Jim Eldon Appreciation Society

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,Young Buchan
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 09:38 AM

Ah, now I understand. I point out some of Jim's good qualities. That's appreciation. I point out some of his weaknesses. That's intellectual arrogance. Yes, of course, his weaknesses IN MY OPINION. All this kind of thing is subjective as is all art criticism, and I don't feel bound to keep saying 'in my opinion but of course there are other opinions and you're not bound to take my word for it' every time I want to express a view.
Why does it cause people such distress that I want to be critical? Has the Folk movement lost all critical faculties? The editor of a regional folk magazine once told me that after he'd farmed out records to be reviewed, if he got a bad review back, he would send it to someone else in the hope of getting a better one. How do we hold up our head as a musical art form if this is our attitude?
Let's be quite clear what I am saying. I do NOT, and I do not even feel like reserving the right to, come on these pages and criticise by name amateur performers. But Jim is a professional. He takes money, albeit hardly a fortune, from the movement in general, and from me personally when I buy tickets to watch him. I think, even without years of studying folk music behind me, I have the right to be critical when I believe he is making mistakes.
How do professionals improve if every comment they get is from an Appreciation Society? I'm very sorry this sounds like an attack on Jim, because the ONLY reason I have chosen to contribute to this is that I really admire so much about him that I think he is worth 'saving' (how's that for intellectual arrogance?).
Someone has asked about whether I would be critical of Vin Garbutt. No I wouldn't, because I have no time for his work at all, so I have no interest in trying to improve him. Jim however is different. And so I get railed to death…

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 06:39 AM

WLD...I'll second that.
Although Jim has made a great contribution to the collecting and preservation of songs...particularly those of travellers...and I could happily spend all night listening to him perform them....his own songs are also well observed , often amusing, and entertaining.

Young Buchan...you'll be telling me next that you'd prefer Vin Garbutt without his hallmark intros.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 05:45 AM

Young Buchan, I cannot and will not understand the sort of intellectual arrogance that stands inside another man's soul and tells him how he should express himself artistically. Shame on you.

Sometimes artists do take the 'wrong' path. One thinks of Django Rheinhardts move to electric guitars. But this is lofty sounding nonsense. Perhaps if you had done gigs in noisy nightclubs with even a modern electro-acoustic guitar, you could understand where Django was standing.

Maybe Jim learned something on that ferry boat, playing for holidaymakers about the true nature of of 'folk' music that has eluded you thus far.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 05:31 AM

Don't know if this will help. Mike O'leary - Johns was a member of Mainbrace and this is the e-mail address I found. Not sure if it is still correct

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: ossonflags
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 05:00 AM

Yeh, my mistake course you can't PM without being a member.But been trying to get hold of Mike O'Leary - Jones for months.Would be obliged if someone could give/send me some contact for him.

Thanks for that Geoff it would be most appreciated

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,Young Buchan
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 03:53 AM

Jim is a really nice bloke, an important collector of traditional songs, and a very good performer of traditional music.
Regretably someone once told him that he could write songs.
Even more regretably someone once told him it was quite ok for him to do whole sets of his own and other modern stuff.
I also,like Mike O'Leary-Jones, used to walk thirty miles barefoot over glass to hear him. Now I at least tend to keep my shoes on.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Les from Hull
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 05:39 PM

Mick Waterson told Jim he shouldn't write songs about problems, but about solutions. Jim's answer to this was that he only really knew one thing worth knowing, about toilet rolls getting out of sync.

'Pass one ply round behind, see your problems all unwind.
There was never a fault in the roll you'll find,
If you just pass one ply round behind.'

My life has been free from problem toilet rolls ever since, thanks to Jim.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 05:16 PM

will copy the tape for you Mick (as I don't think it's commercially available anymore)

It's the song that starts...
"I was alligator wrestling in Pearson Park.
My heart missed a beat when I heard the bloodhounds bark.
There was posse of parkies hard upon my tail
I was hanging on tight to the alligator's tail.
Home town , Home town.
It's a hard hard city , it's a hard hard town.
I'm gonna get a budgie if the pace slows down.
Home town."


It's better when performed!!

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: ossonflags
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:11 AM

No..................missed that one.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 06:07 AM

'ow anybody from 'ull could fail to identify with "Home Town" ('ome Town) beats me

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: r.padgett
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 09:09 AM

NO dunt think so!

Ray

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 03:37 AM

Can he PM you, without joining.....?

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: ossonflags
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 02:08 AM

Well hello Mike!!! have been trying to get hold of you for ages.

Please send me a pm and will give you me contact details

Mick McGarry

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 12:08 PM

Jim Eldon is the " Bees Knees ".
He is asolutely WONDERFUL.
I would walk thirty miles : barefoot over Broken Glass to hear him!.
I could esily get over the top singing his praises..............
                                     Mike.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Rasener
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 11:26 AM

Hi Geoff
>>As for the scratchy fiddle playing ,Villan....try listening beyond that...particularly at live performances..he's a great entertainer.
<<
I didn't say I didn't like him, in fact I did, but the fiddle playing was very difficult to take on board. I saw him up at Grimsby Folk Club and had Dai Woosnam next to me who is a fan. I think he did "Something Else" the old Eddie Cochran song and I thought he did that really well.
I have no doubt he is a very good entertainer, I am just a tad intrigued about the fiddle bit.
Whens he next on at GFC then Geoff?

Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 09:16 AM

Think I may have imbibed too much!
Of course I meant "All songs by Jim"
"My daughters were great fans"
"when collecting sons..."

sorry
geoff t

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 09:11 AM

I still have a worn copy of the "Loaded Dice" cassette by Jim Eldon and the Allsorts. All sons by Jim..including "Pools Win" and "Custom Car Kid"....it's brilliant! My two (young at the time) daughters were grat fand and insisted I get them his autograph !!! The Allsorts are those notables Richard Wastling,Brian Slater,Dave Hill,Wayne Nicholls and John Craft.   By the way Sedayne , The Jim Eldon Appreciation Society was started By Brenda Spence and Pete Fletcher at Nellie's (White Horse Folk Club) in the early 80s(or it might have been the late 70s). I was an early member.
As well as those soft toys that Lynette made he also used to sell clowns and monkeys on sticks...a craft he'd learnt from travelling folk when collecting somgs from them. I remember at one Towersey festival Jim and Bill Caddick....(perhaps having imbibed a little too much) walking through the audience during a set by Roaring Jelly with usherettes trays shouting "Get your stuffed vermin" This was soon brought to an end as they walked on the stage and a hedgehog's head was bitten off. Yes Jim is a one-off!
Ossonflags...yes I remember the wooden flutes. In fact he sold one of his very old ones to a friend of mine Paul Blackburn,with instructions to keep it in a barrel of water overnight to preserve its tone
As for the scratchy fiddle playing ,Villan....try listening beyond that...particularly at live performances..he's a great entertainer.
These days I usually meet Jim at Maritime festivals..and the trilby and leather jacket have been replaced by a suit!!
As you can probably guess I'm a fan.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 07:03 AM

I think my favourite of all Jim's own songs is Custom Car Kid; when I sing 'Mutton Pie' in singarounds I invariably include verses from Custom Car Kid by way of personal acknowledgement to the great man.

Oh, he's got side-winders on his exhaust,
He's told me twice how much it cost;
It's a farting camel when he drives off,
But at least he's gone and that's no loss -
With a foll-the-diddle-di-do -
foll-the-diddle-dee.

Oh, the Custom Car Kid comes to settle his bill,
He says know wat I mea, Lads, it needn't go in the till;
He paid us cash but we charged him full,
And we pocketed the tax, he though he'd done real well -
With a foll-the-diddle-di-do -
foll-the-diddle-dee.

In fact, it's amazing how many songs fit the tune of Mutton Pie; I also lob in verses from The Twa Corbies, Willie's Lady, Same Old Man, Leatherwing Bat and The Maid and the Magpie.

Jim Eldon Appreciation Society Xmas Fun Quiz : How many songs to fit the tune of Mutton Pie can YOU come up with ???

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 05:33 AM

I've said it before, but People who live in Glasshouses do their shopping in Pateley Bridge.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 06:17 PM

Bainbo

As Frank Muir (or) Dennis Norden once said about an eastern potentate trying to hide his family treasures against the marauding hoards.
"People who live in glass houses, shouldn't stow throwns"
Seydane.

can be arranged.
Get in touch............(Have just listened to it again...Lovely!)
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Bainbo
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 06:04 PM

That's OK, Ralphie. I've just realised I can't spell Reconnez. D'oh. Anyone want to come round to my glass house and help me chuck a few more stones?

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 04:22 PM

OK, OK...
I can't spell (W)Reckless !! Mea Culpa!
With reference to the "Teenage Kicks" recording, I always said that I would send a copy to John Peel (who was also a fan).
Never got around to it, sadly, but whenever I play it now I think of John
R

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 03:52 PM

And I remember him singing "Little White Bull" in the late evening session in the bar at the National at Sutton Bonington....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 03:44 PM

Ralphie -

"...Have a prized live recording 10 miles off the coast of Flanborough Head of Jim seguing Belinda Carlisles "Oo Heaven is a place on earth" c/w The Undertones "Teenage Kicks" ..."

This I have to hear...

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Bainbo
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 01:07 PM

I could sit listening to his songs and stories for hours. In fact, I have. So intense that on occasion it's made me think: "This must have been what it was like listening to the old Delta bluesmen." Not stylistically, of course, but you know ... So, yeah, I'd join an appreciation society.

And Ralphie - In the 70s I saw a wild man in a tartan jacket, singing songs like Recconnaiz Cherie and Whole Wide World. He was called Wreckless Eric (sic) ... but Restless Eric sounds much more interesting

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 12:15 PM

I recall him selling cuddly toys (made by Lynette?) at gigs in the early 80's, one of which was a baby seal which he suggested we could club together to get...
He also had a lot of interesting stories about collecting songs in North Lincolnshire (and pitfalls to avoid), for a local radio programme he used to be involved with.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Rasener
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 10:07 AM

That sounds like me Al :-)

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 09:46 AM

'Ok so somebody explain to me what a scratchy gypsy style fiddler is please.'

Show a bit of imagination Les. When you're a gypsy fiddler, life is full of scratches...you are living amongst the brambles and briars, eating hedgehogs, and stuff like that.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: ossonflags
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 08:44 AM

Great guy, I have known him since he was one of the the residents at "The Rugby Folk Club" Dock Street Hull, along with stalwarts such as Mick Waterson, Jock Manual and Jill Pidd; thats gotta be over thirty five years ago,am I right FolkieDave? you were around at the time in 'ull

Apart from his vast repoitoire of songs,stories and his unique fiddle playing style;does any one remember his very skillfull playing of whistles, piccolo and timber flute?

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Rasener
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 07:41 AM

Hi Ralphie
I have seen Jim live and listened to the Myspace bit. I posted it LOL.
Les

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 07:37 AM

Hi Mr Villan.
Difficult one!!
Have a listen to the MP3s on his MySpace page listed above.
Reminds me a bit of a folkie version of Restless Eric, in a way, but his fiddle style is probably indefineable.
Jolly nice chap though, well worth seeking him out if he is nearby.
Cheers Ralphie

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Rasener
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 07:30 AM

Ok so somebody explain to me what a scratchy gypsy style fiddler is please.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 07:25 AM

National Treasure indeed
Have a prized live recording 10 miles off the coast of Flanborough Head of Jim seguing Belinda Carlisles "Oo Heaven is a place on earth" c/w The Undertones "Teenage Kicks"
Jim took over the role of The Brid Fiddler, working on the pleasure boats out of the Yorkshire port, in the early eighties from my late compadre Nigel Chippindale, and is still going strong in the summer months.
Also a fine, and quirky songwriter, Check out Pools Win, amongst many others.
There have been several self made CDs over the years, all of which never fail in raising a smile.
Well worth checking out, and if anyone is in Brid next summer, why not take a "Trip round the Bay" with Jim.
Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 07:21 AM

he's from hull.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Dec 07 - 07:15 AM

The only time I met Jim was when he did an album for Topic with the late Tufty Swift in our little garage studio. He seemed a very nice guy, and played in tune as I remember. In fact I'm certain he did, I've heard the record.

Perhaps the playing out of tune is something he has decided to do in later life. Folk music is a bit like that. I made several similar decisions.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 06:17 PM

And,, IIRC, plays left-handed...

Kitty

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Folkiedave
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 05:43 PM

He has been intriguing people for the last 30+ years! And I know him quite well.

The Brid Fiddler!

Dave

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Rasener
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 04:59 PM

Well this guy is a very experienced performer, so I made the assumption that it was on purpose. I have to say he intrigued me very much.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 04:50 PM

It doesn't sound off-key to me, but it is awfully scratchy and it sounds on purpose. I suppose it's alright for a tune or two, but a whole concert of it would get wearing.

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: r.padgett
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 04:41 PM

Jim appeared at the Yorkshire Garland Luanch on Sep 15th in York at the NCEM for us

He is most certainly a total one off, National Treasure ~ could be!

He has fans certainly high up the folk hiarachy, even though he can mostly be seen on the boats at Bridlington! entertaining in his own way

A collector story teller singer and scratchy fiddler with his own selection of songs, also Lynnette clogging

His vinyl entitled " I wish there was no Prisons"

His Lady of York (Cruel Mother) version is totally succinct and movingly haunting

Ray

Subject: RE: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Rasener
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 02:57 PM

Jim Eldon Band

I have to say that I have seen Jim live and whilst I thought he was funny, I just couldn't get my head around the fiddle playing. Sounded totally off key to my ears, and I haven't found anybody yet who can explain this. Is it me or is it meant to be that way or what.

Can anybody educate the uneducated?

He is a rare commodity, and that is meant in the nicest way.

Subject: Jim Eldon Appreciation Society
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 09 Dec 07 - 02:21 PM

Listening a lot to Jim recently & I can't help but feel the man truly is a national treasure; one of the great voices of the Engish Traditional Song and yet as quirky & as idiosyncratic as one could wish...

Who's with me on this? Share your thoughts!