Cosmotheka Material

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Gurney
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 06:08 AM

The Beeb might have something, I think. Some years ago the NZ National Programme played them as a feature for 3 Saturdays in a row, about 15mins a time. I recorded them, but with a mike from speakers, so the quality is only good enough for learning the words.

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: mouldy
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 03:59 AM

I saw them at the Amber Festival in 1981 and thought they were great. The only recording I ever had of them was on a compilation by Radio Derby's folk programme, sold as a charity fundraiser in 1987, or thereabouts.

Andrea

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 12 Aug 03 - 03:12 AM

They made one or two appearances on The Good Old Days, which probably don't give much impression of what they were really like live. There are no end of radio series, some of which give a good idea of the atmosphere. Don't know if they are available from the BBC.

Steve

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 04:06 PM

Here are the track details of the recordings:

"A Little Bit Off the Top" Highway Records (No: SHY 6002)
SIDE 1
1 You Don't Want to Keep on Showing it Mary
2 Wait till the Work Comes Round
3 Let's All Go Mad
4 'Arry 'Arry 'Arry
5 A Little Bit off the Top
6 Ragtime Waltz
SIDE 2
7 Robin Redbreast
8 'E Dunno Where 'E Are
9 Mrs Carter
10 Riding on a Motor Car
11 Little Billy's Wild Woodbines
12 The Other Department Please

"Wines & Spirits" Highway Records (SHY 7001)
SIDE 1
1 Good Little Girl
2 The 'ouses in Between
3 The Baby's Name
4 Little Dolly Daydream
5 Down The Road
6 Up Went my Little Umbrella
7 The Golden Dustman
SIDE 2
8 The Ragtime Ragshop
9 The Kangaroo Hop
10 Hitch Coo
11 Johnny
12 Robin Redbreast
13 Music Box Tune
14 Only Come Down for the Day
15 Timothy Let's Have a Look at it
16 Just Like The Ivy

"A Good Turn-out" Highway Records (SHY 7015)
SIDE 1
1 Never Let Your Braces Dangle
2 The Night Began to Fall
3 The Skipper of the Mercantile Marine
4 Don't do it Again Matilda
5 Love, Love, Love
SIDE 2
6 I Can't do my Bally Bottom Button Up
7 It's a Great Big Shame
8 The Grizzly Bear
9 Back Answers
10 Proper Cup of Coffee

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 02:46 PM

There were a few LPs - I'll hunt them out and give details, if someone doesn't do it before me.

I hope somewhere there is some record of them on video, because they really needed to be seen to get the whole picture (which is true of most pictures). I would think that their performance at Sidmouth Arena Theatre a couple of years would probably be available.

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 02:27 PM

Cosmotheka recorded a real goldmine collection of lesser known Music Hall songs

I possess three of their LP's produced by Highway Records:

"A Little Bit Off The Top" from 1974.
" Wines & Spirits" recorded 1977
"A Good Turn-out" from 1981.

I would be surprised if they have not been re-recorded on CD?

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 08:49 AM

Haven't heard of Andrew Frank for years. I remember him performing with Mike Mann in the late 70's or early 80's (Crewe & Nantwich Folk Festival in particular). They did a very entertaining act.
Quack.
GtD

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 06:53 AM

He's done an excellent solo spot at The Old Rose and Crown Walthamstow in the past year as well as the Pop Goes the Century show (100 songs etc) as part of the Bakelite Boys with Andrew Frank and George Hinchcliff (of the Ukelele Orchestra of GB).

The CD referred to earlier in the thread is an excellent memory of Cosmotheka.

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 06:47 AM

Mike,

Dave has made quite a few appearnces since Al died (in 1999), although I don't know if any were solos; he's done quite a few appearances with two other guys (names escape me at such short notice) with "100 tunes in 100 minutes". I haven't seen im for a couple f years myself, so I don't know what he's up to lately.

Steve

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Pork Sausage Mike
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 03:29 PM

Yeah!,

jeanie is correct with her details

Dave Sealy appeared at the Ringwood folk club in Hampshire UK about a year ago and was v. nervous.... altho' he is well known by the members. It was his first performance since the loss of his brother in early 2002.

Look at:-
www.veteran.co.uk

they have lots of v. early music hall songs too.

Cheers PSM

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Jeanie
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 12:25 PM

Hi Gonzo !
May your first post to Mudcat be one of many more to come !
I bought this Cosmotheka CD earlier this year, so it should be readily available - and very good it is, too.

Details are: Cosmotheka 'You Only Had To Ask !' - Folk Sound Records Ref. FSCD 55   (C) 2002

Songs on it are:
1. Wot a mouth
2. Don't do it again, Matilda
3. Mrs. Carter
4. It's a pity to waste the cake
5. It's a great big shame
6. Love, Love, Love
7. Little Billy's Wild Woodbines
8. The Kangaroo Hop
9. The other department, please
10.Thuthie
11.I can't do my bally bottom button up
12.Wot I want is a proper cup of coffee

Cheers !
- jeanie

Subject: RE: Cosmetheka Material
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:43 AM

Dave and Al Sealey were Cosmotheka. I had one old LP, but don't currently have equipment set up to do anything with records.
There are certainly Mudcatters who know more about the duo than I ever did. I couldn't find anything useful on the Web..
Alan Sealey passed away in December 1999, Mudcat Thread .
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: Cosmetheka Material
From: GUEST,Gonzo2003
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:04 AM

Please anyone, help finding material (CD or tape details) for
Cosmetheka (I hope I spelled it right?

A Midlands duo (one believed sadly dead now :(( ) that did music hall types songs and skits.

Details and availability, CD or tape numbers, please, to help out
a friend met at Sidmouth, who is not into these computer things..

(First post EVER on Mudcat)

Greets... Gonzo.