The Isle of Scilly is an archipelago that lies in the southwestern tip of Cornwall. You might not know it yet but because of its position, a lot of migratory birds come here from as far as North America and Siberia. Apart from the warm climate and rich history, it is also a place rich in musical tradition.
The all male vocal group Bone Idol have proven this. There is something haunting and beautiful in their style of singing. They sing the songs of the sea. Their album is available locally but if there is a way for them to reach a wider audience I think it should be a must. Music like this should be heard by the world. Forget Euro vision. This is way better!
Map of the Isles of Scilly. Location in relation to Cornwall Geography
Me at the Men Scrifa. The mid 6th century AD inscription can be clearly seen: RIALOBRANI CVNOVALI FILI ('Royal Raven, son of Worthy/Valiant Hound'). Chun Castle (300 BC) and Chun Quoit (3,500 BC) stand on the hill on the skyline just to the right of the stone. All three sites feature in my novels 'The Lyonesse Stone' (with its recently published translation into Cornish, 'Jowal Lethesow'), and 'The Tinners' Way'. -Craig
Hopes for Cornwall – to see it able to break free of rule from London. Decisions about Cornwall should be made from within Cornwall, by Cornish people who know their own land and its problems better than any one. Some people might think this is a “parochial” attitude but they couldn’t be more wrong. We have a global outlook. For all too long we’ve been brainwashed into this “Cornwall is too remote” way of thinking. Remote? From where?…oh, from London.
I love the spontaneity of this interview with author and Cornish public figure Craig Weatherhill. He has released fiction and non fiction books about Cornwall. We have exchanged messages over the course of time about music and most of all his love for the Melloron which you will get to hear later in this interview. As part of the ongoing story about Cornwall I am glad for getting the time to talk to one of the most interesting minds of this age.
I am planning to cover Cornwall this week. I am interested in what you do in preserving and promoting Cornwall’s rich legacy.
Where do I start…..?I set out decades ago to record and survey archaeological sites, with detailed, accurate scale drawings that recorded exactly what was there to be preserved. Back in 1974 no one had ever done this. I surveyed over 300 sites before professional bodies were formed to carry on with the work.
Cornish legend and mythology was also a close study, as were place-names, right down to field names – all this linked with the archaeology as there’s direct relevance.Then, I realised that no one had written comprehensive field guides to the best sites and monuments in Cornwall and Scilly, so I wrote Belerion and Cornovia (1981 & 1985), which remained in print until well after 2000. A new version of Cornovia, combining both the earlier books, came out 3 years ago.
I tried to promote the legends, and make people more aware of them, by writing the trilogy of novels (The Lyonesse Stone, Seat of Storms and The Tinners’ Way), which incorporate many of them.
Now, I’m looking at events in Cornish history that have never been fully, or truthfully, told.
Wow this is great! Ok so concerning Cornwall’s rich history and legacy, what can you say about the film, Mists of Avalon? It’s set in Cornwall right?
I’ve never seen “Mists of Avalon”. I think I remember reading the book many years ago. And going back to your books, for those who only heard of them now, can you expound a bit on what they’re about? (The Lyonesse Stone, Seat of Storms and The Tinners’ Way)
The trilogy involves a modern family in the worlds of ancient Cornish legend. Their direct ancestor was the sole survivor of the flood that drowned the lost land of Lyonesse, said to have linked Land’s End with the Isles of Scilly, which is “why them”.
The first is about a sorcerer from legend, the Lord of Pengersek, and his mare (a demon in horse-shape) who is after a family heirloom which can give him true immortality, as he has lived for centuries dependent upon an artificial elixir.
The second has two more villains from the past, a storm-raising witch and a rapacious lawyer. In the battle to stop their schemes, the people of the sea become involved, with tragic results, but higher beings, such as the god Lugh and the goddess Epona, also lend a hand.
The third is an allegory on what Cornwall faces today with far too much external interference, and harks on Cornwall’s war with England in 1549, and brings in some of the villains from that war, as well as Cornwall’s very own sea monster (yes – we have one!).
All set in West Cornwall & Scilly. Most locations are real ones, and the books also bring in some real historical characters in cameo roles.
Have started a novel running a modern mystery-thriller alongside the story of the Spanish raid on Mount’s Bay in 1595. To be called “The Amezola Log”.
These days, I’m semi-retired, freeing up more time to spend with the horses, writing and music. In July I finally bought a mellotron, having wanted one for decades, and this features on Cornish band Skwardya’s new song “Gras dhe Nev” (Thank Heaven), written by Matthew Clarke.It adds a mix of strings and choir behind the song. Speaking of Matthew Clarke whom I talked to in my last article, what are the things that you are involved with in the Cornish movement. I am keeping a close look at Kernow Celtic league and every one is taking interest in Cornwall’s Celtic heritage.
I advise the Signage Panel (bilingual signs), mostly on historic names. I’m still a member of the language group Agan Tavas. I’m also active with Save Penwith Moors against the desecration of our ancient landscape by the quangoes Natural “England” and “English” Heritage. I continue to research and write about Cornwall and its heritage. I know you are passionate about your mellotron. Tell me more about this instrument. How did you fall for this one?
I could never afford a mellotron in the past. They were hugely expensive and hefty with it. The Mark II used by the Moody Blues weighed 350lbs, and the single manual M400 was still 150lbs. Then, last year, the Mellotron company developed the first digital model by sampling all 100 sound choices from the original mellotron tape archive, so the sounds are identical to the big analogue models, even to the 8-second note limit. This looks like the top section of an M400 but weighs only 33lbs.
Can you give me a good link for a video of a mellotron video of yours on youtube ?
Google ‘youtube cweatherhills channel’, and you’ll find one of me playing mine. At this point , how is Cornwall doing in terms of Literature, Music and Economy?
"Just to show that I can relax now and again. 12-bar auto-harp"-Craig
> Literature. Cornwall is doing well, with writers like Alan Kent in particular. One great development is the production of translations of novels into Cornish (e.g. my The Lyonesse Stone > Jowal Lethesow), or bilingually published (Alan Kents’ The Cult of Relics/Devocyon dhe Greryow. Nor is Cornwall short of poets.
Music – Again, Cornwall is vibrant with music, with any number of groups (Skwardya, Hanterhir, Bagas Degol etc.), solo artists (e.g. Sue Aston, violinist), dance groups, choirs, and the available styles cover a broad spectrum, too.
Economy – Not well at all. The lowest incomes and the highest domestic overheads in the UK. For decades, London has taken around £300 million p.a. more from Cornwall than it gives back. Young Cornish people can’t afford to buy houses in their own land as 2nd homes have artificially inflated house privcs overall, and rents are extortionate. Cornish schoolkids get a fraction of central Govt. grants per annum than their counterparts in the Home Counties. Unemployment is high, and yet big firms and corporations (incl. Cornwall Council) prefer to recruit from outside Cornwall.
Are you currently involved in the music scene and festivals around?
As yet, I don’t perform music to live audiences, preferring to compose and play on my own (much as I write). However, if I improve and get more confident, live performances might yet happen. I am interested in the Agan Tavas movement. Can you expound on this too?
Agan Tavas (“Our Language”) – a Cornish language society founded about 25 years ago, and with an emphais on the traditional language rather than very modern reconstructed versions). It researches, publishes, holds events, and social gatherings called Yeth an Weryn (language of the people). I was Chairman for 4 years before handing over to the current Chairman, Ray Chubb. What are your hopes for your nation and what can we all do to make it come true?
Hopes for Cornwall – to see it able to break free of rule from London. Decisions about Cornwall should be made from within Cornwall, by Cornish people who know their own land and its problems better than any one. Some people might think this is a “parochial” attitude but they couldn’t be more wrong. We have a global outlook. For all too long we’ve been brainwashed into this “Cornwall is too remote” way of thinking. Remote? From where?…oh, from London. Who needs London? When you look at our geographical position, we’re perfectly placed for direct global trading. Far better placed than London is. Perhaps, with autonomy, Cornwall and the other Celtic nations could form a loose federation that allows each their independence, but also allows for solidarity when the need arises. Much as Europe was supposed to be but, hopefully, we’ll learn from the reasons why Europe never achieved that.
What can we do to make it happen? – Cut loose from the mainstream political parties who have serially failed us all, and get behind the pro-Celtic ones. In Cornwall, that means Mebyon Kernow which has just won a landslide by-election in one of Cornwall’s largest wards (geographically). In turn, MK has to be ready to develop and embrace some really high hopes but, with increasing public support, that will come. Plaid Cymru and the SNP both grew from very humble, and oft-ridiculed beginnings: now look at them! MK can do likewise.
I see a lot of things happening and right now. I am looking at Campaign Kernow and the commonwealth games. There are great talents from all around . If we talk about music can you point me to the right direction(for people who are seriously in need of music that represents Cornwall). For example.. this is a good one right?
Looking at their list of artists, I’d say that’s a great place to start. Matthew Clarke (Skwardya), Philip Knight and Sue Aston are also FB friends. A further, amazing musician is Medwyn Goodall, a composer and multi-instrumentlist who has produced a couple of dozen albums. You can find him and Sue on YouTube. Phil just sent a link for his new album – I’ll share it to you.
====================================================== Oh yes! I am a fan of his music(Medwyn Goodall). And of course those people you mentioned. Can I see Phil’s link?
Years ago (1991), my first novel was also the first to be promoted by a film trailer. We needed the right music for it, so I asked Medwyn if I could use ‘Nine Maidens’ from his Druid album. He laughed and said that the piece had been inspired by my book ‘Belerion’! How about that for full circle? The equally admiring society You and Medwyn.I am listening to Philip Knight’s youtube sampler.This is amazing because this is in Cornish Terrific voice too.
Yes, he’s a fine singer. He only put that link up last night!
Whenever I see Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), who has a place at Lelant, he says: “Any more books?”, and I answer with: “Any more records?” (He’s another mad horseman, so you can see how we met up).
I love Moody Blues( I might sound like a phony but the artists you mentioned are familiar to me)…wow Phil’s music really makes me smile. So much variety to it. These and other artists we discussed will be linked to the interview .
It seems that we have a terrific music scene in Cornwall these days.
Where can readers find your books? Electronic copies?
Most of my books can be found on Amazon. Just put my name into the search box and they should appear. I don’t think there are any electronic copies. Just disappearing to search YouTube for that(Mellotron ) link. Back soon.Found it and shared it.
You even get a couple of shots of what’s going on inside the ‘tron.
Wow…a lot to be learned from this instrument.. .. those are tape strips.. analogue sound extravaganza!
I’m still learning what mine’s capable of doing after 4 months with it. Yes – the analogue originals literally put heads on tapes when you pressed the keys, so the violins, flutes, choirs etc are the real thing, not an electronic imitation but, because the ‘tron’s a machine, it lends something of its own, hence the ethereal quality of the sounds. My digital M4000D is 24-bit sampled from the original mellotron tape archive.
That guy really took the cake with his demonstration. You should upload a video of your playing when you are already confident .
I’ve got one. Want it? Sure!OK – one of my own (Drehafva’n Loor (Moonrise), and a Yes song.The word sounds and looks beautiful in CornishSent those two plus a demo of 16 violins and custom choir.======================================================
The music has that impressionistic feel. Goosebumps! this is amazing stuff. You play so well.
Still a self-taught learner with a long way to go. But this amazing instrument will help that along.
I listened to all three(the others were uploaded in facebook so they can’t be embedded here) and I can say it has a powerful way of setting the mood I feel like I have just eaten a lot of chocolate hahahaha. Do you have a youtube version of these videos? I am afraid wordpress might have a hard time embedding them if they are not from youtube.
I’ve only put Drehafva’n Loor on YouTube. If you search youtube cweatherhill’s channel, you’ll find it there.
Ok great! Now I am writing another article about Cornwall and this is prior to your interview , which will be within this week.I will send you the draft for final approval before publishing it.
Fantastic – look forward to seeing it!
Thanks and take care. Enjoy the rest of the day over there.
Many thanks. Enjoy your day, too (although I expect it’s about bed time there – I’m downing my morning mug of coffee here. It helps to get my heart started).
It is only 3pm here. around 6 to 7 hour difference between us.
Less than I thought.
Yeah. And I know that Cornwall is considered as the land of light.
It’s 0745 here, just getting light (being winter). Very mild for the time of year, though. I was driving around yesterday with my car windows wide open!We’d expect around 8 or 9C around now (in fact, the last 2 Novembers were way colder than that). It’s actually around 14 or 15C and it was all sun yesterday after a stormy night.
I see. That’s really cold for our standards (in the tropics) of normal temperature. But I like the cold.
On the moors
Doesn’t often get above 24C here even in summer. We have sea on 3 and a hal sides of us, and the warm Gulf Stream current to help out. We’re about level with Newfoundland, which is probably frozen solid by now – but they (and New York to the south) are stuck with the cold Labrador current.
Interesting how geography can really bring out the best in a place and the people there.
Looks like another sunny day today but tomorrow we have one of our Atlantic storms brewing up. 70mph winds.
Well better keep yourself warm over there. here it is rainy as well. the first today in weeks.
Batten down the hatches for tomorrow. Anything I need to go out for, I’d better do it today. Talk again soon.
Craig and I were having an interesting conversation which is part of the interview I am doing about him. He has written amazing novels about Cornwall’s myths among others. The course of the afternoon was dedicated to links and the music that best represents Cornwall. He mentioned Medwyn Goodall who is one of my favorite artists. He also said that yesterday, he drove around with his car windows opened. It’s mild there considering it’s winter.
We discussed about the links. I discovered Kesson earlier which I think is the best source of Cornish music for those who like traditional stuff. My ears can be picky but I got a couple of bands and musicians you might really want to check out. These are great stuff. bands like An Strik, The Barveks and Anao Atao can really put you in Cornish mood.
In between discussion of Mellotron which Craig is raving about(he has been playing his for four months) I listened to a couple of links and I am so excited to share them!
Phil Knight is an exciting name to come from the traditional music scene. He sings and composes in Cornish and his arrangements are varied and instrumentally refreshing. Here’s description for the samples in the video:
These sampler clips are from a new album (Nov 2011) called ‘Omdowl Morek’ or ‘Sea Wrestling’. All nine original and contemporary songs, written and performed by Phil Knight, and ably produced and arranged by Paul Knight-Malciak, are in Kernewek (The Cornish Language). Thanks to him and to Maga – the Cornish Language Partnership – I was able to find an opportunity to record an album of my best songs, a long-term dream. I am hopeful that there wil be among them above all the flavour of Cornwall and her language: There are songs with themes based on old legends and my personal faith, love of Cornwall’s land and sea, tales of love on account of young women even. Whatever your age and taste, may there be something to please everyone whether in the Celtic world or beyond. A bilingual book of lyrics accompanies the actual album which is available via Maga.
Cornish traditional music played by Dalla at the additional “Nos Lowen” event hosted by Asturia … fine food and well-poured cider too – cheers, 😀
The dance – Mr Martin’s Reel (collected by Mr Hedley Martin in a place called Morval, near Looe) – is well known across Cornwall, and was danced at family parties, usually in a kitchen on the slate slabs. Young people would travel from farm to farm during the festive seasons, drink cider, socialise and perform such dances as this by way of entertainment. Often the dance was done in fairly heavy clogs with iron scoots, like horseshoes, on the bottom to increase the noise of step dancing.
“Nos Lowen” is Cornish for “Happy Night” … full of dancing, singing, eating and drinking … similar to a Breton “Fest Noz”…
So I am devoting this week and probably the next week to Cornwall. Reasons? Nostalgia. I remember I covered something about Dalla a year or two ago and at that time everything was OK in my life. I had not much worries. My constant happiness was keeping this blog up to date and also participating in my blogger community and writing posts.
Time has made things changed. I am glad I’m still here. I am glad I am hanging on and still keeping this page current. Now I love looking at the beautiful pictures of Cornwall. So relaxing. Cornwall is known for its beaches and rugged coastline. What’s more exciting is that there is a thriving traditional scene there. Just listen to this sound clip by Matthew Clarke:
To demonstrate further, Cornwall here’s a nice view of the Cornwall coast.
Right now I am still getting to know more about the culture of Cornwall and the people who play a big part on the propagation of it. I am currently working on an interview of Craig Weatherhill.
***
Just in time for the Thanksgiving, Shishonnah has just released their album Elysian Dreams. I would describe the work of the duo Jenne Lennon and Liz Madden as a cross between Dead Can Dance, Loreena Mckennitt and Clannad.
I also got a scoop that Moya Brennan did guest vocals for Secret Garden. This is an amazing project since I am a big fan of both Clannad, Secret Garden and Moya’s own solo career. The song is “The Dream” taken from “Winter Poem“. More here: http://www.clannad.nl/2011/10/moya-brennan-on-secret-garden-single.html
Matthew Clarke: one of theleading voices of Cornwall who continues to spread the cultural identity of his nation through music and language.
I stumbled upon his podcast by accident and out of that came the awareness of his talent as a musician. My interest in the culture of Cornwall started when I did a research about Celtic languages. Since then I was in touched with the culture through music. Dalla proved to be one of those bands that embody the spirit of the nation. I listened to them and promoted their music. Craig Weatherhill (author) and Sue Aston (violinist) are among those I have talked to in the past, when dealing with Cornish literature and music.
Here, Matthew shares with us his insights into things that he is passionate about. There is so much beauty in Cornwall that people need to know and one of them is knowing its unique Celtic language as well as the music that continues to let itself be heard. Other than the setting for Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel Rebecca and later done into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock, Cornwall is so much more.
* You started kernowpods around July of 2011. It’s more than a year now. So far what are the challenges of this endeavor?
It is tough starting a business in these times but I have had a huge amount of support from Cornish business and organisations. One of the biggest helps was ‘Unlocking Cornish Potential’ who gave me training and financial support (from Europe) for the first year in business. The other main challenge was to explain exactly what I do – as there is no-one else in Cornwall with my business model. Essentially I was converting my broadcast skills to business. The podcasting element is the main tranche of this, and it is also the part of my business which developed out of producing ‘Radyo an Gernewegva‘ every week.
* What are the great things you gained having this show?
Essentially I began this podcast radio service because the Cornish language cause is/was not being supported to any serious extent by any other radio station in Cornwall. The BBC only produces 5 minutes a week! RanG started off as Nowodhow an Seythun (News of the week) several years ago… and then eventually mutated into a full music and magazine programme. I have gained a large worldwide audience for the language – people learning it in Cornish communities around the globe – as as a side advantage, created a place to play some of my own music in Cornish too.
*Your work is an asset to businesses as well as people who are into teaching. I am a product trainer for a private company. I dig what you are trying to say. When did you discover having this passion to teach?
I wouldnt actually say I have a passion to teach. I would say I NEED to teach because I prefer speaking in Cornish to English, and there aren’t enough Cornish speakers about. The only way I can rectify this is to provide services to help people reach fluency.
* Cornwall is a place of huge Celtic heritage. I see you are passionate about the music and the language. What are the positive things you learned about reviving the language …the whole Cornish culture itself?
The positive points about reviving a language is that it is a steep slope that has been climbed once you realise it by looking back – at the moment in question it feels like you are banging your head against a brick wall. Essentially, I see no positives in the action of reviving a language as I see the positives in not letting a language be lost in the first places. It is unfortunate that we need to revive a language – one that should never have been let go in the first place.
The new anthem for the Cornish language written by Matthew Clarke, performed by Skwardya with additional help from: Elizabeth and Josephine Stewart; Phil Knight; James Dundon and Chris Cadwur James. From the Skwardya CD ‘An Eledhva’. http://www.geocities.com/skwardyahttp://www.kesson.com
*Can you give us list of music we need to check out?
Anyone wanting to check out Cornish language can have a tough time finding stuff – even in the modern digital era. So much is not available. Much was last available in the days of vinyl and cassette. This is why Radyo an Gernewegva is so important! Try and listen for the following artists (yes I have put myself in there??!!! and no this is not a chart with an order of importance):
1. Graham Sandercock
2. Brenda Wootton
3. Richard Gendall
4. Phillip Knight
5. Skwardya
6. Dalla
7. Brian Webb
8. Krena
9. Ragamuffin
10. Hanterhir
*With all the work you do, what are you trying to accomplish?
I am trying to make sure the language I feel at home with speaking is still there for future generations, and to make sure I have people to talk to! Yes, it is really THAT selfish!
* Radyo an Gernewgva is something I am familiar with! The site is also entirely in Cornish. Do you plan putting up English support for non native speakers? I however think that what you are trying to say about keeping the language alive makes a big sense. The language goes hand in hand with the music. I remember hearing Brenda Wootton singing in Cornish and I was shocked by the beauty of it all. Are there links you can give enthusiasts who are trying to learn the language?
There is no plan for English support to RanG – it takes enough barely funded time as it is to do what I’m doing (barely funded, not because The Cornish Language Partnership (Maga) doesn’t want to fund RanG more, but because it has not got much support from the Government) . If someone else wants to do that bit – all power to their elbow. This service is aimed at people who have learned a certain amount of Cornish and want to become fluent, or fluent speakers. It can be enjoyed for its music content if a listener has no knowledge of Cornish.
The best link to give for enthusiasts is www.magakernow.org.uk – this is the Cornish Language Partnership and is a one stop shop for anything to do with the language.
* Been listening to your music with your project Skwardya. What are your plans for this band?
The band began in 1999 and finished playing gigs in 2002 when I moved to East Cornwall. I moved back a few years later and we began doing gigs again in 2006-2010. We stopped gigging again after the PanCeltic last year – though some recordings are still being made. We have released 4 CDs – all can be found on http://www.kesson.com. We have not produced a CD for a long time as it is expensive and it is tough marketing them. The only outlet for the music currently is on Radyo an Gernewegva. I have uploaded a few things to CDBaby – but this takes time and costs too – and the rewards arent that great.
* What would you suggest to musicians (Cornish and others) in order to push the music forward? I know the internet has been helpful as a tool to reach people around the globe but are there also other means that the musical culture can be spread?
I know there is Kesson.com … however, there is no organisation properly and professionally marketing Cornish music in the way that Sain does in Wales. Cornwall desperately needs a body to do this. The problem is that people’s lives are tough in just trying to make enough money to pay the mortgage or rent at the moment – and few people have the time or money to do this sort of thing effectively.
*Are there things you wish to finish in terms of broadcasting and music before the year ends?
Radyo an Gernewegva needs a new backer as European money will start running out. It also needs more commitment from Cornish speakers. I cannot do all the work myself. Sometimes you will get someone offering a programme or some audio from something – but they end up (often) as unreliable. This programme goes out every week – I need to put it together every week. It cannot move forward until there is more professionalism in the approach to developing the language from its supporters.
Last question: What’s your message to your followers as well as people who like to blog about music?
My message is:
Govenek a’m beus hwi dhe omlowenhe an ilow ha skoedhyewgh an taves yn pub le pynag a vo chons dhywgh!
I hope you enjoy the music and support the language everywhere it may be possible for you to!
Just in time for the Thanksgiving, Shishonnah has just released their album Elysian Dreams. I would describe the work of the duo Jenne Lennon and Liz Madden as a cross between Dead Can Dance, Loreena Mckennitt and Clannad.
Celtic Music Fan 