Greetings, Shantymen and -women!

Subject: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Pelrad
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 10:04 AM

I just found this site yesterday and am so thrilled to see so many threads about shanties. Someone mentioned in one of the other threads that there is a sing in Boston; is it a shanty sing or some other genre? I'm feeling a little isolated in RI, (I know that sounds funny with Mystic Seaport not far away, but the truth is they are closed off in their own little world there) and would love to find some like-minded people to share music with.

The sings at South Street Seaport sound cool, and I'm glad to see there's one in D.C, but they are both WAYYYY too far away for me! I'm looking for something within a 1-2 hour radius of Rhode Island. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Fadac
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 10:07 AM

Avast! Here on the Left Coast, we have a chanty sing every month at the Hyde Street Pier. (Also known as the maratime musium)

Perhaps some of the Right Coasters can help you.

Belay! -Fadac

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Matthew B.
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 12:04 PM

Welcome aboard, Matey

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Barry Finn
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 06:41 PM

Hi Pelrad, there is a Wed. night singing session in Boston at Paddy Burke's (3rd floor) on Portland St near the new Fleet Center (or the old Gardens). It's not a shanty session though that's a good portion of what I do & they're more than welcomeThere'll be a sea festival at the Charlestown Navy Yard (were Old Ironside rests) but I don't yet know the dates, I know there'll be some singing. New Bedford also does a little sea stuff but you just missed that festival. Barry

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Pelrad
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 10:21 PM

Thanks for the welcome, folks!

Barry, what time is that sing usually at? Hopefully I could make it up there sometime soon. What is the caliber of the people there? Professionals, amateurs, any instrumentalists, or mostly a capella? What genre of music tends to prevail??

I wonder if I know you? (You don't have to answer that if you don't want to) :-) I did go to the festival in New Bedford, if you mean the one that was in May. The free one that Jeff Davis, Compass Rose, Rum-Soaked Crooks, David Jones, et al, were at? I missed a lot because I was carting my baby around, but at least I got to see old friends.

I noticed your post about Bill Doerflinger skulking around the Mystic Fest a few years ago; I was there too. We seem to travel in the same circles (goodness knows they're small enough around here!)...

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Barry Finn
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 12:59 AM

Hi Pelrad, the session starts around 9:00 or so. I'd say that the talent runs from beginners to professionals. Irish traditional songs are what's mostly done, in part because most (65%) of the singers are Irish but anything folk is the aim. Some people bring in instruments but it's all singing, no tunes. There's a $1 donation for singers & browers alike, we built up the kitty till we got someone to guest sing with us, a couple of weeks ago we were blessed with having Frank Harte join us & we'd like to keep the treats coming, I'll be hitting there tomorrow night.

It sure sounds like we've been crossing paths. I sing with a few others under the guise of Finn & Haddie, we mostly do prison work songs & shanties. We've been doing NEFFA for the past 4? yrs. & hit Mystic last yr. Compass Rose & the Rum Soaked Cooks are probably close to you they may have knowledge of stuff more local to but if you want I'll try & keep you abreast (sailor talk) of any shanty happenings. The Little Red Lighthouse (sea music) Festival (1 day) in Brooklin, New York is on Sept. 18. On the 23-25 of july will be the Boston Seaport Festival, Jeff Warner, Craig Edwards & Compass Rose will be at least part or maybe all of the lineup. I've never been thrilled with this festival, for some reason when Boston does a sea think it's usually to promote beer & chowder & sea music is a token squeezed in bewteen the Rock & Roll & a hard place but I'm hoping (as in the past) to be pleasantly suprised. Let me know if you'd be interested in a monthly shanty sing, some of us in the area are wondering if there'd be enough interest to get one rolling. Probably & hope to see you somewhere soon. Barry

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Pelrad
Date: 14 Jul 99 - 10:03 AM

Barry, thanks for the info! I haven't heard Finn & Haddie yet...I was at Mystic, but didn't see you there ;-) (I didn't get to the pub sing, very sad)

I am familiar with both Rum-Soaked Crooks and Compass Rose; my father is part of Compass Rose, but we don't talk much so I never really know what he's up to. The short version being that it would be great if you could keep me apprised of things going on in this area. I don't really hear about them until I read'em in the paper, and then often don't have enough time to plan...

What I'm most interested in is people to sing with, so YES! I would definitely be interested in a monthly shanty sing. Monthly is about how often I could make it. (babysitters being scarce around here) Sounds great, please let me know!

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Jul 99 - 01:48 AM

Hi Pelrad be happy to keep you informed about anything that I know of that's coming up. By the way I don't think we've met but with a call name like Pelrad & a father in Compass Rose then your mother I belive has been playing double handed bones & singing shanties since you were a babe yourself (at least 20yrs). Were you there to see her lose a bone through the floor boards on the dock this past Mystic, very funny. For no good reason I'd been carrying around a 3rd bone, it didn't even match my pair & I've no idea how it ended up in my bag but I just couldn't bring myself to do anything with it but leave it alone, it was much longer than what I'm use to, when your mother (if I guessed right & she is your ma) lost that one I knew why I had it & couldn't keep it any longer it was near to a perfect match. I've met your Dad a few times over the years but this was the 1st time meeting your mom, great folks. I do hope that I'm right after all this if not go ahead I can take a good swift kick. See ya, Barry

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Pelrad
Date: 15 Jul 99 - 11:28 AM

OMG! That is so funny! I was standing right next to you when you handed her that bone. In fact, I think we talked at least once over the weekend. Isn't that hysterical! Yes, indeed, that's my mom. :-)

(It's a small world after all...) You did a song that night out on the dock, so I have heard 1/2 of Finn & Haddie. The correct half, even.

I had planned to open my mouth and sing SOMETHING that night, but never really got the chance to jump in; it was fun to listen, anyway. I was excited to see John Roberts there, but only got to hear him do one song before I pooped out and had to go home. That was funny when the Frenchmen took over for a while.

Well, now I have a face to go with your name. Cool!

Thanks for all your info.

Subject: RE: Greetings, Shantymen and -women!
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Jul 99 - 11:45 PM

Well I'll have to keep my eyes open for you at the next Fest if we don't cross sooner but I think you have the upper hand you have a name to go with a face I have only the knowledge that we have crossed paths, so I'll be looking forward to the next when & where.

The Frenchmen did carry on for a good while, I went over to the Mystic Whaler & we sang till late there, after breaking up I went back over to the YTB & the French men were still at it but fading fast.

John R did get to singing a few things he sang at the Fri eve Pub sing (which was one of the best, IMHO, in some long time), my fav was Mainbrace got to do a good bit of late night singing with them, they're taste in songs is great as well as their voice & style & they were just real nice to boot.

See you soon, Barry