The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #128220 Message #3099716
Posted By: Charley Noble
21-Feb-11 - 10:18 AM
Thread Name: The Advent and Development of Chanties
Subject: RE: The Advent and Development of Chanties
Gibb-
An excellent presentation, and hopefully it will help refocus critical attention on the part of scholars as well as sea music singers of the role of Black sailors in creating shanties.
I would also have mentioned Capt. William B. Whall as another early sailor-collector of shanties who dismissed or marginalized the role of Black sailors in the creation and development of shanties. Bullen, as you've mentioned, was the exception.
C. Fox Smith, another favorite of mine that was missing in your discussion, was clearly enthnocentric but did recognize that some Black sailors were excellent shantysingers, and also won recognition for their work as sailors from even hardened British shellbacks.
Your presentation I'm sure would be received with interest at the Mystic Sea Music Festival symposiums if you can work your way through their application process.
Cheerily,
Charley Noble