2017 Obit: Malcolm Price (M PriceTrio)

Subject: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 01:45 PM

Anyone remember Malcolm and Carol Price with Mick North...the original Malcolm Price Trio ? I believe they formed around 1961, and the first time I saw them was in 1963 at the Reading Folk Club. I was lucky enough to join them in March 1964 for a year on banjo. I'd like to hear any memories anyone has........

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 01:54 PM

I remember the name Malcolm Price and know I must have seen him on a number of occasions as I can visualise his name written in the diary in purple felt tip (as you did in the 60s). But I have absolutely no recollection of seeing him perform or of what he did.

Best wake up Kevin Sheils. He remembers everyone he ever booked . . .

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 02:05 PM

They were residents at Surbiton Folk Club (at the Oak and the Assembly Rooms)along with Lisa Turner and of course Derek Sarjeant.

Somewhere, tucked away, I have an EP of Derek backed by them.

Later, in 65/66 Malcolm used to do occasional 'guest' spots at the club. Good banjo player if I recall, and a bit of an afficionado of bluegrass - at a time when it was regularly heard in folk clubs.

Graham

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 02:14 PM

Malcolm wasn't a banjo player....but an excellent flat picking guitarist. There are photos of the original trio circa 1963 in the gallery section of Derek Sarjeant's website.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 03:20 PM

I think it was Malcolm Price who introduced 'Long Black Veil' to British audiences. As John Fields says, he was very much a flat picking, American country style guitarist.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 04:34 PM

I saw Malcom price many times,but not at cousins.
I remember seeing him at Downe folk club,and also O

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 04:38 PM

and orpington/ green street green.I believe he ended up living in Sweden,he was a great flat picking guitarist,did he occasionally yodel?

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 04:51 PM

Malcom presently lives in Norway where he has been for a number of years. I don't believe he performs any longer. He and also the trio when they were still together used to appear regularly at the Ballads & Blues Club in London's west end in the sixties. I knew him very well up until the time he went off to live in Norway in the early seventies I believe it was. Fionna Duncan also appeared with him for a short spell.
I too have the EP of the trio and three of his vinyl albums plus a tape of a broadcast that they did for the BBC which the show's producer gave to me. He was certainly about the best flat picking guitar player that we had in England at the time and had some very amusing between songs patter.
Money, Marbles and Chalk was another song that he introduced me to.
We could certainly use someone like him on today's scene.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,wordy
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 06:32 PM

The trio were regular guests at the Jug O'Punch folk club run by the Campbells in Birmingham in the 60's and 70's. Malcolm, along with Red Sullivan and Martin Windsor introduced Brummies to "Lahndan" humour! Malcolm was a great picker and the only one I saw at the Jug who could outpick him was Doc Watson.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 07:07 PM

After the break up of the original trio, Malcolm formed a second group around March 1965 which was himself on gtr., Ian McCann on gtr., autoharp and mandolin, Roger Churchyard on fiddle and John Field, banjo. If memory serves me correctly, this band was together for about a year, although Malcolm also performed a lot as a solo singer, and in duets with Ian McCann around this time.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: Compton
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 09:03 PM

I recall them from TV in the 1960's ....ITV (I think!) "Hootenanny"!...When he introduced a song, it was in the style of Max Miller.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: Fidjit
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 03:39 AM

Malcolm lives in Norway.

Chas

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 05:50 AM

Malcolm Price Trio taken from here

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 05:55 AM

Hello Graham
¦¬]

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 06:37 AM

John MacKenzie has posted a great photo of the original trio at Surbiton Folk Club in early 1963. Malcolm had a D28 Martin, Carole a late Victorian Muller autoharp, and Mick played a 1930's Gibson A75 mandolin. All three of them sang. There was nothing quite like them on the scene at that time......

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 07:16 AM

We regularly booked Malcolm at Catford, Beckenham, Marsh Green (nr.Edenbridge) from 1963/64 onwards. I have a vinyl LP with the line up as described by John Field but with Carole on autoharp instead of Ian McCann. He was also the presenter for us ("Four Square Circle") whe we used to do the BBC programme, "Country Meets Folk". The first time I ever saw him play flat pick I couldn`t believe a person could be so clean and accurate with an instrument.
Best wishes to him in Norway.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 09:31 AM

The trio made 2 LP's for Decca. "Country Session" Decca LK4627 released in 1964 with Malcolm, Carol and Mick...I think this album was recorded by R.G.Jones in Morden.   The 2nd was Decca LK4665 "Way Down Town", recorded at the Decca West Hampstead studios in Oct. 1964, with yours truly added on banjo. This 2nd. album was released in 1965.
Malcolm also made several albums later on other labels, as both a solo artist and with other guest musicians. I'm not sure of his total output. To my mind, the recording that best captured the sound of the original trio was that made at a live performance in the Mayfair Hotel in Oct. 1963 and issued on Ember ep's.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 10:03 AM

Dear John Field,
          We have fond memories of your playing with Malcolm at some of our local clubs. The album I have is "Way down Town" and the bar where the cover photo was taken does look attractive.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 10:39 AM

John from Elsie's Band....thanks. The cover pic. for "Way Down Town" was taken in Nov. 1964 in the "Prospect of Whitby" pub in Wapping, London. That banjo on the table is the one I used then...I still have it, and it is sitting in its stand behind the computer as I write this.....

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: bubblyrat
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 01:47 PM

Long hours & days at sea off Aden in 1967 were made more bearable by endlessly playing a MPT record----I think "Long Black Veil" was on it, and my favourite track was something like "That's When I Miss You More " .....great flat-picking and nice banjo-break ! Trouble was, no-one else in the mess liked bluegrass,so I had to pick my times carefully ,or risk being thrown over the side (along with record ).!

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 11:31 AM

Being ever so "slightly" younger than many of the posters here my main memory of Malcolm was as a fine solo performer at the Enterprise, Chalk Farm. I knew of the trio by name bt not sure if I ever saw them.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 11:45 AM

We once booked Malcolm at one of our Edenbridge "Sing and Play" venues
and when he entered the club there was a group singing, comprising three members of the S.E. constabulary. When I told him they were "the Old Bill" the look on his face was something to behold!

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Dec 08 - 12:02 PM

Terry Gould, Kevin?

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 04:47 AM

Haven't heard of Terry for many years John.

See Don Bonito from time to time.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: Vic Smith
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 07:24 AM

John Field wrote
After the break up of the original trio, Malcolm formed a second group around March 1965 which was himself on gtr., Ian McCann on gtr., autoharp and mandolin, Roger Churchyard on fiddle and John Field, banjo. If memory serves me correctly, this band was together for about a year, although Malcolm also performed a lot as a solo singer, and in duets with Ian McCann around this time.

And if my memory serves me correctly, at the same as playing in the Malcolm Price group, Ian and Roger also played in their own bluegrass band, The Orange Blossom Sound along with the late Charlie Gaisford on banjo and Mike Artes on double bass.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:39 AM

Since we're reminiscing; who remembers The COAL CREEKS?
Jerry Webb on 5 string banjo, Roger Churchyard on fiddle, and Jerry Williams on guitar?

Bookings c/o Jerry Webb, The Music Corner, Tunbridge Wells

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:56 AM

Yep...I remember the Coal Creeks well....still have their card. In reply to Vic Smith, I think that the Orange Blossom Sound were formed after the second M.Price quartet, but I'm not sure of the date. Still in regular contact with Ian McCann, so I'll ask him.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 01 Jan 09 - 05:01 AM

While we are on the trip down Memory Lane, the Folk Voice conventions used to encourage Messrs Price, Churchyard and many others. great meetings!!
Roger Knowles

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,danny the red
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 06:35 AM

Had my 27 year old daughter over for xmas and one of the things that she was trying to find in the house was a Malcolm Price LP. Not born until '81 but still a fan of Malcolms!! The record that she was after was 'His Songs and His Guitars' from '69. Contains crackers like Buffalo Skinners, Nine Hundred Miles, Old Go Hungry Hash House, Price's 12 String Rag and Black Snake Moan. Having now found it will have to do something about getting it over to her in one form or another!

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 09 Jan 09 - 06:12 PM

Folk Voice......Wow that brings back memories...I've got a tape from the Folk Voice Get Together in Oct 1964 in Cecil Sharp House....

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Paul Miskin
Date: 08 Mar 09 - 01:18 PM

Malcolm Price and Carole were my first musical influences stayed in my house taught me church lick and many non musical things when i was 10 and a half
...and what a sweet pair ....I would love to have malcolm's email

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Daryl north
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 07:18 PM

Mick aka "my dad" is living in west malling,Kent.he is doing fine tinkering with his vintage cars,I don't share the fascination my self.he has recently been getting back into the music with a few friends from way back when.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 07:26 PM

My brother bought an LP off them at the folk club on catford bridge in the early 60's( not the phoebus awakes at the rising sun) remember Clinch Mountain home with great fondness,

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 12:00 PM

Tug,
    The club you refer to was the one we ran at Catford in "The Railway Arms"

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 12:49 PM

Correction Tug, It was "The Railway Tavern"

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Tom
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 12:57 PM

John and/or Tug, one question did either of you know or know of a guy called Alf (or Alfie) Martin - a teacher at Wm. Penn School down Catford or thereabouts in 1960s. He was into the CND very heavily also ??

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 01:00 PM

I`m afraid I can`t help you there, Tom

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Joe Francis
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 04:13 PM

Hi There guys,

Carol was my auntie. My dads sister. She passed away a few years ago in Spain, having moved there upon being diagnosed with MS.

I believe she was in her 60's. I am significantly younger and thus didn't have much opportunity to appreciate the wonderful stories she had to tell about meeting Donovan, The Beatles, Tom Jones, The Who etc etc when she was alive, though the few times I did was a really special.

I like to think that I am carrying on the family tradition of being a folk musician myself (www.myspace.com/joethefox)

My dad and I often listen through the couple of LPs that we have.

Thanks for keeping the spirit alive...

"for standing in your heart is where I want to be, and I long to be"

Joe Francis x

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 01:03 PM

Malcolm was a friend of my dad's and his cousin in the late sixties. My dad knew him through Pete Custer? at a folk club in Rake, Hampshire. My dad and his cousin played at the same club. They lost touch but Malcolm tried to contact my dad again after my dad married my mum but to no avail. He gave a guitar to my dad's cousin as a present plus each of them a copy of Malcolm Price: His Songs and His Guitar. Would love to know how to contact him. Jane

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Brian Munro
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 03:41 PM

I remember booking Malcolm to play at the Sloop Inn on the Isle of Wight in the 60'S as a solo artist. He did a great job with his Martin guitar...wish I could get hold of the l/p i once had..anyway Malcolm ,good luck to you where ever you are.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,999--available on E-bay
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 03:57 PM

Malcolm Price: His Songs and His Guitars--LP

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: RTim
Date: 16 Jan 10 - 04:05 PM

I still have a copy of that Lp, I bought at Christchurch Folk Fest. in 1970 or 71?

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 08:22 AM

Malcolm still lives in Norway.
To which album do you refer?

Hoot

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: Santa
Date: 17 Jan 10 - 03:09 PM

I might still have one, from his visit to Cranleigh Folk Club 1969 (or early 70). The one time I won the raffle, and it was a country (didn't care for country then, or now) LP. I remember being impressed by his guitar work.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,John Price
Date: 19 May 10 - 04:46 PM

Hi Folks
I have only just stumbled across this site.Malcolm is my uncle and yes you are correct he does live in Norway.I am so sorry to hear about Carol.As a boy I can clearly remember them practicing in his bedroom at my Nan and Grandads ( Malcolms Mum and Dad) as they lived there together for a brief period.The address was 95 Cray Road,Foots Cray,Sidcup,Kent,why I know this so well is because I lived across the road at 6 Orchard Villas.The last time I saw Malcolm was in 1972 at his fathers funeral.On a lighter note I can remember him having a wicked sense of humour.I believe his sister who is 84 years old still keeps in contact with him.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,geoff allum
Date: 06 Aug 10 - 04:33 PM

i remember malcolm in the sixties,he was a star of the folk club scene.i learnt the long black veil from him and now play it myself in a french folk club.i am amazed to hear he no longer plays,a great shame. i would very much like to write to him,so john if you have his address or a contact for his sister i would be grateful.it would be good to let him know how important he was to us all.my number is 01797252714 or [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 02:49 AM

chris pepper I remember the trio well from the 60's I was friends with Chas Francis, Carols brother i went to quite a few gigs. I took them too Guildford where Doc Watson and Pete Seager were playing. I would like to hear from Chas. I can be reached via [e-mail] ps... I have lived in Australia for the past 42 years.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: tritoneman
Date: 29 Nov 10 - 02:45 PM

Malcolm Price. The master of wonderfully controlled, tasteful flatpicking. He was very, very funny too. I was at that gig with Doc Watson at Guildford. It was probably in 1965 on Doc Watson's first UK tour. Ralph Rinzler - part of the Greenbriar Boys- was playing mandolin with Doc. Malcolm Price, along with Roger Churchyard (fiddle), John Field (banjo) and Ian McCann (guitar) were doing the support. They were amazing - the best I ever saw them perform.
Although it was all such a long time ago I've never forgotten that gig. Guildford Folk club was very much a traditional club at the time and to end the evening, they got one of their floor singers- Tom Dillon, to do an unaccompanied song. The contrast was stark and I didn't quite know what to make of it. In retrospect, I think it was a great idea.

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: GUEST,Ken
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 03:42 PM

I remember Malcolm Price very well, he often appeared at Chislehurst Folk club and I can still play a couple of numbers in his distinctive style. He usually appeared with a couple of Martin guitars, a six and a twelve string, and I think he used a special tuning for the twelve ~ but time makes memory slow. Whatever, I went out and bought a brand new 12 string jumbo just like Malcs and still have it, but only play it now and again as it seems so big, cumbersom and 'dead' compared with the flamenco guitar I normally use. Malcolm used to do a good comic number called "The Burglar Man" and his runs on "buffalo Skinners' were fantastic. Really a one man show whoever he was performing with, as I recall he had a liking for fawn whipcord trousers, western cut shirts and cowboy boots. Where is he now? No idea, but I do still have the recordings to remember him by. I also recall Cedric Thorose, I believe that they sometimes worked together but I may be imagining this. The folk movement was very solid in the 60s and everybody seemed to be friendly and encouraging. Great days ~ must be getting old, but the fingers still work! Ken

Subject: RE: Malcolm Price Trio
From: tritoneman
Date: 07 Dec 10 - 04:50 PM

I remember Malcolm sometimes using using a Martin 12 string - he played an awesome version of Ella Speed on it! His rendition of the Burglar Man was great and the All Go Hungry Hash House was pretty good too.

I don't think I ever saw Cedric Thorose with Malcolm Price but, if I remember rightly, he was in the Southern Ramblers.