On 15 July, 09:00, Jack Campin - bogus address
 wrote:
> >> "Beeswing"
> >> p.s. is that a reference to Richard Thompson?
> >> if it isn't, then check out that song. It's one of his best
> > yes it is a reference to Richard Thompson
>
> Or you might check out the Stewarts of Blair "Queen Among the
> Heather", which is the same story told in better words with a
> VASTLY better tune.  (And I've never heard any performance of
> it that wasn't incomparably more passionate than any performance
> of anything by Richard Thompson).
>
> There is a reason why so many people think all folk music is
> mediocre crap, and the adulation accorded to bozos like Thompson
> is a large part of it.
>

Well, that can't go unchallenged!
I agree there are a lot of people out there who think folk music to be
dull, repetetive and mediocre (but there are people who would say the
same of blues, heavy metal and modern dance music) - but I would
suggest that a lot of these people would be clueless as to who Richard
Thompson is too.
Ok, I'll accept that you're not a fan of Thompson but it's a little
extreme to blame him for "a large part" of the poor view many take of
folk music.
Thompson's singing has never been his strong suit - though he has
improved notably over the years - but the songs have many fans. This
is obvious by the number of Thompson originals that crop up in so many
performers' repertoires, mine included.
In my view, the poor image of the folk scene (from within) is largely
fuelled by the large number of amateurs who are still stuck were they
were when they started, having barely improved their technique whilst
tackling the same songs they started with all those years ago (plus
this polite way we applaud everything). From without, the stereotype
of folkies as beer-bellied (and tankard carrying) bearded blokes
singing shanties slightly off key or any number of other cartoon send-
ups is not sufficiently challenged. Ask random shoppers in the high
street and you'll soon get the picture.