Mighty River of Song tickets (12 May 07)(UK)

Subject: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 08 May 07 - 07:27 AM

On Saturday 12th May, Electric Voices and the Music Institute Folk Club in Guildford have hired a coach to leave Guildford at 2.30pm for a spring afternoon in London, to be followed in the evening by the very special concert at the Royal Albert Hall celebrating the music of England's first family of folk.

Tickets for this concert have now sold out. However, Electric Voices still have six tickets of their block booking left to sell. These are for centre stalls seats (15 rows back from the stage) and are
available at their face value for £27.00 each. If you would like to join our party, tickets can be ordered online and paid for either by cheque or online and will be sent by return by registered post.

(If you wish to have a place on the coach from and to Guildford, a seat and ticket can be booked at the overall cost of £40 )

Please visit Electric Voices
for full details, or telephone [phone]

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 08 May 07 - 07:51 AM

The news that the event is a sell out is wonderful and a great tribute to the q

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 08 May 07 - 07:53 AM

Ooops..........didn't mean to post that!!

A tribute to the quality of the artists.......I was going to say.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 08 May 07 - 09:32 AM

Hmmm ...ooops! I've just had a look at the Royal Albert Hall website, and it would seem that the blurb I was given may have been wrong. I suspect that what was meant was that all the _higher_ price seats have sold out - there certainly seem to be some £25 arena seats at the back still available - so can I rephrase the original posting as "all the top price tickets have now sold out" - apologies for the inaccuracy.

However, Electric Voices still have some tickets in the front of the arena section up for grabs, as above!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 10 May 07 - 10:20 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: concertina ceol
Date: 13 May 07 - 04:28 PM

Anyone else go?

Anyone else moved to tears 3 or 4 times?!

One of the best nights of music I have ever experienced. The power of 12 voices singing in harmony was the highlight of many highlights including Brass Monkey's Grenadier.

Breathtaking :-)

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 May 07 - 05:35 PM

With you almost all the way with that.

For me - and others we met in the pub afterwards - a number of highlights.

Martin and Eliza - "Beaux of London" - astonishing fiddle playing. Eliza again - with Maria - looks just like her mother. Stands the same way, same shape hair - etc...... Now for me and many others I know - there was no-one to match Lal - but she is getting really close.

A trained musician commented that to get twelve people to stand there and begin a song time after time like they did with no conductor (or someone in front) is quite difficult - they only got it wrong once - remarkable.

Brass Monkey - I thought did not reach the same heights. Excellent - and talented - interesting that the trombone player needed the music in front of him - and I would have dearly loved it at any other time, and I agree about the first number - but too easy to compare with the rest and for me did not quite make it.

Great to see loads of old friends - we even sat on the same row as two - booked totally independently.

For those who were there - a truly truly memorable evening.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 13 May 07 - 06:12 PM

Uncle Dave - how funny was it to realise we were sitting two seats away from one another?!

The big choral songs were just fantastic. Some Old Salty, Bright Phoebus, Country Life...brilliant.

Beaux of London was a HUGE highlight. I've said on another forum that Eliza's talent staggers me every time I see her - and I see her a lot. During her EFDSS gold badge presentation she was called the one of the greatest talents of her generation. I don't think that's true: she's one of the greatest folk talents of ANY generation. And she gets better all the time. I was chuffed that she played Colourblind (the Irving Berlin song she does while playing melodeon).

Lal's daughter's likeness in both loos and voice is almost spooky. Fine Horseman had the hairs going up on my arms.

I loved Brass Monkey, too.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 13 May 07 - 06:13 PM

Of course, I have no idea what Lal's daughter does in loos. But she is certainly very like her mother in looks.

Durr.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song 12/05/07
From: concertina ceol
Date: 13 May 07 - 06:46 PM

Lal's daughter has an amazing voice and I hope yesterday's experience may tempt her into singing publicly in future - unless she has a huge body of recorded work that I am unfamiliar with. (?!)

It was a lovely evening. I was on row 4 in stalls (prom area), which happened to be at far left side at front with only one row in front. Norma just happened to look directly at me as my brain twigged that they were launching into country life, she gave me a broad smile the way she does and off they went!

I don't think there was a dud song/tune all evening, but the last Brass Monkey song was the least successful musically. I think the trombone player had the music because he was playing the trumpet part and the trombone part (not simultaneously). They were very nervous and emotional as it was the first performance without Howard.

I've not seen Eliza's fiddle playing close up for a long time. She was totally fantastic varying her playing beautifully to fit the song or tune. It was also great to see the Plough Stots - they did an amazing job given the space.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 May 07 - 04:37 AM

Ruth - I was trying to keep it a secret that it was you that was booked on the same row. People may talk. Even though you and I know it was accidental there's no smoke without fire. Remember Sam.

And I agree about Eliza being one of the greatest talents.

I happen to know she is booked to perform with Ed Harcourt at Wychwood Festival, a further extension of her musical horizons.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 14 May 07 - 04:42 AM

Concertina Ceol - actually not strictly true - I saw Brass Monkey perform without Howard while he was ill at Godalming as a smaller lineup - and the difference was oh so noticeable at that point. I look forward to seeing them with the new lineup in Godalming again later in the year!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 07 - 05:20 AM

Yes but Howard was still alive at that point was he not. For fact fans he was taken ill at the Regal in Worksop, Notts during the show and rushed to Hospital.

I spoke to John at Lewes the day before they were all going to meet up and discuss whether to carry on as a four piece, he was unsure - I'm really glad they did decide to tour again.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 14 May 07 - 06:42 AM

Point taken - and I'll echo your gladness taht they have decided to tour again (I'm assuming that Guest is CC??)

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 14 May 07 - 07:00 AM

Dave - as you were there with your wife and I was there with my boyfriend, I don't think the tongues will be wagging too furiously!

I liked it that we could immediately spot the Yorkshire contingent when we arrived at the pub, due to the pile of cagouls in the window! Saturday's weather must have made you feel right at home.

We gave Mike your regards.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 07 - 07:58 AM

Sorry the guest was/is me Concertina Ceol, at work with no cookie.

I'm from Yorkshire myself and saw Malcolm Storey (a couple of rows back from me) and Derek Scofield (He took a picture of the gold badge moment.)

Saw Mick Peat as well off in the banked stalls on the right and Dan Quinn in the Bar.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 14 May 07 - 08:18 AM

Funnily enough, I saw Derek Schofield, too. :)

He got some more gold badge pics backstage after the event - I'm sure they'll look very pretty in the next EDS.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 May 07 - 11:00 AM

I wasn't worried about the tongues of those who saw us together wagging, it was people on here realising we were sat together....and not knowing the full facts.

Especially as we are to meet again this weekend!!

Dave

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 14 May 07 - 11:24 AM

Dave, I reckon you're TRYING to make it worse...

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 May 07 - 11:30 AM

Moi?

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 14 May 07 - 11:52 AM

Mais oui....certainement monsieur Dave!!!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 14 May 07 - 11:59 AM

BTW... what ARE you two up to this weekend?[grins]

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 14 May 07 - 12:05 PM

Shepley Festival. Mr Eyre is also going there to sell books, but has promised me a hot chocolate at some point...

There will be Watersons there. And Carthys. Actually, it'll be the first chance to see Saul in W:C (again).

See what I did there? Back on topic. Kind of.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 14 May 07 - 12:31 PM

Not at all - topic was actually (see first posting) - spare tickets for the concert - which is now past and gone.... so everything after that is wildly OFF topic ... he he chuckle chuckle!

Where the dickens is Shepley?? Sounds good - why didn't I know about it? And WHY are you getting a hot chocolate out of him.... the world may need to know!!!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 May 07 - 12:34 PM

Looking forward to seeing them perform as W:C and a hot chocolate is definitely on the cards for Ruth. And some cake, and possible a brandy with it. And please Ruth, call me Dave, no need to be formal or avuncular!!

And to stay on topic.

Two things not mentioned so far. The Goathland Plough Stotts were terrific, and I wonder what people thought of Feargal Sharkey's contribution.

My own instincts say "Why would Steve (Heap) have brought him along to give an indication that there might encouraging words for folk music from the Live Music Forum if there was no encouraging words to be found in the Live Music Forum's report in four weeks time". But I would be interested to hear other's thoughts.

Did he stay for the whole show?

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 May 07 - 03:17 PM

Couple of other things.

First of all - there was an article in the Guardian last Saturday

here

And in the Bright Phoebus thread Ralph Jordan has posted a link to Norma singing Black Muddy River here, another of Saturday night's highlights.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 14 May 07 - 03:24 PM

I LOVE her singing Black Muddy River...

Feargal Sharkey seemed to have wandered into the wrong event. It felt like a speech to the AFO conference.

Shepley's in Yorkshire, organised by the lovely people who used to do Holmfirth.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 May 07 - 03:38 PM

It did indeed Ruth - (mind there was a lot of organisers there too!!) but why?

Dave

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 14 May 07 - 08:00 PM

Who can say? I thought it a bit odd, as lots of people there would've just been bogstandard punters who wouldn't have a clue what he (or Steve) was on about when referring to some of the issues and tensions surrounding folk and traditional music. The people behind us certainly fell into that category - I was listening in on their conversation in the interval, and they were casual folkies who thought that bit was all rather odd. To be honest, for most people, paying 30 quid to go to a concert is about having a good night out - it's not a political decision. But the speeches were obviously well-intentioned.

By the way, Mike says you're only after his books when he dies...

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: open mike
Date: 14 May 07 - 09:38 PM

remember this site is for international reading
and would be better to post dates 12 may 07 so
as to be understood by all. US readers may have
thought it was december 5th. (if it had been on
the 13th or later, it might have occured to some
that the date was written in different order than we do.)

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 May 07 - 04:13 AM

I am sorry to add a discordant note to an admirable thread, but I do get a bit annoyed by the cultural colonialism of attempts to impose the American date convention on the rest of the world.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 15 May 07 - 04:28 AM

Wasn't it nice when Liza got her Blue Peter badge?

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 07 - 05:07 AM

open mike

why single us out, when this site is littered with references to events in english cities that then turn out to be copies established in the new world.

just shrug your shoulders - it's life

two cultures divided by a common language

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 May 07 - 06:45 AM

Re the question on another thread about who the "brilliant young melodeon player" was: which one?

At the far right of the stage next to Olly Knight you had Saul Rose, but over to the left (where he played with Martin the tune Balancy Straw and then sang Seventeen Come Sunday) was Tim van Eyken.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 15 May 07 - 07:03 AM

Open Mike - as the original poster, may I say that I'm with Richard on this one - the event was an English one, the dating was English, and the contents of the first post made it _quite_ clear what actual date was intended. Posting dates in the American method certainly would not make the dating clear to all outside the bounds of that particular country - I personally find the American back to front usage of the numerals very confusing... but this is even more off topic than the thread about the actual concert, which I'd much rather hear about!!!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 15 May 07 - 07:35 AM

The memsahib and myself are still trying to work out who was related to whom on stage. Can anyone do a complete breakdown of the younger generation? And where does Ann fit it?

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 May 07 - 07:44 AM

At the far left of the stage was Dave Brady's son. The two dark-haired girls on next to him were Mike and Anne's daughters. Anne is Mike's wife. The melodeon player next to them was Tim van Eyken.

At the far right of the stage you had Olly Knight, who is Lal's son, Saul Rose, who used to be in Waterson Carthy and now is again but isn't related to anyone (rather like Tim VE), and Marie (may have spelt that wrong) who is Lal's daughter.

Does that make sense? Have I forgotten anyone?

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 07 - 07:48 AM

I thought Saul Rose was Martin's son in law by his first marriage.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 07 - 07:49 AM

Gadaffi you need to see the article from saturday's guardian "family" section but in short I believe the relationships to be as follows:

bloke on far left son of Dave X that they used to sing with in Hull (someone will need to help me out with this!)
Then granddaughter of Mike, Daughter of Mike, Wife of Mike, Tim Van Eyken (in waterson carthy up until after that evening), Martin, Mike, Norma, Lal's daughter, Eliza (daughter of Norma and Martin), Saul Rose (was in Waterson Carthy before Tim and now back in), Oliver Knight (who I think is Lal's son but I am happy to be corrected)

Apologies if I have wrong attributed anybody to anybody but I think that is about right.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 May 07 - 07:52 AM

Saul is Martin's S-i-L, guest - I forgot!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST,derek schofield
Date: 15 May 07 - 08:05 AM

Left to right .... Davoc Brady (son of late Dave Brady of Swan Arcade and Blue Murder), then Mike's two daughters Rachel and Eleanor (there were no grand-daughters), Mike's wife Anne, then Tim van Eyken, Mike Waterson, Martin carthy, Norma Waterson, Eliza Carthy, Marie (Lal's daughter), Saul Rose (son in law to Martin, married to Martin's daughter Lucy from first marriage), Ollie Knight (Lal's son).

Martin is married to Norma, Eliza is their daughter...Norma and Mike are sister and brother... the late Lal was their sister.

I was surprised Norma assumed we all knew who everyone was ... perhaps a family tree issued with the tickets next time....

Great concert though.

Derek

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 15 May 07 - 08:14 AM

Thanks for all that! I gave up buying Saturday newspapers years ago, so I'm sorry for my apparent ignorance!

Bloke on far left is Davoc Bradley, the son of the late Dave Brady from Swan Arcade. The members of Swan Arcade joined forces with Peter Bellamy and The Watersons to form the original Blue Murder which Norma acknowledged early on. Oh for any recordings made of that line up! (I know Ian Anderson made one 'through the desk' at Bracknell one year). Oliver Knight is Lal's son. Saul I know personally-ish from Seven Champions, and I'm sure is Martin's son-in-law.

I would love to see more appearances by Mike. I got on like a house on fire with him at Sidmouth last year.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 15 May 07 - 09:16 AM

Gadaffi - never knew that Peter Bellamy was in the original lineup , although I've got a tape somewhere of a radio 2 Blue Murder broadcast with the rest of the original lineup (although I can't think for the life of me where it is at the moment).

As to more appearances from Mike - hear heaer to that!!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 May 07 - 09:26 AM

"As to more appearances from Mike - hear heaer to that!! "

Watch this (Loughborough)space...

Trust Mr Schofield to come in and put it all right! Where would we be without him...?

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 May 07 - 09:29 AM

Blue Murder 1

During Whitby Folk Week 1986 people asked to perform at Robin Hood's Bay local school 1986. Included various Watersons, Swan Arcade and Peter and Anthea Bellamy. They rehearsed a couple of songs together and were probably introduced as Boggle Hole Chorale. Repeated this at the final festival ceilidh.

Blue Murder 2

News spread and the following year Ian Anderson invited them separately (Watersons/Swans) and together to appear at Bracknell. More rehearsals. Band was Martin, Norma, Mike, Lal, Rachel, plus Dave and Heather and Jim. Since rehearsals were "Blue Murder," the name stuck.

There was a live demo from a preview at Wath-on-Dearne and various other appearances over the next 18 months but that band never made any formal recordings.

Blue Murder 3

Performed "I bid you goodnight" in 1994 on Hokey Pokey's Joseph Spence album. Dave and Heather had split and were replaced by Barry Coope and Lester Simpson; Eliza replaced Rachel.

Blue Murder 4

Coope Boyes and Simpson Mike, Martin, Eliza, Norma finally make a record for Topic. TSCD 537. "No One Stands Alone" Launched at Holmfirth Festival 2002.

Davoc Brady is the son of Dave Brady whose name was really Dave Bradley. Though they were mates, they never sang together in Hull. At least not in public.

Lal's daughter Maria (though Norma seemed to call her Marie) works as a sculptor in Robin Hood's Bay.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 May 07 - 09:38 AM

I forgot to add there is a recording of Blue Murder 2 singing "Bright Phoebus" on the Waterson:Carthy website here. .

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 15 May 07 - 09:54 AM

...and trust Uncle Dave to fill in all the rest!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 15 May 07 - 09:54 AM

Thanks for all that Dave - tres illuminating!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 07 - 10:08 AM

Re Blue Murder 2 the Wath session. That must be when Martin asked my dad to take some photos for potential promotional use. I'll clarify with him in the next couple of days. Shame they were never used for that purpose.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST,buspassed
Date: 15 May 07 - 11:03 AM

Mike is on the bill at Whitby FF together with Lou Killen. So looking foeward to seeing them together, not seen LK since the mid '60's in Hull. As I remember they sang together in the '66 docco. 'Travelling for a Living' duetting in the Old Maritime Museum in Pickering Park.With Eliza as patron, Whitby should be kicking this year.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST,buspassed
Date: 15 May 07 - 11:12 AM

I think Norma uses the family familiar 'Marri' or usually the Hullism
'Our Marri' when refering to her niece.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 15 May 07 - 11:35 AM

Buspassed - recall seeing them singing together at the National - not sure if it was the last one or the penultimate one - but a good experience. Glad to hear that they'll both be at Whitby - I shall look forward to that!

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 May 07 - 11:40 AM

I saw Mike standing in for a poorly Norma when she should have been in Salford with Mike and Peggy Seegar. I really enjoyed his singing and choice of songs very much. Daughter pointed out that most of them mentioned 'bum' at least once but I can forgive him that:-)

Funny thing about the name Marie - changes as you get further north. First it is ma-ree, then as pointed out, in the North it becomes Ma-ri. In Scotland it changes yet again to Mah-ri (as in Wedding). Funny old lump of rock we live on init?

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 07 - 03:30 PM

Hope someone can convince Mike/Ann/Norma/Martin/George to write the family biography before too long.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST,derek schofield
Date: 15 May 07 - 06:02 PM

Mike Waterson and Louis Killen sang together at the Celebrating Cyril Tawney event at Cecil Sharp House a few weeks ago...great.
Derek

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song tickets (12/5/07)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 07 - 08:02 PM

went all the way from Canada just to go to this concert..just got back today. best concert ever. Now if the English could only make coffee it would have been a perfect trip.

Subject: RE: Mighty River of Song/Blue Murder (UK)
From: concertina ceol
Date: 31 May 07 - 06:53 AM

Re Blue Murder 2 the Wath session. That must be when Martin asked my dad to take some photos for potential promotional use. I'll clarify with him in the next couple of days. Shame they were never used for that purpose.

Just to correct what I wrote earlier - because you can't edit mudcat posts - it was georgina boyes that asked my dad to take some photographs of the Wath on Dearne practice not Martin. One of the pictures was published later in the Radio Times to publicise a radio show featuring blue murder.