Unsung influences

Subject: Unsung influences
From: oggie
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 04:37 PM

Prior to a major declutter of my life's accumulated detritus I was going through my tape collection wandering which to save and which to ditch and came across a couple of fragments of the late Pat Nealy.

Pat was a wonderful gentleman and a geat fiddle player who, when I knew him, lived near Cleethorpes (he was a mainstay of the sessions on the Pier in the early days of the Folk Festival). I was lucky enough to have a couple of lessons with him and what he taught me has remained with me ever since, namely that music is for dancing and so there is a speed at which it can be danced and that is the speed you should play it. One of my abiding memories of Pat is him playing the same 6 tunes for 7 hours at a Feis near Lincoln and his timing being as good at the end as at the start.

The other major influence was Peter Arrowsmith who was the musician with Lincoln Morris Men back in the seventies who sold me my first concertina and encouraged me to play.

So, we all have well known people who have influenced us along the way (in my case Kirkpatrick, Carthy, Bob Pegg amongst others) but this is a call to celebrate the others, the unsung heroes who influenced us, inspired and encouraged us and kept the tradition alive for another generation.

All the best

oggie (aka Steve)

Subject: RE: Unsung influences
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 06:23 PM

Rick Fielding - a musician's musician, a gentleman and a true lover of music. He was ever the scholar and always the student. It was always his goal to notice where his experience could benefit others - and he the true gift of knowing how to pass that on.

Subject: RE: Unsung influences
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 06:32 PM

Damn, Jed, you beat me to it. He had a way, given his knowledge, musical and life experiences, of honing in on what you needed. Then he gave it to you. Sometimes you didn't want to hear what he said, but in the fullness of time you came to understand he was on the mark.

Another hallmark of his giving nature was his desire to use his contacts to help others. Many would hoard this type of info, but not Rick.

Paul Mills has got to be considered in this group as well. This gentle man, with all his knowledge and acclaim, is so giving. I count myself so absolutely blessed to have his influence on my music.

In fact, I have to say that the whole of the Toronto folk community has certainly influenced my music. Some amazing talent up there, and I count myself as fortunate to have been let in to that community.

Mick

Subject: RE: Unsung influences
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 07:20 PM

Mike McReadie in Cornwall in the mid 70's

Like havin' a dipso fairy-godfather

Subject: RE: Unsung influences
From: Sooz
Date: 27 Aug 06 - 04:10 PM

Hey, oggie - I remember Pat from Grimsby Folk Club in the Dolphin days.

Subject: RE: Unsung influences
From: oggie
Date: 28 Aug 06 - 04:43 PM

Sooz

You're showing your age here :)

It's more years than I care to remember since then. An abiding memory was Stan on the door, it may be not be true but rumour has it that he once asked Ewan Macoll if he was a member!

All the best

oggie

Subject: RE: Unsung influences
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 28 Aug 06 - 07:29 PM

There used te be a club organiser doon in Portsmouth MANY years ago called Craig Morris.

One night a little american bloke arrived at the club and offered te dee a booking for £5.00 - Craig listened to him and said 'No Thanks"

Aah divvent think Paul Simon was ower chuffed at bein' turned doon

G-P