British folk music has been one of the most popular forms of music in England for many years. Due to its strong traditional component, it has always been seen as an important expression of the UK’s folk culture and history. However, despite its historical roots, British folk music was also influenced by the “folk revival” of the 1950s and 1960s, which created a new form of British folk music.
A History of British Folk Music
British folk music has its roots in the early days of British popular culture. Folk dances and songs were often performed in villages and towns of the United Kingdom, as a form of entertainment for the common people. This type of music has been passed down orally from generation to generation.
Over the centuries, British folk music has been influenced by many cultures, including Celtic music, European folk music, and classical music. This fusion of influences created a unique form of British folk music.
However, modern British folk music owes its character not only to traditional folk music in the United Kingdom, but also to the “folk revival” of the 1950s and 1960s. An important figure in the movement was Ewan MacColl, who popularized traditional and contemporary folk songs with his ‘Radio Ballads’ series in the 1950s. This music is still hugely influential in the 90’s. Some of McCall’s most famous songs are The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Dirty Old Town and The Manchester Rambler.
There was a great rise in interest in folk music in England in the 1960s. Some of the most popular folk artists to emerge were Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson, and Roy Bailey, and they all still perform today. Towards the end of the decade “folk rock” bands began to emerge, forming groups such as Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and Lindisfarne. All of these bands were the major artists of the 1990s.
Modern British Folk Music
The enduring popularity of artists from the 1950s and 1960s indicates how little popular music has changed since then. Most new works have much in common with their predecessors. Folk rock continued with bands such as The Oyster Band service and home delivery. Encapsulated by the work of Roy Bailey and Leon Russelson, protest chants were continued by the likes of Rob Johnson and Billy Bragg, as other musical genres such as punk rock and reggae emerged.
