Well, Brett and I got back to Richmond about 9:30 pm after the Shanty Sing and we had a fine time. Bruce did a great job of dictating who would sing next and what they should sing, and what they should or should not drink. It's nice to have an authority figure.

The swap was well attended with regulars, some of whom haven't shown up in months. Guests from away set a new record with four folks from the NYC Seamen's Church Chantey Sing: Al and Barbara Cuenin, and Dan and Bonnie Milner. Kendall was there and sang a wonderful cannibal song in honor of Brett's impending move to Guam. Someone else recorded the session so there is a record of our efforts. I tried my best to bring the ceiling down with "Fire Maringo" but, alas, the tiles are still hanging up there like chads. David did a rousing version of "Barrett's Privateers" and later one of his fine Irish stories. Barry was there singing "Roller Bowler" and "Davy Lawson" or however it's properly spelled. Jeff Warner sang "The Bonnie Bay of Biscay-o." Dan Milner sang the fine song he wrote about blockade running in the Civil War. I got Dick Dufresne to lead "Yangtse River Shanty" and it was great to see so many people picking up on the chorus so quickly. Al led a great version of "The Black Ball Line." Bruce did "Get Up, Jack, John, Sit Down" and his ultimate version of "The Eddistone Light" and his partner Dave did the Webber version of "Limehouse Reach." Bonnie sang a prison worksong that I had never heard before and would like to hear again. Brett sang his ultimate version of "Pump Shanty." I'm missing songs and people but that why someone else should fill in.

I mean to say we had a real fine time and we were just getting warmed up when it was time to break up the party. I guess we'll see some of you folks at the Mystic Sea Music Festival in June, and maybe I can make another van run down to NYC sometime this year for their Chantey Sing when the summer schedule clears.

Welcome back, Tom and Linn. I hope we're still welcome at the Press Room...

Charley Noble