He reminds of the good old days when we used to come to Gorleston to see my Mams family, my Grandad & Grandma Watson used to talk like this, they eventually had to move up to our pit village in North Notts, I still visit the relations that’s still in Gorleston & I’m here regularly on a beautiful little caravan site in Belton. But I’m afraid Mr. Upton I’m having to correct you on him being a native of Norfolk, I read about his life and he was born in Lancashire and moved to Norfolk ( Gods County) when he was a lad of about 5or6 years old, I think it was when his mum passed away he moved away, can’t remember where to but I seem to remember he moved back again.
His mum was a Curson from Stiffkey. He was actually a distant relation of mine through my mums side of the family. My dads mum was a native of Stiffkey too.
This Guy had a most incredible talent for writing true folk songs about the various aspects of life in his native Norfolk. Superb and as good, in it's way as anything, say, Woodie Guthrie could write about Mid America.
I found out earlier this year he was actually related to me through my mums mum. His mum was a Curson from Stiffkey. My dads mum also came from Stiffkey but I don’t think he was related to her but you never know as it is Norfolk. I remember hearing him about 40 years ago. Having looked up about him again I saw I share the same birthday as him.
The version on the album- April in ‘The Singing Postman’s Year’ from memory- was a much slicker version than this, with better guitar playing and a ton of reverb on the refrain. Allan sang “Wass the bottom dropped out” throughout in that one. This has to be my favourite of his, narrowly edging “Come Along a’ Me” (“Trains they goo along a train line/ Cars they goo along a rood...”). “Stoon Pickin’ Time” has to be a contender for the best British depression song too imho.
I think he was trying to spell it out in such a way that if you read it you’d sort of be saying it in a Norfolk accent. It’s a very hard accent to mimic.
He's a one off, totally original. Fabulous! In his own way continuing the English folk song tradition..Thanks so much for sharing this.
Alan was a huge talent with a great sense of humour in his songs, a love and understanding of the old days and old ways of East Anglian country life.
Absolutely brilliant what a tallented man He is very popular still in the folk scene He was also a brilliant song writer and musician a true legend.
priceless rip ALAN proud as I am to be a Norfolk man
Brilliant. Listen to him for ever.
Just found this lovely old single I bought back in '64,the Singing Postman.. Very apt. 🌈
He reminds of the good old days when we used to come to Gorleston to see my Mams family, my Grandad & Grandma Watson used to talk like this, they eventually had to move up to our pit village in North Notts, I still visit the relations that’s still in Gorleston & I’m here regularly on a beautiful little caravan site in Belton. But I’m afraid Mr. Upton I’m having to correct you on him being a native of Norfolk, I read about his life and he was born in Lancashire and moved to Norfolk ( Gods County) when he was a lad of about 5or6 years old, I think it was when his mum passed away he moved away, can’t remember where to but I seem to remember he moved back again.
His mum was a Curson from Stiffkey. He was actually a distant relation of mine through my mums side of the family. My dads mum was a native of Stiffkey too.
This Guy had a most incredible talent for writing true folk songs about the various aspects of life in his native Norfolk. Superb and as good, in it's way as anything, say, Woodie Guthrie could write about Mid America.
Yes i think the same,simular paralles.With a sad ending
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I think this is his best song and my favourite. The song is constructed so well and each word is perfect.
My favourite too!
I think as a lyricist he was top drawer. The Norfolk Noel Coward
I found out earlier this year he was actually related to me through my mums mum. His mum was a Curson from Stiffkey. My dads mum also came from Stiffkey but I don’t think he was related to her but you never know as it is Norfolk. I remember hearing him about 40 years ago. Having looked up about him again I saw I share the same birthday as him.
He was a clever songwriter - thanks for poostin' these bor.
Great to hear this for the first time !
Classic.Remember him well - om from Ipswich so torken a bit rum too bor ! ( he say )
I love this guy!
My bottom dropped out years ago
SUPERB BOI.
great talent it's such a shame the way his days ended
TO THE SHAME OF ALL NORFOLK PEOPLE
ENTERTAINMENT BRILLIANT
The version on the album- April in ‘The Singing Postman’s Year’ from memory- was a much slicker version than this, with better guitar playing and a ton of reverb on the refrain. Allan sang “Wass the bottom dropped out” throughout in that one. This has to be my favourite of his, narrowly edging “Come Along a’ Me” (“Trains they goo along a train line/ Cars they goo along a rood...”). “Stoon Pickin’ Time” has to be a contender for the best British depression song too imho.
Now the planes they goo along a' naarthin'
Do you have his record what you on holiday
Jesus wept.
Lovely song...but the spelling of the lyrics on the video...wince
I think he was trying to spell it out in such a way that if you read it you’d sort of be saying it in a Norfolk accent. It’s a very hard accent to mimic.
m.