What a treat it was for everyone involved to have them perform aboard the BALCLUTHA. Not only do they do an excellent performance, but they are great to work with - easygoing, down-to-earth, lots of fun to be around. Another gem from their friendly on-stage slagging was Pete Sumner introducing John Conolly as the man who "put the grim back in Grimsby."

On Monday they came to a small memorial day gathering and barbecue at a home in the East bay, and sang some songs that are new in their repertoire, sort of a "works in progress" mini-concert. It was also pretty special to hear Fiddler's Green from the man who wrote it. There have been so many slight variations in the words from so many sources that it was a very special moment to hear the original. For me, it, among other things, put to rest whether the chorus starts out as "Dress me up in me oilskins..." or "Wrap me up in me oilskins..." It's "Dress me up..."

-chanteyranger