FIRST IMPRESSIONS: RALPH McTELL
What are you working on?
My tour and promoting my first album of original material for 10 years.
When were you at your happiest?
At the beginning of my career. When I was 17 to 21 or 22, and the potential was unfolding. I’m pretty happy most of the time, actually. I was happy as a kid, too.
What is your greatest fear?
Outliving any of my loved ones.
What is your earliest memory?
I was 18 months old. I can clearly remember my father at home – he had left by the time I was two – and that I was sitting in my high chair. I remember the colours of the curtains and everything. I recently described the memory to my 96-year-old mother and she found it incredible.
Who has been your greatest influence?
In music, some of the great guitar players and the American blues stars. But I think I’m influenced by just about everybody that I’ve met in some form or other. I take the best bits. The camaraderie and fellowship of music is quite profound and the people I’ve met who are not just career musicians, but are driven to play music because they couldn’t do anything else, are the ones that have influenced me the most.
What do you dislike most about yourself?
My temper.
What is your most treasured possession?
Obviously, my family comes first, but I treasure my J-45 Gibson guitar. I’ve had it since I was 19 and 90 per cent of my songs have been written on it. It’s my companion on the sofa when I sit and watch TV and it’s been all round the world with me. It’s still an inspirational instrument.
Which trait do you more deplore in others?
Religious bigotry.
Do you have a fantasy address?
The farm in the film Jean de Florette, starring Gérard Depardieu. But then I’ve not made any effort to move, so probably I’m quite happy where I am.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My increasing waistline and decreasing hairline.
What is your all-time favourite book?
The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
What is your favourite film?
The Big Lebowski, a comedy starring Jeff Bridges. It’s a wonderful, multi-layered film.
What is your favourite piece of music?
Tough question: and the answer does alter. At the moment, I’ve got Crossroads by Robert Johnson as my ringtone. It was recorded in about 1935 and every time my phone rings I want it to keep ringing because I love to hear this song over and over.
What is your favourite meal?
I’m typically English, I’m afraid. I love my Indian food. I’d eat anything if it had enough curry in it, but my choice is probably a bhuna.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
I would love to meet Bob, his Bobness, Bob Dylan. There is only one Bob. No, there are millions of them, but there is only one Dylan.
Which historical character do you most admire?
The one chap that I keep reading about – I’m on my second or third biography and I can’t absorb all the detail – is the Duke of Wellington. He always surprises me. There’s also something of my grandfather’s face in his face; a humanity. My grandfather was only a little guy, though, and a soldier in the First World War, which he survived.
What is the nastiest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
‘More charm than talent.’
Do you believe in aliens?
Not at all.
What is your secret vice?
Lying about how much red wine I’ve drunk.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, I do.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Jesus wept.
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
Handling my mood swings.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
I did the best with what I had.
Ralph McTell is currently on tour. For the remaining dates, go to: www.ralphmctell.co.uk
Sofa Noodling, a collection of guitar instrumentals by Ralph McTell (Leola, £9.99), is out now.
My tour and promoting my first album of original material for 10 years.
When were you at your happiest?
At the beginning of my career. When I was 17 to 21 or 22, and the potential was unfolding. I’m pretty happy most of the time, actually. I was happy as a kid, too.
What is your greatest fear?
Outliving any of my loved ones.
What is your earliest memory?
I was 18 months old. I can clearly remember my father at home – he had left by the time I was two – and that I was sitting in my high chair. I remember the colours of the curtains and everything. I recently described the memory to my 96-year-old mother and she found it incredible.
Who has been your greatest influence?
In music, some of the great guitar players and the American blues stars. But I think I’m influenced by just about everybody that I’ve met in some form or other. I take the best bits. The camaraderie and fellowship of music is quite profound and the people I’ve met who are not just career musicians, but are driven to play music because they couldn’t do anything else, are the ones that have influenced me the most.
What do you dislike most about yourself?
My temper.
What is your most treasured possession?
Obviously, my family comes first, but I treasure my J-45 Gibson guitar. I’ve had it since I was 19 and 90 per cent of my songs have been written on it. It’s my companion on the sofa when I sit and watch TV and it’s been all round the world with me. It’s still an inspirational instrument.
Which trait do you more deplore in others?
Religious bigotry.
Do you have a fantasy address?
The farm in the film Jean de Florette, starring Gérard Depardieu. But then I’ve not made any effort to move, so probably I’m quite happy where I am.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My increasing waistline and decreasing hairline.
What is your all-time favourite book?
The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
What is your favourite film?
The Big Lebowski, a comedy starring Jeff Bridges. It’s a wonderful, multi-layered film.
What is your favourite piece of music?
Tough question: and the answer does alter. At the moment, I’ve got Crossroads by Robert Johnson as my ringtone. It was recorded in about 1935 and every time my phone rings I want it to keep ringing because I love to hear this song over and over.
What is your favourite meal?
I’m typically English, I’m afraid. I love my Indian food. I’d eat anything if it had enough curry in it, but my choice is probably a bhuna.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
I would love to meet Bob, his Bobness, Bob Dylan. There is only one Bob. No, there are millions of them, but there is only one Dylan.
Which historical character do you most admire?
The one chap that I keep reading about – I’m on my second or third biography and I can’t absorb all the detail – is the Duke of Wellington. He always surprises me. There’s also something of my grandfather’s face in his face; a humanity. My grandfather was only a little guy, though, and a soldier in the First World War, which he survived.
What is the nastiest thing that anyone has ever said to you?
‘More charm than talent.’
Do you believe in aliens?
Not at all.
What is your secret vice?
Lying about how much red wine I’ve drunk.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, I do.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Jesus wept.
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
Handling my mood swings.
What would you like your epitaph to say?
I did the best with what I had.
Ralph McTell is currently on tour. For the remaining dates, go to: www.ralphmctell.co.uk
Sofa Noodling, a collection of guitar instrumentals by Ralph McTell (Leola, £9.99), is out now.