There have been many opinions expressed about what constitutes “folk” music, and I don’t think there’s one answer that is correct or all inclusive. By definition, folk music is what folks think it is.
Here’s my take, in the form of some examples…
An eighty-year old Catholic nun in a white habit strumming an acoustic- electric signed by Willie Nelson, singing a terrific original tune that sounds like she stole it directly from Hank Williams, to a roomful of senior citizens at an old folks home (Maine singer-songwriter Sister Kay Kay).
Roger Saloom
Veteran folk troubadour Roger Saloom, who made his name down in Worcester, MA back in the late sixties, and the very young, but incredibly talented Seth Glier, killing a very appreciative crowd at the North Star Music Cafe on a Portland Saturday night in early May.
Wiping tears of joy from my eyes as I listen to the stunning melody and chord arrangements written by Maine songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Trippe (of The Mutineers), to go along with a set of lyrics that I wrote.
Clara Berry
Watching young keyboard ace and gifted Maine songwriter Clara Berry grow and learn, from both mistakes and triumphs, right before my eyes as she performs to a sell-out crowd while opening for Cheryl Wheeler at One Longfellow Square in Portland.
Putnam Smith (photo by Sam Cousins)
Feeling the tingle on my spine as I perceive the great things to come for Durham, Maine songwriter Putnam Smith, after listening to his stunning new full-length studio album “Goldrush” (CD release at One Longfellow Square on Friday, May 29 at 8:00 – I’ve already bought my tickets!)
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
The surprise and delight in learning that a Maine songwriter, Peter Alexander, is a friend of the legendary Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, and that he has convinced him to come and play a concert in Portland, at the St. Lawrence Center for the Arts, on August 20, 2009 (I’ve already bought my tickets for that show too!)
You get the picture – folk music, for me, is about the heart-grinding, knife-edge experience of a developing performer on stage, in the zone and risking everything. It’s about the clarity and wisdom of a perfect song. And it’s about watching the community and communication that arises from the interaction between a songwriter/performer and an intimate audience.
What does folk mean to you? Let fly with your thoughts!
Maine is full of this type of thing – please go find some, enjoy it, and support it!
Yours in Folk
Bob McKillop
This entry was posted
on Friday, May 22nd, 2009 at 2:28 am and is filed under Commentary.
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You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Here’s What Folk Music Means to Me…
Hi folks!
There have been many opinions expressed about what constitutes “folk” music, and I don’t think there’s one answer that is correct or all inclusive. By definition, folk music is what folks think it is.
Here’s my take, in the form of some examples…
An eighty-year old Catholic nun in a white habit strumming an acoustic- electric signed by Willie Nelson, singing a terrific original tune that sounds like she stole it directly from Hank Williams, to a roomful of senior citizens at an old folks home (Maine singer-songwriter Sister Kay Kay).
Roger Saloom
Veteran folk troubadour Roger Saloom, who made his name down in Worcester, MA back in the late sixties, and the very young, but incredibly talented Seth Glier, killing a very appreciative crowd at the North Star Music Cafe on a Portland Saturday night in early May.
Wiping tears of joy from my eyes as I listen to the stunning melody and chord arrangements written by Maine songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Trippe (of The Mutineers), to go along with a set of lyrics that I wrote.
Clara Berry
Watching young keyboard ace and gifted Maine songwriter Clara Berry grow and learn, from both mistakes and triumphs, right before my eyes as she performs to a sell-out crowd while opening for Cheryl Wheeler at One Longfellow Square in Portland.
Putnam Smith (photo by Sam Cousins)
Feeling the tingle on my spine as I perceive the great things to come for Durham, Maine songwriter Putnam Smith, after listening to his stunning new full-length studio album “Goldrush” (CD release at One Longfellow Square on Friday, May 29 at 8:00 – I’ve already bought my tickets!)
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
The surprise and delight in learning that a Maine songwriter, Peter Alexander, is a friend of the legendary Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, and that he has convinced him to come and play a concert in Portland, at the St. Lawrence Center for the Arts, on August 20, 2009 (I’ve already bought my tickets for that show too!)
You get the picture – folk music, for me, is about the heart-grinding, knife-edge experience of a developing performer on stage, in the zone and risking everything. It’s about the clarity and wisdom of a perfect song. And it’s about watching the community and communication that arises from the interaction between a songwriter/performer and an intimate audience.
What does folk mean to you? Let fly with your thoughts!
Maine is full of this type of thing – please go find some, enjoy it, and support it!
Yours in Folk
Bob McKillop
This entry was posted on Friday, May 22nd, 2009 at 2:28 am and is filed under Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.