Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Tony Spear
Date: 09 Jul 11 - 09:59 AM

I've only just stumbled across thia sie and to hear about the loss of Mike Waterson is an incredible shock.

Back in the 70's, I was part of a group of people who ran a very successful Folk Club in South Oxfordshire and for ages I kept saying "we've got to have the Watersons", but was always beaten down on the basis that we were such a small club that we couldn't cover the cost. However,over a couple of years and with a contribution from the pub landlord, we discovered that we had a small surplus in the bank, which I immediately appropriated for my "Watersons fund".

The demand was such that we were able to sell tickets in advance to our regular visitors and on the night there were people congregating in the car park, hoping to get in!

As it was "my night", I was the one to introduce the Watersons and I extended the pleasure as far as possible by introducing them all by name. Unfortunately I called Lal "Elaine", at which point Mike descended into gales of laughter and said "nobody's called her that for years!"

Any road up, Mike was an inspirational singer and he'll be deeply missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 07:11 PM

Also sorry to hear the news: happy memories of seeing Mike at Sidmouth a couple of times.
Here is a tribute rom John Boden's "Folk Song a Day" site, where you can hear Mike singing "Bright Phoebus" and Lucy Ward doing "A Stitch in Time".

http://www.afolksongaday.com/2011/06/22/sad-news-mike-waterson-r-i-p/

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,GUEST Kate from Leicester
Date: 02 Jul 11 - 02:09 PM

Master songwriter, great performer, but 'man of the people' sums it up for me. Warmest wishes and sympathy to all the family, especially Norma. One shock after another for all of you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 09:11 AM

Of course I know you Ann, how nice to know you have the same good memories as I have.
Gezz, the blind singer at Goole, was my uncle and he died of leukaemia far too young. Mike Waterson inspired and encouraged him to sing and to write, another reason we have to be grateful to Mike.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Ann, Goole Selby, Hull
Date: 29 Jun 11 - 03:15 AM

Hi Gail, so many stunning nights thanks to Eileen and Goff. 'course you know me,Ann at'paper shop... Ann and Isabel...you MUST remember us. Say you do. Hope you're ok, love to all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 05:27 PM

I Remmember the club in Goole very well, I remember a guy called Jez who was blind i think, and used to sing there, this would be throughout the 1980s, well done to the Watersons fortaking you on a musical path.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 04:27 PM

Sorry, my last message escaped before it was ready.
Mike Waterson had an immeasurable impact on my family's life.
My parents took me to see the Watersons in Hull around 1970, none of us having heard them before. As a result of that one concert, Mum and Dad went home to Goole and opened a new folk club which ran for many years. Through them my sister and I met the folk musicians we later married. My brother became a professional musician.
I'm really not sure our lives would have taken these paths had the Watersons not made such an impact on us one night in Hull.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Gail
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 04:12 PM

I'm sure i must know you, since it was my Mum and dad who ran goole folk Club in the 70s.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Ann. Goole, Selby and Hull.
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 03:07 PM

Mike and Martin sang all night once at Goole, with Jez in support and it was magical. Mike was in fine form and the packed crowd were entranced.This was in the seventies and absolutely, the best of many inspirational evenings I spent at Goole, Hull and Selby Folk clubs listening to Mike and his family. Whenever I feel homesick for Hull and my roots, Mike's familiar accent takes me back to Sunday mornings singing in Preston(East Riding)chapel and reminds me of my Dad singing the old songs at home. I'm proud to boast that we came from the same city and am in awe of Mike's incredible talent. Mike was friendly and easy to talk to, accessable and always ready to answer any questions, never "big time". Thanks for the history lessons and you wouldn't have wanted a house in Kirkella I'm sure. RIP. Ann.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 12:27 PM

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike and Norma about twenty years ago. Salt of the earth folk they are. Mike's passing leaves a big hole in the fabric of the world of music, as well as the world in general. What a voice, what a dear man...

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 06:33 PM

Talk about range...! Any of you guys remember him singing Sorry The Day I Was Married on one of the very early albums (in the John Harrison days)? And, I swear, it sounded like he did it all in one breath. (After I saw him blow out that candle I was sure he did.) His performance of that song remains the gold standard for me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 05:25 PM

yes,he was an extraordinary man, his singing was like a rainbow in a wintry sky.
Jeri, you are right it was genius high to low and stunning in rangehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE2BsU-dVdI amazing

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Jeri
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 04:10 PM

I was talking with some people on Saturday night, and it made me remember. I'd listen to Watersons' songs and try to figure out the melody from all the inter-woven parts, and at some point, I'd just try to figure out Mike's part, because it was never less than genius.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Tyke
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 03:59 PM

If I could have posted in your Name Bonnie I would have as the credit should go to you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 03:54 PM

Tyke, that's lovely! What more fitting words to remember Mike by than the tagline in the second panel that flashes onto the screen:

"Celebrating 60 [read 70] sensational years of mirth, mayhem and menacing". Indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Tyke
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 03:22 PM

Cheers Mike

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 04:50 PM

Mike Waterson, Member of British Folk Troupe, Dies at 70

By Margalit Fox
New York Times
June 25, 2011

Mike Waterson, a founding member of the Watersons, the self-taught singing group that was long considered the royal family of British folk music, died in England on Wednesday. He was 70.

The cause was pancreatic cancer, said Harriet Simms, a publicist who represents members of the Waterson family.

A vital part of the British folk revival of the 1960s, the Watersons were known especially for their renditions of traditional British music, including ballads, work songs and ancient carols. Through their small discography and their concerts in Britain and occasionally the United States, they attracted an impassioned following.

The group initially comprised Mr. Waterson; his sisters, Norma and Lal (short for Elaine); and a cousin, John Harrison. In later years Mr. Harrison was replaced by Norma's husband, the prominent English folk singer Martin Carthy. They sang mostly a cappella, using relatively simple harmonies.

But those harmonies — rich, tight and intensely textured — gave the Watersons their distinctly premodern sound. To hear their early recordings in particular is to hear the timbres of the shawms, sackbuts and hurdy-gurdies of early instrumental music, rendered vocally.

Mr. Waterson, a bass, possessed a robust, unaffected, pleasantly sandpapery voice that seemed made for sea chanties, which the group also sang.

Their recordings include their debut album, "Frost and Fire" (1965); "The Watersons" (1966); "A Yorkshire Garland" (1966); and "For Pence and Spicy Ale" (1975).

Mr. Waterson recorded a self-titled solo album of traditional songs in 1977. With his sister Lal, he recorded "Bright Phoebus" (1972), an album featuring original songs by each of them.

His other songwriting credits include "A Stitch in Time," a delicious modern revenge ballad about a battered wife who sews her drunken husband into the bedclothes. Though he never recorded the song himself, it has been recorded by Mr. Carthy, Chumbawamba and others.

Michael Waterson was born in Hull, England, on Jan. 16, 1941. He and his sisters were orphaned as young children and were reared by their grandmother, a woman of Irish and Gypsy stock who sang traditional songs with them around the family table.

With Mr. Harrison, the siblings formed the Watersons in the early 1960s, singing in pubs and clubs. They soon caught the ear of the distinguished British folklorist and folk-song collector Bert Lloyd, who became an early champion.

Mr. Waterson, who lived in Robin Hood's Bay, a Yorkshire fishing village, sang with various permutations of the family group for decades. When not performing, he worked as a carpenter and boat builder. He made his final appearance with the family last year, at the Bromyard Folk Festival in England.

Lal Waterson died of cancer in 1998. Besides his sister Norma, Mr. Waterson is survived by his wife, Ann, a singer who has performed with the family; four children, Sarah, Eleanor, Rachel and Matthew; and four grandchildren.

The dynasty is now in its second generation. Eleanor and Rachel Waterson have sung with the family group. Norma's daughter, Eliza Carthy, is a well-known singer and fiddler who with her parents is part of the folk group Waterson:Carthy.

In an interview quoted on Wednesday in the British newspaper The Guardian, Mr. Waterson recalled a moment of deep professional uncertainty early in his career, when the group first met Mr. Lloyd.

"He asked us to sing a song once, which we did, and then he asked us to sing it again," Mr. Waterson said. "When he asked us to do it yet again, we said, 'Are we doing it wrong?' He said, 'No, it's pure indulgence because it's giving me so much enjoyment.' "

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Les from Hull
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 12:57 PM

I believe that the concept of a tribute album consists of other people singing someone else's songs, in much the same way that the album 'Shining Bright' was a tribute to both Lal and Mike's songwriting. Mike was particularily well-known for his interpretation of traditional songs, although he did write some brilliant songs. How many other people's songs has Richard Thompson recorded for instance? Not many, but include Mike Waterson in that list.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 06:23 PM

The best tribute to Mike Waterson is to give his work the appreciation it deserves. I mean, imagine an album beginning with the larky exuberance of "Rubber Band" and ending with the bittersweet uplift of "Bright Phoebus", and with some songs sung by Lal in between (and one by Norma). What an amazing piece of work that would be.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 05:50 PM

"If Mike Waterson were to be honored with a tribute album,who would you like to see on it?What song?"

'John Barleycorn' of course. But in a folk club, years ago, I heard him sing Caroline Hughes's version of 'The Cuckoo' - a stunning performance - which I've never forgotten. Does anyone know if he ever recorded it?

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 05:31 PM

Sorry to hear this - I like his folk music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Azoic
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 05:15 PM

If Mike Waterson were to be honored with a tribute album,who would you like to see on it?What song?

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Folkiedave
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 02:10 PM

So many personal memories. Thanks for all of them Mike.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 01:38 PM

Was hesitating to add to this thread, cos I thought whatever I said would not be enough. Then I read Bonnie and Bren's comments and I thought..yeah! That was Mike!
my thoughts too are with the family
geoff t

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST, nee GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 07:56 PM

Just heard the news announced 'en passant' whilst running a Singers' night at the Grove in Leeds.
Even though you know it's coming the shock still hits hard. Too many memories to think of listing, but mostly from the old days at the Rugby, especially the night when he started to sing Tamalyn just before last orders, no-one moved until the end and not only did they not get a drink but everyone missed the last bus!
The rest has all been said.
Our thoughts are with all the family.

Bren and Norrie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 07:31 PM

I just spoke to Packie (Manus Byrne) on the phone tonight and told him the sad news, which he had not heard. So this is really a joint message.

Packie was shocked and devastated to hear this news, as he had not even known that Mike was ill. He reminisced about some of his early memories of the Watersons, whom he first met in the mid or late 60s. During one festival they were all being put up in the same house. Not only the same house, but the same BED, as it turned out. For years afterwards Packie boasted about how he had "slept with the Watersons" and there were those who added up two and two and got five.

He shared many good times with them, as later we both did. We once spent a lovely Christmas up at the farm where Mike was in fine form. I remember him sitting at the end of a long long dinner table, which had a candle burning in the middle - about 6 or 7 feet away from him. After the meal when we were clearing up, Norma asked Mike to blow out the candle and, without moving any closer to it, he just took one deep breath and extinguished it in a single puff from where he sat. What lung power, I remember thinking. Another memory of that time is passing him on the stairs as he went up for a bath, clutching a copy of Beano. "Can't have a bath without me Beano," he grinned as he bounded away. This is the Mike that Packie and I remember. Singing, laughing, not walking but bounding.

Packie also recalled fond thoughts of Lally at this sad time, and now they are both gone. If any of the family are reading this, please know that our thoughts are with you, and how very, very sorry Packie was when I - no less sorrowfully - broke the news. Rest in peace, Mike.

Packie & Bonnie

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: JennyD
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 01:30 PM

I only ever saw Mike in the mid-60s at the Blue Bell in Hull, but I've treasured my Watersons albums ever since. Sad news. He will be missed. Condolences to his family.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,David E.
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 11:14 AM

There was a link here recently about who deserves a tribute album? Well, there we are...

David E.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Rapsquillion
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 09:49 AM

RIP Mike Waterson:

Mike and the others had a huge influence on us when we started. I'm glad I got to see and hear Mike with Blue Murder at Sidmouth a few years ago.

With love.

Jac, Jen, Kay, Keith, Liz, Sue and Trevor (Rapsquillion)

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 07:43 PM

God sent his Singers upon earth
With songs of sadness and of mirth,
That they might touch the hearts of men,
And bring them back to heaven again.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

R.I.P. Mike, such a sad loss.

Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Sian H
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 03:28 PM

Such sad news.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 02:01 PM

Very sorry to hear this news.
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Guest - John Conolly
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 11:52 AM

I'm so glad I got the chance to hear Mike sing,not long ago,in a memorable evening at Robin Hood's Bay Folk Club. . . the Watersons' club at The Bluebell was the first Folk Club I ever sang in,and I've loved Mike's singing, his sense of humour,and the lovely songs he wrote ever since. . . he will be sadly,badly missed - hope you've found your "Fiddlers' Green", Mike. . .
    Love , John.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Selby
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 10:59 AM

I can only echo everyone else's sentiments. When Rory Mcilroy was winning the golf in America last week all I could hear in my head was When Mcilory was a boy,with Mike singing it strange how things happen.
Keith

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Steve Black
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 10:55 AM

I'm devastated to hear of Mike's death. I was in the Whitby area last weekend, but unfortunately couldn't manage to get over to see him as I'd hoped.[sorry, Ann]> I wish I had. I got to know Mike and his family well in the seventies when I lived nearby, and he was the salt of the earth, a really genuine bloke. I'd just like to send my [and Linda's] love and condolences to Ann and the rest of the family.
Mike will be very sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 10:35 AM

Sad news. He will be greatly missed.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,geoff woolfe
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 09:13 AM

Heard the news just now.
It feels like one of the family has gone
from the 60's Mike was an inspiration
to all to get up and sing

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: JHW
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 06:29 AM

Very Sad. We were singing 'Drink, Boys, Drink' last night.
You can't not 'picture' Mike down there singing 'Forrr if you do...' He'll always be there.
...we hope to God with all out hearts that his soul in Heaven do rest...

John W

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 05:56 AM

A brilliant, kind and generous man, he will be greatly missed, kindest regards to all Mikes family.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Mick Tems
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 04:37 AM

Mike was such an inspiration to me, one in a million - sincere condolences to his family. Words cannot express how I feel.

Mick Tems

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: stallion
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 03:47 AM

he definately 'ad a' 'ull accent, and I suppose 'ull is in Yorkshire . RIP owd son

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 02:25 AM

For a young folky like me at the beginning of the 70's the sound of the Watersons was not an influence - it was more like the environment. I feel a real sense of loss.

Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 12:34 AM

Oh, no! Too bad; so sad. Adding my condolences to the ones above.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: SylviaN
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 08:15 PM

Nothing much we can add to what has already been said. A great man and he will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts are with all his family.
Keith and Sylvia

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Four Fools
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 08:11 PM

What really sad news. Mike was a real character with a devilish wit and a great passion for his folk songs, also a great songwriter. We can remember a few conversations with him over the years, indeed he was a true gent and will be greatly missed.

Words are totally inadequate but our thoughts are with Ann, Norma, Martin and the rest of the family.

Alas that singaround in the sky is growing far to quickly.

Love
Angie and Ken Bladen

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,John Schultz
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 08:04 PM

The Watersons' music - Lal & Mike's in particular - is very special to me. Thank you and rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Chris Stern
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 08:03 PM

First saw the Watersons at Scarborough Folk Festival in 1965. Even at 13 I was bowled over by them. I come from Hull and was born and spent my early years near to Pearson Park where Lal lived at one time. This is very sad news. A great Hullensian is gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST,Wendy Price
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 07:39 PM

What a wonderful legacy Mike has left to us all. A real Yorkshireman. Our feelings go out to his family.

Wendy, Ruth and Sadie Price and Phil Hatton

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: Colin Randall
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 07:15 PM

Sorry, that last one was from me without having logged in.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Waterson 22 June 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 11 - 07:09 PM

In distressing circumstances, this is a valuable thread of tribute and recollection.

I hope no fellow Mudcatters will mind that I have repeated some of the comments left here in my own brief obit at Salut! Live. The audience may be significantly smaller but I hope anyone who strays into the site from elsewhere will follow the link and view the full book of condolences back here.