Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5

Subject: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 05:38 PM

I've been corresponding with Mudcats/shanty singers Radriano and Chantyranger about flying in from Maine to spend a couple of weekends in the Bay Area and swapping some sea songs. Be nice to enounter some other shantying Mudcatters as well. The first open event which is firm is at the "Hyde Street Pier which opens at 7:30, chantey sing beginning at 8:00; it'll be in the hold of the 1895 lumber schooner C.A. THAYER." I'll also probably drop into the SF Folk Club gathering at 3 pm, Saturday, 9/14. In between I'll be touching base with some other old music friends but on the lookout for sessions, open-mics, or song parties.

On September 16 we motor north to Oregon (see "Portland East to Portland West" thread); should we stop at Eureka for the night?

I will be traveling with my wife who also enjoys good singing and nosing about in old haunts.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 09:26 PM

We'll be on the lookout for you. I'll get details from C'ranger and radriano over the weekend.

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Aug 02 - 05:28 PM

Thanks, Dave! We could use some advice on where to stay, or not to stay, in the vicinity of the Hyde Street Pier. We've been considering The Wharf Inn which seems moderately priced for the area. Someone also suggested a B&B run by a fella known as Shanhai Brown. What do you think?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 16 Aug 02 - 06:56 PM

See if you can find Susan AR on a PM, she and hubby stayed in a great B&B near the pier when they visited a couple of years ago. The name escapes me.

I'll see what else I can scare up.

Wouldn't suggest S. Brown unless seeking career change and sudden relocation.

Cheers,

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Aug 02 - 06:05 PM

Dave, Richard, Chantyranger, anyone, we're closing in on time to reserve rooms, hopefully in the Hyde St. Pier area.Our best candidate from Triple A seems to be The Wharf Inn. Any thoughts or better suggestions?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 18 Aug 02 - 07:56 PM

I'll see a bunch of them tonight, in the company of Amos!

I'll check with them and let you know tomorrow.

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Aug 02 - 10:13 AM

Dave-Give my regards to Amos. I'd love to meet him as well.

Judy and I plunked last night for the Holiday Inn nearest Fishermen's Wharf for our first weekend in town. Tuesday we journey south to visit with friends in Hollister and then work our way back towards Frisco for the next weekend. We'll scout around the first weekend and see if we can find something more reasonable for the second weekend, and be sure to consult with all you folks before and after the shanty sing aboard the C. A. Thayer on Saturday.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Aug 02 - 09:08 PM

Hi Charlie, you can't miss having a great time there. The music, people & places are to die for. There's no way you can go wrong, no matter what the direction. Have a blast. See ya back in Portsmouth for the Maritime festival, I hope. Barry

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Genie
Date: 19 Aug 02 - 11:52 PM

Doesn't Joe Offer live in the Bay area, too?

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 10:41 AM

Genie-Nah, Joe's moved to London, UK.

Barry-We'll be back in time for Portsmouth's Maritime Festival, with Roll & Go's new CD in hand; which pub are we going to base ourselves in this time around?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: SharonA
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 02:12 PM

Charley: Dang! I wish I'd seen this thread before yesterday, which is when I got a phone call from my ex-boyfriend who lives in the San Francisco area (your basic how-ya-doin'-and-can-you-give-me-the-lyrics-to-three-songs type of phone call)!! I'll just have to call him back and ask about reasonably-priced places to stay.

By the way, if you catch a SF Giants baseball game while you're in town (if the players haven't gone on strike by then), look for my ex – he'll be the one in the Dixieland jazz band wandering around the stadium!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: The Admiral
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 03:33 AM

Is there going to be anything on on the C.A. THAYER on the following weekend, including Sat 21st? Pearl & I will be over from the UK for a couple of weeks, starting with the San Diego Festival of Sail (meeting Tom & Lyn Lewis) on the 12/13th, and are planning to to be in 'Frisco the weekend after. We've been known to sing a shanty or two and we'd love to see how it all works over there!

Tony

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 09:57 AM

There was a rumor that there was some kind of children's sea music program aboard the Thayer the following Sunday. Maybe Chantyranger or Radriano could clarify.

I've also heard that there is some kind of presign-up required for the shanty sing and I'm not sure how one goes about that. Could someone clarify what folks from "away" are supposed to do?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 11:04 AM

This from the park's website shows details.

Chantey Sing Saturday, September 7, 8:00pm–12:00. No fee. Aboard an historic vessel at Hyde Street Pier. Reservations required: call 415–556–6435 or email [e-mail] Sing traditional working songs aboard a floating vessel. Bring a cushion, a mug for hot cider, and join the fun!

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: radriano
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 11:08 AM

Hi Charley,

The children's shanty sing is the second Saturday of every month from 3-4pm. For the regular shanty sing you can call [phone] to make a reservation. That's just so the Pier knows how many folks are coming. If you like, I can add your names to my list so you don't have to worry about it, okay?

Radriano

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 12:01 PM

Here's a link to the SF National Maritime Historical Museum, including Hyde Street Pier and the chantey sings.

clickety

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: radriano
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 01:09 PM

Charley:

When you make reservations for the shanty sing they just ask for one last name and how many in the party. I've reserved three spots under the name Adrianowicz.

Radriano

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 02:04 PM

Richard-

Thank you for the reservations for myself and Judy. I'll pass on the reservation information to the other two musical families who I know in the Bay area who are planning to attend.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 03:34 PM

Admiral -

Yes, there's an event on September 21st at the Pier, aboard the square-rigger BALCLUTHA. A New York chantey group, The Johnson Girls are doing a concert that night at 8pm. Tickets, $12. Tickets and info at 415-561-6662.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 04:00 PM

Charley Noble -

If you're willing to get a hotel/motel off the wharf, you'll find much better deals. One Hyde Street fest musician stays at the Capri Motel when she's in town. Very reasonable rates and comfortable, she reports. It's about a 20-minute walk from Fisherman's Wharf.

Capri Motel 2015 Greenwich, at Lombard 415-346-4667

If you're up for staying closer to downtown, for $50 per night you can stay at the Grant Plaza Hotel, 465 Grant, at Pine, near Chinatown. 415-434-3885. Cheap winter rates!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 09:33 AM

Chantyranger-

Thanks for the housing info. We'll check it out.

Would you like to join Richard and us for dinner on Saturday, prior to the chantey sing aboard the Thayer? We're open to suggestions of appropriate when and where.

Hate to miss The Johnson Girls on 9/21 but we'll be up in Portland, Oregon.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Aug 02 - 09:43 PM


Is there a favorite place to eat that people gather at before the Thayer chanty sing?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Melani
Date: 25 Aug 02 - 05:53 PM

The Park volunteers and staff usually eat at the volunteer dinner aboard the Thayer at about 5:30. If I ask the cook real nice, we can probably include you as a guest, if you're interested. Otherwise, there's a pretty nice place called Francesci's on Jefferson Street, right next door to the Pier.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 09:20 AM

Melani-

Dinner aboard the Thayer with staff and volunteers sounds great to me but I need to check with Richard and Chantyranger (see above) to make sure we're all on the same yardarm. I'm also traveling with my wife Judy who would be very sad to be left ashore, consoling herself with what she can scarf up around Ghirardelli Square.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Melani
Date: 27 Aug 02 - 12:58 AM

Of course you're both welcome. Asking the cook is just a formality--there's always plenty and the Queen of the Galley has never turned anyone away.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: open mike
Date: 27 Aug 02 - 05:06 AM

be fore warned--people in the bay area do not call that city "frisco" only in songs such as "sometimes i wonder where i'm bound" does it get called that... there is a frisco in colorado, a small mining town in the mountains in think...and there may even be a tinyplace in california called frisco.. also there is a house concert in chico, ca- about 3 hours from s.f. but near the hiway 5 which goes to oregon, portland, etc. William Pint and Felicia Dale, who i believe often do sea chanty tunes and ballads featuring ships, canoes, and row boats and such, they will be playing on friday, Sept. 13... produced by the Butte Folk Music Society... they play, among other instruments, a hurdy gurdy... a "wheel fiddle" the show starts at 7:30 for more info call: 530-332-9857 don't let the firday the 13th part scare you!!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Aug 02 - 09:45 AM

Thanks, Open Mike, but I'm from "away" and there is a long and venerable tradition of folks from away calling San Francisco "Frisco."

Pint and Dale do wonderful things with sea songs, generally breaking out from traditional renditions. I particularly like their rendition of "Wreck of the Lady Washington." I don't suppose someone could identify what part of California Butte might be in, if this 9/13 concert is actually in a place called Butte? I thought Butte was in Montana.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: open mike
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 04:08 AM

butte county is in the sacramento river valley and extends up into the foothills to the east up the feather river canyon toward Quincy. We are about 100 miles north of Sacramento-about 3-4 hour from the s.f. bay area...Chico, Oroville and Paradise are the 3 main population centers in this part of the county. When i was booking agent for the folk society we had a call from a musician who wanted to play here right after their gig in Missoula..I had to inform them that the travel time was more than they were intending....if you draw a triangle from Reno to Sacramento to Chico you have--well, you have a triangle...in northern california, between san franciso and portland...chico is on hiway 99, east of I-5.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 09:34 AM

That puts Butte on the map. I think our sidetrip is going to run us down the coast toward Monteray to visit with friends rather than up the Sacramento Valley.

While in San Francisco, I'm also going to be trying to track down the Bella Union, a surviving relic of the Barbary Coast infamous dance halls, so I've been told. There was also the Midway Plaisance which probably imploded years ago but is remembered in the fine traditional sea shanty "Fire Down Below" recently revived by Bob Walser and The Johnson Girls. Then my friend Capt. Bunker of China Sea Marine Trading Co. in Portland, ME, has urged me to look up his old haunts: Local #9 of IWW,Li Po's Pub, the Golden Dragon Restaurant and Sam Wung's whatever at the corner of Grant & Broadway. What joy!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 04:19 PM

This is a reworking of a verse from "Fire Dowm Below" after rereading THE BARBARY COAST by Herbert Asbury:

And we'll go down to the Midway Plaisance,
Fire down below-oh-oh-oh-ohh, boys,
Fire down below!
To see the pretty girls do the hoochy-coochee dance,
Fire down below-oh-oh-oh-ohh, boys,
Fire down below!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 08:50 PM

Hi Charlie, having a ball? Try Spec's (Adaler's Museum Sp?). It's across the street from City Lights (I think), maybe the area is known as the Tenderloin & it used to be housed under a strip joint & the back stairs are for the dancing employees so they can slip down for an quiet drink. The walls & ceilings are adorned with relics from around the globe sent back by sailors that haunted Spec's at some point in time. A walrus penis stands upright, it's a fertility symbol of the eskimo (or so I been told). It's just one of the rare strange prizes other than the drinking folk, that are housed there. I hope I'm giving the correct info here Charlie but this is what I was told by the staff/owner many yrs ago. If you get to meeting Spec (if he's still about) let him know you're a Downeaster, being from Quincy he'll take kindly to you. He'll probably show you the news clipping of his rescue at sea, he's quite proud he survived. See ya & continue on you roll. Barry

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 08:59 PM

Thanks too much for your suggestions, Barry. Apparently resident Mudcats of San Francisco are not familiar with such haunts. (Judy is shuddering appropriately as I'm typing this.) Hopefully, we'll be able to provide you and the rest of Mudcat World a glowing update report of Spec's!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 29 Aug 02 - 08:46 PM

I know Spec's well and will be happy to take you there. It's not in the Tenderloin, but in North Beach. It is near City Lights bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe and Tommasso's, the best Italian joint in a city full of great food.

I didn't get there with Barry when he was with us, didn't know it was on his list. Let's go hoist one in his honor.

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 03:05 AM

Hey Dave, hoist more than a few. I did get to peek my head in the door before they opened. I thought I was with Pam & Daphne but I could've been dreaming of it too. We had just come from a pub across the street (could've been the Vesuvio Cafe, another fine pub to rest at Charlie). If you're thinking that we were on a pub crawl, we weren't we could walk just fine. Of course I willing offered up myself as the DD. Aw gee Dave, just thinking about these places & you guys, it's got me pinning & whinning. Charlie if you're with Pam & Dave you never be in better hands. Happy Hunting, Barry

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 09:36 AM

Dave and Barry-

Sounds like my kind of place, assuming that not all the mermaids are made of styrafoam. Maybe I should bring some of my Nova Scotian squigglies (huge rubber squids in flourescent colors allededly used for trawling) for show and tell. There used to be some great places along the Portland waterfront that I haunted as a teenager, far more miscellaneous that the quality nautical items that Capt. Bunker now offers at China Marine Trading.

Dave, why don't you join us, prior to the shanty swap, for a 5:30 pm dinner at Francesci's on Jefferson Street, right next door to the Hyde St. Pier; along with Richard we can plot out an expedition. Sure you can't join us, Barry?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 09:48 AM

Charlie:

Whatever you do don't miss listening to PJ whoop it up on the bodhran -- she'll have ya dancing on the roofbeam!! :>)

There's no doubt once you fall into Swanno's clutches, you'll have a purely wunnerful time. Barky, BBW and I are still talking about it, and PeterT is still under the spell all the way back in Tormungo!! Well, whatever! :>)

You have a fine treat in store and I wish to hell I could walk that deck right witcha!!

A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 02 - 06:11 PM

Amos, you should be with us!

As I was rolling down Terrific Street I met with Shanghai Brown;
I asked 'im for to take me in and he looks at me with a frown;
He says "Last time you was paid off with me you chalked no score,
But I'll give you a chance, and I'll take your advance, and send you to sea once more!"

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Dave Swan
Date: 31 Aug 02 - 12:19 AM

Hokay Charley,

I'll be in touch with radriano et al, and we'll look for you on the 7th.

D

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Aug 02 - 09:45 AM

What a friendly bunch of fellas!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 12:39 PM

Just looked up the info on Spec Adler's Museum Cafe in North Beach, 12 Saroyan Place, between Broadway and Pacific Ave. According to my guide book it's a "classic hangout for the perennially half-sloshed...you can gaze for hours at the quirky memorabilia papering the walls." Well, we'll just have to investigate and report back.;~)

Oh, I've lost track of the address for the SF Folk Club song swap and the phone number. Who coordinates it?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 02:13 PM

Found the address for the 9/14 Saturday afternoon gathering of the SF Folk Club. What I have is Faith Petric's house on Clayton St. and I do have a phone number for when we get lost. Be nice to see Faith again!

Dave Swan-

How do I contact you when I'm looking for a native guide to Seck's?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Guest Franz
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 06:32 PM

Charlie, the last I heard the Bella Union was a chinese language movie theatre, specializing in Shaw Bros. movies. Long since closed. Don't know what it is now. See you soon.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 06:38 PM

Charley -

Just back from a fantastic eleven days away at a fidle camp and then highland games, and am just catching up with the threads. Specs is a favorite place of mine, and I think you'll find it pretty interesting. The museum within the bar, the mix of business suits, punks, socialists, tourists, collegians, all in the confines of one bar makes it unique.

Before the chantey sing, I'll be having a reunion at the Thayer dinner with a few river rafters/kayakers from a trip we took a month ago, so that will take up my dinner time, then I have to get things set up for the sing. So, Ill see you at the sing, and for any other get-together planned. Another place not to miss is the old Ship's Saloon, which now goes by another name. It's on Battery street, near the financial district, which used to be the Barbary Coast. The saloon is the last surviving sailors boarding house - the saloon name, very faderd, can still be seen on the outside back of the building. It was a bar n' grill in the 1990s called "Bricks," but is under new management. Can't think of the new name offhand, but will have it when I see you.

Best,

Chanteyranger

ps. Those in the bay area sea music community don't mind the term "Frisco" as much as other locals do, since historically it was the sailors word for S.F., though we don't use it in everyday speech. As a bona fide Maineiac, you're excused from any bans on the word :-).

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 09:02 PM

Chantyranger-

Welcome back to town! Yes, I've certainly read of "the old Ship's Saloon" and would welcome the opportunity to descend into the basement catacombs to examine the charred ribs of the actual old Arkansas. She should be at 298 Pacific St. according to my worn copy of SHANGHAIED IN SAN FRANCISCO.
Franz-hopefully the artistic reliefs by Arthur Putnam are still visible at the Bella Union.
Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 12:20 AM

You-all have a re'lar kick-ass time there, y'hear?? Hugs all around.

A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 08:20 AM

Off to California in only 2 more days!

Charley Noble;~)

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 09:30 AM

One more day, me hearties!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 12:31 PM

Heave her up, Charley, and let her run!

A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: BillR
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 07:48 PM

The Bella Union is, alas, no more. I'm told it survived until sometime in the 1980's but I never saw it. I can tell you where it was though. On Washinton St. a couple buildings up (hill) from Kearny. The north side of the street, across from Portsmouth Square. Look for an obviously newer building among the older ones. This is in Chinatown now, but in Gold Rush days Portsmouth Square was the heart of the "city", with the waterfront just across Kearny St. Also, just up Washington on the orhte side of Grant, on the left, is Sam Wo's which may be what your friend meant by Sam Wung's. It's worth looking at in any case. It's a noodle house rather than a fancy Chinese resturant but the food's ok and the atmosphere is bizarre. A friend of my compates it to something out of Blade Runner. It's also famous for having employed the late Edsel Ford Fong, widely known as the rudest waiter in the city. There is (or was) a newspaper article about him posted near the fron door. Anyway, have fun in SF and I expect I'll get to meet you at the chantey sing.

-Bill

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 11:58 PM

Bill- you're probably right about Sam Wo's. Capt. Bunker was saying something about meeting a very attractive Chinese smuggler there, with a small pearlhandled pistol in her bag, or was it somewhere else?

Back to re-packing!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Melani
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 12:05 AM

Edsel was wonderful! He was always very nice to me, in his own bizarre fashion. His best parlor trick was to pour tea from two pots into one tiny cup--spilling it all over the table in the process. Then he'd wash the table with the spilled tea. Then he'd give you a towel and a stack of dishes and tell you to dry them. It was something to do while waiting for your food.

The noodles at Sam Wo's are way greasy, but the thick rice soup (jook) is the best.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 04:38 AM

Noodles, smack, smack!

Here we come! Out the door at 4 AM!

zzzzzzzz,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 06 Sep 02 - 01:30 AM

Charley -

How do you like Italian food? I'll get you (and any other 'catters wanting to go) to a very nice restaurant in North beach which happens to be near Spec's bar. Tommasso's. They haven't changed the decor since 1935 when it opened, and their brick oven pizza is to die for. I get the cheeseless pizza, which has the tastiest and freshest homeade pizza sauce you could hope for. An old family-run outfit with wait staff who have been there for years. Good chicken dishes, too. Francis Ford Coppola's favorite SF Italian restaurant..until he opened his own bistro..but maybe Tommasso is still his favorite!

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 06 Sep 02 - 01:50 PM

Chanteyranger--

Nice of you to offer to get s there. Count me in!! PM me for the address to send the ticket!!

:>)

Hope Charley has a bang up time with all you really good guys!


A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 12:29 AM

Your on, Amos....I believe America West has a red-eye special :-).

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Charley Noble in Hollister,CA
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 11:58 PM

Happy to report that Judy and I safely arrive in San Francisco, and managed to connect with Richard , Chantyranger and the rest of the gang aboard the Thayer Saturday night. Must of been 60 or 70 folks stuffed into the hold, taking turns leading songs. I was pleased to learn that $7 or 8 million has been approved by the feds to renovate the Thayer, which at this point needs much more than band-aids and duct-tape. We also got a chance to search out relics of the Old Barbary Coast, locating the Hippodrone and the Old Ship Saloon. We certainly enjoyed some fine Italian food at Fior d'Italia and a beer at the Vesuvio's Cafe. We located Spec's but we really felt we needed a critical mass before proceeding within...Luckily we'll be back in San Francisco this week-end for another round, and a music swap at the San Francisco Folk Club saturday afternoon and a shanty party at Richard's on Sunday afternoon.

Cheerily for now,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 12:08 AM

I just KNEW I was gonna be jealous. Now I am!!! Dang!! I must be psychic or somp'n, huh? But boy, am I jealous!! :>)


A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 04:56 PM

It was great to see you at the chantey sing. Charley sang his version of a C. Fox Smith poem about Shanghai Brown (the poem title escapes me) and it is a gem. Charley was modest about the originality of his melody, having been inspired by several other melodies in order to compose it. I liken that to a dish: the ingredients are already there but it's the cook who puts them together and makes them into a signature dish. So, I would give Charley his due for composing a fine melody to go with the poem.

There were actually almost 200 people counted at the chantey sing, Charley. It is amazing how many people fit down there. Amos - I hope you can get to the chantey sing if your next trip up this way coincides with the 1st Saturday of the month.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Amos
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 05:02 PM

CR,

If there is anyway to get that to occur, I'll be there with eight bells on, skipper!

A

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Charley Noble on to Big Sur
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 07:04 PM

Thanks, Chantyranger, for the kind words about my musical arrangement for "Shanghai Passage." But folks should also listen to Danny Macleod's version as well, and at least credit Danny with inttroducing the rest of us to C. Fox Smith's wonderful poems.

Some day soon I'm going up to Victoria to nose around where she used to work (no one quite knows what she was working at for she wasn't financially independent) in the early 1900's and listen to the stories of the old shipkeepers.

Today we lunched at San Juan Bautista, which may not have changed that much from when Dana last visited before writing TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST. Yum!!!

Off to lunch at Big Sur tomorrow. Haven't been there since 1965.

Cheerily,

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 09:37 PM

Hey Chanteyranger, you noticed that quirk in Charley's personnality, a bit to modest. He also did wonders with the Yankzee River Shanty. What he's calling his "musical arrangements" others might call tune crafting, writting music or setting poems into songs. I like your comparision to the cook & his ingredients, the notes & melodies are floating about waiting for someone like Charlie who has the gift for arranging them into a masterpiece. Gezzz, Charlie's gonna be, rightfully & noblely red faced. So Charlie what ya gotta do now is go into Spec's by your lonesome (you don't want your wife to see this) & get one of the regulars to get up off their duff & slap that modest looking facial arrangement off your gob & thank him for doing such a good job of it, then tune up your banjo & sing a couple of your songs & you'll be drinking for free all night long. Really if you go into that leery looking bar looking to get slapped you may walk out disappointed & don't pay attention to that man behind the curtain or to any of your 1st impressions. I came upon this place 20? yrs ago with RiGGy (say hi for me if you meet him, great guy & a hell've a singer & a musician) we were prodded into (I think that's how it went, ask RiGGy) taking out our instruments & playing, I think we ended up drinking for nothing & all the cheese we could eat, on the house. That bartender's dead & gone now but I'm sure there's someone just as nice behind the bar now. Have a great time & see ya when you get back, minus the facial finger imprints. Oh, be carefull the Swans & all those other Catters, they'll treat you so well & then soon they'll be convincing & your wife that you need to live out. They're a slick crowd don't pay them any mind either. Barry

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 02:49 AM

Don't mind Barry's typo. He put an "L" that shouldn't be there into a word in that last sentence.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 12:14 PM

Charley! I dug out the banjo and find I am ready for my banjo lessons. What are you doing on the wrong coast?

Sounds like you are having a great time.

Brett

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Charley Noble in Palo Alto
Date: 13 Sep 02 - 05:00 PM

Brett-first take a good strong boltcutter and open the jaws w-i-d-e and clamp onto them strings. That should do as a good start until I can get home and provide more useful follow-up.;~)

Wow, Barry, can I use that as a quote on our website?

We had a great re-acquitence gathering last night with our old music friends in Palo Alto singing a nice bluesy version of "Titanic", some Obray Ramsey songs, Carter Family, and my rearranged C. Fox Smith sea poems to old Appalacian tunes. Also had fun with my folk-processed "West Indies Blues" which would have made it to the top 10 chart in the 1960's if the Kingston Trio had ever gotten hold of it; my mother still complains that I changed the tune.

Say, Richard, has our shipment of ROLL & GO: Outward Bound CD's finally come in? If so, please bring or send a set for show and tell on Saturday for the 3 pm gathering of the SF Folk Club at Faith Petric's. Don't forget to remind folks about that secret Sunday afternoon gathering at your house. We'll try to place a set of the CD's at the Museum Store at the Hyde Street Pier; you too can hear "Yangtse River Shanty" led in robust fashion by Dick Dufresne. Others can access a sample on our website:www.rollandgoseasongs.com if curious.

Big Sur was still there by the way, and we tried vainly to photograph those humungous trees between Santa Cruz and Saratoga along Rt. 9, needed bigger lenes, big wide angle held sideways.

Back to San Francisco to Holiday Inn at Fisherman's Wharf Saturday morning.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 11:51 PM

Radriano had a nice party for Charley Sunday night, with sushi and Maine songs and sea songs. Nice to meet you, Charley.
Don't pay attention to what I said about your banjo in the sushi thread. You certainly do a song justice, you do.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Charley Noble in Sheridan
From: Barbara
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 09:29 PM

Joe-

Not to worry about them banjo jokes. Besides, it was Jim Nelson's banjo I was using, not my own. Nice to finally meet you in person as well, and to assist your navigation through the streets of San Francisco at breakneck speeds to our digs at Fisherman's Wharf.

Nice party, and in spite of my misgivings lots of fine folks showed up. Carol did wonderful job singing while playing concertina. Bill was there with more fine shanties and other oddities. Melanie with a rousing version of "Roll Down" and Jim with a nice rendition of "Paddy West" barely escaping the ritual bucket of water from Judy. Sharyn was spirited enough to join Judy to steal "Dead Dog Cider" at the appropriate moment into "Rise Again" but maybe you had to be there to fully appreciate this.;~)

Gonna miss these folks, and many thanks to Richard for hosting this one.

Richard- not to worry about the Roll & Go CD's. They were delayed again in production and I'm having the full set of 1000 sent back to Maine. We'll start a new thread to test interest but folks can always contact me directly at www.rollandgoseasongs.com

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Sep 02 - 01:45 PM

Refresh-just in case anyone missed some of the glowing comments and inspired reflections.

The Roll & Go CD's did arrive safe and sound in Maine; check our website for how best to prochure them:www.rollandgoseasongs.com
Great to be home! And if you're coming this way for return hospitality, be sure to give me two hours notice.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: breezy
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 01:51 PM

Can I bring the wife and 3 boys? this afternoon!I want to hear your 'Bully'

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: mack/misophist
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 02:23 PM

Some self importand ass is bound to say "Don't call it Frisco". When they do, tell them that the men that wrote and sang that song was from Sacramento.

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Sep 02 - 08:17 PM

I'm negoitiating with the museum store at Hyde St. Pier to carry our new Roll & Go CD. Richard very graciously says he's putting in a good word for us.



Did anyone attend the Johnson Girls' concert aboard the Balclutha? Should have been a blast.



Cheerily,

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 01:30 PM

"Frisco" was the sailors term for SF. A perfectly legit, historical nickname, so I agree with Misophist.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Charley Noble Off to Frisco:9/5
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 01 Oct 02 - 05:25 PM

Yeah, call it Frisco anytime you like--I'm from Chicago, doesn't bother me any.

And yes, the Johnson Girls concert was a blast. Their harmonies and arrangements are wonderful, and you could actually work to them besides--what it would have sounded like on board ship if sailors could sing. Everyone who doesn't already have it should get their CD immediately.