What happened to 1812, folk duo, black country

15 Dec 01 - 02:11 PM (#610509)
Subject: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black c
From: breezy

What became of this highly talented and enertaining duo from around Wolver'mpt'n. What became of their songs?

---

15 Dec 01 - 02:16 PM (#610515)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,Harvey Andrews

Geoff Bodenham, the guitarist and singer ran a pub in Bridgnorth for some years and had regular folk nights. He is now retired and living in Bridgnorth. Derek Craft who wrote a lot of the material and played flute also retired from pro music in the early 80's. None of their work is available on c.d. so LPs may be available second hand on Net sites.

---

16 Dec 01 - 09:47 AM (#610943)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: breezy

thanks Harvey, didn't you ever do any of their material?!

---

16 Dec 01 - 01:09 PM (#611031)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,harvey andrews

No...it needed two people to do Beethoven's 1812 with guitar and flute and hysterical lyrics!!!

---

16 Dec 01 - 01:47 PM (#611048)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: Lanfranc

I booked 1812 many times into various clubs that I ran, a couple of really nice guys and Derek's parodies and rearrangements were often utterly hilarious.

I have some live taped material, including "Drill ye Tarriers", "1812" and "Busker's Nightmare". Quality is reasonable, so I could copy - I don't think either Derek or Geoff would mind.

PM me if interested.

Alan

---

16 Dec 01 - 06:52 PM (#611227)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: breezy

Im not making you Prime Minister. o.k. how? this is all new to me.I wont tell if you wont.Where are you, roughly speaking , sorry I've been shouting tonight, coaching and singing do not mix, so I'm doing more intrumentals.I'm very inerested as I introduced them to the 18 plus organisation and the only song on rec is B. Wrigley's version of Nudist Colony.

---

17 Dec 01 - 05:42 AM (#611436)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: Lanfranc

Breezy,

PM = Personal Message - a useful service for communication between individual MudCatters. For a variety of reasons many of us are wary of providing detailed names and addresses in the Forum, but the Personal Messages are just that. If you go to your personal page (link at the top of the Web page)and follow the instructions thereon you should find it straightforward.

I'm in Harlow, Essex.

I'm not sure whether the 1812 stuff I have was recorded by me "live" or was off the radio. At the time (1973!) I had a reel-to-reel setup that I used from time to time to record gigs at the Bishop's Stortford Folk Club that I ran then. The material in question is on a cassette containing transcriptions that I made when I disposed of the reel to reel. There's about 20 minutes worth, "Drill ye Tarriers" (a most un-PC version!), "Wonderful Day", "Draws", "Busker's Nightmare", "1812", "Last Thing on My Mind", plus chat.

Funnily enough, it was through 18+ that I first encountered Derek and Geoff! I seem to remember that they were on "Opportunity Knocks" (not very successfully) but I don't think they ever got as far as making a record.

I can cut you a cassette very easily, and a CD might be possible in the New Year if Santa brings the software I have asked for! Send me your snailmail address and I'll do the rest.

Alan

---

17 Dec 01 - 02:41 PM (#611763)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,harvey andrews

by coincidence Geoff Bodenham just phoned me and I can update you. He still performs every Friday at his old pub in Bridgnorth. Derek Craft had a stroke last year from which he has recovered but he probably will not be able to play again. Geoff was pleased to hear of your interest and if Lanfranc can make a c.d. of the old live performance he would love to have a copy. E mail me at [e-mail] for his private address.

---

17 Dec 01 - 06:45 PM (#611949)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: Mr Red

Pub is the Talbot 'bout 400 yards west of the High Street. They still have Sun night sessions also.

---

18 Dec 01 - 03:01 PM (#612483)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: breezy

What pub Talbot , where?

---

18 Dec 01 - 03:04 PM (#612485)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: breezy

What pub Talbot , where? o.k. spag junct, got it

---

19 Dec 01 - 07:52 AM (#612986)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: Guessed

Spaghetti Western the High St? nahhhhhhhhhhhh
take the M6 to Walsall, the Black Country Ring Road to 'hampton and turn left in Chapel Ash to Tetenhall, steady as you go past Whitick Manor and at B'north through Low Town past the Severn Valley Railway and at the first mini roundabout straight on (if you are walking) into the Bar.
if lost wait till August and follow signs for Folk Festival and ask again.
do not pass go do not..............

---

06 May 10 - 03:16 PM (#2901453)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST

Just bought the fab album "The Truth about 1812", Saw them in 1975 as a student at Coventry College of education - have searched all this time to find an LP. It was a truly great night - funny and creative and entertaining. I hope the gentlemen of the duo feel happy and content that they have provided so much happiness for others over the years. A great achievement.
Best wishes

David Clegg

---

06 May 10 - 03:21 PM (#2901457)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: breezy

Share more about please

---

13 Mar 11 - 02:50 PM (#3113016)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST

can some enteprising person put the truth about 1812 on c.d this is such a great album to lose !!!!!

---

13 Mar 11 - 02:58 PM (#3113020)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST

if anybody can put the truth about 1812 on cd let me know please [e-mail] chers

---

29 Jan 12 - 03:33 PM (#3298600)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST

I'd love to get a copy of their recordings, if anyone has one. I think I saw them only once or twice, but I still remember almost all the words to one verse of 1812:
"When I was young I went to public school
Everybody thought I was a fool
Rugby football was the only game I'd play
If they'd have let me I'd have played it every day
Then Eaton College sent a team along
They stood around and sang the boating song
? ? ? ? ?
But when we got them on the field to play
We beat them 18 - 12
One goal, three penalties
and
a
try"
(This last bit is probably wrong - I don't know rugby scoring).
I remember another verse of this song is about a rail journey and has the line,
"I caught the 18:12"

BTW - Is the Harvey Andrews who wrote above the same Harvey Andrews who wrote the best anti-war song ever - Soldier? I had this album on vinyl and I've been looking for a CD version!

---

29 Jan 12 - 03:50 PM (#3298610)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: Paul Burke

In the old days, a goal was 3 points, a penalty was 3 points, and a try was 5 points. That's seventeen- unless the goal was a conversion, which was two points, and the total becomes sixteen. And if the try was converted (and not mentioned) that makes nineteen.

"One goal, three penalties and a try" has echoes of Tom Lehrer's "three game wardens, seven hunters and a cow".

---

21 Mar 12 - 10:21 AM (#3326314)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,Wiggy

The LP "The truth about 1812" was recorded live at my father and grand fathers folk club at the Black horse pub in Amberly West Sussex in 1975. The folk club closed in 1980 as they wanted to turn it into a bistro! My uncle restarted it a few years ago, again at the Black horse. That pub was sold and closed two weeks ago, and so the folk club has just moved to the George and dragon in Houghton, I think it runs every Tuesday.

---

21 Mar 12 - 03:02 PM (#3326513)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: breezy

In the 60s I think it was

a try was worth 3 points plus a conversion added 2 points = 5 points

A penalty was 3 points

a drop goal 2 points


so 3 converted tries plus a penalty would make 18

but so what, who cares,

Yes thats THE Harvey Andrews

his sisters did well also !!

---

09 Aug 12 - 01:38 AM (#3387854)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST

Used to make folk recordings off the BBC in the mid 70s and 1812 rings a bell - if they did a version of Jake Thackray's Sister Josephine, I still listen to it in the car.

---

09 Aug 12 - 03:15 PM (#3388082)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: Big Al Whittle

1812 were great,

I remember classics like Bernard had a motor car - song that went to the tune of The Hall of the Mountain Kibg.

and (to the tune of the Can-Can)

I once knew a girl called Lisa
She was such a teaser
That she lived in paris
With a rich old geezer
So beautiful is Lisa
If she went ti OPisa
Iam sur the tower
Would stand up straight

More importantly Geof was a great guy. Like my wife he had contracted Rheumatoid Arthritis at a very young age and the disease had gone through him like an express train. We were at our wits end at the time. and he spent ages talking to us and reassuring us that help was available.

If you're out there. Thanks mate. Good deeds like that aren't forgotten. We treasure them in our hearts.

---

14 Feb 13 - 05:28 PM (#3479736)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,silver

i remember seeing 1812 way back in the 70s at the white lion chasetown,they also done a gig in lichfield, i remember derick singing a song about a marrow, great guys that gave so much plesure.thanks

---

14 Feb 13 - 05:48 PM (#3479746)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: McGrath of Harlow

It'd perhaps be a less missleading thread with the Country,or at least the c, reinstated...

---

15 Feb 13 - 04:55 AM (#3479888)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: breezy

I began this thread when Harvey was a young man

If anyone is able to come up with recordings can they P M me please

hi Alan how you doing? i think you sent me some once but I'm still chasing

If you can help it would be appreciated

Whats the latest on Geoff?.

guest could sign up , no charge

breezy

---

15 Feb 13 - 05:11 AM (#3479892)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: John MacKenzie

This is all I can find.

---

16 Feb 13 - 03:59 AM (#3480268)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle

One of the reasons I love mudcat is that just looking at a thread like this reminds me of a time when someone was kind to me. Like Geof was.

Is it my imagination or did Geof do some gigs with John Dunkerly, when the Campbells were splitting - which they seemed to be on the point of doing for years. For some reason, I seem to remember a version of Peggy Gordon with Geof on Guitar and vocal and John on electronic keyboard - at Nina Sziffis's club at Coleshill.

---

01 Dec 13 - 10:55 AM (#3580407)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,Brian Greene

I still perform 'Wedding at a Nudist Colony' and it still makes everyone laugh - what brilliant material it was!!

---

02 Dec 13 - 03:36 AM (#3580603)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: Thompson

Sounds like a fabulous radio programme - search for them, play their old music, get them together for a concert…

---

22 May 14 - 03:20 PM (#3627695)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,Paul Griffiths

As a child my mother was big friends with the Crafts and I remember many a childhood evening at their home and growing up with Dereks children, Edward and Paula :-)

I still remember this from listening from the room next door to Derk singing these lyrics.Excuse me these as remembered not probably exact.

Bernards brought a motorcar, motorcar, motorcar
Bernards brought a motorcar for driving in the county
Only cost him £8 10 £8 10

And so it went on hysterically until near the end when Bernard crashed his car and Derek and Geoff burst into laughter...

Happy and lucky childhood memories.

My mother was Ann Crick later to become Ann Griffiths, she passed away many years ago but I would love to hear from any of you who may share these memories ;-)

---

11 Nov 15 - 01:14 PM (#3750082)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST

Can anyone help,
I did have the record many moons ago with Nudist colony etc on it.
Was there ever a CD brought out with their songs on it. Please..

---

11 Nov 15 - 01:39 PM (#3750087)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: keberoxu

For the record, Geoff Bodenham passed away this year -- perhaps this has been posted on a different mudcat thread?

---

07 Dec 15 - 05:04 AM (#3756338)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,rayfaz

hello all..
i have just digitalised my copy of "The truth about 1812 overture"..LP.. so now on CD..

absolutely fab songs.. So sad to hear about Geoff Bodenham.. what a great duo with Derek Craft...

Ray

---

10 Dec 15 - 10:50 AM (#3757414)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,SteveH

I recently came across a recording I made on audio tape of 1812 performing on BBC Folk75. They did:
- Two Little Folky Chaps
- The Lodger (Jake Thackeray)
- Pollution
- The Waters is Wide
- (Opera item)
- 1812
- Gypsy Rover
The recording is reasonable for its age and clear enough to understand the words.

Steve

---

10 Dec 15 - 02:20 PM (#3757467)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: keberoxu

At least one Mudcat thread requests a Geoff Bodenham lyric, and the thread is still waiting for it.

These two songwriters are new to me, but their lyrics sound tantalizing. Now I'm curious as well.

Those of you who know these songs, care to share?

---

29 Jan 16 - 12:17 PM (#3769134)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,rayfaz

hello - if anybody would like a CD of "The Truth About 1812" then please email me... [e-mail]

superb album....

Ray

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWkfn5MFsOU&feature=youtu.be?

---

16 May 16 - 06:50 AM (#3790558)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,Dave Sampson

I understand that Geoff Bodenham in later life became a local councilor as well as a well known pub Land lord. I heard about three years ago that he had died. I wish there was an album or CD of their performances. Some years ago I gave somebody a live recording of Jake Thackray at The Wurzel Bush Folk Club (When it was at The Fletch circa 1975) it was used for a CD. Unfortunately I don't have any tapes of 1812 but I would love someone to collect up all the cassette recordings which must still be around and make a retro CD of 1812.

---

31 May 16 - 02:49 AM (#3792983)
Subject: Track Listing: The Truth about 1812
From: Joe Offer

discogs.com has the track listing for the 1975 album titled The Truth about 1812.

A1        Bernard's Motor Car        
A2        Girlfriends        
A3        Nurse        
A4        1812        
B1        Two Little Chaps        
B2        Nudist Colony        
B3        Effluent Society        
B4        She Was Poor But She Was Honest        

Credits
Design – Hunt Emerson, Ralph Wigg
Engineer – John Hassell
Producer – Joe Stead
Vocals,Flute,Horn – Derek Craft
Vocals,Guitar – Geof Bodenham

Notes
Recorded At The Black Horse Folk Club, Amberley
on Monday 27th January 1975.

---

Entire album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWkfn5MFsOU&feature=youtu.be

---

11 Jun 16 - 05:41 AM (#3794828)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,Stefan Buk

I have been interested in the folk circuit for years, only now just beginning toi play again in clubs-- (in my 60's now). This is amazing!! I never thought I would ever come across this talented pair again -- I used to follow them while I was at Uni in the 70's Thanks for the link to the U-tube video. Also thanks for the link to Discogs.com-- I found more information about another of my favourite blasts from the past, Peter Bond and his hard to get recordings.It would indeed be great(er)if a CD could be put together with some more info about Derek and Geoffrey, possibly some pics, I would be prepared to buy; until then.. have to be content with listening to theU-Tube vid. Incidentally, is that a copy of a vinyl sleeve on the vid?

---

11 Nov 16 - 12:51 AM (#3819766)
Subject: ADD: Bernard Bought a Motor Car
From: GUEST

Bernard Bought a Motor Car:

Bernard bought a motor car, motor car, motor car
Bernard bought a motor car, for riding in the country (pronounced cuntray in Black Cuntray)
Only cost him eight pound ten, eight pound ten, eight pound ten,
Only cost him eight pound ten, including the insurance

His first trip went rather well, rather well, rather well
His first trip went rather well, until he reached a hill

Car began to pick up speed, pick up speed, pick up speed,
Car began to pick up speed, much to his consternation

Pushed the brake down to the floor, to the floor, to the floor.
Pushed the brake down to the floor, but still the car went faster -

(up the tempo with each line)
Grabbed the handbrake, pulled it hard, pulled it hard, pulled it hard,
Grabbed the handbrake, pulled it hard, it came off in 'is hand!

(getting frantic)
Slammed her into 2nd gear, 2nd gear, 2nd gear
Slammed her into 2nd gear, the engine fell to pieces!

Then he saw a herd of cows, herd of cows, herd of cows
Then he saw a herd of cows, a-blocking up the roadway...

Look out! look out! Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!

Drove into a duckpond that conveniently was near! Look out!!! Splash

- followed by hall of the mountain king on flute then -

Now Bernard's bought himself a motorcycle for twenty-seven pounds ten!

Came on this site to find the words to "Nudist Colony" but not here it seems.

---

11 Nov 16 - 01:05 PM (#3819904)
Subject: RE: Help: what happened to 1812, folk duo, black
From: GUEST,keberoxu

You left out

"but the cows just didn't seem to hear...."

---

14 Feb 19 - 01:26 PM (#3976681)
Subject: RE: What happened to 1812, folk duo, black country
From: GUEST

Two Little Folky Chaps Are We
Playing together merrily
I play with him and he plays with me
Two Little Folky Chaps

Anyone recall the rest of the song ?

---

16 Sep 19 - 05:29 PM (#4009176)
Subject: RE: What happened to 1812, folk duo, black country
From: GUEST,Tim

That and more are at The Truth About 1812

---

16 Sep 19 - 07:22 PM (#4009192)
Subject: RE: What happened to 1812, folk duo, black country
From: keberoxu

By the by,
"Nudist Colony" now has its own
"Lyric Added" thread here.

---

16 Sep 19 - 08:12 PM (#4009202)
Subject: RE: What happened to 1812, folk duo, black country
From: GUEST,Starship

The Crown Folk in 1969. They later became 1812.

---

09 Nov 22 - 06:03 PM (#4157204)
Subject: RE: What happened to 1812, folk duo, black country
From: GUEST,Helen bodenham

Hi all apologies that I have not been on here for a while. Can I please ask if anyone has any live recordings of Geoff Bodenham or 1812 to get in touch please. I am
trying to get copies. Thankyou in advance. ??

---