Flash Company - Trad. ballad group

Subject: Flash Company - Trad. ballads
From: Wavestar
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 11:19 AM

Hey all - I had the pleasure last night of attending the finale concert of the Scottish Poetry festival Stanza (it's not actually that impressive, it's pretty small) and seeing the traditional ballad group Flash Company, introduced by Sheena Wellington. Despite the fact that they were all clearly freezing their butts off on stage, the performance was lovely, and they did several songs I knew as well as many I didn't, also variations on the ones I did know.

What can you Mudcatters more up on the scene tell me about this group and it's members, and recordings I might look out for? Any comments, if anyone else has seen them?

-Jessica

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: John J
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 01:08 PM

There's atrio of lads from round Stockport/Macclesfield area called Flash Company. They do 'Coppersongs' type stuff very well. Ian Ball (who happened to be the best man at my wedding, I still haven't forgiven him!) Dave Houghton (known as 'Crocket'), and Dave Cook. They've just brought a CD out.If you need more info '[e-mail]'. Cheers John

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: Wavestar
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 01:39 PM

Hmmm... sadly, John, this does not appear to be the same group I saw last night. Although I am very bad with names and appear to have lost my program, this is definitely a different group - two women, and four men, although only three of the men were there last night. One of the women was disinctly from Dundee, and two of the men were Aberdonian. Err. Think, Jessica, names... I've probably got these all wrong.

Aileen ?, Maureen Selk, Tom Spiers, Arthur... oh dear... and another gentleman whose name I can't recall. The missing fellow was Chris Miles, I think.

This help? -J

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: AndyG
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 02:41 PM

Bloody 'ell John J,

Are Flash Company still going ?

I knew them back in the early 70's at
Steve Mayne's Poynton singarounds !

(And taking the piss out of Fiddler's Fancy)

Thanks for mentioning them :)

AndyG

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: Jock Morris
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 09:57 AM

Chris Miles is a member of Flash Company, and is also most definitely female. Aileen Carr? by any chance. Sorry I can't supply the rest of the names.

Jessica, ever free on a Wednesday night and able to get down to Dunfermline? If so come join as the Dunfermline Folk Club, Thistle Tavern, Baldridge Burn 8:30pm.

Scott

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: Jock Morris
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 10:29 AM

Found some info on a St. Andrews uni webpage about them.

Tom Spiers, Arthur Watson, Pete Shepherd, Aileen Carr, Maureen Jelks and Chris Miles.

Scott

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: John J
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 11:52 AM

Well AndyG, Flash company reformed a bit back to make this here CD thing (Ian's got a 32track in his spare room). I'm waiting for my copy, although I may get it this Thurs pm cos Crockett may be coming to the Railway at Heatley, near Lymm (good beer / music / song every Thurs). And what's all this abt extracting the urine from Fidler's Fancy?! I used to musician for them with Stan Gee and many many others. In fact I met my wife thro Fidler's Fancy......I've never forgiven them. Is Steve Mayne still around? I see his coaches, but he seems to have sunk without trace. John

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: AndyG
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 12:13 PM

Sadly I heard from Steve Turner many years back now that Steve Mayne died in the 80's (Heart Attack IIRC), but I left M/C in 1982 and have lived in Cambridge since.

Alright, not quite taking the piss, but if you were around you know what I mean. (aka friendly rivalry)

AndyG

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: Wavestar
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 12:35 PM

Thanks Scott!

Yes, indeed, those are they. Sorry about the Chris Miles confusion, if I ever meet her, I'll apologise.

I'd love to come down to Dunfermline, but I have class Thursday morning and the busses run at odd times... no chance of a ride ever, is there? I know several other students who would be very interested.

-Jessica

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: Jock Morris
Date: 11 Oct 00 - 03:51 AM

Jessica,

You'll have to persuade one of your fellow students to buy a car. I'm afraid I live out the other side of Dunfermline, so I'm not well placed for giving you a lift:-( Might manage to meet up sometime though at a festival somewhere; or how about having a Scottish Mudcat gathering?

Scott

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: Wavestar
Date: 11 Oct 00 - 11:53 AM

Scott- Some of them do have cars, but not the ones interested in folk music, I'm afraid. I'm looking into bus schedules, but I really don't like busses (motion sickness) and I'm told it's an hour and an half ride...

A festival or Mudcatter's gathering might be a lot of fun, though :)

-J

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: John J
Date: 11 Oct 00 - 12:22 PM

AndyG

Thanks for the info on Steve Mayne, how very sad. He was a very good singer, and whilst only half the man he was was after his op to reduce his weight, a lovely bloke. Steve Turner......another name from the past! You're making me feel very old. OK on the rivalry....yeah, there's probably more (friendly) rivalry between morris sides than anywhere else! OK on ur move to Cambridge. I'd probably recognise you if I saw you....we seem to know the same people. I used to play melodeon for Fildler's Fancy, sing a bit, drink a lot, ride a motorcycle too fast........you know the rest I'm sure! Cheers, John

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: Jock Morris
Date: 12 Oct 00 - 03:32 AM

Jessica,

I've PMed you about meeting up sometime; thought that was better than clogging up the threads.

Scott

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: GUEST,Murray Macleod
Date: 12 Oct 00 - 06:19 PM

Does this mean that "Palaver " no longer exists ? Aileen Carr, Maureen Jelks and Chris Miles were a trio of this name when I was last in Scotland. And bloody good they were too. (Even without Gordeanna McCulloch)

Murray

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: GUEST,Yum Yum
Date: 13 Oct 00 - 05:44 AM

What is Maureen Jelks doing these days? She used to come across to the singing weekends in the North of Ireland quite a bit in the past, then, she seemed to just vanish! I bought her tape from her at the Slieve Gullion singing weekend a few years back and still enjoy it. It would be nice to know if she is still doing the rounds. MORE TAPES MAUREEN !!! That's what is needed.

Yum Yum.

Subject: RE: Flash COmpany - Trad. ballads
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 07:03 PM

As far as I know both Maureen and Aileen are bringing out solo CDs, probably in the 'Tradition Bearer' series of The Living Tradition and Greentrax (? not sure about the latter). I saw the whole gang at Stonehaven Folk Festival in the summer, but didn't realise they called themselves 'Flash Company'. It's not in the programme. Still, the concert was a joy!