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martin oram Biography martin oram
Waterfall | 1980's | 1990's | 2000's |
In 1974, he went to Warwick University and was roomed with Keith Donnelly from South Shields, who played acoustic guitar and shared the same musical tastes. Together they formed “WATERFALL”, and became residents of the University Folk Club, mixing songs by Jonathon Kelly, Gerry Rafferty, Al Stewart etc with traditional ballads and tunes, and slowly began including their own original compositions. After graduating in 1977, they took the plunge and decided to commit themselves full time to music. Joining an alternative country/rock band for 6 months, called VAN DE HOOGS ELDERFLOWER REMEDY, (with Martin Bell , later of the WONDERSTUFF), they quickly learnt all about PA systems, sleeping in vans and life on the road. WATERFALL were still playing floorspots whenever possible in folk clubs up and down the country, and in September 1977 they recorded their first LP THE FLIGHT OF THE DAY at Woodbine Studios, a 4 track studio built into the front room of Johnny Rivers small terraced home in Leamington Spa. (Now available on CD see discography). In February 1978, Martyn and Keith were playing at Lanchester Polytechnic Folk Club (previous residence of Steve Knightly ), in Coventry when they were stunned by the voice of one of the floor singers, Gilly Darbey , and so WATERFALL became a trio. After another six months of floorspots and self-promotion, WATERFALL began gigging full time, and on 1st November 1978 had their first national radio broadcast on BBC Radio 1s Kid Jensen Show. They recorded the LP THREE BIRDS for the Avada record label in spring 79, at Millsteam Studios in Cheltenham, produced by Johnny Coppin. (Orams fiddle playing is appealing Melody Maker Album Review 6/10/79.) Constantly travelling
the length and breadth of England, playing in folk clubs and colleges,
they also toured in Germany, Belgium and Holland, where a live
recording of a gig at the Matrix Folkclub, Rotterdam was broadcast
on Hilversum 3. In Spring 81 they recorded a new LP BENEATH THE STARS, at Gateway Studios, London, produced by Phillip Goodhand-Tait, from which Martyns composition MON COUER EST LA was selected for a 6 month play on British Airways world flights. WATERFALL made their first TV appearance in 1981
on BBC Midlands Dennis McCarthys Weekly Echo,
and then on 24th July, BBC 1 broadcast a half hour Waterfall
In Concert. Although critically acclaimed, and very popular on the folk scene, WATERFALL were unfortunately never able to break out to a wider market, and the pressures of touring and sharing lives saw the group split in February 1982. (Keith and Gilly continued playing as a duo under the names Little Aeroplane and then Nothing By Chance, but in the '90s separated to begin solo careers.) |
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Martyn made his debut as a solo artist, singing two of his own songs ‘live’ on London’s Capital Radio in March 1982. In April, he recorded his first solo LP “FLYING SOUTH” in Germany featuring twelve of his own songs. Southern Rag (father of FRoots) compared the LP to early Donovan and Art Garfunkel (Autumn ’82).
An acting debut swiftly followed in the
BBC Play “Another Flip For Dominick”, which also featured some of his original
music. Other small roles continued through the ‘80’s in “Moonfleet” (BBC),
“Lytton’s Diary” (Thames), “Gems” (Thames) and “The Benny Hill Show” (Thames)
for example. |
In addition to solo gigs throughout England, in 1984, Martyn began playing regular tours in Europe as a duo with Walter F Diet, a German singer/songwriter and this was to be the beginning of a 17 year collaboration as ORAM & DIET. They recorded their first album “TOGETHER” in 1986.
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In ‘85/86, Martyn toured as half of “THICKO & ROWNTREE” (“Pillocks ! Comedy singing duo had university audience in stitches” The Sun, 28/9/85), with Ian Durrant , who 15 years later would join him in the LPSO. In the spring of 1988, Martyn produced and recorded another nine of his own songs for his second solo LP “THE MEN WHO DREAM”, (mastered in Abbey Road Studios, London). Musical assistance was provided by half of Shave The Monkey . (“Without doubt a thoughtful and talented songwriter who deserves interest” Rock ‘n’ Reel Issue 11). |
1988 was also the beginning of a partnership with guitarist Mike Martin, firstly in Mikes London-based cajun band PEACE ON THE PANHANDLE (Stylish and musically stunning City Limits, March 88), and then as LUKE N FLOYD, a multi-instrumental roots country duo (First class fiddle The Stage and Television Today, 16/3/89). Mike and Martyn would later form the LPSO |
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The year 2000 saw ORAM & DIET peform in Massachusetts, USA for one week in May; and in July, Martyn played with the CHAS McDEVITT SKIFFLE BAND (of "Freight Train" fame) at the Hankasalmi Festival in Finland. In August Martyn replaced an A.W.O.L. singer/guitarist in the Australian band THE SENSITIVE NEW-AGE COWPERSONSat short notice for the last concert of their British tour. |
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Nov 2000: When Martyn told Brian May that people often comment that
he looks
like him, Brian said "Well, it's not that bad, is it !!" In the autumn, Martyn and Mike formed THE LONDON PHILHARMONIC SKIFFLE ORCHESTRA, playing a mixture of celtic, cajun, klezmer, cossack and country/blues with the high energy and fun of skiffle. They headlined at Finland's Hankasalmi Festival in July 2001. After a partnership spanning nearly 20 years, ORAM & DIET / MAYBUG finally came to an end in October 2001, with Walter deciding to concentrate on his own music - check out www.maybug.de |
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In August 2001, Martyn sang his song "Drops In The Ocean" at Cropredy Folk Festival with Maart Allcock (left) and Keith Donnelly, and fiddled with Bob Fox, Keith Donnelly, Maart Allcock, trombonist and Gilly Darbey |
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2002 In July, Martyn played an hour concert of his own songs at the Hankasalmi Festival in Finland (check the reviews page). In August, he performed as "the fiddler" in the Hornblower TV film, "DUTY", and in October/November toured Germany solo, (check the reviews page). |
2003 saw several reunion concerts with Keith Donnelly, as "THE ORIGINAL WATERFALL", 25 years after they last played together as a duo. It was amazing how many old familiar faces turned up at gigs, often travelling long distances, many even leaving their walking sticks at home! See the WATERFALL page. |
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Martyn released a new CD "A DROP IN THE OCEAN" - a 'best of' his 3 CD's recorded with Walter in the '90's. | ![]() |
Martyn also began occasionally touring with German guitarist/singer Michael Strobel, mostly in Denmark. |
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In July, he was paid by the EEC ( !!!!! ) to teach at a music camp in Finland for a week, leading up to performances at the Hankasalmi Festival and an appearance on Finnish Television. It was a terrific 'no-sleep' week of strong alcohol, tasty food, swimming in the lake, making friends with mosquitoes and ...........(oh yeah, the music was ok as well) |
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2004
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It was a great summer with the LPSO - they played Cromer, Cleckheaton and Leigh-on-Sea folk festivals, Henley Festival of Music and Arts and headlined again at the Hankaslami festival in Finland - FANTASTIC ! "The Cream Of The Festival" Keskisuomalainen Check out the band's website www.lpso.co.uk for fuller details, photos etc.
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Before the Hankasalmi festival, Martyn taught at their music camp again - more fantastic fun, great music, swimming in the lake in the midnight sun ..... This is where his campers opened the festival outside the station, alongside the railway tracks - the festival always begins to the whistle of the 5.30 arrival from Helsinki ! A great long weekend playing with THE O'REELYS in April, on the maiden sailing of Brittany Ferries' "Pont Aven" from Plymouth to Roscoff to Cork and back, with hordes of Breton dancers stepping away to their jigs and reels. It even spawned a new song, "Pont Aven", recorded on his 2006 CD "The Bridge Of Broken Dreams" (see Discography). |
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2005 Another fantastic week in Hankasalmi,
Finland, again, teaching at the music camp and then accompanying the
very beautiful and talented Finnish singer/songwriter
Katriina Honkanen
on her Saturday night main stage spot and also at the jam session late
into the night. |
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2006 July :
Fantastic time with the LPSO at Skagen Folk Festival in Denmark
(immediately rebooked for 2007) and another great week teaching at the Kihveli
Soikoon music camp in Finland, before the LPSO's main concert on
Saturday night. |
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Summer 2006 : release of Martyn's new CD "The Bridge Of Broken Dreams" - 16 new songs.
December 2006: Martyn played fiddle on Jackie Barnett's new album 'Wheatfields' released this month. "top bit of fiddle playing by Martyn Oram; real nice" said Steve Cherelle on his BBC Essex radio show on 3/12/06
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2007, 08 and 09 Highlights were festivals at Skagen (DK) each year with the LPSO, and of course the annual music camp and festival in Hankasalmi (FIN) - so many new friends and experiences. Performing at the songwriter circle at Warwick Festival (2008), and many DK tours and fantastic nights with great buddy Michael Strobel.
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