Sharpe

Subject: Sharpe's Rifles - theme
From: CET
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 08:30 PM

The Sharpe series of TV movies (Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe's Enemy, etc) had a great version of Over the Hills and Far Away as its theme music. It was sung by the actor who played the rifleman who was an ex-poacher. Does anyone know if a Sharpe sound track was ever recorded, or if that singer has recorded any CDs of traditional music. (Sorry, I can't remember his name)

Edmund

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 08:47 PM

John Tams played Rifleman Hagman and sang the theme song. Yes there is a cd out "Over The Hills and Far Away" the music of Sharpe. The Virgin label with songs by Kate Rusby and fiddlers John McCusher and Roger Williams. The theme song is not done in traditional style by Tams and spoils the effect but the rest of the CD is worth the money. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: CET
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 09:01 PM

Thanks Dave. I don't share your view of Tam's version of Over the Hills and Far Away, though, at least as it is on the soundtrack. In fact, I liked it so much that I got hold of the lyrics and am learning it myself. Somehow I found it more moving and less fussy than the arrangement that you find in songbooks like "Songs of the Redcoats". However, I'll get the CD and perhaps I'll be convinced.

Can I order it from somewhere on the net, or should I go to my local HMV store?

Cheers, Edmund

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 04 Jul 01 - 09:18 PM

John Tams does a fantastic job of singing in the movie; but on the cd they added a band and electric instruments. I didnt like the cd version. Believe it or not I sing the song myself, its one of my favourites. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 01:49 AM

CD should still be available in record stores but may be in the remaindered bin.... ask for John Tams or Dominic Muldowney (I think) and it could be in either folk or TV/Shows sections. Failing that, I have a copy you might be able to have (chocolate donations gratefully received....). PM me if you don't find it. And check out the other threads on John Tams/Sharpe's Rifles.

LTS

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 05:12 AM

Some of the same questions appear in an old thread which someone has just revived. Click Here.
John Tams has been performing and writing songs for many years. Some of his ouput has been traditional music, but he has also been involved with more contemporary folk. His most recent recording, Unity definitely falls into the Contemporary genre. It is on Topic Records, RECORD LABEL , John Tams .
John Tams was also involved with a band called Home Service, who were active around the early 1980's (?). I do not know what label they recorded under.
Quack!
GtD

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 05:47 AM

I assume that a Joeclone or one of the mudelves has just fixed the multiple posting I just made which refused to appear. Thanks!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: GeorgeH
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 05:54 AM

Tams probably first came to prominance with Mucram Wakes; their recordings (Bulmered!) were distinctly Trad in feel (and largely Trad in content).

He was a member of the Albion Band at the height of their residency at the National Theatre . . Recordings of both Lark Rise to Candleford and The Mysteries have been released on CD; so far as I know The Mysteries is the only one still available; it's the better of the two recordings, but the less traditional in feel. Note that at this point The Albions included both Tams and Bill Caddick, two of the very finest songwriters from the UK folk movement (to me, they are completely comparable with Richard Thompson in their writing abilities).

When Ashley Hutchings walked out of the National Theatre project, taking the Albion Band name, but few if any of its musicians, with him, the NT band became "Home Service" - still, at that point, with both Cadick and Tams. The Mysteries was released under their name. They recorded two other albums, both available on CD . . Alright Jack is, IMO, a rare masterpiece amongst UK "folk" recordings, while Early Transmissions is merely an essential part of our CD collection. Both include traditional material, but not very traditional treatment. To my mind the highpoint is the treatment of Percy Grainger's A Lincolnshire Posey where they have restored the words to some of Grainger's arrangements of folk tunes; it's (IMO) a completely successful amalgum of Folk Rock, Brass (Military) band and traditional singing . . . [Their starting point was Grainger's Military Band version of A Lincolnshire Posey, which - they believe - only exists in the manuscript copy they worked from.]

I believe there may also be a recording of the HS "reunion" band, but I'm afraid I found that a pale shadow of the original.

So - a very brief and selective John Tams discography!

Enjoy. (I think a couple of the recordings may be on Fledg'ling.)

G.

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 10:18 AM

I have a complete set of books and the videos of Sharpes Rifles and I enjoy reading them and watching them time and time again. Yours, Aye. Dave (who also owns a .50 calibre black powder Hawken rifle)

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 11:32 AM

I just like Sean Bean in THOSE trousers!

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 02:22 PM

THOSE trousers do do something to people don't they. My sister freaked over them.. When I told her he appears nekkid in Lady Chatterley's Lover, she tore NZ apart looking for a copy of the video......

And I knew there was another reason I wasn't fond of Ashley Hutchins (don't get me on Ashley Hutchins, we'll be here for ever....).

LTS

no I don't have a copy of the video..... ask my sister!

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: CET
Date: 05 Jul 01 - 08:22 PM

Well, well - Mudcatters strike again. You people are brilliant. Thanks for all the help. I particularly appreciated the link to the older thread. It lead me to a set of lyrics I'd never seen before.

I also appreciated learning more about John Tam. I will definitely look up some of his albums.

Edmund

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: GeorgeH
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 07:41 AM

One extra snippit of Tams stuff . .

Channel 4 TV in the UK filmed The Mysteries (and have broadcast them at least twice). Tams is really a musician with a few lines, but he appears on camera from time to time. Given his fame in Sharpe it might be worth asking them if they plan to re-broadcast . .

(It's a magnificent piece anyway . . and also features Linda Thompson).

G.

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: English Jon
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 07:47 AM

I did the music for a production of the mysteries a couple of years ago. A damn sight more trad than home service it was too!

EJ

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Jim Cheydi
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 08:15 AM

Isn't Sharpe playing for Bradford now?

Subject: RE: Sharpe
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 06 Jul 01 - 10:50 AM

Blowed if I know! I don't live there any more, so don't hear the gossip of the beer guzzlers in purple and gold who drown their sorrows after every match!;>)