Works of Miles Wootton

Subject: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 03:39 PM

We all know his @Gnome song@ but I fell about listening to his ' The Village Production of Hamlet' many, many moons ago.
Can anyone contribute to this thread on what became of Miles and are any of his songs available?
Thanking you all for your anticipated responses.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 04:11 PM

Hippies and Beatniks is in the DT, but that is all I know. Google wasn't any help, either.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 04:28 PM

Fred Wedlock (aka The Oldest Swinger in Town) has recorded quite a lot of Miles Wooton's songs. Might be worth searching on that.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Jock Morris
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 04:33 PM

I believe "Fishfinger hunting" is one of Miles' songs. I learnt it off Derek Gifford's Mainly Maratime tape.

Scott

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Anglo
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 05:59 PM

I heard 'The Village Production of Hamlet' at camp last summer and I hadn't heard it before. Has anyone recorded it? Does he record his own songs, or disseminate them via Fred Wedlock and the like?

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: alanabit
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 08:13 AM

I know that he wrote a series of songs with Alan Taylor, one of which was the hilarious "Senile Delinquent". Let's keep this thread alive until it jogs someone's memory and points us in the right direction. I'd be interested to hear some more about Miles Wootton too.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Snuffy
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 08:55 AM

PUBLIC BAR is in the DT. I think it was one that Fred Wedlock did.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 10:08 AM

I saw Miles Wootton in 1979 or 1980 performing at the Hoddesdon Folk Club, near London. I do not recall seeing him billed since, but I am in Northern England, and some performers still tend to be found in certain regions.
Sorry I cannot be of more help.
As Arbuthnot states, Fred Wedlock recorded a goodly number of Miles' songs. I don't have any record sleeves available to check which ones are credited though.
Quack!

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 03:52 PM

Wedlock does the disseminating,some times we wish he would dsmt hiself as he never credits the real talents i.e.who wrote the material he has murdered, Wooton is the original,thank you all esp Arbutnot, Jock Anglo,Geoff,alanabit for your responses, lets find Miles, get to Spud if you see Alan Taylor ask him , they were very close.
anglo, who sang it when you 'erd it.?FW?
this is a unique English talent.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Anglo
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 01:40 AM

Breezy, it was a rapper, sword and morris dancer named Stuart Higson who was over teaching rapper at a dance camp in Massachusetts. He was unfortunate enough to have me as a musician for one of his classes. Great teacher though. He sang it one evening as part of a general evening sing around.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 11:44 AM

Thanks, as long as it wasna FW. Where can I contact Stuart please? I'll remember to keep me fingers out of the way!.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,pete
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 05:16 AM

i have a v. old lp of Miles Wooton somewhere called The Great Fishfinger Tragedy.this is probably the song referred to above as fishfinger hunting. don't suppose it's still available now though

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 12:29 PM

Hello Guest Pete, can you tell me what else is on the L.P.and any chance you can sell it me or do a copy onto cassette?cheers,breezy.Pm me

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: vectis
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 03:55 PM

Miles is alive and living in the Brighton area.
He was rather unwell a year or so ago but I reckon he'll be back performing and writing ere long.
The barbeque song is my favourite.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 07:31 PM

At last news, let him know about this thread if you can. thanks

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,Pete
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 04:48 AM

Hello Breezy.I'll dig for the LP when I put the Christmas decorations away.I'd be glad to copy it for you,don't know what condition it's in though.You'll have to tell me how to pm,replying to a thread is about all I can manage.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 12 Jan 02 - 05:30 AM

As you've contributed so often you can easily sign up, I did and thats how we get to send PMs.to each other, thats how we raised $215 to send to The Max. Come back here to stay in touch.All non-members are prefixed 'Guest', so that gives you an idea of who is and who is not.
The Silver Cup F.C. re-opens this FRi18th Jan 02 in Harpenden

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 14 Jan 02 - 12:27 PM

Hi Breezy me old mate.

As you've already heard Miles is still living in Brighton - he used to be a regular at the old Springfield club. I seem to remember there was quite a row over the fact that Wedlock as usual assumed credit by default for "The Great Fishfinger Disaster" and "Early one Evening just as the Pubs were opening". Mind you he also did the same with Stan Crowther's "Vicar and the Frog" and I think "The oldest swinger in town". The only song that I'm sure is FW's own is that awful Robin Hood song with the lines: Robin was a man and he owned many bows, And he kept them all nice and clean. He died in his prime at the age of eighty-nine, Of a nasty case of eyeball gangrene. - YUK!!

Anyway - Linda and I will try to get up to Harpenden again sometime soon - there's a threat!

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Ringer
Date: 14 Jan 02 - 12:55 PM

Are you sure that the Robin Hood song you quoted is FW? I first heard it 40 years ago in a folk club in Nottingham, and believed then that it was written by the performer, one Dave Turner (if memory serves).

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: alanabit
Date: 14 Jan 02 - 03:39 PM

You are right Bald Eagle. In fact, I think Wedlock credited it correctly on his album "Frolics", which I owned back in the seventies. Isn't "The Oldest Swinger in Town" an Ed Pickford song? Fred Wedlock also did the brilliant Keith Christmas (wonder what his real name was) song called "Robin Head". I can't recall many of FW's own creations, although the update of the "Wraggle Taggle Gypsies" as "The Hippies and The Hairies" was a hoot. He may have written that one himself, although if he did not, we can be sure that some other Mudcatter will soon put me right! In Fred's defence, I will say that I thought he was a mesmeric performer on the two occasions when I saw him play live. Many brilliant writers don't have that gift for putting it over. I still live in hope of seeing Miles Wootton play live one day.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Nemesis
Date: 14 Jan 02 - 08:27 PM

A friend was talking to Miles only this morning - I'll let him know about this thread..

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 08:01 AM

Hi all

Miles is a very close friend of mine. We go all the way back to The Stanford Arms Club in Brighton in 1968 when Miles was a resident singer with Allan (spud) Taylor. I was a mere floor singer. Miles and I became very close friends soon after and have remained so for 30 odd years. I had a cup of tea with him on Sunday, and strangely enough were talking about how many copies of the Great Fishfinger Disaster album he has left, so if anyone is interested there are copies still available

He has had some deep problems in the last couple of years which resulted in severe alcoholism which he has managed to come through. He isn't writing at the moment.

I run a very successful club in Southwick (near Brighton) called The Harbour Sessions and asked Miles to do a couple of songs last week, but he cried off at the last moment with stage fright.

So there it is. Miles is alive and well and I'll pass on all your best wishes and any other specific questions or comments.

Anyone can reach me privately at [e-mail] or you can check out our club at www.uksoundcraft.com and follow the thread to the Harbour Sessions.

toodle pip John Collyer

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 04:25 PM

Many thanks to all of you guys and galls gugugugugug for keeping this thread up until we managed a positive sighting.
John, please pass on our best wishes to Miles and I'm up for an Album,please PM me.
I run the Silver Cup Folk club in Harpenden, Herts on a Fri, but will be relocating in March to St. Albans to the Comfort inn and we'll then be playing in the Ryder Cup , literally!
Tell Miles there is a gig waiting.
And i only ever heared 'Hamlet'once ,performed by Miles at the Battle Folk Club.Thats why I want , must hear it again and share it with my friends
I too have been presented with a gnome who's called Norman and busks most Sats all year round in St. A . and the last 30 years on Padstow harbour
All because of Miles I've looked after Norman.His fishing rod's not up anymore though.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Lanfranc
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 07:02 PM

Thread creep warning!

Keith Christmas is/was his real name. He was at school with me. Haven't heard of or from him for years, but I have one of his albums!

Good to hear that Miles is still with us. It would be good to hear him again, the last time I saw him was at Hoddesdon, too - probably the same gig mentioned above. I always condemned Wedlock for not attributing his material, but it was water off a duck's back!

Alan

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 03:04 AM

Hi all

Was on the phone to Miles last night, he is absolutely thrilled by the news of this interest in him. I'll give him the details of this web site and with a bit of luck we'll get him on here. Maybe also we can get the old lad to get back into performing.

Miles doesnt drive, and so often I would be his chaufeur to gigs. The funny thing was that although I knew his act/songs virtually word perfect I never tired of them. Dry and dour tho his delivery was, it was always very funny.

This contact came as a result of Hille who organises a club in Worthing. Well done gal. She's a dear friend who I love to bits, so we should all thank her for her for this contact I guess.

TTFN John

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Nemesis
Date: 16 Jan 02 - 02:22 PM

Aw, John! I bet you say that to all the girly-club-organisers :)

Getting Miles down to Harbour Sessions would be a start wouldn't it plus! as his chauffeur you'd probably know the way!

Hille x

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Micca
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 01:12 PM

Oh Frabjous day, callooo callay, I found my Miles Wooton cassette,it has the following track list(as far as I know, they are all originals written by Miles)

Take me please to tellyland
Skinheads
Hippies and the Beatniks oh
Plastiflora man
Lovely Stewerdess
Juggernaught
Sunday Supplement world
The Gnome
Multigrab and Unibrew
Little old Lady dog
If it moves , Ban it
Broiler Blues
Fred the computer
Take me back to Eastbourne

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 01:21 PM

NOw what are the odds that the "Hippies and the Hairies Oh", which I heard Fred Wedlock do, will turn out to have remarkable similarities to that Miles Wootton song mentioned above, "Hippies and the Beatniks oh"....

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 02:55 PM

Well done Micca, FW a plagerist?What's new.
Is this the album Miles still has a few of because I'm looking for Hamlet.
I thought the Fishfinger was in the D.T. I'm sure I came across it not long ago somewhere but I cant recall, Help please.
My mate who returned to The States today sang Early one a.m. to me last night and surprised himself that he new it ,he'll be back for Padstow mayday.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Nemesis
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 03:12 PM

Hi y'all

MIles still has a stack of LPs in his attic - I'll find out what they are - sorry meant to do it today but was working and forgot..

Hille

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 17 Jan 02 - 03:15 PM

Apologies accepted.
''Norman''

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,Jon G. Bartlett
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 03:23 AM

My very best to Miles and I've emailed for a copy of his album. As an old Springfield floorsinger (66-68), but now a west coast Canadian, I'd love to hear more news about the coast clubs. Is there a website or...? I could locate? (And I'm not a "guest" either - don't know why it still tabs me as one)

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,Lanfranc at the orifice
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 05:52 AM

I'd be on for one of those MW albums - I've even got a daughter in Brighton who could collect it. Please advise price etc.

Alan

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 08:43 AM

Hi all

If anyone wants a copy of Miles album 'The Great Fishfinger Disaster' let me know. I'll ring his Woottonship now and ask how much they are and let you all know. God knows how you go about packaging up LP's securely but I'm sure we'll find a way.

If any of you want to speak to Miles, give him a ring, he would love to hear from you...especially if you owe him money!

Miles home phone No is: 01273 504878

His address is 102 Carden Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, East Sussex.

Someone asked about clubs in the Brighton area, well the best way to find out is to drop a line or e-mail to : Jim Marshall and ask for a copy of The Sussex Folk Diary. Its free. His details are Jim Marshall Tel/fax [phone] e-mail james@[e-mail]

or try Vic Smith at [e-mail] or visit his website www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic which, I believe has a listing of whats on in the area.

The club I co-run is The Harbour Sessions which is primarily contemporary folk n blues. Visit us on www.uksoundcraft.com. We had Wiz Jones last week, with upcoming guests including Diz Disley, Steve Tilston, Mary Flower, John Pearson and Tim Broadbent.

For info on clubs and events in the Worthing to Littlehampton area, Hille is the girl to give you the low down.

John Collyer

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Snuffy
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 09:16 AM

Hope you don't the get the postman who was delivering some LPs to a house with a small letterbox. On the packaging was clearly written

GRAMOPHONE RECORDS - DO NOT BEND

.

Underneath, the postman wrote "Oh yes they do" and stuffed them through the letterbox.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Nemesis
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 11:30 AM

Hi!

Jon G - In addition to those sources that JOhn has sent you I'd be happy to put you on our club (What the Dickens!) Newsletter mailing list - I try and get as much down as folks can be a**ed to let me know about what's goin' on roundabout this neck of Sussex. PM me with your mailing address if you like?

Regards Hille

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,Jon G. Bartlett
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 04:59 AM

Thanks, Hille - what does "PM me" mean and how can I send you my snailmail address?

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Nemesis
Date: 19 Jan 02 - 05:15 AM

Hi Jon,

Haven't a clue what PM means actually :) (Personal/Private Mail?) Anyway, it's a way of emailing a member privately. So... log on for Membership and once you are signed up then go to 'Personal Pages', scroll down to Messages and 'Send a Message'. Type in the member's name you want to email etc...

Cheers, Hille x

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: breezy
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 09:24 AM

Just spoke to Miles,
He was sounding on form
He was off to see his girlfriend
Good to see he's got his priorities right
To all of you who have kept this up , especially John and Hille, a sincere thank you, but I wont be totally satisfied until we've gone a few more miles! no pun intended.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Nemesis
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 02:08 PM

Yup,

Wine, women, and SONG!!! HIlle :)

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Nemesis
Date: 20 Jan 02 - 06:45 PM

Hi y'all

A point of interest for any one in UK who wants to post 12" albums anywhere is to get the proper envelope/packaging. These can be obtained from: Covers 33 PO Box 59 Halifax West Yorkshire HX1 1JR

Costs are 25 = £10, 50 = £18

A friend who is a record dealer uses these to post World-wide and has never had a problem.

I shall pass on the few I have to John/Miles so that they can post out to the folks who have requested 'TGFFD'

Cheers, Hille

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 04:49 AM

Hi all

Just got the LP packages from Hille n will see his Woottonship tonight n give them to him, so anyone wanting a copy of his LP's can contact him direct (only by phone or snailmail) or you can e-mail me n I'll pass on details. I think its only the Great Fishfinger Disaster that he's got, but I'll see if we can copy his others onto a master CD and get a small number copied. Keep you posted.

Toodle pip

John

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Micca
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 04:59 AM

John, If a CD is possible I am up for that, PM me??? I am definately interested in a copy, I sang "Multigrab and Unibrew" on Paltalk the other night and intend to do so on occasion, and sing "the Gnome" regularly!!

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Lanfranc
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 07:41 AM

Just spoke to Miles on the 'phone. He sounds in good spirits, and has agreed to sell me a couple of albums (one for me, one for John Breeze) for GBP8.00 each. I am despatching my daughter, who is working in Brighton at the moment, to collect them.

He reckons that, after his fairly long retirement, it would take him a few months to rehearse his act, but did not rule out the prospect of doing a few selected gigs.

Can't wait !!

Alan

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,breezy
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 07:57 AM

Isn't it good when a plan comes together.
I'll offer him a shared gig if he wants a small one.
How about support for Derek B.???
I'm being mischievous, although I have Brimstone booked.
When is lanfranc doing an M.C. night at the Silver Cup Harpenden, Herts On a Friday night, or from March at the Comfort Hotel St. Albans.?

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,Hille (Drat! Where'd that cookie go?)
Date: 22 Jan 02 - 05:42 PM

Hi Micca,

Not casting aspersions on my neighbouring club-organisers abilities or anything here - but (sotto voce) probably best to email John C direct (rather than PM) for CD (Sorry, John :)!

Hille xx

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 04:28 AM

Hi all

Had a small snifter with his Woottonship last night, delivered the LP packaging kindly supplied/loaned by Hille (d'ya want them back????). He says the price is £10 inc post n packing. £8 for the albums and £2 P&P tho he doesnt actually know how much that will cost.

I think it may be a bit more for Jon Bartlett in Canada. Let us know if you want one and we'll have to check with the Post Office on cost.

Rgds

John

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: Nemesis
Date: 23 Jan 02 - 06:19 PM

Yes, Jon does want one John - Jon don't worry, between Worthing Southwick and Patcham we'll sort it out and we'll email you if the postage is more than GBP2

(Honestly, MEN- takes a woman to sort these things out :)

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,breezy
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 08:26 AM

Gives them something else to do, or is it "subliminal delegation"? But some are just born organisers, its the mothering instinct, thats why they make the best secretaries. So long as the dont become the boss!
waiting in anticipation.And can I still get to hear "The Village Production of Hamlet" some where some how? Have microphone ,will travel.

Subject: RE: Works of Miles Wootton ?sp
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 12:49 PM

Breezy

The best thing for you to do re The Village Production of Hamlet is to give Miles a ring. He is so modest that he probably wont have a copy himself, but may know of someone local who does n we can rip off a tape for you.

John