All views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily constitute SRFN policy.
Readers' Letters
Kind words from home
Keith Tomlinson
I don't know if you intended SRFN News 24 as a themed issue but the
article by Pete Smith, the
article by Rosie Huzzard and the article about the
South Riding Tradition Awards complemented each other like a set of pot ducks above the mantelpiece (ageing traditional reference there).
Hurrah for Pete and his vigorous assertion of the pleasures and experiences he has got from his pursuit of
traditional dance. I was going to say his "vigorous defence" because, as he implies, people try to put us
on the defensive, but "assertion" it was and we all ought to do a bit more assertion in support of trad
music and dance.
Hurrah for Rosie and the other young traditionalists too. As with Pete, they've found something they like
and they're pursuing it along a path that requires active involvement, rather than being only
conformers/consumers. Breaking free from peer pressure is one of those things that's often harder for
the young than it is for the old - so they're brave hearts all. Rosie's article, too, is assertive,
even offensive, about other kids' tastes. Keep it up! Spice up the debate!
I know most of us lot also like stuff other than trad, so use that stuff to throw some spanners in the works.
When someone says that classical music is best, say 'Which classical? European, West African,
Pakistani...?', or invent some tosh like 'Maybe. My current favourite is Fujagoshi's
Improvisations on Tomimoto's Samisen piece "Cherry Blossoms before Fujiyama" - or did you mean Western
European Classical?'. Something to point out to them that they might just have more limited views
than they thought. Similar things apply to pop: say 'But weren't there at least two tradition-based acts
in the Mercury [MusicTM] awards - Kate Rusby and Talvin Singh
for starters?'.
Finally - congratulations on the Newsletter once more. There's interest in the ads, the news and the articles
and it's worth more than one reading - or is that my fading memory?
http://www.folk-network.com/