FASH CHAT: Why I Love and Sing Folk Music
Regardless of the media move in recent years to replace the word "folk" with "roots" or "acoustic" and regardless of the many and ongoing debates about what "folk music" really is, I continue to call myself a folk singer. The people who love folk music know it when they hear it, and whatever it may be, that's what I call what I sing.
I was born in Canada to Irish parents who had lived most of their lives in England and Wales before coming to Canada in the early 1950's. I grew up surrounded by Irish traditional music (recorded and live at community events), and some Scottish music (mostly sung by operatic tenors) as well as the English song snippets that both my parents were wont to insert into conversation at inappropriate moments. When I began performing in my teens, I sang modern songs by contemporary songwriters (and occasionally my own compositions), and saved the Irish songs for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
I was amazed and thrilled when I found a British-style folk club in my home city where people sang traditional music every Sunday, all year round. I became a regular at this club and that's when my "career" began - I was heard singing there by a number of festival directors, and began to be hired for the summer season of festivals across Canada in the early 1980's. That's also where I first heard and learned many of the Scottish and English songs that I still sing, and I am so grateful to the wonderful array of performers who passed through the doors of the Fiddler's Green Folk Club, and the (still-going) Flying Cloud Club that followed it in Toronto.
I also began at that time to research new old songs to sing, and I have continued to look for and find less-known songs and songs that had fallen by the wayside. From time to time, I have been able to find some wonderful lyrics that had lost their tune, or a tune with only partial words and had the thrill of being able to compose the missing parts and so sing new versions of old songs. I also love to write completely new songs, using the themes and structures of the tradition, and the most gratifying thing in this regard is hearing other people sing these songs and pass them on. So for twenty-five years I have been singing and listening and writing and learning and teaching workshops on traditional and contemporary "folk music", and I continue to find it inspiring.
In interviews over the years, I was and still am often asked why, when I am also a songwriter, I continue to sing and look for traditional songs, and why I think they are relevant hundreds of years later. Here are some of the answers I have come up with.
1. Beauty is always relevant, and these songs are beautiful. The melodies are timeless and haunting, and stay in your head long afterwards - which is why they were passed on and have lasted through centuries of oral tradition. The lyrics often contain universal truths of life and love, and occasional bits of incredible poetry.
2. They connect us with our past, and therefore with our future. One of the reasons I believe that our world is in such a mess these days, is that we have become disconnected with anything but the immediate or,at best, the next year or the next election cycle. Connecting on an emotional level with songs about people and events long ago remind us of where we came from and, perhaps, helps make it possible to feel connected with and responsible to the people of future generations. OK, I'm not saying folk music will save the world, but I do think every connection and reminder plays its part.
3. They connect us with each other, by encouraging chorus singing and being best suited to small venues rather than stadium settings. In these days of commodified and manufactured music, to sing a song yourself and join your voice with others, is a radical act.
4. They are complete in themselves and can be perfect sung by a single person, unaccompanied or with a single instrument. No drum kit, rhythm section, flashing lights, giant screen, pierced belly buttons or dancing troop are needed in order for the song to come across in all its power and beauty.
I'm sure I could think of more, but the truth is, these songs simply resonate with me, and being allowed to share them with and sing them with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic is a great joy and privilege. I am touring this summer in the UK and hope to see some of you at the concerts or festivals there. You can see my schedule at www.eileenmcgann.com
Eileen McGann
Eileen kindly wrote this for us because I asked her, and I asked her because Yvonne and I think she is a wonderful singer with a superb voice, as you can hear for yourself on her website and at the Fo'c'sle Folk Club on 18th July. She is also at the Sidmouth and Warwick Festivals and over at Arundel. If you can, go listen – she's worth it! Ed
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Thomas Lord Beer Festival
The Thomas Lord in West Meon is hosting its second annual Beer Festival as part of the 2008 Hampshire Food Festival.
This three day outdoor event takes place 18th-20th July and celebrates all that is great about Hampshire's food, drink and live music. It will be a free family event held in the pub garden, covered if wet.
Each afternoon and evening of the weekend will be dedicated to a particular music genre presented by local bands and school groups from all over thecounty. The musical line up includes acoustic folk singer Sarah Griffin on Friday evening, followed by popular Portsmouth based band Hardly Heroes on Saturday night and offers a lazy Sunday afternoon of jazz.
Up to 50 local ales will be showcased from Bowman Ales, Irvings, Goddards, Hampshire Brewery, Itchen Valley Brewery, Laverstoke Park, Triple FFF, Oakleaf Brewery and Suthwyk Ales. 100% local food will be available all weekend from the outdoor kitchen featuring a wood burning stove installed by Orchard ovens.
The Hampshire Food Festival encompasses over one hundred events besides this at dozens of venues across the county. It is the largest food festival in the UK with the aim of making more people aware of the fantastic food and drink produced, grown and reared in the county.
Nearby camping with a shuttle bus will be available over the weekend for visitors. For further information about the Festival contact David Thomas on 01730 829244. The Thomas Lord is also looking to fill the last available slots with local bands who would like to take part contact Beer Festival Organiser, Helen Trebble, for further information. helen.trebble@virgin.net
SOUTHSEA FOLK & ROOTS FESTIVAL
Is held at the South Parade Pier, Southsea, and local pubs. For information call 02392 436267, or see www.southseafolkfestival.co.uk.
There are evening concerts and free entry daytime music, dance and workshops. On Friday 22nd August at 8pm is Amy Wadge and Sweetedge at £10. On Saturday 23rd August at 12pm is East of Ealing and at 8pm at £10, Little Johnny England.
Then on Sunday 24th August the 12pm lunchtime spot is the Micky Kemp Band and at 8pm, The Men They Couldn't Hang, Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds for £10. On Bank Holiday Monday 25th August there are two more shows with Saiichi Sugiyama Band and Creamy at 12pm and for £12 at 8pm Mike Sanchez & The Portions plus Kris Dollimore.
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