Old Songs Festival 2006

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Dharmabum
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 03:29 PM

Sorry I missed you Jeri. It sounds like we were at some of the same workshops. I was incognito,as I forgot to pack my Mudcat t-shirt.

I hadn't been to O.S. in a couple of years. It sure was great to be back.

Many great songs & musicians,but highlights for me were talking to & getting tips from Ken Perlman (Not that I'll ever be able to play like him), Jody Stecher,Kate Brislin,& The Raisin Pickers.

I hope to make it next year.

DB.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 06:22 PM

Well the highlights for me were being able to talk to some friends and meet a few more. The workshops I planned to get to were so full I was unable to get in by the time I was able to leave the booth. Sea Songs and Melodic banjo being the prime interest.
   But having my back to the Museum made for some great concerts that I was able to hear quite clearly.
   Once again the gin and tonics were liberal in availability. I had enough for everyone who stopped by. Jeri only had one so that can't explain her continual befuddlement.
   It was great fun to play at the Shaws Land Yacht. (They travel with an upright bass!) I wish we had the time to sit about a play more. I might have learned how to play the banjo a little bit.
I have to agree the Rasin Pickers where a great show. Harmonies, Old Time style with new music, great stage presence. What could be better.
    I flat out missed Glenn Weiser. How was he?
    The Shetland Fiddle girls stopped by my booth and between three up them they changed the Shetlands to a silver standard. Basically they took home some major crafts from everyone in the craft area.
Kathy (KT)Fanning's husband and I swapped table saw injury stories.
His being recent and mine awhile ago.
    KT, Kendall and Jacqui, Jeri, Tim and Vickie, Susan DT, BBC, Maine Dog, Allan and Carmen, Dave Ruch, George Ward, John Roberts, Barb and frank Shaw, Animaterra(?), Kim Harris, Jeff Warner, and Anne Hills were among the notables who stopped by the both and said hello. I know I've missed mentioning more than several.

Looking for ward to next year already.

Don

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: jacqui.c
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 06:53 PM

Back home at last and listening to my new Finest Kind CD while writing this - they are wonderful and I HAVE to learn 'No More Fish No Fishermen'.

I had a great time - went to a session every hour throughout both days' schedules. Even then there were some hard choices to make. It was so good to get together with friends old and new, met around the site or who found the rig. We're going to ask for site 208 next time, next to the one the Barbara ended up on and just outside the main entrance. Maybe we can arrange a Mudgather - it would be a fairly easy place to find. So sorry I didn't get to catch up with Allan and Carmen. As far as the 'Chucks are concerned their compamny was more than adequate payment for the meals they shared - both Peter and Kris have a wicked sense of humour.

One very small fly in the ointment. Kendall introduced himself to Jody Stecher as a good friend of Utah's. Whilst Kate Brislin was charm itself Mr Stecher was not, giving the impression that he really did not have the inclination to even try to be pleasant. Having watched Kendall being graciousness itself to fans who approach him, even at inconvenient times, that pissed me off. All performers should remember that it is the people who buy their discs and concert tickets that give them a living. This pair was one that we were particularly interested in talking to due to the link with Utah's songs and his atitude rather spoiled the evening, particularly for Kendall. Needless to say our CD purchases did not include any of their discs, although I bought one,on recommendation, of Kate Brislin and Katy Moffat, called Sleepless Nights.

Rant over - Peggy Seeger was brilliant and if you get a chance to hear her 'It's a Free World'.... that was another CD I had to buy! I especially liked Enoch Kent, a Glaswegian with a great repertoire and Brian Peters, from Lancashire. Listening to Joe Hickerson talking about his life was a revelation - I can see why Kendall has so much respect for him.

I would add to Carly's thanks to the Festival organisers. Old songs in 2004 was my first introduction to the American folk scene and it has just got better and better since!

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Midchuck
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 07:20 PM

...both Peter and Kris have a wicked sense of humour.

Interesting...so many Americans say I'm a nasty, sarcastic wiseass. Perhaps I should emigrate to the UK.

P.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 07:45 PM

Midchuck: " Interesting...so many Americans say I'm a nasty, sarcastic wiseass." Well, yeah. So? At least you aren't a mime.

DB, give yourself a hug for me. Everybody else I missed can do that too. Good to see KT, and meet her hubby in front of the Meixner's booth where he and Don were discussing saw injuries. How could I not mention Don & Cindy!? They gave me a G & T, but there was little time to hang out because of those pesky customers! I was also supposed to stop by with my fiddle and didn't. I didn't get an instrument out the whole festival and the only song I sang was on Thursday night!

Oh jeez - Hollowfox and her seriously cool daughter! On one side of my tent were Midchuck & MrsChuck, on another were the Hollowfoxes

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:05 PM

Nice reports! Any pictures?

Charley Noble, still editing Mystic Sea Music Festival pictures

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:12 PM

Glad it went well. Knew it would!

Art

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Allan C.
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:23 PM

Frankly, Carmen and I forgot just about everything else that we saw and heard at O.S. when we witnessed the performance of Beppe Gambetta. The man must have at least a dozen extra fingers to play as many notes as he was able to cram into a single bar of music! We sat there drop-jawed as this incredible musician created magic with his guitar. Well, actually, Carmen did. Before he had finished his first number, I jumped up and practically ran to purchase one of his CD's. (We got another different one later.) To borrow an outdated expression from the days of vinyl recordings: we've been "playing the grooves off" both CD's.

I may write more after I've finished setting fire to my guitars!

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:26 PM

Some photos of 2006 and 2005: Barbara's Old Songs Photos

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:27 PM

PS
Some are pretty fuzzy because I was not using flash, per instructions in the program booklet.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Ref
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:45 PM

A good time this year. We've made fourteen out of fifteen (missed last year traveling in New Zealand.) Finestkind are always worth a three hour drive, doing The Times, Bully in the Alley, and Mary Ellen Carter (there was a Canadian female rugger standing next to me and I thought she was going to cry. Heck, I nearly did!) Raisin Pickers were fun, Llan De Cubel ( a lower key version of Brenga Astur) were delightful. Peter Seigel and Jay Mankita were revelations (GREAT songwriting and delivery.) Beppe Gambetta doing Hard Travelin' with guitar percussion. There's nothing like blues with an Italian accent. Wondering why Lui Collins doesn't perform. Enjoying seeing faces familiar from stages just wandering around like the rest of us. Wondering WHAT the Wild Band Of Snee were smoking for every meal. Harboring vile thoughts about people who can't grasp the idea of QUIET AT NIGHT camping. A few nits to pick, but you've gotta love a festival where you know they actually read your feedback. Already marked on my calendar for next year, but will it start on June 22nd or June 29th? Always look forward.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: bbc
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 08:58 PM

Yes, I saw Lui there, as well as Priscilla Herdman, Cindy Mangsen & Steve Gillette. Maybe they don't do traditional enough music? All are certainly nice folks & good performers.

bbc

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Susan A-R
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 09:15 PM

What a great weekend, Started out the listening experiences with Finest Kind and Knew it was going to be good. Loved Joe Hickerman, and developed a deeper appreciation for George Ward. Where do you come up with all of those amazing songs George? Got to check in with a few Mudcatters. Thanks to the folks who flagged me down. I'm beginning to get to the point where I know enough people that I need to give the "I won't recognize you because I can't tell people from post boxes at 20 paces, so please let me know who you are if I don't seem to be reacting properly." plug.

Did have nice chats with Hollowfox, Alison, Jeri, Alan and Carmen, Dick and Susan and a few brief encounters with some woodchucks, Sandy and Caroline, Dharmabum (you've got to get to the Northeast Heritage Music Camp next year and just absorb Ken Perlman for a week.)and a wave at KT.

Jams were lovely, and I danced my feet sore. What a great festival.

Oh, and Lui comes to work the festival because she loves it, like we do. I expect the other folks mentioned are the same, and many of them have been on the performer roster in the past. They love it as much as we do, I guess. means we have taste.

Sorry I missed so many folks. Will try to do better next year.

Susan

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Ref
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 09:32 PM

Not insulting Lui. She's free to take it any way she wants, but she is just SOOOO talented, I'd love to see her on the Main Stage! She is certainly a troubador in the "Old" style. On another arrangement, does anyone have a reference to the lyrics for John Roberts' "Niebelungenlied" to the tune of Barrett's Privateers?

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 10:26 PM

I believe it was written, for the most part, by Mary LaMarca. She got the metal bras from a friend.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: KathWestra
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 10:32 PM

Ref--the song John Roberts sang to the tune of Barrett's Privateers was written by Mary LaMarca of Silver Spring, MD. She has specifically requested that it NOT be posted on the internet. If you want to get it, you'll have to PM her (her Mudcat handle is--surprise--lamarca). John called me just before Old Songs to get Mary's phone number so he could get the words from her to sing it at the festival. Glad to hear he learned it in time, and that it was enjoyed. Kathy

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Ref
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 06:42 AM

Thanks KathWestra.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 10:34 AM

Well, we're back in western NY, Buffalo, after being rained out of our Adirondacks camping trip. It's okay, though. We're with great friends!

Had a GREAT time at the festival. Weather was wonderful, (even a nice breeze this year). We were SO impressed, as we were last year, with the talent EVERYWHERE we turned! It was wonderful to see so many terrific 'catters....Kendall and Jacqui, all of the Chucks (Sandy, Peter, Kris), Sandy Paton, Charlie Baum, Jeri, Cynthia, Don, Allan C and Carmen, Carly, Hollowfox, Susan A-R and Susan of DT and Dick Greenhaus, Animaterra.....Karen k. You are the first person I asked for and was disappointed to know you couldn't come. I hope you're healing well. Know that you're being thought of with love and good wishes.....

The only problem I have with gatherings like this is that there is not enough time to visit with friends. I would love to spend several hours just yakking with each of you and THEN get started on the music.

And Jeri, you sang two songs...one to me after the songwiter's circle, and a fine one it was!

Thanks to Peter and Kris for loaning your wonderful guitar! I REALLY like that guitar!

More later!

KT

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 10:39 AM

Well I had a dandy time at Old Songs this year. Bought a real nice lizard/salamander pin from Don Meixner for my wife (she loves it Don!), saw bbc all too briefly, caught up with friend Pamela from Ithaca, chatted with The Patons and georgeward and many others not on this list.

On the musical side, it was fantastic. I loved hearing Finest Kind for the first time (who doesn't?), enjoyed Jeff Warner, Joe Hickerson, George Ward, John Roberts, Brian Peters, Michael Cooney, Glenn Weiser and on and on. The "Folk & Country Blues of the Grateful Dead" session with Michael Cooney and Glenn W was great, as was Songs of NY State, Songs of the Sea, Songs of New England and Harmony Singing.

Also go to play a children's set with friend Jay Mankita, who seemed to make ALOT of new friends at the festival, and played mandolin on the last 3 songs with Jay on his main stage set to close the festival. We were both pleasantly surprised by how many people were still there at the end! To receive nice words from people like Michael Cooney and Jeff Davis after the set was the icing on the cake.

There's always more going on than I have time for. I'd love to have a clone to go around and jam and/or sing with people in the various informal situations that go on all throughout the day, but the workshops always seem to win my attention.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: RB3
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 10:58 AM

Really great festival this year!
I've been to 23 of them so far, and I think this was my favorite.
I'm a bit sad that it won't be in Altamont any longer unless something drastic happens. The Altamont Fairgrounds Board (which changed management somewhere around six to eight years ago) has been getting more and more nasty, raising the price, making more restrictions (part of the reason the camping situation changed a few years ago), and making it nearly impossible for the festival to remain there.
On the plus side, if this was the last year in Altamont ('cause you never know), at least it was a really nice one. Nice weather, really fantastic musicians, good food, etc.
I do miss the old clown barn, but the replacement is admittedly easier to do contras in.
-RB3

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 03:20 PM

KT - you are in Buffalo NY? Me too! Send me a PM if you get a chance. I didn't know there was anyone else on here from our area.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 08:40 PM

For the past two years, I've been leading the Saturday night singarounds at the Dutch Barn. With a couple of exceptions--the Woodchucks were one such--there seemed to be a dearth of Mudcatters there. Let's shape up for next year!

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Susan of DT
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 08:45 PM

I was telling people that I thought there were 40 mudcatters there, which I changed to 50 by Sunday. Maybe there were even more. We usually have mudcat tee shirts and patches for sale at the CAMSCO booth (not necessarily on display), so next year come on over and get a shirt so people can find you all. Tell us ahead of time and we will make sure there is one of the appropriate size. We are usually set up just behind the Folk Legacy booth, toward the stage.

Dick is usually in charge of the Saturday nite after the concert sing, which goes well, but does not always have a lot of 'catters there. Come on over next year.

Good seeing y'all.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 09:26 AM

I think an official mudcat reunion would be a good idea, maybe Friday night after the main stage concert (or is that too late for the "morning" people?). Next year we should set up a time and a place, like perhaps the Morse camper in the music-at-night field, as Jacqui suggested.

On another note, I'm delighted that Old Songs has, for two years in a row, inspired me to write new songs. I've been flapping my wings in other directions lately and haven't done much music, but this festival brought me back. Last year it was the Bob Franke songwriting workshop, and this year, Jody Stecher at the Traditional Ballads workshop woke up the muse for me. I (of all people) wrote a ballad!

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Midchuck
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 09:51 AM

Barbara: I think an official mudcat reunion would be a good idea, maybe Friday night after the main stage concert (or is that too late for the "morning" people?). Next year we should set up a time and a place, like perhaps the Morse camper in the music-at-night field, as Jacqui suggested.

Very good plan. If Old Songs continues at the present location. From what I've been hearing, it's touch and go. Sounds like the Fairgrounds Association is trying to cut the goose open to get all the golden eggs at once.

P.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 10:00 AM

Well, thanks to the mudcat, we can all still keep in touch and set up something wherever it is.

The prospect of location change is troubling because that setup is really nice, but maybe the next place would be even better. Frank and I went to Merlefest this year for the first time, and I was AMAZED at how nice that Wilkes Community Campus (location of the festival) is! 13 stages, several of them actual concert halls in campus buildings, lovely walkways and gardens, main stage in the ballfield, workshop spaces indoors and outdoors, etc. Change can be good...

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Midchuck
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 10:38 AM

The prospect of location change is troubling because that setup is really nice, but maybe the next place would be even better.

More shade in the camping areas....someplace to swim, or at least more showers (although there was some improvement this year)...ground that you can actually get a tent stake into...

Dream on.

Peter

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 11:15 AM

Barbara: I think an official mudcat reunion would be a good idea, maybe Friday night after the main stage concert (or is that too late for the "morning" people?).

Friday evening after the main stage concert, I led the singaround in the Dutch Barn. I have a similar complaint to Dick Greenhaus's about the relative dearth of Mudcatters.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 11:24 AM

I don't know if it should be considered a "complaint" about a dearth of Mudcatters. It was not a Mudcat convention, it was a festival! There were a couple thousand people to mingle with! I would have loved to run into Mudcatters, but unless we are wearing badges or t-shirts, it is hard to recognize people you only know by name!   I think we should stage some sort of get together, but I don't know if the sing is the proper time since you can't have a conversation while it is going on. Perhaps a get together during the dinner break on Friday or Saturday would be nice.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 11:33 AM

Actually, Frank and I stopped in to the sing on Friday night, and there were some wonderful songs going on. Didn't mean to take away from your event, Charlie. Since we travel with 2 banjos, guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bass, and this time concertina, we generally stay home to play music at our campsite. When we got bored with just each other (no one else showed up Friday night), we took a walk and discovered the sing at the Dutch Barn. Saturday we had a jam at our site which didn't end until 2:30.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 07:42 PM

Lets brain storm this a little bit.

   Perhaps a sign in board of one type or another might be a help. We would then know who is on the grounds at least. Minimal information would be needed.

Name, Camping yes or no, Attending the sings after the show. Stuff such as that.

   It is my intent to return to Old Songs as a crafter for sometime to come. And since I can't speak for Sandy at Folk-Legacy or Dick and Susan at CAMSCO I would be willing to post a sign in board at my booth subject to size contraints. It may be even as simple as a clip board hanging on a nail.

Don

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Zhenya
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 09:14 PM

I'm curious if anyone has any more information about the festival losing its site at the Altamont Fairgrounds.

I remember hearing a rumor about this some years ago, but then nothing came of it, and I forgot about it.

This year, I've heard just a bit, mostly from a few of the comments in this thread.

Does anyone know where the festival would take place if the Fairgrounds can't be used? And why does the Fairgrounds management want the festival to leave?

Thanks for any more info.
Zhenya

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 09:44 PM

Hello all,

It was good to see those of you I know by face.
I was only sorry that we couldn't stay to the bitter end,
so I missed my buddy Dave Ruch playing with Jay M.

About the festival moving.... it might just be a rumor.
I got into a conversation with Andy Spence Saturday night
where she *did* talk about difficulties with the fairgrounds folks,
and some pressure for increased rent following the building and
improvements they've been doing (some cow barn, eh?) - but she didn't
sound like she was planning on quitting by any means, and didn't sound
like she was expecting to move. In fact, they've got some sort of
long, long term lease on the Dutch Barn. So it's not that the fairgrounds management wants the festival to leave (according to a native, there aren't that many things going on there during the year),
but that they want a bunch more money. We may be seeing higher
ticket and camping prices.

All the rest is speculation, until we hear something official.

best, Pamela

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Zhenya
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 10:02 PM

Thanks Pamela - you certainly got your information from a good source! That's the most detailed information I've heard about this so far. Zhenya

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: Ref
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 10:19 PM

I have a hard time imagining a better site, at least realistically. I'd like to see more in the way of showers and bathrooms, so I was pleasantly surprised by the new facility over by the sheep and cow barns (or was that there last year?)   I'd also ask what happened to the traveling showers for three dollars. I used it twice two years ago. The ground there is hard to get a tent stake into (I use a framing hammer!) but it sure holds the stake securely! I consider it a bargain now, but I hope fixed and lower income people don't get driven out by price increases.

Subject: RE: Old Songs 2006
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 08:57 PM

If you wish to meet other Mudcatters, wear a Mudcat T-shirt (sales of which help pay the bills for this site), or buy a Mudcat Patch (also a source of income for Mudcat). If you don't, don't bother.