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July Shanty Session at the Press Room
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Subject: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 06 Jul 03 - 08:32 AM It's that time again. Next Saturday, 12 July, is the date for the monthly shanty/forebitter session at the Press Room in Portsmouth NH. It seems so long since the last one which was sparsely attended due to conflicts with Mystic and a local graduation party and Brett's transferral to Guam. And then there was the conflict in May which kept Linn and Jeri and Kevin and I away. Really hope to see all the regulars back together again -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 06 Jul 03 - 09:29 AM Tom- Nor and I are looking forward to attending this one. It would be nice to see a few other "out-of-state guests" attending as well. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 06 Jul 03 - 10:11 AM Twill be good to see you both again. JustanotherDave is on vacation and has a place in Maine; maybe he'll show. The radio spot that Raquel did for NHPR was rebroadcast on Here and Now, an NPR news mag out of WBUR in Boston. I happened to be tuned in when they read letters, one of which wanted to know where the sessions were. Some new mates perhaps? See you next Saturday -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: SINSULL Date: 06 Jul 03 - 01:02 PM I expect to be in Bethel searching for tourmaline with some rock enthusiasts. Sorry. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 06 Jul 03 - 06:35 PM Mary -- Are you sure? The weather forecast calls for clouds and rain in Bethel that day, whereas the Press Room will be snug and (libations excepted) dry -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Brían Date: 07 Jul 03 - 09:38 AM I hope to be there. Brían |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 07 Jul 03 - 11:13 AM Good to hear from you Brian. Just got word that Edmund (CET) will be making the long trek from Toronto for the weekend. So, who else? |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: GUEST,Heely Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:10 AM Just interrupting your thread to ask when your August session is planned. We are travelling from the Scottish Games in Maxville Ontario Aug 1 and 2, and would love to plan to visit the Press Room on our return trip. Heely and Wilson from the Tanners Creek Whalers in Norfolk VA. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:13 AM The August session will be on the 9th. Will be looking forward to meeting you at that time. Let me know if you need directions or more details -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Barry Finn Date: 08 Jul 03 - 10:44 AM I'll be seeing all of you then. Barry |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: GUEST,Heely Date: 08 Jul 03 - 10:50 AM Thank you for the info. We will look at our trip plans and let you know if we can swing over your way on the 9th. Thank you. It has been fun reading your Chantey banter. We would welcome any of you to our sessions at Rebel Marine in Willoughby Bay, Norfolk. Second Tuesday of each month. Thanks again. Heely |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 08 Jul 03 - 06:34 PM Glad to hear you're coming Barry. Looking forward to reports of Mystic from you and Charley and Nor and others. Heely, really hope you can make it. I haven't looked up Maxville on the map, but we have a few people who travel to Ontario on a regular basis and should be able to provide you with good travel plans -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 08 Jul 03 - 07:47 PM Linn just reminded me that Edmund is coming from OTTAWA not Toronto. Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: GUEST,Heely Date: 08 Jul 03 - 10:35 PM Tom, Maxville is near Ottowa or Cornwall (sp.) I attended the games there a couple years ago. Since then, we have been in Glasgow Scotland and Australia during August. I believe that the route is fairly easy with the interstate systems. We would just need "intown" directions. We need to time out our trip to see if we can be in the area on the 9th. We'll let you know. If not, we may come through anyway just to see where you are and have a cold one. We had our sing tonight at Rebel Marine. I mentioned your sessions to the group incase anyone travels that way. Capt Lane Briggs is on his way to Maine tomorrow, so he may stop in. Beware. Our Best wishes to all. Heely |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: CET Date: 09 Jul 03 - 05:52 AM Heely, www.mapquest.com is a good source of directions. According to Mapquest the time between Ottawa and Portsmouth is 7 hours and 16 minutes. I don't know if that includes time for rest. I would also recommend AAA. The Press Room is a good place for a beer even without the singing. Edmund |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Bat Goddess Date: 09 Jul 03 - 06:11 AM And remember there's music weekly at the Friday trad sessions as well (including sea music) -- those start at 4-ish in the afternoon and go until just before 9. There's other music at the Press Room as well, though not participatory or folkish. Lots of jazz and blues, etc. and even some retro rock on weekends. And, like Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, the Press Room is a great place for a beer. Linn |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Bat Goddess Date: 09 Jul 03 - 06:14 AM Oh, and directions to the Press Room have been posted in other shanty threads and various other places. Should I post them again? I mean detailed directions other than "aim for the white steeple in the middle of the town (Market Square), back off one block back on Daniel Street towards the Piscataqua River and it's across the street from the main Post Office and the Federal Building." Linn |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Mark Cohen Date: 09 Jul 03 - 07:11 AM Can't make it on the 12th, but there's a good chance I'll be there on Friday the 25th! And then Gordon Bok in Newbury, Mass. on the 26th...and before that, a San Diego jam with Amos and the gang on the 19th! All this, and having my daughter with me, too. Heaven, I'm in heaven... (then, of course, I get to go back home to paradise!) Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Bat Goddess Date: 09 Jul 03 - 07:42 AM Cool! I'll get a chance to meet my Secret Santee! (And add another 'Catter to my Life List.) By the way, so my short version directions above don't confuse anyone, Daniel Street (where the Press Room is located) and Congress Street (same street a block west in Market Square) are both one way -- going AWAY from the river. State Street, one block south, is one way going TOWARDS the river. It is often necessary to circle the block in one direction or another in order to find parking close to the Press Room. Please see the directions in previous threads for more details. Linn |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 09 Jul 03 - 08:45 AM Looks like I'll be missing you on 7/25 as I'll be resident in San Francisco for that week. Maybe we'll encounter each other in Detroit Metro, take a quick run down to Greektown for a wonderful meal at the Helas, assuming they're still in business. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: GUEST,Heely Date: 09 Jul 03 - 09:24 AM Thank you all for the directions, I did see them before on other threads. Hope to see you soon. Heely |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 09 Jul 03 - 10:26 AM Heely -- Hope you were/are able to get this info to Capt. Briggs before he leaves for Maine. Of course Maine is a very big state. Depending where he's going it could be a fifteen minute drive to Portsmouth, or ten hours. Hope to see him and you at some point -- Tom BTW, why don't you join Mudcat; PMs allow for the passing of information too specialised to be part of a normal thread. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Just another Dave Date: 09 Jul 03 - 01:00 PM Hey curmudgeon! -- Thanks for thinking of me. It was my intention to get back there this summer,and I was really looking forward to it, but... I have been asked to do a show with Debra Cowan here in Connecticut on Saturday night. Next month I will be playing with "The Gallant Sons of Erin" -- my brother's Civil War reenactors band in Gettysburg, PA. -- So I guess that the short story is I'm looking forward to September. Hello to all and I hope to see you all soon! Dave |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Jeri Date: 09 Jul 03 - 01:26 PM Dave, you and Jed Marum ought to get together and compare Irish-in-the-Civil-War songs! I'll miss you and your songs. Too bad you couldn't kidnap Deb for the shanty session, but I guess it wouldn't be professional. Have good gigs and I'll seeee you in Septemmmmber! |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 09 Jul 03 - 01:52 PM Dave -- You will be missed. but its good to know that you'll be having a grand time anyway; greetings to Deb. Don't forget our Friday evening sessions (dare I use that word where singing's involved?) at the Press Room. We start 4:15sh and go to nearly 9 PM. Don't forget to add Dan Milner into the Irish-in-the-War-of-the-Rebellion mix. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Just another Dave Date: 09 Jul 03 - 03:16 PM Jeri and curmudgeon -- Funny that you should mention those two... if you have a minute or two, check this thread: Music of US Civil War & Irish Immigration Then check the auction ;-) Thanks, Dave |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Brían Date: 09 Jul 03 - 03:33 PM Too bad you won't be coming, Dave. See you in September(sounds like a song that dates me somewhat). It will be great to see Edmund again who i think I remember from the historic China Sea Trading Company sessions. Brían |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: CET Date: 09 Jul 03 - 05:41 PM It's already historic? Edmund |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Brían Date: 09 Jul 03 - 05:55 PM In my mind, anyway..... Brían |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Uncle Jaque Date: 10 Jul 03 - 12:28 AM Hmmm... Domestic Management has expressed no particular agenda this weekend... Might we suppose? There's a haunting (litterally) old 1840's song I've been noodling around with called "Mary's Dream" I'd like to try out on ye. One of the Boston Cameratta CDs has it and it sort of stuck to my head for a while there. While they do a cello reprise/bridge, I use my black walnut low "G" flute, (sort of a Tenor Fife) "Old Gilead" between verses. Many of you have heard this instrument at previous Shanty Hoots in the Portland area - I use it a lot for slow airs, Hymns and the like. And mercy; don't I miss these jolly little gatherings!? Stay tuned, me Hearties! (AAaarrgh!) Onkel Jaque in Maine |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Bat Goddess Date: 10 Jul 03 - 08:00 AM Hey, Uncle Jaque! Saturday would be a great time to rejoin us -- haven't seen you in a million years. (Yeah, I've told myself a million times not to exaggerate.) I could bring my new "toys" to show you -- stone cutting mallet & chisel. (Gotta start practicing cutting letterforms in slate.) I could also bring the circa 1840 cure for syphilis in case any salty old sea dogs might need it -- as a curiosity, of course. (Well, we've already had cats-o-nine-tails passed out at the session . . .) History in motion. Linnn |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 10 Jul 03 - 08:14 AM Looks like Nor's run into a conflict. Judy and I are trying to Shanghi Eli as an alternative. Actually "Shanghi Eli" would also make a nice shanty shout. Hope you're all checking "Meet the Giant Squid" BS thread.;~) Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Shanghai Eli... From: Uncle Jaque Date: 10 Jul 03 - 04:36 PM "...Paging Mr. BROWN!!!; There's a Captain NOBLE here to see you!" Oh, Charlie; "Old Red", my '91 Plymouth Voyager (130K mi.+) blew a fuel pump down in Saco last week, and we rode back to Yarmouth (Ol' Red behind, me up front) with a AAA Wrecker, the driver of which related as to how he was one of the notorious "Parking Lot Pirates" in the Portland area in the Wintertime. He was totally unaware, but quite amused to learn, that there is a rousing "Chanty" composed on his behalf! I wish that I knew it well enough to sing to him during the ride... but pity; I don't. Thought you'd like to know that. {8^{D~ UJ |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 10 Jul 03 - 07:16 PM UJ -- I trust that you've got the Voyager repaired enough for the drive to the Press Room on Saturday. You have been promising to come for too long now to be a last minute no-show. See you at the session-- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Naemanson Date: 10 Jul 03 - 10:39 PM Well it will come as no surprise to learn I won't be there for either Friday or Saturday. But I'll sing a shanty when I wake on Sunday morning (local time) so I can say I joined in the music. I had an email from someone named John who will be vacationing in the area. He didn't know I have moved. I told him about both Friday and Saturday. He says he will try to get there on Friday. Have a great time gang. Brett |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Jul 03 - 08:36 AM Brett- I'll lead a round of "Alabama John Cherokee" in your honor, and remember, gang, the way Brett sings it the chorus ends in "Alabama John!" Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Jeri Date: 11 Jul 03 - 09:29 AM ...Cherokee. (Hehe) |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Dave Bryant Date: 11 Jul 03 - 09:38 AM Haven't you read this thread in which Pied Piper warns us that the word "Session" is only to be used for activities in which large numbers of instrumentalists all play at the same time (usually Irish tunes at ridiculously fast tempi). Although it is true that everyone joins in shanty choruses, shanties are usually led by a solo singer - and they are often unaccompanied. Please change the description at once, or I will inform PP and you will be raided be the "Session Police" who will insist on playing large numbers of Melodeons, Fiddles, Whistles, Bodhrans etc to make sure that egotistical singers get no chance to engage in their disgusting solitary vices. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Barry Finn Date: 11 Jul 03 - 10:40 AM Bring 'em on. Barry |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 11 Jul 03 - 10:57 AM Dave -- Not only do we sing shanties without accompaniment, we sometimes sing solo forebitters without choruses in the same manner. Furthermore, instruments are only permitted for the accompaniment of songs, and then only at the request of the singer. With regard to your advisory , I shall make sure to bring the belaying pins. Should the "Session Police" make an appearance, we can show them new uses for banjos, fiddles and whistles. Thanks for the warning -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: GUEST,Heely Date: 11 Jul 03 - 12:37 PM TOM, I am finally replying to your previous thread. Sorry that I did not get right back, but I was recording an album. thank you for your suggestion to join mudcat. I have been a member for about 10 years, but recently,(I just got a new computer in June), I realized that I am now qualified as a guest. Oh well! I will resubmit. I love mudcat, and have suggested it to many of our local "naughtycal" river rats. Keep in touch. Heely |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Jul 03 - 05:21 PM Belaying pins, cat-of-nine tails, and flourescent squiglies. What fun! Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Naemanson Date: 11 Jul 03 - 06:13 PM Heely, you just need to sign in with your new computer. No need to resubmit |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Mark Cohen Date: 12 Jul 03 - 01:39 AM To clarify what Brett said, Heely: just go to the "Quick Links" dropdown menu at the top right of the main Mudcat Cafe page and click on "Login", then follow the very simple directions. Uncle Jaque, is the "shanty" you're referring to a Portland version of Steve Goodman's Lincoln Park Pirates? Gee, Tom, I hope that I fit into the Friday session all right. I can leave out the 35th and 36th verses of "Lord Randall and the Large Ball of String", if that would help. They're more or less repeats of verses 27 and 28, anyway, only in a sort of a quasi-Armenian dialect-- so it shouldn't really affect the artistic integrity of the song all that much. And I could leave out the saxophone break, I guess. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Jeri Date: 12 Jul 03 - 07:50 AM Mark, I hope, if you do the version collected by Mrs Alda Goldern-Day, you do NOT leave out the 53rd verse since it sort of ties up the whole song. The whole darned thing comes unraveled without that verse! Seriously, Mark, can't wait to meet you. I've been perusing your songs in the DT and hope to hear a few. Last night was a GREAT session (S.E.S.S.I.O.N.). There were sets of tunes that flowed, there was quite a long set of shanties that flowed - one started right after the other. I didn't notice any tension between players and singers. CET was here and did (amongst other) a nice, cheery dinnertime song, "The Twa Corbies." I hope everyone's voices still work today! |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 12 Jul 03 - 08:21 AM BTW Mark, isn't that a variant on "the Little Ball of Yarn?" |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 12 Jul 03 - 09:10 AM Mark- You're correct about the origin of the "Parking Lot Pirates" which I adapted from Steve Goodman's "Lincoln Park Pirates." Actually, it's re-adapted from what I used to sing in Lansing, Michigan. You really must do your bowling shanty at The press Room. ;~) Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Bat Goddess Date: 12 Jul 03 - 12:43 PM So, should I bring the cat o' nine tails? Linn |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Jeri Date: 12 Jul 03 - 01:59 PM Bring your bowling ball collection. (She not only collects bats and rubber squid, but has a lot of balls too.) |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Naemanson Date: 12 Jul 03 - 08:42 PM I always said Bat Goddess had a lot of balls but I was speaking figuratively. I didn't realize there was truth to the rumor. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 12 Jul 03 - 08:42 PM Hi Bat Godess; I was talking to my friend Mike O'Leary-Johns yesterday, he tells me that he and Tony Fraser, the duo known as Mainbrace, are singing in your area in September. Be sure to go hear 'em. They are GOOD. Burl |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Brían Date: 13 Jul 03 - 12:13 AM Well, Bat Godess kept the crowd in line with the cat-o-nine tails. There was some great singing. That round robin LEAVE HER JOHNNY, LEAVE HER was quite nice. I actually enjoyed the pace of BARRETT'S PRIVATEERS. Ramona's LOWLANDS OF HOLLAND and that 1000 mile duet were very nice. It was great to see and hear CET again. Brían |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Mark Cohen Date: 13 Jul 03 - 01:21 AM I can feel the energy building all the way out here in the middle of the Pacific! Oh, wait, that might be a tropical storm... Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 13 Jul 03 - 10:00 AM Parking was a piece of cake this time around. There was an open space right across from the front door of the Press Room when we arrived at 3:29 pm. There was already a small pack of Mudcatters holding down the tables in the corner, underneath the huge blow-up mural of the New York Times proclaiming The End of Prohibition! Everyone likes the corner as a place to sing from. CET, Bat Goddess, Curmudgeon, Brían, Jeri, Barry, and myself were all there as Mudcatters. Other regulars included Ramona, Erin, Barbara, Bruce, and I'm blanking on at least 3 others. My wife Judy put in an appearance, after plundering the neighboring shops, with a spirited rendition of "Willie Went to Sea," slowing it down to half speed so that its breathless chorus could be better assimulated, and the crowd rose to the challenge. Brían's doing fine with his ballads, picking the right key to bring them to life with his rich baritone voice. It was nice to hear the C. Fox Smith song of the "Race with the Robin Adair" developing so nicely as sung by Bat Goddess. And Jeri and Barbara did another fine redition of the haunting "Molymauk." Erin did a fast-paced singing of "Barret's Privateers" which I came close to sabotaging with a plastic bottle of ketchup when it came to the line "Barret was smashed like a bowl of eggs" but I managed to resist smashing it to the table top...barely. Tom did my favorite version of "Paddy West" but, alas, the was no bucket within reach when that crucial verse came round. Linn also did a classic version of "Doodle Let Me Go (Yeller Gals)," another of my favorite songs. Bruce favored us with the comic song "Bold Fisherman" with all the wonderful patter in between the verses. Rachel(?) lead "Young Edmund of the Lowlands Low" which is another dark song about the landlord's daughter's returning sailor lover who is done in by her cruel father. Who was it who was singing the calypso songs? Was it Barry who first led "Blood Red Roses"? I sang "Alabama John Cherokee" as learned from Brett, and the chorus was pretty much well-behaved. Tom wound everything up with "Leave Her, Johney, Leave Her" which made its way round the table with traditional and a few untraditional verses. You know in four hours, you get to sing and hear a lot of songs. I think we had at least six revolutions of the song circle. I was able to dredge up several songs that I ordinarily don't get a chance to sing, and launch a couple of new ones. Mark, I'm gonna miss you in August, being off at the Lunenburg Folk Harbor Festival, but I'm sure you'll get a warm welcome, and a deep appreciation for your traditional nautical repertoire. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Brían Date: 13 Jul 03 - 10:54 AM A fine report of the Press Room shanty sing from our roving reporter Charley Noble. BLOOD RED ROSES was worth hearing twice. I am really pleased with the mix of singers who show up. My only criticism is is that picked air conditioner haning over the performer's area. There was a nice lowlands theme. CET's of LOWLANDS was powerful as well as THE ROSABELLA, which I haven't heard in a while. I'll have to dig out my tape so's I can remember some of the other songs. Brían |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Uncle Jaque Date: 13 Jul 03 - 11:47 AM Me sincerest appologies fer lettin' ye doon again, Mates, but the Corps called us, ye see. That'd be the Third Maine Volunteer Infantry Fife & Drum Corps, don't ye know; Next week while Aunt Mahtha an' me is marryin' off our "Wylde One" (AKA: Sheraon Judith) tae a falla name o' "MURPHY" aboard the old "KHATADIN" out of Greenville ME on Moosehead Lake, the F&DC is performing in old Fort Knox up in Bucksport, ME at the "Military Tattoo". We did the gig there last year, and heard some folks comment on how they liked us better than the bagpipes! Well enough to be invited back, anyhow. So sort of on the spur of the moment, the Family of one of our wee Drummer Lads invited the Corps to their home in Lisbon (near the site of the Moxie Festival) for a rehearsal and Corps BBQ with our dear Pards from the 20th Maine who came all the way down from Bangor and Newport to join us. It began around "fourish" last night, and as hard as it was to stand up the jolly Mudcat Crew again, Aunt M. advised that the ME Turnpike is a mess of construction, and seemed much more enthusiastic to accompany to Lisbon than to Portsmouth, where if anyone in the whole place was smoking she probably would have had an asthma attack. Even though I won't be at Ft. Knox on the 19th, my carcass was needed to fill in the Fife line for a Performer who could not make the rehearsal. Part of this routine is the "Martial Choriography" in which we march onto and around the parade-ground, condensing a "parade" into a fairly small area (those of you familiar with the Fort know what that's all about) evolve and de-volve into "Concert Formation", coordinate with the Color Guard (The Flag Guys) all while playing. It takes a bit of practice to pull it off convincingly! After the BBQ most of the grownups settled on the piazza (porch); The old tin "Mucket" was refreshed with a cold brew, and some of the youngsters milled around while I broke out my gee-tar. Much to their credit they stuck around through 3 whole verses of "Lorena". Most kids get that deer-in-the-headlights look and wander away seeking their deperately needed electronic sensory stimulation fix after two at the most. This is NOT their kind of music! If anyone under 20 is still around after two of these old tunes, reel 'em in; they've got potential! Having driven the teenie-boppers inside to thier entertainment of choice, I was invited to play a few, and a good time was had by all by the light of citronella candles. Citronella = mosquito repellant. Acoustic music from the 1840's = kid repellant. I managed to fake "Fields of Athenrye" all right, although I was unable to pull a few requests such as "Minstrel Boy" and "Whisky in the Jar" out of my head. The ever-popular "Frozen Logger" was a hit, and Auntie M. wanted to hear "Somebady's Darlin", which is one of those old CivilWar tear-jerkers that require at least 2 1/2 octaves to pull off properly. I think I hit most of 'em all right, but there was a certain Altzheimer's factor when it came to the lyrics. I hate to have that happen when the audience is reasonably sober. We ended to the traditional 3rd Maine Final'e; "Amazing Grace" in memory of our dear departed "Jaquie" LaChapelle - a frail, wee little lass with the heart of a tigress. She used to hold the candle-lantern over my shoulder around the campfire so I could read the chords and lyrics for songs I hadn't quite memorized but the Camp wanted to hear... Trim and proper, hair in a bun; hoopskirt and bonnett; Victorian spectacles... who would take a cast-iron fry-pan to any "Rebel" inprudent enough to try and raid the 3rd Maine's Camp while us Lads were out doing battle! But I digress... Thanks for the marvelous descripion and account of the Press Room "Hoot", Cpt. Charlie. Wish I could've been two places at once! I have a feeling that my chances of making it to one of these might be enhanced considerably were it to be held up in the Portland area again. What's the scoop with the Observatory Shanty Sings? Are they happening this year? |
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Subject: RE: Oh; BTW... From: Uncle Jaque Date: 13 Jul 03 - 12:25 PM If any of ye Maties'd like to see some of the pictures, music scannings, etc. from the "Uncle Jaque Musical Archives", I found this silly little online picture-posting thing where I uploaded as many as I could to fill up my "freebie" data limit. There are a few here of last year's Ft. Knox Military Tattoo FYI. Go to: Uncle Jaque's Musical Miscellany (Ecclectic Graphics Album) Enjoy! |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 13 Jul 03 - 12:55 PM CET (Edmund) certainly did a fine job singing. He's probably still singing! Uncle Jacque- It certainly sounds like you wasn't back home warming your coach. No, we're not doing anything at the Observatory this year except maybe an All Hallows Eve special event. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Uncle Jaque Date: 13 Jul 03 - 01:16 PM Cpt. Charlie - Were I on the local Field Hockey Team, which is the only place, we are advised, where I am likely to get into an affordable kilt, I would have loved to have been home warming my Coach! In an auld cuss's dreams, eh? };^{D~ But, under the circumstances, breaking burgers, brew, and BBQ, while making music with dear friends old and new is the next best thing, we reckons! An' fer now, we'll belay idle curiosity aboot what's under the Coach's kilt and go find the concertina. Aarrgh! |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Mark Cohen Date: 13 Jul 03 - 03:35 PM Charley, I won't be there for the shanties in August, but my daughter and I are planning on being at the Press room on Friday July 25. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 13 Jul 03 - 06:22 PM Mark- Oh, my, that would be tempting since I'll still be in Maine. But Saturday my group Roll & Go will be doing an energetic gig as "strolling sea shanty minstrels" at the Wooden Boat Show in Rockland, and Sunday we're off to San Francisco. I'm not sure I'll have the energy or the voice if I run down to the Press Room on Friday, and the folks there have NO MERCY for singers. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Uncle Jaque Date: 13 Jul 03 - 07:00 PM Sounds like fun, Charlie! I've been know to do a spontanious/gratis "Strolling old Reprobate" gig around Yarmouth from time to time... Have a safe, prosperous, and memorable trip out to Cal-I-yo; but do steer clear of the old "Harvest Moon", now won't ye?! |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Naemanson Date: 13 Jul 03 - 09:59 PM Sigh, I knew there'd be times like this when I left for Guam. All this talk about singing at the Press Room and gatherings here and there are making me a little homesick. You guys sure sound like you're having fun. But I am trying to find an open mike I heard advertised on the local NPR radio station so I may be able to connect with some music people soon. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Bat Goddess Date: 14 Jul 03 - 12:33 AM Hey, Charley -- let's call it "Madame Gashay's" and I sing, "Do, do, let me go." It's Aaron, not Erin. And add Tyler Buck to the list of "Catters. (Let's see; at one point I counted 8 Mudcat representatives.) And it's Ramona, not Rachel and the title of the C. Fox Smith song (as recorded by Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman) is "Race of Long Ago" -- her poem "Racing Clippers." Just got back from yet another wonderful session -- that's three this weekend, folks -- and really have to get to bed. The air conditioner, by the way, is not so lovingly referred to as "the Sopwith Camel." Linn |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 14 Jul 03 - 08:28 AM Ah, it was Tyler then who was leading the Calypso songs. What a wonderful "session." Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Jeri Date: 14 Jul 03 - 08:58 AM Tyler: she might have lead some rare Scots calypso, but I believe you're thinking of Alan, the Bug Guy. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Brían Date: 14 Jul 03 - 09:55 AM Low-lands, low--lands low, daylights a-coming they sank my Jamie bel-ow :-) Brían |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Bat Goddess Date: 14 Jul 03 - 11:53 AM No, it was Alan Eaton who did the calypso songs (Day-O). Tyler was the blonde woman with glasses who sings mostly Scots songs. Alan's not a Mudcatter yet (we're working on him) but he does check the DT fairly often. Started listening to the tapes this morning (and I have tapes from Sunday's session in Kennebunk to listen to, also) and the air conditioner noise is, indeed, bad. Like white noise in the background making it especially difficult to hear Brian, Tyler and Ramona who have quieter voices and usually sing quieter songs. Able to be heard on tape, but would be better without Sopwith Camel accompaniment. Anyway, I have my usual post-session queries about song titles. Any and all can be volunteered to me here, in PM or in e-mail. (And if I don't hear from someone whose titles I need, I'll contact them.) This is just for archival and personal (learning songs from) purposes. Linn |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Brían Date: 14 Jul 03 - 12:16 PM I've decided that in the future I am going to rove surreptitiosly around the Press Room so I can get closer to the folks I am taping to avoid that dahn white noise problem. As an aside, when we start the singing sessions in Portland at the Irish Cultural Center, I am going to see what I can do to insure a quiet background for singers to be heard. The songs I sang were: NANCY BELL and THERE'S A PATH ACROSS THE OCEAN from the singing of Robbie McMahon, BONNY BUNCH OF ROSES which was mostly from Seamus Ennis, BEAN PHÁIDÍN from Joe Heaney, Seán 'ac Dhonnchadh and Johnny Mháirtín Learaí, my own composition which I call WILLIAM PRINCE OF CUMBERLAND which shares the tune of THE ROCKS OF BAWN. Brían |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: CET Date: 14 Jul 03 - 02:26 PM I'm back after a pleasant drive through New Hampshire and Vermont, and then across the top of New York State to the border at Cornwall. Charlie isn't far wrong. I was singing on and off for the whole trip - lots of shanties, as if I hadn't had enough already. What great sessions. I was particularly impressed with the younger musicians, quite a few of them under 20. Thank God for Mudcat. I would never have met any of you folks without it. Edmund |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: GUEST,MMario Date: 14 Jul 03 - 02:32 PM you probably passed me somewhere along the road... |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 14 Jul 03 - 07:16 PM Yes, it's great to be surrounded by younger musicians. Come to think of it, most of you are younger than I am, just more mature. Glad the shanties brought you home safely, Edmund. Now it's off to San Francisco for a week for Judy and me. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 14 Jul 03 - 10:13 PM Let's see, what did I sing? There was "The Sloop John A," "Alabama John Cherochee," "The Pearl Diver," "The Tatooed Lady-III," "West Indies Blues," and "The Freedom Schooner Amistad." Some of these actually have words and MP3 samples on my personal website:Charley Noble Website Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Mark Cohen Date: 15 Jul 03 - 12:43 AM The Sloop John A? Something tells me I need to hear that one... Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Naemanson Date: 15 Jul 03 - 02:21 AM Yeah Mark, you definitely need to hear Sloop John A. Let's just say it's the prequel to the song you already know by a similar title. |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 15 Jul 03 - 09:03 AM Mark, it's posted somewhere recently in the Mudcat threads where I scarfed it up. But it's kind of a strange song, full of angst and pathos. I probably didn't do it justice. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Bat Goddess Date: 15 Jul 03 - 06:11 PM Ayuh, I've acquired the words to "The Sloop John A" and will endeavor to learn it as soon as I have some breathing space. (Not THIS week!!!) Very, very funny. And the sort of parody I most admire. Linn |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 16 Jul 03 - 03:28 PM Glad to hear that good times were had by all who have thus far commented. Also wanted to look for some input. Next year, 2004, we'll be switching weekends to avoid the conflicts that arose, and would continue, in May and June. Charley and I are of the opinion that the first Saturday would be too easily missed, especially if it happened to be the 1st or 2nd. The 4th Saturday would conflict with the monthly Coffee House at the UU church. This leaves us with the third Saturday of the month. Thoughts and comments welcomed. Thanks -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: GUEST,MMario Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:33 AM I know it's early - but double checking the SEPTEMBER date? It is.....? |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 23 Jul 03 - 01:56 PM MMario, et al., September will be a "twofer" month. The regular monthly shanty/forebitter session wil be on Saturday, 13 Sept. at 3:30 PM at the Press Room. In addition, there will be another such session there on the 27th as part of the Portsmouth Martime Folk Festival. There are still last minute details being worked out. For more info,look here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Looking forward to meeting you -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:34 PM Hi, gang! Just thought I'd check in here while I have access to a computer. Judy and I are in San Francisco for a week. Richard A. took us to a weekly sea chantey jam last night at McGrath's, an Irish pub in Alameda (across the bay from San Francisco). John, Brian and Dennis were our co-hosts and we had a fine time swapping songs till 1 in the morning. Lots of good energy, and a nice range of participants including one crusty fellow called Skip (?) who came up with some nice vintage songs, including Bob Roberts' sailing barge song "Stormy Weather." Wish I'd grabbed for my tape recorder but I never can quite believe I'll want it until it's too late. Brian going to be visiting Kennebunk in a month so I'm steering him to the Friday evening regular Press Room session. Richard is planning a shanty party at his apartment this weekend if anyone in the area wants to join us. See you Saturday, August 2nd at the Roll & Go concert at the Wells-Ogunquit Historical Society Meeting House. Cheerily, Charley Noble in SF |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Mark Cohen Date: 23 Jul 03 - 03:16 PM By the way, here is Les Barker's Sloop John A. (Scroll down a smidge.) See y'all soon. Aloha, Mark (in Lexington) |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: CET Date: 23 Jul 03 - 09:17 PM Bat Goddess: Any chance of some your pictures being posted? I can't remember now which songs I did, but if you remember some of the lyrics I can probably figure it out. Edmund |
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Subject: RE: August Shanty Session at the Bunker Barn? From: Uncle Jaque Date: 24 Jul 03 - 12:58 AM Cpt.BUNKER mentioned, on Tuesday, that after consultation with Charlie Noble there is a Chanty Sing in the works for his place in Gray, ME next month. I've been looking for a posting on MC about it, but have yet to find it... am I missing something here? |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 24 Jul 03 - 08:27 AM Edmund -- Linn's photos haven't come back yet. Meanwhile, Brian has some he could send to Pene Azul. Reminder -- Mark Cohen will be joining us tomorrow night for the Friday session at the Press Room; more Mudcatters would be in order -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: Charley Noble Date: 24 Jul 03 - 01:26 PM Uncle Jaque et al- Yes, there is a song party/pot luck being planned by China Sea Marine Trading Co. and friends for Saturday, August 16th, probably starting in the late afternoon, at their home in Gray, Maine. I'll post more details when I get back from the West Coast on a new thread. I'm sure Bunker and Sharon would like to know how many folks are planning to attend. Cheerily, Charley Noble, still in San Francisco |
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Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room From: curmudgeon Date: 25 Jul 03 - 12:47 PM Charley -- According to an earlier post on this thread, you're not leaving for San Francisco till this Sunday. Have you time-warped? |
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