Amazing Blondel

Subject: Amazing Blondel
From: number 6
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 04:08 PM

Been spending the last 2 hours listening my Amazing Blondel cd/record collection:

"Fantasia Lindum"

"Evensong"

"England"

"Englishe Musicke"

A fine collection of music it is indeed.

I'm amazed there have been no previous posts here at the Mudcat regarding Amazing Blondel.

sIx

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: GUEST,JK
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 04:20 PM

I remember really enjoying listening to them whilst at college around 1975. Who were the group members? Do you know any of their names? And what are they doin g now? Regards JK

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: number 6
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 04:57 PM

Looks like they're still around.

    http://www.amazingblondel.com/

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: GUEST,Steve Robinson
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 05:43 PM

Blondel are from my hometown of Scunthorpe, and do still play together on occasion. Eddie Baird also has a bit of a solo career from what I can gather. I actually corresponded with him a little this past year; we were supposed to do a CD swap. I'd better get cracking on it. He seems like a great bloke. I'll let you know how his CD is when I get it. Cheers, Steve R.

Eddie Baird

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 05:56 PM

Was it 27 different instruments they played between them, and was that counting the 3 ways of playing the recorder as separate?

This will not make sense unless you saw them live in the early 70s.

And yes they have been mentioned elsewhere here because I remember mentioning that my favourite song of theirs was "Bethel Green Mission".

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 06:28 PM

Have seen them a few times over the past 6 years, although not for a year or two. Highlight was having them play at Gainsborough Trinity Arts Centre when I was Centre Manager. Good people.

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Rockhen
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 06:06 AM

Yes, they are from the Scunthorpe area. Really interesting sound, (and I mean that in a good way!) They combine all the different instruments in a fascinating way but keep a sense of humour throughout which prevents their act becoming at all highbrow and stuffy.
I've heard them several times and thoroughly enjoyed them as a really entertaining, musically fascinating and unique act...go and see them if you get chance...
You've all inspired me to check out whether they are appearing locally again at the moment, now...

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: GUEST,JK
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 08:06 AM

Thanks for info folks...I'll keep checking thread Rockhen to see if you have any dates etc..Cheers, Jane K.

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: number 6
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 09:00 AM

Richard Bridge ... you are probably correct correct on any pre posts on the Mudcat regarding Blondel ... I should have been more specific on mentioning that my searches on Thread subjects didn't return any results.

All in all I appreciate the posts (good info) ... and it is pleasing to see there is current interest in the Amazing Blondel.

The following have and always will be favourites of mine:

"cantus firmus to counterpoint"

"young man's fancy"

sIx

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: muppitz
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 09:37 AM

I remember seeing them at Cleethorpes folk festival circa 1995.
My Mum dragged me along to see them, I was all of about 13/14 years old but I thought they were brilliant!

muppitz x

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Ep' Eric
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 11:46 AM

John Gladwyn, I think his name was, rang me
up about 10 years ago with a view to us booking them at Ep'th
Folk for their
               first gig in their comeback around 1996.
The club was having personality difficulties at the time so,by
time, about a fortnight, I could get things sorted out we missed
the chance of a major band at a price we could afford. They had I believe their first gig at Blaxton Village Hall a few weeks later.

                                          Eric Payne

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 11:52 AM

Hi GUEST,Steve Robinson are you the same Steve Robinson that used to go to the Saturday night sessions at Scotton?and also went on to the U S A with a band named the Headlights?
What became of Kevin?

Gerry(who played in a Scunthorpe band(The Kinpins)with Eddie Baird way back in the early 60's

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 01:00 PM

John Gladwin, Eddie Baird and Terry Wincott, started out as 'The Dimples' and moved through various incarnations (such as 'Gospel Garden' and 'Methuselah') to become 'The Amazing Blondel' (although the definite article seems to have been dropped from the name along the way!). They are all still around (Terry recently underwent a triple-bypass operation, and I hear he's making a good recovery), and still do occasional work, particularly popular in Italy and have worked there quite a bit in recent years, as well as in the UK. If anything they are even better today than in their early days.

I had the pleasure of being the support artist at their Gainsborough Trinity Arts Centre gig (see BusyBeePaul's post), and also at The Screen, Scunthorpe. Magical experiences.

Eddie is working solo and also with Julie Ellison, the fabulous singer/guitarist/composer resident in Rotherham (see the Julie Ellison Permathread). I've not seen them working 'live', but I've heard 'live' recordings from their gigs and they are something special - great singing and fantastic guitar from to contrasting styles which blend perfectly.
S:0)

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 01:19 PM

Should be 'two contrasting styles'. Dyslexic fingers again. D'Oh!
S:0)

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: GUEST,LEENEIA
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 01:48 PM

I was intrigued, but I went to their web site and none of the links to sound files work. Oh well.

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: closet-folkie
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 10:39 AM

"Steve Robinson are you the same Steve Robinson that used to go to the Saturday night sessions at Scotton?and also went on to the U S A with a band named the Headlights?
What became of Kevin?"

Yikes! Talk about Memory Lane....
I've often wondered what became of some of the folks who used to congregate at the Three Horseshoes in Scotton on Saturday nights; I have very fond memories of those days.
Kevin followed me to the States and even ended up playing drums for The Headlights for a few years. He now lives in Gainesville, FL--married with a 15 year-old daughter; brews his own beer(no surprise there) and tinkers about with a motor bike or two, I believe. I don't see him nearly enough. His mum still lives in Messingham as far as I know, and he goes back regularly.
If you want to see a few pictures of the two of us, I have a few at my website that are worth a giggle. There are some from the old "Rough Mix" days, before we left England, as well as several from "Headlights" gigs and sessions. Warning: watch out for bad '80's hairdos!
Where do you live now? Are there any places you frequent where such jam session/singalongs are likely to take place? If so, let me know because I'd love to show up sometime, in the event that I ever get back over there.
Thanks for bringing back some nice memories. All the best, Steve R.

Steve Robinson Music

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: number 6
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 12:05 PM

Interesting !!

Looks like this thread connected some old ties.

sIx

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 12:28 PM

I have a few albums by Blondell and one cd, they were always a great favourite of mine, glad to hear they aretill around.

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 05 Dec 05 - 12:59 PM

I saw them with the definitive article at Dunelm House in Durham City very early on (72?) at the height of the folk-rock thing in Britain. Loved them. Glad they're still at it!

Steve, that's good stuff you have there!

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: closet-folkie
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 08:59 AM

"Steve, that's good stuff you have there!"

Very kind of you mate; thanks for having a listen.

Just wondering if Gerry(aka Banjo Flower) is following this thread. I'm curious as to what happened to the old Three Horseshoes gang(not a bad name for a band!). Did the sessions continue at a different venue? Do they continue to this day, or am I totally lost in a nostalgic haze?
By the way, if anyone cares to have a look at Garageband.com, I'm their featured Folk Rock artist of the week, and my song "How The Mighty Have Fallen" is doing quite well there. It's probably my only openly autobiographical song; opening with my leaving Old Blighty for America. It's available there as a free download if anyone wants it.
"Why are you giving them away? You need to be selling them!" insists my manager(wife).
"Because part of the joy of writing songs is sharing the bloody things; I'd like people to hear them. Besides, perhaps after getting a freebie, they may spring for the album from Woven Wheat Whispers or iTunes." is my retort.
I'm hopeless aren't I ?
Cheers to all. Steve R.

How The Mighty Have Fallen

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Splott Man
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 10:29 AM

Andy Kershaw played a track on last Sunday's programme on BBC Radio 3, along with a bit of up to date news. Still available on playback till next Sunday.

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 10:35 AM

Steve, the Three 'Oss-shoes sessions have been defunct for a few years now, and sadly they didn't carry on anywhere else. However Gerry, Chris Marshall et al are still belting 'em out at Ceilidhs as the mainstays of 'Rosianna', and Bob Cleveland, Ernie Geddes and John Baker are regulars at the Gainsborough Folk Club (I'm assuming you know them - almost everyone knows ole Bob at least!).
S:0)

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 11:28 AM

Interesting thread creep!. I just had a vision of Bob dressed Cavalier fashion a la Amazing Blondel CD cover - off for more medication!

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: number 6
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 11:31 AM

It is an interesting thread creep ... but certainly is good to see old friends connecting.

sIx

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 03:21 PM

Hi Steve Sadly the Scotton session slowly ran it's course and faded away due to the inevitable passing of time and its consequences i.e people passing away ,accidents 'marriages.divorces,people forming bands which always seemed to get booked on Saturday nights and even people forming bands called "The Headlights"and moving to the USA!
I believe the Scotton session was unique in the fact that it was'nt a true folk session as such because anything went depending on whoturned up,everything from blues, country,jug band numbers to raucous rock and pure unaccompanied folk without any rivallry or discord and I feel proud and really privileged to have been part of that scene(fantastic memories of a really unique era and venue,you just could not have believed this could have lasted so long(15 years+}in a sleepy North Lincolnshire village

Gerry

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 03:28 PM

Mind you it was'nt sleepy on most Saturday nights "IT JUMPED"

Gerry

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 07 Dec 05 - 06:38 PM

Refresh just for Steve

Gerry

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 07 Dec 05 - 07:55 PM

They played in Hull quite often, especially at the City Hall. Many years ago!

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: closet-folkie
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 08:48 AM

Gerry, I'm glad that you too remember those Saturday night sessions with so much affection; I was wondering if I might be looking back at them through rose-tinted wotsits.
You're so right about the good-naturedness of it all. I always felt welcome there, and perhaps I was a little naive, but it seemed like most people were appreciative of the fact that the music was so varied. Lovely times indeed.
Ok, so now I'm wallowing in all of this nostalgia, and feeling all homesick. Thanks a lot. I thought I was over all of that! You might want to be careful with all of these postings replete with jovial tales of cameraderie and musical merriment at all of these English pubs that I miss so. I may just have to move back!
Steve R.

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 09:07 AM

I think if we look hard enough we may just find a quiet corner somewhere in Scunthorpe for you Steve :^}

Seriously though I wish you well for the future and success in everything you do

Btw give my regards to Kevin when next you contact him he may remember me better from the sugar beet campain we did together way back in '81 or '82

Gerry

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 09:57 AM

Sugar Beet Campaign?? You sure know how to live, Gerry!! LOL!
BTW, why weren't you at Mega-Bash 2005 at The Baths a few weeks ago?
S:0)

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 02:11 PM

I should have been John but you know what these senior moments are like (do'nt you }

Gerry {Ducking and running}

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: closet-folkie
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 04:29 PM

Gerry, I shall indeed pass on your regards to Kevin when I next see him. I need to speak to him soon anyway; I've got to say goodye before I leave to go back to my beloved Scunthorpe, where I shall of course, be forming my next band...."Sugar Beet Campaign". Sweet.

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 09:52 AM

Well you missed a good night Gerry (you too Steve, but I guess it was a bit far to come!). I did a set with 'The Imps' just as singer, no gee-tar. Did I feel naked or what? Enjoyable nontheless, and quite a thrill to be back playing The Devil's Music to a packed hall (musta bin around a thousand in there. Woooooo-hoo!).
S:0)

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: closet-folkie
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 10:06 AM

Strollin' Johnny, fill me in on your background a bit if you would. I want to find out if I know you and if I owe you any money.
Where was the gig? So many questions...I've been away too long. Congrats on the show, Steve R.

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 10:35 AM

Don't think you know me Steve (except on here of course), and you definitely don't owe me money or I'd be over there to collect! :-)

The gig was at The Baths Hall in Scunny - four local bands (The Badd Lads (70's soul band - 'Spud' Taylor, Mel Oliver plus a cast of several), The Imps (60's pop band re-formed for the occasion - Stuart Smith, Alan Harsley, Bill Gibson, Greg whose name I can't remember, and Guest Me), The Beverley Brothers (Craig Austin and another guy, John David somebody) and a Donny band I didn't know).
Capacity crowd, all dancing like dervishes.

I think you and I probably know quite a few of the same people, although as I'm a comparatively late-comer to the folk scene in Lincs, we've probably never crossed paths.

All the best,
JB

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 12:46 PM

The one you had the senior moment with was Greg Tomlinson,John

Gerry

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 12 Dec 05 - 08:12 AM

And so it was. Duh!
Thanks Gerry!
S:0)

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Matt_R
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:47 AM

Just found out about these guys tonight ... gorgeous music!

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 10:42 AM

How?

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Matt_R
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 02:07 AM

Allmusic.com

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 03:04 AM

Nice one Matt R. Enjoy the music!

Subject: RE: Amazing Blondel
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 07:45 AM

Aaahh - thought you'd seen them out playing live somewhere Matt. Don't think they're working much at the moment - maybe something to do with Terry's op.?
S:0)