The Best of British Isle Folk Music

From the Cliffs of Dover to the Scottish Highlands, find the best of British Isle folk music right here!

The Origins of British Folk Music

The roots of British folk music can be found in the music of the British Isles. This music has been influenced by many factors, including the country’s history and geography. The folk music of the British Isles is a rich and varied tradition that has been passed down through the generations.

The Celtic Connection

The origins of British folk music are closely connected with the Celtic peoples who inhabited the British Isles prior to the Roman conquest in 43 AD. The Celts were a group of tribal societies that spoke a common language and shared similar cultural traditions. They were divided into two main groups: the Britons, who inhabited England, Wales, and parts of southern Scotland; and the Gaelic-speaking people, who lived in Ireland, northwestern Scotland, and the Isle of Man.

The Celtic peoples were renowned for their skills in music and storytelling. These traditions were passed down from generation to generation and eventually made their way to the British Isles. Over time, the Celtic music and stories became fused with those of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, two other groups who had settled in Britain. This process of cultural exchange created a rich tapestry of musical traditions that would come to be known as British folk music.

Today, British folk music is enjoyed by people all over the world. It has been popularized by artists such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Beatles. This genre of music continues to evolve and change, as new generations add their own twist to traditional tunes.

The Anglo-Saxon Influence

The Anglo-Saxon period in Britain (449-1066) saw the arrival of the first Germanic settlers who brought with them their own music and instruments. This new music slowly began to mix with the existing Celtic traditions, laying the foundations for what would later become known as British folk music. The most significant Anglo-Saxon musical instrument was the lyre, a stringed instrument that was played with a plectrum. Lyres were often used accompanying poetry or story-telling, as they were thought to create a more emotive and stirring performance. The Anglo-Saxons also made use of flutes, drums, and horns, although these were less common than the lyre.

The Evolution of British Folk Music

Since the early days of folk music, the genre has constantly been evolving. What started out as simple songs and stories passed down from generation to generation has now evolved into a complex and diverse genre that has been influences by a variety of cultures. Let’s take a look at how British folk music has evolved over the years.

The Folk Revival of the 1950s and 1960s

In the 1950s and 1960s, British folk music underwent a revival. The most successful exponents of the revival were The Watersons and The Copper Family, who between them recorded more than fifty traditional songs for the Topic record label. The Watersons in particular were praised for their skilled and traditional harmony singing, which was seen as a throwback to an earlier age. Other successful performers included Shirley Collins, Martin Carthy and Davy Graham.

The folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s was partly inspired by the work of American folklorists such as Alan Lomax, who had recorded many traditional songs during the 1930s and 1940s. It was also influenced by the skiffle craze of the 1950s, which saw British teenagers playing American folk and blues songs on makeshift instruments such as washboards and tea chests.

During the 1960s, British folk music became increasingly politicised, with artists such as Ewan MacColl using their songs to campaign against social injustice. In 1967, MacColl wrote ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, which became a huge international hit for Roberta Flack in 1972. The song has since been covered by many other artists, including Joan Baez and Jennifer Rush.

Today, British folk music is thriving, with both traditional and contemporary performers enjoying success. Bands such as Mumford & Sons and Eliza Carthy are keeping traditional folk music alive, while artists like Sam Lee are putting their own spin on the genre.

The New Folk Movement of the 1970s

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was a renewed interest in traditional British folk music. This was part of a broader countercultural movement that saw a resurgence of interest in traditional music and art forms.

This new folk movement was led by a generation of young musicians who were influenced by the work of older folk musicians such as Ewan MacColl and A. L. Lloyd. These young musicians began to experiment with traditional folk tunes, often adding their own lyrics or altering the melodies.

This new style of folk music became known as “the New Folk Movement” or “the British Folk Revival”. Some of the most famous exponents of this style were Fairport Convention, Pentangle, and Steeleye Span.

The New Folk Movement had a significant impact on the development of popular music in Britain. Many of the musicians who started out playing traditional folk music went on to have successful careers in other genres, including rock, pop, and even classical music.

The Contemporary British Folk Scene

Folk music has long been an important part of British culture. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in popularity for the genre, with a new generation of musicians putting their own spin on traditional folk songs. The British folk scene is now more vibrant than ever, with a wide variety of artists making great music.

The Young Turks of British Folk

The young Turks of the British folk scene are a talented and eclectic bunch who are keeping the tradition alive and bringing it into the 21st century.

There are plenty of young performers making waves on the UK folk circuit, from rising stars like Lisa Knapp and Seth Lakeman, to more established names like Kate Rusby and Eliza Carthy.

What sets these musicians apart from their predecessors is their willingness to experiment with other genres and cross-pollinate with other forms of music. This has led to a more contemporary sound that still retains the essence of what makes folk music so special.

If you’re looking for something a little different from the usual fare, then check out some of these up-and-coming British folk artists. You might just find your new favorite band.

The New Traditionalists

The new traditionalists are a group of contemporary British folk musicians who are reviving interest in the traditional music of the British Isles. These musicians are often inspired by the work of older, traditional folk musicians, but they also bring their own unique spin to the music.

Some of the most popular new traditionalist folk musicians include Richard Thompson, Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy, and Seth Lakeman. These artists often perform traditional folk songs, but they also write their own original songs in a similar style.

The new traditionalists have helped to revive interest in British folk music and have brought it to a whole new audience. If you’re interested in exploring the contemporary British folk scene, these are some of the best artists to check out.

The Future of British Folk Music

The future of British Folk Music is shrouded in potential. With the ever-growing popularity of Americana and country music in the United Kingdom, it’s hard to deny that British Folk Music has a lot to offer. Americana has been a hit in the UK for a few years now, and British Folk Music is starting to gain some well-deserved attention.

The Rise of Digital Folk

Digital folk music is on the rise, with artists using technology to create new and exciting sounds. Here are some of the best British Isles folk music acts to watch out for in the coming years.

The Boomtown Rats are a five-piece band from London who mix traditional folk instruments with modern electronic production. Their sound is both atmospheric and danceable, with catchy melodies and interesting percussion.

Fiddler’s Green is a six-piece band from Ireland who blend traditional Irish tunes with rock and roll energy. They’re known for their high-energy live shows, which often include pyrotechnics and enthusiastic dancing.

Bellowhead is a nine-piece band from England who combine traditional folk instruments with a brass section and percussion. Their sound is both festive and dramatic, perfect for celebrations or lively sing-alongs.

The Young’uns are a three-piece band from England who specialize in close harmonies and stirring storytelling. Their songs are often inspired by real-life events, giving them an emotional depth that resonates with listeners.

The New Folk Superstars

In the last few years, British folk music has undergone something of a renaissance. Suddenly, a style of music that was once largely ignored by the mainstream is now enjoying something of a moment in the spotlight. Thanks to a new generation of young performers, British folk music is undergoing something of a revival – and it looks set to continue for years to come.

One of the most exciting things about this new wave of British folk music is the way that it is managing to reach a whole new audience. In the past, folk music was often dismissed as being old-fashioned and out of touch with modern life. However, thanks to the internet and social media, folk music is now being discovered by younger people who are looking for something different from the mainstream pop music that they are used to hearing.

One of the most successful British folk artists of recent years is Passenger, whose song ‘Let Her Go’ became an international hit in 2013. Since then, he has gone on to enjoy considerable success with his folky brand of singer-songwriter pop. Elsewhere, other young performers such as Jake Bugg and Ben Howard are also finding success by incorporating elements of folk into their own unique styles.

It seems clear that British folk music is enjoying something of a moment in the spotlight at the moment. With so many young performers taking inspiration from the genre, it looks set to continue its popularity for many years to come.