Keith Marsden

Subject: Keith Marsden
From: Tony Burns
Date: 23 Aug 99 - 01:18 PM

At The Woods Music and Dance Camp last week I was reminded of the work of Keith Marsden. I have search the web with no success. Digital Tradition has one song only and the name Marsden does not appear in a thread title in the last 3 years.

I have been led to believe that there are 2 CDs.

So Mudders, what do you know about Keith, his music or the availabilty of recordings?

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Aug 99 - 03:25 PM

Tony,

I don't know much, but a quick search of Yahoo brought up comments on a new cd, since Keith's demise and listed the other band members, one of whom was Graham Pirt; I am assuming this must be the Mudcat's Graham Pirt. Maybe he'll see this thread and let you know.

Here's the only thing I was able to find:

Comments on Been Around For Years This album is the first by the group since the death of their founder member, Keith Marsden. The quality of the singing by remaining members, Val Marsden, Graham Pirt and John O'Hagan shows that the group remains as strong as ever. The unaccompanied harmonies are a delight with fine examples of counter melody. Give it a listen. Available from Fellside Records, 15 Banklands, Workington, Cumbria, England

Good Luck,

kat

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: lotgw
Date: 23 Aug 99 - 03:52 PM

Tony,

Following the death of Keith in 1991, great loss that it was, Val Marsden John O'Hagen and Graham Pirt the remaining members of Cockersdale put togethera book of his songs.

Its called Picking Sooty Blackberries" published by Fellside Music in 1992 ISBN 1 871318 01 7

I'm not sure if its still in print or if there are copies available but it worth a try.

Hope this is of use

Andy Barnes

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: bill\sables
Date: 23 Aug 99 - 05:56 PM

Tony, Graham Pirt is at present at the Whitby Festival but will be back at the weekend I will see him tomorrow and tell him about this thread. Andy The book you mention was given to me by Graham just last year so I don't think it is out of print but Graham will fill you in about that. I'm not sure how many CDs Cockersdale have done but keep this thread going till Sunday till he gets home. Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: Len Wallace
Date: 23 Aug 99 - 09:13 PM

Hmmm, found his songbook in London, UK when I visited. I know that the trio "Artisan" have recorded some of his songs. I couldn't find his recordings in England either.

Right now working on my fourth recording and soing his "Idlers and Scrivers" otherwise known as "Knocking at the Door".

len wallace

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: Graham Hyett (poet)
Date: 24 Aug 99 - 05:03 PM

Tony reference Keith Marsden. I have the Lyrics to "City Lament". Unfortunately I,m going on holiday to England in about 1/2 hour I,ll check in when i get back and type you out a copy if you want.

I ran the Folk Club here in Guernsey for many a year and Keith was a good friend of ours we miss him, a lovely lad,

poet.

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: bill\sables
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 08:51 AM

I was speaking with Graham Pirt yesterday He is still busy at Whitby festival but said to let you know that he will answer any questions regarding Keith Marsden's book (Picking Sooty Blackberry's ) and recordings of his songs. Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: Nogs
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 02:10 PM

I thought there was another member of the Cockersdale group: Peter Ogley. I'm terrible with names, but I'm sure that the person that I knew from this group is not listed above. It seemed he dropped off the edge of the earth; anybody know how he's doing?

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 03:58 PM

Well, where do I start?

Keith's group Cockersdale is still performing and consists of Val Marsden, John O'Hagan and myself. The book that has been mentioned in the thread, "Picking Sooty Blackberries" is available from Fellside Records, 15 Banklands, Workington, Cumbria, UK. As earlier letters in the thread have pointed out we've been at Whitby Festival for the week where we put on our presentation of the book with slides and songs. We ran a workshop and created a choir of over 80 people to join us in the show.

After Keith's untimely death in 1991 we didn't sing for over a year. However we never stopped meeting on our rehearsal night and eventually we started singing again. Since that date we've produced a further two CDs, "Been Around For Years" and "Wide Open Skies".

If you want any further info about Keith or the group let me know.

Subject: RE: Keith Marsden
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 04:01 PM

Sorry, forgot to answer about Peter Ogley. Peter was one of the original members of Cockersdale (and also The Watersons) He suffered voice problems in the mid 80's and had to give up. I saw him a few weeks ago and he is fine, and doing some singing.