The English Folkies Are Back!

Subject: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: Doctor John
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 05:07 PM

A short time ago there was a new CD from Nic Jones; now two new superb CD's by Tony Rose and Chris Foster have been released. These two excellent singers and instrumentalists had not recorded for many years. These recordings are of the highest order: man and guitar/concertina stuff - no keyboards, choirs or orchestras. Please e-mail me for details. I have no financial interest in this. Is there a revival I wonder? Dr John

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: Ian HP
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 05:32 PM

Fantastic news, Dr. John. I would love the details, but what IS you email?

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: Doctor John
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 06:06 PM

It is on the Mudcat list, but here it is anyway - [e-mail] I can pass on the e-mail addresses for Tony Rose and Chris Foster, so that those who wish can order the CD's direct from them:- [e-mail] this is the address for Chris Foster. [e-mail] this is the e-mail for Tony Rose. Maybe Jon Raven will be similarly inspired. Dr John

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: poet
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 07:23 PM

I don't know the artists you have refered too but i did'nt think we'd gone anywhere (English Folkies) there are thousands of us out there pushing the music we love.
Graham

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: Stewie
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 07:50 PM

Thanks for the information. It would be nice if someone reissued the old Halliard [Nick Jones, Tony Rose & Jon Raven]'Broadsides' LP on CD. It stands the test of time very well indeed.

Talking about English folkies, in the 20th anniversary issue [Aug/Sept 1999] of 'fRoots', Colin Irwin writes: 'Exciting young bands like Tarras, Shooglenifty, Blue Horses, Deaf Shepherd and Acaysha offer further [he was talking earlier about Eliza Carthy, Kate Rusby, Kathryn Tickell] varied energetic and inventive ways forward. This at a time when America has offered little of originality - Cordelia's Dad and Snakefarm are honourable exceptions ...' What do you reckon about that little gauntlet?

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: j0_77
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 08:27 PM

DR John - quite right there is a revival but not like it appears - this side o the pond it's mostly a rapid increase of young folk - I suspect fed up with the drivel that passes for popular music on Radio / CD etc. A lot of hangover from the 60-80's songs etc., it's only a matter of time till this newage finds it's own song. Lots of Guitars and Banjos - hey it's folk

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: Doctor John
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 10:20 AM

Stewie, You'll be glad to know that the Halliard CD is available; try Mike Raven (Jon's brother), Yew Tree Cottage, Jug Bank, Ashley, Market Drayton, shropshire, TF9 4NJ. A really nice guy who'll be glad to hear from you. Poet, I can find you in the clubs but not so much in the record shops. I think English folk music reached its zenith in the 70's (correct me if I'm wrong) but a lot of the material lies unissued somewhere in Harrogate (Nic Jones etc) Dr John

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: selby
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 11:09 AM

As an English Folkie I havn't been anywhere other than here. There is also a large amount of unsung Kids out there participating in alsort's of pastimes that are folk related that have already picked up the baton Keith

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: wildlone
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 12:20 PM

Re unissued folk in Harrogate yes there is lots of it,there is also a lot of old early stuff which came out on vinyl thats begging for re-release on cd.
I am lead to believe that the owner of copyright also deals in early vinyl AT A PRICE!!so we can see why you cannot get these recordings except on copied tapes.WL.

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: selby
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 12:49 PM

I think the people you are talking about are CDM Distribution, Starbeck, Harrogate. Keith

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: poet
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 05:43 PM

Hey Dr John
Iplay In an Irish Thrash music band called the Worst Show On Earth Yeah we're NOT on record. I sing accupela in clubs and can never remember the words long enough to record them. ive run clubs and i'm just retiring from 14yrs running a festival G.I.F.F. But as I,m usually working at it I very rarely get to see it. So you'll be lucky(un) to find a mention of me out on the scene.

Graham Hyett (Guernsey)

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 06:43 PM

Doctor John, many thanks, that is great news. I will write to him for a copy.

Referring to unissued material from the 70s, Bulmer (or whatever his name is) is also sitting on the 2 superb Leader/Trailer albums of Al O'Donnell. These remain my all-time favourites of that period. Whatever happened to Al O'Donnell - did he suddenly take up dolphin research with Fred Neil or what?

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: Wally Macnow
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 12:23 PM

John,

From what I see over here (U.S.) in the way of record releases, there appears to be something happening in the U.K.

If Topic's releases of the Voice of the People series and CD releases of so much of the material that was originally released on vinyl is any indication, there must be some interest. Otherwise, why now? It's true of other English labels as well. Seems to me that something must be going on.

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: GeorgeH
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 01:49 PM

Selby: I thought it was CM Distribution . . (as blacklisted by the Musicians' Union). And - contrary to reports - CM have long since sold out of some of the most saught-after vinyl recordings.

As for something happening over here - well, there's a theory that reaction to Thatcher kicked some life back into our Folk scene, and while it can never be proved either way, I'd go along with that.

And while we're on UK greats from the past, I'd strongly recommend Pete Coe's newish CD on his own Backshift label.

G.

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: selby
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 02:27 PM

George now you have told me you are right. It was CM as in Celtic Music. CDM was Cadburys Dairy Milk. I think I was having a golden moment Keith

Subject: RE: The English Folkies Are Back!
From: GeorgeH
Date: 21 Sep 99 - 06:44 AM

Thanks, Selby! I KNEW I recognised CDM but couldn't place it!!

G.