Subject: Lyr Add: THE SHANTY BOY ON THE BIG EAU CLAIRE From: Art Thieme Date: 06 Mar 98 - 10:15 AM A song I got from Paul after a hoot at the old GATE OF HORN in Chicago---about '59 I think. Never remembered his tune but used Joe Heaney and Ewan MacColl's tune from "Morrissey and the Russian Sailor". Here's "THE SHANTY BOY ON THE BIG EAU CLAIRE" pretty much as I recorded it on one LP & a later cassette. It's a grand Wisconsin ballad apparently written by W. N. Allen of Wausau in the late l870s. It's the old Romeo & J. tale once more. By the way, a RAPIDS PIECE is a section of a larger log raft that can be separated for easier navigation of the rapids. The rapids at Mosinee was quite treacherous. A dam of sorts was built there to make for easier navigation and to create a pool beyond the dam. But one can surely see the rocks of the old rapids below the dam on the Wisconsin River right in downtown Mosinee. (As far as I know, Paul Clayton never recorded this ballad.)
Every girl she has her troubles. Likewise, a man has his.
Now, this young and dauntless damsel was of noble pedigree,
The shanty boy was handsome. He had a curly head of hair.
The milliner took up all her goods and she went and hired a hack,
So when brown autumn came along and ripened all the crops,
She caught the scarlet fever and lay ill a week or two
When this news reached her shanty boy, he quickly to perceive,
He fell off of a rapids piece at the falls of Mosinee,
And the milliner, she is bankrupt and her shop has gone to rack. |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Paul Stamler Date: 10 Feb 98 - 01:22 AM The sound quality of the Folkways custom CDs varies depending on the quality of the original tape -- which, in the case of Folkways recordings, varied from abysmal to (in a few cases, most notably Peter Bartok's recordings of the New Lost City Ramblers) audiophile quality. As far as I know, they're not doing any fancy remastering and noise reduction of the original tapes, just dubbing them cleanly to DAT and thence to recordable CD. So take the basic sound quality of the Folkways LP, subtract all the scratches and the surface noise from the recycled frisbees Moses Asch used for vinyl, delete the wow from the off-center hole (I once called my best friend up long-distance in great excitement when I bought a Folkways LP and the hole was actually in the center), add some treble because Asch didn't really believe in the RIAA curve, and you've got a decent result unless the original tape was hideous (like Bela Bartok's acoustic recordings of Hungarian village music). Back to Paul Clayton; there was a long thread about him on the rec.music.folk newsgroup a couple of years ago. His life was most unhappy; it was common knowledge in the folk community that he was gay, which was still unacceptable in most of society. He made several attempts to achieve the kind of popular success that Bob Dylan had managed, but never came close, which left him quite bitter, especially after the "Don't Think Twice" affair. (I have one of his late recordings, "Paul Clayton: Folksinger!", a Nashville production by Boudleaux Bryant on Monument; while overproduced, it's not all that bad, and the material is excellent.) After being banned from some clubs due to his orientation, he retreated to a mountaintop and committed suicide ca. 1965. Peace. Paul |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Joe Offer Date: 09 Feb 98 - 02:46 PM Smithsonian Folkways has always had cassettes available of all of the recordings from the old Folkways catalogue. I haven't ordered any because I've never been happy with the durability and sound quality of commercially-produced cassettes. Now I see that you can get all the Folkways recordings on CD, for twenty bucks a disc (can't recall what they charge for shipping). Has anybody here gotten one of these custom-made Folkways CD's, and can you tell me what you think of the quality? I don't mean the regular CD reissues they've come out with - I have several of those, and I'm very happy with them. What I'm interested in are the new CD's that they make up for you on request. Twenty bucks for a custom CD sounds too good to be true. -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Phideaux Date: 09 Feb 98 - 12:34 PM Yea, Smithonian. Bob S.
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Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Bruce O. Date: 09 Feb 98 - 11:46 AM Smithsonian Institution got Folkways material, and have reissued many songs on CD's. I forgot that I have the 'Unholy Matrimony' record, too. I forgot where I learned it, but remember that 'The old wife who wanted spruncin'" (18th century Scots) was a text collected in Virginia. |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Phideaux Date: 09 Feb 98 - 11:04 AM The Library of Congress got all the Folkways material. Check their web page to see if any Paul Clayton recordings are available. www.si.edu/folkways/ Bob Schwarer
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Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: rich r Date: 08 Feb 98 - 07:38 PM Besides the whaling songs, I have 2 other LPs with Paul Calyton. One was mentioned in the thread on Revolutionary Songs, "American Songs of Revolutionary Times". On that album Paul sings "Locks & Bolts", and "The Swapping Song" solo, and also "The Gambling Suitor", "The Deaf Woman's Courtship", "The Devil's Questions", anad "The Riddle Song" with Jean Ritchie. A biographical paragraph appeals on the record jacket, that contains much of the same information (including some of the same wording) as the one posted above from the Whaling album. Both albums were recorded in 1956. He is the text of that paragraph: "Paul Clayton was born in the great whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he early became interested in folksongs through those that were traditional in his family. By the time he was 15, he was presenting a series of radio programs on folkmusic, and has since appeared on radio and television programs in England, Canada and Cuba, as well as in the United States. He has made numerous recording trips through the southern mountains, as well as other areas of the United States and Europe. He has made several commercial recordings of folksongs in addition to having recorded for the archives of the Flanders Ballad Collection, Middlebury College, Vermont, the BBC collection, and the Archive of American Folksong at the Library of Congress. At present he is editing a volume of folksongs of Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina, for publication by The Folklore Press in 1957" The other Paul Clayton album is "Paul Clayton Sings Unholy Matrimony - 2" (Elektra 147). There is a Volume 1 also. Vol 2 contains such songs as: The Wooden Legged Parson, Will The Weaver, The Old Wife Who Wanted Spruncin', The Dumb Wife, The Husband With No Courage In HIm, The Dirty Wife, Life On The Installment Plan, A Quick Way to Be Rid Of A Wife, Home Sad HOme and others. rich r |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Joe Offer Date: 08 Feb 98 - 02:19 AM Keep the stories, coming, Art. It's great to learn about that stuff. -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Art Thieme Date: 07 Feb 98 - 11:06 PM Don't recall when Paul died, Joe; never knew how old he was. One of the verses to "Done Laid Around" was written by Larry Ehrlich of the Chicago area, back in the 50s. He's on the copyright too I think. He was (or is) a labor lawyer. Larry Ehrlich can be heard on an old Riverside LP called "Chicago Mob Scene". It's a sampler of various artist like Bob Gibson (very early Bob), Pete Stone, etc. The cover of the album featured a drawing of a street sign at the corner of Chicago & Dearborn. Old Chicago folkies will recall that that was where the first GATE OF HORN was located in the basement of the Rice Hotel. Gibson was THE star of that club; saw a barefoot Baez open for him. Also, the New Lost City Ramblers opened for him. They all were startin' out back in the 50s and had to get their vacations together from their day jobs so they could do the gig. (This computer seems to be a great place for nostalgia on tons of levels. Feels good to dredge it up and indulge myself this way.)Art Thieme |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Joe Offer Date: 07 Feb 98 - 05:13 PM When did Paul Clayton die, Art, and how old was he? -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Art Thieme Date: 07 Feb 98 - 05:00 PM Howdy folks; "Done Laid Around This Old Town" had many people ADD verses to it. Some of those: P>SEEGER, Bill Monroe, Billy Grammer & Clayton too. I believe all are listed on that copyright. But I never knew his last name was Worthington. Pretty fascinating discussion & thanks for digging in on this. Oh, I just got with Ballad-L recently. ALL OF THIS is brand new for me & I'm just amazed at what's out here. Been pretty isolated lately and these sites are a fine way to stay connected with old friends! I keep saying THANKS, but I do mean it!(I recall Paul taking an electric heater in the bath with him---a very strange way to go.)Regards, Art Thieme |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Bruce O. Date: 07 Feb 98 - 04:07 PM I see my spelling above was incorrect. His full name, I was told, was Paul Clayton Worthington. |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Ferrara Date: 07 Feb 98 - 03:54 PM I also heard, from a fellow who knew Paul Clayton, that he had committed suicide. "Who's Gonna Buy You Ribbons" wasn't the only song that was swiped from under him. He discovered/collected "Gotta Travel On" (Done laid around, done played around this old town too long, etc) but it was rewritten to give it a more uptown sound, and Clayton never received either credit or royalties of any kind. Now - this may be pure "fakelore" that I am making up out of whole cloth -- but my memory says that he may have also discovered/collected "Copper Kettle." But it's been almost 30 years.... I'm sure about Gotta Travel On, though. My friend had the highest respect for Clayton as a folklorist and musician. |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Bruce O. Date: 07 Feb 98 - 02:12 PM I've sent name, at al., of my source to Art via e-mail. As are some others here, I am on b--l-l list. |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Art Thieme Date: 07 Feb 98 - 01:24 PM Bruce O.--Thanks. I have the TIMBER-R-R-R Lp and it's on Riverside (but later reissued on Washington. What I'm looking for is some of his later history. (All the Riverside stuff--along with Kicking Mule where my first 2 LPs were---are now owned by Fantasy.) I doubt I'll be able to get the rights to issue those myself.But am hoping they might issue those some day before the year 3098. Quite frustrating to have that all tied up. Art |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Bruce O. Date: 07 Feb 98 - 01:02 PM I have two old Paul Clayton (Wothington) records (and two newer Art Thieme ones) Timber (Logging/ Loggers songs); Riverside 12-648 British and American Murder Ballads; Washingon WLP 727 (reissue of Riverside?). Both are, I think, from the late 1950's. I know who it was that told me he was dead, and I'll try to dig up more there (Art has probably met her at FSGW get togethers). |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Art Thieme Date: 07 Feb 98 - 12:30 PM NO, that's the only Paul Clayton--at least that's the one I'm asking about. He must've made 50 vinyl LPs. Possibly more. He wrote a song called "Whose Gonna Buy You Ribbons When I'm Gone" that Dylan took and "re-wrote" as "Don't Think Twice It's Allright". (Am bein' charitable when I say "re-wrote".) Paul Claton was Dylan's chauffer during some wild rides & druggy times as I recall. Thanks for some input on this!!Art Thieme |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Bruce O. Date: 07 Feb 98 - 12:18 PM Wow, I was told long ago that Paul Clayton (Worthington) had commited suicide, in the late 1960's as I recall. Are there two of them? |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Barry Finn Date: 07 Feb 98 - 10:30 AM Joe, sound like the same LP. This was on Tradition Records #1005, it has the same songs you mentioned & a total of 20. Some of the others are; Girls Around Cape Horn, Old Stormalong, The Dying Sailor To His Shipmates, Saturday Night At Sea, Round The Corner, etc. Sounds like you got a reissue at a great price. Don't know much more about Paul, except his name keeps lurking in the backround, people crediting him with this or that, thanking him for one thing or another, mostly in days before my time. Barry |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Frank in the swamps Date: 07 Feb 98 - 06:59 AM I have an old Folkways L.P. with him called "Fo'csle songs and shanties" It's short for Forecastle, part of the old sailing ships. I don't have it in the house, but if this thread is still around by the time I get over to where it's stored, I'll add some more info. If memory serves me right, Paul Van Ronk sang on that album also. Frank I.T.S. |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Joe Offer Date: 07 Feb 98 - 04:13 AM Yes, Barry, it was of great interest. I just picked up a $5.99 Paul Clayton CD at Tower called "Sailing and Whaling Songs of the 19th Century," CD 389 from Legacy International, Box 249, Pismo Beach, CA 93448. It has 20 cuts, from "The Maid of Amsterdam" to "Santy Anna." I wonder if it's the same as the LP you have, or if it's a combination of a couple of LP's. Legacy International has reissued a lot of older folk recordings, of mixed sound quality - this one is excellent. The notes don't say anything about Paul Clayton himself. Lou or Barry, can you tell us any more? Hmmm. I wonder if the whaling museum in New Bedford can tell us more - by the way, the museum is a great place to visit. -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Barry Finn Date: 06 Feb 98 - 11:00 PM Art, don't know if this will mean much to you. I have an old LP of his, goes back to June 1956, so I'll type out the notes from the jacket, seeing that due to it's age it may be rare outside of places like this fourm. It's off of "Whaling & Sailing Songs, From The Days Of Moby Dick, Sung By Paul Claton"."Paul Clayton was born in the great whaling port of New Bedford, Mass. where his ancestors were whaling captains & seafaring men; his grandfather, from whose singing he first became interested in traditional songs, outfitted whaling ships for many years. The songs & shanties sung by whalers been his particular area of study for some time. His research in the old logs & journals of the New Bedford Whaling Museum & Public Library has resulted in original contributions to the folk music field which have recieved high commendation from folklore scholars. Recently he was invited by the 'Moby Dick Premiere Committee' of Warner Bros. & the city of New Bedford to appear as an enterainer at the various festivities in conjunction with the world premiere of the motion picture 'Moby Dick'. Included on this record are many of the selections he sang at that time. In addition to having previously recorded a number of longplaying commercial records, Mr. Clayton has also recorded songs traditional in his family for the Archives of the BBC, the Flanders Ballad Collection at Middlebury College, Vermont, & for the Library of Congress". Hope this was of interest. Barry |
Subject: info about Paul Clayton?? From: Art Thieme Date: 06 Feb 98 - 09:03 PM Folksinger Paul Clayton has always been a favorite of mine. Learned many songs from him. Met him once backstage at the Gate Of Horn in Chi. He NEVER got in the way of his song/story. (That probably accounted for his lack of commercial success.)He had a tragic end. Anybody know his details or life story or whatever?? Thanks! Art Thieme |
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