Ray’s chat 26

Hi Folks
RAYS CHAT TWENTY SIX.

Hi Folks.
So here we are in September; back after the Summer Break.
I hope that you had some real good times.
So now we are back for our Autumn Season. And I have been
finding more singers from the old days, that you maybe have
never have heard of:

One name I have never mentioned before has come to mind.
Ever heard of TOMMY ROE? Well He wrote and sang songs with
girls names. One famous one being Shelia. That got to be real
popular. But the song I remember him singing was
THE FOLK SINGER. Which was not only Big in the Folk World;
BUT got to number 4 in the Mainstream charts in 1963.
It is a good song.. And he has a Nice voice. If you have
never heard it. Listen now: It has a real tear jerker lyric.
Put in: TOMMY ROE – THE FOLK SINGER 2.53
Yes I reckon that is worth remembering.
Oh I know the purists might say He is Not true Folk. But to me a
guy who sings about a FOLK SINGER. is good enough for me.

Searching for 1950 Folk Songs; I came across one I had never
Heard before. It is an old song: Being Sung by a Very
Famous Singer of that time: Jo Stafford.
Oh Jo was a really GREAT Singer with a superb voice:
Jo really was a superb singer Who Sang all sorts of
songs including comedy. Ever Heard “TEMPTATION”
BY Red Ingil and the Natural Seven. That was Jo (SINGING AS
CINDERELLA G STUMP). She sings Every notes out of tune!
It’s AWFUL.. BUT FUN. She also sang as DARLENE EDWARDS
She had her Own programme on RADIO LUXEMBOURG: Which I
loved. Yes a Very Special Singer in the 50’s.
Ohhh!! it brings back memories of me listening with
Earphones; late in the night listening to Jo’s late night
programme. She had a gorgeous voice; I adored her.
And I still think she was one of VERY BEST EVER Singers of her
Period. And there is one song I always think she sang BETTER
THAN anyone else:
Go on listen: Put in:
JO STAFFORD – MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT 3.97
OH this really is a most Superbly sung Song and a most
wonderful recording.. and remember it was in the days
before they could muck about with ’em.. She just sang;
and it was recorded just as she sang it.
And the result is Just SUPERB. For me it is still
Utter MAGIC. Perfect recording.
No I suppose I have to agree it is not a Folk Song.
But listen anyway. NO: True JO was not known as a Folk
Singer; SO: I was surprised to find this Folk Song that She Did
sing:: I had not heard this before and I think it is well worth you
Listening to: JO STAFFORD – JOHNNY HAS GONE FOR
A SOLDIER 2,54
Yes?? Was I right?? They don’t make ‘em like that any more??
Jo was GREAT. A VERY SPECIAL Lady.
She died in 2008 age 90.

Okay We’ve Been about maybe border line Folk Singers:
So now I will chat about Real Folk Singers from those days:
I asked the computer and it came-up with
THE BROTHERS FOUR. OH Yes they were a very Good
Group: Very well known in their Day: Try this one:
TRY TO REMEMBER – BROTHERS FOUR 2.55
Yes Nice, Maybe a Bit slower than I am used to.

They also recorded FOUR STRONG WINDS..
Yes ANOTHER favourite song of mine.
But: I DO think you got a job to beat THE KINGSTON TRIO
Version OF FOUR STRONG WINDS.

The KINGSTON TRIO were one of the earlier Groups that
Survived over a long period: The KINGSTON TRIO were
originally formed in 1954; and actually finished in 1976.
Although the line-up had changed a Number of times by then.
When they first arrived on the scene they were heavily criticised
by the Old Folk Scene guys, as being Pop not Folk.
Never the less the Public liked them and their record Sales took
off. I have a 1962; LP of theirs called THE BEST OF THE
KINGSTON TRIO. Which includes the Pete Seeger song
WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE.
Superb Song EVERYONE sang it: I like the Original
Put in: WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE –
KINGSTON TRIO. 2.59

And there was a very good Irish Group that was strong in the
early Days. THE CLANCY BROTHERS OHH YES!!
They made some GREAT Records. I think the one I am going to
choose; Because they sing it with such feeling is:
IRISH CELTIC MUSIC – CARRICKFERGUS – THE
CLANCY BROTHERS AND TOMMY MAKEM 6.05
Yes a bit on the long side, BUT it includes a story that will make
you laugh. YES do listen to this one.
I was never lucky enough to see and hear this Group live.
But their records were always favourites of mine.
And the song they would end their gig with was:
HOLY GROUND – CLANCY BROTHERS AND TOMMY
MAKEM 3.25 What a Fantastic song to end a show!!!.

And now to finish this Chat: I have found a real GREAT recording
by probably the MOST Famous Folk Group EVER.
Yes it is of the WEAVERS in 1950.. Yes Real Folk History.
With one of the Greatest Songs Folk Songs ever. “IRENE”

Yes: NO wonder Ian Campbell chose it as the Farewell Song at
each of the JUG OF PUNCH NIGHTS. What memories!!
Oh the times I have sung my heart out to “Irene”.

YOU GOT TO SING ALONG WITH THIS.
Put in: THE WEAVERS – GOODNIGHT IRENE 3.20.

Nice chatting to You
RAY