Alex Atterson...info Rqd

Subject: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 03:15 AM

Hi
Is there a helpful catter who could give me any background on Alex Atterson? I have 2 of his albums (Roundabout & Pushing the Business on), but wondered if he made other albums? I know he also played on a couple of albums by Michael Chapman. What about other "sessions"?
Any background / biographical info would be appreciated

Cheers
LL

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Peace
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 03:26 AM

LL,

Try a Google of

alex atterson, albums

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Mingulay at work
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 03:59 AM

Saw him once or twice back in the 60's, if memory serves me right he was teaching in Norwich at the time. I do remember him as being very entertaining and well known in East Anglia. Do not know anything about his discography however.

Sorry I can't help more, just a blast from the past.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Lanfranc
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 03:27 PM

Alex gave me one of my first gigs back in the mid sixties of the last century at a club he was running in Lowestoft. At the time I understood that he was working for Colman's as a research chemist "working out how to make mustard hotter!". The teaching came later.

I repaid the compliment by booking him many times over the years, and was devastated when he died in 1996 at a much too early age. He was a great entertainer, a fine guitarist, pianist and singer.

His arrangements of Charles Causley songs arose after I introduced him to Peter Parkhill, an Australian singer who came over in 1969, bringing with him Mike Ball's arrangements of "Timothy Winters" and "Ballad to Katherine of Aragon". Alex had long connections with Cornwall, and was close to John the Fish and Brenda Wootton, so the idea of a Cornish poet appealed to him.

At one time he, Derek Brimstone and I were all driving the same model of car - the old SAAB 96 V4.

There are moves afoot to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his death in 2006 with gigs in Norwich and Cornwall. Derek Brimstone, Jon Betmead and I are already committed, along with George Norris, Maggie Holland and numerous other folkies of yore.

You might be interested in my site - have a look at the .PDF file of notes to my CD on the "Last Year's Love" page.

Alan

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: cptsnapper
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 01:38 AM

With regard to the 10th. anniversary commemoration of Alex's death the people mentioned have said that they're interested as long as the dates chosen are convenient & I'm working on that at the moment. I could do with suggestions about possible venues in Cornwall.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 06:35 AM

I have fond memories of Alex and a scratch jazz band at Bracknell Festivals 'Rough Music' session - Alex on piano , Maggie Holland on bass , Ian Anderson on guitar ,self on whistle and two or three others whos names escape me ! Alex was indeed a good lad and definately died far to young !

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: John C.
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 12:11 PM

At one time Alex Atterson lived in Peterborough (my home town) and was one of the founder members of P'boro Folk Club. By the time I joined the club, in 1967, Alex had moved to Norwich - but he returned fairly frequently. I remember him as a great character and a fine musician (he played guitar and jazz on the piano - he may have been one of the founders of the Jazz club as well, not sure).
He put a tune to Charles Causley's poem 'The Ballad of Katherine of Aragon'. The eponymous Queen is buried in P'boro Cathedral and the poem contrasts the death of a P'boro man, during the 2nd World War with the death of Queen Katherine.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Doug Gowans
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 03:55 PM

I first met Alex in 1967 when he was running the Studio 4 Folk Club in Norwich. By this time he had left Colmans and turned professional musician. He was a frequent guest at the UEA Folk Club. In 1969 we set up the Norwich Folk Festival, based at the University of East Anglia. Alex was in charge of the music, I looked after the money and a whole gang of us gave up weeks. of our time to get the show on the road. It says much about Alex's standing in the folk world that he was able to attract many of the biggest names on the folk circuit just on his promise of a share in the profits. The first Norwich Folk Festival was a success and we ran it along the same lines for another 11 years. During this time Alex was also invited to compere at the other folk festival down the road at Cambridge on a number of occasions. He also tried to set up a larger concert venue for folk music at the Talk of the East in Norwich. This, sadly, was short-lived but i still recall one memorable evening with the Chieftains in concert. Being on the road took its toll and Alex, who had meantime married Gill, decided to settle down and trained as a Science Teacher. It was whilst he was teaching at a High School in Norfolk that he composed 'Martha and the Dragon', a musical strongly influenced by Alex's admiration for Charles Causley. This was performed by pupils at the high school to great critical acclaim. Sadly, I don't think there was any recording made of this work. Alex was a great friend, unpretentious and good fun but a thorough professional. It was these qualities that endeared him to many fellow folk musicians. Alex was probably the greatest single influence on the folk music scene in Norfolk at that time. His untimely death left a gap that has never been filled since.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Ringer
Date: 03 Feb 06 - 09:53 AM

Hey, John C: I, too, used to go to Peterboro' folk club in 66/67 & again (after a spell at Uni) in 70/71; I think it had moved pubs then. Perhaps we met there? And I also used to go to the Jazz Club (Sun lunch-time, at the Halcyon, if I remember), tho' less frequently.

I remember seing Alex Atterson several times, and Leon Rosselson, and a 3-some called English Tapestry, and another 3-some (all blokes, this one) whose name escapes me - something like Halliard?

Ah... memories.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: cptsnapper
Date: 03 Feb 06 - 01:19 PM

Hullo.

The weekend to commemorate Alex will take place from the evening of Friday October 6th. up to and including Sun 8th. at the White Horse Inn, Trowse, Norwich. As Alex was also a teacher I'm hoping to raise funds for a competition in his name for children from Norfolk who play and or sing folk music. If you're interested please pm me for further details.
I was hoping to organise something down in Cornwall but unfortunately I can't.
If John The Fish is out there I've been trying to contact you on your web site but it won't let me in.

George Norris

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Cathy Boyes
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 01:44 PM

I'm interested in more information about the commemoration weekend, but defeated by the technology of "pm me for further details" - sorry!

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 02:03 PM

Guest Cathy Boyes - You must be a member to use the MudCat PM facility - Why not join ? Its free

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: cptsnapper
Date: 16 Mar 06 - 03:05 PM

Cathy, if you're in the Cambs. / Herts. area I'll be running a session on Sunday lunchtime at the Hardwicke Arms, Arrington so you could pop along & chat about the weekend. Did you used to attend the Norwich Folk Festival?

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Cathy Boyes
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 05:06 AM

Hi George

I'm not in that area I'm afraid.
My mother used to attend the Festival in Norwich I think (maybe I did too - not sure!) and my father used to share a flat with Alex. I was thinking I could lure her along to the weekend in October to relive those heady days!

I'll check back here later on for more info.

Cathy

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: cptsnapper
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 05:35 AM

Hullo.

As was suggested earlier join Mudcat - which is very easy to do - & then I can Pm you. If your Mum can remember anyone else who went get her to let them know about it.

George

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Cathy
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 06:40 AM

I've joined now I think. Thanks!

Cathy

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: cptsnapper
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 12:04 PM

I've just sent you a pm: can you let me know if it arrived?

George

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Cathy
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 10:44 AM

Yes, got it - thanks! Thanks for the info: I will tell my Mum.

Cathy

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Howie
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 12:47 PM

Alex was my Science teacher in the early 80s. He also ran the Senior Guitar Club at Acle High, which I was a member.
His lessons were always an interesting prospect. He could spring into song at anytime, sometimes accompanied by his guitar, and would quite often rant at the top of his voice about "Commie bastards!".
In the late 80s, I had the fortune to share the bill with Alex twice, raising funds for local charity at Acle Community Centre and Freethorpe Village Hall. I remember him mentioning my "widdling" on mic, as I was playing lead electric guitar.
Great guy, sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Ian Sinclair
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 05:26 AM

I knew Alex at St. Andrews University - he graduated as a biologist and then went on to research ways of making locusts infertile. He was a natural performer on guitar and piano, and when he played, the pints accumulated all round him. Sad to hear that he died so young.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 23 Feb 09 - 01:49 PM

I was part of the stewarding team at the first Norwich folk festival. The next year IIRC, I was helping organise stewards, but I remember Noel Murphy and Shaggis were on. Alex was a bundle of energy and inspiration and I have many memories of the "Barn" venue, campsite by the river, and UEA folk club generally.

Paws

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 11 Mar 12 - 10:27 AM

I used to go to the folk club that Alex ran in Studio Four in Norwich in the early '70s. I recall his bringing some great acts to the club such as Richard Thompson and Diz Disley. In 1973 I played guitar in a band called Tinkers Wink, and we persuaded Alex to let us play. In typical Alex humour, he introduced us as Wankers Tank.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Kevin Rowan-Drewitt
Date: 23 Mar 12 - 08:22 AM

I only found out about Alex's death today and am very saddened by the news. I have lived in Blackpool for 22 years and lost touch with most of the people in the Norfolk folk scene, whom I was very much a part of in the 80's. I first met Alex at the last Norwich Folk Festival in 82 at which I was a steward. Over the next few years I got to know him very well and he was even going to play piano on one of my songs but due to my sudden departure to Blackpool it never happened. He once told me a gig he did where he was lead into an empty club by the secretary and was asked to play one note on the piano which puzzled he did and they then said 'Thank you Mr Atterson you have fulfilled your contract, here is your fee'. He never did find out why the gig was cancelled. My fondest memory of him is when he was playing at the Wymondham Folk Festival in 85. He was supporting my band the Hethersett Kazoo Orchestra and said he had been reading letters published in a newspaper written by one David Tinker I believe his name was who was serving in the Falklands Conflict. I believ he was killed. Alex performed this brilliant song which he called The Tinkers Tale and watching from the wings I was in tears. It was an incredible performance which I felt honoured to have witnessed. It brought the house down and he then closed with another anti-war song and got a standing ovation. Great days. I also knew Alex through my job as a science technician. Serveral times he was at events I attended at places like the Unniversity of East Anglia. He was a great bloke.

Subject: RE: Alex Atterson...info Rqd
From: GUEST,Di Hillage
Date: 19 Dec 24 - 03:41 PM

In case anyone would like to follow up on the Martha and the Dragon musical that was mentioned in another post, I have a recording of the music which Alex gave me many years ago. The tape also has many of his Causley poems including those on his albums of which I also have copies.