Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: DaveRo Date: 24 Oct 23 - 04:42 AM GeoffLawes wrote: RayPadgett's post of the poem on Facebook...Only visible to FB members. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: FreddyHeadey Date: 22 Oct 23 - 06:47 AM In January Little Robyn posted part of John Watterson's poem. Here it is in full. RIP Les Barker On a cold rainy night in a thousand folk clubs People stand, as if straining to hear The world was in shock at the loss of a wordsmith The one they had worshipped for years They clutched at their hand stapled booklets To read through what they’d read before And had heard him recite a thousand times over Just to join in his punchlines once more Have you got any news of the poet I just need to hear him you see Have you got any news of the poet He means the whole world to me Treating all as his sisters and brothers Life’s furrow alone he would plough For Les was not like the others, Les was different somehow Although most that he wrote was so comic It had audiences fall off their seats, His pen was a sword aimed precisely toward The liars and bullies and cheats To Trump, to Bush, Blair and Boris He would call them all out to the end When you’re a politician so full of bullshit A poet called Les ain’t your friend Apparently God needed cheering up Sometimes, yes, even He gets downcast So he sent for Les the very accurate wordsmith And his body of work unsurpassed So here’s to the bear and the iceberg To Cosmo and Spot, and mange tout In the hope that day, we might hear him and say Déjà vu, Déjà vu, Deja Vu from John Watterson's Facebook post 2nd March 2023 |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: MoorleyMan Date: 23 Oct 23 - 01:49 PM Thankyou FreddyHeadey, for posting the full version of John Watterson's magnificent tribute, the existence of which has been unknown for the past 7 months to those of us not on Facebook .... |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GeoffLawes Date: 24 Oct 23 - 06:03 PM Link to Post SONGS AND POEMS BY LES BARKER on Mudcat thread Any January Songs? /mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=169254#lesbarkersongs:~:text=Subject%3A%20RE%3A%20Any%20January%20Songs%3F%0AFrom%3A%20Ge |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GeoffLawes Date: 24 Oct 23 - 03:01 AM RayPadgett's post of the poem on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/raymond.padgett/posts/pfbid0F2K1Na9FUeDrJcP9iXo3VcQA9BJznCairQq5L4EujX4ACjM9PJeRLuVy1NDETKbtl?from_clos |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 24 Oct 23 - 06:33 PM I am a Yank. I never had a clue - until you brought up this delightful man's death. Brillant wit! Sincerely, Gargoyle weee smalll hours of early mornings stealing a couplet or two |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey Date: 24 Oct 23 - 04:46 AM I'm glad I don't use faceache! |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey Date: 22 Oct 23 - 07:07 PM Hadn't heard (yes that's the right word - the words are so audible) this before. What a wonderfully accurate tribute to a wonderful person. Not often I'm moved but am writing this with tears in my eyes! |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 24 Oct 23 - 06:33 PM I am a Yank. I never had a clue - until you brought up this delightful man's death. Brillant wit! Sincerely, Gargoyle weee smalll hours of early mornings stealing a couplet or two |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GeoffLawes Date: 24 Oct 23 - 06:03 PM Link to Post SONGS AND POEMS BY LES BARKER on Mudcat thread Any January Songs? /mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=169254#lesbarkersongs:~:text=Subject%3A%20RE%3A%20Any%20January%20Songs%3F%0AFrom%3A%20Ge |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey Date: 24 Oct 23 - 04:46 AM I'm glad I don't use faceache! |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: DaveRo Date: 24 Oct 23 - 04:42 AM GeoffLawes wrote: RayPadgett's post of the poem on Facebook...Only visible to FB members. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GeoffLawes Date: 24 Oct 23 - 03:01 AM RayPadgett's post of the poem on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/raymond.padgett/posts/pfbid0F2K1Na9FUeDrJcP9iXo3VcQA9BJznCairQq5L4EujX4ACjM9PJeRLuVy1NDETKbtl?from_clos |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: MoorleyMan Date: 23 Oct 23 - 01:49 PM Thankyou FreddyHeadey, for posting the full version of John Watterson's magnificent tribute, the existence of which has been unknown for the past 7 months to those of us not on Facebook .... |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey Date: 22 Oct 23 - 07:07 PM Hadn't heard (yes that's the right word - the words are so audible) this before. What a wonderfully accurate tribute to a wonderful person. Not often I'm moved but am writing this with tears in my eyes! |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: FreddyHeadey Date: 22 Oct 23 - 06:47 AM In January Little Robyn posted part of John Watterson's poem. Here it is in full. RIP Les Barker On a cold rainy night in a thousand folk clubs People stand, as if straining to hear The world was in shock at the loss of a wordsmith The one they had worshipped for years They clutched at their hand stapled booklets To read through what they’d read before And had heard him recite a thousand times over Just to join in his punchlines once more Have you got any news of the poet I just need to hear him you see Have you got any news of the poet He means the whole world to me Treating all as his sisters and brothers Life’s furrow alone he would plough For Les was not like the others, Les was different somehow Although most that he wrote was so comic It had audiences fall off their seats, His pen was a sword aimed precisely toward The liars and bullies and cheats To Trump, to Bush, Blair and Boris He would call them all out to the end When you’re a politician so full of bullshit A poet called Les ain’t your friend Apparently God needed cheering up Sometimes, yes, even He gets downcast So he sent for Les the very accurate wordsmith And his body of work unsurpassed So here’s to the bear and the iceberg To Cosmo and Spot, and mange tout In the hope that day, we might hear him and say Déjà vu, Déjà vu, Deja Vu from John Watterson's Facebook post 2nd March 2023 |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST Date: 22 Jan 23 - 04:21 AM The poems two posts above are great. Deja vu all over again. ?? |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: Eric the Viking Date: 21 Jan 23 - 04:51 AM Sad news indeed. Such great comic wit. Saw him several times. Beck, Crosby, Barker, what a sad start to 2023. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 18 Jan 23 - 10:31 PM Time, it is a fleeting. May any of us living.. Guide Cats For The Blind Sincerely, Gargoyle Remorse not ... but aspire each to bring just one new smile into 2023. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Little Robyn Date: 18 Jan 23 - 08:51 PM John Archer has posted a couple of new poems on NZ Folk FB site - too good not to share. Poems by John Watterson On a cold rainy night in a thousand folk clubs People stand, as if straining to hear The world was in shock at the loss of a wordsmith The one they had worshipped for years They clutched at their hand stapled booklets To read through what they’d read before And had heard him recite a thousand times over To join in his punchlines once more Have you got any news of the poet I just need to hear him you see Have you got any news of the poet He means the whole world to me Déjà vu. A Eulogy. It is impossible to listen to a Les Barker poem just once I reckon, The first time you get the point of a Les Barker poem Is the second Déjà vu…… |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: MoorleyMan Date: 18 Jan 23 - 03:37 PM Ha! Thanks Gerry! There was also "Salmon", after "Will The Turtle..."! So that totals eleven! |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GerryM Date: 17 Jan 23 - 05:31 PM Several more after you left, Moorley Man. I count ten altogether: Will the Turtle be Unbroken? Reinstalling Windows Turtles The Franco Prussian War of the Spanish Succession It Isn't Matter Any More A Year, a Day, and Twice Forever The Wraggle Taggle Gypsies, Eh My Granny's a Wild Flying Dove The Hard Cheese of Old England Custard Creams |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 17 Jan 23 - 04:16 PM from Guest 17 Jan 23 - 06:48 AM I met Les once a few years ago. A delightful and totally unassuming genius. The world has lost a one-of. He’s irreplaceable. RIP, Les. didn't the US govt (or some section thereof) refuse him a performers' visa once upon a time as anyone could recite poems???? a google search "les barker visa site:mudcat.org" & this came up as the first result - Les Barker US tour canceled! 2006 - read the comments, he's "not culturally unique enough" (tho he was 3 years earlier) but then neither were Andy Irvine & others one comment - Not surprising, Les used to be a chartered accountant. sandra |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Anne Lister sans cookie Date: 17 Jan 23 - 11:48 AM I'm so sad to have lost a good friend, who must have been in my life for over forty years. However it's become clear to me that Les was not only a unique talent, but also had the ability to create friendships wherever he went, and there are so many of us who are feeling bereft. In terms of a legacy, I can't think of anyone else in my life (possibly apart from Shakespeare) who has made such a difference to the way my husband and I use the English language. We can't say "déja vu" to each other without the obligatory "a rhyme" following on, we can't talk about occasional tables, camouflage nets, boomerangs, dachshunds, Thunderbirds (always "are OG"), Jason and the Argonauts (always the Arguments) and so, so many other references. Thank you, Les, for this and so much more. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Joe Nicholson Date: 17 Jan 23 - 10:16 AM |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Graham T Date: 17 Jan 23 - 07:22 AM A detailed account of Les's life and career here from his friend and agent Jacey Bedford. The details of his demise are very sad - he deserved far better than passing away in a football ground carpark with no-one around. https://www.jacey-bedford.com/LesBarker.html |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: MoorleyMan Date: 17 Jan 23 - 07:13 AM Good thought, Steve! And it's a measure of Les's standing and inspiration that at least seven of his works were performed in tribute at yesterday's Mudcat Worldwide Singaround... |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST Date: 17 Jan 23 - 06:48 AM I met Les once a few years ago. A delightful and totally unassuming genius. The world has lost a one-of. He’s irreplaceable. RIP, Les. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: SPB-Cooperator Date: 16 Jan 23 - 05:20 PM I like to think that Les has already written his own Eulogy especially for the occasion. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: Waddon Pete Date: 16 Jan 23 - 10:59 AM Every now and then someone comes along who seems to transcend the normal run of folk musicians. Some have called Les a genius...well he was. Some said that he had the gift of humour....well he had and he didn't keep it to himself. He shared it with so many of us. It didn't matter if you were a folkie or a non-folkie, his humour could have the most unlikely of people laughing. The true mark of his genius is that you can reread his poems (or recite them) and still laugh even though you know the punchline! Yes, he should have been the Poet Laureate. That would have been amazing! There were no airs or graces to Les. He was a 100% decent bloke. I remember being on the same bill with him at a festival one time. It was very cold in the marque we were performing in yet he stayed for the whole session, not just his segment and clearly enjoyed himself. Not goodbye but adieu, see you again soon the next time someone reads one of your poems. Les is in the "In Memoriam" thread and I sent my condolences to all those who love and miss him. RIP |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: Mrrzy Date: 16 Jan 23 - 08:39 AM I hope someone reads Detritus at the memorial service. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: Daniel Kelly Date: 16 Jan 23 - 07:58 AM Thankyou for so many laughs Les. A mark of the esteem he was held in by the folk community was the willingness of well known artists to sing his parodies of their songs. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: bradfordian Date: 16 Jan 23 - 06:41 AM Gutted to hear this terribly sad news. Les gave us so much enjoyment and laughter for many, many years in the folk clubs and the festivals and through his many printed booklets and CDs which are a legacy for us. He is indelibly imprinted in our memories. Unique, genius, absolutely. Rest in peace Les. Bradfordian aka Barrie Mathers |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler Date: 16 Jan 23 - 05:49 AM So many memories, all good. Him giving out bottles of his dad's sloe wine at Pontardawe. Late night extras at Sidmouth with "The Seal" in the audience. Last year's performance at the South Lakes which I managed to get to while being rude and not staying for the rest of the concert I had been part of. Robin |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: GUEST,Joe G Date: 16 Jan 23 - 04:34 AM Very sad news indeed. I remember so many times being doubled over laughing during one of his sets. Very poignant at times too. One of the giants of the UK folk scene RIP |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 16 Jan 23 - 04:02 AM Les in Australia - videos taken by Wayne Richmond who runs acoustic venue Humph Hall I have three videos of Les. The first (with over 23,000 views) is a very rough handheld video of him performing Déja Vu’ at The National Folk Festival 2005. The second (which I’m so glad I have!) is the full concert of him here at Humph Hall in 2010. It is a single video clip of the entire concert with links to specific items in the description. The third is the Zoom session I facilitated in January 2021 which included Bruce Watson, Alistair Brown, & Winter Wilson. A very sad day indeed . . . |
Subject: RE: Obit: Les Barker (1947-2023) From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 16 Jan 23 - 12:29 AM I remember a visit, it was summer, very hot & humid & he was sweating in his black & white cardigan! And of course we chorused along ... |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: MoorleyMan Date: 15 Jan 23 - 08:06 PM You put that so eloquently, Pelagie. |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: Tattie Bogle Date: 15 Jan 23 - 07:27 PM So sorry to hear this. Saw him performing on a number of occasions and in various places up and down the land, but one that sticks in my mind is the final number at Sidmouth Festival one year: it was a good way of emptying the big marquee quickly as we all sidled out of it, holding yards of toilet roll and singing”Earwig-O”. |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 15 Jan 23 - 06:58 PM He was a magic performer. He could get an audience in hysterics just standing there waiting to read us a poem. For minute after minute. Every time he got ready to start, we'd be off again. He had an incredible sense of timing. More than anything he made me think of Stan Laurel, but funnier. He was a lovely man too when you met him. They talk about National Treasures, and most of them aren’t really. Len was, and we were lucky to have him. At least, though we'll never get to see him in the flesh again, there are a whole raft of YouTube performances to savour. |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: GerryM Date: 15 Jan 23 - 06:39 PM He made a lot of fans on his visits to Australia. |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: Nigel Parsons Date: 15 Jan 23 - 06:22 PM Now that Dan Schatz has given us one of Les's, I'll give my immediate response: Here’s to the Les we all remember, And Reg, who now is but an ember. His doggy puns will come no more And Mrs Akroyd waves a paw. His burial won’t happen yet, His shroud’s made from his camouflage net. The wake is in the bar, and there’s - A dachshund trying to 'mount' the stairs So raise a glass while you are able. They’re over there on that ‘table’. A gin and tonic would be nice, A polar bear provides the ice. There'll be no more, There is no Les And so we say, Good night, God Bless! |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: GeoffLawes Date: 15 Jan 23 - 05:31 PM Very sad news. He will be missed.He wrote such a lot and amused so many. INDEX OF SONGS AND POEMS BY LES BARKER , from Mainly Norfolk https://www.mainlynorfolk.info/mrs.ackroyd/songs/ SONGS AND POEMS BY LES BARKER, on YouTube https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k3cKmJ1xCfYf-hPkYB1V75Ho3Rc1-EWzQ |
Subject: It Was the Surprise, More Than Anything (Barker) From: Dan Schatz Date: 15 Jan 23 - 05:30 PM I said this elsewhere, but it bears repeating here - I didn't know Les Barker, but I sure wish I had. His poetry and parodies graced many a festival and folk club in the UK. Imagine a cross between Ogden Nash and Flanders and Swann, with a dash of Terry Pratchett thrown in for good measure. He gave us such classics as "This Preying Mantis Is An Atheist," and the polar bear's post-Titanic lament, "Have You Got Any News of the Iceberg?" Thanks to Les for sharing his poetry freely and widely, and for the host of British folkies who helped it reach a wider audience. To all our mutual friends, my heart is with you today. And for good measure, here's one of his poems, because even through the sorrow, reading and listening to his poetry I just can't help but laugh: IT WAS THE SURPRISE, MORE THAN ANYTHING (Les Barker) It was the surprise, more than anything: I was unlucky, it has to be said. While passing a tall block of flats A rabbit just missed my head. It was the surprise, more than anything; A rabbit doesn't weigh that much And could not therefore have done me much damage; No, it wasn't the rabbit, as such. It was the surprise, more than anything; I'd have been glad to cushion its fall And was pleased to be told later It was hardly injured at all. I like to help animals; I always do what I can; Oh, It was the surprise, more than anything And the fact it was playing a piano. I remember the Warsaw Concerto; My memory couldn't be clearer; I couldn't see where it was coming from But I knew it was getting nearer. I wish I'd been hit by the rabbit Because then the piano'd have missed; I wish I'd been hit by the rabbit; I used to be taller than this. It was the surprise, more than anything; I was speechless; I was; I was mute; I wish I'd been hit by the rabbit; I wish he'd been playing the flute. I have caught a pianoforte: I'm just glad he's not part of a band; oh, It's no place to be on a Thursday, On the end of a rabbit's glissando. It was the surprise more than anything, I thought as I lay on the floor; I heard a sound and looked up Which I should have done some time before. "Have you seen a rabbit?" said the man; "Is he down there? Did he fall? He's passed all his piano exams But has no sense of balance at all.” It was the surprise more than anything, I thought; but in time, a man recognises The truth; it was the piano. Pianos weigh more than surprises. |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: GUEST,Martin Ryani Date: 15 Jan 23 - 05:11 PM Sad news, again. Never heard him - but bumped into his work over the years. RIP Regards |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: Herga Kitty Date: 15 Jan 23 - 04:34 PM Very sad to hear this news - so many of Les's poems were wonderfully surreal and funny (and the serious ones were very thought-provoking too), and he was such a one off in delivering them. Accountancy's loss has been so very much our gain. Kitty |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: Sarah the flute Date: 15 Jan 23 - 04:25 PM So sad - he was an amazing talent and had us in stitches as Morrigan when we were priveledged to support him at Twickfolk a few years ago and that was before he went on stage. Was planning to go to his gig in London last November but then he retired. Wherever he is now he will be brightening skies. RIP Les |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: GUEST,raggytash Date: 15 Jan 23 - 03:52 PM A genius of the highest calibre who brought laughter, poignancy, witticism,leviety and pathos to thousands upon thousands of people. Rest easy Les and thank you for all the humour you shared with us all. |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: Mermaid Date: 15 Jan 23 - 03:38 PM What an awful shock though not unexpected given his poor health. Les was an inspiration; definitely a comic genius but so much more. His serious poems too, sometimes hard-hitting, sometimes unbelievably tender will also stand the test of time. Thank you Les, I shalll miss you. Be peaceful Pelagie |
Subject: RE: 2023 Obit: Les Barker From: Steve Gardham Date: 15 Jan 23 - 03:15 PM So many wonderful poems, many entering our own traditions, Earwig-O. The best memorial for Les will be for others to perform his material! Condolences to family and friends. He was an important part of the fabric of the British Folk Scene and will be sadly missed. You know you've made it when you stop reading your poem half way through and the audience finish it off. |
Share Thread: |
Subject: | Help |
From: | |
Preview Automatic Linebreaks Make a link ("blue clicky") |