Nic Jones - fiddler

Subject: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: pavane
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 07:15 AM

One fact that I haven't seen mentioned(or maybe missed) in all the recent threads on Nic Jones is that he also played fiddle. He was very reluctant to take it to gigs, and I never actually saw him play it.

His fiddle CAN be heard, though, on some of his early recordings, particularly his version of Edward, on one of the 'lost' albums.

I am particularly fond of that version, and many years ago, (1980, I think), when performing with Dubai Sharjah Morris, I sang it at the Al Ain Hilton, in the UAE. I managed to get our get our fiddle player to accompany me, for the first (and only) time.

Nic's fiddling can also be heard on several other folk albums of that era, but I don't have a list.

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: RolyH
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 04:44 PM

'Jackie Tar' on Noahs Ark Trap is pretty good.There is also some fine fiddling by Nic on 'Fieldvole Music' by Tony Hall.On the few occaisions I saw him he never played the fiddle live. Pity.

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 05:49 PM

I saw him play fiddle once at a folk club concert. He also backed Dave Burland up on it on a couple albums. The break he did on "The Murder of Maria Marten" on Shirley Collins No Roses album is great.

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: RolyH
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 07:58 PM

'Maria Marten' is one of the best folk/rock tracks ever recorded.Also check out Nic Jones fiddle playing on the 'Bandoggs' album.

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: Celtic.Relics.com
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 11:05 PM

I'm having the darnest time trying to find a copy of Nic Jones "Unearthed"!!

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: Ralphie
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 11:20 PM

I saw Nic playing fiddle many times....Lovely restrained style it was too...
He's very dismissive of his talent now....Typical !!
But, yes, his work on Noahs Ark Trap, and the Bandoggs album, are amongst the best ever...
Although nowadays he can play a mean guitar, I don't think he's touched the fiddle for years.. Cheers Ralphie....
PS...Celtic....PM me and I'll see what I can do!!!

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 02:09 AM

Celtic relics - Most people seem to be able to find it, as it has been in the BBC's folk top 10 for months now - (still at number 6 this week)

Preferably from Mollie Music, as mentioned in other threads, or alternatively Fish records

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: treewind
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 02:43 AM

Ralphie!

I didn't know you were here...

As for Celtic etc.... just go for it :-)

Anahata

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: Ralphie
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 02:49 AM

Oi...Anahata....What are you doing up at this time???
Nothing happening re CD as yet, Dead car, will call soon though
Cheers Ralphie (Sorry for thread creep!)

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: GUEST,Pavane
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 09:29 PM

Oi Ralphie, what were YOU doing up at this time? I'm here tonight because MY car died on the M4, just short of Heston, at 7pm, and it has taken the AA this long to get me home.

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: sid the ferret
Date: 21 Mar 04 - 11:04 AM

I saw nic play fiddle a few times circa '79.Lots of lift & lilt,good timing & a light touch,but really solid for all that.Seemed to have a lot more to it than the records suggest.'The ranter' on Chris Fosters Layers seems a fair indication.Not very 'English'sounding but lovely stuff all the same!

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: Ed.
Date: 21 Mar 04 - 11:25 AM

Nic Jones is Engish. As such, how can suggest that he wasn't 'English sounding'?

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: GUEST,Tnesmith
Date: 21 Mar 04 - 12:09 PM

Ed! What peculiar thing to say! I'm English, but, when I play fiddle, I try to pass as Irish! When I play flamenco guitar I try to sound like I was born in Seville!

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: rodentred
Date: 21 Mar 04 - 12:12 PM

I have a super memory of when Nic came to a Peter Bellamy gig at the Peterborough folk club (mid 70s) when it was held at the Cobden Arms. He came on and accompanied Peter for Yarmouth Town; Peter said 'you know I mess the timing about in this one don't you?', Nic smiled and nodded and went on to give a very tasteful accomaniment to thunderous applause.

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: GUEST,Nickp
Date: 21 Mar 04 - 01:17 PM

Saw him play fiddle a couple of times - even have him on rough recordings I made (and yes, they did get forwarded to cd project). Really good player - and I concur with the 'Maria Marten' comment. I disposed of my copy of Bandoggs.... I must have been mad!

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: alanabit
Date: 21 Mar 04 - 02:45 PM

He certainly played fiddle when I saw him at Tony Flood's club in Reading in 78 or 79. I thought he was a pretty good player too. Has he become active as a folk musician again? Some twenty years ago, after a Martin Carthy gig in Cologne, Carthy remarked that people who had experienced an accident like Nic Jones's car crash didn't always return to what they had done before. So at that time anyway, it seems that he was not intending to resume his career. Have there been any developments since then? I'm a bit out of touch over here!

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 04:31 AM

Nic's first ' band ' was The Halliard, with Dave Moran and Nigel Pattinson, Nic usually played fiddle on Halliard gigs, I saw them at the Grass Roots folk club in Halifax [ Yorks ] in the late 60s, Nigel didn't turn up but he must have been superfluous cos Nic and Dave were superb without him. Ah those were the days.
eric

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 06:16 AM

I remember seeing Nic in one ocassion the late 70s (I saw him lots of times over the years )in a folk club in Southport. He had his fiddle with him but, after a rather accomplished Irish fiddle player from Liverpool had done a spot, Nic decided to leave his fiddle in its case. Because of his beautiful guitar playing, I always asumed that he could be a outstanding fiddler. Maybe he never devoted enough time to the instrument.

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 06:19 AM

Nic was a very good fiddler although he always denied it.
eric

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: GUEST,sid the ferret
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 11:31 AM

for 'ed'; irish as in style;rolls,cuts,trebles,etc.Any other English players I've heard are a lot plainer in the way they decorate a tune.A scotish style fiddler can put a different set of clothes on the same body(tune)than an irish type player.Still did'nt stop me shelling out my hard earned to hear the man,tho...

Subject: RE: Nic Jones - fiddler
From: GUEST,Henryp
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 03:01 PM

Nic would always do his best to promote a folk club. At the end of one evening he enquired, "Who's on next week?"

"Peter Bellamy," came the reply.

"Oh," said Nic, "Who's on the week after?"