Shanty Party in Portland, Maine

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Willie-O
Date: 19 Dec 00 - 04:26 PM

...my recording of "All For Me Grog" just went live on my mp3.com site

Excuse to refresh, or shameful self-promotion, perhaps a bit of both.

Ah what the hell.
W-O

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 19 Dec 00 - 12:20 AM

Spoke with Captain BUNKER Sat. night at the 3rd Maine (Civil War Reenactors) party and caroling-in-the-rain affair on Cousin's Island. He indicated that there will be a case of adult malt beverages on site, and whatever others choose to bring is optional, this being a pretty much "private party" - although the shop will be open to the public, so we want to keep it reasonably civil. He seems to concur that this may not be the best place for little kiddies, and sang me a verse of a chantey he learned from one of the "real deal" Chanteymen he has personally known and sailed with (which has probably never been written down) to illustrate that point. Cpt. Steve is a worldly and articulate deep-waterman whose stories can keep one spellbound for hours - trust me!

Kendall: If you have yet to meet Cpt. Steve, It's well worth postponing your southern migration for a day or two. You will have a lot in common, I think, and I will be most surprised if you do not become good "Shipmates" almost immediately.

For anyone making a long haul, especially if the weather gets iffy: Our quarters have a few extra beds, Daughter having moved on this year, and we are about 20 min. North of Portland. I could arrange my schedule to take the following day (Thurs) off to at least cook breakfast and keep the wood stove poppin' should any sojourners care to take refuge here. We had 25 for Thanksgiving, if that is any indication of space available - not all 25 overnight, but we could easily put up a half dozen or so... and a couple or 3 in the 27' motor-home, if we can keep the gas furnace going all night (it's been a little tempremental lately) or hardy campers come equipped with arctic sleeping-bags.. could be fun!

I'm not sure how Steve & Sharon are set up for internet access from the shop, but a PalTalk Concert hookup might be fun for Mudcat Cyber-participants. Just a thought.

If this works out well, hopefully the next one will be on a weekend.

someone mentioned a "Session"; in the Southern Maine area? When? Where? Pray tell!!

Naemanson: In reply to your recent query of Chanteys I know (sort of/partial):

John Kanakka-Nakka, Ol'Moke, Clear away the Track, Haul Away, Leave Her Johnny, Strike the Bell, Cruisin' 'Round Yarmouth, The Mermaid, The Arabella ("... Pumpkin puddin' and a bulgine pie.."), "Fiddler's Green" (Contemp.).. working on Dave the Ancient Mariner's Halifax version of "Whup Jamboree" (sure wish he could hop a heliocoptor or cutter and join us)... and can probably back you up on a few choruses of some of the other old standbys like "Rio Grande" or "General Taylor". Does anyone have any objection to my bringing a VCR camcorder and taping this for posterity? I know that some groups have a proprietory issue with that sort of thing and want to make sure averyone is comfortable with it before I even show up with it.

Look forward to this, and to meeting more 'Catters!

Blessings of the season -

Uncle J.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 04:39 PM

I'm SSW - Northwood,NH. It's in between Portsmouth and Concord on Rt 4.

I generally like to drive myself because 1) I can leave whenever I want, and I don't have to work the next day, and 2) I can sing really loud. I may leave early, because I normally get lost,and I'd rather get lost while it's still light out. I'm willing to consider carpooling, but you may be a distance away that would make it unreasonable.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 11:12 AM

Ah well, might as well say this publicly. Unfortunately I'll be working (I work 3:30 - midnight) so I can't make the party -- and Curmudgeon will be getting his beauty sleep as he has to be up at 5:30 a.m. the next morning. (No, we don't get to see each other from Sunday night until Thursday when he gets home from work.) Sorry we'll miss it, though. It will have to be another time.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: GUEST,Barry at work
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 10:24 AM

Thanks Willie-O but if I can make it I'd be heading straight from work & I probably won't know when or where I'll be heading out from. Barry

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Willie-O
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 09:10 AM

Barry, Jeri, maybe we could carpool--what NH towns are you in?

I'm driving a Mazda extra-cab pickup--adequately comfy fer 3 adults, good in snow, good stereo. (what else do you need? a little more pasenger/instrument space would be nice... )

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: kendall
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 08:55 AM

Then again, maybe I'll stay one day longer...

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 18 Dec 00 - 04:59 AM

I am not averse to keeping this alive.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: jets
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 11:28 PM

Lets keep this alive.Good advertising for the event.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Dec 00 - 12:38 AM

We're starting fairly early, about 4:30 or so. Therefore it will run as late as you can stay. Everyone has to work the next day so I would guess no later than 9:00 if that late.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 09:11 PM

Hi Neamanson, how late is this gonna run to? Still trying to figure out if it's a possibilty. Barry

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Willie-O
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 08:20 PM

I'll run the navigational plan past the skipper...me vessel is rigged for deep interstate travel, its a shame she sees so few ports of call...thanks for the invite

W-O

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 08:04 PM

Sad to say, I wont be there...heading for Florida. Pity me..

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 08:03 PM

C'mon by, Willie-O. If it runs too late there's a furon in Bath with your name on it unless someone else snags it first. We may even be able to find other beds in the local area too.

Jeri, glad to hear that your car may not be bad off.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Willie-O
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 07:48 PM

I just might make it to this affair. I'll be hanging around my inlaws in southern Vermont looking for something to do...if its a good day for a road trip that might be my option.

yours aye
Willie-O

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 05:33 PM

Brett, I'm still planning on coming, unless the car needs a new engine or something. It's not looking that bad, BTW. Probably ignition system - wires or plugs. And for those of you who don't know what the blazes I'm talking about, my car started running like crap (which doesn't move too quickly) on the way to the session last night, (which was very good) and Brett came and I made him sing "Tanqueray Martini," and mostly lost my own voice, except nobody noticed except me, and this is a very long sentence.

Jets, you don't gotta sing, but you don't gotta feel like you gotta sing good to sing at all. It sounds good when people sing well, but it FEELS good when everybody just sings!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 05:01 PM

I'm planning to be there if the weather ain't too horrid. On a work night it could be a stretch for some of us. Perhaps we could have pizza sent in?

I've advised a few correspondants of this, although I'm not sure many can come. Advised that it may not be real appropriate for little kiddoes, although that's our Host's call entirely and no doubt we could keep it reasonably "clean and sober" if that became an issue. We can stow the "salty" stuff for another night.

I may have to start brewing up a keg of 19th Century stout or larger (it's a little different from what's on tap these days) in preparation for a spring haulaway. If in summer, a bit of haying elixer may be needed to ward off solar prostration.

Seasons Blessing t' ye all, Mates!

Yer's Aye; Uncle J. Yarmouth Maine

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 10:53 AM

Let's figure on a summer shanty party and get a goodly group gathered to raise our voices in song and lower the level on the keg.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 08:22 AM

Hi there all -- have a great time -- wish we (The Johnson Girls) could be there! But some will be away and for the rest of us - thr trip will be too much! Perhaps in the future?

Happy merry!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 07:13 AM

Oh, and Jets, you don't gotta sing. But I defy you to keep quiet when the gang is singing!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 10:22 AM

Jeri's about right. I figure 45 minutes to an hour from Portsmouth.

I know Wednesday is a weird night to have a party but maybe in the future we can do something like this on a better night.

Jeri! You haven't been to Portland since the '80's?! Shame on you. We'll have to correct that. *BG*

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 10:12 AM

Barry, I think Portland is about an hour north of Portsmouth, but I haven't been there since I went to the Jethro Tull concert in the 80's and a car exploded in the parking garage.

Jets - gotta sing!

I'm hoping to make it.

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: jets
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 09:15 AM

May I come if I promise not to sing?

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Barry Finn
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 07:43 PM

Hi Neamanson, how far's that from Portsmouth, I know how far it is from there to work, just trying to find if it's a possiblity. Barry

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 04:22 PM

Boney was a warrior
Away, a- yah!
Refresh the thread no barrier
John Franswor!

Subject: RE: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 09:29 AM

Emma, Emma let me be
Rolling down the bay to Julianna
And refreshed this thread shall be
Rolling down the bay to Julianna

Subject: Shanty Party in Portland, Maine
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 10:35 PM

We are organizing a Shanty Party on the 27th of December in Portland, Maine, at the China Sea Marine Trading Company on 10 Dana Street in the Old Port of the city. China Sea is a store specializing in maritime artifacts, curiosities, and salvage. You can see their web site at http://www.chinaseas.com/.

The fun starts about 4:30. You can bring your own beverages and food. I don't know what will be made available but I believe, at this time all that is available is space and plenty of singers. We will be starting off with shanties and sea songs but who knows where it will go from there. The present members of Roll & Go will be there as well as some previous members. I expect Uncle Jaque to be there as well as the owners of the shop. The owner, Stevens Bunker, used to have his shop in Baltimore and was a member of a shanty group down there.

Keep your eye on this thread for more details.