Information about Mike O'Connor?

Subject: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 07:11 AM

I'm trying to find out more about this songwriter, who penned 'Carrying Nelson Home' and 'The White Shepherd'.

I've googled without success on this one - I am told that he lives in Cornwall.

Anyone know if he's put out any CDs? I would love to hear more of his work. Both the above songs just about blew me away.

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: treewind
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 07:19 AM

Mike O'Connor
I know him well, but that page (found in a minute with Google, don't know why it didn't work for you) tells you far more than I could.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: nutty
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 07:20 AM

I think both songs have been recorded by Martyn Wyndham Reed over the years. Perhaps someone could come up with the details of which CD'S.

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 07:25 AM

Nutty - I have Martin's CD, which also includes 'The Last Son' - another wonderful piece. I'd just like to hear more of his work, particularly if there are any of his own recordings out there.

Anahata - thanks for that - the only Mike O'Connor I could find was in Texas!

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Saro
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 08:53 AM

Mike has produced numerous CDs of songs, tunes and stories and also several songbooks. He's very generous about sharing material and information, so well worth your while to get in touch with him. He's a very good sort and extremely knowledgeable!
Saro

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Hawker
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 10:21 AM

Mike has, I believe joined Mudcat recently, but I cannot for the life of me remember his 'cat name! I'm seeing him tonight, jacqui, so I'll tell him to take a look at the thread, & he'll probably pm you.
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: GUEST,Cats at work
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 11:24 AM

Mike is a wonderful and generous person who will treat you like royalty. If he doesn't contact you via this thread,   pm me and I can arrange an e mail address for you.

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Scotus
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 11:52 AM

Mike lived in Scotland during the 1970s and was one of the original members (as was I) of the group Heritage. His place was taken by Pete Clark when Mike moved back to England. Mike is probably better known these days as a storyteller, although he has always been a very fine fiddler and concertina-ist.

Jack

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: GUEST,Northerner
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 12:36 PM

Mike's a lovely person. I got talking to him at the story-a-round at Whitby Folk Week. He's been booked for Taffy Thomas's storytelling festival in the Lake District at the end of this month. I have a CD of his tucked away somewhere. I also have his contact details in one of my files. Mike was busy looking for a ghost story to tell Taffy at the festival. I've given him one but hope he's found some more. You can never have too many ghost stories!!!

Diane

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 02:44 PM

Thanks a lot all!

It doesn't happen too often, but once in a while songs come along that really do knock my socks off. When I find two by the same writer that really makes me want to find out more.

I knew that the Mudcatters would be able to help!

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Cats
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 02:48 PM

Jacqui ~ Hawker was here a few minutes ago and I reminded her to get Mike to pick up the thread. If you like those, you'll love some of his others too. He's a goldmine and a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd for his services to folkmusic.

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 03:00 PM

When Mike lived in London, he used to come to Herga - lucky us!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: GUEST,John of Elsie`s Band
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 03:06 PM

Ask Mike Freemantle 01726 816454, (Par in Cornwall). I would guess he knows Mike`s address

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Crowdercref
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 04:50 PM

Mike tells me he is humbled by your friendly comments, and has PM'd Jacqui.

Crowdercref

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 05 Sep 07 - 05:07 PM

That's my day made, well and truly.

Many thanks to everyone for the info - I really do appreciate your help.

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 06 Sep 07 - 03:10 PM

Hope to bump into Mike at Swanage this weekend!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 May 11 - 09:02 PM

Jacqui, you asked four years ago and came to hear him sing in person aboard the Victory. (See Kendall's birthday thread, folks.) How incredible is that!

Just wanted to add a link to Mike's MYSPACE PAGE where you can hear six of his songs. Incredibly beautiful tunes and meaningful, soulful lyrics. I am so grateful to have learned of him and his works. They will be some of my favourites. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 May 11 - 06:52 AM

And he is at Maidenhead tonight - Shame you are away to the frozen North today Jacqui !!

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Brian May
Date: 12 May 11 - 07:55 AM

I must concur with what a nice guy Mike is.

I wrote to Martin WR about 'Carrying Nelson Home' and asked for the lyrics. He told me that I ought to write to Mike and express my thanks for this stirring song.

Mike not only wrote back with the lyrics, he sent the chords and a nice resume about what he'd been doing.

People like that deserve nice things to happen to them.

Thanks again Mike, my love for that song has not diminished one iota, and with Martin singing it with Iris on the squeeze-box, it's sublime.

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 12 May 11 - 03:34 PM

Terry - we saw Mike at Chichester on Tuesday evening - a perfect end to a perfect day. I am even more of a fan than I was in 2007!

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: KT
Date: 12 May 11 - 04:12 PM

Add my name to the list of fans! Though I've never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, I appreciate his music and his kind, and generous demeanor very much! Looking forward to an in person meeting someday!

KT

Subject: RE: Information about Mike O'Connor?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 May 11 - 07:39 PM

Cracking Evening at M'Head - And I think I am in love with a Harpist ! LOL   -- Shame she has a husband !