Ralph McTell is a national treasure, he has been so inspirational to generations over the decades and I am disappointed that he has never received an honour to reflect his achievements. Much lesser musicians have received all kinds of accolades and gongs whilst Ralph, over 60 years, has mesmerised innumerable legions of fans and admirers. One of Britain's foremost songwriters deserves to be recognised.
Many years ago, Eddie Parslow and I used to run a Sunday afternoon folk club at the Olive Tree in South Croydon. We were fortunate to have some fabulous guest artists for minimal fees in those days. One of the people who would stand at the back and be too shy to sing was one, Ralph McTell. I think this must have been about 1965. Now I live in the Ozarks in America and am surrounded by the music I always loved. I don't play much any more after a stroke and a heart attack, but I still love to sink. One of these days, Ralph, I'd love to have you come over here and go back over those years. Charles (Chas) Pearce
Speaking of stories... Back in the late 70's I went to a concert performed by Ralph in the room of an Oxford undergrad. It was cold as hell that evening and the way he kept his hands from freezing was with a small space heater. As he was almost at the end of the gig he introduced a song he was later to identify as 'The Ferryman.' After playing he asked if anyone knew the story behind it... no one did, so he explained that after reading Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse he was inspired to write this tribute. I went to an all-night bookstore, bought the book and sat up until dawn to finish it. Thus began a life-long love affair with Ralph's music and the novels of a distinguished German-born Swiss poet and novelist.
I fell in love with Ralph's music about 3 years ago. Heard a guy play a cover song of his called bardges. I loved the words. The guy had Ralph's info in the side panel so I looked him up. First song I heard was Peppers and Tomatoes. I was hooked about 20 seconds. second song I heard was The setting. After that, I immediately went to itunes and found streets of london. I promptly downloaded it. Wow!! I may have to check out your music now. :)
Was this the 60th birthday concert in 2001? If so, I was there from Minnesota, USA for the exclusive reason of meeting and seeing the master in concert.
Why are some men made as wonderfully caring talented people like these guys and some wastes of space, like, just as an example, Donald Trump and Boris Johnson? If there is a god, he, she, it, moves in very mysterious ways. Or alternatively, is having a laugh.
Ralph McTell is a national treasure, he has been so inspirational to generations over the decades and I am disappointed that he has never received an honour to reflect his achievements. Much lesser musicians have received all kinds of accolades and gongs whilst Ralph, over 60 years, has mesmerised innumerable legions of fans and admirers. One of Britain's foremost songwriters deserves to be recognised.
I fell in love with Ralph mc tell music since since 1976.
Many years ago, Eddie Parslow and I used to run a Sunday afternoon folk club at the Olive Tree in South Croydon. We were fortunate to have some fabulous guest artists for minimal fees in those days. One of the people who would stand at the back and be too shy to sing was one, Ralph McTell. I think this must have been about 1965. Now I live in the Ozarks in America and am surrounded by the music I always loved. I don't play much any more after a stroke and a heart attack, but I still love to sink. One of these days, Ralph, I'd love to have you come over here and go back over those years. Charles (Chas) Pearce
+Charles Pearce Best health to you Charles. I hope you've recovered from the stroke. Ralph McTell is a wonderful singer/story teller.
Very few left
Speaking of stories...
Back in the late 70's I went to a concert performed by Ralph in the room of an Oxford undergrad. It was cold as hell that evening and the way he kept his hands from freezing was with a small space heater. As he was almost at the end of the gig
he introduced a song he was later to identify as 'The Ferryman.' After playing he asked if anyone knew the story behind
it... no one did, so he explained that after reading Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse he was inspired to write this tribute. I went to an all-night bookstore, bought the book and sat up until dawn to finish it. Thus began a life-long love affair with Ralph's music and the novels of a distinguished German-born Swiss poet and novelist.
I fell in love with Ralph's music about 3 years ago. Heard a guy play a cover song of his called bardges. I loved the words. The guy had Ralph's info in the side panel so I looked him up. First song I heard was Peppers and Tomatoes. I was hooked about 20 seconds. second song I heard was The setting. After that, I immediately went to itunes and found streets of london. I promptly downloaded it. Wow!! I may have to check out your music now. :)
Hello you sing very well, thank you for sharing👍
very nicely done.....
Was this the 60th birthday concert in 2001? If so, I was there from Minnesota,
USA for the exclusive reason of meeting and seeing the master in concert.
Aaaaahhhh,great,great,really "handmade" music- sounds still superb after walking the Streets of London.....
Why are some men made as wonderfully caring talented people like these guys and some wastes of space, like, just as an example, Donald Trump and Boris Johnson? If there is a god, he, she, it, moves in very mysterious ways. Or alternatively, is having a laugh.
Wizz Jones with something different than his Epiphone Texan?
Looks like a Gibson Songbird.