Womenfolk.


Its an old term Womenfok. One that means the women of a particular community or family.
I'm using it in a slightly cheesy way to describe the women in Folk music that have inspired and enchanted me, some for over 40 years.
Folk music is a very egalitarian form of music. It is the way that stories, messages and ideologies have been handed down over the centuries. The folk world happily collaborates like no other. The community has also very strong both men and women singing the songs. Women folk songwriters have become stuff of legend too. This is an homage to some of those women that mean a lot to me.
I was first exposed to folk in the early 1970's. My sister was an avid folk fan, sang in a folk group and played the songs of Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton and others. Two British folk rock groups however, made a huge impression on me. Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. Both groups featured legendary female lead singers on many of their tracks.
Sandy Denny took lead vocals on many early Fairport albums. The album Liege and Lief was and still is a fave of mine. Sandy was a prolific songwriter going on to record solo albums and work with her band Fotheringay before her untimely death in 1978. She had an extraordinary voice, powerful, pure and passionate. Fairport with Sandy Denny interpreted traditional folk songs, Bob Dylan pieces and wrote enchanting original pieces. Who Knows Where The Time Goes has become a timeless classic covered by countless singers since its release on the Unhalfbricking album of 1969.



She also featured as backing vocalist on Battle of Evermore on the fourth Led Zeppelin album. She is still regarded as possibly the finest ever British female folk singer of any generation. 

Steeleye Span emerged in the late 1960's onto the British Folk scene. The band was formed by Tim Hart and Maddy Prior. They have gone on to be at the forefront of the British folk scene ever since. They were in some ways more purist in approach to traditional folk than early Fairport but gradually evolved to a more folk rock outfit by the mid seventies. She has an amazingly powerful voice which is unmistakable in style. She has an incredible range and she tells stories with her voice like few are able. She has collaborated with all the glitterati of British Folk over the years and continues to sing, host music workshops, inspire the singers of tomorrow.



Steeleye Span - Saucy Sailor from Below The Salt album

Many influential British women folk singers emerged in the late 60's. Shirley Collins had lead the folk revival in the early 1960's, Jacqui McShee of Pentangle, Norma and Lal Waterson to name but a few. The US however had blazed the trail in many ways for the female folk singer songwriter. Peggy Seeger, Joan Baez and of course Joni Mitchell.

Joni Mitchell rose to fame in the mid sixties. Canadian born, Joni moved to Laurel Canyon via Michigan and New York where she began to gain recognition as both an astonishing singer but maybe more as truly original songwriter. She was and is revered by some of the greats of popular music. She went onto to enjoy success recording such classic albums as Ladies of the Canyon, Clouds and Blue. She writes with wit, heartfelt emotion and sometimes a sharpness that challenged the counter culture of the late sixties which she rejected. She is yet another instantly recognisable voice combined with an amazing gymnastic vocal range. She has experimented with Jazz, electronic music and pop. It is her folk music that captivates me however. Her song Both Sides Now off her second album Clouds is one of my all time favourite songs. A truly beautiful, simple song.


Joni Mitchell is a hard act to follow for some but there is one singer songwriter who holds a special place in my musical heart. She is affectionately described as the Barnsley Nightingale. She has a voice so pure and beautiful, it has been known to make me cry. Kate Rusby is a relative newcomer compared to Sandy, Maddy and Joni. Her debut album Hourglass was released in 1997. I bought the album that year and instantly fell under her spell. From the the first track, Sir Eglamore to the utterly beautiful and haunting Bold Riley, I couldn't believe a singer could sound so good. I was hooked. She has become a big name in the world of folk music since, releasing fabulous albums such as Underneath The Stars, The Girl Who Couldn't Fly, Awkward Annie. I think some day I just may find a new release by her that doesn't capture me but am yet to experience it and doubt that event will ever happen. The two clips show the beauty and wonderful songwriting skill of Kate Rusby. 

Bold Riley off the 1997 album Hourglass


Little Jack Frost off the 2005 album The Girl Who Couldn't Fly

I think that one of the reasons I enjoy folk music so much is that it doesn't matter who you are or what you look like or where you're from, if you're good enough, talented and work hard; there is always a chance for you. Modern stars such as Kate Rusby, The Unthanks, Eliza Carthy are straddling the folk and pop/rock world. There are no gender boundaries in Folk. If you're a good singer and songwriter, you will rise to the top. 







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