BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)

Subject: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 08:38 AM

After the English Tapestry thread I was conversing with my pals in yon Local hostelry and various other obscure groups were mentioned in the general chit chat about who was doing the folk circuit in the early 1980s. Does anyone recall memorable performances of Arkwright's Ferret or the National Truss (who had a lead singer thay called Watney because he had a flat head). Also does anyone know the name of the all male band who did close harmony singing eg Coal hole cavalry etc???

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: GUEST,Les/ Manchester uk
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 09:56 AM

Didn't Gary & Vera Aspey sing Coal 'ole Cavelry?

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 10:04 AM

All male band doing close harmony and singing Cole Hole Cavalry could be Redmayne - If so they are still going with a slightly different line up but one of the main founder members, John Cartain, is a member here - but I daren't tell you who coz he's a solicitor and might sue me for breach of confidentiality (or something confidential in his breaches anyway...)

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Arnie
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 02:39 PM

Anyone remember the Dead Sea Surfers? Not only a wonderful name but a great close harmony group. I only saw them once in about 1984/5 at High Wycombe and then I think they packed up! Shame.

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 03:36 PM

To thread creep ever so slightly, inasmuch as I go back even further [ farther?] Does anybody else remember The Filharmonious Jug Band. Or even longer ago The Levee Breakers, with [I think} Johnny Joyce, Mac McGann?, and the gorgeous Beverley. I think that was her name, she was lovely though. Jack & Margaret King who used to run The Cellar at Cecil Sharpe House, the wonderfull gentle, and talented Packy Byrne, a gentleman by any standard. Joe Stead, Marion Segal,Saffron, Mark Smith, Dennis O'Brien. My God this nostalgia is getting to me. Bye bye.......Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 04:31 PM

Coal Hole Cavalry was written and sung by Ted Edwards, who comes from Wigan (which is where Gary and Vera Aspey come from as well, so no surprise that they sung it). Ted's greatest claim to fame is a documentary he made while walking solo across the Sahara desert, accompanied by two camels. If he hadn't met a few Bedouins halfway across he'd never have finished the film!

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 05:44 PM

Ted doesn't live in Wigan now, owd Arbuth, but in Eccles just near me. The documentary was brilliant if only for the line "My name is Ted Edwards. I will not die." And he didn't. Two strokes later he is somewhat reduced but still battling on.

He has problems walking and talking nowadays but still managed to climb the highest point in the Canaries (If I remember rightly) a couple of years back and is still taking on beurocracy by fighting Salford council over stupid planning issues even as we speak!

His book about the Sahara experience - The last oasis - is, IMHO, a masterpiece and the recollections of his solo trek across Iceland, "Fight the wild island" is equally ebthralling. But my lasting memory of Ted will always be standing outside the Duke of York in Eccles one cold wet night, with Ted clothed in flat cap, clogs and full length Arab cape, while a young Bobby made enquiries about a recent spate of car thefts. There must have been half a dozen of us with 'chin warmers' (this was a folk club remember) and the only description Mr Plod had was the perpetrator had a beard! Teds response "and did anyone mention the bat cape?" had everyone, including the policeman, in stitches.

Well, I guess you had to be there...;-)

You can still find Ted around the area - I last heard he frequented the Jazz nights at the Drop Inn in Monton and he still makes the occasional visit to Swinton.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 05:52 PM

Joe stead's still about! I know 'cos he keeps sending me newsletters and as far as I know Packie is still going. What about Compton's Mule (their 'Dambusters' was amazing.) and Pete Norman and the winders.

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 03:39 AM

IT WAS THE DEAD SEA SURFERS!!! Mudcat triumphs again! Now I can impress all my friends down the pub with my infinite knowledge of folk music. Thankyou!

Also recall Joe Stead last time performing on the river near Woolwich for some festival thing I was morris dancing at. He was with Tundra ... and who was the guy who wrote tundra's song "Good apple she's the queen of Kent" Bob something?

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 04:33 AM

I can remember being involved in some "Sacred Harp" harmony workshops with the "Dead Sea Surfers". I can also remember the rather petite lady who sang with them (Anne?) nicknamed "The Mighty Mouse" because of her powerful voice. When I turned up at Bromley Hospital A&E having snapped my Achilles Tendon, she was the reception nurse and found it hilarious that I had done it Folk Dancing - when I was expecting sympathy from a fellow folkie.

The event at Greenwich would have been one of the Greenwich Festivals. I'd have probably been involved in a shanty session. Doug Hudson (I thought he'd written "Good Apple") is still around of course, but I don't know what's become of Sue (or the other member of Tundra) since they split up.

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 04:37 AM

and here was me thinking it was going to be a thread about 'A Flock of Seagulls' 'The Icicle Works' 'Teardrop Explodes' etc...

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 05:50 AM

Oh come on GUEST even the mudcat wouldn't sink SOOOO low!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Lost bands of the 1980s (UK)
From: Ritchie
Date: 04 Feb 02 - 08:24 AM

I must admit I was going along the same lines as GUEST and as for Ted how could his trek be described as solo if the camels were with him ? I've often wondered where the music comes from on programmes about the desert, I never thought for one minute that the camels could be involved.It goes to show, you live and learn !

regards Ritchie