Known
as the gentle giant of Australian fiddling, Ray Schloeffel first
picked the violin as a teenage ward of the state. He had few formal
lessons but within a couple of years he began making a living from busking. His foster mother recalls “he would disappear for a couple
of days then turn up quite unexpectedly, that was his nature”. He
kept his life as a musician quite separate from his adopted parents, who rarely if ever saw him perform. A professional player
for nearly thirty years he was a member of many Sydney bands
including Speewah, the Surfin’ Shamrocks, McCauley’s Raiders,
(Golden Guitar Winners) Grand Junction, the Wolverines, Tallowood,
Gilligan’s
Ireland and he was a founding member of the Fiddlers Festival.
He was
always buying CD’s and would ring to say ‘Have you heard the Itzhak
Perlman collectors edition or the new Four Men and a Dog offering.
To play with Gino Lupari (while he lived in Australia) from “the
Dog” was a huge honour for him. He introduced us all to Bill Whelan
and Riverdance at least a year before anyone else and then he’d turn
around and drag out some obscure Mahler piece. He recorded not a lot
of music as his bag was playing live but moves are afoot to collect
his works and recordings for release in the near future. Though not
prolific, Ray was a brilliant writer. Blacktown Jig has become an
Australian fiddle classic in a very short time and several recorded
versions are available including his own rendition on STRUNG OUT.
Another good example of his work is POET AND THE PRIEST on FEAST OF
FIDDLERS (ABC Records). I guess it might be appropriate to conclude
with on of his Reverend’s Ravings from the FF newsletter…
He who
mustn’t must!
He who
shouldn’t probably will!
He who doesn’t dust
Never
uses Mister Sheen!
Ray Schloeffel passed
away on September 5th 2002, aged 45, we think?
Ray Schloeffel was also known as 'The Reverend'.This name came about one night when Ray was playing with
The Surfing Shamrocks, Tony Gaynor (the singer guitar guy)
introduces Ray as The Reverend and the name stuck.
When Ray passed away he left a legacy of
memories but no collection of his recordings. Rays work is dispersed
across albums like the
Fiddlers Festival works.
Efforts are being made to collect Ray's
recordings and hopefully put out a CD of his work. If you'd like a CD of the Reverend's
recording
email Marcus
and let him know you're interested.
Ray's Memorial:
At Tamworth this year many music fans threw
some coins into a bucket as Ray Schloeffel busked for the last time.
A legendary busker it seemed fitting that Ray collected the money to
pay for his headstone this way. To all those people that helped a
big thankyou!
The headstone is in place thanks to the
kindness and support of Ray's musical family.