|
Subject: Roy williamson-memories From: TamthebamfraeScotland Date: 18 Jul 01 - 09:54 AM As it's fast approching August, eleven years ago Roy Williamson of the corries died, I was just wondering if there was any one out there who has fond memories of either Roy or the corries. Tom |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Roy williamson From: TamthebamfraeScotland Date: 18 Jul 01 - 10:14 AM When I put the BS thing on about Roy Williamson, it should be a celebration of his life. I removed the BS. The BS is mainly for discussion unrelated to music in any way. I'm not familiar with his music, but I'd guess Roy was related to music in a big way, and I hope to shortly read about it. --JoeClone |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: Rick Fielding Date: 18 Jul 01 - 11:23 AM Hi Joe Clone. "I'm not familiar with his music".... Get familiar...the guy was an absolute "MONSTER"! Brilliantly innovative (check out the instruments he designed and built, called "Combolins") with a lovely sense of harmonic arrangement. One of the best things about this music is that constant new discoveries await us all. In the late sixties I first heard the Corries, but being somewhat "anti-commercial" I never really checked ALL their stuff out, figuring if they were so popular they wouldn't be that interesting. 10 years later I bought an album, and LOVED it. Yup, their biggest cross to bear was that they sold lots of of records...but they did some wonderful stuff. Try some, you may love it too. Rick |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: GUEST,Scabby Doug AT work Date: 18 Jul 01 - 12:14 PM You're right about that cross, Rick. Even now, people will denigrate the Corries for being popular. I went to see the Corries in concert many times. They could get a whole audience singing, two and three-part harmonies. (Even in Edinburgh) Long before "Celtic Music" became hip or trendy, they would sell out concert venues for a week at a time. Roy Williamson's song "The Hills of Ardmorn" is one of the most haunting, evocative pieces of music I have ever heard. Ronnie Browne is still with us, still working, but Roy is sadly missed. Cheers SD |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: Wolfgang Date: 18 Jul 01 - 01:17 PM My Corries anecdote from about 15 years ago. Wolfgang |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: DonMeixner Date: 18 Jul 01 - 01:32 PM Tom, Do a search on the Corries from the Mudcat threads. I started a thread that became infamous for about six months. I could tell you at length about my appreciation of the Corries and Roy Williamson but I'll let other do so. I can safely say that of those who shaped my musical taste The Corries are in the top 5. Don |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: GUEST,Dita (at work) Date: 18 Jul 01 - 01:59 PM I always felt Roy was a sensitive, very talented musician, who somewhere around the late sixties or early seventies got swamped by the Corries phenominon. During the sixties the Corries were much more involved with the revival and other bands, in fact Robin Willianson, (no relation), of the Incredible String Band was a good fried of Roy's, and the Corries recorded a couple of ISB's songs. From the seventies Ronnie's showmanship and business sense were the driving force behind the Corries, but without Roy's skills they would never have been so big, so I guess they were a perfect match. Yin and yang, if you like. Listen to the way Roy originally recorded "Flower of Scotland" - a lament sung with early cittern like instumental backing, not the racist anthem it was to become. He was one of nature's gentlemen, love, john. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: Susanne (skw) Date: 18 Jul 01 - 06:49 PM The Corries did some pretty awful stuff, some of the 'funny' songs in particular are rather embarrassing, and their patter was far too slick most of the time. But I have about half a dozen of their albums, and still love listening to most of their songs. BTW, John, I've always read that Roy and Robin Williamson were brothers. Another urban myth? |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: GUEST,Dita (at work) Date: 18 Jul 01 - 08:19 PM 'Fraid so, Susanne, Robin and Roy were good friends and played together informally, but no relation. I agree with you about the slick "cute" side that was so much a part of the Corries stage act, it detracted and overshadowed Roy's real talent. The earlier you go back, in their recordings the more interesting they become. love, john. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: DonMeixner Date: 18 Jul 01 - 10:57 PM I am continually amazed as I watch the Corries video compilations I have at the music that they were able to generate with just two instruments. Try as I may I can't think of a single song that I feel was embarrassing. One or two sketches off their live recordings don't tranzlate well to disc but I can see how they would have worked in person. There is no question that Roy was the musical powerhouse of the group. And I would argue those who feel he had a weak voice. I think in many ways it was equal to Ronnie's and on some songs better suited. Bothwell Castle comes to mind as does The Hills of Ardmorn. The Verdant Braes o' Skreen is another. I would argue that their job was to entertain within the musical area they had chosen. And many people were entertained by them over the years. I think today I would tolerate Kate Dalrymple or The Portree Kid for a chance to hear The Garten Mother's Lullaby or The Heidless Cross once again. After all they had a job to do and if it took Johnny Lad to pay the bills and allow them to do Fear A Bhata and Lezzie Lindsay then I am for it. Folk music is an entertainment business after all. In any case, Roy Williamson was and is an unsung genius, undervalued in his lifetime, underappreciated still. Don |
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: Cappuccino Date: 19 Jul 01 - 03:26 AM Maybe a reason that the Corries' image was, by today's standards, perhaps embarrassingly slick, was because that was the mainstream entertainment standard of the time - the Scottish TV era of kilted tenors. I readily confess that their brilliant understanding of creating an image, by way of the Arran sweaters et al, blinded me also at the time to the super music content. (I would still love one of those jerkin/shirts they used to wear as an alternative to the Arran sweaters - kinda Errol Flynn playing Robin Hood, if you know what I mean!) And what still fascinates me about their sound is, and I think I'm right in this at a distance of 30 years, that they always played nylon-strung guitars... didn't they? A' the best -Ian B
|
|
Subject: RE: Roy williamson From: GUEST,Scabby Doug (at work) Date: 19 Jul 01 - 04:38 AM Yup, nylon-strung Spanish/classical-style guitars, and bowl-back mandolins. Some of the most evoctaive Corries sounds were from the couple of songs they'd so with just the bodhrans. Ronnie played this Huuuuge big FO bodhran which was covered with the skin of an entire mutant sheep. "I will go", "Sherriffmuir", "Cam ye oer fae France" were all presented in this way and still send a chill down my spine after all these years. Cheers SD
-Joe Offer- |
|
Subject: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 04 Dec 08 - 05:19 AM in the year 2010, well be the 20th Anniversary of the death of Roy Williamson, and also my mother, both who were heroes of mine. So I thought I might as well tell you now before I forget |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Big Al Whittle Date: 04 Dec 08 - 06:30 AM You choose good heroes - Goatfell. Have you chosen your name from a place or an unfortunate incident that your pet suffered? |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 04 Dec 08 - 11:53 AM I live in Saltcoats in Scotland, there is an island were I live across from my home town called ARRAN, and the highest mountain on the island is called Goatfell, and ye I have climbed it. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 04 Dec 08 - 11:55 AM GoatFell From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Coordinates: 55°37′33.5″N 5°11′26″W / 55.625972, -5.19056 Goat Fell/Gaoda Bheinn Sunset over Goat Fell, seen from Brodick harbour Elevation 874 m (2,867 ft) Location Isle of Arran, Scotland Prominence 874 m Ranked 16th in British Isles Parent peak none - HP Arran Topo map OS Explorer 361; Landrangers 62, 69 OS grid reference NR991415 Listing Corbett, Marilyn, council top (North Ayrshire), county top (Bute) Goat Fell (marked as Goatfell by the Ordnance Survey; Scottish Gaelic: Gaoda Bheinn) is the highest point on the Isle of Arran. At 874 metres (2,867 ft), it is one of four Corbetts on the island. The mountain, along with nearby Brodick Castle, is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The name is believed to mean either 'Mountain of Wind' (from the Gaelic gaoth) or 'Goat Mountain' (from the Norse geita). Due to the popularity of "Scotland in miniature" (Arran), Goat Fell is a very popular peak and there are many possible routes of ascent, some of which may be combined with visits to the summits of other nearby peaks. The most commonly used route, a constructed path of just under 5 km in length, starts from near Brodick Castle in Cladach. Initially the path leads up through the forested grounds of the castle, passing many rhododendron bushes. Above 300 m above sea level the path leaves the forestry, and the route continues through bare moorland, reaching the summit by way of the east ridge of the mountain. There is a viewpoint table at the summit: on a clear day Ireland may be seen. View of Goat Fell from Ardrossan HarbourAn alternative route comes up from the village of Corrie. Goat Fell may also be climbed from the north, where it is linked by a ridge to the subsidiary top of North Goatfell, a point from which three ridges radiate. In addition to the ridge leading south to the main summit, there is a ridge heading northeast, providing some very easy scrambling as it passes over Cìoch na h-Òighe (the Young Maiden's Breast). Finally, the western ridge drops down to a bealach known as The Saddle, before climbing again towards the summit of Cìr Mhòr. The right-of-way between Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox passes over The Saddle. It is also the historical scene of a murder that caused national controversy in July 1889 when John Laurie was convicted of killing Edwin Rose [1]. [ |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Ptarmigan Date: 04 Dec 08 - 12:02 PM I'm not falling for your explanation Goatfell! I think you chose the name after watching this: Goatfell :-) Cheers Dick |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Ptarmigan Date: 04 Dec 08 - 12:04 PM But seriously, Roy was one of my earliest musical heroes & a great source of inspiration to me. He was taken far too early! :-( Dick |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Dave the Gnome Date: 04 Dec 08 - 12:43 PM It was on returning from surveying his sheep on Goat Fell one rainy October evening in 627AD that Ragnar Olafson stumbled and went head over heels down a rocky stream bed, resulting in multiple lacerations and contousions. Mrs Olafson, one Ulrica Magnusdotter, took one look at him and asked what had happened. "Fell walking" Was his terse reply. Thereby explaining his injuries and inventing a pastime to be enjoyed by people for many years to come... :D (eG) |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 04 Dec 08 - 01:06 PM I live in a small town on the west coast of Scotland called Saltcoats, and the town next to my town is called Adrossan, where you can get the ferry to Arran, and from my window, I can look right over to the Isle of Arran and at the moment Goatfell is covered in snow. For other places with the same name see Saltcoats (disambiguation). Saltcoats (Scottish Gaelic: Baile an t-Salainn) is a town on the west coast of North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is one of the 'Three Towns' along with Ardrossan and Stevenston. Contents [hide] 1 History 2 Transport 3 Saltcoats in popular culture 4 Amenities 5 References 6 External links [edit] History Saltcoats' name is derived from the town's earliest industry when salt was harvested from the sea water, carried out in small houses along the beach known as 'cots'.[3] Other early industries in the town included coal mining, fishing and handloom weaving.[3] After the turn of the twentieth century and the decline of salt panning in the town, Saltcoats became increasingly popular as a holiday destination.[3] An old bathing pond was rebuilt during the 1930s, becoming the largest tidal pool of the time in Scotland.[3] However since the 1960s Saltcoats has seen a decline in popularity as a seaside resort, mainly due to the popularity of international travel.[3] Saltcoats received Burgh status in 1528, which lasted into 1975 when it was integrated into the then new Cunninghame District Council (now North Ayrshire Council).[3] [edit] Transport Saltcoats is served by regular bus and train services. Primary bus services are provided by Stagecoach West Scotland, while rail services are operated by SPT. Although Saltcoats currently only has a single railway station, the town was once served by a second railway station to the north of the town, originally as part of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway. This station closed to regular services on 4 July 1932,[4] and there is no trace of the station today bar a nearby bridge. [edit] Saltcoats in popular culture The BBC comedy Still Game shot scenes in Saltcoats and Largs which served as the fictional coastal town of Finport. The areas shown in the episode were the sea wall, promenade and the Melbourne Cafe. The Melbourne Cafe, and various areas of the town also appear in the movie Late Night Shopping (2001). Saltcoats is the birthplace of Australian band Men at Work frontman Colin Hay. The B-Side to "Geraldine", the major-label single debut from Scottish band Glasvegas, is set on Saltcoats beach. [edit] Amenities Eglinton Country Park is fairly close by and is linked to Saltcoats via the Sustrans cycle route. [edit] References oats, |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 04 Dec 08 - 01:08 PM Ardrossan & Ardrossan Ferry to Arran Ardrossan is the main port for ferries to Brodick on the Isle of Arran. Caledonian MacBrayne run a regular ferry service between Ardrossan and Brodick (around 9 ferries depart daily and the journey takes around 55 minutes). Ardrossan's history sits firmly within the context of shipbuilding history along the North Ayrshire coast, strertching down to Irvine. Shipbuilding here in Ardrossan once ranked up there with Glasgow, and during wartime Ardrossan was an important port. Read more on Ardrossan's town trail via the 'Three Towners' weblink right. As well as the end of shipbuilding along the North Ayrshire coast, Ardrossan has been hit hard by companies like Shell pulling out. Regular ferry services used to run to Ireland from here, but suffered badly during the troubles (there was a bomb scare on one of the passenger ships). Plans are currently afoot to develop the harbour area, which will hopefully include visitor centres exploring the rich shipbuilding history of the area, on a par with the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 04 Dec 08 - 01:10 PM the three towns are Ardossan, Saltcoats (where I live) and Stevenston. thsese three towns all look across the sea to Arran and Goatfell |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Peter the Squeezer Date: 04 Dec 08 - 03:19 PM I agree, Dick. Roy is sadly missed by us all. May he rest in peace. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Ptarmigan Date: 04 Dec 08 - 03:29 PM Hey Goatfell, go to your window now, & look past Goatfell to the E coast of Northern Ireland & you might just be able to see me waving at you, from the Glens of Antrim! I'll be the one, waving a large TORCH! :-) Cheers Dick |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 05 Dec 08 - 06:39 AM HAHA or seening this Christmas time (nearly) HO HO HO! Which part of Antrim do you come from because I have friends that live there. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Murray MacLeod Date: 05 Dec 08 - 08:10 AM Goatfell, are you the former "Tam the Bam frae Saltcoats" in a new incarnation ? How many Mudcat usernames is that now, must be six or seven so far ? |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Ptarmigan Date: 05 Dec 08 - 08:37 AM We're not far from Ballycastle, Goatfell. Can't complain really, cause we get three sessions each week. Cheers Dick |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 05 Dec 08 - 09:00 AM Well I've been to Cairncastle folk festival and the Band The Grousebeaters come over to Ayrshire/Ardossan every year. Tom yes the reason why I have changed my name so many times is because I just get fed up with it. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 06 Dec 08 - 04:23 AM As they say if you stay the same you become boring, and not only that it keeps Mr Offer and pals on their toes. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 06 Dec 08 - 10:08 AM only kidding Mr Offer |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Ptarmigan Date: 06 Dec 08 - 01:54 PM Ah yes, Goatfell, I met the Grousebeaters in Bushmills, just this past Summer. You must know these four fine Scottish Ballad Singers then, in the background of this photo? They joined us in our session in Bushmills, this past summer too & made a great impression. Cheers Dick |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 06 Dec 08 - 03:11 PM Proberly do I can't remember but I might know them, al depens on where they come from? |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Ptarmigan Date: 07 Dec 08 - 09:33 AM Sorry ~ Ayrshire is all I know! |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Big Al Whittle Date: 07 Dec 08 - 11:40 AM Och the day it promised well When forth I ventured tae climb Goatfell In my heart a heeland lilt A braw young lad in brogues and kilt The silken grey clouds in the sky The tarns of mist of mist all floating by And so that day amongst the heather Small wonder I did wonder whether Was that the Ptarmingan's plaintive note? Or Tam the Bam frae Saltcoats. Trad (Anon) |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: goatfell Date: 07 Dec 08 - 11:42 AM aye |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Murray MacLeod Date: 07 Dec 08 - 11:48 AM weelittledrummer, do you have a tune for that traditional song ? the tune that jumps into my mind as I read it is the one that goes with the "mucky kid" song, can't remember the title, but it ends with "Ye'll get a belt from your Da" |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Jim Lad Date: 07 Dec 08 - 12:08 PM Wee Little Drummer: Weren't you "Two Dogs" before you became WLD? |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson From: Big Al Whittle Date: 07 Dec 08 - 09:02 PM Two Dogs...? Like the guy in Monty Python with Two sheds. No I''ve never been two dogs. good name though - like Blacg Dog as ever was. Murray, the tune is lost to posterity. I was the one who lost it.
-Joe Offer- |
|
Subject: BS: roy williamson From: goatfell Date: 07 Jul 10 - 12:23 PM in August it will be 10 years ago that Roy Williamson died RIP |
|
Subject: RE: BS: roy williamson From: Emma B Date: 07 Jul 10 - 12:33 PM I don't why this has suddenly come to your mind today Tom but here's a memory for you |
|
Subject: RE: BS: roy williamson From: GUEST,kendall Date: 07 Jul 10 - 01:09 PM One of my most disappointing days was when I was in Scotland in 1988 and just missed the Corries. I've stood on the very spot where the bonfire was lit as a signal for the Campbells to rise and murder the MacDonalds. I 1990 I did a tour of the pubs and folk clubs in Scotland and my last gig was at The Black Bitch in Linlithgow. I dedicated my last number to Roy Williamson by singing Flower of Scotland. The wasn't a dry eye in the house. I do love Scotland,the Scots and not just for the Scotch! |
|
Subject: RE: BS: roy williamson From: Irene M Date: 07 Jul 10 - 02:30 PM I made a bowed psaltery for Roy. Never saw it played on stage, but my (then) boyfriend's sister reported that it was used in a concert in Edinburgh.I wonder what happened to the psaltery after Roy died. I suppose it could have had an alternative use as a cheese slicer...................... |
|
Subject: RE: BS: roy williamson From: eddie1 Date: 08 Jul 10 - 02:26 AM Roy was a great singer/songwriter and musician. A sad loss! But why is this BS? Eddie |
|
Subject: RE: BS: roy williamson From: bubblyrat Date: 08 Jul 10 - 08:56 AM TWENTY years ago, not ten,surely ...????? |
|
Subject: RE: BS: roy williamson From: GUEST,kendall Date: 09 Jul 10 - 08:26 AM Time is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: roy williamson From: DonMeixner Date: 09 Jul 10 - 10:07 AM I was thinking it can't be ten years but surely it can't be twenty? I was hooked on the Corries the day I found a Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell LP in the cut out bin at W T Grant's for $.84. This was in 1966. That LP started my love affair with Scotts and Irish folk music. And its because of that LP I was told quite often, "Sure, come to the party Don but would you please leave your records at Home." To say that Roy Williamson had a small hand in shaping my musical taste would be an understatement. Don |
|
Subject: RE: BS: roy williamson From: maeve Date: 09 Jul 10 - 10:14 AM "Roy Murdoch Buchanan Williamson (25 June 1936, Edinburgh - 12 August 1990, Forres)" ...according to Wikipedia. |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson (1936-1990) From: Little Robyn Date: 09 Jul 10 - 05:29 PM There's no mention there of him playing Northumbrian pipes but I have seen a TV programme many years back (dating from the mid 60s, I think), of the Corries singing to pipes and I'm sure it was Roy playing them. In fact, that was the first time I ever saw the pipes live, although I had heard Colin Ross on the Folk Song Cellar radio programme and that's when I decided I had to get some. It didn't happen until 1972, but Roy was part of my inspiration and determination. Robyn |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson (1936-1990) From: oggie Date: 09 Jul 10 - 06:05 PM Yes he did play Northumbrian pipes, Derwentwater's Farewell on both LP, and live (it's on one of the videos)springs to mind. Steve |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson (1936-1990) From: goatfell Date: 10 Jul 10 - 05:41 AM yes I know it was 20 years and not ten |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson (1936-1990) From: alex s Date: 10 Jul 10 - 07:21 AM I don't have many heroes, but he's no 1 |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson (1936-1990) From: oggie Date: 10 Jul 10 - 05:43 PM I remember a conversation with Dick Gaughan back in the Five Hand Reel days when the Uni I was at was thinking about holding a festival. His opinion was that you had to get a great headliner and in Scotland he would always book The Corries. Steve |
|
Subject: RE: Roy Williamson (1936-1990) From: GUEST Date: 22 May 19 - 08:48 PM In response to something about Robin Williamson higher up in this thread- he and Roy Williamson were not related, they were just friends. Roy's older and only brother is Robert Williamson. |
| Share Thread: |
