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Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite

DigiTrad:
AROUND ME BRAVE BOYS
BRISK YOUNG WIDOW
NOSTRADAMUS
OAK, ASH, AND THORN
On Board a 98
THE BARLEY AND THE RYE
THE GOOD LUCK SHIP
THE OLD SONGS
WE HAVE FED OUR SEA FOR A THOUSAND YEARS

Jack Blandiver	15 Nov 10 - 03:54 PM
Reinhard	15 Nov 10 - 04:06 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	15 Nov 10 - 04:22 PM
GUEST,Spleen Cringe	15 Nov 10 - 06:53 PM
GUEST,roderick	15 Nov 10 - 07:40 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	16 Nov 10 - 04:22 AM
Edthefolkie	16 Nov 10 - 07:19 AM
MGM·Lion	16 Nov 10 - 07:41 AM
Artful Codger	16 Nov 10 - 08:22 AM
r.padgett	16 Nov 10 - 10:16 AM
GUEST,Clive Pownceby	17 Nov 10 - 04:01 AM
Charley Noble	17 Nov 10 - 07:51 AM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	18 Nov 10 - 07:47 AM
Phil Edwards	21 Nov 10 - 12:23 PM
Phil Edwards	21 Nov 10 - 12:32 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	21 Nov 10 - 12:47 PM
Phil Edwards	21 Nov 10 - 05:15 PM
SPB-Cooperator	22 Nov 10 - 03:22 AM
GUEST,Chris B	22 Nov 10 - 03:51 AM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	22 Nov 10 - 06:42 AM
GUEST	22 Nov 10 - 11:31 AM
SPB-Cooperator	22 Nov 10 - 02:12 PM
GUEST,Chris B. re: new hi-res. version	24 Nov 10 - 08:16 AM
GUEST,Chris B.	24 Nov 10 - 08:55 AM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	24 Nov 10 - 09:21 AM
ChrisJBrady	24 Nov 10 - 09:31 AM
ChrisJBrady	24 Nov 10 - 01:46 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	24 Nov 10 - 01:57 PM
Spleen Cringe	24 Nov 10 - 02:23 PM
Phil Edwards	24 Nov 10 - 05:46 PM
GUEST,Itxlan	24 Nov 10 - 06:19 PM
ChrisJBrady	24 Nov 10 - 06:23 PM
GUEST,Working Radish	25 Nov 10 - 07:32 AM
ChrisJBrady	25 Nov 10 - 08:19 AM
Spleen Cringe	25 Nov 10 - 10:10 AM
Phil Edwards	25 Nov 10 - 10:44 AM
GUEST,Itxlan	25 Nov 10 - 11:46 AM
Phil Edwards	25 Nov 10 - 12:08 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	25 Nov 10 - 12:35 PM
ChrisJBrady	25 Nov 10 - 12:43 PM
ChrisJBrady	25 Nov 10 - 12:51 PM
ChrisJBrady	25 Nov 10 - 12:57 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	25 Nov 10 - 01:11 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	25 Nov 10 - 01:17 PM
Phil Edwards	25 Nov 10 - 01:37 PM
GUEST,Itxlan	25 Nov 10 - 01:48 PM
ChrisJBrady	25 Nov 10 - 04:14 PM
GUEST	25 Nov 10 - 04:29 PM
ChrisJBrady	25 Nov 10 - 04:55 PM
Anglo	26 Nov 10 - 02:40 AM
GavDav	26 Nov 10 - 04:58 AM
ChrisJBrady	26 Nov 10 - 07:07 AM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	26 Nov 10 - 08:43 AM
GavDav	26 Nov 10 - 09:10 AM
ChrisJBrady	26 Nov 10 - 09:12 AM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	26 Nov 10 - 09:54 AM
ChrisJBrady	26 Nov 10 - 11:17 AM
GUEST,Itxlan	26 Nov 10 - 11:39 AM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	26 Nov 10 - 12:17 PM
brezhnev	26 Nov 10 - 12:50 PM
GavDav	26 Nov 10 - 01:39 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	26 Nov 10 - 02:41 PM
GavDav	26 Nov 10 - 02:56 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	26 Nov 10 - 03:12 PM
GMGough	26 Nov 10 - 03:16 PM
GUEST,CJB	26 Nov 10 - 04:53 PM
GUEST,Itxlan	26 Nov 10 - 05:56 PM
Mr Fox	26 Nov 10 - 06:24 PM
GUEST,Itxlan	26 Nov 10 - 07:31 PM
GUEST,Suibhne Astray	27 Nov 10 - 04:13 AM
GMGough	27 Nov 10 - 07:11 AM
GUEST,Itxlan	27 Nov 10 - 07:58 AM
Speedwell	13 Aug 11 - 12:56 PM
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freda underhill	13 Aug 11 - 01:38 PM
Jack Blandiver	13 Aug 11 - 03:24 PM
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Subject: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 03:54 PM

I'll leave it to someone better qualified to flesh out the whys & wherefores of The Maritime England Suite, but basically it's a 40-minute sequence comprising PB's settings of Kipling, traditional and other lyrics arranged by Dolly Collins and performed by the trio of PB: voice / Dolly Collins : piano / Ursula Pank (nee Smith) : 'cello. It existed as a cassette-only edition with a photocopied cover, copies of which are scarce (and those extant are fading fast...) but the music is of a perfect and golden charm that will enchant lovers of songs of the sea and beguile even the most casual Bellamist. The hard-core, of course, will already have it, but here it is anyway, in two parts:

Peter Bellamy : Maritime England Suite - Part One

Peter Bellamy : Maritime England Suite - Part One

Note: This is a basic transfer of a very old unbranded cassette copy as sold by PB at his gigs. No attempt has been made to clean it up at source (no Dolby certainly!) or otherwise enhance it on the computer other than to fix a patricularly messy edit & fade it out at the end of The China Clipper which cuts out on the cassette. One hopes the masters are extant and that plans are afoot to release them officially, but as life is generally too short for the awaiting of such miracles, enjoy this in all its lo-fi glory.

File expires on 22nd November, so get it while you can!

Part One:

Song of the Red War Boat (Kipling)
Sir Patrick Spens (Trad)
Sir Andrew Barton (Anon)
The Spanish Armada (Anon)
The Zealous Puritan (Anon)
The Dutch in the Medway (Kipling)

Part Two:

We Have Fed Our Sea For a Thousand Years (Kipling)
Andrew Rose & the Cruel Ship's Captain (trad)
The Death of Nelson (trad)
The British Man of War (trad)
The China Clipper (Tardiff)

All settings Peter Bellamy / arranged by Dolly Collins

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Reinhard
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 04:06 PM

Thank you very much for this treasure!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 04:22 PM

Treasure it is! And there's me getting the title wrong in the thread heading. D'oh!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 06:53 PM

Cheers for this, Suibhne. Lovely stuff.

So is some knowledgeable bod going to come on and give us a bit of history? Where and when it was recorded? Who has the masters? Am I right in thinking it was originally recorded for a radio broadcast? If so, is this the radio broadcast? Thank you in advance, fact fiends!

SplCr

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,roderick
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 07:40 PM

Thanks a lot for the download - a quick listen and the arrangements are fascinating - not so sure about Bellamy's voice - I respect what he was trying to do, especially the Kipling stiff and also his artistic breadth which was unusual on the folk scene at any time - but could never get on with his sound! Remember seeing the YT in Cousins many years back - and same criticism although the other two voices blended him out somewhat. Still - would rather try again with someone challenging than the usual safety zone merchants...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 04:22 AM

The year is 1982, more than that I can't say. Dolly Collins needs no introduction here (although at times I might wonder) and Ursula Smith played 'cello in the Third Ear Band during their most popular period around 1969-1971 including their second album Air, Earth, Fire, Water and the soundtrack to Abelard & Heliose. She also played on COB's Spirit of Love - see HERE for more on this (+ free download of what is still a remarkable album).

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 07:19 AM

Thanks very much indeed for that S O'P!!! As has been said, a real treasure. Two very much missed people and one new to me.

My compliments too on the article in Stirrings. I only normally see this organ when I get up to Sheffo and district but a friend mailed me a copy so I could read Pete Gray's article - and there you were too!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 07:41 AM

FOR INFO

I have a copy of the original cassette that Pete gave me. The front of the yellow paper inlay reads ~

THE
MARITIME ENGLAND
SUITE

PETER BELLAMY vocal
DOLLY COLLINS piano
URSULA PANK cello

{followed by a stern-on picture of a ship-of-the-line in full sail, which fills up most of the inlay-front}.

Inside is a list of the songs as given above;followed by the imprint ~

© Peter Bellamy & Dolly Collins 1982

♥♫❤Michael❤♫♥

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Artful Codger
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 08:22 AM

Note: In part (side) two, there is another song after "British Man of War" (starting around 15.55): "When the Stormy Winds Do Blow", reminiscent of "Neptune's Fury" ("The Gallant Seamen's Suffering"), but mostly Bellamy's own in both text and tune, as far as I can tell.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: r.padgett
Date: 16 Nov 10 - 10:16 AM

I have the cassette, not tried to play it recently tho'

Ray

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 04:01 AM

I was fortunate to see the songs from the project performed live by Peter live and solo - in March 1982 at the Poste House in Liverpool and the Bothy Club in Southport. He was, as you'd guess, passionate about the concept and the music.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 07:51 AM

Nice to have this work available again in any format.

If it were produced in 1982, one could assume that it is still covered by its original copyright under British rules.

Charley Noble

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 07:47 AM

Also features HERE.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 12:23 PM

Codger - track 5 on side 2 is the seventeenth-century broadside ballad variously known as "You gentlemen of England", "When stormy winds do blow" and "Neptune's raging fury". There's an informative discussion on this thread from 2007, mostly between Malcolm Douglas and someone called 'Artful Codger'...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 12:32 PM

I can make a few revisions to the track listing given above:

Part One:

Introduction (instrumental)
Song of the Red War Boat (Kipling)
Sir Patrick Spens (traditional (Child 58))
Sir Andrew Barton (traditional (Child 167))
The Spanish Armada (J. Keefe (18th century))
The Zealous Puritan (Anon. (17th century))
The Dutch in the Medway (Kipling)

Part Two:

We Have Fed Our Sea For a Thousand Years (Kipling)
Andrew Rose & the Cruel Ship's Captain (traditional)
The Death of Nelson (traditional)
The British Man of War (traditional)
You Gentlemen of England (J. Philips (17th century))
The China Clipper ("K. Tardif" (early 20th century))

Until I started researching it I had no idea how old some of the texts Bellamy used were - or how obscure. I've found a couple of references to the poem The China Clipper online, but nothing much about Mr or Ms Tardif; I wonder if it was a pseudonym (it's an unusual surname, and "tardif" is French for "late").

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 12:47 PM

How about a song for The Landfill Project, Pip?

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 05:15 PM

I don't do any of the songs, unfortunately. Alan Grace does a fine January Man, btw. I might have a crack at the Cruel Mother.

Many thanks for the upload, Suibhne - I've listened to little else for the last week. It gets under your skin on the third or fourth listen. I wonder if the sheet music (including the unplayed flute part) has survived?

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 03:22 AM

I have a vague memory of the work being commissioned by the BBC as a two-part programme part one entitled - we fed our seas for 100 years and part 2, we fed our sea for 1,000 years.

it was made to commemorate Maritime England Year. I don't remember much more.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Chris B
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 03:51 AM

WONDERFUL !!!!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 06:42 AM

Just to clarify, apart from anything the presence of Ursula Smith makes this of interest to the Third Ear community so it's being hosted by Ghetto Raga blogspot at the link below.

http://ghettoraga.blogspot.com/2010/11/ursula-pank-nee-smith-played-also-on.html

I've added Pip's ammendments to the tracklisting by way of a comment, hopefully these will be absorbed into the main blog. Nice work, Mr Radish!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 11:31 AM

We catters in the Puget Sound thank you!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 02:12 PM

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Chris B. re: new hi-res. version
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 08:16 AM

There's a really hi-res. version in lossless FLAC format now uploaded to TheBox.bz

TheBox.bz member 'itxlan' says: "I recorded it off air from a 'Folk on 2 - Special' in 1982. It was recorded onto stereo TDK metal tape - the best available at the time - and it's very clear (although there's some tape-hiss that can easily be ignored in preference to the effects of noise reduction filters)."

Apparently 'itxlan' mentioned this hi-res. recording to Peter Bellamy at a gig, and Peter said "could he have a copy since he only had a low-res. version." Unfortunately Peter passed away before this could be done. The hi-res. version has been uploaded in Peter's memory.

For those with TheBox.bz access it is here:

http://thebox.bz/details.php?id=138614

The files are in lossless FLAC format and are about 292MB in total. I'm trying to think of a way to upload them to Mediafire.com or Rapidshare.com

Chris B.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Chris B.
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 08:55 AM

Further info. can be found at:

http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/peter.bellamy/records/themaritimeenglandsuite.html

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 09:21 AM

Nie one! Hows it done with torrents? Never figured the out!

FLACs aren't such problem though a bit unweildy for the purposes; I generally convert them to MP3s for ease of use...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 09:31 AM

Additional links from Info.txt file with FLAC download from TheBox.bz (using torrents):

http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/inart511.htm

"Peter's Maritime Suite, which did at least achieve Folk on 2 performance, never saw the light of day on record..."

====

Nov. 1982 Broadcast

http://www.mombu.com/music/music/t-maritime-suite-sweet-1740274.html

&

http://www.hilpers.org/217671-maritime-suite

"A masterpiece has been forgotten, hidden in the rich garden of British folk.

"It's the Maritime England Suite sung in 1982 by Peter Bellamy, arranged by Peter himself with the help of Dolly Collins' piano (at her best) and Ursula Pank's (ne Smith) cello.

"Here Peter's voice isn't anymore hard, strong as the one of his youth[ful]ness but becomes melancholy, sorrowful, sweet too, always deep, intense and affecting.

"It has never been issued, that is an injustice."

====

Dear Diane,

... as Jim [Lloyd?] underlines, "Maritime Suite" is not a compilation.

The songs (some of them already sung by Peter) have a completely new dress. Not simply the way of singing them is different but innovative is the arrangement obtained by piano and cello accompaniment. It's a thing completely new in Peter's discography, to have an idea of it maybe you should think to "anthem in eden".

http://www.bens.connectfree.co.uk/pb/PBDISC.HTM

=====

Year: 1982
Title: The Maritime England Suite
Artist: Peter Bellamy
Produced by: The BBC for a proposed Radio Broadcast 'We have fed our Sea', 1982
Personnel were: Peter Bellamy, also featuring: Dolly Collins (piano) and Ursula Pank (cello)

An additional flute part was written by Dolly Collins, partial manuscripts of which survives in the Fellside Archive.

Songs of the sea from the Saxons to the 19th century - Kipling, Traditional, and anon/Bellamy.

Tracks were: (In the order as on Peter Bellamy's Private Tape re-issue)

- Song of The Red Warboat,
- Sir Patrick Spens,
- Sir Andrew Barton,
- The Spanish Armada, - The Zealous Puritan,
- The Dutch in The Medway,
- We Have Fed Our Sea,
- Andrew Rose & The Cruel Ship's Captain,
- The Death of Nelson,
- The British Man Of War,
- You Gentlemen of England,
- The China Clipper.

Released as Private Issue cassette by Peter Bellamy in 1982

Availability: Tapes in the Wall Archive

Dolly Collins' piano (at her best) and Ursula Pank's (ne Smith) cello.

As you can see these are traditional and [also] songs taken from Kipling, each arranged by Peter

Suite A
- song of the red war boat
- sir patrick spens
- sir andrew barton
- the spanish armada
- the zealous puritan
- tha dutch in the medway

Suite B
- we have fed our sea--
- andrew rose & the cruel ship's captain
- the death of nelson
- the british man of war
- your gentleman of england
- the china clipper

====

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 01:46 PM

Treasure Hunt Strikes Gold

Above someone opined "One hopes the masters are extant and that plans are afoot to release them officially, but as life is generally too short for the awaiting of such miracles, enjoy this in all its lo-fi glory."

Well miracles do happen. We have the next best thing to the masters - a metal tape recording from the only 'Folk on 2' version broadcast (but sans intro. by Jim Lloyd). And the FLAC version from this is superb, with great clarity. Its certainly better than the cassette version that Peter was selling at gigs.

I shall try and upload the FLAC files (and maybe an MP3 file version (at 320Kbps) to Mediafire.com in the next few days.

If anyone is interested in re-issuing this recording formally then I am sure the person who did the original recording might be happy for this.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 01:57 PM

Excellent work! Looking forward to hearing the MES in greater clarity. Next up at my end, Peter Bellamy Live at Keele University 1972 which I reaolly think the whole world needs to hear...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 02:23 PM

CJB - check your PMs when you have a moment...

Spleen

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 05:46 PM

The FLAC sounds superb, although one tape seems to have been running faster than the other - part 1 runs to 24 minutes 27 seconds, as against 22' 2" in Suibhne's version. I'm prepared to believe the FLAC is the way it's supposed to sound, but I'd be glad of a second opinion. The sound *quality* is fantastic, anyway.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Itxlan
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 06:19 PM

Hi, PipRadish,

As the original uploader and recorder of the FLACs I can assure you that their timing is correct and that the other version sounds very gabbled, as though PB had been ingesting helium.

But although the original recording was made on high-end equipment, the hi-fi I used to digitize the master tape could have been better - (the cassette deck wasn't great) - and I'm optomistic that an even better version can be obtained with a decent tape deck. Watch this space.

For those with no access to TheBox, this is the description that accompanied my original upload:

================
The Maritime Suite is a collection of songs on a maritime theme - some traditional, some settings of Rudyard Kipling's poems - with music composed by the late Peter Bellamy, who's also the vocalist.

And what a vocalist. This astonishing live performance from 1982 still raises the hairs on the back of my neck.

It seems to me that in the plaintive wail of Peter Bellamy's extraordinary voice, you can hear the eternal suffering and bitterness of the unquiet ghosts of those forgotten, ill-used men who sacrificed their good health - and often their very lives - to ensure England's supremacy as a maritime power.

They could wish for no finer memorial than this heartfelt suite of songs and the same applies to Peter Bellamy, who never lived to see this - his greatest work, in my opinion - in the public domain. Scandalously, it's never been publicly available except in the form of a very lossy and poor quality cassette recording that Peter Bellamy sold at his performances.

Shortly before his death I met him at a gig and told him I had this lossless recording of the suite, recorded from a 1982 BBC Radio 2, Folk on 2 special that was devoted to a live performance of the Suite.

He gave me his card and asked me to send him a copy as he didn't have a decent recording of the broadcast and couldn't get one out of the BBC.

Sadly, before I got around to sending it, I heard the news of his tragic and untimely death.

Since then I've often wondered what to do with this recording and I'm very glad that the Internet will now ensure its availability to anyone who wants it.

I recorded the two part broadcast on stereo TDK metal tape - the best available at the time - and it's very clear. I then recorded the tape into Adobe Audition as a WAV file which I converted to lossless FLAC files. I didn't use any noise-reduction filters as they tend to reduce treble clarity and I find that my brain soon filters out the background tape hiss.

I hope this stunning performance will stand as a tribute to Peter Bellamy - a truly great artist - and to the brave men who inspired this work - the generations of English mariners who "fed our sea for a thousand years".
======================

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 06:23 PM

Glad you got the FLAC version - from TheBox.bz I guess. Isn't it superb - played loudly - with acoustic headphones!!!

I haven't noticed any difference in tone as per one tape version running faster (or slower) than the other. And the version sold by Peter must have gone through a couple of copying processes; whereas the FLAC version is direct from the Folk on 2 Special broadcast.

Remembering the variables involved in playing cassette tapes I'm not surprised there's some differences!! But using Audacity it is possible to even up things - if one is so inclined.

There is one little wrinkle in the FLAC file 2. There's a 1 second drop out of the right track in 'On board a Man of War' at 13:11.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Working Radish
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 07:32 AM

using Audacity it is possible to even up things - if one is so inclined.

Absolutely - but the question is whether Itxlan's version is already at the right speed, in which case it doesn't need any adjusting (although my ears may need a bit). I'll have another listen.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 08:19 AM

I think Itxlan's version is brilliant. But then I am a little deaf on the high frequencies and am somewhat tonally challenged!!!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 10:10 AM

It's been an absolute pleasure listening to Itxlan's recording of the MES- thank you for making this lost treasure available. I hope the original masters are somewhere in the BBC archives - if not, thank goodness someone had the forsight to do a good quality home recording of the show... it may yet turn out to be the best copy in existance if it turns out the Beeb didn't archive the original.

Thanks again to to Suibhne for posting his recording in the first place and starting the trail off, and to CJB for making the link...

This is the sort of thing that can start to build up a head of steam for an official CD reissue...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 10:44 AM

Investigating further, I find there's (as far as my ears can tell) exactly half a tone's difference between the two: Suibhne's recording has We Have Fed Our Seas in C and Sir Patrick Spens in E, where Itxlan's has them in B and Eb respectively. My speculation that the original pitching (and speed) might have been somewhere in between the two seems to have been disproved - there isn't anywhere to go in between.

Wonderful stuff, although (as you can probably tell) I'm having to get used to the slower pace and deeper pitches!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Itxlan
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 11:46 AM

Yes, thanks to Suibhne for getting the ball rolling - I didn't realize he was a poster here and intended no disrespect with my comments about the gabbled effect that's evident to anyone who knows the songs well.

Most of the tapes I bought from Peter's gigs are of very poor quality, being copies of copies of copies and suffering from the consequent degradation of quality and accuracy.

The speed increase can easily be measured by comparing the timings of three versions of the first verse of "We have fed our sea for a thousand years", measuring from the first syllable of "We", to the final syllable of "Full".

Taking the song on CD 2 of Wake The Vaulted Echoes as a reference version (as it's an official release), the timing is: 1:03

The FLAC is 1:04

Suibhne's version is: 00:59

So there's a full 4 seconds difference in just a single verse.

Likewise, the first verse of The Death of Nelson on CD 2 of Wake The Vaulted Echoes (measured from the first syllable of "On", to the last syllable of "War"), is: 00:34.1

The FLAC is: 00:34.3

Suibhne's version is: 00:31

Again, there's a difference of 3 seconds in a single verse (it's much more over the entire song).

But the speed of Suibhne's version isn't constant. It accelerates even more noticably at certain points - the piano intro to Andrew Barton for example, sounds positively manic and the singing is a half-tone too high (as Pip Radish correctly observed of other songs).

For the most part these are bitter, introspective ballads and I think that makes PB's measured and reflective pace all the more essential to their correct interpretation.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 12:08 PM

I am in awe, sir, not to say greatly jealous of your timely purchase of WTVE! (I know I can always get the Ballads Of, but it's not the same...)

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 12:35 PM

I have no vested interest in this music other than a desire to enable people to hear something they may have missed out on by coming in when they did. The version I uploaded is a direct transfer of one of Peter Bellamy's home-made cassettes from 25 years ago at least. That it plays at all is miracle enough, but I offered it by way of pertinent lo-fi archaelogy in the absence (at the time) of anything better. I was well aware of the fluctuations in pitch, but felt this added to the charm of the original artefact; the only editing I did was to fix a loud pop at one point and fade it out the end which just cuts out on the Bellamy cassette. Personally, I think the lo-fi nature of this cassette stands as a moving testimony to the status PB enjoyed in his life-time - a man moved to effectively bootlegging his own recordings to sell on cheap, unbranded cassettes at his ever-dwindling gigs in the face of the terminal indifference of the folk scene as a whole. With respect of this, please, can any future discussion omit my name from the proceedings? Call it The Bellamy Cassette Edition, edited, no doubt, by his own fair hand.

Meanwhile, here's some equally low quality video footage from the Maritime England Suite + an incomplete rendition of The Liner She's A Lady from the Bellamy VHS I have in my keeping. The edits are as on the tape (Bellamy's??) & the quality likewise. If someone has got anything better, please, bring it on, otherwise - just enjoy it for what it is.

Peter Bellamy VHS Part Three : Two Sea Songs

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 12:43 PM

OK - here's a direct conversion from the FLAC files (joined - and sorry Jim L - I deleted the remaining clip of your link at the midway point).

Using Audacity I imported both FLAC files, joined them, edit / merged into mono the 1 second drop out on the right track at 13:11 in the second file, and then did a Save As MP3 (320Kbps).

The result is nearly as good - to my ears anyway - as the FLAC versions.

You can download the MP3 here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?c4gw4vwgqzh4h

I was going to upload the FLAC files too, however it seems that there is interest in re-issuing the whole thing on CD so I will leave the FLAC files where they are.

CJB

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 12:51 PM

Two questions re: Peter Bellamy VHS Part Three : Two Sea Songs

1/ how come part 3 - or were parts 1 & 2 the cassette version?

2/ was this VHS tape home produced, ripped from a BBC broadcast, or recorded as a show or folk club?

And many thanks indeed to Suibhne Astray for initiating this remarkable chain of discoveries and events.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 12:57 PM

One day I'll stop pi$$ing around and get things right. The link you need to The Maritime Suite is

http://www.mediafire.com/?g8of7eqz96t9f

Sorry about that.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 01:11 PM

1) It's Part Two because Parts One & Two of the VHS I put up on YouTube earlier - they're right there at the side.

2) As for the source, I've no idea - it's a mixed bag of all sorts of odds & ends, these sea songs redited with quite dodgy maritime stills (why?) so I doubt the BBC had a hand in it. The MES clip looks like a rehearsal rather than a performance - the only footage of Ursula Smith I've ever seen...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 01:17 PM

Sorry - Part Three...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 01:37 PM

Personally, I think the lo-fi nature of this cassette stands as a moving testimony to the status PB enjoyed in his life-time - a man moved to effectively bootlegging his own recordings to sell on cheap, unbranded cassettes at his ever-dwindling gigs in the face of the terminal indifference of the folk scene as a whole.

Yep. It's a historical document, unfortunately.

Many thanks, again, for making it - and the Youtube clips - available.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Itxlan
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 01:48 PM

Thank you so much for those videos, Suibhne Astray - especially the interview.

Although I consider PB the greatest folk singer of his day, I never knew him beyond a few brief chats at gigs and the interview was absolutely fascinating to watch. I tried to download an MP3 interview that someone here posted but the links were long dead, so that was the first interview with PM that I've ever seen. I owe you one!

As hard-core PB fans we both want the same thing - to see his work appreciated by the widest audience possible - and if you hadn't posted "The Bellamy Cassette Edition", CJB wouldn't have posted it on TheBox, I wouldn't have posted my recording and nor would I have discovered this forum and all the wonderful reminiscences of PB that I've just been reading in other threads.

I had no idea that he faced such hostility during his final years and was horrified and astonished to read of people getting up and walking out of his gigs.

For me he channeled the spirit of England's past like no other singer - except perhaps June Tabor at her best.

Thanks to CJB for posting an MP3 version of The Maritime Suite. I don't mind if anyone wants to post the FLACs on HTTP. They're out of the bottle now and any commercial release would be remastered from the original tape in much higher quality than my effort which was done on a domestic hi-fi to computer transfer.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 04:14 PM

Actually the master tape(s) have yet to be found, so the FLAC files may be the best we've got - so miracles do happen!!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 04:29 PM

I know, I meant my cassette tape, which I suspect will yield a superior version when processed with professional equipment.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 04:55 PM

For more on Peter see:

http://www.answers.com/topic/peter-bellamy

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Anglo
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 02:40 AM

I'd love a decent copy of this - here in the US. What is thebox.bz? Never heard of it. Is that what I have to join to download a decent-fi version? But the webpage seems to give no info. Pardon my transatlantic ignorance.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GavDav
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 04:58 AM

Delurking from this fantastic thread to just say - I have two different versions of the full MTE suite. one with the conventional title, which I believe is the released version from cassette with a lot of piano on it, the other which also came direct from Peter via a chum of mine is titled "We have Fed our sea" and sounds live/rehearsal ish and has a lot more grungy cello. Vocal performances are also quite different.

I am also keen to promote access to Bellamy's lost stuff - if anyone wants to drop me a line via my website I also have available a printable digital booklet for this album in CD case format which I could probably send/stick somewhere.

www.gavindavenport.com - should be a link to mail me in there.

Gav

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 07:07 AM

Angelo - you have two ways to acquire these recordings...

1. www.TheBox.bz is a torrent file-sharing service. To use it you need to set up a membership (free), but right now you need to receive an invite from an existing member to join. If you do get a membership you then need to download uTorrent 1.8.3 (the ONLY version of uTorrent you are allowed to use). There are loads of folk programmes avail. on TheBox as well as a continual upload of t..v. and radio progs.

OR

2. by 'website' I guess you mean Mediafire.com You need to go to this specific page:

http://www.mediafire.com/?g8of7eqz96t9f

to download the TMES files, including the 110MB MP3 (320Kbps) version. So far 35 folks have downloaded the latter.

Hope this helps.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 08:43 AM

That sounds pretty ghastly too actually. Is all that noise on the FLAC file as well? The way you've all been going on I was expecting crystal clarity, but at least it plays at the right speed and doesn't cut out at the end. Shame we don't have more of the video version really, the sound of which is superior to both. Anyway, let's hope GavDav's is an improvement on things - I'm especially intrigued by the prospect of Ursula's grungy cello!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GavDav
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 09:10 AM

http://www.mediafire.com/?wgked631hk4nmco

includes the booklet.

I also have a digital track by track version of the maritime England suite, but it has quite a bit of trebly noise on it as well.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 09:12 AM

Sorry that the MP3 320kbps file sounds so ghastly to you. Its the highest bit rate available on MP3. And it is the largest file I can upload to Mediafire at this time for folks to download.

Am not sure what you mean by 'tape noise.' As Itxlan stated the recording was made from the line out port(s) of his radio onto TDK metal tape sans any filtering - in 1982 - over 28 years ago. All processing from then on, both by him and myself, has been done with domestic equipment using lossless formats. The resulting FLAC files kindly created and uploaded by Itxlan are only available on TheBox. I have not uploaded them to Mediafire since there is now a project to try and formally re-issue the Suite on CD. Also they are too big for my Mediafire upload and storage allowance.

Hopefully the original master(s) might be discovered lurking in the Beeb's archives - or more likely at the British Library (although their Sound Archive Catalogue has no entries for Peter Bellemy at all).

Failing that the tape from Itxlan may be all that we have, and using professional studio equipment I am sure that a worthwhile CD can be produced.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 09:54 AM

It's the background noise that's the problem, CJB; not good for deep listening but fine for the car I would imagine. I dare say some technical bod will be able to clean up though, so - an improvement I grant, but still far from perfect.

GavDav's on the other hand is the very pip; lots of spirited Ursula, maybe to much for some ears... Shame Dolly didn't use her flute organ though - preferrable to the oot school piano.

Essential stuff though. Many thanks to you both!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 11:17 AM

Gav says: I also have a digital track by track version of the maritime England suite, but it has quite a bit of trebly noise on it as well.

Chris says: Maybe they are the files to use for the CD?

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Itxlan
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 11:39 AM

I'm also very sorry you were disappointed, Suibhne Astray.

I know my recording's far from perfect and I hope I didn't build up false hopes with anything I may have said about it.

As CJB said, the best outcome would be for all this activity to stimulate the Beeb into locating and releasing the original masters if they still exist.

Meanwhile, this thread has uncovered a real treasure-trove of rare material.

@ CJB: Many thanks for the informative link!

@GavDav: Thanks so much for your upload. It's wonderful to hear this rare version of the suite - and to have a proper cover for my iPod version at last. I hope you'll share your digital version as well!

Incidentally, the reason I didn't record the entire Folk on 2 program was because I was using a 90 minute cassette tape (45 minutes per side) which would have meant the tape changing sides somewhere during the second half of the suite. By using the "pause" button during the interval, I managed to avoid that and get a complete recording on a single side.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 12:17 PM

I'm only disappointed because the way you guys were going on back there it was as if you'd struck gold with a perfect recording off the radio, which this isn't by any means, not even by 1982 standards - nor yet do I think it suitable to master a CD from, although I've heard a lot worse.

Are the BBC masters extant? And, if so, can anyone afford to buy them for public consumption? I believe the participants in the session may have right of access, but this doesn't mean they can release them. Many BBC sessions flounder because of this - sessions by Dr Strangely Strange (for example) which were mooted for release by a label as well established as HUX proved too expensive in the end, leaving us clutching our precious MP3s transferred from ancient old reel-to-reel recordings and cherished in the hope that one day there'll be enough interest to justify the expense. Shame they don't have sliding scale based on projected CD sales of any given artist.

The music's the important thing here; it lives on in various forms thanks a few diligent souls who treasure this stuff for more than simple archive interest. So whilst we've a long way go on this one before we find the end of the rainbow, I for one am more than happy with both the FLAC & GavDav's upload of the rehearsal run through, bum notes & all! So - thanks again. Much appreciated.

For what it's worth, if I had to choose one track it would be China Clipper which is as perfect as it gets...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: brezhnev
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 12:50 PM

thanks a lot to all of you for the downloads. just listening to gavdav's latest one. it's truly lovely.

CJB there are 17 pages of the rest of his stuff in the British Library sound archive catalogue, but sadly not the maritime suite.

who's doing the cd project?

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GavDav
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 01:39 PM

http://www.mediafire.com/?d93qazz319rr3tp

should link to mp3 versions of my copy of the tape. (the disc b, according to the sleeve in the previous file)

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 02:41 PM

Thanks for that GavDav - a definate improvement on the other cassette copy, but still with that cut-out at the end of China Clipper! Listening just now to the wobbly MES tracks on Wake The Vaulted Echoes makes me think they don't come from the BBC masters either. According to the booklet it was recorded live (at Wensum Lodge) not in a studio and it is this recording that was broadcast & later used by PB for the cassette.

Also in the booklet to WTVE it says that the suite was originally created around 12 paintings by Al Schmidt, performed with these as back-projections which is presumably what we see edited into the video clip.

*

The full score survives, along with the flute part, so I can see a new recording being a distinct possibility, perhaps with Jon Boden taking the place of PB...

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GavDav
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 02:56 PM

Suibhne Astray wrote: "The full score survives, along with the flute part, so I can see a new recording being a distinct possibility, perhaps with Jon Boden taking the place of PB."

speaking from a biased, and possibly self interested point of view, there are other creditable Bellamy influenced singers apart from JB ;)

Spread the love!

Gav

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 03:12 PM

Agreed - but JB gets the gigs!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GMGough
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 03:16 PM

Suibhne Astray wrote > I dare say some technical bod will be able to clean up though.

I second this motion.

I'm not a particularly technical bod, but I do have a copy of Cool Edit (now Adobe Audition). I haven't been able to get the FLAC version but a very primitve noise reduction on the 320 version has improved my listening experience immensely. The body/fullness of the sound may have suffered just a little, but I am sure a skilled hand would be able to achive a extremely listenable result if not quite returning the piece to "broadcast quality". Is there a techie in the house ?

Geoff

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 04:53 PM

"a very primitve noise reduction on the 320 version has improved my listening experience immensely."

What did you do to 'clean up' the noise. What was the noise - tape hiss?I use Audacity which has loads of Nyquist editing effects. Maybe I can emulate what you did.

Chris B.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Itxlan
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 05:56 PM

It's pretty easy to remove some - or indeed, all - of the noise, but I prefer to let my brain do the filtering and retain the treble brightness. I guess it's a matter of personal taste.

Of course, it's best to introduce as little noise as possible in the first place and although my recording was made on a good system, the tape deck I used to record it on to my computer had seen better days.

There are two main ways of reducing the noise:

1) Applying a standard hiss-reduction filter.

2) Using a custom noise profile. This involves taking a sample of background noise from the very beginning of the tape - before the actual recording begins - and using it as a sample of the frequencies to be removed from the entire recording.

I've used both methods on Part One of the suite in the WAV editor, Adobe Audition, and converted the files to 320 kb/ps MP3s for anyone interested in the results.

The processed files can be downloaded here:

01 - Peter Bellamy - The Maritime Suite Pt One (Custom Noise Reduction).zip

http://tinyurl.com/388x9ng

01 - Peter Bellamy - The Maritime Suite Pt One (Hiss Reduced).zip

http://tinyurl.com/334qy2s

Let me know if you think this is an improvement and if there's any demand, I'll do Part Two and perhaps the FLACs as well.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Mr Fox
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 06:24 PM

I would certainly be interested in part two. The sound is very good, but it is a great enough work of art to transcend pretty much any sound quality (or lack of) anyway.

Beautiful!

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Itxlan
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 07:31 PM

I'm glad you like it, Mr Fox. Here's Part Two as 320 kbps MP3s.

As with part One, the custom noise reduction version is for hard-core hiss-haters. It has no background noise at all.

The hiss reduced version has a little background noise but more treble brightness.

02 - Peter Bellamy - The Maritime Suite Pt Two(Custom Noise Reduction).zip

http://tinyurl.com/35lv3w4

02 - Peter Bellamy - The Maritime Suite Pt Two(Hiss Reduced).zip

http://tinyurl.com/3955kpx

All these links allow unlimited downloads for 30 days.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 27 Nov 10 - 04:13 AM

Hey, they're not bad at all actually, Ixtlan - even the Custom Noise Reduction version, although have you added a touch of reverb?

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GMGough
Date: 27 Nov 10 - 07:11 AM

CJB asked > What did you do to 'clean up' the noise

I tried methods 1 and 2 as noted by Itxlan

In the end I used an equaliser to lower the level slightly on the 5kHz fader. This works just fine for me when I listen on the computer. True audiophiles will prefer a lighter and a more subtle touch. I am so pleased to finally hear this suite. Thanks to everyone.

Geoff

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,Itxlan
Date: 27 Nov 10 - 07:58 AM

Suibhne Astray wrote: "Have you added a touch of reverb?"

No, it's probably a compression artifact caused by the noise-reduction process.

You may have noticed that in heavily compressed speech files - audiobooks and the like - the voice can sometimes sound metallic.

That's an extreme example of the same effect.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Speedwell
Date: 13 Aug 11 - 12:56 PM

Just discovered this thread and wanted to re-thank everyone involved, especially Suibhne, for this superb addition to my Bellamy listening possibilities (not forgetting Dolly and Ursula's accompanying). Next month marks 20 years since PB's great performances. I wonder if anyone is holding any Bellamy events?

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,carbboard cutout
Date: 13 Aug 11 - 01:09 PM

"I wonder if anyone is holding any Bellamy events?" You've missed the Bellamy exhibition and the new production of "The Transports" commisioned and effected by Sidmouth Folk Week earlier this month but it may be repeated in a few months in various U.K. venues

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: freda underhill
Date: 13 Aug 11 - 01:38 PM

Information about the event at Sidmouth 2011

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 13 Aug 11 - 03:24 PM

Bellamy events?

We're doing a free show entitled Bellamy : Kipling with the Tradition at this year's Fylde Festival (Saturday 3rd September at The Mount, 3pm). You can read all about this HERE. We're recording the songs for Free Download on Soundcloud. There's 9 up there so far with more to follow soon & quite possibly a recording the gig if there's room...

Check it out: http://soundcloud.com/earthboundkiplingbellamy

There's also a Facebook page: HERE and a post on the Folk Roots forum HERE.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 06 Sep 14 - 03:14 AM

Hear the original tape on YouTube:

Peter Bellamy : Maritime England Suite

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Feb 16 - 07:13 PM

Just got my first exposure to Peter Bellamy through YouTube's VHS Part THree, with one trad song from the Suite and one Keep-On-Kipling setting.

So I could observe what all the fuss is about. (Learned of PB through the Poems Set To Music thread)

The controversial voice quality: yes, the classical Italian singing teachers have their own insulting word for it: "caprino," which means a young billy-goat. Well, one listens to these performances regardless of same.

Wonder where that performance of "The Liner She's A Lady" comes from. That doesn't look like a rehearsal to me, but what do I know? Most attractive presence and professionalism there, completely dedicated and engaged. Makes it look easy when it isn't.

Thanks you-know-who for putting it online.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: DaveRo
Date: 18 Feb 18 - 01:04 PM

I'll share the cue sheets I made for my flac version of this, for anyone whose audio player supports them*. They go with these files:
01 - Peter Bellamy - The Maritime Suite Pt One.flac (156820505 bytes)
02 - Peter Bellamy - The Maritime Suite Pt Two.flac (149826122 bytes)

Save the text as .cue files

Peter Bellamy - The Maritime England Suite - Pt One.cue

TITLE "The Maritime England Suite - Part 1"
  PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
  FILE "01 - Peter Bellamy - The Maritime Suite Pt One.flac" WAVE
    TRACK 01 AUDIO
      TITLE "Song of the Red War Boat"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 00:00:00
    TRACK 02 AUDIO
      TITLE "Sir Patrick Spens"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 05:39:00
    TRACK 03 AUDIO
      TITLE "Sir Andrew Barton"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 10:38:00
    TRACK 04 AUDIO
      TITLE "The Spanish Armada"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 14:30:00
    TRACK 05 AUDIO
      TITLE "The Zealous Puritan"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 17:59:00
    TRACK 06 AUDIO
      TITLE "The Dutch in the Medway"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 20:45:00

Peter Bellamy - The Maritime England Suite - Pt Two.cue

TITLE "The Maritime England Suite - Part 2"
  PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
  FILE "02 - Peter Bellamy - The Maritime Suite Pt Two.flac" WAVE
    TRACK 01 AUDIO
      TITLE "We Have Fed Our Sea"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 00:00:00
    TRACK 02 AUDIO
      TITLE "Andrew Rose & the Cruel Ship's Captain"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 05:45:00
    TRACK 03 AUDIO
      TITLE "The Death of Nelson"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 09:32:00
    TRACK 04 AUDIO
      TITLE "The British Man of War"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 13:40:00
    TRACK 05 AUDIO
      TITLE "Your Gentleman of England"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 17:20:00
    TRACK 06 AUDIO
      TITLE "The China Clipper"
      PERFORMER "Peter Bellamy"
      INDEX 01 21:25:00

*Tech questions about cue files elsewhere, please, or PM me.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 19 Feb 18 - 06:30 AM

There were plans to re-issue this in CD format a few year's ago. Wonder what went wrong?

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,jfrave66
Date: 22 Feb 18 - 08:33 PM

Well CJB. If we can ever get hold o the Master tapes something might get done

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 23 Feb 18 - 12:23 PM

I understand that the master tapes are around. The latest I heard was an email thus:

"I [respondent] had to shelve plans for a reissue following discussions with Paul at Fellside. Apparently he has plans to issue it at some point. I figured that as he was a good friend of Peter B and he has a tape of the Suite (though I don't know the quality of his recording - it came from Peter Bellamy to him) it would probably be better not to tread on his toes. I pointed hi in the direction of the chap who made it available via the Box in case his was a better copy. I'm happy to have another conversation with Paul, though. If it looks like it might be a while before he can do anything I could always suggest I just run with it. I've already had the blessing of Ursula and Shirley Collins (for Dolly) and Jenny Bellamy (for Peter)."

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,jfrave66
Date: 03 Mar 18 - 09:24 AM

Hi CJB   I have also recently corresponded with Paul by email. He seems interested in the project but is very busy at the moment. The tape he has is the one on YouTube. The cleaner copy that I have heard seems well out of balance.
    I offered to donate some money to Fellside to help with the project.
    I don't think "Rudyard Kipling made exceedingly good songs" which Peter recorded for the now defunct DAMBUSTER label has ever been put on CD. I have a tape of it which Peter gave me which is pretty good quality. Hmmm !
    We live in hope.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 03 Mar 18 - 06:27 PM

Unfortunately, the copy on YouTube contains a couple of technical glitches, and cuts off abruptly halfway through the final track. I've never heard an "uncut" complete copy.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: GUEST,jfrave66
Date: 21 May 18 - 02:35 PM

Anything happening on the M.E.S. cd front? Anyone heard from Paul Adams? I'm reduced to putting PB's lp and cassette - only albums on to cd myself, including a double cd "Elmer P Bleaty's Greatest Hits !
Gives me something to do in my old age.
Still missing you so very much Pete.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 23 Nov 18 - 08:32 AM

advertised by "proper music" as "Maritime Suite"(Fellside)

Format: Compact Disc
This title will be released on November 30, 2018

Peter put together a cycle of folk, Kipling and other songs on a maritime theme which he called 'The Maritime Suite'.
Peter collaborated with Dolly Collins with whom he had worked on previous albums to provide the musical arrangements. With just Dolly's piano and Ursula Pank's 'cello this was the line-up which was featured on BBC Radio 2 performing the suite.
Peter toured the show solo using slides to illustrate the performance.
This is its first time on general release.

https://www.propermusic.com/product-details/Peter-Bellamy-The-Maritime-Suite-We-Have-Fed-Our-Sea-For-A-Thousand-Years-261296

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 23 Nov 18 - 08:47 AM

tracks listed

1.Prelude (Part 1)-
2.Song Of The Red War-Boat-
3.Sir Patrick Spens-
4.Sir Andrew Barton-
5.The Spanish Armada-
6.The Zealous Puritan-
7.The Dutch In The Medway-
8.Prelude (Part 2)-
9.We Have Fed Our Sea-
10.Andrew Rose & The Cruel Ship's Captain-
11.The Death Of Nelson-
12.The British Man O' War-
13.You Gentlemen Of England-
14.The China Clipper-
15.On Board A 98-
16.The Drowned Sailor-
17.The Bold Privateer-
18.Big Steamers-
19.Warlike Seamen

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Reinhard
Date: 23 Nov 18 - 12:28 PM

Both Fellside and Topic Records distribute through Proper Music nowadays, so what you listed is a proper and official as you can get.

Tracks 15-19 weren't on the original cassette but four of these titles were on earlier albums of Peter's so Paul Adams of Fellside may have just added them to fill the CD up a bit with related songs. Or they are outtakes that didn't make it to the cassette. In about a week we'll know...

And like Phil Edwards I wonder why the title has been shortened to "The Maritime Suite", losing the "English".

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: Reinhard
Date: 08 Dec 18 - 03:28 AM

The bonus tracks 15-19 of The Maritime Suite are previously unreleased recordings from Paul Adams' collection of miscellaneous Peter Bellamy tapes. Warlike Seamen is sung by Peter Bellamy and Louis Killen.

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Subject: RE: Peter Bellamy: Maritime English Suite
From: DaveRo
Date: 09 Dec 18 - 03:02 PM

Today's Folkscene on Radio Merseyside starts with a piece about the Maritime Suite, and Fellside's connection with it:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06r4v4c

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