An interview with Ralph McTell
I was thrilled when Ralph suggested I do another interview with him for his website to discuss the second part of his autobiography, Summer Lightning. I have been a big fan of Ralph, his words, and music since I first saw him in concert at Imperial College London in 1973. I was 18 at the time and can never forget the impact that his singing and playing had on me that September evening. I had just started playing the guitar and was working through a Bob Dylan songbook. Through Ralph I discovered a wonderful world of music and songs and will always be eternally grateful to him for that. I imagine many people know only know Ralph McTell as a singer/songwriter and would be unaware of his extraordinary talent as a writer of wonderful poems and imaginative prose. He also has an amazing sense of humour and is a natural story teller. This all emerges in the two volumes of his autobiography.
This interview took place in May 2003. We mainly spoke about Summer Lightning, but also got diverted along the way and ended up chatting about all sorts of things.
Mike Cohen, Bristol, September 2003.
Ralph, Albert & Sydney 