Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 05:14 PM

I have to admit. I heard alot of snoreing back aft but I didn't hear any puking. Then again I spent so little time in my bunk this year. Oh well I'm off to the Gris, I'll sleep tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 03:54 PM

Maybe that poor retching sod from the Conrad is still
in the heads.

(There's one every year--- or at least every other year.
Last year someone pitched headlong into the pond by
the main entrance. A few years back someone in present
company took a long walk off a short YTB dock. And I'll
never forget the night on the Mystic Whaler when a fellow
was 'shouting for Huey' over the side--- every hour on the
hour--- in the rain. In the officer's quarters of the Conrad,
eh? Must have been a performer or senior volunteer. Then
there was the year when one of the National Treasures of
Merrie Olde England was pall-borne down the Conrad companionway
to the singing of 'General Taylor.' It's quieter in the years
when the Irish come over. They drink it all up, leaving none
to tempt the fates of the amateurs.)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 03:30 PM

Just another special moment to share. Those who have attended this Festival know that it always ends with all the surviving performers singing "Rolling Down to Old Maui." Well, this year the sun sneaked through the shed flaps and lit up Hugill's picture on an easel during the final chorus.

I suppose everyone else who attended the Festival is still in Mystic singing and having a good time. At least they're not posting reports. If I find out that is true I'll be a very bitter man.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:44 PM

Barry et al-

I've just pulled in after staying with Norris Dale in Worcester last night. I didn't trust myself to drive all the way back to Maine after completing the final take-down of the Lighthouse Point stage late Sunday afternoon. I did manage at least 5 hours of sleep each night from Thursday through Saturday, so I'm frankly puzzled why I was feeling I might be a danger to myself and others on the highway.

Jon Campbell's friends from the Pacific Northwest, the Fisher Poets, earned themselves a warm welcome and I for one would love to share another evening with them, maybe tell them a few stories in return from the coast of Maine.

My overall impression of the Festival? Much better managed than last year but still room for improvement. I think everyone would agree that the sound management under the tender loving care of Marc Bernier, with Dennis Cook at the board at the important Lighthouse Point stage, was vastly improved. The food for volunteers and performers was there in adequate supply and not particularly exciting, but I don't come to this Festival to eat. There was free beer for everyone at the after hours shanty shouts at the dancehall across the street; I do appreciate that and thanks to whoever managed to maneuver that one through. The CD sales is still a major headache for some performers, overly bureaucratic and inflexible; the "stystem" must be particularly frustrating for performers who reside outside of the States. The weather was very wet Saturday but that cannot be blamed on the Festival management; they did the best they could do with the back-up plan but probably many members of the general public were discouraged from coming. We almost got flooded out at the main stage but it proved to be a fine space for getting out of the weather and enjoying great music.

I was generally pleased with the range of performers, familiar faces and new ones as well, and being positioned at the stage at Lighthouse Point I got a good sample of everyone. I was favorably impressed with almost everyone. The new faces included Lee Murdock from the Great Lakes, The Northern Neck Chanteymen from Virginia, Chanterelle from French Canada, Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat from British Columbia.

The Saturday after concert shanty shout has got to be the most incredible one I've ever witnessed. These evenings in the old dance hall are always amazing but that evening the assembled throng exceeded critical mass and literally exploded! Many years people hang out in some small territory in the room but this year there would be a surge to different parts of the room as someone would begin leading a song, and supporting vocalists would move to provide harmony and volume on chorus or refrain. It was just amazing to watch, as well as listen to. Even experienced shanty singers like Jon Bartlett were saying they'd never been part of such an assembly of good singers, and anyone coming for their first time would have been literally blown away.

I did get Bonnie to lead "London Julie" late in the evening, just for Barry, and I'm sure he must of heard the chorus wafting its way from Mystic to wherever he was around San Francisco Bay. I was thinking of channeling his version of "Roller Bowler" but was too shy to give it a try. I settled for "All Coil Down" when practically everyone had left, while Geoff Kaufman was doing his level best to herd us remnants out the door.

Nor and I had a good time mentoring two of the "pirate" wenches from Brown Univesity; they've got a pack of pirates there that tours around the country and I'd even heard them sing last year at the Camden Opera House in Maine. They are young and enthusiastic, and had never heard "You Can't be a Pirate with All of Your Parts." They loved it!

As in other recent years there was very little "quiet singing" going on after hours. The YTB was practically deserted exept for Michael, Nor and me. Maybe such singing was happening somewhere but I certainly never found out where that was. Maybe I'll make an effort to see if that can be better organized next year. Or maybe there just is no interest, or more likely, can't compete with the shanty shout.

The "Conrad" was wonderful as a refuge for sleeping for me, except for the person heard retching all night in the officers' quarters. They just can't hold their liquor!

I could only catch two of the early symposiums, the one about Danish mermaid songs and Bob Walser's excellent analysis of shanty singing. I'd love to hear a report from anyone who attended the bawdy sea songs lecture.

I Think I'll take a break and have some lunch!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, back in Maine

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:06 PM

GUEST,campbell, I'd very much like to understand what
the remark above means--- can you contact me off-board?

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,campbell
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 10:22 AM

Jesus Barry thats cold getting hung out like that. The event was of course very entertaining, I'll let others elaborate, my friends from Oregon aren't sure exactly what the hell they got themselves into, but they showed up ready to enjoy it fully, but they definitely did pick up that there is was too much behind the scenes crap going on., why not next year everybody figure out how to pull togrther, isn't that what these shanties are all about anyway? If this was my boat ........... campbell

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 07:10 PM

Sure, here it is Sunday, early evening & not a peep!

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jun 07 - 10:10 AM

Van is packed! We'll be rolling on down to Mystic as soon as I log out.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 07 Jun 07 - 08:00 AM

hey Barry - have a great time in SFO -- but perhaps someone will shanghai you before you leave and bring you to Mystic - wouldn't that be terrible?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Jun 07 - 03:11 AM

Thanks Pam, I wish it would start, I'm getting tired of hearing about the second coming of Stan, already. After all this pre-chatter-bullshit you guys better come back & report in full detail & in great depth about everything, I even want to hear if a bird takes a dump on deck. There ya go Pam.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Pamela in Ithaca
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 10:06 PM

Alright you all - have a great time.
Barry Finn and I want a full report when it's all over.

-Pamela

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 09:59 PM

dang it all, just noticed that a calf is ailing... so not sure when we'll get to leave.... Murphy's Law sucks

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 09:34 PM

See you all there

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 07:14 PM

I hope to leave early thurs AM to get there by 6 PM.... but the truck's still unpacked & I'm running ( actually crawling is closer to it) around trying to get things organized.... tradition!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 03:31 PM

One more time -- didn't notice that I was logged in as a guest - someone stole my cookie!

that last message was from me!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 03:29 PM

you should! there really is nothing else like it.

I won't be there till early Friday and Chris later in the day. I'm already finding it difficult to concentrate at work.

The symposium looks like fun too, so if we don't spend all night singing (ha, ha) we might actually make it.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Kim C
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 01:52 PM

I swear that someday I am coming to this festival.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 08:48 AM

Less than 24 hours to go! Time to re-inventory what I should be bringing.

I wonder what the CD sales layout will be like this year?

I wonder if volunteers will be fed. Oh, well, who needs to eat!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 08:31 PM

less than 48 hours to go. I hope I'm ready.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 11:36 AM

If any Mudcatters attending the Mystic Sea Music Festival want T-shirts (red or navy), PM me before this Thursday and tell me what size(s) and color(s) you want.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 08:28 AM

I will, and Salty Walt.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 10:19 AM

Four more days to the Thursday evening opening concert!

I'm pleased to see that the weather looks pretty good for the entire Festival.

Right now in Maine it's pouring rain all day and the temperature is in the 50's (F.) It's supposed to clear off by Wednesday.

Well, time to get back to packing up the essentials and the none essentials.

Who else will be there Thursday evening, besides Marc, Dennis Cook and myself?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 09:37 PM

They're performing during the day both Saturday and Sunday. So anytime you can get there you stand a good chance of catching them.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,dashford
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 07:06 PM

Anyone have any info on the daytime schedules? There's nothing posted on the Mystic Seaport web site yet. I'm really anxious to see the Northern Neck Chantey Singers but can't make it to their Saturday evening set.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 08:40 PM

Sciencegeek-

I'll look forward to seeing you and Michael again. When are you sailing into town?

I'll be there Thursday afternoon.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 08:34 PM

trying to get things set here on the old homestead ... it's not easy getting a "critter sitter" , so you make sure it's easy for them to tend the stock... lol ... so we can an early start.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:40 PM

less than a week away!! cen't wait!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 30 May 07 - 11:13 AM

Chanteyranger, I will get you a Northern Neck CD and send it back with Walt who is staying at our place. We'll miss you, though. You and Barry have a great time out there; we will listen for the cross-country echoes.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 May 07 - 09:06 AM

Hi Joy, well I may be the one traveling the farthest in the other direction, to the west coast but I'm planning on attending a few shanty sessions while I'm out there. To remind me or you folks that I'll be missing
Have a great time.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 30 May 07 - 08:44 AM

Where is everybody?? Gone to Mystic I suppose - at least next week. If you haven't been there for the festival, you are really missing one of the best festivals of the year.

I won't be there till Friday (work is the curse of the drinking person), but come and join us - see old friends, make new ones!

there will be at least 20 of us from the NYC chantey crowd, a whole bunch from Albany and Glocester, MA, and NH, I believe.

Who, among the non-performers, is coming the farthest? Chime in...

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: JWB
Date: 28 May 07 - 11:02 PM

I dug through some old files this weekend and found the poster, performer's list, and other cultch from my first SMF, in 1985. Pretty simple style back then -- photocopied fliers, no program, no pay, and a couple of kegs of ale on the YTB dock. That's one of the changes I regret the most -- the dock with no ale (sounds like a song...).

There has never been an experience to equal the first time I joined the crew on the stage for the final "Leave Her Johnny" and "Old Maui" -- the sonic blast was unbelievable. And it felt like I was home.

Looking forward to next week, even though I won't be arriving until Saturday morning (step-daughter's high school graduation Friday night, bless her heart). I hope to make up for missing Friday's chantey blast on Saturday night.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 May 07 - 08:53 PM

Wow! My first festival was also 1988! I'll accept an invitation to a beer and a toast to twenty yearsof the greatest weekends of my life. I will find you, Marc, correct, that We will find you and drink to memories and times to come.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 28 May 07 - 08:18 PM

I just finished reading last years thread,(Maybe I should get a life). I find It interesting how some folks can do something for a decade or more, (myself included). and complain about it. And probably will this year too, (myself included). I would venture to say that in my experience, ('88- present [oh no! that's almost 2 decades]) no 2 festivals have really been alike. It seems every year something new has been tried and something dropped. It is still the coolest event of it's kind. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you in 2 weeks. And if we haven't had a beer together in the past couple years, maybe it's time we did.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 07 - 01:30 AM

"And sometimes Ken plays the concertina, and harmonica, and dances the hornpipe!"

You're right there Anglo & he's does it all very well too!

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 25 May 07 - 07:06 PM

As long as we have no disasters again, Mike & I plan to get there Thurs. afternoon.

Charley, did you get a volunteer sheet? Karen called & talked to Mike about our roles, but I expected to get the sign up sheet in the mail.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 25 May 07 - 01:44 PM

Ken plays the English concertina diatonically. :-)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 May 07 - 01:13 PM

Anglo-

And sometimes Ken plays the concertina, and harmonica, and dances the hornpipe!

It's all I can do to play concertina period.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Anglo
Date: 25 May 07 - 01:06 PM

Ken Sweeney plays English concertina. Sometimes he plays a harmonica (which of course works diatonically like the Anglo) -- at the same time. As I recall, Rick Epping of Bob Zentz'z band Scuttlebutt does this as well.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 May 07 - 11:53 AM

Thanks for posting this information. I suppose I could bring a banjo or concertina along. As I recall, Sweeney plays the Anglo concertina.

Bob Webb has a new CD demonstrating a wide range of banjo styles, and making use of at least four different banjos from minstrel to classic 5-string. It's a nicely done CD and I highly recommend it. However, there's only a couple of nautical songs on it.

My current plan is to pull into Mystic Thursday afternoon to help set up sound for the initial evening concert.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 07 - 08:36 AM

The Friday workshop sessions with Cindy Kallet on guitar, Bob Webb on banjo and Ken Sweeney on concertina are now posted on the Seaport website. Sounds like a great opportunity to pick up some pointers from the pros.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 25 May 07 - 08:03 AM

For those of you getting into town early enough. there are a few master classes being offered during the day on Friday. The only 2 I can remember off hand are, Cindy Kallet is doing a guitar session, and Ken Sweeney is doing one for concertina. That stuff should be on the web site, or contact the seaport. See ya there.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 May 07 - 01:28 AM

Sorry to miss it this year. Any SF bay area folks going there willing to get a Northern Neck Menhaden chanteymen CD and I'll reimburse?

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 24 May 07 - 02:22 PM

Speaking of Don Sineti, if you want a "taste" of the festival and plan on being in NJ on Saturday June 2, the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club in Paramus will be presenting Tom Callinan and Don Sineti in an evening of "Songs of the Sea". Many of you problably know Tom and Don from their work with the Morgans.   It will be a real treat to have them "drop anchor" in Paramus for the evening!

The Hurdy Gurdy is located in the Central Unitarian Church at 156 Forest Avenue in Paramus, NJ. For more information you can visit our website at www.hurdygurdyfolk.org

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 24 May 07 - 02:04 PM

When we first started coming to the festival almost 20 years ago , our dear friend Don Sineti was trying to get us to come and told us that it was Christmas and birthday and the things you look forward to most in a year all rolled up into one.Was he ever right, it is our family reunion and our recreation in spirit and body. It is seeing best friends that you see only once a year.It is hot summer afternoons sitting on the grass listening to a concert of old friends and cold beer in a pub session when you have been singing so loud your throat needs a break and it is taking home memories that will last anothe year until that wonderful feeling of anticipation comes around again. Oh I do get carried away, See you all soon. The Heavenly Twins

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 May 07 - 08:57 AM

Two weeks to go, if I'm counting correctly. Time to finalize plans. Where did I put my special pillow? Which squiglies shall I bring for catch and release? What other gear do I need to pack?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 23 May 07 - 02:50 PM

Beer in bottles? We don't like our beer in bottles; makes
it too easy to count how many you've had.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 22 May 07 - 05:09 PM

100th bottle of beer on the wall???

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 22 May 07 - 12:40 PM

A definite highlight of the year - I'll be there -- don't miss it!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 16 May 07 - 06:45 PM

Quite a Pacific Northwest and ex-Pacific Northwest
contingent on the line-up this year, non?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 May 07 - 03:27 PM

Thank Barbara, knowing you'll be replacing me makes me only wish all the more that I'd be there, they'll only be more delighted with your presence & voice. Have a great time.

Barry