I am so to see the death of Michael Marra, the Bard of Dundee - a lovely man, a great songwriter, and terrific singer. I was fortunate enough to meet him a couple of times and he was a warm delightful human being. He will be missed.
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JC you & I think Oilrig, have spoken of Michael Marra before in glowing terms, but I don't know his work - I know he did a lot at and for Celtic Connections - how about posting some recommendation links ? Spotify or YouTube or anywhere...Originally posted by johncorrigan View Post -
Here he is doing Burns at his best - and nobody did it like Michael Marra.Originally posted by Globaltruth View Post
Of course, he did write, in Lat's and my opinion, the best ever song about footie ( I think Oilrig would concur), about Hamish McAlpine a Dundee United legendary goalie - and Mick a Dundee fan too.
One I love is 'If I were an Englishman', here from a village hall in Neilston near Paisley.
...and one that is suggested as the most appropriate national anthem we never had. Hermless!
Great man gone too soon!Comment
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Michael M
Taken me til now to do this - apologies:
Also agreed on the footie, although I'd make a pitch also for Reynard in Paradise:
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I think he was one of those performers whose records never quite did them justice.
When you saw him live, the patter between the songs was a much part of the performance as the music itself.
Here's an example: "Schenectady Calling Peerie Willie Johnson"
And here's Rob Adams' obituary of Marra: http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile...18700ccccaece9Comment
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And given the events going on in Mali, this one seems appropriate.
Chain Up the Swings:
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It was one of my favourite sessions on World on 3 - Hogmanay 2010/11 - bringing in the bells with Mr M, the Battlefield Band and The Staves. Very happy memories of a wonderful taigh-ceilidh in Ardgour.
PS Apologies for the first link above - felt it was a bit OTT cutting and pasting, so I put all up on Facebook. Cheers MAComment
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Without doubt one of my favourite ever Wo3 programmes, even if it was a bit of a short one as I recall, Oilrig. Talking of Niel Gow (I notice it on the playlist for that show), we had a walk along the Tay a week or so back across the river from Dunkeld Cathedral to Niel Gow's oak. There's the remains of a lovely bench there - got hit by a huge limb last winter - but on the bench are the remains of a quote of Michael's from the song:Originally posted by Oilrig View PostIt was one of my favourite sessions on World on 3 - Hogmanay 2010/11 - bringing in the bells with Mr M, the Battlefield Band and The Staves. Very happy memories of a wonderful taigh-ceilidh in Ardgour.
PS Apologies for the first link above - felt it was a bit OTT cutting and pasting, so I put all up on Facebook. Cheers MA
'Sitting beneath the fiddle tree wi' the ghost of Niel Gow next to me.' A reminder of two great Scots.
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It was a memorable programme indeed, John, falling in to " Now That's What I Call A Session " bracket.
A rare communicating and believable voice gone.
I wonder if he's flying with the Heron ?
Just a thought.Comment
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Oilrig - It would be great if that programme could be repeated.Originally posted by Oilrig View PostIt was one of my favourite sessions on World on 3 - Hogmanay 2010/11 - bringing in the bells with Mr M, the Battlefield Band and The Staves. Very happy memories of a wonderful taigh-ceilidh in Ardgour.
PS Apologies for the first link above - felt it was a bit OTT cutting and pasting, so I put all up on Facebook. Cheers MA
As John already knows, I was deeply saddened to hear that Michael Marra had died. He was unique. The nearest comparison is probably Randy Newman but somehow he connects with Alan Hull and Rab Noakes in my mind. Tremendous observation,
a very human way, someone who could bring people together and make them laugh and cry at the same time.
And clearly his talents were wide-ranging. I understand that plays and operas were among his achievements. I regret to say that it wasn't until one of your recent Christmas/New Year programmes that I became aware of him. He immediately became a big favourite. I was determined to see him live and am disappointed that wasn't to be.
As his family says, he leaves us with songs. Many I can still look forward to hearing although some CDs are hard to track down. 'Hamish the Goalie' though is, without question, my favourite song of all that I have heard in the past three years. The lyrics even on a page are absolutely wonderful and, of course, he had the musicality to find a winning tune.
I also love his version of 'Green Grow the Rashes', which John has already posted, and the magical 'All Will Be Well". He should have been massive and in a different era he would have been. His words were, and are, just so right for the lives of everyone:
Last edited by Guest; 30-10-12, 21:43.Comment
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........Bella Caledonia. Not my everyday reading.
A rather wonderful tribute by Lesley Riddoch - http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2012/10...esley-riddoch/
I viewed almost all of the YT clips last night and concluded that this has been a big loss. We need more of Michael's kind in the here and now.
I also felt even more enthusiastic about his songs, many of which were exceptional. And it was an opportunity too to listen to Alice and Matthew Marra in the not-at-all-bad Hazey Janes.
(Was Grace Kelly really at that Dundee Utd v Monaco match? Serious question at the risk of appearing crackers.)Comment
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Well Roddy Forsyth says he was, as you'll see towards the end of this piece, Lat.....and given Hamish's record it's probably true.Originally posted by Lateralthinking1 View Post
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Yes she was, right under the coal merchants' hoarding. And he had the poster for the Dr John gig too.
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I confess to never having heard of Michael Marra in his lifetime but, having watched the youtube clips here, I understand some of why those that knew him and of him feel such a loss. A remarkable character and performer.
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