Wednesday 15 September 2010

Ralph McTell (2) and hols


Mr FP took this picture at the weekend, sitting outside the Ferryboat at Helford. Now sadly not much of a pub but a lovely spot to sit and watch the world go by.
We're off to Fowey for a week shortly. Brother in law is house sitting the dear, fearsome Thug so he will be well tended to. And now back that interview....

Ralph McTell takes up a lot of room, not because he's tall and solid, but because he is full of the passion, the sensitivity and the ideas that flow into his music.

I particularly liked his description of waiting to go on stage at a gig. The lights go down, “and then you walk the longest walk in the world,” he said.

What impressed me about Ralph was his modesty, his quiet sense of humour, and the fact that he makes friends very easily – because he really cares about people. “My level of involvement with people is quite high – every concert I go to, I know so many of them by name and there's a lot of them,” he said.

Ralph's music appeals to so many people because he writes about things we can all relate to – loneliness being one. “If someone you love has gone out of your life, there will always be that gap there,” he said. “Loneliness is probably one of the biggest fears we have. It's hinted at in other songs but not so graphically or as simply as in Streets of London.”

We covered a lot of ground, from sharing notes on giving up smoking, to how the music business has changed since the '60s. But it was his philosophy on life that I liked. “Give people hope,” he said, “you've got to keep hope alive, Jesse Jackson said. Not retire into a cotton wool drug-induced stupor. Try and do the best you can. I think it's criminal to waste time when there are so many people that didn't have these opportunities.

Not to do things to the best of your ability is a waste of your time and probably those around you: those to whom you can have an affect upon. So do it the best you can. If you go at things half cock you can expect to fail, but if you fail when you've done your best then that's OK. It might sound Victorian but I think it's a worthwhile thing.”

What a good role model. Thanks, Ralph. And here's to his tour starting next month.

www.ralphmctell.co.uk

Affairs of the Heart - a 4 CD compilation of Ralph’s love songs with introduction by Rory McGrath
Somewhere Down the Road - pre-order from www.ralphmctell.co.uk
Ralph is performing at Hall for Cornwall on Wednesday 10th November 2010.

20 comments:

Chris Stovell said...

Gosh, you did cover a lot of ground didn't you? And talking of long walks... I bet you felt that the walk towards your interview was endless! It sounds as if you really enjoyed talking to Ralph after feeling nervous about the meeting. Well done.

Flowerpot said...

We were talking for ages but he had such a lot to say it was great. I wasn't actually nearly as nervous as I thought I would be which was a relief. Did that deep breathing trick which really helps. And a trip to Waterstones first as I was very early!

Akelamalu said...

Sounds like a great interview with a good man!

Flowerpot said...

He is great - I'm very much looking forward to the gig in November, too.

Vermont Designs said...

Ferry Boat Inn was SUCH a disappointment this year. Who ever heard of nothing to eat with tea or coffee? We will take our own munchies & drinks in 2012. So there! love SIL.

Flowerpot said...

Shelagh - we certainly will! Deb and her family always take their own BBQ and have it on the beach so we could do that.

Talli Roland said...

Love that photo! That's my kind of holiday - sitting, drinking wine and watching the world go by.

Flowerpot said...

well I hope we will do that - and a lot of walking as well!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

He sounds very interesting and good company. I'm glad the interview went so well.

Flowerpot said...

Debs - he was great company thanks!

Colette McCormick said...

Sounds like you had a great time. I love that photo.

Flowerpot said...

Colette - it's a good pic isn't it? Clever husband!

Around My Kitchen Table said...

Great photo - looks very much like a snap from my holidays! Ralph McTell sounds great.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a very worthwhile interview to me; writing about the things we can all relate to always goes down well I think, it's something I often try when writing a blog post.

CJ xx

Ellee Seymour said...

Lucky you, a holiday to look forward to and a great interview with Ralph McTell. So pleased it all went well.

MarmiteToasty said...

I LOVE Ralphie :)

x

Flowerpot said...

Husband took the pic, Table - good innit?!

Flowerpot said...

CJ - interviews are usually about one person's views rather than the journo as well so it made a pleasant change to discuss things we had i common!

Ellee - thanks. Hols were wonderful.

Marmie - GREAT!!

Unknown said...

It sounds wonderful. I've met Ralph a couple of times and been to many of his concerts. I agree; a lovely, lovely man. Thanks for sharing!

Flowerpot said...

Shirley - glad to find another fan!