Ralph Jordan
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Posts posted by Ralph Jordan
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Just to let people know.
The website has got a bright new shiny PayPal clicky thing now (Thanks to Sheena)
So, there is no excuse for not getting Granny that "Must Have" Christmas present from anywhere in the world!!
Thank you for your kind attention
Ralphie
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Right then.
New stuff up includes.
Me and Irene Shettle
Me and Stocai
Me and Groupa
Me and Crows/Ian Blake
Me and Keith Kendrick
Me and PJD/Martyn Wyndham-Read Band (includes Iris Bishop)
Me and The Fraser Sisters
Plus sessions for friends
Lebedek, The Watch, Bill Martin and Rosie Cross, Polkaworks....etc!
Running out of upload bandwidth now!!
Enjoy!
The Ralph Jordan floodgates have opened. Watch out!
Unlikely Jody.
It's a cheap website, and I've almost filled my Upload capability!
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Right then.
New stuff up includes.
Me and Irene Shettle
Me and Stocai
Me and Groupa
Me and Crows/Ian Blake
Me and Keith Kendrick
Me and PJD/Martyn Wyndham-Read Band (includes Iris Bishop)
Me and The Fraser Sisters
Plus sessions for friends
Lebedek, The Watch, Bill Martin and Rosie Cross, Polkaworks....etc!
Running out of upload bandwidth now!!
Enjoy!
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Just think of it as a small thank you for those Concertina Dating Formulae.
My concertina is looking for a date - if we get a good match, we might start a breeders' club!
Excuse me...Can I have my thread back!!!!?
Right then.
Some more tracks loaded up on the site. Some collaborations, including a pretty interesting "Rock" tina solo with the Swedish band Groupa, many years ago.
And some tracks with my other "Mixing" hat on. More stuff to follow.
Ralphie. (whos tina is male, single, 90 years old, and available!)
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Well done you and Sheena , great site.
Thanks Michael...
Work In Progress.
Just trying to get my head around the technology at the moment!
More stuff later!
Regards Ralphie
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Have uploaded some more clips
Some of them contain Concertina.
Some don't!
Never mind!
It's all music!
Enjoy!
Ralphie
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Dear Ralphie and Sheena,
Bravo. I've been playing Eloise with pleasure and would recommend it to all as a great listen from a great player. Good luck with your CD sales and your fabulous new web site.
Thanks Jody!
The CD has covered it's costs now! Still not quite enough profit for that yacht I've got my eye on!
Am planning to put up some more clips of playing on the WIP page. Will let people know via this thread.
Also for friends across the water (in all directions!) I've set up a PayPal account to make it painless for you to part with your money!
Buy early for Christmas. Your granny would love a copy! You know it makes sense!
Ralphie
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Thank you so much every one for your responses! It was quite helpful and I gained a lot of valuable information.
My concertina actually belongs to a friend who wanted me to sell it on Ebay. He's not a player and it was passed down in his family. But I first needed some information about it that was greatly provided from Internet research and this forum.
I listed it on US Ebay last night if you'd like to look at it. I show 27 photos and I think my description describes it pretty well.
It's item number: 390255526981 and titled:
"1927 Wheatstone 46 Key DUET CONCERTINA #31562 with CASE"
Greg mentioned a value of $1000.00 so I listed it with reserve of $995.00 which has been met. Hopefully it will rise, but my friend is so far happy.
Thank you all again for taking the time to inform and educate me.
Regards,
Pierce
Pierce. No problem. We are (generally!) quite a nice bunch here. We have to be, we are an endangered species after all! Good luck with the sale. Will follow its progress.
Best wishes Ralphie
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Well done Ralphie. A good start. And some very nice playing from you and Lis on Stoney Steps. Perhaps you might like to combine it with the London Hornpipe.
Chris
Mmmm Maybe...!
It was just an excersise for the site. But we fully intend to do more stuff in the future. In fact I'm thinking of calling the second CD "The Difficult One!"
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Just to let you know that Ralph Jordan has built a website (actually his girlfriend did, thanks Sheena!)
www.the-attic-tapes.co.uk
It's still work in progress at the moment, but there are 3 sound clips from the ELOISE CD if you fancy a listen...
More stuff to follow.
As I add more stuffI'll let you now.
I'm quietly chuffed, I have to say!
Thanks Sheena
Hey!! That sounds great Ralphie. I've allways wanted one of those myself, with just one page, on which would be written ,in big letters, " GO AWAY I'M BUSY!"
Must pay a visit to your site........ Wow, looks good !
finnest regards,
Geoff.
Thanks Geoff.
The powers of the internet eh?. Recorded a Duet/Duet with my good friend Lis this afternoon, and Hey Ho it's up there (the WIP page!) It's not a brilliant performance, but I was just testing the system. I'm a real novice at websites me!
Let me know if anyone can hear it!
If it works, I'll pop things up there from time to time.
Happy to link to other peoples sites to.
So get in touch.
Easiest way would be
eloisecd@hotmail.co.uk
Advert over!
Ralphie
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Just to let you know that Ralph Jordan has built a website (actually his girlfriend did, thanks Sheena!)
www.the-attic-tapes.co.uk
It's still work in progress at the moment, but there are 3 sound clips from the ELOISE CD if you fancy a listen...
More stuff to follow.
As I add more stuffI'll let you now.
I'm quietly chuffed, I have to say!
Thanks Sheena
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Hi Pierce,
Let me begin by ecouraging you, as many of members of this forum no doubt will, to learn to play this instrument.
It is a quality concertina, made by one of the very best makers and to commission the making of a similar instrument of equal quality would entail the expenditure of at least 4 to 5 thousand dollars. You may never again have the opportunity to learn to play on such a nice instrument.
That said, you are probably realizing that MacCann duets are not presently at the height of their popularity. MacCanns with 46b or less seem to be readily available. A recent ebay offering of perhaps a very similar one to yours:
resulted in no bids with a starting price of about $1500.
The other factor working against that offering and your particular instrument is that most experienced MacCann players who are ready to spend thousands on a quality instrument usually prefer the range that 56-57 buttons or more provide.
I'm not much of a MacCann player but I personally enjoy the accessibility and size of a 46b instrument. Perhaps there is someone like me who enjoys the smaller profile and is looking for a quality smaller Maccann to get started on.
A couple of questions did occur to me. If the instrument is in Old Philharmonic it could be as high as 50-60 cents above modern standard pitch. That presents an expensive proposition to have the instrument retuned to standard and only if the reeds are in good shape with enough "meat" on them to make the trip and retain their sound quality. You also mentioned 4 reeds were replaced which begs the question why and might be followed up with a request for pictures of the instrument's insides.
Even though the maker's pedigree is excellent and your instrument's condition very good the prospects of a $450-$500 tuning cost and its number of buttons may keep its sale price close to $1000. IMHO.
Perhaps more valuable to keep and play rather than convert to cash? Other opinions may differ.
Greg
I sort of agree with Greg on a lot of his points.
My first Duet was a 46 back in 1973. Moved up to a 56 rather quickly, and have stuck with that ever since. I also agree that to have it retuned into concert pitch (properly) is very expensive. Having said that, their value has steadily increased over the years. Due no doubt to their increasing popularity. My current beast was made in 1924. An 8 sided Aeola. Lovely machine.
Keep an eye on these pages for the announcement of the forthcoming Duet International 3 CD set, featuring Duet players from around the world. The value of yours will hopefully rise as a result of its release. In the meantime, why not try to play it? I'm so glad that I did.
If you get your head around the patterns of the buttons you might be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck with your new toy anyway.
Best Wishes Ralphie
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Yvonne.
Firstly, well done for getting to a comfortable place with your playing. Don't despair or indeed give up. Use the place where you are to step up to the next level.
I've been trying to climb that particular staircase for 35 years, I'm about half way!
I nearly always play with my eyes closed...(Because the audiences are normally ugly!)
Just keep on keeping on. Look forward to hearing the results.
Regards Ralphie
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Well.
I've got about 10 Prince 78s.
One of them is the Bluebells of Scotland (Yes with piano acc)
I would defy anyone to play it today....I certainly couldn't!
I don't think it matters How Alexander played. Or indeed anyone, including me!
We all bring our musings to the table, for other people to enjoy or reject.
But everybodys contribution is welcome, surely?
If you don't like it, ignore it.
I happen to like Mr Princes renditions.
And he gave me Hopscotch, 100 years after he recorded it.
What is there not to like about that?
It would be lovely to think that in 100 years, someone might hear my playing and be inspired.
Life continues. That's how it goes.
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Well.
Speaking as a Duet player, I would obviously say that the Duet wins hands down!
But, I have dabbled with the English and the Anglo.
With both systems, I found the lack of opportunity for harmonic embellishment made them quite limiting.
Ok, shoot me down in flames if you like, and of course there are sensational and amazing players of both systems.
It's just that the Duet fits the wiring of my brain. Playing it is just so easy.
(If you want to have a go at me, I'll admit to once playing a C/F Melodeon as well. Little White Bull....Oh the shame!)
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Jody will be joining us at our session on Wednesday 29th in Bath. This is a normal English session evening so don't come expecting to hear Jody do a set, but I'm sure he'll lead some tunes over the evening. The Royal Oak, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3BW starting at 8.30.
Cheers,
Chris
And Jody popped by to my place for a couple of hours this afternoon, on route to a gig in London. Lovely Lebanese meal. No chance to play sadly. Hey Ho. Great to see him again though. Top bloke!
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Actually Geoff. It's a Ten second pub....That's as long as it takes me to get there.
Once after a recording session I told the guys to pop round and get the beers in. I followed 20 minute later, in my dressing gown and carpet slippers! Nobody batted an eyelid! How local can you get? Really looking forward to introducing you to the Nascot!
Hi Geoff.
Firstly thanks for the compliment!
I don't think that migrating from English to Duet would be that difficult. If all you'd ever played was an Anglo, that might be harder.
But a Hayden? Don't get me wrong, but....First find your Hayden. Rare as Hens teeth. I visited Steve Dickinson last week, and he was saying that he's basically not taking any more orders. He's 60 in January, and he's got a five year waiting list for tinas! And I don't think there are any Haydens on his order books. Can't speak for Colin Dipper, but he is of an age too!
I'd suggest the MacCann. Mainly 'cos I play one! but, also, they are more readily available. One tip though...No less than 56 key, going down to middle C on the right hand side (with an octave crossover) That has served me well over 35 years. 65 Key is OK. Anything bigger and it starts getting silly! I had a chance to play Neil Waynes Huge bastard up in Sheffield a month ago. Looked impressive, but was almost unplayable!
I'm really looking forward to you coming over next year. Don't forget to bring a box/pipes whatever. It would be great to record some tunes together. (And there is always the pub. They've just started doing really good Thai food!)
Apropos of nothing, I occasionally bump into Graham (Shelver), he's mainly playing fiddle nowadays, Lives down in Kent.
Until the next communication.
Yo Dude! Ralphie
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Does "my 10 second pub" refer to how long you are allowed in it, or the time taken to quaff each pint ?
Maybe how long it takes to get there from his front door?
jdms
Oh! Yes! I suppose that is it.
How dreadfully dangerous, I am glad we don't have one of those in our village, mind you, being in France there is any amount of wine in the cellar here.
Cheers,
Geoff.
Actually Geoff. It's a Ten second pub....That's as long as it takes me to get there.
Once after a recording session I told the guys to pop round and get the beers in. I followed 20 minute later, in my dressing gown and carpet slippers! Nobody batted an eyelid! How local can you get? Really looking forward to introducing you to the Nascot!
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One of my clients, who lives close to Masstricht, plays regularly with Wim Poesen (composer of Wals voor Polle) and it was from him that we learned this nice tune. He told us that Polle (Polle Ranson) is an avid collector of all recorded versions of "his tune". I wonder if he has purchased his copy of Eloise yet?
Incidentaly Polle plays the Bechonnet Musette and if you are not sure what one of those is then you can see him on Youtube where there are a couple of videos of him in different combos playing this same tune.
I have been listening all week to Eloise and have been well entertained and happy.
So...great job Ralphie !!
Geoff.
Geoff.
I'm blushing!
And, It's all your fault, you bastard!
If you hadn't twisted my arm all those years ago. I wouldn't have been in the sorry mess I find myself in now!
I blame you entirely.....
Seriously. It would be lovel to see you again. It's been too many years, and we are not getting any younger.
Hence ELOISE......I just wanted to make a statement, that's all.
So, get your arse over here and buy me a beer in the Nascot Arms (My 10 second pub!)
Kind regards Ralphie
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Hi Jody.
Hope the tour goes well.
If your stuck for somewhere to stay anytime. Just get in touch.
I'm in Watford. North West of London.
Regards Ralphie
Hi Ralphie,
That would be great to see you again. Perhaps a visit would work. How far are you from Islington?
I'm about 20 minutes on a train out of Euston station. Sadly, I can't make any of your gigs this time. But, my earthly representative (Irene) will be happy to press my latest CD into your hand at Bishop Stortford! Have a great trip, and give my love to all my friends in Faversham, particularly!
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I’ll be playing Anglo concertina and singing at a number of English folk clubs in the next few weeks. I sing a wide ranging collection of amusing songs that tell American stories that are hilarious, gritty and true — stories of train wrecks and wrecked marriages, death-row convicts and lonesome lovers, heroes, losers, swaggering braggarts, and lazy slackers. Fun stuff all.
In addition, I will be teaching Anglo concertina workshops at the “Concertinas at Witney” gathering. I hope to see some of you along the way.
If anyone here is interested in private lessons, just send me a PM.
September
Thursday 23 Stortfolk Music Club, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire
Friday 24 Swindon Folksingers Club
Saturday 25 Witney, Oxfordshire - workshops
Sunday 26 Witney, Oxfordshire - workshops
Monday 27 Warwick Folk Club
Thursday 30 Islington Folk Club
October
Saturday 2 House concert in Faversham
Monday 4 The Barge, Gillingham
Hi Jody.
Hope the tour goes well.
If your stuck for somewhere to stay anytime. Just get in touch.
I'm in Watford. North West of London.
Regards Ralphie
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I don't know if anyone's seen this coming up for auction at Gorringes in Lewes on 8th September?
Number is 29768 and it's a model 19 Aeola from 1923.
There's a George Case English as well but I suspect this one is the star.
Interesting that Gorringes have an estimate of £150-£200 on the Wheatstone and £200-£300 on the Case
Alex West
£150-£200?
Are they mad????
Shame I don't play an English!!!
I remember on one of these daytime Flog It style TV shows, a Wheatstone English coming up. The "Expert" said it was worth £400-£500...
I screamed at the TV....FIFTEEN HUNDRED!!!
Guess what...I think it went at auction for £1600 ish!
If you fancy a nice looking box. Get down to Lewes. You might get a bargain!
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I'd like to believe it too..but I think Schneevals predates Tommy, apart from the C Music. The audience went quiet at that bit, so, indeed that could be Tommys contribution? We'll never know for sure.
Just to confirm ... "Schneewalzer" which forms the bulk of "Springtime in Battersea" is a popular song,in the first instance rather than just a tune, composed by Thomas Koschat (an Austrian) . Koschat was a well known and highly respected classical composer (highly thought of by Wagner, apparently), and the song can be found in many, many guises if you go hunting for it on Youtube (cowbells, hairy chested blokes in lederhosen rapping to it... you name it, it's there). It has been a favourite (?) amongst the brass band fraternity for a long time .... and since Mr Koschat died in 1914, I think it is safe to assume that the tune was his and not the other way around. (I think this was all discussed on another thread on here previously).
He was also responsible for a setting of "The Lord is My Shepherd" to a tune known either as Poland or Koschat .... and well known for various folk tunes. More information on him, and a photo can be found here http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/k/o/koschat_t.htm
Taking nerdy hat off, and getting coat for departure now ....
Blimey! Too much information Irene Thanks!
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My cheque is in the post.
All good stuff, but my favourite track at the moment is Vals Voor Polle, though that could easily change with each playing.
Does anyone know where I can get the dots or the ABC?
What were the Belgian audience doing during Springtime in Battersea? Sounds like they were having a good time.
regards
John
Hi John.
To explain the Battersea bit, unbeknownst to me. It's actually a very well known (and slightly hackneyed!) German waltz, which Belgium football fans use to taunt German fans when they meet at a match. Rude lyrics were hinted at, but never divulged! Hence the hilarity, which at the time I found most perplexing!
Oh, and as for the Hop Festival. Mike Wheeler is in charge of selling them there. So avoid him at all costs!!!
I will not need to buy one from Mike since I already have my copy!
I still want to believe that Springtime in Battersea was a Tommy Williams original, adopted by the Germans!!. The sleeve notes of his record say it is one of his compositions.
regards
John
I'd like to believe it too..but I think Schneevals predates Tommy, apart from the C Music. The audience went quiet at that bit, so, indeed that could be Tommys contribution? We'll never know for sure.
Memories of Mel Dean / Old Hat Dance Band
in General Concertina Discussion
Posted · Edited by Ralph Jordan
Olly.
I think it's brilliant that you're doing this research. I only met your father tangentially, but, other places to search are Mudcat, and Facebook.
There are certainly friends of mine (on Facebook) that would have worked with your Dad.
Good luck with your quest. Us folkies aren't such a bad bunch really!