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News from the French Front
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News from the French Front |
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Subject: News from the French Front From: Bull Am Date: 02 Sep 02 - 07:45 AM Greetings All After a month of playing and busking in Rennes and the Breton countryside, I've been struck by some commonalities in the typical French audience's attitudes and tastes. First off, if anyone comes to France as an anglophone folk singer and wants to make a quick buck (or euro as it were), sing Dirty Old Town. Even folks with the most passable knowledge of folklore or even english period will sing along with gusto, especially if intoxicated. Other favorites include, but are not limited to, Grandfather's Clock (this works especially well with English listeners), Knocking on Heaven's Door (I know, I know...it's hard to stomach sometimes), and pretty much anything by Paul Simon. However, despite the fact that everyone has their favorite tunes, there is such a shortage of well- performed American, Irish, and English folk music here in Franch that anything one plays that contains even the slightest hint of authenticity will reap considerable rewards. I play sometimes with a 74 year old English retired navy man who plays the violin and sings with unbridled enthusiasm. The other day on the market, we performed a rousing version of the Irish jig "the little Beggarman" and "Waltzing Matilda", and we built up a nice crowd (considering we were in the middle of the market and everything). I think that the fact that such an eldery gentleman was dancing and singing with such fervor brought a good deal of attention. What's more, though our competition was considerable in terms of sheer volume, the quality question was negligible. For example, there was a group of 7 playing when we set up; a guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, three female backup singers, and a lead male singer. They were playing Elvis songs...Actually, let me get a bit more specific: they were playing the worst kind of Elvis songs; the fat, Las Vegas, pill-popping, dead-on-the-toilet era Elvis songs. And, I didn't know that this was humanly possible, but their performance made the songs even worse. Patrick (the violin player) and I passed and goggled with a mixture of befuddled amusement and disgust. "That'll give ya nightmares", he said in his inimitably grizzled English accent. Finally, I've found that if one makes an effort to sing French songs (I stick to songs by Georges Brassens), people are so impressed and honored, that it really doesn't matter how ridiculous or foreign one sounds. It's a clever strategem to win interest where there would otherwise be none. Well, I'm off to try my luck on the street; this evening I'm playing in a medieval themed restaurant where I get to dress in an outfit that brings to mind the stylish attire of a disney elf (including curly shoes)... A la prochaine Bull Am |
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Subject: RE: News from the French Front From: Amos Date: 02 Sep 02 - 08:03 AM Wow!! Wodda life!!! Good news, thanks! A |
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Subject: RE: News from the French Front From: Trevor Date: 02 Sep 02 - 08:24 AM Where does Patrick live? When I lived in Coutances I used to hang around occasionally with a bloke who answers the description. |
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Subject: RE: News from the French Front From: Deda Date: 06 Sep 02 - 04:01 PM That's my boy!! VBG! Proud Mom |
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Subject: RE: News from the French Front From: MMario Date: 06 Sep 02 - 04:17 PM interesting to hear. Be sure to come back and tell us about this evening... |
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Subject: RE: News from the French Front From: wysiwyg Date: 06 Sep 02 - 06:26 PM Makes the opening Hardi is considering over there pretty interesting. Will they enjoy Negro Spirituals I wonder? ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: News from the French Front From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 06 Sep 02 - 06:28 PM Tried any Cajun music on them yet? |
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Subject: RE: News from the French Front From: Amos Date: 06 Sep 02 - 06:35 PM The Frenchies love blues and spirituals -- or at least, they did when I was Bull's age and playing over there. A |
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