TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Hi there

I'd like to thank you all who have asked me anything at all during my time here at TalkAwhile. I've tried to answer every question that came my way. It was to last till the end of the month but it seems I've answered all your questions. I'm sorry I'm not more interesting for you all, but then maybe answering stuff takes away the "mysticism" (b*ll*cks). I don't mind, I've had a lovely time. I might even get a book out of it...

I'm surprised there's not one of you mentioned Beth Nielsen Chapman. You are missing out big time.
I'm surprised there's not one of you mentioned Robin Williamson. Hero.
I'm surprised there's not one of you mentioned Robert Plant.
I'm surprised there's not one of you mentioned the finding of the trad stuff when I was in the band. Yes, that was me that researched the trad songs.

I have to get my tax return in by the end of the month. That's what I'll be doing this week. I'm here in case you think of a last question that you really must have answered.

The thing is, if it's about music, if you really want an answer, you're halfway there already. It's up to you. You have to want to do it. You won't make it any easier by reading something by someone who's been doing it for 30 years. It's up to you.

Maart

Maart

I'm sure I speak for all the boarders here when I say thanks for all your input. Your contribution has been much appreciated. Personally I'm saving my pennies to get Beth Nielsen Chapman's music into my collection and then I'll be able to comment - just haven't heard any of her stuff, thus lack of comment by me. Robert Plant, on the other hand, has been a favourite of mine for many years.

I know what you mean about the tax return, tho'. Got to do ours this week. Online is quickest and thus submitted latest!

Again, my thanks.

Best regards to you and Jan

Don't be a stranger!

- Andy

Thanks Maart for being the most enthusiastic contributer to TalkAwhile yet. It was great to hear all your personnal insights (and Jan as well). The line up of Fairport with you on guitar was my favourite, so I have really appreciated reading your contributions.

Thanks again.

Paul

Dear Maart,
thank you very much. It was really interesting to read your answers -and some good fun as well. :-*

Thanks Maart and I hope you will continue to drop in to the board from time to time. I think you probably had a "difficult slot" being just after Christmasand all!  ;D
 :-* :-*

  Thanks,Maart......sorry.......I'd have happily talked about Robin Williamson for days on end  :D

   Unfortunately,there aren't that many die-hard ISB fans on here :o,and not enough people have heard his beautiful and funny work away from them  :(

   The man is one of my gods  :)

Thanks for your time and enthusiasm......for the 30 years,not just on here  ;)

Many thanks Maart. Really interesting stuff - though, personally speaking, I did have several more questions to ask but didn't want to "take advantage' - as you'd spent so much time and patience answering all the other queries.

Now though, we'll never know the answers to things like...

1) What are the advantages/drawbacks of being a permanent band member and being a freelance musician?

2) One of my fave Fairport anecdotes is one you related in the first SwarbAid programme about taking an inebriated fiddler home in a canoe ;D...any other anecdotes of that ilk?

3) How would you describe your time in Jethro Tull? Was it a complete contrast to being in Fairport??

4) What IS Robert Plant like? Cos in the 70s, especially in America, Led Zep were up with the Beatles fame-wise. Does he seem like a "normal geezer'? Or has - understandably - the years of being a mega-star affected him?

Cheers, Carey ;D

Maart - I can only echo the sentiments above ... it's been great to have you here ... hope you pop back in now and again.
Cheers, Chris

Dear Maart, you proved to be a gentleman, indeed, an interesting person to meet even in the virtual world.

Thanks a lot

Paolo (Robin Williamson fan)

Hi Maart,
Wish I had enough knowledge to ask lots of questions but this is all a relatively new discovery for me, and a very pleasant one...  and I've really enjoyed reading all your answers and getting to know you better.

But please...  its not too late is it??   Please *do* mention anything you'd like to about Robert Plant  ;D    I'm all ears...  and completely ignorant ears at that, so I'd love to know how you're connected and what he's like..    I stood within 10 foot of him at an airport once, but thats not as exciting I'm sure  ::)

Thanks,
Issy

Hi Maart

 many thanks for your responses to the questions - it's been great fun reading them!

delfini

Hi Maart

Just like to add my thanks - it's been great!


I fully agree that for music (and indeed for many other things) one's own motivation makes a significant difference.  Whilst reading how someone else does it may not make it easier in the long run (I've yet to meet anyone who became a great musician just by reading about it!), IMHO hints and tips from others  (whether they have been playing 30 years or 3 years) can be of assistance - why else is there a market for tutor books and magazines full of articles on technique?  But......however you look at it, it all comes down to the inspiration / perspiration equation.

Best wishes

Jon

Just adding my thanks too.
I'm too ignorant to think of pertinent questions, but I've enjoyed reading the replies to those from my more intellegent co-boardsters.

Gill

We're definitely too polite on this board to ask personal questions about your fellow musicians... but if there are any beens to b e spilled please feel free to do so!

Thanks for all your input to the board over the last few weeks Maart, it's been really entertaining, educational and interesting. I hope you'll stick around for a while yet. I have a few questions to ask still (and will get to them as soon as I've got a reliable net connection again.) In the meantime, Cheers!

Nick

1) What are the advantages/drawbacks of being a permanent band member and being a freelance musician?

Being a band member can bring a certain financial security and it can be like being on holiday with your mates all the time. If you all get on. If not it can be pretty dismal as small niggles become huge and there’s nowhere to run. Playing the same pieces of music every night can become wearing and it can be hard to introduce new stuff. On the other hand if your stuff’s good enough to go on record you can earn money playing the music you really like.

Being freelance has little or no financial security and work can dry up for months on end. Then again, it’s wonderfully varied and the chances of getting bored are minimal. You get to meet all kinds of people and it’s all very fresh. You get to play all kinds of music which can inform your own with new ideas.

There are advantages and drawbacks to both, but to be a member of a band which takes enough time out to do other things is the ideal.

2) One of my fave Fairport anecdotes is one you related in the first SwarbAid programme about taking an inebriated fiddler home in a canoe ...any other anecdotes of that ilk?

I think I'll save that for another time

3) How would you describe your time in Jethro Tull? Was it a complete contrast to being in Fairport??

Playing with Jethro Tull was really great for the first couple of years. I’d been a fan while at school and got their autographs. I’m a rocker who knows a lot about folk music rather than a folkie with an electric guitar, so I enjoyed the high-octane rock stuff. I played keyboards with JT, which I’d never done before, and for which I’m eternally grateful. Ian’s a fantastic musician and Martin’s a really great guitarist and one of life’s few real gentlemen. Peggy was on bass and Donio and I used to share a dressing room. We had fun. We played to a LOT of people, the biggest audience being 180,000 at Hockenheimring Festival in Germany in 1990. We played to 72,000 at Wembley Stadium that week too, and 80,000 at the first rock festival in East Berlin. We regularly played to 25,000 a night in USA. But I was a hired hand rather than a band member and my children were small. I was in New Orleans when my son was born. Not good. I stayed for four years but it was a relief when I managed to escape. I enjoyed it and would do it again if asked, but I think maybe “the audience has become more selective” these days.

4) What IS Robert Plant like? Cos in the 70s, especially in America, Led Zep were up with the Beatles fame-wise. Does he seem like a "normal geezer'? Or has - understandably - the years of being a mega-star affected him?

Robert Plant is great. Very normal, in spite of everything. Very real and an inspiration to stand next to onstage. I reckon he must grow about a foot taller when he gets the mic in his hand. He’s also very generous and I would JUMP at the chance of working with him again. I managed to get hold of a pirate CD of him at Cropredy when we did the Zeppelin set, one of my proudest moments.

I'll look in from time to time but I really have to get my tax return in, so apologies if the answers aren't answered as quick...

Thanks again
Maart
Harlech, Cymru

PS. More gear on the website as of now

Thanks for the answers and being a normal guy, Maart.

You've made it very easy to spot any "precious" musicians that I try and talk to now  ;D

Cheers

K.

I was going to ask advice actually!  The Band are booked to play The Clock Hotel in St Helens at the end of Jan.  Thing is, the top floor of the boozer has been turned into an Indian Restaraunt.  Very good one too by all accounts. 

Now, you may be ahead of me here, but my intention is to get there early, get the gear set up, then get upstairs and tuck into something spicy. 

I just wondered if you have any advice/warnings/recommendations that could influence my choice, and indeed still allow me to play 2x45 min sets without embarrasing myself or alienating my bandmates.

Neil

Just like to add my thanks to the assembled mass - it was a privilege to talk with you, and we will all welcome you back with open arms, should you pass this way again. I was always thinking - "Oh, I wish I'd asked that!", but I think you covered more than I could have thought of to ask.

Ta,
Toerag  :D

(Off to sign the Tax returns!)  :(

Great question! Made us chuckle. Just be careful not to fill yourself up with naan bread if you have to sing. In order not to alienate your bandmates, choose bandmates who like curry too. That way you can treat it as a bonding experience before the gig. Make sure the drummer doesn't get too full. And leave the lager till afterwards.

Maart

LOL Andy!!!

Thanks so much for being a wonderful guest, Maart.  You've been very gracious and fun!  I hope you stick around and become a regular part of our fine little group here, we'd love to see you post.

Annette :)