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DAVY GRAHAM RIP

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:11 pm
by GORDON
It is with great sadness that I have recently been told of the death of Davy Graham. I shall be posting my own tribute later on this site.

Rest in peace Davy.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:57 pm
by Roger
Gordon,

The music world has already suffered several sad losses this year and this is more tragic news so close to Xmas. I'm ashamed to say that I only became aware of Davey Graham's influence when we exchanged forum postings a couple of years ago around Xmas time.

RIP

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:41 am
by Trevor Raggatt
Good lord, what a loss to British music. And so sad that it has come so soon after he stared to become more widely known and acknowledged again and to be more active with his music.

Thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Memories of Davy.

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:13 pm
by GORDON
Dear friends. I would like to share a few memories of Davy with you.

I remember in the late 60s seeing Davy play down at the Cousins in Greek St, where ironically he played a brief set before Bert Jansch took the stage and I well remember Davy saying something like 'this is going to be my last number then I leave the stage because you can't make love to two people at the same time'. Very true of course!

For me at that time Bert was the main man, and Davy's playing just went over my head, well it would wouldn't it. I had only been playing properly for about a year and was still under the spell of the great Bert. Shortly after that I turned up at the Cousins one night and had the chance to do a floor spot on Davy's night. Davy very kindly loaned me his old Gibson guitar, and would you believe I was complaining about the strings he used and the high action. My God Davy showed SUCH patience with me. If it had been me and the situation was reversed I would have said something like...'if you don't like the guitar bog off'. Fortunately for me he didn't but he did give me a withering look and quite rightly so bless him. I was only 19 at the time!

A while later a friend of mine was having lessons with Davy and I went along, once again Davy most graciously allowed me to sit in. I think what you can gather here is that Davy was a lovely guy, outspoken but lovely. I well remember advertising my teaching services in the small ads of the Melody Maker under the heading 'Advanced Guitar Tuition', and having a conversation with Davy about it and him saying that he thought the title was a bit strong...he was right of course, but at the time I wanted to avoid teaching beginners but the heading did appear a tad arrogant, it wasn't meant to be, and once I had explained that to Davy I think he understood.

During the early to mid 70s I embraced Christianity for a while and coincidentally so did Davy and I rang him up to say how pleased I was to hear that he had found a faith. Many years later Davy did a short tour of Midland clubs, and one night I reminded Davy of that phone call and he remembered EVERY word of it...what an Amazing memory! It was during that time that I had the opportunity of performing Angie with him on stage somewhere...what a privilege that was!

Ever since hearing the news of his passing yesterday,and having to break the news to a few close friends including my dear friend Bert Jansch who understandably was shaken by it, I can't get the memory of the man out of my mind.

I was pleased that he decided to tread the boards again a few years back, mainly for his own satisfaction more than anything else, if it brought him a modicum of joy then that is all that matters.

For all you who have seen my shows over the last few years you will know that I have been performing my own take on his classic Angie. It may not have been to everyones taste and has been seriously ridiculed by one or two folk on YOUTUBE, but at least in my own way I like to think that I kept a small flame burning for our Davy, and of course there is my recorded version of this classic on my tribute EP to Bert Jansch... Janschology.

Now the great man has passed on I'm not sure if I shall continue playing the piece particularly in the light of the criticism on YOUTUBE, but probably more out of respect for the great man. I'm not sure if he ever heard my version, it would have been nice to get his approval!

One thing is for sure, whenever a group of acoustic players get together I guarantee that at some point the name of Davy Graham will be mentioned and his immortal Angie.

Rest in Peace Davy you were a one off and we will never see your likes again.

Angie

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:25 pm
by supergenius
Well, Gordon, I never got to see Davy Graham play although I was able to see Bert Jansch and John Renbourne back in the early 80's. I have read the comments about "Angie" on YouTube and I guess I just have to say that, if you interpret someone else's music you will always get those who will slag it off while others will praise it. For my part, I always enjoyed your performances of it, even before I met and fell in love with my own "Angie" so when you dedicated your playing of it to her at Corbridge Cricket Club a few weeks ago, you brought a few tears to a couple of pairs of eyes and we would be disappointed if we never got to hear you playing it again.

Sorry to hear of the loss of such a great musician but I think you should keep the light burning

Have great Christmas and New Year and we look forward to experiencing a show again soon

Simon

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:39 pm
by Roger
Gordon,

It is because of you that I became acquainted (somewhat belatedly) which the guitar playing of Davy Graham and Bert Jansch.

I understand your reasons for not wanting to play "Angie" out of respect in the near future, but please ignore the Youtube stuff. In time I'm sure that you should play it again at some stage to keep Davy Graham's music "alive" and also as a way of introducing his music to people who may not be familiar with it.

Best wishes,

Roger

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:04 pm
by GORDON
I would like to thank everyone for their postings re Davy Graham. Hilary feels I should continue performing Angie to keep the flame burning for Davy so maybe I shall.

Simon, I was particularly touched by your posting, it makes it all worthwhile.

My Best to you all my friends and once again DAVY GRAHAM RIP.

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:47 pm
by Bob Wilson
I have just logged on to the Forum for the first time in several days due to a particularly bad flu bug.
What a shock to read about the sad passing of Davy Graham.
Davys influence on many guitarists, both professional and amateur, is firmly placed in the history books and the man, his playing and his compositions will be sadly missed.
He was a major influence to so many guitarists in the sixties and his playing style was copied at many folk clubs around the UK.
And Gordon, there is no greater accolade than to have someone play one of your own pieces. I'm sure that Davy would be happy to know that his best known tune is still being played and appreciated by audiences old and new and finding new styles along the way.
Music was, after all, his great love.
My sympathy and condolences to his family
A very sad loss
RIP Davy

Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:39 am
by GORDON
Hey Bob.

Hope your feeling better after having flu. Hilary and I wish Jane and yourself and the rest of the family a great Christmas and THANKYOU for all your hard work this year my friend.

G.

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:45 am
by Terry60
My only experience of Davy Graham's music came second hand via Paul Simon and Bert Jansch, each playing their version of Anji. It seemed a good challenge, so I learned it by imitation (guess what I'm playing in the Avatar ?) but I never heard the original.
Recently the BBC (BBC4) have had a series of six "Guitar Heroes at the BBC" programs. I was listening (from another room) to one of them, when I heard some accoustic guitar which, though I didn't recognize it, seeemed somehow familiar.
I went to watch and was treated to my first sight of some vintage footage of DG playing (on Whistle Test I think).
They were transmitting back-to-back episodes, so I kept listening, and sure enough that sound appeared in the next episode too.
If you see the programmes appear in the schedules again, (BBC4 does tend to repeat stuff at regular intervals), be sure to catch them if you're a fan.
(Some other quite passable guitarists feature too)

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:26 am
by GORDON
Terry60 wrote:My only experience of Davy Graham's music came second hand via Paul Simon and Bert Jansch, each playing their version of Anji. It seemed a good challenge, so I learned it by imitation (guess what I'm playing in the Avatar ?) but I never heard the original.
Recently the BBC (BBC4) have had a series of six "Rock at the BBC" programs. I was listening (from another room) to one of them, when I heard some accoustic guitar which, though I didn't recognize it, seeemed somehow familiar.
I went to watch and was treated to my first sight of some vintage footage of DG playing (on Whistle Test I think).
They were transmitting back-to-back episodes, so I kept listening, and sure enough that sound appeared again.
If you see the programmes appear in the schedules again, (BBC4 does tend to repeat stuff at regualr intervals), be sure to catch them if you're a fan.
(Some other quite passable guitarists feature too)



Hi Terry, thanks for that info sir, I shall certainly check it out.

I still continue to play Angie live, in fact I played it on stage at Huntingdon Hall in Worcester only last Thursday. It felt good.Hope your old Levin is still giving good service...Nice old guitars!

Be Well.

G.

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:11 pm
by Terry60
You're too quick for me Gordon.
I realized I'd got the wrong program name, seconds after shutting down my PC last night, and resolved to do a quick edit this morning before anyone saw it.
It was of course "Guitar Heroes at the BBC".
I think I was mentally confusing it with another strand on "Prog Rock at the BBC" (which of course included our old friend Rick).
I must see if I can find you on Youtube with a rendition of Anji.
I used to be so obsessive that I could play three different clones, The BJ, and two slightly different PS versions (from different albums), though sadly my guitar playing is so rusty and unpracticed these days that I'd have trouble remembering more than the opening bar or two.
Being a professional, you obviously wouldn't experience this, but I find an interesting phenomenon of "muscle memory" occurs in this situation.
I can pick up a guitar and try to play something I know I used to play, and find myself unsure about the key, let alone the fingering.
The more I concentrate, the worse it gets, then something else distracts my conscious mind, I watch a news item on the TV for example, and suddenly my fingers are playing it by themselves. I notice that I've remembered and concentrate once more, and bang! it's gone again.
The Levin (on which I spent the bulk of my student grant, aged 19, when it was brand-new) is still beside me as I write, rather dustier than it should be.

(I think I might post in the nerds section, something about strings for the very part-time player, which might be of interest to ex-guitarists like me)

ANGIE.

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:09 pm
by GORDON
Hi Terry.

Sorry buddy but your search for my rendition will be in vain sir.

We removed it because I was getting SO many insulting postings that it was getting silly. We don't like upsetting people.

Apparantly my version was too flash with too many widdly bits,was too fast and lacked taste! Oh, and I forgot to mention that it was different to the original!

Sad thing is that I recon that Davy would have loved it, as did my dear friend Bert Jansch when I played it in concert at the Purcell rooms a few years back and dedicated it to Bert who was in the audience that night. Davy (along with Bert) loved origininality and couldn't see the point of copying something note for note. My sentiments entirely.

I love it when players cover my pieces and bring their own personality to the piece. Check out Ray Mytton on YOUTUBE playing my composition The Lord's Seat. He plays it on the Lute and it is beautiful.

Maybe, just maybe I shall film a current version of Angie and get it on to YOUTUBE sometime!


Be Well.

G.

Re: ANGIE.

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:20 pm
by Terry60
I'm sorry to hear that you suffered abuse (peasants !).
It's a sad fact that the anonymity of the web encourages uncivilized behaviour in a moronic minority.
I lurked unregistered on one technical site (looking for information about buggy firmware in a DVR), and was astonished to find that it contained a couple of regulars with about 10,000 posts between them, nearly all of which were spiteful invective about the inadequacies of anybody asking a question.
What kind of unfulfilled existence could possibly explain the need to spend a great deal of their lives insulting complete strangers ?

DG, BJ and your good self were/are all talented musicians and composers, all capable of bringing freshness and originality to a performance, and seeing possibilities of taking someone else's music in a new direction.
My talents lie in other directions, so my renditions were, of necessity, slavish copies; the result of careful analysis (courtesy of my Ferrograph at 1/4 speed).

When your gifts are technical rather than artistic, you must find musical satisfaction in the precision, not the originality.
(I'd give my right arm to play guitar like you !!!)

p.s. be sure to post here if you do put up another copy. That'll be a new challenge for me - version 4

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:52 am
by Mike Stranks
Hi Terry!

I hope Sue and Gordon will tolerate me wandering off topic a bit here...

Do you still have your Ferrograph tape-recorder? I had various models of these back in the '70s when they were my machine of choice. These days I'm all-digital. It's so much easier in every way, but the huge, heavy machines and the rotating large reels of tape did have a 'style' that the utilitarian approach today seems to have lost. Mind you, tape hiss was another story...! Of course we didn't have nice blue LEDS on all the kit then! :lol:

Sorry to hear that you had a rough time on other forums. There are always some 'experts' who like everyone to know how 'expert' they are - even when they're not!

I think you'll find that if you wander into the 'Anoraks' Forum' here you'll be treated with respect. There's usually someone who can give an answer - or at least point you in the right direction.

All the best. Mike