Anyone know about Steve Benbow?

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 07:49 PM

@JohnMacKenzie

The site isn't going to give you viruses by itself. It's a media-sharing site though I can't promise the upload is safe. Lots of experience with it.
\

---

Also works as https://www.mediafire.com/folder/atdc9m2u2jviw/Steve_Benbow and https://www.mediafire.com/folder/atdc9m2u2jviw/Steve_Benbow

They seem to work fine with the "https" designation, so I changed the links. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 12:09 PM

Is Richard Benbow who used to gig in Somerset in 1980s-90s any relation?
He had an album called "I am a pilgrim".

Robin

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CMarshall
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 10:12 AM

Does anyone happen to know Steve’s kids names? I am a distant cousin, looking for relatives. Any help would be great!

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Mar 17 - 10:50 AM

My antivirus blocked this site. Be careful.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 04 Mar 17 - 06:54 PM

My Kind of Folk featuring Steve Benbow and his Wapping version of 'Black Velvet Band' ...

https://www.mediafire.com/file/fr5upugpho0pdvq/0092C_MKF_9__01-05-1968.mp3

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 02:38 PM

On London Folk Song Cellar 12A one of the clipped tracks at the end of our tape (a cassette turnover event) is Steve Benbow singing a rare London version of 'Black Velvet Band.'

It is available here for folks to copy down the words for Mudcat etc. There are FLAC and MP3 (192kbps) versions.

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/atdc9m2u2jviw/Steve_Benbow

CJB.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 02:34 PM

Thanks - just an update - I managed to digitise the song I was after - "Black Velvet Band" Wapping (East London version). The words are not recorded on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 16 Sep 14 - 03:13 PM

Guest, CJB- Congratulations! I hope you enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 15 Sep 14 - 03:59 PM

Thanks - I made an offer and purchased it. CJB.


Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 11:32 AM

Guest, CJB- A Steve Benbow "Black Velvet Band" version is available as a vintage LP on eBay right now, here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steve-Benbow-Sings-I-Travel-The-World-CLP-1687-Mono-Vinyl-LP-Album-/390921505994?pt=UK_Records&hash=item I cannot tell from the information there whether this is the London Folk Song Cellar no. 12 Wadding version, however. Perhaps you will be able to ascertain if it's the correct one.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Sep 14 - 01:36 PM

Iwould have liked to have met him, being another keepere of donkeys goats and chickens, he sounds like he was more craic than ewan macColl

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 12 Sep 14 - 07:22 PM

[b]maeve[/b] - thank you for the alert re: eBay. This is good too because it names a potential LP and also gives a track list.

Meanwhile here is Steve's website:

https://web.archive.org/web/20070814061819/http://www.stevebenbow.btinternet.co.uk/

CJB

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 05 Sep 14 - 07:44 PM

The painting of Steve in The Tap is by Eric Underwood , using a Photo of Steve as a basis
Eric is also a fine singer and guitarist

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 11:32 AM

Guest, CJB- A Steve Benbow "Black Velvet Band" version is available as a vintage LP on eBay right now, here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steve-Benbow-Sings-I-Travel-The-World-CLP-1687-Mono-Vinyl-LP-Album-/390921505994?pt=UK_Records&hash=item I cannot tell from the information there whether this is the London Folk Song Cellar no. 12 Wadding version, however. Perhaps you will be able to ascertain if it's the correct one.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 01 Sep 14 - 11:04 AM

Now the thread is converged from two different threads there is more confusion. I am seeking a recording by Steve Benbow of the Black Velvet Band - Wapping / London version. If anyone knows of any please let me know. Thank you.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 06:35 AM

PS a quick Google search shows record/CD titles on Amazon, CD Universe and MusicStack.


RtS

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 06:28 AM

I grew up listening to Steve Benbow on radio but only saw him live once at the final Skiffle Madness in Twickenham in February 2005. Pete Oliver ("SB's Protege" on Mudcat) played kajun rubboard in Steve's group on that occasion. I have the Don't Monkey with my gun CD, but don't know if any recordings are still available.

RtS

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 05:49 AM

I don't see a link to his obituary, so here it is:
****************
Obituary
Steve Benbow
Folk guitarist whose collaborators ranged from Ewan MacColl to Spike Milligan

    Derek Schofield            The Guardian, Thursday 30 November 2006        

Steve Benbow, one of the most sought-after guitar accompanists of the early years of the modern British folk revival, and also a fine singer, has died after a heart attack, aged 74. He made over 25 albums, and accompanied singers such as folk revival founders Ewan MacColl and AL Lloyd, as well as Rolf Harris and Long John Baldry (obituary, July 23 2005).

Benbow was an inspiration to younger players. Davy Graham, whose guitar style affected those of Eric Clapton and Paul Simon, credits him as a primary influence: Benbow introduced him to Moroccan music he had heard while in the forces. Graham told the Guardian last year: "What he taught me was that you should never get stuck in one mode or style."

Indeed Benbow was never aligned to any of the sub-genres of the folk revival. Neither a traditionalist nor a promoter of leftwing causes, primarily he was an entertainer, performing a range of music from blues to jazz to popular English and Irish folk songs. Striving for an easy-listening appeal, his repertoire became less suited to the increasingly sophisticated folk-music enthusiasts and he found it difficult to regain that audience.

Nevertheless, Benbow made his mark on a wider audience through radio and television, starting with the radio programme Guitar Club in 1957, followed by regular slots on Saturday Skiffle Club and later Easy Beat. His skill as a guitarist led to a Scottish television series, Plectrum, where he demonstrated his style to aspiring young musicians. In the early 60s he presented Have Guitar Will Travel on Radio Luxembourg, the only folk singer to have his own show. In 1963 he co-starred in a London stage show, Spike Milligan Meets Steve Benbow, at the old Lyric Theatre, which led to a television series the following year, Muses with Milligan. He also fronted the television series Barndance and for a while presented BBC radio's Housewives' Choice. George Martin produced a series of novelty singles for him and he wrote a regular column in Melody Maker.

Born in Tooting, south London, Benbow and his family moved to Surrey, where he attended Reigate grammar school. His first musical influences came from his father, who listened to Jimmie Rodgers and Latin American music.

After leaving school, Benbow was a cowman on a Devon farm before joining the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in 1950, which took him to Egypt. He started as a mule breaker and dog handler, but soon became an interpreter: he spoke Arabic, Italian, French, Greek and Mauritian Creole. During five years in the forces he learned to play the guitar, making his broadcasting debut as a singer on the Forces Radio Network.

Back home, Benbow embraced a London music scene that included skiffle, jazz and folk. He joined a traditional jazz band whose leader, Dave Kier, introduced him to Ewan MacColl; Benbow accompanied MacColl on records and to a youth festival in Moscow, where he met the City Ramblers. He later became a regular performer at Russell Quaye's Skiffle Cellar in Greek Street, London.

Benbow recorded two solo albums before forming the Steve Benbow Folk Four, including Jimmie MacGregor, who later teamed up with Robin Hall to perform regularly on Cliff Michelmore's television programme Tonight.

In 1960 Benbow appeared with others including Shirley Collins and Bob Copper on a trio of albums produced by Peter Kennedy of the English Folk Dance and Song Society for HMV: A Jug of Punch, Rocket Along and A Pinch of Salt. This led to the HMV releases of two of Steve's best-known albums: Steve Benbow Sings Admiral Benbow (the name of a well-known folk song) in 1962, and I Travel the World in 1963. He continued to record during the 60s, but rarely on labels that adequately promoted the albums. His 1966 album, Songs of Ireland, originally on Bulldog, is still available on the Smithsonian Folkways label in the US. After several more albums in the early 70s - one of them with his long-standing friend Denny Wright, who had been Lonnie Donegan's guitarist - Benbow largely retired.

He never lost his passion for music, and from 1988 played twice a week at the Brewery Tap in Brentford. A new recording, Don't Monkey With My Gun, was released in 2003, but he was reluctant to travel away from home to perform because of his large collection of animals, including goats, chickens and a donkey. For several years he suffered from heart problems, which in 2005 prevented him sharing a Londonconcert with Davy Graham. His wife Sandie survives him.

· Stephen George Benbow, singer and guitarist, born November 29 1931; died November 17 2006
http://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/dec/01/guardianobituaries.obituaries

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 31 Aug 14 - 05:45 AM

"...can anybody bring us up to date on how to get Steve Benbow recordings and information since his death?"

Joe, earlier in this thread I posted links to several albums listed now on eBay. I've also sent a PM to Mudcat member "Steve Benbow's protege" asking what a current source might be.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 11:29 PM

Hi, CJB - I moved all of today's Steve Benbow messages to one thread. When you post similar messages to various threads on the same topic, it tends to confuse things and split the discussion. Next time, choose the one most appropriate thread on the subject, and post there.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer, Music Editor-

That being said, can anybody bring us up to date on how to get Steve Benbow recordings and information since his death? Steve died in 2006. The only Steve Benbow album album available in the U.S. is his Songs of Ireland from Smithsonian Folkways, but Spotify has another Benbow album titled Irish Folk Music.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 05:19 AM

Sorry clicky here:

thread.cfm?threadid=19899

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 05:16 AM

The version of BVB is the Wapping / London version as detailed here:

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=19899)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 10:33 AM

I need to splice in the line:

"She was so tall and handsome and her neck it was just like a swan."

as sung by Steve Benbow.

Subject: RE: Steve Benbow
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 05:09 AM

The version of Black Velvet Band that I am seeking is that at:

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=19899)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Old versions of Black Velvet Band
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 25 Sep 10 - 10:33 AM

The missing line in Steve Benbow's London Folk Song Cellar no. 12 recording is:

"She was so tall and handsome and her neck it was just like a swan."

It is the Wapping / London version that Steve Benbow sings.

CJB

Subject: RE: Steve Benbow
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 04:08 AM

More about Steve Benbow at:

thread.cfm?threadid=34106

Am trying to get a recording of Steve Benbow singing "Black Velvet Band." I have tried Amazon and iTunes. Is there a LP or CD with this on? Many thanks.

CJB

Subject: RE: STEVE BENBOW C.D
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Aug 14 - 03:38 AM

Sadly the website source for this CD has gone belly-up. Does anyone have an alternative source please?

http://www.clarebooks.co.uk/item1697.htm

CJB.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 02:29 PM

Programme 12 (1st half) - now available at:

https://www.firedrive.com/file/C0A9D7C3EA715905
https://www.firedrive.com/file/F88A51D9516453FE

The last song "Black Velvet Band" by Steve Benbow is truncated at the verse "Tripping Along The Highway." If anyone has this verse by Steve Benbow on an LP / CD please could they let me have this - to splice in. Its not on iTunes. Thank you.

CJB

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 07:47 AM

Steve Benbow appeared on four London Folk Song Celler progs. (recorded at C#H) in the 1960s. These were 3 / 12 / 17 / 22. Thanks to Ross McClennan NZ for the loan of cassette tapes. Many thanks to Mitch Park of Radio Kidnappers NZ for cleaning up many of these.

Programme 3 - unavailable at present

Programme 12 (1st half) - unavailable at present, being processed, i.e. tape cleaned up, removal of hum, etc.

Programme 17 - is here

https://www.firedrive.com/file/B4487654C4F37681
https://www.firedrive.com/file/FB523F0923D77A51

Programme 22 - is here

https://www.firedrive.com/file/E3084B3D505ACC98
https://www.firedrive.com/file/6F77D8AF18E5E73F

CJB

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: maeve
Date: 26 Aug 14 - 10:17 AM

On eBay now:
Steve Benbow – Of Situations and Predicaments 1967 LP Decca LK 4881

Steve Benbow – The Amateur Whitewasher 1960 7" Parlophone R 4698

New Sealed Songs of Ireland ~ Steve Benbow ~ Reel to Reel Tape 3.75 IPS (I also see a LP and a cd version.)

STEVE BENBOW & DENNY WRIGHT-FRIENDLY FOLK LP

STEVE BENBOW ~ MAN WHO INVENTED BEER ~ 1961 UK 7" SINGLE ~ PARLOPHONE 45-R 4782

Steve Benbow and the Folk Choir – Little Red Donkey – LP Vinyl Record

7" VINYL SINGLE. Big Rock Candy Mountain by Steve Benbow. 1974. EMI. FP 10040

I see some compilation and guest appearance albums as well.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Frank A
Date: 26 Aug 14 - 09:04 AM

I can recall many happy hours spent in "The Star" pub in Hooley (now, sadly demolished), in the late 50's/early 60's,with some mates, Ken Mitchell, Brian (Buddy)Budd - and others I regretfully do not remember their names, and listening to Steve Benbow singing "Don't ever get caught in the Mole Catcher's Trap". Happy days with beer at only 1/9d a pint!

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Aug 14 - 06:17 PM

I know it was based on a photo of Steve - I'll make some enquiries after WHFF weekend

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 06:26 PM

Sorry - I couldn't say.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 02:14 PM

Any idea who the painter was, henryp?

≈M≈

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 12 Aug 14 - 01:47 PM

I went into the Brewery Tap in Brentford at lunchtime today.

A painted portrait of Steve Benbow hangs in the bar.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 08:36 PM

A great contribution to Shanty Album 'Blow Boys Blow' by MacColl and Lloyd.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 03:15 AM

On his first recording of 'Arthur McBride ', Martin Carthy cited Steve Benbow as his source.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 08:56 PM

I met Steve when he was 'doing' The Fox in Hanwell , just off the canal , with Denny Wright . When the Fox changed hands after Denny died Steve moved to The Brewery Tap in Brentford , Jazz on Fridays and Folk on Sundays . Steve had to give up the Taxi work due to a dodgy heart , but carried on Gigging , despite a spell in Hospital
Steve 'did' the Friday gig , but was taken back into hospital on the Sunday morning , and died the following Fridae .
The Tap carries on , though a lot of the 'regulars' have now joined Steve at the Session Up There ! Diz Disley , Matt McGann and Don Partridge all turned up for a Jam with Steve now and then |!

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Keith, Croydon
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 06:00 PM

I used to go to Steve Benbow's folk club in South Croydon at The Swan and Sugarloaf pub, in the early sixties, I think in '63/64 because I distinctly remember a girl bravely attempting Dylan's Hard Rain's Gonna Fall. I had heard of him from his BBC radio show where he sang things like Abdul Abullbull Amir. There were some great talented travelling acts playing at Steve's club.
I also understand he played a role in teaching Davey Graham to play back in the fifties

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 10:26 AM

Hylda is a great lady, and still around. I believe she looked after Diz for a while, after he came out of hospital following his bypass op.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 10:11 AM

One of the residencies of the Steve Benbow Folk Four was at the Skiffle Cellar {later just the Cellar Folk Club, then the Establishment [satire] Club run by Peter Cook (I think) where Lenny Bruce et al performed while in London], then the original offices of Private Eye magazine} in Greek Street, Soho, off Shaftesbury Avenue just behind the Palace Theatre. It was run by Hilda Symms & Russ Quaye, & they gave me my first paid gig [10 shillings!] in 1956. Jimmie MacGregor, Robin Hall, et al, played there regularly; & the resident anchor-group, as I say, were the Steve Benbow Four. I got acquainted with Steve thru regular attendance there, numerous floor spots & occasional paid gigs. But I lost track of him when I left London for Cambridge in 1963, & am glad that this thread has brought me, retrospectively, up to date. I did hear with great regret that Steve was dead; but had never heard of the later taxi-driver career, &c.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:37 PM

Re Erich's post above,

I was involved in the negotiations with Monitor in the States for that album. I can check but off the top of my head I am pretty sure the year was 1964. The album cover shot was taken at Cecil Sharp House.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: tritoneman
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 12:28 PM

The first time I remember seeing Steve Benbow was when he and John Betjeman were regular guests on Spike Milligan's BBC 2 television show, Muses With Milligan, in the mid 1960's. I got to know him a few years later - he was 'doing the knowledge' i.e. training to be a London taxi driver at the time. During the late 60's and early 70's - apart from runnig a folk club in Norbury - he was doing regular folk club gigs with the great jazz guitarist, Denny Wright. The last time I saw Steve was in 1972 while doing a BBC radio Country Meets Folk recording at the Playhouse Theatre in London.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Erich
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:35 AM

I forgot to mention that the very first Christy Moore - LP (Paddy on the Road) was arranged and conducted by Steve Benbow and he also played guitar as well.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Erich
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:31 AM

I have an old vinyl called Songs of Ireland, Steve Benbow with the Strawberry Hill Boys (Steve Benbow: vocals, guitar; Denny Wright: guitar; Dave Cousins: banjo; Jack Fallon:bass; Strawberry Hill Boys (vocals). The Label is Monitor MFS 447. Track:
Side A
1. O'Reillys Daughter
2. Banks of the Roses
3. Bold Thady Quill
4. Little Beggarman
5. Mush Mush
6. Spanish Lady
7. I'm a Rambler
8. Holy Ground
Side B
1. The Irish Rover
2. She Moved through the Fair
3. Finnegan's Wake
4. Green grows the laurel
5. Brennan on the Moor
6. Hot Asphalt
7. Brian O'Linn
8. Wild Colonial Boy

There is no info about the recording or issue-date.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:56 AM

...and there's a link from Wiki to his official home page, where this date of his death is repeated.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Gurney
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 07:56 PM

Wiki says that he died in 2006.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 07:09 PM

Guest,steve benbow - You share the name of a VERY Talented man ! Good Luck !

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: GUEST,steve benbow
Date: 16 Dec 10 - 04:27 PM

I am steve benbow. I am a fire man from crewe and i live in sunny kidsgrove staffordshire

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: Nancy King
Date: 12 May 01 - 12:00 AM

Sad news indeed, harlow ivan. Thanks for letting us know. I sure hope his recordings get reissued at some point, 'cause he was a hell of a singer.

I did discover that Amazon.com is offering a CD titled "Songs of Ireland" by Steve Benbow and Strawberry Hill. Maybe I'll order that one too.

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 May 01 - 05:31 PM

Well at least this thread has ensured that his death got recorded on the Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: mousethief
Date: 11 May 01 - 03:58 PM

You're welcome, Nancy! Hope it all works out and you get the recording soon!

Alex

Subject: RE: Anyone know about Steve Benbow?
From: harlow ivan
Date: 11 May 01 - 03:31 PM

Sadly Steve died in February. I am trying to get in touch with someone who was playing with him early this year. More later.