Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin

Subject: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 06 Sep 03 - 02:12 PM

I have been asked by a friend to find out more about this singer.

I have heard OF but never actually heard, Melanie Harrold, and always in glowing terms. Why did she perform, and I believe record, as "Joanna Carlin" ? Was it a recording contract thing ?

Also, does anybody have any memories of a folk program called Sweet Somerset, on which Ms Harrold used to appear as "Joanna Carlin" ?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Murray

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From:
Date: 06 Sep 03 - 03:16 PM

Have a look at:

Tommy Eyre Sessions - Musicians' Olympus

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 06 Sep 03 - 03:41 PM

She also did a TV-musical/drama some years ago, called (I think: I'm relying on memory) "Orpheus In The Underground" which was a re-telling of the Orpheus legend. Can't remember any more details about it, though.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 03:16 AM

No info on why the name thing...........but a lot of performers do have stage names.......Mel has a great voice and apart from her solo stuff was also involved in the Hank Wangford band known as Irma Cetas the sweet alternative..........there are also references to her duetting with Ollie Blanchflower.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 04:37 AM

If she sang with the Hank Wangford Band then I have in fact seen her perform.

Still interested to know why she adopted the "Joanna Carlin" pseudonym.

Murray

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Mr Red
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 04:50 AM

Last time I saw her was a Trowbridge and she had just written a song about Rudolf Valentino on advice from what she called a "speedy" guy in the music marketing business. The film about him was out at about that time.

That was in the days when the Festival was in a marquee behind the pub.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 05:19 AM

At a guess I'd say the Joanna Carlin thing, being in her early days of performing, may have been to distance her stage persona from the other well know Melanie who was quite popular at the time.

The "orpheus" TV was as JC IIRC

There has been, I think, at least one other female singer with the Hank Wangford Band after Irma/Joanna/Melanie left so it's possible that Murray may not have seen Melanie (unless he recalls that it was Irma he saw).

To add some extra bits, after leaving the HW Band Irma did a few gigs with a band as "Irma and the Squirmers", I saw them in the Dublin Castle, Camden.

She did also tour with one of the unrecorded Albion Band line ups I saw at Stoke Newington Town Hall about 1979/80. I say unrecorded but a quick check up of Ashley's "The Guvnor Vol 1" has a live track from that tour and it reminds me what a good Albion line up that was:

Melanie Harrold
Doug Morter
Andy Roberts (also ex HW Band where he was named "Brad Breath")
Barry Dransfield
Martin Simpson
Dave Mattacks
Ashley Hutchings

In my memory I thought Ollie Blanchflower was also in the line up I saw but they probably didn't want another Bass player.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 12:59 PM

I only know her from the album Lovely in the Dances - Songs of Sydney Carter. That is powerful stuff, worth finding.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Lanfranc
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 02:38 PM

Mel turned up at St Albans FC (Breezy's club) last year (or was it the year before?), along with another name from the past - Chris Rohmann.

She was in fine form, and I had sort of hoped that Breezy would offer her a gig, but there's been no sign of it so far.

She doesn't do much in the way of gigs these days by all accounts, which is a pity, but concentrates on teaching singing and music therapy.

Her CD "From the Heart" with Ollie Blanchflower was out of production last time I looked, but I have a vague memory that it might be available through a German label. I will have a hunt round and see what I can find. Her version of "The Last Leviathan" on that CD is still definitive IMHO.

A great lady and a terrific singer and guitarist - not a bad songwriter either!

Alan

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: harvey andrews
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 07:01 PM

Mel and Chris turned up at St Albans to see their old mate Harv! Actually I was responsible for Mel's career in a certain strange way.Her father asked me to visit and listen to his young daughter. I think he wanted me to put her off the profession, but I heard her sing and said "You can do it!"
The name change was because of the other Melanie as I remember. She rang me and we talked about it and came up with Joanna Carlin,("Rag trade" for those of you who remember the TV series) this was sometime ago, over thirty years I think. it was great to hear and meet her again at St Albans.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Phil Shepherd
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 05:05 AM

Phil Shepherd,
Hi-found this link when searching for Joanna Carlin-my only knowledge of her is the beautiful singing she did on 'The Slater's Waltz' (Stackridge Mr Mick Album. I always loved her warm voice on that track. Mutter Slater singer flautist with Stackridge once told me he never actually met her as they recorded their vocal parts for the duet separately. Would be interested to hear other stuff she may have recorded.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 05:57 AM

She is also on the CD 'Daphne's Flight':

Track listing
1. Over and Over
2. Ain't No Sunshine
3. Another Year, Another Day
4. Calling, The
5. Gone
6. Letter, The
7. Father Adieu
8. Guilty
9. Shake Out Your Silver
10. Circle Round the Sun
11. Rise Above the Tide of Life


Album notes
Daphne's Flight: Christine Collister, Julie Matthews, Helen Watson, Melanie Harrold, Chris While.
Personnel: Chris While (vocals, guitar, dulcimer); Helen Watson (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Christine Collister (vocals, guitar, shaker, tambourine); Melanie Harrold (vocals, guitar); Julie Matthews (vocals, mandolin, piano).
Recording information: Big Room, Kirk Michael, Isle Of Man (01/14/1996-01/25/1996).

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: cptsnapper
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 06:00 AM

By coincidence yesterday I dug up the lyrics to Valentino with a view to singing it again.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: evansakes
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 07:20 AM

Back in the mid 80's Mel Harrold was teaching singing utilising the Alexander Technique. I was one of her pupils for a while. She may still be doing it as far as I know

Irma Cetas nails 'Love Has No Pride' with the all-star Hank Wangford Band

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Quentin Fletcher
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 02:21 PM

I saw Mel perform at a Jazz gig just before Christmas. Playing piano and singing as a guest of the Alan Pimental Trio - with Ollie Blanchflower on Bass. Still as wonderful a person and as wonderful a singer as ever!

Q

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 03:02 PM

T fill a gap, in January 1985 Melanie formed a band and played on the London pub circuit, I think the debut was at the Bull & Gate in Kentish Town and she then had a sort of residency at the Sir George Robey in Finsbury Park. Ex Wangfords Gary Taylor and Steve Donelly were in the first line up I remember, and were an extremely fine band. Later in the year she did a show at the Edinburgh Festival with different musicians - possibly called Irma Cetas & Molotov Cocktails, whom I saw at a warm up gig in Battersea Town Hall. I used to have a tape of that but can't see it just now.

Meanwhile ex Wangford Andy Roberts was doing the London pub rounds with his Tex Maniax. Melanie told me that towards the end of 1985 she received a phone call asking if the Hank Wangford Band could do some gigs in Majorca (I think). She explained that Hank had been touring with a new band for some months, but she might be able to get "a Hank Wangford Band" together for these gigs - which happened, so a Hank Wangford Band without Hank became a working unit again under the name "Irma & the Squirmas", bringing in other musicians to replace members when other commitments took them elsewhere. Unfortunately the band decided to call it a day later in the year and played a blistering final gig at the Dublin Castle in Camden Town.

I must have seen them at least a dozen times, great music and very nice people.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 03:21 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y9kIpjJRyE

Melanie in 1979 with the alternative Albions - a great band!

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 05:51 PM

http://www.4shared.com/file/247043017/dbb4152e/Irma_the_Squirmas.html

I'll take you back to January 1986 with Melanie singing in Irma & the Squirmas at the Bull & Gate in Kentish Town, absolute magic - play this very loud!!

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 23 Mar 10 - 06:37 AM

I saw Melanie sing a couple of songs with the Tex Maniax at the Sir George Robey in December 1984. Andy Roberts and Tim Renwick on guitars, BJ Cole on pedal steel, Paul Riley (I think) on bass and Howard Tibble on drums, not forgetting Al Stewart on saxes - another great evening a long time ago!

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Splott Man
Date: 24 Mar 10 - 04:57 AM

I recall that the other singer in the Orpheus thing was Chris Farlowe.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Hasti
Date: 01 May 10 - 05:05 PM

Al Stewart doesn't play the sax. He always had excellent saxophone players such as Phil Kenzie or Dave Camp to play on his songs (not just Year of the Cat !). While Tim Renwick and BJ Cole played on his albums , I can't imagine that he would have been a casual musician in that band, excellent though Joanna Carlin was.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: scouse
Date: 02 May 10 - 06:00 AM

I remember Melanie years back performing with Ollie Blanchflower at the Skagen Fest.in Denmark. Simply fab. Later that night or early mornin' out in the garden of a friends house she sang Al Taylor's "Roll on the day." Said it was one of the songs in her life that really influenced her.
As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 02 May 10 - 08:17 AM

Al Stewart doesn't play the sax. He always had excellent saxophone players such as Phil Kenzie or Dave Camp to play on his songs (not just Year of the Cat !). While Tim Renwick and BJ Cole played on his albums , I can't imagine that he would have been a casual musician in that band, excellent though Joanna Carlin was.

It was a different Al Stewart of course! This Al Stewart or it may have been Stuart, I don't know, didn't sing. But I do know that was his name.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,stan
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 02:47 PM

I have a Joanna Carlin demo on DJM records from about 73/74 is it rare and worth holding on to as Im having a clearout and dumping vinyl i dont want ????

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 10:32 AM

Melanie also appears on the LP "My Very Favourite Nursery Rhyme Record" by Tim Hart and Friends (more or less the then line-up of Steeleye Span with others) released by Music For Pleasure (MFP 50542) in 1981. She sang with Maddy Prior and others on Mary Mary Quite Contrary, Old Macdonald, Oranges and Lemons and Once I Caught a Fish Alive, and she had the solo lead vocal on Bobby Shaftoe.

She also (as Joanna Carlin) took over as lead vocalist in the Natural Acoustic Band in December 1972 when the amazing Krysia Kocjan left, but apparently never recorded with them.

Neil

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Robin Kingsland
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 07:44 PM

I was introduced to Melanie Harrold's Music by a college girlfriend, Alison Peters (As was)I loved the music (and Alison too, at the time).I vividly remember the "Valentino" song. Much later, (1982/3?)I saw her gig at the Kings Head theatre in Islington. Later still I waas booked to apppear in a Bob Eaton/Sayan Kent penned show, "Country" @ the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, and was surprised and delighted to find Melanie in the cast. A lovely gracious lady. She used to run our vocal warm-ups, and I know she worked on a book about how singers use and can improve their vocal technique.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 12:57 PM

I knew Melanie when I was a child. She visited us in Cornwall, with her then boyfriend, Tim. I can remember her singing and playing and thought she had a beautiful voice. You are all right, she told us that she called herself Joanna, as Melanie (Brand new key) was popular around the time she was starting. Carling, dont know, but possibly because it was more catchy than Harrold?

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Treacle Bolly
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 05:10 PM

Here is some information which went out with promo copies of her single "I Live In the City" (as Joanna) in 1976 on the DJM label:

"25-year-old JOANNA CARLIN was brought to the attention of DJM Records through JASPER CARROTT. The two used to play at the Boggery Folk Club and, in fact, are to go on tour together in May.

"Joanna's first single on the label, "I LIVE IN THE CITY", was written after her return to London from the Balearic Islands where she'd spent some months touring the South of Spain, singing in restaurants en route, trying to save enough money for her fare back to England!

"Lately, she's just finished recording 14 shows for HTV titled "Sweet Somerset", to be broadcast this summer.

"Joanna can also be heard singing lead vocals on "Slaters Waltz", a track taken from the latest Strackridge LP "Mr. Mick", currently receiving very good reviews from the music press."

What chance I wonder of those TV shows even still existing let alone anyone hearing them again ? From a few Googles it seems Joanna/Melanie was in every show with a changing cast of folk acts. Anyone remember this series ?

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 03:29 PM

Two further Al Stewart connections - Krysia Kocjan joined his band and they also operated separately as "Shot in the Dark".

I certainly do remember "Sweet Somerset"(although I had forgotten the title). Fred Wedlock was the main performer and there were various others guests including Al Stewart and Joanna Carlin. This was how I became aware of her and I actually went to see her perform in a pub at Banwell, near Weston-super-Mare. She played most of the stuff from her album and I also recall her playing "Hotel California" !This was in 1977 or 1978 .

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 03:45 PM

My moble ring is Melanie singing "Last Thing I Needed" from the 1984 unreleased Hank Wangford Band album - that's turned a few heads I can tell you!!

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Peter Butler
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 06:53 AM

The pub in Banwell was The Bell - home of the Bell Folk Club, which ran in the skittle alley behind the pub. It was probably the worst shaped room in which to run a folk club; it was dirty; the chairs were seriously uncomfortable - yet it was often packed out and we had some of the best evenings entertainment in the country.

I was one of the organisers from around 1977 to the time we called it a day in 1984.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: evansakes
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 11:03 AM

This Thursday Melanie Harrold/Joanna Carlin will be back onstage (in the guise of Irma Cetas) with Hank Wangford and The Lost Cowboys at the Half Moon, Putney.

Bobby Valentino is also down to appear

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 03:14 PM

I saw her in a pub in Bristol, duetting with Ollie Blanchflower, in about 1987. She sang "I Live in the City", and we bought her tape after the gig. She had a fantastic stage presence. I remember it vividly.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 04:05 PM

I see that I saw her with Ollie B on 4th February 1991 at the Dartford Folk Folk Club.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,pete
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 07:23 PM

In the mid 1970s, Joanna/Melanie was the support for a UK tour of Loudon Wainwright III. Something tells me this was at the time that Bell records had recently signed Loudon.

I clearly remember a concert from that tour at Oxford Polytechnic which. at the time, was experiencing a student 'sit-in', a quaint expression, as a protest against increased accommodation fees at the halls of residence. After the show, Mel came into the occupied admin block to perform a couple of songs for the benefit of those occupying it and who'd clearly missed the concert. Loudon, perhaps not surprisingly, declined to attend. Mind you, he'd got rattled on stage earlier when performing "Be quiet, there's a baby in the house" and had failed to quiesce the audience sufficiently... A teensy primadonna that night. As an aside, I learnt that night that Mel's parents ran a hotel in Truro at the time.

Still enjoy listening to Blue Angel, available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Angel-Melanie-Harrold/dp/B000056096/ref=ntt_mus_ep_dpp_1 even now!

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Mar 11 - 11:52 AM

I found this thread after finding "I Live In The City" on You Tube.

I'd been looking for it for over five years and someone finally just put it up at last in December 2010.

I remember hearing "I Live In The City" on one of those features showcasing new songs that listeners could vote on to their playlists (Beacon Radio's "Beacon Ballot" in 1979. I voted for it and bought the single, alas it never hit the charts.

She was going to present a rock show on Beacon Radio in late 1979 (I remember the promos she recorded), but it never materialised.

She is a music therapist in South London now and also the founder of the "Raise the Roof" choir. Check it out here:

http://www.raisetheroofchoir.com/Raisetheroofchoir/Welcome.html

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Treacle Bolly
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 11:12 AM

Just to mention that her two solo albums - Blue Angel as MH and Fancy That as JC - are getting a "twofer" CD release next week (Nov 15th) and can be ordered on Amazon at the moment.

I scanned a few picture sleeves of her singles earlier in the year for this project so will be interested to see if they make it to the finished booklet !

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 11:56 AM

She once borrowed my guitar to do a floor spot in the Stonehouse in Bristol, when she tagged along one night with Steve Payne and Keith Warmington. Great performer and a lovely lady.

PS. Peter Butler's right about the shape of the room in the Bell at Banwell - crick in the neck stuff trying to eyeball all the audience! I did a couple of floor spots there back in the late seventies (Alan Taylor was certainly one of the booked guests, can't remember the other).

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: Girl Friday
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 01:52 PM

Back in about 1990 I was not just running the Folk Club at THe Lib Club, but I was a Social Secretary for my ward. Asked to put on a musical evening, I approached Barb Jungr and Mike Parker, who I knew would fit the requirements. They could not do it, as being resident musos for Julian Cleary they were busy with t.v. work. Barb organised for me to have Melanie and Ollie, and I trusted her completely.


They were sensational.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,A fan
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 04:27 PM

I saw her perform as Joanna Carlin in the late 70s in Bristol - I think she was supporting Jake Thackray at a gig and I was so impressed I bought the LP 'Fancy that' at the venue. then tried to follow her. Bought 'Blue Angel' as Melanie Harrold and lost contact until much later when i got hold of Daphne's Flight. I'd love to get a decent copy of Rainbow Over the Hill with the Albion Band from 79. The you tube recording is rubbish but she shines through it. Also there are a couple of youtubes of her with the Hank Wangford band under the stage name Irma Cetas plus some other bits where she is a supporting vocalist for HW and AB. the newly released double Cd of the two albums is worth getting as it has some good sleeve notes. But if she recorded anything else I would buy it straight away. Truly fantastic singer.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST,Charles Butler
Date: 28 Feb 12 - 01:18 PM

Regarding the name change, I understand it was because of the pop singer, Melanie, and the thought that it might clash.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 12:41 PM

guest
Melanie is performing at the Half Moon in Putney on April 18th 2012 and The Kings Head in Crouch End. To celebrate the re- release of the two albums she made in the 70's. Liam Genockey and Richard Brunton along with Pete Beresford.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 12:42 PM

Guest
King's Head Crouch End London Friday April 20th.

Subject: RE: Melanie Harrold / Joanna Carlin
From: maeve
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 09:50 PM

http://www.melanieharrold.com/