Seed, bud, flower, fruit

[mirrorshard]

While I was looking around for some folk lyrics, I found this interesting FT article on folk music and constructions of Englishness, focusing on Show of Hands and their song Roots.

Attempts to write English national songs tend to founder on the question of conservatism: does English identity mean no more than an insistence that nothing should ever change?

Well, obviously the answer to that is "no", but I think there are some interesting questions about moving forwards involved. They're basically not in favour of SoH's approach, but I think that ignores one of the most important strands of folk history & practice, which is the protest song.

Comments

[friend-of-tofu.livejournal.com]

Oooh, interesting!

Are you aware of Andrew King at all?

[mirrorshard.livejournal.com]

I'm not - do tell!

[friend-of-tofu.livejournal.com]

Aha ha, remind me to tell you more about him when I'm awake. He's playing a gig in London soon, if you fancy checking him out? Won't be insanely expensive, it's only a little place.

Short description: traditional music nerd, currently doing a PhD about same, sings very interesting versions of trad. arrs. and straddles the boundaries between trad folk and neo folk scenes, performing at both such events. Sings with mininal backing. I also like his musical arrangement of Housman poems. Is also a really nice dude, based on the times I've met him!

[mirrorshard.livejournal.com]

Sounds really interesting, if I'm not going to be busy!

[friend-of-tofu.livejournal.com]

Will try and dig out date for you. Collapsey now.