h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What about Tom Paxton, Leonard Cohen, Ralph McTell, Ewan McColly & Peggy Seeger........

I remember going to Dingles Folk Club in London and listening to s'one called Sam Lennox Martin (young woman). She sang music hall stuff in a real folky way. Wonderful.

I also like the rather risque sort of 'folk' e.g. 'Seven Dreunken Nights', Twice Daily etc etc.

Caught sight of the TV tribute to Martin Carthy the other night. Wish I'd have known it was going to be on and I would have prepared myself better fo it - got some beers in etc.

apologies for the omissions - I'd forgotten abot Ralph Mactell! The Carthy thing was pretty good, actually. SUCH a good guitar player!

There is some really mad stuff out there, you're right. I like the stuff Eliza Carthy calls "trick the girl" songs, you know, bloke dupes girl into sex, and usually ends up being slaughtered by her brothers! "Clark Sanders" is a good example. The old C17th Diggers tunes are good for political stuff, but you have to hunt around quite a bit. Suppression and all that.

What I'd love to know is if there is an online resource for tunes and songs. If there isn't, someone's made a BIG oversight!

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it!

Frag

Sorry.

It's Ralph McTell.

Just off to shoot myself...

I did enjoy reading your article. I would have liked to have something more constructive to say, but regret I couldn't think of anything. As you say, the world of folk music is extremely broad; and its unlikely for a person to like/enjoy all the different facets. I'm currently listening to the Sidmouith Folk Festivcal on Radio 2 - managed tro get Real Player to work on my computer.

BIGAL

Thanks matey. I'm in the process of editing it a bit and changing some stuff, so watch this space. Was Sidmouth any good?

Too much talking and not enuff music on the Sidmouth programme.

Another thing that I thought of is, what about including a little bit to highlight the kinds of bands that do a lot to popularise folk music, (even if it's a bit anodyne and saccharine) e.h. The Spinners

just noticed you're online and want to say "thanks matey" for referencing my little entry on your page. It's new and improved now. I could stick a bit in about the popularisation of Folk, certainly during the 60s with Fairport, Steeleye, etc. Not familiar with the Spinners, so I'll check 'em out.

hey-nonny-no

Fragxx

Hi Fraggle,

As you can tell, I'm interested in 'folk'. I would have liked to have helped you out a bit more constructively but, to be honest, I don't know how I would tackle such a project myself. I think it is because 'folk' covers such a broad spectrum.

Probably I would put in a paragraph for each of my favourite bands/performers, explaining what contribution they had made.

I'll just return to your article from time to time and interject the occasional comment when I can.

I used to go to folk clubs a lot in my youth, and then I took to Listening to 'Folk on Two' (Radio 2) for a spell. But nowadays I don't do much at all. It's another thing I'll return to when I retire!

Incidentally, I saw Katherine (spelling) Tickell on TV a couple of months ago, and she sang a song called 'Dog and Gun (The name of a pub) which I really liked. I was reminded of her again when I listened to 'Sidmouth' and she sang a number'

I was thinking about this a bit more as I was walking back from town. If it was me I wiould categorise and sub-categorise it into different aspects of human life: and also say s'thing about the artists and the purpose/aim(s) of the songs:

E.g.

1.Chasing girlfriend/boyfriends ('Twice Daily' - Adge Cutler & The Wurzels; Soldier, Soldier Won't You Marry Me...' etc)

2.Romance, Love, Masrriage

3. Infidelity ('Seven Drunken Nights'; Navvy Boots' etc, etc)

4. Working Life, e.g

4a Mining ('Dirty Old Town' Ewan McColl & Peggy Seeger)
4b Fishing (e.g. Ewan McColl 'Singing the Fishing'
4c Sea Shanties (A rich collection here!)
4d Railways ('Paddy works on the railway)

5. Leisure e.g.

5a Walking/Rambling Manchester Rambler (Ewan McColl & Peggy Seeger)
5b Drinking Songs (A rich repertoire here, e.g 'Whisky in the Jar')

6. Death

7. Places (E.g Streets of London' Ralph McTell)

8. Regional Songs (E.g. The Smith Brothers used to sing Geordie Songs)

As I'm sure you can gather, these ideas are nowhere near exhaustive, but just a suggestion of how you can make sense of a very diverse field.

I think your entry is going to be a very long time in gestation but, ultimately, it will be well worth it. Please don't allow yourself to get disheartened.

cheers me heartie, the old cogs are whirring already.

Hence the burning smell...

Frag xx