Jonathan Kelly - Ballad Of Cursed Anna

[TheWrekinGiant]

Jonathan Kelly's music was introduced to me by my friend Dek Lovell, who has a couple of covers of Jonathan's songs on YouTube, including The Ballad of Cursed Anna. I really like Dek's cover and this original is brilliant. I'm enjoying going through Jonathan's music and am happy to have found it.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@TheWrekinGiant

Thank you so much for commenting.

Sounds great all ways round.

Well done to Dek, well done to you and, most of all, well done to Jonathan !!!

[fretbender1]

I, too, saw Jonathan supporting The Strawbs - at Newcastle City Hall in the early 70's. The power went out shortly before the gig was due to start and both The Strawbs and Jonathan came out on to the steps in front of the building an busked for the queuing fans until power was restored. As an aside, I bought this album and within a couple of weeks, every girl I'd played it to had bought it - must be something in that Irish water!

[SteveKellysVideos]

@fretbender1 Fantastic ! What a lovely memory. Wish I has seen some more dates on that tour .... oh well ....

[7878edie]

I was waiting for your reply, as it seems you acknowledge everyone who makes a comment on your post. And you often call those who respond to you , my friend. And that endears me to you, because my partner and I used to run a business together, and he would often refer to our customers as, my friend.He has the common touch and I think you have too.

Yes, I will spread the word, now that I have found it again!

[SteveKellysVideos]

@7878edie Thank you. Friend has always seemed to be the way to go - to hold out the hand of friendship.

Everyone is my friend until they prove otherwise.

Hope that 2012 is kind to your good self.

[7878edie]

Have just retrieved the album from my voluminous collection of vinyl discs which I refuse to part with, at least not in my lifetime! Jonathan Kelly,Twice Around The Houses. Ashamed to say I had forgotten not only the name of the album, but also Jonathan's name. However this song has always haunted me and I have always remembered it. Typed in the opening lines to Google and found you. Thank you so much for posting this.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@7878edie That is absolutely wonderful - that is why I posted the video - to help keep this marvellous song and artist in the 'limelight'.

Help spread the word by sharing etc.

[TheSicknotesan]

wow. love the action this is getting. secret treasure is JK.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@TheSicknotesan Quite so. It's great isn't it ?

[simonbking1]

listening to this is like having a time machine back to the early seventies

I remember seeing Jonathan at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in December 1975 when he was support act to Thin Lizzy - an interesting contrast.....

[SteveKellysVideos]

@simonbking1 Oh yes, there were some 'interesting' billings back then. He was supporting The Strawbs on both of the occasions that I saw Jonathan.

The first time - at the Shaw Theatre - it was just Jonathan solo with his acoustic guitar - his performance was mesmerising and I was a fan from the first song onwards. Mary Hopkin and Tony Visconti sat directly behind me and they too were enthralled.

The second time - at the Royal Festival Hall - was with his band so it was like the album versions.

[Nevo244]

One of my all time favourites! i've loved this song for years! Amazing songwriter! Check out my version of the song!

[SteveKellysVideos]

@Nevo244 Thank you - your version is first class my friend.

[heting83]

LOVELY. Just discovered Jonathan Kelly. Awesome album. Great song.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@heting83 That's just marvellous - I had the good fortune to see Jonathan play this live in 1972 - I can remember buying the album in a little record shop just off Cheapside in London - how wonderful to hear it for the first time.

[NigelDye]

been looking for this for 40 years :-) still just a moving

[SteveKellysVideos]

@NigelDye Excellent Nigel - glad that you found it my friend.

[p165711]

Wow great to hear this again. Had Twice Around the Houses in the 70's but lost it in moving continents. Many great tunes on that album.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@p165711 Great that you enjoyed it - Twice Around The Houses is a very fine album indeed.

[94981745]

dont like it. thumbs down.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@94981745 Thanks for that.

[cudleycamerondudley]

FANTASTIC! Can I have some chords please?

[SteveKellysVideos]

@cudleycamerondudley Thank you my friend.

I've sent you a message.

[cinnabar294]

holding high his one hand while the other stroked his beard

[SteveKellysVideos]

@cinnabar294 Indeed.

[cinnabar294]

@SteveKellysVideos usto sing it at a foke singing group

[SteveKellysVideos]

@cinnabar294 Not surprising, it's a very good example of how to present an interesting story with a pleasant melody.

[edwindukes]

Great song, still play Twice around the houses CD, timeless songs. Have known Jonathan since he was 4 years old! Always a wonderful talent.

Edwin

[SteveKellysVideos]

@edwindukes Thank you my friend - couldn't agree more.

I was lucky enough to see Jonathan perform a couple of times back in the early 1970s.

A wonderful talent.

[Waddowarrior]

Well done! Brings back golden memories of seeing JK in the early 70's.

GOOOOD SHIIIT!

Tony.Cavill@hotmail.com

[SteveKellysVideos]

@Waddowarrior Golden memories indeed.

[185479623]

Wonderful music, and his name ain't that far from mine !

[SteveKellysVideos]

@185479623 Thank you.

I am glad that you enjoyed this song and video.

[185479623]

@SteveKellysVideos Sure I did, I almost cried when I heard it.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@185479623 It takes a really special song to move someone like that.

I'm sorry I hadn't replied to your original post sooner.

My computer died and I lost my internet connection.

Slowy getting back to 'normal' now.

[185479623]

@SteveKellysVideos Sure. I guess it's not a fate if we've got the same name.

Not problems for the reply. At least you answered.

[eightiesrarities]

wow!not heard this in years...used to have Twice around the Houses album...............this is still well good

[SteveKellysVideos]

@eightiesrarities It's great that you enjoyed this song - you are right - it's an excellent album.

[DL11AZ]

@eightiesrarities I had the album, twice around the Houses way back in the late '70's, the song, Ballad Of Cursed Anna was a regular in the Jolly Sailor, in Sandown on the Isle of Wight, a singer/guitarist used to play it there, I lost the albu, doing a lot of travelling. I now have it again, thank god for ebay lol... brongs back so many memories, good memories

[XjadeeyX]

i remember it well, had the album in early 70's, hadnt heard it since, time only touches our souls to finesse......................

[SteveKellysVideos]

@XjadeeyX Absolutely my friend.

[SteveKellysVideos]

Thanks John.

It's certainly one of those special songs that sticks in the mind.

No, I don't have a copy of Jonathan on "The Old Grey Whistle Test".

If anyone out there does have a copy then please give us a shout !!!!

[drummerjohn49]

Excellent video steve, it's a long while since I heard this song, but to my amazement I remembered all the words.

Cheers!

p.s. I know it's a long shot but have you got a copy of Jonathan on "The Old Grey Whistle Test"?

[TheSicknotesan]

my auld fella used to play it for me whilst warning me of the dangers of TOTP and Radio1. A wise man.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@TheSicknotesan A wise man indeed !!!!!

[joffreyc]

Wow, that's great... I learned that song from an old Brit while traveling in the North of India... I played it for years and never knew who wrote it... I thought it was Richard Thomson because he also taught me Mattie Groves and Crazy Man Michael.

Thanks!

[SteveKellysVideos]

@joffreyc Excellent. Very glad to be able to set the record straight. Jonathan Kelly wrote a host of first rate songs - in fact he is still writing top notch songs.

It's great that you enjoyed this - thanks for writing my friend.

[JA92LZ]

Not many people my age will ever hear this song, or like it... such a shame about the dyer music shoved down our throats, fantastic song!

[SteveKellysVideos]

@JA92LZ It is wonderful that you enjoyed this very fine, timeless song.

I have always found that some of my favourite songs have been discovered when I have deviated from the beaten track. There is always good music out there - it just takes a bit of searching out.

But what a happy coincidence that you have chanced upon this one - spread the word.

[SteveKellysVideos]

@cathkinghost An absolute pleasure my friend.

Jonathan is a top man !!!!

There a lot of recent videos of him on here that you have no doubt located by now.

[ejohnh]

I booked Jonathan Kelly to play at The Afan Valley Folk club in about 1970. Fkn magic.. I got the vinyl too.. :o) 40 years ago !!!

[SteveKellysVideos]

@ejohnh I know !!! 40 years ago - doesn't bear thinking about does it ?

You can find some new videos featuring Jonathan here:

[flumpy12]

I first saw Johnathan in the Maquee club in about 1973ish on his own as a stand in for a band that couldnt make it.He asked us to close our eyes and imagine there was band with him and started to sing this song from his "new" album. Absolutely brilliant. Got it on vinyl and now CD. Happy memories

[SteveKellysVideos]

@flumpy12 Thrilled that you liked the video - I remember him doing pretty much the same thing when he supported The Strawbs back in ....... oooooh a long time ago !!!!

[120kaseye]

Thanks Steve! I had this album in the 70's, after seeing J.K. at Chalk Farm,Camden. Lost the album, but not the memory. Ta!

[SteveKellysVideos]

An absolute pleasure my friend.

If only we could record the memories in our minds eye eh ?

[mrkuryakin2]

This is a fab song Steve. Really like it. I think I'll be giving it quite a few listens. Will be interesting to hear more Jonathan Kelly too :o)

[SteveKellysVideos]

Thanks Jason - it is a great song isn't it.

I would very happily recommend his 'Twice Around The Houses' album - on CD it comes as part of a two albums on one disc deal.

It might be possible to produce further videos for Jonathan's songs in the future - I don't think that he would mind that - it's just that they take so long to put together ... or I'm very slow at it .... probably the latter !!!!!

[mrkuryakin2]

I'll try and pick up the album ... you do a good job with the vids. I wouldn't even know where to start. I sometimes ponder putting together a vid for Asylum Skies but can never quite get a vision of how I'd like it to be. Maybe something'll come to me at some point ... but I still wouldn't have a clue where to start even if it did .. lol :oD

[suzieqt68]

Wow! i LOVED THIS! Thanks for posting Steve!

[SteveKellysVideos]

Excellent !!!!

Please share this with anyone whom you think may enjoy it.

[solongsuzanne]

Thank you for the posting Steve.

I love this wonderfull Ballad.

[SteveKellysVideos]

Thanks Suzanne - it's a great song isn't it.

[roadbiketraveller]

Thank you for posting this Steve. I just love this kind of Ballad. Thank you also for making the credits at the end - I was wondering about the images and now I know.

Julia.x.

[SteveKellysVideos]

Thanks Julia - I'm pretty sure that you would like the album that this song is taken from.

It's about time it was 're-discovered'.

Also I had a field day in Photoshop with the images - glad that you like them.

[INKEFUCHS]

it's wonderful....touchin' !!!!!

[SteveKellysVideos]

Thank you Inke - I thought that you might like this one.

[INKEFUCHS]

mystic

[SteveKellysVideos]

Glad you enjoyed it.

I managed to see Jonathan perform this live in 1972 when he supported The Strawbs .......

[goyamoon2006]

Great Song, loved it!!!