| G'day Maggie.
Well what can I say mate? The Folk Tradition is alive and
well in Chicago (& Europe) it would seem. Thank heavens for
the Internet. Were would we be without it? Although we
now rely on it so much, I fear that one day someone is going
to pull the plug and switch the bloody thing off!
Well, what a simply wonderful email to receive. A pleasant
surprise on this cold (Southern Hemisphere) Wintery day
in Alice Springs, Australia. No, I'm not a Farmer nor a
Banker. I'm quite a mixed bag really when it comes to
deriving an income. But believe me, I couldn't live without
my music. Which makes it all the more astounding that a
simple little song, written almost 30 years ago now,
is being performed around the world! Not long after
receiving your email, I had contact from Hasse Ekstrom
from the island of Fano off the coast of Denmark. I had to
look it up via Google on the internet. (I've copied Hasse
into this email.) Now I learn that my song, Ocean Liner
is being performed by his shanty group Stork
Ejlaender Shanty Kor Fanø. He also informs me that "De
Boekaniers" from the Netherlands have actually recorded it.
I'm honoured to say the least. If either of you know of any
recordings of Ocean Liner, I'd love to hear from the groups
and receive a copy for my records.
In answer to your question Maggie:
yes, I'd be thrilled to have Bounding Main record Ocean
Liner!
You've caught me on the run this morning.
I'll follow up in a few days and supply a few details of the
songs history along with a copy of the original words as
written back in 1979? (I think.) I note that, with the folk
tradition, a number of words have changed from my original
version.
Wonderful to hear from you both and I do
appreciate your kind words. Although the song never
did start out as being a shanty, it soon became one back
here in Australia. I still sing it myself at local Northern
Territory Folk Festivals.
I'll get back to you soon. Until then, my
regards to all.
Cheers,
|
