Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)

Subject: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 10:17 PM

I was told the sad news tonight that Martin died in his sleep last night. He has been a regular at Wigan Folk Club and Coppull Folk Club for many years, and has cheered us all with his country songs ("I don't know any folk songs!"), his contempt for capos, and his well-meant but cutting insults to one and all. He was his normal bouncy self at Wigan on Tuesday and at Coppull last night, although he has suffered with heart trouble for a number of years.

He has been very active lately in helping to organise Coppull Folk Festival (due to take place 11th-13th June) and was looking forward to singing and MCing over the weekend.

As far as I know, he was about 66 years young, and leaves two adult sons. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

I will post funeral arrangements when I learn of them.

Joan

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Malc Paton
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 04:13 AM

This is a very sad loss of a great character on the Wigan Folk scene. It is easily said but there really was no-one quite like Martin; he was a real one-off and is irreplaceable.
My fondest memories of him will be from trips to Folk Festivals , especially to Warwick where, on my first trip, he 'kindly' let me stay in his infamous 'babe magnet'. We spent some very happy times together there and it always seemed to be sunny! Despite his age he had more staying power than anyone else; last to bed and first up, and would happily have stayed up all night playing and singing for as long as anyone else would stay up with him (or he was told to stop)!
I have not seen a lot of Martin recently, only speaking to him on the phone, but I will really miss him. R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,cliff jarvis
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 05:03 AM

What a guy what can i say or what can i not say ,MARTIN WAS THE STAR OF THE PARTY,many times martin and peter southwworth and me set up the amps and mikes in crooke pub and so many occasions we got it wrong,but Martin would never give in 5 hours we stayed on one occasion untill Martin was satisfied,it had to be right for the folkies!that was how much dedicated Martin was,he was one of the best and TRUELY missed GBU MY FRIEND I WILL MISS YOU DEARLY R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Steve Derricott - Crooke Hall Inn
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 05:37 AM

I hadn,t known Martin for very long just a couple of years. He was one of the founder members of the Crooke folk and acoustic night which has fast become one of the biggest and best supported venues on the folk scene in this area, due largely to the efforts of martin and one or two others. I like to think that we had become good friends in this short time and will always have happy memories of him organising the Christmas concert at the Crooke with Cliff,Peter Shirley and Dick.   Thursday nights won't be quite the same down here now. R.I.P. my friend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 06:02 AM

Martin just loved to shock... but he's gone too far this time! This is way beyond anything he ever did before and is not acceptable. I wish I could tell him to his face...

But sadly this is one shock too many for even Martin to overcome. It is very sad news and the 'folkies' around the area will miss him greatly. Characters like Martin are not too common. He was larger than life and his faux attacks on all thngs folk, cribsheets and capos will ring in our heads for many years I think. He was Country through and through but had been adopted by the folkies for some time. He loved it all. The attentions, the songs, the laughs. He could really push bondaries too at times. Anyone who did not know him could sure get tre wrong idea.

Inside he was a very warm and kind gentleman (he would deny this with embarrasment if I ever mentioned it!). Fixed in his way, maybe, but flexible enough to show kindness and care when needed. Our lives will be the poorer for his sad death.

I think the Alison Arms Free Folk Festival should be dedicated to Martin, if it can be arranged, as it seems more than appropriate that the adopted country guy should have us folkies honour him.

He quite liked George Jones songs. I keep thinking of this one since last night: Whos gonna fill their shoes . Question is. Whose gonna fill Martin's shoes> No-one ever will :-(

RIP Mr Martin... you're still a gent! ;-)

mp

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,clansfolk
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 06:18 AM

Sorry to read the news Joan
have forwarded the message and link via Folking About etc.

our condolences to family & friends

Pete & co
(Penny Black et al)

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: Simon G
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 08:38 AM

It is difficult to imagine folk in the Wigan area of England without Martin. He was a vital part of the mix at three clubs in the area and always willing to lend a hand to help organise an event.

I have great memories of a gang of us trying to get enough undergrowth cut back at Coppull so that people could camp for the festival on something resembling grass.

Most of all it was his contribution to the atmosphere at singaround, open mics, etc. he loved to entertain and all of us loved him entertaining us, even though at the time we might have indicated otherwise.

It was a joy to meet up with Martin when we came back to Wigan in May, to hides his picks and drink one last time. Most of all it was about the music, Martin's repertoire of old country songs were a vital part of the folk scene in the area, he made them so and we loved him for it.

Thanks for all the memories, Martin.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Carole
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 09:09 AM

What can I say about Martin. A one off, irreplaceable, noisy, funny, kind hearted, I have lots of good memories of times spent with him.
The Wigan folk scene will certainly not be the same without him.

I will miss your well meant banter Martin, and you never got the chance to wear the cowboy hat I had for you to join in my country song.

Rest in peace my friend. Carole x

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: Simon G
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 10:28 AM

Some memories of Martin, including some of songs recorded at singarounds in 2007.

Martin Baker

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Jim Bridie and Emiel
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 01:38 PM

REST IN PEACE MARTIN.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,kath & mike
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 02:06 PM

martin was such a gentleman, and will be sadly missed, when martin

didnt come to the folky night he was always missed.

R. I, P,

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,lol connelly
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 03:04 PM

still remember the chords to a dr. hook song martin showed me
god bless martin

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Ronnie and John
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 04:06 PM

RIP Martin , you will be very much missed, will miss your humour and yor songs, and most of all your friendship, aven though it has only been a short one RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Gorgeous
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 04:42 PM

Goodbye Handsome.

Will miss your friendly. funny, loud, cheeky banter SO much at Coppull. You even made a joke about falling into the pond last week - which we all know now was a warning. It was fitting that the last song I heard you sing on Wednesday night was "Gotta get rid of this band" when Kevin, Mervyn, Bob, Roger and Phil got the treatment.

It was a pleasure to know you Martin. Thanks for all the happy memories. Suaimhneas síoraí ort.

Maria
x

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Chris taylor
Date: 04 Jun 10 - 07:12 PM

RIP Martin. You'll be sorely missed by many whose lives you touched things just won't be the same without you. You were one of a kind

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: MerryLocks
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 01:38 AM

First got to know Martin when I fell out of Coppull festival in 2005 staight into A & E with a broken leg - paying the price by being on crutches for six months. Every Thursday night he would pick me up and take me to the Seven Stars folk club if I wanted to go or not, it was non negociable. His big heart and wicked humour just made him the Martin we all knew and loved. If we had any idea his last night of swaying the folk to the country side of music was Coppull on Wednesday there would not have been an empty seat or a dry eye in the house, -there was never anyone quite like Martin - so very glad to have met him so sorry he couldn't have stayed longer.

Jules

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Andrew Cantwell
Date: 05 Jun 10 - 09:42 AM

Martin gave me the chords once to Little Old Wine Drinker Me and have fond memories of him joining in with some of the songs I play especially Drunk Like Me, he will be missed by all who had the pleasure to be in his company, an absolute true gent and a credit to the Wigan Folk Club over the years

i for one took the sharp end of his banter which was always taken in good humour
Fond memories of many a good night at The Seven Stars The Fox N Goose The Orwell and Crooke in his company and each and every time he made me smile and warm to his unique style of playing

I like many others hope to do a song in his honour in the coming weeks and hopefully Coppull Folk Festival this year pays tribute to a great man
I raise my wee whisky glass in his memory
To Martin
Rest In Peace Wee Man

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: songs2play
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 04:21 PM

I have put a short video of Martin that I took at The Orwell at Easter 2008. It's on the www.wiganfolkclub.co.uk website. Hopefully it shows Martin enjoying his music and making sure everyone else is too.

Good Bless.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 04:45 PM

Thanks to everyone for all their tributes to the great man.

The funeral service will take place this Friday, 11th June 2010, at 2pm in St Anne's Church, Shevington, then on to Charnock Richard Crematorium, on the A49 at Euxton, for 3pm, then a reception afterwards at about 4pm at the Bowling Green Inn, Charnock Richard. All Martin's folk circuit friends are invited to all three. Instead of flowers, donations will be accepted for the Heart Unit.

Joan

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Mike (fingers) and Pat, keyboard
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 08:27 PM

We will miss Martin very much - he will be strumming in the folk club in the sky.

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,neil
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 10:24 AM

not much more to say Martin,other than things just wont be the same without you

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: mauvepink
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 12:35 PM

Martin's Lat Lament

That wicked grin, perhaps a wink,
Those country songs, that made you think,
The naughty comments and the knowing look,
That helped you read him like a book.

He never used a capo, in anger or in peace,
He never used a cribsheet, in case the words got creased,
He sang his songs with all his heart, no wonder it gave out,
For Martin sang the way he lived, full on, no brakes, with clout.

You always knew when he arrived, for things would go to pot,
Disruption, jokes and laughter: this was Martin's plot
For no-one could ignore him, when he was in the room,
They all loved his manic ways, with him there was no gloom.

So picture him just one last time, in heaven with a harp,
Churping at the Angels, keeping tempo, playing sharp,
He will not sing a folk song when the angels ask him to,
For Martin just sung Country, he was western through and through.

Our clubs will feel much emptier, with Martin missing now,
But I bet he's up there looking down, laughter on his brow,
He'll have a cig, then sing a song, on harp that never ends,
Reminding us that Martin loved to sing with all his friends.

Goodbye dear pest and nuisance, goodbye your beaming smile,
Goodbye the songs you used to sing, goodbye for just a while,
For I am sure you'll find a way to haunt us if you can,
With all those country rhythms... Martin: You're the man!


mp

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: Simon G
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 01:44 PM

I love the poem, its wonderful to have memories sparked off by poetry like this, almost as good as a song.

Simon

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,A RIVAL FOR WENDY
Date: 10 Jun 10 - 06:33 AM

peter southworth wrote a song about martin. it is brillent says so much about the man every one loved ,he once told me I could meet wendy but she never showed on the blind date.looking back I THINK he wanted her all to himself.so he did have a mean side to him after all.IIL NEVER GET TO MEET HER NOW.UNLESS SHE AT THE FUNNERAL.MARTIN YOU MADE US LAUGH WHEN THEY WAS NOTHING TO LAUGH ABOUT.THATS A GIFT FEW MEN HAVE,YOU BE LONNG REMEMBERED BY ALL IN THE FOLK SENCE COMMUNITY...

Subject: RE: Obit: Martin Baker R.I.P (3 June 2010)
From: GUEST,Neil Baxter
Date: 07 Aug 10 - 08:25 AM

I was saddened to hear about this... I had spent a lot of time in this gent's company at various places... folk clubs... The Riverside (Banks, Southport)... local pubs. Although I'd not been in touch with him, or many other people in the Wigan folk scene for a few years it was still a shock to hear.

Had some great laughs with Martin - he had a wicked sense of humour and was a master of offending without being offensive, and being rude without being rude! Anyone who knew him'll know what I mean by that!

How many folk can do a country song about a blow-up sex doll AND include some dirty jokes in there too?

And at 66 - that's no age.

R.I.P. Martin - I can see you strumming along with Johnny Cash now - do "A Boy Named Sue" together please - just a pity I won't be there to hear it - but I'll be there in spirit.

Take care pal.



Neil.