2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer

Subject: Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Jim McLean
Date: 13 Mar 18 - 02:02 PM

Sad to say that Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer, passed away this morning. He had been in hospital in Birmingham, on and off for a couple of years. I had worked with him since 1959 and he had recorded many of my songs. His first LP was on Decca, 1963, probably the first folk singer on a major label.
He will be sorely missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Denver
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 13 Mar 18 - 03:30 PM

Oh my. Nigel was the blazing star of the Allan Glen's Skiffle Group when I was 14 and went to school there in Glasgow, and first met the slow-cooking Scottish Folk Revival. Energy, enthusiasm, love of the songs, what a performer. Teacher Morris Blythman captured us all, but Nigel was the exemplar for us. I remember him I think winning his heat at the King's Theatre of the Carol Levis talent show.
Sad news indeed.
Ewan

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 13 Mar 18 - 04:16 PM

Will be sadly missed

Nigel Denver - Biography

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Mar 18 - 06:21 PM

Sorry to hear that. I remember Nigel playing The Star Club on the Ringway in Brum in the 1970's.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Mar 18 - 09:17 PM

Sad news. His 'Rebellion' album is one of my desert island albums. Are there any CDs available of his other albums?

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 03:22 AM

Nigel was the guest at the first-ever meeting of The Bothy FC in my town, back in the late '60s I think, and lived nearby in Lincoln for a number of years. Very sad to hear he's gone. RIP.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: GUEST,John Paddy Browne
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 03:50 AM

Nigel, and the equally clarion-voiced Bob Davenport, were the first guests when the Southampton Fo'c'sle Club opened at the Bay Tree Inn on Friday 10 May 1963. Anyone who ever heard Nigel sing Kelly the Boy from Killane wouldn't have easily forgotten it -or his ferocious guitar accompaniment. It was how rebel songs were meant to be sung. A marvellous performer. And happy to say, the club he helped launch is still going, 55 years later, albeit in a somewhat different format. Thanks for the kick-start, Nigel.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 04:59 AM

Stewie, Gavin Paterson of Celtic Music Radio.net produced a two hour show wholly on Nigel on the 27/2/18 and can still be heard on the show's podcast hopefully. Gavin sent Nigel CDs of the show which was very timely and much appreciated by his whole family.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 05:06 AM

Podcast from Celtic Music Radio http://podcast.canstream.co.uk/celticmusic/index.php?cat=GavinPaterson&page=2

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 05:24 AM

The Singaround in The Skyhas just had a volume boost !! R I P Nigel !

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 05:56 AM

Many happy memories of Nigel at Chelmsford Folk Club, back in the 60s. The audience loved him.
      Sincere condolences to his Family & Friends.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: G-Force
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 06:13 AM

He was the first guest I ever saw in a folk club (1966, Sheffield).

Also he was the guest at the last night of our local club in Surrey in 1971. He famously commented that he'd sometimes been asked to open a club, but it was the first time he'd ever had to close one.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Stewie
Date: 14 Mar 18 - 10:05 PM

Jim, I just finished listening to the 2-hour presentation by Gavin Paterson. Many thanks for the link. I first encountered Nigel on a long-gone cassette tape of BBC's Folk Song Cellar which a friend in England sent to me in the late 60s. The track by Nigel on it was 'The twa corbies'. It was great to hear it again - surely one of the finest statements about death, enhanced by Nigel's distinctive and expressive voice. Another highlight of the program was his rendition of 'The Baron o' Brackley' - muckle sangs don't come much better than that. It was also beaut to hear your fine songs, many of which I had not heard before. I wasn't aware of the celtic music site, but I will be a frequent listener in future. I do have a slender connection with Glasgow in that my old man was born in Greenoch, abeit emigrating to Australia with his parents at the age of 9. Thanks again.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 15 Mar 18 - 08:35 AM

This is sad news. Thanks for putting up the biography, Kenny B. I have written Nigel on the Mudcat Hall of Fame. May he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Jim McLean
Date: 15 Mar 18 - 09:35 AM

Thanks all, Nigel's family are very grateful for the kind thoughts.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: FScott
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 05:04 PM

Sad news. I only came across Nigel's work a couple of years ago and was incredibly impressed by his singing. It's a real shame that none of his material is currently available. Unfortunately I'm too late for the podcast but if anyone has a copy they are willing to share I'd love to hear it.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Jim McLean
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 01:52 PM

FScott, either PM me or email at [e-mail] and I'll send you copies of the podcast.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 07:40 PM

I didn't hear the news of Nigel Denver's passing until now.

I never saw him perform, but I well remember him from back in the day, (and the day would be more than 65 years ago) when he used to come up to the the little village of Scourie on the west coast of Sutherland, and spend his school holidays staying with his aunt,   our neighbour Peggy MacLean

He had a school friend who also used to come and stay with him in Scourie, none other than Alastair McDonald, who also rose to prominence in the folk world.

Nigel and Alastair and my elder brother were the "three musketeers" and I, being four years younger, was very much the junior gopher, tolerated and allowed to tag along.

My recollection is that the sun always shone back then ...

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 10:14 AM

I meant to post earlier that Nigel's funeral took place in Birmingham on April 4th and the chapel was packed. It was a Humanist service and three songs were played during the service, Ding Dong Dollar, The Baron O Brackley and I'm a Man You Don't meet every Day (Jock Stewart). I spoke some of the eulogy and afterwards we repaired to the Station pub in Kingsheath and a regular Hooley/wake ensued, plenty of music from many friends and from his twin sons Kelly and Seamus, both fine musicians.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST,Allan Thompson.
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 09:02 AM

I am 18 months late in learning of Nigel's passing because I have been away from traditional music for a while. I first heard of him in 1968 when I was serving with the RAF in Singapore. Someone in the billet played an album which made me sit up and take notice. The record was "Rebellion" and it still ranks among the best. It also introduced me to Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy who provided the accompaniments. I sought out all of Nigel's albums after that and became a life-long admirer of his singing and his choice of material. I was pleased when Great Train Robber Bruce Reynolds' son, Nick, recorded a version of "Bruce Richard Reynolds", and performed it at his Dad's funeral.
May I offer belated sympathy to Nigel's family and friends on the loss of a major talent and a dearly-loved man.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 11:48 AM

I once spent an extremely unwise day with Nigel in Manchester when he was booked to play at the MSG
His old friend, Terry Whelan and I went to keep him company until it was time for him to perform - bad move on our part
I have to say Nigel performed far better than Terry and I could stand up by the time for him to go on !!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST,akenaton
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 11:59 AM

Didn't Nigel have a record in the "top twenty" at one point, I remember watching him on an old black and white tv Through a snowstorm :o)

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 19 - 05:31 PM

Akenaton Are you sure you aren't thinking of Scottish pop/country/folk crossover singer Karl Denver? He had a number one with Wimoweh and a few top twenty chart hits before he fell out of the limelight. Otherwise maybe you just saw Nigel on a TV show, like many other guest singers of the time.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Jim McLean
Date: 02 Sep 19 - 04:01 AM

Akenaton, Nigel definitely didn't have a "top twenty" hit. Maybe as suggested you're thinking of Karl or maybe Josh MacRae who had a hit with Messing about on the River.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST,akenaton
Date: 02 Sep 19 - 06:29 AM

Of course you are correct Guest and Jim.....Karl Denver it was with Wimoweh, I must apologise to all of Nigel's friends.....Ake.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 19 - 07:04 AM

Dear Jim,
I'm delighted to discover you are alive and well! Your songs have been with me most of my days (I was a teenage activist in the early 70s) and I well remember the 25 in the Rebel songbook. I agree with an earlier poster that your work has been extraordinary and deserves some acknowledgement in these heady times.The national movement is not good at giving credit on the cultural side of things.
Maybe I can do something about that? I'm a writer and an activist, bit of a folky too. my email address is: [e-mail] Could I ask you to drop me an email, so that I can write to you, with some ideas? You can see more about me: https://andrewmurrayscott.scot yFS

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Jim McLean
Date: 07 Sep 19 - 03:29 PM

Andrew, I have emailed you but your web link doesn't work.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Sep 19 - 05:11 PM

I dunno. Sometimes you feel like that bloke in the film Stagecoach - just wondering when the arrow's going to come through the window.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Nov 19 - 01:32 PM

Marion Paterson (Blairgowrie Folk Festival 86 -96) I knew wee Nigel well in the late 60's early seventies when he came to Blair for a weekend with us, after saying he had not been to Scotland for years and begging to come with us!- we got four hours straight sleep over five days! - and he played our clubs in Somerset and Sussex many times.He took no prisoners and the stories I could tell are numerous. I particularly remember him entertaining a coach load of English pensioners in the Royal Hotel Blairgowrie with your songs, which I think they understood, and they loved him. We could do with him now. He sang a song about Marooning Tartan Tories on an Island in the Mist and sailing away from England with the SNP. Was it one of yours? I learned many of your songs from him and am very sad to read of his passing. He was a one-off.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Nov 19 - 04:31 AM

I think this may the fellow you want Jim

https://andrewmurrayscott.scot/home/contact-me/

Regards John

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Nov 19 - 05:03 AM

https://andrewmurrayscott.scot/home/contact-me/

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Jim McLean
Date: 27 Nov 19 - 05:49 AM

Thanks John and Big Al for the link, I'll be able to email Andrew Murray now.
And Guest, that is from a song of mine. Nigel is sadly missed.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Nov 19 - 11:22 AM

Jim thanks for your reply re Nigel's singing of the Trench along the border song. I was interested to see mention of Nigel's twin sons performing at his funeral When he came to Blair in my aforementioned email, Belle Stewart referred to them as the DDT's - Daddy Denver's Twins, as they were recently born. I would be very pleased if you could email me at [e-mail] with the title of the song I was querying. Not being a regular Mudcat follower I only learned of Nigels death yesterday and would also like to pass my condolences to his family. Marion P

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Apr 23 - 07:45 PM

Hi All
I am one of DDDT'S. Kelly ( The boy from Killane ). I don't know how I came to this site but to see the wonderful praise of Dad's voice and character has overwhelmed me. Jim McLean has been a stalwart and a fine friend to my dad since the middle of the 20th century...Wow...
I am so lucky to have all of his records ( bar a couple of singles ) which I listen to and hear my dad's voice in so many guises about so many issues.
I reccomend to everyone record your loved ones ( why not ) to hear their voices after they have gone is such a comfort and a privilige, especially when they sing as well as my father.
Thanks again Jim for your support. Bless you.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST,Kelly Denver
Date: 01 Apr 23 - 07:55 PM

PS... Val Denver ( Mum ) is still alive and living in Lincoln just around the corner from the " Turk's Head " such an inapropriate title these days, where the folk club lived in the town.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Jim McLean
Date: 02 Apr 23 - 04:24 AM

Kelly, sorry about Lynn but give your mum my regards and of course everyone else.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST,Tom Patterson
Date: 02 Apr 23 - 07:12 AM

This thread captures very well the brilliant performer that Nigel was. I attended his regular Sunday afternoon sessions in Kings Heath, Birmingham, where he fronted a folk band, performing to a packed audience. Nigel would "hold court" as only he could. I never saw him do anything complicated on the guitar but he had a fantastic sense of rhythm which of course served him well with all his material but particularly the "rebel" songs he played so powerfully. He had a very strong voice but "The Baron O Brackley", mentioned by Jim earlier, shows just how good a singer he was in his younger days.When I think of him I always smile. He was a real character and I have my own stories about him. I played in the Sunday band a few times but only ever did one booking with that group. It was at a S. Birmingham   
social club. There was no fee, but we were told that all our drinks would be free. We were paid off at the end of the first set because they couldn't afford to give Nigel any more whisky.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Apr 23 - 07:45 AM

I had not come across Nigel but seeing the thread led me to searching for Karl Denver. Were they related at all? I know Karl's real surname was McKenzie and Nigel had Mackenzie in his name. Coincidence?

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST,Tom Patterson
Date: 09 Apr 23 - 12:36 PM

No, they were not related. Someone raised that possibility earlier in the thread.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Apr 23 - 01:49 PM

Thanks Tom. I didn't spot that so, my bad. I have fond memories of Karl appearing at a local school garden party and probably link him with more than I should. Apologies to those who remember Nigel

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Apr 23 - 07:30 AM

Carl was doing the bar round the corner from me when I was gigging in Benidorm one year. I know he did extra work for the TV studios aswll. Though I never met him, I come across several people who did.

He had phenomenal guitarist in his trio, Played one of those L series jazz guitars. He wound up playing behind John Stokes in The Bachelors.

I always admired Carl when I was a kid. Loved his records.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: GUEST,Tom Patterson
Date: 11 Apr 23 - 07:42 AM

Perhaps Karl Denver deserves his own thread?!!!!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: Nigel Denver, Scottish folk singer
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Apr 23 - 08:00 AM

Good idea, Tom - Done!