Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 04:23 PM

I am trying to get over the "man" flu. Fever only lasted couple of days and only reached 102.4 But the cough just keeps niggling away at me. 5 weeks and it just won't quit. That is what I call endurance.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 04:58 PM

Growler - inability to keep the gob shut? Tu me blagues!

Hi Dilligaf and KTC - looking at that range - lifty? Or does that make it my turn to Volvo? I'll be wanting to leave when the Morris starts(!) Maybe I'd better drive myself.

For those who will be stir-crazy by the 28th, don't forget that on that day the Nag's Head (Lower Coke, ME3 9RD) starts lunchtime, and Frittenden is in the evening.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: GUEST,Girl Friday sans cookie
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 08:40 AM

Tam.... you should get another oppinion on that cough... have you had a chest x ray?

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 08:52 AM

Sue It is getting much better daily. Not going back to GP unless I am dying. I have inhaler. Must just remember to use it.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 06:21 PM

Well, partly so that I can refer others to this thread I thought I would record the excellence of the sing at the Good Intent today.

A room rammed with people, rafts of extra chairs required, about 25 singers and players, and for the five hours I was there not a single dud song or rendition, cheat sheets rarely seen (and even when they were, the songs largely unimpaired) and a good quantity of traditional or traditional-ish material (and a range reflecting the spiritual season of the year, too).

Speaking for myself I slightly missed a descant line in the last verse of "Walk me out in the Morning Dew", sang "favourable gale" in stead of "nor'ly gale" in the second verse of Maui, got half a line wrong in "Famous Flower of Serving Men" and half a line wrong in "The Lykewake Dirge". I'll stick my neck out and say I was quite pleased with myself.

John Barden sang his heart out, Brian and Marion Rodgers varied from better than good to better than excellent, Marian Button's voice was as charismatic as usual, Wee Jock was in fine voice, Paul from Sheppey was error-free and evocative, Fisheye's Martin was ringing well, Pete the Hat in one song worked the assembled company like a real pro, and there was a woman (new to me) from Sheppey who was spectacularly brilliant - better than many of the female young turk singers of the moment.

Will we manage to do as well tomorrow and will the 28th at Lower Stoke be anywhere near as good?

If so, no, I don't think folk and similar singing is dying at all.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 03:51 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: The Barden of England
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 04:38 AM

It was so good to see people from Eltham, Chelmsford, Hastings, Sheppey, Chipstead, Isle of Grain an d all points of the compass get together for a wonderous afternoon singinging and playing together. One of those moments that warms the cockles, and in these very difficult times, makes you remember what life is really all about. Thank you all for such a sensational day.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 02:25 PM

Thanks to Growler for organising this event. Thanks to Barden of England for managing the festivities yesterday and to Ruff and Reddy for today.

Special thanks to Karen and Dal for providing the perfect playground (the Good Intent) and some yummy ales. I love that Bath Festivity.

Thanks to everyone for phenomenal music. We had a brilliant weekend.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 04:14 PM

Oh! Thanks RB for doing Uncle Joe's Mint Balls. Errr.... that didn't sound right. For playing Uncle Joe's Mint Balls. Nope that one is no better. You know what I mean.

The Osama bin Laden song was fantastic. Any chance of getting the lyrics to Jock's song about the Good Intent?

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 04:36 PM

VT, I thought you were spectacular today!
I liked the Rudolph's Ruin so much I drank nothing else!

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 04:49 PM

How good to see that a good time was had by all!

Let's leave the nay sayers to wallow in their own gloom!

Best Christmas Wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: growler
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 04:57 PM

Thanks one and all. the third Wassial and the best. Thank you to the alians, who have kidnapped Richard and replaced him with a human and thanks, as always, to Karen and Dall, who have worked hard, getting the beer ready and keeping it flowing.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 10:40 PM

Wow, Famous Flower, Richard, I'm impressed! never heard any but Martin sing that. Do you sing it as fast as he does?

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 03:17 AM

I do a very shortened version - I've got it down to 19 verses without losing any essential story, and I do it at a furious pace, over an almost rock riff (nearly 120 bpm as the disco boys would count it).   Greatly aided on the day (Saturday) by a bodhran player wh kept a driving rhythm across the way the guitar shifts from the on-beat to the off-beat halfway through each stanza.

Locally (before he moved away) Paul Hurst used to do it much more the way that Martin Carthy did it, with all the clever finger-style stuff..

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: TheSilentOne
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 04:42 AM

Just decided I had to break my silence after such a wonderful weekend of music at the GI. The much-misused word "awesome", used in its true sencse, captures my feelings about the two days. I don't think I've ever experienced such a consistently good level of singing and playing. Not to reflect on any others, but I have to mention (Jo?) the singer from Sheppey whose performances were a revelation.

Thank you everyone.
-----
Tam's partner Chris

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: GUEST,Pete the Hat
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 01:45 PM

What a great afternoon it was fun fromk the moment

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: GUEST,[Pete the Hat
Date: 22 Dec 08 - 02:02 PM

Bloody Par-larva
Has I was saying.
What a great Afternoon, fun from the moment I walked in the Pub. To think it was I who made the Great John Barden slide off his fret board and go all Twangy wangy. when he saw me wearing me Pilots Hat.( Chubby Brown Indeed)

Well done to all singers musicians reciters. everyone performed very well.
It was great to see fellow folkmobbers in tow.

RB your memory for lyrics and verse are exceptional and quite behond me.

Unfortunately I must put work before all else and has much as I enjoy getting pissed and listening to great music and song it appears I will have to go into work on the 28th December. If I get a reprive I will get there somehow,see if I dont.
Finally have a gdreat Xmas and a great New year everyone and I shall hopefully see you all soon. Pete.


What do you call a Asmatic Vampire.


Vlad the Inhaler

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Canberra Chris
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:20 AM

Glad to hear the Good Intent is going so strong - great memories.

Best wishes to Trev - take it easier.

Chris

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:22 AM

RB. Your capacity to remember every mistake you yourself made is a bit scary and quite unnecessary. Your performances were (as they usually are) compelling. Sorry I had to excuse myself several times for requisite coughing fit during your songs.

I was quite taken with (I think) This Ay Nicht. I have only heard it done by Mediaeval Baebes which is now relegated to "Easy Listening" compared to your version. Thank you for that.

Looking forward to next weekend(cough left far behind). Thanks again for the kind compliment above.

Pierre la chapeaux - we will miss you next weekend and did not see or hear enough of you this last weekend. Vos priorités, monsieur!

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: GUEST,Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:05 AM

That's the Lykewake Dirge. Curiously that unsettling tune is Victorian, but it complements the traditional words perfectly. Thank you for your kind remarks. I think the definitive version is the Watersons.

I am sure that Pierre will wish to be le chapeau.

Or maybe le capot (which is not a capo).

Which reminds me of the joke about the Englishman whose wife died while they were on holiday in France. Distraught he went out to buy a black hat as a sign of mourning. Alas his French betrayed him. He entered the village store and the following ensued:

"Bonjour."
"Bonjour monsieur."
"J'aimerais acheter un capot noir s'il vous plait."
"Un capot noir, monsieur?"
"Oui, un capot noir, ma femme vient de mourir."
"Mais monsieur, quelle delicace!"

Er - WLD, yes, we are middle class!

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:34 AM

Awwww, Famous Flower AND Lykewake Dirge?! starting to wish I'd been there! :(

(hate to think how long the drive would be from Bristol though)

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Girl Friday
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 11:42 AM

Well you did all have a good time didn't you? Thanks for the good wishes and the PM to Canberra Chris.Merry Christmas everybody.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 12:33 PM

Pierre will wish to be le chapeau.

I meant to do les chapeaux then thought about doing de la chapeaux as he has more than one. Buggered it all up. It was early this morning and I was hurrying so I could get ready for work.

I know excuses excuses.

Not sure what is meant by capot unless it is French euphemism for condom. In which case... Pas besoin d'être délicat lors de la pratique de nécrophilie?

I have no idea if the Google translation is correct. Probably the French would not put the phrase so. French study too is far back in the past to attempt doing it myself.

Lykewake Dirge... will try to remember that.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: GUEST,Pete the hat
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:13 PM

Saints preserve us "man alive, Im trelling you,
Pierre le Chapeau,
Thats a nick name I have not been called for Donkeys years. That name goes back to those days behond recall when I lived in Bromley. And wore a hat , Lord above us.
I think there are only two places these days in bromley where that name will be remembered. The three compasses. And the Railway Tavern. I settle for ever name, both remind me of times and
friends I once had.

I cannot understand French. All that mascaline and femimine
par-larva.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:53 PM

I'm pretty sure Steeleye Span did Lykewake too. Such images the words conjure up....

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 01:54 PM

Lyrics, I meant.

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: growler
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:15 PM

What ?????

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:17 PM

The lyrics of Lykewake Dirge evoke very dramatic and colourful images for me... is what I meant. :)

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:50 PM

He hasn't been well. All that death stuff is a bit close to home...

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Canberra Chris
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 11:56 PM

The Young Tradition did a good L:ykewake Dirge too. At the National Folk Festival in Canberra at Easter there is by tradition a (non faith-based) hymn session, actually run by Mudcat's very own Hrogarth (hi!), which is well attended, and sports a most imaginative hymn book which includes such delights as 'Drop-kick Me, Jesus, Through the Goalposts of Life', and the Lykewake Dirge which has been my pick, being a favourite, and the closest I will come to delivering a Hellfire and Damnation sermon.

Sorry to miss your rendition, Richard.

Is it the Tibetan Book of the Dead abridged for people with a short attention span? I always get the feeling there is a longer version out there somewhere, but I've never looked.

Chris

Subject: RE: Wassail Good Intent Rochester UK
From: Dead Horse
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 01:49 AM

"Not sure what is meant by capot unless it is French euphemism for condom."

A capot is a hat shaped device for altering the pitch of a singers voice.
When worn about the male appendage and the hat-band is tightened, it converts basso profundo to castrati.

Richard wears one you know :-)