TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Just noticed a new one on You Tube with Ralph doing Barney Bodger (Tim Healey I Think)
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLy6CBHKpIE

Thanks, Leighton ;)

I have never seen any of this classic before,
apart from a very short intro clip.


And to every Ralphite here :

Please fell free too contact me for any further information about this  ...  *hint* *hint*

H.

Nice find Leighton.  The song is called Tap Tap Tap with the Hammer and yes it is indeed Tim Healy.

So, its whoosh, whoosh, whoosh with the sandpaper, there is no job too small.

IM on its way to you Henrik...... ;)

And a few more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A7GPwligFQ Intro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB3XtWpBkYg  Counting Song with Nerys Hughes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubQsGXThs2k  Doctor Dimple with Bill Oddie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvahvyStRMs  Kenny the Kangaroo with an armchair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIqc_BgfvrY I Like Rubbish (Ralph on Banjo) with Willie Rushton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhiVzZQN2VY  Dots of Colour ?

and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKOCfD_PqyE Bessie's Washboard Blues with Mrs Slocombe (Molly Sugden)

Keep 'em coming Cheggars67.

Fantastic! I agree Leighton, would love to see the full set!  ;D ;D

Great, Leighton  8)

Thanks a bunch for alerting us to these gems.
Please feel free to ask, if you want this lot "closer
at hand" ....  ::)

H.

Five more have appeared:  :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Zx5SAgkDQ  Five Balloons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQzLNPRhD7I You Need a Hand to Hold (Ralph with mandolin!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOhmTBsRL2o  Surprises (Ralph with giggles!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN7I3FssfkA Come On You Rovers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnp-103xnb4 Keeping The Night at Bay

(Unfortunately not the full version - one verse is missing (I think!))


N

Thank You.

An intersting silly half hour spent watching the clips.

Willie Rushton - what a classic clip and bobble hat. I remember a comedy panel game many years ago and Willie answered 'I believe she does!' to a question answered 'Samantha Fox'. Had me in stitches then as it does remembering it now.

Thanks again

And I posted an invitation and a taster in youtube clips of interest elsewhere on the board.

Thanks, Naomi - just bumped into some of these as well ;-)
Ah, so much work to do here "ned-lading" *) these *LOL*

I think we should make this fellow an honorary member
of the Ralph forum ...  ::)

Henrik

ned[neth] ~ neath as in d...

Haha, thanks, WW  ;)

Ah, will have to look into those as well  8)
So many good old gems up there and so little time to "preserve" them all .... *SIGH*

Cheers
Henrik

Wow, I have these lovely songs on my poor brains now  ::)
So how many are there of these in all ? Maj ?

Think there was one about Freddy the Fireman too ?

And is Digger the Dog from this series as well ?

Hopefully he will add the rest of these for the
benefit of us starving fans. Or else we shall have
to beg him on our knees ...  ::)

H.

...and lorna the ladybird please - "terrible flight and a-bumpin' (woody touch there) about"

Well Digger and Lorna are in the Alphabet Zoo of course.

Freddie lives in Tickle Town.

I have the lyrics (well at least 98% of the lyrics) of the following from Tickle:

Bessie's Washboard Blues
Chicken Chicken Banjo
Come on you Rovers
Connie Capers on Patrol
Counting Song, The
Dora the Driver
Dots of Colour
Farmer Field
Feathers in your Pillow
Five Balloons
Freckles and Spots
Freddie the Fireman
Holding Hands
I Like Rubbish
I love my Bicycle
It could have happened to anyone
Keeping The Night At Bay
Lily the Lollypop Lady
Mike The Milkman
No More Beans for Dora
Roland Crust
Rosie Moon
Surprises
Tap Tap Tap with the Hammer
Teacher's Lost Voice
The Things You Wish Yourself
Tickle Post
When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney
Willy Wong.

The elusive one is The Money Tree.  What's the bet that Cheggars67 has it somewhere ;) ::)

Whoever you are Cheggars we love ya!

Two you missed Maj:
THE PIGEON SONG
BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ (THE FLY SONG)

It seems Christmas falls in June this year  ::) -
I am having a hard time keeping up with the "ned-lading" here.


Feet in a Bowl  ( *LMAO* )
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HUKQY6UgoIQ

Willie Wok's Chip Shop
http://youtube.com/watch?v=j6Ntz-0pWBo

Ollie the Otter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMbeTeKujLQ


Enjoy these new old gems  8)
H.

This just gets better and better!

We should invite this Cheggars Guy to come in here and receive an honourary Award from all of us!  ;D

Hope you are keeping up with all of this H!

Three more 'Tickle on the Tums' have appeared:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SboUgNl_BKk  (Dora the Driver)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27xip5dRH1Y  (Bunny Brown's Petshop - sounds like Philbert is a relation of Albert)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TELrCjjorxg  (Farmer Song)

 :)

Mmmm....Dora the driver's not opening up for me?!  :'( :-\

Works for me....

Welll, she doesn't drive with just anyone, you know  ::)

You may need to update your flash player, JJ.
That worked for me.

H.

Great, thank you, Naomi  8)

Seems he is keeping us in suspense, adding just 3 every day now  ;)
Maybe we should try contacting our newly found hero for copies in a
better quality than what Youtube has to offer ?

Hope you are enjoying your new videos ?  ::)
Think I know how to make a VCD now - trying later.

When playing full screen on the PC monitor, it actually looked
pretty good, so I expect an OK result on TV as well.

H.

Interestingly, these all appear to be from the second series as the original "help" was Danusia Harwood  - later replaced by Jacqueline Reddin.   I wonder if good ol' Cheggars67 has any early stuff.

Bizarrely IMDB movie database suggests that if you like "Tickle on the Tum" you may also enjoy "Blood on satan's claw" !!!!!! ??? :o  

Carl

I quite like Danusia's voice, can't say I'm overstruck on JR tho a bit harsh and overpowering at times, in fact I wished she had just let Ralph sing!  :D

Can open up Dora now btw H, must just have been a blip!

I see Barney Bodger 2 has been posted by Cheggars at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S868dkSA1aE

Just wondering has anyone tried to contact Cheggars at You Tube ?

Just in case he gets loads of e-mails asking the same thing ?

Words are inadequate at times like these..... :-X

Well, not yet officially - I think one person has though.
We shall probably have to make him an offer he can't refuse  ::)

Surely this Cheggars fellow must have access to these videos in a far better quality than
what YouTube has to offer. I tried making a VCD out of these last night, and in most parts it
was acceptable quality but of course not very good - they did look fairly good on full screen
PC monitor using Mplayer however, so I shall try again in SVCD later to see if this low quality format
(VCD) attributed substantially to this rather poor result. But the best thing would of course be to have
(digitalized) copies of the "originals" in a hopefully far better quality and higher resolution than these
highly compressed flv-files from YouTube.

Please feel free to contact me, if you are interested in having a "closer look" at these gems  ::)

Henrik

Looks like a Christmas surprises one has gone up now, (probably cos Henrik said that Christmas has come in June this year!  :D ) Can't view it yet tho. It only went up an hour ago.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Cheggars67

aww...viewing it now, its sooo cute!  :D Poor baby Jenny being bounced around!  ;D

Wonder if she is a Ralph fan now?!  ;)

I wonder what 'Jenny' thinks of it now?.....!!

Great - thank you, min lille JJ   8)

H.

I know I am not the only one in touch with Cheggars67 (our new hero!) but this is some of his reply to me today, giving a little of the history of how these clips came to be preserved.

Hi Marianne,

Can't believe the response since I started putting these on Youtube. I originally recorded the songs each week as my children loved them & made a VHS tape for them to watch. This is why some of the songs miss the beginning - just trying to guess when Ralph was about to sing.

It has always niggled me a bit that 'Tickle On The Tum' has never been released on CD & over the years I have contacted Ralph via letter & e-mail through his web-site asking if it will be released. I have always been fobbed off - it's as if he is embarassed by it & is trying to wipe it from history - but there are some really good songs in there. With the recent release of 'Bridge Of Sighs' on CD, it was announced that all his back catalogue was now available on CD & this completed the CD re-releases - which it certainly has not.  A good job was made of the Alphabet Zoo CD, why not Tickle? It would be good if you could pass this letter on to your Ralph Forum members - we could start a "Get 'Tickle On The Tum' Released" campaign!
'Cheggars67'.

Thanks , Maj - interestinggg  ::)


And here now is ... "From Clare on Speed to Here" btw. ;) ;D :o

The Furey's and Davey Arthur - Luton 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYgP67Rsnh8

I am not sure I like this version very much act, but funny/ "interesting",
because I have heard Ralph mention their ultraspeedy version sometimes.

H.
 

Cheggars is at work again - "The things you wish yourself"  has been loaded in the past hour.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5zNMDKXN1A

The bells of St Tickle?  ::)

It's from the same 1986 Christmas show as "Surprises 2". The donkey is "Mr Robinson". Camilla was otherwise engaged...

Wow !  8)  - Ralph as poor old  "Joseph", hehe   ::)

Would like to see Ralph playing all of it himself as well.

Thanks, Carl.
H.

 

That has to be the corniest one yet!  :D ::) ;D

Yes agree Henrik, I too would have loved to have seen the Hands of Joseph at work on this song!!!  ;D

That's the clip they'll still be playing in a hundred years time!

It's what he'll be remembered for don't you reckon, JJ?

Nah, there are so many other great ones  8)

Remember it wasn't made for you and other grown ups, CF -
you have to watch these within this context.

And he had young children at this time, so they would
of course inspire him with these ideas / songs -
( eg. the wonderful "Keeping the Night at Bay" ) -
and then he would of course be able to "stay at home" with them.

As long as they are not the Belles of St Tickle.....!  :o

I can't get beyond 27 seconds of this clip.......... Grrrr >:(  At that point it just stops and asks me if I wannaplayagain.  Just once would do.....!

Or "Tickle on the Bum"   ::)

Sorrrryyy   ;)

Ah, too bad   ::)

There's more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIDi3_H8MAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfoY8UTyUdI

Thanks, Leighton  ;)

Good we have your ever watchfull hawk eyes patrolling the web waves  ::)

Four more 'Tickles' are now available!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kfwtyf6778  - I like Rubbish 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGdviDQcooA - Dr Dimple 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKcTzIKHWuM - Kenny The Kangaroo 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd4gNeV3Wp4 - Connie Caper

(Talking MAT! ?  :o )

N

Thanks Woodbine, why doesn't he just put them all up at once!  ::)

I was wondering that myself, JJ. Is there a limit to how many you can post on YouTube at once?  ???

(I wish there was a smiley that looked confused, without being miserable!)

N

God, he's beautiful, isn't he?

Great, Naomi  ;)  Thank you.

No, I don't think so. There is a limit to their size and duration - 100 MB, 10 mins, I think (?),
unless you get permission for more - , but these small clips do not come anywhere near those
limits.

It can take quite some time to upload them - maybe our dear unknown friend is on a phone modem ?  ::) -
depending on his connection and the Youtube traffic in general.
And after that it often takes considerable time before they are finally
available for Youtube users, since the videos normally need to be converted/
compressed into the special and very efficient flv-format.
[ It takes forever on my slow PC btw. - both ways  ::) ].

H.

Ha, JJ - it's just like those Christmas calendars, we talked about.
Even Julie NOW knows that it's only one parcel pr. day,
so you should really count yourself very lucky getting
more that one piece of goody a day - even 4 ( or 6 ? ) yesterday !

Maybe he has a bad conscience for having been away from us
for so long ?  ::)

H.

Yes Cocker and I'll have you know it is only just recently that I realised he actually played a guitar  :D after spending many years just gazing up at him  :-* ;)

'How lucky can we get growing old with'........

Ralph!  ;D  :D

Guess you are right, Rich  ::)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_and_Johnny_%28song%29

http://www.lyon.edu/wolfcollection/songs/andersonfrankie1257.html - Lyrics along with mp3 !

H.

He he he.....thanks H, had such fun listening to this and singing along with the lyrics!  ;D

Hee harrrr.....lol

Can anyone help fill the gaps here?

They Used To Be Friends - I can make out all the words - except in these two places....

Now Barney forgot all the  ???  
He went for a cup of tea
He left Bessie to do all the work
And empty his machine


So Barney bought Bessie some flowers
But he chopped them in half in the door
Well poor Bessie she had to smile
With ??? lying on the floor   

Now Barney forgot all about it
He went for a cup of tea
He left Bessie to do the work
And empty his machine


So Barney bought Bessie some flowers
But he chopped them in half in the door
Poor Bessie well she had to smile
With the flowers lying on the floor   


Always willing to help with your English, dear Maj  ;) 8) :P

H.

btw. have you ever seen or heard/ heard of Ralph doing the slide guitar before, Maj ?

He seems to surprise us constantly - even in the rear view mirror  ::)

H.

Quote from the wonderful "Keeping the Night at Bay" :

"Will Fulham win on Saturday ?"   ;)

Probably not !  - hehe  ::)

H.

PS. I have now ripped these lovely gems into mp3s,
if anyone here is interested in "info" about them.
( ca. 1 MB each  - 28 in all at last count )

Ralph used a bottle neck on "Birdman" in the early seventies.  I haven't heard him sing that for thirty-five years!  It would sound great with slide on the National.

Ah, yesss - I had completely forgotten about that one  ::)
Thanks, John.

Christmas Special. Part 1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j1NIufVD98

Nice Hat Ralph  ;)

Thanks, Leighton  ;)

Keep our friend going  ::)

Did he say anything about how many of these there are in all ?

H.

......"now as tipsy as a pork pie hat"......  ;D

I hope there's a lot more to come, but have had no definite amount from Cheggars.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ThiYd3wWUbQ

You are NOT going to believe your own eyes  ::) 8) ;)

I love it  ;D ;D ;D

H.

I was going to post a comment but...I'm completely lost for words!   :o  :)  ;)

N

Well, I for one always suspected that Ralph has a couple of extra
fingers up both his sleeves  ;)

And now we finally have the proof - the great "Ralph McMysterio" !

H.

No wonder there are some of these he would rather forget!  :o Bet he's so glad this didn't ruin his career!  ;D :-[

Naahh, it's just pure magic, JJ  ;)

I think it's so great - just take it for what it is.
It was not intended for us, but I just love this most unexpected
chance to finally catch a small glimpse of this legendary stuff that we
never even got the opportunity to see over here, but only have
heard vague and "unreliable" rumours about.

I suppose it must have been that donkey, Mr. Robinson, who scared
them towards the end ? Now, at last it's all beginning to make at least
some "sense" to me. I was wondering, where that donkey came from.

I abs. love it, when he is looking most astonished at her dress  8)
And when he doesn't want to perform and put that magician's suit on.
I haven't laughed this much for a long time. I think this one is by far
the best of them all - dramatically speaking.

Oh, the suspense !  ;) :o ::)


Henrik - still smiling here.

It doesn't take much to please you does it H!

Just imagine kids of today seeing right through this one! My how times have changed, thankfully  :D


Joanna -  not smiling at all!  ::) Nurse! Quick before I have nightmares!  

Blimey Ralph! Don't give up the day job mate :o :-X

Blimey I seem to have sent all the MacTellites off for an early night :P

Aaahhhh, come on, stop that ! It's just a TV-series for young children, not made for us.  ::)

And why shouldn't he be "allowed" to do other things ? Why do people have to
have these very fixed notions as to what he/ someone can or should do ?
You can almost adjust your watch after these very predictable reactions,
like unstopable reflexes.

You just need to see it in that light. I act. happen to think that it's very sweet and innocent,
and with lots of fantastic and funny songs as well as all these hilarious moments.
And "Keeping the Night at Bay" is one of the sweetest and loveliest songs,
I have ever heard, and "You Need a Hand to Hold" is a great tune in every
respect - one of those you get on your brains straight away. Not too many
of those around these days, I might add.

And I do think he is managing very well, given the material, the conditions
and his background. This magic show of his was captivating - I wonder how long
he had to practice for that, or if that is a secret hobby of his.

I think this is the most astonished, I have ever seen anyone look  8)
Well done, Ralph ! Don't listen to all these serious and grumpy grown ups,
who seem to have lost their inner child as well as their sense of humour ;)
 
Now if only I could find Tickle on the Tum on the map, I would go and live there
straight away - maybe I could even get a job in that store ?  
I would settle for just sweeping the floor there  ... maybe I could pick up a
few hints on how to pick that guitar that well and how to sing these
wonderful songs  ::)


H.

Well put, H.  ;)

In Chris Hockenhull's biography of Ralph, there are details of a conversation he had with Ralph's mum in which she says that he was fascinated by magic from an early age, and that she would borrow books on conjuring for him from Croydon library, and I seem to remember reading/hearing Ralph saying that he does conjuring shows for his children and his grandchildren. (Can't recall where though!) It seems that it's a lifelong hobby of his.  :)

That said, I don't think he seems particularly comfortable in some of the acting bits in these shows!

As Henrik says, there are some fantastic songs in these shows which are worth any downsides to them - that and the fact that they gave many people a chance to see what an incredibly talented musician/singer/songwriter he is, that wouldn't otherwise have known!
'Keeping the Night at Bay'  in particular is a favourite of mine - though I admit that a full list of my favourite Ralph songs would be very long indeed!  ;D

Naomi

Ahaaa !  8)

Maybe next time we are at a Ralph concert, and he unknowingly asks for requests,
we should try calling out for "The great Mysterio"  - just to see his reaction  ;) ;D ::)

H.

I am thrilled at last we can see (again!!) these wonderful songs and tunes  8)
I do remember at the time, all those years ago watching these with my 'baby' and at times feeling a little uncomfortable for Ralph in some of these stories. It was almost a shock to see him in the acting role, for which I have to say I don't think he is a natural. I see nothing wrong at all with him 'having a go' Just so pleased he did return to the day job though!  ;D Of course, it goes without saying the songwriting, as ever, is supurb and the guitar playing at its best.

Most of these shows have been great fun and most people naturally view these through the eyes of a child (can't help it because it takes me back to when I watched them with children!) Plus of course working with children I find this quite easy...

I have many favourites, Keeping the Night at Bay is one and of course, as always Kenny the Kangaroo.

I don't feel any comments as criticism, just opinion which is hopefully still allowable even in McMansions? For me these are not 'knee jerk' comments, I have thought about these often, and have even witnessed Ralph at concerts wishing some of these would stay buried  :D  (I realise now he must be referring to the Christmas shows, especially in the role of Joseph!  :D) LMAO

Yes I say to Ralph Well Done absolutely thrilled that these songs have come to light again re-igniting the inner child in us all.

I love his style in most of these performances, especially when he does become far more natural and even giggles lots whilst singing, that is great fun  ;D The magic tricks one in itself is obviously something he enjoys, and who knows, maybe still does for his Grandchildren?! Just think the build up to this one a bit cringeing!  ;) Sadly I also feel these just could not be re-run with 'today's children'!! Like many programmes I feel it was from a probably better, by-gone era! Shame the innocense is lost so young, but think we can blame computer animation plus games for this!

Thanks so much to Cheggars and all of you out there keeping watch on Youtube, hope there will be many more to come because at least it has livened up McMansions and we can talk about them as we see them!

Keep em coming....

Christmas Part 3 is up!..... ;) ;D ::) - -Return of the Donkey! lol

Bit scary........  :D


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs2dRMRJ3NM

I don't believe that anyone is suggesting he shouldn't do this stuff - only that, perhaps it's not the best career move. I know Tickle on the Tum was a kiddies programme - I used to watch it myself with my young children, way back when.

I still believe I have the right to say that maybe it wasn't his greatest career move. The music, as always, is first rate, but let's face it, the man cannot act. Okay, I know I am sticking my neck out here in McTell Mansions, but there you go.

If you lot enjoy watching these clips then go for it, and enjoy. Personally I find it embarrassing to watch, and I can't help wondering whether or not Ralph does too.

I didn't listen to the entire clip, because the link kept breaking down, so I never actually reached the music bit. But after a minute or two, the acting made the decision for me, and I switched off.

Sorry if I have offended any of you lot. Not intentional, I assure you.

Byeeeeeeeee!

GF

I'm sure none of us mind you giving your opinion GF - as JJ said, it's good to see a bit of life in McTell mansions - its been a bit quiet here of late!  ;)  I think we'd all have to agree that acting is not Ralph's strong point - and the general impression given when he talks about his career in children's TV is that he's not terribly keen to recall parts of it either!

As JJ said, he was clearly enjoying some parts of it - I wasn't sure whether Ralph or Bill Oddie was having the most difficulty containing their giggles in Dr Dimple 2!  ;D

The music in those Christmas Clips (4 songs in total) is well worth listening to GF, so it may be worth giving it another try.

Incidentally - wasn't it convenient that there was a mandolin hanging on the wall just when he needed one  ;D

Naomi

Ha, if that is Mr. Robinson ...

then I fail to see what all that fuss over
Mrs. Robinson was about  ;D ::) :o

Don't think I shall follow in Benjamin's footpaths  ....

H.

".....and here's to you Mr Robinson, Ralphie loves you more than you will know, hohoho...."  ;D ;D ;D

These clips on U-Bend are just stunning!  I make it 31 episodes to date with 34 songs (some variants of others), including 7 that I have not heard (or seen) before.  I hope someone Out There has a technology that can capture these to DVD and CD.  They're priceless.

Yes, indeed  8)

There is - don't worry, John   ::)  *)

And we may even be able to get them in a better quality / higher resolution
than these YouTube-clips.

The only bad thing is that most of them were cut down to the songs ( more or less )
and that the original tapes have been binned.

Maybe someone / we should start bombarding Granada with tons of
requests for a release of the whole series on DVD ?  :D
H.

*) Please message me for "info" about them, if you are being very impatient  ::)

Actually, I don't think doing these programmes has harmed his career in the slightest.

Now, if he were now trying to rtecreate these as a stage show - yes. But he's not trying to act, he's out there playing his songs - and I think those programmes generated a base audience for him of adults that saw those shows as kids.....

So, exactly the opposite, methinks.

Not really thought of it like that Chris  ;D Maybe it got his music, songwriting and guitar skills out to a wider audience of adults!  ;D

…of which I’m one!  :)


I came across Alphabet Zoo accidentally one day, and was very impressed by Ralph’s songs (though I’m sure I was somewhat older than the official target audience  ::) ).
It was because of this, that many years later, when I saw that he was going to appear at a nearby theatre, I suggested to Carl that we should go to see him perform – and was duly struck with Ralph-itis so to speak!

Had it not been for his children’s TV work, I would have missed out on so much – the enjoyment of his music, the delight of meeting him, and the pleasure (I think  ;) ) of getting to know you lot – both virtually and ‘in the flesh’.

N

What year was Alphabet Zoo televised then because I never saw those, just remember watching the Tickles!  ;D

Any chance these may surface on Youtube?!  ::) ;)

I've just had a quick look in my copy of Ralph's biography - AZ was originally broadcast in 1983.

Incidentally, on the subject of Ralph's TV career, Chris Hockenhull  (ie the biographer) says:
"It was, indeed, rather odd to observe one of the world's best guitar players using his skill gleaned from Blind Blake to tell the tale of 'Gordon The Goat' ",  
but goes on to say that Ralph's children's songs are mostly of the same quality as his adult songs.

...with both parts of which I think I'd have to agree!  :)

Naomi

Hi Jo and Naomi,

Ralphabet Zoo was first aired at 12.00 noon on Monday 10 January 1983, when Adelaide the alligator asked her Uncle Arfamo some awkward questions - you know, as alligators do.  The first series of 26 programmes ended with Zoe the zebra (who was fed up with her stripes) on 25 July.

Series two ran from 19 September 1983 (not much of a break, then) to 2 May 1984.

Tickle Town first hit the screen in 1984 (again, no rest for the industrious).  All the clips on U-Bend so far are from 1986, and represent the end of a wonderfully productive period for Ralph, which I am sure rekindled his love of the Country Blues and paved the way for the release of "Blue Skies" in 1988  - which may be their greatest legacy.

John.

Nice version of "Arthur Blake" by a merry fellow who does
several of Ralph's songs :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKc2-ksiMic&sdig=1

Nice one Henrik,

As you say a very merry fellow indeed.  ;D

And he does some very nice renditions, Girl from the hiring fair being one of them. It's always good to see the whole guitar when youtubers play, just to get an idea of their playing technique.

hmmmm, personally I dont think he's very good at all, not as good as he thinks he is thats for sure ???

Al! ......... be warned -  never incur the wrath of a Dane cos you never know they will invade us again!  ;) :o ::)

Well, I have seen him do others very well -
I just think the sound is becoming rather distorted here.
Anyway he does it a LOT better than I do *LOL*

Will ask him to do it on a normal guitar that
records better.

And at least you can see both hands and get
some idea about what is going on. Helped me  ::)

So when are we going to see your version, Al ?  ;)

H.

Have already sent 1 longship .... recon mission  ::)

I don’t want to sound like a biased fan blindly jumping to Ralph’s defence (I realise, Al that you were being complementary to Ralph in what you said anyway, so no defence is needed)but I have to say that these comments on Ralph’s playing surprise me.

I have always been so impressed by Ralph’s playing. Also, there are a number of stories such the one in Chris Hockenhull’s autobiography about how his playing at L’Olympia in Paris persuaded the audience that three people were playing which have also led me to assume that there was something exceptional about his playing. I would also have to say that, having sat about 1.5 meters from him as he played ‘That’ll do Babe’, he appeared fairly dexterous to me   :-\

However, I’m not a guitarist, so I have very little idea of what I’m looking for really. It’s obvious that the definition of ‘good’ depends on what exactly you’re looking for, and of course that different guitarists have different strengths and weaknesses. In fact, this comes out very clearly in what Al says.

What I was hoping, therefore, is that some of you guitarists out there would give me some of your honest opinions of Ralph’s playing so that I get a truer picture of things – preferably in not-too-technical language please!  ::)  :P

Naomi

I'm no guitarist, either, Naomi, but I think Al is saying that, whereas some guitarists show off their lightning fast skills - "zipping up and down the fretboard" - Ralph's playing is more refined: he plays "with style and taste".

Of course, Ralph can play it fast - for example on 'That'll do Babe' - but what marks him out is his ability to play what someone has called "a symphony in six strings".

John.

Hi all, back from a ( rare ) sunny week camping - hooray  :)

John was more or less representing me correctly, without diminishing Ralph in anyway whatsoever, he is not what I would call a technical wizard ( eg Jaques Stozem ) or particularly inventive ( eg Bert Jansch )but he oozes taste and style and a love for his music and he is a surperb guitarist without any doubt.

I could listen to him play "I Bid You Goodnight" into eternity quite happily, and of course its one thing to follow Ralph's playing and learn how to play his songs but of course, the real trick, is to have the wit to come up with them in the first place. Somethign that is not overly guitaristic ( is there such a word ?? ) like "Summer Girls" for example, is nevertheless just perfect and yet simple, so simple you would think it an easy matter to come with something just as simple and fabulous but it never happens, and that to me, along with the words and the voice, is the sum of the magic and the fascination.

Ralphy is just not in your face, its an altogether more mysterious magic that he weaves around us all  :)

"Do you do Dry Bone Rag as well ?"

Hi Henrik, I spent a couple of days on a lincolnshire beach, my eyes nervously scanning the horizon, so much so I did not notice my white belly was turning redder by the minute - so its all your fault I had to avoid the sun for the rest of the week  ;D

Yes, well, I;ve been trying to do the old Blind Blake's since I was about 12 so I;ve had 36 years at it, not sure I sound much like Blake or Ralph but I quite like my Dry Bone Rag and Diddie Wah Diddie, on a good day  ;D

One day soon(ish) I'll try to make time to record myself at them and put them up on the web for you to listen to  :)

Hej igen, Al   ;)

Haha, good one - Oh, I am so sorry to have spoiled your holiday.

I suppose I should have told you that D-day ( D for Dane  ::) ) has
been postponed indefinitely due to bad weather, high seas and sea sickness ...
also the Swedish slave rowers made a mutiny on one of the longships.

Wow, you certainly started early with those old masters - how long had you been
playing guitar for by then ?

Well, from what I have heard so far, you are doing a great job -
but of course your style would - and should - be different.

That sounds really great, Al - I shall look very much forward to that  ...
and persuade the boys to leave Lincolnshire in peace for the time being  ::)
[ Since they are already "Danes" around there anyway *LOL* ]

Any chances of Hands of Joseph and Arthur Blake ?

I have figured out about 99 % of HoJ by now, and it's really "floating" well, but I
just can't seem to get that string bending part of the "Great Dreams of Heaven" section right.
Also those very fast base licks with pull offs, hammers and slides completely eludes me  :'(
Have you got any idea about what is going on there ?
[ If not, I will have to do a spectrum analysis of it ;D - it's driving me nuts that I can't figure it out ]

My version of "That'll Do Babe" has improved a lot lately, but I
could always use some extra inspiration for this lovely piece, if that
is on your repertoire.

I have transposed Red & Gold to C, which seems to make quite a
a descent and more (right away) playable version. ( no dropped D - and weird chords *LOL* ).
But I keep working on the one in dropped D that you sent a while back, and it's coming
along slowly.


Nice seing you back, Al.
Henrik

Well if they are anything like the version of Sand In Your Shoes you recorded for THAT CD in 2004, they will be well worth the wait... ;) :)

Yes, we are still impatiently waiting for that CD to be rereleased ...  ::)

ah Maj, my best ( hopefully not only ) fan  ;D Gosh,was it 2004 !!!Doesn't time fly !! I sent Steve recordings of "Birdman" and "Dry Bone Rag" too but I think he chose wisely as it happens  :)

Hi Henrik, yes I do play the stuff you mention, which I'm a bit embarrassed to admit in a way because it rather gives the impression that I sit around playing Ralphy tunes all day when in fact even notwithstanding the fact that I play dozens of his tunes they comprise a teeny part of my 'repertoire'. But, I find that once I've worked one out they just stick around in my head and I drift into them now and again.  "Please Dont Haunt Me" is one that I fall into quite a lot. "River Rising" is one I'm playing a lot at the moment too. "That'll Do Babe" gets a regular airing, as does "Tickety-Boo" which I really really like to play.

Its fascinating watching these people on YOuTube, I'm kind of curious as to why they think anybody is interested, especially as they are generally pretty awful. Not as pointless as the shaky mobile phone footage of gigs people shove on there though I suppose.

BUT, to keep vaguely on topic, one tune I love playing is called "Flowers Form Ayako" and have always been pretty pleased with my version but then I've found this little japanese kid ( age 11 ) doing it ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcTxNAc_WWg&mode=related&search= ) which undid my ego somewhat ! :D

Hi, Al  ;)

Wow, that sounds great - already looking forward to those goodies and to what tricks I can pick
up from them. Hopefully they will come with a few hints ?  8)

Well, I have to say that I am slightly disappointed in you, AL. I for one - and probably many others
with me ? - have just assumed that you were playing Ralphy and related (DBR etc.) stuff 99 %
of the time ...  ::)

Ah, yes - Tickety Boo. I recently got Ralph's amazing version from the Guitarist magazine (2000),
which fortunately came with a tablature, so that is definitely one that I shall be aiming for ...  in
5 years or so  ...

Have you managed to figure out those very fast base licks in Hands of Joseph(Travelling Man version) yet btw ?
Any advice on those ?
( not the long descending one(s), which btw. took me close to forever to get right - not to mention the
humming contra it at the same time *LOL* ).

Yes, it's amazing what people will put up on YT. Many are not very good, no, but every now and then
you see some huge talents that make it all worthwhile. I guess most just do it for the kick - or to test
their courage - some maybe for the odd "constructive" criticism, praise or good advice amongst all the
nasty thrashing by small minded people.

One fantastic example from the second category is the amazing "Troubleclef", who plays an awesome version
of "Firth of Fifth" by Genesis on a solo classical guitar - as well as many other great Genesis tunes and
fantastic tunes by other people. I have been dreaming about hearing and seeing a real virtuoso play this
long and complex "instrumental suite", ever since I figured out a tiny part of it by ear - it just seems so well suited for a classic guitar, and might as well have been written for this instrument in mind in the first place.
But I had come to suspect that it simply couldn't be done, and then suddenly this fellow pops up out of the blue.

Do also check out his fantastic version of "Mad Man Moon" by Genesis.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hGiFV6Ac2vc
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vg7FiL-7HXs

Looking forward to hearing that Ayako tune by you as well. I will see if I can muster (master ?) the courage
to record a couple of our prettiest folk tunes, that I think I have fairly descent versions of by now.
I think you will really love them. Would be very interesting to see what you will be able to make out
of them, if you do. I bet that one of them would be a safe "hit" over there, if someone gave it some
nice English lyrics  8)
 

I shall be away for a week on holiday (Crete) - leaving very early tomorrow  :o -,
so I may be a bit slow to reply for natural causes.

Henrik

"Have you managed to figure out those very fast base licks in Hands of Joseph(Travelling Man version) yet btw ?
Any advice on those ?
"

Hmmm, I had been playing "Great Dreams From Heaven" for quite a few years before I ever heard Ralph do it and having listened intently to Spence's playing I'd already incorporated a section of bass runs into it, its a very conspicuous feature of Spence's playing. Can;t recall what Ralph's version on Travelling Man sounds like in particualr so I would have to listen again but I would guess they're pretty similar. You just kind of .. well it would be easier to show than describe and I doubt I could tab it !

There's a dvd featuring Spence's playing available from Stefan Grossman's workshop website, which I've not seen but judging by the quality of the series as a whole I am sure it will be pretty fab, might be worth investigating if you felt so inclined  :)

I suppose you've all seen The Trial of Ralph McTell?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EIeAsOpavzE


 ;D ;D ;D

Yes, and Sir Bob

You of all people should know about double jeopardy.

That was excellent!!

It's from French & Saunders Series 3, BBC TV, 1993.  Look out for Ralph McTell's 100 Easy Tunes for Guitar on eBay - it's priceless!  :o ::)

Thanks for this Al - and to the rest of you for your thoughts on this. Sorry I've been a while in replying - we've been away for two weeks in 'sunny' Scotland. :)

I realise that no-one here is putting Ralph's playing down in any way - particularly your last couple of sentences, Al - there is certainly something very special about the combination of Ralph's songs, playing  and voice that mesmerises us all  ;)

Naomi

Not to mention the actual copy signed by the "players" in that sketch  ::)

H.

The background music on   this (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tBYInU4CFQ4) clip is good - the performer/writer isn't credited, but sounds somewhat familiar!  ;)

Don't think you can get the tea any longer though  :(

Naomi

T****s used to sell it but I tried recently to find it to no avail  :(

Cool, Naomi - or should I say "hot" maybe ?  ::)
Thanks a lot - love it.

And now for the "ned-lading"  8)

H.

Makes you wonder why Ralph was always without teabags,
when he was in need of them  ::)

The Tea still has it's on mini-site on Billy's website (http://www.tickety-boo.com/)....where there's a number for wholesale sales - but I'm sure they'd tell you whether it was still being produced.

Oddly enough, I saw Billy last night on the second date of his current tour in Birmingham....I wish this had been posted sooner & I could have asked him....

There was an American guy asking on YT, where
you can get this chari-tea in the US ...

I couldn't help suggesting to have a look around in Boston (harbour) ::)

H.

There is a fellow called Lee Mitchell, who does some excellent
Ralph covers on YouTube :

From Clare to Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVqJAJXhtpY

Nettle Wine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7IyPV3Fp6w

That'll Do Babe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm8wtAImjL0

Slipshod Taproom Dance  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqL4AXn8v14

[ Can anyone here please explain to me what a "Slipshod Taproom" is ?  ::) ]


Arthur Blake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH0WIAVTJxU


Enjoy  8)

H.

Certainly Henrik!  :)

'Slipshod' describes something badly or carelessly done, and a 'taproom' is another word for a bar - i.e. the room in a Pub/Inn where drinks are served. (Presumeably because the drinks are 'on Tap' there.) So the phrase 'slipshod taproom dance' means a badly executed dance in a pub - it's the dance, not the taproom that's slipshod in this case!

(Unless of course it's a badly run bar!  ;) )

Hope that makes sense.  ;D

Naomi

Great - yes, it does now, thank you, Naomi.

Well, I suspected that it has something to do with a bar  8)
But it didn't make much sense anyway.

Hope you liked the videos ? - I think he did very well most of the time.

H.

I love the line where Dylan says, "I've never been behind bars, only in front of them."

Haha, yes - unlike our Ralph who has actually been behind bars ( in the court case sketch ).

It's a shame he isn't an American though - when I think about the huge compensation
claims I could make against him - and probably win  ;D -  for sore finger tips and hand joints,
along with endless psychological defeats and embarrassments when attempting to play his songs and for
making me highly "drug" dependant on them .....   ::) He really ought to be ashamed with himself, right ?

H.

hmmm, I find it hard to take anyone seriously when they wear a baseball cap on their head like that  ;D Maybe I'm just old-fashioned  ;D

Yes !  ::) So I take it you are not into rap and hip-hop either, Al ?  ;D

Or maybe you still have all your hair and he doesn't ?  ;)

Well, apart from that don't you think he did very well ( most of the time -
a few details that need to be worked a bit on, yes ) ? I was very impressed
all in all.

Btw. how are your versions coming along, Al ? cap or no cap ....

Henrik

They are as they have been for years - no rehearsal necessary, nor cap  :)

I dont want to get drawn into passing comments on the playing of everybody doing Raphy covers on YouTube ( most of which are absolutely execrable ) but he is one of the better ones. I will say I do like some of his "Nettle Wine", some interesting variations, I would guess that that has evolved lots over the years  :)

Well, but you mentioned something a while back about recording your versions for us to hear.

And I agree - only I don't mention every single SoL version that appears, only those
Ralph covers that I think really stand out, are interesting and are non-SoL   ::)

Fair enough, Al - I just wondered what you - and others - thought about his skills in general.
They are way above mine anyway, so I feel I can pick up a lot of info watching these.
I think his Slipshod and Arthur Blake still need a bit of work though, but there are still some really
promissing signs, I think. "We" would so much love to have (more) video of the man himself playing these
wonderful songs, so until that day comes around, this will have to do.

H.

I think this guy does the best 'Ralphy' stuff I have seen. Being a non-guitarist I can't account for all the 'twiddly bits' but I think his technique is very good and better than a lot of amateurs. I am sure it's not easy playing some of this; plus to have the confidence to film it too. I am not altogether sure about his different timings etc but overall I like him!

 Keep on practising Henrik and you never know some day we may be putting a youtube of you playing Nettle Wine or HofJ in the not so distant future!  ;)

J

Good points, Joanna
Thank you.

Well, hmmmmm  ..... to paraphrase a well known ToTT-episode ( The Great Mysterio - Christmas special  ) :

"Oh, Nooo ?!??!  Nooo !?  No, No, NOO !!! "  ( said in a very astonished and panicking, Ralphy way  )  ::)

I should find this guy very annoying, but I'm afraid I don't; and on the whole I find him very entertaining. I love the sound of acoustic guitar and he does good versions of the songs he plays, as well as his original stuff. It takes a lot of bottle to film yourself playing and then to put it on the internet for all to see and I have a great deal of respect just for that.

Keep up the good work.

Leighton

Should ? why ???  Is it that cap thing again ?  ;D

Yes, I agree - most of it is really good - and the rest is very promissing, just a bit more
practice and better timing - taking it easy, instead of speeding too much.

And he is even a nice, helpful guy too. I managed to cut a deal with hiim about some (more detailed)
tabs and advice for some of those tunes.  8)

And now I even have a slow demo of those parts of HoJ/GDoH, that have
been causing me trouble, including those two infamous base licks/ runs that
have been impossible for me to figure out ( in case anyone is interested ).
 
He has now also added a version of Dry Bone Rag and a John Renbourne tune
about a Lady in a Church ( or something like that ). Both sound fantastic, but
look really difficult ... *SIGH* Looking for matches to set my guitar ablaze - I give up !  ::)

H.

I forgot to mention his excellent version of Ralph's wonderful instrumental
"Leah's Favourite" :

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_jP3GHqKG70


Enjoy - and start practicing !  ::)

H.

Ralph singing with his finger in his ear, playing an electric guitar AND Smoking with Swarb - I don't believe it.  :o

Meet on the Ledge, with FC at from Broughton Castle 1981.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g10UT1WgEFs

Haha, great, Leighton - thank you.

He was so wild back then, wasn't he ?  8)
Bad company ? Peer pressure ?  *LOL*

I know...but what about the smoking, eh?

Yes, that too, David   ;D

Setting such a bad example for the rest of us.  ::)


Really great cover version of First Song just up on YT
by Mike. Nice to see more and more of Ralph's other
songs being covered - the really deserve a far wider
audience.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5ADtjGXMkQU


H.

Aaaah great Leighton!  ;D That's cheered me up and taken me back a few years, some sort of consolation for missing out at Banbury tonight. Have used this as part of my 'virtual Ralph concert' going on here to console myself. snifff, sobbb  :'(  ::)  LOL  ;)

I just watched this, its very nice, probably because I cant see the cap  ;D I watched his "Dry Bone Shuffle" too, its the most Ralph-like version I've seen anyone do, he seems to get all hurried and trip over himself at times, but other than that its all rather good. I've warmed to him a bit more now that I can see him moving about and things  ;D

I meant now that i CAN't see him moving about - I need a proof reader before I hit the button - Maj ?  ;D

Great, Al - or should I say "Yo, Al " ?  8)

I have since then seen another chap doing a really great and Ralphy version of Dry Bone Rag on YT.
The video quality wasn't very good, so he told me that he would be back with a new version later +
close ups of his fingerings etc.

Yes, I thought that Leah-version was fantastic, and it has act. inspired me
to have a go at it for the first time ( I had forgotten that it is in the latest tab-book ).
Any suggestions and hints will be welcome  ::)

Yes, about the timing - he (Lee/ Leon) told me that he was going to work more on that
and take it easier - he will be absolutely "leathal", when that happens.

Nice to hear that you are moving your boundaries and are now able to temporarily suppress
your capophobia, Al  ::)

H.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hURkq9JsJbo

WONDERFUL

Was his hair really that long ?

Sod I got the message that it has been removed. :(

SUGAR,

User has removed it.  :(

It looked like it was the video that went with the single SoL.

Maybe it'll be returned ?

Sorry.

Sugar indeed  ;D

I keep hoping someone will post at least some songs from that OGWT show that was broadcast. It had some good stuff in it, it was around the time of "Right Side Up" I think, I definitely remember "Clare To Here", "Weather The Storm" and "Five Knuckle Shuffle" ( complete with even more mistakes than on the Ralph, Albert And Sydney version  ;D )

...which Ralph called "The Old Grey Rag" on the show.

John.

 :) John, you're a mine of McTrivia, keep it up  ;D

Which version of SoL was the clip that has been removed?

I notice on doing a search on You Tube that the version on the 70s video/DVD often on sale on ebay is on there.  Ralph looking particularly windswept and moody at various locations around the city of London.

Have you noticed that I have uploaded the SoL-1997-version again, Maj ?
 
"Two" SoL-1997-versions - second one seems to be more in sync., at least when viewed from here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsHFPOWvYi4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTG46q-9t6w  


I just thought we needed to have this lovely live version back up there again,
after the original user seem to have gone. I was in contact with him again a
short while ago, so let's see what happens - he claimed that he has two more songs
from that concert, so crossing my fingers here. I have offereed him all sorts
of Ralph goodies in return for those clips, so I simply can't imagine what is holding
him back.

And too bad we have no clue either where this SoL-version was recorded, so
I have put this question up along with the video. Who knows ? Someone, somewhere
out there might just know ...   ::)  

H.

Yes, he was one wild fellow back then, Leighton  8)

Ehmm, did you by any chance manage to catch it, before it
vanished ?   ::)

H.

Thanks for putting these links on for us Henrik.  And for posting to YouTube. The second version is a better synch than the first.

Sorry, can't help you with the where is it question.

Carl  

Yes, I did.  Thank you. :-*

What I really want, what I really, really want is the wherewithall to be able to keep these clips. ;) ;) ;)  Nudge, nudge!!

Ehmm, which hall ?  ::)   ( haven't heard that expression before, but think I can make an un-educated guess ).
Well, we shall have to see ...  :P

I just wish you had mentioned to the rest of us that there was a "new" SoL-version
up on YT - before it vanished again, I mean. When they vanish like that, it's usually because
the user stops being a member.
Did anyone manage to catch the name of the user ? Maybe we can send him/ her a
kind request, if he / she is still a member. ( maybe he / she got an offer he/ she couldn't refuse ?  8) ).

Btw. I meant the guy who uploaded the GFtHF-video originally, not the SoL-1997 video - D'oh !

H.

I have downloaded this clip from youtube .

the size is 12 MB ... you have to be patient

SO I can try to send an Email to all the persons who want this clip

Send me your email and  I will send you back the clip

Pascal

Ah, that is really great, Pascal  8)
C'est tres bien, mon ami !

Yes, you could do that or just upload it on a file service
like MegaUpload for free ( you don't even need to register there !).

12 MB may still be a bit over the top for many mail boxes,
especially since mails with attached files tend to grow by at least
50 % - so we are talking minimum 18-20 MB here !

Or, you can just send it to me - and I can do it for you  ::)


OK, 3 cheers for ze Frænch rezistance  ;D

Henrik

The big 1997 Mc'mystery has been solved  8)

For some time now we have been wondering, where
the 1997 version of SoL on YouTube was recorded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTG46q-9t6w

It now turns out that it's from a TV-program called
"Songs an einem Sommerabend" ( Songs on a Summer evening ),
and that the concert took place at Kloster (Abbey) Banz in
Bavaria, Germany.


http://www.hss.de/5752.shtml
 
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kloster_Banz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banz_Abbey  (English)


E-cards with the abbey from all angles - notice the very special
rococo roof ( OK, ok ... so I looked that part up  ;D ) in the center
section of the main building.

http://www.hss.de/grusskarten/cards.asp?cat=1


The video that quite by chance got me on the right track:

Peter Sarstedt - "Where Do You Go To My Lovely" - 1998
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JeX-tv1NWwY

Same stage, same background - but also a tower in the
back that we don't see in the Ralph video.


Hmm, so what else is left on the list of unsolved Mc'mysteries ?  ;)

Henrik

Wow! Well done for solving this mystery H  ;D At last!  ;D

I think you have been watching far too many Midsomer Murder TV programmes!

Thank you, Joanna ;)

Nah, that's mostly my Mum  ::)
She likes all that stuff about cosy English villages ...,
where it's absolutely lethal to live etc.  ;D

Never understod why people don't run away screaming, as soon
as they see Miss Marple. Surely they must know by now,
that she attracts murder upon murder everywhere she goes ?  :o

Nice video clip of Ralph and Wizz having fun ...
( not sure if this has already been mentioned here ? )

http://vidsearch.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=160964723   8)

Great stuff  :)

People should check out the disasterous way to start a set as demonstrated by Wizz in this video

http://vidsearch.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=15968323

 ;D

hehehe thank you Henrik, nice to see him relaxing with a friend.  ;D

Yes, thanks Henrik - I really enjoyed that   :D

On the left of the screen it says '103 years old' - not sure which of them it refers to, but whichever it is, they've worn well - you'd think they were only in their 60's to look at them  ;)  ;D

Naomi

Searching through old camcorder tapes from Cropredy plus Ralph's appearance in Cornwall a few years back but not much use for us technophobes.  ;) ::)

Now I was hoping that a geek  ::) might just come and explain to me how this would be possible?  ;)

How do I do it?

Bet it's complicated though?  ???

Maybe no-one reads the dusty dark corners in McMansions??  :(

Maybe ask in the Help Desk ?

Just noticed a couple of Mcadditions to You Tube (Ok, so the rest of you probably noticed them years ago, but I don't care  ;) ) - they are videos put to two of my favourite Ralph songs.

There's Dreamtime (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xbfQF4MB3d) (I'm sure I saw a Unicorn in there (possibly a guest appearance by Unwin) maybe someone had better let Ralph know!))  and Up (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WDmNyTJh8dI)  :D

Naomi

Dreamtime URL didnt work Woodbine  ???  Its always a shame I think when people just upload songs onto YT -   I would much rather see Ralph performing them, although I suppose it does let others actually hear these great songs but cheating a bit I feel  ::) Surely anyone can upload a song from cd's and put it to any video, but is that breach of copyright for the songs I wonder?!

Sorry about that JJ - try this (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xbfQF4MB3d0) instead.

I wondered about the copyright issue too - though as you say, if more people get to hear Ralph it's surely a good thing  :-\

N  :)

Aha! Thats better.  :)  Smiling here cos some of the words are wrong!  ::) ::)

 "I can feel my old ones here!"  :D (own)

"I could arise to find you gone" (it)

Plus and I am A closer to you now....  ::)

Think I will have to post a YT comment!

JJ - Pedant!  ;D


You would think if they are going to do this they would at least ensure the words are correct! Sigghh.....

Aha! That explains it!  ;D  The guy that has posted the video on YT is from the Netherlands!  :D ;)

You seem to be into all things Dutch atm Woodbine?!  ;)

Technically, anything on YouTube is a breach of copyright, unless put there with permission.

Where is everybody ! ?  ;D

Anyway, have put a couple of Ralphy tunes up on YouTube...

Birdman  ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPLrFuwlM8k )
Nettle Wine ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwfoYbx8QvU )
Grande Affaire ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HJAFvlMoLI )

as well as my takes on Pretty Boy Floyd ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVR9BMiSilQ )
and Too Tight Rag ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZDXs6kDkpw )

 :)

Wow thanks Al will go take a look/listen  ;D 8)

I have put on youtube my version of River Rising  ???  :o

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=5c7_uTWApsk

Domenico

This forum has so much talent!  ;D Great stuff  ;D

Wondering if Henrik will be next to unleash his talents on YT?!  ;)


J  8)

Yeah, and maybe Fulham will win on Saturday ....  ::)

Not BEEEP likely, is it ?  ;D

Indeed. I put a couple of tunes up by Jaques Stotzem and made sure it was obvious whose tunes they were, even though I was playing them, and I got an email from the man himself and I thought "uh-oh, here we go" but in fact he was complimentary - I suppose if I hadn't credited him or tried to pass them off as my own compositions then it would have been different, but he seemed fine.

I do have to wonder why clips from official dvd's are tolerated though, you come across them all the time eg Eric Bibb's live DVD is on there as individual songs. Perhaps they will get round to it soon.

The Setting - one of my favourite Ralph tunes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsyG113owTM

Enjoy  8)

Wow! Thanks H for this one, at last!  ;) ;D 8)

Yes - thanks Henrik. That was perfect for spending a quiet moment unwinding after a hectic day!     :)
Naomi

You are welcome, Naomi - thanks to a kind helper.

Hectic ? In what way ?
Outrunning and ducking before all those fierce dragons over there ? :P

H.

Now go have a look at what I have found .... 8) ::) ;) ;D :)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JyeHm2pm29o

A very rare video, I believe - ?
I have never seen this one before or even heard about it.

What say our distinguished *) experts ?

H.

*) or should that "extinguished" ?  :P

Interesting... where is the harmonica and the other backing is coming from??  ;D ;D ;D

Didn't you know, Steve ? He is a multi instrumentalist  ::)

H.

Performances on Top of the Pops were generally mimed, though I believe artists were supposed to do this to a specially recorded a special TOTP version rather than the original, (though I gather this rule wasn't always strictly adhered to by some artists).

I see, Rich - thank you ;-)

This particular TOTP-version seems to be of a somewhat later date,  
as the text sections contain info about Ralph's children TV career
in the early and mid 80's. Since the title is "TOTP2", I assume it's
some kind of nostalgia series about the original TOTP-hits ?

Any idea when this was first broadcast ?  (TOTP2)

H.

Each TOTP2 programme is indeed a recent selection of individual songs cut from the original weekly "Top of the Pops" shows.

The clip in question was probably broadcast (with the explanatory text overlaid) a couple of years ago. The original "Top of the Pops" recording would have been when Streets was high in the UK music chart.

My original post was tongue-in-cheek. I Knew it was mimed, just amazed that they would include instruments and backing that was clearly not part of the performance.

SteveK

Thank you, Steve  8)

It was also fun to notice how slim Ralph was back then -
and then those amazing sideburns - hehe.
( wondering if his children and grand children will tease him,
if they come across this one ... ).

Well, I did gather that much *LOL*  - "tongue-in-cheek" -
my reply was as well, as you could probably tell.

Yes, you are right - the "obligatory" dancing also looked a bit out of place, didn't it ?  ::)

H.

Another SoL on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQTLM-2nyiA indicates it's from Top of the Pops, although it has arte in top right hand corner.

Hello Master Leighton - long time, no see  8)

Great stuff - and a very rare version, I believe.  :o
Thanks a lot for alerting us - I had just about given
up all hope about any more old Ralph clips suddenly
surfacing.

Would you be interested in having it as a file ?

I know a couple of people or three who will be willing to kiss
my feet to have this rarity  ;D - right, Joanna ?  *LOL*

( NO, you do NOT have to do that, Leighton ! ::)  -
  Your efforts with the "Tickle of the Tum" clips last year
  bought you a lot of good will here ;) )

Henrik

PS. So does that mean it's not art(e) ?

Hiya Henrik,

Been a bit busy, married off a daughter, my son has taken 16 weeks off work to go round the world (thank godness he returned safe and sound). AND I have a new boss in work.

But, my son has done the business with the clip and has put it on my computer, may thanks for your kind offer though.

I'll try and keep up to date with the board as much as I can.

'nuff said.
(sorry I've been watch too much Spiderman)

Mmmm.....not too sure that even I would stoop that low! (and I am halfway down there already!)  ;D

Ah, yes - good point - so actually you don't have to stoop, do you, Joanna ?  ::)

Mærk mine (w)ord(s) - du vil kyss min fod - ellers der er nul Ralph ! ;D

Another Ralph song has appeared on You Tube here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INO11lby2NI) - awwwww!  ;)   :)

N

Nice one, Naomi  ;) - good to see you back as well.

Orbit Downloader seems to be working correctly again
in case you haven't noticed. You may need to download
the latest version.

Did Carl ever manage to transfer that VCR-tape to PC btw. ?

Henrik.

Nice one Naomi,  :)

At least they have given credit to Ralph.

Well done.

Wizz just shared this with me :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W5rWopIOd4

Thanks for this Al.

You just can't stop tapping your feet.

Nice one, Al  8)

This one should make you laugh big time - hilarious stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDsQSOf6_ow

So now we finally know why Ralph was attracted to Cornwall in the first place  ::)

H.

That is just so funny.Nobody interviewed had a Cornish accent did they,just those "awfully posh BBC types"were asked what they thought of the beatniks.Newquay is full of surfers these days.

ha ha excellant, have seen that before but not for quite along time, thanks for the link Henrik  ;D

"Hard times in Newquay if you got long hair.."  ;D

Hiya,

Ralph on Phil Coulter doing From Clare to Here.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=F94zeeVW3uU

Nice.

Gawd.  When I think of how much I paid for the DVD of the whole show just to get this clip.......... Grrr  >:(

Nice to see it again on here though.  Thanks Tiggs. :)

Now I know my good friend and complete genius Henrik gave me a ripping good programme (geddit? ::) ) for downloading good YouTube clips but I can't use my old PC any more.... :(  and have lost a lot of info.....  So am wondering what the best free, safe software would be advisable.  Thoughts......?

Maj

If you can, use Firefox, then use this add-on https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3590

Great clip, thanks Leighton.

Hello Maj  8)

I think you mean "Orbit Downloader", Maj - great program, also works with Firefox,
if you mark it up in the settings.

When it's runnning, you can have a clickable sign saying "GetIt" to pop up,
as you move your mouse cursor over a video ( or audio ... ) at many such
sites - and then it just takes 2 clicks to download. Can't be much easier than that -
best program I have seen in this genre.

There has been some trouble with it lately ( where you needed to manually have a subprogram
called Grab++ do the hard work) , since YT and others constantly try to prevent such programmes
from working on their sites, but it seems to be fixed in the latest versions.

On YT the format is ".flv" ( flash video ), so you will need to download a great free all round player
like SMplayer ( I can really recommend it- it will play almost anything you throw at it - including
Real Media/ Audio  (.rm / .ra ) and Quick Time (.mov) ::) - + adjust for Sound-Image sync errors ) -
OR download and install a multi codec package like "k-lite codec (standard) ", which will enable
your standard Windows Media Player to play a lot of such formats - even many obscure ones.


Enjoy ;-)

Henrik

PS. Sorry to hear about your poor PC - think you should let someone have a look at it.

Cheers Henrik.

I have a superb new laptop for doing my official design work for business as well as for playing around  ::) ;D

I now have broadband too  ;D ;D ;D

Consequently I don't use my old PC, but ever since I bought my original mp4 player and downloaded the software windows media player has not worked.  You may remember our "chats" via msn messenger about that.  So I am very wary about downloading anything to the laptop as I cannot trash it. :o

Grateful for your advice here and will give it some thought........

Maj

Another Alphabet Zoo song has appeared on You Tube here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjrPAk8Yn8c)  :)

Naomi

Thanks, Naomi - wouldn't want to miss that one  ::)

A nice live version of 'England' here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiOnmhMw9XE



Edit: Edited for link.  Maj

Sorry everyone, but I've removed the posts and link referring to the Big Train YouTube clip. We've already discussed this one.

Marianne
Moderator

Interesting choice of background music for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evZJ9PY050w) YouTube video on solving a Rubiks-cube type puzzle!

Naomi
 :)

He he yess! Just where do you find these Naomi?  ??? ;)

I've just found THIS (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JmDfehaYayE) added to Boob Tube on 7th November.

Did you notice that Ralph finished first ?  ::) ;D

Ralph goes POP ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3IKbmj6f2Q

H.

Aha so he does! Can't read the caption, it passes by a bit fast or seems a bit blurry to my eyes, or is it me?  ;) Well Done on finding that one H.

Nice one H,

I don't recall Ralph playing guitar without a thumb pick before.

Hehe, perhapz it'z bekauze it'z in ze Germanische zongue, dear Frau Joanna ?  ::)

Zo zis muzt bi ein echztrakt from zhat German Dizco verzion, I zink  ;)

Thanks  ;)

Well, I think he often plays without one  ???
Maybe it depends on the state of his thumb nail.

Anyway this was playback, so he didn't need to play for real  :D

Is this yet another TOTP version of SoL ?   ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQTLM-2nyiA

I seem to recall that he was wearing a different shirt(s) in
the TOTP version(s), I have seen before.

Is it just me ? Or ? ...  Confused here ... :o

H.

Mmmm.....?! Indeed. TOTP2 did show Ralph singing/playing SoL wearing a darker blue patterned shirt. Ok, so where are the shirt detectives?  :D

AHA ! Thought so  8)

Well, actually I think this is a case for the special TAW agents, Joanna ...  you know those with a license to thrill ...


Meanwhile the rest of you can enjoy this rather peculiar Ralph cover  ::) ;D :D

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=Ahxhj3aSbps

It seems those "spare Danes" up North over there have their very own and very peculiar interpretation of Ralph's work -
very interesting and hilarious to listen to. I can imagine other of Ralph songs being exposed to this treatment ...
anyone want to have a go at that ?
 
No, I am fortunately excused for obvious reasons - and that would be really silly and most embarrassing LOL

H.

PS. "indeed" ? hmmm, now, where did I hear that word before ?  ;)

Ey lad, Champion! By 'eck what next, "Has tha seen t'old man who walks streets o' Sheffield"?    (Ey Maj, where should t'question mark be? Inside or outside t'quotes?)

That's t'old man wit' 'and 'eld loosely at 'is side, by t'way   ;D  ;)

Carl

Nah then, us 'ere darn sarf in yer actchul that there London would put question mark inside quotes.  Gawd luvaduckandstroikaloitguvner. ;D

?Que?   :o

This singer sounds familiar somehow  ::) :D ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKgv9pKEUYM

And here is the rest of the song ...
and also his name in case you haven't guessed it yet  ::)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQsViELwLUk

( NB better sound quality )

H.

Wondering if this is the advertising song that Ralph made for Skol beer in
the late 80's ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK7n1Q-fDeA

It does have that certain "je ne sais Ralph", doesn't it ?  ::)

H.

PS. Anyone knows what the real song sounds like ?
Is it on YouTube ?

I have it as a 45rpm.  It's called The Winner's Song.  Don't know if it's on Boob Tube.

Wow, great :-)

Hmmm, probably not - will look around for it.

If not, thou will have to bring thy ould grammophone down from the loft
and start transfering this 45 rpm treasure to mp3 or similar format, Marianne  ;D

Did you already have the "Wind in the Willows" clips btw. ?
I had completely forgotten to look for that series until now.

H.

I have a VHS tape of the winter programmes that someone bought me years ago, just for the fact that Ralph sings for a few seconds at the beginning and end. ;D

The WITW theme tune is on the R A & S site on this page, (http://www.ralph-mctell.co.uk/audio1.html) but not the piccies - so thanks for that H.  :D

(Incidentally, 2 more installments of John B's interview with Ralph are also now on that site, on the 'Multimedia' menu, under 'Telling Tales'.)

Naomi
 :)

Correction - there are now THREE new instalments - 'Small Voice Calling', 'Klan' and 'In My Father's House' - Thanks John!

N

Thanks, Naomi - had only just noticed myself that there are new exciting tales
waiting to be read ::)

Yes, I had noticed that old, scratchy recording of the Wind in the Willows -
wonderful tune and song.

HINT  You may also want to check out the very intesting link at the top of this page :

http://www.ralph-mctell.co.uk/brightonbelle.html


Don't think it has been there all along, has it ?

Enjoy - I did ! 8)

H.

Aha ?!  Interesting - would be fun to watch and hear sometime ::)

But "Winner's /Winter's Song" was a whole song - not just a short jingle? - ,
so that it was act. one side of a single ?

Yes, issued in 1984, with 'Geordie's on the Road' on the B-side.  See 'Time's Poems' page 90 for the lyrics. There were at least three different 'Skollars' advertisements with similar verses, and 'Skollar' instead of 'winner' in the chorus.


Yes it has, Henrik, and you get the Observation prize!  8)

John.

I see - thank you, John  ;)
OK, so it is "winner" - I was confused by that small mistake earlier.

And thanks for the great new tales.




Hmmmm, are you mocking me, John ? hehe

Well, I just couldn't believe I had missed that lovely link at my first read.
And I know at least one other person who had as well, so ...

H.

PS. Never seen an mp3 with 627 (?) kb/s datarate before - thought 320 kb/s or so
was max ?!? Any idea which mp3-encoder that was used for making this file ?
And when I have the file playing in Windows Media Player, it shows
up with an image, as if it's part of a whole "album" ? Am I right in suspecting that ?  ::)

It's from an audience recording that was circulating on the internet.  The techie speak eludes me I fear - it was just something that filled a purpose so I used it.

Ah, wow - I see  8)

Yes, I was just a bit puzzled.

Normal CD quality - 44.1 kHz sampling in 16 bit stereo - amounts to 1440 kbit/sec
and this was almost half of that, so not a very low compression ratio. I have only seen
flac audio ( free losslees audio codec ) with such a high data rate, didn't even know
mp3 could go that high. So it somehow "goes against" the purpose of mp3, but no
harm done of course.

Just curious about these things  ::)

H.

I meant "a rather low compression ratio" of course  ::)

Is this the advert (series) that was used for Skol Lager with Ralph's "Winners Song" ?



http://www.headington.org.uk/adverts/drinks_alcoholic.htm


And if so this must be some of the merchandise that went along with it:  8)
 
http://cgi.ebay.ie/SKOL-LAGER-VINTAGE-BEER-BAR-WAITER-TRAY_W0QQitemZ260339141450QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_Breweriana_SM?hash=item260339141450&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1294%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318


I haven't been able to find a video with the song in question,
but here is one of the adverts from that series, I think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzzxZRXJPQg   ( from 5:25 )


Cheers  ::)
Henrik

Wow, look what I have just come across  8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GHzVbf7c6o


Time to get your Orbit Downloaders rolling, folks :D

Thank you H  ;) Have enough teccy things to cope with atm tho!  ::)

I see one lady on that video is really 'into it' isnt she?!  :D

Yes, for a while I thought she was you actually  :P

Wonderful Ralph instrumental 8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cbUjBBDSuk

"Blind Blake's Rag / "Buddy Bolden Rag" (original title)
with a touch of "That'l Do Babe"


Making note to myself:
"I need to practice more - lots more !"  ::)

Also think there is a touch of Maple Leaf Rag in it act.
That's the first time, I have heard Ralph play that ;)

Hope we get to hear the whole thing some time.  8)

Absolutely Brilliant.

Many Thanks for this H.

You are welcome, good Sir Leighton  ( with or without your elephant ;D )

Have you managed to download these clips ?

H.

This one has been working for me for a while now.  http://www.savevid.com/

Thank you for finding this Henrik (Wind in the Willows that is!). I just loved him singing it and used to put the TV on at the right time just to hear it! I may even have a snippet on video myself .. somewhere amidst the other snippets maybe :-). As for the Winners song .. well I have the single  ::)

Ah, how sweet - and interesting, Lucienne 8)
Well, as they say : "the Winner takes it all"
 
Would you happen to have any of this in a digital format by any chance ? ::)

Henrik

Mine is in good ole tatty analogue - 45rpm. ::)

Aha - well, didn't you buy a modern grammophone with a USB plug ?  8)
( or still have your stereo and the old one ? )

Is this song any good btw. ?

I did, you're right.  It's still in the box..... :-[

I don't think it's typically McTell and I'm not very fond of it.  Bought it to complete my collection and played it just the once.... :-X

Aha ! I was only joking actually - I think you sometime mentioned something about
being interested in one of those  ;D

I see - that bad ? Wow ! Ok, I was just curious about this "unknown" song.

Wondering why it was released as a single then ?
Do you remember it from the Skol adverts ?

Yes, he will sometimes write and release a song or "two", where you think
"Well, what was that for ?", because they are so clearly not him,
and wonder why they are not stopped at some earlier stage.

I may have some really interesting Ralph stuff coming up - do you ? :P

H.

Hi all,

the two links above (the Rag Medley and Streets) no longer work as You Tube has removed them. These two links posted on 30/03/09 seem to be very much the same:
Rag Medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZZMUqyTRCM)      Streets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COkya7N3pB8)

I wonder what Ralph's been washing that white shirt in - makes you want to reach for your sunglasses at times  ;D

Naomi

Thanks, Naomi  8)

Hadn't even noticed they were gone - will ask the previous uploader about the reason.

White ? Isn't it light blue ?  ;D
Hmm, I guess a couple of 2 kW spotlights will have that effect.

His account has been suspended - guess he must have uploaded some
"illegal" content.
 
Happened to me as well with the Fleggaard advert on another account 8)
( the one with the parachute valkyries .... say no more  ;D )
 

They're there now.  I've just watched them both .....  ;D ;)

Looks like a new one at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gch20r0NJw

haven't heard it yet as there is a problem with my pc.

Hope some one can tell me if it sounds ok ?

Looks a bit proffesional as well.

Wow, thanks a bunch, Leighton ;)
Yes, it does sound wonderful and looks perfect.
The format looks a bit odd, but no major problem.

I think this is the only video , I have ever seen of Ralph
performing this wonderful song.

Please feel free to message me, if you want any further information  ::)

There are live recordings of this song though, both on 'Live at the Town Hall' DVD and McTell on the Mall.  ;) and I know you have seen those H!  ;)

Thanks Leighton, sound's great!

Ah, yes *SIGH*

I might have known better than saying something like that
with one of the experts lurking in the background.
I meant as an individual clip, Joanna.

Well, act. I haven't seen "McTell on the Mall", have I ?  :P
I was waiting for you to send me a copy  ::)

( You can call it "McTell in the Mail"  :D )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuplfnE0-EQ

For those that don't venture far from McTell Mansions  :D
stolen from another thread but one I hadn't seen before!  ;)

Thank you, Joanna  ;)

A bit "special" but interesting as well.  ::)

Nice one for a completist's archive.  But, oh my.................. :-\ :-X

I've just received a Google alert on Ralph about a site called You Tomb.  My good friend Elvendane's clips have been removed from You Tube on 15th August. Apparently breaching copyright.  Never!  What's all that about then??  :(

Ha, some nasty "BEEP" of a manager of Roger Hodgson, who managed to make YouTube ( You Tomb ?)
remove a Supertramp video ( Hide in Your Shell) with 400,000+ viewers and tons of FREE PR and links -
and even suspend my YT account as well! - EVEN thoughI did comply with her requests about mentioning
RH as the composer and singer - and almost had already! She didn't take kindly to me not wanting to change
the title of the song from "Supertramp - Hide in Your Shell" to "Roger Hodgson ....", which would have been
lying, since they clearly were performing as the band Supertramp at that occassion.

And maybe she didn't take kindly to me telling her in the thread that I didn't like her threats and methods,
where she adds lot of messages to nearly every RH or ST thread, where an RH song is involved,
while pretending to be an ordinary fan.

She calls herself MegaKippers btw. - someone ought to eat that "¤&%¤&%&¤/" for breakfast  ;D


Hopefully it will be back in a few weeks *), Maj ::)
Good to see you back and active again.

H.

*) Think the normal punishment on YT is 3 weeks, or is it 3 months - ?

Oh dear...... :-X

The link I was alerted to was this one - http://youtomb.mit.edu/youtube/RUhiBvqIg4U (http://youtomb.mit.edu/youtube/RUhiBvqIg4U)

Apparently YouTomb is a research project by MIT Free Culture that tracks videos taken down from YouTube for alleged copyright violation.

More specifically, YouTomb continually monitors the most popular videos on YouTube for copyright-related takedowns. Any information available in the metadata is retained, including who issued the complaint and how long the video was up before takedown. The goal of the project is to identify how YouTube recognizes potential copyright violations as well as to aggregate mistakes made by the algorithm.

YouTomb was built by MIT Free Culture, a student organization at MIT. Active Free Culture chapters exist at many schools and universities; they work together to promote open access to knowledge and culture.

Yada yada yada..............................

Ah, I see - thank you.
Never heard of this before ;D  - clever idea though.

Hmm, it seems their program has some kind of error.
It was definitely not because of that song, but maybe
it will register all the videos I had on my channel as having
been removed? We shall see.

Yes, bla bla bla indeed  ::)

Wow, did you good people see this? 8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kbaodyfk60
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v7dcknGZIE

Enjoy ;)

One more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxuNLcsXObo  8)

Wow, what a rarity  8) ::) ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw5R2jpxExk

Thanks for these links Henrik.  Excellent.

Anyone know what guitar Ralph is playing? (not the GPs electric one)

Carl

Just noticed this on the Fairport section of the board, with thanks to fstix for posting-  Carl

I am pretty sure it's a Gibson - think I could see it in the close ups - ,
but no idea of the model. Maybe it's actually a J45 ?  ::)  

( but it does looks smaller than his old one, I think - ?! - so probably not )

Why, Carl? - are you planning to buy one like it? ;D

Haha, no, it looks like it's actually a Gibson J-200 - in honour of the RT / BF song, no doubt ;D
So it seems Ralph has been asking Nanna for money and permission once again  ::)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_J-200
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1960GibsonJ-200.jpg  (close up)

Compare with these dumps from one of the Cropredy 2009 videos with Ralph on YouTube -
and notice the very special two part saddle and the curvy bridge (string holder on the soundboard)
- and of course the unmistakeable Gibson neck.









[attachment deleted by admin]

Whoops, I forgot to add this Cropredy close up of Ralph's new (?) Gibson J-200 8)

I really think you should start giving them away to worthy people in need from good homes, Ralph  ::)
I bet Nanna is fed up by all your dust collectors by now  ;D



[attachment deleted by admin]

Hmmm, it seems it's actually an Epiphone EJ200 (a Gibson J200 copy - and the Epiphone
brand is also owned by Gibson, so it stays within the family  ;D ) -
I found this link by pure chance - it looks like an exact match.

Notice the pick guard, the sunburst colouring and the fret board decorations, which are identical
to those of Ralph's model - unlike the similar, but not identical pick guard on the Gibson J200.
It also has that alternative white "filled" bridge decoration, unlike those "hollow"curved bridge
shapes of the J-200 original.

http://www.aage.dk/shoppingsystem/vare.asp?varenr=32533

This is act. only around 1/10 the price of the real Gibson J200 (ca. 300 £ range)
Seems our Ralph is on a tight budget 8)

So maybe you should also go for one, Carl? :P It does sound really great.

Thanks Henrik,

I'm afraid it would be completely wasted on me.  :(  My old Aria (Which was about 1/4 of the price of the epiphone) stays in its case most of the time.  
The instrument my hands are mainly on is one of Mr & Mrs Yamaha's electric pianos or one of many tin whistles.  I think the only thing Ralph has released on Penny whistle is Wino and the Mouse.  Why are they still called penny whistles - My Low D was about £50.00   ???

Ah, well - keep trying and progress will happen eventually ::)

I see - I wish I could play piano / keyboards.

Aha, didn't realise he played tin whistle on that one.
Well, that certainly sounds like a very steep price to my ears
for a penny whistle ?!?! ;)
Is it a particularly expensive HQ brand?

Still amazed here that Ralph is playing a rather cheap J 200 copy (if I am right, that is) -
but maybe he has had it refitted?

The EJ-200 owners on the web seem to be very pleased in general though -
but "they" also say that the quality varies a lot. You need to look for the good
ones with no slur etc.  ( but that goes for all brands of course ::) ).

I would like a better one than my Yamaha FG 335 II,
which is rather worn down. It has a nice sound but could
need more volume and sustain - and most of all a more powerful
bass region. And the strings could also be a bit closer to the fretboard,
I think ( had adjusted truss rod, but a bit worried about overdoing it ).

http://www.guitar-museum.com/vignette/guitar/16/8032-1.jpg


But I don't really have any idea what to look for and what to avoid
( ie. little signs that it's a bad choice)
You often can't tell from just hearing them in a shop with brand new strings.

Any suggestions good people?  8)
What should I look for and look out for?
What are (really) good guitars for a not too big wallet?

H.

Naomi has dug this one up (too much time on her hands)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZqJGbxCwps

It sounds like the vinyl is a bit scratched in places. At least I hope that's the reason for the sound quality.

I believe this 1990 live version of "From Clare to Here" is a new one on YouTube 8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb92tJkSmrw

Well spotted, senior field researcher. ;D

There can't be much more out there that we haven't got between us all................ is there...?? ??? ::)

Come to the Mansion tonight at midnight where rations, field glasses and maps will be issued............. :P

Thank you, Madam Chief Inspector ;)

Well, you never know what is out there still - and what we have between us 8) -,
so I shall of course keep asking, begging and "bribing" "all" the people on YT, who show
the slightest inclinations of being Ralphites. And we did after all get those wonderful YT-videos
of Ralph at Cropredy recently, so we may still get these pleasant surprises every now and then.

This version of "From Clare to Here" had just been uploaded 1-2 weeks earlier, so it does pay off
to search for Ralph stuff on YT - and elsewhere - every now and then.

Oh ? And what will happen then ?!?!?!  ::) ??? (at midnight)

H.

PS. So did you manage to get your Real Player to work with respect to downloading
streamed videos from YT and other sites?

There are several other programs and methods out there for downloading such streamed
media than those I mentioned, but I haven't really tried out any of them, apart
from "YouTubeDownloader", which does exactly what the title says - plus converts
video and extracts sound to mp3.

And the naughty program TuneBite, which will strip DRM-informations (copyright protection)
from sound and video files - provided you have the licenses to play them - and convert
them to ordinary mp3s and videos, can btw. also be used for downloading streamed video
and audio - such as YT-videos.

Apologies if THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2658V1UkI0) has been mentioned before but I've only just found it (   :-[  ) on page 30 of a YouBoob search.  

Sigggh... ::) ::) Come on Maj, please keep up!  ;)

Thanks, Maj - nice version 8)
Keep it up, please.

I guess the reason we have missed this one completely - only seeing the
second half of this performance (Clare to Here) in another video, Joanna ::),
is that it doesn't have Ralph's name nor the title of the songs in its title.

How very rude of the uploader! ::)

Exactly, that was my point.!! :P

Stolen from elsewhere for those who don't venture far from McMansions  ;) (not sure if we've seen this before, enhanced by a few rude words from Fairport's Peggy and Simon.  ::) )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlQAYiyRYxI

Another nice one here with Berth Jansh as the lead, singing his "Moonshine" 8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN8rvFgj_mg


Some lucky few among us may already have seen ALL of this great show elsewhere ::)

"Jansch", it is  ::) - Sorry, Bert  ;)

I know correcting spellings is frowned upon on TAW, but correcting someone's name just has to be done! Sorry H but its Bert Jansch  ;) :P (So was Berth a typo or the male form for Bertha?!  ;D ::)

No, among us close friends he is affectionally known as "Berth" *LMAO*
Yes, I guess that "h" somehow jumped around there all by itself. *SIGH*

I just can't win, can I? - with all you "evil" people ready to jump at my slightest mistake, I mean ::)

You do very well most of the time H *LOL*. Good to see that clip,  will search for it on that DVD  ;)

Not sure if this is the place for this....but I have just put this up on 'Boob Tube"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG7N50m4Vi4

It's ok - we don't mind, Paul  ;)
Really nice version and fine voice - keep it up, please 8)

And please add some Ralph videos as well, if you have any LOL


Henrik

Has THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlQAYiyRYxI) already been spotted or am I just being a twit. I'm too tired to read back over this thread, sorry guys if it has.  :-X

It has indeed, Maj, but I don't think you are a twit at all ( Act. I am not even sure what that means exactly  ;D )


I have asked the YT uploader, if he has more footage from this concert - specifically of "Red & Gold" -,
which had its live premiere on this (these) occassion(s) (3 warm up concerts before Cropredy 1987),
but unfort. he doesn't; "just" a couple of other FC songs (the titles escapes me atm.). He wasn't
there himself; the VHS-tape came from a friend, but he has forgotten who. ;D
So hopefully the real photographer will some day step forward and upload the rest of his material -
and just maybe "Red & Gold" will be included 8) Now that would truly be amazing!

Well, at least we have now managed to come across audio recordings of FC & Ralph performing Ralph's
wonderful and poetic song for the first time(s) live, so we shouldn't really complain too much, should we?  ;)

H.

Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHVfl0vlCB4) a video of Burt Jansch performing his song 'Running from Home' accompanied by a certain 'very dear friend' of his!  :)

Naomi

Just noticed that there's one of them playing Moonshine too - here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMwB_dtbrgM)

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcrevFlZKjg) takes me back a good few years too. For one thing, not sure how many years it's been since I last saw that Thames TV ident  :P  :)

N

Thanks Naomi - love it. Such a cosy atmosphere ;-)

I had no idea it was Ralph singing until a couple of years ago,
guess I hadn't really listened hard enough SIGH

One more here, which us folks in the incrowd have already seen and heard several years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLNmljZvEHE

I can clearly remember the 1st time we heard it. Our daughter, then aged about 5, was watching a children's programme - can't remember what. It finished, and the next programme started - Wind in the Willows. We (Carl & I)  both looked up at the same moment and said 'That's Ralph' in unison  ;D

Naomi

Great story, Naomi  8)

But I have to admit that I didn't really pay very much attention to this TV-
series back when it was first on air here, as I felt "slightly" outside its intended
target audience  ::)

But today I would probably watch it every time, just for the intro and the outtro  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/user/McTellyVision#p/a/u/0/XE5pcE4QlYo

HoJ plus Sweet Mystery  :D ;) Wild Cape Horn is also on this person's channel, (keep practising H!) the other one has been removed, so view these whilst they are still up there!  ;) (or 'phone a friend'  ::) )

McTellyVision hehehe....I like it!

Thanks JJ  :)

While looking at YT I noticed that the Old Gray Whistle Test version of  Dry Bone Rag (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODsu490PK4M) that was on Guitar Heroes has been posted there, in case anyone hasn't seen it yet.


There's also this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqjLb4Fl520) rather,  errm - how shall I put this? - unusual version of Sol - at least they got that word right!  :)

Naomi

Haha, good one, Naomi  ::)

Ralph would be touched - and at least they got the "and" right  ( not "hand" !)  8)

H.

There are a few new Ralph-related videos on YT:

There's this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTwavrfsO44) version of 'England', with slideshow - I think that the pictures mostly go very well with the song. This (http:// http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEoQvUWWoCU) version of 'Barges' is from a performance at Port Elliot in 2009.

There's also (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8at2DCoWHg) a version of 'Clare to Here', in which, at one point, it appears that Ralph is slowly being engulfed by a rising fog. The notes describe it as showing 'a very young Ralph', though I'd guess that he's in his early fifties, at least. (Yes, I know, that's not old  ;D ) Does anyone know when this was filmed?

Also, there are two versions of SOl - this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCHDom90kkw) might (or might not!) be appreciated by Ralph's wife -  hope it's a good translation  :)
The second version of SOl, here, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nLjflhdQMs) reminds me of an occasion a few years ago when we went to the 'Victorian Extravaganza' in LLandudno. Like some strange sort of time-warp we passed someone with a Victorian hurdy-gurdy type instrument playing SOL!  :o  This one isn't a hurdy-gurdy, but sounds similar.

Naomi

Thanks for those Naomi. I like the slide show but not quite sure about the burger bar and the Little Chef portrayed as part of English heritage!   ;D ;D Just 'Barges' won't open for me.  ???

Ah, yes - lovely slide show - thanks, Naomi  8)
Is this the original version of England?
I think it's the first time, I have heard this one.

Hmmm, maybe there is a reason they won't allow you onboard those barges, Joanna?
Have you been there before perhaps? And did you become seasick or make a mutiny? :P

I believe we have seen the others before, Naomi?
Please let me know if you don't have these - apart from the last two, I take it  ::)

And btw. it's not green fog trying to engulf our poor Ralph - it's of course the
famous Irish mist rolling in from the Atlantic Sea towards County Clare ;)

H.

There is another version of the same video on YT, where it says "1990", Naomi  8)
So he is indeed youngish in it LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb92tJkSmrw

Sorry JJ, it worked fine this morning. Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEoQvUWWoCU) it is again- hope it works this time.
N

Ah yes thank you, remember this one now from McTellyVision. hehehe... ::)

Here are the YouTube links for Maggie Boyle's Kitchen Songs (http://www.kitchensongs.org.uk/Artists/ralph-mctell-kitchen-songs.html) interview with Ralph:

Interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L-2ijn9cLQ)
The Girl from the Hiring Fair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7SUvQRV-yM)
After Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YilElCSa81g)
Let Me Down Easy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb8C9fk4mIY)

Thanks for those - I really enjoyed them. Nice to see Ralph so relaxed and to play for another singing one of his songs.

I thought Maggie singing 'Let me Down easy' was beautiful.

Love the collection of teapots Ralph has on his dresser too.  ::)

Videos from Ralph's May gig in Adelaide, Australia:

Barges
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woaWYdbQDm8

Anji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HvPRgwlZ_E

Peppers & Tomatoes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd9Y_fSdoHk

The Ghost Of Robert Johnson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThB7LF49vCk

Martin K just alerted me to this...

45 minutes of Bert Jansch, Ralph McTell, Jan Akkerman, and Stefan Grossman on Danish TV from 1975

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7mQrDERZ4

Steve

Yes, a real gem, Steve  8)

Originally this concert was broadcast as 3 or 4 short programmes
under the title "Plyds & God Musik" ( Plush (the seats) & Good Music ),
but the present format is from a later rebroadcast as part of a series of
Golden (nostalgic) TV-hours a few years ago ( early 2000s, I believe ).

The new Danish title of this program means "Four Guitars"  ( fire [feer-e] = four ) btw.
After all they are not trying to imitate Jimmi Hendrix  ::)

Ralph at the Skagen Festival (Denmark - most northern Jutland) 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfPB0Djet4A

A couple of rarities - Ralph with Good Men in the Jungle  ::)

Zimmerman Blues  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iT6I_3LZ1Q
   
Good Men in the Jungle - Do Re Mi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86NlHdxAKaw

I missed this when you posted Henrik.  Thanks,  the sound quality is surprisingly good even though it looks like the camera is quite a long way off.

I meant to add, there's a link to Ralph playing from 'Songs of Sandy Denny' thread on the Fairport section.

Thanks Carl, can you hire a removing lorry and get it over here please?  ;D ::)

Well I will when I'm on the pc but at the moment I'm using a 7" tablet and not only is it stunningly difficult to swallow, it's also very fiddly  ;)

Try this (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=40174.msg614125#msg614125).

Hi all,

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhLLmiqrixA) is well worth listening to! Ralph is interviewed about his life and music at the University of Dublin. Naturally, there's much I've heard before, but lots of new material too. It includes some live performances, and though the sound isn't brilliant, they are still great to hear. I must admit to being surprised at his first choice of song - obviously it fits as it's autobiographical, but not something I thought Ralph would choose to perform live, given a choice. In the introduction the inteviewer mentions that she spent a couple of days with Ralph 'and his family' while preparing - and I think it shows!

At the moment we've only heard the first quarter (it's 2hrs 9mins in total, with no break!) - I can't wait to hear the rest.  ;D

It's also mentioned that the whole thing was organised by Donard Duffy, who was in the audience - good that he got a mention too. This must have been shortly before they parted company - I'm grateful he got this sorted first   :)
Enjoy  :)

Naomi

Greetings, Naomi  ;)

Yes, excellent Ralph stuff indeed - wonderful versions of Hands of Joseph, Bentley & Craig and "Nanna's Song"
as well as an amazing ragtime song called something like "In the Jailhouse Now", I think, that I have never
heard Ralph perform live before - has anyone else here? And a really great sound as well during the music
parts, I thought.

So get your YouTube downloaders rolling to save this wonderful gem for posterity - for instance Orbit Downloader or YouTube Downloader for the Internet Explorer browser - and Download Helper or FlashGot for the Mozilla Firefox browser
( the latter two have the advantage that you can select between various file sizes / qualities, when availiable *) ).

*) You need to make the addons line active to be able to see these options ( via Show / Tool Lines (?) ... )

Enjoy - I did, a LOT!  8)



 

So lovely to have  ;) shame about the 'cougher' in the audience! In order to hear Ralph I had the volume high, the cougher made me jump first time around!

Yes, LOL - same thing here  8)

Well ,you probably needed the exercise anyway, Joanna  :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOYsYc-tiT8&feature=player_embedded

a couple of gems have just surfaced.....enjoy  ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zNhI4u1h1E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM-Gn6Rwzp8

Thanks for posting these links JJ - really enjoyed both of them  :)

If you look closely at the audience at about 48 secs during ‘Mr Connaughton’ you can see a man in the audience wearing a yellow shirt and dark brown waistcoat. Isn’t it Ronnie Browne of ’The Corries’, possibly with Roy Williamson to his right? Though he looks a bit older in this picture here  (http://www.last.fm/music/The+Corries) he’s wearing practically identical clothes. What do you think?

If it is him /them, I wouldn’t be surprised as I’d assume men like that would know good music when they hear it!  ;D


I've just noticed that 2 more have been posted here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmV_t-d8k8E) and here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFZGDOTbJXc) - I was particularly please to see the 2nd one as it's one of my favourite of Ralph's 'children's' songs, and also I love Ralph's 'interpretive' facial expressions as he sings it - a born storyteller  ;D  Thanks again Douglas Hadden  :)

Naomi

It's definitely the Corries.  They're in their stage 'costumes' so I would guess they were also on the lineup sometime that evening.
I wonder who supported who ?

The Corries - Support: Ralph McTell or  Ralph McTell with support: The Corries.       :-\

I read from 'someone in the know' that it is the Corries and I quote...."These were from a tv prog about 1982 titled (I forget but I remember recording) . It was with the folk group 'The Corries'. Off the top of my head I think it was filmed at their 'club' somewhere in Scotland."

 Well spotted N&C  ;) and thanks so much for spotting the 2 more he's added, fantastic! Just love the children's stuff so much.  ;D

I just watched those clips at the club the other night, they were absolutely wonderful!

Some rather good quality video with great sound are up from the Maggie Boyle Benefit night....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NDh77Q44co

Hi all,

Just noticed this, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4CV52e36os) this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB_5FtruSzQ) andthis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZyTeQ5LrgE) on YouTube. One new, two old songs. As is often the case with Ralph, though, even the old ones those have slight changes and variations that keep them fresh after so many years.

All well worth watching/listening.

Naomi

PS Hope you're all well - haven't been on here much recently, sorry. I was pretty disappointed when Ralph's Celtic Cousin's tour ignored North Wales - something he's been doing for the past 10 years or so, I don't know why! That, plus the announcement of a general reduction in touring (though understandable) left me feeling a  little sad and fed-up about anything Ralph-related for a while. It's impossible for me to stay away from his music for long though  ;)

Three videos posted recently, intriguingly by someone named “Ralph McTell”.

A video accompaniment to the Unknown Soldier (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAJzuRdf-JQ)

  Slip Shod Tap Room Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPxwXgqrimM)
And

 Mist on the Estuary (http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMcFNJS42wg)  which I thought was called Milk for One
The last two being live at Laugharne  with a camera angle which probably puts the camera on stage.

Good spot, Carl. Looks like Ralph has entered the digital age!

Ralph McTell You Tube Channel (https://m.youtube.com/#/channel/UC9f6Y00a23BAl94h5dtapKQ)

I can only view slipshod....one says private video, the other page won't open?  :'(

Explanatory note here:
http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/happy-new-year-2015/#more-4014

Hi Joanna, 

Nope,  it's gone.  It was Ralph's recording of the Unknown Soldier set to the original footage of the ceremony of the Unknown Soldier.  The other has reappeared under the title I'm familiar with , Milk for one.  Use the link on John's post. 
Hopefully The Unknown Soldier will return at some point too. 

Happy New Year,
Carl & Naomi

Amazing what surfaces on youtube...  ;) Thanks Henrik for alerting us to this gem.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwhJT_UkdG4

Thanks, tak Henrik.

I can imagine the producers planning this, " Hey, I know, lets punish these old folkies by taking out all the chairs and making them sit on uncomfortable blocks and we'll surround Ralph so some only see the back of his head".

Stumbled on this on YouTube:

Bert Jansch Stefan Grossman Jan Akkerman Ralph McTell 1975 (not a bad quartet!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ie4rOUjsFw

And McTell's shirt blends so well with the wallpaper too!

How lovely.....  :-* {:-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md7rtmgygFw

'Streets' performed at St. Georges day festival, Trafalgar Square...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqc94F2yc_4

Just showing my grandson Ralph's Tickle on the Tum videos  :D and wondering if anyone else thinks the poster of the videos looks just like 'our Jim' ?  ;D After all it is from a 'certain age back then!'




https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD3gLu11H0ab4PqcLj-pMxw?app=desktop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C88NrWUENoE&feature=youtu.be

100 years Ypres concert that Ralph was invited to perform and to take part in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcIyVRG97dk

If you have 1hr.37mins to spare this Ralph interview is the best I've ever watched.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb3kSRTinLE&t=34s&fbclid=IwAR0D6xUxScg3ZDMiE2xxwC6tSv-UP1IJIGxEgz63ZhwqgaD9HYkEXkRDcI8&app=desktop

Thanks for the link. Is the interviewer the same person in The Trial of Ralph McTell?

It's Tim Quinn interviewing Ralph. This is 'The Trial' info

The very Monty Python-esque sketch, which was custom made for guitarists and bassists, features appearances by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler and Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister, plus Gary Moore and Level 42 bassist Mark King—all of whom jam a bit at the end. The two gents at the beginning of the sketch are Rowland Rivron and Simon Brint; Dawn French plays the judge and Jennifer Saunders is the stenographer.

Ralph from 5 minutes in......


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AZ2Af6xTnM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR33cq-iBqtmhwlrCJKadBbsxEa3KuztFrCtQE_8Yvg54-b5JKJPIuGw05c

I’ve only just seen this. It’s wonderful!

Where have you been?  ;) ;) ;D

It is so moving isn't it? I plan to watch it around Remembrance day each year. Ralph gets very emotional when he speaks about it all.  :'(

I watched it on my phone then put it on the TV for Mike to see. Mike has sung at the Menin Gate with the Barry Male Voice Choir. We both sat blubbing!  :'(  I wonder if the whole concert is on YouTube. Must go and investigate.... :)

Welsh male voice choirs bring out the emotion in me. Have you listened to Ralph singing 'The Enemy Within' with the colliery band and male voice choir as backing? It's on his 'Sand in your Shoes album' A very fine album indeed from a good few years back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXATUQ_z-1o

I will check that out later Joanna - thank you! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMNrOvQ2AdQ&feature=youtu.be


Hesitation blues with Peggy...  ;)

A word from Ralph on Remembrance Sunday....

As I write this, my new recording of The Unknown Soldier is just back from mastering.  The astonishingly gifted Graham Preskett, a hugely talented musician, has arranged the work. We were unimpeded by the Covid rules; despite being restricted to only 5 musicians at a time into the studio and the horn section submitting their parts via the internet, Graham managed to weave the different elements together seamlessly.
 
 I wanted this version to represent all the Home Nations who fought in the Great War and asked an old friend and a couple of new ones if they would read the spoken sections of the piece.  They all agreed and waived any fees so that all revenue raised can go straight to the Royal British Legion Poppy Day appeal.
 
 Sir Billy Connolly represents Scotland.
 Sir Anthony Hopkins represents Wales.
 Liam Neeson OBE represents Ireland.
 Yours truly represents Croydon and England.
 
 We are also producing a brief film about the story of the Unknown Soldier and my motivation to write the song.  Both the song and the film will be available free to view on all my social media on Remembrance Sunday, 8th of November, with a click-to-donate button for those who feel able to give on my Facebook page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v3liUY2gSE

Australia's Mastermind......the second contestant answering questions on the life and music of Ralph. From 4.26 seconds in.....I got 5 incorrect  ::)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=C98qnV3ZsGE&fbclid=IwAR0KENlQF32UmTF5yaTU7UAYjWHM6JFuNl_7vN42RZB-Fn5TGDESMrZxSIw

Oooh, I’ll have a go later

It’s worth a look.