Max's Thread - UK Escapade

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 07:08 AM

well... damnit.. I am feeling bad. Today is Friday. No day in between Friday and Saturday.

I should take more drugs and go back to bed.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 07:18 AM

If Max matches the Barden drink for drink we might have to feel sorry for him!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: My guru always said
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 08:05 AM

Well, Max has been safely collected by The Barden and is off to Kent!! He's had his first decent night's sleep since he got to Whitby so he should be ready for anything *grin* Look after him you Orpington & Ash Folks and please remember to sign his 'little black book'.

I've sent the reserved Escapade Tshirts and a few spares with John, and there are Mudcat Registers for you all to sign too! Max is collecting lightweight souvenirs of his trip, I understand he's a good boy.....

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 08:25 AM

Get well quick VT, we want you and TSO together with your good weather fairies at Ash.
Al

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 01:31 PM

max2uk10 update for 8-27-10

A day of travel yesterday, 6 hours or so from Whitby to Leatherhead
with Hils and Richard and their caravan. Smooth trip as far as I was
concerned. I spent the evening sorting out their wifi and probably
using more bandwidth in a night than they use all year. I was happy to
be able to upload some video I took at Whitby to YouTube.
Hils and Richard and John took me out to dinner and spent the night
and next morning turning me on to CDs of English jazz and Tone Deaf
Leopard, and their magnificent collection of mudcatters caught on
video.

Their cottage is the cutest thing in the world and is full of amazing
nooks and crannies and secret passages, port cellars and underground
hideouts. Hils feeds the foxes jam sandwiches and the birds coconuts,
and has a heated spa for the birds, so the garden is full of many many
happy animals. I am so glad that folks like this still preserve and
properly inhabit places like this, as I am sure does the wildlife.

It was also the first bed I slept in in a week, so that was very very nice.

John B picked me up and took me down to Kent and took me on a lovely
walking tour. We took some time to swap a few songs and he reassured
me that folks won't throw tomatoes (pronounced toe-mott-owes of
course) at me tonight and tomorrow as I begin my floor spot
performances.

So dinner, then the folk club. Wish me luck. If you don't hear from me
soon, they've kidnapped me and forced me to go on tour playing the
blues across England, or I've been stoned to death for playing Jesus,
Cocaine and Monkey songs in the same set. I'm not sure if that's legal
here… or anywhere.

Updated pictures at http://maxspiegel.posterous.com/max2uk10

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: gnu
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 01:46 PM

Break a leg!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Girl Friday
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 02:06 PM

Latest New from Orpington. Ben has gone awol, having no doubt forgotten about Ash tomorrow. We are planning to give Max a copy of 8 x2, unlesas, having already heard it, he never wants to hear it again !

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: My guru always said
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 04:15 PM

Hey Max, have you forgotten how easy you made it for us to do a blue clicky??? Here are your photos...

Max is awesome, he's given us wifi *big grin* He's such a good boy!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Seaking
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 04:38 PM

You'll be running workshops then Hils ?

This is a great thread, much better than reading a book..

Chris

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 27 Aug 10 - 07:12 PM

And you still didn't get "Wee and a Shave" :-(

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 04:33 AM

That'll come later today.

We'll be leaving for Ash in about half an hour.

Max is feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep, and a Full English Breakfast.

Thanks to everybody at FF, it was an amazing evening.

See you later
Don T.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 05:39 AM

After the picture postcard and somewhat constructed atmosphere of Whitby with its top flight artists, how was the gritty reality of a suburban club in utilitarian premises (albeit augmented by irregular talent)?

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 05:47 AM

All the better for Max not having had a demonstration of how NOT to play the octave mandolin, I suspect :-)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 06:54 AM

There were a number of railway songs and a few references last night to Dr Richard Beeching

For information Dr Beeching was an accountant and produced a report in 1963 based on a survey conducted during just one week in April 1962. On the evidence of that one week survey he produced a report that led to more than 4,000 miles of railway and 3,000 stations closing in the decade following the report, a reduction of 25 per cent of route miles and 50 per cent of stations - and that is without those that successfully survived his recommendations.

Given the love of the British for their railways (whether they use them or not!) this produced shockwaves in this country not equalled until Margaret Thatcher oversaw the demise of British heavy industry.

Further 'vandalism' has occurred since with the destruction of the routes of many of these former railways by the injudicious siting of the odd housing estate or superstore along their lengths making reopening in changed circumstances (eg the green agenda or growth of the towns involved) all but impossible.

The subject still rankles with the British public and has produced quite a number of songs of protest and nostalgia including 'The last train to Dobcross' performed last night.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 09:17 AM

Thanks for that clarification Raffles... I did wonder whether Max might have been bemused by the references to "Beeching" that cropped up in several songs...I was concerned that he might have thought it referred to corporal punishment using somewhat thicker and less flexible "weaponry" than that used in traditional "birching".

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 10:20 AM

Max and Charlie Noble come to Britain just as I go off to Greece. Coincidence... or fear of the Washboard of Mass Destruction?

RtS
Sounds as if Mudcat hospitality is living up to its reputation. Continue to enjoy, Max.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: John Routledge
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 12:06 PM

Just got back from Whitby and great to read that you are capturing the spirit.!!

A beautifully written account.

Great to have met you

Gan Canny John

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge at Ash on the netbook
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 01:21 PM

It is still being a nice day - only three spots (literally) of rain so far and Max's playing has been most impressive.

Right now Border Crossing are knocking our socks off.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Anne Lister
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 04:27 PM

Hope Max gets to read this before tomorrow pm ... I'm planning on serving up roast lamb once you get to our place tomorrow evening, Max, so don't snack too much along the way!

Anne

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 05:19 PM

It has been both a pleasure, and a privilege, to play host to a man who has done so much to facilitate our communication worldwide on the subject in which we share a common interest, and having got that rather pompous, but heartfelt, comment out of the way, I'd like to pay tribute to a really nice guy who is the very antithesis of the stereotypical American abroad.

Max is a quiet, thoughtful, well mannered man who has won a place, I believe, in all our hearts.

I'm happy to count him, at last, among my very best friends, and in time I hope to visit the USA to meet all the other friends I have accumulated due to Max's efforts.

Max, you are eminently qualified to be an honorary Englishman, and I look forward to our next meeting.

kindest regards and best wishes
Don T.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 05:32 PM

I made it to Les and Maggie's Whitby Endeavour session on Monday evening, but not to the Wednesday meet at the Board... it was great to see and hear Max, and I'm glad he's been enjoying his trip so far!

Kitty

(Just home from Whitby and back online today...)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Girl Friday
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 06:58 PM

I heartily echo Don T's sentiments regarding Max. He is a most charming young man, and so not a typical American. Best of all, he's not afraid of Tone Deaf Leopard ! It was a great day at Ash once again, and we much enjoyed the mini Mudgather - and the shirts are great. Thanks MGAS. Anne - look after my new best friend please. Sue.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 07:25 PM

Another great run. Orpington Folk Club was a great time, lots of great folks, good songs, and got to see Tone Deaf Leopard for the first time in person. John left me in the care of Don and Winnie who made me proper tea (with tasty cookies) before bed and a full English fryer breakfast before heading off to Ash. They let me sleep in too, which was much appreciated. 

We drove through Canterbury, where Roman walls still tower throughout the city along the road ways, and Sandwich where the sandwich was invented during a card game. 

The Ash Festival was very nice. The venue, the Chequer, and its gardens, and the organization and MC, the performers were all exceptional. John Barden knocked my socks off, Don and Richard Bridge too.  All the performers were top shelf. Made an intimidating environment in which to perform, but I pulled all the stops and think I held my own. 

It felt great to be among such fine people, such fine musicians, which seems to be the feeling all along this trip. Fine people, that I'm trying like hell to be as awesome as. I'm the lucky one here. The pleasure is truly all mine. 

My time with John and Don and Winnie was rich and I am grateful. They took care of me, showed me kindness and showed me England. 

Hils and Richard took me home again, and Micca jumped in the car and we couldn't get him out, so he's here in Leatherhead with us tonight and we're off to Towersey bright and early. 

And to tell half a story, my underpants are now splayed about Hils' garage…

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: The Barden of England
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 03:13 AM

I have just spent two wonderful days in the company of Max. I just wish I could have shown him more of our county, but believe he needed some rest - his itinerary is punishing to say the least. He is a credit to his country and his countrymen, and as Max put it 'He knocked my socks off'. As a worldwide community we are incredibly lucky to have the Mudcat, and it reflects so well the man. Max - you are a star! Enjoy the rest of your stay, and let's see you back soon.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 03:57 AM

Well, I don't do "gush" but I was very impressed by Max as a person and as a musician too.

But I think he set too ambitious a timescale and despite cramming in much more (with the aid of a plethora of informed hosts) than pretty well any less well guided visitor could have done, will have missed so much.

Even though the UK (or, to keep it even smaller, England) is tiny in comparison to the USA it is very crammed with things that ought to be seen and will appear impressive to one from a younger country, with vernacular architecture from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries (less than fifty miles from me is the oldest continuously inhabited dwellinghouse in the country, from 1150 or thereabouts), formal architecture such as cathedrals from before that, indeed the grandfather of parliaments, megaliths like the Medway stones from centuries earlier, the compact red-soiled rolling picture postcard countryside of the West country (and indeed Kent) cultivated from well before the Norman invasion, the grim grandeur of the relics of the industrial revolution when manufacturing industry was born, the many more recent examples of Victorian grandeur, from the period of the greatest empire in the history of the world.

You will, Max, just have to come back again!

Even though the great days of Cambridge Folk festival are past, it should be "done" some other time, as should one of the tiny invitation events, to contrast the town festivals exemplified by Whitby (done) or Sidmouth or Broadstairs (not done). Some of the literaryscape, like the Brontes or Dickens or Shakespeare should be "done" - and the British Museum reading room for the ballad collections, and C# House, for comparison with the Library of Congress (itself a very very impressive institution).

Maybe we should start a new thread to assist Max to collate an new list for his next visit.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 04:15 AM

There are people who think a weekend in London means they have 'seen' England , or a one day visit to a city is enough - I have an American Cousin who 'Did' Europe in three weeks - Before flying home , my old mom asked her where she most wanted to go back to - . Her reply was " I've been there , I dont need to go back"
As Richard says , there are far too many things to see in U K , so lets hope we CAN get Max back over .

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Anne Lister
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 04:34 AM

The few days with us will be relatively calm, I think, to give Max a chance to get his breath back!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Max
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 04:37 AM

I came to see dear old England's people. Surely her things will be in place for years to come. I shall return.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Cats
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 04:37 AM

It was great meeting Max at Whitby,.. he really is a sweetie.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 05:53 AM

Harumph!   Could we please stop all this typical American shite? Speaking as an American and now adopted daughter, sister, whatever of Kent UK, I'd like to say there is no typical American as there is no typical English (person).

As an American I always thought the typical Englishman was bend over backwards polite and found to my shock they are not. Not as a group. There is the problem... The group.

Individuals are nice and polite or they are not. Max has not cornered the market on nice in America. There's lots and lots of Americans just as nice. If you base your judgement on tv shows or films or even on the occasional meeting with an over stressed visitor to this country you are not getting a true picture.

There... nuff said.   Harumph over.

It was very nice to meet you Max. Sorry I didn't spend too much time hanging about to chat. American accents remind me of how homesick I am at the moment. I know poor excuse for being impolite.

Really enjoyed your music as well as that of my English family. And a huge thank you to Adrian O and the landlady and staff at the Chequers Inn who all must be utterly exhausted today. I look forward to next year's.

Oh, I will put that on the Ash thread too.

Hugs to all, especially Hils who is working so hard to make this adventure for Max.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 05:56 AM

Max, you are eminently qualified to be an honorary Englishman

And an honorary Scotsman too!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 06:44 AM

Max: I came to see dear old England's people. Surely her things will be in place for years to come. I shall return.

I think this is a great sentiment...meeting the people is Max's priority on this trip, and he certainly seems to be meeting a LOT of people!

Great to meet you at Orpington, Max...loved your singing and playing.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Anne Lister
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 07:06 AM

*slight cough* You will remember, I hope, that once you get off the train this evening you'll be in Wales? We get a bit sensitive if called "English", typical or not.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 07:23 AM

When we visited the USA and Canada a few years back we met so many nice people (Max included) that I will never regard the loud tourist types that have given rise to the stereotypical view as being what real Americans are all about. Keep on enjoying Max and keep on enjoying, Max!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 07:25 AM

Never met a rude Welsh person either. Well not face to face. Max brace yourself for the way the Welsh speak English. Sounds like they are singing all the time. Very musical, which probably explains the "typical" viewpoint that the Welsh produce the best singers.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Penny S.
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 07:50 AM

It was great to meet and hear Max - and I have to say that he, and VTam, are just the sort of Americans I have always had the good fortune to meet. Charming, friendly, intelligent...I would say quiet, but VTam's voice is impressively operatic.

Penny

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 08:17 AM

Panny as I have said dozens of time before 'what I lack in confidence I make up for in volume.' 8~}

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Girl Friday
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 09:35 AM

VT - sorry bout the typical American thing - but I had to say it. All of my American friends are my kind of people, and none of them have any time for the stereotypes. I have found this to be true of Europeans too. We're all just people - our kind of people.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 02:02 PM

Max has now added The Three Horseshowes , Towersey to his 'one' List ! Excellent Barn sing , a wander round the Festival site and then delivered him (Cross Country) to Reading Staion for his trip to Foreign parts ! And he knows about the Lamb Anne .

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: gnu
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 02:46 PM

He's off to Jonesland?

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 03:00 PM

"he, and VTam, are just the sort of Americans I have always had the good fortune to meet"

Uhu! Well, my Aunt (from Virginia) reckoned that the only Americans worth meeting, are the ones who had left America..

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Anne Lister
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 06:17 PM

He's here in Wales now and had his first pronunciation lesson - necessary, as tomorrow he'll come with us to Llancaiach Fawr to start the day.
And I'm heading to bed ... goodnight, chaps.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 06:29 PM

Not that you would dream of quoting her, Crow Sister.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Girl Friday
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 07:20 PM

That was me. duno what happened.

Icchydd dda !

Forgive any spelling mistakes please

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 07:29 PM

All he needs is : "byw cymru Hir" and "Rwyf wrth fy modd y blues " .   Something like" Long live Wales" and "I love the blues" if Google translate is correct !!

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 08:42 PM

Max has left the care of Guru and myself to Wales, may he continue to enjoy his time This side of the pond.
Some may think Americans can be loud .Max is reserved and talented and I look forward to his return to us on friday.

Max your socks over the cottage radiator should be dry by friday! :>)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Tyke
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 01:08 AM

Seems to me that Max has proved to be so popular during his vist you might consider Raffling or Auctioning off his Socks to raise a few quid for the Mudcat "Darn It!"

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Anne Lister
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 03:03 AM

Guy - the usual phrase is Cymru am byth (Wales for ever). We'll take good care of him, but the Welsh are, as ever, welcoming.

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 05:44 AM

"Not that you would dream of quoting her, Crow Sister."

I think I forgot to this at the end of that post! ;-)

Subject: RE: Max's Thread - UK Escapade
From: GUEST,Girl Friday
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 06:36 AM

Shame that Max didn't get to hear Ben, and vice versa, we should have given him Ben's demo C D.