The 100 Club .... and getting close
RALPH, ALBERT & SYDNEY
The 100 Club .... and getting
close
The original idea for this page came about because I knew a few people had or had come close to attending 100 Ralph McTell Concerts. I thought a few questions about their journey would be nice. But I then thought it would be nice to open this up to all, while, of course, acknowledging those who deserved a telegram from the Queen for passing the 100 mark ....
My thanks to all who contributed to this page.
Andy Langran
Naomi
Squire
First Concert 1991
Huw
& Tony Williams
First
concert I attended
March
1991 at Theatr Clwyd, Mold, N. Wales. I’d only heard of the one song of his
before, and seen a couple of episodes of ‘Alphabet Zoo’. We were so
overwhelmed by our first experience of Ralph performing live that we can’t
remember any thing at all about the support act which preceded him!
Most recent
Concert
November 24th
2005 at the Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead.
Favourite venue
probably
Pacific Road, though I’ve liked all the venues we’ve been to to see Ralph
performing. It’s an old engine shed which has been renovated and adapted to
provide an arts centre that is plain/basic but welcoming. It can be cold though
– last time I thought it was just me feeling freezing. However, when Ralph
came out to meet people at the end he’d changed from the polo shirt he
performed in to a long sleeved shirt, and a jacket zipped up under his chin, so
obviously I wasn’t the only one!
Least favourite
haven’t really got one.
Worst/most peculiar journey
Probably the one to Theatr Gwynedd, Bangor,
a few years ago. We drove both ways along the A55 coast road in torrential rain,
and a howling gale. (In the tour diary on his old web site Ralph wrote that he
spent that night at a hotel in Beaumaris. He said that the stormy winds rattled
his window so much that he had to stuff the edges of the window panes with tea
bags to stop them rattling before he could get any sleep!)
My
favourite concert.
Very hard to pick one – they all have special moments. If I had to pick one it
would be the one at the Hub arts centre near Oswestry in April 2006, mainly for
two reasons:Firstly,
we were sitting in the middle two seats of the front row, and Ralph was
performing on a low platform (about 50cm high) so close to us that I would only
have needed to take about 3 steps to stand next to him. Secondly, the arts
centre is only a few miles from Park Hall where he spent his brief army career,
which made for some interesting comments from Ralph. He said that it was the
first time he’d been back to the area since he left the army when he was a
teenager. At the end of the gig he spoke briefly about his very unpleasant
experiences in the army (though in nowhere like as much detail as in ‘Angel
Laughter’), and you could tell that the memories where still painful.
Unsurprisingly, this led into ‘Lost Boys’, then he finally ended by saying
“This is Junior Private 23783801 (his army number) Signing Off."
Park Hall is now an agricultural showground and farm centre, which advertises
itself as ‘A great Day Out For all the Family’ – not exactly what Ralph
said about it! I wonder whether he visited it that day. You can still see what
appear to be old army barracks from the main road – we pass there frequently -
and I often wonder if one of them was the one where the events described in the
autobiography took place.That night was also the first time I got to meet Ralph
after a show – another reason that it was special. It’s also memorable for
the fact that Ralph performed most of the first two songs with his eyes tightly
shut – until someone took the hint and dimmed the very bright spotlight!
The song I always love to hear.
Well – ‘Naomi’ I suppose for obvious reasons! I
also think that songs such as ‘Lost Boys’
and ‘Peppers and Tomatoes’ can never be fully appreciated except in
live performance.
Song
I have never heard Ralph perform ... but I'd REALLY like him to
None in particular, but here are some I’d like to hear just so that I could
hear more about the stories behind them – ‘Nightmares’ and ‘Daddy’s
Here’, for example. (I believe that Ralph has said that it’s unlikely that
he will ever play the latter in public.)
Favourite
Support Act
The last few gigs I’ve been to haven’t
had supporting acts. As I mentioned before, I can’t remember much about some
of them. The act that really stands out was ‘Huw & Tony Williams’ –
both entertaining and thought provoking – complemented Mr. Mctell’s
performance perfectly.
Paul
Jenkins
Cincinnati
,
First Concert Attended 2004
The First Concert I attended
October, 2004 Ingleton Folk Festival
Where I saw Ralph most recently
See above.
Favourite Venue [s]
There’s only been one, but I loved it.
Least Favourite Venue
Does not apply.
My Worst/Most Peculiar Journey to a Concert
Flying from Cincinnati USA to the UK
just (well not completely “just”, but it was a major reason) to see
Ralph! My brother was teaching in Galway Ireland for a semester, so I went
over to see him for a week before flying to Wales. Our own Andy Langran
picked me up in Cardiff and—after ascertaining that I was not an axe
murderer—put me up for a few days. Andy lives in Neath with two
wonderful kids, Isaac and Martha, and the beautiful Deb. While in Neath,
Andy contacted John Beresford, another name that should be known to many FOR
(fans of Ralph). John was nice enough to pick me up at the Manchester
train station and drive me out to Ingleton (Yorkshire) in time for me to check
into my B&B and catch Show of Hands the same night. Show of Hands was
(were?) absolutely brilliant. They made a new fan for life that
night. The following night (after a day spent in beautiful Ingleton—go
there if you ever have a chance) I fulfilled a livelong (well, 8 year-long to be
strictly accurate) dream by seeing Ralph perform in person. He didn’t
let me down. He played most of the songs I wanted to hear and surprised me
by playing Dylan’s “One Too Many Mornings”, one of my favorite Bob
songs. In the middle of the show he told the crowd I’d made the trip
from the USA to be there. Goosebumps! I had a chance to chat with
Ralph for 20 minutes after the show. What a gentleman! I even got to
hug Nana. I didn’t think I’d do this, but as soon as I saw her I
blurted out “oh, can I hug you?” and she was polite enough to oblige.
Yes, I get a bit enthusiastic at times. Pics from the night show me with
the biggest imaginable smile on my face.
My Favourite Concert
My only one—see above.
The Song I always love to hear
“Barges”
Song I have never heard Ralph perform ... but I'd
REALLY like him to
“Gray Sea Strand”, rather
obscure but a favorite of mine.
Favourite Support Act / Guest:
Show of Hands
Most memorable person I met at a Concert:
John Thomson from Scotland.
We’d exchanged e-mails for a year
or so, and he drove down from beautiful Hamilton to take in the shows when I
told him I was flying over. He’s a dynamite performer in his own
right. Excellent singer and guitarist and big Dougie Maclean fan. I
was lucky enough to hear John perform at an informal session the day of
Ralph’s concert.
David and Joan
Baxter
Scotland
First Concert, 1974
First Concert we attended
1974, Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. Tour with Prelude.
It's a long way from 1974 to 2006
Where we saw Ralph most recently
Most recent concert, Derby, November 2005 which
was a surprise for my 50th Birthday. Well done Joan.
Favourite Venue
So many to pick from but the concert we went to in
Roskilde, Denmark was memorable. It was held in the Hotel Prindsen in the Golden
Room which had the most ornate ceiling and panelling we have ever seen.
My Least Favourite Venue
Haven't really been at a bad venue, although
some are better than others, it doesn't really matter as long as Ralph turns up.
There was one occasion when we turned up as a family of 4 at Northampton but
unfortunately nobody else did, including Ralph. He made up for it the next
night.
My Worst/Most Peculiar Journey to Gig
Never really had a bad experience although on one occasion
our journey in the venue to our seat was eventful as Donard had commandeered our
two seats for his equipment. Lucky White Heather.
Our Favourite Concert
Dylan Thomas Concert, Swansea 2003. The Royal Festival Hall birthday
gig was also immense.
The Song I always love to hear:
Very difficult, but The Heron Song. Clown comes a close
second but there are so many.
Song I have never heard Ralph perform ... but I'd
REALLY like him to
Has to be " Flower of Scotland", and
probably never will.
Favourite Support Act / Guest
London Gospel Choir at birthday bash. Also Cara
Dillon as we have become enchanted by her since that night.
Most memorable person I met at a Concert
Must be Ken W !! We have both met many people
throughout the years who generally have become friends thanks to Ralph. Since
our first concert we have both travelled thousands of miles to listen to the
great man. Because of his concerts we have visited places which we would
probably never have gone to and this has provided us with many memories, never
to be forgotten. It has become part of our life together and when we are
depressed or at a loose end we can always listen to his music or watch a video
or dvd which cheers us up and reminds us of the good times.
It has been a memorable journey which we would never have missed and hopefully
it will continue for a few years to come.
Looking forward to our spring trip and will hopefully meet up with you and Ken
at Bromsgrove, not long now.
Tim Jones
Barry
First Concert 1972
The First Concert I attended
Barry Memorial Hall (Dec 72) - my home town. Thanks to
Barry Folk club for sponsoing the gig as it was my first intro to Ralph.
Where I saw Ralph for the 100th Concert / Where
I saw Ralph most recently
Blackwood April 04 - I had a sub-machine gun ! it was the
only night of the year the local "Lost Boys " were allowed out.
Favourite Venue
Cardiff New Theatre - beautiful old theatre -the only ever
concert I attended was by Tom Paxton. Should be used more.
Least Favourite Venue
Worcester Huntigdon Hall?
My Worst/Most Peculiar Journey to a Concert
Bristol - but not in centre - got lost big time.Missed
about 5 songs.
My Favourite Concert
St. Davids Hall Cardiff - 25 anniversary tour 92l - Ralph
was in superb form and had Huw and Tony Williams as support - great intro to
them.
The Song I always love to hear
Tequilla Sunset
Song I have never heard Ralph perform ... but I'd
REALLY like him to
El Progresso
Favourite Support Act / Guest:
Huw and Tony Williams. Great pity thet have split now
after 6 great albums.
Most memorable person I met at a Concert:
Huw Williams cos he's a huge Ralph fan.
I was at the Gorseinnon concert too.I think "Sand in
Your Shoes" album is the best by anyone ever!! Can't wait for the Newport
concert as it's a new venue. Looking forward to the box set.
Mike Cohen
Bristol
First Concert 1973
First Concert I attended
Imperial College London 1973 ... sat on floor with my girlfriend
Melinda. Ralph and Danny Thompson. Can remember it like it was yesterday
Where I saw Ralph for the 100th Concert
Ralph at Swindon Arts Centre, 2005... when I bought his old Harmony Sovereign. Sadly too
embarrassed to play him a note. Great Chinese with Andy and Ken after the show
and Andy demonstrated wonderful sense of direction getting back to
their hotel!
My Favourite Venue
St George's Brandon Hill Bristol. An old converted Church in middle
of
Bristol used a lot for BBC Radio 3 recordings. Great acoustics
My Least Favourite Venue
Swindon Arts Centre. They shut the bar post gig as well-what?
My Worst/Most Peculiar Journey to Gig
60th birthday at RFH. M4 shut due to accident. Went apoplectic. My wife
Michaela insisted I leave her and the children-she was on her way to Kent to
stay with her folks. I jogged 5 miles to Reading station and took train. Got
there with 45 mins to spare!! Michaela took her seat as Ralph entered strumming
Gypsy.
My Favourite Concert
Well Hall Open Air Theatre 1973. Ralph, Danny Thompson and Mike Piggott. I think
they were well oiled and it was brilliant.
Second Concert
The Limelight Aylesbury 1993 (my home town at the time) with Show of
Hands supporting
The Song I always love to hear:
Around the Wild Cape Horn
Song I have never heard Ralph perform ... but I'd
REALLY like him to
Pykey Boy-come on Ralph do it this tour!
Favourite Support Act / Guest
Show of Hands. First saw them supporting Ralph and have been
following ever since. They are wonderful.
Most memorable person I met at a Concert
Rory McGrath. In the queue for a drink at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
I'm a Spurs supporter and he follows a little known team called Arsenal. We had
a good laugh and he was very funny.
back to the top
Marianne James
First Concert 1971
First Concert I attended
Brunel University, Uxbridge. 1971
Where I saw Ralph most recently
Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead. November 2005.
My Favourite Venue
Royal Albert Hall.
My Least Favourite Venue
Wimbledon Theatre.
My Worst/Most Peculiar Journey to a Concert
Norden Farm - journey alright, but almost had to walk the same distance again to
the venue from where I had to park the car!
My Favourite Concert
Royal Albert Hall. 30 Jan 1974.
The Song I always love to hear
Let Me Down Easy
Song I have never heard Ralph perform ... but I'd
REALLY like him to
Alexei.
Best Support Act / Guest
Prelude
Most memorable person I met at a concert
Rory McGrath at Cromer 2005. Got to know him via phone and email
whilst working on The Birthday Book. Good to meet him at last.
John Beresford
Manchester
First Concert, 1970
I don't think I have missed a year since 1970, but I'm
surely no where near 80 let alone 100!
First Concert I attended
Free Trade Hall, Manchester, Autumn 1970.
Where I saw Ralph most recently
The Lowry, Salford, 5 November 2005 - maybe
my 50th gig?)
My Favourite Venue
The Haden Freeman Hall (honest!!), RNCM, Manchester -
it
was sponsored by SEMA when Ralph was last there
My Least Favourite Venue
Nettlebed Folk Club - it's a Nissen hut
in the middle in the Cotswolds(ish) with soldier rows of wooden chairs and no
tiering. Great gig though!
My Worst/Most Peculiar Journey to a Concert
The St Helens Citadel website said 'Park at Tesco' - what they didn't
say was that Tesco was now called Sainbury - we drove round the one way system
of Greater St Helens for what seemed like hours and got to the theatre with
seconds to spare.
My Favourite Concert:
The London Show! Fantastic atmosphere.
The Song I always love to hear
Streets of London. Of course!!! - it still
sends a shiver down my spine and I always choke up when I try to join in.
Song I have never heard Ralph perform ... but I'd
REALLY like him to
March of the Emmetts - Chris Hockenhull says it was a
live recording of this song that persuaded Nat Joseph to give Ralph his first
recording contract
Favourite Support Act / Guest:
Show of Hands. Paul Downs and Phil Beer did the folk club circuit in
the mid seventies. I called it the 'down some beer' night. I first saw Phil and
Steve supporting Ralph at the RNCM in 1995 - since when I've seen Ralph
supporting them at the Royal Albert Hall and the Eden Project!
Most memorable person I met at a Concert:
Interesting question! Has to be Ken Woolass. We made a habit of
missing each other for years. It got to the point where I would email Ken to
tell what I was NOT going to wear to make sure he missed me! Eventually we got
it sorted, and now it's great to meet up with him occasionally - preferably
without knowing beforehand if he's going to be there!
Jeff Reynolds
Stafford
First Concert 1975
1. The First Concert I attended
In 1975 at Albert Hall in Nottingham. I was 16 and had been secretly
wanting to be Marc Bolan since the age of 11 but got hooked on finger picking
the acoustic guitar and that was that!
2. Where I saw Ralph for the 100th Concert OR Where I
saw Ralph most recently
Saw him last week at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre, great evening and
took some friends for their first `Ralph` experience and they thought it was
great.
3. Favourite Venue
Royal Festival Hall
4. Least Favourite Venue
None in particular
5. My Worst/Most Peculiar Journey to a Concert
In the mid 1990s I was living on the Cambs/Suffolk border and, for
some reason still unknown, I choose to drive on a Sunday evening to a theatre in
Redditch. Finding my way to a car park in Redditch took longer than the concert.
Strange evening and I think I may have even fallen asleep!
6. My Favourite Concert
Always the last time I see Ralph.
7. The Song I always love to hear
First Song
8. Song I have never heard Ralph perform ... but I'd
REALLY like him to
Solid Air - John Martyn
9. Favourite Support Act / Guest:
Box Fox and Stu Luckley
10. Most memorable person I met at a Concert:
My local undertaker! Last week at the Garrick, very scary when tapped
on the shoulder as the lights went down.
The First One Hundred
A Thought or Two from Jenny Melmoth - April 2006
While saluting the several people who must have attended more concerts than I
have, I can at least claim that in May of 2005 I clocked up my 100th McTell
Concert in the delightful Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, and wonder if this makes
me a centurion? Fortunately, I just avoided the 100 landmark falling at The
Citadel in St Helen's in late April (this was No 99). I am glad it worked out as
it did, for this was a least favourite venue despite the intimacy of the small
auditorium. We found the aggressive bouncers on the door behaving as if a Ralph
McTell audience were likely gatecrashers and troublemakers a decided turn off.
The Huntingdon Hall offers a friendly welcome, food and an art gallery before the show and a comfortable place for a drink and a chat afterwards. This is so important.
Ralph has huge magnanimity of spirit as anyone who knows him will be well aware, and he has made me many kindnesses over the years. While I would never take any of that for granted, perhaps it should have come as no surprise that he made this particular evening a magical one for me - was it mere coincidence that so many of my favourite songs featured in the set ? My own pleasure was enhanced by knowing how much Ralph values his loyal following, he never takes people for granted, rather he takes satisfaction from knowing that they are willing to travel long distances for the privilege of hearing him play. Having done my fair share of travelling myself, I scored a first this same evening by achieving a speeding fine on the way home (despite consciously trying to keep within limits) for I was flummoxed by a road that for reasons known only to itself had a 30 mile limit. I was doing 42.
My other 'journey story' dates from 1988 when, returning from Redditch, I stopped at the M6 service station just north of Birmingham and met a young Sikh from Walsall who was down on love and luck. To cut to the short story, my husband Graham was able to give him the work experience he desperately needed. Building on this chance, Jaz became part of the family and now has his own very successful graphic design company in Manchester. Full credit to Ralph for this one!
The Huntingdon Hall is also memorable because it was there, in 2000 that I first met Keith Littlechild who has played a large part in leading me into the Fellowship McTell. It is one of Ralph's many talents that he has the ability to make people feel special to him, and that far from generating jealousy this seems to create a bond . There is a wise song somewhere that says 'Love grows. . ' And so it does. I value all the contacts I have made since 2000, and I suppose one has to bless email and the Internet .
Inevitably, my 100th concert evoked memories. Could I ever forget my first ? It was at Drury Lane Theatre London 1975 - Easter Sunday or Monday (I think) though it could have been the May Bank Holiday. It closed that tour. It was a time of professional crisis for Ralph for it was the tour where he had tried to introduce a band and people were responding with 'On your own, Ralph!' He must have been in turmoil, yet the performance gave no hint of it - at least not to this novice audience member.
Only familiar with the songs from not till tomorrow and Easy It was the first time I had seen Ralph live and recall waiting somewhat impatiently through the support act (Gay and Terry Woods I believe) for the second half to begin. I remember seeing Maddy Prior move through the bar in the interval and realising later that she was singing backing vocals during Ralph's own set.
I was mesmerised from the moment Ralph came on stage and could not move a muscle except to applaud, I was not into writing down play lists for a long while to come but remember clearly the impact of hearing The Ferryman for the first time. After a few solo numbers the band came on to join Ralph. People were polite, but like me could not wait to have him to themselves again, which we did for the last few songs. Years later (for the millennium) I wrote some sonnets for Ralph's birthday, this first one probably gives a fuller impression of the impact of that occasion.. . . . . .
The memory conjures it as yesterday,
That moment in the theatre's waiting dark.
My expectation not at all fair play,
Your image caught on record in my heart;
I wanted you to match it. In my mind
Afraid I asked too much for it to work,
You were the star I hoped and willed to shine:
You do, exotic in a plain white shirt
You pin me hot and helpless to my seat.
I was compelled as if you held a gun.
The tender bullets laid me at your feet,
Your every note and word within me sung.
And when you smiled, it was the lightning blow
That left me dazzled in the afterglow.
I remember feeling desolate that just having discovered him 'live' Ralph was in danger of disappearing, so it was with huge excitement that I found him on the road again doing a massive tour in 1977 with Magna Carta appearing for the first half as support:
Manchester University Students Union - February 1977
The venue was so packed that it could have been dangerous. So much so that there
was a delay as Ralph would not come on till everyone had sat down - on the
floor. This time he was on his own and while I do not have details of the play
list, Right Side Up had just been released so I do recall Weather the Storm and
Naomi. I think that was also the first time I heard Old Brown Dog though could
not swear to it. Whenever it was, it rapidly reduced me to tears and has never
failed to do so since.
Manchester Free Trade Hall - May 1977
A packed hall, probably with a similar set to
the February one, though I can remember being impressed at how it also varied,
and Ralph's ability to field requests from the audience by performing one of the
songs shouted out. My husband went with me to this concert (his first) and he
was so impressed that we booked to take his parents to the last night of the
tour:
Royal Festival Hall - early June
1977 was the Queen's Silver Jubilee Year
This was the party time end of the tour. Everyone, including Ralph seemed to be
enjoying themselves and he was obviously happy and relieved to find his
audiences still out there waiting for him in a very big way. Two particular
moments stayed with me from that concert, the closing number Goodnight Irene
which was a fun loving romp with Magna Carta, and a spine tingling melter half
way through - the first time Ralph made a dedication to me; unsurprisingly, The
Ferryman has been one of my all-time favourites ever since.
On leaving the Festival Hall the Embankment was sparkling and in one of the office blocks some windows had been lit so that they spelt E II R. There was magic in the air and possibly unicorns cantering the streets.
The Royal Festival Hall has remained a favourite venue to see Ralph, not least for his fantabulous 60th birthday concert where the exceptional Cara Dillon made such an impression singing (barefoot) There Were Roses.
For the record, there are two songs I would love to hear Ralph sing live - Birdman and, in contrast, Unwin the Unicorn (the only lyric from Alphabet Zoo to grace the splendour of Time's Poems). I have never known Ralph to give anything but a high quality performance, there is only good, better and those with the wow factor. I could pick several 'favourite concerts' from recent years; obviously Worcester last year, then there was Swansea (November 2003) where Ralph performed the whole of The Boy with A Note and a wonderful one at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick in 2002. My least favourite concerts are those frustrating ones which occur nearby (eg Buxton) when we are away on holiday!
It would be wrong when heaping praise, not to acknowledge the huge part Donard plays, not only in providing the superb sound, but also with his warm, caring charm which adds sparkle to the evening. Alan O'Leary before him was especially kind in the days when waiting to see Ralph afterwards felt like a giant step for womankind . . . and, then there was the never-to-be-forgotten Jonah. All of them part of the Fellowship, but at the heart can only be that one man, who fills any hall by dint of personality and talent, though he entranced audiences further in 2002 when he succumbed to providing some special effects - red shoes for The National Treasure Tour . . .
Haiku
You, caught red-footed
tapping secrets, in rhythm
with the
watcher's heart.
* * * * * *