|
18 Aug 02 - 10:35 PM (#767707) Subject: Ronnie Browne Retires From: GUEST,Nick via the the Scottish Daily Record... CORRIE RON TO BOW OUT Aug 16 2002 SCOTS folk legend Ronnie Browne has shocked his fans by suddenly retiring. Ronnie said he has played his last gig and insisted there will be no comeback. Ronnie and Roy Williamson, who died 12 years ago, made up the Corries and will always be linked with the nationalist anthem Flower of Scotland. Ronnie, 65, said: "I am happy to bow out quietly." |
|
18 Aug 02 - 10:47 PM (#767711) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: DonMeixner Well at least its not an OBIT. We loose a great performer for a happy (?) reason. Long life and sunny days for Mr. Browne. Don |
|
19 Aug 02 - 01:20 AM (#767756) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Jimmy C Well, he has worked lomg and hard, I hope he has an enjoyable retirement, but it will be difficult to give it up altogether. I heard him first with the Corrie Folk Trio and Patty Bell back around 1964/65. They always were one of my favourite groups both as a quartet and also as a duo with Roy. I wish him well with his decision. |
|
19 Aug 02 - 06:25 PM (#768159) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: DonMeixner I must say that over the years I have been a fan of the Corries as many of my earlier threads will atest. And while I have always felt their singing was excellent it was Ronnie's voice that gave them an elegance not often found in Folk Music. And possibly it is that voice that made them looked down upon by some folk purists. I won't open the debate on whether The Corries were legitimate folk singers or not. It is a counter productive argument at best. That they were fine entertainers is enough. The death of Roy Williamson 12 years ago was the end of a great entertainment duo. Ronnie Browne's retirement will brig to a close a era for me. It was the Corrie Folk Trio and Paddie Bell that started me on this fascination so many years ago. Luckily for me I have those albums still. Don |
|
19 Aug 02 - 07:29 PM (#768211) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Murray MacLeod Don, I will be visiting with Paddie Bell on Friday. I shall bring her attention to this thread , although , despite owning a computer, she is the least computer-literate person I know. I haven't spoken with her yet about Ronnie's retirement but I will say that I am skeptical about the " no come-back" !! Murray |
|
19 Aug 02 - 11:01 PM (#768297) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: DonMeixner Murray, Tell her for me that there is a 51 year old American guy whose life was changed utterly by those two Electra recordings from the 60's that she did with Roy Williamson, Ronnie Browne and Bill Smith. Don |
|
19 Aug 02 - 11:10 PM (#768301) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Rick Fielding Murray,please pass along my best as well. Hi Don, hope all is well. You know, I've heard for many years now, that whole thing about the Corries not being "real" folksingers, and that their value was strictly that of "entertainers". What a total and complete load of manure. They were fine musicians, fine singers of folk music, fine composers, and suffered only from the curse of being popular. Enjoy the retirement Ronnie, you've earned it. Rick |
|
19 Aug 02 - 11:29 PM (#768315) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Big Mick Yep......as is so often the case, I agree completely with my friend Rick. That is a load of old shite. It is not a crime, nor undesirable, to be entertaining. I am proud to say that I have enjoyed their music, and join in the chorus wishing Ronnie a great retirement. May the days be spent in the company of friends, making happy music. Mick |
|
19 Aug 02 - 11:29 PM (#768316) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: DonMeixner Thats right Rick, clearly stated. I have always been amazed that they could get so much music out of two men and two instruments. Roy was a deft and subtle hand at the guitar as "The News from Moidart." shows. Also listen to their version of "No Man's Land" for Roy's fine guitar. And in many ways Roy's voice was remarkable as well. Ronnie became an excellent guitarist and harmonica player very quickly. That the two were skilled was without doubt. And they exposed generations to fine Scotts folk music. Don |
|
20 Aug 02 - 03:21 AM (#768370) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Seamus Kennedy The Corries, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Dubliners - legends all. I have most of their recordings,and had it not been for the Corries (and Paddy Bell) I wouldn't be singing as many Scottish songs as I do. I also had the pleasure of performing with Ronnie at a festival in Boston a few years ago, and he was a delightful man to sit and sing and have a jar with. He'll be missed, but Tommy Makem is still going strong and he'll be at the Buffalo Irish festival this weekend. Seamus |
|
20 Aug 02 - 06:17 AM (#768433) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: DMcG You can't talk about how good they were as musicians without referring to the combolins. The story in the programmes - and its probably not too much of an exaggeration! - was that they designed these instruments and prepared the advertisements for next years tour featuring the instruments before they were completed. When the instruments were finished - they sounded dreadful. Emergency redesign was undertaken. As a result, they only had a few months to learn how to play them before the tour started! Both are/will be missed, but its a retirement well earned. Enjoy it, Ronnie. |
|
20 Aug 02 - 10:24 AM (#768523) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Rick Fielding HMMMMMM......Now that we've got the troops lined up, where are all the good folks who I thought would find this and give us one hell of an argument about the Corries' value? Dammit, if they don't come, we'll have to play Devil's advocate, and trash them ourselves. Other reasons that the Corries were not taken seriously in the British folk scene: They were hilarious (but unlike Billy C. stayed in the music biz) and could easily have gone into comedy, full time. Seriously though. and I don't care HOW popular it became, when I saw the video of Roy and Ronnie doing "The Loch Tay Boat Song", I damn near cried (and that's something I very rarely do). Cheers Rick |
|
20 Aug 02 - 06:38 PM (#768781) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Susanne (skw) I saw them live once, and thought the show rather contrived, too pat. But I've got several of their albums (even bought the 'Live' series on CD recently), and they did great versions of many songs, trad or in the trad vein. What I didn't care for was their idea of 'humour', whether in patter or songs. But then, I've never been a fan of Billy C. either ... There is no doubt that they did a lot for folk music by introducing people to it. They were for Scotland what the Clancys were for the States, the Dubliners for Ireland and the Spinners for England. |
|
20 Aug 02 - 07:02 PM (#768791) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Rick Fielding Agreed Susan, that the end RESULT was similar to The Clancys etc. but NONE of those bands even approached the instrumental arrangements of the Corries....I mean Roy was using open tunings before most of his compatriots had even heard of them. Barney McKenna from the Dubliners was the only musician from any of those groups to approach Roy's ability....and even though he was a great picker, he still stuck only to the melody. I'm curious about something though. Smething tells me that the Corries RECORDED material may have been more interesting than the songs they did live. I saw only one clip of them Live, and it was pretty pedestrian...."I Belong to Glasgow" parody type songs, and music hall jokes. Perhaps they consciously aimed at two separate audiences. Cheers Rick |
|
20 Aug 02 - 07:20 PM (#768801) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Murray MacLeod Rick, with respect, I do not think that Roy was in the same league as Barney McKenna as an instrumentalist. He was certainly inventive, thoughtful and clever in his arrangements, but Barney is an absolute monster picker, a true virtuoso, and I really don't think that Roy Williamson would have considered himself to be in the same league. I will pass on your good wishes to Paddie on Friday along with Don's and will try to get her to open this thread and contribute. Murray |
|
20 Aug 02 - 10:49 PM (#768882) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: DonMeixner Rick when I come up to Toronto in September I'll bring you two VHS tapes of The Corries, one of which has The Loch Tay Boat Song as done by Roy. (Breathtaking stuff to this pedestrian fanboy geek) I admired Roy as an arranger, writer and instrumentalist of considerable skill. And Ronnie has that "voice." My knowlege of Barney McKenna is as a banjo player only. Did he do other work with The Dubliners on other instruments? Or have I him confused with someone else? That Banjo playing was some monstrous good. I'd hate to live or die on the margin of who is better. Don |
|
21 Aug 02 - 12:32 AM (#768915) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Jimmy C Barney also played mandolin, not much different than the banjo I know. He also sang on occasion, I have heard him sing only 2 songs (A Comical Genius and Three Score and Ten). In my opinion there is no one who comes even close to him on the tenor banjo. No disrespect to the Corries, one of my all time favourites, but for sheer dexterity Mc Kenna rocks. Soccer had Pele, Boxing had Ali, and the banjo has McKenna. There are a number of very good top notch banjo instrumentalists around today, but Barney in my mind is still out ahead. |
|
21 Aug 02 - 01:01 AM (#768921) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Seamus Kennedy Jimmy, I agree, and while we're at it, one of the most under-appreciated (yet in contant demand for studio work) fiddlers is John Sheehan of the Dubliners. I consider his mastery of the fiddle to be on a par with the great Sean Maguire, but you never hear his name mentioned in a discussion of the "greats." Could it be because he was "commercially successful" with the Dubliners? Listen to the fiddle/banjo duet he did with Barney on the Mason's Apron years ago. He does a brilliant 5-part version on the fiddle, yet the crowd goes buck-mad only when Barney starts playing the tenor. Sheehan is also a dab hand on the mandolin and penny whistle. Years ago too, the Dubliners did a great bit on stage where Barney would sit on a chair holding the banjo ready to play - the Octopus Reel I believe it was; John would tuck his fiddle under Barney's chin. Then John would finger the banjo while bowing the fiddle and Barney would finger the fiddle while picking the banjo. And to top it off the late Ciaran Burke would lean over Barney's other shoulder and put a penny whistle between Barney's lips. Barney would blow the whistle and Ciaran would finger the melody. It was a hoot to see them all playing the instruments at the same time. Roy Williamson was a helluvan instrumentalist too. All the best. Seamus |
|
21 Aug 02 - 03:14 AM (#768962) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Murray MacLeod "Octopus Jig", Seamus, as I remember and what a tour de force it was. Legend has it that they couldn't play it unless they were drunk, but that is probably just another folk myth .... Murray |
|
21 Aug 02 - 10:42 AM (#769093) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Rick Fielding Ahaah! A conflict at last! Murray, I'll give you that Barney's right hand was second to none, and that he influenced many players (including me) but I'm gonna go with Roy on the basis that I could identify more with what he did arrangement-wise. He struck me as more of a "Folkie" in the urban sense than stricly a "Scots" musician. Don...if that's the memorial video that my sister in law sent me four years ago (and that I lent and didn't get back)...I'm salivating already! Cheers Rick |
|
21 Aug 02 - 11:17 AM (#769106) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: GUEST,Nick When I started this thread I didn't make any comment on Ronnie…I just thought I'd sit back see what other people had to say. It seems to me whenever anyone starts a Corries, Dubliners or Clancys thread…the critics come out. Mostly because of their commercial success, which I didn't realize was a bad. I think everyone wants to be successful at their chosen occupation. I certainly understand people who don't like their music and never did, but beyond that I think it's a bit silly. Editorial over. On the subject of John Sheahan…leave to Seamus…here, here! I couldn't agree more. Your old pal, Nick Kelly …oh and all the best to Ronnie and his retirement. |
|
21 Aug 02 - 04:48 PM (#769281) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Seamus Kennedy You're right, Murray - the Octopus Jig it was, and it was probably too "show biz" for the purists. I don't want to start another riot here, but I firmly believe that musicians who play professionally should know how to entertain as well. And God knows, if anyone could entertain an audience and still play great trad music, the Corries, Clancys and Dubliners could. Right, Nick? Hope to see you at the Longs Peak festival in September. Seamus |
|
21 Aug 02 - 05:12 PM (#769291) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Jim McLean Hi, I was the Dubliners 'roadie' in 1966 and I remember sitting up at night in the hotel drinking Bacardi and Coke until breakfast time (except John Sheehan who was teetotal). The Octupus thingy came about one night after a few jars. Another thing they used to do was one of them, Barney say, would go out of the room and come back in as Luke for instance. That was hilarious! As for Ronnie and the Corries, I remember Ronnie 'phoning me to see if I minded him adding a verse to a song of mine called the Wallace. He even sang the verse, a truly courteous man. The whole group were excellent and I know he won't mind me telling you their nickname 'Chapati Bell and the Curry folk trio'. I think they also knew Karachie Fisher. Cheers Ronnie, Jim McLean |
|
21 Aug 02 - 05:43 PM (#769300) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: DonMeixner Jim, Archie played banjo on one if not both of their TCFT&PB Electra recordings sold her in the states. Thanks for the input regarding the Dubliners. I think I have all their FIESTA recordings and recall Sheehan as a fiddler to be aware of. Imagine my sensibilities after hearing the likes of Ronnie Browne and getting blasted by Ronnie Drew? :-) Don |
|
23 Aug 02 - 07:03 AM (#770051) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Roger the Skiffler I'm another who was turned on to UK folk music by Corries & Spinners & Dubliners(though I still prefer the US kind). I saw them live many times. My only disappointment was when I saw them twice on the same tour and everything was identical down to the intros, jokes and "ad libs". I also have many LPs including the Paddy Bell one and at least one CD - Ronnie has been re-releasing the LPs on CD over recent years. I hope it's a Nellie Melba type continuous final performance. RtS |
|
23 Aug 02 - 07:42 AM (#770068) Subject: RE: Ronnie Browne Retires From: Mr Happy my family's fairly folky[how's that for alliteration!] but i too was lured into the folk scene proper by corries,spiners & dubs. recall seeing octopus jig at the philharmonic in liverpool with the late lamented luke kelly. |