Ralph McTell The early years at the Folk Cottage...

From http://www.ralphmctell.co.uk/ Ralph McTell is about to embark on his 2009 Autumn tour, starting on the 9th of October. (more info on his website). In this video he talks about his earliest musical experiences in Cornwall in the 1960s. Appended to this short intro is a film shot by the Newquay film society which comes under the heading "Historical document". Sadly because of the ten minute maximum time allowed there has had to be some edits of the original film, but it's still a fascinating insight into the mischief that Gran and Grandad got up to in those heady days.... Not really a whole lot different to the kids today....

Watch out for the expression on the face of one of the girls in the audience when she hears that the band are going to play some "Jug band music"?! Priceless...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ralph
• McTell
• Folk
• Music
• Singer
• Songwriter
• English

[myousiknlaw]

Time to visit Canada again, Ralph!!

[jimincairns]

flickr.com/photos/jimincairns/­1421498763/

[jimincairns]

I've got a pic somewhere playing my lovely old Levin 12-string there. Newquay was a fun place back then....and Buttercup the lifeguard called me 'The Fistral Minstrel'...!

[mrspursman6162]

Does anybody know if the footage from this video is available to purchase, and if so where. Would love to buy it. I was born in 1967 but my father-in-law was playing around the folk clubs in those days, and still is today. Brings back great memories for him.

[musik102]

In the summer of 1967, I was hitching from St Ives back to Looe ( where I was staying with friends). I got a lift from a chap who was heading for the folk cottage and I tagged along. He played mandolin and was in the jug band ( I think Ralph had recently left for London) ; anyway, it was a great venue and I got up and did a couple of songs. At the end of the evening, a potter from St Austil put me up for the night. I recall that he was a big Incredible String Band fan. Great days.

[harrynicholas]

Granny takes a Trip

[andyrobertsmusic]

Well I never went to the one in Newquay, nor the New Folk Cottage at Rose but I did start to do floor spots at the New Folk Cottage Truro in the early seventies which still had many of these original singers appearing from time to time. John the Fish was the regular MC by that time, with the occasional rare and unplanned visit from the now much more widely known Ralph McTell. I don't remember seeing any cameras though, so unlikely any footage will turn up.

[Northernspotter101]

This is great but one question is that rigsby from rising damp at 4.54 ?

[ianmcgeachy]

Interesting. The bloke just before the jug? band at the end..almost like a folky Elvis-even had a part sneer, plus referred to people as 'cats'...which is something I think should be revived as soon as possible. Looks to have been a great atmosphere, and not a mobile phone to be heard- luxury! Most of those 'folk' clubs though were a misnomer-they should have been called 'acoustic clubs' given blues and folk (and 'close to jazz') was also played. Les Cousins in London another prime example.

[padraigpurseal]

Thanks for the posting