I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous weekend .... and week ahead.
A SPECIAL NOTE on CHEERS & JEERS — as several of you are aware, C&J has been dark the past few days, as our host Bill in Portland Maine has been resting in bed (and awaiting some test results). There may be some bootleg diaries this coming week until BiPM’s return, which we hope will be in this coming week.
PROGRAMMING NOTE — notwithstanding the status of Cheers & Jeers: there will not be an Odds & Ends next weekend, as I will be travelling to a family event. It will return on Sunday, March 26th.
ART NOTES — an exhibition entitled American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent will be at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Museum of Art to May 14th.
In Philadelphia thru May 14thHAIL and FAREWELL to the jazz flutist Dave Valentin — the winner of a 2003 Grammy for best Latin jazz album — who has died at the age of 64 ….. to the author Robert Waller— whose best-selling book The Bridges of Madison County (despite its flaws) was a compelling story (and which the film version perfected) — who has died at the age of 77 …. and to the Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne — who held the post since the network’s inception in 1994 — who has died at the age of 84.
IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR with the Andrew Wyeth painting “Christina’s World” — Heather ‘Digby’ Parton gave us this image along with her essay Conway’s World from the other day.
SEEKING TO locate the remains of those whose lives were lost in the civil war waged by the Shining Path guerillas has been a goal of the government in Peru— without re-opening old wounds.
AFTER WW-II the government ended public school indoctrination of nationalism of students in Japan— but private schools have no such restrictions, and the present Administration of prime minister Shinzo Abe seems just fine with it.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Nacho the Cat — the Maine Coon kitteh of celebrity chef Bobby Flay.
Nacho the CatA NOTE on NETROOTS NATION 2017 — for those of you within driving distance of Atlanta (or via rail/bus) and are considering attending this year’s event (the first time in the South) but are somewhat hesitant, due to time commitments (and/or the cost) …. a thought.
Last year, someone made the trip to St. Louis solely to attend the Cheers & Jeers dinner on Wednesday, then returned the next morning. OK, maybe that’s not for you.
But a more practical suggestion: arrange to reach Atlanta on Friday night, and meet us at the hotel that evening — and unlike in some years, there is one main hotel. We had a wonderful Hootenanny in Pittsburgh several years ago (having a makeshift band with a washtub bass) in the hotel lobby that evening.
When you see sheet music … it’s seriousPerhaps a two-night hotel stay is more affordable (or you can seek a roommate to share costs; there are ways to arrange to do that). Or, stay in a less-central location within easy commuting distance.
Then, buy a day-pass to the convention just for Saturday — at a fraction of the cost for the entire event. Thus, you’ll still be able to attend some great seminars and panel discussions, hear noted speakers and can attend the closing party that night — then head home on Sunday. If you live in the South: this may be the closest the event will be to your home for years.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Blanco the Hero Cat— a Scottish kitteh who very excitedly awoke his family at 3 AM to alert them that a pan had been to left to burn on the stove too long.
Blanco the Scottish Hero CatTHE OTHER NIGHT yours truly hosted the Top Comments diary with a look at why the humble fax machine still has a place in today’s society ... long after its predicted demise (and contacting your elected representatives is part of that).
BRAIN TEASER - try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC.
FATHER—SON? — civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and Emmy/Tony award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne (photo taken at an awards ceremony — hat tip to mjbleo for her Facebook post that inspired today’s entry).
Jesse Jackson (born 1941) Laurence Fishburne (b 1961)...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… the English singer-songwriter Ralph McTell is known for not only his own works but also two shows on UK television as well as tribute recordings of works by some of his heroes, including Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. In turn, he has been an influence on folksingers across the British Isles and North America.
He was born in 1944 as Ralph May, named after the English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams - whom his father had worked as a gardener for before the war. He grew-up in post-war London after his father left the family when Ralph was only two. He began playing in skiffle bands in his teens, and developed a fondness for the Beat generation writers Kerouac and Ginsberg, as well as John Steinbeck. It was a performance at the College Jazz Club in London - by Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, performing the Jesse Fuller classic San Francisco Bay Blues– that was pivotal in him gravitating towards a music career.
In his travelling musician early days, he made the friendship of two future members of Steeleye Span (Jacquie McShee and Martin Carthy).
He began as a teacher (by day) and a folk club musician (by night) adopting the last name of Blind Willie McTell– the composer of Statesboro Blues that was a hit for the Allman Brothers. He landed a recording contract in late 1967 and released his first album the next year, mixing traditional blues with more modern folk songs. His second album contained the song "Streets of London" but which (at this time) garnered little airplay.
His 1969 third album My Side of Your Window became his best-seller to date and garnered a Folk Album award from the (now defunct) Melody Maker newspaper. He was now appearing at major festivals, including the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight show along with Leonard Cohen, Jimi Hendrix and Joan Baez.
In time, Warner Brothers became his American label, and he toured the US along with the band Fairport Convention– and once again, making lifelong friendships. Recording now mostly his own material, his 1971 album You Well-Meaning Brought Me Here includes "The Ferryman", one of his most popular tunes, along with 1972’s Zimmerman Blues– yes, about Bob Dylan.
Finally, in early 1974 Ralph McTell re-recorded Streets of London– and this version became his signature tune, as will be noted later. Ralph McTell had always been a quiet man and – with a growing family – decided to leave music, spending several months in America and also at his home in Cornwall, England.
Refreshed, he began performing in 1976 and had several album leases including some live recordings and a song called England — which he wanted not to be about ‘marching’, just simply about his love of country. But for much of the 1980’s he worked on two British television programs: Alphabet Zoo - which begat a show created for him, Tickle on the Tum– both of which introduced Ralph McTell to a younger audience. He did tour and record during this period, including being the opening act in 1987 for a UK tour by the Everly Brothers (whom he says were favorites from his youth).
He recorded a 1988 tribute album called Blue Skies, Black Heroes– because as he stated, "Most of my heroes are black, American, usually blind and most of them dead". In 1992, he recorded an album dedicated to the welsh poet Dylan Thomas - part music, part narration – and had a renewal of success in the US, when the US folksinger Nanci Griffith recorded one of his best-liked songs, From Clare to Here on her 1993 album Other Voices, Other Rooms– which won a Grammy Award. It led to a US tour in 1995 for Ralph McTell, along with several North American releases.
In the past twenty years, he has released several more albums, with a 2007 album Gates of Eden– with songs by Bob Dylan, Big Bill Broonzy, Woody Guthrie and others – and his two most recent albums are Somewhere Down the Road from 2010 as well as Sofa Noodling from 2012.
He has an autobiography from the year 2000 (plus a compilation album from that same year), a 70th birthday concert DVD from 2014 and while he has no current touring schedule— he is slated to appear at the Lyme Folk Festival in England at the end of summer. And just last year, the venerable C.F. Martin guitar company of Pennsylvania launched a Ralph McTell signature guitar, the RM50.
Ralph McTell has been awarded two Lifetime Achievement Awards: one by BBC Radio 2 and another by the British Parliament Folk Group (who previously gave such an award only to Tom Paxton). Not a bad recognition for someone working on nearly 50 years of performing.
Ralph McTell (late 1960’s) … now at age seventy-twoI normally avoid focusing on a performer’s signature tune – but with Streets of London being so popular, it’s worth a look. Originally to be titled Streets of Paris (as he spent some of his early years there) he changed it to London after he learned of a song covering the same topic. This song – if nothing else – serves as a reminder that somewhere, someone has a more difficult life than yours.
It reached #2 in Britain when it was re-released in 1974 and has been recorded by a wide range of performers: Ritchie Blackmore, Glen Campbell, Josh White, Jr., Liam Clancy, Cleo Laine, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin …. even the punk group Anti-Nowhere League. And below you can listen to it.
Have you seen the old man In the closed-down market Kicking up the paper with his worn-out shoes? In his eyes you see no pride Hand held loosely at his side Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's newsHave you seen the old girl Who walks the streets of London Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags? She's no time for talking, She just keeps right on walking Carrying her home in two carrier bags.
So how can you tell me: you're lonely And say for you that the sun don't shine? Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London I'll show you something to make you change your mind
x xYouTube Video