MOG

As a genre, comedy folk brings forth some horrid and hateful images. Richard Digance reading out excruciating forwarded emails on Countdown; Billy Connolly buggering a purple unicorn for money; and Jasper Carrott's inexplicable sit-com 'All About Me'.

Jake Thackray was a very different proposition: He was born in Leeds, and loved his devoutly Catholic upbringing and mother. A socialist, he lost some of his twenties in Paris, before coming back to Leeds to teach, pick up the guitar, and write some of the funniest and most rampantly heterosexual songs of the period.

He was never really accepted in folk circles. His Gallic features, his nylon strung guitar and slappy technique, and his affinity for Brel and Brassens-esque whimsy set him too far apart.

Here's some Brassens for comparison:

Instead, between 1966 and 1971, he served his humourous, non-satirical, vaguely topical songs up to such magazine-type tv programmes as That's Life, with the lyrics being taxied to the broadcasters on a weekly basis for approval.

Themes of animals and death, the weight of social class, a bit of lighthearted 70's misogyny, serious religiousity, and pompous figures of fun (sometimes clergymen) were recurrent.

Here he is at his best:

If you enjoy his tight-lipped warmth, consider getting hold of the excellent 4CD EMI collection Jake in a box.

Posted on 04/11/2007