|
06 Apr 19 - 08:17 AM (#3986142) Subject: Colin Dryden - songworthy annecdotes From: Daniel Kelly Now that my folk heavy metal concert is out of the way, I'm keen to start in earnest on an album of Colin Dryden songs. I have more than enough songs that I know Colin wrote or played regularly to fill the album, but I'm also interested in writing one or two songs of my own. It was easy to write for Peter Thornton because you learn a lot about a person's character by playing a few years worth of sessions with them. Not so easy for someone I never met, and about whom so little is written. I'm hoping to get to the National Library to listen to the workshop that Colin gave in 1970. If anyone is willing to share an anecdote about their personal experience with Colin, either here or via message, it would be greatly appreciated. Also happy to receive them anonymously if people prefer. Thanks in advance, Daniel, |
|
06 Apr 19 - 08:50 PM (#3986208) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy annecdotes From: GUEST When the sun is HANGING in the sky (as mentioned above) The days are long, long are the SIGHS (sounds the same but totally different meaning). The recordings on Colin's Niece Naomi's page http://nomeshome.tumblr.com/post/56916558706/colin-dryden-not-your-average-uncle-as-kids were provided to her by Derrick Chetwyn who was a very good friend of Colin's. Derrick got them from someone in Sydney. There are no other 'songs' written by Colin out there but there is a tune called "Over the Bumps or Paddy The Pig's Favourite" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djn8Q7swh4E Cheers MaryB mary.brettell@gmail.com |
|
07 Apr 19 - 01:53 AM (#3986221) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy annecdotes From: Daniel Kelly Thanks Mary, Derrick had pointed out my 'sagging' error on a previous thread, but I'll note the 'sighs' error when I record again. I did a terrible recording of 'Over the Bumps' last month, based on the link you provided. I also heard that Colin liked to play Harvest Home, which is probably beyond my fiddle skills. Cheers, Daniel |
|
07 Apr 19 - 03:36 AM (#3986224) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy annecdotes From: Hrothgar I remember Colin doing an amazing blues version of "The Ryebuck Shearer" at a Numeralla Folk Festival in about 1978 or 1979. Had the audience right in his hand. I still wish I had a recording of it. |
|
09 Apr 19 - 10:26 AM (#3986589) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy annecdotes From: GUEST,Guest Many years ago I drove down from Sydney to Wagga to do a concert gig for the late Noel Raynes and Colin came along for the ride.Even though this was during one of Cols low times you didn`t miss the opportunity to put on one of Australia best. Col accompanied me on a couple of instrumental items and then went on to do his solo bracket.He sang a bloody awful rambling version of The Gypsy Rover with endless repeats of verses, and lines made up on the spur of the moment(due to circumstances which those of you around at the time will need no elaboration ) and then went on to sing a twelve bar version of Pennies from Heaven which was truly amazing and,as the previous post mentioned, had the audience enraptured, totally in the palm of his hand.The moment when he stopped playing and singing in the middle of a line...."it isn`t raining rain you know...., hearing the audience, out of the darkness, complete the line .... it`s raining violets..... and then Col picking it up right on cue was a chilling reminder of just how good he could be!. dek46@gmail.com |
|
09 Apr 19 - 07:24 PM (#3986671) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy annecdotes From: rich-joy Yes, even over in Perth in the early-to-mid 70s, Colin could be Absolutely Bloody Brilliant OR pretty darn awful, depending on what he'd taken - must've been rather difficult for the MCs!! But you Always wanted to listen to him, in case you just heard THE song or bracket of your lifetime!! His "Davey Lowston" was, for me, just one such example of those latter times. Sure hope he has reincarnated into more singing/playing lives!! Cheers! R-J |
|
10 Apr 19 - 08:13 AM (#3986721) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: Daniel Kelly Thanks to both Richenda and dek46 for those stories. Richenda, are you able to put a date on the concert in Perth? In the second installment on my blog I trawled trove for all the published concerts that Colin was in an put a google map together with dates and locations. Perth didn't come up in any of the papers. Cheers, Daniel, |
|
10 Apr 19 - 11:47 AM (#3986775) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: rich-joy Daniel, it could just be that TROVE hasn't done a great deal of digitising past about 1954?? I'll really have to try hard to recall the Colin years - most of the records I used to keep have been "lost" in my many moves. He definitely performed at the Governor Broome FC. I believe the pub, which was over the Horseshoe Bridge in James St, North Perth, was a brothel as well - but a great folk club! (and run by Geoff Morgan). Some disgruntled customer burnt the Pub down in the late 70s I think. (I was overseas by then). He was also on at The Stables FC, behind the old Mount Hotel, and started c.1972? by my mate, Jan Hendry. (Not long after, she also started a relationship with Colin.) I'm pretty sure I remember a concert with Colin out at the Uni too, probably at the Octogon Theatre there. In fact, that could have been my "Davey Lowston" Colin experience .... He may have been at the Shaftsbury too, but then again, that was mainly Irish trad. However, the WAFF (WA Folk Federation) could well have some records from the 70s and should at least have a full set of "The Town Crier" magazine, detailing the 70s folk scene. Daniel, if someone could help you locate Shayna Karlin (Stewart?) - maybe Margret RoadKnight? e.g. - she could certainly elaborate on Colin! G'Luck. Cheers, R-J |
|
10 Apr 19 - 08:33 PM (#3986825) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: Sandra in Sydney Shayna is a friend of one of my friends & I can ask my friend to pass on your details. Margret is also a friend of this friend sandra State Library of WA also has Town Crier so does NLA |
|
10 Apr 19 - 09:26 PM (#3986826) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: rich-joy Here is some more info on (the earlier) Shayna : https://womenofaussiemusic.blogspot.com/2015/10/shayna-karlin.html R-J |
|
11 Apr 19 - 12:16 AM (#3986831) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: GUEST,Guest To correct my earlier post,sorry about the missing second e. deke46@gmail.com |
|
11 Apr 19 - 11:47 AM (#3986913) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: Sandra in Sydney Thanks, Richenda for the link to Women of Aussie Music. snip - In late 1970 Richard Lockwood and Ken Firth from the band Tully contributed to Extradition's debut LP Hush released in June 1971 and now a rare collector's item. - snip I have that 1971 Sweet Peach LP! Sometime in the 90s a record seller told me a pristine copy was valued at $1500. Mine, alas, was second hand when I bought it & even tho I looked after it carefully (the record I had played was always put away before the next was played!)I can remember a friend just casting it aside at a party (me, resentful?) sometime in the 70s. Pristine copies appear to be a bit rarer & more expensive now sandra |
|
12 Apr 19 - 07:31 AM (#3987035) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: Daniel Kelly If anyone wants to have a chat in person, I'll be at the National Folklore Conference in Canberra next Friday. |
|
12 Apr 19 - 08:33 PM (#3987146) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: Sandra in Sydney I 'm travelling to Canberra on Thursday so gave Graham my apologies, but I might call in before the end if we get there in time. If so, see ya, if not see you @ Dukes in May. sandra do you want me to pass your request to Shayna & Margret's friend? |
|
13 Apr 19 - 03:13 AM (#3987163) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: Daniel Kelly Hi Sands, no need, I'll get in contact with them on Facebook or email. Hrothgar, many thanks for your tip about blue numbers. Tragic that it wasn't recorded. Here is my attempt, keen to know if it is in the ballpark. I think there is a whole sub-genre of traditional Australian folk ballads done as blues numbers! Cheers all, Daniel |
|
10 Jun 19 - 10:04 AM (#3995818) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: Daniel Kelly Hi Folks, Thanks to everyone who provided stories about Colin here or elsewhere over the past few months. You can listen to the finished album, 'A Factory Lad:The Songs of Colin Dryden' here on YouTube or on your favorite digital music platform. Cheers, Daniel Kelly |
|
28 Jun 19 - 07:18 AM (#3998180) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: Daniel Kelly Just as I was finishing up the album, I found this video by accident on Danny Spooner's YouTube page. The video is a single episode of the 1965 Channel 7 show 'Just Folk', which I think had around 23 episodes (this might be the only surviving one). It wasn't mentioned in the video description but Colin did two songs on the show, one blues number and a shanty. Colin had only been in Australia for 10 weeks. It was great to see him so young and confident, already a talented performer when he arrived in Australia. |
|
10 Jul 19 - 10:50 PM (#4000266) Subject: RE: Colin Dryden - songworthy anecdotes From: GUEST,eva hi can i get in touch with shayna karlin please |