Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Doctor
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 05:57 AM

I should confirm what jugmws has said. All my recordings were made originally on cassette, generally battery powered, and I transferred them to CD much later, having cleaned them up as much as possible.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: r.padgett
Date: 27 Feb 24 - 03:07 AM

Yes sorry to hear from Peter Taylor that he is unwell ~ hope for better fortune in the future

English Tapestry were an accomplished trio and certainly recordings ought to be preserved and acknowledged for their quality

Ray

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,jugmws
Date: 26 Feb 24 - 04:43 PM

Just to correct something written above.
The recordings I sent to Peter were almost all live recordings, not copied CD's. He would already have had those. Seems a long time ago now when we were at La Jeusseliniere. It really would be great to hear the tapes they have withheld, but they were/ probably still are such perfectionists. Sorry to be a 'guest', but I have forgotten how to get in. Its an age thing for all of us oldies.    m

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,BlackAcornUK
Date: 26 Feb 24 - 02:25 PM

Hi Peter, I'm really sorry to hear about your Parkinson's - it sounds hard, and I hope you're maintaining good spirits.

I'd be interested to hear the material you have recorded, as also for CND's captured radio sessions, mentioned above!

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Doctor
Date: 24 Feb 24 - 05:45 AM

I was taken poorly, shortly before Christmas 2017, when I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Initially it had little impact, but about four years after that it started. I have given up driving, which restricts my travelling, I have an electric bed, which rules out staying over-night anywhere, and worst of all, in my opinion anyway, it has taken my voice and left me with a croak.
Apart from Christmas cards we haev heard nothing from Ruth and Brian, but there is nothing to suggest anything has changed with them. I still have my recordings, 6 or 7 CDs of them, I'm still on the lookout for more, and I'm still willing to negociate over swapping.
Peter Taylor

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: r.padgett
Date: 24 Feb 24 - 03:31 AM

Jonti ~ I failed Geography, well actually didn't take it!

Mick did some copying of CDs of a number of old mainly traddy singers

not too long ago

Mick should be able to supply ETs songs recorded

Peter Taylor was taken poorly and I don't know what happened since

Ray

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 23 Feb 24 - 09:06 PM

I certainly had at least one recording of them at Folk Union One which I was involved in the running of at the time.

I may have some stuff from a Cleethorpes festival.

Will try to locate same.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 24 - 09:01 PM

My friend Mick Shaw....mentioned earlier in the thread by Raymond Padgett... who thought Mick Shaw lived in Bolton-on-Dearne.... but i don't think he ever did. He lived in Swinton Nr Mexborough but he's been living in Rawmarsh for over 20+ years. Mick used to religeously record stuff on reel to reel off the radio for many years. If anyone has English Tapestry recordings it'll be mick, contact me by text or phone if you want Mick Shaws contact details.
Jonti Willis Tel. [phone]

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,John Hadland
Date: 21 Jan 23 - 04:50 AM

The large Brittain family with Steve Reynolds stayed with me in St Bees in 1978. I was greatly impressed by their enthusiasm and lovely music at Egremont Folk Club. Are recordings or manuscripts yet available?

Best wishes to them all!

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Ian W
Date: 28 Jan 22 - 12:34 PM

I have just digitised a tape of E.T. doing a harmony workshop at Bracknell Festival in around 1972. It's not at all good but goes some way to illustrating their technique.
Greatest respects, Brian and Ruth, if you're seeing this: our tongues are lolling in hope of hearing your tapes.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Feb 21 - 07:11 AM

phone [phone], ruth and brian brittain. when i posted this on oct 2016 they were happy to be contacted

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Doctor
Date: 14 Feb 21 - 07:03 AM

The situation, sadly, is still as it was back in Jan '14. I believe Brian has made some progress on computerising his tapes, but where next remains a mystery.
cnd, if you've got some recordings I should be interested to know what's on them.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: cnd
Date: 13 Feb 21 - 11:21 AM

Black Acorn, a mudcatter named Alan shared with me some of his digitized live radio recordings just short of a year ago. Among them were two performances by English Tapestry -- "Nettle Wine" and "The King's Daughter."

I'm not aware of another released album by them, but am willing to share them with you if you're interested. Some very nice vocal harmony

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Feb 21 - 08:57 AM

BrianBrittain , of English Tapestry was a perfectionist , it is very unlikely they will release any more material

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,BlackAcornUK
Date: 13 Feb 21 - 07:53 AM

Oo-er, apologies for the last post - accidentally submitted early;

Intrigued by this thread - I just acquired the generally very solid 1974 Folksound Records compilation LP 'The First Folk Review Record' (also featuring Nic Jones, Peter Bellamy and others):

https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-First-Folk-Review-Record/release/10536813

...And I'm very taken by the two English Tapestry pieces (Valentine Chant and Whitsuntide Carol).

Does anyone know if the possibility of a proper release has progressed at all? I'd love to hear further recordings by them; I'm generally a fan of this sort of dramatic, austere harmony singing with certain Early Music resonances, as per some of TYT's best matetial; and also THE Valley Folk.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,BlackAcornUK
Date: 13 Feb 21 - 07:44 AM

Intrigued by this thread - I just acquired

Ghu

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Guest101
Date: 26 Jan 18 - 09:12 AM

English Tapestry were simply Fantastic! Somebody needs to check their facts or memory.... One of Brian’s sons was never married to anybody for 19 years! (Maybe 10 years tops!) Poor Debbie! Still a liar after all this time!

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: Speedwell
Date: 15 Jan 18 - 11:06 AM

Recently got a vinyl copy of The First Folk Review with two ET tracks on it - the only ones I know of. See https://mainlynorfolk.info/folk/records/folkreviewrecord.html

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 18 - 01:09 PM

Sadly, I don't do Facebook, Freddie, but many thanks. Perhaps my ladyfriend will be able to assist with that, though. I will also read Carl's post.
Meanwhile I have had a useful contact from The Doctor, which may lead to getting some decent recordings.
Great resource, this: I must get to know it better.
Have a good 2018
Ian

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 27 Dec 17 - 12:46 PM

Guest Ian W

This facebook link here leads to an exchange which should give you the info you need to get hold of Carl Whittaker who posted as a guest on 8 Oct 2016 and has recordings which would interest you.

Best of luck in your search.

LFF

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Ian W
Date: 24 Dec 17 - 04:45 PM

E.T. retired some years ago. They are a cherished memory in my English Trad Folk experience, especially as I was offered a place in the group back in the early 70s. (I had sound reasons to turn it down but this remains a major regret in my life.) I've never heard such thrilling arrangements and they were huge fun to sing.
If anyone out there has listenable recordings of E.T. in their heyday, which for me was the 1970s, I'd be glad to do a deal for access to them.
Ian W.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 04:12 PM

phone [phone], just had a lovely chat with them ,please feel free to contact them, ruth and brian brittain.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 04:00 PM

rose cottage main street little thetford cambs, cb6 3ha, uk

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 03:39 PM

they lived in little ely near thetford cambs, brian brittain, i believe they are still there.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 07:50 AM

If anyone can contact the family could you please tell them that I have recordings of them singing at Filey Folk Club in the 1970s when my Godfather Pat Parsons recorded many gigs. It would be a great pleasure to pass copies to them.
I have placed a list of folk singers who appeared at Filey Folk CLub at the American Bar on my facebook page, Carl Whittaker.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: Speedwell
Date: 09 Jul 15 - 12:21 PM

As a singer and lover of English folk and harmony singing I would be very interested in any snippets of English Tapestry recordings that may be made available. Could The Doctor please PM me re. this if/when anything emerges? Very many thanx.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Ian W
Date: 27 Jun 15 - 01:29 PM

One of my greatest regrets is that I had to turn down the chance of singing with E.T. in the 1970s. I have still never come across such thrilling arrangements, which tended to make three voices sound like five.
Brian Brittain was reluctant to divulge his arrangements when I spoke to him some years back but "Lucy Wan" is still on my want list. I hope the scores will one day be available. Such a shame that they recorded so little. Their vinyl album must be a treasured possession somewhere.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 May 15 - 03:17 PM

unfortunately dave bryant is no longer with us.but he will undoubtedly leading the singers up above.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,debbie merrick
Date: 23 May 15 - 03:04 AM

I know Ruth and Brian Brittain very well i was married to one of Brians sons for 19 years , i havent seen them in a couple of years but sometimes see them in tesco,s , last time i heard Ruth and Brian sing was about 15 years ago and it was stunning and i just have to say i agree they should make recordings , but i can see Brian is still the same , everything must be perfect , they are such lovely people too !

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,hillydan
Date: 21 Sep 14 - 05:52 PM

Yes! They're in my kitchen!
:-)

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 03:59 PM

http://www.martin-kingsbury.co.uk/articletapestrycopy.htm

http://missingepisodes.proboards.com/thread/3172

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=91383

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,David Collier
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 05:20 PM

Many fond memories of the beer and singing at College folk club in 71-4. ET were a don't miss.

David

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 10 Jan 14 - 04:06 PM

I put my Folk Review albums on cassette a few years ago & photocopied the notes, and sold them for a three-figure sum each to a dealer from Leeds. Regret I can't entirely recall the details.

~M~

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 10 Jan 14 - 04:01 PM

Guest Jane, I think you'll find that snatch of lyric is almost certainly from Steve Ashley's 'Fire And Wine.' Very fond memories of these regular visitors to Southport's Bothy FSC decades back. They set the acapella bar high for sure, and Brian was a perfectionist in any case. btw, I have both Folk Review albums in good nick - am I a rich man then?! Obviously from this thread, ET were much-loved and remembered with affection - rightly so.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Doctor
Date: 10 Jan 14 - 10:39 AM

The problem with recordings is the same as it has always been, namely that Brian does not want any recordings made available that are not absolutely perfect. Which is why they only ever recorded those two tracks for Folk Review. Certainly the recordings I have are of very variable quality, from the very good one I made to the almost appalling ones that were made with little battery-operated cassette recorders. I can well understand why Brian doesn't want those in the public domain. But the fact is that they are out there, and the only real solution is to provide all the fans with some decent recordings. I am still working on it, but the trouble, as always, is time. Brian wants to put his rehearsal tapes on to the computer, but can't find the time to do it. I shall keep working on him.

Guest Jane, we were at Farningham at the same time, as I started going late 1971 and left summer 1973, by which time I was running a Sunday singaround. Fond memories.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Black Belt Caterpillar Wrestler
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 05:35 PM

I can tell you that they were feature on Folk on Two on 6th September 1983, performing Brigg Fair, Charming country life, Farewell Nancy and Laggan Love.

They were also featured on 1st May 1984, performing Spencer the Rover, Underneath Her Apron and and Kitten on the Keys.

I presume that these were the BBC's own recordings.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: r.padgett
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 08:38 AM

Dr Peter Taylor is working on recordings and Mick Shaw from Bolton on Dearne way has some recordings too ~ both I believe in contact with each other, heard nothing lately

Ray

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: Mick Tems
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 09:27 AM

I saw them at The Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe in the 1970s and they were just superb. Brian's hair was an absolute mane with a bushy dark beard - he looked most impressive! I think there were tape recorders on the go that night...

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 06:57 AM

thank goodness it's not my memory playing tricks on me, and other people remember them as fondly as I do. Early 70's, in the barn at Farningham Kent, (resident band Skinner's Rats)Had to be there mega early on English Tapestry nights to get in. Anyone else remember "Winter's comin' in, we live a shorter day"? I can still hear that in my head, and I still get goosebumps from it. PLEASE, if anyone can get anything of theirs on CD, no matter how scratchy, it's so worth doing.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,daisydown
Date: 28 Jun 13 - 04:03 AM

This is a great thread. I used to sing in the folk clubs in and around Cambridge the same time as English Tapestry. Seeing that there are a lot of recordings on YouTube these days I was hoping to find friends from the 70's. I am still in touch with a couple of members of The Crofters. I've lived near Cambridge all these years - might have been neighbours. Now we are in Swanage. I was disappointed not to find more photos of ETapestry. perhaps their lives are full and happy enough without going back to the past.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Pollywog's Dad
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 10:09 PM

Sadly Andrew Taylor passed away on Saturday 23rd February 2013.
He always treasured his time with English Tapestry and valued the training that Ruth & Brian gave him. I have one track of Andrew singing with the Lassington Oak Morris Men which I will try and post on youtube as soon as I can. The only track of English Tapestry I recall is of them backing Ralph McTell (I think) in a track called Kew Gardens (I think)

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 13 - 10:00 PM

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Anon
Date: 24 Feb 13 - 09:27 AM

The First Folk Review Record
Various Artists

Folksound FS 100 (LP, UK, 1974)

There are two tracks recorded by ET on this old LP if you can find one.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: Irene M
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 03:04 PM

There was some English Tapestry recorded off the radio on at least one of the cassettes I loaned to Chris Brady (?) 2 years ago for digitising.
Chris, are you still alive? Sane? Doing anything with the cassettes?

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: rumanci
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 08:20 AM

I'm another one who really hopes the recordings do happen and more power to your persuasiveness please.   They were part of the backdrop of my youth and my love of harmony today and for that I'm thankful but I'd love the source and the resource to be available for all to learn from and love too for all the right reasons in the word and world.
rumanci

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Doctor
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 05:46 AM

I've just heard back from Ruth and Brian, with a list of third voices as follows:
Roy Harris (not THE Roy)
Andrew Taylor
Ross Winston
Steve Reynolds
Dave Griffiths
Roy Griffiths (no relation)
James Eisner

They are still interested in sorting out their recordings, but not ready yet. I live in hope. They still live near Cambridge.

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Jan 13 - 06:01 PM

Hello Roy, hope you are keeping well.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: GUEST,Roy Griffiths
Date: 22 Jan 13 - 11:51 AM

I sang with Ruth and Brian from 1980 - 82. James Eisner followed me and I replaced him again for a short time round about 1984 if I recall correctly. After that it all ended.
No recordings I'm afraid due to Brian never thinking it was good enough.
A shame really, I have one or two records of practice sessions we did and a couple of concerts too.

The first member was someone called Roy who was from St Neots and subsequently moved to Swanage, Dorset I believe.
Andrew Taylor followed and is the one most people remember.
Then there was another chap and I'm afraid his name escapes me at the moment.
Dave Griffiths followed him and finally me in 1980.
I moved from Cambridgeshire (where Ruth and Brian still live) in 2002 and have not seen or heard anything of them since then.

If The Doctor (above) does manage to persuade Brian to transfer anything to CD I would be very interested!

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: r.padgett
Date: 21 Dec 12 - 04:34 AM

O eck I must have a pirated track or two (given to me)!

Ray

Subject: RE: Help: Are English Tapestry still about ?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Dec 12 - 12:28 AM

They actually recorded a couple of tracks [one of them only seconds long] on one of Fred Woods' Folk Review records [which I still have on cassette somewhere, having sold my originals to one of these dealers who paid literally !00s of £ for rare old vinyl folk!]. But apart from that, no indeed, they never recorded becoz Brian was such a perfectionist that he never felt quite ready for it - to paraphrase a bit freely from how I recall his putting it at the time I interviewed them for Folk Review back in the 1970s. {If I feel a bit more energetic later in the day I might just see if I can turn up that interview in my full file of Folk Review, if I can just remember where that has got to. On the other hand - I might not!}

~M~