Tuning into the tradition

English Dance and Song Winter 2017

EDS, the magazine of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, is the world’s oldest magazine for folk music and dance. First published in 1936, EDS is essential reading for anyone with a passion for folk arts. The following sample article is copyright. You are welcome to share it in the format supplied and accompanied by this title page, but you may not reproduce it, in full or in part, by any other means

Tuning into the tradition

An idea took seed in the mind of Mike Norris, former EFDSS chairman and host of Classic Folk Radio’s weekly show, about presenting a night that puts purely traditional song at its core. This idea has now come to fruition with a series of Trad Nights at Cecil Sharp House. Natalya Catton Wilson finds out more.

“My idea was simple: to really celebrate traditional songs, sung by traditional singers in the old-fashioned, unamplified way, all of which would be at the core of a relaxed evening,” explained Mike.

Mike has always been interested in traditional singers, such as Walter Pardon, Fred Jordan and Harry Cox, and where the songs they sung came from. His interest also extends to the post-war revival singers such as Ewan McColl; and also in the folk revivalists of the 1960s such as The Watersons, who carried the traditional songs forward for a new generation to hear.

“Traditional song is a huge part of what EFDSS is about, and we don’t want to lose touch with this important stuff,” Mike said. “Concerts take place in the larger Kennedy Hall at Cecil Sharp House, but unamplified stuff wasn’t getting a look-in, and traditional song was not featuring largely in the material.”

Mike proposed the idea to Katy Spicer, EFDSS’ Chief Executive and Artistic Director, who was keen to try it out. So, in September, a new series of monthly Trad Nights commenced in the modest, intimate setting of Storrow Hall. The evenings feature exponents of traditional song, performing the songs that have been loved, sung and shared for generations.

Mike adds that though this is the sort of thing that many folk clubs around the country try to do, their focus often isn’t solely on traditional song.

He said: “There’s certainly a tradition in Ireland and Scotland to have evenings devoted to traditional material, but in England it seems a bit rarer – although there are places that do regularly feature traditional singers and songs, there aren’t so many specialist venues that feature solely traditional material.”

The series of Trad Nights kicked off with a performance from respected West Country singer Jim Causley. October’s event featured duo Laura Smyth and Ted Kemp, who take their cues from revival singers such as Frankie Armstrong, Peter Bellamy and The Watersons. In November, Irish singer Thomas McCarthy – from a considerable dynasty of traditional singers, song-makers and musicians – took to the floor (there’s no stage, which adds to the intimate nature of the evening).

Mike said: “I picked those people because I knew they were ideal for the sort of night I wanted to create: I knew they could carry an whole evening of traditional songs, and are not afraid to talk a bit about them, too. For example, to give some context when singing about a war, or background to, say, an industrial song.”

Mike adds that the audiences of perhaps 40 or 50 people have also been happy for the singers to chat about the songs – and keen to input their own knowledge or questions to the chat – adding to the participatory nature of the evenings.

“The Trad Nights have worked well so far and been really successful, with a great rapport between the performer and audience – a testament to the fact that people enjoy stripped-back traditional performance and enduring old songs,” said Mike.

It’s not just the audiences that have shown enthusiasm about the traditional nights – the performers have, too.

“I’ve had some great feedback from the singers – when I’ve approached them, they’ve loved the idea,” added Mike. “They’ve enjoyed the opportunity to explore the songs that inspire them, with a small, interested audience, and now there are monthly Trad Nights at Cecil Sharp House until at least May.”

Artists booked include Alison Frosdick and Jack Burnaby, a folk duo from London, who sing English songs accompanied by melodeon, concertina and whistle, on 31 January. Renowned duo Carolyn Robson and Moira Craig, whose repertoire is mostly Scottish and Northumbrian traditional songs, perform on 28 February. Singer, dancer, musician and ‘one man folk industry’ Pete Coe is the guest on 25 April, and singer and arranger of traditional songs, Nick Dow, appears on 30 May.

Mike adds that he would be happy to talk to anyone interested in running such an evening in other parts of the country, and has the following advice:

“Be clear about the kind of evening you want it to be – would you prefer a participatory folk club style of setting, or performers’ evenings?

“Make sure you know that the performer and their repertoire is right for your night; quite a lot of people might think songs are traditional, but they could be rather more contemporary than they think, only 30 or 40 years old.”

For more on the Trad Nights, visit www.cecilsharphouse.org Tune into Mike’s weekly radio show, Classic Folk, at www.efdss.org/listen. The show mines a rich seam of folk and roots music and song from the last 75 years of recordings – and more recent material inspired by the tradition. You can also to Mike interviewing artists such as Peggy Seeger, Shirley Collins, Alistair Anderson and John Kirkpatrick.