Alister Anderson Where is he now?

Subject: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 03:54 PM

With such a great British group in here I thought it would be fun to ask after Alister Anderson (And the rest of The High Level Ranters for that matter). I heard Johnny Handle was playing around Northumbria still.. Is that right? What wonderfull music! All the best,

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Hollowfox
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 02:49 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: stevedavis83
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 04:07 PM

I saw him at the Four Fools festaval (near Manchester) two or three years back and he was in fine form. I've never seen anyone look so animated whilst playing a concertina. I've heard that Tommy Gilfellon popped into a singaround somewhere in this area (Liverpool), but whether it was a flying visit I don't know. S.

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: GUEST,Guest,Yorkshire
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 04:54 PM

Think he works at The Music Room (www.the-music-room.com) He was at last year's Whitby music festival (Aug 19/25th) and will probably be there again this year.

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 06:06 PM

Alastair also organizes the Rothbury Festival each July.

Murray

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 06:43 PM

And the last time I saw Johnny Handle was at Whitby, where he was running a workshop on a pub balcony on how to make a penny whistle out of a bit of electrical plastic-pipe, a bit of plumbing plastic-pipe, and a cork out of a bottle.

No, I lie - he was playing in the ballroom a few times after that in the week with the High Level Ranters. And writing poems. In very irrepressible fine form.

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 09:03 PM

Thank you all very much and McGrath of Harlow spiecial thanks for the web site. God what memories these Guys bring back.. I think half the girls I knew around Folk clubs in the 70's had a crush on Alister.( This was in New England) The band had a wonderful sound and I must see what the new line up sounds like.. Coming from that dance tradition I am shore their great.I was up near Bardom Mill December before last and met a great old Potter who was in the Notherumberland Pipes So who had very warm things to say of Johny Handle.. I must go look for these guys before all is done.. Lots of thanks again Guy Wolff Litchfield Connecticut USA

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: English Jon
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 06:29 AM

Isn't he the chap who runs "Folkworks" (Folk music Preservation/education charity thing?), also, that degree in Folk that University of Newcastle upon Tyne have started?

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: GUEST,bagpuss
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 08:09 AM

Yes, he is very involved in Folkworks, so he does a lot of tutoring at summer schools and beginners workshops and things like that. I'm not sure what he has recorded recently, but I do love the album he did with Syncopace, a good few years back.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 08:55 AM

There's a short CD (about 30 minutes) of a couple of pieces he recorded with the Lindsay String Quartet in 1998: On Cheviot Hills (White Meadow Records WMR 2002CD, 1999)-very nice indeed.  I don't know if there's anything more recent.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: LR Mole
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 01:55 PM

I can still see in the basement of the Chocolate Church in Bath Maine, having taken a valiant whack at Scott Joplin with one concertina or other, saying to it, "I thought you knew that one."

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 02:27 PM

Folkworks

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 07:23 PM

Wotcher, Guy! Thanks for kicking this one off - all good stuff to know.

With the Ranters, Johnny Handle did mostly traditional stuff, but given your wider ranging taste, you should try to catch him when he cuts loose and starts into jazz/blues piano.

BTW, among their terrific discography, the Ranters have one utter turkey to their name. I think it might have been the one called "Keep your feet still Geordie hinnie" - it's one that includes some brass in the line-up, anyway. Just incredibly bad.

Thread creep: Bagpuss, did you ever see my query about a pub in Hebden Bridge that has story-telling sessions?

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 09:29 PM

MaGrath of Harlow Thanks again , I just left them a email at Folkworks to offer a free traditional pottery setion.. Or blues and Banjo stuff.. If I am at Bardon Mill to promote english traditional pottery to sell in the USA it would be a great way of doubleing up the trip..I want to help start a Traditional guild of English craft to sell here in the US. Americans are hungry for crafts that do not seem to have a very large audience in the UK and we want to keep the few people left still going and open doors for the guys who are building beautifull Queen Anne chairs and the like. (God talk about thead drift , Sorry)
Fionn, I would love to hear Johny Handle do anything he felt like. I have heard such good things of him as a man I am shore his music touchs the same places..All the best across the Atlantic !!! Guy

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 11:20 PM

Mole, it has to be admitted that Alistair has let his Scott Joplin slip a bit. Last time I saw him was in the Royal Oak at Lewes, Sussex, maybe three years ago. I requested him to play "The Strenuous Life" which I first heard him play twenty five years ago. He hummed and hawed a little before demurring. Pity, ragtime on concertina sounds amazing, at least when played by Aly Anderson.

Murray

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: Bagpuss
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 08:13 AM

Fionn - my memory is not long enough to recall whether I saw your original query...

But I will try to keep my eyes and ears open for you.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: GUEST,Dave (Bridge)
Date: 31 Jan 01 - 10:08 AM

Alistair is indeed a director of Folkworks and is still performing as are the High Level Ranters.

Subject: RE: Alister Anderson Where is he now?
From: John Routledge
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 02:21 PM

The man himself is Tutor for Northumbrian Small Pipes at the next Folkworks Adult Summer School in Durham 23-28 July 2001. £120 + accommodation. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Good music to you all Geordie Broon