Davey Graham: what a waste

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: breezy
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:06 AM

You pays yer money in expectation of some kinda satisfaction.

If you are not satisfied you have grounds to air your opinions

That is not the same as 'turning on and walking out', thats what you do to someone you know very well.


There is a website/home page promoting the tour upon which one can make submissions

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Rebecca Fox
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:41 AM

Breezy said "ask fer a refund and if it was a Chris Jaeger promotion let him know how deeply dissappointed you were, I know of some organisers who would have stopped the show early or not let him appear."

I'd just like to make it clear that this was NOT in any way a "Chris Jaeger promotion". However, if you were at the concert please do write or send an e-mail to Worcester Live (see website for contacts).

Thanks

Rebecca

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,wordy
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 12:14 PM

To all those people being romantically sentimental about this thread I would say that a paid for gig is a contract between artist and audience which both have a responsibility to fulfill. The audience pays and turns up and the artist is contaracted to appear "as known". It seems Davey is mostly incapable of fulfilling his side of the bargain, whether it be by drink or long term drug abuse, or general ill health. Yes, we can all feel sorry for him and hope he gets well, but that has nothing to do with people paying money to be let down. Davey, it seems, is not being told that he cannot do the job anymore and it is important that bookers know this to avoid more embarrasment.
The person who should be dealing with this is the person who is selling him in to venues with a promise based on a reputation that is now being publicly destroyed by word of mouth and by threads like this.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: breezy
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 12:15 PM

Thanks for that Rebecca, so who runs these shows these days?

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 12:44 PM

Chris still runs the Hall, but this was an outside promoter. I can't really comment further in that regard - but as mentioned before, feedback will be passed on.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Rebecca Fox
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 12:45 PM

That was me, but I forgot to put my name!

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 02:09 PM

Breezy ,this thread is about Davy Graham,why do you mention another artist?Completely unecessary and irrelevant.
I have seen the person you,mention many times, performed at festivals with him,followed him at festivals, and he always did a good spot.I also booked him at Bury Stedmunds folk ,and he gave an excellent night, and was not pissed on any of these occasions.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 04:17 PM

Actually, Wordy, No it isn't. There is a contract between the promoter and teh artist, one between teh venue and teh promoter, and wiht luch many between the venue and the punters. Subject to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act, only the actual parties to each contract can enforce it.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,wordy
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:14 PM

The contract I'm referring to is the unwritten one that should be sacred if you're a performer. Once you take the money, you're theirs and you'd better give of your best. If you're not up to it, you shouldn't take the money. Been my creed through a lifetime of performance. And if I ever get audience reviews like Davey has had here I hope to hell those who love me will see I retire. And then look after me and nurture me back yo health if at all possible.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: TommysDaddy
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:58 PM

Well, I've never seen Davy Graham, but I would not have been encouraged to start playing the guitar if it was not for him, so I hold him in high esteem . .
however, based on this thread, I won't be going to see him in the near future.
I started playing the guitar by learning Davy's Angi note-by-note from a Bert Jansch recording. I worshipped Bert Jansch & John Renbourn's guitar playing in the 70's and saw them both more than once in their heyday - they were brilliant. I then saw Bert again in the early eighties and he was absolutely awful - drunk on stage - I was so sorry for him personally and also disappointed that he had performed like that to a paying audience. I'm so very pleased to hear from "Grab" that Bert is now reformed and on form again. If he comes my way, I'll make the effort to see him.

In a somewhat similar fasion, I heard the classical guitarist Segovia when he was 86 and again when he was 87 - in both cases, he was mind-blowingly brilliant. But then I heard him a few years later at a concert in the Barbican Hall when he was around 93 and he was, let's say 'awful'. Still a lot better than me but playing loads of duff notes. I thought he would have been better advised to have stopped performing a few years earlier. Still, I'm sure that many people went to the concert just to say they had seen him and were content with what they heard, never mind the standard.

It may be the same for some performers in the folk, blues & rock sphere. I went to see Lonnie Donnegan just before he died and he was brilliant. But I've recently heard reports of other 'greats' who obviously have not fared so well.

Over the years, I've heard lot's of folk performers who have not been completely up to scratch on a specific occasion, even though I have known their capabilities on a 'good day'. Sometimes this has been due to a little drink or tiredness or age.

Preferably, I think a true professional should strive to give a spotless performance, but to expect perfection is probably unrealistic.

If we go to see old performers for nostalgic reasons, we should just expect to experience them as they are now, warts and all. Their contribution may well have been great at their peak, but just like an Olympic athlete, we can't expect them to still be contributing at that level forever. Also, for those who don't rate his 'seminal' albums, we could say the same about many things; many things seem insignificant in retrospect because we don't understand the world mind-set of the time they were created. How revolutionary was the idea of the wheel, the earth being round or electricity to a world that had not yet experienced these things ? To many, when first heard, Davy's playing seemed just as revolutionary.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:32 PM

It sounds like he is certainly not in a completely rational state. Substance abuse in the extreme makes that impossible. So it is probably a stretch to think that he will make rational decisions, now.

It is really unfortunate that he doesn't have close ones confronting him with his abuse and steering him into getting help. Maybe those close are just trying to milk the income, or perhaps they are at wits ends with not knowing how to take care of the problem.

It is just a sad, terribly sad, and impossible situation. I would bet that most of us would know, close at hand, friends or family members in similar situations, though perhaps not as public.

Astro

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Bugsy
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 03:31 AM

By the by, I was saying to a friend of mine the other day that If you see a favourite actor in a play or movie and they stink, you say " God, he/she was bad in that movie" but you'll go and see the next movie he/she is in. With muso's it seems to be that one bad performance kills it for good.
"I wouldn't waste my money, saw him and he was crap." sort of thing.

Just an observation


Cheers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 05:18 AM

Pedant alert: "A contract is an agreement to which the law gives force". I teach my students that every year.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:34 AM

Bugsy: I think "bad performances" in films is very much a matter of opinion. From my viewpoint, certain, much respected, actors nearly always give hammy "over-the-top" performances; however, the whole world would have to agree that Davy can be just downright dreadful at times.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:37 AM

Just for the record ...

Davy Graham's concert at The Sage Gateshead last night wasn't quite a sell-out, but it attracted a substantial audience. The applause at the end of his set, and the buzz around the CD sales desk afterwards, suggest that most listeners didn't feel let down. Davy himself gave no signs of being ill, or intoxicated. His speech was clear and coherent, and what he had to say was relevant and witty. As for his playing … well, I've heard him play better, but last night he was still worth hearing.

The audacious - and apparently effortless - fluency of his early records seems beyond his reach at present. But we can scarcely expect a sixty-something veteran to recapture the virtuosity and assurance he had in his twenties – particularly while he's still recovering from decades of self-neglect. The TV documentary "Blame it on my youth" and the more recent radio programme "Whatever Happened to Davy Graham?" reveal that Davy went through a long and distressing period during which he hardly ever touched a guitar. There is a very painful moment in "Blame it on my youth" when he tries to play something on a borrowed instrument, showing just how much technique he has lost. Davy has come a long way from there. He still has some way to go before becoming "The Compleat Guitarist" once again, but he's clearly working at it.

Last night, there were moments when I felt he was actually trying too hard. Sometimes he seemed to hesitate, as if trying to make quite sure of hitting the correct note. At other times, he seemed to snatch at the next chord, as if afraid it might escape him. And neither of the instruments he played did him many favours. The classical guitar he started out with had a fairly undistinguished tone. The steel-string he moved on to seemed better at first – but as Davy rushed from one altered tuning to another, its sound gradually deteriorated. I'd have gladly lost one number from the set, if he'd used the time gained thereby to tune the box more accurately for the remainder of them. But maybe the guitar, rather than the player, was at fault. These things do happen.

Anyhow, Davy is on the road again. I hope that this tour has been a positive experience for him, and that his recovery continues after it has finished. If so, his next tour could be really exciting.

Wassail!

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:58 AM

I am glad to hear it,thankyou Mike.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 09:39 AM

Another 'Davy Graham sober at gig' sensation.

The impression I got at his recent gigs was that he was 'shooting for the moon' - and falling short. I felt he should perhaps have played simpler pieces and nailed them. Still, Davy will be Davy, though I wish he'd ditch that classical - it's a pig.

I'm heartened by your words, Mike, many thanks.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 09:44 AM

Mike of Northumbria, I am really, really glad to hear that, after the large number of negative reports of gigs, including my own awful experience that started this thread. It seems, then, there is hope yet for him. Let's hope in future that something like The Sage experience becomes the norm rather than, as it appears now from reports, the exception.

Whether I will chance another £17.50 on a ticket to see him in future remains a moot point, though. Once bitten ...

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 09:45 AM

A famous Scottish band (which will remain nameless) found that they were being rejected when on tour in the States because promoters were fed up with their drunkenness. They straightened up and flew right.

Sometimes economic pressure will motivate a drunk to stop drinking when no amount of pleading from friends and family has helped.

I hope this was the case here.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 10:30 AM

Lets have a whip round and give him his £17.50 back - if it will put an end to this.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: breezy
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 12:20 PM

Thank you Dick, for your personal input, I will now also mention Alex Campbell, he appeared to do O K but then he wasn't a musician.


The discussion is primarily about drunkem performers hoose perphornancies are less than add d adequate in front of a live , baying ordimence, and the example iused was and is and will be forever more world without drinks D G and the dissapointment his performance generated dissapoint hic

so! p o capnburdshyete

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:04 PM

no Breezy,this thread is about Davy Graham.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Wesley S
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:12 PM

"in front of a live , baying ordimence"

Now THAT's a tough crowd.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:17 PM

I was just trying to think of the last time, when I took someone out for a night of folk music and they said, Thankyou Al, that was a wonderful experience......

I remember the personal reviews my guests handed out:-

Ralph McTell - Christ! that was bloody boring!
Peter Bellamy - What WAS all that about?
Martin Carthy - If he's that good, why does he keep fiddling with his guitar?
Ewan MacCoLL and Peggy Seeger - those two buggers keep on about the working man, they've never done a hands turn their life!
Martin Wyndham Reid - have you noticed, his voice keeps making these 'glooop' noises?
Bert Jansch - he looks really pissed off to be here. I'm not sure he's awake.

My mother (died in 1981) once sat through a lady folksinger's act (wild horses will not get to me divulge the name of that dear lady). I asked Mum if she liked it. She thought for a moment and said - did you see the shape of that woman's tits under her cheesecloth shirt. They're conical in shape, they are - I couldn't take my eyes off them! Not all night!

What I mean is even if Davy had played brilliantly - well its no guarantee that everyone will enjoy themselves, in my experience.

At least you've seen Davy Graham. Cross that one out in the I-Spy book.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Winger
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 01:18 PM

"I will now also mention Alex Campbell, he appeared to do O K but then he wasn't a musician."


?

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 02:05 PM

Breezy,a musician is someone who communicates through their music,both Alex Campbell,and Cyril Tawney managed to do this.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Betsy
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 02:11 PM

Well said Dick !!

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 04:34 AM

Captain Birdseye, "this thread is about Davy Graham." Yes, but as breezy rights observes, the principle of the thread is being incapable on stage, and that can apply to anyone. So with respect, weelittledrummer, it is not about whether the performer matches the taste of an audience member, it is about sobriety and professionalism.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 06:33 AM

why make statements like Cyril Tawney was in a league of his own.
It implies he was unprofessional,yet he had a career Of over forty years.I reckon I saw Cyril on dozens of occasions ,and in my experience,he performed well.
no one can have such a lengthy career and be unprofessional.
comments like Breezys and his comment[ po captain birdshyte],illustate why people get disillusioned with mudcat,and the unecessary bitching and nastiness,that neednt happen.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Robin Isherwood
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 06:37 AM

My son and I saw Davey Graham last night in Salford. During the last couple of years, we've seen both John Renbourn (who was excellent) and Bert Jansch (who was okay): each of them mentioned their indebtedness to Davey Graham. So when the chance came, we booked to see the Legend.
   No one who plays an instrument themselves could have been untouched by the sadness of the occasion. The human spirit and musical sensitivity can only bear so much. Fortunately, from our seats in the gods, we could walk out unnoticed.
   Like many others, I recognised the need to earn a crust - & like many others', my disappointment was directed towards the promoters. I still think it could have been a brilliant evening if Davey had been accompanied by a skilful and sensitive band. We all go to waste eventually, but there's no need to have it exposed like that. Shame on the promoters.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:30 AM

Well said, Robin. It's a sad sight. And his 'manager' has a lot to answer for.

In your opinion, was he drunk? The reason I ask is that several people on this thread have jumped to the conclusion that drink is the reason for his disappointing performances. I have encountered no evidence to substantiate this but obviously 'eye-witness' accounts may shed light on the matter.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: oggie
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:42 AM

I am of an age to have watched the "Parkinson" one hour special with David Niven during which Niven was having great difficulty speaking. The press (and many viewers)immediately jumped to the conclusion he was drunk etc etc. The truth was he was sufering from Motor Neurone Disease which eventually killed him.

I am not saying this is the case with DG but conclusions based on partial facts and hearsay can be misleading.

Steve Ogden

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 08:01 AM

The sad thing is, this the most people have written about him for years.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: breezy
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 05:35 PM

Sober now

Cyril was able to hold it while the rest of us slipped under!! One of the truly greats and I was so honoured that he should have played to an enthralled capacity audience when his encore lasted 45 minutes which ended with an intimate gathering   in the bar till 3.00 a.m .

Dear cpn birdshyte,

I would care to differentiate between 'musician ' and 'performer' as not all of the formers can be classified as the latters

And to entertain is yet another aspect to consider.

So Salford went belly up , thats 2 - 1 since Worcester

Now how went High Wycombe? will it be a draw?

Any other gigs up for review

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:41 PM

Breezy,tis an ill wind that blows no good.
and a balmy[not barmy]Breezy that buffers the barnacles,
Breezy, your hot air is enough to sail a balloon, and enables you to reach such heights of intellectual finesse,that continues to astound me.
you make DR Johnson look like a veritable intellectual pygmy,Stout Fellow, Breezy.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 10:38 AM

I have never seen Davy Graham live, so any comment here must be indirect.

I still rate 'Folk, Blues and Beyond', and 'Folk Roots, New Routes' (both on CD so the 'snap, crackle and pop' of vinyl ain't there) as two of the finest collections ever made, by any artiste ; and that is said by a folkie who is otherwise a hardline 'traddie'. Indeed, I have introduced the grandbrats to these, and one, a talented guitarist, was well impressed.

Some of you may be aware that I am a recovering alcoholic. I am not qualified to say whether anybody else - anybody - mark it - is, or is not, alcoholic. The only person I know to be alcoholic, is I.

It follows from this that if - repeat if - DG IS alcoholic, he is the only person with any right to say so ; or not, as he chooses.

What I do know is that the word 'should' makes no sense to alcoholics or addicts. Indeed, there is an aphorism -

'Don't "should" at me !'.

If it is substance abuse which is causing Davy Graham problems, he has my sympathy. If this is the case, then DG is the only person who is able to help DG, as has been shared previously in this thread.

In which case, those who are, in my opinion, exploiting the man need gelded with a blunt knife.

Addictive illness, regardless of the cause, is something I would not wish on my worst enemy, assuming I had one.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Peace
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 10:48 AM

I abhor threads of this nature (no offense to you, Ian) because they tend to bring out the worst in people when what they want is the best from the performer. It would be a good thing, IMO, if letters were sent to both the performer and his management stating that you wish him to go get treatment. If the intent is to slag the man, well, that's been tended to. If it is to do something positive, maybe the letters would be a good step in that direction. Ya wanna help get back that brilliant performer y'all seem to have seen before or you wanna bitch about it? If it's the latter, many have done that and I hope your spleens feel better. However, there is still a man with a problem, and perhaps one he needs help with. There are enough people around to speak bad of him. His community shouldn't be the repository of remarks that would only hurt him more. IMO.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Maryrrf
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 11:08 AM

When you perform in public you set yourself up for reviews - positive or negative. I don't know about you, but when I order something from Amazon.com, for example, I always look at the consumer reviews, good and bad, for the product in question, and they do influence my decision. In this thread we've had some people who saw Davey when he was not giving a good performance, and some who said that while his performance was not as brilliant as it had been years ago, he did an acceptable job. Personally if I were considering spending a good bit of money (17 pounds is a lot in my book) I'd appreciate knowing what I might expect. I don't think Ian's original intention was negative or an attempt to damage the man's reputation - it was a review of a performance he had attended.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Peace
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 11:10 AM

Nor do I think Ian's original intention was negative.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 11:41 AM

What Peace said at 10.48. Anyone praying for Davy ?

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 12:26 PM

Maryrrf and Peace, I do appreciate your comments. I won't go over what my original intentions were again as I have said so a few times above, but just to say it isn't pleasant to have one's motives questioned on a public forum - though of course I know this is inevitable - and your comments are reassuring. Thank you. The last thing I would want is to be an excuse for others to take cheap shots at Davy, but I honestly haven't seen that anywhere on this thread. Perhaps I interpret the posts in question differently to those taking exception? And I don't want to start a debate about which posts they are: let's just leave that be, please.

One thing the gig and my posting of this thread did do was make me go back and listen to some old recordings and re-appreciate the reasons I bought tickets in the first place. As a guitarist myself I am in his debt for the doors he opened for other guitarists. On reflection, I think (and I hope) that whatever people's experiences of Davy as he performs now, his legacy will remain untarnished: nothing he does now, however disappointing, can change the huge positive impact he has had on acoustic guitarists.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 02:11 PM

.....for whatever it matters..

reading all this has convinced me to buy at least 2 of the most respected 'classic' Davey Graham CDs asap...

..but i doubt i'd ever risk a similar amount of hard earned £££$$$

going to see him play live.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Peace
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 02:22 PM

Ian, you are a class act.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Hamish
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 02:43 PM

I've watched this thread with a mixture of interest and dread. Bit I stand by my earlier post: "How very, very sad". (Mine was the one about his Brighton gig back in February). I didn't suspect at the time - nor do I since - that there was any drink problem at the time of the performance. And I was sat right at the front, with a few feet of him.

--
Hamish

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,Don Robertson
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 04:24 PM

I went to High Wycombe last night to see a folk legend and came home very disappointed indeed. It was embarrasing to behold. Bummed notes, timing all over the place and the overwhelming impression he'd been hitting the bottle rather too hard beforehand. As other reviewers have commented, his performance only lasted about half an hour and in that short period I counted 7 people leaving. It may have been more, but I couldn't see behind me.

I had high expectations on arrival - I hadn't found this website and seen the reviews already posted - and couldn't believe what I saw and heard. I have great admiration for Davey, listen to his CDs and appreciate the immense contribution he's made to folk guitar over the years; I can only hope he'll put this episode behind him and go back on tour and play at a level he's properly capable of.

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,TB303
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 04:41 PM

Ive just found this thread & its took me an hour to read every post.

I went to the Lowry gig this last Tuesday evening.

I have held DG in very high esteem for many years since i first heard 'Folk Blues, I was elated when i found out he was touring. Fortunatly the evening before the gig i trawled the net for reviews on his tour, so was a bit prepared for what i may encounter. (I think the review was in The Independent) I found at times i felt embaressed for DG on stage, He tried to do too much, too fast, Lapses of concentration, bum notes & erratic timing. The sparkle IS still there but being masked by something. I dont think Pavey is doing him many favours.

After the excellent JOHN SMITH had finished & we went outside for a fag, DG was walking down the stairs into the emerging crowd with Pavey nearly holding him up as he came down.

I cant put DG's problems down to age as ive watched Daevid Allen of GONG (of similar age) jump around like a teenager & play impeccably. The DG problems are only things he can sort himself, Pavey in my view is milking his name.

Im speaking here being a gigging musician for 20 years+ myself and have lost very close friends (and very talented musicians) to drink & drugs.

-TB303

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 05:06 PM

and Roland Bass lines....

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 06:32 PM

I'm sure the man knows! I am just as certain that he isn't happy about his overly obvious decline.   

Mark Twain said, "There never was a life lived on the planet that wasn't a failure in the eyes of the one who lived it."

Tangentially, I carry a card in my wallet given to me by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society here in the USA. It says, in effect:

TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS!!
THIS GUY IS NOT DRUNK!
He has MS. So, if he walks weird, or falls down when he tries to stand up or perambulate, do not DEMEAN, waterboard or arrest, him.
He has an actual disease. His really bizarre behavior, as antisocial and repugnant as it is, is not exhibited because of a character fault in his basic overall makeup!!!

I know that, for at least an entire decade before I was diagnosed, I was exhibiting unique symptoms both on stage and off. I had to sit down to play. The steamboats I played music on used to drop me off on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River where I'd wait in those truly lovely surroundings for their other boat, on which I would do another show on that same day. ------- After having more and more trouble with the shore rocks and negotiating the landing stages and actually falling into the river a few times, the two boats had to meet in the middle of the Mississippi and tie up together so I could step fairly easily from one boat to the other.---Also, I lost the ability to feel the strings on my instruments...

All my fans were great to me. I was a lucky guy to have such support. But if there had been threads like this rambling on about my slow decline, I possibly would've gone the Peter Bellamy route less travelled. ('Nuf said.)

Davey Graham did wonderful work earlier. So did Alex Campbell, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, and so many more. For God's sake, be thankful that you heard them when all were at their zenith. The title of one of my CDs says it all for me:
"The Older I Get, The Better I Was"

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,TB303
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 06:35 PM

Lol.

I swing both ways weelittledrummer. Folk/Blues/Drums/Guitar AND Techno/Acid/Vinyl/Turntables :-)

......and yes, ive seen bad casualties from a 303 bassline too.

-TB303/Fylde Guitars

Subject: RE: Davey Graham: what a waste
From: GUEST,TB303
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 06:46 PM

Art, Your idea he could have MS is a very plausible one, In fact a very good friend of mine who is quite a well known abstract painter has just been diagnosed with MS at 41 years old. He has nearly lost his sight & appears to be drunk at times even though he is not.

I dont know what to think in DG's case, If he is suffering MS it would have been documented. I tend to think he's hammering the booze & god knows what else.

-TB303