Ray Driscoll

Ray was born in Ireland in 1922 but lived most of his life in England, where he died in 2006. He was unknown to the folk scene until later in his life when he attended a few folk clubs and festivals. He learnt songs such as My Bonny Boy, a version of Long a-growing, from his Irish father, and added to his repertoire when living in Shropshire and London, plus time spent in the Royal Navy. His repertoire consisted of many folk standards such as The Banks of Sweet Primroses and Jones' Ale, but there are also some songs unique to Ray, such as the satirical Napoleonic song Pompalerie Jig and a story of highway robbery The Doughty Packman. Also unique to Ray was the song Wild, Wild Berry, a haunting reworking of the Lord Randal ballad.

(posted to Tradsong by Gwilym Davies - 22/7/08)

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Ray Driscoll: was from a musical family, his Irish grandmother teaching him such songs as Rocking the Cradle.  Ray also picked up songs from the streets of south London when he was a child and from singers in Shropshire a few years later.  He had returned to London when I met him in the 1980s and was eager to pass on his songs to a younger generation.

Part of the booklet notes, written by Mike Yates, to the Musical Traditions Records CDs The Birds Upon the Tree (MTCD333)

Further discography.

Wild, Wild Berry - CD - Proper Job Publications - 39 Buckles Close, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8QT.