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SRFN: Newsletter: Number 25 Winter 1999-2000: Dave Herron: Coming out of the Folk Closet
All views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily constitute SRFN policy.
Coming out of the Folk closet
Dave Herron
As we are regaled with the outing of Michael Portillo's past homosexual encounters in the national
press, I wonder if the same should apply to those celebrities who have succumbed, in the past, to
the delights of that most subversive of underground movements - Folk Music!
Celebrations for Topic's 60th birthday party took place at the Barbican last month, and I
wonder how many in the audience have been less than forthcoming about their past involvement with folk
music. How many have 'listened but not sung' or 'watched but not danced' to use President Clinton's
denial, but now that Folk is again a fashionable revival, they want to be in the audience once again?
The music press trumpets yet another revival and delights in the inclusion of Kate Rusby and the
Waterson/Carthy clan in the Mercury awards. The brewing industry mutters gloomily about the demise
of the Irish theme pub, an institution that would have been unthinkable during the mainland bombing
campaign of the 70s and 80s. So we ask the question, is English Folk music next? If so, then let us
cast our minds back to those luminaries of the past who have lent their presence to the
proliferation of folk music and folk song. And perhaps we should view them with the same wariness
as I view the idea of a 'rustic England' theme pub from the breweries.
Even in the early days folk song still wormed its way into the popular culture. Some may remember
Barbara Mullen, who as Janet in Dr Finlay's Casebook became a national figure. You may be
surprised to know that she also had a hit record in the 60s with a version of the traditional song
Fare thee well, cold Winter. Topic's early EPs and LPs of sea songs and shanties featuring
Bert Lloyd also had in the chorus line the robust voice of that well-known thespian Harry H. Corbett.
The author Nigel Williams wrote a play called Country Dancing based on the collecting
adventures of Cecil Sharp long before he became better known as the author of the Wimbledon
Poisoner. The pop group The Mekons flirted with English traditional music in the
early 80s, following Topic's release of traditional performers playing polkas and hornpipes. Let
us not forget those performers who rose from the revival of the 70s to progress to national television
in whose ranks are the names Mike Harding, Jasper Carrott and Fred Wedlock. Mike has always kept an
element of his roots and his love for the music in his programmes and his activities. His position
at the helm of the mainstream radio's folk programme enables him to promote a window on all aspects
of the scene today. Some performers, like Mike, have kept true to their roots. It would be nice if
others who owed the same debt were to pay some homage to their lowly beginnings. I suppose we should
be grateful that we are not the butt of some joke or diatribe, but that hardly seems adequate
recompense.
There was a period when English folk music was in a dire strait and retreated to small bastions
around the country where enthusiasts kept the music alive and didn't allow it to become compromised.
So when the media come knocking at the door let us meet them on our terms and not become 'themed' out
of existence as the latest passing fad. After all, this lot has stubbornly withstood hundreds of years!
We now have a company of respected stars as never before, headed by an ennobled Martin Carthy,
accompanied by Norma Waterson whose talents have finally been acknowledged in a wider sphere. June
Tabor's dedication to perfection, quality and musicianship have resulted in her performances being
reviewed in awed terms, and the unfortunately ubiquitous tag of 'diva'. Perhaps now the links are there
for our musicians and singers to bring the music we love before the world and throw off the old
apologist stance. In Ireland rock stars and classical musicians queue up to collaborate with the
Chieftains, and Van Morrison has successfully returned to his roots many times. Surely we can benefit
from the path they have trod and encourage other musicians to discover the haunting tunes of their own
tradition without being swamped in the process. So, as local and civic dignitaries begin slowly to
become aware of the fact that folk festivals and other traditional celebrations are good for local
communities and the businesses in them, perhaps now is the time to push our boundaries further into
the mainstream. The amateurism that is levelled as a criticism of folk events is actually a strength
that allows everyone to participate. But nowadays it can be countered by a wealth of professionalism
and musicianship that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of them and can provide
excellent entertainment! But do it on your own terms! If you're doing an event, no matter how small,
why not get the local bigwigs - mayors, councillors and local celbrities - to come out, to attend and to
open the event? You never know they might even know the chorus! And they might be encouraged to
come out and sing it.
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