Singers and songs which stunned me .

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: ranger1
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 07:02 PM

- George Papavgeris singing Empty-handed at the first FSGS Getaway I went to.

- CMR singing Peppers and Tomatoes at SINSULL's.

- Barry Finn singing Juliana at the Press Room on my first visit.

- Richard Thompson singing Vincent Black Lightning in concert.

- Davey Steele (and the rest of The Battlefield Band) singing The Beaches of St. Valery.

That's just a few that I can think of off the top of my head.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Mrs Scarecrow
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 03:49 PM

Bill Caddick singing the Cloud Factory comes top of my list of many,

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Tiger
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 01:00 PM

Guy Clark - The Randall Knife

Planxty - True Love Knows No Season (Norman Blake's Billy Gray)

Kate Smith - God Bless America (original)

Dave Van Ronk - Another Time and Place

Jerry Jeff Walker - David and Me

John McDermott - The Faded Coat of Blue

Steve Earle - Fort Worth Blues

Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Hard Times, Come Again No More

Greenbriar Boys - I Heard the Bluebirds Sing

Paddy O'Reilly - The Dublin Minstrel

Eric Andersen - Just a Country Dream

Roger Whittaker - The Last Farewell

Nina and Frederik - Listen to the Ocean

Kate Wolf - The Trumpet Vine

Ian & Sylvia - Summer Wages

Burl Ives - Old Uncle Ned

Bluegrass Roy - Only a Bum

"The Fantastiks" - Plant a Radish

Bette Midler - The Rose

Dry Branch Fire Squad - Someone Play Dixie for Me

Garrison Brothers - Song for the Mira

Townes Van Zandt - Tecumseh Valley

Gordon Bok - Turning Toward the Morning

Johnny Cash - Ways of a Woman in Love

Clancy Brothers - The Wind that Shakes the Barley


plus, a number of the aforementioned.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Musket
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 12:53 PM

Vin Garbutt singing "Believe me if all those endearing young charms."
Tony Capstick singing "The bonny bunch of roses."
Harvey Andrews singing "Boothferry Bridge."
Dave Burland singing "I don't like Mondays."
Jake Thackray singing "on again on again."
Bernard Wrigley singing it too..
Cilla Fisher singing "Westling Winds."
Dick Gaughan playing reels

The thing in common? All remembered from the folk club in Worksop I was part of up till about thirty years ago. After it folded, I have enjoyed my folk music but the nostalgia element for me was upstairs at The Boundary, lighting the candles and most guests did actually stun me. Stunned that I could spend a pound, (zero if I did a floor turn..) and hear music that I got as much enjoyment out of as when I spent huge amounts at large concerts.

That's what kept me interested in folk clubs. Up until joining Mudcat, I hadn't even heard of the 1954 nonsense mentioned in the OP, and frankly, it is as irrelevant to me as the rule book on stamp collecting. I enjoy what I call folk and many acts have stunned me with their talent, depth of character and dedication to their art.

Long may this tradition continue, whether it is a tradition or indeed traditional (!)

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 12:42 PM

Since this thread has popped up again, I forgot a stunner:

The Copper Family ages ago, somewhere in/near London, when dear Bob was still with us - I know Jill and John were there too, but I can't remember who else. To coin a phrase, Absolutely Fabulous. I was reminded of this because last night I was reading Vic Smith's wonderful 1970 interview with Bob on MUSTRAD.

And yes Diane, I was at the Clive Woolf benefit. Marvellous evening, even though a friend got a verbal smacking from June Tabor!

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 11:01 AM

So many songs, so little time!

Claudia Nygaard ~ his left side.

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,Bill Winsbury
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 10:02 AM

So many..
Anne Briggs, Reynardine 1963?
Martin Carthy, Lord Franklin, Stockport 1963
Joan Baez, Pretty Boy Floyd
Nic Jones, The Drowned Lovers, Thelwall 1973?
June Tabor, The Shearing's Not For You, Hungerford 1972?
Dick Gaughan, The Green Linnet, Hungerford 197?
Tony Rose - Just as the Tide Was Flowing, Reeading, 1971?
The Young Tradition, Chicken on a Raft, Kingston, 1969 - fair made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck when they went into the chorus

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: olddude
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 05:36 PM

Kendall Morse "Ashes on the Sea"
Bruce Murdoch "Fool like Me"
Art Thieme "Lone Prairie"
Jerry Rasmussen "Hand Full of Songs"
Frank Hamilton "Blue Mountain"
Ron Bankley "Jambalaya in Jamalia"

Harry Chapin "Taxi"

not in any order, just some off hand

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 05:25 PM

Chris Wood singing Hollow Point-simply staggering

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Graham_Pirt
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 05:10 PM

Louis Killen singing Bold Princess Royal
Ray Fisher - anything at all
Jim Sharpe - Auld Fishers fareweel te the Coquet
John Kirkpatrick - Little bit of yarn
Hissyfit - Luckiest Sailor (Brilliantly written by Linda Kelly)
Keith Marsden - I remember Morley

Amongst many

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Rev. Dan
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 10:53 AM

A few easily come to mind, first time I saw them I was agape:

Jim Lauderdale (1994, opening solo for Nick Lowe)
Fred Eaglesmith (1996, with trio, opening for Cowboy Junkies)
John Wesley Harding (1994-present)

Jill Sobule.

and lately, Bronwen Exter.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: SqueezeMe
Date: 30 Nov 10 - 10:20 AM

Far to many to list....but stand outs include:

Bernard Wrigley singing falsetto 'The Girl from Ipanema" at, I think, Trowbridge Festival, c1974.

Peter Bellamy playing what must have been the complete works of blues legend Robert Johnson at a party in Sydney c1980.

Canadian Vera Johnson playing at the Troubadour Club in Bristol c1970.

Garstang Morris Men, the first "non-Cotswold" side I'd ever seen, somewhere around 1972, dancing a processional after nightfall by torchlight, somewhere on the Fylde coast. Amazing!

First time I saw and heard the somewhat offbeat harmonies of The Songwainers, c1971.

Listening to the Copper Family's "A Song for Every Season" for the first time on vinyl, c1971.

First time I ever heard "Dancing at Whitsun", probably Tim Hart on the Summer Solstice LP. One of my all-time favorite songs.

Recently? Hmmm. Sadly, a little less "stunnable" as I've got older....

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: AnneMC
Date: 29 Nov 10 - 09:25 PM

Rik Baron singing "No Place for Children"
Archie Roach singing " Christmas Eve"

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 10 - 08:34 PM

Forgive me if I may weigh in.


The "year 2525"..."Secret Agent Man" were my modern day favorites.

However, I always looked forward to the family meetings. Those songs played may never well be played again.

In my humble opinion: The flags have passed....the musicians have passed. That only means one thing. The Armies are coming.

Thank you for your time and your forum.

With Respect,

Lowell Lee

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Mike Yates
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 05:30 AM

Two singing memories stand out for me. The first was being taken by Fred Jordan to a pub in Ludlow to hear the gypsy singer May Bradley. It was a busy Saturday night, with a lot of singing, but then May was asked to sing and she gave us "The Leaves of Life". Talk about a spine-tingling moment! It was incredible. The second was also in a pub, this time in Suffolk. Again, there was quite a bit of singing going on and, during a lull, Fred Whiting began to sing his poaching song "Who Owns the Game?". To say that I was knocked out is, if anything, an understatement.

One final memory. This time from a singer, though not about singing. I was in Virginia at a place called Fancy Gap and was talking to the singer Dan Tate. Dan started talking about "the war" and people he knew who had fought there. I thought that he was talking about the 1st World War, but then he mentioned the battle of Shiloh and I realised that Dan was talking about people he had known who had fought in the American Civil War.I just could not believe that I was talking to a man who had known people who had fought in that war. I still shake my head in wonderment when I recall that conversation!

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: tritoneman
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 03:14 AM

I still find myself quite overwhelmed when I listen to Packie Byrne singing the Holland Handkerchief.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,`seth from Olympia
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 02:31 AM

Rev Gary Davis at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania in 1963 or 4. Din't know who he was, didin't know anything about his music came out of there felt as if I was in a Waring blender for about three weeks-like some of the stuff on here the thread just kept unravekin' and here I am and it's 2010 and I've got 6000 blues, jazz and folk albums I don't know what to do with.....

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,Vicki Kelsey
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 08:07 PM

This is from Fox Hollow days, in the late 60's because she chose the venues in which to sing it carefully. Jean Redpath, doing "The Seal Song" in the natural ampitheater. The hair still stands up on my arms, and I can hear the seal call going on forever across the audience and into the surrounding countryside.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Midchuck
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 09:52 AM

Dunno whether this belongs on this thread or the "Folk Music in the Internet Age" thread - probably both. But I recently got a link, on another list, to Youtube videos of Paul Brady, back in the '70s, doing "Lakes of Ponchartrain" and "Arthur McBride," and I says to myself, says I, "Holy S***, how can I have been involved with folk and quasi-folk music for 50 years and never heard or seen this guy?"

I guess he does mostly rock, so these are a relatively well-kept secret.

Peter

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 07:54 AM

Interviewing the Late Townes Van Zandy at the old Robin R&B club Dudley in 1994, then watching his siperb 2 hour concert and sang For The Sake Of The song which I'd requested. Lovely gentle person

Gilly Derby at the Olde White Rose in Bilston 2003 a wo0nderful version of Feel My Love

Mick Cambell,then with Scartaglen singing Greenfields Of France, first time I'd hear the song and bringing the house down as very few others hard heard it then (1981 ish)

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Nobodys bard
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 06:39 AM

Martyn Wyndham Read has a wonderful voice & style. I was totally blown away when I first heard Martin Carthy & likewise Nic Jones - High Level Ranters version of Long Lankin still does it for me - in a non folk vein - Solitude
&
I Got It Bad

And anything else from this great album

I could list many others

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,Elmore
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 12:12 PM

Thirty odd years ago, Martyn Wyndham-Read singing "the Rose", Priscilla Herdman singing "do You Think that I Do Not Know?"

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,schlimmerkerl
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 05:20 PM

WFMT in Chicago used to run a (mostly folk) program called "The Midnight Special" (still on, i think) on Saturday night from 10 to 12 (or so). Late summer evening 1963, breeze wafting into the dark bedroom. Norm introduces a "young singer from Greenwich Village"— or something like that. On comes Bob Dylan with "Blowin' in the Wind". Sitting in stunned silence. Wow. What the heck was THAT!? And so the 60s began.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: David C. Carter
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 06:07 AM

I go with SINSULL on this one (Dylan-Hard Rain)

Much later my wife took me home to the familly house in Croatia.
It was Christmas,my father in law came back to the house with several of his friends.They sat at the table and sang just about every Dalmatian song they could think of.I had to leave the room.
He's gone now,but I can still hear him singing.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: I don't know
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 05:49 AM

Dougie Mclean - Caledonia
Richard Shindell - Are you happy now
John Wright - What's the use of wings, Ragland road, Naked to the eye, Sand & water, Reconciliation.
Eric Bogle - Waltzing Matilda
Jackie Leven - Autumn song
Sylvia Kelly (Stained Glass)- Winter traveling man
Mundy-Turner - Markham Main
Show of Hands - Widecombe fair

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 05:15 AM

Steeleye Span... Somewhere Along The Road.

The High Kings...The Parting Glass.    Watch this one all the way through to se how they finish a show... Live it is enthralling.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 07:15 PM

bseed(charleskratz)

The above gentleman posted around May of 2009 and asked the whereabouts of one Jon Adams, from whom both of us had learned a number of songs in the late 1950's and early 1960's in Fresno, California. In case you are still out there, Jon is still alive (or was as of a couple of months ago). I believe he worked for some time at the Lemoore Naval Air Station in some capacity. He recently lost his mother in an accident near Sacramento, I believe, but promised to get back in touch once things settled a bit. He has made appearances (rarely) in San Diego for a roots festival hereabouts. That was where we reconnected a few years back. The coffee house you probably recall was The Renaissance, on Blackstone Avenue. Dave Barber, a chiropractor from L.A. moved to Fresno and opened it. We must have entered service not too far apart - I was inducted in Jan. 1961.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Big Ballad Singer
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 01:23 PM

Tommy Makem singing "Four Green Fields"

Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers singing "The Leaving Of Liverpool"

Stan Rogers singing "Mary Ellen Carter" and "Northwest Passage"

Pete Seeger singing "Where Have All the Flowers Gone"

Woody Guthrie singing "This Land Is Your Land"

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,Essex girl
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 10:47 AM

The late John Wright singing anything was truely mindblowing. The first time I saw him was Chippenham Folk Festival & the standing ovation was unbeliveable.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 09:00 AM

First time I heard Ann Wiseman. Went with party from Dingles to Cornwall. Cocky young gun with guitar wondering how quiet small lady with guitar was going to be. First pub stop she sang - power, passion, presence and great songs. Glad to read she's still performing. Hope Ann gets up our way (Berks).

Steve Turner - performing St Elena and Lorry Ride

Sam Lee - seen at Chippenham concert 2010, not my usual fayre but crickey what a delivery.

Sylvia Barnes in Scotch Measure.

My other half - still delivering 'pin-drop' moments.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,Terry Kemp
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 06:53 AM

The 'Count House' at Bottalack 1964:-
1) John the Fish singing 'San Francisco Bay Blues'
2) Brenda Wootton and John , with great audience in the chorus' of 'Wild Mountain Thyme' & 'Way down to Tremorna'
3) Ralph Mc Tell singing 'Streets of London' in public for the first time.

1965 Yeovil Folk Club @ The Yetties' and Paul Simon before he became famous singing 'Sparrow'.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Kampervan
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 03:53 AM

Billy Joel Downeaster Alexa

Don't knock if you've never heard it (preferably played VERY loud).

K/van

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,happylassie
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 03:49 AM

Seeing Matt Shenks outside Orlando House of Blues when visiting Florida 2 years ago.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: kendall
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 07:27 PM

I believe it is, Jeri. It's a real heart breaker for anyone who ever loved a boat. No potato farmer would ever understand.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 05:56 PM

Judy Dyble singing "See Emily Play". Nice one Judy!

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,Alan Squires
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 03:21 PM

Seeing Paul Brady in a small folk club in Nottingham playing solo, before his career exploded and he played superb mandolin and guitar. All his songs were brilliant

Seeing Nic Jones at the Bamalouka Folk Club in Ockbrook, Derby when he was singing his songs off Penguin Eggs crockery Chair etc - priceless. He was(still is) one of my best ever singers.

Seeing Waterson Carthy at derby Folk festival two years ago and hearing Norma singing Black Muddy River(Grateful Dead song) that had me in bits it was so great.

Hearing Martin Carthy's version of Heatbreak Hotel

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Tootler
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 03:04 PM

At the Black Bull Bender this weekend just past, a lass of about 14/15 yrs stood up and sang "When Fishes Fly" with poise and assurance. She had a lovely voice and it was a superb performance.

Definitely a singer which stunned me.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,From York
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 07:53 AM

Stan Rogers' Lockkeeper sung by Dan McKinnon.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: banksie
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 07:42 AM

If tune playing is allowed as well I'd nominate the band (name now I can't remember) that featured Ralph Jordan and the late Nigel Chippendale. Simply stunning stuff and the sort of musicianship that was strangely encouraging. I have often heard a musican and thought `that was so good I think I'll give up trying' but Nigel and Ralph together made me think `if I can get to be 10% as good as them I'll be bloody amazing'. Haven't got there yet, of course, but had a lot of fun on the way.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: mg
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 02:06 AM

Here's a brand new..young Newfoundland girl..

Watch her over the years..what a voice..and a great piano player. Some wedding song..

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=kaylamallay#p/u/17/O20TVHC9YFE

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Bert
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 09:32 PM

Ruby Murray - Softly, softly
Norman Wisdom - Don't laugh at me 'cos I'm a fool
Patsy Peters - anything she cares to sing
Vance Gilbert - King of Rome
katlaughing - That's not My Colorado
McGrath of Harlow - Blue clicky thing

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 07:50 PM

Kendall, the Sean Gagnier song?

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: kendall
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 07:42 PM

The Wheel house door sung by Gordon Bok.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 07:09 PM

Oh, and a few years back, hearing Tarja Turunen do "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan". I only recognised the work "keiitos" ("thank you") right at the end, but the song still made me well up:

Tarja Turunen

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 07:06 PM

I'm glad someone mentioned the "Sons of the Pioneers." As a youngster growing up in ranch country in the late 1940's, "Cool Water" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," among others, were like folk songs to me. Their arrangements seemed haunting at times. Bob Nolan had quite a run as a composer. Oh, and Leonard Slye(Better known as Roy Rogers)was one of the founders. After his departure, another cowboy actor, Ken Curtis (Festus on TV's Gunsmoke) was with them for some time. The comedy musical group, "Riders in the Sky," has long paid homage to their legacy.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 04:27 PM

Happily, there are just so many songs and times to choose from....but for my money Niamh Parsons' CD "The Old Simplicity" does it for me every time. Even better when you see her performing the songs live! Just recently Si Kahn's 'Custodian' from his CD "Courage".

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 04:23 PM

Tony Kosinec: two songs of his. Listen to the Hukilau, and Heart of a Small Business.

Also when I first heard Peggy Lee sing the Leiber and Stoller composition of "Is That All There Is"? (with Randy Newman on piano). I was in my car at the time and almost drove off the road.

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: DonMeixner
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 03:17 PM

Andy Cohen singing "I Come and Stand At Everydoor>"
Billy Edd Wheeler singing "Coal Tattoo" " The Coming of The Road"
Jed Marum singing "Prayer from Little Round Top"
Anne Byrne singing "Crooked Jack"
The Sons of The Pioneers singing "Blue Bonnett Girl"
Ewan Macoll singing "The Lags Song"

Don

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: GUEST,folkyfan
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 03:10 PM

Jackie Oates singing a new song to her repertoire called "The Nightingale" - just beautiful. All of Lal Waterson's "Once in a Blue Moon" album. Cara Dillon's "Bonnie Bonnie".

Subject: RE: Singers and songs which stunned me .
From: Art Thieme
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 03:09 PM

re: No More Cane On The Brazos

The arrangement that the Mitchell Trio did was taken from Bob Gibson. It was a fav of mine too, but by Bob.

Art