The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #17887   Message #814933
Posted By: mmb
30-Oct-02 - 11:09 PM
Thread Name: Help: Helen Schneyer!..Tell me about her
Subject: RE: Help: Helen Schneyer!..Tell me about her
It is so heartwarming to see so many others still singing Helen's praises, both literally and figuratively!

Kendall, I think it was during Fox Hollow '75 that one of the a capella workshops was held just sitting in a circle in the meadow. I had just learned Lonesome Robin that year and sang it during the workshop. My mother had passed away that same year, and the line "You're wonderin' what Marian's found to do that's better than comin' to see you . . ." was especially powerful for me. Imagine my feeling to look across the circle as I finished and see Helen in tears!

Pete, I think that garment-tossing was at least a couple years later than '70. I wasn't introduced to the Eighth Step until 71-72, and from thence to Fox Hollow and Indian Neck. I was one of the co-conspirators who cooked up that whole scheme. And Helen still talks about being pelted with our "garments that (were) stainedd with sin" !

Nancy, I'll check with Helen about sharing the actual tapes. My little recorder is far from professional, and she may not be comfortable with indiscriminate distribution.

Not Helen-related, Speaking of areas where people do and don't sing along: Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen make a stop in my part of FL every winter (wise folk, they!). A couple years ago, two Albany-area friends were sailing down the Gulf Coast and happened to hit the area at the same time as Steve and Cindy's performance. The three of us surprised them by sitting right up front at their concert, and did our usual PSG-style singing-along . . . to the frowns and turned heads of audience members who had paid to hear the performers, thank you very much! After the break, when one of the other paying customers asked us to please tone down our enthusiasm, we restrained ourselves, which was immensely frustrating - - and distracting.