It really was a fine turnout Saturday, and I must admit I was a little worried given the lack of Mudcatters who had posted their interest in going, only a half dozen or so. But there were at least eight folks from Gloucester, ten or so from New York City, Paul from the Albany area, Michael Kennedy and Chris from upstate New York, a dozen teenagers from the NYC area who were sketching performers, Jerry Bryant, Deb Cowan, Jon Campbell & Marilyn, Peter and Marty from the Press Room shanty swaps, Heather, Bill, and Lisa from the MIT shanty sessions, and many others. I think I was the only one from Maine. In addition to Justine and Natalie, Barry's singing partner Neil Downey was also there (and led "Heavy Cruiser").

Chris started things off with "Shanty for Barry" and I followed with the song I composed "The Press Room's Extra Voice." Alex from Gloucester also sang his song in remembrance of Barry. I also sang Barry version of the "Yangtse River Shanty" which he had learned from me but had magically transformed into a working capstan shanty.

The Mystic folks were well represented by Geoff Kaufmann, David Littlefield, Don Senetti, Rick Spencer, and younger members of the shanty staff. The Chantelles were there. The John Girls were all there, and strutted out one by one to join in the singing of "Johnson Girls." Ken Schatz led "West Indies Blues" which is a particular treat for me because it is a song I've introduced and it was a joy to hear it sung so well.

There's really no way that any one person can attempt to describe this kind of event and do justice to all that was happening.

Suffice to say I am very happy I was able to attend, and that the event was so well attended and successful. And Barry's only complaint would have been that there was no public singing (that I was aware of) afterwards.

Michael Kennedy, Chris and I were all planning to stay over for the night so we went out for a quiet dinner, and then swapped C. Fox Smith songs (that we'd adapted for singing) back and forth in our motel room for a couple of hours. Mike is one fine musician and I am encouraging him to begin recording his songs.

The next morning I went over to the Museum Store and harvested another load of their discounted nautical books. And by accident ran into two of the art instructors who were escorting the teenagers from NYC. They were delighted with the chanty blast, and I took the opportunity to invite them to the chanty session next Saturday, 7:30 pm at the Seamen's Church in the South Street Seaport area and they appeared eager to follow up my suggestion. As I've mentioned in this thread I'd planned to continue on down to NYC myself and in fact I'm posting this note from the kitchen table of my brother's house in Brooklyn where I'll be in residence until next Sunday.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, in Brooklyn