Ted Ritchie and Friends - Soda Creek Ferry (197? Private Press Folk/Soul)
So I don't usually write about the records I post on this blog but this record is kinda special to me, not only was it recorded just outside of my home town (Penticton, B.C.) which has very little great musical output (at least the music you and I enjoy!), but aparently it features my uncle Jim Beattie on vocals (backing maybe? Carmen help me out here please!). The greatest thing about it is that it's actually a pretty darn good song. If you have any interesting family musical history please leave a comment and tell me about it.
posted by U-Tern at 5/02/2007 08:45:00 PM
17 Comments:
hey u-tern..
my family from northern ontario is quite well known in the country music circle out there.. I remember my dad steady playin their "cassettes" and all I wanted to listen to was fat boys crushin.....
Murge.
I think you're right! I've passed on the link to ol' pappy, so we'll see what he has to say about it. Rad find!
Carmen
Hi VAUGHN, u turn a good blog!
Great to see that record. I was thinking about it recently and wished that I had a copy of it. Yes, I did have something to do with the record and I am singing back up but not on Soda Creek but on the reverse side, Billy Fry. Ted had written these songs when he was ranching up in central BC and when he returned to Narmata he decided to record them at the Thieven Brothers studio in Kaleden. I remember that Bob Kinnear was on the record and a flutist, a British fellow... Janet might remember his name. Ted was the guitarist. Doug Mathias may have played bass. I was my first and only recording experience and one that I will always remember. I took the record and sent it to a number of radio stations in BC and maybe even in Alberta. I remember hearing it played on the Penticton station... I can't recall which one. Gee this sure brings back memories... just like the song..."Say old Stett, I haven't seen you for a while, sure is good to see your smile. Set down and have a drink with me. We can talk about the days gone by, the open plains and the midnight sky, about the times when you were ridin' with me. So many roads that I've been wandering down, so many friends I've left behind. It's time I headed back to those hills and Billy Fry. I'm always comin' down at sundown time."
Vaughn, thanks for this opportunity to reminisce about a great time for me. I hope you're well and I'll call the next time I am in town.
Jim
I remember this record. It was recorded in Kaleden, BC. in April/May of 1977. The record was mastered at IRC records in Vancouver. It did get a lot of airplay shortly after it was released and I thought they were both good songs. It was one of my earlier recordings done on only eight tracks. Ted should be aware that his master tape is still sitting on my desk waiting to be picked up. Jim Thievin engineer. jthievin@telus.net
... and I'm Jim Thievin's brother, one of the other brothers for whom "Brothers Studio" was named. This wasn't just a good song. It was a great song, and we urged another artist to re-record it. Betty-Anne Northup, an amazing singer in her own right, did a cover of Soda Creek Ferry using session players. It was never vinylized. I imagine we have analogue copies somewhere, equally priceless.
Thanks so much for the history lesson everyone, and thanks for this great song to all those involved.
I have one.. not a family member.. but a cool little story...
My old boss was in a band in the 60's name Bohemian Vendetta.... They did well on the East Coast of the US for a while, and just as they were about to be signed to a major... They got pushed to #2 on the list by.... None other than The Doors.... He says that it bummed the band out and they disbanded not too much after it happened... My thoughts are, if you were #2 to The Doors... You were doing pretty well...
Hi there u-tern,
I still have a few copies of the 45 in my basement if anyone wants one. Shortly after we recorded it, Jim Thieven asked me if I would change a word or two so a girl from Seattle could record it- I said no. How stupid was that? How things change.
I recorded Soda Creek and Billy Frye again in '03? with a group I was with at the time
The Soda Creek 45 made it to #23 on the coountry charts in Eaglesham Alberta. Eaglesham is somewhere north of Edmonton. I think I received a royalty cheque for $7.
Take care man.
Ted Ritchie
I have no idea how long ago these posts were made, but I'm a former student of Ted's when he taught guitar in Penticton--1980-81. He was an amazing teacher! Ted, if you're still watching this thread you can look me up at facebook.com/fridaydreamer. I'd love to hear from you!
Shaunie (Allen) Friday
Since there are comments here from the Thieven Brothers, I'm curious about the Gage sisters, Wendy and Stephanie too--do you know where they are or if they're still singing?
Shaunie (Allen) Friday
I am Ted's daughter, Deanna, now living in Victoria. I remember growing up listening to these tunes...what a way to slowly fall asleep as a kid, amongst guitars and folk vocals in the background. Amazing!
Check out some more recent recording of these and more songs on the Dundeel CD that was recorded more recently. The group is no longer together but they have some amazing 4-part harmonies and new songs on this album.
Love you dad XXOO
D
Can anyone put me in touch with Ted? I'd like to see if he still has some copies of the 45. I can be reached at shawn.j.ryan [AT] gmail [DOT] com
Soda Creek Ferry as in one that would have run on the Fraser between Williams Lake and Quesnel?
Hey Ted Ritchie!
Would you please email me? I would really like to buy a copy of this, if possible. My email is exte82@hotmail.com.
Thanks in advance,
Üllar
Is Ted Ritchie still there ?
I'd love to get a copy of this 45
pH
Hi,
I met Ted in Beacerlodge, Alberta in 1976. Ted had a dramatic impact on my musical interest and I learned how to play - and still do play and sing - Soda Creek Ferry and Old Stet and Billy Fry. But as time’s gone on I’ve forgotten some of the words to the verses of Old Stet. Does anyone have them? Thanks. Kenn Faris, Victoria, BC
Howdy Ted. I’m still slinging both songs on this record since I learned them from you all those years ago. I sing them around the campfire at the Flying U Ranch at green Lake every summer and they’re always a hit. Great songs, great memories.
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