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Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??

25 May 02 - 01:33 AM (#717151)
Subject: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: rich-joy

Does anyone know anything about this great a capella harmony group??? I think they must be defunct by now. I have an old tape with such gems as LAZARUS and YELLOW SUN ...
Cheers! R-J


25 May 02 - 12:40 PM (#717232)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Mac Tattie

...rich-joy, I also wonder what happened. I only know them from one very enjoyable LP, which, from the tracks mentioned, must be the same as your tape. The LP was from 1983 on Plant Life PLR 048 and called " Don't Sing Aloha...When I Goha ". I bought this LP at Durham Festival in 1984 or '85 from Mr. D.Bulmer mimself and this LP still has a " C.M. Distribution" lable on the back. Whither the rights for this recording fell whithin his sphere of control I can't say. The line-up was, Dave Mitchel, John Spires, Anne Wiseman and Max Johnson. cheers


25 May 02 - 02:36 PM (#717287)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex

Simple, they went off in different directions and the group split. Max was a keen Dungeons and Dragons player around 1980 but I lost touch when I started a family. I never saw the LP but a recording couldn't match then live. My favourite had to be Stalin Wasn't Stallin'


25 May 02 - 07:13 PM (#717368)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: michaelr

Are there any CDs available?


26 May 02 - 02:51 AM (#717492)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: rich-joy

Some memory bell has since rung about some of the members going on to a group with a name to do with CHICKENS .... (??!!) (could've been in an old Folk Roots, or even Southern Rag, magazine) - does this all mean that The Surfers might have been a UK group then??? Cheers! R-J


26 May 02 - 06:46 AM (#717516)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,MCP

IIRC John Spires was playing guitar for Ann Lennox-Martin about 5 or so years ago, but not heard of recently.

Ann Wiseman has either been to some gathering I was at in the last year or was at a gathering somebody I was talking to was at (Jim Mageean I think), but sadly memory fails me in further detail.

rich-joy: Spring Chickens

Mick


27 May 02 - 11:44 PM (#718535)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: rich-joy

Thanks Mick! Were "Spring Chickens" doing a cappella harmony too?? Do they still exist??

(a thought : how long do "a cappella harmony groups" tend to last anyway? (apart from the exceedingly long-running Sweet Honey in the Rock) : is it by nature, a necessarily finite thing? Just wondering ...)

Cheers! R-J


28 May 02 - 03:47 AM (#718600)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Ralphie

Not a definitive statement, but this may help...!!
The whole thing started with Threadbare Consort, back in the 70's....One of the best Accap bands, ever, up there with the Watersons, Young Tradition etc....
One LP was released, and immediately withdrawn, in 78/79? at Bracknell Fest (UK)....Ha Ha!! I've got a copy !!
The band split soon after, and some members reformed, in no particular order,as, the Dead Sea Surfers, and Spring Chickens.
Like the original questioner, I've often wondered what became of them all....I know that Celia O'Neil relocated in Vancouver, But, any more info, anyone??
I feel a re-Union coming on.....

Ralphie (My Spirit looks to God alone....etc)


28 May 02 - 05:01 AM (#718619)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Dave Bryant

Yes, I remember some great performances from Threadbare/Surfers and also some wonderful Sacred Harp workshops - the BBC recorded the last one at the St. George's Festival at CSH.

I still have a bone to pick with Anne (the mighty mouse) Wiseman, though. When I went to Hospital after breaking my achilles tendon, she was the admissions nurse. When she heard how I'd done it (Folk Dancing), she laughed so loud that everybody else wanted to know what the joke was, she told them and they all joined in. I can still remember that as I was going into surgery in a pre-med haze, the porters were guffawing over my admission notes - I expect the surgeons did too. Why did people find it so funny - if I'd slipped on a banana skin I'd have got more sympathy

One the subject of the longevity (or lack of it) of "a cappella harmony groups", it's quite a personal thing finding voices that fit together well. Artisan have been going for quite some time now, and "English Tapestry" were around for quite a while (with several changes of the tenor voice). In fact I started an unsuccessful thread some time ago to find out if anyone knew the whereabouts of Brian and Ruth Britain.

One of my favourite harmony groups was "Beggar's Velvet" who unfortunately only survived for a relatively short time - at least they managed one album - still, Dave and Annie continue to delight us.


28 May 02 - 08:00 AM (#718682)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST

Dave Bryant - a mate of mine once snapped his Achilles tendon playing in a country&western cricket match. He got much less sympathy than you did.


28 May 02 - 01:58 PM (#718886)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: breezy

spiers just still going


28 May 02 - 02:01 PM (#718889)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Greycap

Max is living in Bradford, don't think he does any singing, though. Devotes a lot of time to painting military minatures.


28 May 02 - 04:15 PM (#718986)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Mr Red

I think they went off the top of the screen they were Dead Sea Scrolling ***BG***


02 Sep 06 - 01:27 PM (#1825468)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Geoff Wallis

I happened to work for a decade with one of the members of the Dead Sea Surfers, Dave Mitchell, who was indeed subsequently part of the Spring Chickens.

The last things I heard about Dave were a)that he'd taken up a career as a jazz guitariast, and b) that he was also working as a guide at the Imperial War Museum's aircraft site in Duxford.

I've no idea if he's still undertaking either pursuit.


02 Sep 06 - 02:31 PM (#1825498)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

Norman Western and I were part of a duo 1976 to 1978, he later sang with either threadbare or the surfers, and now lives in lancaster. Max Johnson was living in heynsham, Dave East is in london.


02 Sep 06 - 04:32 PM (#1825561)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: BB

Ann Wiseman must be living in the Teignmouth area of Devon these days. She turned up at a gig we did there a year or so ago, and was obviously a fairly regular attendee. Didn't have a lot of time to talk with her, so not sure what she's doing now.

Barbara


03 Sep 06 - 01:04 AM (#1825743)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: cptsnapper

Is John Spires still playing?


03 Sep 06 - 08:04 PM (#1826255)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Dartford Warbler

Last time I saw and spoke to John Spires was in the Wrotham Arms, Broadstairs (well outside Folk Week) about 2 years ago. He was mainly involved in theatre stuff in East London and was not doing any singing or playing.

Max got in touch with me a few months ago after seeing the DSS listed on the Dartford Folk Club - Hall of Fame - website.

I last saw Anne Wiseman in the Barnaby Rudge, Broadstairs (during Folk Week a few years back) but sadly she was not performing just watching. Wonderful voice. A harmony trio (Hops & Blarney) which I was once part of, sang one of her compositions called Autumn. I do not think it was ever recorded apart from on my portable cassette recorder at Farningham Folk Club :-) If anyone can pass her a message please get her to e-mail me via the email address on the Dartford Folk Club website at http://www.DartfordFolk.org.uk

The Dead Sea Surfers - a sheer joy to be in the audience during one of their performances!


03 Sep 06 - 09:38 PM (#1826289)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: rich-joy

Sad to have missed seeing them!
However, our a cappella harmony group "Work in Progress" does two of their wonderful numbers : "Yellow Sun" and "Lazarus" (and always credited!)


Cheers! R-J
(Down Under)


04 Sep 06 - 03:54 AM (#1826379)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Kevin Sheils

John Spires was at this years Towersey, just the showground area, for a day trip on the Monday.

Hadn't seem him for a few years, he's still living in east London and took a Walthamstow Folk Club leaflet from me and suggested he'd drop in to q few Sunday nights.

He thought he'd drop in when we've got Spiers and Boden just to confuse things! In fact the last time I saw him before Towersey was a few years back when he dropped in to our previous Spiers and Boden gig.


05 Sep 06 - 04:11 PM (#1827724)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Graham and Jo

Spring Chickens' record 'Fowl Language' (1987) included John Spires, David Mitchell, Lily Lawson, and Adrian May.


08 Sep 06 - 08:23 PM (#1830343)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Jim Martin

Unfortunately, I don't remember the "Dead Sea Surfers" but do have very happy memories of "Spring Chickens" at the Cellar Upstairs Folk Club 20 odd years ago.


05 Oct 06 - 09:28 AM (#1850948)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Morris-ey

I knew Ann before the Dead Sea Surfers when she used to attend the Sunday night sing-around in the Freemasons Arms in Covent Garden - this was in 1979. Saw the Surfers at a few festivals ater that.


11 Jun 09 - 08:02 AM (#2653879)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,popyamsurf

Although this thread is very old so is my Cassette taped from my freinds Threadbare Consort album "Wearin Thin"
can anybody burn a MP£ disc of this as I cant find the album anywhere
Thanks
Gordon


12 Jun 09 - 05:30 AM (#2654682)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: popyasmurf

Although this thread is very old so is my Cassette taped from my freinds Threadbare Consort album "Wearin Thin"
can anybody burn an MP3 disc of this as I cant find the album anywhere
Thanks
Gordon
duplicated because Ive creted an account now


12 Jun 09 - 05:37 AM (#2654684)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Andy Jackson

Yes easy peasy . PM me for my address.
Andy


22 Jun 09 - 01:31 PM (#2662200)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Anne Darby nee Wiseman

I miss them to bits! David Mitchell and I formed a duo after Surfers split but it never really took off which was a shame. Some time later he went to America - I heard he was back but I don't know what he's doing. John I believe is still gigging... Max, as far as I know, isn't. I am in Teignmouth and do a bit of solo work here and there but it's not the same... I was singing in the Methodist Hall (great acoustics) at the weekend as part of the Teignmouth folk festival and thinking - this would've been perfect for a Sacred Harp workshop!


22 Jun 09 - 03:37 PM (#2662284)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

I think Cathy O Neill,[ who was involved with the Marquis of Clanricade Folk club] also sang with them.


22 Jun 09 - 07:09 PM (#2662437)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Herga Kitty

I have a haunting memory of "On Monday I was arrested"...

I last saw Anne in the Manor Pavilion Theatre Bar at Sidmouth, but she didn't sing... we have now relocated the morning singarounds to the Royal York and it would be wonderful if she could come and sing.

Kitty (still on a high from launching an a cappella CD of me and Derek Burgess at Herga this evening)


22 Jun 09 - 07:18 PM (#2662444)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Art Thieme

To find out what happened t5o 'em, SCROLL down!




















Art


22 Jun 09 - 07:20 PM (#2662446)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Art Thieme

I guess you didn't SCROLL down far enough.

Art


22 Jun 09 - 07:53 PM (#2662463)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST, topsie

I didn't notice who had posted, and I thought you meant they had taken up painting and had time for nothing else.


23 Jun 09 - 08:36 AM (#2662569)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

not cathy o neill ,but celia o neill.


23 Jun 09 - 09:42 AM (#2662620)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

I am the proud owner of "Wearin Thin" Bought on the day of it's release at Bracknell Festival (IIRC it was withdrawn the same afternoon for tech reasons!!)
Also have "Fowl Language!"
Fun times, and Hello to Ann....Long time no see!!!
Ralphie


23 Jun 09 - 11:39 AM (#2662715)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Vic Smith

Some thoughts on the people/groups mentioned in this thread:-

•        Threadbare Consort was where this family of groups started (we need a Pete Frame family tree) Can't remember the entire line-up. It was Max Johnson; wasn't there an Eric…. And I think Dave East was in the line-up.
•        Dead Sea Surfers - not to be confused with the American rock band of the same name that have a website at http://www.deadseasurfers.com/
•        Spring Chickens the group that rich-joy could not quite remember the name of but remembered an article that could've been in an old Folk Roots, or even Southern Rag, magazine. Indeed it was in Folk Roots No. 46 pages 25-27 (April 1987) written by….. Vic Smith. To me they were one of the most adventurous and able groups of the times, superb singing and musicianship and a fantastic repertoire of compositions by May/Mitchell. I booked them several times for folk clubs and for Lewes Folk Day. I always wondered why they did not make it big on the alternative cabaret/comedy circuit which was very big at the time. They told me that they found it difficult to break away from their roots in folk clubs, but really they had a much broader appeal
•        The Self-Righteous Brothers was the short-lived, very vibrant duo of Adrian May and Dave Mitchell the followed the break-up of Spring Chickens. One of the few bookings that they did was for our club in Lewes, but they were outstanding, a real opportunity missed
•        Dave Mitchell Geoff Wallis writes The last things I heard about Dave were a)that he'd taken up a career as a jazz guitariast, and b) that he was also working as a guide at the Imperial War Museum's aircraft site in Duxford. I've no idea if he's still undertaking either pursuit. Adrian has more or less lost touch with him and is pretty sure that he does not play in public any more (though he can certainly play some fine Django-style guitar.) Adrian still gets a Christmas card from him and tells me that they are often cards of the Duxford Museum.
•        Ann Wiseman & Dave Mitchell Ann wrote David Mitchell and I formed a duo after Surfers split but it never really took off which was a shame. It was bloody good! I was reminded just how good they were together last year when I was digitising a whole loft-full of reel-to-reel BBC session tapes that had been recorded for the BBC local stations in the south folk music programme, Minstrels Gallery - six songs recorded on 5th September 1989. All good songs and the most impressive twenty years on was Anne's own composition and passionate performance of a song about an abandoned lover, Listen
•        Dave East has been living in South London for many years now and has been running the excellent Court Sessions folk club there and having sustained bad luck with his venue pubs closing/changing use of room etc.
•        Adrian May is a close friend and I am in frequent contact with him. Still living in Essex, he now teaches creative writing at the University of Essex. Still writing excellent songs, probably a bit more serious in their content of late. Does not do many gigs but we always book him. Taking a greater interest in the tradition than he used to. Is always telling me what a great singer Jeff Wesley is – as if this was news to me!


23 Jun 09 - 12:41 PM (#2662772)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

the original line up of Threadbare Consort was Max Johnson ,Dave Mitchell,plus Eric[tenor or even counter tenor],and a wonderful bass singer.,Well that was the line up when I booked them,about 1977.
I think the first person to leave the original group was the bass singer
I think Dave East was in a group with ,Max,Norman Western,and Celia o Neill,which I think was ONE OF THE VARIATIONS OF Dead Sea Surfers.


23 Jun 09 - 02:03 PM (#2662840)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Anne Darby (Wiseman)

The amazing bass singer in Threadbare Consort was Marshall Cligman. When that folded, Threadbare formed with Max Johnson, Dave East, Norman Weston and Celia O'Neal while John Spires, Marshall Cligman and Dave Mitchell got together as Mrs Spinks... then there was the Dead Sea Surfers. Then came Spring Chickens and the duo that was me and Dave was Boston at the Back.

I think I'm in Finland during Sidmouth week...


23 Jun 09 - 02:08 PM (#2662841)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Anne Darby (Wiseman)

The Eric was Eric Leggo - what a great name!

Hi Ralphie...


23 Jun 09 - 02:19 PM (#2662854)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

thanks, Sorry if I appear pedantic ,he is Norman Western,he used to get annoyed about people spelling his name wrongly.
many was the time he earoled me about this,in the end[for peace and quiet] I used to spell it out to organisers when we got gigs.,and they still got it wrong.


23 Jun 09 - 05:45 PM (#2663042)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Anne Lister

Hi Anne!
I'll always remember the way John Spires picked me up by the scruff of my neck (metaphorically speaking) and took me on the road with you guys for a gig or two when I was absolutely at rock bottom with heartbreak and thinking I wouldn't get up and sing ever again. What a star he was! And you all were!
Hope to see you sometime.   Mary McLaughlin and I are going to do some Anonyma reunion gigs this summer, but we're not getting very close to Teignmouth, sadly.


23 Jun 09 - 06:01 PM (#2663069)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Vic Smith

Anne Lister wrote

"Mary McLaughlin and I are going to do some Anonyma reunion gigs this summer"


I remember the late Naomi Russell showing me proofs for her album cover design for the "Anonyma" album when we went round to her flat for a band practice.


24 Jun 09 - 02:54 AM (#2663299)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Anne Lister

Slight thread creep here - I was so sad to hear about Naomi recently. So much talent, such a wonderful person.
And yes, the album design was stunning and exactly what we wanted.


24 Jun 09 - 03:58 PM (#2663776)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Anne Darby (Wiseman)

Hi Anne Lister - I remember sitting in some club way back and a bloke introducing the next song he was going to sing and saying he didn't know if it was written by Anne Lister or Anne Wiseman. When he gave the title I piped up 'Anne Lister'. He asked how I knew and I replied 'cos I'm Anne Wiseman' and everyone laughed but I was p'd off cos he was singing one of your songs and not mine! But back to DSS - I've just moved into a new education centre at work called the Horizon Centre and now can't get the 'beyond the blue horizon comes a beautiful day' song out of my head. I wonder what happened to our shirts?


24 Jun 09 - 04:13 PM (#2663785)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Geoff Wallis

For anyone wondering about the shirts, here's a rather poor scan of the cover of 'Don't Sing Aloha'.

http://bit.ly/vanKO


24 Jun 09 - 04:25 PM (#2663791)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Geoff Wallis

Putting up that link reminded me that in the ten years or so in which I worked with Dave Mitchell I only once saw him sing in front of an audience and that was with the Surfers (mind you, he sang everyday at work).

Anne, might remember this. It must have been around 1985 or 1986 and the venue was The Gatehouse pub in Highgate. The Surfers were top of the bill which otherwise consisted of a dreadful performance poet and a lumpen folk-rock band whose name escapes me, but I do recall that the bass player had a tobacco pipe stuck in his mouth throughout their set.

In those days The Gatehouse was more usually known for its trad jazz. John Chilton's Feetwarmers (with or without George Melly) played there regularly, and on other nights there was often a band featuring a clarinetist who also happened to be a High Court judge (but for some idiosyncratic reason always wore a pacamac of the DOM variety).


21 Jul 09 - 11:27 AM (#2684478)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: popyasmurf

Anybody got Wearing Thin ???? Threadbare Consort


21 Jul 09 - 11:55 AM (#2684496)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Surreysinger

Read back to Ralphie's post!!


16 Aug 09 - 06:29 PM (#2701862)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: allmat

The internet serendipity factor strikes again!

I was trawling through my old LP collection yesterday and came across Threadbare Consort's "Wearing Thin" which I bought at a Bracknell festival. Played it, and recorded it to PC ready to write to CD. But looking at the cover I couldn't find the names of the group members. A Google search brought me straight here! Can anyone say which of the various people mentioned as being part of the group were the ones on the record?
I can't think it was really withdrawn 'for technical reasons' as my copy seems perfect - I'd imagine there were copyright or licensing issues. Does anyone know?


16 Aug 09 - 07:05 PM (#2701878)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

The "Tech Reasons" for the rapid withdrawl of Wearing Thin was 1 an off centre pressing which made it wow horribly (Not nice for an accapella band) and, although it pains me to say it "Red Cross Store" is horribly out of tune...No copyright problems. And as it was on sale for about three hours, You were lucky to have got one allmat!!
Wonder what it would fetch on E Bay? (Sod all I suppose!) but in their prime probably one of the most inspirational UK harmony acts around.
Hope they are all well and happy.


16 Aug 09 - 11:07 PM (#2701990)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Anglo

Vic - when I used to get back to England more frequently back in the late 70s-early 80s, and I was in town, I used to hang out with Dave East around some of the London clubs, Dingles and the like. I've often wondered if he was still around. Do you have any contact info for him? Thanks for any help.

John


17 Aug 09 - 04:44 AM (#2702065)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Jim Martin

I don't suppose by any chance, John Spiers of Spiers & Boden fame would be related to the John Spiers of "Spring Chickens", would he?


17 Aug 09 - 02:38 PM (#2702381)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: BB

Don't think so, but I may be wrong.

Barbara


17 Aug 09 - 04:12 PM (#2702458)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

DaveEast ,has a contact number in Folk London.,the london folk mag.
john spires is not john spiers.


17 Aug 09 - 06:27 PM (#2702600)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Herga Kitty

There is contact info for Dave East in the Folk London venue information that was put up on Court Sessions here by Gerry Milne before he went into hospital. But there is no longer any info about Court Sessions in the printed copies of Folk London.

Kitty


18 Aug 09 - 01:38 AM (#2702855)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Surreysinger

I would imagine that the lack of info for Court Sessions is occasioned by the fact that at the moment they don't have any permanent home, Kitty.


18 Aug 09 - 06:10 AM (#2702946)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Jim Martin

Whoops, sorry! Looks like I got my spelling mixed up (Spires/Spiers).


02 Oct 09 - 02:51 PM (#2736807)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,John Spires

Hello, never expected to find a site like this... How wonderful to be remembered. I'm living in East London. Not giging any more, but came first in a karaoke heat in Yorkshire last weekend.

Hi Anne and all who remember me. I think of the old times and have happy memories of all of the people I met and sang with in workshops singarounds and at gigs.

Anne do you remember our first gig at the Chestnuts in Walthamstow.. We were called 'Unruly Sun' then we changed to Dead Sea Surfers.. Happy days....


05 Oct 09 - 10:45 AM (#2738833)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: popyasmurf

Hi Can anybody get a vinyl copy of "Wearing Thin" exported to MP3
Thanks
Gordon


24 Oct 09 - 02:52 PM (#2751850)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Anne Darby

Hallo John - yes I do (I had to say something about no chest and no nuts between us). I also remember a fab gig somewhere when Max sent some toy mouse that was suspended from a rafter flying during the moves of ?one of the doowaps... Sorry you're not gigging. I am somewhat sporadically until middle of next year when I'm having a career change and will turn into a pandemic!
I won 4hrs in a recording studio in a raffle not very long ago - great prize huh? I'm also still running and playing hockey...


11 Dec 09 - 10:02 AM (#2786094)
Subject: Threadbare Consort Wearing Thin
From: popyasmurf

Hi has anybody a vinyl copy of "Wearing Thin" on vinyl I have a USB to MP3 turntable and could then copy it for myself and any others

Thanks
Gordon


04 Mar 10 - 09:57 AM (#2855841)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,is there anybody out there ?

Hi has anybody a vinyl copy of "Wearing Thin" Threadbare Consort on vinyl I have a USB to MP3 turntable and could then copy it for myself and any others interested

Thanks
Gordon


05 Mar 10 - 02:43 AM (#2856514)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: rich-joy

No, sorry Gordon, I don't have a copy - but I'd sure like one!!!
:~)


Cheers, R-J
Down Under


07 Jul 10 - 12:56 PM (#2941244)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Max Johnson

Hello everyone. As John Spiers (hugs) says, how nice to be remembered.
And, like Anne (hugs) I soooo miss it!
Bumped into Eric a short while ago, and went down to Ipswich for a very pleasant visit (he's back from Switzerland). Great to see him and we just picked up the conversation where it left off.
What a time we had. And to sing and work with with Eric, Marshall Cligman, Dave Mitchell, John, Anne, Dave East, Celia O'Niell... What a privilege! Thanks guys.
If anyone reads this, and has any questions about anything - just post here and I'll try and answer.

Love to all.

Max.


08 Jul 10 - 06:25 AM (#2941656)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Ralphie

Hi Max.
Nice to hear from you! Lots of people still ask about "Wearin Thin" Did the master tapes survive?
I know you weren't happy with it. Was it the performance or the fact that it was an off-centre pressing?
It would be a joy to have it on CD without all the surface noise that repeated playings of the vinyl has caused!!
Hope your having a happy life, and thanks for the fun all those years ago
Ralphie Jordan (CROWS)


08 Jul 10 - 08:50 AM (#2941710)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Max Johnson

Hiya Ralphie!!! How're ya doin???
I'm living in Heysham on the North West coast, and everything is good, thanks. I keep saying that I'm going to get back down to London for a few days and catch up with anyone who still remembers me, but never seem to get around to doing it.

The master tapes didn't survive. True story of Wearing Thingate is:
The album was released at Bracknell festival (year?). Someone from South Hill Park records listened to it, realised that the pressing was off-centre and immediately insisted that it was withdrawn from sale. The recording guys' plan was to get it re-pressed asap. But by the time they got around to doing anything, Consort were (very sadly)splitting up and it never happened. Bummer. Consort still had about a year of gigs left in the diary, including a highly lucrative month in Germany and as that was my only source of income I didn't want to waste them. So I approached Dave East and we set up Threadbare with Celia O'Neill and Norman Western with the sole purpose of working to clear those gigs. In the meantime, I asked SHP, which (again, very sadly) was under new management, if they'd lat us have the masters if they weren't going to use them. They would only do that if we played Bracknell Festival again for free. We agreed, although we weren't really ready and actually did a crap gig (unbelieveable, I know), Then the shysters told us that they'd already been destroyed, and not being able to take them to court we let it go. As far as I know we were all reasonably happy with the recording - a couple of niggles perhaps, but basically I was - but not many got out. I have a vinyl copy somewhere and am happy to lend it to you. How can I give you my e-mail address? Sheila Miller has it, if you have hers?

Best.

Max.


08 Jul 10 - 06:37 PM (#2942041)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Ralphie

Hi Max
I thought that the Masters would have shuffled off this mortal coil by now! Fret not. I purchased a copy on the day of release. And it's sitting safe on my hard drive now...scratches and wowing 'n all!
ralph.jordan@ntlworld.com will reach me.
Just about to release a solo CD (hint!)
If you ever make it south, you'd be welcome to stay (Watford)
But we will converse E Mail stylee rather than in public!
Toodle-Pip
Ralphie


09 Jul 10 - 01:35 AM (#2942185)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Ralphie

Oh. and out of interest (possibly only to you!) I got around the off-centre problem by re-drilling the hole in the middle of the LP! Now you can't do that with a CD can you!


10 Jul 10 - 11:46 AM (#2942980)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST

Ralph, yes, you can't. I'll e-mail you mate.
Anne, Most of the shirts were auctioned for charriddy at one of our many last ever final appearances. We still had a few left for the reunion tour though, didn't we? Woohoo, what a blast!

Probably something else of interest only to me is that my favourite track on 'Wearing Thin' is 'Your Feet's Too Big', accompanied by the wonderful Roaring Jelly. Which was another privilege!

Max.


10 Jul 10 - 06:13 PM (#2943174)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Surreysinger

Interesting to see this thread resurrected lately. Did anybody ever hear anything from poor old Gordon who wanted a copy of the Threadbare Consort LP ? Sadly I never got to hear Threadbare Consort live :-( (Another one of those things that I missed along the way).

Apart from that I have fond recollections of seeing the Dead Sea Surfers in action on the reunion tour at Towersey and at the Ram Club (then in Claygate) - although I don't remember T-shirts (I'm sure they were rather lairy and colourful Hawaian shirts - or am I wrong on that?). Having been out of clubs and festival stuff for about 20 years those were the first and only times that I got to see you in action ... and I'm glad that I did. My copy of "Don't Say Aloha" was played quite a bit afterwards (taped after one recording), and is sitting quietly upstairs waiting for me to get a turntable in action at some point!

Am I right in thinking that for a while John was teamed up with Dave Benton (or am I muddling him with someone else) ... and what happened to Dave ? I can recall he worked for Hobgoblin and certainly bumped into him a few times at Sidmouth on their stand ... but haven't heard anything of him for a while. (Sorry - thread drift there).


10 Jul 10 - 07:17 PM (#2943205)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Bonnie Shaljean

Hi Max - Nice to see you here.

All the best, Bonnie


11 Jul 10 - 07:15 AM (#2943370)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Richard Hardaker

Hello Max- some of us are old enough to remember pre Threadbare Consort days when Max 'n Eric were singing around the Harrogate-Knaresborough folk club scene, late 60's - early 70's. I'm glad to acknowledge the influence you both had on my singing career. I was involved in Knaresborough F.C. (& Knaresborough Mummers) 1974-75 with John Burrell, before moving to Cumbria. I'm still singing, now immersing myself in the arcane delights of Child balladry


13 Sep 10 - 07:52 AM (#2985646)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Gordon

Hi Ralphie
I sent an email to your ntworld address asking about a copy of Wearing Thin
Thanks
Gordon


13 Sep 10 - 10:37 AM (#2985722)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

Hi Gordon.
Just seen your E Mail.
Will reply shortly!
Ralph


23 Sep 10 - 04:35 PM (#2992485)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Stephen Croall

The Swedish edition of the Dead Sea Surfers lasted into the 1990s. We called ourselves Dödahavssurfarna. We ripped off not only the name and the songs but the arrangements and the jokes as well. I'd taped a brilliant performance of theirs at Sidmouth in the 1980s sometime, that year when Eric Bibb and Daily Planet were playing. The 50s stuff - In the Still of the Night, Duke of Earl, Sherry, we did them all. Shameless plagiarism. We only played around here - the Småland region of southern Sweden - but had something of a cult following until we died at a blues club where no-one was drunk (early evening show). Ah well. Lost the tape, too.


23 Sep 10 - 06:06 PM (#2992548)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST

Just thought I'd add: By the 1990s of course the name didn't work any more, either in English or Swedish - people were windsurfing and for that you don't need waves.


02 Oct 10 - 02:14 PM (#2998202)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Max Johnson

Hiya Bonnie!!! Just seen your post.

Huge hugs!!! Remember my requests for 'The Battle Pavane'? I'll request it again next time we meet!


02 Oct 10 - 02:50 PM (#2998229)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Bonnie Shaljean

Yup, sure do! Hugs right back at ya. I'm living on the south coast of Ireland these days... still crazy after all these years...

B xxx


27 Oct 10 - 08:35 PM (#3017341)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Celia O'Neill

Speaking of spelling Norman's name right, how about mine! I am indeed in Vancouver, teaching singing, and have a quartet called "Pastime With Good Company" I still sing Lazarus and " Red Cross Store", but our main focus is on folk music in other languages, (about 35 at the moment) and Madrigals. Reading this stuff reminds me that I miss you all, it's been a long time. Max, Dave M. Dave E. Anne, Norman (where the hec are you?) WESTERN, Marsh, Ralphie et al. Take care Celia


28 Oct 10 - 07:10 AM (#3017583)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Max

'Struth, It's Times Square here!!!!
Not that I've ever actually been to Times Square, but you hear stuff.

Celia - my e-mail is maxATnonesuch.force9.co.uk Do you remember when Eleanor was born, Norm was threatening to call her Spaghetti?

Shem - 'Aloha' pre-dates CDs. In the unlikely event that you find one, it was ripped.


28 Oct 10 - 08:02 AM (#3017611)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

Norman Western, is alive and well and living in Lancaster, ,his name is indeed Western, I played with him as part of a duo, before he joined up with Max and co., apologies Celia if i spelled your name incorrectly
I have Normans contact number E MAIL ADRESS phone number ETC. Dick Miles.


28 Oct 10 - 08:03 AM (#3017612)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Good Soldier Schweik - PM
Date: 23 Jun 09 - 08:36 AM

not cathy o neill ,but celia o neill.


01 Nov 10 - 03:07 AM (#3020531)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Celia

Hi Dick

You can find me on facebook-I tried an e-mail given to me for Norman but it didn't work, so if you can connect with me that way - I would like to send him a message-Thanks


01 Nov 10 - 09:07 AM (#3020673)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

ok i am on my space, i will contact you shortly, i was in a car accident this morning,but will try and contact you later ,when i am feeling better.


02 Nov 10 - 07:01 AM (#3021458)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

Celia, i have been trying to ring him for 2 days...no answer, i have emailed him ...no answer. I have his postal adress too, but its possible he has moved, his mother was living in lancaster , its possible he may have moved there.
cant find you under celia oneill on my space?


03 Nov 10 - 07:47 AM (#3022404)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

Celia, i spoke to norman last night on the dog and bone, his only access to a computer is at the library. if you e mail me at www.dickmiles.com, i can give you his adress e mail adress and phone number.


04 Nov 10 - 09:08 AM (#3023313)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Norman Western

Celia: Indeed am alive and well and living in Lancaster.
Have opened a new e-mail address with Yahoo as the buggers wouldn't let me back into the old one.
Try normancwestern@yahoo.co.uk.
(Sorry didn't answer Dick's phone calls earlier, as they came up as "We do not have the callers number"; so I assumed they were from some irritating salesman in Pakistan".
(Thank you Dick for your persistance!!).
Not played anything in earnest for many years; but have just splashed out on a second-hand Fylde so something better happen soon.
Do still whistle Irish tunes at work (much to the annoyance of the early morning Staff ~ When asked to shut up I tend to sing lustily instead).

Last serious singing I did was with my daughter in a Lancaster- based West Gallery Chior called Gladly Solemn Sound. (Everybody check them out as they are still going strong and have unearthed masses of local material - CDs available too).
Had to switch to Bass as my voice had dropped too much to handle Tenor any more.

Message to Max: The Bracknell gig wasn't that bad - we were just all bloody terrified!! Didn't do bad knocking up a viable set in less than a month either. Quote from Curling Onion was "A bit dour and humourless"; but we sure as hell got our own back on him.

Lots of love everyone,
Norman


06 Nov 10 - 10:01 PM (#3025635)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: rich-joy

BTW, I just bought one of two vinyl copies up for sale of the Surfers' "Don't Sing Aloha ...." on EBay!

Cheers, R-J


30 Dec 10 - 12:56 PM (#3063911)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Anne Darby (Wiseman)

Hi Max... John... Bonnie... everyone - Happy Christmas, New Year and all that...
Celia - I sing red x store too now - and Max, I also do Rocks of Ban and very occasionally your old sea song favourite from the Isle of Dogs. Meanwhile, where's that Mitchell bloke as he's the only one of us not to have surfaced yet!
Anne


06 Feb 11 - 08:30 AM (#3089714)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Max Johnson

Hi Anne. Lovely to hear from you. Great that you're stull singing! I hope your rendition of the Isle of Dogs sea song is a scaaaary as ever? I remember people walking out in fear, anyway.

My e-mail is max@nonesuch.force9.co.uk


06 Feb 11 - 09:41 AM (#3089749)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST, topsie

There's a 'Don't Sing Aloha' on ebay right now if you're quick.


07 Feb 11 - 04:48 AM (#3090259)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Spleen Cringe

Hello,

I've just interviewed Max for an article about Threadbare Consort and Dead Sea Surfers for my webzine, Lost Folk Tapes. Before I post it, I'd love to hear from other people from the band - as Max points out to me, I only have his version of events at the moment! So if any of you are still checking this thread, would you mind getting in touch either via PM at Mudcat or via the contact page at the website? If anyone else reading is in touch with any of the people who were in either band, please could you point them my way?

Many thanks,

Nigel


26 May 11 - 05:47 AM (#3160703)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST

Hi y'all!
I just LOVE retirement - it's fab!
Meanwhile, I've started doing some stuff with Steve Gill (concertina/melodian/whistle and harmonica). We're called Cloud Cover - yeah I know, it's a bit safe. I suggested the Gilby Sisters but he wouldn't run with it... I guess it's a man thing!
Anyone coming to the Teignmouth folk Festival in June?
Anne Darby (Wiseman)


26 May 11 - 06:48 AM (#3160728)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

Hi Anne. Would you e-mail me, or join and PM me? There's something I'd like to run past the ballpark.
Address is 6th Feb 8.30am, above.

Max. xx.


03 Jul 11 - 07:59 PM (#3180964)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Joe Offer

The Dead Sea Surfers had a YouTube Channel (click) - interesting music.

-Joe, who dove into the Dead Sea, but didn't surf-


04 Jul 11 - 02:52 AM (#3181081)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST, topsie

Joe, that's a different - VERY different - Dead Sea Surfers!


04 Jul 11 - 03:04 AM (#3181083)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

I think the real Dead Sea Surfers should sue! As topsie said...Nothing like them!


04 Jul 11 - 08:36 AM (#3181171)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

I understand that there's a South African punk band who borrowed our name.


04 Jul 11 - 06:36 PM (#3181483)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Joe Offer

Max, sorry I got confused. Where can we find examples of your music?

-Joe-


05 Jul 11 - 02:48 AM (#3181607)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

Hi Joe...It;s a long old story.. First there was Threadbare Consort (4 part accapella band 1 LP withdrawn on the day of release due to faulty pressing!)..This duly morphed into Deaf Sea Surfers with three members in common..! 1 LP "Aloha" with lots of hawaiian references on it plus trad stuff. Again long deleted, but copies do pop up on E Bay from time to time. The good newsis that I'm working with the band on a new project, the first fruits of which will be out-takes/reheasal stuff being uploaded to Nigel (SpleenCringe) "Lost Tapes " site...You'll be able to find it easily ...God knows he's forever plugging it! THE DSS "Aloha" LP, is being considered, but, would anyone remember them? They weren't around for that long. There other breakaway bands too..."Mrs Spinks", and a different line up of the original juast called "Threadbare" (Hope you're taking notes!) In London around that time 70's 80's, London was pretty thriving musically, and band members moved about a lot! Hope this helps...


05 Jul 11 - 03:07 AM (#3181609)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Joe Offer

Well, I sure hope that some fine day, I'll hear the music of the real Dead Sea Surfers.

-Joe-


05 Jul 11 - 04:08 AM (#3181631)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Kevin Sheils

I recall one particular night when I MCd them at the old Chestnuts club in Walthamstow. At one point in the evening I was required to wear a grass skirt half coconuts bikini top and throw bounty bars into the audience during a number.

The things we do for Art.


05 Jul 11 - 04:39 AM (#3181641)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

One particularly Hot and Smelly evening in "The Black Hole Of Carinas" at Sidmouth (remember that?) I remember DSS and ERIC doing a Hawaiian evening....and provided the audience with brown paper bags, lovingly decorated with marker pen strings and tuning pegs ...So that at relevant points in the songs, they could inflate them and join in with the Uke solos! Awesome!
The climax of the evening was accompanying Jo Freya (in costume complete with Bustier!) in a eye-watering version of "I met her On the Beach at Bali-Bali." There wasn't a dry seat in the house. Possibly Jos finest hour (That's her reputation shot!)
Shame it was never recorded.....Thinking about it.................!


05 Jul 11 - 07:18 AM (#3181694)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler

You needed sunglasses just to look at the appropriately dressed audience as they waited to get in to the event!


05 Jul 11 - 09:01 AM (#3181744)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST, topsie

Ralphie, shouldn't that be "Possibly Jo's finest hour"? (although Jos was there in the audience, it wasn't really her finest hour).


05 Jul 11 - 09:43 AM (#3181765)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Surreysinger

Kevin, with the mental image that conjures up I may never be able to look at you in the same light again when next we meet!


05 Jul 11 - 10:15 AM (#3181794)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Kevin Sheils

And I think I had the beard then as well Irene!


05 Jul 11 - 12:57 PM (#3181894)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Herga Kitty

I can't help thinking it would have been more appropriate in the Beach Store.....

Kitty


05 Jul 11 - 02:47 PM (#3181958)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

Hi Kitty...I think the beach store had gone by then! But, Yes..it would have been very appropriate! See you in a few weeks.x


06 Jul 11 - 04:49 AM (#3182264)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

Kitty.
Had a re-think. I think that the Carinas gig was 1984/5. Maybe the same year that ERIC played the Beach Store with Barry Coope? Certainly couldn't have been any later.
The Beach Store was always a wierd gig....The only place in Sidmouth that had sand!


06 Jul 11 - 05:37 AM (#3182282)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST, topsie

After much thinking, I've come to the conclusion Carina's was 1984 (though 1985 remains a possibility).


06 Jul 11 - 06:38 AM (#3182310)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

topsie...1984? Could be.
It was a long time ago!
Glad the venue is shut now. Was a bit like working at the Marquee!


06 Jul 11 - 08:12 AM (#3182347)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Leadfingers

Carinas may no longer be a festival venue , but is still a 'night Club/ disco' and the Over flow bar still provides a home for one of the best mixed sessions in Sidmouth . The Newt Lives !!


08 Jul 11 - 05:18 AM (#3183617)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: ConcertinaChap

Anne just mentioned this thread to me so I went and dug up my old copy of Wearing Thin. Bloody good LP that. Bought the group and the time back to me in a big way. Doing Russia in a workshop in Cecil Sharp House (maybe the first ever Sacred Harp workshop in the UK?). Seeing them for the first time when they were residents at Wayzegoose and telling them how great I thought they sounded (sycophantic even then). Long time ago.

My copy bears the following inscription:

- What good taste you have Chris! - Max Johnson
- I hate writing things on albums - W. Shakespeare
- No you don't - Dave
- Oh yes you do - Marshall.

So there you have it. The personnel on record were Max, Dave, Marshall and William.

Chris


08 Jul 11 - 05:27 AM (#3183622)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: ConcertinaChap

I've just checked the disk on my turntable. It is off-centre but not by much. certainly less than a millimetre, perhaps no more than .5 mm. I'd never really noticed any effect on the sound.

Chris


08 Jul 11 - 06:35 AM (#3183644)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

Thanks Chris!
CSH was the second workshop. I believe the the first UK workshop was done by ourselves and 'Squire' at a festival somewhere in perhaps 1976? I can't remember the venue, but A. L. Lloyd listened to us for a while and was heard to say to his entourage '...that's quite interesting'.

He said it all in that short phrase.

Kevin: Don't be modest, you looked gorgeous.


08 Jul 11 - 06:40 AM (#3183647)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Kevin Sheils

Max I was wondering if that was one of the nights at the Chestnuts that Doc Rowe videoed, he did a few and I have odd copies.

Mind you finding anything in Doc's archive......


08 Jul 11 - 02:31 PM (#3183870)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: ConcertinaChap

> CSH was the second workshop. I believe the the first UK workshop was done by ourselves and 'Squire' at a festival somewhere in perhaps 1976

Blimey, Squire, whatever happened to them ...

Chris


08 Jul 11 - 03:34 PM (#3183904)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Ralphie

As an aside (slightly off topic sorry chaps!) When I found my LP copy of Wearin' Thin ( Threadbare Consort). I took a power drill to it, to make the hole in the middle more central.. And with judicious use of Blu-Tack and a 10p Piece, managed to get it to stop wowing!
Watch this space for future plans....


09 Jul 11 - 05:47 AM (#3184219)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

You bring a whole new perspective to being a sound engineer, Ralph.


09 Jul 11 - 06:48 AM (#3184236)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Kevin Sheils

In fact have had a similar urge with some of my records Ralphie but a few inches nearer the edge.


09 Jul 11 - 04:15 PM (#3184530)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: ConcertinaChap

Anne and I were comparing memories and we think the workshop at CSH was the first, before the workshop with Squire. Do you remember, Max, Consort performing at some day festival in London a few days later and asking anyone in the audience who'd been in the workshop to join you all on stage for what proved to be an absolutely steaming performance of Russia? There were loads of us! Seems like yesterday, and in three weeks time I'm 60. Where does life go?

Chris


10 Jul 11 - 06:08 AM (#3184755)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

To be honest Chris, I don't really know - I've always thought we did the first one with Squire, and I remember Bert Lloyd being there - but I'm not certain, and you could be right. I'll ask the others. That'll probably give us three more dates to throw into the ring.


10 Jul 11 - 03:24 PM (#3184986)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

Consensus is that the first Sacred Harp workshop was at a festival, with 'Squire'. A hot summer. Probably Bracknell, Probably 1976. Second workshop was at CSH.


11 Jul 11 - 05:38 AM (#3185298)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: ConcertinaChap

Well, obviously my memory at fault, really thought they were the other way round. I do remember that Bracknell, though. Bert Lloyd was at the festival all right. I have a clear memory of sitting cross legged in a marquee listening to him singing Tam Lin and being absolutely spellbound by the way he put the song over for all that his voice wasn't up to much by then. A masterclass on how to put a ballad over.

Cheers,

Chris


02 Aug 11 - 06:54 PM (#3200503)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Spleen Cringe

We have a great interview with Max Johnson of Threadbare Consort up at the Lost Folk Tapes site, along with four songs, three from their incredibly hard to find album Wearing Thin and one, Farewell, My Joy, previously unreleased. This is the first installment of a three part interview that will also cover Threadbare and the Dead Sea Surfers...

Happy reading and listening!


03 Aug 11 - 06:34 PM (#3201284)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Spleen Cringe

There's an extra photo added since posted the above last night - and parts two and three of the interview will be added over the next couple of weeks....


11 Aug 11 - 06:52 PM (#3206330)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Spleen Cringe

Part two of our interview with Max is over here at Lost Folk Tapes. This covers the short-lived Threadbare and we feature four never-before-available tracks. Hope you enjoy it!


03 Oct 11 - 07:10 AM (#3232966)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,TDM

Hi Max - very long time no see.
I was at Wickham festival and there were two copies of Don't say aloha in the music tent!
I still have an old casette of Threadbare at Bracknell and the Elizabethan stuff if you are interested. - Torquil


03 Oct 11 - 07:29 AM (#3232975)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Vic Smith



It looks - from the email below that I received on 22/09/11 - as though Dave East and the Court Sessions club are testing the water to see if there is a market for re-starting their venture. Let's hope the club does come alive again because the few times that I went there (over 50 miles away) I really enjoyed it. Here is the email:-

Hi everyone
Sorry to be unable to reply personally to all you who wrote to us-
Firstly:
Simon Prager presents an evening of blues and ragtime music, with 'Veronica & the Red Wine Serenaders', tomorrow evening- Friday 23rd- 8.30pm at The Wheatsheaf, opposite Tooting Bec stn. [Northern]
Tickets are £7.00 [concs £5.00]

To re-state, Court Sessions has two evenings at The County Arms- last Fridays of September and October and, if well attended we may, just may, be on to something more regular.
So please, everyone, trot along to.:

Friday Sept 30th, we host the brilliant
RATTLE ON THE STOVEPIPE
Dave Arthur (5-string banjo, melodeon, guitar, vocals), Pete Cooper (fiddle and vocals) and Dan Stewart (5-string banjo, guitar and vocals). Rattle have gained an enthusiastic following with their mix of traditional songs, ballads and dance tunes from the British Isles and the Appalachian Mountains of- mainly- North Carolina.
Their 2006 CD with Chris Moreton, `Eight More Miles' (Wild Goose, WGS 333), and the 2009 'no use in cryin' with Dan Stewart has spread their reputation more widely.
Plus Dave & Doreen, and the unstoppable Wandle Delta String Band
Starts 8.00pm, entrance £7.00 [CS members £6.00]

Shirley Collins wrote on the sleeve: (Rattle on the Stovepipe)... are all master musicians, but there is no sense of ego, no promotion of themselves as stars, although they certainly can dazzle. They are completely at home with the music they love, & can switch comfortably from American to English songs and tunes...
As you'll have gathered, I love them...'

Friday 28th October,
The Long Hill Ramblers
Headed by Ben Paley & Tab Hunter, and featuring the delightful voice of young Laura Hockenhull, with Dan Stewart on guitar [& banjo]

Hope to see you there- and maybe let us know if you can make it
Dave & Doreen



------------------------------------

COURT SESSIONS-
South London's Traditional Song & Music Club

020 8677 9989


03 Oct 11 - 09:55 AM (#3233031)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

Hiya Torquil!

Yes, it is quite a long time! Please e-mail me at max[AT]nonesuch.force9.co.uk

Max J.


03 Oct 11 - 10:01 AM (#3233036)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

Hello Vic.

Just to suggest that you also make a new thread for Dave's Court Sessions. It would probably attract more attention than this old Surfers nostalgia thread.

I'd love to be able to attend all three of those nights - sounds wonderful!

Best.

M.


23 Apr 12 - 08:25 AM (#3342052)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,popyasmurf

Im still after Wearing Thin as MP3s
can anybody help ?


11 Dec 12 - 01:07 PM (#3450552)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

Poppyasmurf/Gordon

E-mail me re wearing thin - max.


15 Dec 12 - 05:58 AM (#3452195)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: popyasmurf

Hi Chris
is it possible for you to make "Wearing Thin" into an MP3
I only have it on a C90 which is nearly wron out + I have no Cassette player

Thanks
Gordon


26 Nov 14 - 02:21 PM (#3680277)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,RD

I was recently sent a copy of a new compilation CD of some of Threadbare Consort's music as well as Dead Sea Surfers. The recordings are from the 1970s, and although I never saw them live, they must have been quite something.

Apparently there is now a video on YouTube advertising the CD for sale.


26 Nov 14 - 03:38 PM (#3680295)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST, topsie

Found it


03 Mar 15 - 08:05 AM (#3691122)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Tony Bayliss

Hi Anne Darby, if you are still in Teignmouth would you fancy playing at a charity gig there on 18th April


03 Mar 15 - 12:25 PM (#3691182)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Morris-ey

A photo:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iTjz3xuqfHs/S2YVyMNj64I/AAAAAAAABEY/JhIoWlhstyI/s640/IMGP0715.JPG


03 Mar 15 - 04:07 PM (#3691215)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

morrissey, thats only 3, who were at one time members of dead sea surfers anne wiseman john spires, and wotsit, i think they were called spring chckens.


03 Mar 15 - 04:20 PM (#3691218)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST

I am sure they were billed as the surfers...


03 Jun 16 - 04:31 AM (#3793535)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Herga Kitty

Very sad to learn from Hugh Diamond through Facebook that Anne Darby (Wiseman) has passed away this week, though Hugh said she was in good form running her acoustic folk and blues club in Devon last Friday.

Sympathies to her family and former musical associates.

Kitty


04 Jun 16 - 05:23 AM (#3793703)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST, topsie

Very sad to hear this.

I've been reading back through the thread and reminiscences of the Dead Sea Surfers' Hawaiian evening at Carinas in Sidmouth. They threw little Bounty Bars into the audience (real coconuts might have been dangerous I suppose) - I still have mine somewhere.


07 Jun 16 - 04:13 AM (#3794187)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST, topsie

I am surprised how little response there has been on here to the news of Anne's death.
Perhaps Herga Kitty or Hugh Diamond should start an official OBIT thread, as it may be that people have not seen this one.


07 Jun 16 - 05:57 AM (#3794200)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: GUEST,Morris-ey

Sad to hear this news.


07 Jun 16 - 02:13 PM (#3794286)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: Max Johnson

I've informed both John and Dave. John is in Tenerife, where he lives, and Dave is currently in Greece. We're all in deep shock.


12 Nov 25 - 03:40 AM (#4231550)
Subject: RE: Dead Sea Surfers - what happened to??
From: The Sandman

Is Norman Western still on this planet