Help: Man with a Microphone (Sydney Carter)

Subject: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 09:16 AM

This from another message board. Anyone able to help?
Subject: The late Sydney Carter and 'Man with a microphone'

Dear all
Sydney Carter died recently (Times obituary 18.3.04, p.27). He was, of course, best known for 'Lord of the Dance' but he was also a major figure
in the English folk song revival.
He wrote and sang a rather clever parody about copyright which, thanks to lis-copyseekers, I have now identified. It is called 'Man with a
microphone' and is based on the 'song of seduction' theme in English folksong, but instead of the innocent young country maiden losing her
virginal innocence to a smooth talking seducer, in this case, the innocent young country maiden is persuaded to sing her folk songs to a
charming young man from Tin Pan Alley who turns them into pop songs and makes a fortune, leaving said innocent young country maiden with
nothing.
I am currently planning a programme of copyright awareness presentations for new staff and it occurred to me that playing the track might liven
things up a bit as well as making some useful practical points.
The music and lyrics are available on the Internet but, although I have tried Amazon, I have not been able to find out if the recording is still
available.
Are there anyone out there who would know?

Best wishes

John

Dr. John Crawford,
Library Research Officer,
Glasgow Caledonian University,
Room 302, (3rd floor)
6 Rose Street,
Glasgow,
G3 6RB
Tel: [phone]
Email [e-mail]

RtS

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: GUEST,Jim Ward
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 10:21 AM

I remember this one. One line was "He took my country ditties down".
I've got all the words somewhere but can't remember where.I'll have a search later on if nobody else comes up with them.

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 11:23 AM

There's a pretty good place to look for lyrics called DigiTrad. Just search for Microphone.

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Little Robyn
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 03:46 PM

It's right there in the DT.

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 05:19 PM

Dr Crawford makes it clear that he knows that the words are available; he is not looking for the words. He is looking for a recording of the song. Surely I'm not the only one who actually read the message?

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Cattail
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 07:21 PM

Man with a microphone was on this album, (and possibly others).

"Sydney Carter and Jeremy Taylor at Eton"

Released in 1967 on the Fontana label.

Disk No: STL 5418

I don't know if Fontana is still going,(was it part of the Philips
group?) or where they could be contacted.

Sorry I can't help any more.

Cheers for now

Cattail !

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 08:45 PM

G'day RtS (and, maybe even Dr John Crawford ... ?),

I also have this, sung by Sydney Carter, and an Australian-pressed LP Words, Love, Music, Move Records, 156 Colins St, Melbourne.

This seems to have been a local sub-label of Radio Corporation Pty Ltd. I suspect it was licensed from a UK label - the LP has several other singers (Sheila Hancock, Chan Ming Lye, Melinda Lim, Jeremy Taylor & The Martindal Four) all doing their interpretations of Sydney's fine songs.

I have no idea if any of this is still in pressing - presumably the retentive "Stainer & Bell" - Sydney Carter's last publisher - would be the ones to ask (They do seem to have a terrible record of his songs sung by the Swingle Singers!).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 02:41 AM

refresh

RtS

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 02:39 AM

...one last time
RtS

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Little Robyn
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 03:03 AM

We learnt it from a radio programme in the 60s - The Folk Song Cellar!
Surely there are copies of this somewhere, perhaps at C# House if not still held by the BBC???? Sydney Carter himself was doing the singing.
Our copy is on R to R tape and very hard to access these days. One day we plan to put all our old tapes onto CDs - but not yet.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: elizabeth
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 07:06 AM

This sounds useful. Does this mean you know the tune, Little Robyn?

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 11:50 AM

Little Robyn, don't leave it too long -- it may be too late! See Sound archives decaying.

Steve

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 12:44 PM

Dr. Crawford might want to find a singer who could record it for him or perform the song live, if a recording cannot be found. As best I can recall I discovered the song on the pages of Sing Out. I would have thought it to be more widely recorded.

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: Little Robyn
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 03:51 PM

How soon would he need it? My husband Mitch might do it if I twist his arm....
Robyn

Subject: RE: Sid. Carter: Man with a mike
From: GUEST,ken Johnson
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 05:17 PM

i have been singing it for several years and could burn it on a cd if needed    ken