The Top Half Times Editor: Failed writer-but then so are most writers Vol. 9 No. 1 Sub. Editor: Separates the wheat from the chaff and then prints the chaff. Friday 7th June 2013 Published: Today, damned tomorrow.

CELEBRATING IN THE CENTRE

EVATORIAL to support, our favourite festival in their band, The Vagabond Welcome to issue 9 of the Top Half enjoy the music and the friendship Crew. The band toured Vietnam in Times. It has been a difficult year and this wonderful part of the 2005, Timor Leste in 2007 and Af- for all print publications such as world. ghanistan in 2011, performing for ours, with the digital age threaten- the Australian troops. ing to consign our best efforts to Let The Music Begin. Hugh wrote some of Redgum's the dustbin. (Let’s face it Ed. that’s most popular songs, notably The where they generally finish up any- Special Guest: Hugh McDonald Diamantina Drover, which has way..Sub Ed.) Fortunately we here been recorded by a variety artists at the hub of one of Australia’s including Lee Kernigan, John Wil- great success stories, are resilient liamson and Christy Moore, Ire- folk and whenever there is a land's most popular singer and breaking folk story out there we songwriter. He is a skilled per- will endeavor to make it up and former who loves to involve the bring it to you. It is also with deep audience in his shows. His exten- regret that I announce the immi- sive repertoire includes Redgum's nent departure of our long suffer- number-one hit, ing sub-editor. He has been a thorn We are delighted to have as our along with other Redgum successes in my side. He has been by my side special guest this year the very tal- and classics from the '60s through constantly these last few years, ented singer/songwriter and musi- to current hits. He also plays Jazz (which has caused a few eyebrows cian, Hugh McDonald. Hugh is one Standards, Irish Ballads and Aus- to be raised, especially at night of Australia's most enduring and tralian Folk. time!!) and The Top Half Times successful musicians. He is a singer Hugh has released three solo al- staff of one wish him well as he and virtuoso multi-instrumentalist bums: Where's the Party, a collec- travels around this great country, who toured the world as a member tion of cover versions of classic reflecting no doubt on some or of Redgum, one of Australia’s most rock songs, jazz standards, Irish none of his greatest scoops. significant bands. songs and an acoustic version of Hugh produces and records other The Diamantina Drover; The Law- TOP HALF artists in his studio in Melbourne son Album, a collection of Henry A warm Centralian welcome to all and takes his songwriting and re- Lawson poems set to music by of you who have come along to this cording expertise into schools Hugh and Garth Porter, released the 43rd Top Half Folk Festival. where he writes and records songs by ABC Music; and The Spirit of We are one of the longest running with students of all ages. He has The Land, a collection of Irish folk folk music festivals in Australia also written and produced two mu- songs and tunes with James Clark and fittingly this year during the sicals with the students at Poowong on double bass and Michael weekend Peter Bate who was at the Consolidated School in Gippsland. McClintock on violin. Hugh con- very 1st festival will be officially The school songwriting projects tinues to perform throughout Aus- lunching (shouldn’t that be launch- take him all over Australia and tralia, currently with John Schu- ing…Sub Ed) his history of Top had been beneficial to building re- mann and the Vagabond Crew, Half Festivals 1971-2012. There silience and confidence in the stu- and enjoyed a number of trips to are a few of us who have been to dents he has worked with. the U.S.A. where he performed in most of them, however just how Hugh currently performs solo, Delaware, New York and Nan- much we remember is another with an acoustic trio or with his tucket at folk clubs, bars and story. Thank you all for continuing long time friend Uni's. new venue had to be found in order (EPIC). It was decided that the 1st Folk Thought Of The Day to accommodate the large numbers Festival would feature a different of expected interstate visitors. state each year to reflect the tour- "There are no bridges in folk songs However some communication dif- ing tradition of the event. because the peasants died building ficulties with the town’s council Every year great efforts are made them". (Eugene Chadbourne Gui- saw them lose interest and at the to reach a national audience and to tar/ player) last minute the festival was shifted uphold the traditions of the na- back to Melbourne. tional festival. National Folk Festival History In an oral history interview, There might be changes at the festi- Shirley Andrews tells how, in hat val, but the heart and soul of the and gloves (to make a good impres- music is playing and continues the sion), she went to see the principal Folk Festival tradition. of the Melbourne Teachers College to hire rooms. 2nd Folk Thought Of The Day He agreed but, fearing folk dancers would be riotous, stipulated that Question. police must be in attendance. With- What's an accordion good for? out a riot to quell, the police simply Answer. enjoyed the music. Learning how to fold a map. We have talked about the Top The crowd was so big and the event Half’s being in their 43rd year, so so popular that the performance it’s worth remembering that The rooms still weren’t big enough, We don’t normally promote items National Folk Festival has been go- forcing the dancers to appear up- for sale here at The Top Half ing since 1967. We thought our stairs and then immediately per- Times, however we decided (what’s readers might be interested in the form again downstairs for the flow- this we business?..Sub Ed.) that following which comes from the over crowd. sometimes we just have to make an history section of The National This success spurred the committee exception. Folk Festival website with due to do it again the following year, For Sale acknowledgement. but this time in the Pharmacy Col- (www.folkfestival.org.au) lege in Royal Parade, Parkville. One Old Folk’s Home, situated in a A new tradition – the Festival goes quiet suburban cul-de-sac in the The very first Folk Festival was travelling… North part of Alice Springs. One held in on Saturday the In 1969 a new tradition was started traditional owner only (pictured) 11th and Sunday the 12th of Febru- when the Festival was relocated to this house has stunning views of ary 1967. another state. The Macdonnell Ranges (pictured) It was organised by a committee For the next twenty years the Festi- with it’s back garden a natural ha- with members from the Victorian val was held in a different state ven for wildlife (pictured) The in- Folk Music Club, the Monash Tra- each year, with a new committee side has been emptied to allow new ditional Music Society and the Bur- managing the organisation of the wood Teachers Folk Club along event. The Festival criss-crossed with the performers Martin Wynd- the country bringing folk music ham Read and Glen Tomasetti. and folk life to many people. (Alice Shirley Andrews, a dancer and ac- Springs 1980 & 1987!!). tivist, held chair – which offers an By the late 1980’s the travelling of insight to the dance side of the fes- the event was becoming too diffi- tival. cult to manage for the organising The grand sum of $100 was put folk federations in the respective forward as starting capital for the states, due to its popularity and festival, which was to be known as complexity. Something needed to the Port Phillip District Folk Music happen to make the event finan- Festival. cially stable, and after Canberra in This was patterned on the Newport 1992 the Australian Folk Trust Folk Festival in the United States of took over the Festival’s organisa- America. It was to be held at the tion and dug the festival’s roots in owners the chance to get it right. town of Kilmore in Victoria. Canberra. All offers will be taken seriously A story of adaption… Each Easter long weekend since unless you’re Scottish. For further Two weeks before the Festival the then the Folk Festival has thrived details ask for “Alex The Camel “ organising committee realised a at Exhibition Park in Canberra Strange But True SB: I don’t remember agreeing to grapple with the intricacies of the At age 47, the Rolling Stones' an interview (no surprise there English language? bassist, Bill Wyman, began a rela- given his age...Ed) and in refer- SB: What was the question? tionship with 13-year old Mandy ence to the album cover I think TTHT: Do you think people will Smith, with her mother's blessing. you have left an Er out have any problem with your ac- Six years later, they were mar- TTHT: Sorry about that, let me cent? ried, but the marriage only lasted start again. Er, Id like to start SB: I have included an explana- a year. Not long after, Bill's 30- by…….. tion for what’s going on inside the year-old son Stephen married SB: No, there’s an er left out of CD cover written by my good Mandy's mother, age 46. That the album title. friend Paul Stewart. It is rather made Stephen a stepfather to his TTHT: So it should read lengthy but Paul knows no other former stepmother. If Bill and “Mothlander” as in “Overlander” way. Mandy had remained married, SB: Look forget about it, let’s TTHT: As you look back over Stephen would have been his fa- move on. your career working with The ther's father-in-law and his own TTHT: What a good idea. I see Water Resources Department do grandpa. there are a number of songs on you ever wish you had become a (There’s a song in there some- the album, was this always what folk singer? where...Ed) you intended? SB: We all have to make choices SB: I’ve always found it best to in life. One never knows how long Musical Quote 1 include songs as people then feel the road is, and whether to take “I know canned music makes they are getting value for money the left or right fork. There are chickens lay more eggs and fac- and money is very important to a mountains to climb and stones to tory workers produce more. But Scotsman. trip over as we traverse the often how much more can they get out TTHT: Quite, I also see that the uneven path that is leading us to of you on an elevator?" various songs on the album, come our ultimate destination…….. Victor Borge from different parts of the world, TTHT: I’ll take that as a yes then! and yet there is nothing there SB: …...There are streams to Exclusive from Wales. Was it a conscious ford, and grasses to mow, and as decision to exclude the Welsh and night follows day and the stars The Top Half Times has been are you afraid of a backlash. burn bright…. granted an exclusive interview SB: Interesting and strange ques- TTHT: Terrific, thanks for that, with Scott Balfour on the immi- tion; some of my best friends are getting back to the album, do you nent release of his new 78, LP, Welsh, but I have never seen them intend to sell it or will you be giv- Cassette, CD “Mothland” (cd carrying lashes, however I will ing away free copies? cover pictured below) Hard hit- watch my back. SB: I see a win win situation here. ting questions reveal the whys and TTHT: I notice that you have in- I will of course be burning copies wherefores of the life of a re- cluded a number of well known for some of my closest friends, cording star. session musicians on each track, and those that buy it will proba- do you see this as adding some- bly end up burning it too. thing to the overall quality of the TTHT: It has been fascinating record, or is it just padding, and talking at you and we wish you have you paid them yet? well when you are finally released. SB: So many questions (Isn’t it the cd that’s being re- TTHT: That’s what happens in leased?… Ed) interviews. SB: Thank you, I think. Do want SB: The decision to include other me to sign the photograph? musicians was made by my Ex- ecutive Producer. Why he asked TTHT: Thank you for agreeing to them to play so loudly over the talk with us, I’d like to start by vocals I’m not sure and he hasn’t asking you about the title of the got any money so I guess I will be album “Mothland” would this be paying them in good Scottish a reference to the number of times time. you have performed at outside TTHT: Do you see this album as a concerts at night time, under culmination of your thought proc- lights and with the insect popula- esses as they interlock with your tion in full flight? stream of consciousness as you We would have loved to have A Bluegrass band has between 1 2 Quotes we wish we’d thought of printed a review of Scott’s 78, LP, and 3 singers who are all singing In opera, there is always too much Cassette, CD but for some reason singing…. Claude Debussy he left straight after the interview about an octave above their natu- mumbling fiercely into his beard ral vocal range. Some Old Time "Opera is when a guy gets stabbed something about bankers, and we and Celtic bands have no singers in the back and, instead of bleed- never got our free copy. ing, sings."…..Ed Gardiner at all. If a Celtic band has a singer, Happy Birthday it is usually either a bewhiskered The interview with Scott Balfour ex-sailor, or a petite soprano. A has had an immediate impact, peo- The Top Half Times’ favourite mu- ple are queuing up in their droves sic site is celebrating its 3rd birth- Bluegrass band has a vocal to get a copy of his new album. day. For all those people who like arranger who arranges three-part to read reviews, news, and watch harmonies. In an Old Time band, music clips about all that is current in Australia’s acoustic, folk, nu- anyone who feels like it, can sing folk, trad and roots scene should or make comments during the per- pay a visit to the best site on the formance. In a Celtic band, any- Net. timberandsteel.wordpress.com one who speaks during a perform- Pictured below is a photo of the ance gets “the look’, and songs are Editor of Timber and Steel practic- preceded by a call for silence and ing for a gig. a detailed explanation of their cul-

tural significance. Bluegrass tunes Where would we be without & songs last 3 minutes. Old Time Wikipedia? and Celtic tunes & songs can be A folk instrument is an instrument

any length, and sometimes last all that developed among common people and usually doesn't have a night. (Source: mandolincafe.com) known inventor. It can be made from wood, metal or other mate- Folk Rumour being circulated rial. It is a part of folk music. The

A typical (and local) Scotsman, in- instruments can be percussion in- The Difference between Bluegrass, vites his daughter out for a day’s struments, different types of flutes, Old Time and Celtic bands, now shopping but conveniently leaves the bow and different types of finally explained! his wallet at home! The daughter, trumpets. Some instruments are

typically (and local) Australian, referred to as folk instruments Old Time and Celtic songs are definitely did not take hers with even if they do not meet the criteria about whiskey, food and struggle. her. Friend who works in the shop for classifying a folk instrument because they commonly appear in Bluegrass songs are about God, in question placed security on the front door in case they made a run folk music. An example would be mother and the girl who did me for it!! harmonica. wrong. If the girl isn’t dead by the Musical Quote 2 third verse, it ain’t Bluegrass. If A folksinger, is a person who sings Brass bands are all very well in folk songs. The definition of a folk everyone dies, it’s Celtic. Old Time their place—outdoors and several song is another topic entirely. Gen- and Celtic bands have nonsense miles away." Sir Thomas Beecham erally folk songs are catchy, topical names like “Flogging Molly’, songs based on traditional melodies (meaning they're so old, nobody is “Fruit Jar Drinkers’ and “Skillet really sure where the melody origi- Lickers” while Bluegrass bands nated). Often, people will confuse have serious gender-specific name "folksingers" with "singer/ songwriters." A singer/songwriter like “Bluegrass Boys,’ “Clinch can be a folksinger, but many of Mountain Boys’ and ”Backwoods them are not. Or, if you know who Babes.” wrote it, it can't be folk music!!

son, Steeleye Span, David Bowie, those Virginia reels without los- Nick Drake, and many many ing his grip, may be depended more. Do yourself a favour etc. upon in any kind of emergency. etc. A Blast From The Past Letter’s Column

Dear Editor, It may surprise some of our read- I'm not the best singer or guitar- ers, but every now and then the ist in the world, and I struggle Editor finds time in his incredibly when I have to speak in public. I busy schedule to sit down with a also have trouble remembering good book. (it probably surprises words, and I have a face that ra- most people that he can dio loves. I've had this dream for read...Sub Ed.) over 45 years of becoming a folk In keeping with the theme of Phil singer. What do you think? Beck’s musical presentation this Yours in hope weekend concerning the British Mr. F Singer A Frightening Look At folk revival of the 50’s and 60, the The Present following book comes highly rec- Dear Mr. Singer ommended:- It seems to us here, that you have all the necessary attributes for becoming a very successful folk singer. However, we suggest you spend some time having your dream analysed by an expert as it may turn out to be a nightmare! Good luck and keep taking the tablets. In August 2010 acclaimed British The Editor writer Rob Young published his ode to English folk music, the Musical Quote 3 fantastic Electric Eden: Unearth- Final note from the Editor’s of ing Britain’s Visionary Music, a "The scratches in Yoko Ono re- The Top Half Times, and The book which has since become a cords are moments of relief." Festival Organisers. staple on any folk lover’s book- S.A. Sachs. shelf. The book charts the rise To our loyal friends and volun- and evolution of British classical 10 Essential Folk Songs. teers we say thank you for help- and folk music from the 19th cen- ing us host another Top Half. We tury to today touching on many "Blowin' in the Wind" Bob Dylan couldn’t do it without you. To "City of New Orleans" Steve Goodman of the greats from the UK scene. "If I Had a Hammer" – Pete Seeger those visiting us for the 1st time, It has also led many readers on a "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" – we hope you are having or have new musical discovery, giving The Kingston Trio had a great festival and will come “Play Something We Know Mate”- them a greater appreciation of again one day. Bloodwood Safe journeys home and may the the genetic make-up of British "Suzanne" – Leonard Cohen folk music. The only thing that "We Shall Overcome" – Pete Seeger music and our friendship be al- ways with you. was missing when the book was "Four Strong Winds" – Neil Young "The Last Thing on My Mind" – Tom See you at the next festival in The published was an audio point of Paxton Top End. reference. This has now been rec- “This Land Is Your Land”-Woody The Editors tified with a double-cd sound- Guthrie track album divided into an Acoustic Eden and an Electric Letter to Virginia City Territo- Eden. The album features tracks rial Enterprise, January 1863 - by Bert Jansch, Fairport Conven- Mark Twain tion, Tim Hart & Maddy Prior, John Martyn, Richard Thomp- We consider that the man who can fiddle all through one of

DOWN FOLK MEMORY LANE

Folk Club Float Alice Springs Centenary 1971

Folk Club Night @ Folk Cottage

The Ranch 1st Night

Davewood Smokey & Peter Bate

Scottwood Peter Bate & Taffy Evans Jug Band

Skipwood

Tony Suttor Can someone let me know Dave Oakes & Rosco(?)1987 when all that dreadful Folk Ted Egan 1987 National Folk Festival Music stuff has finished