2007/11: Norma Waterson unwell?

Subject: BS: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Desdemona
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 04:29 PM

Unsure if this should be under "music" or not...anyway, we have tickets to see Waterson:Carthy in March, and I received an e-mail today from the distributor/ticket-dealer/whatever that due to illness, Norma won't be appearing. Aside from our obvious disappointment as long-time fans, we were concerned by this news since the concert is about a month away. Does anyone know anything? I'm just hoping that it's not anything serious.

~D

Subject: RE: BS: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 04:48 PM

According to her US agent, Norma Waterson has broken her ankle. She will therefore (literally) have to sit this tour out.

--Charlie Baum, with the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, which will sponsor the trio of Waterson:Carthy in Rockville, MD, near Washington, DC, on Friday, March 2. Details at http://ceimd.com/php/public.php?Org=fsgw&ProgramID=4&EventID=2081&NoTitle=1 for anyone interested.

Subject: RE: BS: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,marley
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 04:53 PM

Speaking of Norma Waterson, I believe hers
is the only version of "Martha, Flower of ... Strabane".
Such a beautiful performance, how similar is her version
of the melody to the traditional version ?

Subject: RE: BS: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,marley
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 04:55 PM

oops.. correction to the last post: I mean't the only version that I have heard...

Subject: RE: BS: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Desdemona
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 05:03 PM

Charie,

Thanks very much for the info; while I'm sorry to hear about Norma's accident, I'm glad to hear it's something so emminently fixable. I can't recall who it was that said hearing Norma sing is like having honey poured in your ears, but it's very apt, such a voice!

~D

Subject: RE: BS: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 05:03 PM

Margaret Barry also recorded The Flower of Sweet Strabane - maybe not "beautiful" but a powerful performance nevertheless

discography

Best wishes Norma for a speedy recovery

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: michaelr
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 08:21 PM

Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill recorded "Martha,..." on her Donal Lunny-produced album "No Dowry" (Shanachie, 1999). A brilliant record!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 04:29 AM

Also listen to:-
Paddy Tunney - Topic 12T139
De Danaan - Decca SKL R5287
David Hammond - Greenhays 702
Geordie Hanna - Fisher's Cott CD (no number)

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 05:23 AM

The great John McCormack also recorded 'Flower of Sweet Strabane' - that's the version I first heard, long before Norma's. Not saying it's better, just providing the info. Bridie Gallagher also recorded it. I don't know the dates of the recordings though (but McCormack died in 1945 when Norma was 6 years old. Maybe she learnt it from his version?

As far as her injury is concerned - I'm sorry to hear that. Would she not be able to perform sitting down? Not sure if she could or not, just asking. It doesn't sound like it should stop her being able to sing?

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 06:38 AM

"Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill recorded "Martha,..." on her Donal Lunny-produced album "No Dowry" (Shanachie, 1999). A brilliant record!"
Hereby seconded, Michael! I remember seeing Maighread in action quite some years ago at the National Folk Music Festival in Sutton Bonington, and being totally mesmerised by her singing - couldn't understand much of what she was singing, but the way she was delivering it was spellbinding. As a result I rushed out to order the CD as soon as I got home, and didn't regret it!

Scrump - while it's possible to sing sitting down, you don't get best results that way - and anyway Norma literally throws herself into what she does when she's singing - can't see that sitting would actually suit her best. Add to that, no doubt that it's difficult actually getting around with a broken ankle, not to mention painful/uncomfortable !!

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 07:38 AM

Well, Surreysinger, I agree that singing sitting down doesn't suit everybody. I prefer to stand when singing myself as I think it improves my performance (I seem to be able to breathe more easily).

Yes, I agree it wouldn't be easy getting about with a broken ankle. Just thought I'd ask - if the alternative would be cancelling gigs, I'd probably try to go ahead with it myself in similar circs.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 08:03 AM

Went to see Martin and Norma with Peggy Seegar a couple of years back and Norma was poorly then as well. Mike Waterson was the replacement and in all honesty I probably enjoyed the concert all the more for that. I like Norma OK but I always enjoyed Mike more. Can't help wonder why most of his songs have the word 'bum', or reference to other covered body parts, in them;-)

Cheers

D.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:31 AM

We went to see the WC/Devil's Interval tour at Christmas. Norma was in pain then and couldn't stand for very long. I always believed it was arthritis.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Trevor
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:36 AM

Norma had a bad ankle when she came and performed at Hope a couple of years ago. I think she'd had an op or something. Anyway, get well soon Norma, if you're reading this!

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Crystal
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:18 AM

I'm glad it is nothing dangerous, but I hope she gets well soon, anything wrong to do with the feet is painful.

I saw WC at Towersey a couple of years back, a wonderful experience!

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: danensis
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:46 PM

Liza Carthy is getting more and more like her mum - perhaps she could substitute?

John

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Greg B
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 03:57 PM

I always suspected that that voice started somewhere down around
her toes.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 04:44 PM

"I prefer to stand when singing myself as I think it improves my performance (I seem to be able to breathe more easily)."

Absolutely Scrump - you need what has been described to me as "a straight column of air" in order to breathe properly - so standing up (or indeed lying down) are the best positions for singing in! Sitting down - unless you are adopting the best Alexander Technique postural position - encourages a scrunching up of the torso - not conducive to good singing technique!

"Yes, I agree it wouldn't be easy getting about with a broken ankle. Just thought I'd ask - if the alternative would be cancelling gigs, I'd probably try to go ahead with it myself in similar circs."

Possibly - but when you have other problems as well, and are in a lot of pain, you're hardly likely to be giving of your best. As somebody has already posted, I believe Norma was (to put it mildly)not in a lot of comfort doing the Christmas gigs, but went ahead anyway. I'd rather that an artist cancelled a gig rather than perform in pain - wouldn't make me feel too comfortable if I knew that somebody was forcing themselves to perform if they weren't really up to it just because I had paid to see them.

BTW - I haven't seen anything anywhere else that suggested that Norma had a broken ankle.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 05:03 AM

Suffers from asthma too, doesn't she?

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Scrump
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 05:27 AM

BTW - I haven't seen anything anywhere else that suggested that Norma had a broken ankle.

Sorry, Surreysinger, I was simply quoting from Charlie Baum above.

I didn't know about her other health problems, so maybe it's understandable that she's pulled out of these gigs.

Anyway, I can only echo Trevor and wish her all the best and hope she recovers soon.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 07:32 AM

er...danensis...as Liza is already in the group how could she substitute for her mum?

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Scrump
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 08:13 AM

Well, old git, Eliza could do the cooking, the dusting and the hoovering for a start :-)

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Surreysinger
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 12:26 PM

Eliza could do the cooking, the dusting and the hoovering for a start :-) LOL
Never seen them do any of that on stage before!!

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Greg B
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 12:53 PM

Give Martin a Hoover, he'll promptly find a new tuning for
it and half a dozen songs and tunes that sound like they
were made just for it.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 01:43 PM

I think it's Eliza who has asthma. We went to a WC concert once and she wasn't there because she was in hospital with asthma. The rest of the family, Norma especially, had stinking colds. It wasn't the best I've seen them play!

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,Ken J
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 08:01 PM

I saw Waterson:Carthy's show in Ann Arbor last night. Even with Norma having to stay home for this tour, it was a great show. Tim Van Eyken is a revelation. I mean, Martin Carthy is an old friend for three decades, and Eliza's a star, but we'd never seen Tim Van Eyken before -- my friends who don't listen to the BBC radio shows had never heard of him -- and he made a spectacular impression on both vocals and accordion.   "How did such a skinny kid get such a commanding voice?" asked a friend.

Eliza and Tim didn't bring any solo CDs to sell, so I had to run out to get copies this evening from Elderly Instruments.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,Mitch Greenhill
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 10:09 PM

Norma has broken the ankle several times over the years. By now it plain doesn't work. She cannot put any weight on it, and is in a lot of pain. Some serious surgery is probably in the offing.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: folk_radio_uk
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 07:14 AM

That's a shame to hear, I hope she recovers soon. I've got tickets to see them in June in Taunton at the Brewhouse. This will be a first for me so I'm looking forward to it.

I saw mention of Tim Van Eyken in this thread. I went to see him other week (solo) at Milverton Music Club and he was great. He got two standing ovations, it was a great night and he also played Whistle. Apparently it was a prototype designed by an Australian that he had given to him as gift.

I interviewed Tim a short while ago. The interview is here if anyone is interested.

Tim Van Eyken Interview

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Zhenya
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:28 AM

Tonight I was at a World Music Institute (WMI) concert in NY, and I have tickets for Waterson Carthy at the same venue tomorrow night.

An announcement was made at tonight's concert that Norma Waterson wouldn't be there tomorrow due to an ankle injury. This was the first I'd heard of it, as I must have missed this thread.

I just took a look at the WMI site to see if they had further information. It was really odd - they handled this issue by completely taking out any mention of Norma Waterson at all and (literally) cutting her out of the picture. The photo now shows a trio and they're the only ones mentioned in the description. I still have an earlier brochure announcing the concert, with a different photo with all four of them, and mentioning Norma Waterson as well. Personally, I would have found it more tasteful to leave that as is, and just add an update explaining that she wouldn't be performing at this concert. Here's the link:

WMI


At any rate, I'm sorry to hear of her medical problems and hope that with time off she will recover. I saw the whole group about a year and a half ago, and all of them were incredible. I'm glad to hear a favorable review of the trio's concert from Ken J. above, so I'm looking forward to that tomorrow night, and will hopefully get to hear Norma Waterson perform again at a future date.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Big Tim
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:47 AM

Norma's 'Strabane' melody is pretty similar to Margaret Barry's. She does though make some rather annoying changes to the lyrics (nothing major, just pointless).

Bride Gallagher also does a lovely 'Strabane'.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 03:33 PM

how is she?is she ill at the present time?

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Smedley
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 05:05 PM

She was in hospital a few weeks ago, it was discussed here. Tonight a British website (Sound of the World) has one post saying she is currently "gravely ill". Let's hope this is wrong.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,trad singer
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 05:22 PM

The last thing I heard was that Norma was seriously ill. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 05:44 PM

oh my..... sending thoughts and prayers of healing for Norma, strength to her family, and power to the doctors and nurses treating her.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 06:19 PM

I am Sorry. repeat above post and send healing thoughts.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Will Fly
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 06:55 PM

When Martin was doing his guitar workshop in Lewes recently, I asked him how Norma was - and the reply was that she was having a "bit of a dip". Given that, I was very impressed - and I'm sure we were all impressed - with his determination to do the workshop, and his equal determination to get straight up to Warrington immediately after the workshop.

We sent our best wishes to Norma with him - and I repeat those wishes here.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 07 Jan 11 - 07:33 PM

Norma has been in hospital since November - she has been seriously ill (gravely ill is perhaps an exaggeration of her current state) but is improving day by day. I am sure we all wish her well, and send best wishes to Martin (who has been with her throughout, but still travelling to gigs) and Eliza. I am sure Norma is desperate to spend time with her new grand-daughter!
Derek

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 03:54 AM

Thank you for the update, Derek.

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 04:23 AM

Thinking of her and the family, and sending best wishes

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: mikesamwild
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 07:19 AM

All good wishes to Norma, Mike and the family

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 09:57 AM

My best wishes for a speedy and thorough recovery.

Jeri, New Hampshire, USA

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 10:27 AM

All best wishes to Norma and family!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:05 AM

Norma's voice has given me much energy and inspiration over the years...it's a big reason that I have energy to send now in hopes of speeding her return to vigorous good health. Bright blessings!

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:11 AM

With all good wishes to Norma, Martin, Eliza -- and the latest member of the family!
As a Scottish Mudcatter, I didn't get to see these wonderful performers as often as I would have liked but I have an abiding memory of seeing Norma mesmerising an audience (sorry - can't remember where), and trust that I will be so privileged in the future.

Guid folk are scarce!

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: JohnB
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:31 AM

Get well soon Norma Luv!
JohnB

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: GUEST,Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 02:57 PM

Best wishes to Norma from West Virginia!
Love, Ginny and Tracy

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 04:23 PM

According to a post on another forum Norma is indeed seriously ill and has spent the last 2 months in an Intensive Care Unit.

If it's not too upsetting perhaps Eliza who is on here frequently could give us an update and pm people with an appropriate address for cards. I know where the house is but I haven't actually got the postal address.

Our love, sympathy and best wishes from the Hull and Goole mob go out to all the family.

Steve

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:03 PM

I'd heard about her being ill but I'd no idea matters were so bad. Let's hope Derek's info is correct and that her recovery will be steady and speedy. All the best, Norma!

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 12:42 AM

This was posted on FolkDJ earlier today.
Robyn
...............................................

Norma Waterson has been dangerously, severely ill since early November.
She had an abcess on her lower leg which turned into septicemia, and has been in ICU for these past two months.

She has regained consciousness, but is still on a ventilator, getting
blood transfusions, and unable to sit up for any length of time. She is understandably very weak and discouraged, and could use any cheering up that people can give. Cards would be a great help.
Paul

Subject: RE: Norma Waterson unwell?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 03:19 AM

A vague indication of the hospital the ICU is located in would be useful at this juncture..

Best wishes from one whose occasional table bears the marks of a Waterson/Carthy performance from Saffron Walden.

LTS