There are 116 entries in the guestbook.
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eileen mitchell
from surrey | Signed on: Thu 06 Sep 2007 22:22:47 BST
I keep trying by writing letters to papers and mags about Jake, hoping to bring his name back to memory. Most people say "I remember him" but nothing in the media ever mentions him. Why don't we all write letters to the press about him, his wonderful lyrics and voice. |  | | | John Mills | Signed on: Thu 06 Sep 2007 22:22:32 BST
I "rediscovered" Jake Thackeray" only recently, having seen him on TV many years ago. Having bought a couple of CDs I find I had forgotten how funny he was, and I now realise what a very clever musician he was.
His lyrics and composition were brilliant. In performance his timing and delivery were unique.
At a recent boozy gathering of Morris Men I gathered my courage and sang "Old Molly Metcalfe". No one can imitate Jake and I did not try! But it went down well. | | | robert carroll
from norway | Signed on: Thu 06 Sep 2007 22:22:15 BST
a very under-rated performer
and one of the wittiest people that i did not meet.
my heart sings whenever i hear one of his songs.
a rising star on youtube.   | | | John
from Newcastle upon Tyne | Signed on: Thu 06 Sep 2007 22:21:57 BST
A few recollections. I’ve gone backstage to shake the hands of many stars in over fifty years of ‘stage-door-johnnying’. Pat Metheny; James Taylor; Gordon Lightfoot; to name but three, but none so warm (and HUGE) as Jake’s hand. I can only compare it to being wrapped up in an electric blanket. My mate Mike Doolan and I used to travel miles to see him perform (I think the furthest was Workington in Cumbria from Newcastle on Tyne - full day, and night’s drive). We always used to ask him if he fancied coming for a pint after the show and he always had something else to do. Then one night in Newcastle after he did a show with Alex Glasgow, we asked the usual question. He turned to Alex Glasgow and said, “Alex, these lads have been inviting me for a pint for years now. Is it okay if they come back with us to your place?”. Alex Glasgow agreed and off
we went to his house in Gateshead. What a fabulous night that was. No songs, just
hours of friendly chat. After that, if he saw us at a show, he would come over to our table and pass the time of day. Jake (and Alex) were men of the people. Bless them both.
I used to do a passable impression of Jake and sang dozens of his songs at gigs and parties where people had never heard of him. I converted a few people in my time, his
songs were so pleasurable to sing because you got instant feedback from listeners by their
laughter. I find it very hard to sing his songs now without my voice cracking and shedding a tear. He would never forgive me - ‘no regrets, boys’!
One of my angriest experiences was at the University Theatre in Newcastle (I think it was in the late 70s) when he sang “One Of Them” for the first time in public. Some people got up and walked out muttering ‘disgraceful’, ‘racist’ and so on. How IGNORANT!! The song was taking a stand against people who were intolerant - and there were these
idiots being intolerant, simply because they had selective ‘PC’ hearing. That REALLY
pee’d me off!!
Jake was always so self-effacing. How dare he! The man was England’s number one
chansonnier in both his music and in his poetry. Who else could make you laugh and cry in the same song. ‘Our Dog’ was never released and the only copy I have is a crappy recording from an old radio show, but even though its muffled and unclear - it is one of
funniest songs I know - ‘if I threw you a stick you'd bring me back a lampshade’ - and -
‘You cannot even tell a policeman from a lamppost’. Then what does he do.. tacks the
end line on.. ‘But you're so nice, so nice, Jesus will have you in his paradise’. WOW -
from tears of laughter, to tears of melancholy in the space of a few seconds. Now THAT’S brilliance.
My favourite JT song? There are so many. For laughs, I’d have to say ‘The Lodger’ or ‘It Was Only A Gypsy’, er.. or ‘Bantam Cock’ er.. no, 'Grandad', er.. ‘Nurse’, ‘Sister
Josephine’!!! No - Far too many. But for pathos - the one that made me cry like a bairn (even before he left us) was Lullaby. Sitting in her kitchen drowsedly feeding the baby.
Staring at the window, waiting for the night to rise. See how the eyelids fall, see how the suckling lulls her. How the plucky creature grimly clings, riding her breathing, sailing on
her open breasts as on an endless sea. I have been there like you, poor little comrade titmouse. Gets me every time!
One of my greatest regrets is not being part of his ‘following’ in his later years. The last three times we saw him, he opened his show with a comment about having a sore throat/cold and he had to whisper all his songs. His guitar work was as impressive as ever, but it was so sad to see him struggling through the songs, we stopped going. Then
he died and we no longer had the chance of even hearing him whisper his songs. Both Mike and I regret not keeping up our roles as ‘Jake Groupies’ to this day.
Sorry for taking up so much space on your great site.. I wanted to get few things off my chest. | | | | Chris Barrow | Signed on: Thu 21 Jun 2007 10:12:32 BST
I can clearly remember Jake performing at The Angel Folk Club in Woolhampton, Berkshire, as if it was yesterday. In addition to the beauty, pathos and humour of his lyrics and his unique song delivery, I was, and still am, truly moved by his guitarwork and chord progressions. What a terrible loss to the world of creativity his passing is. Congratulations to this brilliant Website for celebrating his life and work. Chris | | | John Wells
from Norfolk England | Signed on: Thu 21 Jun 2007 13:19:27 BST
For those of you that have even the remotest interest in something new about Jake.... try my tribute to him...
Jakes Goodbye at
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=852997a6-d2c1-43c3-bddd-18b51c4bc8dd
Regards and thanks for a superb website
John (leakfinder) | | | Phil Grossman
from Jerez, Spain | Signed on: Sat 16 Jun 2007 00:22:38 BST
Well, I only saw Jake once in concert, in about 1982 at Preston Guild Hall, but my father has three albums "The last will and testiment...", "On again on again" and "Bantham cock". I was brought up from an early age (I'm 37 now) to Jake's unique blend of acoustic guitar (which I love) and beautifully crafted wordart. I am absolutely delighted to come across such a well designed and obviously dedicated site to the great man. By the way my cousin is called "jacob" no prizes for guessing why.
We miss you Jake. | | | Clark Chapin
from Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA | Signed on: Fri 15 Jun 2007 01:32:05 BST
I first came across Jake Thackray in 1979 on a lucky-to-still-have-grooves LP that I wore out completely in quick time. 15 at the time, Jake's songs proved an incongruous partner in my repertoire of angsty and furious hums and screams. Now, at 42, songs like "Sophie" and "Up My Family Tree" still inhabit me while so much else resides only in some dim scrapbook of memory.
My strong thanks to Jake for taking a bit of piss out of me and to the power of worn out LPs that can, still, be made to hiss, crackle, and sing. | | | Geoff Smith
from Buckinghamshire | Signed on: Fri 15 Jun 2007 01:31:53 BST
Excellent site. Clearly a heartfelt tribute to a genuine one-of-a-kind. Much missed.  | | | | kev strong | Signed on: Fri 15 Jun 2007 01:31:41 BST
longtime fan of Jakes, sadly missed and fondly remebered, got copies of most of his performed music, but the record companies should make all available. CD or download | | |
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