Crane Driver - the solo CD

Subject: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Crane Driver
Date: 02 Aug 04 - 06:20 PM

OK, I've recorded as part of Baggyrinkle (the Swansea Shantymen), but this is my first recording under my own name (Andrew McKay - and yes, I know it's not a Welsh name). It's finally here, and it's called -

Pennbucky to Llangenny

Swansea sailors and coppermen – new songs of old times

Crane Drivin' Music CDMCD1001

For the last three years, I've been writing songs, very much in the British traditional style, based on stories about the maritime and industrial past of my home port, Swansea, South Wales, UK. The idea has been to create the sort of song that could have been written at the time, if anyone had been so inspired. I've had lots of positive feedback when I've sung the songs out at festivals and clubs, from such eminent and knowledgeable folk as Dave Webber, Tom Lewis, Johnny Collins, Joyce & Danny McLeod, and many less well known but equally knowledgeable people, who have asked if the songs are available on record anywhere. Well, now they are.

As well as myself on vocals, duet concertina and bowed psaltery, the CD features fellow Baggyrinkle members Andy Baker (top harmony vocals and guitar) Tony Beddow (tenor harmony vocals) and Dave Robinson (bass harmony vocals) plus Ken Simpson (fiddle, mandolin and mandola) and Joe Parsell (harmonica, percussion). So obviously this is a fairly novel use of the word "solo".

The CD can be obtained from The Chantey Cabin or direct from me. It costs 12 UK pounds – pm me if you're interested and I'll tell you how to go about getting a copy. Sorry but I'm not set up to take credit cards.

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: open mike
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 12:23 AM

what do yo suppose that would traslate to in US$?

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: pavane
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 01:49 AM

Good luck with the CD

(And BTW that is the same Ken Simpson that took the photo used in the Harmony splash screen and on my web site.)

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Crane Driver
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 10:26 AM

Open Mike -

At current rate of exchange, about 22US$ apparently.

Don't blame me for the exchange rate!

Andrew

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: jimmyt
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 11:18 AM

Andrew, I have tried to order from website but so far no able to negotiate it. I will rummage around to see if I have a few GBP to send you directly. Can't wait to hear your group and hear the mighty Crane at work! jimmyt ps hope you can tame that Saxon from Lewes!

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Selchie - (RH)
Date: 03 Aug 04 - 01:31 PM

Andrew,

Have listened to your CD, it's good & I like it very much. Hope it sells well & Good Luck with it.

Regards,

Mairi

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: pavane
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 07:47 AM

Andy,
Have you considered opening a Paypal account? Seems to work OK for me

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Splott Man
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 07:47 AM

Are you bringing it to our wonderful song and tune night at Llantrisant Folk Club tonight?

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Snuffy
Date: 04 Aug 04 - 06:40 PM

As the proud owner of a copy, I must say it is excellent. Lots of fascinating background history to the songs in the accompanying booklet make it a real treat.

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Crane Driver
Date: 05 Aug 04 - 05:44 PM

Thanks to those who have posted appreciations and good wishes.

Neil Yes, our Kenneth's a multi-talented bloke. I have opened a PayPal account, which does work, which means that

Jimmy can stop searching under the furniture for loose British change and pay in dollars!

Ned - I'll certainly be bringing it to your wonderful club in Llantrisant (the hole with the mint) but not for a few weeks - the day job is spilling into the evenings at the moment.

See you around,
Andrew

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: GUEST,Untamed Saxon from Lewes
Date: 07 Aug 04 - 02:50 PM

Jimmy!!!   Me tamed???? Never!!   Hope the last track on the CD may come in handy to put your patients at ease.. tusk tusk   Carole x

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Crane Driver
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 03:56 AM

Just thought I'd run this past you guys again, seeing as most UK 'catters were at Sidmouth last week - ;-}

Andrew

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: curmudgeon
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 04:21 PM

The CD has arrived, much sooner than I expected. Great work, Andrew. I've only had a chance for two listens, but I really am enjoying the songs, specially "Elephants Teeth."

Good Show -- Tom

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Crane Driver
Date: 11 Aug 04 - 07:46 PM

Well, wow - Mick Tems just sent me a review of the CD he's written for Taplas, the Welsh folk magazine. Can't resist quoting from it:

"Andrew McKay is the Crane concertina player in Swansea shanty crew Baggyrinkle. He is also a marvellous songwriter, and these are the fruits of his work so far – a studious, intelligent historian with an impish sense of humour who sees an "angle" in every story. Andrew invites fellow Baggies Andy Baker, Tony Beddow and Dave Robinson, plus musicians Joe Parsell and Ken Simpson, along for the ride – rollicking, riveting tales of Swansea, its ships and men.


From All Washed Up Ashore through Cobre Days to Pennbucky To Llangenny (the sailors' nickname for the Brazilian port of Pernambuco, modern Recife, and Gower dialect for Llangennith) Andrew's songs have always fascinated and elated me. He is reminiscent of a cross between a Kipling and a Fox-Smith, but with one big difference; whereas Peter Bellamy made the tunes for Kipling, Andrew did it all himself – and what good, rock-and-rolling songs they are, too. There isn't a wasted one among them."

Those of you who know me will realise that, if I say I'm speechless it is, so as to speak, a figure of speech. Nevertheless ..... wow

Andrew

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: rumanci
Date: 13 Aug 04 - 02:18 PM

I don't know for one minute why you are surprised at that review.
The whole CD is a gem ......... crackin' good songs and tunes.....lovely bits of bowed psaltery too btw ..... played and sung superbly well .....plus..........an informative well written and complete sleeve notes booklet .......wow !!
My congratulations Andrew and to all those concerned.
Be very proud :-D

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Phot
Date: 13 Aug 04 - 06:21 PM

Andrew, are you going to be at Miskin next year, as if you are I'll take a copy of the CD, otherwise PM me and I'll get a copy via post.

Wassail!

Chris

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: sian, west wales
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 12:37 PM

Excellent CD, and much enjoyed on many a long car journey!

Those of you who may be thinking in terms of Secret Santa 2004 could do well to remember to put this on your wish list!

sian

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: jimmyt
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 02:16 PM

Hey Andrew! I just got the CD and am listening to it as I write. It is fantastic. Great stories in the songs, have never heard them before. I would recommend this to anyone! I want to come and hear the Crane live sometime soon! Perhaps a pint also!

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Snuffy
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 08:56 AM

Chris,

Why wait till Miskin? I think Andrew is going to be at Wareham soon.

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: jimmyt
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 10:15 AM

The mad dash for everyone to move to the Gower penensula will start soon, Andrew, and you will have it on your conscience.   Imagine a neighborhood of transplanted Yanks, Canadians, and a second invasion of Anglo-Saxons. Can you live with yourself?

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Abuwood
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 02:36 PM

OOOOooo reading all these I can't wait for my copy to arrive....

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Col K
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 04:39 PM

I expect you to bring them to Gt Yarmouth

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Crane Driver
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 07:01 PM

Well - hi all

The Snuffless One is quite right, as usual - Carole and I will be at Towersey (Saturday only) and Wareham (all weekend), and can be persuaded to exchange CDs for Negotiable Instruments of Currency.   Towersey is rather special, as it's Carole's last day as an inhabitant of England . . .

Jimmy: you're welcome on Gower any time - we're short of dentists in Wales - bring your kit. Doesn't look like I'm going to get a chance to live with myself - I'll be living with half the Mudcat . . .

Abi: - patience - it's on it's way . . .

Colin: I can't make it to Yarmouth as I have Baggyrinkle commitments - but Carole will be there with merchandise . . .

All the best,
Andrew

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: SussexCarole
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 01:58 PM

I'll have CDs with me at Great Yarmouth.    Frank Hennessey included two tracks from the CD on Celtic Heartbeat, Radio BBC Wales last Saturday.      If you want a sneak preview listen in on their web site.

Subject: RE: Crane Driver - the solo CD
From: Crane Driver
Date: 31 Aug 04 - 04:47 PM

Refresh

(shameless self-promotion)

Andrew!