The Matthews Brothers - where are they?

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Julie
Date: 07 Oct 23 - 11:06 AM

Omg...searching for Irish music and somehow ended up here, I worked in .cTavishes and loved these guys, you too Bill...you sang Dirty old townone night just for me. I'm now in Oz but will never forget those two summers

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Julie
Date: 07 Oct 23 - 11:06 AM

Omg...searching for Irish music and somehow ended up here, I worked in .cTavishes and loved these guys, you too Bill...you sang Dirty old townone night just for me. I'm now in Oz but will never forget those two summers

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 May 23 - 07:33 AM

I do not think that both of them are still playing.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 12 May 23 - 07:19 AM

If you remember the Mathews Brothers from the 1970's then this YouTube upload may be of interest!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvhD3ONmqWc

Enjoy

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 12 Apr 20 - 03:16 PM

I was summer staff at McTavishs Kitchens in Fort Willian in the late 70's They were two of the nicest , most unassuming people. They created a fantastic evening atmosphere at their shows. I am very pleased they seem to be well and still playing.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Spailpin
Date: 29 Nov 18 - 01:59 PM

terry still living in killorglin , co kerry , plays in a few local sessions ... larry as you know in germany ...

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Nov 18 - 11:57 AM

I saw the Mathews Brothers at Poynton Folk Club during the late 70's and it was a pity they only made one record. Larry is traceable but try as I might can't find anything on Terry and neither cd's or LP's are easily searched for. If anyone comes up with anything?

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Kaz
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 12:24 PM

Loved the Arundel days & in Tralee , the criac was mighty !!x

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Guest kaz
Date: 05 Jul 18 - 12:20 PM

Larry now with a band & living in Germany. You tube him "Larry Mathews musican "& he will pop up,as always !

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Mick
Date: 26 May 17 - 02:52 PM

We booked them at the Star club in Birmingham a few times in the mid 70's when I helped to run it. Always a great act. I too have a signed copy of A Kiss in the early Morning. Have been trying to get a copy on cd without success. So glad they are still around.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: scouse
Date: 04 Feb 16 - 05:29 AM

Years ago I did an MC spot at the MSG. The boys plus the Grehan sisters was the line up.. Seem to remember Christy Moore turning up wanting to have a Newcastle brown drinking competition...Oh Dear....!

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 03 Feb 16 - 10:34 AM

Isn't it tantalising when somebody you haven't seen or heard of in 36 years suddenly pops up on an internet forum - not unlike this one, in fact - and then disappears again into the cyber-ether? Imagine what it would be like if two of them did it, one after the other.... Jack and Marie - you still out there? See my posts before the one above. John Kelly.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,JMG from France
Date: 28 Jan 16 - 11:42 AM

I saw them two times at McTavish Kitchen in Fort William. In july 1977, they played some songs amidst others bands. In 1979, they were the bosses! I bought (and keep preciously) their "A Kiss In The Morning Early" LP, including some fine songs like "Step It Out Mary". They were very friendly with their audience, and talk to everybody after the show.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 12:16 PM

Ha! forgot to mention the website address. Cor, wotamilike?
It's harmoniumhero.com
John.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 12:13 PM

Jack....you still out there? see above comments about contacting me! BTW, either of you know what happened to Isobel?
John.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 26 Jan 16 - 12:09 PM

Yes. Very much alive and kicking in my case. Still singing - banging my head against a brick wall, bur still at it. If they ever give an award for sheer bloody-minded persistance, I'm in with a chance. Often wondered what you were up to. I thought you had married Terry. Fancy you showing up on here! If you look at my website, you can hear some of what I'm doing, and see some videos (the beard is gone now!). It would be nice to hear from you. I'm not putting my email address on here, but if you join Mudcat - which costs nothing and doesn't commit you to anything - you can sent a personal (i.e. private) message - a PM.
Alternatively, if you get on the website, there's an info@ link which enables you to email me. You'd want to do it soon; the website expires next month, and will be getting replaced, but I might not be able to get the same domain name.
Can't tell you anything about Larry or Terry though; all I've heard is what's on this thread, which pops up now and again. Billy Bracken is still going - now living in Ireland. And you'll remember George, with whom I did the residency in '79. That's Gina now. The videos were recorded in her place in Halifax. And you may or may not have heard that Stellan died a couple of years back. Oh, and McT's burned down a couple of years ago also!
Get in touch. John.
John

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Guest Marie
Date: 23 Jan 16 - 01:29 AM

And I nearly married Terry we got engaged

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Guest Marie
Date: 23 Jan 16 - 01:28 AM

So you two are still alive and kicking then lol

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 18 Jan 16 - 07:52 AM

And is this the Jack Westwood I recall from McT's???.....Has to be; there can't be two of them, surely?
As to your query - I wondered the same thing...
John Kelly.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Brian Rees Jones
Date: 15 Jan 16 - 02:36 PM

I have very fond memories of Terry with his guitar singing the kinks song "lazing on a sunny afternoon"on a hot beach here in North Wales in his speedos.In 3 minutes there must have been a hundred people around us. Also of Larry and his son coming out in our fishing boat "cariad" it must have been about 1982.    If you ever read this Michael ,i.d love for you to get in touch, you were like a big brother to me between 10 to 20 years old,   the last time I saw you was when you lived in Bethesda Bach near Caernarfon in the late 90's    so if anyone knows the wherabouts of Michael ,I presume you have moved from Bristol/Sheffield   please get in touch Brian (Margo's brother)

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Jack Westwood
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 01:02 AM

And is this the Marie that I recall from McT's???

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Marie
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 05:34 AM

Is Terry still about...I knew him well from Mactavish,s kitchen days

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Betsy
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 05:46 PM

Nice to see the Web Site - a great pair of performers.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,zack
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 11:25 AM

I've got the "kis in the morning early" LP. Which is signed by both. And I want to sell, so if anyone is interested you can mail me at: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Biörn Landahl, Gothenburg, Sweden
Date: 30 Aug 10 - 10:11 AM

Fancy that! More who ask where the Mathew Bros have gone. Just came to think of ittoday or yesterday. I also have great memories from when they played in Gotheburg a month in 1978. I also went to see them in Rochdale. I keep up the Paddy music in sessions in Gothenburg once a month. Sing and play the banjo - that Terry taught me!
Please pass on my greetings to the boys! Thanks.
Biörn Landahl now living in Trollhättan, Sweden

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,FolkFan
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 11:49 AM

I remember the days of The Mathews brothers,mainly in late 70s Arundel,Sussex,where they were very popular, but also at the Burnt Post in Coventry with Doonan and Wilson: what a great band!I particularly liked 'Bonnie light horseman'(with plaintive tin whistle),'Rambling suiler','The Galbally farmer' and 'Binnorie',in fact almost everything on the 2 albums mentioned,and learnt some of them myself.A colleague and I sang 'Step it out Mary' at a school staff 'do'!
The performances I saw felt very special;great vocals and fantastic instrumentals.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Fuzzy
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 04:28 PM

Sorry Betsy. My previous message somehow got shortened. I was trying to state the fact that Muirsheen Durkin is (was) actually a man. This is despite the Dubliners doing a version of the song that was called "Goodbye Mrs Durkin". Cheers.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Fuzzy
Date: 03 Oct 08 - 07:34 PM

OK Betsy

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Fuzzy
Date: 02 Oct 08 - 08:25 PM

Thanks Betsy.
Muirsheen Durkin a person ? Never occurred to me he might be singing to presumably a member of the opposite sex. But its strange that he would admit to her that he visits places of ill repute !
I'll use your info. and check into it further.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Betsy at Work
Date: 02 Oct 08 - 04:58 AM

Hiya Fuzzy,
I don't think it's a place – he's singing the song to someone of that name.

Google this ….http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muirsheen_Durkin


Wikipedia isn't the greatest reference tool , but it seems to fit with my understanding of the contents of the song .
( It even has all the words of the song)

Cheers Betsy

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Fuzzy
Date: 01 Oct 08 - 07:03 PM

Thanks for your help Betsy. Is Muirsheen Durkin a real place ? You've got to understand I'm just an English twit. Speaking of which, I actually saw the Matthews Brothers in 1975 at McTavish's Kitchen, Fort William, not 1976 as earlier stated. The confusion was caused by the fact that Scotland actually had two hot summers in a row, if anybody can believe that.
Once again, thanks Betsy, (luvly name)

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Betsy
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 08:09 AM

Michael did you get my PM ( look at the top of the opening page of Mudcat where it should inform you,using a Red Number how many messages you have received ) .

Cheers
Betsy

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Dartford Warbler
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 08:54 PM

Excellent news!

Kiss in the Morning Early was one vinyl I missed out on getting all those years ago. Rectified by eBay a couple of years ago!
Mathews, Doonan, Wilson - a classic - with a wonderful version of My Bonnie Light Horseman.

http://www.larrymathews.de/

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Mat
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 07:30 PM

Hi Tig

That brings back memories wow. I remember Alan well!! Do you still have any contact with him?

Larry was over last March. He stayed in my flat here in Sheffield and we went off to a few of the numerous sessions together. I know he called over to see Mick Doonan and a few of his old friends from around the Wakefield area.

You should drop him a line - he will be pleased to hear from you.

Michael

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Tig
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 06:15 PM

Thanks Mat.

When I was with my first husband (Alan Wood) I spent many happy hours with the lads, including weekends at your house. It's good to hear they are still playing. Thanks to the link to Larry's site.

Mick Haywood and I were talking about them at Whitby as neither of us had heard of them for a while.

Please give them my love and hugs. They knew me as Chris.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Betsy
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 01:54 PM

Hi Michael,
The personal message is exactly what it means, for example (you or I) mightn't want to show (on this thread) our Email Addresses, telephone Nos personal details etc., and the PM is the best way of exchanging etc.Firstly you'll need to join Mudcat (there's no charge or heavy commitment).It (appears) you haven't joined because I have tried sending to - Mat - the name you used a couple of posts previously and the system doesn't recognise you.
Go back to the first Mudcat Page and at the top of the Page there is a part "Membership."
Just fill that bit in – there's nothing sinister in giving a few details – it (sometimes Joe !! ) helps the Organisers in stopping loonies entering the site , or posting dodgy material – and then you're up and running .

How's That?

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 12:36 PM

My pleasure! What does 'PM' mean?

Michael Mathews

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Betsy at Work
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 11:01 AM

Hello Michael, I will " PM " from home.
I was also nice of you to confirm the number of "t's " in Mathews !!!

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Mat
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 07:09 AM

Hi all.

My name is Michael - I am the younger brother of Terry and Larry. Not a professional musician but I do play the Irish flute in the odd session.

Both Larry and Terry are still playing. Larry is still playing the fiddle, guitar and singing. Now though he is based in Hamburg with a band of his own (www.larrymathews.de)whilst Terry is still plucking the bango, mandolin and guitar down in Kerry.

Playing in sessions around the place, I still come across a lot of people who have fond memories of the two (as well as with Mick Doonan and Tony Wilson), which I always relay back to them.

So, any messages you might have, feel free to either pass through me or go directly to Larry's website. I generally chat with either one of them once or twice aweek.

All the best.

Michael Mathews

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Betsy At Work
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 03:44 AM

Fuzzy , Look up " MUIRSHEEN DURKIN " in Mudcat Lyrics for your song.

As for Larry and Terry , they " peaked " too early in their musical lives , fortunately I saw them many times , and had many a pint with them when they were at their peak.
Good luck to 'em wherever they are I'm sure their respectiove skills couldn't have diminished - they were outstanding.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,larry
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 03:01 AM

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Northerner
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 10:24 AM

I saw them in the early 70s in our university folk club (Bradford). They were really enjoyable. They were very complimentary about my singing too. I hadn't been singing floor spots very long. I always have a soft spot for performers who compliment my singing (or storytelling). Good to reminisce about them.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Fuzzy
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 07:18 PM

Saw 'em in McTavish's Kitchen,Fort William, in the hot summer (for Scotland) of 1976. They were brill. I'm trying to discover the lyrics to their "I'm leaving Mushendirken (?) 'cos I'm sick 'en tired of workin'". Can anybody help ?

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Big G Thomas
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 04:39 PM

What a great album A kiss In the Morning Early is. I have a copy of the record signed by both Terry and Larry after they had played a gig at McTavish's Kitchen in Fort William.Fantastic.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,arlomaniac
Date: 13 Jul 08 - 08:57 PM

They came up in conversation with a 'folk friend' this evening and it's great to find some info on the web.

I saw them in Nov 1971 at a folk club in Matlock. They started off the session with what could only be described as Les Dawson does folk - brilliantly out of tune and sync. After about a minute they laughed and swapped instruments - needless to say the impact was made! A brilliant evening.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: r.padgett
Date: 13 Jul 08 - 02:46 AM

This is interesting as the earliest I remember is that they lived in Wakefield West Yorkshire and I saw probably one of their earliest gigs at Barnsley Civic Hall

Tig is from Doncaster and of course Mick Doonan now lives in Wakefield

Always wondered what happened to them

Ray

"step it out Mary my fine daughter" ~ a favourite

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 12 Jul 08 - 08:39 AM

I met Terry last wednesday in Killorglin at his aunt's funeral, looking very well. He still plays in sessions around the area. Larry doesn't spend much time in Ireland but comes for a few weeks in Summer.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 04:30 PM

last time I heard,which was at least ten years ago.
Larry was living in Ireland.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Blowzabella
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 03:25 PM

I've got 'Kiss in the Morning Early' tooo ... I used to sit transfixed watching the tendons in their arms when they were playing guitar *swoon*

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 01:31 PM

I remember they shared a house with the Grehan's in Hyde Rd. Manchester (or similar - it was a long time ago!)That would be early 70's.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,paul s
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 01:26 PM

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,JohnM
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 08:54 PM

I'm also glad to here they are both still alive and kicking :-)

They played in Stoke-on-Trent quite a few times, in the 70's, and I saw them each time (brilliant each time - great fun and always full of enthusiasm). They stayed at my parents house after one gig and the next day we had an impromptu set down the local pub :-)

Didn't see them for a while after that and then I was on hols in Scotland and saw a sign saying they were playing in Fort William so called in to see them (bought a copy of "Kiss in the morning early" signed by both the lads. My son's, both musicians, love the album :-)

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 09:53 PM

hello

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Tig
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 09:01 PM

Having spent a LOT of time with them in the 70's (my male at that time was a close friend of theirs) I understand the two of them had a fall out - good to hear that they are still playing, even if separately. Had a soft spot for both of them, but especially Terry. would appreciate any contact nos etc.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 04:17 PM

Never saw the Matthews Brothers unfortunately, but I also have a cassete of the album'Kiss in the Morning Early', which I won in a raffle years ago. I played it ots, but never did work out the words in the last line of the title song. Can anyone help me out?

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: rodentred
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 06:04 PM

Pleased to hear that they are alive and kicking. I had fears for their livers when I last saw them in the late 70s. I love the album 'Kiss in the Morning early' good solid stuff, well sung.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Kees
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:46 PM

The last time I saw them was, I think, in the early 80's at a festival in Moergestel, Netherlands. The first day they performed as "The Mathews Brothers" and the next day they were joined by Tony Wilson & Mick Doonan (Doonan Family Band)and were announced as Mathews' Wilson & Doonan. From both line-up's i have an LP and they are really good. The Mathews Brothers - A Kiss in the Morning early (1978). The otherone is called: Mathews. Wilson. Doonan (1981).

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:32 PM

Larry divides his time between Canada and Germany but also has spent a lot of time in recent years in Kerry, Ireland...their mother was from Glenbeigh. Terry lived in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, until a few months ago but has now returned to England...don't know where. They played for some time with a Tralee-based band called Spalpeen, then as a duo for awhile but I think they haven't played together for some years now. Terry used to play regularly in pubs around the Killorglin and Killarney area up to last year (2003). Their music was, as some one said above, straight ahead and no frills, but well performed and good to listen to. When he was on form Terry was an absolutly dazzling banjo player...I first came across him in the '60's when he was still a teenager and even then he was amazing. It would be great to see them get together again...in the meantime I wish them well.
P.S...as far as I remember they spell it "Mathews"...might be wrong, though.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 10 Jun 99 - 12:40 AM

see note after following thread.

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 11:11 PM

It is funny that you should ask? They were supposed to play at our folk club in NYC about 1980 and they didn't turn up. When I asked their agent about it, he told me they had fallen in love (or maybe somthing else) with a couple of lassies in Georgia or South Carolina. I never did get to meet them but I really did like their demo tape... great straight-on, no frills folk music.

Are they still in the sunny Southland?

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From: bill\sables
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 09:21 PM

Last time I heard the Mathews Bros. they were playing the folk clubs with the Greahan Sisters but that was way back in the early Seventies and I hav'nt heard of them since. Cheers Bill

Subject: The Matthews Brothers - where are they?
From:
Date: 09 Jun 99 - 07:04 PM

Does anyone know what happened to the Matthews Brothers. They were a brilliant NE England/Irish duo in the 70s/80s (that's the 1970s/80s not theirs