The case for and against Ed Sheeran

Subject: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Jun 23 - 08:25 AM

Long but very interesting read in the New Yorker magazine.

I enjoyed it anyway!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 23 Jun 23 - 10:38 AM

After reading the article,
I see Ed Sheeran as the latest in a series of many such songwriters;
what he may have done,
others have been doing for generations before him.

Is there really a recording of Ed Sheeran
singing "The Parting Glass"? I heard something to that effect.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Jun 23 - 10:53 AM

There is and one of him singing The Wild Mountain Thyme. I'm out at the mo but when if you don't find them on YouTube I shall post links when I get home

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Jun 23 - 12:46 PM

Back home now - It's easier on a desktop

The parting glass

The wild mountain thyme

Of course there are those who walk amongst us that will insist that he can never sing folk songs because he was not born in 1870... :-D

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 04:28 AM

Of course there are those who walk amongst us that will insist that he can never sing folk songs because he was not born in 1870..."
I do not think anyone on this forum has ever suggested such a thing

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 04:54 AM

I think there are some un-named GUESTS who don’t ‘get’ jokes, Dick.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 07:40 AM

I think you're right John! Apart from about my name :-D

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 07:51 AM

LOL Dave! :-D ;-)

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 07:52 AM

But I’m sure we were both thinking of the same bloke! ;-)

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 08:03 AM

:-D

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 08:02 PM

Just attended a singing weekend in Yorkshire with never an instrument in sight - although there were some exceptional musicians there. Two hundred plus songs sung over two and a half days with only a couple of variants (duplicates?). Mostly traditional English, Irish and Scottish with some excellent more moden stuff in the idiom.

Also just listened to the couple of tracks by Ed Sheeran and they would certainly have been welcome at the gathering - He probably applied too late as the event usually sells out within 24 hours. (Tongue in cheek!!)

And no I am not being condescending. He is obviously a young man with a bucket load of talent and a real feel for quality music of whatever genre.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Pappy Fiddle
Date: 25 Jun 23 - 10:59 PM

I have a question. It might seem dense or something, but I've dug around, even asked a lawyer, and still haven't got the answer.

I seem to remember that Bill Clinton signed into law the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, which increased the length of a copyright from 21 to 42 years. And yet I can't find this number anywhere other than my memory.

In 2008, Paul McCartney started performing his own song, "And I Love Her" in concerts, first released in 1966. I imagine his lawyers told him he couldn't sing it before that for money. Because the copyright belonged to the Beatles' record company, who sold it to someone, who sold it to someone else, and eventually it wound up in Sony's portifolio, or Michael Jackson's. Anyway, I surmise that since 42 years after 1966 is 2008, the copyright had expired.

Is this accurate?

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 02:25 AM

if you are making a joke, it might be a god idea to put an IMAGE, Since there is no body language with e mails.
Personally i think he sings the parting glass well

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 03:35 AM

Was that the Masham do Guest, Guest?

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 04:46 AM

BTW, Dick. Do you mean like this?

...because he was not born in 1870... :-D

Which is exactly what I posted. Or by image and email do you mean something different to emoticon and post?

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 05:12 AM

Do emojis and emoticons work on Mudcat nowadays? Many years ago they did, but then I think there was some kind of software update or summat, which caused them not to work any longer.

Let’s see - here’s a smiley emoji from my iPad KB… ??

Looks fine on ‘Preview’, let’s see what happens when I post it…

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 05:14 AM

As I thought - I’m guessing that the ‘Cats HTML can’t recognise the emoji, so it posts a double-query.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 05:38 AM

He not only sings it well,but he has popularised the song without adding anything gimmicky.
the accompaniment is ok

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 05:39 AM

😀

It's not the HTML. Mudcat's database only supports a limited character set, perhaps latin-1, and characters entered that are not in that set get lost.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 05:41 AM

I just use plain character emoticons rather than emojis anyway

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 05:50 AM

Quick rundown of the main ones I use for those who do not understand them

:-) Smiling
:-D Laughing
:-( Sad
;-) Winking
:-\ Confused

There are many more so I suggest that anyone wanting to use plain text emoticons (as oposed to pictorial emojis) does a search.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 07:22 AM

I’m good with the ones you’ve listed, Dave - they’re pretty universal, and I’d expect anyone and everyone to understand them.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 08:36 AM

I'm sure there are those who say they don't!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 11:24 AM

Aaaaahh-yup! They walk among us! ;-)

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,Guest from above
Date: 26 Jun 23 - 03:03 PM

I don't do jimijons or whatever and have no desire to, thank you. I'm perfectly happy to stick to my main language - English (UK).

If you have trouble with either hyperbole or irony so be it.

It was not damp praise I was applying but a genuine acknowledgement of the young man's talents.

I agree that the simple presentation of well known folk song by a performer of Ed's public stature does lift the awareness of that public to an alternative music form the media, for a great part, ignores or presents inappropriately.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,RJM
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 03:12 AM

Good post, Guest from above

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,Guest from above
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 07:41 AM

It occurs to me that if Ed were to make a decent fist of The Wexford Carol, perhaps with Cathal McConnell, he could have Christmas Number 1!

Cathal, has in most people's opinion, recorded the definitive version of the song.   

You read it first here!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 07:58 AM

He would be hard pushed to top the version by Alison Krauss and Yo-Yo Ma :-D

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,Guest from above
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 10:53 AM

Dave - much as I admire Alison Krauss I was thinking of what might best further our particular cause - how selfish of me!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 10:57 AM

Anyone tried the Sheeran guitars that Lowden are producing and ES is promoting? Very affordable but how do they sound and play?

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 11:03 AM

They are not 'Lowdens but cheaper'. Not even in the same league as 'real' Lowdens, and not a patch on, for instance, the Taylor GS Mini (and I say that as a Lowden-lover and owner who has no particular affection for Taylor guitars).

Of course IMHO, and YMMV.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 11:16 AM

What is "our particular cause", Guest from above? I started the thread because I found the article interesting and because people who enjoy music may also be interested in the ramifications of this particular copyright case. There was no particular agenda and I certainly had no intention of what might best further whatever cause you had in mind!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: keberoxu
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 11:46 AM

I suppose he means the cause of traditional music?

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,Guest from above
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 11:54 AM

Indeed keberoxu

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 11:59 AM

If you would like a thread furthering the "cause" of traditional music then please feel free to start one. This one is about a copyright issue and about as far from traditional music as you can get!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 12:06 PM

Your name doesn't happen to be WalkAboutzverse does it, Guest from above?

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 12:21 PM

So have you played a Sheeran, BW? I've owned a couple of Lowdens and still have my L-27 which I'll never part with but I'm curious about these guitars as I've played an Asian-built Eastman that A-B'ed very favorably with my Custom Shop Martin. Again, anyone played one?

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 12:36 PM

Yes, played a couple (I forget the model designations). Not for me. FWIW, I’ve owned four Lowdens, still own one, an F-23, which is my favourite of the ones I’ve owned.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 12:41 PM

Thanks, I'm looking around for a beach and travel guitar that sounds decent.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: GUEST,Guest from above
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 03:19 PM

Not any of the guesses by the way.

Dave if you think copyright does not cause problems within the traditional music world - try telling the PRS it is nothing to do with them.

I am now signing off - bye!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Jun 23 - 03:35 PM

PRS collect money for music in copyright. Traditional music is not in copyright. Ne'er the twain...

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: DaveRo
Date: 02 May 24 - 03:57 PM

A piece in the NYT about the Sheeran-Gaye copyright case, and US song copyright:
What Is a Song?

Is it simply the music flowing out of your earphones? According to the law, the answer is a bit more complicated.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 May 24 - 08:17 AM

That is interesting, Dave. Thanks.

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Raggytash
Date: 06 May 24 - 08:56 AM

One could argue that folk music, to most people, is seen as elderly people singing out of key with untuned instruments.

One could also argue that Ed Sheeran has introduced more people to folk music by covering these songs than any one of do in a lifetime.

For my money ........... you keep on singing them Ed!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 May 24 - 11:41 AM

And I’m with you, Raggy!

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 May 24 - 12:02 PM

There are those who would tell you that it is attitudes like that that have ruined folk clubs. When it was "elderly people singing out of key with untuned instruments" there were packed folk clubs on every street corner. Sometimes twice a night. Now folk clubs are all Ed Sheeran wannabees singing pop songs. Eeeeeh, life were grand in t'olden days and kids nowadays have no respect

:-D:-D:-D

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 May 24 - 12:52 PM

The folk and acoustic music clubs I go to are still mostly “Elderly people”, although the tendency to play untuned instruments largely faded away with the introduction, and ready availability, of digital tuners - having tin ears is no longer an acceptable excuse for an out-of-tune instrument.

And the youngsters are mostly to be found at the amplified Open-Mics, reading their pop-songs’ lyrics from their Smart-phones, and playing far better than many of us old-timers have ever been capable of.

Not saying this is indicative of the general situation, but it’s certainly my experience in my corner of the Backwoods.

And - confession time now - I’ve been known to occasionally bang out Smokey’s ‘Tracks of My Tears’, Ricky Ross’s ‘Dignity’, and several other songs of their ilk. I feel no shame. ;-) :-)

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 May 24 - 01:01 PM

Tsk, tsk... :-D

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 May 24 - 10:43 PM

If ‘TOMT’ is good enough for Chris & Kelly While, it’s plenty good enough for me! ;-) :-)

Chris & Kellie While at The Ram Club

Subject: RE: The case for and against Ed Sheeran
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 May 24 - 10:46 PM

…and one of those Kellys/Kellies is spelled wrong! Oh for a facility to edit posts post-posting! :-)