INCARNATIONS (1)
The Delegation - In View
Still of The Delegation performing "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
From 1982 until 1984, Ralph was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriter with "The Delegation", a Folk and Blues crossover band. On 29th July, 1984 they were recorded for posterity by a local cameraman and documentary writer known simply as "Pete the Wiz". This is the only known footage of the band that exists and as 2009 sees the 25th Anniversary of this recording, we thought it would be rather nice to include a short clip here.
Ralph wrote most of the material played by the band drawing upon his classical theatre background and an appreciation of science fiction. By the time "In View" was recorded Ralph had also appeared in a number of sci-fi films. His role as an imperial stormtrooper in both "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" would influence songs such as "Starfighters Hit Zero" and "Bar Room Balladeers", the latter song resurfacing with a slightly modified lyric in theatre project "The Four Seasons Of Wounded Knee" "Starfighters Hit Zero" is one of the first songs to question the possible impact of computer gaming on the psyche, in which the protagonist is unsure whether they are fighting for survival in a real or imaginary world. Watch "The Delegation" performing "Starfighters Hit Zero"
However it is the first song filmed that day "Victim of Circumstance" penned by Ralph at the beginning of 1981 that he still performs occasionally today. Although The Delegation were not a country band, the lyric, melody and the arrangement place the work comfortably within that gentre. After the tragic death of John Lennon, Ralph utilised the phrase "victim of circumstance" taken from one of the media reports of the murder as a title for the song. Although he is not directly named in the song, Lennon is clearly the source of inspiration and commentary within the narrative. Ralph is in the now in process of compiling an appropriate overview of The Delegation featuring old and new recordings. Watch "The Delegation" performing "Victim of Circumstance"
More information will be published as it becomes available.
Ralph Morse is a member of Artslink, Colchester