Friends of Mine - Beggars Mantle (Harvey Andrews)

[skipy936]

Greatest singer / songwriter this country ever had. Sadly so few of us know of his work.

[beggarsmantle]

@skipy936 Thanks for your comment. I totally agree with you. Ray Charles said something many years ago, referring to himself - "I never wanted to be famous...just great". It could easily apply to Harvey, I know that he is more interested in doing his job/craft well than in in being famous for it. I guess it's up to guys like us to make his name and songs more widely known.

[SuperJsongs]

@skipy936 Er ever heard of Jon Martyn,Ralph McTell,Roy Harper,Al Stewart,Ray Davies.THE BEATLES, or indeed anyone other than a guy who managed to make a living as a folk singer.

[thebadguitarist]

Way back in early 1973 I recorded this song off the OGWT onto my little cassette recorder. The "high quality" tape snapped a few weeks later and I haven't heard it since. But I remembered how fine a song it was. It spawned a lifelong interest in the music of Harvey Andrews.

This is a great version, beautifully played and sung. Instantly a favourite with me. I'd never heard of Beggars Mantle before today but the videos I've been watching are superb and I've enjoyed them very much.

[beggarsmantle]

Wow, thanks for such a glowing comment. Harvey was a hero of mine for a long time and we are now good friends and have shared the stage and recorded together and written a couple of songs. He's one of the finest and most passionate songwriters the UK has ever produced; it's an honour to know him as a friend. I was involved with him on his albums, "The Journey" and "The Gift". All the best, Bruce

[MACHAWK123]

Apologies, but I live in Leeds and don't use the motorised chariot so I'm afraid I'll miss your Midlands gig. It's a brave (and honest) man who can admit when he's cocked up and as such I do so, I had my condescending/patronising hat on and am more than old enough to (should) know better. Keep gigging.

[MACHAWK123]

I stand before you quite correctly assualted. You are indeed totally right that if this song introduced anyone to Harvey's work that would in itself make your version more than worthwhile.

[beggarsmantle]

My response was never meant as an assault. It's obvious that you are a passionate supporter of him and his music , just as I am. If you're in the Midlands at the end of November this year, you might like to come and see us perform together.

[MACHAWK123]

Well, it's passable, just - not quite The Bachelors doing Sound of Silence but we're heading in that direction.

[beggarsmantle]

A case of, "you can't please all the people all the time" and I respect your opinion, even if I disagree with it. I'm thankful that Harvey Andrews (the writer) was delighted with it as were a few thousand others in the 1980s who bought our album or heard us perform and for whom this was a favourite song. I'm also glad that we were able to introduce many to the work of such a great writer, just as The Batchelors did for many who, at the time, would never have heard of Simon & Garfunkel.

[beggarsmantle]

I just wish Bill had been alive now to know of your appreciation, Harvey. He'd have been very chuffed. These were good times.

[beggarsmantle]

You are very welcome, Harvey. Thanks for this and hundreds of other great songs. I know I'm not the only one to have been inspired by you and your work. Thank YOU.

[poorhaydon]

A great version of my song. Thanks for posting this Bruce.

[MusikHHClip]

@poorhaydon : "Why MY song?" This Song is from Harvey Andrews!