Any Old Time Band

Subject: Any Old Time Band
From: GUEST,john p
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 05:20 PM

I had an old cassette tape, long since gone, and one of the tracks was of a song called 'My Dearest Dear' by 'The Any Old Time Band'. I think it was a recording of a BBC show.

From what I remember, TAOTB where an ad hoc group that got together occasionally, the song is also known as The Blackest Crow.

Any more info anyone.

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 05:47 PM

Is it this San Francisco area band?

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 07:07 PM

Thanks Michaelr,

No the group were Irish or irish American I think, all male.

We're probably going back at least 20 years here.

john p

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 07:40 PM

The band you are seeking sounds like Any Old Time from Cork - Mick Daly, Matt Cranitch and Dave Hennessy. As far as I am aware, they recorded only 3 albums: 'Any Old Time', 'The Crossing' and 'Phoenix'. The track listings of these may be found HERE but, unfortunately, do not include the song to which you refer. What you had is possibly a bootleg of a radio program.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 08:13 PM

I saw the band Stewie describes at the Wadebridge folk festival in, I think, 1993.

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: GUEST,john p
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 04:51 AM

Many thanks Stewie,

I've managed to dig up a few more references from what you gave, but not the particular song. As you say, probably a bootleg recording.

http://www.clarechampion.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3921:ennis-trad-festival-reunion-for-any-old-time&catid=47:music&Itemid=44

http://www.allcelticmusic.com/artists/Matt%20Cranitch.html

john p

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: GUEST,OLD TIMER
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 11:25 AM

Mick Daly, was on the band & he will tell you all you need to know .You can contact him at The Lee Valley String Band site.
Oldtimer

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 11:44 AM

Or Matt Cranitch who now plays with another trio called Sliabh Notes

Sliabh Notes

http://www.irishmusicreview.com/slIABH%20NOTES.htm

[Why do messages keep disappearing? This is the second time I've posted this]

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 11:45 AM

Can you give us any fragments of words to the song you're after?

Subject: RE: Any Old Time Band
From: GUEST,john p
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 06:51 PM

Hi Bonnie.

I've no problem with the words or tune, I learnt it from the cassette many years ago. Sure to be available on many lyric sites, it's quite well known I think, as both 'My Dearest Dear' and 'The Blackest Crow'.

Martin Simpson has it on one of his albums, though not in ballad form.

It was the recording I was trying to trace really, most likely consigned to the ether by now.

john p