In praise of Malcolm Douglas

Subject: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GeorgeH
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:09 AM

This has been said before, but bears repeating . . .

Why is it I now read and learn more but post less to Mudcat? The answer, in two words, is:

Malcolm Douglas

His encyclopaedic knowledge, and his generosity in sharing it with us (and giving us many hours of his time in the process), is a remarkable asset of the Mudcat.

The fact that I and others are reduced to adding minor postscripts to Malcom's posts is simply an indication of how much we are in his debt.

So . . many, many thanks, Malcolm.

With all good wishes,

George

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: UB Ed
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:27 AM

Hear, Hear!

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,Dita (at work)
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:31 AM

Hear, hear.
Malcolm and I may not see eye to eye from time to time, but I'd need to stand on my copies of Bronson, Child, Greig Duncan, Hogg, Motherwell, Buchan, Ford, etc, etc, before I scaled the dizzy hight's of MD's knowlage.
love, john

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Wolfgang
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:35 AM

A well deserved praise that I wholeheartedly support.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:39 AM

I'll add two more hears to that!

Brian

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: pavane
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:40 AM

I agree with all the above. He has been most helpful to me in the few weeks I have been here.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Les from Hull
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:50 AM

I'll sixth that.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:52 AM

Nice bloke as well - and he had a lucky escape not to have to share my tent at the jug! Keep up the good work Malcolm. Just because you are more knowledgeable, a better musician, younger and more good looking than me I don't bear a grudge...;-)

DtG

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,Dita (at work)
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:56 AM

Bet he'd spell knowledge "knowledge" as well :-),
love, john

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: MMario
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 09:03 AM

"AMEN" to all the above - Malcolm not only shares his knowledge, but goes out of his way to teach others how to use the search features, link threads with a common subject - post references to variants, etc.

I am terrible about documentation - but that does not mean I don't respect and appreciate someone who can go through the tedious and exacting process of doing the documentation! And I am of course perfectly willing to use such!

A hearty thank you, Malcolm!!!!!

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 09:06 AM

Thanks for starting this one George. Add me to the "Malcolm Douglas Appreciation Sosciety".

Jon

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Dunc
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 09:13 AM

Who is this Malcolm Douglas?
How come he knows so much?
How come he is so helpful?
How come I feel unworthy when his name appears on my monitor?

Wherever you are,
whatever you are
or whoever you are,
thanks for all the times you have eased my aching brain by supplying me with answers that were beyond my ken.
You are not taken for granted.

Dunc

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 09:15 AM

A very generous and knowledgeable person. Thank you, Malcolm.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 10:02 AM

How does one second an "AMEN"?

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Kim C
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 10:07 AM

Yes indeed! I have never met Malcolm but I know if I post a question about some obscure something, it's going to be Malcolm who has the answer, or can at least tell me where to find it! :-)

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 10:07 AM

To second an amen, sing it...A-A-A-Men!

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 10:13 AM

This is the kind of praise I can get into. Yeah, Malcolm.

Rick

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 10:37 AM

Don't know that I can add anything to what's already been said, and I've never met Malcolm, but he has swiftly answered many of my questions and I've been very impressed by his knowledge, his scholarship and his willingness to help others. Thank you, Malcolm!

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Noreen
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 10:44 AM

Me too!

♥ Noreen

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: nutty
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 11:18 AM

Was so pleased to meet Malcolm at the "Jug" gathering but am now left with a dilema

Malcolm looks exactly as I had imagined Jon Freeman would look - so unless they are twins I'm having to rethink my visual image of Jon
We must meet soon Jon - the suspense is killing me :o}

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:15 PM

All praise justified. Malcolm is a good un. Burl

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:27 PM

The very model of that to which I aspire.

Thanks, Malcolm!

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:36 PM

Agree absolutely with all the sentiments expressed above. I was very touched the other day by his kindness in sending me a PM explaining points in html editing following another bluclicky failure in a post I'd sent. I always enjoy reading his posts on a song thread, as they are always informative.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Snuffy
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:03 PM

In spite of all the flames, trolls and bullshit going on here, it's people like Malcom who keep me coming back to the 'Cat. We need more like him.

Wassail! V

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:19 PM

I'll raise a glass as well!

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: bill\sables
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 08:28 PM

Not only does he know everything which is worth knowing, but he is also a fine fiddler. It was a pleasure to have him join the mudcat scratch band at the Yorkshire gathering. You can see a picture of him in the "Yorkshire Gathering at The Jug" events photo gallery, You can also get a photo of Jon Freeman in Llanfairs Gathering last October.
Keep it up Malcolm we all need what you do.
Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 10:20 PM

Thank you for helping me with that song, Malcolm. (Ae Fond Kiss). Sheila

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 11:20 PM

G'day,

I'll add the 27th amen to all the above. Malcolm's erudition shines through all the petty distractions that won't keep me away from Mudcat.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 11:25 PM

I hope this isn't an obit. **BG** I sort of seems like one. This sort of praise is usually reserved for the departed. I promise to keep an eye out for this fellow. If it is not too late. ;)

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: CarolC
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 11:27 PM

One of the best. And he does it with elegance, too.

Cheers, Malcolm!

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 11:34 PM

Malcolm Douglas has the skills of the librarian - the person who consistently and accurately finds otherwise hard to find information, and steers people in the right direction for their own research. A great asset here and anywhere. Thank you, Malcolm, and kudos to GeorgeH for this thread.

Best,

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 01:17 AM

It's always a pleasure to read Malcolm's posts. He does remarkable research. His biggest project was annotating Alan Foster's transcription of the Penguin Book of English Folksongs (click). Thanks for all your good work, Malcolm.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: ard mhacha
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 04:46 AM

Some praise and all deserved, and Malcolm would also praise that Wolfgang man, the shepherds of the site. Slan Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GeorgeH
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 06:49 AM

Not an obit thank heavens . . just a reaction to a combination of:

a) the "write to someone to say thanks" thread

and

b) the realisation that far too much of my recent Mudcat posting has been negative . .

plus, of course, being bowled over by Malcolm's knowledge yet again . .

G.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 07:09 AM

I will concur with everything said above. Apart from his encyclopedic musical knowledge, even when he posts on non-musical subjects, I have never felt the urge to make a smart-ass reply.

You can come out and take your bow now, Malcolm.

Murray

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 07:16 AM

Thanks for all your help Malcolm
It was great to meet you at the YG
Patrish xx

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Jeri
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 01:12 PM

Malcolm, I've felt all this about you, but it doesn't hurt to say it sometimes! Thanks for your knowledge and your willingness to share. Thanks for doing searches to find things for people. Thanks for being an all-around nice guy! Finally, thanks for giving me opportunities to feel useful by fixing blue clickies! (Malcolm may, in fact, be in the top 10 list of clickie creators around here.)

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 02:00 PM

Just the simple fact that I have no clue what he's talking about 90 percent of the time is proof positive of his extensive knowledge of traditional music.

Keep up the good work Malcolm!

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From:
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 04:45 PM

Yes, I agree with every one of the messages above. Malcolm has been most helpful. Keep it up, good fellow! Thanks.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: toadfrog
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 05:13 PM

I think in addition to being "knowledgeable," the gentleman is frequently often quite perceptive. He not only knows lots of songs, but also thinks about what is in them. And without the thought, knowledge can be barren.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 06:02 PM

Aye. When I see Malcolm Douglas' name on the thread-list, I know it's worth reading. A dependable test... Cheers, Malcolm, I hope we meet someday. Jean

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: mousethief
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 06:18 PM

I especially appreciate how kind he is to people who accidentally post something already in the DT, or a version with very few differences from what's already in the DT.

Alex

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Drumshanty
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 07:14 PM

Malcolm, you have my thanks too for your help with "Lovely Molly" - I did sing it in the competition and I was placed. Your generosity with your knowledge is one of the things that keeps me here.

Thank you.

Tracy

Subject: question for Mousethief
From: GUEST,in Room 327 of the Motel Six
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 09:05 PM

Mousethief,

Given that you're saying nasty things about him elsewhere, is your complement to Malcolm insincere?

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Art Thieme
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 09:19 PM

Aye !

Art

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Finn McCool
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 09:47 PM

Malcolm,

You are a gentleman and a scholar, as well as a true Folkie par excellence!! Thanks for your wonderfully informative postings on such a wide range of topics. You have no idea how many lurkers learn at your feet.

Best,

Finn

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: IvanB
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 10:36 PM

My first post as a member of Mudcat was a request for correction on some lyrics fairly obscure to me. Malcolm was the person who responded, not only with the correct lyrics but additional information about the author and the tune. As a first impression of Mudcat, he gave me a great one and I'd have to say he's the epitome of what's best about this community.

Thanks again, Malcolm.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Brían
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 10:55 PM

Malcolm, your postings have really help me to round out my knowledge of traditional music. You have readily offered resources for sources to traditional songs on the internet.

I now know when I am researching a song to check the DT.first. Not all the answers are in the forum, but is amazing to see how many of our conversations are repeated in the midst of other discussions.

Fad saol agat,

Brían.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 01:34 PM

I am guessing he is also very modest and so very happy that this thread has dropped and sunk of the bottom of the page.........
......So I thought I would bring it on back, and say thanks for answering my questions quickly and politely.
When my friend asked for information on a tune/song that an elderly lady had asked her about I posted the sketchy details here. Not only did Malcolm identify it but also took the time to find, copy and send it to me to pass on. I have never met the lady in question but she wrote a letter of thanks, she sang the song as a child and it must evoke many memories for her.
many thanks Malcolm

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Big Tim
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 01:42 PM

Malcolm must be totally squirming by this time but I'm nevertheless contributing. He's one of the best on Mudcat. And maybe he's an in-law of my as I'm married to Jan Douglas from Kirriemuir. Thanks MD.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Garry Gillard
Date: 13 Jul 01 - 10:56 AM

I too raise my voice in praise of MD.

many thanks

Garry

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: vindelis
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 09:53 AM

One of these people with 25hr days and 8 day weeks. How else do you do it? Thanks for everything.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 11:34 AM

I agree with Mousethief; Malcolm's kind and coureous manner with those who don't know their way around mudcat was and is a great help to me. I'm learning slowly - without Malcolm's help I'd have given up ere now!

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: toadfrog
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 05:09 PM

Well now, GUEST, you are too modest. However long you have been around, you have grown quite sophisticated. For example, you have already learned how to conceal your identity. Pray explain how this is done, so that I may do so, too.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 12:16 AM

Malcolm Douglas died, Sunday, March 22, 2009. His obituary thread is linked above.

He was someone who had little patience for "intellectual laziness", and for those who preferred speculation to searching for attributable fact in the search for the stories behind traditional songs and tunes. But he dedicated himself to helping figure it out, and was generous beyond measure in sharing what he knew, and what he could find out.

I spent most of that day trying to learn more about Malcolm as a person beyond his amazing scholarly contributions, although his strong opinions have been evidence of his personal passion in that area.

He was only 55 when he died, but I think some people imagined him as a grey-haired scholar. I didn't (for some reason), but knowing him only from Mudcat, I didn't expect this side of him.

I've compiled a set of excerpts from his posts here that I hope provide some insights into who he was. I'll put them here in four posts following this.

As to where I'm coming from, here's my favorite thread where we both posted: Lyr Req: Two Little Boys, 01 Jun 01. :-)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 12:23 AM

About himself:


New Catters in the last 2 months?         28 Oct 99

I've been posting for about three months, with a bit of lurking before that. I'd have been here sooner, but only got my first computer last Easter. (It was supposed to be for work...) -I'm glad to have the opportunity to introduce myself properly; like a lot of others, I felt a bit shy to begin with. I'm 45 (can pass for 38 in favourable light) single, Anglo-Scots, living in Sheffield (UK). I work as a freelance illustrator, mostly cartoon strips. My background includes linguistic, folklore and folklife studies, which is why I come over a bit academic sometimes. I play fiddle, mandolin and cittern, with various local bands...mostly in pubs. Together with a bunch of like-minded people, I'm helping to run the South Riding Folk Network; a local organisation dedicated to promoting the Folk Arts in this part of the world. Have a look at: folk-network.com if you're so inclined. That's my first attempt at a "blue clicky thing"; I do hope it works!

What I like most about Mudcat is the sharing thing; you can come here and learn from others, and pass on what you know yourself. Knowledge is wasted unless it's shared. Oh, and do have a look at the "U.K. folk collection needs help" thread, if you haven't already; "Doc" Rowe is the SRFN's honourary vice-president, and a folklorist of comparable importance with Alan Lomax. His work really does deserve our support.


Where do Mudcatters live?         15 Dec 99

    Sheffield, England. Grew up in South London. Family from all over the place, but I got my name from my Grandfather (Kirkcudbright, previously Fife.)


Your occupation vs. your music style 30 Dec 99

    I'm still very vague about the left/right brain business. I sing (though my voice is, albeit in tune, a bit of an acquired taste) and have always found it easy to learn lyrics and song melodies; if I accompany myself (cittern) I'm more comfortable with counter-melody and drones than with chords. I play fiddle, mostly, and can improvise a second part off the cuff if I can't quite pick the tune up; I'm less accurate, I think, with tunes that don't have words (tend to invert phrases). Can't read music. I work as an illustrator, though I trained as a linguist. I'm right-handed, but my mother and brother are both lefties....


How many Mudcats have cats!?        13 Aug 00

Just the one cat, now, Emer, who's 8, and has only one fang, which she still manages to assassinate small creatures with. Oscar the Cat (a year younger) finally picked a fight he couldn't win -with a car- and died a few weeks ago on the street where he was born. He was well-known round here as friendly but dangerous (the vet certainly never took any chances!), and is much missed. He hated violins, but nobody's perfect.


BS: OTHER FACTS (about you)Part II         29 Jan 01

Another Blue Peter badge here! I think it was a short story competition, but I was only a runner-up. I was one of the winners in a national children's poetry comp. (Daily Mirror?) when I was 13, though. Downhill from then on...


What is a Folklorist? Same as Collector? 17 Dec 01

You don't have to collect, but it does tend to go with the territory. For myself, I'm only an amateur student of the subject, with a very long way to go; I wouldn't actually describe myself as a folklorist, as I haven't really done any primary research. I did do a study of toilet graffiti (!) when I took my degree (in languages, but it did include folklore studies) which was quite unusual at the time, but a girl at Leeds got the credit for doing it first -a year after me as it happens, but the Folklore Survey at Sheffield was relatively new at that time and kept my piece quiet for fear of frightening the horses; for a long while it was only available by special request. In another life I might have spent less time in the pub and more time studying, got a better degree and taken the academic route; but I was young and not very focused. Maybe I'll go back to it seriously one day, as some of my friends have done; meanwhile, it's an absorbing interest and a perennial excuse for skiving off work. Leeder's point about ethnomusicologists is a pertinent one; several play in one of our local sessions, which has featured in a couple of MMus dissertations, so in a small way I've been a subject of study as well as a student.


London         15 Aug 03

    My mum's family is from the East End and I grew up south of the river. It's nice to visit once in a while, but I wouldn't want to live there again; too much change for the worse, too much greed, and public transport is shockingly bad since privatisation.

    The Horniman is great, though. My Great-great aunt Queenie used to live on the same street (before I was born) and I used to go there regularly as a child. It was like a huge junk shop in those days. Now, Bert: you're older than me. You must remember the axolotls?

---

He rarely posted to BS threads, especially after they were split from music threads on the site. But, among the few that he did post to, he quite often chimed in on the topics of haggis, and Marmite.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 12:28 AM

Thoughts on non-music topics:

Total BS/Non Music: Feblueberry Brain         22 Feb 01

I have always believed that February should not be allowed.


Fox hunting songs - right or wrong!!!!        23 Feb 01

The objection is not to killing, which is pretty much an unavoidable part of life, but to killing for pleasure which is quite another matter. Some predators do it, of course, but we humans, who set ourselves up as in some way separate from, and superior to, the rest of the animal world really have no excuse for indulging in such things.


OBIT: Tove Janssson - Moominmama passes on,        01 Jul 01

    Oh dear; another one gone. Tove Jansson was certainly a big influence on me, and one of the reasons I wound up drawing things for a living. She will be remembered through her books -happy, funny, wistful and sad- for a long time. She was one of the very few people I admire that I'd actually have liked to meet.


BS: Who are the Welsh?         29 Sep 03

The more I learn about the history and traditional culture of these islands, the more irrelevant and fatuous appear the modern, romantic attempts to separate us into isolated racial or national groupings. Simple regional groupings are another matter, perhaps; one town or village will always want to be different, and better, than its neighbour, and it is perfectly natural for recent immigrants to wish, for the time being, to remain separate. Separateness gives way, in time, to a commonality that still recognises distinctness. We have different patterns, but are all, in the end, made of the same cloth.



BS: Tips On Learning (to be) English 09 Oct 03

English people are pretty much the same as any other; there are good folk and bad, and most are not quite either; but most mean well, and behave with kindness and decency; though, it is true, sometimes with a reserve that can be mistaken for coldness if it is not recognised for what it really is; shyness.


BS: Why do we need poverty?         22 Feb 05

    Capitalism cannot survive without poverty. Simple as that.


RE: Obit: Edward Heath        19 Jul 05

I have quite fond memories of the 3-day week (though not of the despicable Thatcherite aftermath). In those days we were used to powercuts anyway, so only idiots didn't keep emergency candles. One week I couldn't buy sugar; a few times I couldn't get exactly the right brand of catfood. That was all; it was trivial. We couldn't afford a television in the shared house I lived in back then anyway, so we had to make our own entertainment (cliché). We had music, drugs, conversation and sex to amuse us. It worked well enough.

Poor old Ted wasn't the bastard we thought him at the time, and the latter part of his life was full of bitterness and disappointment; though it's always difficult to feel any real sympathy for sad rich folk. I wish him peace in death. Margaret Thatcher is another matter, of course. To her, I wish the full sum of the pain she deliberately inflicted upon others; and no peace, even in death, until the world's end.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 12:31 AM

You'll notice that he did not post to this thread.

It was not the first time he'd been singled out for praise, though:


The 2000 Mudcat Awards         01 Apr 00

Subject: The 2000 Mudcat Awards
From: The (totally unofficial) Mudcat Award Team
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:33 PM

After much consideration, the Mudcat is pleased to announce the following awards.

Mudcatter of the Year:
Malcolm Douglas - has quietly submitted several hundred interesting, intelligent, and informative posts, has never got involved in argumentative BS threads, and has never being drawn into 'flame wars'

[others were listed with other titles]

Malcolm's post:
    Good heavens! Those kind comments are certainly more than I deserve. (Even if it is April 1st.) I do think it's important, though, that we share what we know or are able to discover. I've certainly learnt more so far than I've been able to contribute.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 12:34 AM

And finally, on the music and music scholarship:

What song do you want at your funeral?        24 Feb 01

For me, "Linden Lea", I think. 'Spaw's choice is pretty damn good, mind.


Lyr Req: Reynardine as performed by Pentangle        13 Apr 01

Ah; he made it up, then. That's all I wanted to know. Where traditional songs are concerned, I think it's important that people do not tell lies about their provenance, as it confuses the issue. You have to remember that these are not just songs; they are also a part of our common heritage, and of our history. They do not belong to individuals. Deliberately to falsify historical evidence is to defraud us, and our children, of their rightful inheritance; which, above all else, should be the truth.


100 Years since Cecil... 15 Oct 03

For one thing, it needs to be no longer a self-conscious and deliberate thing, something you go out and do on purpose on, say, Thursdays and at no other time; but something which is an integral part of your life and as natural and normal as hoovering the stairs (well, perhaps having a beer is a better analogy. I don't hoover the stairs that often, though I gather there are people who do).

As you know, I'm very interested in the background, and the minutiæ, of the whole thing; but that's because it's a study of something living. I'm not interested in history for its own sake, but because it's the history of people like us and their lives, and that makes us what we are now. If we lose sight of where we've been, we are likely to get lost. That's why, I think, so many people are lost; they think they exist in a discrete, separate "now" in which only they are real. "There is no such thing as Society", a famous and rather regrettable person once said; "only individuals." That was a grotesque and destructive heresy. You might as well say "There is no such thing as an Individual; only molecules."

Folk music, if we are to call it that, is best preserved by living it, rather than doing it. Not necessarily in arts centres, but just in the normal course of everyday life. Capitalism tends either to ignore those things which do not lead to immediate profit, or which cannot readily be made into private property; or to fear and despise them (hence all those half-witted jibes from "clever" journalists about beards and so on). If it is not "product" then it is beyond their control, and that diminishes both their self-image and self-importance.

Cecil Sharp believed that he, and those like him, were saving from oblivion something important and beautiful which possessed an inherent regenerative power. Whether or not we agree with that, or with how they went about it, we have the results of their work. The majority will no doubt continue to snigger; be damned to them for the fashion-victims that they are. Live it, be passionate about it; believe in it. That's the way to make converts in the long run.


Sex and Instruments.         23 Dec 03

    See what you've done now, jOhn? These people are not going to rest until they've listed every woman who has ever lived who can be shown to have played a banjo at some time in her life.

    A couple of examples would probably have been perfectly sufficient by way of illustration, but that isn't how things work in threads like this, of course. We can expect a great many more names to come, I have no doubt; but I can promise all female banjo players of my acquaintance (including those now deceased) that I will not betray their trust. They will not be named here by me.

    Since I, too, am a little bored and looking for excuses to postpone something more important that I ought to be doing instead, I'll just add the following, absolutely fascinating nugget of information.

    My grandmother, although she had ready access to a banjo for some 30 years, never once gave in to any temptation she may have felt to play it. Not only that; she deliberately hid it from her husband, and concealed its existence from her sons (except for my uncle John, who is deaf and therefore immune from banjo-related problems). As soon as she felt I was old enough to understand, she gave it to me (on the grounds that I was the only member of the family who could play it without causing undue distress or injury) but swore me to secrecy; which I faithfully maintained until all danger was past.

    I still have it. If I had a daughter, I would want to be sure that she was able to play the banjo, should she ever wish to do such a thing; I would also want to be sure that she was able to kill an assailant with her bare hands. I wouldn't actually want her ever to do either of those things unless compelled by absolutely unavoidable circumstance. On the whole, you get sent to prison for longer when you have killed in self defence than you do for committing unprovoked banjo crimes upon innocent members of the public; somehow that seems terribly unfair.

---

We'll miss you, Malcolm.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 01:04 AM

Thanks Desert Dancer for highlighting Malcolms observations on Life, the Universe and Everything!
I find myself in the wierd position of agreeing with almost everything he said...(Particularly the Heath/Thatcher bit!).
His thoughts should be made compulsory reading for all contributors on Mudcat.
Interestingly, (maybe?) I was born in South London the same year as Malcolm, and my dad used to take me to the Horniman museum, so we might have been near neighbours!!
Re his cartoons. I didn't know about that side of his work either. Splendid stuff!
Thanks again Ralphie

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 01:44 AM

Thanks so much for the time & effort you've spent on sharing these gems with us -- allowing us to enjoy them without having to invest the massive amounts of time required to sift through (almost) innumerable threads.

A fine tribute, and much appreciated.

YY

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Noreen
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 03:53 AM

Knowledge is wasted unless it's shared.

Hear, hear.


Lovely, Becky. Thank you.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 04:37 AM

Thanks for that investigation Becky and do please continue if you wish.

Malcolm rarely spoke of himself - though Ron Day did an hour long interview with him just after Xmas and that was broadcast apart from one section which I shall broadcast Friday if I get it ready in time - it needs some editing.

Most local people knew of his illustration work though he rarely talked about it elsewhere. Remarkably he was not an illustrator by training (he came to Sheffield and like many people who come as students he stayed) He came here to study french (you will note some references to his linguistics) and fell into illustrating through the student union newspaper. People offered him money and that is how he came into the work.

Like some of the other aspects of his life, he fell into illustrating accidentally and approached it with the meticulousness he approached anything.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: nutty
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 04:52 AM

What a wonderful thread. Sadly it shows just how much he will be missed.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Jack Campin
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 06:15 AM

What might have been. From Malcolm's website:

By now I was using my real name: it was clear that I was never going to be asked to draw the comic version of Hamlet, for which I had been saving it.

An animation of Adam Macnaughtan's "Oor Hamlet" drawn by Malcolm - that would have been amazing.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 06:54 AM

Wonderful.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: maeve
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 07:36 AM

Thank you very much, Becky.

maeve

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Surreysinger
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 10:27 AM

Dave - is that interview available anywhere to listen to? (ie the one broadcast earlier)

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 12:09 PM

PM sent.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: DMcG
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 01:03 PM

One of the saddest things about the .Net is that very shortly we can expect www.malcolmdouglas.com to disappear, as presumably his ISP is no longer being paid. It will live on through Google caches and so forth for who knows how long, but in time it will be lost. And who is to say whether Malcolm's work on Mudcat will still be accessible in say 50 years? Fortunately, his written work in Marrowbones, Classic English Folk Songs and so on will stay around much longer.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 01:12 PM

We met up with Malcolm at a Yorkshire Gathering (possibly one at the Black Dog) and I've spoken to him many times online.

He was always the sweet voice of reason and will be missed on Mudcat and in the folk world generally. We will miss his knowledge and common sense - a rare thing these days.

Another good folkie has joined that all too full folk club in the clouds.

Blessings
Rhiannon

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 01:34 PM

very shortly we can expect www.malcolmdouglas.com to disappear

Not necessarily. Money can be raised - it would be worth looking into this. Sites can be copied. A good friend of mine died in 2003; a mutual friend hoicked her site wholesale to run under his domain. The URL has gone, but you can still find the site by googling the name.

What do people think? Between the 'cat and South Riding (would you believe I've only just got that one?), there should be either enough wellwishers to support the first solution or enough techies with spare Webspace to support the second.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 05:32 PM

Anyone interested in keeping Malcolm's Web presence alive?

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 06:07 PM

Mike has a very good friend who is a lecturer in computer science. I reckon he might help but he is away at the moment teaching wondrous things about which I could not even understand the title.

I am sure he will help.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 04:20 PM

This was a fine tribute to the man.

I've started to collect the files from his web site.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 04:37 PM

Using this program, I made a copy of the website yesterday. It is not a terribly big site, and would be easy for someone to 'keep' in an appropriate place..(as Mudcat and a couple others have done with Bruce Olson's).
I will not use it or allow any use OF it from my perspective. I merely wanted to ensure that it was preserved.

Very little on Malcolm's was directly about folk music, but I'm sure there are those who would like to see it somewhere.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 06:06 AM

Refresh - just because I think his name should still be before us for a little while yet.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,JW Munich - Please forgive the intrusion
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 02:21 PM

Well I met Malcolm in 1972 in "Graves" Sheffield uni .... We were together the "graves bog" graffitti artists - "no matter who you vote for the governemnet always gets in" Malcolm always outdid me especially with his "chapel". I still have a lot of his original artwork - christmas cards, birthday cards and and comics ...
We recited poetry together "the Plumbstone Kornel" - we made art together ... It was sad when we drifted apart - I spent sometime trying to track him down - always thinking well I'll do it next year ... And now I have found him and its too late ....
Malcolm was himself ... the package was Malcolm and thats what you got = Im looking at a photo from 1975 now and that is Malcolm .

I know im rambling on here - but Im stunned - stunned and feel so cheated - I have so much to say to Malcolm and I won't say it here ..

But I will say Malcolm was a part of my development and I think he was one of the unique people who make this world interesting .. Im not sad as we both know that our cycle will be repeated

and Im sorry to hijack your thread - but Malcolm was a great guy ...

sorry he's gone before I got there

alles gute

JW

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: MartinRyan
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 03:39 PM

GUESTJW

That's no intrusion. We're glad you found us and showed us more of Malcolm.

regards

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 05:58 PM

Echo that and well said JW. Feel free to contact me too........

Dave

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,folkiedave
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 10:13 AM

Dear JW - Please contact me at dave(at)deyre.plus.com (your email address isn't shown in your message, so we can't contact you directly). I can also be contacted through my site at www.collectorsfolk.co.uk. Best wishes, Dave.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 10:25 AM

I passed the sad news on to a very old friend of mine who was once Editor of National Student. He remembers Malcolm as "J T Dogg" from whom he commissioned the Mickey Drivel cartoons. Alan would like to add his own commiserations, and to thank Mr Dogg for all the laughs.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 01:00 PM

It was working for National Student that got Malcolm into illustrating.

He worked for nothing - then found people wuld pay him for it.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,jo
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 06:30 PM

I'd like to add my thanks - I have enjoyed reading the tributes to Malcom and his own words.

We were teenagers together in South London. Our lives became very different - a mum and teacher in the Cotswolds and a bachelor and illustrator in Sheffield, but we kept in contact through the ups and downs in our lives, with drinks in the pub whenever I was in Yorkshire.

Malcolm was always a kind and life affirming friend.

I am not suprised, but grateful, for the esteem shown for Malcom by your community. All the facets that you speak of were apparent to our group of teenage friends - his intellectual rigour, truth telling and originality, challenged and inspired us to follow our interests and look at life straight on. His drawings and the odd statuette enthralled us. I remember his grandma's banjo and I think a home made hurdy gurdy - lots of wet sunday afternoons with a youthful, horde packed in his bedroom listening to music, arguing about books and laughing.

Life was much richer with Malcom and will be poorer without him.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 02:51 PM

Malcolm's mum has asked that people do not make a fuss of her.

If you are coming to the funeral please respect this and pass it on.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,Pancho
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 02:06 PM

JW

You are not an intruder. We dreamed, lived, drank and thought together in Sheffield in the 70s and beyond. We shared our ideas and perspectives. As you know Malcolm was principled, an individual who wanted to lead his life in his way.

I knew him as part of a different community then. But I feel closer to those times and fondly remember him and the year at Osgathorpe Road.
I last saw him in Sheffield 12 years ago. Had a short drink with him and pleased to be able to share my sadness with others today.

RIP Malcolm

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 03:34 PM

The Guardian "Other Lives" section will be publishing the piece that Raymond Greenoaken and Ron Day and I wrote. So keep an eye out for that.

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: GUEST,Mike
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 03:16 PM

Hiya - it's great to see the high esteem in which Malcolm was held. A few days before he died he asked me to cast my beady eye over the various websites he'd been building/managing - in particular, I'll be maintaining his personal site (malcolmdouglas.com) for the time being, and will keep the registration going. I also intend scanning further examples of his illustration work, to fill the relevant gaps on the samples page (I guess he didn't have time to complete it).

Various people have discussed the idea of Mudcat and/or the Network taking over the site and maintaining it; if it's decided to take this idea further, just let me know [the easiest way is probably via Folkiedave, who has my contact details].

Subject: RE: In praise of Malcolm Douglas
From: Folkiedave
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 05:22 PM

And as Mike has indicated I am happy to pass anything on as far as websites are concerned to him.

He is a very busy bloke and unfortunately a Sheffield Wednesday supporter so please take both of these things into condsideration.