Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: johnadams
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:33 PM

This is shocking news. I have known Malcolm for several years and he has been a huge driver in the academic work of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, republishing song books (Marrowbones and English Classic Folk Songs) and putting the contents pages of the Folk Music Journal online. His work in other areas such as support for Yorkshire Folk Arts and South Riding Folk Federation was also an important contribution.

And a really nice guy to have a drink with.

The folk world is indeed a poorer place tonight.

J

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Mooh
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:29 PM

Very very sorry to hear this. My hopes and prayers for him and his.

Being around here for so long means we know each other in ways that just didn't exist pre-internet, kind of a bystander effect, just as we know literary, movie and TV characters, only with an interactive possibility that allows us to know more deeply.

Malcolm, I didn't know you, but I'm so glad to have known you.

"What we call death is only an horizon which is the limit of our sight." (Bede Jarrett)

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:27 PM

He will be missed, terribly. He was a good and a gentle soul, and a passionate scholar.

Peace,
Paul

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Tootler
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:27 PM

I did not particularly like his online persona, but I did respect his scholarship and knowledge of traditional music. I am saddened to hear of his death. He will be sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: RTim
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:25 PM

I am Stunned! Although we never met, we have corresponded often and he has
been a HUGE help to me on a number of projects. He was generous to the max
with his insight and knowledge, and I have just given him a credit on
my latest CD. He will be missed very much, and I am very sad.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:21 PM

The loss of his knowledge and decency is a dreadful thing.

Will someone write a song to him as splendid as the Keeler's homage to Hugill - "The Old Man's Gone"?

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: meself
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:20 PM

A tremendous loss to Mudcat. I always felt that we as a group were fortunate that Malcolm was so generous with his time, knowledge and intelligence. ...

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:17 PM

I used to give Malcolm a hard time for being such a serious scholar, and in part because he never hesitated to straighten me out on the facts when I ventured into any area of music history with which he was familiar. Which was pretty much all of them. As the years went by, I began to look for his posts concerning music which interested me, and took his word as gold. I don't ever recall seeing a post by him below the BS line, because he took this forum and his scholarship seriously.
Goodbye Malcolm. This particular folk music dilitante will miss your flashes of erudition.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:09 PM

This is sad news indeed. Rest in peace Malcolm.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From:
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:05 PM

One of the finest. His scholarship in, and enthusiasm for, our music will be greatly missed.

Jack

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:58 PM

Because of the WWW this is a very severe blow to the folk community he touched around the globe. We are all the worst for losing him but we are all the better for his time, friendship & knowledge that he shared so freely with us all. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family & those lucky enough to had been his loved ones

Barry

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Betsy
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:58 PM

This the last thing Mudcatters needed - losing a contributor who contributed so much wisdom ,knowledge and patience.
I knew that whenever I got to one of his postings , it would be intelligent and considered .Indeed , a sad loss.
Deepest condolences to his family. RIP

Betsy

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:55 PM

Farewell and Godspeed to a fine man, with much appreciation for the goodness and knowledge his life gave to this world.    Jean Ritchie

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:52 PM

I'm very sorry to hear this news: my sympathy to his family. He very generously shared his knowledge and enthusiasm, and his erudition will be much missed. He had a great knack for disentangling some hoary myths about folk songs and folklore and crisply laying out the known facts. He was a man of many parts; he drew some rather good cartoons for a Manchester United fanzine. Rest in peace, Malcolm.

Matthew Edwards

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:46 PM

Malcolm Douglas - Mudcat Master, Posthumously?

All in favor.....


Seamus

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:45 PM

This is an awful loss. He contributed so much, so helpfully, patiently and eruditely.

Deepest sympathy to his family.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:42 PM

I met Malcolm in person at the home of Bill Sables many years ago; and I was surprised that he was so young, since he showed so much wisdom online. The body of work he left behind will be of great value to us over the years.
Malcolm, you taught me a lot. I'll miss you.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:42 PM

Malcolm Douglas was a fixture and a cornerstone of this community all these years and though we knew his health had become a problem he kept it well in the background as was his nature. There are no words to express the overall sadness the news of his passing brings to this place. He was much loved and respected.

All of my best goes to his family and those who knew him best but I'd also send some compassion out to the other denizens of this unique place we have here. The Mudcat was far better than it ever could have been with him and we will be lessened immeasurably by his loss.

This comes, almost to the day, five years on from the death of Rick Fielding.....another giant of the 'Cat. We can never replace what these men brought here. We are left blessed by the time they spent, the knowledge they left, and passion they shared.

Thank you Malcolm.............and goodbye.


Pat

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas (22 March 2009)
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:41 PM

Sad news. Thoughts are with his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:25 PM

Oh no this is horrible news. Malcolm will be sorely missed. I still can't believe he's gone. He will be very sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Joybell
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:22 PM

So sad. We only ever met here. He always treated me as though I understood what I was saying. He even offered to look things up for me in the course of his studies. I felt so proud. Every time I think about chocolate teapots I'll think of him.
Joy

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Zen
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:17 PM

I only met Malcolm once but always admired his knowledge and willingness to help.

Condolences to his family.

Zen

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:05 PM

I DID meet the gentleman, and was hoping to connect with him again....goodnight, Malcolm, sleep well.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: nutty
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 05:00 PM

Terrible news ...
Mudcat and folk in general will be the poorer for his loss. He stood for all that was good about the 'cat' and will be sorely missed.

Condolences to his family

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: ard mhacha
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:59 PM

A sad day, this man was a legend on this Site, to his nearest and dearest my heartfelt sympathy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Peace
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:59 PM

I'll miss you, Malcolm.

Thanks for so much you shared so willingly.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:59 PM

Malcolm playing with our scratch ceili band at the Yorkshire Mudcat Gathering in 2001

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,Ed Cray
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:54 PM

I think I speak for a number of us on the western side of the pond when I feel a sense of great loss with the death of Malcolm Douglas, gentleman and scholar.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:50 PM

I join with others to send my condolences to Malcolm's family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: DMcG
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:47 PM

what can be said? like so many others here, Malcolm was always most helpful to me, not only in providing detailed information when I needed it, but also encouragement in PMs, written notes, scans of songs ...


Malcolm worked on the notes for the new revision to 'Marrowbones' and hoped to do the same for the other 3 books in the set. Whoever takes up the challenge has much to live up to.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:47 PM

I'm absolutely horrified to learn of this. I always enjoyed reading his highly knowledgeable and sometimes peppery posts, and it's hard to think they're at an end now. We're all the poorer for it. My deepest sympathies to his family. R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Amos
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:45 PM

Oh, no, no!! Not Malcolm. This is an outrage! He has been a mainstay of clarity and reason and a well-loved and respected source of deep musical knowledge here for many years. He will leave a huge hole in the forum, and in the music community at large.


A

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: John Minear
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:42 PM

I'm sorry that you are gone, Malcolm. It's a shock. I have a tremendous respect for your work. We will all continue to benefit from that and miss your presence very much. Best wishes to your family. J.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: maeve
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:31 PM

Yes, Tom. That is a good way to honor the man.

Thank you, Malcolm.

maeve

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:30 PM

Sad news indeed. Another good 'un gone.
Thank you, Malcolm.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:29 PM

I'm really sorry to hear this. Although I live in more-or-less the same area as Malcolm I never met him, though we exchanged emails a few times. I was thinking just yesterday when looking at a thread that I was surprised he hadn't posted to and that it was a while since I'd seen him post.

A sad loss of a knowledgeable and sensible contributor. My condolences to his family.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Paul Burke
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:26 PM

A huge loss, a massively learned scholare who freely disseminated his knowledge to the benefit of all. A decoration to humanity.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: curmudgeon
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:25 PM

While this is indeed terrible news, we are all most fortunate to have the benefit of the immense contributions of knowledge and wisdom Malcolm bestowed upon us. And if we make good use of it, we can keep his spirit alive and with us - Tom Hall

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:19 PM

I'm stunned. Dreadful news - we've lost a good one. I never got to know Malcolm properly and now never will, but he stood out even among the friendly and erudite Mudcat crowd both for the depth of his knowledge and for his willingness to take time over queries from ignorant newcomers. Heartfelt sympathies to everyone who was close to him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: bobad
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:18 PM

Sad news, he will be greatly missed.

Condolences.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:16 PM

Oh dear. Rest well, Malcolm.

~S~

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Will Fly
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:15 PM

I never knew Malcolm, being a comparative newbie here, but it was very obvious, from the posts of his that I read - and from references to him from other Mudcatters - that he was enormously erudite, knowledgeable and respected. My condolences to his family and to his friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:11 PM

I'm shocked at this news; his erudition was legendary, and his patience with the rest of lesser mortals in this respect was that of a saint. He was one of the reasons I came to Mudcat and always kept a close eye on his contributions. His legacy in this respect is one of the most important on-line resources with respect of traditional folk song. Malcolm and I met many moons ago in Sheffield & I was flattered that he alluded to it once on Mudcat.

My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:09 PM

This is sad news indeed. All my thoughts are with his family at this time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:09 PM

I'm so very shocked and sorry to hear of this. I and many others in the Mudcat world appreciated his help with our queries and his contributions in the world of folk song scholarship. He's a great loss to us.

There's some comfort that he had some time to read how we cared before he went.

My deepest sympathies to those who were close to him.

~ Becky in Tucson & Long Beach

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:01 PM

I am so sorry to hear of Malcolm's death. He was always the voice of reason and scholarship on this forum and is irreplaceable.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:00 PM

What a terrible shock!
I have been enjoying seeing Malcolm around the mudcat threads after the worrying time when he was ill- never thinking we only had him for a short time.

I will miss him a great deal, his great knowledge, sense and musicality.

Rest in Peace, Malcolm.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Emma B
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:00 PM

My sincere condolences and sympathy for his family in their time of loss
A great loss to the folk scene too.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: Anglo
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:00 PM

Oh my God. This is absolutely dreadful news. In the small world of traditional music knowledge Malcolm stood as a giant. He leaves huge shoes to fill.

Condolences to friends and family. This is devastating.

Subject: RE: Obit: Malcolm Douglas
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 03:59 PM

What a great loss. Go well, Malcolm.