Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)

Subject: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: GUEST,Georgina Boyes
Date: 30 May 06 - 09:17 AM

Dave's family have phoned to say that Dave has died suddenly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: IanC
Date: 30 May 06 - 09:19 AM

Oh woe ... I loved that group.
:-(

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 May 06 - 09:23 AM

so sorry to hear that. they were great, and Dave was so friendly and nice. they were really dedicated as well- playing tiny folk clubs like The Unicorn at Orton on the Hill.

A wonderful warm and talented person.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: Northerner
Date: 30 May 06 - 09:40 AM

Oh what a shame. I have very fond memories of seeing Swan Arcade (Royston Wood era) when I was living in Bradford. I believe I have a tape recording of them somewhere. I am sorry to hear of Dave's passing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: DMcG
Date: 30 May 06 - 09:54 AM

Sorry to hear about that. Strange that I had occasion to post a message mentioning the first Swan Arcade LP just a few days ago.

I first saw them round about 1973 when they did a gig in the Newcastle University Student's Union.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: GUEST,DaveS at work
Date: 30 May 06 - 12:14 PM

Very sad to hear this news. I first saw Dave and Heather when they used to sing at The Barleycorn Club in Newcastle almost every Saturday night as Dave had a pitch selling carpets on Newcastle Quay on a Sunday morning. He was a fine singer and could turn in a sensitive ballad as well as the more full blooded songs that he, and Swan Arcade were more associated with. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 May 06 - 12:22 PM

My fave memory (apart from Dave playing the concertina) is Swan Arcade and The Watersons on stage together at Bracknell ! Seven Part Harmony on mostly Country and Western Songs !
And before any one says dave only had one hand , he played ONE side of a Duet , with the other end strapped to his thigh !

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: greg stephens
Date: 30 May 06 - 12:40 PM

Sad news. I remember his singing with great affection, and also the pleasures of staying in the Cumbrian bed-and-breakfast he ran (with some amazing Malayan food).

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: waterdragon
Date: 30 May 06 - 12:50 PM

I guess He's gone to join the great session.I'll bet the music is something else!!!!!!
A sad loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 May 06 - 01:36 PM

One of the things I regret about the Mudcat is I often don't learn of wonderful folks until they die. I am sorry to hear of his passing. This is for those of us who didn't know him, but would like to know more: click here.

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade
From: GUEST,Riley
Date: 30 May 06 - 02:05 PM

My last memory of the guy is at the Bradshaw Tavern in Halifax in 1971. I can still remember much of what took place - more than can be said for many of his contemporaries who appeared there. A great chap. Sad loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Anne Lister
Date: 30 May 06 - 03:46 PM

Please pass on my condolences to his family. A fine singer. He'll be much missed.

Anne

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: r.padgett
Date: 30 May 06 - 04:11 PM

Infectious enthusiastic brilliant ~ 'sing yer buggers!' whose passing and early retirement from folk singing will be sadly missed by all who knew him

Yep the folk club in the sky gets bigger ~ my god they knew some songs!

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Tig
Date: 30 May 06 - 05:19 PM

Sad news indeed. Another good one gone to the great Folk Club in the sky.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 May 06 - 06:02 PM

As Dave Bradley he spent his last 18/20 years as "roadie" to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, a postion from which he has only just retired! He also was the singer in Mr McFalls Chamber Orchestra.

http://www.hi-arts.co.uk/mar04_feature4.htm

I remember Swan Arcade hitting the scene at an early Cleethorpes Festival. And Dave making a sound recording of the Waterson´s comeback concert with Planxty! What a night that was!

Sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 30 May 06 - 07:26 PM

The man was a gem !! If I believed in heaven I tell you this that sing-a-round there must be fucking fantastic

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 30 May 06 - 08:59 PM

I worked with Dave for about a year in the '60's - he was my friend. We never had a cross word. I would like to know more about his passing, can anyone help?
Roger Knowles

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,The black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 31 May 06 - 02:16 AM

The first time I went to a folk club, Bradford University folk club in 1973, Swan Arcade were the guests. How could I not become a folk enthusiast?
The news is truly saddening. Just ahd to add my respect here.

Robin Madge

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 31 May 06 - 02:24 AM

Fond memories of Dave with Swan Arcade at the Bradshaw Tavern, and a wonderful man too.

eric

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 06 - 05:20 PM

Just refreshing this thread for occasional readers who might not have heard the sad news in other ways.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Bodminfolk
Date: 31 May 06 - 05:56 PM

That's such sad news - Dave was an inspiration. My first meeting with him occurred at a Farnham Folk Day where we both turned up wearing identical Victor Jara T-shirts, so that was a conversation opener! An absolutely fantastic singer and unquestionably one of the good guys.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Jen Bradley
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 12:51 PM

I'm in a 'get on and do things' mood just now and am trawling the forums trying to get some more details out.

My dad died suddenly and sadly on Monday night in London on his way back from France. He had been diagnosed with emphysema a few years ago, but as someone else has said, he carried on working at the SCO until his early retirement at the end of the edinburgh festival last august. Cause of death was Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

My brother Dav and I are helping to sort out what we hope will be a 'proper good' and fitting send off next friday in Edinburgh.

If anyone wants more details, please reply and i'll post them as soon as things have been confirmed.

thanks for all your messages - they're good to read, and comforting too.

Cheers

Jen
ps Roger - your name seems very familiar, I'm sure my dad had quite a story about you, but i can't remember which one amongst the many!! Perhaps you could help?!

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Davoc Bradley
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 03:55 PM

Hi,

The funeral is planned to be on friday the 9th, which is next friday, in Edinburgh. At the moment this is all we know with regards to the funeral. If people would like to know more then please email me on: [e-mail] and i will let you know as soon as i know more. If people could pass this information on to everyone they know who new Dave that would be great.

Anyones messages, pictures, stories etc would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks a lot,

Davoc (Daves son)

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Mrs Holroyd
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 05:33 PM

So sad to hear of Dave's demise. He was larger than life itself. One of his first ever appearances in front of an audience was in early 60's at one of the EFDSS Northallerton weekends when he completely overwhelmed the rather "staid" folkies of the day with his version of "Johnnie o'Breadislie" I believe these were organised by Tony Foxworthy and there was a competitive element to the weekend. Needless to say, Dave won, and so started his folk singing career. A voice such as his, which could go from being raucous and rough, to gentle and sweet within seconds, is a rare gift indeed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 09:52 AM

Jen,
Your Dad & I went down to London together, song searching on the night Kennedy got shot. We existed by the kindness of Dominic Behan and Ramblin' Jack Elliot ( we took their 'empties' back for beer money) giving us songs and hospitality for at least a week. There are other stories too....
I'm sorry for your loss, I won't be able to attend the funeral as I'm recovering from a double knee operation but I'll be there in spirit.
Roger

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 06 - 04:35 AM

Just refreshing this thread for occasional readers who might not have heard the sad news in other ways.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 03:27 AM

Just refreshing this thread for occasional readers who might not have heard the sad news in other ways.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 04 Jun 06 - 07:11 AM

Sorry to hear of the loss of a rare talent. I didn't know Dave myself, but had friends who knew him. He was well repected as a performer and as a person.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,John Rouse
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 03:27 PM

I remember seeing Swan Arcade at the Burnley Folk Festival - probably in the 1970s. I was down in the main concert hall, and Sue had gone upstairs to see this a capella group. Hardly had my concert started when Sue came down and said "You must come and see this group". So I went upstairs and was absolutely enthralled.

My condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 10:10 PM

It was Dave's inspired playing (one-arm duet) that made me take up the concertina again. Someone who lives in Edinburgh told me that Dave had a job driving a Scottish Opera coach - not at all bad, when you've only got one arm!

Here's to you, Dave, and pleasant memories of Dordrecht Festival and your show-stopping rendering of The Battle Of Sowerby Bridge - when you bellowed "We were amongst 'em!" and brought your foot down quite emphatically, the floor shook! Swan Arcade were the dog's bollocks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 11:01 PM

Sorry - SCO, not Scottish Opera. Apologies. Davoc and Jen, I never knew you, but your dad was a star, a larger-than-life singer. The folk and arts worlds both seem poorer from his passing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Boab
Date: 05 Jun 06 - 11:25 PM

A full suit of armour came ambling into Hexham folk club one night ; aye, it was Dave---though the shining knight had to remove one of his "arms" before any of us had an inkling! One of my favourite memories of Dave. A great loss to the folk scene, and to humanity in general.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Davoc Bradley/Brady
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 06:53 AM

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your messages, it's lovely to hear from you all.

My dad had been SCO roadie for the past 18 years and retired in september last year. All that know my dad will know that he didn't look on having one arm as a disability, more of a problem to over come, and this he did sucessfully every day of his life. I heard at his retirement do a story about how he got the job at the SCO, and it's a typical Dave story. He'd applied for the job, and put on his cv that although he only had one arm, they would be making a mistake by not employing him. The two people who interviewed him had only got him in to brighten their day, a change from the new classical music graduates that they would have streaming through the doors for the job. In came my dad and they all had a good chat and then they got to the bones of it "Dave, we're not being funny about this, but how on earth are you going to lift a timpany with one arm?" my dad replied "What's a timpany? You show me one, and i'll show you how i'll lift it" so they took him out to a timp and he walked over to it, bent his knees and using his belly as a shelf picked it up and walked around the room with it as if it didn't even exist. My dad later told me that when he walked out of the interview all he could hear from the other side of the door was howels of laughter, and he was certain that he hadn't got the job. Obviously he did get the job, and revolutionised how the orchestra was stage mannaged and roadied, and ensured that in his entire 18 years, not a single performance was cancelled, not a single rehearsal missed. If dave was doing it, it would be done.

Anyway, I actually came on here to post the funeral details, so here they are:

The funeral will be on friday the 9th (this friday) at 2pm at the following address:

Warriston Crematorium
Warriston Road
EH7 4HW

The wake will be at approx 3pm, and will be held at:

St Columba's by the castle
14 Johnston Terrace
EH1 2EL

We're also asking that donations can be made to the RNLI or british lung foundation if you would like to make a donation.

For the wake if you would like to bring an instrument, then please do, also if you would like to speak about my dad or play something special then please let me know so we can get some sort of idea for what will be happening.

Thanks loads, hope to see you at the funeral on friday,

Davoc x

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 09:21 AM

Dave had the most amazing voice ever. I recall being at the far end of South Hill Park during the Handsome Moldiwarp Festival in the 1980s when Swan Arcade came on, and Flirby was enraptured! Naturally enough, we both drew closer within a distance safe for listening!

Curiously enough, before I heard the news, I played their last CD 'Full Circle' last Sunday. This disappointed me when I first heard it since it appeared choc full of standards. Yes, but what a treatment they gave each of those songs.

Heaven (or the Angels Arms) is going to be a very noisy place with Brady and Dave Bryant up there!

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: squeezeboxhp
Date: 06 Jun 06 - 04:58 PM

after this what more can l say except over all the years we knew dave so many sessions were memorable like Whitby after the final ceildh with the watersons plus the Batley & Barnsley contingent. round again is one of my favourite CD's oue condolences to family from hot punch band.
possibly a rememberance sing at Beverley festival sorry can't be at the funeral

ken

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Davoc Bradley/Brady
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 06:05 AM

There is an obituary in the Independent on page 37 today for anyone who wants to read it.

Cheers,

Davoc x

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: BB
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 02:27 PM

Thanks, Davoc, for your last posting. I didn't know your Dad, but the story of how he came to be employed by the SCO is positively inspirational. Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,The Daft Beggar
Date: 07 Jun 06 - 04:20 PM

My condolences to all of Dave's family and friends.

I only knew him through some recordings that I got from Folk on Two but what a character! Swan Arcade's (and especially Dave's) singing have inspired me for a number of years. His passing is sad but his memory will stay with me and I will cherish the recordings that I have.

Rest In Peace

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Robert McFall
Date: 10 Jun 06 - 10:00 AM

Davoc and I made up a number of CDs of live performances of Dave's with Mr McFall's Chamber over the last nine years - we were handing them out at the funeral, but there are some left over if anyone would like them - just let me have a name and address and I'll send it, never mind P&P etc. It's got some rough recordings on it and desperately needs mastering, but it's certainly got a great spirit to it - so let me know. I'll put my e-mail address here, as I don't understand quite how these message boards work: [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Barry Melton
Date: 11 Jun 06 - 01:00 PM

Dave Brady was a friend, and I was a great fan of Swan Arcade. I am truly of the belief that "Matchless" is one of the greatest albums of all time, in any genre.

I last heard from Dave in late 1999. He'd broken up with Heather and was living with Sue Dent in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland and, after proclaiming Sue was a horn player, he said he was "roadying" for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra!

I had the great honor and pleasure to record with Dave, Heather and Jim Boyes, a/k/a "Swan Arcade," in Monmouthshire (Rockfield Studios) in 1976. They sang backing vocals on my little-noticed album, "We are Like the Ocean." I will never forget taking them to a local pub in Monmouth after recording one day and, after a few pints, hearing them break out in song. You could have heard a pin drop in what had been a loud, boisterous gathering of semi-drunk locals for whom music was the last thing on their minds. And I suddenly felt connected to a long line of tradition that otherwise might have escaped me, despite my lifelong love of Yorkshire singing and ravenous appetite for pub performances of traditional music. Here they were - Swan Arcade - not singing on a pub stage, but right at the bar and the only payment necessary for another song was the occasional pint (which is difficult for the singer to consume when engaged in musical performance).

The news of Dave's death reaches me late, back here in America. I was just over The Pond at the end of last month; but so occupied with my own things to do, it didn't occur to me to check on Dave's well-being. Today, I shall play Swan Arcade and think of him -- it's still early here, so I'll think about the order in which I'll play the music before putting it on. But the music's already in my head, and I can hear the line that drew me to Swan Arcade like a child following Peter Piper...the clear and powerful voice of Dave Brady singing, "When the Alabama's keel was laid...."

Goodbye, Dave Brady, my friend. And thank you for your wonderful music that so enriched my life. You live on in the music you left behind.

Your friend,

Barry
_________________
Barry "The Fish" Melton
PO Box 72505
Davis CA 95617, USA

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Pam Bishop, concertina player, Birmingham
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 06:50 PM

Dave Brady came to our folk club in Birmingham when I was struggling to play the concertina. He inspired me to work harder at it and I've not looked back since. One of the songs that I loved to hear him sing was the ballad Thomas of Winesbury. Recently I decided to learn it, and was amazed that the words came back to me very easily, as long as I just imagined myself listening to his performance.

He had such a big presence, and will be sadly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 09:20 AM

hihihih

Subject: Dave Brady (Bradley) RIP
From: folkypaul
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 05:15 AM

I read that Dave, ex Swan Arcade, died recently.    A great singer who will be long remembered by some.

---

Message transferred from new thread. -JC

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 03:11 AM

Refresh for a friend.

eric

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 03:56 AM

Jim and Georgina Boyes kindly wrote -at very short notice- a memoire for  South Riding Folk Arts Network News.

An html transcription can be seen at  http://www.folk-network.com/miscellany/brady.html.

My own particular memory of Dave is of an impressive gig he and Heather did at the Students' Union in Sheffield back in the '70s. Unexpected heavy snow trapped a few of us there for a while afterwards, and he kept us entertained with stories. The one I remember involved the (then quite considerable) dangers of arranging to meet Christie Moore in a pub in Dublin.

Dave and Heather headed off when the main roads were clear enough. I walked home, and found that Brunswick Street (centre of the red-light district at that time, and my quickest route) had been completely barricaded with snow, except for a small pedestrian doorway. Snowmen and snowwomen lined the streets, and just around the corner from my house was a rather pornographic one. I wish I'd had a camera.

Arriving home, I found my housemates still up, so we took our revenge on a neighbour who had been giving us a hard time, by building an igloo around his car.

All that seemed to follow on naturally from meeting Dave, somehow. I like to think that he would have found it mildly amusing, though it would have been small recompense for his stories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 21 Jul 06 - 10:52 PM

Ah this was the 1st I'd heard of Dave's passing. A sad loss, as he was a great bloke & a bloody fine singer (& general 'between-songs' entertainer too).

Only ever spoke to him in passing really, but I remember having a natter with him at the Campsite at Beverley Festival one year, regarding the HUGE 'Blackburn Beverley' Transport aircraft, displayed in the car park of the Museum of Army Transport opposite, & just 'having a natter' as one does with those performers who no matter what lofty heights they reach, are still just ordinary people' at heart.

I think it was that same year, when in the 'Scout' marquee late on, the 'turn & turn about' "singaround" between musicians at one end, & singers at the other, developed into a sort of competition really, with the musicians still TRYING to hang in there against Malc Storey, Richard Grainger, Johnny Booker & massed Wilsons, but then simply gave up when big Dave came in too.... Perhaps if the musicians could have found an Orchestra or to & 1/2 a dozen grand piano's from somewhere they may have hung in a bit longer....

Heard another tale of Dave from I cant remember who, about I cant remember where, but in sme recording session, where the recording engineer wasnt accustomed to folkies. He was quetly grumbling & figeting with his gear a lot, when , when they were talking a break, he saw someone (again, I cant remember who I was told it was) chatting to Dave, & the engineer collared the guy before they resumed. "Do you actually KNOW that big bloke with the one arm? Yes? Well, can you ask him politely, to stand about 3 foot back off that mic..."

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,Ben
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 09:02 AM

a fond farewell to dave an old friend from the many happy years spent singing together at the marton arms at ingleton a great singer friend and true gent god bless you dave i bet your having some great sessions up there . ben.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,M.G.John
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 04:27 PM

I have only just learned of this sad loss, and remember the first time that I heard Swann Arcade sing at 'The Brig Folk Club' (Adelphi Hotel Leeds) in 1972.
Sincere condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,uncle tam
Date: 28 May 07 - 03:06 PM

dave a year has come and gone but your memorys will always live on i miss you big man

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: GUEST,squeezeboxkc
Date: 20 Jul 08 - 12:45 PM

what the h*ll is this last bit about the man was a great singer and personality and sadly missed

Subject: RE: Obit: Dave Brady - Swan Arcade (May 2006)
From: r.padgett
Date: 21 Jul 08 - 02:24 AM

Yes he was most certainly a tremendous iconic figure with a terrific enthusiasm for singing both entertaining and well researched songs

Please do not spoil this thread

Ray