The Reverent Alex Richards

[Alan Day]

I have in my possession two CDs of The Reverent Alex Richards ,he is giving a talk on concertina playing and I have just been listening to it.

An outstanding player, but I would be grateful if anybody can tell me a few more details about him. What system did he play .Is this CD available or have I got the only copy (Which I can make available.

Thanks

Al

Edited March 10 by Alan Day

[David Barnert]

He has been mentioned before on concertina.net in these two threads (both state that he played the English concertina:

 

 

 

 

 

[Alan Day]

Does anybody know if this book and CDs were ever published.

It is too good to lose.

Al

[Yackandoodle]

Rev Alex Richards from Gulgong NSW was an exceptional English concertina player who played with amazing alacrity and unbending discipline. Some of his edicts were:

• One played standing with one's feet  slightly apart and angled at 15 degrees. 
• Repeated notes were to be played using different fingers
• And familiarity with all keys and scales was expected

Richard Evans was behind having the Rev teach technique to some NSW folkies. Alex, In his 80s, drove himself from Gulgong to Sydney for the lessons (~8hrs driving and 600km round trip). Players included Peter McLaren, Helen Romeo, Wayne Richmond, Jill Stubington, Greg Wilson, and Annette Dwight.

 

The Rev played in the Sydney Opera House at a Bush Music Club Festival Concert that I organised (c1980) and I think I know who has the copy of the recording made by Wally Bolliger.

 

I would dearly like to include a page on the Rev on the Concertina Australia website so any recordings would be appreciated. I don't know of a completed manuscript on concertina history and most probably would if it existed.

 

Dave Johnson

(Yackandoodle was the name given to the concertina by the father of anglo player Sue McMahon)

[Alan Day]

Dave ,thanks for the details you have mentioned.

It is the full two CD recording of that talk and concertina demonstrations I have.

If there is no Performance Rights involved My thoughts would be to demonstrate some of his playing here on the new Archive recordings section and the full talk made available on the ICA site for players to down load.

Al

[Yackandoodle]

Excellent ideas for the ongoing preservation. I would also like to have a copy of the CDs if possible for a workshop at the next Concertina Convergence at Goulburn in March next year. A good friend of mine, Peter McLaren, was Alex's "teacher's pet" and I would like to give him access too.

Dave

[Alan Day]

I will start the ball rolling as it looks as though no royalties or objections are involved. 

I will send these off to Peter Rowistone who is helping me with this project and is involved as Editor for Concertina World the ICA Publication.

He is rather involved at the moment with CDs of other players ,but we will post up when it is posted.

I must admit to be very impressed with Rev Alex Richards playing.English chorded style.

Al