Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jan 14 - 04:59 AM

I thought it might be helpful for those thinking of attending Ralphie's funeral to provide a brief introduction to Quaker Funerals for those who have not previously attended a Quaker meeting.

Quaker Funerals are based, like all other Quaker Meetings for Worship, on silent reflection and prayer. Quakers have learned that shared waiting in divine presence can bring many gifts. Among these are the comfort, which is found in the caring support of others and the beginnings of an understanding of how to move forward in difficulty or grief. Reassurance can come from touching, even briefly, the eternal reality, which encloses our world of space and time.

A Quaker Meeting for Worship begins as soon as the first people sit down and settle into expectant silence. A member of Watford Meeting will welcome us and give a brief introduction.

After the introduction, the silence may be broken by anyone who feels moved to stand and speak - sharing their reflections of Ralph, memories, etc. This is not a place for eulogising but for things that will help us to remember Ralph and support us all in moving forward without him, They should be brief - no more than a couple of sentences and should come from the moment and not be rehearsed. Each person's contribution should be followed by a time of silent reflection. Whether in silence or in speech, by holding Ralph in our thoughts, everyone present contributes to the power of the Meeting.

There may be a sense of joy as we celebrate and give thanks for the life now completed.

You don't need to wear black, but you can if that makes you feel more comfortable.

The Meeting for Worship will be closed by two Quakers shaking hands, giving an encouragement for everyone else to do so.

I hope that this helps.

Please send me a message on facebook or an email if you would like more info.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 18 Jan 14 - 06:03 AM

Mudelfs - please do not delete previous unnamed Guest post (although I suspect from the content you would not, hopefully). It is from previous Guest:Sheena. For those attending the funeral her contact details can be found in her previous posting.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 19 Jan 14 - 06:37 PM

What a sad start to the year! I didn't know Ralphie other than from his Mudcat contributions which I always enjoyed and looked forward to, and from Flat Earth which is one of my favourite albums. Another great loss to the Mudcat, not to mention the English folk scene. RIP!

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,pavane
Date: 20 Jan 14 - 09:15 AM

What terrible news this is. I never met Ralphie, but spoke to him on the phone while he was working on the CD In Search of Nic Jones.
Another sad loss for the folk world.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: jody
Date: 21 Jan 14 - 08:14 AM

Sheena Roberts has written to me:


At the funeral I am asking friends to write on a small (A6) card printed with the following

My name
How I knew Ralphie
My favourite memory

It occurs to me that this might be a wonderful way for those, like yourselves, who are not able to attend to take part. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think might wish to do this.

I don't know yet what I will do with the cards ....

With love

Sheena

You can send your card to:

5 Stamford Rd
Watford WD17 4QS
England

Mine reads:

Jody Kruskal

I knew Ralphie as that wild session animal at Sidmouth and Broadstairs over the years of touring the UK from my home in Brooklyn, New York. When he and Sheena invited me to stay at their place, Ralph would make me custom CDs to play in my rental car to get me through the traffic jams on the M25. Jameson's, late night laughter, concertina tunes and stories were our delight.

On my last visit, this past November, Sheena warned me that Ralph had taken to his sick bed and not to expect too much from him. Even so, when I arrived, Ralph was up making Shepherd's Pie, perhaps his final meal. We feasted and for one last evening, the old Ralphie was back. What a daft, charming, exasperating and sensitive soul. RIP Ralphie, I'll never forget you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 07:34 AM

REFRESH - Please help keep this near the top until tomorrow

To recap what Sheena has written, here and on Facebook (boldface is mine):


Ralphie's funeral will take place on Monday 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

- - -

For anyone not able to attend Ralphie's funeral on Monday, please consider writing a short note saying your name, how you met him and giving your favourite memory of him. If these can be on A6 card or paper that would be fantastic xx

- - -

I thought it might be helpful to provide a brief introduction to Quaker Funerals for those who have not previously attended a Quaker meeting.

Quaker Funerals are based, like all other Quaker Meetings for Worship, on silent reflection and prayer. Quakers have learned that shared waiting in divine presence can bring many gifts. Among these are the comfort, which is found in the caring support of others and the beginnings of an understanding of how to move forward in difficulty or grief. Reassurance can come from touching, even briefly, the eternal reality, which encloses our world of space and time.

A Quaker Meeting for Worship begins as soon as the first people sit down and settle into expectant silence. A member of Watford Meeting will welcome us and give a brief introduction.

After the introduction, the silence may be broken by anyone who feels moved to stand and speak - sharing their reflections of Ralph, memories, etc. This is not a place for eulogising but for things that will help us to remember Ralph and support us all in moving forward without him, They should be brief - no more than a couple of sentences and should come from the moment and not be rehearsed. Each person's contribution should be followed by a time of silent reflection. Whether in silence or in speech, by holding Ralph in our thoughts, everyone present contributes to the power of the Meeting.

There may be a sense of joy as we celebrate and give thanks for the life now completed.

You don't need to wear black, but you can if that makes you feel more comfortable.

The Meeting for Worship will be closed by two Quakers shaking hands, giving an encouragement for everyone else to do so.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 09:24 AM

BTW......"Ralphie" was always a fine contributor here. He came to Mudcat in 2001 and always had knowledgeable and passionate comments PLUS could many times be counted on to have some funny things to add in the BS fray.   

Not long after he arrived he and I PM'ed a few times when I saw he might be getting a bit ...... I dunno' what but I'll use "overwrought" by some of our resident jackasses......er, uh, trolls. I think the following response showed everything I needed to know about him in a nutshell. Intelligence, self knowledge, and above all(for me)....hmor.....wait, I'll make that humour just for him.

Pat. I'm honoured!...Have had 6 messages so far.
As a Brit, I find this whole forum, not only useful, but also fascinating.
I've even got wound up meself over a couple of topics (Celtic Music?) Only because I hate to see injustice, of any kind.
But, by and large, I feel very happy here...I'll even forgive you for being American....By the way...can we have our country back now?
Best wishes from "Der Fatherland"....
I hear you've not been well, so, GET BETTER!! Best Wishes and thanks for the welcome Ralphie

Travel well Ralphie. It was a pleasure and an "honour" to have you here with us.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Alison Macfarlane
Date: 26 Jan 14 - 05:43 PM

I was so sorry to hear the news via Chris Timson's Radway list. I first met Ralphie when he and James Patterson were regular guests at St Albans Folk Club and then later he came with Crows. As the club closed in 1983, that's a long time ago. It has always a pleasure to run into him in other places over the years, especially in recent years, after I started to frequent the Radway and enjoyed his presence and music there.

I can't make it tomorrow morning but will send Sheena a card.

Alison Macfarlane

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 27 Jan 14 - 04:06 AM

I'll be listening to and thinking of Ralphie today.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger1 sans cookie
Date: 27 Jan 14 - 05:13 PM

Ralphie received a good turnout,a standing room only funeral service at the West Herts crematorium. The Quaker service promoted tears, laughter and thoughtful contemplation centred around Ralphie's life, and the session at the pub afterwards was one he would have approved of. Folks from his various walks of life were going there. He's going to be missed. RIP to a good friend x

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 29 Jan 14 - 05:52 AM

To quote Surreysinger: "The Quaker service promoted tears, laughter and thoughtful contemplation centred around Ralphie's life." Couldn't agree more, very moving & reverential. I'm also posting on behalf of Nic & Julia Jones & their daughter, Helen. Nic desperately wanted to attend, but neither Julia nor Helen were well enough to make the long drive up from Devon. Ralph was a close friend of Nic's, & as some of you know, that friendship extended into Nic's professional life too. Nic, Julia & Helen will be forever grateful to Ralph for his many 'technical kindnesses', his attention to detail & his unstinting loyalty.
       I'm repeating myself from an earlier post, but I want to add my personal thanks to Ralph for gently coaxing & encouraging me through two recording sessions, back in 2005. I wasn't in good health, physically or mentally, but with that 'nothing's too much trouble attitude' of his, we got the job done.
      To end on a lighter note (no pun intended), after the Service, I got hopelessly lost trying to find the Friends Meeting House for refreshments...ended up on the M25, going South instead of North & decided to head for home. So Sheena, apologies for my absence.
      Nic, Julia, Helen; Ann & myself send Love & Sincere Condolences to Sheena, her Family & Friends.
               Nigel.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 03 Feb 14 - 03:36 PM

Just a reminder that if you would like to send a note to join the others that were completed after the funeral to say where you met Ralphie and contribute your favourite memories of him ,it is still open to you to do so. The address to send it to and details on how to go about it are in Jody's earlier post.
Irene Shettle

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 03 Feb 14 - 03:41 PM

Just a month today since we lost him...

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger in the coffee bar
Date: 04 Feb 14 - 06:32 AM

Yes Bonnie. But it doesn't feel that long. :-(

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 04 Feb 14 - 07:04 AM

You're sure right about that. I already put this on his Facebook wall, but for the day's that's in it, I'll repeat it here:


Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and softly call
Goodnight and joy be with you all

Come fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight and joy be with you all

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 04 Feb 14 - 10:04 AM

Perfect choice, Bonnie. You've filled my head & heart with song.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,George_Hawes
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 01:51 PM

Only heard the sad news today ...

Some people were asking about recordings of Ralph, and I find he's put some online here:
https://sites.google.com/site/theattictapes/collaborations
I found it a lovely reminder of some his other collaborations ...

Other memories include him as sound engineer for "Andy Cronshaw and ...", most memorably at a concert which my memory insists was in the Shaw Theatre, which almost certainly means it was somewhere else ... It was one of the gigs where June Tabor was the star of the "and ...", and Ralphie was particularly pleased with it (June's encore of "Catch a Falling Star" sticks in my mind. Then there was the Jumpleads gig in Carenas at Sidmouth where Ralph did the PA "as a favour" ... His christening of Carenas as "The black hole" stuck ...

We must have met him more than 30 years ago ... Chris, my wife, had not been playing very long and was busking on the terrace at a Bracknell Folk Festival. Ralph came along, recognised her McCann duet, said "I've got one of those ...", fetched it, joined in, and in the most encouraging way showed something more of what you could do with the instrument. Too soon he had to go off to do something, saying "We must get together and do this again next year." Despite that not happening, that musical exchange was a great boost to Chris's playing. On a few of our many many meetings over the years they found themselves in the same session, most recently all-too-briefly at the Stowmarket East Anglian Traditional Music day a couple of years ago. Sadly they'll never play together again ...

I note the Folkipedia site suggests Ralph provided PA for many bands ... That made me laugh, 'cause whatever may have happened recently, for many years Ralph would act as sound engineer, providing someone else was providing the PA. I remember him telling me of turning up at one gig (it might have been another Andy Cronshaw one) with two mics and no other kit, and having problems persuading the venue that he really WAS the sound engineer for the evening's gig, and they really should let him in ...

Excuse the ramblings - shocked reaction to the news ...

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 04:34 PM

Hi George
Re Ralphie's recordings, I think it might be worth highlighting the fact that he also put up some examples of his work as a sound engineer on the site as well, under the heading of Mixes. As to the entries on Folkopedia ... guilty, I'm afraid. PA/Sound Engineer, it was all the same to me at the time that I wrote that, and he didn't correct any of it. It's an entry I shall be changing (there were other items on there that needed to be amended and brought up to date even before the sad events of a month and a bit ago.

Blue clicky needed , and provided herewith
Ralph's collaborations

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 04:01 AM

After a few years gap - I knew Ralph in London in the 1980s, he was a lovely chap and a good friend and played concertina at my farewell party in March-April 1986 at the Grafton Arms when I was departing for Australia, where I have resided since (I have a tape of the night somewhere, should dig it out).

The main reason for this note is that I have recently been digitising some of my folk-related photos from that and other eras, as noted on this other mudcat thread at https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=165268, and have included some images of Crows (including Ralph) taken at Towersey Festival in 1980 and in London in 1983. If interested, you can see these via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Tony_1212#Music_related_2 (scroll down a bit to see them).

I never knew Sheena but hope she may enjoy these few images (I probably have some others too that I can dig out if you like).

All the best from Tony Rees, NSW, Australia.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 04:04 AM

P.S. The Towersey Crows pix are the ones used for the cover of the first Crows album (as I recall it says "Photography by Tony Rees" on a little stick-on label), barring one, which is not in my album of the time but possibly lurking in a shoebox somewhere. It all comes round again...

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 10:14 AM

What wonderful photos, Tony - thanks so much for posting. It's especially poignant right now, with the number of friends who have so recently left us that the jagged holes are still raw. Bittersweet, but essential viewing. Great work.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 01:17 PM

Thanks, Bonnie! Actually I believe you can scroll through them as a slideshow, if you start at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Tony_1212#/media/File:Ian_Date,_guitarist_on_stage_at_Bangalow,_NSW,_November_2015.jpg - works for me...

Very nice to meet you in virtual space,

All the best - Tony.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 01:27 PM

Brilliant, thanks. Here's the link clickified:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Tony_1212#/media/File:Ian_Date,_guitarist_on_

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 01:40 PM

Love the pictures of Ralph. I knew him very well in South London. Also if you want to know a bit about the last photo of the Rag and Bone man I can tell you. Here is not the place of course.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 01:57 PM

Hi Nick, you can email me with that info if you like and I will add it to the notes on the image. For the record, it was taken outside the house I was living in at the time which was in Bournevale Road (home of Roger and Sally Wassell-Smith)... My email is tonyrees49 [at] gmail.com .

Thanks for the comments. Cheers - Tony

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 02:34 PM

Dizley sans beard was a surprise. Great great photo's, so many old friends, past and passed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 02:36 PM

Thanks John!

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: GUEST,Guest banksie
Date: 22 Nov 18 - 04:35 PM

Sheena is not on Mudcat but I have forwarded the URL for the pictures to her, so if nothing else you may hear something direct from her

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (3 Jan 2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 22 Nov 18 - 07:23 PM

Thanks, Banksie!

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 23 Nov 18 - 06:41 PM

Thank you Tony - I forwarded the link to Mick Ryan

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 23 Nov 18 - 07:14 PM

Thanks Kitty! Actually Mick was my original introduction to Ralph, as I shared a flat with him in Harrogate in the late 70s, and Ralph+James would visit for Crows practices and occasional gigs. Later I moved to London and looked up Ralph again, which was the start of a nice friendship until I left in '86...

I have not kept up contact with Mick but see he has been busy in my absence!: https://mainlynorfolk.info/folk/records/mickryan.html

Cheers - Tony

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 23 Nov 18 - 07:30 PM

Also, you might have spotted that some of my photos were used for the cover of the "Crows" album, as shown at https://mainlynorfolk.info/folk/records/crows.html#crows... my sole claim to published fame (at least in the folk world)!

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 Nov 18 - 03:11 PM

Thanks for the info Tony - having seen Mick Ryan this afternoon I've sent you a PM!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 28 Nov 18 - 12:11 AM

Hi all,

It turns out I do have a couple of tunes on tape, recorded by Ralph during my "going away to Australia" farewell night in London in 1986, which as part of a tardy digitising project I now have as a wave file, just 32 years later. They are what you might call "medium fi" - recorded on a reasonable cassette machine of the day through decent-ish mikes but as room sound only, some distance from the mikes, but quite listenable nonetheless.

I would be happy to take suggestions as to what to do with this file since it should probably be hosted as part of some appropriate site (that is, if it is good form to post such files at all in the creator's absence), and fans of Ralph's work would probably enjoy hearing it.

Regards - Tony

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 02 Dec 18 - 02:14 PM

There are some additional pix of Ralph up on my Wikimedia contributions page now at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Tony_1212#Music_related_2 including with "Eric" (I think!) at Stainsby in 1994 and with Paddingtons Pandemonic Express in London in 1995. Enjoy!

Best - Tony

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 02 Dec 18 - 09:47 PM

Hi Tony
Good to see those photos of Ralphie, Eric, Crows and Paddingtons. Hope you don't mind, but I have shared the link to my Facebook wall, as quite a few people in those photographs are friends on there, but don't all frequent Mudcat.

Re the tape recordings, as one who was talked into taking up the Maccann duet by Ralphie, and performing some duets on it with him in a show we performed over a couple of years I would be very interested to hear them. How about putting them up on Soundcloud?
Regards Irene Shettle

Subject: RE: Obit: Ralph Jordan (1954-2014)
From: Tony Rees
Date: 03 Dec 18 - 12:22 AM

Hi Irene,

I am not really into posting recordings on Soundcloud, especially of other people whose permission I do not have to do so. Copyright is a funny thing: if I take a photo of a performer, I own the copyright, but if I make a tape or video the copyright rests with the performer (or his/her estate I am guessing) and also potentially whoever else may have publishing rights over the material performed if it is not original (so no Paul Simon, Ralph McTell or other songs/tunes without their owners' permission...)

Nonetheless, I can share the two tunes with you or other interested parties via dropbox if you send me a PM or a message via Facebook, or email me at tonyrees49 (at) gmail.com . I guess it's really up to Ralph's estate to decide whether and what to post of his work publicly, and I am more than happy to send them the files.

Cheers - Tony