Recordings of Gypsies

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 10:27 AM

I would just like to echo most of the above comments
My (now well worn) vinyl copy of "A Poor Man's Gift" is still regularly played....It would be good to hear you back on the circuit.
Jim Eldon did a lot of field recording with travellers and I think he also took a bit of stick over it...
Liz the Squeak ,although I agree with most of what you say ..."Most degress aren't worth the paper they're printed on" is a bit steep and insulting to those of us who are enthusiasts of recordings from source singers of all sorts of backgrounds AND have degrees

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: nutty
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 01:49 PM

We would certainly like to see more of you Nick. I have a tape of you singing which I really enjoy.

The academics, in the 60's and 70's, tended to believe that they had control over source singer recordings whereas were it not for people like yourself who were in a unique position to collect such material, so much would be lost.

Believe me, your work is appreciated.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 11:14 AM

Hopefuly we can reach Nic via the Limbrick club as well as the many festivals that he and Th'antiques roadshow do between them:-)

Good on you, Nick, and really good to hear from you again - Visit us at Swinton if you ever get the chance. You know you will always be welcome there. Bring along any copies you have left of your guitar tutor as well - I'm sure those who can't afford a van can at least buy one of those;-)

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 10:00 AM

It's no more praise than you deserve, Nick. I hope you'll consider returning to the scene one day.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 09:10 AM

I would be very interested Nick. I am a fan of your Vardo's as well but don't have the wonga for one yet...

Please then could i have Nic Caffery's details.

With regards.

Pete.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 04:21 PM

Yes I can! The letter was in Folk Roots (where else?). Ian Anderson had published an article that I wrote about my discovery of a Dorset Based traditional singer who sang me over 100 songs. I put a number of the songs on a commercialy available tape at my own expense and Ian asked for a copy, then handed it to Rod Stradling who decided that since my singer (Bill house) was an old man of 84, I should never have published the songs, it was a crude money making attempt on my part,that the tape was not worth buying, that I was not a 'professional' collecter and lacked both education and training, and that I should leave the matter of recording Folk Songs to my betters. (i.e. him I suppose!), and worse than that I had abused my freindship with Bill. I made up my mind to give the bastard a smack in the mouth, but mellowed over the years, and was given a severe talking to by Nic Caffery, who said 'Sod him and all he stands for and do your own thing' I must admit that Stradling was the beginning of the end of my involvment on the folk scene. I carried on collecting for myself and my freinds really. Topic published some of it. However the Good News is Nic Caffery is going to act as a clearing house for all of those kind people who are interested in the songs and he will supply copies to you. Contact me and I'll give you Nics phone/e.mail
Lovely to hear from Helen! Memories of the Birmingham days! Thanks for the kind comments Helen they mean a lot.
kind regards
Nick Dow www.gypsy-wagons.com

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 06:46 AM

I've no desire to take sides over an issue I know nothing about, but some correspondents seem rather too ready to condemn Rod Stradling without having read what he said. Can somebody tell me where the open letter was published ?

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 05:45 AM

Nick - I remember you so well from my days at Birmingham University when you ran a club at the 'Old House At Home'. You were always most encouraging and supportive and I owe you a lot of thanks, because you helped me develop the confidence to sing and a desire to learn more about the songs and traditions. I hope you are still singing for your own pleasure, even if the rest of us have lost out on hearing you.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: ard mhacha
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:35 AM

Now I have heard of Sarah Makem and I am sure Sarah never had any degrees, this lady passed on numerous songs to collectors from far and wide.

Who is Ron Stradling?.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:03 AM

Of course, I'm completely biased because Nick collects songs from Dorset, where I was born and went to school with a couple of Gypsy girls from the local camp.

Hoot - I am usually very friendly, but having suffered the same sort of disparaging remarks that totally screwed up something I loved doing, I feel very strongly when other people are affected by the same thoughtless action. Remember your Kipling:~ "the female of the species....."

LTS

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Tradsinger
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 03:33 AM

EFDSS and VWML resources for storing and allowing access to archive recordings are rather limited and their policy these days is to let the National Sound Archive at the British Library take the bulk of sound recordings. A lot of Nick's recordings are in the National Sound Archive already (I know, I have listened to some there).

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 01:42 AM

Wher are the EFDSS? I would have thought they would be eager to get this achive into the RVW Library.

Malcolm?

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: treewind
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 04:48 PM

Hi Nick - if you're still watching, Mary and I would be very interested to hear your recordings. If you're happy to distribute them for free, I'll gladly put them on a website as MP3 files if you think that would be useful. I've got plenty of webspace.

Anahata
[e-mail] or sign in to Mudcat (free, harmless) and PM me.

(oh, and I've also learned through bitter experience not to take Mr Stradling too seriously either)

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: open mike
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 03:03 PM

beautiful site, Ingham & Fallon .
I see there are several cassettes, videos and c.d.'s avaialble there.
if you would join here as a member
we could communicate thru Personal messages.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: open mike
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 02:49 PM

I am glad that your Vardo business is working out well.
We have seen you mentioned several times here on wagon threads.

Some friends have had a band for years playing music they describe
as Cowboy Gypsy.

There have been several documentaries lately on World Link T.V.
about Romany musicians in Rumania and Hungary. They mention the
Danc House Movement where traditional music and dance are enjoying
a revival.

I have a radio show and would love to have access to the recordings.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 12:26 PM

And Sqeaking Lizzie says "most of us are quite friendly" ?????

With friends like that......

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 12:25 PM

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Rman
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 10:23 AM

He needs a swift kick in the Booleans! Stop him straddling a while.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 09:29 AM

Thanks Liz!

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 05:40 AM

Oh, what bollocks from Rod Stradling..... Most degrees aren't worth the paper they're printed on! I bet a huge proportion of those people whose songs you collected had no University education and I'm pretty damned sure that a fair few of them had what 'we' would regard as NO education! Cecil Sharp was a mathematician but gave that up to become a music teacher/collector! I bet there are more people out there who love singing the songs because they are great stories and memorable tunes, than have a degree in anything!

If it weren't for people like you with your 'little reel of recording tape', we'd have hardly any of these wonderful songs and tunes. It seems like centuries since I hear the Houses sing ~ a long time and another life ago!

(And if you really want to annoy Mr Stradling, tell him that his taxes are done by people who barely scraped their maths CSEs.... that should make him sit up and think!)

LTS

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 05:04 AM

Lots of people are interested so I am going to get somebody organised (i.e. not me!)to hold the recordings and give copies to anybody who wants them.
To give you an idea....
There are about 10 hours of Irish and Gypsy songs from the Wilson and Lee Families, recorded back in 1978
About Five hours of Lancashire songs from two sisters feom Singleton (Blackpool) Including 'The Maid and Her Box' 'Fleetwood Mashers' etc.
Over 20 hours of songs from Dorset including Bill and Norman House singing 'One Night as I lay on My Bed' and 'Fourteen Pence a day' and an entire singaround in the pub, with an accordian player called Flash Phelps with songs from Cliff Richards Batchelor boy through to 'The Foggy Dew'
Recordings of Gypsy Peter Ingram only two of which were included on the Topic C.D. 'King of the Gypsies' There are loads more including a version of 'Young Billy Brown' and the late Tom Brown left me a recording of Harry Cox in his will.
The recordings were stashed away when a Gentleman called Rod Stradling published an open letter telling all who read it that I was an ill educated fool, who should never have been allowed to collect songs. I had no university degree, and I was doing more harm than good. I took it to heart, and in retrospect should not have done, because there was a lot of support for me. My business has made me a wealthy man and I do not want to make money from the songs, just give them to people who like singing, and forget the academic brigade.
You need to keep on at me though! I will do something about it this month for sure, it's up to you to nag me though.
kind regards
Nick www.gypsy-wagons.com

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Tradsinger
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 05:37 AM

Done that, but wanted to check that the message got through. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 05:34 AM

The first post on the thread is from Nick, with a website through which to contact him.

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Tradsinger
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 05:28 AM

Can anyone PM me with current contact and location information for Nick. Very grateful.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Tradsinger
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 03:09 AM

Nick,

I would love to take care of those recordings and would ensure that they are properly preserved and accessable to those who want to hear them. Let me know asap.

Gwilym (Tradsinger)

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 02:55 AM

Hi Nick,
more people than we would be had to believe have roots back in the Romanies. Mine go back throught the Suffolk strain I believe.
One chap doing great things with Romany songs and music is Gwilym Davies. Have a look at his site, and give him a mail I know he will be fascinated.

http://www.cmarge.demon.co.uk/gwilym/#All%20about

His Email is [e-mail]

Regards,

Andy

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 07:49 PM

Nick - Glad to hear that you are still alive and kicking - Its been a LONG time !!

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 05:32 PM

Oh, and it's great that you've decided the one bad apple isn't spoiling the whole barrel here... most of us are really quite friendly!

Next time we have a Mudcat Gathering 'oop north' (anywhere above Milton Keynes) we'll invite you over and show you how much you've been missed.

LTS

Subject: RE: Recordings of Gypsies
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 05:21 PM

Have your ears been burning? Someone was only asking for one of your songs the other day!! (See Randy Parson thread).

I hope Mally continues to travel and stays well. Great to hear you are still active and look forward to hearing the new stuff.

LTS

Subject: Recordings of Gypsies
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 05:11 PM

It is now fourteen years since I left the Folk Clubs. I am having the time of my life with my Blues Band and my Gypsy Wagon business is now employing three people, and in a large industrial premisis. That said I never fell out of love with the Folk Tradition, I felt like doing the odd Gig but I was persuaded out of it by various Folkies dissallusioned with the decline of the clubs. To get to the point, in the last sixteen years I have been around travelling people in all breeds, from the Romanys to the New Age and I've got loads of recordings I have made of songs (Folk and other).There is also my recordings of songs from Lancashire and Dorset.
There was a thread on the subject of Gypsy Songs some time ago. Liz the Squeak asked about my wife. (She is still just about walking, and we managed to camp at Appleby this year, which was a source of great joy to her)unfortunately there were some nasty predjudicial comments by one member about Travelling people which put me off contacting Mudcat, but since he or she was in the minority I have thrown caution to the wind and I can simply say if you want the recordings you can have them! As simple and as difficult as that. I have not got time to copy them, however a number have been copied and transcribed by the British Library, the rest are in the hands of a freind or lying about in my loft. (Typical of me!) The songs need singing! I have had my days of touring the clubs here and abroad. It is some one elses turn. If anyone has any ideas contact me through www.gypsy-wagons.com All the best to you all.
Nick Dow