Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: greg stephens Date: 12 Feb 16 - 12:38 PM Great bloke. Great singer. Backbone of the scene type of person. Regularly corresponded with him on various music topics. RIP |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Brian Peters Date: 12 Feb 16 - 01:15 PM Some nice tributes here, especially Big Al's. Roy (as I've said on Mudcat before) was possibly the best performer I've ever seen grace a folk club. No instrumental expertise to hide behind, it was just the man, his voice, his personality, and the songs he loved and sang with total commitment. Every song he sang meant a great deal to him. and he was a master of getting the emotional core across, but at the same time never forgot that folk music was supposed to be about having a good time. His warm and easy style impressed all who witnessed his performances, yet it sometimes concealed severe stage fright - which made him all the more impressive a professional. Roy was extremely generous to less experienced singers with his time, enthusiasm and record collection. Like others here I was turned on to Phil Tanner and Sam Larner through the Harris record library (which also contained a treasury of old-time and blues, despite Roy's reputation as a die-hard English traddy). He was a man of complete integrity, who believed in the ideals of the folk song and folk club movement, standing up for the principle of floor singing at a time when it was under assault. He embarked on a professional career as a working-class man with little or no financial security, and for years hitched to gigs in the far corners of this land because that was the only way he could afford to travel. To hear Roy talk about some of the old singers he knew in his early years was a delight. Describing hitching up to Aberdeen and staying with Jeannie Robertson, he said: "They had next to nothing, but they'd scrape the paint off their walls for you." So would Roy. Good of the Telegraph to commission an obit, but "specialized in military songs"? Don't think so. He told me he was never happy with 'The Rambling Soldier', and it certainly isn't his best recording (one vote here for 'Champions of Folly'). And I think most of us on Mudcat know that the 'Burl' handle had nothing to do with his physique, and everything to do with a huge admiration for Burl Ives. Goodbye old friend. We shall never see your like again. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Nick Dow Date: 12 Feb 16 - 01:27 PM Well said Brian. Roy's passing is going to hurt and grieve us all for a long time. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Rob White Date: 12 Feb 16 - 02:03 PM Memories of so many great Friday nights and song performances at the NTMC hosted by Roy who was an inspiration to so many learning the art of traditional folk singing in the late 60's and early 70's.I hope his funeral is a true and genuine celebration of his life and songs. So long comrade. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: JHW Date: 12 Feb 16 - 03:28 PM Ref Brian Peters above - Date: 12 Feb 16 - 01:15 PM Thank you Brian. Many of us can go no further than 'sorry to hear' at such a passing. Roy certainly deserves a real Obit as this. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns Date: 12 Feb 16 - 05:14 PM I can now add that the funeral be at 11.00 I will be meeting Elaine and Neil on Monday. Will get directions for the Crematorium and the Club and let you now. As for the comments by Brian ; absolutely on the mark. I have heard Jerry Epstein ; when asked about American Traditional Music. Say don't ask me ask Roy Harris. Also I have heard him talk in Glowing terms of a Concert of Burl Ives he went to . He made a copy of his ''Coronation Concert'' for me . Mike |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,moira(flyingcat) Date: 12 Feb 16 - 05:48 PM thanks for the funeral details so far Mike. we plan to be there. I'm sure Tony O'neill would want to be also but he'll just be flying back from New Zealand. Take good care xx |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Genie Date: 12 Feb 16 - 08:59 PM So sorry to hear this. My condolences to Roy's family and friends. I had hoped to meet and hear him in person one day. Genie |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Nick Dow Date: 13 Feb 16 - 08:07 AM I've found the Canton Liberal Club address as 301-303 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1JD Is this the right venue? |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns Date: 13 Feb 16 - 08:53 AM Thanks Nick This is the information I have had from Neil {Roy's son. I will be meeting them both on Monday . I will then put all the details out then. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Brian Peters Date: 13 Feb 16 - 01:05 PM I've booked a train arriving Cardiff Central just before 10 am. Not sure about buses going to the crematorium. Might be glad of a lift if there's one going. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Nick Dow Date: 13 Feb 16 - 01:14 PM I am going to make my way to the Liberal Club for about 12am. However I can give you a lift to the station to go home or hotel if you are staying overnight if that's any help. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Brian Peters Date: 13 Feb 16 - 01:17 PM Thanks Nick - I'm going home the same day so we'll see what works. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: The Sandman Date: 13 Feb 16 - 06:24 PM I am sorry I cannot be there. i will sing a song for him here in ireland on the day of the funeral. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Guest Date: 14 Feb 16 - 06:21 AM Roy Harris obit |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns Date: 14 Feb 16 - 04:08 PM Hello there Brian. I have made arrangement for a ''Lift'' to the Crem . Unless you have made any other arrangements. Tony Fraser the other member of ''Mainbrace'' Your paths have crossed at least once. Will meet you at the Rail station as your train comes in. If that is OK with you.... Just let me know. Mike |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: MGM·Lion Date: 15 Feb 16 - 01:01 AM In fairness, the misleading 'specialised in military songs and sea shanties' comment is, from its placing in the sub-head rather than in the body of the obit, probably the gift of a Telegraph subeditor, picking up, as such people will do working under pressure, on the synopsis of McCafferty + the ref to the contributions to the Topic sea-song commpilations (think of all those outside our own charmed·☯ who imagine 'shanty' to mean any song with any sort of maritime overtones!) — and in no way the responsibility of the actual writer of the none-too-bad piece. ≈M≈ |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Derek Schofield Date: 15 Feb 16 - 06:28 AM There's a tribute to Roy in today's Nottingham Post: Roy Harris in Nottingham Post Derek |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Dave Sutherland Date: 15 Feb 16 - 06:50 AM Thank you Derek these Blue Clickies are beyond me! There should be another one in the Nottingham Post on Friday |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Irene M Date: 15 Feb 16 - 03:06 PM Can someone send my regards to Elaine please? 30 odd years ago, when I came to live in Derby, I got to know Roy when I was publicising Perform locally. I recorded a session for his Radio Nottingham programme and also did some ferrying of him to gigs on Sunday nights. I well remember going to Digbeth one Sunday night and going round a roundabout 3 times looking for the exit. The overhead signs were so filthy they took too long to read! |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Brian Peters Date: 15 Feb 16 - 05:08 PM That is great, thanks Mike. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns Date: 15 Feb 16 - 05:36 PM That's Ok Brian. We will also arrange to get you to the next venue. The plan to hold the ''Wake'' in the Liberal Club failed . When I left the family {late in the afternoon} they were considering another venue. Hopefully I will hear something tomorrow . The proposed venue will be nearer the M4 . Anyone that has to travel along way and fear to do so as they cannot make the funeral itself. If you can only get to the wake. PLEASE DO SO . I also found out that there is a plan to video the day and stream it to North America and Australia .This as a result of people asking if it can be done ....... mike |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Tony and June Brunton Date: 16 Feb 16 - 05:04 AM Roy came and performed for us in Scotland and stayed overnight with us in our Dunning cottage before we took him back to Sandiacre. As a Nottingham lad(Scotholme Street Basford) myself we found lots to talk about. Though we never met again he has never been forgotten and probably one of the nicest men we have ever met. Please convey our condolences to his family he was a smashing man. Tony and June Brunton, Bellfield Mill Cottage, Kinross, Perth and Kinross KY13 0NL. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Anne Lister Date: 16 Feb 16 - 04:09 PM As it's so soon after a family bereavement I don't think I can cope with a return visit to the crem, but I would like to be at the wake for some of the time at least. I'll be travelling by car - can probably help with transport if anyone needs it. Easy stations for me to pick up from would be Cwmbran and Newport, but Cardiff is also possible. PM me or email me (anne@annelister.com) |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Pete Tomlyn Date: 16 Feb 16 - 05:16 PM I have many happy memories from NTMC. It was Roy who taught what it takes to be a professiomal. Three weeks on the road in Germsny in a Morris 1000 van gave ma a great opportunity to know Roy, and listen and learn. Always encouraging, he surprised me with his knowledge of American old time folk music, not something I expected from a singer of the English tradition. We sang Fathom the Bowl in remembrance at the "Blackies" on Sunday night. RIP Roy I shall miss you.Condolences to Elaine and family. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Neil Harris Date: 17 Feb 16 - 03:30 PM Roy Harris's funeral will take place on Tuesday 1st March at 11am at Thornhill Crematorium (Wenallt Chapel), Thornhill Rd, Cardiff CF14 9UA There will be a celebration of his life afterwards from 12 at The West End Social Club 348 Cowbridge Rd West, Cardiff CF5 5BY Phone:029 2059 4004 Donations in lieu of flowers to the NSPCC please. There will be a box for donations on the day. There is no dress code so come casual, come formal, come as you are comfortable, but please come. We've booked the concert hall in the club which we can have until 6pm but we can use the lounge bar after that if we want to. The family want to create a folk club atmosphere so please bring a song, an instrument, a memory. However, to organise refreshments it would be helpful (though not compulsory) if you could let us know if you are planning to attend. On a practical note, there is a small car park behind the club, also there is a small Tesco opposite with a little car park and a block away there is a Lidl/Homebargains with a huge car park. There is also some street parking nearby. Please share these details widely. Webcast details to follow. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Nick Dow Date: 17 Feb 16 - 05:17 PM Please count me in I'll be there. Nick |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Derek Schofield Date: 18 Feb 16 - 12:48 PM The life of Roy Harris will be celebrated on the BBC Radio 4 obituaries programme Last Word, possibly this week, but more likely next week. The programme is broadcast on Fridays at 4pm, repeated Sundays at 8.30pm. Derek |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Guest, Stephen Harvey Date: 18 Feb 16 - 06:20 PM Yes, "Champions of Folly", still one of my very favourite lps! I guess I also have Mr. Harris to thank for the stellar line-up I heard at the 1976 Loughborough Folk Festival: Bert Lloyd, Flora McNeil, The Watersons, to name a few. RIP Roy |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,addison Date: 24 Feb 16 - 12:46 PM The Guardian has published an obituary to Roy. It's online, but hasn't appeared in the morning paper yet. Roy Harris Obituary in The Guardian |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Splott Man Date: 25 Feb 16 - 07:37 AM I shall be coming for the wake, as will Dame Pattie. Unfortunately I can't leave work (in Cardiff) till gone 12. Splott Man |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns Date: 25 Feb 16 - 12:31 PM I Just read the Guardian Obituary. Good One ! Good for you Derek Mike |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Brian Peters Date: 25 Feb 16 - 02:16 PM Mike, can you put me in touch with Tony somehow, before the day? I'm on Facebook or there's a contact button on my website. I'd rather not share it publicly here. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns Date: 25 Feb 16 - 03:27 PM hello Brian... Shall I ask Tony to contact you via Face book . I know he's on face book.. I am not. I will mail and ask him to ...... Mike |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: GUEST,Nick Dow Date: 28 Feb 16 - 01:46 PM Unfortunately I have had a flare up of sciatica. The worst I've ever had. I can only just walk upstairs, so driving to Cardiff is out. I will get better but not in time for Tuesday. Please accept my apologies and raise a glass to Roy. I will be there in spirit. kind regards Nick |
Subject: Obit: Roy Harris funeral webcast. From: GUEST,Neil Harris Date: 29 Feb 16 - 11:32 AM OK. Here are the details for watching the funeral of Roy Harris 1. Go to the Wesley Media home page: www.wesleymedia.co.uk 2. On the left hand side of the home page click 'Webcasts'. The number/username is: 10647 The password is: uvqfyntj |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: Mick Tems Date: 29 Feb 16 - 06:14 PM Both Olly and I will not be at Roy's funeral, unfortunately. My mother, who is 92, has just been admitted to Colchester Hospital, and it looks pretty serious. We will be heading up the M4, the M25 and the A12 to see her. Sincere apologies to Roy's family on the eve of his funeral - please raise a glass to Roy. There is a detailed obituary, and an updated picture, in FolkWales Online Magazine. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Roy Harris, 9th Feb 2016 From: The Sandman Date: 01 Mar 16 - 07:25 AM i just sang the parting glass, to my old friend, I will miss you, Roy. |
Share Thread: |
Subject: | Help |
From: | |
Preview Automatic Linebreaks Make a link ("blue clicky") |