2002 Obit: Jeff Dennison

Subject: RIP: Jeff Dennison
From: BB
Date: 12 Oct 02 - 07:01 PM

The sad news has just come through on umf that Jeff Dennison (of canal fame) has just died. I didn't know him by other than his reputation, his singing and as a friend of several friends, but he's quite a loss to the English folk scene.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP: Jeff Dennison
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 04:55 AM

I did meet Jeff quite a few times, at boat rallies, at CSH when he and Benny Graham were performing their slide and song show "They're coming back to the water", and once when I was steering a friend's boat along the Trent and Mersey.

You can find a bio and a pic (with Benny) here on a site about the above-mentioned show/record.

He was a lovely guy - he'll be missed on both the cut and the folk scene. With Buz Collins' recent death, the canal/folk scene is being sadly depleted.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP: Jeff Dennison
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 05:05 AM

So sad.
I was asking for him at Warwick and no-one seemed to know where he was. Guess he was ill. I was going to buy him a drink to thank him for a very useful disk he gave me and return it with interest.
Oh well Jeff - it will have to be a cider and if you aren't drinking it allow me...........

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP: Jeff Dennison
From: GUEST,Kipling
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 07:35 AM

What a shock- I was just thinking of suggesting getting him and Benny together to do a spot at my local festival. A great loss 'I am thinking of a song in the 'they're coming back to the water' show called 'when we go moving up the cuts'.

Something like:
And I know one day, my boating it will have to stop
and by then i'll know I've had my time.
Wrap me in my canvas, but me behind the mast
If we have a clean run won't we travel fast.

Something like that anyway- a kind of fitting tribute to a great man.
I never had the opportunity to personally meet Jeff. But heard many funny stories about him and Benny. One by a venerable old Folk singer/ performer- Dave James. Dave has a habit of insulting people- on one occassion when about to give Benny and Jeff a lift somewhere in his range rover he remarked that it was shaking at the thought of taking them (they were both big men) the next second Dave was being suspended by his Ankles (by both Jeff and Benny) Dave withdrew his comment, hastily apologised and said it was not a good time to say 'put me down' they lowered him safely back on to the bank- served Dave right.

The singing of canal songs will definately be at a loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP: Jeff Dennison
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 07:11 PM

As a canal-dweller for a long long time this is obviously a sad loss to me. I didnt know Jeff very well, though I've been a friend and collaborator with Benny the Whale for many a long year. Their work in keeping the memories green of the the old canal times was appreciated by all with great love.
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP: Jeff Dennison
From: Alcestermarje
Date: 16 Oct 02 - 06:31 PM

Another story via Dave James. Jeff gave him a song " Broken Boats", Dave added a chorus (as he would) when Jeff sang the song he didn't add the new chorus but the audience did. Jeff stopped and said "there isn't a chorus to this song" to which the audience replied "there is when Dave James Sings it". Jeff was not amused and threatened to do for Dave.

Subject: RE: Obit: RIP: Jeff Dennison
From: GUEST,Steve Peach.
Date: 31 Mar 23 - 02:03 PM

Saw Jeff 'live' at the New Inn, Shardlow, many years ago. Probably around 1996?? Very, very good. Will always remember a true gentleman.

Subject: RE: 2002 Obit: Jeff Dennison
From: GUEST,Dick Miles
Date: 01 Apr 23 - 02:40 AM

I played as a session guest on his cd., and knew him fairly well, he was resident at the Wurzel bush folk club,Jeff used to select certain suitable pubs along canals generally with real ale, and give them impromptu songs, he loved life and lived it to the full,He loved music and songs about the canals and worked hard at promoting it and bringing the music of the people to the people.
On the subject of Broken Boats, I was under the impression it was written by Barry Skinner.

Subject: RE: 2002 Obit: Jeff Dennison
From: GUEST,Ian B
Date: 01 Apr 23 - 08:24 AM

The lyrics and a partial recording of Broken Boats by Barry Skinner can be found on the Songs of the Inland Waterways website.

The video recording of 'They're Coming Back to the Water' show with Jeff and Benny can be found here.

Subject: RE: 2002 Obit: Jeff Dennison
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 23 - 12:54 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: 2002 Obit: Jeff Dennison
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Aug 23 - 10:29 AM

Sadly I missed Jeff when he died. It was 21 years ago (!) but never too late to be included in the "In Memoriam" thread. Interesting to see that my old mate Dave Bryant is on the list of posters to the thread. Another singer and lovely bloke gone. RIP Jeff.

Subject: RE: 2002 Obit: Jeff Dennison
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 23 - 12:54 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: 2002 Obit: Jeff Dennison
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Aug 23 - 10:29 AM

Sadly I missed Jeff when he died. It was 21 years ago (!) but never too late to be included in the "In Memoriam" thread. Interesting to see that my old mate Dave Bryant is on the list of posters to the thread. Another singer and lovely bloke gone. RIP Jeff.