Adge Cutler
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Adge Cutler (born 1930 in Bristol - died 5 May 1974 in Chepstow) was a British singer, the original lead vocalist for the Scrumpy and Western folk group, The Wurzels. Known for his songs, but also his dry, West Country humour.
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[edit] Early life
Alan John Cutler was born in Bristol. Nicknamed 'Adge' by his friends, from his initials A.J., he lived in the small north Somerset town of Nailsea. He spent his earlier years pursuing various jobs he would use as material for later songs, including road manager for Acker Bilk, working in a cider mill (Coates of Nailsea), and working on building a power station in North Wales. He spent a year in Spain working as an agent looking for property. During his time there he grew to love the country and the Spanish way of life, as well as becoming fluent in Spanish.
[edit] Musical career
Adge Cutler's songs are largely sung in Adge's own accent, though some are in an exaggerated Bristolian accent, and one in west indian dialect.
Adge was influenced by Len "Uke" Thomas, a singer who left no recordings but who sang in the Bristolian dialect and who was a well known Bristol entainer.
Virtually all of Adge Cutler's recordings are live; one album, "Cutler of the West", was recorded at the Webbington Country Club, which is very easy to see on the M5 northbound, on the slopes of Crooks Peak.
[edit] Death
On 5 May 1974, he died when he crashed his MGB sports car on a roundabout in Chepstow, following a Wurzels concert. Cutler is buried in the graveyard of Christ Church, Nailsea.
[edit] Football supporter
Unknown to many, he was the only member of The Wurzels to support Bristol Rovers, rather than local rivals Bristol City. He re-wrote his band's song 'Morning Glory' to write Bristol City's official song 'One for the Bristol City', which is played when the teams enter the pitch on both halves of their home games at Ashton Gate.[1]
[edit] Songs
Some of Adge Cutler's best known songs -
"When the Common Market Comes to Stanton Drew" Written in response to opening up of trade with Europe, Adge suggests what might happen to Somerset culture when Europeans come over. In retrospect, it is more truthful than anyone could have imagined - "when George comes home from milking, ee'll get a big surprise, when 'ee sit's down expecting Irish Stew, an' his wife says George i'll get 'ee, a gert dollop of spaghetti, 'cos the Common Market's come to Stanton Drew".
"Champion Dung Spreader" An answer song to "My Old Man's a Dustman", where Adge tells of his father's occupation as a champion dung spreader.
"high ohh diddle ey oh, Charterhouse to Cheddar, hi hoh the locals know 'ee's the Champion Dung Spreader"
"Thee's Gott'n where thee cassn't back'n hassn't" A song about a young couple getting into all sorts of jams in their new car around Bristol (except for one verse, which happens in Paris), very double-entendre-ish. Much of it is sung in bristolian. The title means something like "You have got into a position where it is impossible to reverse".
"the Charlton Mackrell Jugband" About a village band and their rise to the top of the charts. The fictitious band members are Amos Draper, Bernard Mace, Arnold Slugg and the singers (we assume to be Adge). The name of Charlton Mackrell is not used in the lyrics, so other bands have adapted it; including "the Piddletrenthide Jugband".
"well we haven't been barred from the old churchyard, there one night we practiced 'ard. Ev'ry man was full of cider, doin' his best with CC rider. Figure in white then come in sight I thought we waked the dead - but parson Sturk in 'is night shirt said we waked 'ee instead!"
"then Bernard Mace an 'is old string base, a gert big jersey liked 'is face.. 'nuther got attached to Amos Draper, chewed up 'alf 'is roll of paper"
"so in one week we quite uniquely topped the charts in the Farmer's Weekly; play your cows our rhythm n blues you'll get three time more milk than usual"
"Drink Up Thy Zyder" Regarded as the National anthem of North Somerset and Bristol, if not all of Somerset. By far the most famous Adge Cutler song, often played on local radio. Also the 'theme tune' of Bristol City F.C.
"drink up thee zyder George, time we 'ad a rest; drink up thee cider George, finest ever pressed"
"Dorset is Beautiful" The song that proves Adge's writing to bear no racial prejudice!!
"Don't tell I Tell 'ee" A great steady song about not wanting to be burdened with others troubles!
"i took a ride one night, a PC hove in sight; 'ee pulled me up because i got no brake no bell no light. "I'll sling the book at 'ee" that copper said with glee; I said sling all you like, 'tis your dad's bike - so don't tell I, tell 'ee!"
"young Sarah Jones one day, got in the fam'ly way; 'er father come with a gert big gun, said "'ee'll 'ave to pay". 'Ee chased I up a tree, I 'ollered leave I be; I said I 'appen to know, 'twas old Fred Snow, so don't tell I, tell 'ee!"
"Up the Clump"
A parody of the 50's rock n roll style; with Tommy Banner on rock-n-roll piano, Jerry Lee-style. "well ev'rybody what's wrong with me, shakin' like a man on the old scrumpy" (a parody from the line "shakin' like a man on the fuzzy tree" as sung by the King in All Shook Up) and " thee bisn't nuthin' but a hedgehog... get off my brown suede gaiters, ohh ahh"
"Aloha Severn Beach"
Parody of romantic, Hawaii style songs, set in the less glamorous Severn Beach resort. " I'm gonna meet my dear in 'er finery.. down by that old oil refinery"
