Affairs of the Heart
4 CDs of Ralph's love songs
Released 14 February 2010
Mike Cohen's
Bridge of Sighs
Review
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"Travelling Man provides a timely reminder of Ralph McTell's earlier work, and - even more importantly - the fact that the quality of his writing is still improving"
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Welcome to this Ralph McTell Site
On this site you will find articles, reviews and interviews on Ralph McTell and his music, including a comprehensive Discography. Use the menu at the top of the page to find your way around.
We try to keep up to date on Tour News where possible.
If you have any Articles, interviews or reviews, perhaps you could let us know. We are particularly looking for articles from 70s publications, such as Melody Maker, Sounds, New Musical Express and Folk Roots, along with any articles from the national and local press.
If you would like to add a Review of a Ralph McTell concert you have attended, or of a favourite McTell album, then email it to us and we will add it to the appropriate page.
We plan to send short email updates out from time to time, with any current news – Radio appearances, Tour amendments etc. If you would like an update, please let us know. You don’t have to be in the UK for this – it will just keep you up to date with what Ralph is up to.
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Stan and Ollie dance on this page, because we know Ralph is a big fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andy Langran and John Beresford
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Ralph McTell - New Compilation CD - Release Date: February 14th, 2010.
'Affairs of the Heart' is a wonderful new compilation of 56 of Ralph's love songs, covering the full range of romantic experience from 'When they were young' to 'Bicker and rue'.
The presentation is carefully designed on a number of levels - the four CDs and booklet are housed in a facsimile cigar box redolent of a more romantic era; the 'billet doux' CD envelopes are franked with 'Mitcham' and 'Croydon' postmarks (following 'The Journey' theme?); and the booklet has helpful 'discography' links that make it a representative sampler of Ralph's current CD catalogue. In fact it makes an ideal McTell 'starter pack' - a splendid gift for Valentine's or any other day - Mothering Sunday is next up! - and at a bargain price from Ralph's website shop.
Rory McGrath - a big Ralph fan - has written comprehensive notes on the tracks, which include all 23 songs from the 1989 'Collection of His Love Songs' (though not all are the same recording). The additional material is mostly more recent, including six from 'The Boy With a Note'. For the track listing see Trackin' Back.
The price from the McTell Shop is £22.45 including postage to UK addresses. The cheapest elsewhere is now Tesco at £24.47, whilst Amazon's price has reduced to £30.93, and HMV's to £35.99.
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Benny Gallagher - Live Album
I recently purchased a live album by Ralph's mate Benny Gallagher, One Stage. The album is terrific and includes, amongst other things, some well known songs from Benny's collaborations with Graham Lyle ....
1 We The album is available from Benny's My Space web site and also via ITunes, which is how I got it ....
While on the subject, can I also mention the solo album by Benny's other 'alf, Graham Lyle, Something Beautiful Remains ....
Of the Ralph Christmas Shows I attended, the best surprise was the appearance one year of Gallagher and Lyle, who reunited for the show. It was great ... Ralph wasn't bad either that night if I remember right .... ONLY JOKING!!
__________________________________________________________ Bridge of Sighs Review Bridge of Sighs - Ralph McTell - Leola Music TPGCD27 As I listen to Jerry Donahue’s silky smooth Knopfler-like guitar riffs in “Throw Out a Line and Dream” my mind wanders to where I was and what I was doing 21 years ago in 1986. I was living in Brighton with my then girlfriend, later to be my wife, and working as a GP Trainee. We looked after an elderly population and there were many home visits. It wasn’t too bad as I listened endlessly to my cassette recording of the vinyl copy of Bridge of Sighs as I went about them. I think it was interspersed with a recording of Ralph on the then excellent Jim Lloyd’s Folk on 2. I wonder where that cassette is now and remind myself to check whether it is in the loft. I shall have to dig it out again.
So it was with much delight that last night I bought a copy of the last of Ralph’s vinyl backlog, now finally on CD, at his concert in Bristol. Incidentally, Ralph played a belter of a gig to a full and appreciative house at the beautiful St George’s at Brandon Hill.
This phase in my life heralded a return to some sort of stability as in the preceding years I had spent relatively short periods working in various hospitals. I had lost touch for a while with Ralph’s music and his live work. It also coincided with a period in Ralph’s professional life when he was emerging from his career on children’s television and returning to writing and performing for a more mature audience. Well, we were sort of adults I guess!
I love this album. It contains some of his strongest work. Songs such as Mr. Connaughton, The Girl From The Hiring Fair, and The Setting have stood the test of time and still regularly appear as part of Ralph’s live set. I remember the early evenings as I ran through the Old Steine in Brighton just as you approach the Palace Pier. Hundreds of starlings used to roost in the trees... just like apples.
Musically Ralph is accompanied by his old best mates from Fairport Convention as well as long time associates such as Graham Preskett, Alun Davies, Jerry Donahue, Maartin Allcock, Richard Thompson and Danny Thompson. Backing vocals are performed by Benny Gallagher and, as with all of Ralph’s albums, there are some lovely strong harmonies. Ralph is responsible for the overall production.
There is an insightful critique of the songs written by Paul O.Jenkins who is somewhat of an authority regarding Ralph’s work. He explains that “the songs serve to highlight McTell’s keen understanding of the human condition and his ability to translate it into song”. Peter Thaine again is responsible for the lovely cover illustration and overall design which is as tasteful as ever.
A few years ago I remember Ralph in his usual self deprecating way tell a story about this album when it was out of production and the fact that some of his older albums were appearing at car boot sales for only a few quid. He quipped about someone asking if the album was still available and it being requested as “Bridget’s Thighs”!
Last night at the concert’s conclusion I gazed at the merchandise desk and pondered at the man’s artistic output laid out in front of me. I was speechless and quite moved. The sheer quality of his work is astonishing. And though the years have flown, the years have gone we are indeed blessed to still have him around writing and performing as strongly as ever.
So why not buy yourself a copy of this timeless album and turn back the clock?
Mike Cohen __________________________________________________________ Ralph McTell - Backstage with James Taylor at the Brighton Centre, March 31st, 2003
My thanks to Iconic Music for sharing this image with me. From left to right the shot features Ralph, Jacqui McShee (Pentangle), James Taylor, Dave Pegg (Fairport) and Gerry Conway (Fairport and Pentangle).
Please note this picture is © Rob Beattie. Please do not reproduce this image anywhere else without permission from Rob. Check out Rob's Web Site. __________________________________________________________
2 I'll Be There
3 15 Summers
4 Brushin Up on my Blues
5 Keep The Candle Burnin
6 Mrs Canatellis
7 The Rooster
8 The First Leaves of Autumn
9 How Come
10 The Salt Of Her Tears
11 I Wanna Stay with you
12 Malt And Barley Blues
13 Heart On My Sleeve
14 Stay Young
by Mike Cohen
Mike with Ralph - Swindon 2005
Bristol, Thursday, April 19, 2007
