Sir Charles Mackerras, AC, CH, CBE

The world of music is mourning the death of Sir Charles Mackerras, who died on 14 July, 2010, aged 84. He was born on 17 November, 1925.

His conducting introduced me to the operas of Janáček, and my long-time favourite opera, "The House of the Dead", which seems to me to convey aspects of the atmosphere of Eastern Europe before 1989.

 In 1947 he won a British Council Scholarship to study in Prague under Vaclav Talich, at the Academy of Music.

The fact that he was an Australian, and had studied in Sydney and in Prague, made it a natural development and partnership that the British Council in Australia and Sir Charles should co-finance a scholarship for young Australian composers and conductors, who were encouraged to study in the UK and in Prague. Sir Charles and Lady Mackerras were extraordinarily generous in agreeing to this joint scholarship, which continued for a number of years.

I was very fortunate in that I had the opportunity to go to many operas in Prague in Sydney (even though I am more of a bluesman!). I miss having the chance to attend a Mozart or Janáček first night at the Sydney Opera House. Most of all we shall miss Sir Charles Mackerras; but his legacy will live on. The Czechs, in particular, will always be grateful for what he did for Czech Music.

Sir Les Patterson, Australian Cultural Attache, New Images

One can understand why Barry Humphries' creation, the Australian Cultural Attache, was not popular with Australian diplomats abroad. Les didn't do much for the image of Australia, they complained. He wasn't politically correct. He was crude, drunk, sexist, racist. You name it.  But he could be very funny.

I won't claim that Sir Les was my mentor or role model, but he did make me laugh, and certainly provided the perfect model for any aspiring Cultural Attache- on what NOT to do or say. He remains an icon and one of Australia's greatest cultural exports! We did try to create new images of the UK and Australia during the newIMAGES campaign (and I think we succeeded), but Sir Les is indestructible.

(from Les Patterson's Australia, Melbourne, 1978)

Officials in the Arts Councils in the UK and Australia are not likely to be so generous with their grants in future, I fear.

Long live Sir Les! Bravo Barry! We need you now.

Barry Humphries is also a marvelous artist and poet, for the record. He has the ideal qualities for a Poet Laureate.

Whilst I am on the subject of newIMAGES, I would like to quote what Sir Roger Carrick had to say about our efforts to help modernise the bilateral relationship between the UK and Australia. Sir Roger was British High Commissioner to Australia, 1994-1997. These generous comments come from his book Rolleround OZ, Reflections on a Journey around Australia, Allen and Unwin, 1998 (page 150):

Edward Gilly (centre)

Doc Watson and Snooks Eaglin

I once saw Doc Watson live in Kilburn, London. At the time it was a lot closer than Deep Gap, North Carolina!

Here he is performing the great "Deep River Blues" .

Doc was born on March 3, 1923.

You don't know my mind

Blues Stay Away from Me

I also had the chance to see Snooks Eaglin in London. Here's another great song, "Alberta".

Snooks, from New Orleans, played 6 string, 12 string and electric guitar. Born 21 January 1936, Snooks died, aged 72, on 18 February 2009. "Remember Me".

Two of the greatest guitarists, for my money, whether playing country/acoustic or rockabilly blues.

It's a shame they never played together.

Missed Opportunities; Losing the Blues.

Amongst other worthy ambitions, I always wanted to be a bluesman. Back in early 1967, I remember reading that Mike Vernon, A Decca Records producer, was on the look-out for unrecorded blues singers and new talent.

He was producing albums with the likes of Fleetwood Mac and John Mayall. He later left Decca to found Blue Horizon Records.

He wrote to me in response to my pitch:

I never followed up. I can't remember why. Perhaps I didn't have a tape-recorder or access to a studio. I soon accepted a job in Corfu instead . It was time I got a proper job! I was hardly aware that there had been a Military Coup in Greece.

What if? I certainly wasn't a Lonnie Donegan, Alexis Korner, Cyril Davies or Mick Jagger, let alone an Eric Clapton or Jeremy Spencer!

No regrets. It's never too late! Did I hear you say "Dream On" ?

Maybe that's why I've still got the Corfu blues...

Decca was a great label in its time.

 And then there was that group...The Rolling Stones? 

Then I was a blues radio DJ in Sydney, Australia (a weekly programme, as a hobby)!

Eastside Radio Magazine, Autumn 1998

Bob Dylan et al (Michael Gray)

Some great posts on Michael Gray's Bob Dylan blog! Just discovered it.

Try another of his blogs on Blind Willie McTell

Greek Students in the UK

The numbers of Greek students in the UK seem to be dropping. I wonder what the figures will be like for
2009/2010 and 2010/2011, given the economic situation in both countries?

2005/2006    17, 675

2006/2007    16, 050

2007/2008    12, 625

2008/2009    12, 035