Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2007

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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 03:42 PM

Refresh

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: 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: Celtaddict
Date: 15 Jun 07 - 11:02 PM

Joy: Hear, hear!!

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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: 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: Celtaddict
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 10:35 PM

Charley:
KITCHEN LITTLE.

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: 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 - 09:26 PM

Now THAT was funny!!!

Deb Cowan

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: 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: 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,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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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