The Waterson Family 'Bright Phoebus' Live at Hull Truck

Shining Bright. The Songs Of Mike & Lal Waterson.

Ever since I read Richard Thompson’s autobiography Beeswing earlier in the year, I have been determined to find a CD copy of a legendary album from 1972 which Richard spoke highly of. It is called Bright Phoebus by Mike & Lal Waterson. Vinyl copies do go on sale from time to time, but CD copies seem to be as rare as hens’ teeth. However, a few days ago when I was searching on eBay, I came across a compilation album that looked interesting. It is called Shining Bright, The Songs Of Mike & Lal Waterson. It was only £3.50 inc P&P, so I bought it. That is what I have been listening to for the last couple of days, and it is a very enjoyable album indeed. 

There are fifteen tracks here by various artists including some of my favourite singers. Three of the songs are versions of material written for Bright Phoebus and there are twelve other songs written by Lal and Mike but not previously recorded. This collection was released in 2002. Sadly, Lal died in 1998, so she doesn’t appear on this album, but her brother Mike who passed away in 2011 does appear on one track as a member of Blue Murder. The album opens with a trad jazz type instrumental Bright Phoebus played by John Pashley’s New Orleans Parade Band. Then, an excellent bluesy folk ballad called Evona Darling by Linda & Teddy Thompson. I was pleased and surprised to see that the legendary Van Dyke Parks plays accordion and Hammond organ on this track. 

Scarecrow features the guitar and great voice of Dick Gaughan who I have previously written about on this blog site. Martin Carthy sings Never The Same accompanied by cello, two violins, viola and double bass in a wonderful arrangement by Robert Kirby. Martin’s wife Norma Waterson is next with Song For Thirza accompanied by Martin and daughter Eliza. The legend who is Christy Moore sings Piper’s Path with Donal Lunny and Declan Sinnott playing bouzouki and guitar. Child Among The Weeds is a great folk-rock song by The Eliza Carthy Band which shows the brilliance of Eliza’s fiddle playing. 

I must admit that I had not heard of Helen Watson & Heather Greenback before, but Shine is a wonderful song. Danny Rose is played by Billy Bragg & The Blokes. I was pleased to see that one of the blokes is Hammond organ player Ian McLagan of Small Faces fame. Winifer Odd features the vocals of Maddy Prior accompanied by Rosie & Rick Kemp. The Marvellous Companion has the great voice of Christine Collister with Lal’s son Oliver Knight on guitar. Kate Brislin & Jody Stecher are an American folk duo and recorded One Of Those Days in California. I had not heard of Dayteller before, but I knew their contribution Fine Horseman because the great Anne Briggs has also recorded it. The only track by Richard Thompson in this collection is a wonderful song called Red Wine & Promises which he recorded in Los Angeles. The final song is Bright Phoebus by Blue Murder which is a singalong featuring Martin Carthy on guitar with seven vocalists in support. It reminded me slightly of Ringo singing with the Beatles. No wonder Bright Phoebus has been described as the Sergeant Pepper of folk music. Shining Bright is a most enjoyable collection of songs and a fine tribute to the song writing of Mike & Lal Waterson. It has made me more determined than ever to get hold of a copy of Bright Phoebus. Watch this space!

The Watersons.

The Grave Of Thomas Moore.

Me & Thomas Moore

A neighbour of mine was going over to the village of Bromham this morning. It is only 13 miles from Westbury. I went along as well because I wanted to visit the grave of the Irish writer, poet, lyricist, and patriot Thomas Moore who is buried in the churchyard in Bromham. I have got quite interested in visiting famous graves recently. I find it quite educational, and it gives me something to write about. Also, it is nice to get out of Westbury when I get the chance. St Nicholas churchyard is a peaceful little place, and we found the gravestone within seconds. You cannot miss it because it is at least 15 feet high, I would guess. It is an Irish Celtic cross with intricate carvings. The epitaph at the base of it reads,’ Dear Harp of my Country! in darkness I found thee, The cold chain of silence had hung o'er thee long; When proudly, my own Island Harp, I unbound thee, And gave all thy chords to light, freedom and song!’ On the back of the plinth is a quotation by his friend Lord Byron, but I could not decipher what it says. Thomas Moore lived in Sloperton Cottage in Bromham from 1818 until his death in 1852, but I am surprised that he was not buried in Dublin where he was born. His daughter who pre-deceased him is buried right beside him, so maybe it was his wish to be buried here.

Words on plinth.

I will just tell you a few facts about Thomas Moore that I think are interesting. He was born above his parent’s grocery shop in Dublin in 1779. In 1795 he was one of the first Catholics to enter Trinity College Dublin. One of his friends at Trinity was Robert Emmett who was executed aged 25 for leading the Irish Rebellion of 1803. Moore later wrote a song about his friend called "O, Breathe Not His Name". He moved to London to study law and later travelled to Bermuda to take up a government post. After six months he was bored and went to America where he was befriended by Thomas Jefferson among others. In 1811 he married Bessie who was an actress and they eventually settled in Bromham and had five children who all died young, which was not unusual in those days. Unfortunately, there is one notorious act with which Thomas Moore is associated. His friend Lord Byron had entrusted him with his memoirs which he wanted publishing after his death. In 1821 Moore sold the manuscript to the publisher John Murray. On Byron’s death in 1824 Murray decided the manuscript was too course for publication. Lady Byron was also said to be scandalised. All copies of the manuscript were burned in Murray’s fireplace. It is said to be the greatest act of vandalism in literary history. Moore later wrote a biography of Byron from material he was able to retrieve with the help of Mary Shelley.

Moore in Fox Talbot photo 1844.

While living in Bromham he was friends with the photography pioneer Fox Talbot who lived in nearby Lacock and took a photo of Moore and others in 1844. It is believed to be the earliest ever photograph of an Irish person. These days Thomas Moore is best remembered for his Irish Melodies where he put English words to traditional Irish tunes, including such songs as "The Last Rose of Summer", "The Minstrel Boy", "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms" and "Oft in the Stilly Night".  The sheet music for The Last Rose Of Summer sold over one million copies in the USA alone when it was published. It has been recorded by the likes of Bing Crosby and Nina Simone. Even the Grateful Dead song Black Muddy River uses the original tune. The Minstrel Boy is always played at The Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Day and was played at the Queen Mother’s funeral because of her connection to the Irish Guards. It was extremely popular with soldiers in the American Civil War and can be heard in the film Black Hawk Down. It was also played at the memorial service at the World Trade Centre to mark the 10^th anniversary of 9/11. So, you can see that the influence of Thomas Moore lives on in popular culture right up to the present day. That is why I am pleased I visited his grave today.