Anyone remember The Boatmen

Subject: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: squeezyjohn
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 08:18 PM

Hi All,

I used to work in a pub in Oxford called the Turf Tavern and knew a regular there called Eric Blackburn. After a few chats about folk music (I was just getting in to it then) he told me that he'd done some L.P. of canal boating songs with a group called "The Boatmen". Because of the personal interest I'd be intrigued to hear any information on the group or the recording.

The only information I have about the group is:

-Eric told me that they were once chosen by John Peel as record of the week (1970s).

-That another of the band member's names was Johnny.

- I think that the L.P was called "Straight from the Tunnel's mouth"

- One of the songs that they had recorded included the line "We're legging this old tunnel, push boys push"

- At the time I knew Eric, he lived in Oxford, UK.

If anyone knows anything of this group or recording (I have never heard it) - or indeed knows of Eric's whereabouts - I'd be really happy for the info. Googling has not helped!

Cheers

Squeezy

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: woodsie
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 04:48 AM

No

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 04:50 AM

The LP was on Joe Stead's label "Sweet Folk and Country" (or might have been the earlier "Sweet Folk All"), I've got it somewhere.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 26 Oct 04 - 05:10 AM

I've got it as well and a good album it is too! Bought it when I was on a canal holiday just as I was getting into folk music so it's one of the first folk Lps I ever bought. Someone who was with me said that "those type of songs were a bit risque". "That'll do for me" I thought and I've never looked back!
I never saw them but I still sing some of the songs off that LP.
Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 04:53 PM

While trying to find out more about 'The Boatmen' I came across this Mudcat thread so perhaps I can revive it and add the limited information I have about this group and their recording :

www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/tunnels_mouth_details.htm

There have been some suggestions that David Blagrove was one of 'The Boatmen'. This was not stated on the lp but he obviously contributed several songs.

Does anyone know any more?

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 05:01 PM

Perhaps I should justify the statement :

There have been some suggestions that David Blagrove was one of 'The Boatmen'.

One place I read this was here.

This link is to an interesting article about canal song recordings.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,Phil B
Date: 03 Jan 10 - 05:58 PM

Joe Stead should be able to help.
www.joestead.com

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 08:23 AM

Thanks for suggestion, Phil, but Joe has no recollections of 'The Boatmen,

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 09:42 PM

"Push Boys, Push" is in the DT.

######################################

Straight from the Tunnel's Mouth

The Boatmen   
Sweet Folk and Country SFA 018 (1975)

The Boatmen were Eric Blackburn, John Grace, and Pat Slattery.
Nick Coster, Alison Grace and Joe Stead also feature.

I think SFA was Joe Stead's record label.

######################################

David Blagrove in the sleeve notes to 'Straight from the Tunnel's Mouth' wrote : The transport act of 1968 which removed the publics right to navigate their own canals inspired this song. There was a real gloom and despondency among the boat people; and one sad result of the pleasure/amenity explosion has literally been to take away their calling. Wharves and basins have been redeveloped thus depriving the boats of essential terminals. The tune is Scots 'Tramps and Hawkers'.

######################################

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 09:48 PM

One of David's songs was on the album.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,Julian
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 05:54 AM

I too have the LP and have transferred it to CD. It is a fine album and mentions many of the place that my boat and me have been to. I would be interested if there were any other recordings available for The Boatmen.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 05:56 AM

I can't believe there is no referrence to London River by Rod Shearman.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 18 Jan 10 - 09:20 AM

Is the last post in the right thread? Should it be on the London River one?

I must say that I agree with Julian about The Boatman's lp. For the time it had a sense of originality, was a bit different and had a vitality that remains today. It was the first recording in my collection of canal related folk songs and is still treasured.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,Mark Allenby
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 05:31 PM

I realise this is of no interest, but John Grace, one of The Boatmen, was were Junior School teacher when I was 10 (1974-75). I still have a copy of Straight From The Tunnel's Mouth. I remember how naughty it felt then to sing things like "now I'm a bugger for tea" (from The Single Bolinder).

He was a great teacher, warm and inspirational. I have no idea where he is now.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 14 - 08:00 PM

yes me: married to John grace, Alison, retired teachers, friends to David Blagrove and live in nearby village. Eric is still in Oxford and writes occasionally. Good to hear music still remembered

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie
Date: 06 Apr 14 - 11:10 AM

Hi Guest (Alison?)

The details about 'Songs from the Tunnel's Mouth' (an lp I have possessed and treasured since the 1970s) on the 'Songs of the Inland Waterways' website are rather brief. They can be seen here :

http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/tunnels_mouth_details.htm

Is there anything you can add about the recording?

Ian

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,roger carberry
Date: 28 Mar 15 - 12:18 PM

Hi there,
I am an old friend of Eric's, if it is the same Eric Blackburn, and am currently trying to track him down to come to a reunion of our days at university in 1975-78. If anyone knows him can you please give him my telephone number and ask him to call me
thanks
ROger Carberry 0208 889 7997

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,INO ERICK
Date: 09 May 15 - 12:32 PM

I NO ERICK BLACKBURN I WOS HIS FRDND HE TOLD ME bout the botmen my man ls ANDREW erick lived two does from me my myphone number is 07913i089663 I hop you get my mesag

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,andrew
Date: 24 May 15 - 04:34 PM

This message IS for jony grâce and alison i am à very god frend OF Éric blacburn OF thébotmen Éric IS à nabor i hav tospek to you con cerning Éric it IS urgent i hop you get This meseg my phon NUMBER IS 07913089663 thank-you andrew from oxford

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,Pauline Main
Date: 13 Jul 15 - 07:48 AM

Sadly, Eric Blackburn died recently. His funeral is on Thursday, 16th July at 2pm at Summertown United Reformed Church, Oxford. I am the minister taking the service. My contact details are on the church website if anyone would like to be in touch.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,David Nicholls
Date: 31 Jan 16 - 10:28 AM

I had been trying to track down Eric Blackburn for some time. I lost touch with him in the 1970's at which time he had been living in Bracknell with his partner and playing in pubs in Reading. I am sorry to hear that he is no longer with us.

Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen
From: GUEST,Alison
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 06:44 PM

So sorry to hear about Eric, if we had known we'd have come to his funeral, but unfortunately lost touch with him a couple of years earlier.
Best song (for me) "Blackbird" (Beatles)