Pyewackett - whereabouts?

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Jos
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 06:02 AM

Are you going to tell us who you are, Guest?

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 21 - 02:50 AM

Hi. I played with Nigel Chippendale's Folk dance Band whilst he lived over the Hobgoblin Music Shop in Crawley, regularly during the 2 years leading up to his death. I played his baritone sax, which is pictured in Chippendale's Cheerie Tunes, flute (but not at the same time) and accordian. I was so very upset when I heard that he had died in hospital. We played all over the place. A few times just he and I did gigs. He would always say, it goes like this (having no written music) 'tum ti dum di diddly di, diddly dum di' etc then repeats the second goes 'tum di etc..
I would always say got it or words to the effect (for politeness), but just used my ears. He could play one of squeeze boxes, electric bass pedals (when I wasn't playing bari sax), call the dances, all at the same time. So much fun I had!

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Sep 19 - 09:13 AM

Super band, loved them! Saw them live in Ipswich in the 80s. Still have an LP of theirs.
Great version of the Shetland tune "Christmas Day in the Morning".Christmas Day in the Morning

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 28 Sep 19 - 07:51 AM

"Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Jim Martin
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 09:00 AM

Just been listening to them, what a beautiful sound!

http://tela.sugarmegs.org/_asxtela/Pyewacket1991-07-20SheffieldHallumWakesFolkFestival.asx

Brings back happy memories of them at a Yorks folk fest in the mid 80's! "

It was Wath - great festival!

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 23 Apr 19 - 03:29 AM

Fond memories of the band; 2 in particular, - their gig at Southport's Bothy Club in September 1983 - we must've paid them all of £100?! Secondly their spot at Liverpool Folk Festival, again around the same time. A Saturday morning opening spot in the Adelphi Hotel's ornate ballroom when they kicked off with a memorable cover of The Police's 'Spirits In The Material World' - inspired; It woke up a bleary, coffee-sipping four dozen-or-so 'crowd' and it's stayed with me all these decades. Those were the days.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,David
Date: 22 Apr 19 - 02:44 PM

I see Ian regularly when he's in London; a good friend. He also spends about half the year in Australia.
Sans is a superb band; they've just released their second album.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Don Day
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 08:51 AM

Rosie Cross and Mike live in the village of Bowes on the A66. Other side of the road to Dotheboys Hall.

Don Day

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 08:34 AM

Update... recorded the gig..And got to meet Sanna and Tigran as well as re connecting with Mr Blake. All on very good form...It was just one of those gigs that don't happen very often. I feel blessed to have been involved. Plans for touring worldwide next year, (mind uou, the expenses could be a problem. Armenia,Finland,UK,Australia!)
So, a one off gig in a tiny church in London to about 50 people was a real treat...Down side, Parking was a dog!

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 09:45 PM

I bought The Man in the Moon Drinks Claret on CD a couple of years ago via Amazon - cheaper to buy through them as an import from the States than via Amazon as the supplier direct though.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 10:17 AM

Just finished listening to that Hallam University gig - great stuff, happy memories ....

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Jim Martin
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 09:00 AM

Just been listening to them, what a beautiful sound!

http://tela.sugarmegs.org/_asxtela/Pyewacket1991-07-20SheffieldHallumWakesFolkFestival.asx

Brings back happy memories of them at a Yorks folk fest in the mid 80's!

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 08:30 AM

Only the last CD made it to CD (This Crazy Paradise) but there a small mutterings to re-visit the earlier LPs in due course, and transfer them.

German label Words and Music put the 2nd LP, The Man In The Moon Drinks Claret, out on CD a few years back - available here on Amazon, also available as an MP3 download! If you're a Pyewackett newbie, that LP's an excellent place to start ...

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 05:34 AM

Mr Cronshaw hasn't updated his website so Google St Ethelburgas instead! A very intimate venue....(Famous for getting blown up by the IRA in the seventies, but completely renovated) and I'll be recording the gig for the band to use to promote next years tour....
Considering where they all live, I think they will be busking it a bit! Should be exciting though!

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 03:17 AM

Only the last CD made it to CD (This Crazy Paradise) but there a small mutterings to re-visit the earlier LPs in due course, and transfer them.
And Ian is indeed in London doing a gig with a four piece band of Andy Cronshaws called Sans...Sunday night at St Ethelburgas church near Liverpool Street London. Google Cloud Valley music for more info.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 01:21 PM

Saw them in the afternoon at a barn dance during the same Sheffield Folk Festival as mentioned elsewhere. For an occasional meet they were very good indeed.

Streaming here it seems!!!

http://tela.sugarmegs.org/_asxtela/Pyewacket1991-07-20SheffieldHallumWakesFolkFestival.asx

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Alan Day
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 12:43 PM

I saw Penny Hop at the Late Night Extra at Sidmouth,one of the finest dance band performances ever. Two tracks of the band are on the Nigel Chippendale Out Takes Memorial Album.
Al

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 11:33 AM

Great to hear news of the current whereabouts of one of my all-time favourite bands (especially Rosie and Bill, I knew more about what Mark and Ian are up to).

We booked them for the Inter-Varsity Folk Dance Festival in Sheffield in 1983, and they gave us a fantastic night and were really nice people as well - even when the caretaker pretty much threw them off stage at the very first strike of 11:30pm! Whenever the Bear Dance comes up in sessions I still always hear Bill's wonderful keyboard part ...

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,surreysinger sans cookie
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 11:23 AM

Bill is indeed on Facebook - and he is currently the Music Education Manager for Yamaha UK (and a very busy life he seems to have scooting all over the country to various musical events, writing a website blog, and producing the Yamaha Education Supplement - YES for short). Ian Blake is in London this weekend,incidentally, working with Andrew Cronshaw.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 05:17 PM

Bill Martin is alive and well and a friend of mine on Facebook - he works for Yamaha Education (I think).

I remember helping to put together a benefit concert for a psychiatric wing at a London hospital with a bill that included Pyewackett, Dave Walters and ourselves (Anonyma). It was a really great night!

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 10:26 AM

Did someone mention Penny Hop. I was original guitarist with Roger Watson and Nigel Chippendale - heck so long ago. Sadly left to play Steely Dan covers -big mistake.
Last 4 years working with Mike Bettisons' brother Simon so see Rosie Cross occasionally -small world!

I thought Pyewackett stood out so far at the time - now every 20 year ( or younger ) is a musical genius, I guess Pyewackett helped set the bar.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Peter Dawson
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 09:57 AM

I've just dug out their first album and listened to it for the first time in ages. Wears very well. I remember us booking them at Swansea Folk Club and how lovely they all were. A while later I accompanied a school theatre trip and caught them playing a foyer show at the Barbican. They spotted me from the stage and greeted me afterwards like an old friend - to the bewiderment of the Sixth Formers and staff I was with!
Isn't Mark Emerson June Tabor's other half?

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 11:41 AM

I booked Pyewackett for Llantrisant Folk Club - what a bunch of nice guys (and girl) and magnificent stunning musicians!

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Dick The Box
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 10:52 AM

A number of years back Ian was over from Oz and touring with Eric Bogle.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 10:21 AM

This thread seems to linking to the Dingles records thread. so, pop in and have a read!

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 01:56 AM

Before I'm flayed alive, I forgot to mention Bill Martin, Keyboard Maestro for both the Wacketts, and P Hop.
Went on to find fame fame and fortune with "Star Trekking Across the Universe", so, is probably living the high life in California by now.
Sirry Bill, if you read this!
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 05:37 PM

They used to live in a house at the bottom of the road where I lived. I was in a studentish occupied dwelling (bit like The Young Ones on TV) in Shortlands, near Bromley. Ah Happy Days!

Sarah

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Pistachio
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 04:59 PM

Blast from the past - I must dig out my LP and listen again.... H.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: jillfiddle
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 03:32 PM

But they weren't from 'Ull!!

Originally 'Penguin Parts', resident @ Royal Holloway College, London Uni, late 1970s.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 03:15 PM

Penny Hop were my absolute favourites.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: BB
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 02:23 PM

To add to Ralphie's information about Rosie Cross, she and Mike are living in Barnard's Castle, and she's working in arts administration for the local council there, I believe. She also took part in John K.'s Christmas show, 'Wassail' a few years ago.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 11:40 AM

Well. Heres my 4 pennorth.

Rosie is happily married to Mike Bettison 'up North somewhere..still doing theatre shows etc, 2 daughters, and as far as I know, very happy with her lot.
Mark of course is well known for working with the delightful Ms Tabor.
Ian Blake, has been living in Oz for many years, amongst other things doing school projects with a good friend whose real name is Michael Jackson (Poor Sod!)
Ian manages to get over to the UK a couple of times a year to work, and, inevitably turns up on Andy Cronshaw CDs.

Haven't had much contact with Laurie H. Will believe GUEST Hootenany that he's been sighted in North London...

Serendipity rules, but, there are a couple of threads just below, concerning Dingles records. Pyewacketts fist LP was on Dingles, and my band and theirs where vying for studio time in the same fortnight!

Hope some of the above helps.

Regards Ralphie.

(PS. also an honourable mention to Penny Hop. The big dance band, with most of Pyewackett, Pierce Butler, Roger Watson, Nigel Chippindale, and a bit of me in their final incarnation.)

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 11:30 AM

Ian Blake went to Australia, but I recall him taking part in the early West Gallery revival at Sidmouth around 1992 with the original Mellstock Band.

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 11:20 AM

Laurie Harper still plays odd sesions in North London. Currently I believe an Irish one on Thursday nights around Mornington Crescent.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Arnie
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 11:19 AM

Saro - thanks for reminding me of a great group. I last saw them live at a village hall in Bucks in the late 80's. I really loved their atmospheric sound and Rosie's distinctive voice. I remember that on the night they did a new number called something like Saheela, based (I think) on a women's refuge organisation in India which Rosie had just visited. My favourite song, which I've got somewhere in my collection is their version of Mr Fox. I would be also interested to know what happened to Pyewacket - weren't they from Hull??

Subject: RE: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 11:14 AM

I'll start things off: Mark Emerson often accompanies June Tabor (and thank you for asking, because until you did I had no idea he'd been in Pyewackett -- a band I used to be very fond of).

Subject: Pyewackett - whereabouts?
From: Saro
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 11:06 AM

I've just been listening to one of my old LPs by Pyewackett, and wonder if anyone knows what the band members are doing now? The people in question are Ian Blake, Bill Martin, Rosie Cross, Mark Emerson, and Laurie Harper. Wonderful musicians all, and the album sounds as great now as it did when I first heard it years ago.
Best wishes,
Sarah