Welcome to the 'Cat---Jean Ritchie

Subject: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:12 PM

Well, she and her son Jon have been keeping a low profile on another thread (Click Here) but Jean Ritchie has been visiting us and I thought it might be a good idea to start a separate thread as we usually do. Some of us welcomed her there, but the thread was getting long and creeping badly!

We have some fine, well known, folkies in our regular and semi-regular contingent here including Sandy and Caroline, Art, Frank, Hedy West, Margaret MacArthur.........On all of those list threads for "Most/Best/Significant, many of us have always included her and as she has always been one of my personal favorites, its a pleasure to see Jean show up here at the 'Cat. Welcome again, Jean and Jon.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Banjer
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:21 PM

Jean Ritchie answered an e-mail of mine several years ago. I asked told her about my lap dulcimer that I had built and my struggles to learn banjo. It was her encouragement that convinced me to keep at it. I took her advice and put the banjo aside for a while and played with the dulcimer. She was right, playing tunes on the dulcimer and then picking up the banjo again made a world of difference. If she said the world was flat and the sky was green, I'd believe her!! Great lady!! I was flabbergasted that she would take the time to respond to my e-mail..Thank you bunches, Jean, and welcome to the Mudcat...

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: dwditty
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:30 PM

Welcome Jean. Any friend of Dave Van Ronk's is at home here, at least from my point of vies.

dw

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: John Hardly
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:33 PM

I was so stunned to see the name of a writer I admire so that I just assumed it was someone writing under her name!

Ms Ritchie,
Yours songs are among my FAVORITES to play!

John Hardly

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:39 PM

Spaw, what a wonderful thing to bring to our attention! Thank you. You know I am just a youngster compared to the rest of you old phoakies (big grin) and am catching up on the non-specific-to-Colorado folk music I never knew much about before. I've read about Jean and her family and music a bunch on here, from you, Sandy and the rest of the lot and know what esteem you all have for her.

What a pleasure it is to know that you, Jean, and you, Jon, have started to post and share your knowledge and stories with us. Thank you and a GREAT BIG WELCOME TO THE MUDCAT from Big Ole' Wyoming! Please join us as often as you can and desire; it is truly a pleasure to have you here.

katlaughng aka kat - Spaw's *good* twin! LOL!!

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: kendall
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:43 PM

THE Jean Ritchie right here among us..wow!

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: dwditty
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:48 PM

BTW, Jean, be sure to read the Newcomers thread. It would be absolutely wonderful to hear you on PalTalk.

dw

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Allan C.
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:53 PM

It has been cold on Mars lo these many years. I guess that is where I have been because, although I have heard your name, I don't know that I have ever heard your music. From what I gather, I have a real treat ahead of me.

I am glad you stop here from time to time and hope it will become a regular thing for you. It is obvious that you have a lot to share.

Allan C.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: InOBU
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 08:56 PM

Ms. Ritchie:
As a lifelong folkie, born into an Irish ballad family, I have number of times when traditions have come alive for me... reading your wonderful book was one, seeing you at Cooper Union with Oscar Brand was another, now that all said, welcome to this little party of mad folk. Irreverent and articulate, the muck and mire fly as fast as the gems, and all equally fun, I hope... Welcome to the table.
Cheers,
Larry
PS Did you know Oscar's late friend Thomas Scott, who played with Woody Guthrie? Thom died in the early 60's. I used to play in a trio with his daughter Suki.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Matt_R
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:06 PM

Didn't Jean Ritchie do "Summer of My Dreams"? Heh heh before I did? lol

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Alice
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:07 PM

Well, Jean, I dug out an email I sent to you and your reply from April '98, not sure if it was still in my archives, but I found it. I am so glad you have joined in. Here's the history of my reference to you about Mudcat!:

From - Mon Apr 20 15:56:52 1998

Dear Alice, After much travelling, having hosts of company from England, and many other Interruptions to Living, I've found a minute...looked up the mudcat discussion forum and was so pleased at all the good things you said of me, and was further pleased to read all the discussers of other things, many of those discussers being friends of mine... it looks like getting involved would be either the frying pan, or the fire, and I'll hold my contributions for now, with thanks! Looks most interesting, though, and someday, who knows, I may dive in... Best, Jean

I'm happy to "see" you here, Jean!

Alice Flynn

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:37 PM

Hello Jean and Jon,

I said it before, and I'll say it again, Welcome!

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:56 PM

When I heard Madonna was marrying into royalty I figured Guy Ritchie must be related to Jean. What a wonderful thing for Mudcat to have such company drop in -- foremost traditional ballad singer, first lady of the dulcimer, custodian of the magnificent Ritchie family collection, co-founder of the Ritchie-Pickow collection at Galway, writer of some great contemporary folk songs... It's exciting to see the interest you've taken in these threads. And thanks for that wonderful Christmas gift to the world: "The Holly Carol" is one of the most joyous ever.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Jimmy C
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 09:56 PM

Welcome Jean and Jon. I have admired your songs for a long time now. I still use your dulcimer book a lot.

Nice to have you amongst us.

Stay awhile !

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: GUEST,LEJ
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 10:17 PM

Jean,I've been a fan of yours since seeing you on A Prairie Home Companion some 16 years ago.Welcome!

LEJ

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Banjer
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 10:36 PM

Alice, I too dug back in the archives and this one was dated 11-28-98. It was this E-mail that I made reference to in my earlier post. You can see the words of encouragement that come not from someone trying to sell you something, but from the heart of one who really believes what she says.

Dear Ray, We, my husband and I, have been away from home for several weeks, finding your good letter upon our return. Good news that you have conquered the dulcimer- yes, it's MUCH easier to plan than guitar or banjo... one CAN make it very complicated, but playing the easy way sounds just as good to me. Keep at it- when you get really confident on the dulcimer, the banjo just may be a lot easier!

All the best
Jean Ritchie

How right she was!!!

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Ma-K
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 10:49 PM

Welcome to the Ritchies. Jean did you ever do a concert in Cody Wyo? I saw a young women in the 1940s play the dulcimor and sing. It was so beautful. I got my first ducimor 15 years ago. I never forgot that beautiful sound. Thank you for bringing it to us....Mary

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: GUEST,bflat
Date: 23 Dec 00 - 10:54 PM

Wow, this place has gained further gound when the esteemed Jean Richie lends her knowledge and experience. Saw you, Jean, at the NJ Folk Festival back two years or so. Dynamic!! And your workshop on the dulcimer was terrific. Happy to know you are here.

bflat

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 03:02 AM

Alice and Banj......I can see I have to start saving more e-mails instead of flushing them. Thanks for sharing those. And Pinetop, Mark, I was figuring you'd be here if you saw it!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 03:13 AM

Cool.

Welcome to the Mudcat Jean and Jon!

Best wishes,

Carol

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 06:11 AM

I'll add my voice to the delighted crowd.
Allan, if you've ever heard the words to "Simple Gifts" sung or heard a lap dulcimer north of the Mason-Dixon line, you've seen just a small part of the way Jean Ritchie has contributed to American music. Others have also contributed, and this is not to diminish them, but Jean has had a lot to do with us Yanks knowing a little more of the riches of the music of Appalachia.
Allison

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 06:21 AM

Howdy Jean and Jon
Lots of wonderful folks around here and now we have 2 more! Guess you guys are the Mudcats special Christmas gifts this year.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Quincy
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 08:07 AM

Pleased to *meet* you Jean and Jon!

Yvonne

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: kendall
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 08:26 AM

Black Water and Come Fare Away are two of my favorites.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Wavestar
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 02:06 PM

Wow... THE Jean Ritchie? We should be honoured. Yet another wonderful memory from my childhood of my parents playing you recordings, and listening on the radio to you on the folk shows, Prairie Home Companion, and all the rest... welcome indeed!

-Jessica

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Don Firth
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 02:11 PM

I never really equated Mudcat with Mount Olympus before, but the more I wander around here, the more I keep encountering legendary gods and goddesses! What else can I think? I am in awe. . . .

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Melani
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 02:36 PM

When I was about 10, a chapter from "Singing Family of the Cumberlands" was included in one of my school books, and had the words, but not tunes, to several songs. I went home and sang them, and when I heard recordings of those songs years later, I was astonished to find that the tunes I'd "made up" at age 10 were almost identical to the actual tunes. I guess that says something about the universality of music. Welcome!

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 04:06 PM

Jean---If you would, please ask George to come in here and tell his tale of the time he stopped Big Ben. It's a true story folks.

Love to all o' you and I hope you're well this Christmas eve. (We're gonna be grandparents for the first time fairly soon.)

Art

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 04:21 PM

A delighted hello from another fan, who has passed on griffy gruffy to many children, Mary Ann

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 06:35 PM

Welcome, Jean ,from an expatriate Scot. You were already a legend in Scotland before I left. Now if we could only get Hamish Henderson on here ..........

Murray

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 07:19 PM

Welcome aboard mate. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Mark Clark
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 09:18 PM

Ms Ritchie, I'ts been forty years since I first heard, and loved, your recordings and my admiration for your music has only grown since then. I look forward to seeing your comments here with eager anticipation.

Welcome.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: paddymac
Date: 24 Dec 00 - 11:02 PM

Welcome to the mad house - it can sometimes seem a little odd, but it really is a family place and we're glad you're here.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: georgeward
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 03:32 AM

Jean & Jon,

What a nice thing to log on at 3 a.m. of a Christmas morning and to find that you've joined in!

Love to you all from the (presently very cold and windy) Mohawk valley). -George ::-.--O (Vaughn, too. But she's asleep.)

P.S. Handsome website, too! Howie Eskin sent me the url from Lena's a few days ago. (There's a blue clicky on the other thread folks.)

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Haruo
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 03:49 AM

Welcome (of course we've already met on the "other" thread!) ... I'm bit off the beaten path here, being mostly into Esperanto folk music (which many might think an oxymoron) and hymns, but even I had heard of you before ("... didn't she write the Child Ballads ... ?" ;-)), Jean. Nice to meet you too, Jon, hope you'll both drop in often.

Liland

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 05:25 AM

I am proud to be part of anything tghat includes Jean Ritchie. Jean, thank you for your songs and writings, and for your example in keeping the music alive. Sincerely, Roy Harris.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Dave Swan
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 04:12 PM

A warm welcome and many thanks. We hope you enjoy it here.

Dave & Pam

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 04:14 PM

Jean, you are the Smith Barney of American folk music and I'm listening! Glad to see you here. Mountain Born is one of the best CD's that I've heard in a while. Highly recommend it.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Banjoman_CO
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 04:21 PM

Welcome - Welcome - Welcome. Jean, your dulcimer book is a "Bible to me". Thank you. Glad to see you here at the "cat". Looking forward to your posts.

Banjoman_CO

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 04:26 PM

Frank, you're kind of a "Smith Barney" yourself....its just that some of us like to argue with you a bit!(:<))

And its always seems to be my job, as in previous threads, to follow Frank and say that the "Mountain Born" TV special was excellent as well.............'cause it was! Its available in some libraries now for those who haven't seen it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Alice
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 04:50 PM

Here is a link to the thread mentioning the film Mountain Born. I quoted some info from the notes on the film. I saw it on PBS in '98. It's really a great documentary to have in any folk collection.click here to go to the earlier thread in '98.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 08:13 PM

Dear Jean, THanks for the inspiration you have given so meny of us. I do love your music.. I made 40 somthing dulcimers in the early 70's to try amd figure out what a good combination of acustics made a good dulsimer.. It was so much fun ..I do love the look of the simplest older instroments in your book.. You have given us all so much.. Tons of thank you's, Guy Wolff

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: CamiSu
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 01:59 AM

Yea, welcome! What Jessica didn't mention (since she wasn't there) was that 'Simple Gifts' was my wedding song. Everyone sang it as I came down the stairs. BUT one of my favorites is 'None but One'. Haunting.

And, boy do you have a lot to read when you see this!

CamiSu

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 07:46 AM

Jean, saw you and spoke with you a month ago in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. You are still one of my biggest inspirations; and when I sing a ballad, I try to imagine how you would do it.

I was the fellow who had the early (original?) edition of your autobiography for you to autograph. You could not possibly be more gracious nor your smile more radiant.

And for those other Mudcatters who might have wondered, I have it from the source that only the END of her toe broke off when she kicked the rock, and the toe grew back.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Hollowfox
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 02:39 PM

All Right!! Georgeward is right, htis is the best non-chocolate Christmas present I've gotten this year. Welcome!

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Dec 00 - 04:14 PM

Did Jean Ritchie ever appear on Prairie Home Companion, or are people here getting her confused with Jean Redpath? I know that Jean Redpath sang Dave Mallett's Summer of My Dreams on the show, but I'm not aware of Jean Ritchie singing it. Jean Ritchie is not mentioned in the Prairie Home Companion archives, but that goes back only to 1996.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 01:45 AM

If she hasn't been, she ought to be, Joe! Garrison better get on the ball!

For a wonderful short Christmas video featuring Jean and family singing and playing a gorgeous song called Winter Grace, please visit her website by clicking here. Absolutely beautiful, Jean, I loved the images; great job of editing and recording.

all the best of the season now and always,

kat

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Banjer
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 02:24 AM

Yeah! Truly worth a listen folks. It don't get any better than this....Thank you, Jean for that nice Holiday greeting! (and thanks to Kat for the clickie)

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: BigDaddy
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 03:40 AM

Jean Ritchie is one of our national treasures. Some of the most joyful and moving moments of my life have included seeing her on a Pete Seeger PBS show about thirty years ago, getting my first album by her ("Clear Waters Remembered"), finally seeing her peform in person about 19 years ago, recently e-mailing her and getting a warm and prompt reply, introducing a young friend to her music just this month and seeing the magic take effect. God bless and keep you, Jean Ritchie! And know that the old songs are constantly finding a new audience.

Subject: RE: Welcome to the 'Cat---JEAN RITCHIE
From: Luke
Date: 27 Dec 00 - 10:08 AM

Dear Jean,

As a new member of this Mudcat group, let me say a warm howdy and say how good it is to see you here.

I look forward to seeing you again this summer at Swannanoa. I will never forget the many times your music has touched me throughout my life. Your music first reached me through my brother Jim when I was 12 years old and then in person in the early years of Fox Hollow. Since then I am blessed with every meeting. You are and will always be the queen of song to me.

Your friend and ardant fan,

Bob Lucas