Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!

Subject: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 06:47 AM

Anyone heard this?, its brilliant!
it was on Bob Harris show a couple of days ago [bbc Radio 2].

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 06:53 AM

On Bob Harris? Good grief, is this a new definition of "country"? Jim's a fantastic fiddlesinger who's sometimes played on Andy Kershaw and Late Junction on R3 though.

Is it as good as Bat Out of Hell?

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 11:56 AM

Is it a song or just a nasty rumour?
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 12:17 PM

I met him when he played on Tufty Swift's album - which they made in my shed

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: LesB
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 02:32 PM

I saw Jim at Whitby for the first time last week. I and most people I spoke to didn't know whan to make of him. He came on, scratched a few tunes on his fiddle while he sang almost non stop through his set & then went, with hardly a word spoken. Unique, certainly.
Les

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 02:40 PM

He's from Hull.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 02:44 PM

An excellent example of how the worst of handicaps can be overcome

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Blowzabella
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 03:30 PM

Jim is superb - I remember, LesB, when I first saw him - very much as you describe, except that, after a couple of songs, he paused, got his flask of tea out of his bag and said "I generally have a drop of tea around about this time, so if you'll just excuse me for a moment..." Wonderful character and great performer.

I also notice that he is always very smartly turned out when he is working. I recall a group of T-shirted, tankarded singers once slightly taking the mick out of him for being so dressed up (don't think they knew he was a booked act - not that that would have made any difference). Jim explained that when he was learning his 'trade', the old singers in th epubs were always smartly dressed, so he feels it is only right to do justice to their memory, and turn out in a similar state.

I've had several long conversations with him, on subjects as varied as The Wearing of Hats in 20th/21st century Britain to the tragic deaths of the cocklers in Morecambe Bay. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met and a fabulous performer.

But he can take one by surprise on first seeing his act - I agree!

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 04:28 PM

Jim was interviewed by Pete Morton in the Whitby interviews last week - great stuff!

One of the questions was why he spends less time talking between songs, these days, and it's on account of bereavement, because the people he learned the songs from have passed on and it doesn't seem right to talk about them much.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 06:28 PM

Jim is an old mate and still a wonderful performer. I reckon his ifrst appearance was at the Bluebell when he came back from the Merchant Navy (New Zealand comes to mind but I may be wrong there).

For his appearance on the Andy Kershaw show they went out to sea off Bridlington. Ralphie will tell you all about it.

When he was a teacher rumour has it he used to spend all his time singing to the kids. And if anyone thinks it is a bit of an act I reckon it isn't!!

His wife Lynn is a great clog dancer.

Best regards,

Dave

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 02:50 PM

Absolutely regards to him.
proper folk music, played and sang with proper folks in mind - absolutely heroic, performed in unusual locations - on boats and in sheds and stuff. So much more commendable than those guys with major record contracts , awards, wall to wall toadying, etc.....

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Can't Start a Fire!
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 06 Sep 04 - 08:56 PM

Andy Kershaw said "Jim Eldon is a National Treasure".

he [jIm], has made a few cds, put "jIm Eldon" in your searcher thing , to see about for them, jim hasent got a website, but you can send off for them, his wife [Mrs Jim] does old fashioned dancing as well, and she won some trophys for it.

he does gigs all over the place, [The Adelphi, Hull etc], and last year, he was at The National Folk Thing.
if you get chance to see him, you should go.