The Welcome Mat: Do Come In, New Talkawhile Member

[Mark Lavallee]

Another newbie here, and my answers are:

1.   My name, obviously is Mark.  I live in Los Angeles, Hawthorne to be precise, birthplace of The Beach Boys and Marilyn Monroe!  I'm 37, I play the drums (my band is called Lands End), I've got a wonderful wife and child who I've managed to convert into Fairport fans (somewhat!)

2.   I've been lurking for a bit now, figured I'd best join up and contribute.

3.   I'm familiar with Fairport's catalog, own and cherish it all, I discovered the band when I saw them open for Tull in '87.  I'd LOVE to make it out to Cropredy someday but it certainly seems unlikely.

4.   A bit of everything.  I'm a big Deadhead, discovered Fairport through my love of Progressive Rock, grew up in the 70s obsessed with Kiss, went through my 80s Smiths/The Cure period, a bit of this, a bit of that, if it's good I like it.  I've got thousands of CDs, I live music.

5.   Last gig I attended was Rush in Las Vegas on Saturday, the show was great but shortly before I left my 6 year old son came down with a very high fever so I was getting updated texts throughout the show on his condition.  Great show but bad circumstances!

6.   I just ordered Lark In The Morning and A Parcel of Steeleye Span after reading about them on here!  Haven't come in yet.  Will be ordering Another Parcel when funds permit.  Last thing I got in the mail was a Nina Simone comp that has 3 live albums and it's wonderful.

7.    “Tonight, Sir Robert, I am going to be my all time favourite singer Peter Hammill and I will
            sing:  'A Louse Is Not A Home'

[Anji]

“Tonight, Sir Robert, I am going to be my all time favourite singer Peter Hammill and I will
            sing:  'A Louse Is Not A Home' "

Sometimes it's very scary here ......

Huzzah - and Welcome aBoard  

[Jim W]

And another one....

I'm Jim, and I've lived in a few places over the years - mostly Notts, then Hull, then Guildford, now Brighton.

I joined Talkawhile because it seems to be a friendly community full of people who like good music. Couldn't think of a better place to share experiences about Cropredy, find out about gigs and new bands etc...

I was introduced to Fairport / Steeleye / Tull / Home Service by my parents and relatives when I was wee and have loved the music ever since. My parents have both been in morris / clog sides at various points. I've only been to Cropredy 3 times - once in 1995 when I was 15, once a couple of years later and then again this year when I introduced my girlfriend Angie to it all.

I think I have a pretty diverse taste in music. I'm a fan of mid-90's hip hop, of electronica and jazzy stuff like Massive Attack, Bonobo and the Cinematic Orchestra and all sorts of other things. Not forgetting the obvious!

Last gig I went to was Cropredy this year. In fact I feel quite sad in saying that I still have the wristband on Off the back of Cropredy we're going to see Little Johnny England in October - really enjoyed their set!

The CD I'm buying imminently is A Tournament of Shadows by LJE, and yes I would heartily recommend it (you can find it on Spotify).

Great to meet you all, and here's to a mutual love of beards, tankards and all things folk!

[Alan Ewart]

1.   Who are you and where are you from?  

 Hi, everyone, I'm Alan and I live in Broadstone Dorset, I am of course an incomer as I have only lived here for 26 years.  Prior to that I was in the Navy and way way back belong that I was a snotty wee boy in Belfast.

2.   What made you join Talkawhile?

I managed to get to Cropredy last week and enjoyed it so much I wanted to have a chat with like minded people.

3.   What do you know of Fairport Convention and/or Cropredy if anything?

I have been a fairport and RT fan for some time now, though I do have eclectic tastes.  I have been intending to go to cropredy for many years and finally managed it.  I was stunned.  the best festival I have ever attended.

4.   What kind of music do you like?

Oooh, I like most things, every thing from Fairport to the Pistols, though I have a very very soft spot for singer songwriters, especially things like RT, Neil young, His Royal Bobness (Dylan) Van Morrison, Springsteen etc.

5.   What was the last gig/festival/recital/concert that you attended?  What was it like?

Well Cropredy of course which was awesome, but the previous weekend I went to a smaller festival near home.  It was Endorse it in Dorset at Sixpenny Handley.  It was a great weekend which was heavy on punk and Ska.  The whole family had a great time but I confess I wasn't too thrilled with the Rave and Urban 'music' which was belting out to 6am.  It was only the cider that ensured I survived.

6.   What was the last CD that you bought?  Would you recommend it?

I have been on a spree this week as a result of Cropredy.  I have bought Garden of Eden and short time on earth by Leetherat (highly recommended), evolved by Martin Joseph, Gift by Eliza Carthy and Norma Waterson, Merchants and Thieves by Sandi Thom & The life of Birds by David Rotheray.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them....

7.   Complete the following sentence:
          “Tonight, Sir Robert, I am going to be my all time favourite singer Van Morrison (name of singer) and I will
            sing:  ' The Streets of Arklow, from 'Veedon Fleece'   (name of song)



Thanks for listening

Alan

[Sir Robert Peel]

Good evening to Alan, Mark and Jim and thank you for taking the time and trouble to introduce yourselves.  I like you already!  Do, please, wander into the other Cropredy topics and give us your thoughts, when you have a few minutes or half a day to spare.  

Incidentally.  I've got the CCTV cameras trained on the Talkawhile entrance and can see all you lurkers hesitating at the doorstep.  (Yes, you madam, wearing the beanie hat and jim-jams.  And you, sir, in your Thwaites brewery t-shirt and jockeys!)  Our little community thrives on new members, fresh from Cropredy, and we will be most disappointed if you don't show youselves.  We want to hear from you, please.

Can I ask you to remove muddy boots, keep dogs on leads and leave your flags outside.  

Thanks awfully

[Philip W]

2. I've been meaning to join up here for years but I saw the article in the R2 I picked up at Cropredy and thought "right".

Now that's what I like to hear. Welcome, Martin.

[johnp]

I tend to come and lurk around here for a few weeks after Cropredy every year.  This is the first time I've spotted this thread so I thought I'd say hello.

1.   Who are you and where are you from?

I'm John, I'm 42 years old and I live in Abingdon (Oxon, not Virginia)

2.   What made you join Talkawhile?

I'm a steward at Cropredy and I joined (a while ago) because I enjoy reading peoples opinions and looking at the photos in the weeks following the festival.  I'll probably disappear soon and start logging in again next August.

3.   What do you know of Fairport Convention and/or Cropredy if anything?

I've worked at Cropredy for the last eight or nine years (not sure).  I work as a pit steward - I'm the really tall and slightly miserable looking one (it's just how my face is in repose - feel free to come and say hello, I'm probably in a better mood than I look like I am).  The rest of the year I work in an office, Cropredy is a sort of working holiday.

You can't really come to Cropredy every year without ending up knowing quite a bit about Fairport.  I have Liege and Lief on CD, bought after the Liege and Lief set a few years ago.  I'm a big admirer of RT, I just wish he'd bring an electric guitar more often .

4.   What kind of music do you like?

I have pretty broad tastes - Jansch to Prodigy, Scruggs to Gorrillaz,  Orff to Zappa, I can get something out of everything bar the most bland of manufactured pop.  I play in a band and dabble in guitar, banjo, dobro, lap steel, ukelele.  I pretty much live for music, truth be told.  And motorbikes.

5.   What was the last gig/festival/recital/concert that you attended?  What was it like?

Er, that'd be Cropredy this year then.  Despite the weather this year was one of the most enjoyable Cropredys I've been to.  The Dixie Bee Liners and Bellowhead were my favourite acts on this year.  Because I go every year anyhoo I don't tend to look at the bill too much beforehand, every year there are unexpected gems.

6.   What was the last CD that you bought?  Would you recommend it?

Genuine Negro Jig by the Carolina Chocolate Drops, recommended.  I'm waiting for Susanville by DBLs to turn up.

7.   Complete the following sentence:
          “Tonight, Sir Robert, I am going to be Jake Thackeray and I will
            sing:  'It Was Only A Gypsy'

[Mrs Stick (Sue)]

A very warm welcome to you, new friend.  I understand from our Meeter and Greeter, the lovely Jude, that you are a person of good taste, impeccable manners and an interest in some or all things Talkawhilish.  Excellent news!  Hoorah, hoorah.

My name is Sir Robert Peel.  I am a Global Moderator of this fine debating chamber and talking shop.  I am also an elder statesman of some influence, commanding considerable respect in those who don’t know me very well.  

Put your favourite CD on the gramophone player, kick off your shoes and make yourself comfortable.  
(Not that comfortable!    Please cover yourself up by putting on the dressing gown and slippers provided.  )

Now - can I trouble you to answer a few questions, when you have the inclination, time and patience.  You can answer some, all or none of them, but we look forward to hearing from you soon.

1.   Who are you and where are you from?

2.   What made you join Talkawhile?

3.   What do you know of Fairport Convention and/or Cropredy if anything?

4.   What kind of music do you like?

5.   What was the last gig/festival/recital/concert that you attended?  What was it like?

6.   What was the last CD that you bought?  Would you recommend it?

7.   Complete the following sentence:
          “Tonight, Sir Robert, I am going to be my all time favourite singer ……. (name of singer) and I will
            sing:  ' ................................'   (name of song)

Thanks awfully.  

Sir Robert Peel
220 years

My name is Sue and I'm married to Nick the Stick (for my sins)
Nick wanted me to join so he didn't have to keep quoting me.
I bought my first Fairport album when i was 11 and I've been to Cropredy 19 times
Steeleye/RT/SoH/Seth Lakeman/Bellowhead
Cropredy - brilliant
Downloaded Kitty Jay - Yes
Tonight, Sir Robert i am going to be Maddy Prior and I'm going to sing 'Blackleg Miner'

[Polly Oxford (Andie)]

You hardly count - you've been a virtual memeber for years, go on, admit it!
Good to hear from you, perhaps we'll bump into each other somewhere on the south coast?

[Mark Woolnough]

Oh by and by i am of the Carlislian clan ,i join in the motivation to network .Networking is my endeavour as i have collaborated with people afar and do so long to have meetings with them ...but they are just too dam far in the traveling .Too much water to tread and not enough paddle in me left as the Americas are too distant a land .No i look for something closer a field .What a good thing to have a spell check by the way as i am a tad dyslexic and am in the use of it already .
I'm afraid the fairport convention seem a little unfamiliar to me but have i heard of a group by that name ,no,i think that to be fairport attraction .Cropready i believe to be a gathering but no more so i am afraid i am loose with the knowledge of them both .Sure to be filled in i hope .
Music i lean to story telling and find no better than an acoustic to do so .But the world does not provide space enough to hold my likes in music .I like it all ,if it sounds good to me  .
Oh my word i have a disabling lower anatomy and do not frequent too often ,a house mouse i have been called .I did however attend a good bash at Manchester about 7 years ago where Bob Dylan and his band played .What a grand affair it was .The thing that was missing was another artist i would love to see called Niel Young ..maybe even one or two English men lol ..but great he was not to mention his band .
So alas i don't go to many for i don't know of many that would keep my arthritis warm .I favour the more intimate occasions as opposed to the open air .
Oh my buying Cd's i haven't done for sometimes there is so much free music to get through nowadays what with my own playing and practicing i have an admittance that i have not done so for more than my memories ability .I do however have boxes and boxes of the things that take up so much space they are under beds at the minuet ( company for the dust mites you understand ) .

Now i am very much on the spot to single one out but i do believe that i would say myself for fear of the political police and i would sing my own song Always look up that i will not impart with until a future time as i feel more comfortable with my relationships but i tell one secret ..That Blind Willie Mctell of Dylan's is a hoot of a work .
I look to singers who are not of the elegant type although i do appreciate perfection .I look to those who have found a quirk and just sing their songs as they do .
Neil Young said he started howling on stage one day and was asked what he was doing afterwards .....he said he didn't know it just felt right .That was the start of his singing career .

Ok so for enough of the speaking for fear of having too much to say i will end in the hopeings i have answered your toll for admittance and left you with the question to ponder .." what kind of crazy man would make such a post . .

Thanks you for making my entrance easier for to become familiar .

Thanks for having me .Mark from Carlisle Cumbria .

[jaypeter (Peter)]

Welcome aboard Mark. Once you have posted ten times you can get into the Corporation Arms, the inner sanctum. See you there.

[jaypeter (Peter)]

Is there going to be a prize for the 3500th member?

[Nick]

Is there going to be a prize for the 3500th member?

That number was passed some time ago...  

Not everyone who applies to join goes on to become a member, some are here only temporarily but they still get counted. Some join, then disappear without posting, and after a while their account names are freed up so that others can use them.

Cheers

Nick

[Jules Gray]

after a while their account names are freed up so that others can use them.

I'm confused - does this mean that people use other people's old accounts?  Or that TalkAwhile has a limit of how many people it can house?  Or both?  Or neither?  

Jules

[Jim]

after a while their account names are freed up so that others can use them.

I'm confused - does this mean that people use other people's old accounts?  Or that TalkAwhile has a limit of how many people it can house?  Or both?  Or neither?  

Jules

oh yes, we,ve  dealt with and seen off many , many Jules's before you happenedto fall into our trap along

[Jules Gray]

oh yes, we,ve  dealt with and seen off many , many Jules's before you happenedto fall into our trap along

Well I don't doubt that, but that's not what I meant.

Ah fuggit.  Who's for a frame of pool?

Jules

[Nick]

Well, neither, really.

Talkawhile doesn't have a limit on numbers of names, but it pays to try to keep things tidy at least a little.

Sometimes we get people who join then sit silently and never actually log on to look at the board let alone post. After a while (possibly a few years) we might decide they're never coming on and so we close their accounts. They can always re-register under a different name.

Names can only be used by one person on the board. So if there is a name that has been registered but never used then it's only fair to allow someone else the chance to use it if they want. E.g. for a long while on Talkawhile, Sandra had the name Sandy. She has never used that name for herself publicly but someone else had already taken the Sandra name. As it happened, that original Sandra never made any posts and eventually stopped visiting, so when we felt certain old Sandra wasn't interested in Talkawhile any more, 'Sandy' was given the name instead.

Something else that happens quite a lot is that we get people join, then forget they've joined so they join again under a different name. Or else they forget their passwords and decide, rather than email us to sort it out, they join again under a different name. After a bit of discussion we will unpick this and get people working with their one preferred account. We will then, if possible close the other account.

Also occasionally we have had people join who fail the litmus test for membership (e.g. Spammers try constantly to join in order to offer us viagra and etc). These may count as "members" albeit briefly.

One thing we take great care of though is to make sure that posts don't get mixed up between accounts. We wont close accounts that have active posts against them as this would mess up the database and cause confusion amongst members who wouldn't be sure who they were talking to.

Cheers

Nick

[jaypeter (Peter)]

Also occasionally we have had people join who fail the litmus test for membership (e.g. Spammers try constantly to join in order to offer us viagra and etc). These may count as "members" albeit briefly.
Cheers

Nick

Total members in fact. Memberheads.

[Poor Will (Bill)]

Also occasionally we have had people join who fail the litmus test for membership (e.g. Spammers try constantly to join in order to offer us viagra and etc). These may count as "members" albeit briefly.

I've only ever been offerred flapjacks!

[Mark Woolnough]

Thanks for the welcome guys .