OBIT: Murray Adelman [e-mail] (2002)

Subject: [e-mail]
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 02 May 02 - 11:39 PM

I recently was informed of the death of Murray Adelman ... an American folkie living in the Blue Mts, west of Sydney. Over the past few years, I have had a long cyber-correspondence with him since we shared many interests. He was a fan of Jerry Rasmaussen's songs ... and that's a recommendation. I see that he posted to Mudcat 1020 times since 1997 and I often was attracted to his posts, subjects and thoughts.

The last time I saw him was when I was in Blackheath, the night that our Charley Noble, visiting Australia, went along to the Blackheath Folk Club. I called round on Murray ... and he was not well, suffering from recent cardiac problems ... and he did not get around to the Club that night. Well, those problems caught up with him last month, about 15 April. He has been privately cremated and his ashes will be scattered in the area of Govett's Leap Lookout, close to those of his late wife Mary.

He will be missed by members of the Blackheath Folk Club, by me ... and, I know, by many Mudcatters.

Vale Murray,

Regards to all,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 02 - 12:14 AM

Oh damn! I had some great and memorable correspondence with Murray, ever since I came to the Mudcat. He was very helpful and knowledgable as well as "salt of the earth" kind of person. I can't hardly believe this. Thanks, Bob, for letting us know. He will be missed a great deal.

katintears

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 May 02 - 12:27 AM

Well, dang! I'm really sorry to hear it!

Thanks for telling us, Bob.

~Susan

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 May 02 - 12:41 AM

Well here I sit crying for a man I never met............Geeziz this is very sad news. Thanks Bob for bringing it to us although it's news none want to hear.

Like kat, I had some wonderful correspondence with Murray both on and off the threads. He was always a valued voice on the many instrument threads with excellent insights.....and good taste in guitars as well. I think all of us valued his input. Murray had a fine sense of humor and was never afraid to laugh at himself........and for me that shows the true worth and character of anyone.

And of course for me, there is one very special memory.......It was Murray who started a thread asking which one on the album cover of a Bok, Muir, and Trickett album was Gordon Bok. The conversation was filled with a few jokes about Gordon's moustache grooming and it's effect on his voice when Murray said, "Spaw: I recently confused "pitch pipe" and "tuning fork" and called the gadget that gives a 440 "A" a "pitch fork". I wonder if he would like his moustache tuned with that?" Poor Murray........Give me an inch and I'll take several miles. He was off the 'Cat for a few days and when he came back he found he had created a monster..........or at least the Amish-Australian Pitchfork Moustache Tuner. Murray took it all in stride and demanded royalties!!!

Damn but I will miss you Murray.......but thanks for the knowledge, love, and humor you left here for us. Good on ya' Mate and have a good journey.

Spaw   

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 May 02 - 12:54 AM

Just another brief note........As Bob said, Murray started posting here in November of '97, one of the longest term members of the Mudcat Cafe. Also, though I don't know what other cardio problems he had, he did have an unrepaired aneurysm and we swapped some info on our mutual "problem" on several occasions. His was a more classic type rather than a dissection and far more life threatening.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 May 02 - 01:23 AM

In the fall of 2000, I had two old harmonica books in the auction. Big Mick got one for a friend of his and Murray got the other. He sent me a PM that it was quite enjoyable and he thought he might try a couple of the tunes in it.

It was also Murray who went out of his way to get a tape for me by his friend, Peter Duggan, who'd put Henry Lawson's poems to music. It is a fabulous and rare tape, as he later asked if there were any more which I could purchase for friends and family and was told there were no more. He gave me a great background on Duggan and the poems.

He was quite the gentleman. Thanks, Murray, for being part of the Mudcat. Rest well....

kat

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 May 02 - 01:29 AM

Click here to see the contribution of information that Murray gave to Mudcat over the years. I enjoyed my correspondence with him, and hoped to get to Australia one day to meet him. I never did quite understand how a guy from Philadelphia ended up in Australia (I think it was Philadelphia he came from), but he sure was a good guy.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 03 May 02 - 03:39 AM

I've been lurking around the mudcat for the last five years and over that time I've come to recognise certain names on threads as being a good indication that they are worth reading for their knowledge, warmth and humour. Early on I identified Murray as one of those names and I shall miss his contributions greatly.

Brian

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 03 May 02 - 09:37 AM

Like Clayton Delaney - "The Good Lord likes a little pickin' too." Always enjoyed Murray's posts -

Steve

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 03 May 02 - 10:54 AM

Dog gone it! RIP Murray. Ya always had something useful to say.

Rick

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: gnu
Date: 03 May 02 - 11:13 AM

A sad day indeed. RIP.

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Ferrara
Date: 03 May 02 - 11:22 AM

Yeah, I agree with Brian, when I saw Murray's name I expected to enjoy his post. So sad to hear about this.

Rita F

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Amos
Date: 03 May 02 - 11:28 AM

Adios, Murray lad; keep the thoughts clear and the songs high in your travelin'; and come back, ya hear?

A

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: GUEST,Helen, on hubby's computer
Date: 03 May 02 - 03:07 PM

I'm still speechless about this. Murray died on the same day that my Mum did. Maybe they've met in heaven??!!

I always found Murray's posts very informative, and he showed through as a real gentleman. When Mudcatter Iceboy came to Newcastle he said that Murray had asked whether I would be coming to the festival at the Blue Mountains. I thought "not this year, maybe next year" - but now it's too late to meet him.

Make some music in heaven for us, Murray. Think of the festivals you could have up there!

Helen

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Sorcha
Date: 03 May 02 - 05:23 PM

Aww, Murray..........

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Alice
Date: 03 May 02 - 06:05 PM

I am so sorry to hear this news. Yes, Murray was a gentleman, someone who always posted messages I enjoyed reading. So sad to hear this.

Alice

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Kernow John
Date: 03 May 02 - 06:22 PM

Sometimes you click in this box and the words won't come so you go away and try again later. I've been here many times tonight and still they won't come.
Travel on in peace Murray.
KJ

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 03 May 02 - 06:59 PM

Yes, a good man gone.

Murray reached out to me a few months ago, and I sent him some tapes. I mentioned to him that I had been trying to get a copy of a truly great book, Australia Felix that I left behind (without meaning to) in one of my moves. It wasn't long before I had a package in the mail from Murray, with a used copy of Australia Felix which he'd found for me in a used book store. (It's out of print in this country.)

One thing that continually moves me about Mudcat is the generosity of Catters. Actually, I came to know Murray before I came to Mudcat, but I'm not surprised that he is so well remembered here. He was a fine man... as my friend Bob Bolton is. Bob kindly e-mailed me with the news when he heard it...

Jerry

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 May 02 - 07:30 PM

So sorry to hear this. I attended Murray's folk club session at the Ivanhoe Hotel in Blackheath last December and he was under the weather then, couldn't attend, but he was very helpful in focusing me on a great session, and a great base from which to explore the Blue Mountains.

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 May 02 - 07:49 PM

I too enjoyed Murray's posts, full of information and humor. More music in heaven. And a loss for us.

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Bobert
Date: 03 May 02 - 08:02 PM

Wish I'd have found Mudcat earlier and gotten to know Murry as you all knew him. He must have been one heck of a man. I'm saddened that you folks lost such a good friend.

Bobert

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Stewie
Date: 03 May 02 - 08:42 PM

Sad news indeed. Vale Murray.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 May 02 - 09:18 PM

Copied from a posting by Mooman who is at the large Mudcat gathering in Brussels, Belgium:

"Played a slow Shetland air "The Resting Chair" in memory of Murray. I hope he is resting peacefully now."

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Big Mick
Date: 03 May 02 - 10:08 PM

God be good to him. Sometimes when I would blow my stack, Murray would email me and tell me to settle down. He was a constant source of solid information and good feelings. This place will be poorer for his absence. Headed for the hill with the Low D whstle tonight. Nice cool spring night. Think I will let her have her head and just play to help his spirit home. We will miss you, Sir. You were the type of gentle man that I wish I could be.

Mick

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 May 02 - 06:45 PM

The more I think of what has been said here by some of you, the more I realize how wonderful Murray could be. Maybe things that happened here bothered him, but I tend more to think that he shrugged them off and as Mick said, was always a "source of good feelings." ......often as not by a supportive PM.

This is such a funny place...........The grief process for friends here is the same as in 3D..................

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 05 May 02 - 01:14 AM

I think the grief process here at Mudcat is better than in 3D .... this is a very safe place to fall for me ... the feelings I get from all of you renew my faith.

Rest in safe comfort Murray.

LL

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 05 May 02 - 09:14 AM

G'day again,

As you will note from the dates, I held off posting an obituary for Murray ... I guess, because there have been a few obits that have not contributed much to the Mudcat -in fact I consulted with Joe Offer before posting - and Joe felt I should.

Now I glad that I did ... I see now that so many others recognised Murray as great value for Mudcat ... and we all will miss him. I now bitterly regret that I passed through Blackheath too many times (80 miles out on some other journey ... that's my excuse - but no consolation) without calling in on Murray. I knew him mostly from telephone and e-mail conversations and the pleasant banter of Mudcat ... and always found something of interest or value in his contribution.

Murray: May you go down from Govett's Leap of Waters to the beautiful Blue Gum Forest and be at peace with your Mary.

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 May 02 - 07:57 PM

Bob, that is an incredibly touching obit you wrote. Thanks for allowing us to share in your feelings. It is an incredible tribute to a fine man when someone writes something of this depth. Again, thank you.

Mick

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 05 May 02 - 08:33 PM

Murray's handle always announced a well-informed and reasonable posting to me, one that furthered the topic in hand. A sad loss! May he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 May 02 - 08:44 PM

I don't have any special murray stories. We never PM'd each other. But comments like this one

In case all the information in this thread makes you feel smug about knowing the blues, let me introduce a word of caution. Son House says, "I went into my room and I sat down and cried. I didn't have the blues, I was just not satisfied." Make sure you know the difference before you pick up that guitar!

were commonplace from him, and I had come to accept murray as a Mudcat regular who could be counted on for an incisive comment. His passing, and some of the others such as LR Mole and Fin, bring home again how this is so much more than a chatroom.

We'll miss you murray. Thanks for all that you gave us.

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: alison
Date: 05 May 02 - 09:51 PM

govett's leap, for any of you who don't know... is a gorgeous part of the blue mountains looking out over a huge gorge with gum trees and waterfalls...... a beautiful place to have your ashes scattered.


rest in peace Murray, I never got to meet you either although you were just up the road..... looks like a good reminder to make the most of your chances

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 06 May 02 - 03:25 AM

Thanks for letting us know. Very sad news. I hope his life was good.

chanteyranger

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: Wolfgang
Date: 06 May 02 - 06:56 AM

A sad and big loss. Good bye, Murray.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: lamarca
Date: 06 May 02 - 02:13 PM

Thank you, Bob, for letting us know. Murray was very helpful to me in looking for Australian lyrics, and I will miss his knowledge and courtesy. Damn.

Subject: RE: OBIT: [e-mail]
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 May 02 - 08:54 AM

For anyone who is interested, there is a nice exchange of info in this thread which I started after receiving the tape of Pete Duggan and Jack Kevans , from Murray. I had pasted a message of his which is typical of his scholarship and kindliness.

This one, and our other two recent losses, have been difficult. In talking with another Mudcatter, it was pointed out that, here, in this community, we each of us meet more people with whom we have a bond than we'd normally meet in a whole lifetime. It is an incredible phenomenon and, while it may make it harder sometimes in losing one of us along the way, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Thanks, again, Bob, for letting us know and thanks to Murray...

kat