Couldn't find a parking place close to Anchor Line, but heard when I got to the Warner House that the events there (Jeff Warner & Jerry Bryant; then London Julie, Alison Lee Freeman and Moira Craig & Carlyn Robson) were packed and enthusiastic -- and people really liked the new venue. I drove around looking fo a parking place closer to The Press Room and the Warner House and managed princess parking smack in front of the Press Room's door. Walked down to the Warner House for the singing in the garden -- John Roberts, Andy Kenna, and Ken Schatz. Alas, had to leave before the end to get the room set up for the Open Sing at The Press Room. Had a full house and a lot of strong voices there. One of the shanties I sang there was one of Tom's (Curmudgeon's) that I'd never led before...dredged it up from some part of my brain. Great concert! London Julie wowed the audience...as did our headliner Andy Kenna. He is just such a fine entertainer. I'm so glad Tom was able to get him in 2009 and that Andy was back this year -- this time on the concert stage. Showmanship and musicianship sure make the audience happy! I got through the tribute to Tom Hall (Curmudgeon) and Bob Webb... I sang one of Tom's songs (Bert Lloyd's version of "Maggie May") -- we kept the tribute upbeat. Dave Peloquin sang one for Bob, the representatives of three groups who formed because of Tom and the festival and the Press Room session (Great Bay Sailor, Mudhook, and London Julie) surprised me by singing the same shanty (as one of the songs they most remembered Tom by) that I had sung for the first time earlier at the Open Sing. Then Jeff Warner sang "The Road to "Mandalay for Bob and John Roberts (who said he didn't remember when he met Tom...he'd just ALWAYS known him) sang a song for both of them. Hutch closed the tribute with "The Parting Glass" which we all joined in on. I should have expected it, but I choked up , tears clogging my singing., and backed away from the microphone. All I could think about was Tom and Bob Frost and David Behm and Rocky Rockwood singing that on the stage at The Music Hall for Jay Smith's memorial. Lots more music today. After my set at the Athenaeum (first time without Tom), I'll be hosting the singing at another new venue, Book & Bar. Shanty Blast at 5 PM in Market Square. Linn
|