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The Crew |
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So who are ‘The Crew’? ‘The Crew’ are a group of men who
are interested in music and writing and so it was not surprising that when
the idea was raised about writing a story about the Confederate ship,
Alabama, which was built at Laird’s yard in Birkenhead, that they should
come up with the suggestion of turning it into a musical narration and put
it on locally to raise money for small local charities that don’t get the
exposure that the large national organizations do.
The group consists of Dave Tollerton, author, lyric writer, and rhythm
guitarist, Bill Jones who writes the tunes and plays lead guitar, and
Norman Clayton who plays bass guitar. Add to this Bob Jones who also
writes and researches, and some times joins the others on mouth organ, and
vocals and you have ‘The Crew’. |
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Dave Tollerton
and Bil Jones
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semi retired and a published author having had his first
novel, ‘Last Tango in Liverpool,’ released in February 2002. An ex-Royal
Navy man, it wasn’t surprising that the story of the Alabama
grabbed his interest, and he was soon scribbling down lyrics when
the initial tale was put to him. Bill worked on the chords for the songs and together
with Dave they soon had the story in music form ready to perform
in public. |
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Bill Jones. Lead guitarist and photographer, Bill Jones, spent his teenage years
playing in Beat groups of the late 1950’s, early 60’s. The desire to
continue playing, for his own satisfaction, has stayed with him throughout
his life. He is an ex-British Gas employee, now retired, and guitars are
his main hobby. |
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Norman Clayton |
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| Norman is a retired bookkeeper, and enjoys a pint at
his local when he is not involved with the rest of the group playing
bass guitar. He will have a go at most ideas the others come up with,
especially in a practical way. |
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Paul Olaneve
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Since the start of this project there have been
others who have come and gone, but the latest arrival
is Paul Olaneve, who is an actor and was the
narrator of the story on the Alabama CD which has been launched on
the ‘Tales of the Sea’ label, TOTS 1. Paul was surprised at the
story that Dave showed to him, and said he thought it was good
enough, in his mind, to go on at one of the local theatres.
This was when Dave invited him to do the narration for the CD,
which he accepted.
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Bob Jones
Bob is a retired menswear manager and is into
research for the stories that the group have produced in
a similar vein to the story of the American Civil War.
There was so much information uncovered that it was decided
to try and set up an American Civil War Heritage Trail in
Liverpool, and as you can see here there is a real tale to tell. |
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Billy Maher |
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The work has been played, sung and recorded by
BBC Radio Merseyside presenter, Billy Maher, who used to
be with a folk group called The Jackson's, and he is well
known on the club circuit in the North of England. Billy
plays many instruments but prefers guitar and banjo.
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