TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

Just came across this for May http://www.poppletonlive.co.uk/#!9th-may/cgwh (http://www.poppletonlive.co.uk/#!9th-may/cgwh)



Edit: Full Spring Tour list here (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=42545.0)

And FC (http://www.poppletonlive.co.uk/#!8th-may/c1xe0) on the night before! A dream billing and a short hop over the hill.

Yep, I was looking at this too....

The hill?  - Oh yeah, the Pennines.   I wonder if daughter could put us up on the settee at her student house in York - we could do the washing up as payment except it would probably take a couple of days ;D

Ralph is at Berverley Folk Festival (http://www.beverleyfestival.com/) on Sunday 21 June.

From the Beverley Folk Festival site, "Ralph, who has enjoyed a 50 year career, will celebrate 50 years on the road with 2 national tours, Spring and Autumn."
So much for cutting back on the touring, looks like we are in for a bumper year. At last, something to look forward to.

 :) Spring tour now on Ralphs site!

• http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour/

DATE   CITY   VENUE
TOUR: RALPH MCTELL SPRING 2015
May 7th 2015
Add
Durham
Durham Gala
Time: 8:00pm. Box office: 03000 266600.
May 9th 2015
Add
Poppleton, York
BUY TICKETS   Poppleton Live Festival
May 18th 2015
Add
Milton Keynes
BUY TICKETS   The Stables
Time: 8:00pm. Address: Milton Keynes. Phone: 01908 280800.
May 22nd 2015
Add
London
BUY TICKETS   Union Chapel
Time: 7:30pm. Phone: 020 7226 1686.
June 21st 2015
Add
Beverley
BUY TICKETS   Beverley Folk Fest
Phone: 01377 217569.

I wonder when the 2015 tour dates will be announced. I intend going to at least two concerts. Am learning to play Still In Dreams as I have taken up playing guitar again.  :)



Edit: Topics merged

Hello Jan check 2015 tour  :)...have to track down?  :(

Just checked out some of the dates on Official page for the spring. All a bit far to travel. Hope there will be some in Midlands and Wales.

 :) New dates added http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour/

Just wanted to say that I'm feeling disappointed like Tryer  :(

This doesn't just apply to Ralph, but I'm getting very frustrated at the moment that so many of my favourite artists seem to be concentrating their gigs in the South (except for Maddy Prior who does more in the far north of England!)  and are seemingly  unconcerned about their tours missing out on some large population areas - in my case, I'm particularly thinking of Manchester and Liverpool and surrounding areas.

In Ralph's case, I was very disappointed that his Celtic Cousins tour didn't come to North Wales, and am now even more disappointed that we won't be able to see him on this tour either.

On the positive side, it's good to see that he's touring again, and that more gigs are promised in the Autumn - I'm sure there will be many of us who are feeling left out this time who will be in reach of a gig then.  ;D

If seeing Ralph live wasn't such an extraordinary experience I guess it wouldn't matter so much - and I feel privileged that I have had the chance to see him so many times - very definitely another positive!

Naomi

Didn't Ralph say he was giving up on long tours & just doing a few dates as it suited him?

Unfortunately, unless you're willing to travel, I think the instances of him coming anywhere as close as he regularly did are going to get fewer & fewer....understandable at his age, really.

 I am rarely disappointed, Naomi, To misquote JFK ask not what your chosen artist can do for you? Were Ralph to be given full credit, he would like less talented "stars" Do a few stadium shows over priced, and hard to get too? I feel privileged that I can be "up close and personal" to someone I believe to be one of the premier Singer Songwriters. of any genre.  :) Not a compliment or a rant  :) just how I see it? to me its fact. Of course by his very nature, I doubt he would see it that way? Why he isn't on "mainstream" media is a mystery to me....but then I feel real talent is now a drawback? imagine real talent? it would ruin many a mediocre career, maybe thats why ...OK that was a rant  ::) Just as well Ralph lacks exposure? with more, bigger fewer venues? and far fewer chances to catch him...Live..and in my view at his best....OK not easy? Make an effort? I believe its worth it.... after all Ralph does.  
 I thank you for reading this and apologise in advance for any offence..certainly non meant....As with anyone we feel a friend, never get enough visits? so go see them?
                                      Enough..... catch you down the road?

No offence taken Tryer  :)

You're absolutely right - to have been 'up close and personal' so many times to Ralph, and to have experienced his many talents live so often is an absolute privilege. We have often travelled 70+ miles to see him - more than worth it. Unfortunately with children still at home it's not always possible to go further - wish we could  :P

Hope to see you 'somewhere down the road' too  :)

Naomi

Another Concert added  :)
 May 17th 2015
Tewkesbury
The Roses Theatre
Time: 7:30pm. Phone: 01684 295074.
http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour/ (ftp://http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour/)

Concert by Candlelight (http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on/concerts-by-candlelight/john-williams) at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, The Globe Theatre, London, with Ralph McTell and John Williams, on Friday 5 June 2015.

 http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on/concerts-by-candlelight/john-williams
How strange all the best seats, and standing, are already sold

Big number of members/friends there....akways the same

Yes, but at £10 a ticket I'll live with a standing restricted view. I know what Ralph looks like.   ;D

Not necessarily. I may be wrong in this instance, but London theatres sell through third party agencies as well as their own offices. I have learnt to search around when I've had this in the past, finding that while outlet #1 had no stalls seats and no boxes, outlet #2 had some stalls and outlet #3 had boxes.... It is a question of finding out which agency has which ticket allocation.
Admittedly my quick 2 minute Google hasn't thrown any such options up so far :(, but early days yet.

I agree with the previous comments ...just to add in my defence [if any needed] It would be accepted by most artists that to inform their own support base as soon as possible is a reason for their joining, signing up to a newsletter? .....I must point out the concert notes..possibly the most complimentary I have seen for a while "One of the most iconic bards of Britain, McTell will be joined by John Williams, who will also play guitar solos."....."Big number of members/friends there" given the opportunity?
 A thought? Good as it is to chat..comment, would it not be possible to put the Tour Dates at the beginning? for those unfamiliar.

Thank you John.....I actually meant the beginning of the thread? for those unfamiliar with the postings? Or site? but thanks anyway  :) unless I am missing something?

I've removed John's post into a separate thread of it's own - means it's the only post in another thread!

Totally sold out now it seems - the only one of the series with John Williams. Says a lot.

It is billed as a John Williams gig with Ralph as guest, so don't expect Ralph on for the full show.

New date added: 15 May, The Wharf, Tavistock.

See 'Full List' in separate thread http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=42545.0#new

A heartfelt message from Ralph via email.... ;)

"Dear Friends,

I am really looking forward to these dates in the Spring.
After the birthday concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the momentous 70th birthday's dust has settled I have been thinking a great deal abut the future.
You will know by my repertoire how much I relish being on the road and I missed touring England last year although our Celtic Cousins tour was truly wonderful.

It will be great to be out and about again!

Your letters, emails and general comments about my work and your fantastic support is never taken for granted and I am immensely grateful for it.
Thank you also all those who wrote and sent gifts and cards, I was overwhelmed.
When ever I am on the broadcast media the interviews come around to my "hit" and the implied question is whether or not I am disappointed not to have had more chart success.
It is almost impossible to explain to anyone who has not had my musical experience how little this matters to me.
Looking both back and forward I have long realised that the most important thing to me was writing and performing my songs to like minded people or those open to listening without prejudice emphasising what links us rather than divides us.
It is not easy being optimistic at times like this but it is easy to become cynical.
Sometimes the creative glass is half full and sometimes half empty but there is always something in the glass.

I am writing as we speak but perhaps not quite ready to perform many new songs on this tour.
(Maybe one or two)

The birthday concert revealed a few "rested" numbers from the past and you often write and say don't forget the old ones.
Well speaking as an old one myself I am happy to report that I haven't forgotten them and may well air some oldies when out on the road.
I am told the DVD of the concert is well under way and may hopefully be ready for the tour.
For those of you who couldn't make it, you will be able to get some of the atmosphere of this joyful occasion where I was supported by both the fabulous audience and great friends who graced the stage with me.


I am so looking forward to seeing you all Somewhere Down the Road..."

Ralph  
 

Sat 7 November - The Lowry,  Salford
http://www.thelowry.com/event/ralph-mctell1

Is this the start of the Autumn tour.   :)

Excellent thanks  :)

Thanks for the news about the Lowry gig, and it's a Saturday too!  :)

Another McGig for the Autumn, this time in New Brighton - link here (https://www.floralpavilion.com/en-GB/shows/ralph%20mctell/info)

Naomi

28 Oct Stamford  :) its a Wed

An autumn tour is on the cards and dates should be available in roughly two/three weeks. A couple if contracts are still awaited per Mr May junior the other night.

Thats the Lowry booked, still a few good seats left but if the online system says 'you cant leave an odd seat' just phone the box office, they are very accommodating.

15-date tour announced on Ralph's site (http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour).

Can we post here as we notice tickets go on sale?

Why not? Good idea Chris.. ;)

Oxford and Leicester added to Autumn Tour.

See full list (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=42545.msg673700#msg673700).



Edit: Leicester date deleted from McTell and venue website listings.

New date added: Wednesday 18 November 2015 - Albany Theatre - Coventry.

Tickets are now on sale for all venues: see http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour/ for box office links.

Indeed, it appears that they're on sale when McTell mansions put ip ticket links on their dates page. Very helpful.

One error: website says Canterbury is 8pm. Venue has it for 7.30. Be warned

The Albany! How quaint! A small theatre used for am-dram normally. I may be tempted to travel back to my old haunts for this one.

I thought that too.....looking in my diary though, I notice I'm booked for Bellowhead.....

Ralph will be Albert Lee's guest on three of Albert's UK tour dates:

Friday 25 September 2015 - Cadogan Hall - London.
Saturday 26 September 2015 - Cadogan Hall - London.
Monday 28 September 2015 - Town Hall - Birmingham.

Full List (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=42545.0#new) updated.

On very good form at Cropredy, I can report.

He's unsure how much he'll be playing with Albert - he's still waiting to hear from him!

Thanks for that Chris, heard he was there but never saw him, not even for MOTL, good to know he's ok

Two new dates added to Full List (http://www.talkawhile.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?topic=42545.0#new):

Saturday 12 September 2015 - Saturday Night in Soho - Yamaha Music London.
Saturday 24 October 2015 - Sligo Live Festival - Hawk's Well Theatre - Sligo - Ireland.



Edit: Soho date corrected with thanks to Cool Cat

Heading to the Stamford one ;D

Two new dates added to Full List:

Saturday 18 September 2015 - Saturday Night in Soho - Yamaha Music London.
Saturday 24 October 2015 - Sligo Live Festival - Hawk's Well Theatre - Sligo - Ireland.

Please can you check the Soho date - Is it on Friday 18 or Saturday 19 September?  Thanks.

Two new dates added to Full List:

Saturday 18 September 2015 - Saturday Night in Soho - Yamaha Music London.
Saturday 24 October 2015 - Sligo Live Festival - Hawk's Well Theatre - Sligo - Ireland.

Please can you check the Soho date - Is it on Friday 18 or Saturday 19 September?  Thanks.

PS:  We thought it was THIS Saturday (12 September) ???/



Edit: It's the 12th. Thanks.

It is....& now wait list only.

Just a reminder, Ralph is in Ireland at the moment. Saturday 24th he is in Sligo. Here is a poor recording of Ralph performing Clare to Here, as if they used an old cassette tape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrow-6-WdAs

http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/tour/

I bought two of the last four tickets two days ago after discovering I would be around and able to go (70 miles away, but here in Ireland that beats the usual where we have to go 95 to Belfast or 160 to Dublin). I presume the last two tickets might be gone now. Happy day. Delighted to hear he's sold out (though wouldn't have been so delighted if I'd  left it another day...). I'll report back...

Looking forward to Oxford next Thursday - anyone else going?

Yes, see you there, Chris.

Well the Sligo gig was a joy. I must admit I don't have a breadth of knowledge of his repertoire, and indeed he thanked the audience for being so appreciative and attentive. To me it was a man with nothing to prove, a consummate musician/troubadour doing what he does best. The stuff I didn't know was engaging, and it may sound crass to some diehard long-term fans, but hearing the man himself sing Streets of London and Clare to Here was just so precious to me - on a par in my recent experience with hearing Eric Bogle sing No Man's Land, and James Taylor singing You've Got a Friend ans Sweet Baby james. (Oh, and Steve Hackett playing Firth of Fifth at Cropredy   :)  )

I was impressed that he gently rebuked the Fureys for introducing Clare to Here into the Irish folk songbook with the wrong tune to the chorus (much as they did with the wrong title and lyrics to No Man's Land)... and at the wrong speed.
(Sidenote - Irish pub singalongs tend to involve drink, and singing every known folk song as a table-banging anthem in the same tempo and spirit as the Wild Rover, with no sensibility to the actual song itself. The Fureys may have contributed to that by simplifying the tunes and the words, but at least they did popularise the song; and I think maybe it's the Irish pub psyche that puts the monotonous pary-tempo on all of it). (Sorry, I  digressed...)

Peppers and Tomatoes was a highlight, touching a raw nerve with a crowd so very close to the N.I border, and of a demographic that had mainly lived through most of the troubles just a few miles up the road.

A straight-through set came to an all-too-short close; but with a nod (and indeed a mention of, to little recognition of an Irish crowd) Fairport, the Hiring Fair was his encore.

Personally I wished he'd done Water of Dreams, and even (for silly nostalgic reasons) Kenny the Kangaroo. But I, like I would guess most people there, went home with a warm glow of having just seen a master at work doing what he loves doing in his own special way.

Thanks for the review Stephen.
Really looking forward to the Lowry on Saturday now. Anyone else out there going? I know one of the usual suspects is.  See you there John. ;D

See you soon, Carl (and Naomi). It's been a while.