Help: Mike Absalom

Subject: Mike Absalom
From: Ian Darby
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 07:51 PM

After trying to find the above artist for years I finally tracked him down in Canada. He'd like to set up a tour of the U.K. next year.

He plays Celtic and Paraguayan Harp, Concertina, Melodeon, Guitar and Fiddle and is a really funny songwriter/storyteller and puppetmaster.

He's appeared on the 'Old Grey Whistle Test' and worked with a lot of people on the circuit including Diz Disley.

I'm not an agent, just a fan who would like to see this guy over here again. Could you point me in the right direction as to finding him some gigs?

I could do with a list of venues,contacts etc to pass on to Mike and his UK contact.

His name should ring a lot of bells, but if you need to know any more about him please contact me.

He doesn't really fit any category, but his stuff would sit very well alongside the likes of Viv Stanshall, Ivor Cutlor and Les Barker.

This is the first time I've put anything on your forum, please excuse me if I've transgressed any unwritten, or written rules.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 12:13 AM

Welcome to the Mudcat, Ian! You've not trangressed any rules mainly because there are none, really.:-)

The last posting in this thread offer a link which might be helpful: click here.

Also, if you go to the top of the threads, put UK in the filter box and set the date to one year, then hit go, you will have to dig through a few threads, but there are several which have info on UK venues, which you can tell from their titles. Just click on any of them and there should be lots of info for your friend

Hope this helps. Holler if you have any questions.

kat

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 04:46 AM

I can't directly help, but I know a man who might... I'll pass the info along.. watch this space...

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: John J
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 10:05 AM

Hello Ian, and welcome to the font of all knowledge (and a really nice bunch of people).

John

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 12:28 PM

Well well! Mike Absolom there's a name from my past, as I remember he has a penchant for rude and rumbustious songs I last heard of him in the London area in the late 60s, (1960s that is in case anyone was wondering!!) Be real nice to see him back.

Jock

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 07:39 PM

Ian - examine personal messages. Mike Absalom brilliant and very funny man, and not one of those people with public side and private snide. I like him lots, and never known him to do a bum gig. Have booked him or caused him to be booked into clubs on several occasions - never lost money. Sing some of his songs - people ask for them again and again. Wonderful experience as long as one does not object to thunderflash bombs (Topic folk club in Bradford still recovering).

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: breezy
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 08:05 PM

May very well want him for my club, its like all our yesterdays, down memory lane. Keep me posted, Friday nights, during term time.

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: breezy
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 08:25 PM

May very well want him for my club, its like all our yesterdays, down memory lane. Keep me posted, Friday nights, during term time.

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Musicman
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 08:37 PM

ummm.. this is cool......

mike is currently a good friend of mine with whom i gig frequently.....

yes, he is alive and well in the Vancouver BC area and planning a UK tour for Oct 2002. He is furiously practicing his accordian getting ready for the gig. I have done some wonderfully fun stuff with him (and his variety of musical 'hats'). I will pass on some of these comments to him.. I know he'd be pleased to hear them.....

musicman....

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: GUEST,Mike Absalom
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 11:11 PM

How nice to be talked about! I have come out of the jungles of Paraguay at last. For CDs and booking queries you can of course contact me with great offers of money at It is true, I am homesick for UK gigs...and I don't set off bombs anymore since...well that's another story! Mike Absalom

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: GUEST,pavane
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 08:42 AM

Save me a redhead!

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 12:20 PM

Copied from another thread, which will be deleted.
-Joe Offer-

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20-Nov-01 - 05:08 AM (#596180) Subject: Mike Absalom From: Ian Darby Thanks for the great response regarding the above, you actually managed to coax the Ancient Briton out of the woodwork. (or at least off the back stoop.) My work here is done..... Well, not really. Will thank you all personally when I get a minute.

20-Nov-01 - 06:04 AM (#596198) Subject: RE: Mike Absalom From: John J Ian, you're better off posting this message to the original thread. That way you're not duplicating threads and you're going to keep all the relevant postings together. I'll send you a PM to show you how the systems works. cheers, John

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From:
Date: 24 May 02 - 10:50 AM

hi i'm a mike absalom fan from the 70;s 'i'm trying to get his music [notes and words] to sing and play .if you can help writh back. lovenkisses Danny DeMutant listowel co.Kerry .EIRE.[Ireland].

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Watson
Date: 24 May 02 - 11:18 AM

Good grief - I haven't heard of Mike Absolom for years, it would be great to see him again, I hope the UK tour happens.
I occasionally recite one of his songs - the one about Mrs Fanshawe...
When Mrs Fanshawe fantacised
Things often got romanticised
There was, for those who like rock cake no bolder cook...
etc - in fact it got an airing only this week!

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Watson
Date: 24 May 02 - 11:37 AM

...and he has a web site
There are some lyrics and MP3s there.

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Jeanie
Date: 24 May 02 - 01:08 PM

Yay ! Thanks for the link to the website, Watson. As soon as I saw the name Mike Absalom on the thread titles, I had a subliminal Pavlov's dog experience: no, not salivating, but grinning. What his website bills as the "Nostalgia and Neuralgia Tour" for Ancient Britons will be a real treat.

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Watson
Date: 24 May 02 - 01:14 PM

I listened to the MP3 of Mrs F - after all these years he's almost word perfect!

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Harry Basnett
Date: 24 May 02 - 03:05 PM

' Ancient Briton' and 'Hector the Dope-Sniffing Hound'...I remember them well!!

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Ian Darby
Date: 26 May 02 - 09:01 PM

Demutant, Watson, Jeanie, Harryoldham,

Thanks for the interest, please help me to find some more gigs for his U.K. tour.

Thanks, Ian.

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 27 May 02 - 01:01 PM

Saw Mike Absalom a couple of times in the 70s in folk clubs around Portsmouth.Not necessarily an act for finger in the ear traditionalists, but a great entertainer all the same

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Sooz
Date: 27 May 02 - 03:00 PM

Mike is visiting Gainsborough Folk Club on 4th October. We are looking forward to it very much.

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: Musicman
Date: 27 May 02 - 08:49 PM

hey gang.. just did a gig with mike on friday night.... strolling cowboys..... as the Crackerbarrel Kings...... always a hoot playing with him......( play St Patrick's with him too)

yes.. he is heading to England in June for several weeks.. and actually is thinking about relocating there from lovely Vancouver, BC.. we'll miss him over here...

Check this out!

musicman (paul)

Subject: RE: Help: Mike Absalom
From: GUEST,pavane
Date: 28 May 02 - 07:48 AM

I thought that one of his songs should have been released as a single a few years ago (Don't tell it on the telephone) when there was some publicity about royal phone calls!

Does he still do the Notting Hill Gate sagas? John the Bog etc.