Quote:
Originally Posted by jackhammer
Kate Rusby is an essential artist in British folk but yes there does seem a dearth in Great Folk these days. The trouble is , is that the market is so over saturated with American artists that some traditional artists seem to be struggling. It's not American bands doing this, merely the British buying public. I am sure there is great Folk out there but it does'nt get enough exposure these days. Considering the size of Britain and our musical heritage it is surprising. Maybe it is record companies just not getting behind the artists anymore?
One thing is for sure though, Folk and Fringe music is still highly popular at Festivals such as Wychwood (half a mile away from me) and The Big Chill.
It's a shame really because although I am certainly no expert, I do like some Folk music and I would love to hear some new names but maybe i'm just not looking hard enough and am as guilty as the mainstream?
|
American artists have certainly caught my attention for a good while now.
While thinking about this today and pondering your reply I have actually thought that the one thing that the artists in the Americana genre have going for them is a certain lack of embarrassment about the music that they produce and it tends to show. There is a positiveness about it. Even when they are morbid subjects and the presentation of the song shows that, there is a seemingly personal effort put into the song that marks this and maybe the public are perceiving this and enjoying it. Lets take for example the silly throwaway line that is thrown about not liking Country music because it is about the "dog running off with the wife in the truck" etc etc. The US artist seems to have no embarrassment about this and they will even promote it if you get what I mean. The item I posted implied that the "bearded ale drinker" was a twee embarrassment. This would be disappointing if this was the case. Using The Mountain Ash Band style of "bearded ale drinker" folk as an example I think that there is maybe an uncomfortable feeling about this kind of music and a few may actually hate it and be embarrassed. It was about the poor under class and that may just be an embarrassment to a more modern Britain that may see itself as more sophisticated. Just typing out loud and I could be way off the mark.
As to the part I have highlighted I am wondering of I am the same but do not know where to look but that item tends to imply an issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger
I think the change in demographic for Radio 2 has a lot to do with the lack of British folk music.
Before Radio 2 was modernised you used to get tons of folk music , country , jazz & plenty of roots music being played on there all the time. But now it seems to want to target the post Radio 1 audience. The 30 somethings , which is why you get DJs like Steve Wright & Jonathan Ross basically playing the same playlist Radio 1 was playing 10/15 years ago.
There's no British folk music around because there is no major mainsteam outlet for it anymore.
|
On my last visit to the UK I travelled for a good couple of weeks and went from the deepest south to the north of Scotland. Had a great time except for the radio in the hire car. The only constant was Radio one. I may be wrong but it seemed to be the only station that we could keep on the dial where ever we travelled. The same few songs seemed to be on rotation permanently. We turned of for good after a while but I remember thinking that I could not put up with this if I was forced to listen to it day in day out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackhammer
I am becoming a one man fanboy for this man. John Martyn is now in a wheelchair but still performing. This is not misfortune. His left leg below the knee was amputated due to a burst cyst. John Martyn is an alcoholic who still has'nt remarried since his marriage ended in 1980 and fully accepts his drunken romanticism. Certain songs he plays bring tears to his eyes. This is ultimately what music is. Personal yet it speaks to many.
|
I got two of his albums and have given them a couple of listens. Thanks for your advice. I have Bless the Weather and On The Cobbles. The first is a genuine English folk album with the later, Cobbles, being a more at times more rock and jazz in style. His voice has changed over the years. In context of the subject I prefer the early work but then with more listens I may change my opinion.