Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 05:26 PM

Vera called this filk song "The Sweetheart of Sordido V", I believe.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 22 Nov 07 - 07:38 PM

Here's a clickable link for the video.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Sarah Marie-Ewanyshyn
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 11:55 PM

Another home video of Vera has been posted on YouTube, FYI.

R.I.P. Aunt Vera,

Love Sarah

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 25 Nov 07 - 03:07 PM

And here's the link for the second video, Vera performing The Indian. Many thanks, Sarah, to you and all your family for sharing these mementoes with us.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Interested Visitor
Date: 13 Dec 07 - 01:41 AM

Assuming the Source Info is accurate - It was mentioned in the editorial of the EFDSS Magazine December issue that Vera had passed away November 8th. 2007

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,David Gould
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 11:01 AM

I have been looking for the words to Gentle Rain Of England for years its absolutely the most beautiful song have ever heard. I met Vera in Derby England in 1970. I was 17 yrs old and a member of the resident folk group called the Clansmen at the Peasmouldia Folk Club which at the time was one of the largest folk clubs in the midlands. Vera was performing there I can remember speaking to her and her singing Gentle Rain and Pierre Trudeau. What I remeber most was I was singing the song Streets of London to the audience and I forgot the words of one of the verses and Vera mouthed the words to me and kept prompting me when I faltered. Its stayed with me all this time and I have never forgotten her or the Gentle Rain of England. Strangely, I moved to Montreal Canada and lived there for 14 years and just missed seeing her at the Yellow Door Coffee House around 1980.

I remember the tune and the chords so ill be singingit tonight !! Thanks.

Subject: vera johnson
From: GUEST,teresa shaw callihoo
Date: 10 Feb 09 - 05:41 PM

vera johnson was my great grandmother she was an amazing person and entertainer i still try and ring her songs some times the song for mickeale is about my father

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: bobad
Date: 10 Feb 09 - 05:56 PM

Teresa you are a very lucky girl to have had such a gifted great grandmother. I hope you keep singing her songs so that everyone can have the pleasure of her wisdom and humour.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Peace
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 01:40 AM

Amen to that.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,teresa
Date: 15 May 09 - 06:39 PM

she was a very nice person...i remember her and her daughter, my grandmother coming down to visit us every summer we used to listen to her records all the time when i was little.i remember reading a book that she wrote too. im really going to miss her, i hope shes watching over me.did you know that she is a vegettarian? her one son was made for my father, however my favortite song is the great eagle, im not sure it thats the write name, i have her book with all her songs and Cd's but unfotunate i lost it so i was trying to find all her music when i can along this message to me. im so glad to see that so many people in this world love her, she was a very loving person.
thanks for writing me back,
Teresa Shaw

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: bobad
Date: 22 May 09 - 07:21 PM

I have come into possession of Vera Johnson's album Bald Eagle which was recorded live at the Black Horse Folk Club, Amberly, Sussex, England in 1974. The tracklist is as follows:

The Bald Eagle
Homer Johnson
Oh, Canada
You can't let your hair hang down
A song for Michael
The do-it-yourself divorce
Pierre Trudeau
The Word
Jesus was a preacher
Layabouts
The gentle rain of England
The Minx from Pinsk

I will be digitizing the LP as soon as I get the time and would be happy to send a CD to anyone who would like one, just PM me with your mailing address.

P.S. This is one of only two albums Vera ever recorded.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Jim McLean
Date: 23 May 09 - 04:19 PM

Bobad, I'm assuming that you will register your CD with MCPS and all royalties will be correctly distributed among writers and artistes.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: bobad
Date: 24 May 09 - 10:44 AM

In light of the previous post by Jim McLean and upon discussion with a friend in the business, whose opinion I highly regard, I have decided to withdraw my offer of a copy of Vera's album. It was certainly not my intention to deprive anyone of their rightful royalties, I was simply attempting to make available something which is otherwise very difficult, if not nearly impossible, to obtain.

I have found, in a 2007 Mudcat obituary thread on Vera's passing, a note from Mike Ballantyne of The British Columbia Folklore Society in which he mentions that the Society is in the process of transcribing Vera's two vinyl LPs to CD. I have sent him an email inquiring about the availability of these CDs and will post his reply when I receive it.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: bobad
Date: 24 May 09 - 03:05 PM

I received this information from Mike Ballantyne today:

The British Columbia Folklore Society has published Vera's two LPs on two CDs and they come in a booklet together with all the words and the music of the songs on the CDs. The book also includes various bits of Vera's life and history.

If you are still interested, a cheque for $30 will cover the book and CDs set and mailing.

We are at:

The British Columbia Folklore Society
7345 Seabrook Road,
Central Saanich, BC,
V8M 1M9

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 24 May 09 - 09:03 PM

The book and 2 CDs are an incredible bargain at the low low price of 30 Canadian dollars. My copy is currently out on loan to the programmers of "Feminist Voices Then And Now", a show on our local co-op radio station CJLY.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,Teresa
Date: 25 Dec 12 - 08:11 PM

Hey everyone i am one of Veras great granddaughters. I would love to hear stories of her and would be so happy if anyone here would be willing to send me a copy of her music. I am learning guitar and want to learn her music please email me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 08:38 PM

I have E Mailed Mike Ballantyne for more current information

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Dec 12 - 04:53 PM

The Two CD Set and Book are still available from The Critish Columbia Folklore Society $30 canadian plus postage !

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,#
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 09:50 AM

For David Gould who posted 21 Aug 08 - 11:01 AM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnBF_KmGimE

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 12:11 AM

People keep asking research questions on Facebook when the answers are already here on Mudcat. I'm posting this link - can't say how durable it will be - to whatever answers came of the question about Vera Johnson. And to bring this back up to the top.

Anyone know where to find the music of Canadian folksinger, the late Vera Johnson?

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 08:24 AM

I remember Vera, used to meet up with her in various clubs around the London folk scene. Nice, interesting lady.

Subject: RE: Canadian folk icon Vera Johnson
From: GUEST,#
Date: 12 Jul 21 - 02:05 PM

I don't know if this article written by Vera Johnson was mentioned before. It has much to do with Edith Fowke and it's an intere3sting read. T'was written in 1996.

https://cfmb.icaap.org/content/30.4/BV30-4art4.pdf