Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)

Subject: Obit: Michael Raven
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:00 AM

Just found this...

http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/04/17/music-maestro-dies-at-70/

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:31 AM

Mike Raven was a great guitarist. I've seen audiences watch his playing and wonder whether it was worth ever getting their guitars out of their cases again. He had staunch views on what did and did not constitute 'folk', and who festivals should and should not have on their bill. For this reason he could come across as a bit of a grumpy old man at times (and there was no point in debating with him as he 'knew' he was 'right'), but he could also be very kind and humourous. Lots of people I know have found his guitar books helpful. I am sorry he's gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: GUEST, Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:35 AM

Sorry to hear that

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:41 AM

Another Good Man Gone

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 08:15 AM

That Festival in the Otherworld must be pretty oversubscribed. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: treewind
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:05 AM

Sad news indeed. I have his huge book of English country dance tunes, which includes The India War which we recorded on our first CD, unfortunately without crediting him properly with having written the tune. I only found out because I got a phone call out of the blue from Mike who'd received a review copy of the album. He was very nice about it, but I think in equal measure upset that we hadn't credited him (though we did say it was from his book) and pleased that we were playing one of his tunes.

We've made a point of correcting the mistake anywhere we played that set of tunes, and as it happens we've been playing it quite a bit recently.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:20 AM

Brother of Jon Raven, ex Halliard.

Had the pleasure at a few fests over the years attending Mike's guitar workshops, also hearing his & Joan Mills songs.

He used to write a most informative music guide 'Freefolk', but it dropped out of sight some time ago.

Nice bloke R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:23 AM

Yeh interesting writer on folk as well. Someone nicked my book by him about the folk culture of Staffordshire.

As a very sage old English teacher once told you, if the kids are nicking the books - it shows you're buying the right ones.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: GUEST,Silas
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:28 AM

Oh Bloody hell.

Not seen Mike for some years, in fact it was Bromyards last festival on the old site, we used to get pissed together but just lost touch.

Any news of funeral etc. Last I heard he was living in Market Drayton

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: Folkiedave
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 12:30 PM

That's sad. Really sad.

Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: GUEST,another Staffordshire man.
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 12:38 PM

A Staffordshire man and proud.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Raven
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 12:43 PM

I'm currently working on some of Mike's guitar arrangements. His guitar tutor - the mainly classical one, is recommended. I remember having a nice chat with him at a folk event years ago. He was very friendly and approachable.

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 01:46 PM

Rest in Peace...

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: Fliss
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 05:20 AM

Have met Mike several times. Hes even been to the Irish session at The Boat to listen. I even had a review on Freefolk at one point.

Know he was a fairly outspoken person. But a very interesting bloke to talk to.

He ran a festival at Market Drayton for a few years.

RIP Mike.

fliss

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 05:28 AM

Corresponded with him a few years back about his Black Country 3/Halliard days, sold me some recordings and added free items as well. Great bloke with interesting past, often "the only one in step" but true to his beliefs.
RIP

RtS

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 19 Apr 08 - 05:38 AM

Very very sorry to read this. I also have - and love - his One Thousand English Country Dance Tunes which is full of interesting historical photos & woodcuts as well as music (including the cover showing Constable's The Corn Field).   

I too would have missed the fact that The India War was written by him. It sounds so traditional, and he didn't append his name to the individual tunes, so if you don't notice (as I didn't until Anahata's post) that this section of the book falls under the chapter "Tunes Written By Michael Raven" you could easily think it had been played and danced to for centuries. His Playford & Beggar's Opera sections are also gold mines, and I always keep this book and my Jeremy Barlow edition of Playford next to each other on the shelf - and they get referred to often, as their bindings will show. If anyone wants a first-rate book of English country dance tunes, this is one to get. In fact there's a whole page of Michael Raven Publications which I am going to now take a closer look at. Should have done it ages ago, of course. Feast your eyes on these titles:

http://www.michaelraven.co.uk/index_files/Page398.htm

Thanks for mentioning it, Anahata. Time to dig into his pages once again and see if I can put together a "Michael Raven" set. May he rest in peace. Better yet, may he be playing a storm up there with all the other greats in the Heavenly band.

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 12:22 AM

Ran across a Michael Raven book of Welsh songs at Gog's Music store in Llandudno a few years back. It had tab and standard notation. A few month's after returning home I decided to purchase the cd of what was in the book. Not only got the cd, but a lovely thank you note from Michael's wife, Eve. Still have all three. His arrangments were all well thought out and easily understood. Too bad he never toured the States. At least, not to my knowledge. I think he'd have done very well over here. I'll play his cd in memorial. Is there an address where one might post a card of condolance to Eve?

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 05:40 AM

Sincere condolences to Mike's family. A correction to Mr Happy's post...Mike, his brother Jon & their Father recorded the Halliard's 'farewell' album back in 1968 in the back room of their house. Mike worked closely with The Halliard on this project but was not a member of the group. Mike was in a group called The Black Country Three.
          Nigel Paterson, mandolin, The Halliard.

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: Nerd
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 04:39 PM

I corresponded with Mike a few times and bought some albums from him, too. Nice bloke, as all and sundry are saying. I like the euphemism "fairly outspoken." He was something of a curmudgeon--but very intelligent and knew what he was talking about!

On my last visit to England I came across his Shropshire guidebook selling in the tourist office in Shrewsbury. I considered buying it, but didn't. I hope they keep selling it 'til next time I visit!

weelittledrummer, it's possible you're thinking of the classic "Folklore of Staffordshire" book in the Folklore of the British Isles series edited by Venetia Newall. If so, that was actually by Mike's brother, Jon Raven.

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 08:51 AM

So sorry to hear that Mike had died. He was a great admirer of Calennig, and he wrote a very favourable two-page article for us in Living Tradition. By way of a Thank You, I wrote a guide for Mike's Freefolk website for readers all over the world on where they could find Welsh traditional music; that was in the days before I had my severe stroke. One Thousand English Country Dance Tunes certainly whetted the appetite, and his innumerable researches introduced exciting and mysterious Welsh music to English readers. Rest in peace, Mike.

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 02:35 PM

MCP and I spent a very interesting and entertaining afternoon with Mike at the National festival in Sutton Bonington one year, and he was very generous in giving us CDs, which is how I got to sing the Workhouse Boy...

Very sorry to hear this news.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: Silas
Date: 21 Apr 08 - 04:08 PM

Ive vynil @death and the Lady' somewhere Mike and Joan signed it for me, must dig it out andfind something to play it on.

Subject: RE: Obit: guitarist Michael Raven (April 2008)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Oct 13 - 11:53 AM

His compendium of guitar tunes fromm being a guitar teacher in staffs is a classic for those learning guitar and wanting to try different sorts of music!