She is the only female artist to record with The Dubliners. On the album '30 years of Greying'.

While on the subject of money. What can you get for £20 that lasts all day, could make you laugh, cry, dance and sing (that's cheaper than 90 Min's with Leeds United). Well a ticket to the 'Tanglewood Festival' over in Co Down could be yours and I call that value!.

It's on the 4th Aug so if you are lucky enough to be on your hols over there add it to your 'to do' list. Full details can be found at http://www.tanglewoodmusic.co.uk/. My ulterior motive for this 'plug' is to make sure you catch David Hope in 'A Certain Shade Of Green Acoustic Tent' at around 8pm. Giving it 'what for'!

I have a list as long as your arm regarding mentions re future gigs, CD's etc. So what I'm going to try and do for next time is put together a 'contact list' with a link to each artist then you can choose who to keep an eye on with the odd 'prod' from me. I will also TRY and keep it up to date!

Well you will be glad to know that's just about it for now. Next posting will have full details and a short 'bio' about our new boss (I think they call them CEO's in America?). We have got him in to 'point us in the right direction', 'keep our eyes on the ball' etc. We needed him here at FTF Towers, we were starting to slip! He's called 'Guinness' or Mr Guinness. As I said full details next time. You can drop him a line if you wish but I think it will be his PA (Annie) who deals with it for now, but feel free! I'm off, it's 'medication' time!!!

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com. Twitter: @folktalkinfolk. Mobile Device: 07526504285

Posting mk 2, (Lets have another go!!

Miriam Donohue...........who?


Well, she, "Plucks verbs and strings and all pretty things"!!!

Hi everybody. Sorry for the delay in posting but this is Mk2. If your ever find Mk1out in 'interweb' land keep it, it may be worthsummat one day!!!!

This is going to be one of those, new artists, ones to look out for and contact details, etc etc.
And just to let you know the next posting is one of those 'Essential' albums for your collection. But back to now.

These days everything folkie that comes my way is via David P Hope (@DavidPHope) and more than welcome I am too. He's a super musician and a great 'ear to the ground'!  At the moment Ireland seems the place to be! Loads of new YOUNG talent (guess that's me not going over then?) playing because they enjoy it and the odd few Euro's help feed the cat!.....I have just realised that my laptop is so old it does not have a Euro key! Time for a new one, me thinks. Anyway back to Miriam.....

(thank you to the photographer they are great pics!)

She has quite a few tunes out on the Internet (you lucky people, good tunes and FREE). It's the Yorkshire man in me!
Follow the link to Miriam's website: www.miriamd.com. and you will find 'Magnolia Walls'. This was the first, (to me anyway). It was a 'get it on the list' from the off and that does not happen everyday! Next stop, Twitter and found her there too, (Christmas' coming at once!). She is also on that FB thing but I cannot seem to work it (my age). Last but not least get your mouse round to www.soundcloud.com/miriam-donohue. Where you can hear 'Street Car' another belter! Enjoy them and share them. I'm sure Miriam will be most 'gladified'!

I'm sure I will be back to rave about Miriam again. She had  a concert (10th May @The Crane Bar with the one and only David Hope). And it went down a storm, so get yersens off to the next one.

I am not going to do a gig list for Miriam. A trip to to the website will solve that one.

Lets all give her well deserved support.

I also need tips on being an 'Uncle'. My Mum only produced me so no nieces or nephews. Well I'm over the moon to find that Miriam has adopted me as an 'Uncle'. Now does that mean all those birthdays and things are still current? So Miriam what would you like for your 1st birthday?

Next time, Louise Hamilton @folkcircus, @flamingJune is taking a trip to the studio so goodies will abound in the not too distant future and the best of luck with it. PS.....no 'moshing'!!

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk. Direct: 07526 504285

Who's nicked mi blog?

It should be here............!

Sorry folks but finished my weekly 'ramble-on' last night while keeping an ear out for Mr Harding and his super weekly offerings (and suffering from 'man flu' (I was near death several times!)). So done and dusted, pressed 'Publish' with not a second thought. Went off to take my medication ( a nice bottle of red from Tesco) and watch the 'one eyed monster'. Thought I would have a look this morning and bugger me it's GONE!!! I have looked all over the place (in 'drafts' etc) but it has run away!
I will give it another go. I have my notes and pics etc.

It had some gig dates for David Hope (one tonight) so sorry to him. The 'body' of the posting was about a lady who I think will be taking us by storm in the very near future, Miriam Donohue. I had done a 'mini' bio of her, so will repeat that.

So will try and get it out over the weekend as the weather does not look very BBQ now does it!! TTFN.

Iris DeMent........Country or Folk?

Does it matter? She is great!!!

First off, you can be forgiven if you have never come across this particular singer/songwriter. You can also be forgiven that on your first hearing it will be love or hate. I think she could be called a 'Marmite' singer. I know of no other artist who can polarise a room of people on a first listening! You will have to make up your own minds and I hope you enjoy the journey!

Born in Paragould AR in 1961 she was a late starter when it came to both her singing and writing (at the age of 25). In 1988 she moved to Nashville where she 'teamed up' with Jim Rooney who helped her with her first record contract. Her first attempt 1992 was 'Infamous Angel' which at the time was a flop!

 The underground whisperings on the streets of Nashville brought her to the attention of Warner Brothers Records and in turn reissued 'Infamous Angel' in 1993 and followed it up in 1994 with the fantastic 'My Life'.

 1996 saw the release of 'The Way I Should'. And this album is a real dandy, very different to the first two and enjoyable as a 'stand alone' album with track after track that makes you think about our modern way of life.

This trio of albums is 75% of her total output (another following in 2004). In my opinion, three 'must haves' for your collection.

If you are the owner of Kate Rusbys album 'Sleepless' you can catch a cover of 'Our Town' on that. It's a good un!

And where did I first get an ear full? Series 1 of Transatlantic Sessions. If she's good enough for Aly Bain she's good enough for me!

You can also find her on You Tube so you can try before you buy. If your one of the 50% 'pro Iris' you can look forward to lots of great listening. If not, at least you tried and I cannot ask for more than that.

Three personal favourites from each album are:

Infamous Angel: 'Our Town, 'Let the Mystery Be' and 'Mama's Opry'.

My Life: 'No Time to Cry', Easy's Gettin' Harder Every Day' and 'My Life'.

The Way I Should: 'There's a Wall in Washington', 'Wasteland of the Free' and 'Quality Time'.

And my last tip is. If you are going to take the plunge get 'The Way I Should' first to test the water. Enjoy them all!!

Late News

Just found this great Iris link so you can have a listen while doing the cleaning! Some Iris Tunes 

Diary Dates

Louise Hamilton (@folkcircus) and her band Flaming June have gigs to go to and tracks to download. I also 'hear' through the 'Tweetvine' an album is on it's way for Aug. Anyway, here we have a few dates for ya.

June 9th, Golden Hind, Cambridge, (Louise Solo).

June 23rd, Relay For Life, (a charity event), Ickworth.

Aug 24th, Blyth Power Ashes, Peterborough, (Louise Solo).

Sep 29th, Cottenham Primary School, (a charity event), Cottenham, Cambs.

Oct 13th, Oxjam, (a weekend event), Bury St Edmonds.

Sorry but I do not seem to be able to find any phone numbers for tickets, info etc. I'm sure a touch of 'Google'in' would solve that.

Now David Hope's 'mini tour. I think the poster says it all (he's the one in the middle)! And dates are on a previous posting. Good luck to him and all the girls.

And last but by no means least is a 'listen and vote' for Tony Bowen (@tonybowenmusic). In my mind a super track and well worth your fingers doing the pressing! I hope this link works but if not get in the old Twitter and give him a follow. promo.xfm.co.uk/danny-wallace/, (looks like you may have to type it in yersens but it's well worth it.

Well that's all for now folks, hope you have a good wknd, TTFN.

PS, pet hate for this week......that American guy on TV who goes from one eatery to another trying to gobble down hot wings or 5lbs of steak in 10 mins! Don't know why he just gets to me!

Contact: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Tweet: @folktalkinfolk, Direct: 07526 504285.

Judy Collins...'Sweet Judy Blue Eyes'....

: My Life in Music..............

No tunes this time...It's a BOOK! Not known for having a 'Kindle' finger, books are not on the top of my 'must get this week' list. The same could be said for Judy Collins, I have never been the biggest of fans but own up to just the one CD in my collection and very nice it is too. This book was something of a serendipitous find while watching the 'one eyed monster'. Judy was on, talking about the book even though it was late promotion as it has been out a year. Anyway, I bobbed into Leeds to pick up some strings and called for a coffee (in a popular high street bookstore) and there it was, this very same book so onto the 'plastic' it went and it's a wowser!

Although I was born in '53 I was not of an age to take advantage of (what I'm told were) the hedonistic, free love, pot smoking thing that was going on in the '60's. I just missed out! But by all accounts it was the time to be 'around'! Reading this book, I'm glad I missed it! But it is a Who's Who of the folk scene at that time. From Judy's meeting with Stephen Stills to several stories and anecdotes involving Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen etc. To a very poignant meeting with Janis Joplin and recalling later that she was as 'near to the edge' as she was! She grew up with an alcoholic father and made several attempts at suicide while still very young. All in all a very interesting tale that will keep you page turning. It is also a book of hope to all that need it and a stark reminder of what can be, to those of us that don't! A good read!

Cover Photo by Francesco Scavullo.

ISBN: 978_0_307_71736_8.

£15 ish (hardback).

Home Studio Pt 1.

I think that at this early stage it would be a wise move to get your software installed. For one thing it's the FREE bit and another you can have a play around with it and follow some of the 'lessons' that come along with it.
For the recording side I have gone with 'Audacity' (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/). Also download the 'Plug-In's' (effects etc) that come with it. You will also find software that lets you export files in mp3 format when you have done editing. So download that as well.
You will be needing some file converter software and for this I have chosen a little number from NCH Software, (www.nch.com.au.) No surprise here as it's called, 'File Converter'!
As you play around and follow the tutorials you will need some data to play with. You can import any music track of your choice and practise cutting the length or section of a tune but will not improve on the quality etc. That's all been done. So get some 'raw' data. For that I used my mobile phone. Just turn on the voice recorder and play it a tune. Load that to your PC, convert it to a file type 'Audacity' is happy with via your file converter and you have your data to play with.
Next time we will look at how to get the signal from your instrument to the PC, then we can start some 'real' editing.

Top Tip: If you have never been very good at disc 'housekeeping' START NOW! Work out a system that suits you and stick to it! Every time you alter your track in any way and save it, it will create another file and you may want to edit a previous one so decide how you are going to name them and file them. It will pay off in the end!

Well I think that's enough for now? If you do have any idea's pls drop me a line but for now it's Ta Ta from me.

Contact: Email folktalkinfolk@gmail.com. Twitter @folktalkinfolk. Direct 07526 504285.

Just a quickie...............

Dates for your diary.............

Hi all! As I am sure you know by now what a keen fan and follower of David P.Hope I am. So I have a few gig dates for all those lucky enough to live over on the Emerald Isle. In his words, "a mini tour". That could mean the size of car he is driving or the length of skirt he will be wearing! Either way, miss him at your peril. To cap it all off his fellow entertainers on said tour are all ladies! Lucky bu*&er.

Yes, he seems to have hit the 'I'm a lucky man' spot with concerts with both Miss Paula Flynn and The Henry Girls!

Wed 9th May with Paula Flynn at 'The Bernard Shaw', Potobello, Dublin, (free entry).

Fri 11th May with Paula Flynn and The Henry Girls at 'The Model', Sligo.

Sun 13th May as Miss Paula Flynn's 'special guest' at Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, 'The Black Box', Belfast.

More dates may be on the cards but at the moment these are all I have. You can keep an eye out at http://www.davidhope.ie/, or 'follow' him on Twitter @DavidPHope and 'Facebook' etc, etc. And I think his 'musicals' are available on iTunes etc.

Thats a pint you owe me David on your next trip 'over the water'!

Just afore I go, 'Masons Apron Radio' (http://www.masonsapronradio.co.uk/) have two new shows in the tubes which will be fun and if they do not make you smile you have no soul!

Bye for now but next time I will have Part 1 of the 'Home Studio', aka 'The Spare Bedroom'.

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285.

Joni Mitchell...'Miles of Aisles'...

Another round of the 'essential folk albums' slot............

As I'm sure most of you kind readers know, I am one of those 'finger in the ear', 'dyed-in-the-wool' type of folk fan...Traditional or be done etc. Now when it comes to playing (a VERY loose term), I am. If it's not tuned GDAE I'm lost but enjoy it just as much. In fact I can clear a room faster than the 'rozzers' in a Marijiwanna farm! And that's QUICK! But when it comes to my 'listenables' I have quite an eclectic mix. I would like to point out at this early stage that I know one of the co presenters of a famous Internet folk radio show is a closet 'Metal-Head' (he's the one heard eating bats in the background). So I make no excuses for taking a trip to the U.S of A for this helping of what I think is an 'essential' for your CD collection.

It's Joni Mitchell and to be honest she is not American. Born in Canada, 'Roberta Joan Anderson' in Nov of 1943 she moved to the USA in 1965, as that was where it was all 'happening'! If you are trying to second guess me at this point I bet your saying "it's going to be a review about 'Blue'". Well it's not. 'Miles of Aisles' is what my suggestion is today. Before we get onto that.....Dinner party trivia, 'Blue' is often given the title of 'Best Album Ever Made' by the American press!

Quite a few regard Miles of Aisles (MoA) as a 'Greatest Hits' album. But it's not! Yes, all the material had appeared on previous recordings and some had hit the 'mainstream' charts as singles but this is a 'live' album. If you want a Joni, Gt Hits, album from that period then 'Hits 1' (1996) would fit the bill. MoA is an out and out 'live' album that suffers from the technical difficulties of the time. Let me explain..... In the days prior to the invention of the Mp3 file that we now all know and love. And the advantages (or disadvantages!) of the ability to fit 50/60/70 tracks on the one disk. We had 74 mins of recording time available. That is why their is an abundance of both the 'double album' and 'double CD'. So why does MoA suffer? Well it's not in the song content or it would not be in this blog. It's the other 'bits'! I want to feel as I am at the concert with all the "Hello New York", whistles and "Hows about, Last time I Saw Richard" etc, etc. But it's not here and you miss it. To get a flavour of what 'could have been', the introduction to 'Circle Game' has been left in and just shows what even MORE of a cracker this album could be! Someone, somewhere, will have the complete tapes so lets hope they 'hear' the light of day.
The content of this album stands on it's own two feet and hardly needs any introduction. My favourites (for what it's worth) are 'Jerico', Carey (of Blue fame), 'Circle Game' (a great story), 'The Last Time I Saw Richard' and it goes without saying, 'Big Yellow Taxi'.
And yes. it's from over the water and no 'finger in the ear' singing. Still one of the best!!! What next? Maybe James Taylor. I hope you enjoy it?
ps. Just had a search around the usual outlets and it's under a tenner!!

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com. Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Call: 07526 504285.

LATE NEWS

It's Louise Hamilton and those 'Flaming Junes' again!! Just a quick promo for a charity concert down in the Cambs area so get yersens along.

Good News & Bad News!...a bonus posting.

Lets get the 'bad news' out of the way................

Sad to report that earlier this week we lost a LEGENDARY member of the folk world. 'Banjo' Barney McKenna, (Bernard Noel McKenna, born 1939) passed away. As a founding member of The Dubliners (in 1962) and 'King' of the tenor banjo, if you don't miss him your not a 'folkie' Not only banjo though, oh no, mandolin and melodeon also came easily to his hand. Just to add a little 'folk trivia', he played with The Chietains before the 'Dubs', (their loss!!). To anyone who is a reader of FTF who knows his family and friends please be kind enough to pass on, not only my condolences, but those of the 'everyday folkie'.
RIP Barney.

Now some good news............

If you can take your mouse back to my last posting (4th April 2012). I was giving one of my now 'infamous' (I try not to kill off any future career) plugs to one of my 'friends' from 'Tweetshire', @folkcircus, aka Louise Hamilton (please follow the link in the last posting for an excellent 'earfull'). Now it does not take Stephen Fry to work out that she is of the 'lady gender' and as such can do loads of stuff at the same time! I know for a FACT she entertains her kids in silly ways, juggles family life, and WATCHES her partner mend the shed, (although she does help by brewing the tea and tugging the 'ring pull')! Well on top of all this she finds time for involvement with a band called Flaming June, http://www.flamingjune.co.uk/. Now they have a track called 'The Insane Ex-girlfriend Parade' (great tital and great song). And as I sit here 'jotting' it is #2 in the CAM 105 chart and in my 'humble' it could do with #1, so help req!! So please follow the link and do yer bit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C7RLBYD.

Well thats it for this 'sad n glad' posting. Just one more thing....The power of the FTF blog has DOUBLED the 'listenership' of the now famous 'Mason's Apron' podcast, http://www.masonsapronradio.co.uk/. to four!!!! Now thats what you call POWER! Byeee for now, Phil. 

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Follow on Twitter: @folktalkinfolk or Chat: 07526 504285.

WHAT!!! No Dick Gaughan!!!

A man doing two things at once.........impossible?

Yes folks, sorry to say you have a 'Dick free' posting this time. What I aim to do though, is try and pull off  two topics in one go. Now as you well know ladies, for a man that could be quite a feat! I will give it a shot anyway. The first half of this posting is part plug and part support for a pair of guy's who enjoy folk music. When I say folk music, I mean the 'good stuff' and all power to them for sticking to their guns. They produce one of those 'pod cast' thingies, (I thought it had to do with fly fishing!). But no, it makes your computer into a wireless. What will they think of next? And if you enjoy it you can listen all over again and you cannot say that about everything now, can you? I am talking about 'Under the Mason's Apron', which can be found at, http://www.masonsapronradio.co.uk/. Introduced with both great silliness and knowledge by, Mal Tinker and 'Planxty Gramster' who have enough combined musical talent to know a good thing when they hear it and this is reflected in the show....Enjoy it! Also if you are of the 'Tweeting type', you can follow them @Masonsapronradio. And just to show I am NOT 'beardist' here we have a pic of those fine young gents.

Now here goes with the multitasking...............

At one of our executive meetings here at FTF Towers we decided what a spiffing idea it would be to do one of those 'part work' things. You know, build HMS Victory in two years at only £5.99 a week (after selling the wife and kids). But this will be free!!! (the advice will be anyway). For years now I have wanted the facility to record my 'pickings' just for the fun of it and to produce cheap gifts for my enemies! With new technologies never being cheaper and some of the software free, their has never been a better time to 'have a go'. At this early stage I will point out that this will not be of much use to the 'pro muso's' out there who, as we know take off to a studio in an exotic location. But if, like me you play the odd gig or even busk, having a CD to hand could make you a few extra bob. Now, I am not blessed in the 'dosh' department so rest assured this will be 'on a shoestring' record production and more the fun for it. So join me, starting next posting on our journey. It should be interesting!

**********

Quick plug time. Follow this link and get an ear load of the super Louise Hamilton. A singer/songwriter of (in my opinion anyway) the highest order and well worth following. Once again it's that 'Twitter' thing, @folkcircus and www.soundcloud.com/louisehamilton, tell your friends!

**********

Contact Details,Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com. Twitter:@folktalkinfolk or winge direct on 07526 504285

Dick Gaughan....Again!

Yes it's Gaughan again.........and first an addendum....

Way back on the 14th of Feb this year I posted a review/reminder of DG's great album Handful of Earth. I hope it was of interest to you and you will give it room in your collection when you get the chance? I did miss one or two vital bits of folk trivia though. In 1981 it was voted Melody Maker's 'Album of the Year' and in 1989, 'Album of the Decade'! Not bad at all for a folk album.

Now the second bite of Folktalkinfolk's essential albums 'cherry'. Dick's first ever offering from way back in 1972 (on plastic) and still available today (LER CD 2072) from that famous Internet site and many others, No More Forever. It is made up of eleven traditional tracks with something for everyone. With Aly Bain on fiddle this must be the first signs of the band that would become, Boys of the Lough. If you are a 'slow air' fan you have them and if foot tappin' is your thing this album is full of them too. Rattlin' Roarin' Willie to Jock O' Hazeldean it is just one great track after another. Since these early days Dick has taught himself how to read and write music and has become quite an authority on folk music. Needless to say he is worth every inch of praise we give him (do you give praise in inches?). He is a true 'living legand' of folk music. Miss this album at your peril.

I have a few links I want to remind you of :-
David Hope from 'over the water', Tweet: @DavidPHope, Net: http://www.davidhope.ie/, you can find him on Facebook too.
Art Ceilidh, The Russian guys with the 'Celtic' sound, Tweet: @ArtCeilidh, Net: http://artceilidh.com/, also on Reverbnation.
Barnsley Folk Club, Tweet: @BarnsleyFolk,
Net: http://www.reverbnation.com/venue/barnsleyfolkandacousticnight.

NB. This will be my last posting for a week or so as my now VERY ageing laptop is away in hospital! Will be back in a couple of weeks.

If you get bored please 'follow' me on Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, or
Tel: 07526 504285.

Are we racist.............?

We should be having a long hard look at ourselves............!

Late last summer I had the pleasure of attending a concert by one of my all time favourite folkie singer/songwriters. A great show was had by all (approx 350 people). He 'gave it large' about, unemployment the housing shortage, government etc. All everyday 'fodder' for the folk musician. Really good 'get it off your chest' material, of interest to everyone. Now call me 'Mr Thick' or 'Mr Have You Never Noticed Before', but their was not one Black or Asian person in the hall. When you give it some thought, not many, if any turn up at your average folk club or festival. Over too many years to count Mr Harding on BBC Radio 2 has played the likes of 'Ladysmith Black Mambazo', (www.mambazo.com) and Eric Bibb, (www.ericbibb.com), but that's about it. I for one love the blues and think it fits in a treat with traditional folk music. So 'why oh why' do we not try and bring the two together and lets all have some fun and banter. I'm sure it would 'put to bed' a lot of the old (and quite nasty) stereotypes on both sides! Nothing better than a listen to Mississippi John Hurt, Muddy Waters etc. We can develop our own breed of 'blues' with (sorry Mr 'H') 'Blind Lemon Clegg' and 'Sleepy John Arkwrite'. So lets get our act together and make a start encouraging EVERYONE to enter what has long been a 'closed shop'!

"By gum", I feel better for that!!

Lots of festival confirmations this past week. Too many to list I'm afraid. All seems quite on the gig front. I hope to start a list of local gigs and clubs soon. Sorry it has to be local as far as the clubs are concerned as nationwide is far beyond the scope of this wee blog. So please if you have any club news and contact details please drop me a line and I will pass them on.

Following 'conversations' with David Hope (http://www.davidhope.ie/), I am going to give this 'Facebook' thing a go. I know, I know, it may be a step too far but what the hell! I am also (get this) going to post some tunes on 'Reverbnation' more details soon.

No 'pet hate' this week as still getting over the bo=**ckings about 'Kirsty' last week!

All the best and summers round the corner, Phil.

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Facebook: Zoster Folk, Moan: 07526 504285.

Every Little Helps.....?

I hope...................?

I try in my own small way to help 'folkies' old and new. Most of the people I know in and around the folk world are all round 'good eggs' and pass on knowledge when asked (and even when not!). So it was with great delight I read a 'tweet' from David Hope directing the reader to an article in the Mayo News (Portal, fb.me/1sszAfRwZ)  Now I know I 'bang on' about this guy and it seems that at last (with no help from me), the word is getting out. This pleases me no end as I, among many, think he's good! The future of folk music is in the hands of David and the like so lets give them as much support as possible.

I would also like to thank all you readers who take the time out to drop me an email with suggestions both clean and not so! The albums you remind me about will find their way onto the blog one day, I promise. Also the reader who also used to frequent 'The Bankhouse Inn' in Pudsey all those years ago. Do you know if Brendan Egan is still on the go? It was always a good Sunday night with free pasties as I remember. The local band he is thinking of is 'Millstone Grit'. I have an album of theirs to this day. Good, solid, traditional folk music. By the way, if you go to the 'Bankhouse' now, it's a posh place with good food but no beer crates to sit on! Well you can't have everything, can ya?

Oh, less of this 'memory lane' trip!

This is just a quick 'end of the week' blog. I hope you all have a good weekend? Transatlantic Sessions 20:30 tonight.

Byeee, Phil.

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285.

ps, What is the difference between a violin and a fiddle? The owner does not mind if you spill beer on a fiddle!!

"Yorkshire, Yorkshire"

"That's the place for me".............

OK, so I'm biased, but up here in God's own county we do seem to turn out more than our fair share of super folk artists. Lancs don't do too badly either. It must be all that 'going downt pit' and 'up to mill' for fourteen hours day, nine days a week that does it! These may be cliche's as old as the hills but we do seem to turn out some good ones.

Which brings me to, Sarah Greenwood, John Platt and Dave Bottomley or collectively the band 'String Theory'.

String Theory

As you can see from this picture they gave the producers of the film 'The Artist' the idea for going 'black and white, but far from 'silent'! What they lack in colour in the photo they more than make up for in performance! Check out, http://www.reverbnation.com/stringtheoryuk and see and hear for yourself. I for one are looking forward to a live session soon and when I do will report back. In the meantime catch them at a club near you. The site has details.

Steve Tilston, fresh from success at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards seems to be turning up all over the shop in the next few months. Find all the details at, http://www.stevetilston.com/. You can also join his mailing list and be one of the first to know up and comming gigs etc.
I really find these artist websites and mailing lists useful.

Going to 'cut a dash' now as a busy day awaits. Will post an update on my 'tenor guitaring' exploits soon but enjoying it no end at the moment. Also hope to have the website up and running by April (thats April this year!!) so fingers crossed for that.

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com. Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285.

Rusby & Roberts

Think before you post.........!

The headline refers to me! I live in the world where 17 years ago was yesterday and nothing much, apart from technology moves forward. Oh I forgot, the pain in my knees and elbows also moves forward at a rate faster than my 'Smartphone'!
As you know from time to time I suggest a little 'star', recorded music wise, to add to your collection if you missed it the first time around, or you are new to folk music. So it was on Sunday last, while perusing my CD collection I came across 'Kate Rusby & Kathryn Roberts'. Now if your expecting a title, that's it, Kate Rusby & Kathryn Roberts.

I did my usual 'extensive' research (10 mins) and found this 'little cracker' quite hard to get hold of. In fact on the second hand market anything from £25 - £30!! So did a bit more digging and found to my amazement it is available on 'Amazon USA' as an import at $19....NEW! Please do not ask me 'how' or 'why' that's just the silly industry for you or the silly 'interweb' who knows?. Anyway, if you do want to give it a go you can get hold of it without too much bother.
So the CD then.....Yes it is a 'little cracker' with ten traditional tracks sung in a way only these two could do. It's just fantastic, from 'Ned on the Hill', to 'The Lorry Ride' and back again, I'm sure you will not be able to stop listening. OK, if your not a 'Rusby' fan it will not be for you. If you are, get hold of it. Kate plays guitar and piano and Kathryn a list of instruments as ling as the proverbial. Iincluding, piano, flute, sax and clarinet!
First released in 1995 on Pure Records (PRCD01) it was Kate and Kathryn's debut recording following many years of trips with Mum and Dad to the local folk clubs. Evan at this early stage you can see the germination of the 'Kate Rusby Band' as John McCusker both 'fiddles' and produces This album will take you back, in a nice way!

I hope you have a super March! Spring is on it's way. Will have another comp' at the end of the month with t-shirts as prizes so you can get a nice suntan. Sorry, that should say 'pale and interesting'!

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285. 

Scales......

Who needs them......?

Well we do, is the plain and simple answer. Ok, you look at a scale book and think 'bugger', where do I start? As this blog deals (in the main) with traditional Irish and Scottish tunes we can narrow down our need for scales and the practise of scales, quite a bit. To be honest, quite a LOT!
Most GDAE tuned instruments will only part with two or two and a half octaves anyway so that does us a favour to start with. Follow that with 95% of tunes never venturing near the 'G' string (the thick one or 'fourth' string as I put it. Others say 'first'.). So that cuts the range down even more. I do include the 'G' in my practise as it gives your memory and fingers the whole picture and that is what your after. You hear 'muso's' talking about 'muscle memory' and this seems a strange and wondrous thing when you first start. Just watch the likes of Vin Garbutt playing a set of jigs on tin whistle at speed and I can assure you he is not thinking, 'ah, what comes after C sharp'!!!! The 'muscle memory' in his fingers and brain are doling the 'talking'. And sorry to say that's practise and loads of it. Afore I stray off the subject as I tend to do.....my tips for scales are. To start with, stick to C, G, D, and A Major. One octave at first then two. Both up and down. Remember the Major scale rule: from your start note that names the scale eg. 'C Major', it's, tone (2 frets), tone, semitone (1 fret), tone, tone, tone, semitone, for the octave. Then on to the second octave etc.
If you give these a good ten to fifteen minutes a day four or five times a week you will soon have that 'memory' that will drive further learning forward. Have fun with them and never make them a chore. If you don't feel like em' don't do em' but it will pay off...........Promise!

Just the place to put those new found skills and old ones too is The Gun Inn on the A628 Nr Glossop. Run by a guy called James McCormack, on 07805338747. This is one of those 'grass roots' jobbies that folk music is all about and the ones we should be supporting, so give it a go if you can. It's every second Thursday so March will be, 8th, 22nd, April 5th, 19th, etc, etc. Make a note of James' number and give him a call to confirm. Do not want you to waste a journey.

Well it looks and sounds as though David Hope enjoyed gigging with The Henry Girls over the water on the 'Emerald'. I do hope he makes it over here soon, he seems such a nice guy and want to buy him a pint.

Far too many festival confirmations to mention, Rothbury, Whitby, Cambridge and Sidmouth are all looking very good. With no doubt more to follow.

'Pet hate' this week, Kirstie Allsopp!! Supose some daft bugger loves her?

Springs on it's way, good health to you all, Phil.

Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285.

'Gerry O'Connor' and his banjo magic.....

February's, 'Player of the Month'...............

You may not recognise the name but if you are half a folkie you will have tapped your feet to his 'banjoing' expertise. Yes, that's Gerry 'Banjo' O'Connor. He does have solo albums to his name. In fact from way back in 1992 with 'Time to Time'. 'No Place Like Home' released in 2004 was voted 'Album of the Year' by the Irish Times, so he is no stranger to solo success. 'High Up Low Down' brings us right up to date (2011) on the solo front. He is much in demand as a session musician and it is for this work he sticks in my mind. Along with other traditional muso's such as Manus Lunny and Kevin Doherty the release of 'Myriad'  (a superb album well worth adding to your collection) in 1999 just shows that things can go from great to greater!

Add to this list, work on the 'Lord of the Dance' soundtrack for Michael Flatley and 'guestings' alongside the likes of Mary Black and Chris Rea. And in the mix of series 4, Transatlantic Sessions.
This guy is well worth a listen. And to add yet another string to his banjo he produces rather good 'Irish Tenor Banjo' tutor books, CD's and DVD's. In fact, my first ever book and CD was 'The Complete Guide' to ITB and very good it is too. Good solid basics and good tunes too!
He must be one of the best all rounders when it comes to tenor banjo, much respect.

*** Top Tip ***

If, like me you keep your mandolin, guitar etc, out on a stand I have a super dooper tip for you. To rid the inards of your instrument of dust and crud drop in some grains (uncooked!!) of rice. Give the 'old girl' a shake and empty. Bobs your uncle, a clean interior! NB. if you own a fiddle by 'Stradavari' go easy!

Friday evening (20.30) we have 'Transatlantic Sessions' on BBC 4 TV.

Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285.

'Pet hate' of the week: 'Diet Chef' or, 'how to sell small portions of food at inflated prices'. Go and buy yourself a calorie counting book for 99p! Byeee.

Folk Clubs......Things of the past?

No better place to 'cut your teeth'............

I know of little else that gives me greater pleasure than getting 'Nellie' or her sister, 'Bertha' out of the case and playing a set of reels or jigs, or learning a new tune just for the hell of it. Along with the many hours of frustration comes the satisfaction of 'nailing' a new tune. But to what end? In fact do we really need an 'end'? Well I think we do. I also live in the real world and realise the main stage at Cambridge Folk Festival and opening a concert for Kate Rusby are not going to happen anytime soon. What we can do though is pay a visit to our local (and not so local) folk club on a 'singaround' night or a 'session'. I am pleased to report that most (but unfortunately not all) have shaken off the cliquish image. You are no longer 'shot at dawn' for going for a pee while the turn is on. And even worse, going to the bar for a pint! In the main, they are frequented by sensible, 'like minded' people who will welcome you with open arms. This takes me to my golden rule of performance. We all make mistakes, from 'bum' notes to badly timed triplets. I make more than the national average! The time to make them is at home when practising and at a musicians session at the club. The minute you charge even  a single penny the bum notes have to stop! So what better place to hone your skills and receive advice aplenty, than your local folk club. In the not too distant future I hope to pay a visit to Barnsley Folk Club. Held every Monday evening (not bank hols) at Barnsley Trades Club. Contact can be made at http://www.reverbnation.com/venue/barnsleyfolkandacousticnight. You can also sign up for the mailing list. I will 'jot' a report following my visit.
So I am pleased to say that (in the North at least) the folk club is alive and well and giving that first 'leg up' that we all need.

A quick reminder on the David Hope gig (along with the 'Henry Girls') in Cork. It's at the Half Moon Theatre, Cork Opera House on the 26th Feb at 8.30pm, enjoy it!

I am hoping to start a VERY basic web site for the devotees of all 'folk'instruments tuned GDAE. I will try and incorporate a second hand 'For Sale' section, basic lessons, description of available instruments, links to other sites and much more. Details to follow.

It's time to go as Mike Harding beckons on BBC Radio 2 for my weekly fix of 'folkiness'.

Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285.

Cambridge Folk Festival 2012, Update

Latest News...........

Hi all, just a short post to keep you up to date with the news from what we could call the 'Glastonbury' of folk. Cambridge is always a great gig and 2012 looks as though it's no exception. Artist news has been a bit thin on the ground but it's early days yet. I have picked up a few nuggets of information to impart, so here goes....

Thurs 26th July: Billy Bragg, (celebrating the 100th birthday of Woody Guthrie).

Friday 27th July: June Tabor and Oysterband, (sure to be all the better following the folk awards!).

Sat 28th July: The Proclaimers, Clannad.

Sun 29th July: Joan Armatrading, Loreena McKennitt, Nic Jones, (please see post dated 16th Jan for more Nic Jones info).

Loads more to come but if you want to be on the ball you can follow them on Twitter @CamFolkFest or the website http://www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk/.

"Thats all for now folks".

Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Tel: 07526 504285. 

Dick Gaughan, Handful of Earth

Another 'Essential' for the CD rack......!

Back in January I started digging around in my CD stash for good (in my view) building blocks to start a folkie collection with. Or it could be ones that slipped through the net the first (and second) time round. For no particular reason I can think of, I started with a real good un, 'Penguin Eggs' by Nic Jones. I hope you have got your 'mitts' on a copy and are enjoying it?
Well here we go with album two. It is still available, so no excuses. I have chosen 'Handful of Earth' by the great Dick Gaughan. First out on 'plastic' in 1981, then onto CD in 1989 on (what would we do without them?) Topic records (TSCD 419). This is a MUST of an album. Dick is a 'big' guy with a 'big' voice and even bigger guitar style. He just has the voice that suits all we enjoy in folk music. From the 'brash' 'Erin-Go-Bragh' and 'Workers' Song' to near lament 'Song for Ireland' and Both Sides the Tweed'. The whole album is stuffed to the gunwales with goodies. For the muso's among us he gives a masterclass in the use of the 'triplet'. A device often (far too!) overdone, he pulls them off one after the other. I can think of no other musician who gets away with it quite like Mr Gaughan!

If you have not had the pleasure of a live 'listening', please go out of your way to do so, you will not regret a minute. Have had a look on his website ( www.dickgaughan.co.uk) and he seems to be performing all over the shop, so no excuses.
Next month I have another 'DG' delight but that's for then.

I hope you all rec'd flowers, chocs and tickets to see Vin Garbutt for St Valentines Day? As I mentioned on Twitter, tonight I will be mostly eating my M&S meal for ONE and drinking my wine for ONE and reading the card I sent to myself (I'm going for the sympathy vote!). Mind you, I have Mike Harding on Radio 2. He will have to do.

If you have any suggestions (clean ones please) for the 'essential albums' slot let me know, as usual, it's,
Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285.

Do you change YOURS often enough.......?

STRINGS, what did you think I meant?

If, like me, you are not 'gigging' every other day or just playing for your own enjoyment (and frustration) your strings have a tendency to be forgotten. I got quite a surprise at the weekend when I was giving 'Nellie' (my tenor banjo) a good seeing to. While introducing her to a new jig to take to festivals she sounded a touch under the weather. G & D were very dull, the plain strings were not quite so bad, but poor performances all round. I even recorded a snippet on my phone and it was terrible! Now just to back track a wee bit. I am so 'anal' that I jot down in my diary when I change strings and oil fingerboards etc. And you guessed it, it was seven months since my last new set! A quick tip to new string players. Always change the full set. It can be very expensive if your a fiddle player but it's worth it in the long run. I also change them about a week or so before a session or festival. It gives them time to settle down. And never forget the spare set. It's 'sods-law' one will break in Whitby, nearest music shop Scarborough! Make a note of when you changed them also if you liked the make and gauge etc. If you can manage it, buy them in batches of ten and ask for a discount, that way you end up with a free set, always handy. Tommy a good guitaring friend of mine is known as Mr Tight, Tight Cottage, The Village of Tight, Tightshire. He says (I cannot vouch for this or encourage it in any way) that if you boil the wound strings for ten to fifteen mins with a drop of wash-up it brings then back to life!! If you fancy trying this please do not trim your strings when you fit them, or you will never get them back on after treatment. To be honest it's not worth it, is it?
Well, that's strings for you. Bet you never thought they would be so interesting did ya?

I have some ***David Hope News***
He (www.davidhope.ie) is joining The Henry Girls (http://thehenrygirls.com) for a couple of dates over on his home turf.
Thurs 16th Feb at 9pm, Monroes, Galway.
Sun 26th Feb at 8.30pm, The Half Moon Theatre, @ The Cork Opera House, Cork

Mixed Fortunes at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards!

Your opinions welcome.................

As you know I enjoy playing traditional music on a variety of GDAE tuned instruments. But when push comes to shove I'm 'just' a fan of our kind of music. So, is it me or were the awards just a touch bland? Now don't get me wrong all the winners are super and well deserve recognition for their performances, but....You know what I mean! I'm sure it cannot be me when 'The Home Service' beat 'Bellowhead' to 'Best Live Act', summat is wrong!. Don McKlean's 'guitar tech' needs shooting. Please do not shoot Don McLean, he's an all round 'good egg' but not overly good on the singing front. When it came to Best Original Song and the Young Folk Award, I'm glad it was not me who had to choose. All of them fantastic. If you had a listen at 'half time' I'm sure you will agree the 'kids' sounded great.
This is a bit 'cat among pigeons' or 'food for thought', I enjoyed them all the same. Roll on next year when I will be nominated for 'Biggest Prat', will you be on the list with me?

Contact, Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Moan Line: 07526 504285.

BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - Results

Hi all! Hope your all well?

Here, hot from the Folk Awards Show are the winners for 2012 (a few suprises too!)

Folk Singer of the Year - June Tabor

Best Duo - Tim Edey & Brendan Power

Best Group - June Tabor & Oysterband

Best Album - June Tabor & Oysterband

Best Original Song - (Joint Winners!!!) Bella Hardy & Steve Tilston

Best Traditional Track - June Tabor & Oysterband (Bonny Bunch of Roses)

Horizon Award - Lucy Ward

Musician of the Year - Tim Edey

Best Live Act - The Home Service

BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award - Ioscaid

How on earth the judges pick a winner, (who are they by the way?) is beyond me! They are all worthy 'folkists'. And very, very good luck to them for the future.
Just had a quick glance at the competition entries and it looks like we have FIVE winners ('clever Dicks'), which is great. Will email them in the morning and be sending them a super mug posthaste! I was glad not to have twenty one winners as I only have twenty mugs!! I will now think up another competition for March as your response was super and many thanks (and laughs).

It will soon be congrats' to Kate (Rusby) and Damien on the arrival of young folkie No2. I think she is giving performance a rest for a while but working hard for us at home. See you all in Sep/Oct 2012.

Just before I go a mention for 'Folk Radio UK', (http://www.folkradio.co.uk/). Found them by accident on the 'interweb'. Looks like a good site and 'listen'. Will check them out and report back soon. TTFN, Phil.

Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, 'Moan Line': 07526 504285.

It's Competition Time

Be the envy of your friends..............!

Yes, be the envy of all your friends and win an exclusive, (never seen on Ebay) Folktalkinfolk mug! Read on. This blog is fast becoming an episode of 'all our yesterdays'. But the kids have to learn what we had to live with before oral contraception, don't they? Next week it's the annual BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. So next Wed (8th Feb 2012), if your reading this later you have missed it)) I would like you all to gather around the 'wireless' (that's the thing we used to listen to before we contacted 'Radio Rentals' to hire a telly) at 7.30pm for an good two and a half hours or so of folkie goodness. It should be good, I hear that The Dubliners ("come on 'Banjo' Barney") and Seth Lakeman (calm down girls) are doing a turn and with Mr Harding and Julie Fowlis at the helm, all should be well?
I hear you crying "what about the mug Phil"! All you have to do to win one is go to the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards website, take a look at the list of nominees , jot down the winner in each category, email them to the usual address. Then sit back and wait. Anyone getting three or more correct will get the famous drinking vessel (I would now like to show you a picture of one, but as yet, they have not arrived). Her are my picks anyway:

Folk Singer of the Year, June Tabor.
Best Duo, Spiers and Boden.
Best Album, Ragged Kingdom (June Tabor and Oysterband).
Best Original Song, 'On Moracambe Bay'  by Ken Littlewood (performed by Christy Moore). *****
Best Traditional Track, 'Bonny Bunch of Roses', June Tabor and Oysterband.
Best Live Act, Bellowhead.*****
Horizon Award, Pilgrims Way.

The two *****'s are (I think), 'dead certs'!

Good luck to you all, bye for now, Phil

Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Tel: 07526 504285.

LATE NEWS, you can watch it (forget the 'wireless') by pressing the red button!

To festival or not to festival, that is the question?

It's an expensive job being a 'folkie'...........

Folk music fans are a tough lot. Weathering the storms of winter with nowt but 'singarounds' and 'sessions' to keep our 'hands in', while looking forward to the long lazy festival days to come. I think festivals are our 'wages' in payment for all the money spent on Kate Rusby and Seth Lakeman CD's. Or the set of 'olive label' fiddle strings you bought that cost more than the instrument! As I mentioned in a previous post, I want to make 2012 a festival going year and was looking forward to every 'folkie' minute of it. Being a Yorkshireman and of limited means, I thought doing some sums was the order of the day. Well bu*?er me you could have knocked me over with a 14lb lump hammer! My 'wish list' was Beverley in June, Rothbury in July, Whitby Folk Week in Aug and Otley in Sept. Quite a lot, but it's not every year, is it? Not taking money for pints of the 'black stuff' and eating into consideration and camping (I'm still daft enough to do it), I still have a dilemma, on the one hand I have 15 days of 'folking' goodness and the other, 14 nights 'all in', in sunny Mexico and change!! Now don't forget, I'm single and no kids. If I had, I would be hard pressed to justify even Whitby. It would be thank goodness for Saltburn (no offence). The reason for these ramblings? I thank my lucky stars I'm single, have a few bob and not bothered about a suntan! I do have some good news...... David Hope has an EP ("Hell or High Water") available for download.

Our association is all I find good about the 'Twitter' age. Without it I would never have found this super chap with such a talent. He has just returned from entertaining the Germans and is working on an album for release later in the year. As soon as I get wind of it I will bring you the news. For now at least the EP will have to do!You can find him along with the 'Henchmen' on MySpace and at www.davidhope.ie.

Late news...the Wilson Family are confirmed for Rothbury festival on the 14th July.

This weeks 'pet hate', kids that say "innit" at every verse end!! Byeeee.

Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: @folktalkinfolk, Phone: 07526 504285.

A big "thank you to Black Diamond Accordions"

I bet Samuel Johnson would be proud..........?

It's time for a big 'thank you' to Juliet Doyle. She is one of the 'squeezers' down at Black Diamond Accordions who I gave a mention to in my last post. I had tried to nick some pictures from their site to show you how super dooper these instruments are. Anyroad, I failed (as usual) but Juliet came to my rescue, so here we have them, mmmmm.

These give you a good idea of what goes on down at http://blackdiamondaccordions.com/ at lunchtime!

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours" and "the flautists cardigan is very orange"!

I (more than most) enjoy a bit of silliness to help the day along, but  very serious selling and marketing are possible through the likes of Twitter. I have my doubts when it comes to that Facepamphlet thing. A very poor relation if you ask me.

Oh, the Samuel Johnson reference.......I have invented a new word! People go on about making so called 'friends' on one social networking site or another. I think if you make one of these 'friends' on Twitter you could say "I have made a Twiffer, you never know, it could catch on, the wheel did! See Ya.

Email: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Twitter: (and become a 'Twiffer') @folktalkinfolk, Tel:07526 504285.

ps, thinking about building a website as an 'all in one place', free resource for everything 'folkie', please let me know what you think.