Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)

Subject: RE: Ralph Jordan - seriously ill
From: Will Fly
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 07:39 AM

Another great soul gone - very sad indeed. RIP Ralphie.

Subject: RE: Ralph Jordan - seriously ill
From: Max Johnson
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 07:48 AM

What sad, sad news. RIP, Ralphie.

Subject: RE: Ralph Jordan - seriously ill
From: GUEST,Squeezy
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 07:59 AM

Like everyone else - I'm very sad at this news ... he seemed like the type who would just go on for ever ... no matter how ridiculous that sounds.

My deepest condolences to Sheena and all those close to him. Let's just hope that there's a session somewhere out there with space for a giant concertina.

RIP Ralphie

Subject: RE: Ralph Jordan - seriously ill
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 08:00 AM

So sorry to hear this. Like Sean (Jack Blandiver) above, I only met Ralphie when he turned up at the Moorbrook session in Preston, playing some lovely stuff on duet concertina. We had a good natter after and he gave me (another concertina player)a CD of his music. Always hoped to meet him again. RIP

Ross

Subject: RE: Ralph Jordan - seriously ill
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 08:13 AM

Shocking news. My sympathy to his family and friends. And grateful thanks for his enormous contribution to music.

Subject: RE: Ralph Jordan - seriously ill
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 09:14 AM

Damn. I'd been checking every time I came online since I heard about it, and holding my breath every time I opened up the thread.

I had a look around Youtube to see if I could find a clip, and this was the only one I could. It's him doing a subtle tasteful and cheeky accompaniment. The sound and picture quality is a bit ropy, but I Iove it. Ralphie in action.

Subject: RE: Ralph Jordan - seriously ill
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 09:16 AM

Thanks for your Friendship....thanks for your Musicianship....thanks for your technical skills....thanks for your generosity....thanks for being a Gentle Man...thanks Ralph.
       My sincere condolences to Sheena & all your Family,
                              Such sad & unbelievable news,
                                                                            Nigel.

Subject: RE: Ralph Jordan - seriously ill
From: RTim
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 09:20 AM

So so sad to hear the news this morning. RIP Ralph.

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 14)
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 11:38 AM

I first met Ralph Jordan when he played in Fingers Galore, must have been about 1971 /1972, I am sorry to hear of his death.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 14)
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 11:54 AM

If there is an afterlife, Ralph and Diane Easby will be at it hammer and tongs on their computers in the sky, I miss Diane and we will all miss Ralphie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 14)
From: GUEST,Jack Blandiver (aka Sean Breadin / Sedayne)
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 12:06 PM

RIP. Much respect.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 14)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 12:11 PM

A big shock to lose such a character and friend.
A lovely duet concertina player.
Very sad
Al

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 14)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 12:24 PM

Goobye Ralphie. You were a good bloke. Rest in Peace my friend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 14)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 02:04 PM

Damn. Shit. Why is it that every time I come back to Mudcat it's to read bad news. A great musician and a bloody mine of musical knowledge gone. RIP Ralphie. Let's hope you and Sarah can be playing duets somewhere up there; you on the concertina and her singing. For that I'd sell a bit of my soul.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 14)
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 02:05 PM

We all have to go sooner or later, but Ralphie is another one who has gone far too soon.

Richard

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 14)
From: GUEST,Sven Park
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 03:41 PM

Sorry to hear this.
Ralphie was the Man that took me to England with Filarfolket from Sweden and many years of touring throw summer festivals .
R.I.P Ralphie
I´m sure God will love your concertina

Sven

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 05:15 PM

Fond memories of the early days in Kent and memorable sessions at the Beeb.A lovely man.
JJ and the whole Oysterband family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: LesB
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 05:25 PM

Only met him once, a true gent. I am sure he will be missed by many.
Les

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 06:40 PM

Very sad indeed. RIP Ralphie and condolences to the family and friends.

Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 03 Jan 14 - 08:35 PM

Ralph was an old friend from the days when I ran Catford Folk Club, and was resident at Dingles. We downed many a pint in the South London pubs. I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him.
God rest him.
Nick

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Leraud
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 02:19 AM

I first met Ralph about 35 years ago when we used to book him and James Patterson at the Hoddesdon Club, when they were a duo (Silas) and later, when they joined with Mick Ryan and John Burge as Crows. Happy days. His talent will be greatly missed.

Lynne Heraud

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: billybob
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 05:49 AM

Very, very sad
RIP Ralph

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,J R Turner
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 05:54 AM

I first encountered Ralph on the BBC boards nearly 10 years ago, I was enquiring about the whole Celtic Music scenario, familiar to many, and after an email discussion with the late, much missed Diane Easby (another legend of the BBC boards) Ralphie phoned me up, and we had a long old chat about everything, which culminated in him sending me a CRD of the Crows!
We never met but kept up our sporadic communication via Facebook, he was an enthusiastic, genuine, warm, funny gent who gently corrected some of my knowledge and always gave freely of his time.
He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 06:50 AM

McGrath of Harlow - thanks for putting the video up. You called it "subtle tasteful and cheeky accompaniment" - too true. During rehearsals it was even more cheeky! Sad to think that we will never perform that one together again ...in fact that song was the first one that he heard me singing, and that gave Ralphie the idea to turn my talk ,then in preparation, on the life of Lucy Broadwood into a show with accompaniment. It was a privilege and a joy to work with him.We were talking more than once in 2012/2013 about making a recording of the songs as a record of what we had done - sadly that will now never happen. There is another video of him accompanying me on guitar (sadly also not particularly great quality) on the song Nancy if you seek for it, and another of him playing in Housewives Choice band. Can't watch them at the moment, as I'm too blurry eyed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 07:48 AM

I'd enjoyed Ralphie's contributions to many a good band, before finding myself alongside him at a festival squeezebox workshop a few years ago. What a fine and unique musician, and what a delightful, absurdly self-deprecating man. Very, very sad to hear this.
Brian

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,*Laura*
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 08:57 AM

The great folk club in the sky gains another concertina player...
RIP Ralphie - always so warm and friendly and eager to help.
You will be sorely missed.

Laura xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Linda and Jiohn Green
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 12:01 PM

Ralph stayed with us after a Wigan Ceilidh. A true gent. It was the night of a Linda McCartney tribute which he'd been asked to do for the BBC but he told us he thought it more important to drive north to Ince as his heart was more in that sort of thing. A sad loss to the folk community and the world in general.
Linda and John Green

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Jim & Georgina Boyes
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 01:54 PM

Raising a glass tonight to the least-likely Fraser Sister. Cheers Ralphie - for the good times.
Jim & Georgina

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 08:15 PM

My first memories of Ralphie are probably from Paddingtons... I was away and didn't even know about the hip injury until this evening, am shocked to hear that we've lost Ralphie for good. Deepest sympathies to Sheena and family.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,James Patterson
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 03:46 AM

Ralph was my dear friend musical partner (with some breaks) for 40 years. He was a great musical talent and, not to be forgotten, also a great producer and sound engineer. I am devastated that he has left us so early and my heartfelt sympathies are with Sheena and his family.
James

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 06 Jan 14 - 01:56 PM

Just to say that tributes were paid to Ralphie by Genevieve Tudor on her weekly radio programme for BBC Shropshire, and by Mike Harding on his podcast this week. Mike played "Hares on the Mountain" from Flat Earth, and Genevieve played Gavotte in G Minor (Bach), Yrsno (Mats Eden) and Moulin Rouge (Georges Auric) from Eloise on her programme. Both made spoken tributes as well.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,GUEST, Sheila Miller
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 09:49 AM

I've found this while searching for information about the funeral; I don't normally contribute to Mudcat. I'd been friends with Ralph for 40 years or slightly more, through all the various bands and groups, and always thought him a kind and gentle person, as well as a superb musician. He leaves a big gap in our musical scene.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,George & Flirby Frampton
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 11:02 AM

Only just heard this sad news. I've know him for years from the time involved with Stagfolk, as a member of Silas with James Patterson, with 'supergroup' Crows, as muso for Paddingtons, and Ed Rennie head-hunting him for Housewives Choice!

Above all, we'll miss the endless banter and flannel, the cheer he gave to all, and superb musicianship.

Our condolences to Sheena

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,A loving ex-folkie
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 07:22 PM

Such a shock that someone so young and vital, and,I thought, in good health, should leave us so soon. So far nobody has mentioned his revivivication of nic jones' recordings, so that, after decades, Nic and Julia can benefit at long last from his work. Well done Ralph Jordan.
Jude xxxx

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,George Frampton
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 11:24 AM

Pads were on tour with Champs on a Stroud Morris Ale in the early 1990s. We visited Westonbirt Arboretum where, on a blazing hot Saturday afternoon, Ralph was engaged in conversation with an elderly gentleman who was fascinated by his duet concertina.
As we boarded the coach on to our next stand, Ralph commented 'Blimey, I've just been talking to Laurie Lee!'

Of course, Ralph worked as a sound man for the BBC and was subliminally featured on Radio One's 'Steve Wright in the Afternoon' with Nigel Chippendale. I also forgot his association with Colin Thompson and Nigel in 'Eric' and was it the Otterby Band?

As for introducing us all to the delights of Filarfolket, Ralph's memory will always be treasured.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: treewind
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 01:00 PM

He was Andy Kershaw's main sound man, and one time Andy, having discovered Ralphie played concertina, persuaded him to the other side of the glass to play it on live radio. I think Ralph said it one of the most terrifying things he'd ever done. Not only playing live on radio, but nobody on the mixer so just hoping it was coming though OK!

He also introduced Fiona Talkington to Scandinavian music, which she has played incessantly on Late Junction ever since.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 03:31 PM

Just heard the news from Mike Harding on Radio 2, I worked with Ralph in the early 1970s and he introduced me to English Folk Music.
He helped moved all my worldly belongings from London to Matlock in the back of his Morris traveller & was my Best Man in 1974.
We lost touch but I will always remember him as a great mate

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 04:13 PM

Treewind - I thought from what he'd told me that the playing on radio was actually on the Johnnie Walker show? Twice? And amongst the goodies played were Side Saddle, and Jour D'Ete ?

George - there was Groupa as well of course. Fiona Talkington isn't the only one amongst us who has developed the bug for Swedish music!! I took delivery of a CD of Swedish fiddle music only a week or so before Christmas - seven years ago I would probably never have given it house room. I wonder how many other people he spread the Swedish music infection to over the years?

But never forget the Hackney Martians as well ... :-)

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Babs Surridge
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 04:38 PM

What a loss. Remember Ralph at Halswey making a compilation for Nigel Chippendale's parents and lots in between until a couple of years ago at Stowmarket. A really nice guy and an inspiring player.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 05:08 PM

I thought I had heard him playing on "Steve Wright in the afternoon" - but it was a few years back so I could be mistaken.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 05:56 PM

Irene - you're right, it was Johnny Walker. He did work a lot with Kershaw though; that's why I got the story muddled up.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 06:26 AM

I hesitate to post this, but is there any info. regarding Ralph's funeral?

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Jim Martin
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 07:30 AM

I well recall my introduction to Scandinavian trad when Filarfolket did an unforgetable concert in CSH 1985/6ish - I wonder, was Ralphie involved with that?

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 10:02 AM

Re the Johnny Walker item , Anahata (assuming that to be you, of course) ... I seem to recall he went on a show and was interviewed about Lester Simpson and Mick Peat's radio programme cancellation in more recent times - but I have a feeling that may have been Dave Eyre's programme in Sheffield.

Re the funeral, Nigel, there has been no news as yet. If there is any, I have no doubt one or other of us will post something up.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 10:49 AM

On a less hesitant note (no pun intended), don't think it has been mentioned that Ralph was also John Peel's broadcast engineer for several years. A rich anecdotal source I can assure you!
                        Nigel.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Toni Buckley
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 03:33 PM

So sorry to hear the sad news. I remember Ralph with great fondness and pray that his partner and sister Maggie will be comforted by all the loving messages and memories posted by his friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Dave Bordewey
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 06:10 AM

I received the news of Ralph's death with great shock and sadness.It's really quite hard to take in.I will always treasure playing with him in Crows and just jamming with him in the early days in my flat.
I always think of him when playing the Capriol Suite and now it will always have a special significance.He was a great concertina player ,and a great guitarist ,cittern and bouzouki player, harmony singer and musical arranger. We last chatted at Dartmore festival.I watched him playing in the session and thought of times past.
Our thoughts are with Sheena and his family.
love from Dave and Lynne.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 12:56 PM

I remember talking on the phone with him once, and reminded him of the time an enthusiastic folkie at a festival came up to chat, referring to him as a legend. His reply was a lighthearted, "Nah, I'm just old!"

Wrong, Ralphie. You're a legend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Sheena Roberts
Date: 16 Jan 14 - 07:45 AM

Apologies to everyone who has been waiting with baited breath,

Ralphie's funeral will take place on 27th January, and it will be in the manner of The society of Friends (Quakers) It will be followed by refreshments and then a session.

I would like to be in contact with everyone who plans to attend so please message me (a specific message not a wall post) on facebook - my preferred point of contact, or email me on [e-mail].

I look forward to welcoming as many friends and colleagues as possible

Sheena

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Peter Clark
Date: 17 Jan 14 - 01:57 PM

I was very shocked to hear this sad news. I have very fond memories of Ralph from his days in Streatham in the early 70s, sitting up to all hours in somebody's house listening to records or to Ralph playing. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.