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Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) (1946-2014)
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Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) (1946-2014) |
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Subject: Obit: Paul LAWLER (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 19 May 14 - 01:07 AM OBIT : Paul LAWLER, 1946 - 2014 LAWLS : Folk Music Performer, singer/songwriter, instrument builder, watchmaker, artist-sculptor, events director, pyrotechnician - the List goes on. Late of Maleny (Qld, Australia), previously of Darwin and Sydney, born Liverpool UK, Paul Lawler died from a rare Cancer and its subsequent Chemo treatment, on April 12th, 2014. A talented Singer/Songwriter, who loved harmony singing, Paul was a Creative Visionary balanced by a head for Details and skilled hands for Production of his ideas. He had an enormous Heart and is fondly remembered for his ready Laughter which infected all around him, and for his quirky Sense of Humour. He was a founding member in 1971 of the still-running Top End Folk Club (Darwin) and co-ran A Bit of Folk on the Side (ABOFOTS) in Maleny for 9 years. Work in Progress / No Strings Attached / Gutter Press were just some of his many excellent musical groups. Always busy, Paul recorded just one CD, entitled : "A Taste of Good Music". He was also Director for eight of the Woodford Folk Festival's Closing Ceremony Fire Events, from 2003 to 2011. A wake was held at Woodford on April 26th where Paul's ashes were blasted from a cannon over the Amphitheatre, during a spectacular fire and music ceremony! A perfect send-off for such as he! His life is also being celebrated musically at Darwin's Gun Turret, on June 9th, at the end of the 44th Top Half Folk Festival. Paul leaves his long-time partner, Richenda Bridge (Maleny), his former wife, Rayner (Darwin), and numerous other close friends around Australia, both in and out of the Folk Movement. It's possibly an over-used and debased description these days, but Lawls really was Unique – a one-off, maverick, magical man – and we all miss him like crazy. Vale, PAUL LAWLER. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul LAWLER (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: GUEST,TonyinDarwinWithoutaCookie Date: 19 May 14 - 04:11 AM Yes, Paul was all those things. He sang with Maureen Cummuskey and me in Wild Goose in Sydney in the late 60s. Two decades later we sang together in Chameleon and in No Strings Attached in Darwin. He had a beautiful, true singing voice - anything from low baritone to high tenor - and a great talent for writing songs. But it was his sense of humour - and a propensity to giggle - that was his chief endearing trait. A good friend gone too soon. Tone |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: Stewie Date: 19 May 14 - 05:40 AM A wonderful singer, artist, craftsman and a thoroughly decent human being. A great friend and the most creative person I have known. You are right, Tone, his most endearing trait was his distinctive laugh. Vale Lawls. You are sorely missed. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: Shimbo Darktree Date: 19 May 14 - 06:01 AM I have sung at ABOFOTS when Paul was running it. I found it was unwise to argue with him, as he would shorten one's set as a penalty (mind you, the audience thought that it was a good idea!). I looked forward to our regular banter sessions at the Club, and will now have to find someone else with whom I can have slanging matches. Yes, he was one of a kind, and the number of people who attended his memorial service (from within and without Australia) was the final testament to his popularity. The Australian folk community will be very much the poorer for his passing, but richer for his having been here. Save me a seat in the front row, Paul. Shimbo |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: GUEST Date: 19 May 14 - 08:19 AM Those days with No Strings Attached were an inspiration to me and I miss those harmonies. Paul had an amazing voice and a great presence. The second hand on my clock has stopped now and I am waiting for Paul to get it going again ... He was a Taste of Good Music alright! I so enjoyed to hear him and Richenda sing together. A magic match. Beer o'clock, Paul. Cheers mate. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 19 May 14 - 09:01 AM That last post was by Jenny Fitz, BTW!! She of the most beautiful voice :>) R-J |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 19 May 14 - 09:23 AM RIP |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: GUEST,Albuquerque Date: 19 May 14 - 06:41 PM Not only was Paul my beloved brother in law for 27 years, we also sang together, made art together, had family times together and laughed a lot together. I was his personal hair stylist for many years, except for a time in Darwin when he sacked me for turning his hair orange..... We do all miss him like crazy. Stop the clock and turn the tide, it's on the wings of change time flies....... |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 19 May 14 - 07:50 PM just for the record : link to ABOFOTS thread : thread.cfm?threadid=85815&messages=22 link to FOLK IN EASTERN AUSTRALIA thread : thread.cfm?threadid=46765&messages=49 |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: GUEST Date: 20 May 14 - 12:29 AM I am so glad to have been part of the NT folk family but especially when Paul Lawler was living and singing, and generally creating mayhem there. He was that special sort of person who makes things happen; that shared his immense talents with all and scattered his particular brand of zany humour around like confetti. 'Irrepressible' is how I recall him - and his sublime music will be in my memory banks always. (as will my recollection of his rendition of 'Whose pigs are these?' - guaranteed to raise a giggle on the blackest of days!) Deepest of condolences Richenda to you, and all who loved him. gecko |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 20 May 14 - 09:10 AM FYI, this is the link to the thread about Paul's only CD, "A Taste of Good Music" : thread.cfm?threadid=85786#1594015 R-J |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: GUEST,gecko Date: 04 Jun 14 - 05:48 PM Paul's extrodinary life is being celebrated musically at Darwin's Gun Turret, on June 9th, at the end of the 44th Top Half Folk Festival - in a few days time. I imagine there will be much in the way of tears and giggles. Wish I could be there. YIU gecko |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 17 Aug 14 - 02:51 AM LAWLS' FIREY FAREWELL WAKE, SE Queensland 26 April 2014 at Woodfordia Folk Festival site, Woodford Songs : 1. Blessings for Paul Lawler – Sarah Hopkins and other Friends of Paul, with cello, overtones, bells, whirlies 2. Festival of Friends – Bruce Cockburn (sung by Noel Gardner) 3. Branching Out – John Gorka (sung by Cloudstreet) 4. When First We Met – Alan Bell (sung by Cloudstreet) 5. Parting Friends – traditional shape-note hymn, a la Frankie Armstrong (sung by Ann Bermingham & Jane Carpenter) 6. Compassion – Anthony Bridge, a la Pink & White Bridge (sung by Tommy Leonard & Cloudstreet) 7. Somewhere Along the Road – Rick Kemp (sung by Jenny Fitzgibbon & Rose Broe) 8. Lawler's Balcony – Dave Oakes (sung by Tommy Leonard & Cloudstreet) 9. I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire – Seiler, Marcus, Benjemen, Durham (Work in Progress recording) 10. 1812 Overture – bells and cannons excerpt – unknown recording used 11. McPherson's Lament – traditional, a la Rawlins Cross (Rawlins Cross recording) 12. Laganside – Tommy Sands (sung by Tommy Leonard) 13. The Goodnight Song – Jim Boyes, a la Blue Murder (sung by Cloudstreet) Spoken Word : Farewell, My Friends (Rabindranath Tagore) – read by Joe Lynch Inspiration Prayer from The Tibetan Book of the Dead (selected by Tenzin Choegyal) – read by John Wright Farewell, My Friend (Wayne Petty) – read by Wayne Petty Pome by an Honorary Son (Ben Sheppard) – read by Noel Gardner Pome of Clifden and Sweden Memories (Arthur Caldicott) – read by Bill Hauritz The Eulogy (Richenda Bridge) – read by Amanda Jackes Fire Ceremony - Alex Podger & Fire Event Team / Music, Poetry, Eulogy - mainly Richenda Bridge / MC, Musicians, proceedings - mainly Noel Gardner / Further assistance from Paul's looong-time mate, Bill Hauritz and all the Woodford Folk Festival Team. LAWLS' MEMORIAL CONCERT CELEBRATION, Northern Territory 9 June 2014 at the No. 1 Gun Turret (East Point), Darwin 1. Roisin Dubh (trad) – Fritz Risler, Tony Suttor et al (Instrumental) 2. My Dear Darwin (Paul Lawler) – Peter Bate et al 3. Cock of the North (Dorothy Hewitt / Martyn Wyndham-Read) – Scotty Balfour 4. Blues Run the Game (Jackson C. Frank) – Chris Pemberton 5. The Curragh of Kildare (trad / Burns) – Scotty Balfour 6. The Baron O' Brackley (trad) – Danny Spooner 7. Silver in the Stubble (Sydney Carter) – Phil Beck 8. Remember (Christina Rossetti) – Paul Stewart (Poem) 9. Lawler's Balcony (Dave Oakes) – Dave Oakes 10. Coshieville (Stewart MacGregor) – Scotty Balfour 11. Play Something We Know, Mate (Dave Evans) – Dave Evans 12. Oh, Darwin is Beautiful (Paul Lawler / trad) – Tony Suttor et al 13. Maleny Washing Line (Paul Lawler / Cyril Tawney) – Peter Bate et al 14. White Cockade (trad) – Danny Spooner, Tony Suttor, Phil Beck 15. Soldiers of the Queen (Leslie Stuart) – Phil Beck et al 16. They Don't Write 'em Like That Anymore (Pete Betts) – Phil Beck et al 17. Memorial (Si Khan) – Paul Stewart (Poem) 18. The March of Anton the Younger (trad) – Fritz Risler (Instrumental) Ceremony, Celebration, Eulogy and Music, mainly devised - and MC'd - by Paul's looong-time mate, Paul "Stewie" Stewart – along with Top End Folk Club / Top Half Folk Festival personnel. PAUL's ASHES were ceremonially distributed by Friends & Family in places highly significant in his Life. We didn't manage to get any to Sweden, but did pretty well covering Australia, England, and Ireland : In the Canon which spectacularly blasted him into the atmosphere over the Woodfordia Amphitheatre, Qld and Under his special White Beech rainforest tree planted at Woodfordia, Qld and Around the Blueberry Bush at our home in Maleny, Qld and Behind the Gun Turret on East Point Reserve, Darwin, NT in a line towards the cliffs and the setting sun and Into the breeze looking towards The New World, from off The Sky Road, Clifden, Connemara, Ireland and Down on the River Mersey, Liverpool, England, from the back of the Ferry, Royal Iris. Well, after all, he saw himself as a Citizen of the World/s – and he still is! Heartfelt THANKS to all Participants everywhere. Love always and forever .... Signed, (his ever-lovin) Rich-Joy |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 17 Aug 14 - 03:53 AM what an amazing farewell (x2) sandra |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 17 Aug 14 - 08:54 AM He was an amazing bloke, Sandra, and he managed to jam-pack his 68 years with SO many experiences, ideas, skills, music, memories, friends - and Fun! Always Laughter. May I never forget that example he set..... Rich-Joy |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: JennieG Date: 17 Aug 14 - 06:19 PM What a way to go.....and what great memories to leave behind. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: GUEST,cheryl Date: 24 Aug 14 - 09:22 PM I loved him too, gentle, open, he communicated from his heart to your heart, a hug from Paul was like no other, deeply felt and lovingly given. Met in Darwin and shared some special times, now in Maleny I am grateful for the small part I played in his life. Together with his beloved Rich-Joy his commitment to the town and to the festival was of a high degree, our world is a lesser place for the loss of his light, the world he now inhabits the richer. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 15 Oct 14 - 02:22 AM Our mate, Steve Swayne (Serendigity), has uploaded to YouTube, a few vidclips that we've located so far, of performances with Paul over the Maleny years. He has added them into Paul's channel "oswaldthree" (that Paul started in 2011 ..... and then quickly moved on to the Next Big Idea - LOL!) http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lHYEKEWs_Pcug_aMD-mwQ So sad that Lawls fought a constant Battle with Nerves in his Queensland performance years - it got worse as he got older, not easier ...... sigh ...... Being in front of thousands doing Fire Events didn't worry him, but Singing certainly did. Crazy, eh. Keep Loving and Laughing, Rich-Joy |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 11 Aug 18 - 01:41 AM Some folks have been asking me, so here are the long-promised YouTube uploads of Paul Lawler’s music - so far. (yes, there will be more! :) Where there are multiple songs together, they all have the Start Time listed on the YT webpage, so you can hit straight on the song you want. Sadly, the comprehensive “Peculiar Hand” website we had from 2005, which included the details of his unique CD for sale (“A Taste of Good Music”), disappeared into cyberspace last year and so far, I don’t have the time to learn how to restore it in 2018 Technology terms ..... One Day! Cheers, R-J (Down Under) https://www.youtube.com/user/oswaldthree/videos Single clips (Darwin) : Ballad of Reading Gaol Sugar Man Glens of Sweet Mayo My Love is Like a Red Red Rose Ice Cream Freezer (with band “GUTTER PRESS” in Darwin, 1987) Uluru (with group “NO STRINGS ATTACHED” in Darwin, 1992) Davey Lowston (with group “WORK in PROGRESS” in Cooroy, Qld, 2003) Compilations : 1980s Turret Tales – Part 1 – Darwin : My Dear Darwin Cock of the North A Smiling Shore I’ll Tell Me Ma Blues Run the Game Carrickfergus Silver in the Stubble Bonny Early of Moray Cruising Round Yarmouth One of the Has-Beens 1980s Turret Tales – Part 2 – Darwin : Sugar Babe To Althea, from Prison Aye Waukin, O Derwentwater’s Farewell Baron of Brackley (aka Inverey) The Little Beggarman (aka Johnny Dhu) Son of Rome Cedar Bay (poem) The World Turned Upside Down Love’s Labours Lost (aka Back Seat of the Holden) They Don’t Write Them Like That Anymore (aka Dad’s Drunk Again) Solo Concerts : 1981 NFF Brisbane : Mountain Dew Coshieville Wheel of Fortune Harold Holt (on the Death of …) Dark-Eyed Molly Darwin is Beautiful (aka TEFC Birthday Song) 2002 FOAN Brisbane : Son of Rome War Without Bangs You’ll Never Be the Sun Killing the Blues Please Come to Boston (with 1 sheila!) Bring Me Li’l’ Water, Sylvie (with 3 sheilas!) Group Concerts : 2002 NFF Canberra : Last Train from Poor Valley (with 2 sheilas!) Miner’s Lullaby (with 2 sheilas!) 2004 PlantFest Woodford (with group “WORK in PROGRESS”) : I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire Life is Change Yellow Sun Jan Knuckey Davey Lowston The C.R.A.P. Song Heart Like a Wheel Feed My Sheep Uluru The Devil 2005 Maleny (with group “WORK in PROGRESS”) : The Devil I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire Across the Bridge Where Angels Dwell The C.R.A.P. Song Rock and Row Me Over Uluru Will You Miss Me ----------------- Thanks. (52 months tomorrow on Aug 12th - but who's counting ..... :))) |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) : 1946 - 2014 From: rich-joy Date: 11 Apr 19 - 07:56 PM Looks like since my last Post, I've only added one more Paul song to his YT channel, before I got real busy again : The Rose of Allendale One Day, I will get back to uploading ..... sigh ..... Today, Friday 12th April, is Paul's FIVE year anniversary and yes, we'll be having a Toast with Maleny friends around his special Firewheel tree - and many more from afar have promised to Toast his memory too (any excuse for a drink, eh!) JEEZ, I Miss Him. (and his beautiful Voice and infectious Laughter and and and and ......) Rich-Joy (another Bridge of Sighs) |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) (1946-2014) From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 12 Apr 19 - 08:29 PM I hope the day went well for you sandra |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) (1946-2014) From: Stewie Date: 12 Apr 19 - 08:56 PM He is missed. We toasted his memory yesterday. R-J, I trust your gathering went well. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) (1946-2014) From: GUEST Date: 13 Apr 19 - 06:25 PM Indeed, Stew! We had about 15 celebrators at our little Maleny gathering; plus, (just for starters), Rayner, Gerry Hallom, Dale Dengate, Kate Delaney, Billy Abbott, Ted Burns, Joe Lynch, Cloudstreet, Bill Hauritz and the Woodfordia crowd, - and of course his Siblings back in Liverpool on the Mersey - and many more - all Raising Their Glasses (or Coffee Cups depending upon the Time Zone, haha) to their fine memories of Lawls - along with all our mutterings about The Bastard leaving us too soon!!! :) Yep, still "Miss Ya Like Crazy" Paulo ..... so "Here's Lookin at Ya" (we wish!) R-J |
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Subject: RE: Obit: Paul Lawler (Australia) (1946-2014) From: rich-joy Date: 13 Apr 19 - 06:27 PM Lost ma Cookie, Dammit, as well as my mind!!! Rich-Joy |
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