Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester

Subject: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 01:17 PM

Does anybody know if and how we can get hold of a copy of that movie about "The Blues and Gospel Train in Chorlton, Manchester".

DVD would be prefered so that we can show it through a projector in The Back Bar of The Beech

Cheers

Les (Promotions of Chorlton)

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Will Fly
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 02:02 PM

Ah, Les, but did it take place in Chorlton...?

But did it...?"

On a more serious note, the film was made by Granada TV, so it might be worth contacting them or their heirs for information on availability.

I recall seeing it on TV at the time - loved it!

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 02:58 PM

Four tracks, two by Muddy Waters and two by Sister Rosetta Tharpe are included on the DVD "The American Folk-Blues Festival2 "The British tours 1963-1966" HIP-O Records B-0008353-09.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 03:26 AM

Thanks Ms/Mr Hootennanny, a number of parts of the TV programme occur on Youtube but the whole programme has been show here in Chorlton, Manchester a number of times.

Good point Will, it actually took place one stop along at "Chorlton Wilbraham" which is technically in Whalley Range and was renamed "Chorltonville" for the day. That part of the track was taken up and has been The Fallowfield Loop cycling and walking track for 10 years. Bits of the station can still be seen but nothing much.

It will be 50 years on 2014 and something should be done!

Les

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 07:17 AM

By 'eck Les, you sure know how to make a guy feel old. I wasn't at the station, although I know someone who was. But I did catch the tour all those years ago at Liverpool Philharmonic.

Forty seven years ago, eh ?. Let me see, I must have been all of three at the time.

BTW. BBC 4 showed a terrific documentary on Sister Rosetta Tharpe a while back, (called The Original Soul Sister (?)), which had some elctrifying footage from that programme.

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 07:36 AM

Scarry hey Fred? Just after I discovered the Spinners and turned to a life of debauchery(?) and old songs.

I didn't see it when it came out but because we live in Chorlton now it pops up at local events and we home in on it when it's on TV.

I quite fancy showing old balck & white films in the pub where we sing and play tunes:

here

Any reason to get people in will do - to keep "The Best Little Pub in Chorlton" open really.

Les

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 07:41 AM

Well, there will be plenty to choose from in this new DVD, Here's a Health To The Barley Mow, including I think, the entire film of the Ship at Blaxhall which Peter Kennedy made in the early '50s.

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: GUEST,AlanG at work
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 08:41 AM

Mention the Blaxhall Ship and I'm bound to pop up.
I'm currently working in Suffolk (yes on a Saturday) and I'm staying at the Blaxhall Ship.
We had an inpromptu singaround on Wednesday night, another singaroud at the Eels Foot Eastbridge on Thursday night and an Irish music seaaion at the Ship last night. It's so good I won't want to come home.
But if you get the DVD Les, let me know so I can make sure that I'm at the Beech to watch it.

Alan

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 08:50 AM

Thanks Fred, great idea! Alan, we will expect a full report illustrated with songs and tunes

Les

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 02:06 PM

So, in search of the Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester

L in C#

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 03:00 PM

There was a local showing five years ago, according to this page - some names there to chase?

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 03:15 PM

And a bit more about it here - "the old Alexandra Road station", apparently.

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 03:13 AM

Of course, the tour was called a "caravan" and not a "train".

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 04:13 AM

Thanks folks - still searchin

L in C#

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 05:06 AM

Is it worth asking at Granada? Or at the Manchester Institute for Popular Culture at the MMU? I think CP Lee who spoke at one of the earlier screenings linked to above has or had something to do with MIPC.

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 05:15 AM

Try the National Media Museum in Bradford. I don't know whether they rent out documentaries, but I believe they have facilities on their premises, where members of the public can watch them.

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 06:27 AM

Les - there's a reference to the film being shown in 2006 by The Manchester Music Archive. The reference it the bottom of this page.

Worth a try, perhaps.

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 07:50 AM

Thanks Will - from that page:

"42 years on, it was a long held assumption that the footage no longer existed - in fact Granada TV themselves were understood to not own it. But on a similar damp, wet evening in February of 2006 (approx 1.5 miles from the original station site) and hosted by The Manchester Music Archive, the film was shown to a sell out audience of Blues and R&B fans - compared by local music culture historian CP Lee and with a performance from blues legend Victor Brox"

I have left a message for CP Lee on his facebook today. I think the film was shown as part of our Big Green festival last year and am surprised that no one has come back to me locally with tha answer.

Thanks again

Les
Maybe we will show that new EFDSS DVD instaed?

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 08:42 AM

Ok folks have a promise of the loan of a DVD! More details as and when.

L in C#

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 03:46 PM

There was a guy at the Hideaway club selling copies of this, I bought one and lent it out and it came back ruined. If I can track him down I will let you .Terry

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 07:07 AM

I have a copy now which works well. It may be that trying to copy some DVDs destroys them

L in C#

Subject: RE: Blues and Gospel Train in Manchester
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 05:25 PM

i just watched loads of sister roetta on you tube;including the platform songs.what a singer and guitarist.