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Mystic Sea Music Festival Report
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Subject: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Naemanson Date: 11 Jun 01 - 08:04 AM Hi All! I am home from Mystic and wanted to provide a report before I go back to bed. I am wiped. I figure I got about 7 or 8 hours of sleep all weekend long. I'm glad I take Monday off to recover. I saw a few Mudcatters there: Joy Bennet, Dick Greenhaus and Susan of DT; Dave Diangelis; and Marc Bernier. Marc and Dave were performing and did Mudcat proud. Dave wore his Mudcat T-shirt for the workshops on Saturday and that thrilled Dick and Susan. The evening concerts were fun. Featured at the festival this year were Liam Clancy W/ Robbie O'Connell & Dónal Clancy (Liam's son), Johnson Girls, Martin Hugill, Matapat, Magpie, and Cindy Kallet. What a great time. I don't know where to start. Liam was fun. He was full of energy, had a great time with the music and the drinking, led everyone in song, spouted poetry at regular intervals and generally seemed to have a great time. His son was talented, a little more reserved than his father, but a great addition to the group. Robbie was amazing. He sang some of the funniest songs I've heard in a while. I even got a chance to thank him for my favorite (I'd Like To Have A Mistress). Martin was a surprise for me. I didn't know what to expect and I was having difficulty suppressing a natural cynicism (riding on his father's coat tails…). He is a great and wonderful person. At lunch one day I sat and listened to Don Sinetti and Martin talk of Stan's legacy and whether Stan's grandchildren know of what Stan Hugill means to our little community of shanty singers. I haven't heard Magpie live for years and I never got the chance to express my appreciation of their work. I had forgotten how much fun they are on stage and what a loving couple they are off stage. And, concertina players take note, Greg wowed us with his ability to make the concertina sound like car horns in a traffic jam. (Hmmm, first harmonious thing I've ever heard from a concertina…) Matapat is Benoit Bourque, Gaston Bernard, and Simon Lepage (http://www.borealisrecords.com/Recordings/matapat.htm). They are three very talented musicians from the Province of Quebec and they were a great hit. Benoit dances and plays the bones and we had a great discussion of bones design and technique. And in the concert on Saturday night he demonstrated the Barber Dance where he shaves someone with a straight razor while dancing. The Johnson Girls pushed one of their number, Allison, on to the stage and so Benoit shaved Allison in front of a laughing hooting clapping cheering crowd. Later on I asked about the razor and it IS sharp! He says he did cut a man once because he couldn't sit still with all the music around him. It is hard to sit still while those boys are playing. He said he had never shaved a woman before. Johnson Girls! What can I say? So much energy, such tight harmonies, such talent. They are great. If you ever have a chance to see them take it! I'm wiped. In need to have some breakfast and go back to bed. I'll add to this as the memories surface. By the way, I woke this morning to a loon calling on the river. In the last 5 ½ years I have never heard a loon here. It was a nice welcome home. Brett |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Naemanson Date: 11 Jun 01 - 08:07 AM HOW could I forget? Mudcatter Dave Diangelis was there as a performer and did a wonderful job. That boy can sing! He has a wonderful timbre to his voice and knows his way around a banjo. Great Job, Dave! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: SINSULL Date: 11 Jun 01 - 08:27 AM Wish I could have been there. Anybody else adding to this while Brett naps? |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Billy the Bus Date: 11 Jun 01 - 08:47 AM Pleased to hear Liam Clancy is still spouting off. What poison is he on now? Still Tullamore Dew? Did he give y'all "Dick Darby" - with actions? Even sailors had to have something cobbled up from time to time. Brett - I'm lucky if I hear/play with live "folkies" once a year. I ENVY all the Mudcat posts, like yours that say "I saw so and so... what a weekend.. etc" Tears are running down my cheeks (and legs) as I think back 35 years to when I last saw Liam, in the "Balladeer Coffee Bar" in Wellington NZ .... Here's a toast to Liam, Tom, Paddy and Tommy Makem!
Up the long ladder Etc... And furthermore ??? making concertinas sound "like car horns in a traffic jam" - that's all my asthmatic Lachinal ever sounds like...;) Pleased to hear you weekend ended up "totally Loony". Cheers - Sam |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Brían Date: 11 Jun 01 - 09:38 AM great report Naem'. Robbie and Liam are great. I saw Robbie about a year ago at the State Street Church in Portland ME. Benoit is a one-man event. I have had a chance to see and talk to him a number of times. Glad to hear about the loons. Many happy returns, we hope. Brían. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: DebC Date: 11 Jun 01 - 10:07 AM And of course, Shipping News (Gina Dunlap, Paula Daddio, Eric Yuhas) with a whole bunch of brand new songs that they pulled out of their hat. They did themselves proud. Gina, if you read this, you guys were GREAT!!! Debra |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: dick greenhaus Date: 11 Jun 01 - 10:37 AM Fine festival. To me, the high spot wass hearing Barry Finn belting out shanteys in fine style at the after-concert sing. Glad to see (and hear) you back! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Naemanson Date: 11 Jun 01 - 01:27 PM I MUST have been tired when I wrote that this moirning. I left Deb C and Barry out of my list of Mudcatters. Barry was in fine voice and outlasted me and Charley Noble on Saturday night. Plus he was driving home with his son after the fun. Barry, check in and let us know you got home safely. And that you are well now that the weekend is over. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: SINSULL Date: 11 Jun 01 - 01:50 PM Brett, Barry posted a little jibe at you "young folks" in the Old Song thread. He really did outlast you guys! That's good news. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Naemanson Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:23 PM Well, he has some new parts. And he has been getting lots of rest. But actually I just wanted the old man to feel good about being tougher than me. I really wasn't tired at all...
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Jun 01 - 04:20 PM Nice to see that someone is awake and making reports. I'm still in recovery from sleep deprivation. I always enjoy sitting around in the Youth Traing Center building sharing songs with the smaller group of people who gather there late. This time it was Rick Spencer, John Roberts, Barry Finn – the names are beginning to blur, members of Shipping News and the Johnson Girls. Well, who needs sleep when there's one more great song about to explode upon the world but later....zzzzzzz I particularly liked the workshops and concert presentations by Shipping News and the Johnson Girls, as groups I was less familiar with. But all the other folks above, to which must be added Cliff Haaslem, Bob Webb and Bob Walser, did great singing. Of course, the setting at the shipyard is truly wonderful, especially late at night when you can frame the rising moon through the rigging of the Conrad. Working as a volunteer is great for letting you poke your nose into more corners. I often wonder how many volunteers stow away at the shipyard, only emerging at night to wander around, scuff some leftovers from the galley, sop up the half empty birch beer bottles. Someone should mention the truly splendid weather, perfect for the entire week-end. Some of us, volunteers and performers, will be meeting again next week-end for a smaller sea music festival at the Brickstone Museum in Kenebunk, Maine. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: GUEST,triona Date: 11 Jun 01 - 04:51 PM Shipping News was fabulous! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Marc Date: 11 Jun 01 - 05:27 PM Glad you guys enjoyed yourselves. I know from talking to the guys on the staff they sure did, as well did I. I,ll look forward to seeing you in Maine. Marc Bernier |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Jun 01 - 05:52 PM I just did a new post for the upcoming Sea Music Festival in KENNEBUNK, Maine. I plan to attend and encourage others to also attend but I would like to be clear that what I have posted has not been authorized by the organizers, and THEY should be contacted with regard to making reservations or clarifications. I did work from a poster that Bob Webb lent me.
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Barry Finn Date: 11 Jun 01 - 06:26 PM Hi Naemanson, we did make it home alright, arriving at around 5:oo am. I was gonna just drop my son off than turn around & head back but Gabe convinced me that you guys wouldn't be able to rise from the dead till at least noon time & then you wouldn't last that long into the following night, oh well, it was still a great pleasure to hear you guys so long as you lasted. It was great to see & hear all the other folks too. My first workshop was seeing the Johnson girls & I'd love to thank them for their mention of me, I was just on the verge of tears, thanks you guys. Got to see & chat with Dick & Susan & with Deb C & Shipping News & with John Roberts a good few of the staff & X-staff & wwith Ken of NexTradtion & running briefly into Dave DeAngelis who I really wanted to hear but one day was just not enough. Barry |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Jun 01 - 06:31 PM Gabe was right to pocket your car keys! Glad I was awake enough to share a few songs with you, Barry. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Naemanson Date: 11 Jun 01 - 08:59 PM Hey man, I only needed a few hours of shuteye and I was raring to go again. Up and out and showered before Doug roared through the Conrad. Maybe next year I'll take some instant coffee... Except I keep forgetting I can't go back next year. Drat! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Peter Kasin Date: 12 Jun 01 - 01:32 AM I believe Mudcatter Donna Glover was there, too. I know she planned on being there, along with daughters Daphne and Stephanie. Did you get to meet them, Brett? Fine folks and fine singers.
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Naemanson Date: 12 Jun 01 - 04:07 AM I must have missed them. Dave, Dick, Susan, and I made a point of wearing our Mudcat T-shirts but no one named Donna introduced herself. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: GUEST,Timbrel Date: 12 Jun 01 - 11:08 AM It was indeed a splendid festival. May I be the 175th or so person to congratulate Marc on his stellar concert performance. This was only my 2nd festival -- It was great to meet, sing with, and just hang out with the near-superhuman volunteers, marvelous performers, and mudcatters. Donna Glover was indeed there, with daughters, and they sand separately and together all weekend during the pub sings and at the YTB. Donna also did a few wonderful numbers with Rick Spencer. Looking forward to seeing you all back here next year! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Naemanson Date: 12 Jun 01 - 11:25 AM Now I feel like I've missed something important! I HAVE to meet these people. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: GUEST,Gina Dunlap Date: 12 Jun 01 - 12:40 PM Thanks for the kind words DebC. Shipping News had a great time and the whole festival was just wonderful.It was so nice to see old friends and a great thrill to see our pal Barry Finn in such good form. He belted out Reilly in fine Finn style at the Sat.night sing. Great to have you back Barry! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Marc Date: 12 Jun 01 - 04:05 PM Thanksa for the compliments guys, I really enjoyed myself immensly. Say did anyone out there get a photo of Liam and I singing The Patriot Game saturday night. I'd love a copy if possable. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: katlaughing Date: 12 Jun 01 - 05:41 PM Sounds wonderful! Really nice to hear about Barry, especially! Thanks, kat |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Pelrad Date: 12 Jun 01 - 10:16 PM Ah...Doug may be retired now, but we will have to pry his cold dead fingers from those pipes before he'd discontinue those reveilles on the Conrad. It is a matter of great pride to me that although I have witnessed many years of reveilles I have never once been a victim to it! Barry looks great. A little on the thin side, but very healthy. :-) Alas, I did not get to hear any of the fun in the YTB this year because I am an exhausted mother of two young children. It was a delight to see Martin Hugill again. He is a sweet man and I'm thankful that he is carrying on his father's knowledge. I was surprised by how down-to-earth and friendly Liam Clancy is. Some years we have had guests who didn't care to mingle, but Mr. Clancy did not act the tiniest bit above the rest of the musicians. I think my favorite workshop this year was the Doerflinger Collection on Sunday morning. Excellent choices of material by everyone. Bob Webb and Bob Walser were impressive as always. Jeff Davis gave some wonderful performances, and Benoit from Matapat was lots of fun. The Johnson Girls were as enjoyable as I had hoped (my first time hearing them). I didn't get to hear much of Cindy Kallet, being always in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I did talk several people into buying her cds. I would give my right arm to go to Kennebunc this weekend, but there seems to be a baby hanging on it. If only I had known, I wouldn't have spent all my cash on a trip to northern Maine LAST week! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Peter Kasin Date: 13 Jun 01 - 02:31 AM Any of you get to hear my old friend Celeste Bernardo-Dunn? A hidden gem of a singer and concertina player who hadn't been able to play out much because of her graduate studies and busy job. Now that she's graduated, though, look out! -chanteyranger |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Barry Finn Date: 13 Jun 01 - 08:33 AM Hi Chanteyranger, Yup, she seems fine although they've got her in New York & not in Boston for the time being. She seems fine & as usuall in very good/strong voice. Barry |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: DebC Date: 13 Jun 01 - 09:13 AM I heard Celeste at the Concertina workshop. Wow. She can play those tunes!!! She is also a fine singer as well, and did a nice rendition of Black Ball Line at Sat's pub sing. Deb |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Just another Dave Date: 13 Jun 01 - 04:59 PM Sorry for the cross post!! -- I clicked on the wrong thread. Thanks all for the kind words. Sorry I was not able to post earlier -- but I attended the infamous "Survivors Party" at the Griz on Monday night -- and went back for a second dose on Tuesday to play during Finest Kind's (Don Sineti, Bill Wallach, Gary Buttery) break -- so this is the first chance I've had to get at the computer. I had a great time -- thanks to all who gave their time to put on what is undoubtedly the finest festival of it's kind -- And thanks to all who contributed by attending. And thanks to Margaret McCandless who performed with me at the Family Show. The biggest drawback to performing is that it is very difficult to see the other workshops. I missed the entire Saturday night concert because I was jamming with Spencer, Glover, Yuhas, Ipcar, Milner, Christensen and others in the YTB. Then, I missed the Saturday night session at the Galley -- word has it that Liam remarked that it was the best session he'd been to in his LIFE !!!. I'm sorry I missed it -- but I'm glad that I was well rested for Sunday. Barry, it was great to see you up and about. Sorry we didn't get to chat. Dave De Angelis |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Pelrad Date: 13 Jun 01 - 06:02 PM YES! The minute I signed off last night I remembered I hadn't said anything about Celeste. I was most impreste. ;-) She just gets better and better, and it is so good to see her performing again. She is doing some VERY interesting material. My six month-old daughter is a fan too; she focused on Celeste for the entire 50 minute solo concert. Kim |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Charley Noble Date: 13 Jun 01 - 08:25 PM Then there was that lovely interplay between Cindy Kallet and the Johnson Girls where she begged them not to do any "Willie" songs in the Women of the Seas Workshop, and when they rose to the bait, she slam dunked them with Steve Sellor's "It's all for Me Willie-o", that lovely song about a ship full of women impersonating men, as they discover one by one, searching for one fleet footed Willie.;-) I have to confess being fond of the smaller gatherings at the YTC. The bigger gatherings require great assertiveness and lung power; I did that Friday but really wanted a more cozy gathering Saturday night. Glad there are options, and I'm glad a few people joined our small but jovial crew. Nice to have met some of the Mudcats face to face. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Pelrad Date: 14 Jun 01 - 12:29 PM I love the intimate gatherings in the YTB late at night...I think one of my favorite memories is of one evening (Probably in '92; is it possible it was so long ago?!) when Dick Holdstock, Alan McLeod, Louis Killen, Jeff Warner, Dave Parry and David Jones sat around trading the most obscure songs they knew. Every year I have trouble deciding between the smaller more esoteric stuff in the YTB, and the more boisterous pub sings. I'm not very aggressive, so usually end up in the YTB with my mouth firmly shut, for which I reproach myself for another whole year. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Naemanson Date: 14 Jun 01 - 01:06 PM You too? I always plan to sing in the YTB and then never push hard enough. And reproach myself afterwards. Maybe next time we need to form a support group and push each other to sing! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Neeners Date: 15 Jun 01 - 04:11 PM Here are the lyrics for Ishmae-ale that several people have requested after Sarah and I sang it during the Saturday night pub sing. Enjoy!
ISHMAE-ALE
Chorus
Who was this dude? This Ishmae-something dude?
What's the Pequod? This sorry ship Pequod?
Why a white whale? A huge, malicious whale?
What has this got to do with me Ishmae-ale?
And the whale sank such an ark? I'd have thought that such a bark
And with such an inner drive, did the old Ahab survive?
The tale's end we do desire. Must we once again inquire:
If you are not yet bored, go online: melville.org We wrote this song in March 2001 as students of the semester-long Williams- Mystic maritime studies program at Mystic Seaport, CT for a theatrical performance of Moby Dick staged on the whaleship Charles W. Morgan. We performed "Ishame-ale" in the Seaport's Spouter Tavern during intermission. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Charley Noble Date: 16 Jun 01 - 10:41 AM Splendid! |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Figgyd Date: 20 Jun 01 - 12:50 PM Hi there -- first time up and came across this thread. This year's festival was right on target for me and brought in large names with a link to sea music. For me this was sorely lacking in previous years. Been at the festival off and on for 15 years and this year to my delight I had the pleasure of hearing the Johnson Girls. They blew me away. What fantastic renditions of the shanties. I was fortunate enough to attend a number of workshops where they were -either in force - or as solo members and learned that they are not just about shanties. I was very impressed with Joy Bennet in the Songs of Fishermen and the Women and the Sea workshops. Her knowledge and treatment of the material and the way she handled the introduction made me want to hire her straight away (would that I could). In the worksongs traditions workshop I found their tracing the "voyage" of a particular song, with a few verses of each tracking the song from children's song to mill working song, to shanty to be particularly interesting. They really know their stuff. I was also impressed with the versatility of the group. From Shanties done with a fervour and spirit that made me believe work was being done, to a very renaissance like Italian fishing song, they sang them all. And their willingness to share time with audience members when they are "off" only adds to the equation. Their enthusiam, power, and interpretations, wow! And all this from women. I was skeptical at first, but am now a true believer. I can only imagine what the after hours were like. And I am jealous. I bought their CD and was glad I did. Their enthusiasm for the music shines throughout the CD. A wonderful addition to my Shanty collection. Thank you Johnson Girls for what you bring to a festival and thank you Mystic for giving me the opportunity to hear this truly fantastic group. I hope they will be at the festival again soon. Figgyd
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Joy Bennett Date: 25 Jun 01 - 05:34 PM couldn't find this thread for days. Ok to tell the truth I haven't been on the computer in days. thank you Figgyd! Can I take you with me everywhere I go? O thank you o thank you this maiden replied, that's just what I've been waiting for o. The entire festival was wonderful. We had a great time. And we couldn't have asked for a better audience. more later as i must run. thanks again figgyd! (We need a publicist -- want the job?) |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: marsh Date: 26 Jun 01 - 04:36 PM It was our fifth year at the Mystic festival and what a spectacular time we had. I can't say enough how great The Johnson Girls were! Yup Figgyd, the CD is almost as good as being there! But I'd rather be there. The workshops i was at included the Women and the Sea one where Cindy Kallet and the Johnson Girls played off each other. Bonny did a really neat italian song. The fishermen's songs workshop was great too. I must have seen you there Figgyd, somewhere in the crowd. Joy was really stupendous, with here amazing renditions of traditional and contemporary songs and the ending number of i think fisherman's wife with everyone singing was a great way to end it all. Put Paula from Shipping News? and Joy together in one place, and watch out. Really liked Liam Clancey too. I wasn't expecting that. No more time now so I will end with this. |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: Joy Bennett Date: 27 Jun 01 - 10:33 AM Just a minute to say thanks to Marsh for the kind words. And I must admit one of the highlights of my weekend was seeing, hearing and spending time with Barry. Way to go! Saw him again this past weekend at Old Songs and he gets better and better all the time. Figgyd and marsh -- do I know you? Can't imagine not. Send me a PM if you wish.
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: harriet Date: 28 Jun 01 - 09:58 AM I just joined Mudcat after many outings as a guest. I was going through the threads and found this one and had to put my two cents in. I've been going to the Mystic Fest for about 10 years and agree so much with what has been said here. Celest Bernardo is one of my favorites. I had not heard of The Johnson Girls until recently. I'm glad I went to many of their workshops. They are really fine singers and interpreters of the genre and I hope to see them again at Mystic and other places. Lou Killen does it for me. So does Liam Clancy. I hope to be able to find the time to post more often |
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Subject: RE: Mystic Sea Music Festival Report From: GUEST,Naemanson Date: 28 Jun 01 - 10:01 AM Hmmm! There were a lot of 'catters there who didn't identify themselves, at least to me. How about a get together on the grounds next year. Oh, wait, I can't make it next year. Maybe the year after... |
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