Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007

Subject: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 01 Aug 06 - 01:29 PM

We've had quite a run on the 2006 festival thread and it has spilled over into thoughts about next year's festival.

So I thought it is high time to start a new thread to help keep in touch and not have to scroll on and on and on to get where we need to be.

If I'm wrong, feel free to ignore me and post on as you were.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Aug 06 - 11:03 AM

Announcing a mailing list for parties interested in
the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival.

To subscribe, simply send an email with
the word 'subscribe' to [e-mail]
In the body of the mssage, please put a note with
your name and your interest in the Festival. (I'm
not going to just add every random person.)

You will receive an email message to which you must
reply confirming your desire to subscribe.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Aug 06 - 02:22 PM

refresh!

Great idea for a contact list of those really interested.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 02:08 PM

Save the Dates   June 7 - 10

partial list:

Louis Killen
Jerry Bryant
Lee Murdock

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 02:33 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,jcampbellwampum
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:20 PM

feb 24.. sitting here at geno leech,s house in chinook washington, hang onto your hats when we get some of these west coasters out to ct, this summer,more later

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 12:51 PM

Here is a more complete listing:
Northern Neck Virginia Chantey singers
Cindy Kallet
Lee Murdock
Louis Killen
Jeff Warner
Ellen Cohn
Jerry Bryant
Cliff Haslam
Geno Leech
Moe Bowstern
Ana Vinagre
Bob Walser
Bob Webb
Chanterelle
Jonn Bartlett
Rika Rubesatt
Tom Lewis
Pint and Dale
Sounds of Africa

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 01:23 PM

Thanks for the update.
I'm thrilled to see the Northern Neck Virginia Chantey singers. There are very few groups that sing together that are still part of a living tradition (think Manhaden Chanteymen, Barouallie Whalers & the Buckingham Lining Bar Gang). I believe it'll be their 1st time at Mystic (the others have all been past performers). They are worth the festival alone. I'm also thrilled to see that this year they're adding some of the Fisher Poets (Moe & Gino) (see Fisher Poets thread) to the attractions. Happy to see that John & Rika well be there as performers this year, they were terrific as presenters & singers last year. The rest of the line up is just as thrilling. It would seem that the Seaport has done quite a job in turning the festival around. This will prove to be "THE FESTIVAL" of the year to attend. Congrats to what ever commitee it was that turned out this stellar gathering of performers.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 02:12 PM

Nice to see the Pacific Northwest recognized this year.

Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat (correctly spelled I believe) are from the greater Vancouver, British Columbia, area.

Tom Lewis is from the mountains above Vancouver.

And Pint and Dale are either in Seattle or the UK.

This Festival should be great fun!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: moongoddess
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 06:46 PM

You have to have Cindy Peloquin and her shanty music. Her voice is so beautiful and her banjo playing is excellent.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 10:50 PM

I thought I knew a thing or two about this kind of music but I have to admit I don't recognise a single name on the list of performers.
Nick

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: iancarterb
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 11:18 PM

What date(s)?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 12:06 AM

Wow!   What a great lineup!!! This is an outstanding collection of artists!   I would not miss this!!!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 12:12 AM

The dates are June 8-10. Here's the seaport's Festival page it seems that it hasn't yet been updated yet. The dates have it from Friday through Sunday.

Northern Neck Chantey Singers
Cindy Kallet

Lee Murdock

Lou Killen

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 01:43 AM

Sounds great!!!!
We missed you at S. P - perhaps next time? It was a fun evening......

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 02:33 AM

Here you go Guest Nick. There are a few I couldn't find out much to link to & for the Sounds of Africa (not knowing who or what they're presenting) I came up with way to much.


Ellen Cohn has performered at the festival quite a lot over the years & is very knowledge about sea music as well as being a fine singer, musician & performer. I believe she may have been a staff member & part of the shanty crew there in it's earlier life.



Sorry I hit submit before I was finished. Here's a few more links

Jon Bartlett & Rika Ruebsaat

Jeff Warner

Jerry Bryant

Chris Haslam

Geno Leech & Moe Bowstern

Bob Walser

Bob Webb

Tom Lewis

Pint & Dale

Chanterelle

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,jon campbell
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 11:02 AM

barry- see if you can link right to the astoria fisher poets main site. it might also be good if somebody at the seaport tried to get jen winston up from ny to show and talk about the whole documentary project this event out here is unlike anything else i've attended, this year there were in excess of 55 readers, poets (not so many musicians) and the its real non competitive, the main deal being that everybody has lived what their talking about, this is no revival, no research project, no costumes no trappings.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 12:10 PM

Hi Jon, good to hear from you. Sounds like a lot of fish tails to me, a real bucket of stink out there in Astoria, glad you had a good time.

Astoria Fisher Poets

Maybe the mention of Jen Winston here would encourge someone to invite him/her to the symposium as a presenter. Sounds like a likey spot for it. I'm pretty happy that the peotry end of the culture is being showcased. See ya in June-Jon.

Cindy is also a great double handed bones player, when the bones aren't leaping from her hands into the drink. Right throught the space in the decking. A good laugh.
The sourrounding waters should be a treasure chest for a diver. I've got a cell phone sitting on the bottom between the Conrad & the dock & one year my singing partner lost a good meal over the side of the Mystic Whaler. I'm sure many have lost more.

It's also great that the line up is up & out so early in the season, makes planning for the festival exciting. I'm very excited with it this year.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Feb 07 - 01:34 PM

Jon-

I hope that the good fisher poets of Astoria "release" you so you can return to your beloved New England.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 12:48 PM

Barry...

I'm glad to see a nice 'line up' but I think 'turning that Festival
around' is a bit of an over-statement.

What would 'turn it around' would be a plan for growth, for once
again giving back to the musical genre as was the case twenty
years ago, as well as being accountable to those who help
to pay the bills.

All of these things the Seaport has refused to even begin to do,
choosing instead to trade on location, location, and location
as well as a very appreciative audience.

To me, the changes between 2006 and 2007 represent a missed
opportunity to actually bring about such a 'turn around' as
well as a concious decision not to do so.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 02:47 PM

Greg-

I pretty much agree with your take but also expect that the Festival this year will be better organized, and less stressful to performers. I do hope that it is better attended for it can be a wonderful experience for people who enjoy good music and a beautiful "seaport" setting. I am very plesed with the range of performers mentioned so far.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 05:10 PM

Hi Greg
I do think that there's been a great "turning around of the festival". The line for one is great. I'm happy that there's a Fado singer who so talented & she's local too & is, I believe, very connected to sea music. There a fair representation of both US & non US bred talent & some that cover non English speaking cultures that are approate to sea music & not just because they sung in a bar across the street from where a ship was being built. There's also a covering of the singer/songwriter/contempory genre & a heathly dose of trad. A new direction is the presenting of a few 'Fisher Poets', which is an expansion in covering the traditional culture of the deep water sailor. There's no word yet on symposium presentors but hopefully classical composers won't be listed. The advanced listing of a line up is far better than last year when even the performers didn't know much until it was almost upon them. That itself states that the festival is healthy & strong & being well (or the very least much better) managed & that folks can now plan in advance which takes from the draw if they can't. It the this part of the festival that counts, that people care about, that folks come for. The workings of the festival doesn't matter if the festival isn't worth attending.
I do agree with some of your points but they should be left to SMF list & not a public forum. I just posted there. Maybe there should be a pre & post gathering of SMF at Mystic as a part of the festival. More of this on-list, maybe?
Anyway this year is a turnaround so I'm very excited already & am waiting to hear more on volunteers. And hopefully well being seeing you all there.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 09:38 AM

There are changes going on, and most of them are good. Unfortunately Greg, yours and my idea of a perfect festival are just not quite going to happen. LIve with it. There has been a huge orginisational hole for the past couple years, and Joanie is doing here best to repair that. Remember, she started at Mystic Seaport a week before last years festival, and is working on that model. Most of us remember the wonderful festival of 15-20 years ago and thats just not there any more. Mystic Seaport is a different place, run by way different people, with different goals. At this point the best we can do is support the programs that are important to us, and look for the bright side.

Marc Bernier

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 10:21 AM

If there were such a thing as a perfect festival, the blueprint would be printed and everyone would follow.   Each festival has different sets of issues and audiences.   I only started attending in recent years, and even I could see the changes.   

As Barry pointed out, the lineup for this year shows great change and I think that it reaches the core of what the festival should be about. There will be music for those with a deep appreciation of the sytles and there will be music for those who are going to be exposed for the first time and can be drawn into the beauty.

I wish them all the best and I am looking forward to attending.   Barry, you mentioned a list for discussion of the SMF. Is there information on how people could join the list?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 03:43 PM

Ron --

If you send a message to [e-mail] , it will
subscribe you to the smf mailing list, which is at present rather
quiet.

Barry---

Your post didn't hit the list... perhaps you still haven't
got your email address just right with it. Shoot me an email
with what is defintely your correct address, and I'll endeavor
to effect repairs.

But before you castigate me too much about being public in my
commentary, consider this: Late last year, a couple of us
very long time and rather high-dollar contributors tried to
meet with the organizers. At our expense, on our time, we
wanted a couple hour sit-down.

'No' was the answer. At two levels. 'No.'

At the upper level, the answer included 'we don't want to be
accountable' to financial backers.

We held the door open--- and got it slammed in our faces.

Now, I didn't have any particular expectations when I founded
the Friends of the Festival a decade ago. But after ten years,
and creating a program that now accounts for the lion's share
of the budget, (and by the way it took one HELL of a lot of
persuading to get them to do it) and personally bringing direct
and matching contributions to the event in an amount that would pay
for a real nice new car, I think something better than 'we don't want
to be accountable' and a refusal of a couple of hours of the
organizers' time is in order.

Organizers who, by the way, made no effort to seek out and introduce
themselves to me.

And I don't mind saying that in public.

Or whatever they refuse to sit down across the table and listen
to in private.

Mystic Seaport Museum may be a private organization, but it is
a public trust, custodian of physical and cultural artifacts
which represent the collective heritage of their constituency.

At a time of ever-increasing accountability of public trusts,
MSM seems to be going in the opposite direction and losing its
way.

Marc, you've had the painful experience of watching the budgetary
axe fall on the necks of some of your colleagues over the past
couple of fiscal years. At the same time, I see MSM senior management
wringing their hands over expenses which are outpacing flat or
negative growth in revenues. And in the face of that, you have
managers and colleagues who still believe that 'development' isn't
their business, that it belongs somewhere in the Development Office.
(My "we don't want to be accountable" call began with my hearing
the words "this isn't a development call." Brother, at a museum in
financial straights, ANY phone call to a five-figure sponsor of a
program of which you have charge IS a bloody "development call" and don't you forget it!)

They don't correlate a "we don't want to be accountable" (or even,
as you put it, "Live with it") with a drop in what people are willing
to contribute in a world where a whole bunch of worthy causes that
are "important to us," some of which are fiercely accountable to
stake-holders.

Maybe that last term is the crux of the issue.

Ten years and tens of thousands of dollars later, I'd sure like the
new gal and guy to at least acknowledge that some of us who dig
around in our bank accounts year after year are "stake-holders."
Worth, perhaps, a couple of hours of their collective precious
time.

To say nothing of the volunteers who've collectively put blood,
sweat, and tears into the event for all this time.

The new folks choose not to.

Oh well. Let 'em deal with the resulting budget issues then.

I may have to "Live with it" but I don't have to keep paying
for it.

I'll have a coupla extra grand in my pocket to do something else
with this year and until they wise up. I can still buy a ticket and hear that great line-up. I'll even be able to afford to stay at the
Whaler's Inne instead of the HoJo's, eat at the Daniel Packer a
coupla times instead of Sea Swirl, then go down and spend Monday
night at the Griz.

And when they do wise up, and start showing me that there's a path
and a plan for growth both in the SMF and in the sea music programs
at MSM in general, and a sense of accountability to the stake-holders
I'll be back with whatever support I can afford.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,campbell
Date: 27 Feb 07 - 05:34 PM

interested parties can punch up the daily astorian to get a little more feeling for the fisher poets gathering feb 25 & 26 the young girl covering it gives kind of a starry eyed treatment,   
but this is the sound of the working watermen and women as it is in this millenium. and i'm glad to see the organizers might give a little bite to those who have spent a lot of time on steel decks and have wrung more water out of their socks than most of us will ever see.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 10:09 AM

hi guys,

Greg... I've attempted once more to get onto your mailing list... hope it works this time....   

let me know what Mike & I can do to long distance assist....

here's hoping we can actually make it there on Thursday this time...

cheers, Chris

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,3
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 12:42 PM

I respectfully disagree with Guest 2's position that Greg B shouldn't complain about Things Gone Wrong. It is ALWAYS helpful to be informed. It is ALWAYS enlightening to understand behind-the-scenes action. If this thread turned into a 200-message-long whinge session, that would be another matter.

The festival will be fun; the festival will be good; enjoyment will be had. None of that means that museum officials should dismiss and/or ignore problems the festival may have. There is nothing on this earth that cannot be improved upon.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Doug Allen
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 01:00 PM

Greg
While your monetary contribution to the festival has always been welcome, you are not the largest contributer, and you did not "start" matching funds or corporate sponsorship. I initiated corporate sponsorship and matching funds over 25 years ago
You sound more like the sour grapes child. Who, not getting the recognition you want is going to take your ball and go home. (pardon the mixed metaphor)
As you know I have been involved with the festival since its' inception. I have volunteered in every job the festival has and have been a Seaport volunteer for over 30 years.
I have watched the festival grow over those years to (what I have been told) the largest festival of its type in the western hemisphere.
Is funding a problem? Always? Should every donor have a say in where the money goes? No.
Leave the spending to those who know where it's needed.
I don't agree with all the changes in the festival behind the scenes, but I understand that they were made to benefit the Museum.
If you don't agree with that, as far as I'm concered, take your ball home and shut up.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 09:22 AM

I would hope that these internal squabbles will not diminish the perception of the festival that the public has. Festivals are not organized to meet the needs of donors or organizers - they are created to perpetuate and share the music that is offered.

As a host of a radio show that depends on listener donations for survival, I know how important it is to please the donor. I do make every attempt to listen to what they have to say - requests for songs, suggestions for themes, guests, etc.   At the same time, I would not dare to let money determine the course of my program. That is not fair to anyone - most of all, the listener.   One of the reasons that I do not search our larger corporate underwriters is the fear that they will attempt to dictate the program.

What I am reading in this thread strikes me as similar.   I completely understand Gregs discomfort at being "shut out", and if his words are true - the organizers should have given him the courtesy of an explanation. At the same time, I do not think that a single donor should assume their money will give them a say in how things are run.   As Greg mentioned, it is a public trust - and the public trusts the representives that run the musuem. Public trust does not mean that money dictates the course of action. If anyone feels that trust is broken, then as Greg says - the money does not come.

I would hope that this can be settled in a less public forum. If the parties involved truly care about the festival then they will do what they can to solve these differences. Failure to communicate will bring an end to everything. You don't want to argue in public if you really care about the welfare of this festival.    Parents who are having marital problems should never argue in front of their kids - neither should organizers and donors.

I know my opinion was not asked for, but as a "fan" of this festival, it really hurts to see such bickering that is not necessary.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 11:45 AM

I would also urge folks to cool the public airing of their thoughts about particular individuals. I have a lot of respect for Greg and others who have been involved in this Festival for years, and if someone has something critical to say I think it's better to do so by PM or e-mail.

Festival policy and practice, however, I consider fair game.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 01:22 PM

You know, Doug, I figured someone might trot out the 'sour grapes'
argument.

I just didn't expect it to be you.

Your posting, above, is a marked contrast to the conversations that
we've had over the last several years regarding the direction that
the event has been taking.

Yes, you're a significant stake-holder; and I'm disappointed that
you're not acting in that role. I've only been involved as a volunteer
and supporter for 20 years. I haven't had every role in the event,
but I've done everything from answering phones in the office to
cleaning out a balky toilet, so I have some idea.

I don't know why you'd put words in my mouth--- I'm probably not
the largest financial contributor, never said I was. But it's
significant (at least to me). I *WAS* the driving persona behind
formalizing the Friends of the Festival which, here and now, provides
the lion's share of the budget.

When you say it's about 'recognition,' though, you're talking
through your hat. There's a lot more recognition at SMF if you
as either volunteer or donor are must 'seen and not heard.' Indeed,
I've been told that in so many words by a SMF organizer in the
last 30 days. Indeed, I'm quite aware of my risk of becoming
'persona non grata' in some of the MSM halls of power as a result
of my outspokenness.

But I can remain silent no longer.

And I have made every attempt---- EVERY attempt, to resolve these
issues 'in the family.' I've been rebuffed. More than one of us
has been rebuffed.

Ron, you make a very good point:

"[Festivals] are created to perpetuate and share the music that is
offered."

In making it, you put your finger on the core problem: The overall
sea music program at Mystic Seaport Museum is broken, it and
the Sea Music Festival as a reflection of that program have
deviated significantly from that mission.

A decade ago, the museum had on its staff four scholar/artists
as full-time chanty staff. It didn't happen over-night. It was built
on the shoulders of others, like Bob Walser and Sturat
Frank. Furthermore, there were others 'in waiting' to fill that
role when and if the others moved on. Their role was educational---
they researched and presented the music as witness to the lives our
seafaring ancestors lived and the struggles they faced. The Festival
was an outgrowth of that: it was part of the educatonal 'mission.'
The chantey staff where the 'curators' of these cultural artifacts.

What is the situation today? Of the four, three are gone or
at best are filling in a day, perhaps less, per week. In that
role, they're 'background music.' There is much less education
about the role the music played and how it bespeaks of the culture.
Those 'in waiting' were not moved to step into those roles---
they've moved on to other museums or jobs where they're happier
and treated better. A couple even within the Seaport.

Oh, they all say nice things in public about 'other opportunities' so
as not to burn bridges. But the reality is, the role of musical
artist/scholar at MSM gradually become untenable.

The museum's view of the Festival has gone (with some other
events) from part of the educational mission to one which is
judged by the administration according to its ability to bring
in revenue. Right in there with 'Lobsterfest.'

Now I hear some standing up and saying 'well what about this
year's line-up, with the fisher-poets and all?' To which I
respond that it's as much about what you don't see as what
you see. What you don't see contains a whole lot of unrealized
potential. Early in this process you could see it--- for
example in the booking of some rather odd choices of 'headliners.'
More recently, the organizers got to be a bit better at disguising
the priority-shift, but by the time that was done, there wasn't
much money and energy left to lend substance and growth.

What has happened to the 'curatorial' side of sea music at Mystic
is analagous to the Seaport allowing the C.W. Morgan to sink at
her wharf.

What has happened to the Festival isn't quite as bad--- more
like port-painting the ship and hanging the effigy of a pirate
in the rigging in order to make the kids say 'Mommy, Daddy,
lets go in there.'

If that happened, I believe someone who'd put a great deal into
Morgan's restoration and maintenance could probably get away with
raising hell--- publicly if it came to it--- without someone
coming along and accusing him of ulterior motives or starting
some side-debate about the proper role of donors.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:16 AM

Guest - I think you misread the notes. Greg made an analogy, he wasn't saying the boat sunk. I was on deck last summer, it is doing fine.

I am still looking forward to the festival. Not everyone can create a perfect festival. People reading these posts might expect to see a disaster, but judging from the previous events - including recent years that were in question, I have always had an enjoyable time.

I hope all parties can resolve their internal issues. I hope to see many people enjoying the music and surroundings in June!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 11:38 AM

I take you point sir but then also consider my statements as analogous. The maintenance of Mystic vessels is very much analogous to the care of and being a shepherd or steward of musical heritage which the Mystic sea music festival does-indeed well.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 12:10 PM

"The maintenance of Mystic vessels is very much analogous to the care of and being a shepherd or steward of musical heritage which the Mystic sea music festival does-indeed well. "

That is the point being debated and I believe the point Greg was making, at least that is how I interpreted it.

I tend to agree with you Guest, I do think the organizers of the Sea Music Festival do a good job, but that does not mean it can't be improved. I think the passion that both sides speak from show the interest in perpetuating this music and event, but I worry that public bickering - from both sides, will only serve to kill this event.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Rev
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 03:03 PM

There have been a lot of changes as the Seaport in the last 5 to 7 years, which have affected the sea music festival, but are connected to issues that are far larger than the sea music festival. It's like the old parable of the blind men and the elephant, when you're in touch with only one part of the larger organism it seems like that's the whole animal, but it's not. Remember, the Seaport has a working shipyard, that not only restores ships, but recently built a replica of the Amistad, they have a large library, a program for college students, a planetarium, over a hundred buildings, etc... The Seaport's budget is in the tens if not hundreds of millions and they work on huge projects, the restoration of the C.W. Morgan (tens of millions), for example, or the conversion of the old Rossi Mill to house the museum's enormous collections of small boats, maritime artifacts and photographs (also tens of millions). There are many people out there who are just as enthusiastic about the preservation of small boats as we are about the preservation of sea music. The museum has to be able to balance all these things.

Mystic had a major change of management in early 2001, which has clearly brought a different style and focus to the administration of all parts of the museum, some that has not been for the best. Shortly thereafter, the disaster of 9/11 changed tourism patterns, and had a major effect the bottom line of every large outdoor museum in the country. Mystic has also had to compete with the growth of the Foxwoods casino, and later, the Mohegan Sun casino, which have further siphoned off tourist dollars. In our myopic focus on the festival, it's easy to forget that we don't just want the festival to succeed, we want the entire museum to survive if not flourish. Sometimes that means making unpleasant choices.

As for the chantey program at the Seaport. Interpreters make very little money. It is very difficult to live on what those four great guys were making. But they did it for twenty-years or more because of their dedication, and because the Seaport was a wonderful place to come to work everyday. But who can blame them for wanting to move on? One wants to go back to grad school, another wants to explore different musical areas. More power to them! That no one has stepped in to fill their shoes is, again, the product of a lot of economic and social issues. I inquired about taking a chanteying job there, at least on a temporary or seasonal basis, but after talking to a number of folks there I realized that I couldn't make it work financially. Perhaps, though, if the sea music program is so important to you, you'd like to quit your job and work, for probably less than $10.00 an hour, as a chanteyman. No? I can't say I blame you.

So who's to blame for the difficult straits the sea music program is in? I don't know, but I'm inclined to blame George Bush... Or maybe blame should not be the name of the game.
My two cents,
Rev

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 03:36 PM

Thank you Mr. Rev for this calm informative note. You have spoken much truth succinctly and eloquently. Hats off to you.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 07:54 AM

Just two cents worth from the "wilds" of western New York....

Mike & I have been volunteering for this wonderful festival for over twenty years.... made lasting friendships..... watched young kids grow into fine adults.....

For years I've described this festival as going to our "family reunion", and we look forward to seeing the people as much as we do to hearing the music and seeing new groups and learning about different musical traditions. And singing myself hoarse by the time Sunday rolls around, thanks to the "I can sing my shanty louder than you can" competitions at the after hour shanty sings.... lol

Yes, things have changed over the years, but the love of the music, interest in the history and desire to keep the tradition going is still going strong. And our slightly dysfunctional "folk family" is coping with the stress of these changes. And the thanks in part to the SMF and its participants, there are so many more places around this country and the world that are keeping the music and tradition going. So I am hopeful that we will weather out these hard times and be singing our lungs out for more years to come.

And I'm looking forward to seeing all of you guys that can make it to the seaport this June.

Ever hopeful, Chris

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 12:01 PM

Mystic Seaport, over the past half century or so, has done a balancing act between being a marine museum and a commercial attraction. To date, I'd say they've done a spectacularly successful job of it. Yes, I'd love it if there was a bit more emphasis on the serious academic side of things, but I suspect that an operation that I found ideal wouldn't attract enough visitors to continue existing. This being said, I can only say that the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival is one of the very few folk music events that I will not miss.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 10:50 AM

Bottom line-preservation of the musical tradition. there will be a festival-thank you who are involved for that .. And we will have fun-"bottomer" line.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 02:02 AM

Rika and I are proud and honoured to be invited as guests this year. May I ask some of the old-timers whether they can suggest a suitable regimen for training for the great event? Thirty-six housr of continual shanty singing is for sure going to require more than the usual training regimen of oysters and very dark ale. Mr. Finn, what say you?

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 07:54 AM

Jon and Rika-

I'm not sure what to say given your delicate voices, which I can still clearly hear thundering over the shantying in the dance hall and the galley like surf in a Downeast gale. I usually advise newcomers to find a corner or wall to bounce off, in the vincinity of a group of friends who can chorus along. You two could still be heard if you were outside on the porch, or across the street!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: DebC
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:13 AM

Hi Jon and Rika,

I had sent an email to you a few weeks ago. Please get in touch. Hope to see you when you are on the USA East Coast in June.

Best,
Debra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 08:56 AM

Oysters and Ale is a good start. Other than that, if your not in shape now you probably won't be then. Looking forward to seeing you again.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 03:28 PM

Hi Jon
I think what ever you've been doing has been working out OK for you. I was even thinking last yr of asking you what you were doing, cause for the past few times I've been getting there with an already hypo-allegric throat which by the 2nd night goes into de-fib & gives me that raspy croak sort of sound.
Seeing as you're asking though might I suggest a couple things that I've tried. Bring some abalone for later use. Be sure to start early though cause they didn't work for me cause I didn't start early enough. The week before you get here, say on Monday morning start the days off with a strict diet of sashimi, use wasabi mixed with tamari & ginger root an wash it down with liberal amounts sukiyaki, raw lobster tail & a cheap port will do if ya can't get the real stuff. After each meal do some physical & vocal exercises like jumping jacks an all the while turn your head side to side an start opening & closing your jaws. Start his one off easy & work your way to stressful, now start flapping ya lips & start singing your vowels beginning at your lowest range an work up to your high range extending the ranges as you continue. Do this until, let's say for 3 days an nites. Continue the physical & vowel training but stop with the sashimi an sukiyaki an let your guts settle down. After you've been throughly flushed you'd wanting ta be starting a regular diet of steak tatar using again liberal amount of Jim Bean's best with a little bit of tabasco sauce mixed with some hot fish oils. Add to your training regimen, starting no later than thrusday morning, a new routine, lay off the jumping jacks. Raise your arms up & out out & spread your legs a little better than shoulder's width apart an bend at the waist keeping your knees strait, cross an touch your toes, it's important to hold that position fro 22 seconds & yell at the floor, again singing your vowels, straighting out you body back to the starting position & repeat for 10 reps 3x daily working your way up to 20 by the time you get to Mystic. Ask Rika to take pictures cause technique is important & I may want to keep these pictures an patent this if it woks on you. You'll be getting much credit & exposure if all goes well. Anyway by the time the Friday (this is when we take part in eating the abalone) nite sing gets going strong an you start ta sing the dogs that attended last yr won't be able to stop howling, an they probably won't even be there. So I'll try the same regime & we can have a real good howl together for ourselves an anyone else that chooses too. I just hope that you'll be able to stay on your feet as long as ya did last year, you were impressive. See ya there
All the best to you & Rika
Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Mar 07 - 03:31 PM

I should've asked, will it be the right month for abalone, it's been a terriblely long time since I was out that way, 1979 I think, so I'm not sure about the abalone season.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Rev
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 12:33 AM

I recommend supplementing your oysters and ale with a heaping plateful of the fried clams (with bellies) from Sea Swirl (out on Route 1, just down the road from the Seaport). The hot oil will coat your throat and keep you singing smoothly for hours!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Mar 07 - 07:10 AM

Or the Portugese scrambled eggs and hot sausage from Chicken Little's (or whatever it's called).

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 12:15 PM

wow.... the link is up on the Seaport's site.... and it's still March.... lol

http://www.mysticseaport.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=C9BE0FCF-D86E-382C-FA65352B6393646D


http://www.mysticseaport.org/    you do have to search trhough a few screens from the main page, but hey....


any word on when the volunteer sheets will be sent out?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 02:36 PM

Jon and Rika---

Fisherman's Friend. Nobody really knows if it helps a sore throat
or just tastes so awful that you won't admit to yourself or anyone
else that you have one, and your oral arena is so frightened
of being given another, that it ceases to give trouble.

I've checked, and the official name of their flavor is 'strewth!'

The web site is an improvement--- last year, I was leaving the
house for Mystic on Thursday morning, and calling to tell them that
there were no links on the home page to the event!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Rev
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:17 AM

While looking at the blurb about the Festival I decided to check the job openings page and found this:

Chantey Interpreter: seeking skilled musician to join chantey team in the Interpretation Department. Chantey staff are responsible for performing high quality historically accurate maritime music both at Mystic Seaport and off-site, assisting in planning/running annual Sea Music Festival, working with Demonstration Squad showing maritime skills. Some of the demonstrations of maritime skills such as rigging, climbing and sail-handling on a square-rigged ship require physical stamina. The ideal candidate will hold a BA in a related field or equivalent experience, have proven performance skills including an aptitude for public speaking, ability to work in a collaborative environment as part of a team and willingness to work in all weather. All candidates need to prepare a 15-minute performance audition as part of the interview process.

So for all you chantey singers out there who've always wanted to try chanteying for "a living," here's your chance. There are several Mudcatters who've done this job (Marc Bernier, Bob Walser... are there more?), perhaps theywould be willing to correspond with interested parties.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:38 AM

They should've hung on to the guys they had! They were good!

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 12:16 AM

Charley: It's Kitchen Little. Grand breakfast with a view.
Some years ago, when Mainbrace came, they stayed with me. One morning, we headed toward Mystic. Mike looked out and saw the Morgan in the sun with the sails being unfurled; he observed, "What a beautiful site and what fond memories!" Tony responded dreamily, "Yes, Kitchen Little. . ."

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 08:07 AM

"Kitchen Little" it is!

Be aware it closes for the day at 2 pm!

More than once I've had a pleasant brunch break there on the way back from NYC to Maine.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 12:51 PM

AM Eggstacy, as they say.

By the way, the spicy one with chorizo is the 'Portuguese Fisherman.'

The new fish place in the Olde Mystic Village shopping center is
quite good, though not cheap. And the Daniel Packer House in
downtown Mystic is excellent.

Not to leave out Abbot's Lobster in the Rough in Noank.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 07:51 PM

*Sigh*...if only I'd known all of you when I lived there...I wouldn't have minded the traffic near as much.:-) Have fun!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 02 Apr 07 - 07:55 PM

Indeed, I'll be missing it, and the company in particular, too, this
year.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 02:03 AM

Sorry to hear that Greg, why not wait until time moves closer before you decide that. Your presence is always a good feeling & a valuable insite as to the festival's pulse, besides you'll be missed on the dockside.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 04:53 PM

Oh, I'll probably feel a twinge on the day, but my decision is
pretty much made.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Apr 07 - 05:38 PM

Greg-

You may have burned yourself out this year but I'm sure we'll run into you somewhere, and the round's on me!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 06:41 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: beetle cat
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 01:54 PM

I'll miss the French Canadian connection.. but other than that, I have nothing to complain about... aside from a lack of Newfoundlanders, and pretty young men in general. :)
See you all there
Mary

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 02:16 PM

There are young men & there are pretty men & there are Newfie's there, I swore but pretty young Newfie men there I never have seen before, (you're drunk, you're drunk, you silly old fool) beetle cat. Not that I'd be interested, anyway.
See you there.
Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 02:43 PM

I just visited the Seaport's site & saw that they now have it starting on Thrusday eve again different from the last time I visited the site. Has anyone access to a schedule they can post if there's one out yet and any word on volunteers yet?

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 12:39 PM

Barry.... we've been wondering the same thing about the status of volunteers.... we haven't heard a thing and it getting pretty late.

Not even too sure who is charge this year.

Hey out there... anyone hear us?   We want to volunteer!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 01:01 PM

You might get volunteer information from Jonathan Shay, who's
in charge of the whole thing this year, or Joanie Dimartino,
who is assisting him.

As to the Thursday start, it's started on Thursday night for
as many years as I can remember. 'Members preview' concert,
which in the last couple of years was followed by a sparse
but pleasant pub sing in the Galley.

It's also astonishing to me how many 'regulars' just don't
know about the Thursday night concert!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 03:41 PM

Hi Greg
On the Seaport's web page when this year's festival info was first updated there was no Thrusday included. On the most recent update it is back on "as per usual".

Thanks
Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 12:18 PM

I believe that Meg is coordinating volunteers again this year.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 06:53 PM

Meg is in fact still coordinating the volunteers, I just spoke with her today. I suggest you contact Joanie Dimartinofor info, as she works for Mystic Seaport and Meg does not.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 09:20 PM

refresh for those of you with the volunteer questions

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: JedMarum
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 10:13 PM

... wish I could make it ... one of these years!!

All the best though to those of you attending. I look foward to seeing the post festival comments.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 02:37 AM

Thanks Marc

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 06:40 AM

No prob. See ya there Barry.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 09:23 AM

Meg was making some calls for volunteers this weekend, at least for the sound crew.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 06:02 PM

with the bad weather we've had, the phone has been off and on here .... one of the joys of country life ...

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 12:52 PM

Joanie told me yesterday that the Seaport website has been updated as far as the festival is concerned. I think that means you can soon by tickets. I'm not seeing a list of performers yet, maybe I'm missing it, more likely it is soon to come.

Marc

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 01:07 PM

I seem to be confirmed as a sound volunteer, along with Norris Dale of Roll & Go. So we're looking forward to having great fun, and enjoying once again the luxureous overnight accomodations aboard the Joseph Conrad.

We were also pleased to hear that a professional sound crew had been hired to manage the Lighthouse Point concert stage. That should be an improvement over the incompetence demonstrated by last year's volunteer crew.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 02:24 PM

Thanks Marc for the contact info. I called Joanie & left a message & "WHAM" not 10 minutes later she called me back. We had a great, long discussion about the festival, where it's at & it's direction & a bit about it's future & I'm thrilled with her! Anyway, she's passing me on to Meg, so we'll see.


"That should be an improvement over the incompetence demonstrated by last year's volunteer crew"

If it weren't for the dysfuntional sound demo last year most people wouldn't have seen the "really funnier" side of the hilarious Jon Campbell that save's a sinking vessel from going down in rough waters & thanking themselves for having the swallowed all that laughter. That had to be the best performance of the festival, IMHO.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 04:40 PM

The website was somewhat updated - still no performer list. It mentions more of the events, though, and now has:

Tickets will go on sale May 1, 2007. Complete schedule coming soon!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 04:50 PM

I was glad to see the Mohegan Sun is a sponsor.

The casinos should sponsor cultural and arts events and
the Seaport and the Casinos need to view one another not
as competition, but as 'coopertition.'

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 05:40 PM

Incompetence is strong language I believe. I was not responsible, but it is still my understanding that there were some equipment failures.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 07:00 PM

Marc-

"Incompetence is strong language..." True!

As performers, Roll & Go, we were also astounded that the Lighthouse Point sound volunteers were not even present for our sound check at 12-noon. We set up and tested everything ourselves, and when they did show up they were told in no uncertain terms not to interfere with our sound manager who was running their board. But we should talk this over in private. Clearly, we are still steamed at their incompetence and irresponsibility and would be quite willing to share details that may have not been obvious to others.

We do look forward to working with you and the rest of the sound team, and we are very pleased that the Festival director has choosen professionals to manage sound at the Lighthouse Point Stage.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,The Mondays
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:04 PM

I think you guys need us to play

www.themondays.com

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:31 PM

Mondays-

Well, it's a nice website but I don't see anything there that looks or sounds as if it has anything to do with the sea. There's not even a song about Red Bank or Longbranch, or even Hoboeken. But keep trying!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 10:06 PM

Don'tknow if any of the Maniacs are going but I will volunteer to drive (as of now my calendar is clear) but I would have to leave late Saturday or very early Sunday (son graduating)..... pm me if anyone interested.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 11:57 PM

Too right, Barry! That Jon Campbell fella is one classy gentleman. Talk about grace under pressure...

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 09:28 AM

Jon Campbell is a class act! But to really understand Jon, you need to know that he had fuel and ice to pay, and he'd just got to the Festival yesterday; he's a real good storyteller but the sound was missing, so he iced it down and kept on dishing!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 09 May 07 - 07:03 AM

After viewing the performers list yesterday I am delighted with the choice of new performers and the long list of favorites,, all stars as I like to think of them. For a festival that seemed in doubt of even happening this gives us veterans some thing to really look forward to. Thank you to all involved who stepped up do this. I cany wait!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 May 07 - 08:17 AM

I agree with the guest above that there's a list of outstanding performers scheduled for this year's Sea Music Festival: Click here for a good time!

I see old, and younger, favorites, and some singers that I'm not familiar with but have interesting credentials.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the outcome of the work many of us have been engaged in since the last Festival to help ensure the continuance and improvement of this very special nautical four-day spree!

Dennis Cook will be in charge of sound management at the very important Lighthouse Point concert site, with able assistance from Norris Dale of Roll & Go, and sincere assistance from yours truly. Dennis and Norris are coordinanting with Marc Bernier who is in overall charge of the sound stages. I've favorably impressed with their level of communication, and the back-up plans they are making for "extra" equipment.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 May 07 - 10:52 PM

Charlie, it is a great list , sadley I won't be there the hear them, I'll be in San Francisco for my nephew's wedding with my daughter, wife & her faamily. What I'll miss most besides friends will be the Northern Neck Chantey Singers. Hopefully there'll be a recording of them that'll come out later or they'll have some CD's for sale. If they have some for sale would you pick me up one? I'd gladly pay you tomorrow?
Hope you all have a great time.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 May 07 - 08:25 AM

Barry-

I'll certainly do my best to pick up some extra CD's. You will be sorely missed at Mystic but I'm sure you'll make time to raise a few songs in San Francisco.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 10 May 07 - 08:22 PM

THat's too bad. You will be missed Barry.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,denise ozanne
Date: 15 May 07 - 07:41 PM

to: jeff kaufman and marc bernier, et al...dear folks - I realize that there are still about three weeks to go...but when are you going to post a performer list and for the special shed concerts...I must have missed somethin somewhere...I have to plan time carefully, becqause Mother has to be covered with someone at the house, she is beginning to loose strength in arms etc. and is unreliable when left alone, even with her walker...other people have other reasons...don't you think you should post a list??? I hope you are all well...my regards to you and the best of success and good weather with this year's ev ent - Denny

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 15 May 07 - 10:20 PM

This is all I could glean from the Mystic website. Hope it helps a bit. No other schedules are posted there.

Sea Music Festival 2007 - Evening Concerts
Evening Concerts take place at Mystic Seaport's Boat Shed on Lighthouse Point. All Evening Concerts start at 7 p.m.

Evening Concerts

Thursday, June 7
1 -- Mystic Seaport Chantey Singers
2 -- Cindy Kallet
3 -- Jeff Warner
4 -- Lee Murdock
5 -- Pint and Dale

Friday, June 8
1 -- Sounds of Afrika
2 -- Cliff Haslam
3 -- Moe Bowstern
4 -- Louis Killen
5 -- Ellen Cohn
6 -- Tom Lewis

Saturday, June 9
1 -- Northern Neck Chantey Singers
2 -- Geno Leech
3 -- Jon Bartlett and Rika Rubesaat
4 -- Bob Walser/Bob Webb/Jerry Bryant (in a Round Robin)
5 -- Chanterelle

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 May 07 - 02:21 PM

That's a pretty good list, and it's been available on the Mystic Sea Music Festival website for several weeks.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 16 May 07 - 02:46 PM

Yeah, hi Charley... I was just posting to make it easier for the guest above me, Denise. Maybe she couldn't locate that particular page of the Mystic website. BTW, I'll be there this year. I haven't been since 2002! I'll be replacing Barry Finn. HA! Right!!!
Barbara

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 May 07 - 03:27 PM

Thank Barbara, knowing you'll be replacing me makes me only wish all the more that I'd be there, they'll only be more delighted with your presence & voice. Have a great time.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 16 May 07 - 06:45 PM

Quite a Pacific Northwest and ex-Pacific Northwest
contingent on the line-up this year, non?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 22 May 07 - 12:40 PM

A definite highlight of the year - I'll be there -- don't miss it!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 22 May 07 - 05:09 PM

100th bottle of beer on the wall???

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 23 May 07 - 02:50 PM

Beer in bottles? We don't like our beer in bottles; makes
it too easy to count how many you've had.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 May 07 - 08:57 AM

Two weeks to go, if I'm counting correctly. Time to finalize plans. Where did I put my special pillow? Which squiglies shall I bring for catch and release? What other gear do I need to pack?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 24 May 07 - 02:04 PM

When we first started coming to the festival almost 20 years ago , our dear friend Don Sineti was trying to get us to come and told us that it was Christmas and birthday and the things you look forward to most in a year all rolled up into one.Was he ever right, it is our family reunion and our recreation in spirit and body. It is seeing best friends that you see only once a year.It is hot summer afternoons sitting on the grass listening to a concert of old friends and cold beer in a pub session when you have been singing so loud your throat needs a break and it is taking home memories that will last anothe year until that wonderful feeling of anticipation comes around again. Oh I do get carried away, See you all soon. The Heavenly Twins

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 24 May 07 - 02:22 PM

Speaking of Don Sineti, if you want a "taste" of the festival and plan on being in NJ on Saturday June 2, the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club in Paramus will be presenting Tom Callinan and Don Sineti in an evening of "Songs of the Sea". Many of you problably know Tom and Don from their work with the Morgans.   It will be a real treat to have them "drop anchor" in Paramus for the evening!

The Hurdy Gurdy is located in the Central Unitarian Church at 156 Forest Avenue in Paramus, NJ. For more information you can visit our website at www.hurdygurdyfolk.org

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 25 May 07 - 01:28 AM

Sorry to miss it this year. Any SF bay area folks going there willing to get a Northern Neck Menhaden chanteymen CD and I'll reimburse?

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 25 May 07 - 08:03 AM

For those of you getting into town early enough. there are a few master classes being offered during the day on Friday. The only 2 I can remember off hand are, Cindy Kallet is doing a guitar session, and Ken Sweeney is doing one for concertina. That stuff should be on the web site, or contact the seaport. See ya there.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 07 - 08:36 AM

The Friday workshop sessions with Cindy Kallet on guitar, Bob Webb on banjo and Ken Sweeney on concertina are now posted on the Seaport website. Sounds like a great opportunity to pick up some pointers from the pros.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 May 07 - 11:53 AM

Thanks for posting this information. I suppose I could bring a banjo or concertina along. As I recall, Sweeney plays the Anglo concertina.

Bob Webb has a new CD demonstrating a wide range of banjo styles, and making use of at least four different banjos from minstrel to classic 5-string. It's a nicely done CD and I highly recommend it. However, there's only a couple of nautical songs on it.

My current plan is to pull into Mystic Thursday afternoon to help set up sound for the initial evening concert.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Anglo
Date: 25 May 07 - 01:06 PM

Ken Sweeney plays English concertina. Sometimes he plays a harmonica (which of course works diatonically like the Anglo) -- at the same time. As I recall, Rick Epping of Bob Zentz'z band Scuttlebutt does this as well.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 May 07 - 01:13 PM

Anglo-

And sometimes Ken plays the concertina, and harmonica, and dances the hornpipe!

It's all I can do to play concertina period.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 25 May 07 - 01:44 PM

Ken plays the English concertina diatonically. :-)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 25 May 07 - 07:06 PM

As long as we have no disasters again, Mike & I plan to get there Thurs. afternoon.

Charley, did you get a volunteer sheet? Karen called & talked to Mike about our roles, but I expected to get the sign up sheet in the mail.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 26 May 07 - 01:30 AM

"And sometimes Ken plays the concertina, and harmonica, and dances the hornpipe!"

You're right there Anglo & he's does it all very well too!

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 28 May 07 - 08:18 PM

I just finished reading last years thread,(Maybe I should get a life). I find It interesting how some folks can do something for a decade or more, (myself included). and complain about it. And probably will this year too, (myself included). I would venture to say that in my experience, ('88- present [oh no! that's almost 2 decades]) no 2 festivals have really been alike. It seems every year something new has been tried and something dropped. It is still the coolest event of it's kind. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you in 2 weeks. And if we haven't had a beer together in the past couple years, maybe it's time we did.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 May 07 - 08:53 PM

Wow! My first festival was also 1988! I'll accept an invitation to a beer and a toast to twenty yearsof the greatest weekends of my life. I will find you, Marc, correct, that We will find you and drink to memories and times to come.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: JWB
Date: 28 May 07 - 11:02 PM

I dug through some old files this weekend and found the poster, performer's list, and other cultch from my first SMF, in 1985. Pretty simple style back then -- photocopied fliers, no program, no pay, and a couple of kegs of ale on the YTB dock. That's one of the changes I regret the most -- the dock with no ale (sounds like a song...).

There has never been an experience to equal the first time I joined the crew on the stage for the final "Leave Her Johnny" and "Old Maui" -- the sonic blast was unbelievable. And it felt like I was home.

Looking forward to next week, even though I won't be arriving until Saturday morning (step-daughter's high school graduation Friday night, bless her heart). I hope to make up for missing Friday's chantey blast on Saturday night.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 30 May 07 - 08:44 AM

Where is everybody?? Gone to Mystic I suppose - at least next week. If you haven't been there for the festival, you are really missing one of the best festivals of the year.

I won't be there till Friday (work is the curse of the drinking person), but come and join us - see old friends, make new ones!

there will be at least 20 of us from the NYC chantey crowd, a whole bunch from Albany and Glocester, MA, and NH, I believe.

Who, among the non-performers, is coming the farthest? Chime in...

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 May 07 - 09:06 AM

Hi Joy, well I may be the one traveling the farthest in the other direction, to the west coast but I'm planning on attending a few shanty sessions while I'm out there. To remind me or you folks that I'll be missing
Have a great time.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 30 May 07 - 11:13 AM

Chanteyranger, I will get you a Northern Neck CD and send it back with Walt who is staying at our place. We'll miss you, though. You and Barry have a great time out there; we will listen for the cross-country echoes.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 12:40 PM

less than a week away!! cen't wait!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 08:34 PM

trying to get things set here on the old homestead ... it's not easy getting a "critter sitter" , so you make sure it's easy for them to tend the stock... lol ... so we can an early start.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 08:40 PM

Sciencegeek-

I'll look forward to seeing you and Michael again. When are you sailing into town?

I'll be there Thursday afternoon.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,dashford
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 07:06 PM

Anyone have any info on the daytime schedules? There's nothing posted on the Mystic Seaport web site yet. I'm really anxious to see the Northern Neck Chantey Singers but can't make it to their Saturday evening set.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 02 Jun 07 - 09:37 PM

They're performing during the day both Saturday and Sunday. So anytime you can get there you stand a good chance of catching them.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 10:19 AM

Four more days to the Thursday evening opening concert!

I'm pleased to see that the weather looks pretty good for the entire Festival.

Right now in Maine it's pouring rain all day and the temperature is in the 50's (F.) It's supposed to clear off by Wednesday.

Well, time to get back to packing up the essentials and the none essentials.

Who else will be there Thursday evening, besides Marc, Dennis Cook and myself?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 08:28 AM

I will, and Salty Walt.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 11:36 AM

If any Mudcatters attending the Mystic Sea Music Festival want T-shirts (red or navy), PM me before this Thursday and tell me what size(s) and color(s) you want.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 08:31 PM

less than 48 hours to go. I hope I'm ready.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 08:48 AM

Less than 24 hours to go! Time to re-inventory what I should be bringing.

I wonder what the CD sales layout will be like this year?

I wonder if volunteers will be fed. Oh, well, who needs to eat!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Kim C
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 01:52 PM

I swear that someday I am coming to this festival.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 03:29 PM

you should! there really is nothing else like it.

I won't be there till early Friday and Chris later in the day. I'm already finding it difficult to concentrate at work.

The symposium looks like fun too, so if we don't spend all night singing (ha, ha) we might actually make it.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 03:31 PM

One more time -- didn't notice that I was logged in as a guest - someone stole my cookie!

that last message was from me!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 07:14 PM

I hope to leave early thurs AM to get there by 6 PM.... but the truck's still unpacked & I'm running ( actually crawling is closer to it) around trying to get things organized.... tradition!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 09:34 PM

See you all there

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 09:59 PM

dang it all, just noticed that a calf is ailing... so not sure when we'll get to leave.... Murphy's Law sucks

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Pamela in Ithaca
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 10:06 PM

Alright you all - have a great time.
Barry Finn and I want a full report when it's all over.

-Pamela

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Jun 07 - 03:11 AM

Thanks Pam, I wish it would start, I'm getting tired of hearing about the second coming of Stan, already. After all this pre-chatter-bullshit you guys better come back & report in full detail & in great depth about everything, I even want to hear if a bird takes a dump on deck. There ya go Pam.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 07 Jun 07 - 08:00 AM

hey Barry - have a great time in SFO -- but perhaps someone will shanghai you before you leave and bring you to Mystic - wouldn't that be terrible?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jun 07 - 10:10 AM

Van is packed! We'll be rolling on down to Mystic as soon as I log out.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 07:10 PM

Sure, here it is Sunday, early evening & not a peep!

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,campbell
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 10:22 AM

Jesus Barry thats cold getting hung out like that. The event was of course very entertaining, I'll let others elaborate, my friends from Oregon aren't sure exactly what the hell they got themselves into, but they showed up ready to enjoy it fully, but they definitely did pick up that there is was too much behind the scenes crap going on., why not next year everybody figure out how to pull togrther, isn't that what these shanties are all about anyway? If this was my boat ........... campbell

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:06 PM

GUEST,campbell, I'd very much like to understand what
the remark above means--- can you contact me off-board?

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:44 PM

Barry et al-

I've just pulled in after staying with Norris Dale in Worcester last night. I didn't trust myself to drive all the way back to Maine after completing the final take-down of the Lighthouse Point stage late Sunday afternoon. I did manage at least 5 hours of sleep each night from Thursday through Saturday, so I'm frankly puzzled why I was feeling I might be a danger to myself and others on the highway.

Jon Campbell's friends from the Pacific Northwest, the Fisher Poets, earned themselves a warm welcome and I for one would love to share another evening with them, maybe tell them a few stories in return from the coast of Maine.

My overall impression of the Festival? Much better managed than last year but still room for improvement. I think everyone would agree that the sound management under the tender loving care of Marc Bernier, with Dennis Cook at the board at the important Lighthouse Point stage, was vastly improved. The food for volunteers and performers was there in adequate supply and not particularly exciting, but I don't come to this Festival to eat. There was free beer for everyone at the after hours shanty shouts at the dancehall across the street; I do appreciate that and thanks to whoever managed to maneuver that one through. The CD sales is still a major headache for some performers, overly bureaucratic and inflexible; the "stystem" must be particularly frustrating for performers who reside outside of the States. The weather was very wet Saturday but that cannot be blamed on the Festival management; they did the best they could do with the back-up plan but probably many members of the general public were discouraged from coming. We almost got flooded out at the main stage but it proved to be a fine space for getting out of the weather and enjoying great music.

I was generally pleased with the range of performers, familiar faces and new ones as well, and being positioned at the stage at Lighthouse Point I got a good sample of everyone. I was favorably impressed with almost everyone. The new faces included Lee Murdock from the Great Lakes, The Northern Neck Chanteymen from Virginia, Chanterelle from French Canada, Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat from British Columbia.

The Saturday after concert shanty shout has got to be the most incredible one I've ever witnessed. These evenings in the old dance hall are always amazing but that evening the assembled throng exceeded critical mass and literally exploded! Many years people hang out in some small territory in the room but this year there would be a surge to different parts of the room as someone would begin leading a song, and supporting vocalists would move to provide harmony and volume on chorus or refrain. It was just amazing to watch, as well as listen to. Even experienced shanty singers like Jon Bartlett were saying they'd never been part of such an assembly of good singers, and anyone coming for their first time would have been literally blown away.

I did get Bonnie to lead "London Julie" late in the evening, just for Barry, and I'm sure he must of heard the chorus wafting its way from Mystic to wherever he was around San Francisco Bay. I was thinking of channeling his version of "Roller Bowler" but was too shy to give it a try. I settled for "All Coil Down" when practically everyone had left, while Geoff Kaufman was doing his level best to herd us remnants out the door.

Nor and I had a good time mentoring two of the "pirate" wenches from Brown Univesity; they've got a pack of pirates there that tours around the country and I'd even heard them sing last year at the Camden Opera House in Maine. They are young and enthusiastic, and had never heard "You Can't be a Pirate with All of Your Parts." They loved it!

As in other recent years there was very little "quiet singing" going on after hours. The YTB was practically deserted exept for Michael, Nor and me. Maybe such singing was happening somewhere but I certainly never found out where that was. Maybe I'll make an effort to see if that can be better organized next year. Or maybe there just is no interest, or more likely, can't compete with the shanty shout.

The "Conrad" was wonderful as a refuge for sleeping for me, except for the person heard retching all night in the officers' quarters. They just can't hold their liquor!

I could only catch two of the early symposiums, the one about Danish mermaid songs and Bob Walser's excellent analysis of shanty singing. I'd love to hear a report from anyone who attended the bawdy sea songs lecture.

I Think I'll take a break and have some lunch!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, back in Maine

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 03:30 PM

Just another special moment to share. Those who have attended this Festival know that it always ends with all the surviving performers singing "Rolling Down to Old Maui." Well, this year the sun sneaked through the shed flaps and lit up Hugill's picture on an easel during the final chorus.

I suppose everyone else who attended the Festival is still in Mystic singing and having a good time. At least they're not posting reports. If I find out that is true I'll be a very bitter man.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 03:54 PM

Maybe that poor retching sod from the Conrad is still
in the heads.

(There's one every year--- or at least every other year.
Last year someone pitched headlong into the pond by
the main entrance. A few years back someone in present
company took a long walk off a short YTB dock. And I'll
never forget the night on the Mystic Whaler when a fellow
was 'shouting for Huey' over the side--- every hour on the
hour--- in the rain. In the officer's quarters of the Conrad,
eh? Must have been a performer or senior volunteer. Then
there was the year when one of the National Treasures of
Merrie Olde England was pall-borne down the Conrad companionway
to the singing of 'General Taylor.' It's quieter in the years
when the Irish come over. They drink it all up, leaving none
to tempt the fates of the amateurs.)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 05:14 PM

I have to admit. I heard alot of snoreing back aft but I didn't hear any puking. Then again I spent so little time in my bunk this year. Oh well I'm off to the Gris, I'll sleep tomorrow.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: JWB
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 11:16 PM

Charlie,

I'll share my opinion on the D'Urfrey "Pills" paper at the Symposium. Fascinating look at a collection of ancient, and bawdy songs, but the presenter utterly failed to connect it to sailors and the sea. No, let me be fair: she made one mention about how these songs could have been sung in sailor town.

One of the Symposium organizers told me that if they'd known how little the paper would have to do with sea music, they wouldn't have hired her. A case of incongruity between prospectus and presentation.

One silver lining of the rain on Saturday was that the music venues -- all being indoors -- were jammed. Nice for the folks presenting, and perhaps more people actually listened to music that day, instead of visiting with old and new friends. That is one of the greatest challenges, for me, of this festival: deciding whether to spend my time listening to the wonderful music, or foster relationships with fellow get-a-life afficionados. Trying to do both always leaves me feeling like I missed something.

The surging singing in Froshin Hall on Saturday night was terrific -- as if we were on a chantey-storm-tossed ship, rolling and pitching as first "Spanish Ladies" burst on the starboard bow, then "One More Day" hit us in the port quarter. It is possible, of course, that it was the Gosling's that created the sense of the room in motion...

Let's do this again real soon, shall we? Whadiya say, Campbell, how 'bout a chantey fest in Rhodie?

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 12:33 AM

Jerry
Did you get a chance to talk with Don about Whaling Johnny?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 08:09 AM

With regard to digital images, I only was able to take about 30 at the Lighthouse Point stage, with about a third of them presentable. I'm in the process of editing them now and should be able to post a link by this weekend.

I do have a remarkable image of someone's red-topped boots!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: JWB
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 08:27 AM

Marc,

Unfortunately I wasn't able to buttonhole Don. So I'll just have to call him up and ask about it. I did hear him sing it, though -- and ;0) I can't believe he didn't sing it right! My God, if we can't rely on the professional chanteymen to sing a chantey the correct way, with all the verses in the proper order, then there is no hope for this world :0)

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Paula Daddio
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 08:56 AM

Just wanted to thank Joanie for having the Chanteens back again this year. The festival keeps their momentum going through the summer and into the beginning of the next school year when we get back together to rehearse. Thanks to all of those that gave the kids so many wonderful words of encouragement and praise. They truly are a wonderful group of kids and really apprecieate it. Vanessa tells me her life-long dream is now fulfilled after singing on stage with Ali. Special thanks to Tom Lewis for all of his musical and parental advice with the kids!
See ya next year. Paula

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 11:17 AM

Paula, the Chanteens were a delight, as usual. You are doing a great job with them!

I don't know names, but the tall boy with brown hair and glasses (seemed to be the leader) is fantastic. Great voice and manner.

My son and I were recovering from a double-hit of influenza and strep, so we took it very easy this year. I haven't missed that much of a festival in a long time; even when I was 11 I wasn't in bed at 9:30pm during a festival!

Some high points: the dance workshop on Saturday with Jeff Warner, Ken Sweeney, and Chanterelle; Louis Killen's concert on Friday night (he was in fine fettle!); talking with Jan and Ken on the YTB porch Sunday afternoon (what a delightful couple!); everything about the Northern Neck Chanteymen. Performance quality was high this year, and very enjoyable.

Maybe it was my own energy level, but the ambiance seemed VERY subdued this year. And Campbell, I'm with you on the 'behind the scenes' comment.

Jerry - thank you for doing your song for Stan at the memorial! It was good to hear it again. Griffin sang along; we have it on tape from the 1992 final concert, and he knew all but your "new" verse by heart.

- Kim

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 04:46 PM

Great festival - even the rain did not stop the hearty. Though local attendance no doubt would have increased had it not been for the rain.

Ok, new organizer, new learning curve. On the whole it was a good festival. It was NOT obvious to the average event-goer that there were any behind the scene issues.

Speaking as someone who organizes one day and weekend events, there are ALWAYS behind the scene issues, last minute crises, changes, etc. The ultimate goal is to keep the issues behind the scene and work to quietly resolve them, while the event-goers remain blissfully unaware.

I'm looking forward to next year's festival - only 360+ days to go!

And, if each of us brings a new person along, it can only grow!!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 04:56 PM

I brought three SMF virgins. All loved it.
Not a bad growth rate! (I have to do something; my family doesn't come!)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 05:56 PM

I recall one year where I wished like hell that I'd brought
my foul weather boots as well as my full suit of sailing
foulies. I hadn't previously grasped the concept of just
how WET those Seaport Streets could get.

Then another year, when I slept on the Mystic Whaler, where
I basically put my foulies on each morning (and every time
I went ashore for the heads or the showers) and took them
off after the sing at night. I think the sun broke out on
Sunday about in time for the final concert.

By the time each day was over I could, to paraphrase Bernard Wrigley,
"grow tomatoes down me trouser leg." By the time each night was over,
the moisture from the foulies and towels hanging in the little 'sloop'
cabin had caused the precipitation to threaten to fall in the
interior, as well.

At Mystic, though, the rain has the benefit of keeping folks in
one place. People hang in the YTB for very long periods of time.
And once the make it to an after-sing, they're loathe to leave
until it's over.

In the better part of two decades, I seem to recall about two
REALLY rainy SMF's, a couple more semi-rainies, and a whole bunch
of "holy shit did we dodge the bullet!" events.

So long as the event strives for substance (i.e., education and
collaboration should be as important as 'performance,' then rain
only affects the 'profitability' part of the equation.) This is
another reason to re-tip the scales towards education, collaboration
and ultimately preservation.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 06:03 PM

And you didn't introduce 'em to any of us old shellbacks!

What I liked about working with the Lighthouse Point sound crew this year is that we had the same four people for the entire weekend, with two of them thoroughly experienced with running a sound board in a complex situation. Marc Bernier, the overall sound coordinator, also gave us free rein to experiment with the system layout, and Dennis Cook was able to make substantial improvements to the layout between Thursday evening and Friday evening. We also had enough of a team so at least one of us could wander off and play audience, or sleep! At least that's the impression I had from the inside. What was it like as audience?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: JWB
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 11:48 PM

Charlie,

When I was in the audience in the Pole Barn at Lighthouse Point, I loved the sound -- those slim, tall speakers behind the stage were awesome (having the added benefit of functioning as monitors for those on stage. I encourage the sound crew to do it just the same in future years.

Someday, perhaps, Norris and Charlie will slap wireless headset and instrument mics on every performer, instead of playing chess with the mic stands. That would be an improvement. I am very impressed with the alacrity you displayed in rearranging the stands during the final concert.

I was disconcerted to have Joanie tell me that, for budget reasons, the Seaport was not recording the concerts this year. I hope she meant 'not recording them to produce a CD', and not 'not recording them at all'. Those of you behind the soundboard in the Lighthouse Point location: which is true?

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 04:56 AM

Sigh, another one gone by without me. I am so glad I worked at the event for those years before my retreat to the western Pacific.

Shanty sing at my house! The call echoes into emptiness. Sigh. I guess I'll go peel another mango and watch the sun set into the Philippine Sea.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:14 AM

Jerry et al-

Thanks for the positive feedback.

The Lighthouse Point stage was in fact recorded directly through the board and the quality of the recording is awesome. We were playing samples throughout the weekend and the first time I heard it run I was convinced someone was trying out their set behind the back stage curtain. I don't believe there are any current plans by Mystic to produce a CD but the tracks are there, as good as what the performers delivered (and even better with minor editing, I daresay).

I also have a recording of the late Saturday evening shanty shout at the dancehall which I haven't dared to listen to. I set my Edirol R-1 on a back corner table and let it run. These compact recorders do an incredible job but I'm not looking forward to all the editing I will have to do in an attempt to "balance" what happened that evening. The file itself will be enormous, and even after editing and conversion it will probably exceed what can be burned to a single CD.

Here's another memory: I was wandering down the waterfront to pay annual homage to the Charles W. Morgan and there moored up behind her was the familiar silhouette of the Amistad with her rakish masts. One of my best songs commemorates the story of this replica slave ship and the mutiny aboard her and periodically I provide the current crew with a copy of my CD that includes the song. So I gave them another copy. They were quite pleased but lord knows when the song will actually be passed on from one crew to another, or ever reach their mysterious headquarters. The Amistad was in the final process of refitting for her ocean trip to Europe, where she'll be making the rounds of several maritime festivals. Incidently, while she was at Mystic her gaff boom was rudely bumped twice by some visiting schooner that was attempting to moor beside her but fortunately no real damage was done, other than bruised egos.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,campbell
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 10:19 AM

I'm not going to go off this site to dicuss what I mentioned earlier, mostly it's all plainly laid out in individual gripes entries prior to the festival. It's too easy to lose track of how unique and special this event is sometimes, a lot of us started playing the weekends for free and paying our own way there just to be part of it and this year it was a definite drag to listen to a number of persons complain about how they didn't feel they'd been treated with sufficient respect in connection with their invovement, I heard way too much me,me,me. I think Craig Edwards gets the award for recognizing the importance of just sucking it up showing up and putting his shoulder to the wheel,and his fiddle to his chin in spite of what issues he might have had. So lets just keep in mind the importance of keeping this going, and just expect that perhaps there isn't a way to mollycoddle everyone and satisfy each persons individual needs and still keep this cranking. Everybody is still getting treated way better than they would have in the actual days,- when the corporation breaks out the weevilly hardtack and pickled beef in the interest of authenticity, then I'll be bitching right along with everybody else, in the meantime I'll be advocating how we can contribute, the food was there the hours decent, the weather mostly good lots of great music and we had a great time   .What is there really to complain about    campbell

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 11:27 AM

Thank Lee Blumberg for (last year) purchasing for the Festival
those fine speakers, which actually belong to the department that puts on the Sea Music Festival.

I'm glad to hear that the digital recordings were made. The decision
about whether to produce a CD for sale can be made at a later time.

I suspect it isn't so much about 'budgetary reasons' as much as just
not having much left of the sea music staff which had the skills to
perform the actual production--- it would have to be contracted out at
this point.

I chose not to be at this year's festival, so have no first-hand
education on any behind-the-scenes issues.

But I believe it's possible to enjoy and appreciate the event while
still having serious concerns about the direction the Seaport
management as regards maritime music. The two are not mutually
exclusive, and expression of concerns, grave concerns, should not
be construed as being ungrateful for what we still have.

While the event is still 'unique and special,' it is at risk of
become less unique, and less special; there is an investment in
maritime music at Mystic Seaport which is as much at risk from
being mis-managed as would be a vessel whose maintenance had
been seriously delayed, deferred, and deemphasized.

Pointing that out may not be nice, or make those who point it out
quite so popular as playing the perhaps more satisfying role of
'the nice guy' but it doesn't help resolve the emperor's wardrobe,
failure, either.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 11:57 AM

Were there other survivors? Anyone else have some pictures they would like to link to this site? I only have about 20 good ones to share and they're all from Lighthouse Point.

Some day I'll figure out a way to try to capture what goes on at the dance hall shanty shout but this year the lighting was even more challenging and I just gave up and enjoyed the show! In addition to better lighting, what's needed is a catwalk to photograph from, or maybe a bosun's chair swinging back and forth from a rafter (I don't think there actually are any accessible rafters). It's an amusing image and it might even work!

"Sucking up" versus "showing respect" can sometimes be a toss-up. It really depends on how sincere the effort is, and whether there is anyone willing to receive feedback. As far as I'm concerned the Festival is a, hopefully, continuous "work in process."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, back for lunch

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 05:17 PM

Thank You John, Well Put! I do a fair amount of bitching myself, and your right, Craig could be a fine example for all of us.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 05:43 PM

Sorry Jon. I do know how to spell your name.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Daphne Glover
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 07:08 PM

Thank you, Mr Campbell! It was a joy to have been flanked by you and Craig and Marc at the Festival. It came off beautifully, thanks to many years of selfless effort on the parts of all you wonderful musicians, and many others who also aren't recognized for their silent and diligent energies. It makes this (lifechanging) event so special for my generation to learn from this generous sharing of music. So thank you, Craig, for making these last years ( and ones to come in other venues ) so awesome. Thanks Marc for picking up so much slack this year to help the next organizers keep it real. Thanks Jon, for remembering that sailors just like to gripe and reminding them that those of us who mean it are still here making it great.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Dan Lanier
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:44 PM

Great entertainment, many happy folks, spirited singing, and all the rest, in spite of some unpleasant weather. Old favorites pleased the crowds again. Virtually unanimous praise for Leech, Bowstern, and their genre (Thanks, JC), from all quarters. Northern Neck men returned home glowing from the experience, notwithstanding a few health issues, and inquiring about future festivals. Don't forget to give Joanie and her boss Jonathan Shay the positive feedback that's due, along with any constructive remarks that could lead to improvements. She endured some considerable challenges. Keep it alive.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:59 PM

Charley, the sound at Lighthouse Point was perfect. Definitely the best quality ever, and expertly handled. You guys work really well as a team, and it makes a huge difference over having the board change hands every few hours. I agree with Jerry, you were a most adroit (and inconspicuous) microphone juggler!

Perhaps there was a lot of "me, me" stuff over the weekend, possibly due to some communication oversights and some people's inability to transition quickly from an expected situation to the new reality. What I meant by "behind the scenes" was that staff seems a little on edge, and that everyone in general seemed tired. Like I said before, that may be my own bias because I was drop-dead exhausted myself.

Overall, I thought it was an excellent festival in terms of quality, professionalism, and logistics. Joanie and the whole group that made the festival happen at all did a fantastic job. It was the joy that seemed to be missing, but we've had subdued festivals before, too. There was no accusation intended in my earlier comments. The weekend was not spiritually fulfilling for me personally; seeing some lifelong friends was lovely, but I didn't get what I went there for.

Kim

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 08:51 PM

Kim---

You missed Joy? I thought she was there, along with the other
Johnson girls...

But seriously--- can you articulate what you would have liked to
have seen more of?

I can't blame the staff for being tense--- it was a BIG transition
and having been intimately involved with the logistics of the event
in the past, it is a logistical nightmare that can defy even the most
meticulous of preparation. There certainly was an effort and expectation of better pre-planning and organization; but no amount of
that can keep little crises from happening--- dumb things like 'who's going to get the headliner from the airport/train station' can put a two hour crimp in an organizer's whole day.

That's when they have to depend on someone who maybe doesn't have a
pre-assigned task to 'just do anything that needs doing.'

There's usually a nightmarish period on Friday afternoon, when there
are a million things to do and no volunteers have really arrived, and
when the shanty staff is on the hook BOTH for Festival prep AND their
normal duties (i.e., Music of the Sea and Shore, Dog Watch, and
throw in the school shanty competition for good measure if they
hold it). At the same time, stuff has to be moved to the YTB,
two or three incoming artists will have little crises, some
housing host will have an illness and have to back out, another
group of three shows up with 9 extra guests hoping to be fed and
sheltered, and another artists calls up that she's at the New
London train station and needs a lift while another is totally
disoriented and really needs a host to get him her or them
fed and back to Lighthouse point to go on at 7PM. All the while
other welcome and lower-maintenance friends are showing up in the
office and demanding hugs while the poor SOB trying to run the
thing seems to be speaking two sentences at once and every other
word. Meanwhile, you forgot to send the weekend pass packages down
to the Visitor Reception Center, and have probably really needed
to take a dump for last two hours...

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: DebC
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:26 PM

Now THAT was funny!!!

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:46 PM

SPAM!

And I'm sure that it will be removed but it's outrageously amusing in context.

Greg-

You are spot on for Friday, and I don't have a clue of what the details were but it happens.

I'm sure that some performer/lecturer showed up and was confronted with the musical chairs of where he or she was going to stay.

I never did get my offical volunteer packet until Friday evening, but that's when Meg collates all that stuff together so I was bent out of shape, and I really had no problem talking my way in on Thursday and sleeping aboard the Conrad Thursday evening.

There were an amazing number of shool children on the grounds on Friday, unrelated to the Festival, which suggests to me that someone is succeeding in organizing school trips to Mystic.

The plans to rebuild the Charles W. Morgan appear on schedule and this fall she will be pulled out on the newly completely marine railway, which may prove useful for other rebuilding jobs.

The museum store is a whole lot less interesting to me, although there are a lot of high quality nautical graphics to look at. The music collection is pitiful. There are some interesting books. There is an over abundance of tacky nautical toys, some of the piratical sort, but no pirate parts.

Chicken Little, or whatever my favorite breakfast place is called, is still alive and well and I had my usual order of Portugese scrambled eggs with hot sausage which was supurb.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: DebC
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 10:16 PM

Thanks, Charley for mentioning the SPAM, as I wouldn't want anyone to think my last post was in response to Greg's.

For those that might have missed it, a spammer inserted a post about anti-anxiety drugs immediately after Greg's, prompting Charley's "outrageously amusing in context" comment.

And since I was not at Mystic this year, I have nothing to add to this discussion, but will look forward to others' experiences.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 10:35 PM

Charley:
KITCHEN LITTLE.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 11:06 PM

Kitchen Little!

Plucked again!

At least I know how to find the place.

DebC-

;~))

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 12:08 AM

Charley! I feel terrible. You should have asked me for a tour of the new lift dock. I could have shown you how the whole system will supposedly work.

Never the less. I'm glad most of you had a good weekend. I had a great time. For those who missed the magic, maybe some one should bring a bag of magic next year.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest PJF
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 06:57 AM

The joy and the magic we wanted were certainly there! Sometimes you have to make your own or contribute to it. From our point of view it was a damn fine festival. Congratulations to all.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 12:00 PM

Musically a fine weekend. One question, though. Much as I enjoyed the Northern Neck Shantymen, I'm still in the dark as to how the songs they sang functioned as shanties--there didn't appear to be any of the rhythmic structure that helped people synchronize their efforts that seems to be the essential aspect of shanties (and work songs in general.)The actual net hauling appeared to occur in the rather free-form periods between verses. Not complaining--just curious.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 12:12 PM

Recording and producing a CD is not all that difficult given todays high tech toys. My guess is that the production of a festival CD has nothing to do with the abilities of present staff but everything to do with money.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: MMario
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 12:35 PM

Pehaps the verses were a "timed rest" between spurts of activity?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 01:21 PM

Hi, Dick, yes, MMario is correct. The Northern Neck singers did not explain in as clear detail as the last menhaden group, though I liked it that they brought a net to demonstrate. In the menhaden fisheries, the net is spread as a huge purse, with small boats around the periphery to draw it up. As it is partially drawn, to compact the fish, it becomes very heavy, and the small boats are drawn together. The crew will all pull as they can for a short burst, then rest and re-set hands and net through a verse. It is not a single line to haul, so a united tug is not as helpful, but a scramble to haul up as much net as possible, then let it 'settle.' I don't know if you noticed, but in 'Won't You Help Me to Raise 'Em' which has words actually related to the task at hand, there are lines about 'the weight is on the ---- boat' accusing one of the other boats of slacking off. The men typically chatter to one another during the pulling, too. (Come on brother, I wanna see those muscles, doncha go slackin' now, keep it movin')

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 01:28 PM

Charley, you mention 'some pictures they would like to link to this site' but I do not see a blicky for seeing yours.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 02:13 PM

Mr. Greenhaus, you guess correctly. As the Menhaden chantymen
showed us, their work songs are actually sung during little
'rest' periods in between leaning over the side and hauling
up the nets. I've not heard the North Neck guys, but the Menhaden
lads would 'jabber' various encouragements and derisions in between
the singing. So 'Johnson Girls' done authentically comes
out as:

Johnson girls is a mighty fine girls
WALK ALONG, HONEY WALK ALONG
   [haul and jabber]
Johnson girls is a mighty fine girls
WALK ALONG, HONEY WALK ALONG
   [haul and jabber]
Great big legs... (etc)

Charley, your favorite at Kitchen Little is also mine. Extra
hot sauce, please.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: JudyB
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 04:42 PM

Celtaddict, I'm afraid Charley's web person has been out straight this week with her real job. With a bit of luck the pictures will be posted and linked on the weekend. :~)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 04:59 PM

fine performers, good beer, good educational stuff, old friends, new ones, rain, music, music, music - for what more can you ask?

to quote a song
"why should we forsake good liquor,
untill the sunbeams round us play
Let us sing and push about the pitcher"

Jeff Warner sings "joke and push about the pitcher"

BTW -- yes, the j-girls were there. We are all long time festival supporters --appeared at two festivals as performers, but have volunteered many hours individually at different times to help out wherever it was needed.

as for the group's beginnings, Bonnie and I sat at the back of the boat shed at Lighthouse Point in 1997 during the festival deciding we could "do this". And the j-girls were born. All out of the love of the music. And the Mystic festival was not the start of our love of sea music - for many of us it happened long ago at South St. Seaport.

I didn't meet my husband Chris at Mystic, but rather at South Street, but it really started for us at the Mystic SMF, and most summers he's a chanteyman at Mystic. Chris' parents brought him to Mystic when he was 3.

So our ties to Mystic are long and deep, and as long as Mystic continues to present the festival, we will continue to support it in whatever way we can.

there ain't nothing like it nowhere!!!

Major Kudos to all the past organizers, Geoff, Craig, and all the people who make it happen each year, the performers who clearly have a love of what they do, and especially the volunteers (thanks Meg & Doug for these many years) - you can't have a festival without them. And lets not forget all the people who come out in all kinds of weather to support, listen, sing along, and more. Spread the word for next year. Be there

--Hope to see you there--

Joy

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 05:36 PM

Joy, while you're at it you might mention the Friends of the Festival,
(yourself included) who came through with financial support over the past decade without which the Festival likely would not have survived,
given the Seaport's new (now not-so-new) financial model.

They've represented a huge share of the budget in past years, much
more than I originally envisioned.

Now we're starting to see (finally) an up-turn in the corporate
sponsorship after some pretty 'thin' years following the economic
down-turns and post-dot-com and Gulf War declines.

It was good to see the casino get in there and sponsor a local
event of substance. When they were in the planning stages, some
of the more vocal opponents were associated with the Seaport,
and I'm sure it can't have left a very good taste in management's
mouths. I've always believed that the two pursuits were in fact
complementary, not competitive with one another.

Being a pirate is all fun and games, till somebody sends you
the bill :-)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: stallion
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 08:00 PM

Hey Charlie and Joy,
Mystic sounds like a great place to be in the shanty festival but, don't know how our "hamster wheel" shanties would go down, the drinking songs, well, i mean, I think they would go down well. Maybe 2BS&S for Mystic Seaport, what do you think!
Pete

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:02 PM

Joy: Hear, hear!!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:21 PM

Pete-

Two Black Sheep and a Stallion would certainly earn a warm welcome at Mystic after a couple of rousing drinking songs. You should send a current CD along with some PR info, addressed to the Sea Music Festival Director Joanie DiMartino. I would hope that she would assume responsibility for another year.

Look forward to your visit to Maine in the fall!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 09:47 AM

Here's a link to 17 pictures of what was happening at the Lighthouse Point stage: Click here for a knotty and nautical time!

The selection is a rather modest sampling of what folks experienced during the Festival but hopefully other photographers will post links as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 03:42 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 11:05 PM

Some really good shots there, Charley! I always like seeing a sight from a different angle, too.
The site looks very polished as well. I do not know how to put mine online that way. Is this your work, Judy?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 11:58 PM

I'm real sorry to have missed this one. I just gonna "blow down" the next bastard who tells me what a great festival I missed". OK, I know already. Congrats to Joanie & Jonathan for pulling against the tide & the shit, all I've heard were great things. So glad that you pulled in the Fisher Poets this year & I'm delighted to hear that they were very well received, maybe the poetry end of our sea culture could become a permanent part of future festivals & thank you Jon Campbell for exposing your friends to the rest of us, I hope they're still your friends, exposed or not.
It sounds as if Marc & Dennis have figured out the complex inner workings of the human ear, well done guys.
Putting on the Chanteens is hopefully another part of the festival program that will continue in the future, after all they are our future & what Paula's been doing with them is what I'd call "dam noble" of her. That's $5 & a couple kisses on the cheek Paula, no really Paula, you're doing a great thing by those kids, I loved them as part of the festival last year.
Well shit, here I am reporting on what I've only been hearing, it's almost as fun as being there, except that I still don't have the CD of the Northern Neck Chantey Singers yet, "Charley", I already paid for it put it in the mail, it's the last part of the festival I didn't get to hear. Thanks Bonnie, while you & company were singing "London Julie" at Mystic, Ed Silverman was singing his parody "Julie London" to me, you both sounded great.
I'll not miss another.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 08:56 AM

Barry-

Your CD by the Northern Neck Chanteysingers is in the mail this morning and should make it to deepest darkest NH in a week or so!

Celtaddict-

I took the digital images and did the editing; Judy does the magic of placing them on her website and providing the link to the Mudcat world. Unfortunately Judy wasn't able to attend the Festival this year, being hostage to the Maine Legislature where she does staff support work.

I'm somewhat surprised that more Mudcatters who attended are not providing comments on this Festival. Are you still burned out?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 10:03 AM

And I'm sure Cindy Kallet's having her ear-hole stuffed up
is no reflection on the quality of what she's hearing---

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 10:16 AM

GregB-

Cindy is extremely vulnerable to high levels of noise and it's a tribute to her courage, and disregard for her hearing, that she took the stage for the traditional closing shanties. She did beautifully in her own concerts as you might expect.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 11:52 AM

Charley, not burned up by far and still enjoying, just pressed for time; contemplative bits will no doubt follow.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest SJW
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 01:44 PM

Now that the festival has been over for more than a week, I am responding. This was one of my favorite festivals ever and there have been 20 of them for me. The rain did not spoil anything as the indoor venues just resonated with sound. The Northneck Chantey Singers were incredible inside the oysyer shed late Saturday afternoon. Don Sineti was just great in a children's performance. What fun we had there! The hymn sing on Sunday morning was led by Jeff Warner's friend Barbara and turned out to be just lovely. I got a chance to meet and speak to Jeff Warner after all these years. He is just the classiest guy. There are always new people to meet and sing with. Of course the pub sings were like a worship service to our favorites. Bonnie Milner must be highly praised for the dignified yet entertaining memorial to Stan. Our new festival director Joanie started with a bang. What an unforgettable weekend...See you all next year if that is the ultimate plan for us.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 08:55 AM

That is so good to hear, Guest SJW.
I too enjoyed it thoroughly.
A few favorite moments from many:
The Sundsy morning hymn sing in the Greenmanville Church.
Tom Lewis' booming voice making the Oyster Shed and everyone in her vibrate in time.
The same Tom Lewis dressed as he virtually always is professionally, with the natty addition of a garbage bag; clear, naturally.
The Northern Neck Chanteyman on the far left whose whole heart was in every word he sang, and whose toothy grin flashed like a lighthouse between lines; I never got his name but was at his end of the stage and for several sets and we traded grins repeatedly onstage and off.
Marc Bernier opening with the hilarious 'Chanteymen Are Boring' and the entire weekend proving him wrong repeatedly.
Pint & Dale's marvelous energy, not to mention the mental image of Felicia in black leather pants, purple tie-dye, chandelier earrings, a crewcut, and a hurdy-gurdy.
Bob Walser, who can hold his own anywhere, never needing a spotlight and asking a great array of folks to sing with him, and obviously enjoying every word of singing with them.
The moment at the end of the Stan Hugill tribute when everyone sang together and a shaft of sunlight (after a rainy day) cut into the tent and illuminated the pictures of Stan.
Moe Bowstern looking like a little girl and swaggering like a man, tapping bitterly rugged experience with delicacy and grace.
Jon Campbell looking on during Geno & Moe's presentations, with his wry grin more crooked with joy with them.
Bob Walser being able to show us exactly and scientifically what all of us chanteygroupies knew in our hearts about what changes and what must stay the same.
Tim Reilly and Ken Wolin's battle of the bones late one night.
The give-and-take of Lou Killen and Jeff Warner over ballads.
Finally getting names to go with a few of the familiar Festival Faces I have seen for years.
'A Visit from Whitebeard' Tom Lewis again in a pirate mask.
All the musicians who come to SMF whether they are on the bill or not: Thank you, John Roberts, Joy Bennett, Allison Kelley (and after many years of careful thought, I know if I could pick any voice and take it for my own, it would be Allison's), Jon Campbell, Walter Askew, Deirdre Murtha, and you others; you know who you are!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest pjf
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 02:15 PM

Dear SJW and Celtaddict What great writers you are. English teachers? My additional comment is that with memories like those stated in the last two postings, the festival must be doing something right. Oh and I heartily agree I would choose Alisons voice too or maybe Don Sineti. Now wouldnt that be interesting!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 02:17 PM

While I haven't managed to get to Mystic the last couple years, I can *almost* feel as if I were there. I'm glad people are willing to come herte and share their experiences.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 06:04 PM

Much better!

I was sure that I wasn't the only one to notice the ray of sunshine sneaking in to illuminate Stan Hugill's photograph at the closing concert on Sunday.

Now I'm trying to puzzle out who SJW might be.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest SJW
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 07:46 PM

It's no secret...Guest SJW and Guest PJF are also known to some as "the heavenly twins" so named by Stan Hugil in 1991 as Bonnie so graciously explained during Stan's memorial. Love to all

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 07:58 PM

;~)

Thanks! Now I have an image in my mind of you two delightful women.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 08:31 AM

My appologies ladies. I never did find time for that beer with you, did I? I owe you one,or two I suppose.

Marc Bernier

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guests SJW and PJF
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 11:36 AM

Marc...You are on the top of our priority list for the 2008 festival...Yes, two beers...with us everything comes in two s... can't wait The Heavenly Twins

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 20 Jun 07 - 01:01 PM

Relentless, aren't they? That's why Stan was so fond of them.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Paul Schurr
Date: 26 Aug 07 - 11:58 AM

Mystic 2007 was wonderful. Great performances! Lots of enthusiasm at the sings each night. Thank you Jon Barlett for the incredible energy you brought to the entire event, but especially the late night singing. Could it get any better than Greg Clark's "Nelson's Blood" parody or John Roberts' "Chicken on a Raft"? Tom Lewis' "Marching Inland" was a hoot. There were numerous other great contributions - too numerous to mention. I can hardly wait until Mystic 2008! To pass the time, I'll be at the Hull (UK) shanty festival in two weeks. If you will be there, let me know... (So that the web spiders don't get my email address, please go to paulschurr.com to get my contact info.)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest PJF
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 02:11 PM

My sister and I get to the festival every year but we dont get to hear much of the music during the in between months . Where is there fairly local sea music that can be visited in one evening ? How about a good web site for concert announcements? Thanks The Heavenly Twins Have a good fall and winter June will be here before you know it.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: curmudgeon
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 02:57 PM

Ahoy, PJF! You don't say where "local" is. If you're at all close to NH, we have a monthly shanty/forebitter session on the third saturday at the Press Room in Portsmouth NH from 3:30 to 7:30. Watch Mudcat for announcements.

And if you'll be in the area at the end of September, plan to attend   the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival.

As you will notice from the website, most of our performers have also performed at Mystic.

Hope to see you there - Tom Hall

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 03:06 PM

Don't forget the music at the Griswold in (The Griz) in Essex.

Cliff Haslam holds forth there on Monday nights. There have been
various Tuesday acts with a nautical flair; I don't know what's
current.

We stayed there the Thursday before last on the way up to Maine,
and caught the jazz quartet, which was quite good by the way.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest PJF
Date: 29 Aug 07 - 07:18 PM

Sorry, the local area is Conn. but we do get up to Maine and NH a couple of times during the year. Thanks The Twins

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 12:57 PM

Let us know when the twins will be coming out for Cliff's
rendition of 'Wild Rover' at the Griz...

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Aug 07 - 01:10 PM

GregB-

You really should alert us the next time you're planning a trip to Maine.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 07 - 12:11 PM

Playing Monday Sept 3 at the Griswold Inn in Essex, Ct will be David Littlefield, Rick Spencer and Tim Marth. Rick and Tim will play the following week. Cliff is away for a few weeks

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest PJF
Date: 09 Oct 07 - 12:55 PM

I would love to see the thread continue through the winter so would anyone like to share a special memory that they have from any festival or performance they have heard. Our special one is the Friday night that Liam Clancy and friends sang "The Mary Ellen Carter" which was a song we had never heard before and it was the summer that we took the one weekend off from caring for our dad who was in the final months of his life. The song and even now the memory carries us through difficult times. I can picture the night and feel the breeze from the river and the support we got from our festival famlily that weekend and beyond. There are many others but that one was the best. The Heavenly Twins

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Oct 07 - 11:24 AM

How right you are. The memories of the festival helps to keep me going throughout the year. Can't wait for 2008.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: JWB
Date: 14 Dec 07 - 07:54 PM

Dear Heavenly Twins,

The "Mary Ellen Carter" is a sustaining song, isn't it? I read years ago that a sailor whose tanker sank from under him off the New Jersey coast floated with a life ring for 3 days before being rescued. He told a reporter that he sang the song over and over to himself, and it helped him to keep holding on. To have written a song that saved someone's life!

Today I'm picturing the Morgan with 6 inches of snow on her yards and deck...   Six months to go!

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 02:43 AM

I never get tired of that song. It's a "regular" at the SF chantey sings. One of our newer rangers, who comes from a rock band background, has been learning sea songs, and just loves that one.

What a GREAT story to share, JWB. Thank you!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Anglo
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 03:19 AM

I sure wish I could remember my life better. I was singing _somewhere_ right after Stan died, and hadn't learned Mary Ellen Carter yet - I needed to do something, he was a friend and an influence, and I think the only song I knew well enough to perform was Barrett's Privateers, a fine song but not a good memorial.

IIRC I was performing at Mystic the following year - staying aboard the Conrad. I remember that Lorraine Lee was also performing that year - and at one of the workshops I finally _did_ sing Mary Ellen Carter, with a fairly straightforward frailed banjo accompaniment, in an attempt to pay tribute.

JR

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Dec 07 - 10:57 AM

I remember a year Stan was there (can't remember what year though, & he may have been there a few times), he was like a shot in the arm. I didn't know him at all, just about him. Wish I had appricated him more while he was living than afterwards, though I was still a youngster, much younger than anglo.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,The Other Heavenly Twin
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 07:10 PM

A crazy memory from a festival of long ago...I remember a night when Stewart Frank had obviously imbibed a great deal of whatever and sang a very tipsy version of "South Australia"...so my vision of the esoteric author and museum curator was washed away...he was so funny!!! I loved it! Another...the most beautiful rendition of the Gray Funnel Line by Jeff K. at a pub sing...sis and I with our arms around many friends and the most amazing harmony we ever made! I just can't wait! SJW

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 02:37 PM

At one of the 2006 pub sings someone, and I still don't know where
the female voice was coming from, started 'Down to the River To Pray' in
the manner that it made its appearance in the film "O Brother Where
Art Thou?'

The result was amazing, and sounded for all the world as it did in
the flick--- just as haunting as the harmonies fell in place and
built in layers.

To complete the authenticity, someone in his cups must have been
quite moved, as he managed to 'baptize' himself in the pond
across from the Visitor Reception Center when the session broke
up. Speculation, however, is that he was moved more by 'spirits'
than by 'The Spirit.' That, and gravity.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 04:09 PM

Nice to read the comments about "Mystic Moments"!
A Great Location ; Great Festivals.
I made a visit to Mystic outside the the Festival, taking my daughter there for the first time.
It was raining so heavily you could not lift your head or see very far in front of you.My daughter must have thought I had taken leave of my senses.Because I could hear myself saying over and over again................ ISN'T IT WONDERFUL..................
Ad Nauseum.........................Mike.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 08:06 PM

Greg-

I've wondered about the contents of that "pond," having passed by it on occasion in various phases of inebriation. The contents might, indeed, surpass the famed La Brera Tar Pits.

Mike-

And I have graphic memories of the year the monsoon struck the Festival. There was many a rendition of the old shanty "A Long Time Ago" (a reference to Noah's old ark for non-shellbacks).

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Dec 07 - 11:16 PM

Once more I say I wish I'd known about all of you when I was lucky enough to live there for several years. Ah, well at least I have an LP and tape of Fair Stood the Wind.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,PJF One of the Heavenly Twins
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 09:35 AM

Check my posting of October 9, 07 I tried to start a thread of
Mystic Memories an only one response came. I was a little disappointed but I figured it is the off season and people are just too busy. Imagine my delight when a response came last week from JWB and now others to follow! Please add if you can a fond memory of a performance or festival and they will help us get through the long cold winter to those glorious three days in the second weekend in June. Love PJF

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 11:50 AM

Charley, the fellow who took the plunge in the parking lot pond
wasn't the first person to become 'immersed' in the festivalities. In
fact, an individual who once took a late-night long walk off a short
dock posterior the YTB can feel free to identify his or herself
now--- or not.

Ah, yes, Mystic rain stories. It seems most years have been quite
lucky--- the rain most often happens before the Festival, or
after. Or worst case, at night when only the die-hards suffer.

As many of you know, I have in past years spent a few days
before the Festival in the Seaport to help with organization.
So I've gotten to enjoy many of those 'almost got the festival'
rain days.

It came home to me rather vividly that among other things
authentically 19th century about the Mystic Seaport village
is what happens when it rains. The streets and sidewalks
grow puddles and mud-holes just like in the old days. And just
like in the old days, your primary means of transport are your
own two feet.

The first time I went there in the rain, I tried to use California
style shore-going rain gear. Which soaked through on the first trip
between the old education building and the Cliff Block.

So, next time 'round I brought my trusty seagoing foul-weather
jacket. I skipped on the pants and bib because I thought it would
look pretentious.

During the ensuing downpour I learned what an elegant water-line on
the front of your blue jeans you end up with for the rest of the
day, just about an inch below where the coat sheds the water
each time your thigh rises to take a step.

The next rainy year, I was better equipped, so I thought. I
swallowed my pride over appearances, and when the downpour came
I had both foulie top and bottom. I have good ones, ones that you
can 'live' in for days at a time without growing tomatoes down
your trouser-legs.

And I had my US Marine Corps issue WW2 vintage hobnail boots, judiciously treated with SnoSeal to keep my feet and socks dry. I thought that bringing my trusty sea boots would look too pretentious.

Well, those gen-u-ine government issue (judiciously treated with
SnoSeal) hobnail boots probably worked for the first mile or so I
walked each day. After that I meditated on how 'trench foot' came
about.

I swore to myself--- no more half-measures where rain is concerned
at MSM.

Since that time, I have NEVER gone to Mystic Seaport, and especially
to the Festival, without the same foul-weather duffel that I take
to go big-boat sailing. With good socks, my Topsider mid-rise boots
are like walking deck shoes anyway, only my feet stay dry. And I don't
hesitate to 'suit up.' The only problem I've had since that decision
was getting the foulies to dry in 'sloop' cabins on the Mystic
Whaler, when staying aboard that dear vessel, if it was too wet
to leave the port hole open.

I also carry in my instrument cases a 'backpacker' style poncho,
one with room enough to cover me and an accordion in each hand,
so that I can become a 'walking tent' if I have to take an instrument
or two from here to there in a downpour.

Anybody remember the shanty session one night at Trader Jacks
when the sky opened up just about time to leave? I caught a ride
back to the Seaport with Bonnie Milner; not only did I have my
foulies, but I brought a giant golf-umbrella that kept the both
of us from drowning!

Then there was the night (maybe that same Festival) where some
rum-soaked denizen of the Mystic Whaler noisily went on deck
every 30 minutes or so between one and three in the morning to
(noisily) hurl up the dregs of his drinks. I have to say that
when he awoke me for maybe the fourth or fifth (and I emphasize
'fifth') time stomping about on my head and shouting for his long
lost friend 'Huey' I had me a good chuckle as the skies opened
up for another deluge and gave him his comeuppance as things
came up. Put him in the scuppers with God's own hose-pipe on
him, it did.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 01:51 PM

Seeing the "Note" from..." One of the Heavenly".......Reminds of my first visit to Mystic..
On the Thursday evening we were going up to sing, when I passed this young lady in the ailse as the previous group were coming off the stage.Several paces later I passed the same young lady.Which worried me,as I had not touched the Grog at that stage.In fact I came close to taking the Pledge; there and then.The next day we met the Twins.So finding; that I need not take that drastic step.I had not suffered a "DT's" experience.Mind you it was much better than seeing Pink Elephants............... Mike.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 02:16 PM

I remember meeting Mike & Tony late one evening at one rainy Mystic. The 3 of us looking to make more music after the damp weather had driven all the others to bed, or other places.

This is warming my cold cackles

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 04:52 PM

Nice to see you back online, Mike.
A Mainbrace tale:
Mainbrace is Mike O'Leary-Johns and Tony Fraser, who have come over from Wales a couple of times (and I hope will be back again one day!)
I decline to say which was which, but I was driving the two of them from my house down to the Seaport from I-95 once, and as we approached, we could see the sails of the Morgan in the sun.
Mainbracer 1: "Ah, that brings back some great memories."
Mainbracer 2: "Ah, yes, Kitchen Little. . ."

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Greg B
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 11:35 AM

Now my mouth is watering for Kitchen Little's 'Portuguese Fisherman.'

I was about to run Martin Carthy up to the airport when we popped
in there for a bite to eat and ended up sharing a table outside
on a beautiful June morning with Lou Killen and his lady. They
started in to reminiscing. Made for interesting lunch conversation.

Many's the hang-over that got ameliorated in that place.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest SJW
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 08:51 PM

Happy holidays to friends here and all over the world..may the deepest of peace and contentment that we find at the festival each year fill your days until we all meet again in June..Much Love...The Heavenly Twins

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Barry, at wife's job
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 04:10 PM

Hi Greg
The woman that you were wondering about singing "Down To the River to Pray", I believe was Jean, a 20 something farmer from the Portsmouth, NH area. A lovely person & a powerful singer, who because of her work we can't get enough of.

Thanks for reviving this thread mid winter Twins, it's making this time of year a lot warmer.

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Kihei
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 06:24 PM

My memories of MSMF are many. I started going in 1987. I have seen it grow and change over the years some for worse some for better.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,PJF/SJW
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 05:01 PM

Happy New Year to all our festival friends and tomorrow we can officially start thinking about festival 2008. Good health and peace to all the Twins

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,jcampbellwampum
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 11:51 AM

I was at Robbie O'Connell's a couple of nights ago and it sounds like he'll be participating again this year. Nice to get booked this far in advance. I'll be in Oregon again in Feb and plan to have some of the fisherpoets try to get the attention of the powers that be. Dave Densmore would love to come from Alaska, after all, I'm willing to go to Kodiak in March to do a show with all them. I'm 2/3 done with another CD, it'll include a lot of songs I've picked up on the west coast. Left a cd by Mary Garvey in Maine for GBok and Cindy Kallet, she's got a whole lot of very quirky songs all about where she comes from, Moe Bowstern got her into KBOO in Portland and they just recorded the acappella radio show she did
    more later    jon campbell

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jan 08 - 11:59 AM

Jon-

I'm always interested in your recordings. Maybe we can arrange a swap at 10 paces, yours for Old Sailor-Poets?

Bookings at Mystic are in process, according to my e-mail. Johnson Girls have announced that they are on the schedule and so has Bob Zentz.

Any other early confirmations?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: sciencegeek
Date: 12 Jan 08 - 04:02 PM

Happy New Years, fellow sea music lovers, belated though it may be

we're having a virtual winter heat wave here in western NY... which means spring is going to be cold, wet and miserable... lol

guess we'll need to start a 2008 thread once the booking is firmed up..

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,BarnacleBabe
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 10:19 PM

Hey, Jon

I LOVE your new songs. Great fun stuff. Can't wait to hear the new CD.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,The Heavenly Twins
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 02:09 PM

last Saturday my sister and I spent our annual holiday visit with our best friend Don Sineti. Sitting there in his den surrounded by Stan Hughill paintings, his woolies collection and Inuit art,one knows she is in the presence of a very special person. We shared 20 years of festival memories and had many a good laugh. His enthusiasm is infectious and makes you want the festival to come even sooner.He does a fun Sunday evening of music at the Main Street Pub in Manchester and we have met many sea music friends there on Sundays from 6:oo- 8:30. Good food, good beer and good music!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 03:26 PM

Danny and Joyce McLeod have announced that they will be featured at Mystic.

"He does a fun Sunday evening of music at the Main Street Pub in Manchester and we have met many sea music friends there on Sundays from 6:oo- 8:30."

I wonder what state this "Manchester" might be in?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Celtaddict
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 05:30 PM

Woolies collection???

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,PJF one heavenly twin
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 06:31 PM

sorry! to elaborate, Manchester is in Connecticut. Im sorry I am not very global Im afraid. I forgot this thread goes all over. I suppose there are many Manchesters in many places. Secondly, the woolie collection is an incredible array of pieces done by sailors, that were literally embroidery work done in wool yarn by sailors I suppose a "Victorian scrimshaw".They are beautiful pieces of handiwork that I think would help sailors pass the time . I hope I have my facts fairly accurate as I heard them from Don. Many of the pieces seemed to have British motifs. If anyone is an expert please help me out with the history.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 10:37 PM

PJF-

Thanks for the clarification. I can now go to Goggle Earth and easedrop on the next session.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,Guest:SJW
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 09:07 PM

I just finished teaching Moby Dick again to my high school juniors. I'm the last high school teacher I know to still teach the novel.When I tell them I have read it in full 8 times, they tell me I should get a life. Then I tell them about the real passion of my life, the Sea Music Festival. When I show the film (Patrick Stewart version)they begin to moan when I sing the shanties...Donkey Riding, Cape Cod Girls, and Go Down You Blood Red Roses. I have a dreadful voice, but like many shanty "men", I make up for it with my enthusiasm. When the Pequod finally sinks again, as it always does,I start counting the days to the festival and start teaching Huck Finn...no shanties in that one though. See you all in five months Heavenly Twin, the English teacher

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST,GregB
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 03:56 PM

>I'm the last high school teacher I know to still teach the novel.

...and alone are you left alive to tell of it.

>Huck Finn...no shanties in that one though

Yeah but a bit of river... maybe play 'em some John Hartford.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 10:42 PM