Obit: 2014 Dave Howes-singer, concertina, whistle

Subject: Obit: Dave Howes
From: BanjoRay
Date: 13 Dec 14 - 08:37 PM

Dave Howes, singer, concertina and whistle player died in Doncaster on Tuesday 9th December.

He featured on an LP by Canny Fettle back in the 70's called Trip To Harrogate, and was credited by the Dransfields as a source of the tune of Rout Of The Blues.
I knew Dave as a regular at the Doncaster tune (and occasional song) session in the Ukrainian club, Becket Road every Monday night, though I believe he'd previously lived in Harrogate and York. He worked as a social worker before he retired.
He was an endless source of many fine tunes, and had one of the best voices I've heard for folk song delivery.
He wrote many tunes which he played at our session and we were provided with privately published copies of three volumes called "Buttons, Bellows,and Beer", which I would like to see more widely available.

Does anyone have more information about his music life?

Thanks
Ray

Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Dave Howes-singer, concertina, whistle
From: GUEST,Rich Arrowsmith
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 01:16 PM

He will be much missed at the Kelham Island Tavern singing session in Sheffield. He last made it over in September, a great singer and song writer. He sent us a copy of his tune book a few weeks ago.

Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Dave Howes-singer, concertina, whistle
From: BanjoRay
Date: 14 Dec 14 - 08:53 PM

Keeping this thread alive for a wee while - must be a few old friends of his out there!

Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Dave Howes-singer, concertina, whistle
From: GUEST,#
Date: 15 Dec 14 - 07:49 PM

Condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Dave Howes-singer, concertina, whistle
From: BanjoRay
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 06:13 AM

Dave's wife Diane came down to the session last night at the Ukrainian Club and let us know the funeral arrangements. Dave's funeral in on Friday 19 Dec at the Rosehill Crematorium in Doncaster at 1.40PM, followed by a gathering at the Sports Club, Bennetthorpe, Doncaster (opposite the Earl Of Doncaster pub). Friends are invited to bring instruments and voices for a few songs and tunes.

Ray

Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Dave Howes-singer, concertina, whistle
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 03:47 PM

Sad news. My thoughts are with all those who know and love him. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Dave Howes-singer, concertina, whistle
From: BanjoRay
Date: 17 Dec 14 - 09:11 PM

Thanks Pete.

Subject: RE: 2014 Obit: Dave Howes-singer, concertina, whistle
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 03:43 AM

Sad to hear this news - I wasn't sure it was the same Dave Howes I knew when it was first posted - Terry Yarnell just mailed me to say who he was.
I knew Dave when he lived in York - Terry and I did a weekend seminar for singers there in his house.
There was a controversy running at the time in the pages of Folk Review, entitled 'Crap Begets Crap', on the state of the folk clubs, and Dave wrote a wonderfully acerbic article on the subject, which he named 'A load of Crap', for a club magazine I was editing at the time - a very talented and enthusiastic bloke.
Always been sorry we lot touch, though we did meet up occasionally at some of the events run by Charles Parker and the Birmingham people.
A lot of enthusiasm and innovation in those days, thanks to people like Dave.
Jim Carroll