[mplpost] definitions needed?

[derek andrews]

>     Hello maplefolk, Recently folk music was defined on CBC morning
>radio as; "home grown music from the heart" Academic definitions aside,
>how do YOU define this music ? It seems the  need to describe what one
>does continues to arise.This might be an interesting  discussion. Your
>thoughts will also be  helpful for my ongoing book project.  I still
>welcome, as well, your questions and anecdotes about  the nature of folk
>and folk festivals, including past  Mariposa experiences. Please feel free
>to email privately if you wish. Thanks, Estelle Klein <estelle@kos.net>

since you clarified that the private reply was optional, i'll copy the list.

i'm often troubled by definitions of music.  as a promoter, i find that it
is most necessary when defining niche markets, talking to record label and
radio people.

often, the music defines itself, and today, i find that audiences prefer
not to use or necessarily enjoy definition.  my world music  programme this
weekend mixes traditions that are pure, with traditions that are hybrid,
with hybrids that are moving as fast as they can from traditional
definitions.  i have the luxury of approaching music that way because my
audience is drawn from the 4 million plus folks who live here in gotham.

i think most music is from the heart.

homegrown?  everyone has a home.  everyone grows.  classical music could be
homegrown music from the heart.  so could jazz.  maybe those musics are
more intellectual or clinical.  that to is debatable.

folk as a word recalls the sixties for many people still.  the mold was
defined by the icons of the day.  including the instrumentation.  the word
roots implies heritage or tradition.  combinations of "folk roots", "world
roots", "traditonal folk", etc. help define, but once again, i think
they're mostly necessary for the person defining his or her radio
demographic, marketing strategy or record bin.  popular music language has
become the language of marketing in my opinion.  the music speaks for
itself, and in our polyglot of a society, defies definition.

what thinkest thou?


-derek andrews

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
toronto blues society - http://www.torontobluessociety.com
ontario council of folk festivals - http://icomm.ca/ocff
folk alliance - http://www.folk.org
harbourfront centre - http://www.harbourfront.on.ca
workday email:  derek@harbourfront.on.ca

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW HARBOURFRONT CENTRE MAILING ADDRESS:
235 Queens Quay West
Toronto ON Canada
M5J 2G8


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