TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

He dropped out of sight for health reasons  some years ago but there's  the suggestion of a crowdfunding for  a boxed set.
Facebook people will probably have seen this but thought it worth flagging up.

I saw Mr Gaughan  a couple of times  and he was a fine performer.  The non availability of much of hos catalogue  is a Nic Jones -like scenario.

And probably for the same reason...

Yes, I saw the post. Colin Harper is planning a kickstarter campaign beginning in late March for a 7 CD + DVD box set.  128 audio tracks, of which 83 are unreleased.  He needs to raise about £25,000.

Here's what Colin write on FB:

Friends, I’m going to need your help in a few weeks – especially friends in the music world, for whom some of this might resonate. That help will be sharing links on your own FB pages and elsewhere. 🙏
I’ll be launching a crowdfunding campaign that involves aiming for a *significant* sum of money. I won’t be taking any of it – my role is philanthropic – but I’ll be thrilled if the target is reached: it will allow to happen a project of preservation, celebration and remuneration around a largely ‘lost era’ of work from one of the great artists of the 20th century, in my view.
Richard Gaughan was a folk music giant – a singer *and* instrumentalist of astonishing, singular quality, whose early career was mostly based on traditional music, moving more into songs of his own time in the mid-80s. He was brilliant at all of it and a man of rare compassion and optimism in his worldview.
His first album was released in 1972, his last in 2008. His career ended with a stroke in 2016. He is off the grid and legally blind, unable to play an instrument – but that remarkable optimism remains. He deserves some good luck.
Most artists with a long career see periodic reissues, anthologies, even box sets of their work – keeping the flame of their artistry alive – in their later years and into retirement. This is the case with peers of similar singular artistry from the background of the folk revival – Bert Jansch, June Tabor, Martin Carthy...
Gaughan has been unlucky in this respect: 7 of his 12 albums from 1972–88 are out of reach to licensors and have never or never properly appeared on CD (one appeared briefly on low-run CDr) let alone digital/streaming; of the other five, only one has been sonically refreshed/reissued in the past 30-odd years (the fabulous ‘Handful of Earth’, 1981, remastered/repacked 6 years ago).
This has created an alarming ‘legacy gap’ – let alone the money that might have gone to Gaughan and the reputation-burnishing and introducing to a new generation that might have happened had his early work been periodically re-presented. Look at the tranche of national publicity, for example, that greeted the simple reissue on vinyl of Martin Carthy’s first LP last year, or this month’s broadsheet and monthly magazine features on Vashti Bunyan, on the occasion of a simple 20th anniversary reissue of her 2005 comeback album after a one-album original career in 1970. It’s not enough for musical artists to do great work – that work must be periodically refreshed and re-presented, made available to new listeners, celebrated anew by the faithful, with the artist themselves benefitting either directly (with revenues) or indirectly (with publicity that helps generate ongoing work or sales of other releases).
I saw Gaughan performing many times in the 80s and 90s – an awesome experience. Last year, I began to think that he and his music were fading from view – and I resolved to try and do something about that.
In brief, I created on paper ‘R/evolution: 1969-84’ – a 7CD+DVD box set restoring that lost repertoire and magical early era via BBC and club/concert recordings along with stray studio tracks  from scattered various-artist albums, two albums in full and selections from two others, plus film from five broadcasters. 128 audio tracks / 83 previously unreleased and 21 video tracks.
Labels weren’t interested, they didn’t believe there was a market. I believe there is a market – and I also believe the artistry is of a level of greatness that even if that market is modest, it *has* to be created. It’s not hubris, it just feels wrong to give in. So, I’m going to be running a Kickstarter campaign to fund it, launching in late March, all being well.
The late publisher Rayner Unwin, confronted with Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ in the 1950s, telegrammed his father, Sir Stanley, head of the firm, saying ‘I think it’s a work of genius but we might lose £1,000’. His father, to his credit, replied: ‘*If* it’s a work of genius, you can lose £1,000.’
Happily, with the all-or-nothing Kickstarter crowdfunding model, I won’t be losing £1,000 – but I’ll need to raise around £25,000. The costings are nearly all in, and even with generosity from several of the professionals involved, that’s the sum necessary.
Gaughan is fully on board. We’ll be filming a Kickstarter promo video together in Edinburgh in two weeks, with a few other ‘team members’.
It is a project of preservation, celebration and remuneration for Gaughan, one of the folk music giants of the late 20th century: (1) to preserve, polish and present a remarkable body of work from 1969–84 (most of it previously unreleased); (2) to celebrate his incredible artistry once again, years after he and much of his recorded work have faded from view; and (3) to remunerate him fairly and squarely for that work (receiving ALL the revenues after costs).
Look out for the campaign launch in March and help share it far and wide if you can!

There are quite a few of his albums on the 7digital website. I just downloaded a copy of A Different Kind Of Love Song.

I saw a posting about the boxed set on Facebook and thought it odd that he was being referred to as Richard Gaughan. I've only ever known him as Dick Gaughan. Made me wonder if it was a genuine posting and project so I'm glad to see that it is kosher.

I've seen him a few times including one gig at Celtic Connections where he shared the stage with Swarb and Jason Wilson's reggae band. That was quite a combination!

That's social media for you - Colin did that for very obvious reasons (when you realise) - Facebook doesn't like the word "Dick" and flags it up/bans it etc.  So, that's why... :)

Yes, apparently several posts about him have been caught in spam filters, hence the use of 'Richard'.

On which subject I was at 6th Form college with a guy called Richard Head. One wonders what his parents were thinking...

I always wondered if anyone really had such a name. It's staggering, isn't it? Sympathy to any Richard Heads or Michael Hunts out there.

Jules

one of my mums uncles was Richard Head, and was always known as Dick.  Different times.

Hi folks, long time no see etc.

The crowdfunder is a goer, there is a Facebook page called Gaughan Box Set Supporters which is open for anyone to join. Colin has made a promo video with Dick himself plus Barbara Dickson and Karin Polwart, it is hoped that will be edited and out doing the rounds in two or three weeks.

Every penny after costs is going to Dick who has been under the weather for a few years now and unable to perform.

I'm in on it. One of my true folk heroes.

Dick Gaughan is a true legend. Absolute working class hero who has penned mighty protest songs , but for me its his songs that make you just stop and listen that set him apart.
Snows they melt the soonest ,is perhaps the single definitive folk song for me.No one else could sing that , like that.

For me Sandy Deny is the greatest female voice and Dick Gaughan the male .

Exactly my choices Trev

The Crowdfunder is now live for those who want to support it: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2121905920/dick-gaughan-r-evolution-1969-84-an-8-disc-box-set?

It's looking promising too - over half way there and the limited option (with the extra signed Live in Belfast) only has 80 of the 200 remaining at the time of writing.

Thanks for the link. Have signed up. A magnificent singer and great man. First saw him in 1976 with Five Hand Reel. Hopefully the appeal will more than meet its target.

More than half way there already. Win-win all round and great to help Dick out after all the joy he's given. Ko

Wow!  3/4 backed now, and only 28 (out of 200) of the bonus edition with the live CD left. Pretty good for day one of the Kickstarter!

I'll be surprised if they don't expand the limited edition a little (see also: Cropredy, ticket sales thereof)  ;)  Whatever, it's good to see.

[Update: 13 left...going, going....]

Second Update:  And there we go...the limited edition is extended to 500 with a guarantee it won't be extended again.

Ordered ltd. version.  Just in time by the looks. No paypal  so it was worryingly slow.

It's 'of interest' that in the voluminous list of projects that Colin has been involved in, the Fairport box does not get a mention...

£3K left to go and it's not even been a full day yet.

The support and love for the man is heartwarming, I have to say.

I wonder what the situation is with the earlier albums now that the bloke who had control passed away several years ago. This was mentioned at the top of the topic with Nic Jones being in the same boat.

It's common knowledge that there are digital copies out there of both artists' work, and others. There is a case to be made that they are very important works in the genre of the traditional and folk music of these islands.

Yaay, I've just ordered my first box set. I hope I don't make a habit of it though, - I'6ve seen on here how it seems to be a bit addictive. ;) ...

Lol.  Box set cherry, eh?  It's a slippery slope...

Job done, everybody.  Excellent work.  I hope this goes much much higher...

So, the full amount pledged in less than 12 hours.

I ordered it and I've never heard of Dick Gaughan. That's how strongly I rely on this group's recommendations.

You're in for a treat John (unless you're triggered by strong Scottish accents...)

I watched the clip on the Kickstarter page. Beautiful, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm no bothered by a Scottish tongue. :)

Reminds me of a joke Alan Cumming told on American radio, after apologizing that this might be too Scottish: A customer goes into a Scottish bakery and asks "Is that a flapjack or a meringue?" The owner replies, "You're right, it's a flapjack."

You won't be disappointed.  A fine artist more than worthy  of this   release.

A fresh email tells me a standalone  LP and  CD  of DG @ the BBC are planned.

Here's what Colin wrote:

"It seems mad to be posting an update only a day after the first update (and that one on the first day).... but the scale of engagement with this project, and the widespread desire to honour Dick Gaughan, has been extraordinary. Indeed, it would seem mad NOT to post an update on a day in which another £16-17,000 has been added to the total.

I've yet to speak with Dick but I've no doubt he'll be as stunned as I am about the level of support out there.

Having raised the quantity of the 'extra reward' signed Live in Belfast 1979-82yesterday from 200 to 500, it looks likely that even this new quantity will soon sell out. But it will remain 500 - a limited edition, if a bit less limited than I imagined!

Based on feedback from fellow fans, I had discussed with Dick before the Kickstarter campaign began the possibility of a spin-out 10-track vinyl/CD/download Dick Gaughan at the BBC 1972-79 (all tracks being on the box set) - to give vinyl connoisseurs something and likewise to offer some 'new old' to existing fans or the newly curious who were not in a position to invest in a larger set. I imagined such a spin-out product would be something we could look at in collaboration with a small existing record label if/when the box set was funded - a couple of months down the line...

Well, obviously those plans have changed. I've agreed terms for the 10-track release with the BBC and I'm discussing it with a friendly label. Hopefully, within a few days we can offer at least the standalone vinyl and CD of Dick Gaughan at the BBC 1972-79 on the Kickstarter platform (organising a download offering linked to this Kickstarter is probably too complicated - so that will happen later). It will be made available as two separate entities (CD and LP - for those who have already pledged for an item/items and who wish to purchase the new offering) and also in combination with the box set. This 40-minute BBC release (which, I have to say, is a brilliant snapshot of 'phase one' Gaughan at his best) will not be limited - it will sustain as a 'normal release' via the label partner's usual distribution channels after the Kickstarter campaign. This release will likely be a bespoke 50/50 arrangement between label and artist once the BBC cut is taken off the top. Why not issue it myself? Because I simply don't have the physical space or time to get involved in vinyl distribution!

I'll also consult with Dick about the possibility of offering one further limited-edition signed CD or 2CD. I'm considering two complete, uncirculating club performances from 1973 (with Aly Bain) and 1977 (solo), from which only five tracks between them appear on the box set - both performances having already been transferred from reels in 24-bit by my good pal 'Late Night' Tony Furnell, ahead of the campaign. The 1973 concert had been a full disc within the box set in an early draft. Would you believe that I had honed the box down to its absolute essentials, eliminating most repetitions of repertoire, in a desperate bid to make it a commercial proposition? :-D  

Listening to these concerts in full as I type, it seems to me that given the extraordinary demand to honour Dick and to bask in his 'lost era' of music making, I should get a couple of test masterings of tracks done and discuss this offering with Dick. If he's happy about it, I'll proceed to add that as another standalone item (CD format only) before the campaign is over.

Phew...

As before, thank you all so much!

Colin H"

Just broken through the £50k mark.  It is very pleasing indeed.  I'd love somebody to do something similar for Nic Jones whilst he's still around...

Dick would probably be the first to agree, he only ever spoke of Nic in the most glowing terms - his chess playing as well as his musicianship.

I guess Nic had a couple of albums of live tracks released some years back, but yes, a big retrospective like this would not be out of order for someone of his talent, much of whose music has also been stuck in the same Celtic Music black hole for far too long.

When I saw Nic and his lad play in Preston in 2012-13 (with Mike Heron and the Trembling Bells, and Emma Pollock of the Delgados), his son was talking about him playing online chess...

Yes  the 2CD  Nic Jones : Unearthed  came out around   2001 and must be hard to find now.  It is very good.

Three days in and now double the target!