Jo Ann Kelly

Subject: Jo Ann Kelly
From: fat B****rd
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 01:42 PM

Recently, I cobbled together a selection of my favourite vinyl. Among those I taped was a track from a Liberty "Gutbucket" LP by Jo Ann Kelly and Tony McPhee. Hearing this again reminded me just how good the lady was. There is no shortage of Discographies and I have checked out previous mentions on Mudcat. However I would be most grateful for any information regarding tunings, guitars etc used by the lady and/or any biographical info . Yours hopefully fB

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 02:41 PM

She recorded very little. I used to have a tape I recorded live (with her permission) at Dartford Folk club, but for years it has been missing. I also saw her live in Nottingham.

My significant other's oldest daughter (by a previous husband and one of Jo-Ann's also used to hand-me-down clothes to each other, so when significant other comes in from being a thespian I'll ask. SO is also a guitarist (and better than me if truth be known) so may know.

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: GUEST,Jerry Epstein
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 04:01 PM

Jo Ann's first LP was the initial LP on the Blue Goose label, started by my friend Nick Perls who had previously started the great country blues reissue label, Yazoo.

I spent a huge amount of time doing lead sheets for copyright on this record, since her singing was so irregular. I believe I still have this LP, so if someone is desparate, you can email me at [e-mail].

No promises, but I'll try.

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: okthen
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 12:57 PM

The first post here mentioned Tony Mcphee, anyone got any news of him? He used to be a neighbour.

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 03:09 PM

I went to hear Jo Ann Kelly in Liverpool in 88, and got an autographed lp. I was shocked when she died soon after, especially as she seemed to be making a great recovery. I can remember reading various features about her in folk magazines over the years - I'll see what I can dig out. In the meantime you could try whether an archive search at fRoots website might help fRoots .

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 03:57 PM

fB; the article I remember was in Folk Roots #71 May 1989 - its an interview by Maggie Holland. Jo Ann doesn't go into much detail about guitars and tuning, apart from saying she uses a 12-string with a capo. The issue is out of print and the interview is too long to copy. If you want to read it PM me with your address & I'll photocopy it for you. Apparently there was a fuller biog. in British Blues Review in 1988 - don't know where you'd find a copy of that.

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: fat B****rd
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 02:48 PM

Thanks to all of you for replying. It's most appreciated.Matthew I'll be in touch very soon. Thanks again from the fB

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: GUEST,Stefan Wirz
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 03:13 PM

as part of my Jo Ann Kelly discography I have added a 1978 Guitar Player article by Stefan Grossman which contains (if little) details about her guitar playing habits (pdf-data - so you have to use the Acrobat Reader !!!):
http://www.wirz.de/music/kellyfrm.htm

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 05:14 PM

Stefan thats a wonderful site you've got there. Great collection of information! I could lose myself there for days, if not weeks! Great work.

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: fat B****rd
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 02:18 AM

Absolutely right, Matthew, A great site from Stefan.Thankyou all once again for your kindness.THIS IS WHAT THE MUDCAT'S ALL ABOUT Love from the fB

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 04:33 AM

Last I knew Tony McPhee was living in Shrewsbury.

Brian

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 24 Jul 01 - 07:07 PM

I have an album featuring Jo-Ann Kelly, her brother Dave, Mike Cooper and McPhee maybe on it ( I lost the cover when I left England to come to the States) Mr. Epstein, if you have anything to do with Yazoo I would like to shake your hand! I had many recordings from Yazoo, but had to leave them in England when I emigrated. Almost forgot, I'm not LEJ but his wife Lion, we share replies! Back to Jo-Ann Kelly, I once loaned her my hairbrush in the ladies room at a pub where whe was playing.

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 11:39 AM

Bill, Tony Mc Phee is still playing with his band The Grounhogs - see this site

Brian

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: okthen
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 01:20 PM

Thanks Brian, good to know he's still goin', might send an email. Any idea which part of the world he's in?

cheers

bill

Subject: RE: Jo Ann Kelly
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 25 Jul 01 - 01:22 PM

As I said above Bill, I used to see him around the streets of Shrewsbury, but I'm not living there anymore so I wouldn't know if he's still there.

Brian