Manchester

Michael O' Mahoney Tribute Concert
The Half Moon Putney, May 10th 2003

Mike Cohen
Bristol
12/5/2003
Ralph made an appearance quite literally on home soil last Saturday. The place was the Half Moon in Putney and the occasion was a tribute concert to the late publican of the Half Moon, Michael O' Mahoney. As many of you will know Ralph and his musical associates have been closely associated with this venue for many years. Michael was instrumental in enhancing the profile of this venue in the music scene. Over the years musicians such as Ralph, Fairport, Bert Jansch, Elvis Costello and U2 amongst others have performed there. Sadly Michael died last year and typically Ralph arranged a tribute concert to be performed in his memory. The performers played for free and the proceeds went to cancer research charities. The concert was sold out some months ago and tickets were being offered over eBAY recently for £70-00 each. This was a standing room only venue.
The evening started with John Jones bringing Ralph onstage to say a few introductory words. It was clear that Ralph had been close to Michael and was clearly moved by the occasion. He then invited the Dylan Project on stage. Steve Gibbons, PJ Wright, Dave Pegg, Simon Nicol and Gerry Conway then proceeded to rip through some great Dylan material, some very old and some contemporary. They finished with a storming version of Highway 61 which then brought Ralph back on stage.
By then the room was rocking with a background hum.I wondered how Ralph would react to this as most of his concerts are played in auditoriums to fans sitting and listening earnestly. He started of with a couple of chorus songs- Weather the Storm followed by From Clare to Here, before launching into That'll do Babe.  The stature of the man as composer and performer is such that by the time he had finished this piece you could have heard a pin drop. He then went on to play Hands of Joseph and Sweet Dreams of Heaven with those lush descending bass runs. This was followed by Lost Boys and then a rousing Streets of London complete with an angelic "girls only" audience chorus. All too soon Ralph was off and on came Fairport who as always never disappoint and leave you wanting more.
Another sad moment came to light when Simon Nicol told us it was 25 years since Sandy had died and the band then performed "Who Knows Where the Time Goes". Indeed. Alas the decorum afforded to Ralph was sadly missing during this song. Fairport finished with a ripping Matty Groves before all the performers minus SN came back to finish with Ralph leading on Zimmerman Blues..My mind flashed back to 1975 when Ralph and his band were out on that ill fated tour. Ralph certainly is a fine solo performer but some of his music sounds so good with other backing musicians. I think however I am in a minority on this one. Steve then took over on "Like a Rolling Stone" before the evening ended fittingly with Richard Thompson's "Meet on the Ledge". 
So that was that. the evening went in a flash. As ever the "season ticket holders" hung around for Ralph to appear-no doubt keeping him from a well earned pint or two.As ever the man kindly obliged.
The memories of a wonderful evening will linger for a long time-if only someone had recorded it!

The evening opened with Nick Evans, from Heartland Publishing, thanking Ralph for his 35 years of touring, and announcing that Ralph will be taking a rest during 2003, this then being the last opportunity to see him in a concert setting for a while. The second part of Ralph’s Biography, ‘Summer Lightning’, was plugged, although at this stage, it did not need much plugging.

The set was simple. Grand Piano, two Yamaha L11E guitars on stands, and a table with a glass of water. Ralph then took the stage wearing his customary ‘uniform’ of black t-shirt and jeans and red suede shoes. He later mentioned the fact that, whilst he felt comfortable wearing the shoes in concert, he still could not pluck up the courage to wear them outside!

The show began with ‘I’m Satisfied’, a Mississippi John Hurt number from the latest album. Ralph then stated that the first time he played the QEH was 1971, and that he felt at home here. ‘Still In Dreams’ from the ‘Red Sky’ album was next, followed by ‘England 1914’ (Spiral Staircase) and ‘The Girl From The Hiring Fair’ (Bridge of Sighs). Ralph then sang ‘Lost Boys’ (Red Sky), the poignant reminder of how young men were expected to fight a war for our nation when they were only mere boys themselves.

Ralph’s ‘ecological song’ from 1971, ‘First & Last Man’ (You Well-Meaning) was next, and dedicated to Gus & Sheila Dudgeon, who were both so tragically killed in a car crash a few months ago. Gus produced Ralph’s first album and both he and Sheila actually sang backing vocals on this song on the original album. ‘Now This Has Started’ (Red Sky) and ‘Clare To Here’ (Right Side Up) led up to Ralph swapping guitars for the open-tuned Yamaha, and ‘Bentley & Craig’ (Water of Dreams) followed, with Ralph’s strong views against Capital Punishment being vehemently aired. ‘Sand In Your Shoes’ from the album of the same name closed an excellent first set and left the audience aching for more.

We didn’t have to wait for long. Ralph began the second set on piano with ‘England’, made famous in the closing credits of Billy Connolly’s television series ‘World Tour of England, Ireland and Wales’, then it was back to the trusty guitar for ‘Michael In The Garden’ (My Side Of Your Window) before ‘Streets Of London’, again with Ralph explaining that the real words of the song are ‘… and held loosely at his side, yesterday’s paper telling yesterday’s news’, and NOT   ‘...hand held loosely at his side..’ He expressed relief that in the new songbook, just released, the words are printed correctly for the first time ever!

Two lovely ballads followed; ‘Summer Lightning’ (Easy) and ‘Easter Lilies’ (Red Sky), before Ralph dedicated an instrumental Rag for “My Mum, who likes the ‘goey ones”! She would have enjoyed this one, which was greeted with rapturous applause. It was then back to the Grand for two songs that symbolise the dignity of old age. ‘Old Brown Dog’ (You Well-Meaning) and ‘Naomi’ (Right Side Up), before the beautiful ‘Traces’ from ‘Slide Away The Screen’ ended Ralph’s stint on the piano. For a guy who doesn’t read music, he doesn’t do a bad job!

With 2003 being the 50th Anniversary of the death of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, and with Ralph hoping to be involved in the activities next year in Swansea, it was fitting that he found time to incorporate a couple of numbers from his ‘Boy With A Note’ album. His ‘Tom Mates’ 12-string appeared for  ‘Irish Girl’ and ‘Conundrum Of Time’, which were dedicated to the legendary Welshman and his wife. Ralph then fixed his harmonica round his neck before dedicating ‘Working On The Railroad’ and ‘Rock Island Line’ to Lonnie Donnegan, who also sadly departed us recently.

Back to the Yamaha, and we were treated to a superb rendition of ‘Up’ (Red Sky) before Ralph reiterated what Nick Evans had previously told us; That he would be taking a year off, that he was not retiring, and that we might even spot him busking somewhere. The main reason given was to see more of the grandchildren and, basically, just ‘chill out’. You certainly deserve that Ralph. ‘Irish Blessing’ (Sand in Your Shoes) ended the set, and we had indeed been treated to two hours of wonderfully poignant music and song from a true folk legend.

Ralph appeared for an encore equipped with his infamous ‘mock’ National Guitar’, and the evening was brought to a close with ‘He’s In The Jailhouse Now’ and a blues instrumental which sent us all off totally satisfied, bouncing along the South Bank, and looking forward to what Ralph’s year off will bring.

Songs played: -
One Too Many Mornings. I’m Satisfied. In Dreams. Lost Boys. Easter Lillies. Working on the Railroad ( Rock Island Line) Conundrum of Time. That’ll do Babe. Streets of London. After Rain. Peppers & Tomatoes. Glory of Love ( please put this out on Songs for Six Strings!). Irish Blessing. Up.  

It was a prophetic act. Five minutes later, Ralph made his entrance in black shirt and jeans and the now-familiar red shoes, perched himself on the stool and strapped on the guitar.  He stayed in that position for an hour and a half and played a sublimely beautiful set of songs and tunes that placed the Yamaha as the star of the show.  Whether claw-hammered, flat-picked or in rag time, 'she' was clearly in full control of Ralph's fingers, responding effortlessly to every new riff and change of pace.

Ralph provided accompaniment with vocals and anecdotes, positioning the songs in their true-life settings.  There was the customary smattering of songs from Ralph's unwitting mentors, and self-penned material from the whole span of Ralph's thirty-seven years as a concert and recording artiste.

The word is out that Ralph will be taking a well-earned rest from touring next year, so if you were waiting for him to come nearer to you in the Spring, think again -  there are still ten dates left on this tour, which culminates with Ralph's seasonal South Bank concert on December 12.  I'll be there.

The set list, in chronological order: 'Glory of love' (from the singing of Big Bill Broonzey, 1956); 'One too many mornings' (from Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin' " 1964); 'Nanna's song' (1968); 'Streets of London' (1969); 'Nettle wine' (1972); 'Heron song' (1975); 'One heart' (1979); 'That'll do Babe' (1990); 'Conundrum of time' and 'Slip-shod tap-room dance' (1992); 'Still in dreams' and 'Peppers and tomatoes' (1995); 'Easter lillies', 'Lost boys' and 'Up' (2000); 'I'm satisfied' (2002, from the singing of Mississippi John Hurt, 1966).

Thanks, Ralph, for the songs and for the warmth of your friendship.

PS. Please don’t say ‘No’ to Cropredy.

I have only seen Ralph play at  Festivals a couple of times before- once when he topped the bill at Cambridge- and once at Cropredy. Tonight I and the sell out audience were not disappointed. He ripped through a long set comprising old and more contemporary songs plus the usual rags and blues. Despite being on stage for almost two hours the audience were asking for more well past midnight.

Highlights for me were the marvellous National Songs especially the humorous Arthur Blake's" In the Jailhouse  Now", and a powerful and dramatic rendition of "Peppers and Tomatoes".You could shut your eyes and imagine the story unfolding just outside the marquee as he sang "Hiring Fair"  Ralph has probably been best known for his gentler side but tonight his harder writing and performing edge was right out there for all to see and this was encapsulated by cracking renditions of "Michael in the Garden" and the more recent "Lost Boys". It was wonderful to see the audience singing choruses of not only "Streets" but also favourites such as "First Song".

Thanks Ralph for another great evening. See you in the Autumn if not before!

Songs played although not in this order were Up, Girl from the North Country, That'll do Babe, Hiring Fair, Michael in the Garden, Dry Bone Shuffle, After Rain, Irish Blessing, Now this has Started, Lost Boys, In the Jailhouse, Weeping Willow, Peppers and Tomatoes, First Song, Terminus, Hands of Joseph, Streets of London. 

On attending the gig later in the evening there they were.They shuffled and tapped away all night ably supported by the songs and music of Ralph Mctell.The evening was the highlight of the Leigh Folk Festival. Ralph sang songs going back through the decades to the early 70s.Songs included  Lost Boys,Peppers and tomatoes, Streets of London,to name but a few plus my own personal favourite Barges.
For those of you who are getting withdrawal symptoms waiting for the Autumn tour to be announced Ralph is at a few festivals in the Summer and I’ve noticed details are now on his main website.

And so to the gig. No Stagolee tonight ( a shame especially as his Bobness is currently performing in the UK wearing "a brand new Stetson hat") However this was more than made up for by another chance to hear his new arrangement of Lost Boys. He has put a top line into the introduction and bridge which drives the song along superbly. He finished with his new Yamaha in open D playing the "Setting" and "Sand in Your Shoes".( Earlier this week in Nailsea Steve Knightley cited Ralph as one of his earliest musical influences- Zimmo was the other. )

The sound was great- top marks to Donnard who never forgets a thing and remembered a spare battery for the gaffer's ear piece!

So off he sets for another town and another show. At a time when most of us might fancy a couple of pints in our local and a quiet night, Ralph McTell is hitting some hard travelling and giving it his all. Keep going Ralph-your fans around the country are enjoying your music more than ever.

Songs played were:-

Up, Hiring Fair, That'll do Babe, Let me Fly or Let me Fall, England, Finger Buster, In the Jaihouse Now, Weeping Willow, Candyman, Streets of London, Now this has Started, Easter Lillies, Lost Boys, The Setting, Sand in Your Shoes.

It was worth the wait, and the main hall at The Met was sold out in advance. Ralph opened the set standing with the Yamaha 6-string.  Relaxed and confident, he played 'Stagolee', a traditional ballad from Woody Guthrie's repertoire.  Then his own country-styled 'I don't think about you', followed by 'The girl from the hiring fair' that he wrote for Fairport Convention.

Returning to America, Ralph sang the 19-th century 'Hard times' by Stephen Foster, who died in the last phase of the war that freed the slaves who had taught him so much by their singing.

Swapping the wooden Yamaha for the steel resophonic 'Barnsley fighting guitar' (in case you weren't sure, Barnsley is over the border, in Yorkshire), Ralph produced a stool from behind his magician's table and treated us to Blind Boy Fuller's 'Truckin' little baby' and 'Weeping willow', split by his own 'That'll do Babe' - starting deceptively easily but leaving the audience breathless and amazed at the end. 

Next came the highlight of the evening, and I guess of this half of the National Treasure tour - the new 12-string guitar.  'England', retrieved from obscurity by the current Billy Connolly TV series, 'Fingerbuster' and the hauntingly beautiful 'Let me fly or let me fall' go straight onto my wish-list for a 'Songs for 12 Strings' CD.

Back to 6 strings for 'Streets', the 'blip on an otherwise spotless career'. Then, tuning the bottom string down to D, Ralph honoured an impromptu audience request for 'Nettle wine', and seamlessly retuned for 'Now this has started'.  No McTell concert would be complete without a reference to Blind Arthur Blake, and Ralph's interpretation of Blake's 'Dry bone shuffle' has become increasingly complex over the years - the refrain to 'Truckin' little baby' was in there, and did I hear the faint whistle of 'Freight train'.?! 

The finale comprised three songs from the Red Sky' CD - 'Easter lilies', 'Lost boys' (whose impact grows with each hearing) and 'Up'. Another wonderful set by a wonderful performer in full yet humble command of his gifts.  If you wait after the concert for Ralph to sign your new CD – or even the old LP sleeve you brought for this purpose - he will talk to you for two minutes as though you were an old friend. But first, the encore, and the red shoes solution to the 'Zimmerman blues', played on the 12-string.  Thank you once again, my friend, for truckin' my blues away.  Your road may take you away for a couple of weeks, but you'll be back in Lanky in May for your first visit to Salford's Lowry theatre.

Ralph in Taunton, April 16th, 2002
Mike Cohen
Bristol, UK
Ralph was in concert at Taunton last night looking very colour coordinated with matching red shoes and guitar strap!Despite being under the weather with a recent viral illness, Ralph as ever, produced a wonderful set.

Songs played were - Stagolee, Nettle Wine, Hiring Fair, He's in the Jailhouse Now, Hard Times, National 7, Let me Fly or let me Fall, Finger Buster, Heron Song, That'll do Babe, Streets of London, Now this has Started, Easter Lillies, Lost Boys. He encored with Up and Zimmerman Blues.

Highlights for me were a fabulous arrangement of Let me fly on his beautiful Tom Mates 12 String accompanied with harmonica. Also a new arrangement of Lost Boys which undoubtedly is one of his strongest current compositions.

We left the auditorium to the sounds of Cara Dillon singing Ireland his current finale to Billy Connolly's TV programme.
It was lovely to meet Carol and Stuart- see you again at QEH Bristol. The tour moves up north to Bury where I imagine John B will provide a more eloquent review than mine! So Donnard make sure Ralph gets some early nights and let's hope he soon gets over this bug. Go out and see him if you can-you will not be disappointed.  

John Beresford
Manchester, UK.

It is quite appropriate that Ralph McTell should have choosen the Purcell Room as the venue for the coda to his Autumn 2001 National Tour. For when Henry Purcell died in 1695 he was the most celebrated composer of odes and solo songs in the land, and McTell is in his own lifetime regarded by many as THE English singer-songwriter.
And, like Purcell before him, McTell readily acknowledges the influence of musicians from foreign shores. In Ralph's case, this is essentially trans-Atlantic, and much of his music nods in the direction of black (and often blind) ragtime guitarists, the social commentaries of Woody Guthrie and the changin' times of Bob Dylan.
So it was that Ralph's opening numbers included Woody's 'Hard Travellin' ' and His Bobness' 'One Too Many Mornings', lovingly picked on acoustic guitar, a gift from Mr & Mrs Yamaha. Looking relaxed on his trademark bar-stool, harmonica brace around his neck, the trans-Atlantic tribute continued with a virtuoso medly of his own 'Leah's Favourite' and 'That'll do Babe' - one inspired by Scott Joplin, the other dedicated to Ollie Hardy. Then the funtime 'In The Jailhouse Now', played on the proudly-owned steel guitar (that turns out NOT to be a 1937 National after all! Oh well, a guitar by any other name...)
Ralph's own travellin' days were represented by his odes to Australia ('In the Dreamtime'), French art cinema ('FIN', sensitively accompanied by Chris Parkinson on accordian), Ireland ('The Setting'), and finally his beloved Cornwall ('I Love Driving West').
The Hit, sung with audience obligato, was preceded by a monologue that needs to be seen on video, as Ralph graphically explained that the published score has a spurious 'h' in the first verse suggesting the Old Man has a loose hand. Many of his songs strike a chord in his fans' own experiences, witnessed by the number of requests and dedications that Ralph read out. He finished the set in seasonal vein with 'In the Bleak Midwinter', a childhood favourite and a constant request from fans who if they knew no better would swear he must have written it.
This was a superbly balanced set, drawn from a repertoire of nearly 400 songs and tunes written or sung during the last thirty-five years or so. Ralph is singing and playing - and writing - better than ever. Volume two of his autobiography is due out in the new year. He has just reissued - by popular request - an album of songs from the 1980's children's TV show 'Alphabet Zoo', and a similar CD of 'Tickle on the Tum' songs is promised.
The 'National Treasure' release has been delayed by the shocking revelation that the eponymous guitar isn't what it seemed (!)... oh dear, I'll have to think of another Christmas present.
Ralph's previous visit to the Purcell Room in 1998 resulted in the 'Travelling Man' double CD, praised by George Harrison for its 'superbly uncluttered recordings'. If purchance the sound desk captured the warm humanity of this performance, the CD of this concert will be a treasure beyond words.
God bless you and yours, Ralph. Thank you for blessing us.

Carol Gullick
Bristol, UK
Ralph was in fine form this evening for the last date of his current tour. There were many familiar faces around in the audience including some of Ralphs family and friends and several of us who had travelled a fair way to see him.
He played a real mix of old and new and threw in some Woodie Guthrie and Bob Dylan for good measure. For me, several songs stood out - most of all Fin and he was joined on stage for this number and the rest of the show by Chris Parkinson playing accordion and harmonica (he played on the Red Sky CD). This song was the highlight of the tour for me with its beautiful haunting melody. Others that I really enjoyed were Lost Boys, Sand in your shoes, He's in the jailhouse now and England 1914, which he sang for me! After rain was dedicated to Stuart Gentry who several of you would have heard of on this website.
Ralph left the stage after the Setting to re-tune his guitar and Chris did an unexpected solo spot which went down very well. Ralph did one encore - his favourite at this time of year - In the bleak midwinter. Unfortunately the staff seemed rather too keen to put up the house lights and Ralph didn't come out again - a shame for us 'cos we could have listened all night - the man was brilliant!!

Mike Cohen
Bristol UK
" We love driving west......."
Taking the above advice this time I took my long suffering family to see Ralph in Exeter.Ralph's music has been around us forever. The first thing I bought my,then girlfriend, now wife, Michaela was a tape of Streets. The two lads Mark and Matthew, seem to enjoy Ralph's children's and grown up songs so we hit the M5 in fine spirits.
The Exeter Phoenix is a great venue- lovely bar and restaurant and good sized auditorium right in the middle of Exeter. The concert kicked off at 8.30 a bit too late for our youngest! He strained forward to catch a good view of Ralph and then promptly fell asleep. Who needs "Keeping the Night at Bay" when we have our very own Rip Van Winkle?
Ralph was in fine form and played a great set. As always on this tour he was well received. He finished the performance with "Clown" which goes back to about 1966. Ralph pointed out that the song was older than his touring manager/ sound man Donard!
The two of them headed off to Dartford for the last gig of the tour at the Mick Jagger Theatre on Saturday evening. Hopefully Ralph was in good spirits because Fulham did win on Saturday! So thanks Ralph and Donard for another great tour. We look forward to hearing National Treasure soon and seeing you again in 2002.

John Beresford
Manchester, UK
Another full house for Ralph's National Tour. Ralph sat in his favouite position - on a barstool with plenty of foot-tapping room. He opened the set on the Yamaha acoustic guitar picked up on a mic, giving a purity of sound to show off his incredible finger-picking technique. Each song was accompanied by a story of the people or events that shaped Ralph and his songs, each delivered with confidence, grace and humour. Then the National steel guitar made its Accrington debut, followed by a reading from 'Angel Laughter'. Back to the Yamaha for the finale... everyone joined in on 'Streets', then listened in awe to a powerful rendition of 'Michael' before Ralph closed with 'Gypsy', which has become a new anthem for Freedom. To my amazement Ralph had performed for nearly two hours - the most enjoyable set I can recall in over thirty years of attending McTell concerts!
There's still time to catch Ralph on this tour. It's a show for all the family... take you Gran, take the kids, they'll all love this master at the peak of his craft.
The news on the National Treasure CD is that Ralph has one more track to lay down, and it should be out by Christmas. It's top of my pressie list already.