Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 24 Sep 13 - 03:20 PM

So sorry you didn't know sooner Jacky.
You obviously missed this Obit in the Evening Gazette -

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/middlesbrough-songwriter-clive-graeme-miles-3664107

Graeme was a very talented and complex individual - cherish your memories of him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Sep 13 - 10:12 AM

We have only just found out that our dear Uncle Clive has passed away. I will not remember him for his folk songs as we unfortunately lost touch with him but I will remember him for being a wonderful uncle and childhood friend. I will remember him chasing us round the garden pretending to be "King Kong", or playing the many games he designed and invented,"Subbuteo" was one of them before it had even come into the shops. I will remember him for his artistic skills, he drew weird little men called "Trokelocks" which he had displayed on the walls of his bedroom as well as his many other wonderful works of art. Unfortunately he was like a breath of wind, one minute he would come back into our lives and the next minute he would disappear again. That's how he wanted it, so that's how we left it. The last time we saw him was in 1991 when he arrived out of the blue to sing some songs for my Mum and Dad's "Golden Wedding" celebration at the Station Hotel, Billingham. Then as quickly as he came back into our lives he had gone again. May his very special soul rest in peace. Jacky. x

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Apr 13 - 08:12 PM

Ian Bruce has recorded My Eldorado. Anne Murray of Sangsters also sings it but not sure if she has recorded it yet.
Craig Morgan and Robson (Moira Craig being the Scot among them) do a lovely version of When the Snows of Winter Fall.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Jim Parham
Date: 10 Apr 13 - 05:17 AM

Exault him to some high place of music song and rime,
Sing all his songs and ballads through the rest of time,
So that he may be part of you and me, the air in the making,
He'll be part of song's mans' joy
As he sings of the hurt and the pain and the joy of living

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 09 Apr 13 - 10:59 AM

I think Ray Fisher also recorded Over Yonder Banks

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 09 Apr 13 - 10:56 AM

Depending on you regarding Ewan McColl as a Scotsman.

He and Peggy Seeger recorded The Iron Moulder's Wedding

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: maeve
Date: 09 Apr 13 - 08:12 AM

Guest, Ailsa MacKenzie-

Start with http://www.martynwyndhamread.com/ and you won't go wrong.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Ailsa MacKenzie
Date: 09 Apr 13 - 07:10 AM

Can anyone help, please. I have been writing an obituary of Graeme which The Scotsman newspaper is interested in publishing. Can anyone suggest any Scottish singers/musicians apart fromf Archie Fisher who has recorded any work by Graeme?

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Fred Maslan
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 02:45 PM

I had somehow missed knowing about Graeme Miles until I read this thread. It took me on an adventure through various internet sources and it is clear that I have missed someone valuable. I will be singing "Where Ravens Feed" tonight at the Seattle Song Circle.

Fred

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 08:32 AM

UP

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Guest Folkiedave
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 03:03 PM

If there is anyone who would like a lift residing between Sheffield and Middlesborough I am travelling up to pay my respects.

I am happy to deviate (Hull, Leeds - though not both!) and that sort of distance.

Mention it on here and how to contact you. I am on Facebook.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Betsy
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 08:02 PM

See Ya there Hazel

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 10:01 AM

REFRESH

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 03 Apr 13 - 06:13 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: Hoblander
Date: 02 Apr 13 - 03:00 PM

Hello everyone
Graeme's funeral service will be at Middlesbrough Crematorium at 3.00pm Monday 8th April 2013, with a reception at the Little Theatre Club afterwards. It will not be a religious service, but will be a dignified send off for Graeme. No flowers, but donations to Teesside Hospice.
here is a link to Google maps for
Location A Teesside Crematorium TS5 7HD
and
Location B Toft House Little Theatre Club TS5 6SA
map
Please pass on this information to anyone you think may need to know.
Kevin Hall


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Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: Girl Friday
Date: 02 Apr 13 - 12:53 PM

Sad news.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: Northerner
Date: 02 Apr 13 - 12:11 PM

RIP Graeme.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,GUEST, John Lawson
Date: 02 Apr 13 - 10:05 AM

All the above rings true and we share in the great loss. Graeme was a founder member of Stockton Folk Club and we were very lucky that, despite his failing health, he was able to join us last year, firstly with the Ironopolis Singers to perform his songs and verse and later for the Club's 50th bithday party. We will treasure his memory and his songs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Les Sullivan
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 01:02 PM

A great songwriter a sad loss.......RIP Mate

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: goatfell
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 12:40 PM

so sad that he's gone to the great folk club in the sky.
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 11:51 AM

What people who didn't know Graeme don't realise, is that his talents were not confined to songwriting.

He was a brilliant artist particularly when sketching in pen and ink as is evident in the sketches in his songbooks.

He was also invoved in dance having written at least one ballet (that I know of) for a local childrens dance troupe to perform writing not just the storyline but designing the sets and costumes as well.

All this yet like many multi talented people he was driven by the demons of self-doubt which was why so many versions of his songs exist. He was always trying to improve them and could never be convinced that they were brilliant as they were.

He will be sorely missed yet I can take comfort in the fact that I knew him for over 40 years.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Apr 13 - 07:18 AM

What a sad loss to the world of songwriting! I've learned much from Graeme's words over the years.
Thanks indeed to a great man and a good friend to us all.R.I.P.
Rustic

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 31 Mar 13 - 09:52 AM

Broken. I love his songs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 31 Mar 13 - 08:10 AM

... and I forgot to say how pleased I am that he lived to receive his Gold Badge. Well done EFDSS.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 31 Mar 13 - 07:02 AM

I heard Graeme take his turn in the singarounds at the WIlson's club at the Colly in Thornaby many times during the early 1980s. Where did this quiet unassuming man get all those fantastic songs from? I twas only when I asked him about the shanty-styled 'James Cook the Sailor' that I realised the truth.

We all have our favourites, but hearing the Wilsons sing 'Sea Coal' has always sent shivers down my spine. And am I right in thinking that was the first song he wrote? Such economy, such an eye for detail, and such devastating social comment. That's genius.

The WIlsons sing 'Sea Coal'

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 09:23 PM

So sorry to hear this too. Martyn Wyndham- Read was at Edinburgh Folk Club last Weds and sang at least one of his songs, and I have the CD of Martyn singing his songs. One of my favourites is "When the Snows of Winter Fall". Lovely version by Craig, Morgan and Robson. I think just about every singer will want to sing his songs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: cujimmy
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 05:47 PM

Very sad to learn of the passing of this charming man and gifted songwriter, his legacy will last forever though as we sing his songs and pass them on to others RIP Graham

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Willa
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 05:32 PM

So sorry to hear this.

It has given me great pleasure to listen to, and more recently to sing some of Graeme's beautiful songs and they will certainly continue to delight others. My own favourite is When the Snows of Winter Fall, but I find all his songs so evocative!

You tube has versions of grace Notes singing Exercise 77 and Martyn Windham Read and Iris Bishop performing My Eldorado and Where ravens Feed

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 11:43 AM

RIP
Thank you for sharing your greatness with us.
Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: Young Buchan
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 11:35 AM

As he (almost) said:

When I am dead, and in my hole laid
(For there's one for the purpose I'm keeping)
Put my spade on my grave
And engrave on the blade:
The King of Songwriters lies sleeping.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Folkiedave
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 10:59 AM

He came for lunch one Sunday after visiting the Sheffield Carols at Dungworth. Whenever we met he always mentioned my soup! A truly great man. I echo all the other thoughts and add this.....

Mike and Norma Waterson used to sing one of his lesser-known songs "The Young Engineer". It tells the story of how people came from all over to build the Forth Road Bridge starting at each bank at the same time of course.

"Oh where is the young lad, the young engineer,
Not seem him in these parts for nigh on a year.
Well if you mean Johnny, you'll find him up North,
At work on the new bridge that spans o'er the Forth.

and ends with what to me is still one of the great lines in contemporary folk song:

...as the men from the south and the men from the north,
will meet and complete the bridge over the Forth".

RIP Graeme, Sympathies from Helen and I.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP (29 March 2013)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 07:06 AM

Sad, sad news about a shy genius. There is consolation for us all in that we still have his songs to sing, or that wonderful artists like Martyn W-R to sing thewm for us. Graeme's memory will live on through his songs. Goodbye and thank you Graeme. Elaine and I send our full sympathies to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 10:26 PM

Martyn and David Jones brought Graeme's songs to us in the US. At a very wonderful late night sing at the FSGW Getaway many years ago, people just kept adding songs, and though it was after 2AM, we couldn't quite manage to stop.... then out of the darkness came David Jones voice singing (for the first time we'd heard it.."My El Dorado". And when he finished, there was a brief silence, and people just quietly got up and went off to bed.

I hope Graeme has found his El Dorado at last.

Subject: Graeme Miles passed away.
From: GUEST,Bluegrassman
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 09:18 PM

It is sad to report that Graeme Miles has passed away. Graeme wrote many great songs about industry around the Teesside area and was one of the founders in the early days of Stockton Folk Club….

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: KT
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 04:50 PM

Will think of him with gratitude every time I sing Where Ravens Feed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 04:25 PM

His wonderful songs will long be sung and remembered - a great loss to the folk community.
Ali x

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: Elmore
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 04:11 PM

Knew his work chiefly through Martyn Wyndham-Read. A fine writer. he'll be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 01:36 PM

sad news, I met him quite a few times on my forays to the north east, and we had some interesting chats, we worked out that we were very distant cousins.
   RIP Graeme. Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 11:58 AM

Sad news indeed, but inevitable in view of Graeme's recent downturn in health.
We're all so grateful for his legacy of fabulous songs. Such an impressive body of work, demonstrating so deep an understanding of so many facets of life, working practices and folk culture. Graeme's muse was an inspiration par excellence, and his EFDSS citation was so richly deserved.
It was a privilege to have known Graeme, albeit only for a relatively short time, and it will always continue to be a privilege to be able to sing, and share, his songs.
By sheer coincidence, I had chosen to sing Where Ravens Feed (one of Graeme's very finest creations, IMHO) only last night at the Black Swan folk club in York, following a conversation with Martyn Wyndham-Read, the night's booked guest, himself one of the foremost interpreters of Graeme's songs. I could not imagine a more fitting tribute to Graeme's memory than this incomparably beautiful, moving song.
We can all be glad that Graeme's suffering is over now and that he will be able to rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 09:50 AM

A wonderful songwriter and a very nice person to talk to on the few occasions that we met. He would always greet you fondly and he was very kind about our club last time he was there.
He leaves a great legacy.
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 09:20 AM

Oops, that's talking!

C

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 09:18 AM

We were just taking about him at Whitby Folk Club the other night and hoping he would be ok. Sang "Waiting For The Ferry" which Mick said was his favourite GM song. Sad news, rest in peace.

Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: GUEST,Kevin McLean
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 08:57 AM

He didn't write love songs or songs with girl's names. He wrote about life, mostly poetic about Teesside, and to get poetic about Teesside takes a true gift. He wrote about the Ring Of Iron, about Blue Sunsets and the emotions of conscripted servicemen heading to Germany. Where did it all come from? A great bloke, shy, sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 08:57 AM

I only met Graham once, briefly, but will miss his presence among us like everyone else. We are so lucky to have been left his legacy of songs. No lonely places for them, or for his memory. R.I.P. Graham.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: RTim
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 08:33 AM

A really great song writer. Sad that there will be no more new songs.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: Morticia
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 08:22 AM

This makes me sad, I was quoting one of his songs only yesterday

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 08:21 AM

One journey ended, and another begins.   RIP Graeme.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 08:08 AM

I just want to re-echo the sentiments above. Hopefully his spirit will have found those lonely places where ravens feed!
geoff t.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 07:43 AM

Sorry to hear this news. When I first started singing on Teesside back in the 60s Graeme's were almost the only local songs then. He's left us a great treasury of song and is a sad loss.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: GUEST,flying cat
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 07:36 AM

so sorry to hear this news. He'll be sorely missed.
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: Betsy
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 07:30 AM

What a truly decent man he was.
A great inspiration to the many songwriters who "tried their hands " at song-writing , and it's all because of him and his wonderful song-writing that so many gems were unearthed.
You'll hear one or two at every singing session.
Shine on Graeme , you'll be sadly missed.
Doc Rowe - could you please post arrangements when you receive them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: doc.tom
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 07:23 AM

So sad. What a gift he left us. RIP dear man.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: alex s
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 07:05 AM

A great song writer.
RIP bonny lad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: The Doctor
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 06:37 AM

I had heard that Graeme was ill, and probably terminal, but it's still very sad to hear that he's gone. He did, though, leave us hundreds of children, and as long as people keep singing his songs he'll never be completely gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: GUEST,IainG
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 06:31 AM

Sad news indeed, RIP Graeme, another great talent moved on to that great big singaround

Subject: Obit: Graeme Miles: RIP
From: GUEST,Doc Rowe
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 06:02 AM

Sad to report that Graeme Miles died early this morning. Graeme, who only recently received his Gold Badge from the EFDSS, has been in a Middlesbrough Hospice for the past few weeks. The sun is shining on his adopted Teeside today, his suffering is over and we miss a talented and remarkable character.

Doc Rowe