The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #15390 Message #1510281
Posted By: GUEST
26-Jun-05 - 11:19 AM
Thread Name: A. L. Lloyd: History and anecdotes?
Subject: RE: A. L. Lloyd: History and anecdotes?
I'm glad that someone has revived this thread - my perception is that we're in great danger of forgetting Bert altogether!
At a ballad session, at a recent festival, a number of singers credited their renditions to Martin Carthy (nothing wrong with that - except that they all sounded like MC!). I reflected that a generation ago the credits would have gone to Bert; even MC was known to get the occasional song from Bert (with full credits, of course).
Recently an old friend lent me some tapes made in the Folk Club we both attended in the late 60s. The best and most electrifying recordings were of Bert. Even though I had been there, and enjoyed Bert's singing enormously, listening to these tapes from a more mature perspective, I realised what a brilliant performer he was.
I recall a smallish man, in late middle age (probably the same sort of age that I am now!), looking like a bank manager or your favourite uncle. I always think of him in a suit and tie but I am not sure if my memories are correct on this point.
Anyway, he would arrive at the club, from the London train, and launch into an evening of songs and stories which was quite incredible in terms of novelty and variety. He was also a great wit with a sly and understated sense of humour.
Recently an image has begun to form in mind of a sort of travelling magician; a deceptively ordinary looking person who could entertain an audience with a seemingly endless succession of wonders and marvels.
Bert gets criticised, these days, for not revealing his sources, but, like all the best magicians, I think that he was very reluctant to give away the secrets of his trade.