Folks, I don't want to embarrass Graham - well, not much - but I've discovered a great songwriter, great songs, and a great group of singers because of him.

A while back, I enquired about a Keith Marsden song, "Old Peculier." What happened after that is too long to tell in detail, but to sum up, I now possess the aforementioned book of Keith Marsden songs "Picking Sooty Blackberries," and three CDs of Graham's group Cockersdale. Graham sent some of these as a gift, (but suggested a donation to Mudcat) and some I sought out and purchased. I've asked to be on the waiting list for the forthcoming double CD.

Opinions:

Graham Pirt is a wonderful, generous human being and a gift to music and Mudcat.

Cockersdale does wonderful harmony, and has some of the best "in the English tradition, but author known" songs around anywhere.

If you like any song written by Keith Marsden, you will love the book. It's well written, and includes biographical information as well as notes on the songs.

Someone on this side of the pond should carry Cockersdale CDs.