Description
THE LIFE AND TUNES OF RAY SCHLOEFFELOriginal member of Fiddlers Feast Ray Schloeffel, created beautiful music in spite of his less than ideal existence. “Ray inspired us all. His wonderful antics, wicked sense of humour and wonderful musicality left us no doubt as to why he wanted to play music” This book, with over 80 original tunes and settings is full of photos, anecdotes and brings together the threads of the life of this giant of Australian fiddling. Now the subject of Radio National Program “Into the Music” |
History and tune book – A4 comb bound Illus ix 110pp
Wikipedia entry – Wayne Millar May 2018
Ray Schloeffel was born on 6th February 1957. He was 45 when he passed away on 5th September 2002.
There is scant information available in the public domain about Ray and it is therefore very fortunate that there is a reference available in Marcus Holden’s book, “The Australian Fiddler; The Life and Tunes of Ray Schloeffel”. The book tells the story of a man who grew up as a ward of the State through the stories, anecdotes and memories of the musicians who knew and played alongside Ray. Largely raised in institutions Ray lived a troubled life and suffered hardship for many years although he experienced love and attention from his foster family. He first picked up a fiddle while a teenager and ward of the State.
Schloeffel was a gifted musician, and despite his upbringing Ray found value and worth through self-expression in music. He exhibited a wicked sense of humour and achieved a high degree of musicianship. Later in his life those who knew him referred to him as ‘The Reverend’. His skill and musicianship were obvious; his set tunes were considered his sermons, such was the respect he commanded.
For much of his adult life, Ray lived in the suburbs to the west of Sydney. His life there is recorded in the titles of his tunes. The Blacktown Jig and the Merrylands Reel name suburbs in western Sydney and the Clarendon Reel is names a hotel, and folk venue, in Katoomba (Blue Mountains).
Those that knew Ray, speak of his extraordinary talent and the brilliance of his playing. He was a sought after player by country and bush bands and was considered to have a real feel for Irish fiddling. He earned his living by playing gigs and would also be seen drawing a crowd while busking, something he did throughout his life.
An ABC radio special on him in 2012 listed many bands of which Ray was a member. These included; Speeway, The Sufin Shamrocks, McCauley’s Raiders (Golden Guitar winners); Star Maker, and Grand Junction, The Wolverines, Tallowood, and Gilligan’s Ireland.
Many remember Schloeffel for his remarkable tune, The Blacktown Jig, though he composed many others. It is widely played in Australia and internationally.
Wayne Millar May 2018
Transcript from a Radio National programme
An intimate and quirky portrait of one of Sydney’s lesser known folk musicians. Known as the gentle giant of Australian fiddling, Ray Schloeffel first picked up the violin as a teenage ward of the state.
He had few formal lessons but within a couple of years he began making a living from busking. A professional player for nearly 30 years, he was a member of many Sydney bands including Speewah, the Surfin Shamrocks, McCauley’s Raiders, (Golden Guitar Winners) Grand Junction, the Wolverines, Tallowood and Gilligan’s Ireland, and he was a founding member of the Fiddler’s Festival.
Marcus Holden from Fiddler’s Feast and other of Ray’s friends remember their intriguing colleague, and with the memories, we also delve into the Australian folk music scene, of which Ray was such an integral part.
Special thanks to Marcus for his help with the program.
Mark Oats, fiddle
Ray Schloeffel, Fiddle
George Washingmachine – guitar
Liz Frencham – bass
Caroline Trengove, fiddle,
Greg Bryce guitar
video by Andrew Clermont
Dance of Orpheus – Flat to the Boards CD
Greg Dimmock – guitar
John Healey – bass
Jeff Anderson – drums and percussion
Ray Schloeffel – fiddle
Danny Boy from Fiddlers Festival – Strung Out CD
A Bloody Dog production
Trad. arr. R. Schloeffel, Marcus Holden, Andrew Clermont.
Ray Schloeffel, Marcus Holden, Andrew Clermont – violins
Garry steel – accordiaon
Peter Howe – double bass
Laurie Ernst – drums.
Are you sleeping Maggie? originally by the Tannahill Weavers – recorded at the ABC
Ray Schloeffel – fiddle
Stuart Cowell – guitars mandolin and bass
Trevor Tanner – penny whistle
Holiday for Strings, by David Rose. Arrangement Marcus Holden – recorded at the ABC
Violins – Marcus Holden, Ray Schloeffel, Mark Oats.
Viola – Marcus Holden
Guitar – Andrew Clermont
Banjo – Chris Duffy
Double and electric basses – Darryl Neve
Piano and Accordion – Garry Steel
Drums – Malcolm Hammerston
Chooks – Mark Oats, Mark Don, Marcus Holden, Michael Vidale
Heavy Breathing – Ray Schloeffel
Poet and the Priest
Two tunes Bard of Armargh(Streets of Lauredo)/Father Kelly’s Reel
Garry Steel – Keyboards, Orchestral Programming, Accordion
Jack Pledge – Guitar
Darryl Neve – Electric Bass
Michael Papallo – Drums
Peter Kennard – Percussion
Mr. Puniverse meets a Suomo Wrestler
Marcus Holden – Violin, Programming
Ray Schleoffel -Violin
Butterfly
Marcus Holden – Violin, Programming
Ray Schleoffel – Violin
Bryan (Broc) O’Connor – Guitar
Blacktown Jig
Ray Schloeffel – Solo Violin
Marcus Holden – Violin, Viola
Andrew Clermont – mandolin, Guitar, Violin
Garry Steel – Piano, Accordion
Micahel Vidale – Framus Upright Bass
Willy Qua – Drums
Plus a variety of tunes recorded in 2002 in Richmond by Andrew Clermont, played by
Mark Oats, fiddle
Ray Schloeffel, Fiddle
George Washingmachine – guitar
Liz Frencham – bass
Caroline Trengove, fiddle,
Greg Bryce guitar
Minstrel Boy – Fiddlers Festival Live CD
A Bloody Dog production.
Trad. arr Ray Schloeffel
Ray Schloeffel – lead violins
Marcus Holden – violin, viola, tenor violin, keyboards
Andrew Clermont – mandolin, guitar, percussion, electric bass.
Garry Steel – keyboards
Peter Howe – double bass
Laurie Ernst – drums
The Poet and the Priest- A Feast of Fiddlers CD
ABC Records
Ray Schloeffel – violin
Gary Steel – keyboards, accordion
Jack Pledge – guitar
Darryl Neve – double bass
Michael Papallo – drums
Peter Kennard – percussion
