Urgent: info on Tom Paley

Subject: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Chris Seymour
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 09:40 PM

I'm writing liner notes for a forthcoming album of a trio that includes Tom Paley, and I'm having a devil of a time reaching him, so I need some basic info I bet catters know. I have enough information on his time with the New Lost City Ramblers but am looking to learn things like:

--how did he get into folk/old-time music in the first place?

--how did he hook up with Woody Guthrie?

--What has he been up to since the Ramblers, first in Sweden and then in England?

Answers to these questions and/or suggestions for other info sources are most welcome -- the printed sources I've found so far mostly focus on the Ramblers, not before or after.

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Stewie
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:39 AM

It's a bit old, but Folk Roots (now fRoots) had a feature article on him by Dave Peabody in May 1994, issue 131. The Musical Traditions site has a review of a New Deal Stringband CD, recorded in London in 1998-99, and an album of Swedish fiddle tunes with his son Ben, both recorded by Wildwood Acoustic label. It gives a Lancashire address for this label. You may be able to contact him via that source: Wildwood Acoustic PO Box 12 Carnforth, Lancashire LA5 9PD.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 11:17 AM

Tom posts regularly to the FIDDLE-L list; I could get you an email address for him if that would help, and you don't already have one.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 01:20 PM

I knew Tom quite well back in the 50's When he was first at Yale and helped organise the Yale hoots. Later about 1954 or so he was teaching at U-Conn. in the math dept.. and active in the folksong club. Many parties etc. there. Also have clippings from the U-Conn newspaper involving his singing. Have made c-60 tapes of him singing at u-Conn. ALso have current Address shall I post it here??? What is the best way to contact you??? Allan

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 03:09 PM

I forgot to add I have a 10 inch LP put out by Electra in 1953" Folk songs from the Southern Appalachian Mountains Sung by Tom Paley" with the following songs. Shady Grove, The millers song, The lord by the northern sea, THe old grey Goose, Banjo pieces, Jackaro, THe jealous lover, Deep Water, Girl on the green briar shore, Little Maggie. I can make you a copy if you wish Tom always had little in jokes such as when singing Jackaroe the line "To leave his darling girl behind" became "To leave his darling girl's behind" Oh well.

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 10:48 PM

There was a killer version of "Buck Dancer's Choice" (solo guitar) on that 10-in. Elektra LP, wasn't there ?

God, Tom is a fine musician. His "Railroad Blues" just blew me away when I heard Tom do it in '61 at the first U. of Chicago Folk Festival.

Art

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Chris Seymour
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 11:20 PM

Thanks, all --

The Folk Roots article is most helpful, Stewie. How I obtained a copy is another wonderful story of friendliness and cooperation among folkies. I checked the usually excellend NY Public Library music collection, but that very issue of the mag was missing. I called Sing Out! and left a message, hoping their library had a copy and they'd be willing to fax it. Then I checked out the fRoots website, hoping they'd have back issues online. They didn't, but I e-mailed them, and got into an e-mail exchange with editor Ian Anderson, who ultimately faxed me the piece. Meanwhile, Sing Out! assistant editor Jeff Millar had agreed to fax me the piece, too -- I called him when Ian's fax started coming across the machine and told him he needn't bother.

But, Stewie: I can't find the reviews on the Musical Traditions site -- can you point me in the right direction?

Anyway, yes, Allan I have an e-mail address for Tom, but he's in Sweden, and checking e-mail sporadically. But yes, I'd love a copy of the Electra record -- sounds wonderful. Shall I send you a blank cassette? Should I post my snail mail address here? So kind of you...

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Stewie
Date: 24 Jun 00 - 03:06 AM

Hi Chris, if the following links work they should take you to the reviews.

Fiddle album

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Stewie
Date: 24 Jun 00 - 03:10 AM

That one appears to work. I don't know what happened to the other one - I certainly put it into the message.

New Deal album

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 24 Jun 00 - 09:06 AM

Yes If you will post your snail mail address I will make a copy of the 10" electra record. dont worry I have plenty of C-90 tapes. I can also include some of his early playing from the 1950's. The address I have is his home address for snail mail. I dont want to post it on the net. The cut of Buck Dancers choice is unbelieveable Will lok out for your address. Allan

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 02:15 PM

Ok thank God the Cat is back. Chris I will stand by for your answer Allan

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Chris Seymour
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 10:43 PM

Thanks for the links, Stewie -- most helpful.

Allan, you are most kind -- my actual, physical address is

155 Lafayette Ave. #3C, Brooklyn, NY 11238 USA

Again, thanks.

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 08:56 AM

OK I will start to put together a C-90 Tape to in clude the Electra 10" and lots of material that I have fron the 50's and 60's it is possible that I have some old photos that I can copy as well Thanx for the address. Allan

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Art Thieme
Date: 03 Jul 00 - 04:00 PM

Tom and the recent band are going to be at the Chinkapin festival at a nature center o

Subject: RE: Urgent: info on Tom Paley
From: Art Thieme
Date: 03 Jul 00 - 04:05 PM

Sorry, I didn't mean to post that. I meant to delete it. I couldn't find the info for this festival---but I do know that it'll be at a nature center --maybe the Forest Park Nature Center or something like that -- outside of Peoria, Illinois in July (but maybe August)

Art Thieme.