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Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner

23 Aug 19 - 12:19 PM (#4005641)
Subject: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: BruceL

Hi everyone.
I'm planning a book on Harry and Sam - a "joint biography" - and I'm hoping to contact as many people as possible who saw either of them in performance or, even better, met and spoke with them. I've read numerous Mudcat threads which mention one or other of them, so I'm hopeful that people will be happy to share in this thread. I've already been in touch with family members and with some of their friends, but the more the merrier. I will, of course, seek your permission before using any of the responses in the book. Thanks in advance. Bruce


23 Aug 19 - 12:33 PM (#4005642)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Jim Carroll

Peggy Seeger's your man - she has wonderful memories of Sam
Before my time but I have a number of recordings of interviews done with sam and some with Harry, including actuality from 'Singing the Fishing'
I also have a film of Sam and Harry entitled, 'The Singer and the Song' - filmed separately - they never met
There are interviews of Harry on the Alan Lomax site
I don't know if she is still around but Shiela Park did the last recording of Harry shortly before he died - she was living somewhere in Norfolk
Let me know if any of this is of interest
Jim Carroll


23 Aug 19 - 12:56 PM (#4005644)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Gordon Jackson

Did I dream it, or was Harry Cox John Terry's great-grandfather?


23 Aug 19 - 02:15 PM (#4005652)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: The Sandman

Sheila lives in Norwich.


23 Aug 19 - 02:38 PM (#4005658)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Jim Carroll

Don't know whwre BruceL is from but it occurs to me that my old friend Bob Thomson did more work than anybody with Harry Cox - from recording him to helping sort out his broadside collection
Bob became head of the English department at Gainsville Uni Florida way back - I'm not sure where he is now - well worth asking round

Also if Mike Yates hasn't met either of these singers, they are among the few he hasn't worked with
He's sure to spot this thread -   
Jim Carroll


23 Aug 19 - 02:44 PM (#4005663)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Vic Smith

Did I dream it, or was Harry Cox John Terry's great-grandfather?

Well, not so according to Steve Roud who claims to have checked this out carefully.


23 Aug 19 - 04:00 PM (#4005670)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: BruceL

Many thanks to everyone who's replied so far.
Jim Carroll asked me where I live. I'm in Norfolk, just on the edge of Broadland. I've spoken with Peggy and with Sheila and Peter Coleman, both of whom visited Harry quite often in his last few years. However, I haven't yet made contact with Mike Yates or Bob Thomson, so I will try to do so. I've seen The Singer and the Song, but I'd be keen to know what other recordings you have, Jim.
As for the John Terry story - I've heard it but can't recall where. If Harry is John Terry's great-grandfather, it will come as a great shock to his only granddaughter, Jenny. If anyone can shed light on the story's origins I'd love to hear - I'll certainly be mentioning it in the book. Spookily enough, Norwich City play Chelsea tomorrow...


24 Aug 19 - 02:32 AM (#4005703)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Jim Carroll

Bruce
If you can PM me an Email address I'll send you lists of what I have - if they are o interest, I'll link you to my PCloud and you can download what you want
I suppose you are aware of the 4 radio programmes made on Sam for schools - 'To Make a Fisherman' - we have those too
I'll go through our lists and see if there is anything else
I seem to remember at least one article on Harry in Folk Review, but I'm sure you have that
We recorded a fisherman, Bob Green, in Winterton, who described himself - Sam's nephew - I'm not sure that wasn't an 'honorary' title
There's a little talk of Sam by Bob - you aree, of course, welcome to that
I hope they are of help, I would truly love to see biographies of these singers - and many more of them
Good luck
Jim


24 Aug 19 - 04:37 AM (#4005711)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: GUEST

I assume that you will have seen this interview plus songs from 1962, but if not -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyqsqnKpwEo


24 Aug 19 - 05:37 AM (#4005714)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: GUEST,Mike Yates

Jim, I never met Sam Larner and only met Harry Cox on one occasion. I was 16 at the time and had been visiting relatives in the Fens. I had heard him singing 'Foggy Dew' on a 10" HMV LP (Peter Kennedy recordings), so I managed to get to Harry's home and spent an afternoon with him. At that point I had never used a tape recorder and did not have one, so I have no recordings of Harry. Harry sang 'The Foggy Dew' and 'The Spotted Cow' to me, plus another song, but I cannot now remember what it was (it was sixty years ago). Sorry that I cannot offer more.


24 Aug 19 - 05:49 AM (#4005717)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Jim Carroll

Thanks for clarification Mike (hope you are well)
Jim


24 Aug 19 - 01:43 PM (#4005737)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield

I think the John Terry story appeared on Harry's Wikipedia page. A bit of mischief making by someone …
Chris Heppa has done a great deal of work on Harry Cox and other singers in the area.
Derek Schofield


25 Aug 19 - 02:46 PM (#4005845)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: BruceL

Thanks again for these messages. Wikipedia makes sense, Derek - and Chris Heppa has already been very helpful. Sadly, Harry's current entry is rather bland. Jim - I'll PM you after I post this. Bruce


26 Aug 19 - 04:07 AM (#4005879)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: GeoffLawes

Guest's Youtube video as a blue clicky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyqsqnKpwEo


27 Aug 19 - 04:13 PM (#4006080)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: BruceL

Thanks for the link Geoff. I love watching this programme but can't understand why no-one at the Beeb thought to put Harry and Sam in the same room at the same time - if only to avoid the engineers having to set up twice. Or maybe they did and Harry and/or Sam refused???


07 Sep 20 - 08:55 PM (#4071137)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Hagman

BruceL's efforts published.

Details here:

https://www.equinoxpub.com/home/two-bold-singermen/


08 Sep 20 - 05:12 AM (#4071165)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield

Book to be published middle of next month (October).
Derek


08 Sep 20 - 05:45 AM (#4071167)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: The Sandman

I do not think putting them in the same room, would have worked, i know someone who knew Harry well, there was a certain amount of rivalry between them


09 Sep 20 - 05:17 AM (#4071283)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: GUEST,SB666

Sam's early radio broadscats are here:

http://www.mediafire.com/folder/980r0sht5ktg2/Sam+Larner+-+1960

Thanks to Jim Caroll


09 Sep 20 - 05:28 AM (#4071286)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: The Sandman

Jim, was generous with his help on this Forum


11 Sep 20 - 11:31 AM (#4071538)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: The Sandman

A litle bit of back ground info about Harry.
He married quite late in life, and had one daughter,because he did not have a large family, and did not have too many financial burdens He was able to buy the row of cottages he lived in, one of the cottages he used to play music in and use as a workshop/retreator what moght now be called a man shed, he also grew his own tobacco and his own vegetables etc.


13 Sep 20 - 06:01 AM (#4071717)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: The Sandman

Harry, had an elder brother who was also a good singer,I dont think his brother was ever recorded .his mother sang and bought broadsheets to learn songs.


24 Sep 23 - 08:28 PM (#4182369)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Thomas Stern

refresh

YouTube:
Bruce Lindsay LIVE : 'Two Bold Singermen and the English Folk Revival'

YouTube - Bruce Lindsay interview

Has anyone read the book? Comments ??

Thomas.


24 Sep 23 - 08:28 PM (#4188186)
Subject: RE: Harry Cox and Sam Larner - help request
From: Thomas Stern

refresh

YouTube:
Bruce Lindsay LIVE : 'Two Bold Singermen and the English Folk Revival'

YouTube - Bruce Lindsay interview

Has anyone read the book? Comments ??

Thomas.


25 Sep 23 - 02:30 AM (#4188179)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,Nick Dow

Tom (and Bertha) Brown left me recordings of Harry Cox in his will. It was recordings of Harry at home. John Howson had a copy, and told me he tape exists elsewhere as well.


25 Sep 23 - 02:30 AM (#4182383)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,Nick Dow

Tom (and Bertha) Brown left me recordings of Harry Cox in his will. It was recordings of Harry at home. John Howson had a copy, and told me he tape exists elsewhere as well.


25 Sep 23 - 09:41 AM (#4182408)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,Ken Hudson

I interviewed local singer Chad for my radio folk show in 2020.As a student and young teacher he spent time in Winterton - and sang in The Fisherman's Return where SL sang. Met Sam Larner when Sam was well into his 80s and was invited round to his cottage. The interview (3/4 mins long) contains a description of meeting Sam and his wife, Dorcas.
If you can let me have your email address - can send an mp3 copy of the interview - and could put you in touch with Chad.
Hope you will find this helpful.
Ken.


25 Sep 23 - 09:41 AM (#4188180)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,Ken Hudson

I interviewed local singer Chad for my radio folk show in 2020.As a student and young teacher he spent time in Winterton - and sang in The Fisherman's Return where SL sang. Met Sam Larner when Sam was well into his 80s and was invited round to his cottage. The interview (3/4 mins long) contains a description of meeting Sam and his wife, Dorcas.
If you can let me have your email address - can send an mp3 copy of the interview - and could put you in touch with Chad.
Hope you will find this helpful.
Ken.


25 Sep 23 - 09:57 AM (#4188188)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: r.padgett

I have just searched for "mustrad ~ Harry Cox and also Sam Larner ~ there are CDs as well as background information there

I have the CDs and others in my collection

Ray


25 Sep 23 - 09:57 AM (#4182409)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: r.padgett

I have just searched for "mustrad ~ Harry Cox and also Sam Larner ~ there are CDs as well as background information there

I have the CDs and others in my collection

Ray


25 Sep 23 - 10:32 AM (#4182413)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

Sheila Park who recorded and collected songs from Harry,[1967] is giving a talk about him at Tenterden Folk Festival.
She knew him well, and had a jig doll that Harry made for him. She and her uncle Peter Coleman along with cliff and Pauline Godbold.,visited him often
John Howson arrived Suffolk in about 1979,Harry died some years earlie.


25 Sep 23 - 10:32 AM (#4188181)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

Sheila Park who recorded and collected songs from Harry,[1967] is giving a talk about him at Tenterden Folk Festival.
She knew him well, and had a jig doll that Harry made for him. She and her uncle Peter Coleman along with cliff and Pauline Godbold.,visited him often
John Howson arrived Suffolk in about 1979,Harry died some years earlie.


25 Sep 23 - 10:34 AM (#4188182)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

Sheila Park is very much around and still singing and lives in Norwich


25 Sep 23 - 10:34 AM (#4182414)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

Sheila Park is very much around and still singing and lives in Norwich


25 Sep 23 - 10:39 AM (#4182416)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

TYPO TWO POSTS ABOVE her not him


25 Sep 23 - 10:39 AM (#4188183)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

TYPO TWO POSTS ABOVE her not him


27 Sep 23 - 03:50 AM (#4188184)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

The Ballad of Barton Broad has never been collected from any other singer,
Jim Carroll has suggested, elsewhere, he may have written it. However the fact that it has never been collected from anybody else, is not sufficient evidence that it was his composition.


27 Sep 23 - 03:50 AM (#4182525)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

The Ballad of Barton Broad has never been collected from any other singer,
Jim Carroll has suggested, elsewhere, he may have written it. However the fact that it has never been collected from anybody else, is not sufficient evidence that it was his composition.


27 Sep 23 - 03:34 PM (#4182578)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: Reinhard

In the booklet of Harry Cox's Topic anthology The Bonny Labouring Bay, Cox is quoted that the Barton Broad Ballad was made up when his father was a little boy, which would have been in the 1850s.


27 Sep 23 - 03:34 PM (#4188187)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: Reinhard

In the booklet of Harry Cox's Topic anthology The Bonny Labouring Bay, Cox is quoted that the Barton Broad Ballad was made up when his father was a little boy, which would have been in the 1850s.


27 Sep 23 - 04:49 PM (#4188185)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

Thanks,Reinhard


27 Sep 23 - 04:49 PM (#4182582)
Subject: RE: Information: Harry Cox and Sam Larner
From: GUEST,RJM

Thanks,Reinhard