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25 Oct 04 - 08:18 PM (#1307068) Subject: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: squeezyjohn 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 |
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26 Oct 04 - 04:48 AM (#1307388) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: woodsie No |
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26 Oct 04 - 04:50 AM (#1307389) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: Dave Bryant 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. |
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26 Oct 04 - 05:10 AM (#1307405) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: Mark Dowding 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 |
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03 Jan 10 - 04:53 PM (#2802427) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: Ian Hendrie 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? |
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03 Jan 10 - 05:01 PM (#2802435) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: Ian Hendrie 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. |
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03 Jan 10 - 05:58 PM (#2802483) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,Phil B Joe Stead should be able to help. www.joestead.com |
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10 Jan 10 - 08:23 AM (#2808165) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: Ian Hendrie Thanks for suggestion, Phil, but Joe has no recollections of 'The Boatmen, |
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10 Jan 10 - 09:42 PM (#2808734) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,999 "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'. ###################################### |
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10 Jan 10 - 09:48 PM (#2808736) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,999 One of David's songs was on the album. |
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18 Jan 10 - 05:54 AM (#2814791) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,Julian 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. |
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18 Jan 10 - 05:56 AM (#2814793) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: Mr Red I can't believe there is no referrence to London River by Rod Shearman. |
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18 Jan 10 - 09:20 AM (#2814883) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: Ian Hendrie 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. |
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03 Sep 11 - 05:31 PM (#3217734) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,Mark Allenby 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. |
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05 Apr 14 - 08:00 PM (#3615839) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST 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 |
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06 Apr 14 - 11:10 AM (#3616077) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie 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 |
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28 Mar 15 - 12:18 PM (#3697894) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,roger carberry 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 |
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09 May 15 - 12:32 PM (#3707798) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,INO ERICK 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 |
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24 May 15 - 04:34 PM (#3711496) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,andrew 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 |
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13 Jul 15 - 07:48 AM (#3723278) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,Pauline Main 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. |
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31 Jan 16 - 10:28 AM (#3769626) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,David Nicholls 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. |
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08 Aug 16 - 06:44 PM (#3804239) Subject: RE: Anyone remember The Boatmen From: GUEST,Alison 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) |