The Raftsmen
Encyclopedia
The Raftsmen was a Canadian folk music group active through the early and mid 1960s. Initially formed by Louis Leroux, Martin Overland and Marvin Burke, the group played a variety of instruments, including guitar, banjo and percussion. Along with The Travellers
, the group was one of the most prominent and popular Canadian groups of the time. Its recordings for RCA (RCA Camden in the United States) sold well, and its single (on Apex Records) of Oscar Brand
’s Something to Sing About
was a national hit in the celebratory time before the Canadian centennial in 1967.
The successor group, formed after the departure of Overland and Burke, both now deceased, comprised Leroux, bassist Guy Pilette, and 12-string guitarist and arranger Donald Steven
. Known also as The New Raftsmen and The Raftsmen III, the group toured and performed primarily in Eastern Canada and recorded for Banff, Rodeo, Melbourne and 20th Century Fox Records. Its single of Gordon Lightfoot
’s The Hands I Love (known also as Song For A Winter's Night
) was a hit and received considerable air play.
Leroux subsequently became well known for his flamenco-style guitar technique, and is still sought out as a teacher.
Singles
The Travellers (band)
For other meanings of the term see The Travellers For the American folk trio see Travelers 3The Travellers were a Canadian folk singing group which formed in the summer of 1953...
, the group was one of the most prominent and popular Canadian groups of the time. Its recordings for RCA (RCA Camden in the United States) sold well, and its single (on Apex Records) of Oscar Brand
Oscar Brand
Oscar Brand is a folk singer, songwriter, and author. In his career, spanning over 60 years, he has composed at least 300 songs and released nearly 100 albums, among them Canadian and American patriotic songs...
’s Something to Sing About
Something to Sing About
"Something to Sing About" is a patriotic song written by folk singer Oscar Brand that sings the praises of the many different regions of Canada...
was a national hit in the celebratory time before the Canadian centennial in 1967.
The successor group, formed after the departure of Overland and Burke, both now deceased, comprised Leroux, bassist Guy Pilette, and 12-string guitarist and arranger Donald Steven
Donald Steven
Donald Steven is a Canadian-American composer, music educator, and academic administrator. A member of the Canadian League of Composers and an associate of the Canadian Music Centre, he won a BMI Student Composer Award in 1970, the Canadian Federation of University Women's Golden Jubilee Creative...
. Known also as The New Raftsmen and The Raftsmen III, the group toured and performed primarily in Eastern Canada and recorded for Banff, Rodeo, Melbourne and 20th Century Fox Records. Its single of Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s...
’s The Hands I Love (known also as Song For A Winter's Night
Song For A Winter's Night
"Song for a Winter's Night" is the title of a song written by Gordon Lightfoot, and first recorded for his 1967 album, The Way I Feel. Lightfoot actually recorded two versions of the song; the second appears on the 1975 album Gord's Gold, a greatest hits compilation on which other re-recordings...
) was a hit and received considerable air play.
Leroux subsequently became well known for his flamenco-style guitar technique, and is still sought out as a teacher.
Discography
Albums- Down in the Valley, RCA LPM/LSP-2598
- This Land Is Your Land, Camden CAS 757
- Here and There, RCA LPM/LSP 2479
- A Night At Le Pavillon, RCA LPM/LSP-2677
- On Target (Raftsmen III), Banff RBS 1279
- The Raftsmen, Rodeo SRLP 7116
Singles
- Something To Sing About, Apex 76886
- Hands I Love, Melbourne, 20th Century Fox 6698, TF-80814