Ralph McTell starts his From Here to There tour of Ireland this week. We asked the veteran performer the BIG questions . . .
Ralph is celebrating more than 50 years on the road. He made his debut in 1968 with the album Eight Frames a Second and in 1974, Streets of London earned him an Ivor Novello Award. In 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
"Over my writing career I have written and recorded a number of songs that reflect my affection for Ireland, and I wanted to celebrate that by inviting some of my Irish musician friends to take part in this special recording." he says.
From There to Here' is described as "an evocation of Ireland, its music and culture through the words and music of Ralph McTell. Featuring performances by some of Ireland’s most celebrated actors and musicians".
Tickets are available here.
26 October - Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny. 27 October - Glór, Ennis. 28 October - Siamsa Tíre, Tralee. 29 October - Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick. 1 November - Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo. 2 November - The Mac Live, Belfast *SOLD OUT. 3 November - Riverside Theatre, Coleraine. 5 November - The Everyman, Cork. 7 November - Westport Town Hall, Westport *SOLD OUT. 8 November - Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen. 9 November - Guildhall, Derry. 10 November - An Táin, Dundalk. 11 November - Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin *SOLD OUT.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was raised by a single parent Mum with my younger brother. I was six feet 2 inches tall and I am now 78 and three quarters and 6ft one inch. I am a Fulham FC supporter.
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How would you describe your music?
Guitar and piano based where the accompaniment is as important as the lyric. Wide-ranging subject matter and hybrid between conventional song format and traditional folk based narrative.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Woody Guthrie. The great American song book writers. The inspirational African American guitar players especially those who recorded before 1945 and Randy Newman.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Either The Temperance Seven or Chris Barber’s jazz band
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first single was Bye Bye Love by the Everly Brothers.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Don’t Fence Me In - Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters.
Favourite lyric of all time?
These Foolish Things by Eric Maschwitz.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is impossible to choose but if pushed I could cope with Aretha Franklin I Say a Little Prayer for You. On second thoughts, I’d rather go without as I have hundreds of tunes in my head and at my fingertips.
Where can people find your music/more information?
On my website.
Alan Cor
