| Here is a slightly fuller version of the
last printed newsletter that many of you will have already
received.
It seems we pause for breath only to find that even
though Ralph has cut back on his touring schedule there
are lots of tremendous projects nearing completion and
we are once again trying to meet deadlines with artwork
pressing plants and printers.
Ralph’s book of complete song lyrics is available.
It is entitled TIMES POEMS. Nick Evans came up with
the title he named Ralph’s autobiographies after
words from Ralph’s songs Angel Laughter (Lunar
Lullaby) And Summer Lightning.
Nick formerly of Heartland publishing wrote the following:
.......I am pleased to announce the following projects
have been undertaken in conjunction with Leola to celebrate
Ralph's 60th birthday year.
The sales of Angel Laughter has now seen it move (firmly
and proudly!) to the number one slot in Heartland's
back catalogue, and in conjunction with Leola, the paperback
version has now been produced and is available via Ralph's
website....or somewhere down the road!
An exciting idea that was conceived (over a glass
of red wine, or two), by Ralph, Donard and myself, 'post
- gig' at a hotel in Beverley (somewhere north of Croydon),
has taken some years to gestate but is now imminent
in its birth.....Times Poems: The Song Lyrics of Ralph
McTell.
This book is a 'must have' for all Ralph fans, and
indeed all lovers of the lyrical art form.
The volume ( 486 pages at time of writing, but growing
daily!) will include not only all of Ralph's song lyrics
to date, but also some unpublished work; including 23
Haikus that Ralph has written and which helps form the
inherent thematic seasonal structure.
Included also are a sensitive collection of illustrations,
created by Peter Thaine, a long time friend of Ralph,
and who produced the art work for the original Spiral
Staircase and My Side of Your Window albums.
Playwright, author, musician, singer / songwriter
( what does he do in his spare time?) Willy Russell
has written a stunning foreword for Times Poems. Also
included are hand written notes by Ralph depicting 'a
work in progress'. ( Still In Dreams)
As I said, an absolute 'must have'................'one
life!' ( so far )
Nick Evans October 2005.....
THE BOX SET of unreleased material and live and alternate
takes etc has proved to be more complex in production.
The working title is “THE JOURNEY.” David
Suff has spent hours sifting, listening and appraising,
dusty reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes, out-takes multi
tracks, mini discs, and even acetates going back more
than forty years. This daunting task has taken so much
time that the finished “Box” will not now
be released until 2006. There are however some very
interesting ‘finds’ and we hope you will
agree that it will be a fitting tribute to a solo career
of music and the road. . Next year will see the release
of the long awaited CD version of Ralph’s last
vinyl recording “BRIDGE of SIGHS” It will
have a new sleeve design by Peter Thaine and completes
the Leola catalogue of re-releases of all the old recordings.
NEW ARRIVALS The ever growing clan McTell has been
graced by the arrival of Ralph and Nanna’s eighth
grandchild Kai Willem May arrived on 14th July to Billy
and Lucy a brother to Tyler and Danny. He weighed in
at seven pounds four and one half ounces and is of course
absolutely beautiful. 
ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL Ralph’s birthday concert
at the RFH was a brilliant success. The show went by
so quickly that we are all very glad that this special
celebration was captured on video. We know some of you
were trapped on the M4 motorway and were late getting
to the gig. Well don’t worry we have it all on
DVD and everyone is delighted with the result. Ralph
says it was one of the highlights of his career and
it is obvious from the look on his face that he relished
the chance to introduce you to some of the people that
have helped him bring his music and ideas to fruition.
It was a true celebration so if you weren’t able
to attend the concert, you will be able to savour the
atmosphere at home of this historic and very happy occasion.
Joining Ralph on stage were:
Wizz Jones Bert Jansch Dave Pegg Maartin Allcock Frank
Gallagher Graham Preskett Chris Parkinson Sam Lakeman
Cara Dillon And the London Community Gospel Choir. What
a night.!!! 
(Ralph adds.” Most of the musicians came back
to my place and we sang and played etc until 6.30am.
Fantastic and a huge thank you to all who came to the
show and helped celebrate ”) The concert will
be available in DVD format only and is entitled The
London Show
Ralph was unable to attend this years Fairport Convention’s
CROPREDY FESTIVAL this year but lots of people remembered
Jonah (Ralph’s old tour manager and friend) whose
ashes are spread in that delightful meadow. Jonah often
said that this would be his wish and the plaque on the
oak tree was polished and flowers were sent from Ralph.
Fairport played three of Ralph’s compositions
in their set Girl From The Hiring Fair Watt Tyler And
Red and Gold Ralph felt he was well represented and
hopes to attend next year.
One festival Ralph will definitely be attending again
is the WILLY CLANCY MUSIC SCHOOL in Milltown Malby in
Co Clare in Ireland. Ralph had heard so much about this
musical feast from various Irish friends that he and
Nanna spent a few days there this year. Wall to wall
music played, danced and enjoyed in the true spirit
of a living and vibrant culture. It rained every day
but mattered not a jot. "The craic was ninety!"
TV news Many of you will have seen Ralph’s contribution
to the documentary on John Martyn on BBC 4? and Londoners
will have seen Streets of London making it into the
top Ten of London's favourite tunes. Ralph was surprised
that his tip Waterloo Sunset did not make the number
one spot. That was achieved by The Jam with Going Underground.
Incidentally Ray Davies was at Croydon Art College at
the same time as Peter Thaine and Ralph! There must
have been something in the water.
Ralph filmed several interviews this summer for other
TV projects which will be announced on the website prior
to transmission. One to look out for will be his memories
of the legendary Isle of Wight festival where he was
one of the guests with the great Jimi Hendrix
Donnard's News Donard and Anne Marie continue to delight
in baby Dylan's progress and Donard is in high demand
by those who know his talents, especially Mariah Carey
and Ronnie Wood (not of course Laine as mistakenly printed
in the mailed newsletter) we understand Donard’s
own musical creativity is progressing well.
Guitar news. many people have commented on the great
sound of Ralph's recently acquired new/old Gibson guitar.
It is a 1959 model J 45 Gibson and Ralph states that
"it falls as naturally into my hand as my old Miss
Gibson" (now retired) (Ed note) Ralph's original
Miss Gibson makes a brief appearance on the London Show
DVD.
U.S.A. Ralph received a request from the great American
writer Garrison Keillor to perform on his national radio
show The Prairie Home Companion. It now looks very hopeful
that Ralph will undertake some dates in America in the
new year. We know this will please Ralph’s faithful
fans out there and especially Charlie Goldstein whose
unflagging enthusiasm for Ralph’s work was instrumental
in making the connection with Mr. Keillor. Charlie was
one of several international friends who flew to London
especially for the RFH concert.
RADIO Along with various snippets and odd promotional
interviews for the re released C.D. RED SKY, Ralph has
been approached about presenting a radio show on finger
style guitarists, we will keep you informed.
LEOLA and ICONIC Leola music continues to look after
Ralph’s artistic out put and have been joined
by Iconic Music Agency who are taking care of live work
and much of the promotion. Ms Stevie Horden and Mr.
Andy Farquarson are handling most aspects of Ralph’s
touring schedule, live work and media co ordination.
Departures.
Sadly we have to announce some departures this year.
Nat Joseph died in September after a long illness. He
was the man who set up Transatlantic records and brought
to the world’s attention the early work of Bert
Jansch, John Renbourne, Pentangle, Billy Connolly, Gerry
Rafferty and dozens more artists from his tiny offices
in Marylebone High Street. We extend our condolences
to his family. Dorris Henderson who was partner to Ralph’s
long time friend Mac MacGann passed away in June after
a short illness. Dorris was one of the first American
artists to sing in England during the folk revival of
the sixties and most notably sang with John Renbourne.
They made records and played dozens of gigs together.
In recent years Dorris was often heard singing with
her partner Mac and she will be greatly missed by her
many friends.
Maddy Prior
Ralph has been enjoying lots of live music this year.
He guested with Steeleye Span at the London Palladium
on December7th 2004 and sang three songs including his
“hit” and then joined in with their “hit”
and played Ukulele on “All Around My Hat”
Previously a visit to Swindon and the spell binding
Janis Ian was an artistic highlight of the year. At
Xmas Ralph took part in a radio 2 documentary about
the late great Jake Thackray (the broadcast is rumoured
to be repeated this Xmas,) In January he caught up with
old friends Show Of Hands at the Barnfield theatre Exeter
for a Tsunami benefit concert. Ralph so enjoyed the
show that he scheduled an appearance there in October
on the UP CLOSE tour A short tour of Denmark followed.
Then at the annual BBC Folk awards Ralph presented Tom
Paxton with his lifetime achievement award. Ralph enjoyed
a great concert of Tom’s down at the Anvil in
Basingstoke. A veritable guitar feast was next with
the show called The Four Martins: Carthy, Simpson and
Taylor? And Juan Martin At St David’s Hall in
Exeter. In April Ralph went to Belfast to play with
the legendary McPeake family at the Opera house. They
couldn’t find a pub afterwards (that’s hard
to believe - Ed)
Ralph with Donovan
Ralph presented Donovan with an award on his sixtieth
birthday celebration in London’s west end and
soon after flew to Ireland to be part of Phil Coulters
Song Writers series. To be shown only in Ireland at
the moment. In the same month, Chris Hockenhull, Ralph’s
Biographer married Juliet and we wish them every happiness
together. A very pleasant moment occurred when Ralph
was invited to be a judge at the great British beer
festival. The judges were unanimous in awarding Crouch
Vale brewers Gold the award. (Ralph still hasn’t
found a pub that sells it. Can anyone help?) Met up
with bass player Bruce Barthol at a Country Joe and
the Fish gig in Falmouth. It is 35 years since Bruce
played on Michael in the Garden amongst other tracks
on “My Side of your Window” Saw Andy Irvine
for the third time this year. He was playing with Patrick
Street at the St Ives festival, the evening was pure
magic.
Once again it's been quite a year and there's still
lots to come. Don’t forget to sign up for email
updates. <<Click
Here>> so that we can update you on everything
that is going on with Ralph and his music, before it
happens rather than after its happened! So on behalf
of Ralph, and from all of us at Leola and Iconic we
hope to “See you somewhere down the road …."
Have a wonderful Xmas holiday period and we wish you
all the things you wish yourself, and a great 2006.
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