The photographs of Brian Shuel

Subject: The photographs of Brian Shuel
From: Tony Rees
Date: 03 Dec 18 - 05:52 PM

Over on another thread ("A repository for your music pictures...") I mentioned the work of acclaimed UK folk music photographer Brian Shuel, mainly active in the 1960s and responsible for numerous record covers on labels such as Topic and Transatlantic, but expanded far beyond those needs, and was mildly surprised to see that his work has been little discussed on Mudcat. So I would encourage anyone interested to visit his archive which is online at http://www.brianshuel.co.uk/and you will be amazed at what is there, particularly if you have an interest in the greats of the UK folk scene of the 1960s - most are there, together with a number of lesser known artists today. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: The photographs of Brian Shuel
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Dec 18 - 09:04 AM

amazing photos, Tony, thanks for the link. I've spent far too much time looking at pics when I was supposed to be doing other stuff. His Abstract folder is one I have, tho I call mine "patterns' for pics that do not fit into other categories.

A few of these artists have been to Australia & it was good to see younger pics of them. I had a great time putting faces to people I've read about, especially Redd Sullivan as he played an important role in the early days of the Bush Music Club, est 1954 as part of the nation-wide movement to collect & re-popularise Australian songs & tunes to counter the increasing Americanisation of Australian culture.

Redd introduced the club to Charlie Mopps which was adapted with local pub names, and had several extra verses added, & became the Club's unofficial anthem & is still sung enthusiastically today.

sandra

Subject: RE: The photographs of Brian Shuel
From: Will Fly
Date: 04 Dec 18 - 10:20 AM

I've long been a fan of Brian Shuel's work, from the days of Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, etc. His work is available to buy but, understandably enough, is not cheap.

Subject: RE: The photographs of Brian Shuel
From: Tony Rees
Date: 04 Dec 18 - 12:09 PM

His "customs" category alone - which includes morris dancers, folk plays and much more - has 3,000-odd pictures, many of them taken in the 1970s and 80s, presumably while researching his 1985 book "The National Trust Guide to the Traditional Customs of Britain". The archive is a must for anyone interested in traditional dances of the UK etc.