Apparent Demise: John Roberts

Subject: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Anglo
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:26 PM

John Roberts.

My friend Abby Sale just sent me this webcitation which seems to indicate that I am dead. I feel honored to be in the company of Dave Swarbrick, though I think his obit was in The Observer.

I do admit to being humorous, wry, quirky, amiable/good natured and earthy, not to mention that I do sing traditional British folk and sea shanties. I am also responsible for the (very fine, IMHO) CD, Sea Fever.

I have never set foot on Andros Island, however, and was not born there, neither did I die there. My friend George Ward visits Andros regularly, I believe, on his winter Caribbean sojourns, and I trust he will aver to the truth of that.

Hoping to be with you all for some time, I remain,

John Roberts

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:28 PM

"I have never set foot on Andros Island, however, and was not born there, neither did I die there."

That's what they all say, buddy.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:28 PM

PS Glad it's not you.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: GUEST,Vicki Kelsey
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:36 PM

Aha! Rumors of your death have been greatly exagerated! Glad to hear it.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Janie
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:41 PM

I dunno, John. MIght be to your advantage, if only you can get the word out that you are dead.

Just think of the possibilities....;^)

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Artful Codger
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:41 PM

Egad, Mudcat Café is haunted! The spirits are posting!

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:43 PM

Have you been singing the Bahamian "Run Come See, Jerusalem"?

Well the Ethel was bound for Fresh Creek (Run come see, run come see)
With the mothers and the children on board
Well the Ethel was bound for Fresh Creek (Run come see Jerusalem)

Perhaps it was the John Roberts on this recording:

http://www.folkways.si.edu/TrackDetails.aspx?itemid=8480

(And I suppose it's not the other other John Roberts, whose demise would give Obama a chance to appoint a new chief justice to the Supreme Court).

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:46 PM

Are you 100% sure you didn't die here?

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Maryrrf
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:47 PM

It must have given you a shock to see yourself listed as dead! I'm glad you're still with us!

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:48 PM

By any chance, did you have a mom named Mary and a step-dad named Joseph? I have an idea . . . .

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: ClaireBear
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:21 AM

Well, at least they said you were humorous, wry, quirky, humorous, amiable and good-natured. Though, sadly, quite dead.

And earthy. Hmmm. Perhaps that's the dead part?

Midwinter hugs to a live one,
Claire

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:36 AM

From
http://nfo.net/calendar/aug08.htm:

August 8
Notable Events on this date include:
1983.    John Roberts, vocals, died in Fresh Creek, Andros, Bahamas. Age: 71

---

who is, of course, different than--
John Storm Roberts, the English-born writer, record producer and independent scholar whose work explored the rich, varied and often surprising ways in which the popular music of Africa and Latin America informed that of the United States, who died on Nov. 29 in Kingston, NY--
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/arts/music/10roberts.html

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:53 AM

Well now, John, if you had a distinctive name - like Joe Offer, for example, there wouldn't be any confusion about your demise, or lack thereof.
I mean, John Robertses die on Andros Island every day. Have you ever heard of a Joe Offer dying there? But with a generic name like John Roberts, people probably think you're in a witness protection program.

Still, I'm glad you're not demised.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Rasener
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 02:14 AM

Have you got the money from your life insurance yet?

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Anglo
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 02:51 AM

What's life insurance?

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Severn
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 03:35 AM

If you're a ghost, than is your winter entourage now going to be known as "Nowell Sing We Translucent"?

If you think they displayed The True Spirit Of Christmas before, then you ain't half-seen nothin' yet!

Glad to know that you haven't obit the dust quite yet....

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: My guru always said
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:19 AM

Well, that was a bit scary.... Stay with us John!
Hugs,
Hil x

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: TheSnail
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 05:10 AM

If you click on the "Other" tab on the allmusic page, it leads to "The Forgotten Shankly Tapes" which, with a bit of Googling, leads to THE-FORGOTTEN-SHANKLY-TAPES.

Is that you too?

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Micca
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 05:34 AM

John, Glad it wasn't you, not quite ready to wave you good bye, I would verify the description, witty Earthy etc vis the late night Extra Sundaynight at the Getaway which was, for me,one of the most memorable of the impromptu Getaway sings of all
micca

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 05:53 AM

What a good way to re-publicise your CD, John ;)
Just think what dying did for the sales of Elvis, Jim Reeves, and Michael Jackson.
If I were you I would just keep quiet, and collect the royalties.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Brian Peters
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 06:20 AM

Looking forward to meeting your ghost at Old Songs.
Cheers,
Brian

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Jeri
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 09:56 AM

I think it's terrible that they're saying you're dead when you're not. The situation should be corrected immediately.

Of course, I'm not sure 'demise' refers to you being the Dead Pirate Roberts or

"Judiciously mixing acoustic instruments with synthesizers, Roberts freely flits from style to style and mood to mood, yet retains a cohesiveness rooted in both his compositional skills and the underlying sensuous immediacy that runs through this work."

Synthesizers AND flitting!?

People should buy Sea Fever, as it sounds like the talented John Roberts we knew prior to the flitting and the demising.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Dave Swan
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 10:02 AM

...damn, we had such a wake planned...

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: SINSULL
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 10:03 AM

GOD DAMN IT! You scared the crap out of me!
Happy fuckin' New Year!

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 10:09 AM

"This singer is dead!"

"No 'es not...'es just resting!"




wait...maybe it was debt they were speaking of? Would that fit?

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:22 PM

Rise up Lazarus!

(Dammit Jeri, you beat me.)

Don

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:26 PM

Does this mean there's a vacancy on the US Supreme Court?

Dan

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:34 PM

I quipped above that John Roberts was such a common name that is sounds like something used in a witness protection program. Then again, maybe all those John Robertses ARE our John. I've seen his name as a contributor on lots of recordings, so many that I thought that they couldn't all be from the same John. But when I listen, it's always the same voice. Our John is prolific.
Good, though.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:39 PM

"John & the Supremes"

Another good title for a judicious recording.

Happy to hear, John, that you still walk this earth. It's getting really scary these days and we can ill afford to have you "shuffling off this mortal coil," another good title for a recording.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Art Thieme
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:57 PM

John,
It's good to hear that you are, in the best "Mrs. Ravoon" sense, still, alas, "with us."

And John, in the best sense of the so-called "john" in my bathroom, you might be looking a bit "flushed"----but definitely -- not dead.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: EBarnacle
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 12:58 PM

To paraphrase Mark Twain, "The reports of thy death are greatly exaggerated." Congratulations on still being with us and try to stay that way for the next few decades. Eric and Hillary

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: stallion
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:09 PM

Ah John I dare say more than one of us has died in more than one place, just don't do the gig again! oops it wasn't you, well you would say that I keep quiet about the duff ones! Anyway good to know you will blaspheming and swearing your way into the new year old son, give a "bugger off" for me
Pete
Dunno how many John Roberts there are but I know there is only one of me on the web! Kinda worrying that there will be no false alarms to find out what people really think, on the other hand......don't want to know!

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:09 PM

Look, I am paying bills with the music too. I get that we need publicity of all sorts, and am not above a bit of showmanship in getting it. But dying and then posting to say it was just a joke? Don't you think that is a bit beyond the pale? Next you be will pulling some nonsensical shit like walking on water and telling us it is a new way of fishing.... naw ... that is a bit too far ......

You gave me a fright, John. I look forward to sneaking a bottle of bourbon into the various gatherings and sitting all night with you trying not to run out of songs before you do. The last time we did this I was so out of songs that I ended up singing jingles from commercials while you were only half way through your friggin' repertoire!!! But it ain't fair, cuz your songs all have 4,567 verses to them. I ran out for a sandwich and a nap on one and came back to find you had made it through about half the song, fer chrissakes.

Anyways, glad you haven't really croaked, and I look forward to your company at a gathering soon. Should you decide to croak in the meantime, buy yourself lots of cheap cologne. Corpses smell like a load of week old shite.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Rasener
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:24 PM

>>What's life insurance?<<

Common in England John.

Basically an insurance against your life, which your family get the benefit of when you snuff it, as you obviously have. It can be thousands of pounds (UK crrency)

Les Worrall

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: DebC
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:28 PM

I am also glad that our John Roberts is still around as we have some gigs coming up in the UK in March-April 2011. I don't want to do them by myself :-)

Debra Cowan

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:31 PM

Dear John,

This is not a "Dear John" letter.

Happy to hear you are still alive, doubly to hear it from you, yourself. This means that you can visit Andros Island, rather than merely have your ashes blow around the place.

Best wishes for 2010 and for sometime afterwards,
Dan

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: kendall
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:31 PM

STOP IT...JUST STOP IT! Now I have to have a shot of Scotch to steady my nerves.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:34 PM

John, don't DO that to me!! I saw the thread title and expressed myself with eloquence in words of one syllable until I saw that you had posted it.

I missed Nowell this year due to an unfortunate double-booking with my own chorus (now, who's fault was that to not check the schedule??) and you can't conk out before I see you all next year. And for other reasons.

But as Brian said, there's always Old Songs (wait- Brian's coming to Old Songs? Cool!!).

All the best to you for the New Year!

Allison

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:34 PM

kendall, you take a shot of Scotch if the dog farts.... don't start blaming it on John's leaving.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: stallion
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:41 PM

and the dog can fart!

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Susan A-R
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 01:49 PM

Glad you are still around to sing and scare the shit out of us. That's the second time John. The first was at Old Songs a couple of years ago. No more please.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Artful Codger
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 02:42 PM

Joe, I always thought your name sounded like a hit-man's alias.

Is John walking in bare feet on his album cover? Do you hear any messages if you play "Sea Fever" backwards?

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Anglo
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 03:16 PM

I WAS THE WALRUS, I WAS THE WALRUS!

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: adventure
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 03:33 PM

It's 3:30 pm and you are a wake....!!!

Cheers

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 03:51 PM

that's a relief, John.

you going to be here in March, with Deb ?

that, I have to see

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: olddude
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 03:59 PM

John
The press is never wrong, they validate every story and follow up on every story ... Hence you are dead so admit it and be off to the after life you stubborn man you ... geeze doesn't even know he is dead even after reading it in the paper. LOL

Great story, very glad you are still sharing the planet with us

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: DebC
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:05 PM

2011, Murray.

Deb

Subject: RE: Apparent Demi-Demise: John Roberts
From: Severn
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:48 PM

Demise? Apparently....

Dem eyes have seen the glory of the second-coming of the almost- lowered.

Return that wreath of grapes to the vintage and put it back in storage.

There's proof he's marching on!

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Severn
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 04:50 PM

Non-gory Hallelujah!

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: RTim
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 06:40 PM

At least this "subject" got me to play and listen to - "Sea Fever" again today, and to remember how good it is!

Great New Year to John, and to everyone reading this!!

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 08:59 PM

"Joe, I always thought your name sounded like a hit-man's alias."

As in "I'm gonna make you an Offer ya can't refuse."

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: EBarnacle
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 11:20 PM

OK, let's all hoist a large glass of the crayture to celebrate our arrival in the next year.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Anglo
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 04:21 AM

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE !

We celebrated with a few friends (6 of us in all) playing Irish music till close to 4am, with a short break for apple pie and watching the ball drop in Times Square. Concertina, uilleann pipes, whistle, fiddle, bouzouki, harp, accordion, a jolly time was had by all.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Ref
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 03:39 PM

Always a pleasure to read of your non-demise.

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: Rasener
Date: 01 Jan 10 - 04:05 PM

And Anglo returns, just like Doctor Who

Doctor Who

Subject: RE: Apparent Demise: John Roberts
From: bbc
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 08:33 AM

John, subject lines like that are likely to give others heart attacks! I'm glad you're still among us. Seems like, these days, we're getting more & more obits in the Mudcat. Couldn't have anything to do with our ages, do you think? Best of the New Year to you!

bbc