Nadia Cattouse - whatever happened to?

Subject: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Ian HP
Date: 21 Jan 99 - 02:34 PM

I love the music of Nadia Cattouse, but where is she now? The last I heard of her was in the late '60s.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 21 Jan 99 - 05:43 PM

I remember Nadia Cattouse singing on a television programme in the 60s. She used to be accompanied by a young guitar player who very occasionally got a solo spot. His name was Martin Carthy. I wonder what ever happened to him?

Bobby Bob

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Ian HP
Date: 22 Jan 99 - 07:55 PM

Yes, they were brilliant programmes. There is, if you are lucky (and I was lucky) an LP of the series you may discover at record fairs. It also features Sydney Carter and Isla Cameron. Wonderful. Anyone know about Nadia nowadays?

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Pete (inactive)
Date: 23 Jan 99 - 04:09 PM

Hi,

Are we talking about the Grief and Glory Tv programme?

I have the record and book of the Tv programme, with Nadia Cattouse, Sydney Carter, Robby Hall and Jimmy McGreggor (Check spelling!).

The songs were sent in as a competition - sevral songs we still perform - Kelstone Roudhill, Back Buchannan Street etc.

Not sure when it went out Sunday in the late '60s I would think.

I also liked Julie Felix - and whilst down in Somerset this year we saw her at the local hall in Glastonbury - it would appear that she now lives in that area.

Looking forward to anymore info....

Pete (clansfolk)

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Ian HP
Date: 23 Jan 99 - 07:57 PM

Pete, no it's not Grief and Glory - though some of Nadia's perormances on that make the hairs on my neck stand up. This was an ABC TV series devised by Sydney Carter called "Hallelujah".

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,robin macpherson
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 06:46 AM

Hi

I'm researching an article on Nadia Cattouse's time in Scotland and would appreciate any info anyone has. One thing I know is that she was alive in 1998 and took part in a tribute to Paul Robeson. Her son Michael Lindup played with Leve 42 apparently.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 01:48 PM

Marquis of Clanricard?? Pete!!

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 02:23 PM

Oh for the days when the BBC would run a series of folk song programmes on BBC 1. Even though as a competition in the Sunday evening God slot. I've still got the words for Kelston Round Hill, but I don't think I can remember the tune all the way through.

Kitty

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,Leadfingers-Guest
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 01:44 PM

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,Leadfingers Guest
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 01:49 PM

I remember seeing Nadia Catthouse in a Hospital soap on Television She was playing a ward sister,as I recall

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 02:18 PM

Ahhh Nadia's Cathouse what a nice place....

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Garry Gillard
Date: 06 Apr 02 - 11:27 AM

Songs from "Hallelujah".

Garry

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Big Tim
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 06:22 AM

The only line of hers I can remember is "we musn't spoil the tellyvee [sic]"! Thanks for the memory! Robin do you mean Level 42? If so a very good pop band (tho not my cuppa).

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,Rupert Bear
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 05:40 PM

Early 60s record "Long Time Boy". Lyrics seen on Jamaica website since as local folk song: www.jamaicans.com/folk. Was she Jamaican?

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: little john cameron
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 06:15 PM

If ah remember richt she was fae Trinidad. There is an lp available here if ye can afford it.CLICKIE

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,Raymond Roy Cattouse c/o Chris Catt
Date: 10 May 02 - 04:54 AM

Hi, I am the nephew of Nadia, you can contact me via Chris @ [e-mail]

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From:
Date: 23 May 02 - 10:20 AM

I see her occassionally in Wimbledon. I recognised her althought the last time I saw her was on TV in the 60's. She was a little flattered to be recognised. We chatted about her time with Carthy and she spoke with great fondness about Sidney Carter. A lovely lady. I believe she released "Port Mahon" as a single, but maybe it was Julie Felix!

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: RolyH
Date: 23 May 02 - 03:27 PM

Nadia Cattuose released the single 'Port Mahon/A Little More Oil' in 1965.Got it somewhere.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: little john cameron
Date: 23 May 02 - 08:12 PM

There is a track of Nadia in here,also a bunch of other stuff from a radio show.Nadia and others ljc

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,Penelope Casasola Card, Miami, Florida
Date: 06 Jul 02 - 11:19 PM

Email Address:[e-mail]

I am Nadia Cattouse's cousin. Nadia was born in Belize City, Belize, Central America

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,Jason Sebastian
Date: 10 Jul 02 - 10:20 AM

I am also related to Nadia Cattouse. She is my Grandfather's 1st cousin. His name is Winston Strudy Sebastian. If anyone knows of her whereabouts, I would love to know.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,Mairead MacDonald
Date: 29 Jul 02 - 09:58 AM

Penelope Card: Nadia was born in Belize City, Belize, Central America

Or, as the nation was known at the time, British Honduras.

I recall her singing on Robin Hall & Jimmie MacGregor's _London Folk Song Cellar_ radio programme in the mid-'60s. She'd a lovely voice and style. Of the songs I heard her sing, my favorite (and my kids') was 'Nobody's Business'.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From:
Date: 07 Aug 02 - 04:41 PM

Can anyone tell me how I can get a copy of Port Mahon by Julie Felix? Maybe even on an album. Her website does not give this information. I would be really chuffed if someone could help me out with this. Cheers - Maggie.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 07 Aug 02 - 06:11 PM

Sorry, Maggie, can't help - other than suggesting that you start a new thread for your request with the name Julie Felix in the title. This might get you a much better response. Good luck!

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: little john cameron
Date: 07 Aug 02 - 07:09 PM

Nae luck wi Port Mahone Maggie.Here are some other downloads.
http://www.juliefelix.com/audio.htm

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From:
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 09:45 AM

I have also been trying to track down Port Mahon, as it was a favourite track from childhood. If anyone can supply the words I would be very grateful ~s~

Iside The Faces of Sarah

Subject: Lyr Add: PORT MAHON (Sydney Carter)
From: RolyH
Date: 24 Sep 02 - 03:43 PM

PORT MAHON
(Sidney Carter)

In Port Mahon, I went down to the harbour
A tall ship from England came up to the quay.
I fell in love with a young English sailor,
But he only laughed and he whispered to me,
'From Port Mahon I'll soon be gone
Laughing or weeping the world will go on'

To Port Mahon came the order one morning
To haul up the anchor and not to delay.
So the tall ship sailed away from the harbour,
But still in my heart I could hear my love say.
'From Port Mahon I'll soon be gone
Laughing or weeping the world will go on'

To Port Mahon came the news of a battle
But never, oh, never a letter for me.
And many a tall ship came back to the harbour
But never the one that I waited to see.
The years went by and I married another,
And many a woman would like to be me.

But sometimes I lie in my bed and I listen
To the sound of the wind
And the sound of the sea.
And remember that sailor who whispered to me,
'From Port Mahon I'll soon be gone
Laughing or weeping the world will go on'

From the Parlophone single R5240 by Nadia Cattouse (1965)

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,mark starr
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 11:01 AM

I have very fond memories of Nadia singing in Birmingham cellar folk club in the sixties. As an impressionable teenager she had a real impact on me both her voice and looks were the tops!

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: BUTTERFLY
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 06:59 PM

Nadia Cattouse sings "Red and Green Christmas" on "Club Folk Voluume 1" and "B.C. People" and "All Around My Grandmother's Floor" on "Club Folk Volume 2" (Peg Records, PS2 and PS3, both 1972).

Mention is made in a previous posting (Big Tim 7.4.2002) of a line of hers "We musn't spoil the tellyvee [sic]"!

I seem to remember the verse in a song about the commercialisation of Christmas (so what's new?:

"There are no lights upon our Christmas Tree
We must not spoil the Telly-Vee
No party games, no mistletoe
Just whistle Wenceslas and out (?or off) you go"

(I can even remember the tune!). However I cannot remember whether it was sung by a man or woman, though if the latter it may have been Nadia Cattouse. There seemed to be much more folk on TV in the old days, eg Robin Hall and Jimmy McGregor, Julie Felix, Cy Grant, Shirley Abacur (may be mis-spelled), etc. ITV used to have a program with Wally Whyton and I think Bert Weedon (was this folk music - Fred wedlock's "With Bert Weedon's help one day I'll be the best" makes me think so. However I only remember it because there was a glove puppet called "Pussy Cat Willum" and we names our cat Willum after that. As Willum died in 1973 about the age of 13, it must have been about 1960 or so, and as we moved house in February 1961 but had the cat in our last house, this narrows it down somewhat. Seem to have got off the subject of Nadia Cattouse a bit, but perhaps this will stir a few memories!

I wonder if the surname rhymes with "ooze" rather than "house"?

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 08:10 AM

I will find out from Steve. He worked with her alot in the old days. Will post answers as soon as i find out.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: sheila
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 11:03 PM

Butterfly - I always associated the television song with Cyril Tawney.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:17 AM

I asked steve when we were giging last night. Steve said she died 5 yrs ago. He said that she was A.T.S during the war so even if she was alive she would be in her mid eighties. Steve was her guitar player alot on T.V and she also used the rest of Steve's band i.e Robin Hall, Cedric West, Jimmie Macgregor.
Best regards.
    Pete.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:38 AM

CATTOUSE Nadia
(b British Honduras, later Belize) Folk revival singer. Moved to England '51. Although her career was concentrated into less than ten years, she was an prominent and visible part of the folk scene, esp. through TV work. Contributed one song to each of two volume anthology Edinburgh Folk Festival on Decca '64, allegedly recorded live at the festival but in fact put down in a studio hired for the recording sessions. In the mid '60s she appeared on the television "God slot' programme Hallelujah alongside performers such as Sydney Carter and Martin Carthy; contributed to the Fontana album Songs From "Hallelujah '66. Other performances appeared on the Waverley, Parlophone and Reality labels. With Robin Hall and Jimmie McGregor she made Songs of Grief & Glory '67. Signed to RCA, who released albums Earth Mother '70 (prod. by Sandy Robertson) and the various artists' anthology 49 Greek Street '70. Her son, Michael Lindup, went on to play bass with Level 42.

RtS
(via Google)

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: BUTTERFLY
Date: 02 Feb 03 - 08:12 AM

Is Nadia Cattouse alive or not? On the one hand, Pete (27.1.03) says that Steve Benbow told him she died 5 years ago. Yet the following posting appeared on 23rd May 2002:

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,[e-mail] - PM
Date: 23 May 02 - 10:20 AM

I see her occassionally in Wimbledon. I recognised her althought the last time I saw her was on TV in the 60's. She was a little flattered to be recognised. We chatted about her time with Carthy and she spoke with great fondness about Sidney Carter. A lovely lady. I believe she
released "Port Mahon" as a single, but maybe it was Julie Felix!

So she is either alive but well into her eighties, or dead. The photo on the sleeves of the 2 records which I mentioned is a little dark and it is hard to determine the age of the woman (who appears to be fairly short haired); in any case it may not have been a recent photograph.

Of course it is not unknown for folk musicians to be "Twained" (a la Mark Twain, rumours of whose death was "greatly exaggerated"). Dave Swarbrick, fiddler with Fairport Convention, whose death was erroneously announced in the Daily Telepgraph some years ago (he was ill, but recovered). I also saw on the Internet (?Mudcat) where another folk singer was twice erroneosuly reported as dying, though I can't remember the name; I think it MIGHT have appeared in the thread to do with the the song "I'm a man you don't meet every day" but it could have been another folk music forum.

I am also reminded of a letter receved by the late Field Marshall (later Lord) Bernard Montgomery of El Alamein:

"Dear Sir, I thought you were dead. My father says you are still alive but will die soon."

Or the following, attributed to Reverend William Archibald Spooner, who is credited with inventing "spoonerisms" (the verbal equivalent of "transposition errors").
"Tell me, was it you or your brother who was killed during the war?"

Interested to hear (if I understand "Sheila", 25.1.2003) that it was Cyril Tawney who sang the song

"There are no lights upon our Christmas Tree
We must not spoil the Telly-Vee
No party games, no mistletoe
Just whistle Wenceslas and out (?or off) you go"

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 02 Feb 03 - 09:11 AM

Sorry butterfly Benbow never has been wrong yet. He does know when all his mates snuff it.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 02 Feb 03 - 03:46 PM

Cyril Tawney not only sang 'There Are No Lights Round Our Christmas Tree', he wrote it. He recently told me that Australian group 'The Seekers' had asked permission to record it for their Christmas album.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: breezy
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 09:37 AM

Cyril sang it at his gig in St Albans last October
Its available on 'Bah Humbug' from Greentrax
Guru has revived 'Port Mahon'
Nadia was one of our earlier communicators during the 60s.
Those late all-nights at the Prince of Wales in Soho

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: nutty
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 10:47 AM

I've been singing Port Mahon for the past 30 years ....its such a wonderful song to sing.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 02:41 PM

Steve Benbow's protege is either winding us all up or has been wound up himself.

I am not personally acquainted with Nadia Cattouse but I do know Paddie Bell (ex Corrie Folk Trio) and she assures me that she corresponds by letter or phone with Nadia two or three times a month.
If she has died, which I very much doubt, her demise must have occurred within the last few days.

Murray

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,Dave Smith
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 11:17 AM

I agree that Port Mahon was Nadia's best. It's about time there was a CD version made from old tape masters like the Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell one.
I always thought that the Lights on the Xmas Tree was attributed to Matt McGinn. Definitely his style.
Dave

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 05:43 PM

Murray i had it straight from Benbows mouth that she is dead. If he is wrong then it ain't my fault.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: BUTTERFLY
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 06:46 PM

Seems we still can't decide whether Nadia Cattouse is sill alive (and does anyone know whether her surname rhymes with "house" or "ooze"? There also seems some uncertainty about whether Cyril Tawney or Matt McGinn wrote "There are no lights on our Christmas tree". Matt McGinn is I think dead, and Cyril's memory may not be that reliable, as according to the sleeve notes on "In Port" (1963; his 1st album, if I remember correctly)he forgot that he had written one of the songs on this album ("In the Sidings") but fortunately Louis Killen learned the song and taught it to Tawney again!

Perhaps Murray McLeod could contact Paddie Bell again who could then get Nadia to confirm her continued existence!

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 07:58 PM

I know someone posted a link to what I understand to be her son's website here a few years ago. Today, I tried it, twice at www.mikelindup.com and both times when I clicked on the Enter or Bypass Intro, it went to a completely white screen and locked up my computer. Ctrl-Alt-Delete didn't even get me out of there. Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: RolyH
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 06:33 AM

Her 'Earth Mother' is an example of an album that should be put out on CD.Some great songs with some good backing men (Andy Roberts,Danny Thompson)Some of it recorded live at the 1969 Edinburgh festival.

I've always assumed that she is still with us as I've heard nothing to the contary.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 09:47 AM

I tried your link, kat & got through OK. No mention of Nadia on the site that I could see and no place to post a message to Mike. Is his father jazz musician Dave Lindup who worked with Dankworth et al?
I'd love to see her work reissued.

RtS

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 09:55 AM

Thanks, RtS, I'll try it again. I found his site through one for his band, something 42? Sorry, can't remember the name of it. There was mention of her being at one of their concerts in 1994 on that website. I didn't look to see if it mentioned who his dad was.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: RolyH
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 10:10 AM

Some of her records were 'accompanied and directed by Dave Lindup',so I presume that is him.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: sheila
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 10:50 PM

I remember meeting Cyril Tawney back in the 60s, and I'm sure I remember hearing him talk about writing 'Xmas Tree'.
And I believe Nadia Cattouse's name is pronounced like 'hoose', rather than 'house' or 'ooze'.

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: GUEST,peter g.
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 06:11 AM

Was Nadia Cattouse really mid-forties when she performed on 'sing along' and 'Hootenany' c.1964-5? She didn't look it as I recall, nor does she on 1966 Reality RY 1001 cover.Mike Lindup, her son was born in March 1959:even if she was born in 1920 that makes her quite old to be a mum in 1950s for first or 2nd time.
Sleeve notes say she wrote poetry as well as her songs under the pseudonym of Eva Dayne.Were any published?
I recall the Melody Maker review (Karl Dallas ?)of RY1001 said her version of Dylan's 'Don't Think Twice'was the best he'd heard. I agreed then and have heard nothing since to modify this view.She merits a compilation C.D.particularly in view of the sheer variety of her music and her role in early u.k. black history. I wonder if her son could help re this? He looks strikingly like her incidentally.
'Sing Along' and 'Hootenanny' were both shown midweek on BBC at around 6.30 I think.On one of them the Seekers made what was probably their debut with 'I'll never find another you.'Hard to imagine a t.v folk based show with Martin Carthy etc promoting a U.K. No. 1 now!

Subject: RE: NADIA CATTOUSE - whatever happened to?
From: RolyH
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 04:40 PM

She also featured in a TV programme in the 60's called 'Freedom Road'.This was a selection of 'Songs of Negro Protest'.
Other singers included Cleo Laine,Cy Grant,Madeline Bell and Lucky McKenzie.

ATV made an album of it ,which I've got stashed awy somewhere.