[78-L] "Folk" music...?!

[Thomas Stern]

If someone wanted to obtain recordings of traditional singers, they were
available, but took
a bit of effort.  The Library of Congress issued dozens of LP length albums
with a wide range of
traditional genres (these started about 1941 with a 2 10" 78rpm album fund
raiser "friends of  Folk Music", and many more 78rpm albums, all transferred
to LP).  Even commercial recordings of the type issued in the Harry Smith
collection were available from RCA and DECCA.  The Folkways (started issuing
78's, then LP's
in the late 40's, many of "revival" or scholars versions of traditional
material, but also many authentic
ethnic recordings (a series started in 78rpm DISC releases mid 40's).
Best wishes, Thomas.

-----Original Message-----
From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com
[mailto:78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com]On Behalf Of Margaret Still
Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2009 3:08 PM
To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
Subject: [78-L] "Folk" music...?!

Steven C. Barr wrote:

The first (which I call "Capital-F Folk music!") is the music that generally
appears sans any official credits and becomes an important part of a
culture. SOME of this may have been originally created "for profit" (North
American examples here would include "Happy Birthday" and "You Are My
Sunshine"...!)...others have (AFAIK) never been traced to their origins;
however, virtually all European ethnic cultures have their own set of "folk
songs!"

The second is a 20th/21st century phenomenon. "Folk Singers"
are self-accompanied...usually on guitar...and sing tunes of their own
creation, often concerning something they see as an important situation.
Musical incompetence is viewed more as a sign of authenticity than a
negative!

================

I'm reading "Positively 4th Street," David Hadju's excellent book on the
early 60's folkies and the folk scenes, and although he does say that a lack
of musical ability or polish passed as authenticity, it's not exactly
correct to think of these post-Guthrie early 60's folkies as singing tunes
of their own creation, though some were singer-songwriters. It opened my
eyes to realize that they did not have much ACCESS to traditional songs
aside from the Harry Smith anthology (if they could find it) and small-issue
recordings, and they seem to have taught each other traditional folk songs,
in between hanging out at the homes of those with large record collections,
and stealing each others' repertoires (and records). I don't think it was
common at all for them to go in search of 78's on their own, or to go where
the folk tradition was still alive to listen. Or am I wrong?

I thought most RECORDED music was for-profit and "popular" music, including
early hillbilly and country blues.

The 21st century folkies are, I guess, the "roots" singers, like Cody &
Luther Dickinson.

Best,
Margaret G. Still



_______________________________________________
78-L mailing list
78-L at klickitat.78online.com
http://klickitat.78online.com/mailman/listinfo/78-l