Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th

Subject: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 01:58 PM

The monthly chantey sing at Hyde Street Pier, at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park begins it's 25th anniversary year this Saturday, January 7, aboard the historic ship Balclutha, 8pm-midnight. This year also marks a personal milestone, 10 years, as it was August, 1996 that I was handed the responsibilities of running the sings from ranger Revell Carr, who was just beginning graduate school. I want to pay homage to the park rangers who have guided the sings through a 25-year history as a National Park program: Rangers Dave Nettell (1981-89), Celeste Bernardo (1989-92, and Revell Carr (1992-96). Rangers Gary Keep and Kathy Daskal have assisted over the years.

The real success of the program, though, is the enthusiasm, knowledge, and commitment of the many participants who attend and share songs. I've seen kids grow up with the sings, and have witnessed people who had never before sung in public, slowly get up their courage and begin singing, and are now regular song leaders. Seasoned musicians who might otherwise have paid gigs Saturday nights attend and lead songs. The sings have also been a conduit for some who had attended, became inspired by it to volunteer at the park, and ended up getting hired, counting myself among those. It has been, and continues to be, a great priviledge to be a part of this program. long may it continue!

If you're in the area this Saturday and would like to attend, reservations are taken by calling the ranger office at 415-556-6435, or leave a message here (or send me a PM) and I'll add your name or MC handle (whichever you prefer) to the reservation list. Free admission. Enter anytime after 7:30pm.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Barry Finn
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 03:57 PM

Congratulations on the 25th Chanteyranger & to all those that did a great job before you. I 1st attended late fall maybe early winter (can't tell your seasons out their withou't snow) in 81 with Riggy. I always assumed it had a history then & didn't know it was in it's infanticy due to the wealth of wounderfull singers that had already become regulars. Last I attended (thanks, with your help) a couple of yrs back, it had that same lust for singing sea songs only with more fun, talent, taste, appreciation & love of the culture. Sessions in general on the whole are very tempermental to say the least & they take a bit of effort & a shinning star to just keep them from straying off course. I don't think I was on the Balclutha for a session, only on the CA Thayer & I'm sure by now you've been wanting for a bigger hold to sing in. Last time I was there the place was packed tight. I gotta also say that you've got a quite unique party going on, I've never been to one like it. Where kids can come early & sing along with adults & as the evening moves on there's an unnoticeable transition into the more adultish realm of bowdy songs & drink & the thirst that's quinched there is not just from liquid. You & your's before you have made this such a singing institution that you all deserve much praise from all of us in the folk community. Wish I could celebrate with you, may you all have a great time.
Barry

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 05:40 PM

Thank you, Barry! Wish you could be there. Good to see you posting again on MC. The sings do have a history that goes back further than it's infancy. It was "in utero" around 1979, as I've heard it from Dave Nettell and others, when, after the 1st Festival of the Sea, a group hung back for an evening song session. At the end, someone said "Do we have to wait until the next festival to do this again?" So, there were intermittent smallish gatherings for chanteys after that. In 1981 the park officially adopted the idea and scheduled it to be a regular monthly program.

I attended my first one in November, 1989. I have Simon Spalding and Beth Zekley (then Beth Clark) to thank, as they invited me to go with them and we piled into their VW Beetle. I had no idea the sing was run by the Natl Park Service. I saw a ranger leading it (Celeste Bernardo), and about 100 people having a great time aboard a beautiful historic ship, and my ambitions of being a librarian suddenly changed to that of being an NPS ranger!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Melani
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 12:07 AM

TEN YEARS?!?! Are you kidding? It's been so much fun, it seems more like ten minutes. I'm glad you changed your career plans, Chanteyranger.

And by the way, Barry, the Thayer's got the best acoustics!

See y'all Saturday.

Melani

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 02:19 AM

Wish I could be there, but I have pre-birthday plans. I attended my first chantey sing aboard the C.A. Thayer in 1983, I believe. I was invited there by Valentine Doyle (with whom I just sang at Camp Harmony last week). I remember Dave Nettell--he sang Larry Kaplan's "Song for Gale." My next one was in August 2005. Fortunately, it's not as long a trip from Santa Clara as it was from Hilo. I'll be back soon. Congratulations on your 10th, Peter. Long may you sing.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 09:47 AM

Chantyranger-

Have a wonderful blow-out on the 7th.

By the way how is the rebuilding of the C. A. Thayer coming along? The acoustics down below were fine but she certainly needed some major work the last time I was aboard her.

Give my regards to Richard if you see him.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 05:39 PM

Hi, Charley--

They say she's coming back to us in the spring, hull intact but without deckhouses or masts. My buddy the Park historian says we've just gotten a grant for caulking. She may sit around a while while we gather up more money to complete the work.

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 05:41 PM

Posted too soon. I wanted to add, there's a great article in the October (I think) issue of Wooden Boat magazine.

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 09:50 AM

Melani-

Thanks for the update on the Thayer. I'll see if I can find a copy of that issue of the Wooden Boat magazine; they usually sell back issues.

Pity that the Feds didn't complete the job.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: radriano
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 11:04 AM

Hey Charlie, you old buzzard! How's it going? I haven't had a chance to listen to your new recording yet - thanks!

Richard

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jan 06 - 01:40 PM

Richard!

You still walk this earth! Do give "The Old Fiddle" a listen to and lose yourself in the Twilight Zone of old ships and shellbacks.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 01:33 AM

Hey Melani, How are you? I rememeber the great acoustics & the last time there I remember your voice making great use of them too. I hope that I'll get to try out the Balclutha's at some point. I did read the Wooden Boat artical on the Thayer, it was joy to read that she's finialy getting put back in proper oder.
Hi Chanteyranger, I should check with Riggy to find out when I first attended, he'd rememmber better than I. Why you might ask. Cause his memory is far better than mine & we went to the west coast together & soon after getting there we heard about the shanty sessions who knows I could've been there in 80?. An aside & funny story, when Riggy & I 1st got to the SF & finaly found an apt. we started hitting all the sessions possible (besides trying to both find work). Well I guess we were together so often that some took us for being gay. So when I ended up back on the east coast I met a woman thru an Irish flute player from SF whom she also knew & starting hitting on her, she asked him what's my story & he said don't bother he's gay so she thought I was just being friendly, Hah, I married her. Prior to meeting her I met 2 of her sisters thru muisc out there too. I really have very fond memories of those sessions & the parties at Faith's on Clayton St. It's where I met an awful lot of real nice people who all happened to have loads of talent. Simion whom you mentioned was one who got reaquinted with at the Boston Sail Op in 92 then again cause of you at a SF maritime fest, Redmond who I hadn't see since I left in or 81 & shamefully didn't recall his name but recognize immeditly at that same fest & Richard who I've seen a few times over the years & sayed within sight of thanks to Mudcat & Suzanne who gladly gave me Richard's version of "One More Day". I hope she got as much milage out of the bottle of wine I traded as I did out of the song. So Peter needless to say those sessions are diamonds cut in mind thanks for being one of it's loving stewards.
Barry

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 01:35 AM

Sorry, forgot, should've asked. Could you & others post here about what kind of time was had & who had it? Thanks
Barry

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 02:54 PM

Gee, I know they say that if you remember the '70's you weren't really there, but I didn't know that applied to '80's chantey sings as well! Sounds like I must have missed a really good time!

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 04:01 PM

Hi, Barry -

I'll organize a proper bash for the 25th anniversary later this year, and will let 'Catters know when that will be. Good, though, to kick off the anniversary year at this Saturday's. But, yes, let's report on this one.

The sings have been a gathering place for local, and sometimes visiting, 'Catters.
Melani, Radriano, Riggy, P.J. and Dave Swan, Sourdough, BSeed, SunnySister, Joe Offer, Mrzzy, BillR, Lancslad, Toadfrog, (and Barry, of course), and, hmmm, who else?

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: darkriver
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 08:44 PM

Peter,

my son and I have been there and hope to make this one as well.

Thanks.

Doug (darkriver)

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 09:02 PM

Hi Melani
When mentioned hearing your singing I meant when I was there for the festival in 2002 (I think). It's the 60's I have trouble remembering. Well maybe a little of the 70's, 80's & 90's. Now I'm starting to wonder about the new century. At this rate I could get born again. Barry

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Melani
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 11:40 PM

It was 2002, Barry--the Moby Dick Festival. I recognized you from you picture, and when I heard you sing, I nearly fell off the keelson. You have an amazing voice!

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: GUEST,Lance Beeson
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 12:02 PM

Reservations needed? Add three names to the list, Lance, Marilyn and Thomas. If you need anymore info, let me know here. See you tonight! BTW, sound was great for Jeff Warner, just where it was. He remarked on it. I thought he had a mini-amp somewhere at first.

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 07 Jan 06 - 01:37 PM

Hello, darkriver and Lance. Come over and introduce yourselves to me at the sing, eh?

"Beeson-3" will be added to the list, Lance.

Subject: RE: Chantey Sing at Hyde St. Pier Jan. 7th
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 12:16 AM

It was great to hear many of you on Saturday at the sing. Because of my boys, I had to leave and heard you singing South Australia (one of my favorites) as I left.

I was approached by Shelley, about fiddling in my group, but haven't heard from her so this is an open call to her to contact me via phone or mail. Or anyone else who is interested in playing fiddle and singing old California music. Thanks again,

Lance Beeson