Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 08 May 05 - 12:39 AM

Anyone go to the funeral? I believe there were lots of folkies there.
I heard that Lou Killen sang Grey Funnel Line as the casket was leaving and everyone stopped and joined in.
Wish we could have been there.
Farewell Cyril.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: breezy
Date: 07 May 05 - 03:47 PM

St Albans Windward have

Johnny Collins shanties and trad

John Breeze beard and balls

George Papavgeris songwriter-singer

Chris Flegg    jazz-blues-standards-folk-original

Christine Connolley writer and singer and all woman

Steve Last song reaper

others to be confirmed

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: breezy
Date: 07 May 05 - 01:38 PM

or

friday 20th May

in St Albans

at the Windward

in memory of C T

£5

same beneficiary

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Rasener
Date: 07 May 05 - 01:25 PM

Friday May the 20th 2005

"In memory of Cyril Tawny"

at

Market Rasen Folk Club
Faldingworth Village Hall
N'r Market Rasen
Lincolnshire

Faldingworth lies North of Lincoln on the A46 and about 4 miles before you get to Market Rasen.

The Artists appearing and offering their services free are

John Conolly
Shanty Jack
Hissyfit

All proceeds will go to a nominated charity as approved by Cyril's wife Rosemary.

Entrance fee £5

Doors open 7:45pm for a start of 8:15pm until 11:00 - 11:15pm

Bring your own drinks and food.

The evening will have a Cyril Tawny feel to it, but that does not mean that all the songs will be from songs written by Cyril.

I look forward to seeing lots of support for this event and will update information as we get near to the evening.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 06 May 05 - 05:19 PM

BBC Radio 5 Live's obituary programme, Brief Lives, is including a tribute to Cyril Tawney in this week's programme. Broadcast on Sunday 8 May at 6am, repeated at 7pm. Radio 5 is not a digital channel – it's on MW 693 or 909.

Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Canberra Chris
Date: 04 May 05 - 08:50 PM

'Sammy's Bar' that is! Free and easy slip!
Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Canberra Chris
Date: 04 May 05 - 08:40 PM

Cyril was a thread through my singing life too, hearing Adge Cutler and the Wurzels rendition of Five Foot Flirt, singing Sally Free and Easy on caving trips in the back of a transit, The Young Traditions' Chicken on a Raft, and right now arranging Sally's Bar as a duet.

The Shiny Bum Singers did a parody of Grey Funnel Line (The Old IBM) in our first performance at the (Australian) National Folk Festival in 1999, following which I appeared in the famous 'stairwell' late night session in my performing business suit, to be greeted with verse after verse of extemporisation to 'Grey Flannel Suit'!

How wide the ripples roll, how much fun he inspired, what wonderful songs he wrote. I await with interest his wry commentary on heaven.

Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: breezy
Date: 04 May 05 - 06:25 PM

friday 20th May we are holding an evening at the Windward club in St Albans dedicated to his memory

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Veronica Rickard
Date: 04 May 05 - 06:08 PM

I have been listening to Cyril since the early seventies. Now
I am involved with the Howth Singing Circle in Dublin and I have
sung many of Cyril's songs - particularly his children's songs.

I am very sad that he has died - I will sing a song in his memory
at our session tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Janner
Date: 04 May 05 - 04:40 PM

lucky enough to see and hear cyril at the Dartmoor folk Festival a few years ago.

deepest condolences to his family

Sleep well

Hope they have not stopped the Tot up there

sowenna
from a Brylcream boy to a jack tar

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 30 Apr 05 - 05:35 AM

The Skipper's in the wardroom.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Gollyponda
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 03:58 PM

I only saw and heard Cyril the once - at the Two Brewers in Salford. 1964 it was. The background chat that often accompanies lesser artists in a pub venue was stilled by his singular and memorable rendition of the Oggy Man.
Lets celebrate the man and his music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Rufus
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 07:06 AM

Here's The Times obituary:


www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-45-1589683,00.html

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: breezy
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 05:18 PM

Fancy that , they even named a car after one of his songs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 09:58 AM

Affectionate obituary, though with an unfortunate mondegreen-

Ken Hunt says
In "The Ballad of Sammy's Bar" (1958), an encounter set in Malta, the sailor asks Marina how sand got in her hair, to be told that he is past history: the love-rival is "a better man by far / As he drives a Yankee car".

I imagine Ken heard it as:
And Marina she was there

instead of

And my real love she was there
(she had sand all in her hair)

Funny, calling her Marina changes the whole song for me!

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 08:06 AM

Thanks. I enjoyed reading that.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Rufus
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 07:26 AM

The Independent newspaper has an obituary for Cyril Tawney in the
27 April edition, by Ken Hunt. Nothing spotted yet in either The Times or The Telegraph.

Online at
http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/story.jsp?story=633296

It seems quite detailed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 05:37 PM

Derek, thanks. Would you perhaps consider putting the full text of your obituary in this thread if the Guardian made major cuts? I for one would be interested to read it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 05:06 PM

I have just answered this question in the Cyril Tawney/Bob Dylan thread, so here it is again:

Kevin Sheils on 29 April 2004 in the Cyril Tawney/Bob Dylan page gave the details. From my Bob Dylan fan contacts, I had this, "it`s part of the columbia studio sessions Aug/Oct 1963, played on piano". Cyril himself refers to Dylan recording the song on the notes to Navy Cuts CD.
The Guardian heavily edited the obituary I'm afraid.
Derek

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: greg stephens
Date: 27 Apr 05 - 11:29 AM

In his Cyril Tawney obituary in theGuardian today, Derek Schofield repeats the story that Bob Dylan recorded "Sally Free and Easy". I started a thread on this subject on Mudcat a couple of years ago: I have persistently heard rumours that Dylan was influenced by Cyril Tawney on his vist to England to record "Mad House in Castle Street" in 1962. On that Mudact thread, nobody could confirm the exiatence of that recording(by repute, a bootleg of Dylan singing it at some session in London). Now Derek Schofield has repeated the story, can anybody tell us if this recording (a) exists and (b) is available somewhere? This seems a very interesting question, as it suggests England's greatest songwriter from the folk revival influenced America's ditto at a very young age.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,rufus
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 10:34 PM

An obituary will be in the Guardian (UK newspaper) today (Wednesday 27th). I have seen the on-line version
"Cyril Tawney ; Singing songs of land and sea ; Derek Schofield"
It is currently at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1470883,00.html

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 01:16 PM

Sad news to come home to! I really hoped he'd be granted a reprieve. It wasn't to be, so he probably is better off where he is now, without suffering. It's worse for his wife and his friends, and my thoughts are with Rosemary and all those who feel his loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Dilligaf
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 11:33 AM

Slats and myself were very saddened to hear of Cyrils death and send our love to Rosemary A quiet giant of the folk world.A man who could hold a crowd with a single guitar and a great song.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: JennyO
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 10:21 AM

I just came back today from a folk festival, where I was asked at two different sessions to sing "Grey Funnel Line". Both times it went over really well - but I don't think any of us knew he had died - I certainly didn't.

What a great loss to the folk community this is! I'm sure we'll be singing his songs for a long time.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Flash Company
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 10:20 AM

I seem to spend all my time this year mourning the sad,sad losses of great names!

FC

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,banjoman
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 09:56 AM

A great loss. No doubt there are lots of stories associated with Him, but our best memories are of him heading the line up at the now long gone Whitchurch Festival in Hampshire. He was a Hampshire man, and regailed us throughout that weekend with his reminisces of his early days in the county, including the tale of the bike ride to Whitchurch.
Thankfully his songs will live on so long as there are people to sing them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Alan Russell
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 06:45 AM

He lived respected and dies regretted

A great songsmith

Alan

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,skipy
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 07:28 PM

Copied from Cyril's web site - so don't get a stoppy on"! It would not have been there unless it made him laugh:-

A PLUS FACTOR


In September Cyril went to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth to have hyperbaric oxygen treatment. This brought forth a version of "Sammy's Bar", written by our good friends Heather Wood and Emily Friedman. We hope it gives you as much pleasure as it does us, even though the prophecy was not entirely fulfilled:


THE BALLAD OF CYRIL'S BED

I went down to Cyril's bed,
Hey, the last bugs are leaving,
He was ill, I heard it said.
Call away the microbes.

He was down in Derriford,
Hey, the last bugs are leaving,
Waiting for the doctor's word.
Call away the microbes.

And his real love, she was there,
Hey, the last bugs are leaving,
Watching over him with care.
Call away the microbes.

"He'll be fine; please tell our friends,
Hey, the last bugs are leaving,
"Here where they care for bends.
Call away the microbes.

"It's a bad bug he has here,
Hey, the last bugs are leaving,
"'Cause it does not like the air.
Call away the microbes.

"We'll get through this, you be sure,
Hey, the last bugs are leaving,
And our friendships will endure."
Call away the microbes.

Happy will the story end
Hey, the last bugs are leaving,
For Cyril's loved by all his friends.
Call away the microbes.

Emily Friedman and Heather Wood, 2004
Sing it for him along with his own songs!

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Dave Swan
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 07:03 PM

A pint hoisted in his direction with all best wishes and many thanks.

D

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Tobyjug
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 07:01 PM

Deepest condolences, Rosemary.

We have lost a significant member of the folk heritage, a wonderful songwriter, brilliant performer and gracious gentleman of the old school.

I have fond memories of Cyril, who was one of my inspirations to emerge from the audience and become a semi-professional singer from the mid-sixties to the end of the seventies.

I was also priviledged enough to visit you and Cyril, Rosemary, in Plymouth together with Rod Stradling at the end of the sixties.

I was sad to hear of his latest illness, as I too have been diabetic for the last ten years or so.

I think he's taken the tidewave.

Love and strength,

Dave Calderhead

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Skipy
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 06:50 PM

If you can't be there tommorow (& I can't) then celebrate him by singing his songs.
Skipy

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Barrie Roberts
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 06:42 PM

Back on line after a few days' break to find this sad news.

My deepest sympathies to Rosemary and my deepest admiration for the work that Cyril gave us.

I heard him first on radio in 1961, singing 'Cheering of the Queen'. His first EP was the first traditional record I ever bought.

Rember him and sing his songs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Pistachio
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 02:07 PM

Though I have missed my chance to hear him perform I will continue to sing his wonderful songs - Sally Free and Easy was the first I learnt and I love to hear all the rest. Linda and I sang Grey Funnel Line for him yesterday.
I wonder how St Peter will cope with the 'singaround' sessions now - there are far too many songsters in his 'tap room'!

Please accept my condolences. Hazel.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 12:54 PM

so sad to see we've lost another good'un
of course he will"live on" in his songs but the physical presence of this laid back gentleman of song will be greatly missed
i shall always carry treasured memories of a couple of concerts we shared with him in Plymouth
heartfelt condolences to Rosemary and family
geoff turner (Roaring Forties)

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 11:31 AM

So sorry to hear this news- he was an inspiration to songwriters and singers everywhere. We sang Grey Funnel Line in his memory yesterday-Gone but no forgotten.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Wotcha
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 07:13 AM

Cyril Tawney made an impact in every obscure corner of the world: his songs made it to "Rise up Singing" afterall ...

I have run into modern RN types (in the middle of landlocked Macedonia/FYROM no less) who immediately related to the titles of Cyril's works -- maybe a West Country connection -- ("Five Foot Flirt", "Diesel and Shale", "Oggy Man") but did not know of Cyril the man or of folk music. His songs resonate and tonight they'll reverberate at a typically modern German venue (O'Reilly's) in Stuttgart ...

Meanwhile, the words of The Boarding Party come to mind, "When my time is over, haul away to heaven, God be by my side ..."

Cheers/Ade,

Brian

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 07:01 AM

Very sad news indeed.

Bought a copy of Cyril's first LP when it came out. It was a breath of fresh air. Met him at our folk club in New York's Eagle Tavern about 20 or 25 years ago. Thought he sang well then, but he blew me away with a gorgeous set of songs at the Lancaster festival 3 or 4 years ago. Amazingly to me, Cyril remembered the night in NYC: "Big fish and free beer!" He said it was the only time while doing a gig he had ever had unlimited free beer courtesy of the pub and, of course, there were those stuffed sailfish and dolphins on the wall!

Here's to you Cyril! You gave me great pleasure many times and sadness only once. You will have free beer all the time now.

Dan

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 05:49 AM

A big loss, but thanks for having been there all these years.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: breezy
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 05:01 AM

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Schantieman
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 03:52 AM

A great loss to us all but he will live on through his songs.

Steve

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Shanghaiceltic
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 03:23 AM

This is very sad indeed.

My heartfelt condolances to Rosemary and the family.

His songs had very special meaning for me as he was a man of the navy and wrote many brilliant song about the navy which I could relate to.

I too was a tiffy and a submariner and I often catch myself singing "Lean and unwashed tiffy". I will sing it more often in memory.

I hope the RNBT Rep' at the Pearly Gates is waiting to open them for him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 24 Apr 05 - 05:11 PM

I should have posted on this thread sooner but it's not easy to work out what to say on such a sad occasion.

I'd known Cyril for at least 40 years - I was involved in a benefit gig for him in the 60s when he was (wrongly as it turned out) diagnosed as having Parkinson's Disease. Besides being a beautifully relaxed singer, he was one of the best song writers that the folk revival produced. At one time he was writing a new song every week for his radio program. He was also a wonderful friend who it was a great pleasure to bump into from time to time.

Whether you're bound for Fiddler's Green, Six Feet of Mud, The Siding, or taking the tideway to your burying ground, our thoughts are all with you - and Rosemary of course. In one way you'll never really be gone - I don't think I've ever been to a good session without hearing plenty of your songs and I can't imagine that changing.

As Tom Lewis said "Cyril said it all before".

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,scouse
Date: 24 Apr 05 - 04:46 AM

Late, I know but my condolences to Cyril's family..Strange I have just introduced Cyril's music and his songs to a good friend of mine.. the tradition goes on..
Phil Jackson

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 09:35 PM

Cyril was my introduction to folk music in the early 60's.
Never to be forgotten.
Condolences to Rosemary and Cyril's family.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,Barnacle
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 07:43 PM

Sad news indeed.

Haul away to heaven, we'll keep your memory here on earth, singing your songs - thank you for leaving such a legacy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 06:08 PM

Words are so inadequate to describe such a loss, for Rosemary, for his personal friends and for the rest of us. I have enjoyed his music for years but never met him. Yet I feel the loss in my heart and in my soul. I hope St. Peter is ready to sing something other than hymms for a while.

I have a vision of heaven where the clouds are covered with bands of angels striking their harps and singing halelujah while in a remote corner Cyril has just joined a hardcore group of singers happily sharing songs of an entirely different sort.

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 05:43 PM

Folksong's number one gentleman: a wondeful singer, songwriter and peformer - so much more to say but just can't find the words.
R.I.P. Cyril
Dave Sutherland

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 01:59 PM

Really sad news.

Condolences to Rosemay.

Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: Lanfranc
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 01:56 PM

Farewell, Cyril, and thank you for all the songs!

Condolences to Rosemary and his family.

Wish I had known him better.

Alan

Subject: RE: Obit: Cyril Tawney-RIP (21 April 2005)
From: GUEST,padgett (at home)
Date: 23 Apr 05 - 12:13 PM

Cyril was an inspiration to all of us folkies; he possessed all the musical and life experiences which are a prerequiste for a singer songwriter

He was an entertainer, a man of the people who had served his country and who enriched our lives with his wonderful songs

God bless you