Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: Vic Smith
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 06:01 AM

Ah yes! Rosbif - I remember them well. I did radio interviews with them for the BBC Radio Sussex folk music programme Minstrels Gallery as well as an article about them in Folk Roots (January 1989 issue no 67) pages 23 and 24).

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: Helen
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 05:25 AM

Hi Alan,

I'm glad I haven't missed out on the CD. I'll keep looking out for it.

Helen

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 08:28 AM

Hallo Helen nice to hear from you.
The Rosbif compilation CD is still in the pipeline, all the art work done etc. Graham has just not got around to releasing it yet.
Now where have I heard that before?
Al

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: Will Fly
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 04:17 AM

Thanks for the heads-up, Helen - alas, n-i-s...

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: Helen
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 03:57 AM

Hey Alan,

I've been planning to contact you.

1. Did the Rosbif CD ever get re-released? I've been away from Mudcat for a while, but I'm back more regularly now, so I might have missed it.

2. I recently bought a CD called Estampies & Danses Royales, by Hespèrion XXI & Jordi Savall

I love it, and it reminds me of the music of Rosbif - the band, not just the tune called Rosbif. You might like it.

Will Fly,

Some years ago I bought the Massif Central books from this online store in Tasmania, Australia. They may still stock them.

Celtic Southern Cross

Helen

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: Alan Day
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 02:53 PM

At the time Mel was compiling these books I was involved with Mel in the band Rosbif. Mel found that very few Traditional, or even new French Dance tunes were available as written music and spent a considerable amount of time writing out the tunes. At the same time Mel and Keith Phillips studied the French Dances. The music and Dance formed an important period for the introduction of French Dancing to the UK and is now very popular as is the music. I can understand Mel's reasons for not wishing to be connected with the two Massif Books ,but I feel that it is a great shame that his name will not be connected, or remembered ,with the re release and many great tunes are now recorded thanks to Mel's hard work.
Al

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 07:42 AM

Thanks Al - see you Monday.

Steve - yes, I've heard the story about the Bal Folk book and the two tune books!

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 05:27 AM

The book Bal Folk - Traditional Dance Music From Central France is a partial reissue of the original Massif Central books.

I say 'partial reissue' because there's a bit of a complex story to the relationship between the blue & pink books and the Bal Folk book - so rather than precis, I refer the interested reader to Gary Chapin's blog post, which tells the full story ... .

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: GUEST,DAzbo at Work
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 05:26 AM

Dave Mallinson has re-published these books in one volume although off the top of my head I can't remember what it's called. However, I believe all the non-traditional French tunes have been omitted for copyright reasons.

Subject: RE: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: Alan Day
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 04:17 AM

I will bring my one to Charlwood on Monday
Al

Subject: Massif Central Tune Books 1 & 2
From: Will Fly
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 02:37 AM

Does anyone in the UK have copies of Mel Stevens' "Massif Central Tune Book 1" and/or "Massif Central Tune Book 2" - or have any idea where copies are obtainable?

I've trawled everywhere that might have sold or did sell them - to no avail. I've also emailed Mel to see if might have unsold copies but - alas - he's sold completely out.

I want to do a quick trawl through the books. If anyone could make them available in any way, please PM me.

Thanks.