Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes

Subject: Launch of Len Graham's Book
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 28 Sep 10 - 05:58 AM

Len Graham's great book on his mentor and longtime singing companion, Joe Holmes will be given it's Dublin launch in An Góilín on Friday October 22nd @ 8.00pm (Irish Time!)

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holme
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 28 Sep 10 - 08:41 AM

To Joe Offer: Can you add the s to Joe Holme's name in the thread title?

----------------Done. JoeClone -------------

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 Sep 10 - 09:02 AM

Wonderful book - beautifully presented and well worth having.
We attended a launch of it at this year's Willie Clancy week, and I overheard someone (a Brit) say, "They have more launches than Cammel Lairds over here". The more, the merrier I say!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 28 Sep 10 - 12:27 PM

Thanks Joe!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 28 Sep 10 - 06:03 PM

Thanks to Jerry for this new thread.

Len's book is a sheer treat from end to end. In an earlier thread about this book Matt Milton commented that the biographical section was rather short. He is quite right; but Len has been very crafty and sneaked in a short tale about Joe in the notes to almost every song! In the end you get a very vivid impression of a full life lived through songs.

One aspect of the book which truly deserves credit is the quality of the illustrations and photographs. Len has found some lovely pictures to accompany the text; Joe couldn't have found a better person to 'do him justice'.

Matthew

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: RTim
Date: 28 Sep 10 - 07:40 PM

I had a great time this summer, spending a week at Pinewoods Camp with Len Graham - who was a total delight. Lovely man, wonderful singing and stories, very approachable and pleasant, whatever the hour of the day or night.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 04:30 AM

Lets keep this up there for a bit!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 11 Oct 10 - 06:06 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 04:38 AM

Thanks to Jerry for keeping this thread going. I liked Jim's reported comments on "more launches than Cammell Lairds", although as I live in Wirral I have to observe that the glory days of the shipbuilders are long over, and the business is now entirely shiprepairing. The yard has however been sold and restored so often that I think I can confidently say it has seen more Revivals than the folk tradition!

One of Joe Holmes's songs that I've always enjoyed is 'Dick the Dasher', who I think must have been a close relative of the 'Whitby Tailor' in John Greaves's song. I'm sure I've seen a broadside copy of 'Dick the Dasher' in Liverpool Library, but as their collection is now in store while the main library is being renovated I can't easily check this. The song itself mentions that famous Liverpool institution, Paddy's Market. Does anyone know more about the origins of the song? Is it a Liverpool song?

Matthew

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 05:36 AM

Yes Matthew, you know the Irish, any excuse for a party!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 08:31 AM

Hi Mathew,
The only other version recorded of Dick The Dasher was from the Labrador Coast - no mention of Paddy's Market.
Roud doesn't even give a broadside reference.
Thread drift:
I was a little bemused last time I was in Liverpool when my sisters took me around the Maritime Museum, wonderfully constructed in the warehouses I used to work in as an apprentice electrician on the ship repairs.
One of the first things I noticed when I started my apprenticeship was the constant warfare between tradesmen and apprentices.
Cammell Lairds lads entered into folklore with a stunt they pulled one Monday morning in the toilets, which were somewhat primitive - a long gutter divided up into twelve cubicles and mecahnically flushed at regular intervals by a cistern which gradually filled and sent a stream of water along the line (something similar to those in my school)
The lads locked themselves in the first cubicle and waited till the rest were all occupied, then, as the mechanism flushed and sent a stream of water down the gutter, they floated a wad of burning oil soaked cotton waste (used for cleaning motors) on a piece of wood, through all the occupied cubicles, burning the arses of all those therin.
Happy days
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 09:05 AM

There is a good version of 'Dick the Dasher' sung by Jimmie Devlin on 'Songs From the Sperrins' which is a great double CD with some really fine singers, and some very interesting and unusual songs.

That's a great story from the old days of Cammell Laird!

My favourite photograph is a black and white view of the hull of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal taken by E Chambré Hardman from the top of Holt Hill in Birkenhead where the ship seems to float in the air above the rows of terraced housing: The Birth of the Ark Royal.

Matthew

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: GUEST,Donal
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 09:16 AM

Colum Sands interviewed Len Graham on Folk Club last weekend. It's on BBC player HERE

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 09:23 AM

"'Songs From the Sperrins' which is a great double CD with some really fine singers,"
I'm glad you said that about Songs of the Sperrins - I agree with you completely.
However, Musical Traditions, in its wisdom, gave it a dreadful and, in my opinion a totally unfair review, criticising a number of the singers in a way that no traditional singers should EVER be criticised.
Arse and elbow springs to mind.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 10:12 AM

Jim, I agree with you about the MT review; but at least it prompted John Moulden to write a letter which contains a very thoughtful and insightful description of a traditional singing community. We'd probably better discuss that topic elsewhere though.

Back to 'Dick the Dasher' - Joe sings:

"My occupation, bless the mark,
Is what you might call a barber's clerk."

What does the phrase "barber's clerk" mean? It sounds a little bit sarcastic to me.

Matthew

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 10:29 AM

Partridge's Dictionary of Historical Slang gives for "barber's clerk"
1. A person overdressed: from ca. 1830 esp. among mechanics and artisans....
2. Hence, a well-groomed seaman not much use at his job.


Closer to home, of course, it turns up in some versions of "Dublin Jack-of-all-trades"!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 11:13 AM

Thanks for that Asterisk!

"In Mud Island, was a dairy boy, where I became a scooper
In Capel Street, a barber's clerk; in Abbey Street, a cooper."

Perhaps Liberty Boy can shed some light on the Capel Street reference?

And thanks to Donal also for the link to Colum Sands's radio interview with Len Graham, although I haven't had time yet to listen to the whole programme.

Matthew

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: GUEST,grumpy
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 12:49 PM

There was a very positive review of Len's book in the latest edition of Songlines.

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 04:19 AM

Matthew, I'm afraid I'm not able to help with the reference to Capel Street, thats over on D.N.S. (de north side!)and "they eat their young" over there. Seriously, Capel Street would have no significence from a "barber's clerk" point of view except possibly that Louis Copeland, one of Dublin's foremost tailors has a premises there!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 09:27 AM

Well I did a quick Google search for "Capel Street Dublin" and found an RTÉ report on a fire which destroyed a head shop and a sex shop in Capel Street, so Jerry must be right about the savages of the Northside if they have such things for sale there!

Matthew

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: zozimus
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 11:57 AM

Hi Matthew,
Capel Street was developed in the last quarter of the 17th century and takes it's name from Arthur Capel, Earl of Essex, lord lieutenant from 1672 to 1677. It was developed by Sir Humphrey Jervis, who was later lord mayor of the city, and quickly established itself as a centre of fashion and beau monde.Close by is Henrietta Street, where the first great Georgian developements took place in the 1720s, and confirmed the northside as the fashionable end of town for a short period of time.
So Liberty Boy's reference to Louis Copeland may make sense after all! (hope he'll get me a pint in Calre for sticking up for him!)
Meanwile, Len's book is a treasure. Len gave a great talk on Eddie Butcher at the recent Eddie Butcher festival and showed some video clips of himself, Eddie and Joe Holmes, which brings the book to life. I hope he brings them to the launch.
Finally, I will be in Liverpool this weekend. Anything good on Friday night?

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 12:55 PM

Hi Zozimus

I hope you get your pint from Liberty Boy!

Liverpool clubs and pubs on a Friday night are an experience everyone should try once, (and once only!) but the so-called Irish bars should be avoided at all costs. However since nobody else has yet mentioned it, may I draw attention to The Liverpool Irish Festival, of which perhaps you may already be aware?

The Eddie Butcher festival sounds as if it was great; I've already said that I think Len's illustrations to his book are superb - the videos must be something else again!

After my complaining that work has prevented me from attending so many festivals my employers have found a very elegant solution; they have invited me to volunteer to retire early at the end of this year so I may attend as many festivals as I wish in the future!

Matthew

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 04:03 AM

One pint for Zozimus on the way.

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 06:08 AM

There's a fine article by Len Graham in the latest issue of The Living Tradition, entitled, Joe Holmes - Here I am Amongst You.
It's taken largely, from the foreword to the new book.

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 16 Oct 10 - 07:36 AM

I've not yet received my copy of the current Living Tradition, know I know what they mean when they say "snail mail".

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 11:47 AM

Living Tradition received complete with article on Joe by Len!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 12:39 PM

Hup!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 01:59 PM

I hope you'll let us know how the Dublin launch goes. Here's a link to Len Graham's website for the unfortunates amongst us who won't be at An Góilín on Friday 22 October.

Here's a little competition to keep you going:-

In one of Joe Holmes's more unusual songs 'The Load of Kail Plants' the protagonist romantically lists all the different types of kail he has brought for sale at the fair of Ballymoney.

"There was pamphrey and Dutch and curleys so sweet,
And rousing drum-heads that grow up like leek,
There was cow-kail, pull-early boys, eat while you're able,
And pickle for dressing a gentleman's table."

Can anyone identify all these different varieties?

Matthew

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Oct 10 - 03:15 PM

Curly Kale is grown a lot up here in Scotland, and some Kales a re used for animal feed,which is what is meant by Cow Kale. Drumhead is a variety of cabbage. Don't know about 'pull early' but there is a variety of Sutherland kale which you just pull leaves off when you need them, and don't harvest the whole plant at once. Could be that.
Dutch is also a cabbage, with a very tight head. It's the sort that you see a lot in supermarkets, like a tight green football.
Pamphrey is an Irish name for a dark green open leafed cabbage, a bit like spring greens.

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 03:38 AM

Such erudition!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 03:48 AM

Thanks for that John! I didn't really expect anyone to come up with an answer, as they know more about strawberry beds in Dublin, but if ever I sing the song I'll be able to illustrate that verse quite fully now. The depth of knowledge on Mudcat is indeed awesome.

Mudcat

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 11:57 AM

Of course next weekend Oct 31st Haloween is the season for curly kail over here. Kail, onions and potatoes =colcannon. Sory for the thread drift. I will report on the launch in due course. Is that a civil service answer? Never mind, I'll let you all know how it went!

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Fergie
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 10:41 PM

Just back from the launch. It was wonderful, great singing and great entertainment. Len was in great voice. Micil Ned Quinn told a great yarn, but you have to be there. Got my copy of the book so I'll settle into it over the Halloween break. Ah yes the Góilín is the Daddy of them all.

Fergus

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 12:24 PM

Report as promised:

A wonderful night of the best of singing, storytelling, and friendship. Nicholas Carolan did what we always expect him to do. The depth of his knowlwdge never ceases to amaze! Great singing from the featured guest, aided a couple of times by Padraigín and ably supported by a cast of, if not thousands, at least well over a hundred. Drogheda was well represented by Gerry Cullen, Pat Usher, and Stewart Carolan, grandson of Mary Anne. A great representation from South Armagh, Inishowen and all points North, South, East and West. Another night to be remembered and cherished! Roll on the Traditional Song Forum night.

Subject: RE: Launch of Len Graham's book on Joe Holmes
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 02:21 PM

Thanks for the report; it is always great to get some feedback. It sounds like a wonderful occasion. After all these launches I can't imagine that anyone still needs encouragement to buy this book, but it is well worth reading this sensitive, informative and generous review by Danny Stradling in Musical Traditions: Review of 'Joe Holmes'.

Matthew