The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #151075   Message #3523260
Posted By: GUEST
05-Jun-13 - 08:50 PM
Thread Name: Obit: Terry Conway (4 Jun 2013)
Subject: RE: Obit: Terry Conway (4 Jun 2013)
I knew Terry from 1966 to 1985 in Hexham, at Newcastleton festivals, and Morpeth to some extent. Every Monday at the Royal Hotel, and across the Shire. I am glad someone mentioned 'Johnny Armstrong's Last Goodnight', which is the best I've heard a Border Ballad before or since. 'Farewell Regality' was his own, and among his best. He loved 'Jemima' and I hope in time, someone will do 'Erwin Rommel' which is equally good read as poetry. He was quite a Historian with an original way of seeing.
There are many of his comic songs that I know will pass into tradition, like 'Harry Thompson's Orange Army' or 'Ballad of the Working Man' and maybe hundreds since I had to leave Northumberland for work.
He was the Gold Standard, and is still, since they broke the mould.
Rest Easy now, old friend. Carole Garland (Hill).