2021 Obit: Dave Evans

Subject: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: GUEST,James Phillips
Date: 04 Apr 21 - 10:04 AM

Read multiple reports on Facebook this morning about Dave Evans passing away in Brussels in the night, including from Steve Tilston. A sad day. He was an absolute legend and his album The Words In Between remains one of my favorites of any genre. A master of guitar, voice and songwriting. RIP Dave.

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 04 Apr 21 - 05:45 PM

A special talent, and, I think, the most interesting guitarist to take the 60s Davy/Bert/John output and take it to a wonderful place.

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: GUEST,PHIL HARE
Date: 05 Apr 21 - 08:13 AM

Very sad. A great inspiration to me when I was starting out. I saw him play at the Pack Horse in Leeds back in 1980 when the audience included Tony Wilson, Tom McConville, Dave Bulmer and a host of other pros. Dave was ahead of the curve in many ways and I knew that he had relocated to Brussels in the 80's to work behind the potters wheel. Last thing I heard of him was when I met Maggie Holland on the Eurostar returning from some Belgian gigs. That would have been 2016-ish and he was OK at that point. The music will survive, that's for sure. RIP Dave.

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: GUEST,John James
Date: 08 Apr 21 - 12:26 PM

Dave Evans, dear Dave, It's always a shock when you hear of the death of a long time friend.   All of us who were young active musicians in the vibrant scene of the 60's-70's have to cope with the inevitable happening 50 years or so later. But it is still a jolt.
Dave was a composer-guitar player-songwriter. He made an impact on the scene with his album “ The Words in Between” on Village Thing Records 1971.

Dave was born in Bangor N.Wales, but left early ,I think for E.Anglia. Though he reckoned he had family roots on the Orkneys. He spent time at Loughborough Art Coll on ceramics and a few years at sea. Then picked up the guitar in his 20's. Made several albums but he did not enjoy life on the road. The ardours of travelling hundreds of miles on your own, hanging about for the venue to open then jumping on stage and entertaining. Not for him.
He found a comfortable niche in Brussels. First as guitar repairer/ maker for Hills Music. I would visit him in his workshop,on the top floor. His domain. He seemed happy there. I think he eventually obtained Belgian passport or ID card, because of Brexit.
Dave made a harp guitar for Pierre Bensusan.and then others followed all the way to recognition at Harp Guitar Conventions in the USA. Dave sent me photos of his visits to the conventions, but unfortunately they all were lost when my hard disk gave up the ghost during the lockdown.

I suggested I play one of his tunes. Give his music a voice on the live stage every night. Maybe “Braziliana”. He laughed, “ You'll have to take another guitar Johnny boy” The tuning was CGDGBflatD. Another of his tunes was CGDGAD or something and he used DADGAD as well because everybody else was ! I said that's like moving the keys around on a piano. Hmm. His usual reply.

Some of Dave's contemporaries enjoyed the spotlight, enjoyed the entourage and sycophancy but it wasn't something that Dave sought . He enjoyed praise of course, and when I offered it he would hum and ha and wonder whether I was right or not. This was because he was a skilled craftsman, of high value. He made the guitars, he made the music, and ceramics and beer .
Dave Evans made it to 80. An artist fulfilled by his craft.

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: Andy M
Date: 10 Apr 21 - 08:19 AM

Nicely succint resumé John James; and 'Hi' from Andy M (ex-Exeter AC)

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 10 Apr 21 - 09:56 AM

Sad to hear of Dave's passing.I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to all those who know and love him. RIP

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: GUEST,#
Date: 10 Apr 21 - 10:03 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAXNceX2X3Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAXNceX2X3Q

Dave Evans - The Words in Between (1971) [30th anniversary edition]

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: GUEST,El McMeen
Date: 27 Apr 21 - 06:51 AM

The tuning invented by Dave Evans - CGDGAD - changed my life, and led to over 200 compositions and arrangements in that tuning. If I hadn't come upon that tuning in the 1980's, well, I don't even want to think about it. I'm interested in what happened to the guitar that Dave made for himself, in case John, Steve or anyone else may know.

RIP Dave, and thank you from my heart.

El

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Dave Evans
From: Vic Smith
Date: 27 Apr 21 - 09:12 AM

Message from Maggie Holland -

Our beloved friend Dave Evans will finally be laid to rest in Warbeth cemetery, Stromness as he wished, this Friday, 30th April. There’ll be a brief graveside ceremony at 11.30 am. I hope to be there. If anyone wants to make a charitable donation in his memory we suggest any of the RNLI, the Red Cross or the Jane Goodall Foundation.