Wow, it's really difficult to report in when the Mudcat's down; send MONEY TO MAX!!!

This is my short report. Norris Dale and I from Roll & Go had a wonderful 3 days working as sound volunteers. The weather turned out quite nice, with the exception of a few showers. And the music, the scheduled concerts and workshops, and the after hours shanty/chantey singing was just what we needed. I even managed to get 4 hours of sleep friday and saturday, turning in around 2 am each morning. And we managed to "coil down" all the sound accessories by 7 pm and were back in Maine by 11 pm on sunday.

Nor and I want to thank Marc B. again for setting us up for singing at the Seamen's Inn on friday; it really helped pay our expenses, and helped us acquire even more nautical CD's. What a nice time, and so great to see the South Street Sea Port NYC) gang there at the front table, and to hear their angelic voices rise in chorus. It really got us started on the right tack. We didn't know quite what to expect, whether our singing would be buried by pub chatter or people would respond to what we were singing, and it turned out so much better than than our worst fears. Still, 3 hours of singing did trim our sails for the late night singing at the German Club; we could barely squeak.

There were several Mudcatters in evidence including MMario, Barry Finn, Liam's Brother, Dick and Susan from DT, Ferrara, Marc, Anglo, Chantyranger, Rita, and Ron. I'm sure there were more.

Of the performers I was not familar with I was favorably impressed with the energy of the Midland, Michigan, group Hoolie (reminded me of Ontario's Tanglefoot) and Danny Spooner from OZ, a fine traditional style singer with maritime experience.

I was delighted to learn that John Roberts with Ye Mariners All had recorded another take on Hamish Maclaren's "Yangtse River Shanty," and he graciously credits me for providing a "musical setting" and a "more singable" set of lyrics. John's version is somewhere between what Roll & Go sings and what Barry Finn has been singing, with a few interesting word changes and adding back in one of the original verses. The important point is that this song has now acquired wings and is well out of the nest. What joy!

The Georgia South Sea Islanders, from the barrier islands off the Georgia coast, were a joy to see and hear. It's one thing to hear the re-released Lomax tapes and quite another to realize that this singing is still alive and well, and continuing to adapt while maintaining a full awareness of its roots.

Got to get back to work painting out an upstairs apartment. Someone else needs to start filling in.

Gosh, it was nice to sleep in my own bed...and without the 7 am wake-up call that we got on the Conrad!

What a Festival!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble