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.
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.
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