JT Condolences Archive Three
JT Condolences Archive Three
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http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/~scs1ec/jakethackray.html
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| Name: | Richard Papps |
| E-mail address: | RPapps ((at))albany8.wanadoo.co.uk |
| Comments: | Saw Jake live at Grimsby Folk Club in the seventies. Wonderful. Have just introduced his songs to my partner Nicola who thinks he is marvellous and can't understand why she'd never heard of him before. |
| Name: | Steve Cavill |
| E-mail address: | s.cavill ((at))ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | I first saw Jake in Thornaby Pavilion (of all places) back in about 1978. I was then hooked and saw him many times after that in Billingham, Coventry and Newcastle. Thanks for making me laugh. |
| Name: | Peter Cooper |
| E-mail address: | peter ((at))cambridgesalsa.freeserve.co.uk |
| Comments: | I saw jake a couple of times live about 20 years ago and such was the extent to which the experiences touched my life that I remember saying to my girlfriend (later my wife) that i was upset that my children would never get to see jake thackray in concert. It saddens me to hear (rather belatedly)that jake has died, even more so when my 6 year old son, in spite of being too young to understand the nuances of Jake's comical genius, has just started to enjoy some of the more simple comedy: the "song about the gorilla", the curious "wag wag, woof woof" of Ulysses etc. We will miss him Jake is dead - Long live Jake! Peter |
| Name: | Jay Handscomb |
| E-mail address: | jay ((at))handscomb61.fsnet.co.uk |
| Comments: | I grew up listening to Jake And still do on an almost daily basis,saw him many times over the years and try to play a few songs too, nothing will ever replace him but he's still out there making a difference on a very personal yet massive scale.All the love in the world,still a part of so many lives. |
| Name: | Robert Carter |
| E-mail address: | gurgast ((at))oal.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.languageofstones.com/ |
| Comments: | No exaggeration to say that he was one of the greatest geniuses of our times and of our language. I met Jake only once; I treasure the moment. I've been a fan all my life. An injustice that he did not get the wider recognition that such tremendous talents deserved. It must be that the glum, self-deprecating northernness I found so endearing about him was not generally well-understood. |
| Name: | Steve Becker |
| E-mail address: | beckerparadise6 ((at))hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I saw Jake 12 times at various folk clubs in the north west. Wish it could have been 112! Undoubtedly (easy!) my favourite lyricist and songwriter. I'm (still) doing my best to make new converts. One thing I remember, which you don't get on his recordings, is that fabulously endearing, wry smile he'd produce now and again when he was amused by a story he was telling, or a reaction from the audience. I wrote a pastiche song, as a teenager, and asked him during my only chat after a gig in Kendal whether he ever sung anyone else's songs (ie mine!). Got short shrift, sadly! Jake - you're much missed and massively under-appreciated. |
| Name: | Roy Carter |
| E-mail address: | roy.carter1 ((at))tesco.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.celsum.com/ |
| Comments: | I saw Jake perform several times at folk clubs in Essex in the 1970s. The one I remember most was at Brentwood, which was where I heard "The Bull" for the first time - which summed up the Civil Service, who I was working for at the time - absolutely perfectly! I still play tapes of Jake's songs in the car, so my kids are now Jake fans too by osmosis. A genius and a gentleman - sadly missed. |
| Name: | Debra Pressley |
| E-mail address: | d.pressley ((at))btopenworld.com |
| Comments: | I'm very sorry to hear that Jake died at the end of 2002 - I don't remember seeing anything in the press about it. I have fond memories of seeing him perform live in Harrogate and we still listen regularly to his songs. He truly was a national treasure and irreplaceable. |
| Name: | Andy Cavalli |
| E-mail address: | jcavalli ((at))tampabay.rr.com |
| Comments: | What a sad loss and so young.A great talent has been taken from us,but I am sure is now being enjoyed elsewhere. Rest in peace Jake. |
| Name: | Lynda Finn |
| E-mail address: | largelyhappy ((at))hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I'm one of those women who never use three or four words where a couple of thousand'll easily do. But this time it has to be brief. I loved your songs,I love you - you were an undoubted genius. You were part of my life for thirty years and I've never regretted a moment. Rest easy at last old love. |
| Name: | Malcolm S Chesworth |
| E-mail address: | malcolm.chesworth ((at))gcm.com |
| Comments: | A good family friend who taught with Jake first introduced us to Jake's music in the late 60's. His witty humour, delightful poetry and insightful comments immediately captured us. We experienced his skills first hand at a concert he gave in Sawbridgeworth. Here was a special performer that we were privileged to witness. He will long be missed but his art will remain for ever. His CD's are the pride of my collection as are all his LP's. |
| Name: | Colum Layton |
| E-mail address: | laytonc ((at))eircom.net |
| Comments: | Some people affect others in ways they never dream of. Jake Thackray was one of those. I regret not having the opportunity to say thanks in person. In spirit, thanks Jake. My condolences to his family. He still brings joy to us. |
| Name: | Anne Medlock |
| E-mail address: | bucephalus ((at))fsmail.net |
| Comments: | I just found out - late as usual... What a loss, and so young. It seems like only yesterday, his media interview at Intake. We all crowded into the class room, excited by the commotion, a few of the boys hurling definition jokes around, (David Rushby; smash & grab? Remember? ;) ) the whole room erupting with giddy laughter, Mr Thackray almost but not quite! And at the end, after a touching rendition of Ulysses, (wag wag, woof woof) he said that if we ever passed him on the street, or came upon him anywhere, we should never be afraid to say hello - in fact he demanded we speak to him, that we would always be apart of his life...ah well, our loss. So sleep well, Mr Thrackray, sir...I just popped in to say hello... |
| Name: | Peter Craig |
| E-mail address: | petermarkcraig ((at))aol.com |
| Comments: | My late father loved him and it is only recently I have begun to appreciate what a brilliant wordsmith Jake Thackray was. Live Performance is the funniest thing I have ever heard or am likely to hear on record. He was brilliant and I miss him. |
| Name: | Bernard Bromley |
| E-mail address: | bernie48783 ((at))hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Thank you Jake for bringing us all so much pleasure. |
| Name: | Tony Roskilly |
| E-mail address: | g3zrj ((at))morsekey.fsnet.co.uk |
| Comments: | No bullshit, beautiful or incisive lyrics, wonderfully crafted, a tragic figure in his personal life, how do I dare to judge a genius. It sickens me that Jake is so little celebrated, when the antics of self serving morons seem to attact so much interest. This Man touched every type of emotion in his songs, I've wept with laughter and also wept with feelings of loss and anger. Like most Englishmen I very rarely cry but Jake has managed that. I saw Jake at the old Tramshed folk/jazz venue in Woolwich in London, and at the Bridgwater Arts Centre in Somerset. The second was very poorly attended,and it was typical of Jake's hatred of bullshit that he got the audience members to all sit in the front row. At the end of the performance he said" you are going to get one more song - I'm not going through the I walk off you applaud I come on all surprised and do an encore" I found a delight in the English language in Jake's lyrics, with some of the most astonishing rhymes I've ever heard. Jake you old Bugger, if you can get this, we loved you but couldn't be there to help. Tony |
| Name: | Robert Atkinson |
| E-mail address: | robxatkinson ((at))aol.com |
| Comments: | I was deeply saddened to hear of Jakes death at such a relatively early age. I have been a great fan ever since Braden. |
| Name: | Jim Shand |
| E-mail address: | therealjimshand ((at))aol.com |
| Comments: | Got to thinking the other week about how my dad used to play his records when I was a kid. I then discovered that he had died a couple of years ago. Have got hold of a copy of his Best of and am loving it - incredible, soothing voice and a bona fide master of the English language - fantastic |
| Name: | Clive brookes |
| E-mail address: | jane.brookes ((at))tesco.net |
| Comments: | have been a fan since the "bradon beat" and saw twice live, play his songs very often, very sad to hear of his death |
| Name: | Mark Allister |
| E-mail address: | allister ((at))supanet.co.uk |
| Comments: | Late but heartfelt condolences for a man who brightened up the life of an impressionable teenager. In between The Who and Kinks this guy was a British phenomenon and we sat around the telly every week waiting for his latest ditty. A genius |
| Name: | Stanley Coombes |
| E-mail address: | stanley_c_55416 ((at))yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I'll have a bundle of drinks for you Jake .Goodbye you will be missed. |
| Name: | andy wood |
| E-mail address: | aandswood ((at))tiscali.co.uk |
| Comments: | Just surfed in to see what JT was doing these days - devastated to hear he's "turned up his toes, rattled his clack", never mind "odd's on he'll be back - yes" |
| Name: | David Amor |
| E-mail address: | amord ((at))bigpond.com |
| Comments: | Moving to Australia in '71 I bought my one and only JT "LP", (which I haven't been able to play for yonks), with me and for years sing what I can remember of "Grandad" and "Caroline Digby Pratt" but my favourite has always been "The Hole". Just last night over dinner with some younger Australian born friends I launched into a rendition of "The Hole" but as my memory lets me down I hopped onto the net this morning to find a copy of the lyrics and was saddened to read of Jakes passing. He was indeed a great song writer and I will now see how and where I can get hold of some CD's to keep his memory alive in my little part of the world. My thoughts go out to his family and those who new him well, I'm sure he would have been great company. |
| Name: | Chuck Price |
| E-mail address: | price ((at))rssex1.com |
| Comments: | I discovered Jake's music in the early 70s and have enjoyed it from my first listen. I don't know why but I thought I'd look on line to see what I could find and was sad to discover that he had past away. My condolences to his family and friends. He left behind a catalog of songs that will continue to bring joy, and at times a tear, from his native Yorkshire to my home in Illinois and all points from here to there. |
| Name: | David Allen |
| E-mail address: | david ((at))blacktom.demon.co.uk |
| Comments: | Ten minutes ago, 14 months after Jakes passing, I read the news, and I am at a loss. Jake, you brought me clever witty songs that will stay with me always. Rest in peace and thanks for writing and recording what you did. To his family, my condolences, I hope that there is comfort in what he achieved. |
| Name: | Neil & Sally Farquharson |
| E-mail address: | neil ((at))farqy.com |
| Comments: | We miss him. |
| Name: | Keith Walmsley |
| E-mail address: | keith ((at))walmsleyk.freeserve.co.uk |
| Name: | Sad Pete |
| E-mail address: | pbfowler ((at))blueyonder.co.uk |
| Comments: | If we're all missing the great man, just think about his beloved family. Miss you Jake. See you in heaven one day, hopefully with all my loved ones. |
| Name: | Jim Doherty |
| E-mail address: | jimmyjb ((at))hotpop.com |
| Comments: | My biggest mistake I never saw Jake live.Listen to his words most days,never tire of them. Never will tire of them. |
| Name: | Dominic Makin |
| E-mail address: | dominic_makin ((at))email.com |
| Comments: | Dead -a year, a month, six days, Your records in jumble sales, Statues torn down, You're a national monument, Yet to be built. Lah-di-dah, Life goes on, I like to think of you and Van Gogh, Hitting it off, Two one offs, Death as a career move, On again, on again! The last will and testament, Was just the start. |
| Name: | Steve Sowerby |
| E-mail address: | steve ((at))knrglass.u-net.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.bevel.co.uk/ |
| Comments: | Like many, I loved his music. I saw him on stage and recently found a recording of a broadcast he made on Radio Leeds (North of England...) at about the time that Prince Charles announced his marriage to Diana Spencer. Unlike their marriage, Jake's humour has been more than a success for us normal human beings. He used to write acolumn in The Yorkshire Post daily newspaper. His column appeared once a week and was one of my highlights. Thanks Jake - you did it brilliantly. |
| Name: | Steve & Jean & young Matt |
| E-mail address: | steve ((at))wsr.org.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.wsr.org.uk/ |
| Comments: | Jake - you made us laugh and you still make us laugh - what better thing is there to do for the world? Thank you so much. |
| Name: | Graham High |
| E-mail address: | g_high ((at))hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Yet more colour drained out of the world... Mr. Thackray wrote and performed magnificently entertaining and witty songs; but it is as an exemplar of the richness of the English language that he will be the hardest to beat. There should be more like him. But there isn’t. Our loss I'm afraid... Best wishes to Mr. Thackray's family, friends, and fans. |
| Name: | Ian Carter |
| E-mail address: | ian.carter ((at))webemails.com |
| Comments: | Like so many others, I only found out about Jake's death last week. Since I found out, it's been like a frenzy, trying to find as many of his tracks as possible - it's difficult, as I live and teach English in Burma - and I listened to some MP3 stuff I'd never heard of before - with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. The man was so obviously a genius. Although I never met him, I saw him on stage once, and his impact then has never faded. My best wishes and gratitude to his wife and children (and dog). |
| Name: | Dennis Mitchell |
| E-mail address: | denstage ((at))pipeline.com.au |
| Comments: | I only found out today that Jake had died. I have been an admirer of his wonderful talent as a song writer/performer for many years. My favourite among all his songs is "Remember Bethlehem". I sang and played it in our little church here on Christmas Eve. Knowing that he died on Christmas Eve makes the song all the more poignant. Thanks for giving his admirers the opportunity to pay our small tributes to a great man. |
| Name: | peter saunders |
| E-mail address: | pete ((at))minsterroad.fsworld.co.uk |
| Comments: | Over a year on and I still can't believe it. A consumate writer,musician,wit,performer. I only got to see him once in Canterbury,years back,but his music,and those deliciously delivered words are still a constant companion to me. God bless,mate! |
| Name: | Ray Mc Morrow |
| E-mail address: | ray.mcmorrow ((at))ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | I listened to him as a boy,His 1983 visit to Bermuda was one of the most significant concerts of my life and later enjoyed his company after an aborted concert in Nottingham. At a time when so much popular music lyrics seem tired and repeditive Jake's lines still shine through as atonic. May more young writers hear his talent. Jake will be sadly missed. |
| Name: | Peter Mallan |
| E-mail address: | petermallan ((at))yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Jake's death dealt a blow to all who admired the work of a truly great minstrel. His wit, knowledge, compassion and musicianship leaves all other performers trailing in his wake. |
| Name: | Lynn Massey-Davis |
| E-mail address: | lynn ((at))masseydavis.karoo.co.uk |
| Comments: | One of the stupid mistakes of my life was not to go to a Jake Thakray performance in Hull a few years ago. I have been listening to his songs again today and have just introduced them to my nearly 12 year old daughter who laughed out loud - what better tribute. I'm sorry I missed you |
| Name: | David Harris |
| E-mail address: | david ((at))g8ina.enta.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.g8ina.enta.net/ |
| Comments: | Well Jake old son, its been 12 months to the day since you left us. We've done our best to keep your songs alive and in the public earoles, and I think, have succeeded. We raised our glasses at 8pm this evening, in a toast to absent friends - we *did* have a few wet weepings (no apologies though) and the dog roses are already planted and should be up nicely in the spring. We miss you matey..... Watch out for Reggie ! David & the JTP |
| Name: | Andrew Herniman |
| E-mail address: | aherniman ((at))aol.com |
| Comments: | What a star! I love your lyrics and try to sing some of the easier ones. Much missed. |
| Name: | Chris Tomala |
| E-mail address: | chris.tomala ((at))ntc.no |
| Comments: | I've only just discovered the awful news that the old bugger's gone and let me down -- I thought he was immortal!Thankfully, his songs are. I've been to so many of his concerts, bought everything he's ever recorded, even managed to learn to play some of the songs. I'll never tire of his brilliantly clever combination of poetry, humour and music. Nor will I tire of spreading the gospel to friends and family. Jake, if you can read this, thanks for all the years of joy and pleasure you have given me. Long may you reign. |
| Name: | CHOUIDIRI Azzedine |
| E-mail address: | Zizou8210 ((at))caramail.com |
| Comments: | I, at first, hesitated a bit before joining the book of condolences because of the great amount of time passed between the moment JT had passed away and the moment I'm writing. But I lately had been informed of the death of the brother gorilla. I'm deeply saddened about the loss of someone who can proudly be called an artist, while plenty' of so called "stars" are not even able to write a real text. Actually, I just have been introduced to JT by a teacher & I still have much to learn about him. Knowing that I never will meet him already makes me sad. Bye Bye Jake, it was the time for you to find your friend Georges : he's been waiting for you... |
| Name: | John Shaw |
| E-mail address: | Johnshaw111 ((at))Hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Never a Christmas has gone by since the 60s that I don't think of Remember Bethlehem, and the way it moved me as a teenager. How can such a genius have been missed by most of the world? Just think what songs he could write now - I'd love to hear his angle on some of today's events etc. Very, very sadly missed. Wonderful songwriter and performer and I'll never forget him. Thanks Jake, See you John |
| Name: | Surge Levin |
| E-mail address: | slark ((at))shaw.ca |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.zelenovsky.com/ |
| Comments: | I picked up the Bantam Cock LP years ago in Montreal at a thrift store. I was blown away. The Girl with the Fragile Eyes! The title song! Soon I found other Jake's records and admired his talent even more. It is just not fair that such a huge talent is so little known, especially here in North America. I'm going to do everything I can to popularize Jake's name. I put a few of his songs on my wife's website. I hope his family does not mind. So sad that he is not with us any more. A rare and brilliant talent! |
| Name: | Duncan Edwards |
| E-mail address: | duncanedwards ((at))ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | I stumbled upon Jake's name again by chance whilst doing some web browsing - don't know how it popped up, but I was so pleased to see so much stuff on him. I, like so many others, was so saddened to hear of his passing last December and so often over the years I and my family have tripped out with someof the words from his songs. In fact, my sister, who has a great BUM, often trips out with the "I love a good Bum on a woman it makes my day' My dear late Father also used to particularly love and quote that one. I have ordered a couple of CD's so pleased to re-acquaint myself with his work (one for my Sis of course)! I was also so touched by the other comments on the Condolences site - I hope his Wife and Son's read some of those comments and see how special Jake was. I saw him live in the late 60's at North Oxfordshire Technical College in Banbury - not a hug venue and I was surprised then that someone with so much talent would perform at such small venues - maybe I know more now, having read so much about him. He will be forever in our lives and memories. My Condolences and best wishes to his family |
| Name: | roban Glynn |
| E-mail address: | rcngglynn ((at))msn.com |
| Comments: | Almost a year on and there is stil a great sense of loss to the music world, especially when you sit by yourself listening to his music: you feel you have lost a wonderful friend who had the ability to make you laugh when you were sad, or make you feel great compassion for others. But I have a strange feeling that those greater powers on high, on a saturday night, pull up a chair, pour themselves a glass of something, and listen to a heavenly choir that is now much more forceful, intellectual and witty thanks to Jake, and sadly also now Tony Capstan. |
| Name: | Gary Rudd |
| E-mail address: | garyrudd ((at))bushinternet.com |
| Comments: | More than any other songwriter of his time, Jake Thackray inspired in me the desire to write witty, intelligent songs that uniquely describe the English culture. As children my brother and I would negotiate with our parents being allowed to stay up to see his weekly performances on Bernrd Braden's show, and watch with rapt attention to his latest musical saga which left us weeping tears of laughter and our parents utterly bemused. A very good friend of mine actualy played at his wake, which was a pity in a way as he'd no idea of the masive cultural legacy that this great artist left behind. The Last will and testament was otherwise fulfilled but his songs live on! |
| Name: | Mike Godwin |
| E-mail address: | tmg810 ((at))hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I was so sorry to hear of Jake's death. He was a very gifted sonwriter - up there with the best - and I never tire of hearing his songs with their unforgetable tunes and amazingly clever wordplay. I saw him perform twice live - in Oldham in the early 80's and then a few years ago in Hull. He seemed to me a lovely, funny, complex, shy and hugely talented man. We will all miss him so much. My condolences to his wife and family. God bless old son! Mike |
| Name: | wendy redwood |
| E-mail address: | wendyredred ((at))hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I was just so sorry to hear the news, and although it is now a while ago, I often think of those loved ones to whom it must still be such a very great loss. My sincere condolences to friends and family. |
| Name: | Gerry Walmisley |
| E-mail address: | ceo ((at))richmond.org.nz |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.richmondnz.org/ |
| Comments: | I was very sad to read of jake's death. I knew him years ago in Bristol when I was at 'varsity and he was working with Esta Rantzen and the Braden Beat team. I moved to NZ in the early 70s and sadly lost touch with him although his music was always amongst my very favourite and regularly played. Nevertheless, Jake deserves to be remembered as much for the lyrical quality of his verse as for his music. As a poet he went beyond the common place. I feel I have lost a special friend. Best wishes and sincere condolences to his family Gerry Walmisley |
| Name: | Andrew Hesford |
| E-mail address: | andrew.hesfordbooth ((at))btinternet.com |
| Comments: | One of my first memories as a child was of listening to Jake's comic songs, and periodically, I have rediscovered his songs. The best, for me personally, was the BBC2 programme "Jake Thackray and Songs" in 1981, which converted me into a staunch fan. Jake gave me a lot of laughs, encouraged me to play guitar and was quintessentially English - an excellent combination. By way of tribute, I would like to express my condolences to his family and friends, albeit a little late. |
| Name: | Rick Lines |
| E-mail address: | linespana ((at))dragonaet.es |
| Comments: | From the 60s The Beatles were my idols, then Dylan was my guide but Jake was my life, my humour and my way of looking forward. I went to a lot of his shows in small venues around Merseyside and he gave me the best nights of my life. Now, many years later I am picking up my sons guitar and am trying to learn the legacy he has left. I want to share it so he will pass down through my kids - he deserves it. A fantastic performer and a brilliant guy. Thanks for the memories and the future. Rick. |
| Name: | Stephen Glanville, "Hugo" to his friends |
| E-mail address: | rain4est3 ((at))comcast.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://home.comcast.net/~rain4est3/ |
| Comments: | Although I now live in Portland, in Oregon, I grew up in England, where, through my teenage years my father was in the habit of getting up early (before lunch) on Sunday and playing music loud. I heard Santana, Steeleye Span, Osibisa, Barbara Thompson and John Heisman first this way. They never got me out of bed, but one-day, I heard a double-bass and guitar intro followed by the lyric "I love a good bum on a woman...". I was out of bed and sat at the top of the stairs and listened to a refreshingly irreverent song. It was the title-track of my father's latest 'spin', 'On-Again, On-Again'. To this day I recall the shock at hearing Jake Thackray and maintain that he has that 'wake-up' quality in his songs that others lack. Most recently I was helped through painful depression after splitting from my wife, when my father sent me an MP3 of 'Leopold Alcox'. It got me smiling for the first time in months. I was incredibly sad to hear of Jake's passing, he's no-doubt helped many-a-soul through bad-times with his unedited views on life brought to us through his music. My sympathies to those close to Jake and in particular his sons. I can't imagine what it's like to lose your Dad, but I hope the fact that so many folks are out there still listening to him whittering 'On-Again, On-Again' will give them some consolence. - HSG |
| Name: | John Bowen |
| E-mail address: | john.bowen13 ((at))ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | What a loss, I saw him several times, a great talent, much missed. |
| Name: | Max Roberts |
| E-mail address: | maxcroberts ((at))aol.com |
| Comments: | It is with a real sense of shock that I have just learned that Jake died last Christmas. He played a gig at The White Hart, in Duffield, near Derby, where I live, in 1986 or 7. At the break I joined him at the bar, and introduced myself, saying I had seen his heartfelt letter in the Guardian about the almost ignored passing of Georges Brassens. " Bloody hell," he said, "do you like Georges?" "Love him",I said, and as well as lending me a recording he had,which I re recorded and sent back to his home, he told me of Georges giving him a tune (to Bantam Cock, I think) and we talked until the end of the break. Then, at he start of the second half, he announced," I'm now going to do something a bit unusual for an English folk club. I'm going to sing a French song ---and it's for a bloke called Max, who's sitting over there." And he sang "Dans l'eau de la claire fontaine." I try to play and sing this myself, sometimes, and I always have found it moving. Now I'm sitting here with a lump in my heart, because I didn't know, and in fact I was only talking about him last week. I don't know if I'll ever be able to sing the song without tears in my eyes. Deepest sympathy to all who were close to Jake. |
| Name: | Julian Comoy |
| E-mail address: | cellicom ((at))tin.it |
| Comments: | A great loss. A supremely witty wordsmith with a rare gift for lyrics and a transparent love for the potential of language. Just to add to the list of memories, my own dates from a tongue-tied, nail-nibbled and gut-gripped performance at Clare College, Cambridge, circa 1978. An object lesson in how to captivate an audience. Since then his music slipped in and out of my mind but never vanished, until I finally bought a CD some five years ago. It seems sad to have pottered about in my car for the past year with 'Ulysses' or 'The Cactus' playing with Jake dead all the while. I recently decided to do a Google search with a view to expanding my collection and read up on him, only to be numbed by the news of his death. I shall make a point of introducing his music to the natives in this corner of Italy (those who can understand him will certainly notice a curious resemblance to the singing style of Fabrizio de Andrč, who died a couple of years ago at a similar age). The joy Jake's music gives cannot be allowed to dim. |
| Name: | rob curtis |
| E-mail address: | alan ((at))curtis8267.freeserve.co.uk |
| Name: | Tracie Anderson |
| E-mail address: | Tracie.anderson ((at))bristol.ac.uk |
| Comments: | Great man, sorely missed, went to a concert of his once many years ago and bought the tape cassette, which wore out. Was very sad to hear of his death, but was compensated by the CD's he left for his fans to remember him by! Although I'm sorry he won't be adding more works to his hilarious collection. Not entirely unappreciated in his own country - I'm British too! |
| Name: | Neil |
| E-mail address: | keyserszose ((at))hotmail.com |
| Comments: | It's difficult to believe that we have lost 2 of our greatest musical wordsmiths in the space of 1 year, both of them unheralded in their own country, Jake Tahckray and Clifford T. Ward, each pf them unparalled in their particular field. The world is a sadder place without them, thanfully we have their leagcy. |
| Name: | Ken Airey |
| E-mail address: | airey ((at))cscoms.com |
| Comments: | For some reason , around 3 months ago, I found myself humming 'Lah Di Dah' and smiling.This progressed, and a few more songs came to mind- The Brigadier, Widow of Brid.I remembered Jake's brilliant performances on 'That's Life' watching in amazement that someone could play and sound like that. He was unique.Sounded impressive to a 12 year old! Following on from the humming, I went to the UK- I live in Germany now - and bought the greatest hits CD a few weeks ago, and was shocked to read on the sleeve that he had died last year. So I did what the sleevewriter suggested- Got myself a glass of something good and listened.The songs were better than I remembered, and I can appreciate the acerbic wit better now than in my teens. It's a great pity that I was never lucky enough to see him live in concert.Wonderful voice, great lyrics. Rest Easy Jake! |
| Name: | Dave Cupples |
| E-mail address: | dwcups ((at))eurobell.co.uk |
| Comments: | I have just discovered this sad event after rediscovering this fantastic songsmith |
| Name: | marc coleman |
| E-mail address: | marc_p_coleman ((at))hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Belated condolences to a musicians who - like the best artists - will only be properly appreciated after their death. Marc Coleman |
| Name: | Susan Jones |
| E-mail address: | sulizbob ((at))aol.com |
| Comments: | An extraordinary man who thought he was an ordinary bloke. |