Rick Fielding and his music remembered

Subject: To Max: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Fortunato
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 06:30 AM

In these hours before daylight, I'm remembering Rick Fielding.
Yesterday, I came across his advice to someone here on the Mudcat years ago who wanted to play like Doc Watson. Rick layed out several steps for the aspiring player, steps that were so accurate that no one could have added a word or line. I can only wonder if that person followd Rick's advice.
What a wonderful tool the Mudcat is to have preserved a precious record of Ricks musings on music, instruments, the life of a musician and a hundred other things. I can call him up just anytime I need some inspiration.
   Thanks, Max, for this online 'journal' of Rick's writings.
This 'journal' has many entries I haven't read, but I will read each and all, and each time I'll remember the times Rick and I sat and traded licks and songs and stories about the misadventures of folk musicians.
Of course, when I read his 'journal' it's hard to accept that he's gone from us. As long as you keep the Mudcat going, Max, he lives on, and rests here among us.
When the house wakes up this morning and I can play my guitar without waking Susette, I'll pick a tune with Rick in mind. Perhaps some of you might do the same today or tomorrow or sometime.
Later on, Rick.
cheers
chance

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: catspaw49
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 07:02 AM

Thank for that Chance......Rick was a special kind of human being and we were lucky to have known him and even more fortunate to have so many of his words preserved on the 'Cat. He really loved what he saw here and enjoyed the joint for all it was worth. He saw all the ways things could work here and at times was himself almost overwhelmed with the possibilities.

I too thank Max for what the 'Cat has meant to so many.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 07:21 AM

I never knew Rick, or his work - but I love the tones of warmth that his memory conjures up quite spontaneously from Mudcatters. I have read many of his posts to Mudcat and they are always friendly, affectionate and supportive. He must have been quite a guy.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: gnu
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 07:26 AM

Yes, indeed.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 07:31 AM

Well, to me he was the high water mark of the mudcat. I still, from time to time, visit his archived words.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: John Hardly
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:12 AM

here

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:15 AM

High on a Mountain!b

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: bbc
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:28 AM

He was a very special person. I'm so glad I got to know him.

bbc

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: GUEST,Jed on borrowed PC
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:31 AM

I feel like i walk with Rick. I think of him often and remember his influence on me, direct and indirect. Knowing him was a blessing.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Big Mick
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:11 AM

Couldn't have said it better myself, Jed. There are times I swear I can here him talking to me while I practice. Sleeping in that music room downstairs, running the music stores in Toronto, the garden, Heather spoiling you and I, but mostly the music. He was such a friend, such a great and gentle soul.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:18 AM

I've come to think of him as the Dalai Lama of the Mudcat. Miss him everyday and often go back to re-read his words...the sheer humanity of him was incredible...thanks, Chance and Max.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:21 AM

I love it when a thread worth reviving gets revivaed, and when you read through it, Rick's there helping keep it spinning along on a even keel, and saying stuff that opens up something worth following up - some guitar tip, some helpful suggestion.

Putting chewing gum in the coin slots of slot machines that threaten to wreck a session for example, just one example.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 12:10 PM

I think we need a Fielding permathread. Maybe that's a possible approach to a Mudcat memorial mindset. Folks' memories of Rick, punctuated by suggested insertions of representative posts of Rick's.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 12:36 PM

If it were on top all of the time as a fixture it would soon become invisible. I prefer it when these threads come back to the surface on their own, the way Chance describes. When an older thread comes up I scan through to see who has contributed and I revisit Rick's remarks, along with those from a few others.

SRS

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 01:54 PM

Permathreads are not on top all the time. The FAQ is the only visible one that is, and that was a quick evolution from how it used to was, when it was first a thread that was programmed to float on top of the regular daylist. Other sites DO put their equivalents ("stickies") to our permathreads permanently on top, and yes I agree they get old that way.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: black walnut
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 02:39 PM

I am so glad I knew Rick. He was such an important part of our music community here and Toronto, and a friend.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 06:23 PM

I was just thinking of Rick earlier today. I was practicing my banjo and remembering the lesson that he gave me. He and Heather were here for dinner, he was recovering from his surgery and in great spirits. He was kind of like a drill sargeant having me play the 3-2-5-1 roll while he played mandolin. Barking out "faster", "I can't hear the first string etc." It was a great night.

Rick was so supportive of anyone who was interested in music.

Heather is marketing his banjo mute here.

Fielding Cutler Banjo Mute

I keep in touch with her from time to time. I should give her a call. I always admired their relationship. I don't think that I have ever seen two people so connected.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Bert
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 06:37 PM

The bugger still owes me that guitar lesson he promised me.

But besides his music, he was a nice guy. I remember him driving me 'round Toronto trying to find me a good deal on a couple of tires.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: alanabit
Date: 04 Feb 07 - 05:03 AM

I very much regret the fact that I never met him. I never read a word of spite or rudeness from him here. His music spoke for itself when I heard it. He was a virtuoso musician and singer, who did many different things well. The few PMs and discussions, which I shared with him here, bore out everything, which has been said about his unfailing kindness, good humour and depth. I can well understand why his many friends miss him so much.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 12:09 PM

Many of you are no doubt familiar with the on-line song archive "chordie". This is a great resource, with an emphasis on providing musicians with lyrics, chords and tablature for popular, traditional, blues, etc songs. As such, I see it as an online part of the folk process. Many musicians that I know use it on a regular basis.
The point is, there are no Rick Fielding songs there. As a sort of tribute to Rick, I am submitting one of his songs with lyrics and chords, so that others can more easily learn them. I'm also suggesting that others here who admired Rick and his music do the same. What's more, someone who is familiar with his history might start an entry on Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia which welcome contributions from all donors. Chordie can be accessed here. Once on the page, click "resources" to submit a song.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 12:57 PM

I wrote some of his chordings down from a book. I already posted Sing With the Angels here. I think the book's out in my car. He had a habit of changing the way he played songs, but there were frequently unexpected chords.

Your chords don't sound seem quite right to me, but maybe that's how you play it. '(Am)Time to part' sounds more like it, but I'm not positive. I did some of his lyrics/chords with tunes because I thought he might be interested in putting them on a web page. He checked what I had, but I only got a couple done. I'll see if I can find them.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 02:29 PM

Jeri

Yes I believe there should be an Am in that line, followed by the F. I have revised it and am re-posting it.
If you want to submit these songs to Chordie, they need a URL to collect them from the Internet. The Mudcat site works fine. Just make sure the song is tabbed correctly, and shows the name of the song and "by Rick Fielding". The bylines on Chordie generally allude to the recording artist or performer and not necessarily the author. As a correction and because I left out the by line, I'm going to post the song one more time...

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 02:31 PM

When We Gather Once More   by Rick Fielding


Our (C)evening here has(F) reached the(C) end
The (Am)time to (F)part is (C)near
I'm (F)glad our(C) roads, they all did(Am) cross
And (F)come (C)together (G)here
Your(C) welcome it has(F) been so (C)warm,
So be(F)fore you travel (C)on
Please(F) raise your voices (C)all as (Am)one
And (F)join me (G)in this (C)song (G)

CH
Be(C) well, be safe, be (F)kind, be (C)strong
For the (F)times will test us (C)sore
And to(F) gladden our(C) hearts
Our bodies, our (Am)souls
Oh be(F) here when we (G)gather once(Am) more,
Oh be(F) here when we(G) gather once(C) more

The ways that take me from this place
Have many a twist and bend
But I've never traveled on a road
That doesn't have an end
And when I meet some folk like you
I'd be proud to call my friend
I pray the road will take a turn
And we'll sing this song again

CH

Now if I find a resting place
Before I'm back this way
Or if the road be just too long
And my feet have turned to clay
If from tonight you do recall
Just one line from this song
Then even if our roads do end
This song will travel on

Chorus x 2

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 03:30 PM

Thanks to this thread I dug out a Rick CD last night and listened to it. Good stuff.
I once borrowed Rick's banjo at a house party in Peterborough. I noticed that the fifth string peg had been moved up the neck a couple of frets and it looked like the hole had been filled in with plastic wood. I assumed this was to allow him to capo higher, but never got around to asking him. Anyone know the story?
Incidently, he also had a super hand tooled guit6ar or banjo strap that he'd made himself. A talented guy; not just musically.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 03:43 PM

I do recall the banjo tale but I don't.......I'll see if I can dig it up but I'll bet maybe Steve does know.

On the other hand, I DO have one of his straps which he made for me while I was in the hospital in '99. I got two things from Rick during that particular hospital stay. One was this beautiful strap and the other? Well, Rick tended to take all of his troubles and joys to music and so to put his mind elsewhere, he worked hard on completing a little rag he'd been working on, naming it "Catspaw's Rag" and putting it on his next album. This either made him a fool or a really good friend.......and no one ever mistook Rick for a fool.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 03:52 PM

Whoopee - found my notebook.

Rick's version - at least one of 'em:

When We Gather Once More   by Rick Fielding

Intro: Dm - G7 - C - G7 - C - G7
Our (C)evening here has(F) reached the(C) end
The (Am)time to (D7)part is (G)near
I'm (F)glad our(C) roads, they (G)all did(Am) cross
And (Dm)come to(Am)gether (G)here
Your(C) welcome it has(F) been so (C)warm,
So be(Am)fore you (D7)travel (G)on
Please(F) raise your (C)voices (G)all as (Am)one
And (Dm)join me (G)in this (C)song

CH
Be(C) well, be safe, be (F)kind, be (C)strong
For the (Am)times will (D7)test us (G)sore
And to(F) gladden our(C) hearts
Our (G)bodies, our (Am)souls
Oh be(F) here when we (G)gather once(Am) more,
Oh be(F) here when we(G7) gather once(C) more
    G7 - C - G7

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Jeri
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 04:33 PM

LEJ, I didn't say this and I should have: I think he always enjoyed sharing his music, and I think your idea is a grand one.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 05:36 PM

Yeah Leej....What Jeri said. Great idea.....I owe you an Ale8One.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Big Mick
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 07:41 PM

If you all don't mind, I would happily like the task of starting the Wiki entry on Rick. I will research it and then submit. If someone hasn't done it already, please feel free to PM me anything you feel you would like in the entry. I will also call Heather for her input.

Rick was a very talented leather carver. I am so honored that Heather gave me some of his tools and his pattern books. Many of the designs are patterns Rick made himself.

I miss him today.

Mick

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 08:13 PM

That makes me smile, Mick. Let me know if I can help!

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 08:36 PM

Yeah Mick....Anything I can add or do, say the word. I'm sure Jeri feels that way too. PT had some beautiful stuff at the memorial. I think the idea is great, he deserves it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: InOBU
Date: 05 Feb 07 - 08:51 PM

I think of Rick all the time, and miss him... more than I can say.
Lor

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 07:22 AM

Many memories of Rick. One of my most prized possessions is a strap he made for me especially for my Glen Reid acoustic bass guitar (in whose design he'd been involved as well).

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Jeri
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 09:00 AM

He always meant to make me a strap, but he never got around to it. For a while, he was having too much fun and then he was too sick. The last Christmas I was there before he died, I slept on the sofa in the basement. When I re-arranged the pillows to make room, I found a strap. The next day, I told him, and he gave that to me. It had been on his Gibson mandolin, and he said he thought it was the first strap he'd made.

Some of his leather work is pictured at the Rick memorial on the Banjo Mute pages. There are links to memories, recordings and other things.

Acoustic Workshop is available for download in multiple places. Mick, you're gonna love this one!

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Wesley S
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 09:53 AM

How many of his recordings are still available? And where?

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 10:45 AM

YOu can get his last one, Acoustic Workshop, at Borealis. They also have This One's the Dreamer.

I think Sandy and Caroline still have his first one, Lifeline, available at Folk Legacy. And, I see they also sell "This One's the Dreamer.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 10:50 AM

Oh, good heavens, Jeri! Just followed your link. I hope they sell lots, as long as Heather gets a BIG take!

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 01:19 PM

Big Mick - The notes to the Lifeline CD have the lyrics, chords and capo positions included. A nice touch and a good start for your prospective Wiki entry.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Tinker
Date: 06 Feb 07 - 09:27 PM

Maybe it's the cold. I keep remembering another cold February in Toronto when Rick's CD was released. It was an amazing time. Tomorrow I'll have to make time to watch some of the video.....

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: JedMarum
Date: 07 Feb 07 - 10:27 AM

We should do a Rick Remembered weekend and concert .... I would find a way to get there ... should take some planning ...

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Feb 07 - 07:09 AM

Which banjo is this? I have his metal one. It has the little clip on the 5th string slightly messed up, but I don't see any major shifts.

Probably you mean the wooden one.


yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 02:38 PM

Yes Peter, the one I borrowed was wooden. I'm not sure, but I think it's on the cover of the Lifeline CD.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Bert
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 02:59 PM

Jed, how about a worldwide Rick Remembered weekend?

Then we could all join in even if we can't make it to a specific place.

Mick, enjoy those tools and use them a lot.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Fortunato
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 09:30 AM

Jed, Mick and Bert, et al.

If there is a day, night, weekend or brief afternoon, wherever and whenever that may be, where we gather to remember Rick, I'll be there.

Chance

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 09:35 AM

Jed and I spoke, and we think a gathering of his friends would be a wonderful event. We need to get in touch with Heather and Paul and see about this.

I am monkeying with rough drafts of the Wiki entry. If any of you have things you want included, please let me know via PM.

Mick

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 12:31 AM

I just found an old posting of Rick's which I wanted to share, esp. the last line which I have highlighted...

Subject: RE: BS-What was your high school/UK equivalent/
From: Rick Fielding - PM
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 10:38 PM

Hey Kat, I wasn't a rebel! Rebels got to wear neat clothes and take straight girls for rides on their motorcycles.

Expelled from Lower Canada College for bad attendance. Expelled from Macdonald High school for bad attendance (and bad attitude). Expelled from Central Tech. Art College for really bad attendance and even worse attitude. Fired from 7 or 8 jobs, and then took the old guitar and hit the road. When I get expelled from life, it sure won't be for bad attendance.(and actually I think my attitude is quite good)
Rick

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 12:34 AM

{;<))

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 05:01 AM

Rick's humour, knowledge, decency and humanity are sadly missed from this forum. I never knew him personally but I'm willing to bet he was a 'gentleman' in the very best sense of that word.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Fortunato
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 08:00 AM

Stewie,

He was the genuine article.

Chance

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: GUEST,nickr90
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 08:05 AM

I loved Rick's music and his wonderful delivery.
2007 is turning out to be a bad year for great musicians.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Amergin
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 10:18 PM

Rick died a few year ago, mate...

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 07:22 PM

Ten years ago this month, Rick Fielding died.
CIUT, the Toronto radio station hosted Acoustic Workshop, and continues to host it. This past Monday, Heather Fielding joined with Steve Fruitman to remember Rick with stories, songs, and clips from past shows.

The show is archived at CIUT's website. You can go to http://www.ciut.fm/shows/ciut-audio-archives/, scroll down to "Mondays, 7PM" and click the link to the MP3.

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: gnu
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 07:29 PM

Thanks. Ten years...........

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Amos
Date: 27 Mar 14 - 01:06 AM

My gawd. TEN years? I've been a loyal Catter more than TEN GODDAMNED YEARS? Sweet Jayzus have mercy. Someone needs to stop that time accelerator thang.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Mark Clark
Date: 27 Mar 14 - 08:34 PM

It seems like ten years to me. I came here ca. 1998 and Rick was an important reason for my staying around. I never got to meet him but always wanted to. We had many enjoyable discussions here. I still think of him often and sometimes check in here when I do.

I miss Rick.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: bbc
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 09:01 PM

10 years, Jeri. He was a wonderful guy. Sandy missed him terribly when Rick died. I miss them both!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Bert
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 09:38 PM

I have a guitar that he signed for me. I was going to give it to Kat, but then she went and died as well.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Apr 14 - 10:14 PM

When we had Mudcat member photos, the very first one was one I sent in of a concert Rick did in Wash DC... he posed with several local folk at one side of the auditorium, then proceeded to sit around and sing with us afterward.

He would have been a special guy even if had had not been one of the finest musicians.

Gonna go listen to the program.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding and his music remembered
From: PHJim
Date: 20 Apr 14 - 01:42 PM

Rick was the person who acquainted me with Mudcat. I posted for a few years as GUEST,Jim (and I made a few posts under that name to this very thread), before Joe convinced me to become a member.