Amity - Forgotten UK folk group

Subject: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 09:38 PM

Hi all
My cassette player has chewed up an old tape of an album by a 70s group called Amity. Does anyone know if any of their stuff has been released on CD? If so, where could I buy it from?. Failing that, I would be happy to buy someones vinyl or even purchase a CDR if someone can help.

Also, does anyone have any info on the group....Did they make more than one LP?, Who were the group members? and where are they now?

Many thanks

LL

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 09:41 PM

You could try Little Pot Stove Records. John Dalton (owner) is very good at tracking down old LPs.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 23 Aug 05 - 10:41 PM

Forgotten seems to be the operative word. Do you have no information at all? Was your tape a pirate copy with no title or other info attached?

There was an LP by a UK group called Amity on Red Rag Recordings RedRag RRR001 (1976?), it seems. There's even a copy listed for sale at http://www.vinylrecords.co.uk/folk.html ... for £100 ...

Red Rag also released LPs from Stan Arnold, The Calico String Bandand Bully Wee among others, apparently. The label doesn't seem to have lasted long. I suppose it's possible that someone bought up the back catalogue, but it seems to have sunk without trace.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: alanabit
Date: 24 Aug 05 - 07:24 AM

Thinking of those artists that Malcolm Douglas mentioned, I think htey may have been managed by Joe Stead at one time. Perhaps he would know more, if someone could contact him.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 24 Aug 05 - 08:28 AM

Well I remember Amity...they played around West London in the early/mid-70s, did an epic version of "The White Cockade". But £100 for an LP????

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 24 Aug 05 - 09:29 AM

£100 for the LP...Eek thats beyond my meagre pocket. The cassette was one that an aquaintance copied for me years ago. I only rediscovered it relatively recently and then my car player decided to eat it! I will contact Joe Stead direct for some info. I tried John Dalton regarding any of their LPs. No joy sadly

Thanks for your help

LL

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 05 - 07:56 AM

i.i.r.c. Amity were based around Farnham, Surrey and centred around a couple, Colin & Judy Webb. In fact a bit of Googling throws up a 1980s line-up of Colin Webb - Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals, Judy Webb - Autoharp, Lead Vocals, Russell Brown - Bass Guitar, Pete Morrison - Electric guitar(replacing Roger Leigh), John Field - Fiddle, Vince Salisbury - Drums. Also i.i.r.c. Red Rag Records was the house label of a folk agency (can't remember name) which had some connection with folk club performer Stan Arnold, which would explain his release on the label. Maybe Red Rag also had a Farnham connection as they released the UK version of Hot Vultures first album Carrion On which had been made for EMI Belgium (the only Red Rag vinyl I still own)

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 01:56 AM

Many thanks for the info Guest.
I'll keep on searching for a reasonably priced copy of the LP
LL

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 12:39 PM

Just found this thread:

Amity were formed circa 1971 and gigged in various incarnations up to the mid 1980's. The original members were Colin Webb (gtr), Judy Webb (autoharp), Dave King (bass), Grahame Limmer (drums), Roger Leigh (lead gtr), John Field (fiddle, mandolin, accordion). Dave Dilloway replaced Dave King on bass around 1972. This line up gigged extensively up to around 1978. All members contributed to the vocals and the band played a mix of traditional and contemporary songs with some being band originals. Later musicians included Vince Salisbury and Steve Holley on drums, Russ Brown on bass, Dave Jeffrey, gtr and mandolin, Pete Morrison Gtr. and John Danter gtr.

I think only one album was ever cut, but there are a few tapes about. The group appeared on "Opportunity Knocks" circa 1973 and a video exists of this performance.   Sadly, the original lead guitarist (and talented singer and songwriter) Roger Leigh, passed away in 1996.

Amity were originally based in the Richmond/Twickenham area of West London.   A reunion one-off gig was played around 2004, but nothing since, and it is unlikely that the band will ever perform again.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 02:10 PM

I remember the Red Rag album. However, I am pretty sure there was another Amity in the West Midlands in the 70s and into the 80s. I seem to remember them coming to our club at the Burnt Post in Coventry - they won one of the heats for the 'Search for a Star' contest which was organised by one of the major magazines at the time. Memory a bit hazy round that time?!

G

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 08:55 AM

Dave King?
wonder if its the same fellow who now lives in Baltimore,Co Cork.What did he look like?.the one I know used to play bass guitar,is small, five foot four to six,wears glasses and is about sixty,and is a very competent guitarist.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,John Field
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 09:21 AM

The Dave King I knew fits that description......mind you it's 35 yrs. ago........

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 09:30 AM

yes, well I do gigs with him regularly, I will ask him next time I see him
this Dave is originally from Staffordshire,and more latterly lived in Hull,if you pm me,I can give you his contact number.
or contact me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,peter n.
Date: 09 Feb 09 - 05:24 PM

This is a very rare record.Its in the UK record collector guide at £120 (in mint condition) but the only one I have found for sale is on a Japanese web site for £200 +

I have a copy in ex/ex condition autographed by the band - I think its all of them but I haven't looked at it for a while

Colin & Judy Webb,Dave Jeffrey, Stan Smith, Mike Piggot.

I am not looking to sell it just yet but could put a copy on CD if you're interested and are prepared to meet my expenses for doing it. I have a decent turntable (Project Debut II and Ortofon Cartridge)so it would be a good clean copy in MP3 format.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 06:40 PM

Hi all this is Colin - it's good the band is still remembered we actually broke up just after Colin Erwin announced the `Death of Folk Rock' in the Melody Maker and listed Amity, Fairport, et al saying wereare they now!. Nobody was buying albums, folk rock gigs were dropping off and it seemed there was no future in flogging a dead horse (can't remember the year but I think it was 75). Now, thanks to Fairport who battled on, there's been a complete resurgence and you've got new great artists like Seth Lakeman, Leatherat and great songwrites in the old tradition like Newton Faulkner. Back to Amity they were great days and if anyone wants copies of things either released or not my brother has everything so blog on. Put enough pressure on and maybe I'll get the ancients back for a few more gigs - please provide the zimmer frames.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,klye
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 07:23 AM

Judy webb is my media teacher at more house school

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 08:34 AM

Blimey! There's a blast from the past. I remember seeing Amity several times in 1973/74 at the Cabbage Patch in Twicenham. Great live band. Very loud. They did a version of 'High Germany' that featured a terrific bass solo in the middle. Look, I told you, it was 1973....

My brother was at school with Graham Limmer. Last I heard Graham was living in a flat on the Hounslow Road with another mate of my brother's who subsequently became a builder in Detroit. Funny what you remember. Brian Willoughby from the Strawbs was another contemporary of theirs at Gunnersbury School (I'm told).

I remember them appearing on 'Opportunity Knocks'. They got top score on the Clapometer. It was all downhill from there, I'm afraid.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Tim S
Date: 09 Aug 13 - 02:08 PM

You're quite right about the 'blast from the past'!

I remember they used to rehearse in the back room of the Royal Hart in Ashford (Mddx) - always a good evening.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 13 - 03:53 PM

I'm sorry to report that Dave Dilloway...the longest serving bass player in Amity, passed away in 2011. He was a great guy....RIP Dave..

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 14 Aug 13 - 06:06 PM

I never saw Amity live, but heard them on Jim Lloyd's Radio 2 folk show, and liked their sound enough to buy a copy of their LP (long since gone the way of all vinyl, unfortunately).

If memory serves they had an original song about pirates/highwaymen called 'Gentlemen of Fortune', the chorus of which went something like:

'Gentlemen of fortune, with lace around their throats,
Guineas in their pockets, and pistols in their coats.'

Does anyone else out there recall this, and/or know from where the tune and the rest of the words might be obtainable?

Wassail!

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Kevin of Cornwall
Date: 08 Dec 13 - 03:51 PM

I'm wondering if this is the same Amity who performed in the Exeter University folk club on my first night as a student there, in- I think- 1980. I only lasted 4 days, and this gig is my only happy memory of that time! They did a fantastic version of the Captain Pugwash theme tune (the Trumpet Hornpipe?) and I recall that the guitarist broke his string, so energetic and piston-like was his strumming! It was a great night, and I've often thought about the band, and what became of them!

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,David Jeffery of Amity
Date: 30 May 14 - 04:25 PM

So, this is written on behalf of my brother in law, David Jeffery, of Amity fame .... What happy memories for him and my sister! He is too shy to write himself ... There might have been 100 copies of the record cut and most were sold on a tour of the British forces bases in Germany. What good fun!! Join Amity and See the World (by night). David is still in touch with most of the band members - Russ, John F and Colin & Judy. Maybe a reunion isn't out of the question. David still does a mean Captain Pugwash!!! And can be found playing bluegrass in Teignmouth (the Devon Arms) the first Thursday of every month!

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Fokeman
Date: 31 May 14 - 05:19 AM

If anyone is interested, over the years I've picked up a few copies of the album. Most of them signed. Let me know and I'll burn a copy to cd if you're still hankering after a listen.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Howard Fullbrook
Date: 06 Aug 14 - 10:28 AM

Good to know that David Jeffery is still alive and playing! Happy memories of helping Amity with their sound gear in the early days and, on occasions, getting up and playing with them together with Bill Boazman aka Sonny Black.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 14 - 08:55 AM

I remember they played the Thurso Folk Festival in 1974,a long way off their normal circuit. They didn't have any copies of their LP with them, if I remember, and seemed to disappear shortly after. A good band, I still remember Judy's version of "The Two Magicians" was a standout. Nice to hear some of them are still on the go!

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 16 - 07:38 PM

Got this vinyl in mint condition signed by all the band members for sale at these links. Very rare great album if you are interested in purchasing it!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/162006270650?
https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/324374773

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,GUEST, Ian
Date: 06 Mar 17 - 10:40 AM

Guest Tim S.(above)recalls Amity rehearsing at the (now defunct) Royal Hart pub in Ashford, Middlesex. I recall them playing several times at the Ashford Folk Club, in a little hall behind the District Arms. They always went down very well, lifting the roof as I recall.

The club was small, cosy, friendly. It was run by Bob Dawson, who is still around and lives in Wraysbury.

Should anyone here possess the album, and be willing to burn a copy to CD (expenses paid of course) then I'd love to hear the band again. Sadly, £100+ is out of my price range!

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Dave lamb,
Date: 28 Dec 17 - 06:10 PM

I used to go to the District Arms, and occasionally played there with a guy called Ian Dolphin. I wonder if it is the Ian above.
I saw Amity there too. They inspired me to turn electric. Thanks for the memory.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Tito.
Date: 05 May 18 - 09:26 PM

A band I co-founded supported Amity, in Twickenham, in the Spring of 1974. Nice evening, as I recall!

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Guest, Bob
Date: 22 Aug 18 - 08:19 AM

Sometime in , I think, 1974 Amity did some test recordings in a studio near Tottenham Court Road. CBS I believe. Don't know what happened to the tapes. "Over America" was one of the tracks.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Guest Bob
Date: 22 Aug 18 - 12:54 PM

One thing I forgot, Rag Records was probably connected to Rag Music, a Twickenham based agency representing Amity and Mike Absalom

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,GUESt, Ian Dolphin
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 08:28 AM

Martin Plumb ex Ashford/Staines musician drew my attention to this. I do remember Sunday night at the District Arms playing guitar with both Dave Lamb and Martin. Martin and I have been recording with our band French Lessons and plan to do some 60's covers gigs this year, Covid-19 permitting.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: allanwill
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 07:09 PM

On the double CD "Cornufolkia" is Bruton Town by Amity

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Russ Brown
Date: 07 Apr 21 - 04:53 PM

I played bass with Amity from the 1970s onwards and couldnt help notice your reference to Martin Plumb. Would that be the same Martin Plumb that grew up in Staines and supports Fulham football club ? If so, we knew each other as kids, I was mates with his brother.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 07 Apr 21 - 10:38 PM

To Guest Russ Brown,

Is there any possibility of buying a CD-R of the album from you and copies made of front & back cover of album jacket?
Was there more then one album released?
Thank you.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Gian
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 11:15 AM

I own both their 1976 album and 1984 EP, I always see Steve Holley of Wings played wit them, sounds strange though... not on their pressed recording anyway

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Phil Davies
Date: 07 Sep 23 - 04:23 AM

Judy still plays regularly at an Open Mic night in a pub in Farncimbe, near Guildford. She was there last night.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 09 Sep 23 - 09:49 AM

For those interested in Amity recordings this link may be interesting https://www.discogs.com/sell/list?artist_id=2673813&ev=ab

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GUEST,Phil Davies
Date: 07 Sep 23 - 04:23 AM

Judy still plays regularly at an Open Mic night in a pub in Farncimbe, near Guildford. She was there last night.

Subject: RE: Amity - Forgotten UK folk group
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 09 Sep 23 - 09:49 AM

For those interested in Amity recordings this link may be interesting https://www.discogs.com/sell/list?artist_id=2673813&ev=ab