Cyril Tawney - Illness

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Pistachio
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 03:06 PM

I've sung Sally free and easy many times and Grey Funnel line many more with various friends in 'Nellies' and 'the Sun Inn' in Beverley. I'd hoped to meet/hear the great singer himself in Whitby this year. Best wishes for a steady recovery, thanks for the songs.
Hazel.

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 04:08 PM

From what I've been able to find out, that infection has a generally good prognosis, but the treatment can take several months, most of which is usually out of the hospital. It's known as an atypical Mycobacterium, which means it is related to the germ that causes tuberculosis, but it is NOT contagious. It's not often easy to make the diagnosis, and the fact that the doctors did find out is a good indication that he's in very good hands.

Ron, I'd be happy to have Rosemary get in touch with me if she or Cyril have any questions; I can contact infectious disease specialists over here if there are questions I can't answer. Having sung and loved his songs for years, it's the least I can do! You can send me a PM and if they are interested we can work out the logistics. And just to be clear, that's not at all meant to suggest any doubts about his doctors. As I said, it sounds like he is in very good hands. But explaining medical conditions in understandable terms is kind of an avocation of mine--and sometimes it helps to have more information. Other people are very comfortable just talking with their doctor.   Chacun à son gout!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: GUEST,Alan W
Date: 07 Sep 04 - 08:48 AM

Just clicked on to the thread and it's the first I've heard of Cyrils' illness and I'm pleased to hear that the most recent news sounds encouraging. I wish him the best of recoveries.
Although I've never spoke to him our paths have crossed a few times when the crew that I sang with - Landlocked - were appearing at the same maritime festivals.
Two of our favourites that we sang, which were guaranteed to get the crowds singing were Grey Funnel Line & Chicken On A Raft, different songs with their own qualities that will, with many others, be sung for may a year to come.
Some of the first songs I ever learned were from Cyril's extensive repertoire.
All the very best to you Cyril and here's to seeing you again on the scene.

Alan

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Fergie
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 02:37 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: GUEST,ROSEMARY TAWNEY
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 06:39 PM

Thank you all for your messages; they are a great help and comfort to me in trying times. I have printed them out for Cyril and they will cheer him up. I know he will appreciate them as much as I do.

He is responding to treatment, but as Mark says it will be quite a long process. When I get time I will put some news on the website, but I'm spending most of my time in Plymouth now, where he is having Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment. This means going into a pressurised chamber for 2 hours - not a pleasant prospect for a non-volunteer ex-submariner!

Rosemary

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 08:26 PM

I wish you both all the best.
Perhaps there's a song in 'dry land diving'.

I've never met you, I've never heard you except on recordings, but you've been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in New York state, the child of not-particularly-folky parents. The music of my early childhood was mostly my mom's 78 record collection. One of those brittle wax discs was "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm". (Remove happropriate haitches.) I loved that record! I played it a lot, I read the label, I left it sitting on the sofa and I sat on it. Bye bye, brittle wax disc.

Fast forward to college in 1974, when I found you in the library. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to nick the record without getting caught. Then came a brief period (22 years) of being in the Air Force, without much folk music except what I could find on the radio. I eventually landed in New Hampshire, and met up with you again at a weekly singing session where we regularly sing a few of your songs.

I suppose it's a risk that comes with being famous - lots of complete strangers know of you, and you may not be aware of quite how many. So, from a strange (and somewhat odd) woman in New Hampshire, USA, thanks for all the music.

Please get well soon,
Jeri

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: GUEST,Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 10:15 PM

Dear Rosemary, At least he wont smell of Diesel and Shale when he comes out of treatment. (big grin) Glad to hear he is responding to treatment, best wishes to you both.
Yours, Aye. Dave (the ancient mariner)Ex Raleigh boy....

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: musicmick
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 10:34 PM

May I add my regards for this great, great singer/composer/ collecter.
I have had the true honor of singing with him, many years ago, and coresponding with him recently. He is, surely, the finest "folk" songwriter whose compositions employ and expose the traditions he loves. His songs will outlive us all.

            Mike Miller

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Melani
Date: 11 Sep 04 - 11:38 PM

Hope they fix him right and proper. You too, Jody.

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Dilligaf
Date: 12 Sep 04 - 03:59 PM

Give Cyril a big hug from myself and from Slats (Pete Hicks) tell him we,ve fond memories of his performance at The Chatham Central Hall and then at the Barge lock in later.

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: GUEST,ROSEMARY TAWNEY
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 10:43 AM

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: GUEST,ROSEMARY TAWNEY
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 11:03 AM

Cyril is back in Exeter at his "home" hospital, having finished the Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment. We live only 10 mins. walk from the hospital, so I'm able to visit twice a day. We now have to await results of the treatment and of the various antibiotics. I will try to keep you posted.

Cyril enjoys reading your messages and very much appreciates your support. We amuse ourselves by trying to work out who has sent them.

Rosemary

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 11:31 AM

This is the news many of us have been wanting to hear. Good luck and a continued good recovery to a very talented and likeable man.

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 11:32 AM

That is great news Rosemary send him our love from South Wales.

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 12:07 PM

Lots of love heading your way from St Albans, Cyril!

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 12:17 PM

Thank you Rosemary, for posting the news.

Best wishes to you both.

Kitty Vernon

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: MBSLynne
Date: 19 Sep 04 - 03:42 PM

I'm relieved to hear that. Love and best wishes

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 01:58 AM

Hey-up, Slim Tiffy![You'll hardly be unwashed in a hospital----] Good to hear better news. Our lot haven't yet used "Sammy's bar" and "Sally", but you'll be first to get a copy when it happens. Keep on the upward path!
Boab, --[Hexham and Irvine]

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 05:09 AM

Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Rosemary. It sounds like he is in very good hands: yours, and his doctors.
Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Gurney
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 06:23 AM

Rosemary, My name in the real world is Chris Marden, and I'm a midlander, but was a member of the his club when he held it at the Barbican Grecian Club, way back in the early 70's. He TOLD me one night that I was 'singing next week' and let me rifle through his songbooks. I doubt you'll remember, but it was a defining moment of my life.
When I say get well soon, I really mean it.   Chris.

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 20 Sep 04 - 06:58 AM

Good news, Rosemary. Best wishes to both of you.

Pete

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Fergie
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 07:54 PM

Whats the latest news on Cyril's health?
The Dublin Góilín Singers Club celebrated its 25th Anniversary at the weekend. About sixty of us were in Paris and had a great time singing, eating and drinking. Many of of Cyril's songs were sung and many members were curious to know the lastest news on his state of health. Cyril is ever popular here in Ireland and we wish him well and hope to hear him sing again in the not too distant future.
Fergus

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Ferrara
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 08:18 PM

Dear Rosemary and Cyril,

My husband and I were at a concert Cyril gave in Washington, DC, quite a few years ago. I think it was at the American Cafe near Dupont Circle. I do know large numbers of people turned out for the evening, including most of the Boarding Party. Myself, I bought a Cyril Tawney songbook that night or shortly afterwards, and have sung and loved his songs ever since. I never hear any of Cyril's songs without remembering what a delight it was to meet him and hear him sing.

Our son is now 22, has finally discovered the joys of folk music, and has taken to going to local shantey sings. One of the songs he is most often asked to sing is "Grey Funnel Line."

Good luck to you both and thank you Cyril for all you've given to lovers of sea music.

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Bob Hitchcock
Date: 27 Oct 04 - 07:51 PM

Oh Rita, how those memories come flooding back. I guess it must be 20 odd years ago now that we all saw Cyril in concert, and a memorable experience it was.

The day before that show, I had the honor of taking Cyril out to dinner. We went to a Steak place and had a few beers first and talked for a few hours. It was there that I discovered that Cyrils' father had taught my father morse code in the Navy during World War 2. My father had always been a big fan of Cyril, but had never made the connection before then. His favorite song was Oggie Man and he would sing it around the house when not singing Wagnerian opera.

I do hope Cyril's treatment goes well, and my thoughts are with him.


Bob Hitchcock (Boarding Party)

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: RiGGy
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 08:06 PM

Thank you, Cyril for all you've done. Tom Lewis aptly wrote:"Cyril Said it All Before". I've been listening to two cassettes I made of your appearance at the Bridge Inn in Newcastle circa 1972 non-stop in the car for the last month. You gave me some of my core material that night: Constant Lovers, Sam Houston, Sailor Cut Down, The Biglee Hole and more.   And thank you Rosemary for being there for him as so many of us across the planet pray for the best.

Riggy

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Abby Sale
Date: 28 Oct 04 - 11:16 PM

Hi, Rita. & Border Bob.

Cyril is much improved but still in hospital. See latest posted by Rosemary at the website. Note new URL:
New URL for Official Tawney site

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: GUEST,Rosemary Tawney
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 01:21 PM

A lot of water ( some of it muddy) has passed under the bridge during recent months, so I thought Mudcatters would like to be able to check Cyril's current state of health - to involved to take up space here. I have just updated the website, so please go to www.cyriltawney.co.uk and click on "News and Gigs".

Good health and a peaceful 2005 to you all

Rosemary

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: alanabit
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 01:44 PM

Thank-you for taking time to give us the news. I will certainly not be alone in wishing both you and Cyril a very speedy, thorough recovery. I hope 2005 is kind to both of you.

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 02:06 PM

Glad to hear things are looking up, Cyril. Looking forward to seeing you back on your feet. You've given us so much, for so many years, that we all want to be there when you sing again, right up close in the middle of the audience, in the way you always loved to do it. Then we can give you the standing ovation you so richly deserve.

To save you trying to figure it out, I am co-producer, with Clive Lever (mudcat handle wildrover) of the charity CD "Guide Cats for the Blind" to which you contributed two absolutely stunning tracks, both parodies by Les Barker of your own songs. That CD has raised more than £20,000 for the British Computer Association of the Blind.

As I said, you have given so much and so freely.

Our hopes and good wishes go with you always.

Don Thompson and Clive Lever

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Micca
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 02:27 PM

and for the Blue Clicky Try Here

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: breezy
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 04:12 PM

May I wish you and Cyril the thoughts of all of us at St Albans Folk club for a full recovery in 2005.

Once my video camera returns I will produce a copy of Cyril singing Sammys Bar along with the 'patter' and will drop it by on my way through to the South-West

It is from Oct 2002

Subject: RE: Cyril Tawney
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 05:19 PM

Please click the link BEFORE making comments.

Cyril is making slow progress, but is still in the hospital and in a great deal of pain. When he does manage to weigh anchor and make his way home, there will be one hell of a celebration. However, it appears to me that he's not likely to do that for another few weeks or so.

Charley Noble