My name is Murray Adelman. I was born in South Phila and lived in London (Putney, to the initiated) for a few years and then moved to Sydney where I live at present (and in the future too I imagine.) I will be 59 in a few days. I came here to teach at Macquarie University and did so for 25 years. I retired this year; but I continue to do research.I played recorders and flute for many years. In the 60s, my wife and I built a clavichord and that was quiet enough for me to have the courage to learn the keyboard which I did. The funny thing is that I always liked to listen to blues and other folk music; but I always played classical.
About a year ago I found myself humming John Hurt's "Louis Collins". I couldn't remember who wrote it or who sang it and I asked a folknick friend of mine who told me about this database called the DT or something. So I discovered mudcat.
In the 60s I was too intimidated by Hurt's playing to try to learn what seemed to be such intricate guitar music. Now the "father William" phenomenon took over and I decided last year to buy a guitar and learn to play it--and I did! I can actually play "Louis Collins" at about half tempo. I have "Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me" just about up to tempo and I have started playing some bottleneck pieces.
Kicky, My mother-in-law grew up in a farm right outside of Muscatine. She lives in Iowa City now. I have been on the farm when her brother and sister still ran it.
Anne, in what part of Denmark do you live? I have spent a lot of time in Aarhus. In fact I wound up in a hospital there for three weeks once where I learned to speak a little Danish (and to bake rye bread). I haven't been there in over five years and I am sure I would have trouble understanding the language now.
Graeme: Did you say "Aargh" because you knew some idiot would ask you why both of your daughters are balding?
Oh yes, as I am posting one day later than Alison, I can say that we are having a cool rainy day. The hot weather she mentioned started some bush fires and I was very happy to see this rain.
For the third time in my life, I am trying to learn to play the harmonica. This time it might take, because a few days ago I suceeded in bending from A to A-flat on my Key of C Blues harp. I find it really different from all other instruments I play because there is no finger dexterity involved.
Murray