new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !

Subject: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Art Thieme
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 08:12 PM

People, this is simply great singing. The CD is called Roy Harris--Live At The Lion. Masterful a capella ballad singing with an audience that sounds unbelievable---simply fantastic!! You who love British traditional music---songs with great choruses---have got to secure this one. Roy is an old friend from when we were both on the staff at Pinewoods Folk Camp in Massachusetts a bunch of years ago. After that we had him do a great concert for Aural Tradition (the organization) in Chicago. Pardon my blatant plug of this recording but I've not been this excited about a CD in a long time.
This was recorded live in 1997 at the White Lion folk club in Wherwell. (No matter that I don't know where that is.) It's on Wild Goose Records---Wherwell---Hampshire---SP11 7JS I wish I had more information for you, but I don't. Not even sure if this is the entire address. But I wanted to let y'all know how I feel while I'm still in the spell of it. I will e-mail Roy for a better way to contact these good folks.

As many Mudcatters know, there was a Roy Harris day celebration in Nottingham recently. The man has had a glorious life in the trad music community of Britain over the last half of this century. I'm so happy that Roy put this one out that I could yell. Matter of fact, that's just what I'm doing!!!!!!

Enjoy,

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 08:35 PM

Art
I live about 35 miles away from Nottingham, which I believe is Roy's natural home base and can I get any of his recordings locally.. I've more chance of getting rocking horse manure..
I'm still listening to (I confess a friend recorded it from someone else's cd) whatever the cd was of him singing "Balaclava", "McCafferty" etc.. I play it in the car all the time
Funnily enough I had a request on my site a few weeks back from a guy called Roger Grimes who actually recorded a couple of albums with Roy, under the guise of " Notts Alliance".. he stiil hasn't sent me the lyrics for " Scarlet and the Blue" and they're not here on the cat either..doh!!!
More's to the point he was looking for the lyrics to a version of "The Butcher's Boy" which he used to do years ago and I pointed him in the cat's direction, but apparently no one could find it in their hearts to help him out
I'm not sure if Roy knows it, but if we could get the two of them in contact again I think that would be our good deed for the month.
Mick

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: lamarca
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 08:54 PM

One source for Roy's new recording is the magazine Living Tradition's website:

http://www.folkmusic.net

I haven't tried ordering through them before, but they will charge stuff and ship overseas, so it seems like a good source for British CDs for us folks in the USA, and certainly for you UK 'Catters.

Roy is wonderful. I went to Pinewoods Folk Music week for the first (and only) time specifically because he was on staff. His knowledge, song repertoire and friendliness are priceless. He loves American diners, too - anyone who actually LIKES the Tastee Diner in downtown Silver Spring is OK in my books. I am truly sorry he is not able to sing now, and hope that things improve for him. Meanwhile, buy his new CD for a real treat by a real master!

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Joan
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 09:27 PM

If someone can find the lyrics to "Butcher's Boy" they can get them to Roy by e-mailing them to <> That's Mike O'Leary-Johns, Roy's friend (and a wonderful singer) who's lives near him in Wales. Meantime I'll go look through some books...seems to me I have words and music somewhere.

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Stewie
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 09:43 PM

Chris Coe has an interview with Roy Harris in the November edition of Froots (formerly Folk Roots).

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Stewie
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 09:45 PM

Oops, that should be Pete Coe - the other half.

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 11:02 PM

I was at a Brian Peters house concert about a week ago. Brian was selling Roy's CD with his own, and I bought one. I agree wholeheartedly with Art. I wish I could have been in the audience that night!

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: WyoWoman
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 12:17 AM

I couldn't get through to the folk music website listed above, but I'll certainly snap up one of those CDs as soon as I can. I love to hear and hear about a capella singers made good. Whenever I sing I always try to include at least one a capella song just to keep people aware that the voice is an instrument, too, and can be quite moving and lovely all unencumbered.

ww

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 01:33 AM

Big rumor going around that Roy hopes to come to New York in January, along with O'Leary-Johns and the crew to make a new recording for Minstrel. I wonder if we can squeeze some confirmation of this out of the Mudcat's "Burl." Worth a try, anyway. Might even let us know that Roy's beginning to sing a bit again, regaining confidence in his voice every day.

I saw the CD advertised in the issue of Living Tradition that reached here today. Sounds like an absolute must have for dedicated folksters. Let me add that the ad states "all profits go directly to Roy." I've had several reports from friends who were able to attend the big Roy Harris Day. It was, I'm assured, a great success. Gave Roy a real boost, too.

Silver Spring diner, Lamarca? Shucks, Roy even liked the good old diner we have in Millerton, NY, only seven miles from here. That's right across the street from the Oblong Book and Record shop, a great place. And just a half a block from the shoe repair shop where I took the back-cover photo of Art Thieme holding up the well-worn shoe to illustrate his song: "That's the Ticket" (title song of his first Folk-Legacy record!). What say, Burl? Any news of Roy?

Sandy

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 12:52 PM

I'm going to push this back up to the top, in case "Burl" overlooks it 'way down here. UK surfing costs are greater than ours in the US, so Burl may scan threads less often and more quickly.

Sandy

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: KathWestra
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 01:14 PM

Add me to the list of die-hard Roy Harris fans. Can't wait to get my hands on the new CD.

Roy has often stayed with me over the years on his visits to the U.S., and we have always included Diner meals in our itinerary. One particularly hilarious day we ate all of our meals at different diners -- think we managed five in one day counting the one we visited for pie and coffee in the afternoon and the one we hit for a late-evening dessert.

Sandy -- the rumor is true that Roy will be coming here in January to join the crew in a recording session with Jerry Epstein. Jerry told us about it at NOMAD, and That's Good News! The only down side is that there won't be any time for visiting or touring on the schedule

Thanks for starting this thread, Art! Kathy

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 18 Nov 99 - 07:26 PM

Well, shuckin's, Kath, how long does it take you to get up to Noo Yawk? Maybe only twice as long as it takes me to get down. Know any good diners in the city? 'Course I realize that you're going all the way to Grand Rapids to hear Big Mick's band next month. You may be tired of all the travel, come January.

Sandy (still mobile, after all these years)

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 11:46 AM

I spoke to Roy recently. He is very pleased with the notice given to his new album (which is likely to be his LAST album,excepting possible reissues. He says it was a typically generous action by Art Thieme to bring it to Mudcatter's attention. Roy will be in New York January 12 -20th to assist with Mainbrace's recording for Minstrel Records. Would be willing to do a concert, time permitting. However, he would like to tour in America once again before he packs it in completely. Would love tovisit on both coasts, where he has been before. Chicago, where he went once but was hampered by laryngitis on the night, and the Pacific North West, where he has never been. Or any folk place that hasn't had a sing with him yet. The presence of a real diner nearby would be good too. Time span,late fall, 2001, around the time of the New York or Chicago marathons. He and Elaine might run in one. Contact him on [e-mail] For information on ordering the album try the Wildgoose Records website www.wildgoose.co.uk Also try the Living Tradition 'Listening Post' www.folkmusic.net/listeningpost Roy also says thank you to all Mudcatters who sent messages for his 'day' Oct 30th

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 22 Nov 99 - 12:10 PM

Great news, Burl! We'll try to see Roy when he's in New York in January. But the possibility of a real "tour" in the following year is really exciting. Dates ought to come rolling in when folks in the US get to hear that new CD. Hope you can keep us posted.

Sandy

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Nov 99 - 12:58 PM

I just listened to the CD again, and I hope he comes to someplace I can get to. The CD already has won my personal award for best live recording in my recent memory, and best contribution by a supporting audience. I'd heard a lot about Roy prior to buying it, and I didn't really expect the recording to quite live up to all the unanimously great things I'd heard about him. It was better than that! I'll have to learn to be a bit more trusting.

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Sunley
Date: 22 Nov 99 - 02:07 PM

May I please differ ??

My 'Live at the Lion' is shortly going to the used-CD shop in Reading so you can pick it up there for 8 quid. What a tremendous disappointment. If you want 'Old Time Music Hall' then fine, I have no quarrel with that - pop along to your local tavern. But A CD stuffed full of it?. NO! That's not what live recording is about. A cynic might say Roy left his guitar at home and let the audience do 85% of the work. Sure, have a couple of audience-participation songs - like Peter Bellamy used to do - but let's have some finely crafted ballads in there too, with neat guitar work which is a joy to listen to.

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 22 Nov 99 - 05:28 PM

Being a strong traditionalist, Roy ALWAYS leaves his guitar at home. For those of us who appreciate the time-honored tradition of unaccompanied singing, fancy guitar work was neither needed nor desired. But, then, we understand: tastes differ.

Sandy

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Art Thieme
Date: 22 Nov 99 - 06:56 PM

Sunley,

As Robt.Kennedy said, "A third of the people are against everything all the time." Thgere's no accounting for...

With hands held flat, palms up, questioning look on face---Shrug,

Art

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 23 Nov 99 - 11:22 AM

I passed the comments on to Roy. He answered along the lines of - well, I long ago learned that you can't please 'em all. I'm disappointed that Sunley didn't like the album, but he paid his money and has a right to his opinion. Nothing I can do about the guitar ballads I'm afraid. I've been an a-capella singer for too many years. As for the audience doing the work, I've always been asociated with a lot of chorus singing, my audiences have come to expect that, and turn up to see me because they like the involvement. But I'm in there singing too. And most of those songs with audience would sound a bit thin without it I think. The album was supposed to show what a session with Roy Harris was like and I think the producer did a good job on that. But, if you put your head above the parapet you must expect to get shot at now and then. The man didn't like the album and he expressed his opinion frankly. I accept that.No complaints.

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 23 Nov 99 - 01:33 PM

Don't worry, Burl. Tell Roy that we've got 'em outnumbered!

Sandy

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: KathWestra
Date: 23 Nov 99 - 03:39 PM

Yeah, you tell 'im Sandy! Roy's instrument is his voice, and he's a damn fine player of it. Add to that his love of singing and his choice of songs, and you can't go wrong. Add to that the accompanying instruments of an appreciative audience's voices, and you have the a cappella equivalent of an entire studio of backup musicians. Gotta get my hands on that CD!

Subject: RE: new CD by Roy Harris--gotta hear this !
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Nov 99 - 12:28 PM

I have just been told that ROY HARRIS---LIVE AT HE LION is availble from ELDERLY INSTRUMENTS.

www.elderly.com

and from their distribution called Sidestreet Distributing

1100 N. Washington

Lansing, Mich. 48910

Gotta run. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Art