21st April 2019: Jessica Davis / The Boatmen / The Settlers
The Boatmen
The Boatmen are a duo from Whittlesey. Dave has been performing in bands and as a solo artist since the 60's and organising open mics and music festivals for the last 20 years. Steve moved back to Whittlesey in 2014 having performed in bands and as a soloist across the UK for as long as he can remember. It was at one of these at the Boat inn nearly 6 years ago that Steve came to and having struck up a friendship they have been together performing ever since. After several reincarnations with other performers they now regularly play covers and original songs as a duo whilst still depping and playing with other bands and performers. They still run open mics together and Steve hosts a monthly songwriters session.
The Settlers
Nostalgia is not a thing of the past
The swinging 60’s was one of the most iconic times in recent history. A time of hope and celebration of change, youth came out of tweed jackets and into loon pants, bells and beads. The music of the day reflected that in the form of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and for those who liked their folk music with a kick, The Settlers. The songs told of happy days in sunshine, love found at bus stops and a zest for life never heard before in popular music.
The Seekers could ‘Never find another you’, Peter, Paul and Mary sang of ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ and Britain’s own Pop/Folk group The Settlers brought ‘The Lightning Tree’ (the theme tune to TV’s Folly Foot Farm) to audiences who couldn’t get enough. Other hit recordings followed like 'Major to Minor' and the Beatles 'Nowhere Man'.
The group went through a transition in 1975 and Steve Smith (having just won ATV’s New Faces as a singer/songwriter) and Patty Vetta (an established face on the British Folk club circuit) were asked to join Mike Jones to keep the original, acoustic, close harmony, melodic style of The Settlers alive.
This line up went on to tour the world, appearing on TV and Radio, including their own TV series ‘The Sound of The Settlers’. In the early 80’s the group finally disbanded and Steve and Patty went on to work with many great stars of the music world such as Lonnie Donegan, Glen Campbell, Don Everly, Diane Solomon, Frank Ifield and so many more. Appearing on BBC television in various guises and for many years, Steve had his own music show on BBC radio for 20 years. Today Steve, Patty, Dave and Tony have brought back the original pop/folk sound of The Settlers, thrilling audiences once again with their close harmony vocals and fabulous musicianship.
Jessica Davis
Jessica is a young singer/ songwriter and loves to perform at different venues with just her voice and guitar. She is self taught on guitar and enjoys playing a mixture of songs from the 60s to the present day.
Jessica started performing when she was 14 years old at local festivals and charity events and as she has grown, so has her music. She can now be found at venues gigging in places such as Peterborough, King's Lynn, Cambridge and many more.
Check out Jessica’s Facebook music page @jessdavismusic