Why not sing a Bellamy song?

Subject: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: Speedwell
Date: 08 Sep 16 - 11:59 AM

This month marks 25 years since the passing of Peter Bellamy. If you run a folk club or a singaround session why not sing one of the songs he wrote or sang?
I recently sang (with 3 other singer band members) in the small village of Warham Norfolk where they had just re-opened their newly restored reading room/village hall.It was a wonderful event and got even better when I was told that Pete used to play in that very hall as a teenager. We shall be celebrating his life and songs at our monthly get together "Folk from the Tradition".

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: GUEST,In good company
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 04:49 AM

Ever seen a performance of The Widow's uniform stage play/musical? Well worth investigating and, in my opinion, a fitting tribute to Peter's works and style.

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 05:50 AM

I used to sing 'A shepherd of the downs' some years ago....can't remember the words now.... will have to google the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 06:17 AM

Hi,
the last time i saw Peter was at Chippenham a few months before his death we had a good chat, he said to me "I dont think moving to ireland will be my salvation", thinking back, I should have realised he was depressed.
Peter was a passionate performer, I think the scene is poorer without him.
It is 25 years since I was booked at Chippenham, thankyou for reminding me of his anniversary, he was extraordinary and talented, but it seems the majority of UK organisers prefer more conventional middle of the road, safe, easy listening performers.

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 07:07 AM

I remember making the mistake of not going to see him at Whitby in 91. The concert clashed with something else I wanted to do and I thought that it would be far easier to see him elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: GUEST,In good company
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 09:17 AM

First (and possibly only - I can't remember!) time I saw Peter was at a fringe session in Whitby. He was wearing a large flat cap, sporting a Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers T-shirt and, when not playing it, sang with his concertina tucked under his arm. I wanted that look but never achieved the standard ;-)

Same session a quite young(ish) looking Ric Sanders staggered in quite the worse for wear and, when finished falling over people, played a set of fiddle tunes better than I had ever heard before!

Fond memories of both Peter and past sessions :-)

D.

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 11:09 AM

Wanting the look? I remember when I first saw the Young Tradition when I was about 17. Now only was I blown away by the singing but I thought that Pete and Royston just looked so cool. My sartorial tastes have changed a little since then.

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: Speedwell
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 12:31 PM

Thanks to all of you who have posted and coloured in a bit more my mental map of Mr. Bellamy.
Thanx for the heads up re The Widow's Uniform Igc. Looks like a difficult cd to buy - not easily available. Will try The Living Tradition. Saw Ric Sanders at a local gig a couple of years back playing with Fairport and chatted after the gig - very friendly guy.
If you haven't already found them I got these from the massively helpful Mainly Norfolk site Georgiansilver:

Peter Bellamy and Louis Killen sing The Shepherd of the Downs

A shepherd of the downs being weary of his port
Retired to the hills where he used to resort.
In want of refreshment he laid himself down,
𝄆 He wanted no riches nor wealth from the Crown. 𝄇

He drank of the cold brook, he ate of the tree,
Himself he did enjoy, from all sorrow was free,
He valued no girl be she ever so fair,
𝄆 No pride nor ambition, he valued no care. 𝄇

As he was a-walking one evening so clear
A heavenly sweet voice sounded soft in his ear.
He stood like a post, not one step could he move,
𝄆 He knew not what ailed him but thought it was love. 𝄇

He beheld a young damsel, a fair modest maid,
She had something amiss and disguised in her face.
Disguised in her face she unto him did say,
𝄆 "How now, Master Shepherd, how came you this way?" 𝄇

The shepherd he replied and modestly said:
"I never was surprisèd before at a maid.
When first you beheld me from sorrow I was free,
𝄆 But now you have stolen my poor heart away." 𝄇

He took her by the hand and this he did say:
"We will be married, pretty Betsy, today."
So to church they did go and were married we hear,
𝄆 And now he'll enjoy pretty Betsy, his dear. 𝄇

Totally agree that the scene is poorer without the likes of Peter GSS. We have recently worked out a version of Serving man Husband man - sung by the two male singers in our band and I'm really pleased with it - you don't hear it performed much (well it least I haven't).
GuestPeter - no I never saw him either but had a similar experience of not going to his gig at the Portland Arms in Cambridge in the 70s because some girl I fancied was going to a party on the same evening.
Guest - I too discover YT at about that age but never saw them - Peter used to make his own clothes I believe - must try that sometime.

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: DMcG
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 05:33 AM

I saw Peter a few times in concert but never to speak to.

As suggested by the thread, last night I sang his settings of "Fathers of Old" and "Poor Honest Men". I think later in the month I will pick some he wrote in the entirety.

Subject: RE: Why not sing a Bellamy song?
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 08:25 PM

Timing is a mysterious thing. Coincidence? That Mudcat's "MGM-Lion," who was one of Peter Bellamy's friends, should die at the end of a long, fulfilling life, this year, on this anniversary.