Here at Lost Folk Tapes, a perennial favourite that frequently finds its way onto the stereo is Patterson Jordan Dipper’s wonderful 2000 album, Flat Earth. It has always been a source of great disappointment that this excellent trio has never got round to making a follow-up album. Imagine how thrilled we were, then, when an email popped into our inbox from Ralph Jordan, suggesting we might like to hear the demos that two thirds of the trio, himself and James Patterson, recorded back in 1975 when they were performing as Silas. Ralph takes up the story…

James Patterson and I met in the Bird in Hand Folk Club in Forest Hill, South East London back in 1973.  From this chance meeting, the duo Silas was born – so named as James was reading Silas Marner at the time.  Although we never considered ourselves to be residents of any particular folk club, we were well received in the clubs around the area, appearing regularly at the Bird in Hand and at the Rising Sun in Catford.  We played at many other clubs, including The Fighting Cocks in Kingston and the Marquess of Clanricarde in Paddington.  In fact, we we’d play anywhere that would pay money! Very soon we decided to spread our wings and seek bookings far and wide. Our first festival booking was Barnsley, at the invitation of Dave Burland… thanks, Dave!  Someone suggested it was about time we made a demo, so this recording was done in a friend’s front room in Kew.  These three tracks are the only survivors from that first session.  Don’t judge them too harshly.  It was 36 years ago, after all!

Silas continued to be our main musical outlet until 1977, when we met up with Mick Ryan and Jon Burge, who were also working as a duo, and formed Crows. I'm pretty sure that both duos carried on regardless whilst we were working on the 4-piece stuff. Crows released an LP in 1980 on Dingles Records. This album is sadly no longer available and has not yet made the transition to CD. The big problem for the band was that whilst James and I lived in London, Mick and Jon lived in Harrogate. As our only transport was a knackered A40 van, it made travelling really tiresome! Nevertheless, we persevered, and did some great gigs over the next few years.

I left Crows in 1982, basically because my job at the BBC was taking up too much of my time. The band carried on in various incarnations for three more years. James went on to have a family and follow his career as a film archivist. He and I lost touch for many years. Meanwhile, I supplemented my meagre income by getting together with more locally based artists: Eric (with Nigel Chippendale and Colin Thompson) The Hackney Martians (with Alan Lamb, Chris Pitt, Trevor Bennett and Gavin Atkin) and later with Housewives Choice and the Fraser Sisters (Jo Freya and Fi Fraser).

It was in 2000 when The Fraser Sisters were booked at Whitby Festival that I first met John Dipper in a lunchtime session. Without even asking James, I asked John if he would like to be in a trio and in a moment of stupidity he agreed! The result was Patterson Jordan Dipper and a CD release, Flat Earth (Wild Goose WGS309 – currently out of print). I’m often asked when we will bring out a follow up album, but with John living in Canada at the moment, a revival isn’t very likely!  

Looking back, I'm very proud of Silas' early recordings, especially considering they were done in someone’s front room. I think they stand up well. 

Ralph finally left the BBC in 2005. His first solo CD, Eloise, came out last year and is available from Attic Tapes. He’s also been known to do the odd bit of mixing and recording for various artists, including playing a key role in the Nic Jones live retrospective, Unearthed (available from Mollie Music). And he’s keen to let people know that he’s still available for future work!