ADD: The Last Leviathan (Andy Barnes)

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Trevor_UK
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 07:55 AM

Alan,

Below is some more information regarding Melanie Harrold from the AMG Music Guide. On her album "Blue Angel" was that song performed by her or was it just a name for her album? What did her voice sound like?

Born May 5, 1951 Years Active 70's Genres Rock Instruments Vocals Labels Munich Records (2), DJM (2) Performed Songs By: Traditional Worked With: Chris While Neill MacColl Julie Matthews Daphne's Flight Olly Blanchflower Pete Zorn Helen Watson Julian Littman Barb Jungr Tommy Eyre Christine Collister B.J. Cole Richard Brunton Stackridge Jackie McAuley Ashley Hutchings Jerry Donahue Boss Brothers Gerry Rafferty 1977 Fancy That (As Joanna Carlin) DJM 1979 Blue Angel DJM 1990 The Last Leviathan Munich **** 1993 Instinctive Behaviour Munich Records

**** this looks like what I'm looking for, I've emailed Munich records to see if they can help.

Trevor

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Lanfranc at the orifice
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 09:34 AM

Trevor,

Melanie's voice was pretty damned amazing, if you haven't heard her CDs or performances, you've missed out.

It's entirely possible that the "Last Leviathan" track was reused on another album, the one I have was a private recording, which probably explains it's comparative rarity.

I haven't heard from her yet, but will post again when I do.

Alan

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Trevor_UK
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 11:02 AM

Oops I did a copy and paste and have just read what I posted, seems it was a reply to someone who hadn't heard her voice.

I have heard her voice and as you say its amazing, hence my motivation to hunt out the CD. The track TLL actially had a friend of mine in tears. (she'd recently lost her mum at the time)

I found a couple of other mentions for the "The Last Leviathan" album with Olly, its out there I'm sure.

Thanks for your help Alan.

Trev

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,MICHAEL BATORY
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 08:20 AM

I have two listings by Melanie and Ollie.

1. " From The heart " Label: Olanie: Cat.No.OM 002 2. " The Last Leviathan" Label: Munich.Cat.No. MRCD152

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Trevor_UK
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 08:26 AM

Hi Michael,

Does this mean you have The Last Leviathan CD (MRCD152) in your possesion? or is it just to confim that the album actually exists?

Thanks for the Cat No's

Regards

Trevor

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Trevor_UK
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 09:32 AM

Hi Peeps,

The hunting is a over, you know I had this strange notion this CD would be nigh on impossible to find, hence me hunting out all references to Melanie and Olly.

Imagine my surprise when I go to http://www.hmv.co.uk and they've got the album there. Wasn't even difficult to find, just did a search on artist named Harrold and Bobs your uncle, their it is in all its glory...

I recommend this CD to everyone, an absolute belter, well, you know, a belter in the folky sense.

I now wait, and wait for it to arrive.

Thanks for everyone's help in tracking this CD down.

Regards

Trevor

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 05:59 PM

'The Last of the Great Whales' is the title Andy originally gave it.

There is a recording of Andy singing it at the 1983 'Song & Ale' weekend in Northamptonshire, England, I believe the first time he sang it out, certainly very shortly after he wrote it, but this is not a commercially available recording. It does not include the 'none came to save us' verse, which he wrote later.

To Joseph Guest - what is the purpose of a song? Surely, to communicate, which is what this song does, whatever its faults may be. When you hear upwards of a hundred people listening in silence and then sensitively joining together in the chorus, it is impossible to feel that this is anything but a 'good' song.

To Charlie C - The Hunting of the Earl of Rone is not a festival, but a village custom, and Andy most certainly didn't write 'The Last of the Great Whales' for it. He didn't attend the custom for several years after the writing of it, although he is now expected, even 'required' to sing it every year by the village residents - and I know, because I'm the secretary of the organisation which runs it!

It's a long time since I visited Mudcat Cafe - I didn't even realise that messages could be posted on it! I may visit more often.

Best wishes to all.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,michael batory
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 04:25 AM

Hello Trevor,

Yes I do have the CD. But I guess you do too now, or shortly will have. All the best.

Michael.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Lanfranc
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 05:56 AM

Glad it's all worked out.

Spoke to Melanie on Wednesday, and she said that "From the Heart" is only available on Cassette at present. I, too, have ordered "Last Leviathan" from HMV, but am going to send the details to Dick Greenhaus with a recommendation to stock a couple of copies. Support local industries!

Melanie doesn't do many gigs these days, but I am working on persuading her to play at one of the Clubs in the London/Essex/Herts area, possibly Stortfolk or the Essex Singers Club.

Watch this space.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Trevor_UK
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 11:03 AM

Hi Lanfranc (I won't ask:),

Melanie played in Southampton about 6 years ago, a friend, Pat Begley used to organise nights at a venue next to the Mayflower theatre (name escapes me) and was a big fan of Melanie's and after listening to The Last Leviathan I soon found out why.

I always regretted missing her gig so the chance to see her perform live would be....

I'll definitely watch this space....

Trevor

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Whiskey
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 05:53 PM

Nice version of the song on Paul Sirman's new CD

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,michael batory
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 05:27 AM

Whiskey,

Could you please give more details about Paul Sirman's new CD? Label, Cat. No. where available. etc etc. Thanks Michael Batory. [e-mail].

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Trevor_UK
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 06:06 AM

The searching is now over in my quest for The Last Leviathan.

My boss is being introduced to what must have been driving him crazy for the last few months, he seems happy. :o)

What next, um....

Thanks everyone Trevor

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Suffet
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:53 AM

One of the most beautiful performances of "The Last Leviathan" is by the vocal quartet Water Sign, with Mudcatter Joy Bennett singing lead. If you live in or around New York City, you will have a chance to hear Water Sign live on Friday night, November 2, 2001, at the Advent Lutheran Church. That's at West 93rd Strret and Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The show starts at 8 PM. General adult admission is $13, but if you are a member of the New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club the admission is free.

Will they sing "The Last Leviathan"? I don't have an advance copy of their set list, so I cannot say for sure. But if past experience is any guide, the odds are that they will.

---- Steve

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Michael Batory
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 08:24 AM

Hello Suffet,

Do you have any details about a recording, by Water Sign, of The Last Leviathan. If so could you please let me have them? Label, Cat. No. availability, etc.

Thanks

Michael. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: CharlieA
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 11:39 AM

In reply to guest BB (is that Barbara Brown?) I know - I should know better but festival was the easiest desc. Yes i know all about it cos i go. Thought Andy had written it for us - thought he'd said it once. if not sos to have got it wrong. Cxxx (Charlotte Andrew)

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Suffet
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 10:06 AM

"The Last Leviathan" is on Water Sign's only CD, simply called "Water Sign." For ordering information, please contact David Kleiman via any of the following methods.

E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone in the USA: [phone]

Postal mail:
David Kleiman
245 West 75th Street, #1G
New York, NY 10023 [USA]


--- Steve

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 06:46 PM

Hello Barbara (it is you?)

Amazing who you meet here! I'm in the photo archives from about '88 to '92 or '93, (playing sax & flute, not at the same time) but having moved to France haven't been able to get there in more recent years. Miss it. Still visit CM fairly regularly though, I'd heard you'd moved there. Also remember you from (too) many years ago at Barnstaple Folk Club!

All the best,
Jo Taylor (CM born & bred.)
(Apologies for thread drift!)

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: breezy
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 06:50 PM

Hello Lanfranc I'm interested in engaging Melanie to gig at the silver cup folk club harpenden fridays as I want to hear The Last Leviathan sung the way it should .

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: WyoWoman
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 01:58 PM

This may be posted above and I just missed it, but:

What IS the "burn"? From the context I don't understand.

Also, what "chorus" are people singing along with?

I've found that this song is so sad and so powerful I really have to pick my places and times to sing it. I know lots of sad songs and love singing them--nothing like a good bit of pathos to get us all feeling human-y--but this is truly the saddest I know because of the horrors we continue to perpetrate on the animals on this planet. It makes me want to just jump off a pier if i let myself really get in touch with what we're perpetrating on the beloved creatures we're supposed to be caring for and protecting. I think the Creator is so deeply pissed with us. Not because some of us have committed various of the usual picayune sins, alleged and actual, but because we've made these beautiful creations--entire species--disappear in the blink of an eye.

I want to wear sack cloth and ashes, but never so much as when I hear or sing this song.

ww

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From:
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 03:15 AM

I just heard this song sung today at the "Voices Across America" event in Santa Cruz, CA — remembering and honoring the lives lost on September Eleventh. It was the second or third time I had heard it performed a cappella in Santa Cruz over the past three years. It is the most powerfully moving song I have ever heard. It stuns me every time I hear it sung in a way I cannot say about any other song I know. I cannot hear it without weeping. It is a dirge that gets past all my filters and barriers, goes straight into my heart, helps me awaken to life, and how each of us can act to prevent destruction. Does anyone know the status of what is happening with efforts to prevent our country from deploying the 232 decibel system in the home of the whales, who to contact, etc.? Thanks. Blessings on all who keep bringing this song into our troubled world.

Bruce Williamson

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Michael Batory
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 06:42 AM

Hello Wyo Woman

" Burn " was a mistake.

When I spoke to Melanie about this she told me, if my memory serves me correctly, that she took the lyric from another recording, and heard "burn" instead of "gun".

Interestingly, the versions by Anne Marie Middleton (Disney Moon) and Rory Block also use the word. I think Anne Marie Middleton heard Melanie's version but I would love to know how Rory Block picked this up. Does anyone know or have any suggestions?

Incidentally, Andy Barnes tells me that this is the one lyric change(there are several doing the rounds) that really annoys him - but that's the oral tradition.

Regarding the "chorus", I'm not sure what you mean. The actual chorus as written is " My soul has been torn from me....etc etc " and this usually, but not always, starts and ends the song, sometimes with repeats between each verse.

In my experience this is where audiences really respond. Huge vocal sound and wonderful, spontaneous, harmonies. Yes and on many occasions tears too.

Hope this helps a bit.

All the best,

Michael Batory [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,michael batory
Date: 01 Oct 01 - 06:53 AM

Hello Guest ([e-mail])

Could you possibly tell me who performed The Last Leviathan at the Voices across America event in Santa Cruz.

The other versions you heard, were they by the same performers?

Michael Batory. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 02:26 PM

Hi Charlotte, glad to know you're here! And glad to have been able to put you right on that one - Andy was almost speechless! We've all been wondering who on earth Charlie A. could be - we didn't think we knew any (right) Charlies. Love, B

And Jo, nice to be in contact again. E-mail me privately on and we'll let you know what's going on in the area in case you can get to something when you're next in CM.

And we'll now take our reunions into the realm of our private e-mails. Sorry everyone.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: WyoWoman
Date: 03 Oct 01 - 10:53 PM

Thanks, Michael. I will alter my notes accordingly.

By the way, Bruce, I don't know how to lodge a protest about this, but I do know the research apparently is continuing. If I can find out details, I'll email you the information.

ww

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 04 Oct 01 - 05:16 PM

Hello Barbara,

Thanks for the reply.
Sorry, you didn't put in your email address (and you're not a member so I can't send a personal message), so I've had to reply here. Mine's [e-mail], I'd love to hear from you.

Jo
In the Normandie cultural desert...
more apologies for thread drift

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 04 Oct 01 - 05:20 PM

Ignore last post, just looked at HTML source and found BB's email address in pointy brackets, which is why it didn't appear...
Jo

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Skipper Jack
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 02:13 PM

I have a vinyl recording of The Last Leviathan by a group called Bryony who were, Alisa MacKenzie; Cathy Yarwood and Alison Younger. They called the song, "Last Of The Great Whales".

Rory Block's rendering on her CD, Tornado is also in my collection.

I too have had the privelage of hearing the composer Andy himself singing this moving song at Bromyard Festival a number of years ago.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From:
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 03:49 AM

Yes, the version by Bryony is the first recording of the song and, in spite of the 50 +, mostly good, recordings, is considered by many people to be the definitive one. It is sung in full, contains all the verses and is about 7 minutes long. Great harmonies too.

Michael.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,michael batory.
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 11:18 AM

Hello Bruce,

Any word about the performer of The Last Leviathan in the Voices Across America concert?

Michael Batory [e-mail]

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Oct 01 - 04:32 PM

and what a magical rendition he gave of it at Towersey this year....With Liz the Squeak singing descant, and all the usual suspects ( heavily laced with mudcatters) singing the choruses... absolutly indescribable What Micca didn't say was that Andy ASKED me to sing it with him.... blush blush, deeply humbled... I don't think I'll be able to do it for a while, I'm still too full of Rod Shearman - Andy stole the line 'the big feller' from his song 'Is the Big Feller gone', and Rod would smile into his beer every time it was sung.

LTS

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,David Clinch
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 04:16 PM

Some amazing links here. I first heard this song in McGanns pub in Doolin Co Clare a few years ago by a guy who sang it achingly and beautifully. I've been reading up on the whale that sank the whaling ship the 'Essex'in 1820 in the Pacific Ocean. The account by the first mate Owen Chase inspired the writer and sailor Herman Melville to write 'Moby Dick'. 'In the Heart of the Sea' by Nathaniel Philbrick is a great intro to the story of the sinking and the survival of some of the crew.Chase's account and that of the cabin boy on the ship, Thomas Nickerson can be purchased in Penguin. I am currently trying to find a link with Hugh O'Neill Earl of Tyrone, (who defeated the British forces at The Battle of Yellow River in 1601 and whose own army was then defeated at Kinsale soon after)and Combe Martin. The 'Hunting of the Earl of Rone'? O'Neill had to flee Ulster with the Earl of Tyrconnell, hence the 'Flight of the Earls'. Any information would be gratefully received.

Finally I get to play music (uilleann pipes and low whistle)and sing sometimes on Thursdays each week at Bideford Folk Club at the 'Joiners'. I'd love to hear the song sung there. Best wishes Dave Clinch

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Navillus
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 03:52 AM

there is a similar song by Johnny McEvoy called "Grandad did you ever see a whale" It is not as good as Last Leviathan, but the meaning is as strong

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Sheena Wellington
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 03:22 PM

Just caught up with this thread -Melanie heard me sing it at St Andrews Folk Club. She and Ollie stayed with us and we swapped CDs (or it might have been vinyl in them there days!) . I sing "gun" but she heard it as "burn" and Anne Marie Middleton learned the song from her. I'm working on my diction.

I first heard it at Girvan Folk Fesival in the earl 1980s and recorded it in 1985. Sitll reduces audiences to tears!

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 06:25 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat, Sheena!

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Watson
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 07:06 AM

As a matter of interest, where is this song in DigiTrad?
I've tried every way I can think of to search for it, but I've drawn a blank so far.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Noreen
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 07:24 AM

It's not in there yet, Watson, (though it's been marked as harvested) but it's available just as easily in this thread throught the Digitrad and Forum Search.

Noreen

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Watson
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 07:31 AM

Thanks Noreen,
Yes, it was the fact that it had been marked as harvested that made me wonder if there was something amiss. After all, this thread has quite a long history, I would have thought the song should be in the database by now.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Snuffy
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 08:07 AM

The database is normally updated twice a year in April and October, but there have been problems in converting it to work with the latest operating systems, I think.

The current version at Mudcat is as of October '99, so anything posted in the last two-and-a-half years has not yet made it here. ButI believe several of the later updates have been done and are available in takeaway form.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Watson
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 08:37 AM

Thanks, I'm relatively new here, and I'm still finding out how it all works. I thought if lyrics have been marked as harvested that meant they had been put in the database, or at least they had been marked and would be included fairly soon.
The lyrics at the top of this thread were entered in September '98, so I'm just drawing on the knowledge of more experienced members to see if anything is wrong that needs to be put right.

And a reciprocal WassaiL! from me!

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 08:50 AM

Danny Spooner (English-born Australian) has just released a great CD of sea songs "Launch out of the Deep" which contains The Last of the Great Whales, with 6 verses (verse 1 repeated at end as chorus) - learnt from Martin Carthy.

www.dannyspooner.com

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Tam the bam fraeSaltcoatsScotland
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 12:12 PM

A Scottish group called Gaberlunzie do it as well as a man called Stephen Quigg, who is now a member of The MacCalums

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 05:40 PM

And I thought he'd joined the McCalmans ... :-)

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 12:08 AM

G'day Watson,

Yes ... the ^^ means they have been harvested ... but the last version of the DT to bre made available seems to be 1999 vintage. It takes a lot of work for Dick (or, whoever he can get to do the job) to get this out and we are waithng with bated breath for the next update (in real world computers, that is ... it has come out in MacSpeak).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 12:02 PM

Just noticed this one. I learned it three or four years ago from the Newfoundland band "The Irish Descendants" although they call it "The last of the great whales." It's on one of their early CDs and it's a great version.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,MICHAEL BATORY
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 08:56 AM

Great to hear from Sheena Wellington and, personally speaking at least, to have a few of those " Who heard it from Whom " gaps filled.

I now understand the Sheena , Melanie Harrold and Anne Marie Middleton (Disney Moon) link, but can anybody explain how Rory Block also sings "burn" on her album Tornado?

Sheena, I seem to recall reading, possibly in the liner notes on your Kerelaw album, that you heard the song from Jim Donahue. Was that at Girvan?

The discography is "daily growing", (now that sounds familiar),67 releases so far, including reissues etc.

If anybody wants a copy of the definitive (I hope) list, please email me and I'll happily oblige.

Regards to all,

Michael Batory [e-mail].

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From:
Date: 27 May 02 - 02:18 PM

Have the lyrics to 'The Last Leviathan' can anyone help out with the sheet music (ideally for guitar with chords) Thanks Drumbanger

Subject: The Last of the Great Whales
From:
Date: 27 May 02 - 02:23 PM

Have lyrics to this song, can anyone help out with sheet music (preferably for guitar with chords)

Thanks

Drumbanger

Subject: RE: The Last of the Great Whales
From: Celtic.Relics.com
Date: 27 May 02 - 03:04 PM

Newfoundland based band, The Irish Descendants, recorded the song on their second album "Look To The Sea". It's one of the best version I've heard. Check out their website at http://www.irishdescendants.com/

Subject: RE: The Last of the Great Whales
From: Stewie
Date: 27 May 02 - 07:13 PM

Danny Spooner does a cracker version of this on his beaut recent CD of songs of the sea: 'Launch Out on the Deep' DS 005. He uses the original title, 'The Last of the Great Whales', and notes that his source was from Martin Carthy.

Danny Spooner

Danny is probably the best and most knowledgeable singer in Australia of traditional and folk idiom songs. Check him out if you do not know his work - you won't regret it. He is appearing at various UK and European folk festivals and events over the next few months. UK and European 'catters can check out his schedule in the above link.

--Stewie.