Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)

Subject: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music
From: cptsnapper
Date: 29 May 13 - 11:52 AM

I've just received the following news. For those of you who didn't know Eric or Ray they were fantastic inspirational people> You couldn't ask for better friends. May he rest in peace.

Good Afternoon

It is with regret that I email you all to tell you that Eric passed away last Thursday.

I am Eric's solicitor/executor and he left me with instructions to email everyone in his address book and use the words - "Eric Cowell wishes to inform you that he has snuffed it!"

His funeral is to take place at the Cambridge Crematorium on 7 June at 12.45 in the West Chapel.

All are welcome to attend - Eric asked me to say that come in what you like, including wellies.

If you would like to contact me - I can be reached at [e-mail] or 01223 393880.

With kind regards

Sallyann Short

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music
From: treewind
Date: 29 May 13 - 01:11 PM

Brewhouse was (amongst other things, I'm sure) a recording studio a couple of villages away from here. I have had a brief experience of recording in his studio, and that's the only time I met Eric, but his gentle eccentricity certainly matched the description above.

R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 May 13 - 01:53 PM

Eric Cowell.R.I.P.
I Recorded several times with Eric and Ray,I enjoyed their company, and was delighted and pleased to play a part when he became reunited with his daughter.
It was a pleasure knowing them both, Ray was an excellent illustrator of mushrooms and fungi., and Eric was a charming man
This is a really sad day for me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: cptsnapper
Date: 30 May 13 - 06:50 AM

I forgot to note in the original email – Eric's wishes are that there is to be no form of gathering after the service, he was strongly against the idea of any type of wake. I would be grateful if you are in touch with any of Eric's friends/acquaintances who are intending to attend the funeral that you could let them know this.

Many thanks

Sallyann

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 May 13 - 08:47 AM

I too live in a nearby village, and was among those recorded on Brewhouse by Eric at his Wicken studio. Valerie and I also had much hospitality from Ray and Eric when they used to have their musical evenings back in the eighties. They were a fine couple. My condolences to all those near to him.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: GUEST,.
Date: 30 May 13 - 11:22 AM

Eric had been very kind to me over the years. I shall think of him fondly. Such a nice man..

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: cptsnapper
Date: 31 May 13 - 01:01 AM

I'm trying to gather information about Ray & Eric with a view to publishing an obituary for Eric. I Know that they established Brewhouse Music in 1986 and that they also organised a competition to encourage new performers in association with the National Folk Festival. Any further information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

George Norris

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: cptsnapper
Date: 31 May 13 - 09:11 AM

It's occurred to me that bearing in mind Eric's love of sailing boats & shanties it might be good to sing the farewell shanty outside after the ceremony

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: GloriaJ
Date: 31 May 13 - 09:27 AM

I got the above message too.I never met him, but he was very helpful with my researches into Frank Kidson, because apparenbtly his wife Ray was a descendant of Kidson's.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 31 May 13 - 10:02 AM

Yes, I remember now: Ray was planning some work on her ancestor Kidson and asked if I would collaborate on it. But alas she became ill soon after that and the project never got off the ground.

~M~

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 May 13 - 12:50 PM

They started brewhouse music at breeds farm which had been a pig farm,   they involved a number of local musicians in a recording of kidsons work called pedlars pack, this involved phil and pip lyons, barbara griffiths , fiddler john and roy griffiths, formerly of english tapestry.
john heydon might be able to help you with the song writing competition information.
they recorded HOME ROUTES WITH DICK MILES AND RICHARD GRAINGER,and one of my solo recordings they also recorded the shanty crew and the shanty group molly hawks.
Eric had previously worked for BP, both of them had spent a lot of time in Africa. people that might be able to give you more info are joe stead, chris roche, roy griffiths.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: cptsnapper
Date: 07 Jun 13 - 10:53 AM

It was a lovely tribute to Eric. There are plans afoot to organise a tribute concert in his name to raise funds for the Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge. Further details will be given later.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jun 13 - 11:41 AM

I played cape clear for him about 12 25, here in ballydehob

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: GUEST,Roy Griffiths
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 01:42 PM

I have only just heard about Eric today (20th June). he was a very good friend and I am very sad to hear the news.
We lost touch a little when I moved to Poole from Ely in 2002 but I last spoke to him about four months ago.
I helped him build the studios at Brewhouse and spent many hours with him behind the desks as well as doing many recordings there.
I shall never forget the day we went 'mushrooming' with him and Ray enjoying eating the fruits of our labours afterwards.
He was a kind and giving man and he will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 02:19 PM

hello roy , if you wish to contact me, i have his daughters phone number, also if you put in a search for dafaid'sdais@fungalforay you will see some of rays work and a tribute to eric from his daughter ellie

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 02:23 PM

Dafad's-Days, sorry

Subject: RE: Obit: Eric Cowell of Brewhouse Music (May 2013)
From: GUEST,patti hatswell formerly cowan
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 01:16 PM

I am so sad to find that both Ray and Eric have passed on. I discovered them when seeking recordings of Sea Shanties for my then v ill husband who had been a purser with the orient line in 1920/30's on the Australia run. my husband saw many working sailing ships and seamen and loved the shanties. Eric wondrously obliged and my husband was delighted. I have the cd still.
I became friends with Ray and Eric, visiting on occasion and bringing my dachsie Mollie. She played endlessly with Ray and Eric's little dachsies and they had her to stay while I went somewhere, nicknaming Mollie 'little playmate'. Ray became unwell during our friendship time and Eric would ring and have long conversations. They were such an inspiring, talented and loving pair. I am so sorry I shall not be able to speak to them again but hope to meet again one day in the Great Meadow in the sky. Pat x