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More Tributes to Mark Tindle who
tragically passed
away 11/9/04...
Here's a great photo and tribute from Fiona Maurice-Smith
Hi Geoff I've just looked
through the wonderful pages of tribute for Mark Tindle.
I'm sending you a lovely
piccie of Mark, which was taken at Al Harris's 50th Birthday party in
Nottingham in January 2002. Mark looks so cheerful doesn't he? He's got
that great twinkle in his eye which was present so much of the time.... I
didn't know Mark as well as many others, but I was always struck by his
enthusiasm for everything he did, particularly anything musical of
course. The tributes to Mark are very special and I'm sure plenty more
will be added as people hear about these special pages in honour of Mark.
Fi Maurice-Smith
Chris Hall the Cajun Accordionist, writes... “In another life our mutual explorations of the back roads of American music may have brought us to a point where we stood at the same crossroads and made music together. We came close but it wasn’t to be. Many years ago I once asked Mark if he’d like to join my band and with elegance and grace he explained that he’d love to but his true priorities meant he had to say no. He explained that to do justice to the Cajun music I was playing he’d have to invest more time than he could spare and he couldn’t let me down by not giving at least 100%. His dedication to music was clear to me at that point….he knew when to say no to the new to protect the old. I first saw Mark at The Narrowboat Folk Club and through his stage presence I began to see the how playing music could be joyous. He had a great way on stage. I’m sure he once confessed to me that he felt kind of shy on stage but I saw a confident performer with a look of mischief in his eyes. The look that comes from knowing you are engaging in something that has given you so much pleasure and knowledge that someone in the audience is maybe hearing it for the first time and that can turn their world around. The Narrowboat was my oasis. A folk club that featured American music as well as the traditions that are closer to home and I thank Mark for being behind it. After the demise of the Narrowboat I continued to see him around at gigs, and at sessions, and he always had that look. I guess I hardly knew him so it feels kind of strange paying tribute to someone that was more of an acquaintance than a friend. I just felt it important to say that someone who expresses their soul through music will have a greater impact on the people in this world than they can ever realise. An impact that spreads much wider than close friends. Mark was one of the chosen ones. He made playing music look fun, he made it look comfortable, he made it look elegant and he played with pride tempered by modesty. That’s how I remember Mark. A true artist.
Chris Hall." A message from John Chambers... "Thank you for advising me of Mark's tragic and untimely passing. I didn't know him as well as many of you did but whenever we met he came across as a genuinly nice guy who absolutely lived for his music. We were delighted to feature him at the Second Time Around Folk Club 18 months ago when he , together with Steve Bailey, did a programme of Mark's own songs as recorded on his CD. I personally think that the songs are excellent and should stand as a testament to his outstanding talents. I saw him a few weeks ago at a the Plough on St Peter' St just jamming with Tony Cook with his beer close, at hand instruments in full flow and resplendent in shorts and T Shirt. Although there were only the 2 of them playing his enthusiasm and enjoyment were as strong as ever. What a tragic loss to the
local music scene and what another terrible loss to The Leen Valley Boys. Kind regards - John Chambers." Here's Steve of the Boothill Toe-Tappers...
"I was both shocked and
saddened to hear of Marks untimely passing. Although I did not know him
well, our paths crossed many-a-time on the local music scene. As well as
the easy affinity I held with Mark, both as fellow fiddle player and
musician, I always found him to be a thoroughly nice chap.
My sincere sympathy goes
out to all those he has left behind.
With Respect
Steve & The Boothill Toe-Tappers."
Another close friend Al Harris... "I first met Mark about thirty years ago, through the music scene in Nottingham and can still remember the enthusiasm which shone out of him and continued right up to his untimely death. There are so many memories: nights at the Narrowboat, where Mark was always in the thick of whatever was happening; gigs with Five Go Off in all its different forms; one-off gigs when Mark was always able to get the musicians he wanted to rally round. He was one of the genuinely kindest men I have known and would always put himself out for others. His latest manisfestation as a songwriter was remarkable and I count myself hugely privileged to have played on his debut CD and at one or two of the live gigs. He will really be missed; he was one of those musical "rocks" whom you just assume is there. Vocalist, instrumentalist, organiser, promoter and a hell of a guy. Thanks Mark - for all you did and were." More happy memories from Nick Ellis...
"I was lucky enough
to be introduced to Mark at a private venue called the "Chicken Shed"
some several years ago. This was a place for the serious musicians to
meet up with like minded people in the bluegrass circuit. Mark was
standing just outside the chicken shed, his tall frame flickering in the
light of a log fire, fiddle in hand and producing seemingly
effortlessly such fine music singing his heart out along with Thad,
Julian and the Holland sisters. A friendship was forged that night. Some
while passed and Mark offered to help out by playing the then fledgling
Loughborough Acoustic Club (for a tiny fee) where he delighted the
audiences performing on several occasions both solo and with "The Leen
Valley Boys" . I will miss his giving nature and helpful advice and will
always cherish his gift for music. My sympathies to his wife and
children. He's a man who touched all our hearts.
Nick Ellis L.A.C."
A Lovely tribute from dancer, Gill Nall... "Like most people in the local folk music and dance scene, I was always well aware of Mark Tindle's great musical talent, but it was as a member of "Just for Kicks" Appalachian Dancers that I came to realise just what an amazing man he was. We were struggling to write new dances and find suitable tunes and he gave up his valuable time to help us. I have never, in all my years as a dancer with one team or another, met a more superb dancers' musician. He had such an empathy with what the dancers were trying to achieve. He didn't just "play" for us; he contributed, guided, suggested and encouraged; he somehow managed to integrate all our talents into one seamless whole. His enthusiasm and dedication to his music inspired us all. We only had the privilege of working with him for a very short while, but his friendly, helpful ways and incredible musicianship influenced us well into the future. Sadly, as a team we are no longer together, but I'm sure the others would agree with me when I say Mark was well thought-of and will be sadly missed. Please pass all our sympathies on to his wife and family, and to members of "Five Go Off" and the "Leen Valley Boys". Yours Gill Nall."
Bill Leivers of "Morris Convertible" fame writes...
These tributes to Mark will not be
taken down and please do continue to contribute
email
of your own memories and
photo's. They are a beautiful momento. Nb: This tributes page grows as rightly predicted, daily. Please do visit again and be sure to press "Refesh" (F5) repeatedly to clear your memory cache of previous versions.
Click Marks Obituary icon to see the original report |
