TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Looks as though Ralph is touring in November.

SpyBoy (http://www.spyboy.co.uk) who works out of the Hailsham Pavilion is putting him on in Hastings at St Mary in the Castle on Saturday November 2nd.

Tickets are NOT yet on sale, and will ONLY be available through the Spyboy website or direct with Hailsham Pavilion Box Office.



Edit: Broken link fixed

Wednesday 13 November @ The High Barn, Braintree

Ooo goody! that would be 2 concerts this year provided Cadogan Hall is added to the list as usual!  ;D

Updated

One More for the Road - Ralph McTell Tour 2013
Friday 4 October 2013 - Barnfield Theatre - Exeter
Saturday 5 October 2013 - Barnfield Theatre - Exeter
Sunday 6 October 2013 – Electric Palace (http://www.electricpalace.org.uk/ralph-mctell/) – Bridport
Tuesday 8 October 2013 – St Georges – Bristol
Wednesday 9 October 2013 - Theatre Severn - Shrewsbury
Friday 11 October 2013 - Artrix Centre - Bromsgrove
Saturday 12 October 2013 - Pyramid - Warrington
Sunday 13 October 2013 - Palace Theatre - Newark
Wednesday 16 October 2013 - City Varieties - Leeds
Thursday 17 October 2013 - Forum Theatre - Billingham
Friday 18 October 2013 - Playhouse - Alnwick
Saturday 19 October 2013 - The Sage - Gateshead
Thursday 24 October 2013 - Pavilion Arts Centre - Buxton
Friday 25 October 2013 - Theatr Mwldan - Cardigan
Saturday 26 October 2013 - Arts Centre - Pontardawe
Monday 28 October 2013 - Key Theatre - Peterborough
Tuesday 29 October 2013 - Norden Farm - Maidenhead
Wednesday 30 October 2013 - Chequer Mead - East Grinstead
Friday 1 November 2013 - Medina Theatre - Newport, Isle of Wight
Saturday 2 November 2013 - St Mary in the Castle - Hastings
Monday 4 November 2013 - Theatre Royal - Winchester
Friday 8 November 2013 - Concert Hall - Reading
Saturday 9 November 2013 - Royal & Derngate - Northampton
Sunday 10 November 2013 - The North Wall - Oxford
Wednesday 13 November 2013 - The High Barn - Braintree
Thursday 14 November 2013 - Open - Norwich
Friday 6 December 2013 - Cadogan Hall - London


See Ralph's website (http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour.php) for box office contact details.

The one in Shrewsbury is good for us  ;D ;D

It's an amazing theatre. It's a new building, but instead of knocking the pub next door down when they built it, they built right up to it and made a large archway through to it so it's all one building now! Wonder if Ralph knows about that? We've always thought it was a feature he'd like if he went there!

Can't wait- though I hope he goes somewhere near our  Mcfriends in and around Manchester so we can see them too!
Naomi

Going got the Sage - thanks for flagging these dates up.

 Barnfield Exeter booking Fri oct 4 AND Sat 5
 BOOKING OPENS on TUESDAY (4th JUNE) for...
RALPH McTELL - SAT 2nd NOVEMBER, ST MARY IN THE CASTLE, HASTINGS
 
BOOKING ONLY at the Hailsham Pavilion
RESERVED AUDITORIUM SEATS (£21.50) - BY PHONE - 01323 841414 AND ONLINE - www.pavilionhailsham.co.uk

One More for the Road - Ralph McTell Tour 2013

Full list now on Ralph's website (http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour.php) and updated above (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=40766.msg629068#msg629068).

Thanks for that link John. Pontardawe Arts Centre for me.  {:-)

Cadogan Hall is on Ralph's page but not yet listed at the theatre itself.....hurry up, want our usual seats!  ::)

Northampton Royal, Confirmed but tickets not on sale till end of june.

Thanks to a reliable source  ;D ;) Cadogan Hall tickets for Ralph in December are booked, usual seats.  ;D

Booked for myself, Martin K and a couple of McNewbies - With the pick of the theatre, I managed to bag some nice seats!  ;D ;D  8)

Sun 6th Oct   
Bridport  Electric Palace

Royal theatre, Northampton Nov 9th tickets are on sale from the box office and by phone now but its still not on their website. The lady seemed a bit surprised it wasnt bookable on line so it may be sorted soon. 2 front stalls on the aisle duly booked  :D

Thanks, tryer. Tour list updated above (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=40766.msg629068#msg629068).

Not long to go now  ;D I've had to wait until now before I could be sure enough of my calendar to try to get tickets, fortunately I could get some for Reading ... strange venue at the Concert Hall, but can't wait already ! Looking forward to all the reviews from the earlier shows to whet my appetite .... notebooks at the ready peeps...

Welcome Sam, can't wait for the Tour either but each year I cause myself so much anxiety as I always choose Cadogan Hall in London and its the last night so I too look forward to the reviews!

Thanks for joining us, take a look around the Mansions as we call it and join in the discussions that usually take off more around the time of the tour.

JJ x

I have just received Ralph's Autumn 2013 Newsletter as an email attachment. It has a message from Ralph, a list of tour dates, and the text of the 'One More for the Road' (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=41187.0) interview.

The email says tour tickets are selling fast and several venues are nearly sold out. Venue box office details are on Ralph's website (http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/).

If you are not Ralph's email list, you can subscribe to his newsletter by emailing shop@ralphmctell.co.uk.

I've just received a postcard from Ralph  ;D On the reverse side are the tour dates. Didn't think we had been receiving anything via snail mail for ages anyway?

Anyone else receive one of these?  ;) I recognised his writing as it wasn't 'Right Side Up'  ;D ;D Excuse the pun for those that get it!  ;D

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This is the reverse of the postcard. Coming to a venue or theatre near you hopefully, don't miss out, this may be the last big tour!

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Nice.....Next you'll be telling us that you're on his Christmas card list!... ;D

I got one of these yesterday. I think I got one about the last tour, as well. I have a feeling this may be the last tour, which is sad as i;'ve been going to see Mr. mcTell aboutua s long as i've been listening to music.

Just booked to see Ralph at Reading.  It will be the first time I've actually seen him, other than doing guest spots with Fairport at Cropredy.

Hi all,

We had one of those postcards too JJ  :)

I've spotted a couple of articles
here (http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/leisure/interviews/10704065.Folk_legend_Ralph_McTell_is_still_streets_ahead/)
and
here (http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/bridportnews/10707574.Ralph_McTell_set_to_play_Electric_Palce_gig/?ref=arc) connected to the tour.
No mention here of it being the final one though! (In fact, in one he mentions that he keeps on going while people are coming to hear him.) Either he's not sure himself if this will be the last (big) tour, or he just wants to keep us on our toes  ;D

I suspect though that it may be, at least in part, to seeing how his wrist copes with so many gigs. We're off to see him nest Tuesday - can't wait!

Naomi

You'll have to wait an extra day.  Ralph is Wednesday,  Maddy Giles & Hannah is Tuesday!  ;)

Enjoy Wednesday, looking forward to your report. Good job you have Carl to keep your diary.  ;D

Thanks for finding the links Naomi, we rely on you!  ;)

Did we know Ralph 'grew up in Poole?'  :o :-\
Have I missed something, thought it was Croydon after being born in Kent?!

You will enjoy it, don't forget to come back and tell us about it Will  ;)

I thought that as well.  ???

Woo hoo. Ralph in Shrewsbury tonight.  Tell you all about it later, or more likely tomorrow.   ;D ;D

Was beginning to think there wouldn't be any reviews from erstwhile Ralphites... not a lot going on on this bulletin board, hope Ralph doesn't monitor it and think no-one cares any more ! :D

Your review will be eagerly awaited...  :)

It’s almost 3 years since we first visited Theatre Severn (to see Cara Dillon), and I remember thinking almost as soon as I walked into the place that I wished Ralph would go there one day. Tonight I got my wish!
It’s a beautiful modern theatre. Sometimes newer theatres don’t have much character, but in this case they’ve knocked through into the former chapel next door and turned it into a bar – I think this intriguing mix of old and new is the reason I was so taken with it!

Incidentally, I feel that this review should be prefaced with ‘contains spoilers’ – just in case someone reading it has tickets for an upcoming gig and doesn’t want to know what songs are featuring in this tour!

We took our seats about 10 mins before Ralph was due on stage – second row, just left of centre, with an uninterrupted view of the stage – perfect! ‘Sofa Noodling’ was playing in the background, and a silhouette of Ralph with guitar, encircled by the words ‘One More for the Road’ projected onto the back curtain of the stage. On the stage, 3 guitars (one a 12 string) a grand piano and a harmonica. 8pm came. And went. After about 5 minutes, silhouette, music and auditorium lighting faded out, and the stage was lit up. Still no Ralph. Another couple of minutes elapsed before he finally arrived, in black jeans, blue polo shirt and shiny black shoes, carrying Miss Gibson (Four guitars! We thought that three was a lot for Ralph!), and was greeted by a roar of applause.

Having thanked us for the applause, he launched straight into ‘London Apprentice’, commenting at the end that London is a place no-one knows entirely, that there are always new bits to learn about.

His second song came as a complete shock to me – both in that it has great personal meaning for me, and because Ralph has said in more than one interview that because it’s so deeply personal to him he could probably never play it live – ‘Daddy’s Here’. He explained a bit about his family background at this point – how he last saw his father when he was 6, and about the effect of this on his family.

His next two songs – ‘After Rain’ and ‘Weather the Storm’ were, I think, both dedications/requests – one to Maart Allcock and his wife who were in the audience. Ralph explained that his memories of the effect of summer rain showers on the dusty housing estate in Croydon (Poole not mentioned!) when he was growing up inspired the first of these. I think the only thing he mentioned about the second one was that a number of his songs seem to be weather-related!

Next, he spoke about WW1, and the fascination it holds for him, arising partly from speaking to his grandfather, uncles and ‘not really’ uncles about their memories of the war. This led firstly into another request ‘Maginot Waltz’, and then into the first of two brand-new songs in the set, and the only one to be played on the 12 string.

He didn’t give a name for this song – in fact, he said that in some ways it’s still a work in progress, so perhaps it hasn’t got one yet so I’ll call it “Canopus”. It’s about a small steam engine called Canopus that ran between Pentewan and St Austell in Cornwall from the late C19 until the outbreak of WW1. It mostly carried Cornish clay from the pit to the harbour, but was also used to take children and families on Sunday School outings to the seaside. The engine was taken to the Continent after the war broke out, to be used for a much sadder purpose – to bring dead soldiers from the Front for burial. Ralph skilfully combines the imagery of it carrying the Cornish clay with that of the soldiers being brought from the mud of the trenches to be buried and returned to the clay from which, metaphorically, they came. A song of moving words and striking tune. I realise that it’s partly down to using the 12 string (and, of course, immense talent and constant practicing!) but this is one of these tunes with such an incredibly rich sound – melody, bass and more – that you find yourself astonished that it can be made by one man playing one guitar!

Then, back to Miss G for ‘Sweet Mystery’, prefaced by an explanation of him watching young couples leaving a disco many years ago, making what he said could possibly be described as ‘romantic’ suggestions / requests to each other, that were so blunt that the friend he was drinking with at the time, wondered aloud where all the mystery of romance has gone, giving rise to this song.

Next, two songs on the piano – ‘Traces’ – with no introduction or comments at all, and ‘Naomi’, with the story about visits to his great aunt and uncle that inspired it.

Back to the front of the stage, and Miss Gibson, next, for ‘Grande Affaire’ and ‘Housewives Choice’. ‘Housewives Choice’ was preceded by an anecdote about the recording of his ‘Sofa Noodling’ album – and how it came to resemble a scene from a fairy tale!

Ralph then spoke of programmes he’s been watching recently presented by Prof Brian Cox (who he described as an ex-musician, before mentioning his academic career!), and the sense of wonderment about the universe they’d inspired in him, before launching into ‘Lunar Lullaby’. This was followed by SOL – we were all invited to join in – apparently this brings tears to the eyes of his roadie, Eduardo.

Then an absolutely blistering performance of a song that’s been a personal favourite of mine since we were lucky to be at the first (just possibly 2nd ?) ever public performance of it, which he described at the time as a practice for its proper ‘premier’ at his 60th Birthday concert – ‘Around the Wild Cape Horn’.  It was word, tone and note perfect. I’m not sure why, but some performances of a given song just seem to stand out, no matter how often you’ve heard it before, and this was one of them. Stunning.

The following song, ‘An Irish Blessing’ brought tears to my eyes, as our daughter has just gone back to Uni for her second year. It’s the line ‘to cherish is the easy part, the hardest task is letting go’ that really does it I think! Another example of Ralph’s skill in expressing your everyday experiences and feelings in words better than you can yourself.

The penultimate song was also the second new one. It’s called ‘West 4thStreet and Jones’, and is based on a Bob Dylan record cover from 1963, containing a photo taken at this road junction in New York.

Finally, with little introduction except that it was dedicated to one of his guitar heroes, ‘The Ghost of Robert Johnson’, another outstanding performance.

Ralph left the stage, to more tumultuous applause, and returned to play ‘Hesitation Blues’ as his encore, again on Miss Gibson, leaving us to wonder what the other two guitars were for!    :) :) :)

He didn’t announce that he’d be coming out to ‘meet and greet’, but Eduardo had assured us that he would, so we waited, chatting with McTellite friends – old and new – for ten minutes or so and, sure enough, he did come.

The queue had somehow formed in two directions at once, splitting where it went around a table and chairs, but McTellites being polite people, with much ‘after you’, ‘no, after you’, we gradually merged and moved forwards.

A brief chat to Ralph and a signature on the new Songs For 6 Strings, and the evening was over.

Ralph did mention at this point that his hand / wrist is causing some problems, but that he’s going to get it ‘looked at’.  I know that the type of tendonitis he has (Quervains, according to the newsletter) can usually be successfully treated, so things should improve for him - I hope so, as I know from personal experience how excruciating tendon problems can be. (I did wonder if this problem was the reason for the 4 guitars – so he could change to one with a different size neck if need be, as I think that he mentioned in an interview that this can make a difference.)

All in all a truly fantastic evening in the company of someone whose magic, perhaps, lies in being both extraordinary and yet very ordinary, at one and the same time. Very highly recommended! If you haven’t got your ticket yet, get it soon – last night was a sell-out, as is tonight.

I heard a number of people saying last night that they hope this isn’t the last tour, and despite his worries about people thinking he’s showing his age or looking tired, to me (and judging by comments from others last night, not just me!) he’s as good as ever, still getting better even, as the new songs show. He certainly didn’t look at all tired last night. Mind you, it would be understandable if tours got a bit shorter as he approaches his big birthday!

Just a guess about the guitars.  Maybe 4 is Ralph's standard for this tour, Miss G, the 12 string, another with open tuning and a spare in case the elderly Miss G misbehaves.  I suspect that with a grand piano at the theatre Ralph chose to use it and adjusted the set to take out a couple of 'open tuned' pieces.  We couldn't see what the other 2 six strings were from where we were sitting, they were mostly side and back towards us.   I'm impressed Naomi could read my scrawled set list, written in the dark with lines crossing over each other.  In fact the note book reads at one point  "After rain storm"  ::)

Thank you, sounded a wonderful evening, a long time for me to wait until Cadogan Hall but your review has made me feel as though I was there. I often have to remind myself that this is one man performing, yet filling the stage with his presence. It must be easier to feed off other musicians but to stand alone and deliver such a performance as you describe is amazing.  ;D

An amazing set in Bristol on Tuesday night also.  Go see him if you haven't already bought tickets, you will not be disappointed!

Thanks for the review Naomi. I'm looking forward to the 19th even more now.

Spoiler Alert - Contains Plot Details!

Ralph at Pyramid & Parr Hall, Warrington
Saturday 12 October 2013

 

Thanks for your review John. Sounds as if all the auditoriums at the Pyramid and Parr have problems with their acoustics.
Just a small query - did he play 'Canopus' on a 12 string? He did in Shrewsbury, but, if not, perhaps he's trying it out in different ways - he did discribe it as a 'work in progress'.

I understand that tours may get shorter as he gets older - though as you say, he's as good as ever, just so long as that doesn't mean he only performs 'dahn sarf'!  

Naomi.

"...did he play 'Canopus' on a 12 string?" Yes, he did! Well spotted, Naomi. Corrected with thanks.

........as long as he does!  ;) ;D and btw most of us just don't speak like that, so annoying! haha  ::)

Eh up, sorry luv.

Hi all,

I've been looking for reviews of the tour online, but have only found one, from someone who was at the same gig as us in Shrewsbury. It's short, but sweet, and it's here. (http://www.staffordfm.co.uk/live-folk-music-is-flourishing/)

Naomi

Set list Billingham Forum
Single set, no interval, 19:30 - 21:15
Stalls, E18
Ralph Mctell with 4 guitars and piano

Thanks all, keep em coming.  ;)

I've just noticed this (http://www.culturewarrington.org/blog/folk-legend-comes-to-pyramid/) about Ralph's gig in Warrington.

We didn't go, as we weren't impressed by the staff, the venue or the acoustics last time. However, just the fact that they know of more than one song that Ralph's written, judging by this article, and even mention it before That One has raised them in my estimation  :o   ;D

Naomi

Last tour, is it official?!


http://www.themomentmagazine.com/entertainment/moment-talks-ralph-mctell/


I could kick myself, just been to Leeds for a couple of nights, 15th and16th....could have gone to a Ralph concert at City varieties! D'oh! Just didn't occur to me to check!  :o ::)

Good night @ the Sage - setlist pretty much the same as Naomi gives above. After hearing the story behind the song, not for the first time, I discovered that the subject of 'Geordi'es on the Road' was in  fact known to me. Alan was a super guy whom I always bumped into @ concerts and around the local area, and was always upbeat and friendly, in spite of health issues. He'd mentioned having lived in the US when he was younger, but didn't elaborate. He's much missed.

I hope this isn't the last RMct tour, esp.as there are still 3 Songs for 6 Strings to get.  8)

I know Ralph's got to slow down sometime but he says things like this every few years and we all panic.  Just guessing but I would guess that Ralph's pain in the hand is prompting some of these statements.  If he gets that sorted out then maybe he will carry on a bit longer.  The furthest we've travelled to see Ralph is about 90 minutes each way in the car.   Hopefully if he keeps to major cities we can still get to see him somewhere.

Enjoying it while I can  ;)

The gig listed for Weds 13 November at the High Barn (Essex) looks as if it won't happen as the venue has folded, according to their website (http://www.high-barn.com/).

Does anyone know if a replacement venue/date is happening?

A couple of articles abut the tour:
here (http://www.thejournal.co.uk/culture/music/review-ralph-mctell-hall-two-6236479) and here. (http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Ralph-McTell-Plays-Pontardawe-Arts-Centre/story-19980446-detail/story.html#axzz2ie5XDPSo)

This (http://www.vintage.tv/news/ralph-mctell-i-feel-like-ive-done-three-rounds-wit) one is a combination of a short audio interview and written article. In it, just to add to the confusion, Ralph states "Coming off stage now, I feel like I’ve done three rounds with Mohammed Ali. I will need to slow down. But as long as the voice and guitar keep going, so will I.”

So, is he continuing touring, or not? Whatever he decides, I hope he'll be encouraged by all the extremely positive reviews and comments about this tour that are online, as he says that he worries about looking old or tired onstage, or the quality of the show diminishing, but there seems to be a unanimous verdict that none of these things are happening yet  :) ;D

Naomi

I was notified by email from the venue (or their agents) on 22nd October that this gig had been cancelled and have subsequently received a refund of the cost of my tickets.

No reason for the cancellation was given in the email and I have suggested to them that in fairness to Ralph (and the other artists whose gigs have been cancelled) they should have made it clear that it was the venue who made the cancellation, not the artists.

I am not aware of any replacement date, but would assume it is far too late to organize another venue now  :'(.

Wow thanks for this. HB was one of my choices. Its a lovely venue, such a shame.  :(

The High Barn website now says the closure is temporary - "The venue is in the process of being sold and due to complications in the sale process we have been unable to insure the venue to hold public performances at this time."

Oh help, I hope he is going to turn up at Pontardawe tomorrow!  ::)

Ralph was on top form at Cardigan last night and is looking forward to tonight at Pontardawe. Say 'hello' if you spot me, Shirl. Expect some Dylan Thomas songs.

Cheers John!  ;D

So did you enjoy the concert Shirl?  ;)

Come on John, a little more information is required.  What did Ralph do off the Dylan album?  Personally I always like Wonderful Country, not because of the USA bit but the bit about waking up in Wales  ;D

When Ralph was at Bury a few years back ( you were there too naturally) we were walking back to the car park and the people behind us were talking about the gig.  One of them said 'He does that Slip Sliding Pub Song too'    ::)

Carl

Last night at Chequer Mead East Grinstead made me feel like a young man again. Not me reflecting on 43 years of going to see himself, but looking round at my fellow audience members made me feel quite sprightly and young! Of course, I couldn't possibly look that age!
As ever, I sit there with best intentions of remembering the set list and get carried away in thrall of it all and absorbed in the music and chat. Based on Naomi's set list from three weeks ago 50% was different started with London Apprentice, but then First Song (which I've been singing non-stop for the past three weeks). Hiring Fair, One Heart, Streets of London, Lunar Lullaby, Canopus, Maginot Waltz and Summer Girls were amongst the others, as well as Mr Connaughton, which was preceded by a story about the writing of the song with a promise to carry on the tale later in the show, but he didn't return to it. I won't spoil the fist part of the story for those who will be going, but I would love to hear its conclusion! A Tune from the Sofa album, plus his 'tributes' to Rev. Gary Davies and Robert Johnson were also in the mix and an encore of Around Cape Horn are the others that I can recall that filled nigh on an hour and a quarter. A great evening that lived up to expectations, but I came away with the same frustration that accompanies me every time I see him - why did it end so soon?
Looking forward to seeing him at the RFH at the Bert Jansch tribute concert, but in the meantime, I'm back to listening to the recordings of a man who has provided a soundtrack to my adult life.

I just missed getting the last 2 tickets for the Oxford gig and am on the waiting list. If anyone has 2 spare tickets i would love to hear from you:)

Thanks,

lucienne.

That sounds like a very similar setlist to the one we had at Reading Concert Hall last night, though he ended with an unrecorded song inspired by the cover of Bob Dylan's Freewheelin' album.  And he did remember to come back to the end of the Mr Connaughton story when he came back for the encore.  I think we must have had a bit more, as it was about an hour and three quarters.

My first Ralph concert, and it was a great one.  Really enjoyed myself.

We'll be at Cadogan Hall  :D
and hoping to arrive a little earlier this year.

Best wishes to all going to the Cadogan tomorrow for Ralph's last gig of the year.

Enjoy and please report back!

Will do, looking forward to visiting the best Deli just off Sloane square but promise not to buy smelly cheeses...  ;D

We'll be there  :D

Thank goodness you were!!  ;)



 Was a wonderful evening at Cadogan. My those Grandchildren have grown since they sang the same song with Ralph 2 years back! Isobel is looking a young lady now and Lois so tall and handsome with a fine voice. Ralph wasn't bad either! Of course I queued to get my latest 'g' string signed LOL!!  ;)  2 new songs from Ralph really good I thought. When we spoke he did say "Forgot a few lines tonight..I expect someone like you noticed?!" Told him it didn't matter, hardly noticed! ;-))

....not to mention the 'photo shoot'  ;) ;D Air brushed the lot!! haha x

Photos later JJ (TAW's official Ralph stalker)

Viv and I always try to get to his gig in London, before Christmas. It's a bit of a tradition.
Last night was exceptional. It is a lovely venue and Ralph played a set up there with the very best I have ever seen him do. Possibly the best and that covers a few decades.

(The grub at Cote was rather good as well.)

Thanks Colin

Ralph seemed so relaxed and very happy to be at Cadogan Hall, it is such a lovely venue plus a lot of his family and a room full of friends seem to bring out the best performance.

Good news to see advertised that his 70th birthday bash will be at the Drury Lane Theatre December 7th next year!


It was good to meet both you and Viv again, plus Chris Bates, Steve and Martin K and Martin Driver. Photos via email first please as I need to vet them!! haha  ;) {:-)

Totally fantastic:


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have we met before?