Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group

Subject: Canny Fettle
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 03:16 AM

Ive just been enjoying an old LP by Canny Fettle (Varry Canny) and a question arises. Is Steve Turner from the group, the same person who has recorded a number of solo LPs for the Fellside label?

By the way, I have 2 albums by Canny Fettle (the one mentioned above, also Trip to Harrogate), but did they record any more?

Thanks
LL

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: Anglo
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 03:50 AM

Yes that's the same Steve Turner. I believe he retired from the folk music scene quite a while ago - sorry, no idea what he's been up to.

I have only one LP by the band - Varry Canny. The members are also featured on the Fellside CD Trip To Harrogate - Tunes & Songs from Joshua Jackson's Book, 1798. That's on the Tradition Masters series, and I don't know how the CD relates to the original LPs.

(Not much help, really, am I?)

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: GUEST,Paul Burke
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 03:54 AM

I suspect so. Canny Fettle were active around Manchester in the early 70s, then IIRC went to achieve modest fame and fortune in Germany and Holland. When not playing with the band, Steve was a regular floor performer in the Manchester folk clubs before his career took off. I particularly remember him at the Welcome in Rusholme.

Steve used to have the most amazing stutter, and conversation with him was really difficult. But when he sang, it was quite another story.

I haven't seen him now for years, but last time I saw him his speech was totally fluent, so perhaps the singing was therapeutic.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 09:43 AM

Thanks for the info chaps, but one question
Paul who is IIRC ?

LL

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 10:15 AM

Lancashire Lad: I can see you are imagining IIRC is an interesting band, like EII or REM. Alas, it just means "if I recall correctly".
TTFN
greg

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:32 AM

I last saw Steve Turner several years ago at Terry Whelan's 60th birthday party in Salford. I believe that Steve now deals in fiddles and perhaps other musical instruments. I always admired his concertina playing , and his singing of The Isle of St Helena is one of my favourite tracks ever.
Mary

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: GUEST,The Burren Ranger
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 01:11 PM

Bob Dheil played fiddle with the group. Any idea where he is today? His brother Laurie was a great flat-picker and 5 string -banjo man. Lived in Bournemouth in the early-mid 70's.
TBR

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: Larkin
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 06:58 PM

The first time I ever met Steve was at my school folk club .I was a third former he was a 5th former. We were all sitting in our school uniforms playing Joan Baez songs. Steve had been home and changed into full Bob Dylan clothes- army jacket and leather hat and played Dylan on a 12 string and harmonica round his neck. A rare moment !

Martin

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: GUEST,McGrath of Altcar
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:09 AM

Man he could sing alright - terrific voice and a thoroughly talented musician. Isle of Saint Helena is one of my desert Island disks too Helen. I seem to remember he is the source for Mary Black's version of the song. He was/is a superb mandolin player. I remember he played a very old Gibson A1 ( or was it an L) Mandolin. One with them scroll thingys any way. I'd pay to see him tonight if I could.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: red max
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:24 AM

The "Trip to Harrogate" LP seems to get credited to Canny Fettle, but their name does not appear anywhere on the album as far as I can see. Perhaps they intended it to be a standalone project?

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: Folkiedave
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 06:03 PM

Bob Diehl is in Germany........or was anyway.

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: GUEST,Folkmonster
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 09:39 PM

Last I heard Steve wasrunning Turner Violins at the Hobgoblin Folk Instrument Shop in Nottingham. I don't know if he still plays professionally.

FM

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: GUEST,Steve Turner
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 07:48 PM

Hello everybody,

I was very pleased to read this thread! I've come back to the scene after a break of thirteen years. I was booked at Sidmouth, Whitby and Bromyard this year plus a few Folk Clubs.
I am currently recording an album in John Tams' studio. You can have a look at my website on steve-turner.co.uk

I am looking forward to your email and offers of bookings!!!

Steve

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 06:08 AM

I would certainly recommend Steve to any folk club organiser. He was guest at Traditions At The Tiger, Long Eaton on 2nd October and it is obvious that his time away from the scene has not in any way diminished his skills. He drew a good crowd, turned in an excellent performance of widely varied material and recevied a most positive and genuine ovation. Book him.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 11 Oct 05 - 08:54 AM

Yes, I've heard Steve sing recently - I can confirm that he's still in great form.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: rich-joy
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 07:54 AM

Just this night, seen Steve Turner in a House Concert in Maleny, (Queensland, Australia) - superb singing, superb playing (both concertina and bouzouki) - my only regret is that he didn't sing "The Isle of St Helena" as it's a favourite song of mine too!!!
His new album will be out within the fortnight though ......
:~)

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 08:49 AM

Good to see Steve is getting about again ! he turned up at Maidenead last year - Hadnt seen him for YEARS , but he hasnt lost ANYTHING , except the stammer !

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 10 Jan 08 - 01:15 PM

You don't half drag 'em up you lot!!

I was going to mention the same thing about Steve Turner that folkmonster says.

I've not seen Bob Deihl since a week last Thursday. I think he's still living in Holland but he also has a house in Derbyshire with his partner Jane (mother of two members of 422).

Forgot about Laurie - didn't he move to the US? Seem to remember going to his "going away" party round about 1976!

Wasn't there a left handed guitarist called Bob Morton also in the band?

Ray

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle
From: romania totale
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 05:54 PM

I played with Canny Fettle in the mid seventies, They were residents at various clubs run by Harry Boardman in the Manchester area. Although I was not a regular member of the band, I used to stand in for Gerry Murphy, who played concertina and smallpipes, when the band played for ceilidhs. The line up was Bob Diehl, Steve Turner, Gerry, and Bob Morton. Incidentally, Gerry won the Alnwick gathering in 1976. I was there.
   
                   Chris Cole.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Nees Pellikaan
Date: 17 Nov 14 - 10:03 AM

I once drove some members (Bob Diehl) of Canny Fettle from the boot of Hoek van Holland to a folk-gig somewhere in Amsterdam/Diemen in the early seventies. I was living in Monster (holland) with some English guys (Dave ?, Steve ?, Alan Arnison) coming from Salford. Bob Diehl gave me the record Varry Canny - a lik but have not played for years if I still have it. Like to meet the embers of Canny Fettle.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 04:56 AM

Bob is alive and well and living in Derbyshire - I played a session with him last week. Bob Morton is also alive and well and lives somewhere "dahn sarth" but his daughter lives up in the real world and he popped into the Thursday session with his shiny D45 a couple of weeks ago. He seems to spend most of his time jetting around the world with his job.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 05:11 AM

Catch Steve Turner at Southport's Bothy FSC on Sunday 18th January next year (our 50th Anniversary year)

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Mar 15 - 09:48 PM

Hi, "wor Bob", my brother now lives in Bristol, yes he is always on the move , must have a million air miles, I only see him maybe once a year, he is still in touch with Bob Deil etc., I remember that they used to perform privately for the Queen at either xmas or new year and were playing when the groom/attendant (??), I think he was Irish, got carried away and grabbed the Queen for a dance, security jumped on him and he was sacked but the Queen gave him his job back as "he was only enjoying himself"!. As far as I know some of the lads still get together, I have my own copies of the bands LPs and thought they were worth a canny bit to collectors but obviously not, they haven't been played much as I like rock, Zep, Sabs, Purps etc. but if any one really needs to get in touch with Bob get in touch with me, my e-mail address is [e-mail], thanx, Geoff. Morton.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Martin Gittins
Date: 18 Aug 16 - 04:58 AM

Hi everyone,

Can anyone put me in touch with Bob Diehl? last post on this thread has him in Bristol, two years ago. Can anyone update me? I'm on Facebook probably easier that way than me trying to remember how I got here and finding it again!

Cheers!

Marting.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 18 Aug 16 - 02:09 PM

Its Bob Morton who's in Bristol. Bob has lived in Derbyshire for several years now

I don't have his 'phone number [I wouldn't post it on a public forum even if I had] but I do know someone who does. Unfortunately. he's sailing somewhere in the north sea this week and I'm unlikely to see him before I go away myself.

If you can contrive some way of getting your contact details to me I'll pass them on to Bob next time I see him. {I'm not a member here so you can't PM me and I definitely don't do Face-tube!] Failing that, depending where you are, he usually hangs out at the Travellers in the Hope Valley on Thursday nights.

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 18 Aug 16 - 05:35 PM

Might see Bob Fuel in Whitby next week, and also Anthony Robb.
Derek

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 18 Aug 16 - 05:39 PM

Damn... predictive text and not checking. Bob Diehl of course....

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 18 Aug 16 - 06:44 PM

GUEST Ray - "Travellers in the Hope Valley on Thursday " ?
Do you have any more info on that?

I know about the Bowling Green , Bradwell, 1st Mondays
& Cheshire Cheese, Hope, 1st & 3rd Thursdays

Thanks

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=52.8%2C-2.1&z=9&mid=1rYM8KCgNpRZWIBHWB0fQQtshLzs

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 10:11 AM

Hi Freddy
Not sure what there is to tell really. General musicians session every Thursday at the Travellers Rest (at the traffic lights where the road from Bradwell joins the main drag). Finishes dead on 23.00 so's they don't disturb those trying to sleep in the bedrooms upstairs!

The Bowling Green sessions ceased a couple of months ago due to us being the only ones in the pub on a Monday Night. There are talks about a different pub so watch this space.

It must be 30 years since I last darkened the doors of either the Cheshire Cheese in Hope or the one in Castleton. I didn't even know they had a session.

Cheers
R

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 06 Jan 17 - 04:38 PM

Dear Martin,

Alive and well and back in the Peak after 30 years in EU. I see you have been busy, too

If you leave a message at the Travellers Rest in Brough I should get it, or try 2nd Monday of the month at the Shoulder of Mutton, on B6049 in Bradwell, was at the Bowling Green.

Canny Fettle now has a website and is Still Gannin Canny (new CD) but without Steve. Bluegrass lives with Aprille and the Shower. Brother Laurence had 20 years US pro banjo, guitar and tenor sax but is now IT programmer with a lot of clips -
Django Tango - Banjo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdJv9ZJSdG4

Hope this works!

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 06 Jan 17 - 07:14 PM

Martin Gittins, (hope this is the you https://m.facebook.com/martin.gittins.1 )


This is the Shoulder of Mutton
https://maps.google.com/?cid=9746687914567248407 

Subject: RE: Canny Fettle - Manchester Folk Group
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 06 Jan 17 - 07:22 PM

This is Steve Turner's web page, very active with gigs 2017
http://www.steve-turner.co.uk/living_trad.htm