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Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 26 Sep 03 - 01:46 PM MMario, I'm working on it, but you know, I really can't stand Mick. All that friendship and hugging and stuff - EEEW! (Mick, I wish you could sneak to the airport early and try to swap for an earlier flight!) |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: GUEST,Big Mick Date: 26 Sep 03 - 01:49 PM It's not the flight, it's the things I have to do pre-trial when I get there. Do you have a cell phone yet? Email me if you do. It looks like I will only have Sunday night or Monday night and Monday isn't certain. Shit.....I was looking forward to the best two out of three falls. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: JWB Date: 26 Sep 03 - 08:49 PM Linn, You go, girl! Steal away -- that's what folk songs are for. BTW, which one are you referring to? Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 26 Sep 03 - 09:55 PM I just got home from the pre-festival Press Room session, and it was a doozie! We had regulars. We had performers, and we had folks who came in to attend the festival. One thing I love about folk music is that there are often non-performers who I enjoy hearing as much as the folks who do it professionally. JWB was NOT here! Celtaddict, I told Mike & Tony that somebody on Mudcat said 'hi' but I couldn't remember who. (Brain no work right. "Somebody said 'hi'. What? You wanna know WHO?!") Mike asked if it was Burl, because 'he keeps tabs on us.' I'll remember tomorrow, but hope you can make it on Sunday. In any case, they were in fine voice and seemed healthy and happy. Mick, I ain't got no cell phone. I'll e-mail you anyway. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: curmudgeon Date: 26 Sep 03 - 10:40 PM As jeri said, it was a great pre-fesstival session. If this was a sampler, then we'll surely have a wonderful bunch of singing. Charley, it would be nice if you could bring your Bastari anyway; we have a visiting unarmed Anglo player whose box is in the shop. See all you good people tomorrow, and tomorrow -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: curmudgeon Date: 27 Sep 03 - 08:36 AM Jeri -- The Irish session at Quigley's will begin right after the festival sing-around ends at 5:00, hosted by Ramona in Rocky's absence. Mick -- You said, "It's not the flight, it's the things I have to do pre-trial when I get there." I'm confused. How does this preclude your arriving before you have to do the "things?" Why not a leisurly Sunday morning flight followed by an afternoon of music to get you prepped for what you'll be doing -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 27 Sep 03 - 09:29 AM Tom, he DID say "...it's the things I have to do...when I get there" (my bold). So get to Boston earlier! They're closed on Sunday anyhow. Tom, one wonders where the Pleasant St. stage will be since Pleasant St. will now NOT be closed to traffic. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: curmudgeon Date: 27 Sep 03 - 09:34 AM The plan, thus far, is to convert the Pleasant St. stage to a busking venue outside Cafe Brioche. If, however, it becomes too rainy, that part of the festival will be called off. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 27 Sep 03 - 09:39 AM Bugger. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: GUEST,Charley Noble in Limbo Date: 27 Sep 03 - 09:45 AM Not to worry! Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 27 Sep 03 - 09:54 AM Charley, I can't say for sure, but I suspect I just read your mind. If so, me too. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Bat Goddess Date: 27 Sep 03 - 11:15 AM JWB -- "It's Only a Shantey In Old Shanteytown". I'm likely to break into it at odd moments and frighten the horses, er, I mean people unfamiliar with the music. Oh, Burl's keeping tabs! And I promised him a full report, pictures and all, so, everybody, behave yourself! And come out to hear Mainbrace (Mike and Tony) who are a real treat. I'm really sorry we had to miss the house concert Thursday night, but Friday morning was scheduled to arrive way too early. Tonight's concert should be grand. Etcet etcet. An amazing amount of music from some really fine performers this weekend. Charley, Jeri -- in which universe are your minds meeting? Mick -- get your posterior (and the rest of you!) out here before everyone goes home! Linn |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 27 Sep 03 - 11:26 AM Yes folks, my old friends Mainbrace sing loud and lusty1 Get out there and join 'em and be prepared to sing your heart out. Burl |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Bat Goddess Date: 27 Sep 03 - 11:33 AM Loud & Lusty & GOOD! ("Sing it right, sing it true," as Jeannie Robertson would say.) And they could be heard over the pub din -- some of the, uh, "listeners" in the front of the pub may even have shut up and listened! Come hear them under better listening conditions, especially at tonight's concert! Linn |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 27 Sep 03 - 12:00 PM Linn, it's the universe where roving gangs of shanty singers once terrorized the streets of Kennebunk led by the pied pooper. (well, he wasn't actually 'pied' but only he moved too quickly to make a good target. "Pick it up and heave it at his face Lemon meringue, fire away, To miss would be a big disgrace Lemon meringue, fire away Imagine cross-hairs on his nose Lemon meringue, fire away Take good aim and there she goes" and all that.) In a universe where busking requires no permit and singing in public is actually encouraged, you never know what will happen UNofficially. (Am I close, Charles?) In any case, I hope the weather permits the official stuff to go as planned. Our session regular whose instrument is the pen really captured Mike - don't know if he got Tony. Hopefully, Bob will give us a copy so we can send it off to the model. (What would really be cool is if we could get permission to send it and perhaps others to Pene Azul for the 'Events' page.) Boy, am I ever ready to sing! My voice has recovered from last night when I had to do my best impression of (as a certain friend of mine once put it) Don Sinetti in a dress (although I had jeans on) because the background volume level was similar to what I remember being 20' away from a taxiing F-111 jet sounded like. Burl, the only thing that would make the music better would be if YOU were here too! |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 27 Sep 03 - 01:20 PM Nice to know you folks have all broken in your voices! Tom- I'll bring the G/D Anglo along, maybe even the F/C. We can always use another bilge pump! Jeri- It was midnight on the ocean, and we was three wheets to the sind! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 28 Sep 03 - 01:18 AM Good day. Too many concertinas. Tom (Mudge), Bob Webb, Jeff Warner, Charley Noble, Ken Sweeney, Jerry Epstein. We had Anglos, English and Duet. Huge, wonderful song circle which couldn't have been better. Tom was great at finding people way in the back who wanted to sing or would if encouraged a bit. Great concert. Tired. Speaking in sentence fragments. Sang my brains out and I hope my throat will feel less scratchy tomorrow. I went out at the break in the concert to get a sweater and saw some drunken dickhead pull into the spot next to my car, smooshing the side of the car on the other side and hitting the one in front. Now THAT was scary. Found some cops on my way out of town and reported it. I'd written the DH's license number on a program for tomorrow. Told the cops if they were gonna keep it, they should come hear the music. Celtaddict, if you're around, I told Mike 'Celtaddict said hi'. He said 'Who?!' I hope you're coming tomorrow (er, make that later today) so you can clear up this identity issue. I'm supposed to be selling performers' CDs tomorrow from 1 to about 3:30. Stop and say howdy. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Bat Goddess Date: 28 Sep 03 - 09:42 AM Yesterday's singaround was incredible -- not just the regular Portsmouth singaround attendees and the performers, but an enthusiastic crowd of listeners and SINGERS who came from distances to join in. Had a pair of really really good singers from Scotland who "just happened to be passing through." Really encouraging, too, to have younger singers who are discovering the roots of the "New Wave Celto-Whatever" that they've discovered. Building on yesterday's singaround, today's at Jack Quigley's Pub ought to be truly awe-inspiring. Linn |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: curmudgeon Date: 28 Sep 03 - 07:52 PM WOW !!!!! -- Too much fun, not enough sleep. It will take more than one post to express the essence of this festival. Stellar performances by all aside, one of the high points was the number of newcomers, especially young newcomers, to the genre, and to the pure joy of singing. To be continued ... -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 28 Sep 03 - 08:37 PM What joy! Lots of good singers and songs, and different levels of involvement for whatever you wanted to do. Tom, you did a great job of inviting people to sing. And Jeff Warner deserves credit for making this sea music festival happen again. I finally got to hear what the 2nd floor of the Press Room sounds like after 10 years. Boy, remind me to never sit under them air conditioners again. Fortunately. someone came by and shut them down for the second half. I can't wait till Mainbrace's new CD gets printed. Robust voices! Nice folks too. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: GUEST,celtaddict (without my cookie) Date: 28 Sep 03 - 09:01 PM Gee, Mike and Tony, spend six nights in my bed and forget who I am to say "hi" back to...how quickly they forget. (Well, my guest beds are of course mine.) Hope the rain did not put too much of a damper on things in general. The songwriting workshop was wonderful so I decided not to break my heart over missing Portsmouth, but the Thursday concert was fantastic. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 28 Sep 03 - 09:29 PM I think Jeff got the stupid air shut off. I was on the other side of the room and was freezing too. One really great moment in the concert was Jeff and Ken Sweeney doing "Coast of Peru." I never knew Jeff was that good on guitar! It wasn't fancy in an obvious way, but I loved the arrangement, both guitar-wise and harmonica-wise. Mainbrace... I KNEW they were powerful singers, but didn't realise just HOW powerful until I sat about 4' away from them at Quigley's today. Luckily, the eardrum on the starboard side still works, and I'm sure my hair will eventually grow back. Joking aside, they're loud, but the volume isn't nearly as impressive as how good they sound. Their voices are rich and blend magnificently. (Ha - and I'm listening to them live on NH Public Radio now!) |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 28 Sep 03 - 09:43 PM Celtaddict, I think they had a problem associating the Mudcat handle with the real person. As to the rain, it didn't actually start until 5PM - finale time. The finale was moved into the Athenaeum, which was actually a great thing. The room is an acoustic dream! Oh, and NO BIG MICK! He wasn't at the festival, and I had no phone messages. I guess he used his one call for a lawyer. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: GUEST,celtaddict Date: 28 Sep 03 - 10:05 PM Figured as much. I am always mildly surprised when I can match up a 'Cat persona with flesh and blood. The personalities come through so vividly her that we think we know them, but I suspect we have mental images unrelated to reality, related no doubt to why it is so often unsatisfactory to see a movie based on a favorite book: that isn't what that character is really like! But Mainbrace are a treasure to hear, aren't they? Glad the rain took its time moving east. It was lashing down in Rowe from 6 a.m. onward. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 29 Sep 03 - 08:21 AM Hated to "bail out" at 4:30 pm, but we were really glad when the skies opened up and we were only 15 minutes from our dinner date with my aged parents. We were imagining what things looked like back in Portsmouth with performers and admirers sloshing around Market Square for the big finale, perhaps chorusing the Noak's Ark shanty "A long Time Ago." We're going to have to do more practice on the "Rise Again" break from "Dead Dog Cider." Much too raggedy.;~) The Athenaeum space was really my favorite space for hearing people sing. Tom and Linn did a great job there. Linn, the key you picked for C. Fox Smith's "Race of Long Ago" was perfect. I really wish I could have been every place at once... Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: SINSULL Date: 29 Sep 03 - 10:08 AM Sorry I missed it. We had a lobster fest in my yard with Kendall and his cousin on Saturday. Sunday was the lighthouse in the rain. No one was looking forward to driving down to Portsmouth. Maybe next year. Deatials, Tom? |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: curmudgeon Date: 29 Sep 03 - 06:14 PM The very light rain did not start in Portsmouth until 4:30. It would have been worth the drive. For an idea of what you missed, look here. As far as I know, next years festival will be on the last weekend in September. But to atone for your sins of non-attendance, the next monthly shanty/forebitter session will be on 11 October. See you there -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: curmudgeon Date: 29 Sep 03 - 06:24 PM And here's another look at the day's activities. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 29 Sep 03 - 06:36 PM From the first article: "You couldn't throw a rock in downtown Portsmouth on Sunday without hitting a concertina player." HAHAHA! I wonder how many people tried! |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 29 Sep 03 - 07:01 PM Nice that the Festival got some good press. Jeri, you're cruel. I'm gonna file a protest on behalf of the poor maligned concertina players and concertina player wannabees of this so unfair world, if I had a clue where to file it... Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Bat Goddess Date: 29 Sep 03 - 07:33 PM There was a wonderful photo of Tom with his concertina at The Press Room singaround in Foster's Daily Demagogue(on the jump page) -- unfortunately the cut line identified him as someody else "tuning up" at a different event at Prescott Park. Sigh. Chris Elliot's story in the Herald was really good, though. Jeff Warner and Peter Contrastano deserve a lot of credit for the work involved in putting this thing together. Especially with all the scrambling for venues what with the weather and all. We've got to keep this festival going -- what a wonderful thing it is. I've got some more thoughts about what makes it wonderful that I'll put together into a thread as soon as I have a few minutes. Philosophical, it is. And I want some feed back. Should I mention my personal crisis? I left my earrings at home before the gig on Sunday. Naked! In front of an audience! Ohmagawd! Linn |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Naemanson Date: 30 Sep 03 - 05:12 AM Sounds like a great time was had by all... except me! My weekend was spent at work! I didn't even get out to enjoy the balmy weather and sunshine. Good going gang. Maybe I can get home next year in time for the event. That would be truly fun! |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: curmudgeon Date: 30 Sep 03 - 12:36 PM Now that Mudcat's back up, and I'm almost caught up on sleep, it might be a good time to mention the Mudcat's presence at the festival. It seems that Mike and Tony of Mainbrace are known here, but whether as guests or members, i don't know. Maybe they'll post when they get home. And performer Susan Hickey comes here as "singed_cat." But most important were the contributions of song, spirit, and enthusiasm provided by Charley Noble and Jeri and Barry Finn. The Saturday and Sunday sing-arounds were made all the richer for their contributions. Thanks guys. If there wre any other 'catters there, they must have been just lurking -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: curmudgeon Date: 01 Oct 03 - 10:29 AM We still need to gather some pictures to post on Mudcat. Linn took a bunch, but the film still has to be processed. Did anyone else take any? |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 01 Oct 03 - 10:32 AM I didn't, but Barbara was going nuts with her camera. Barbie, Babs, BB Queen, if you're lurking... |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: GUEST,guest tony Date: 02 Oct 03 - 10:17 AM |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: GUEST,guest tony Date: 02 Oct 03 - 11:05 AM Arrived home yesterday after a wonderful 3 weeks.Our stay in Portsmouth was special and we [myself and Mike]thoroughly enjoyed the festival.Great meeting up with old friends and making new friends.We always have a lovely welcome when we come to the states. To have taken part in such a wonderful festival and making lots of new friends was a real treat. Many thanks to all who made us feel so welcome. Thanks to Jeff and Peter for giving us the opportunity to be a part of the festival and all the Mudcatters for their kind words. special thanks to celtaddict for being the perfect host and all that you did for us,we shall be in touch soon. Thanks also to Joy,Jerry,Sue and Charlie,Lorri and David,Judy and betsie for making our stay so special. Looking forward to seeing you all in the not too distant future. Fondest regards, Tony and Mike [Mainbrace]. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Brían Date: 02 Oct 03 - 11:12 AM I'm sorry I missed out on this one. See you next time around. Brían |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 02 Oct 03 - 02:57 PM Tony and Mike- We'll be looking forward to ordering your new CD when it finally surfaces. Don't forget to post on Mudcat when that happens. Great hearing you sing! Cheerily, Charley Noble www.rollandgoseasongs.com |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary -Johns Date: 02 Oct 03 - 11:10 PM AHOY PORTSMOUTH ! Just a short note to endorse Tony's comments! We had a Whale of a time.Many,Many thanks to all the usual Suspects. Tom and Linn ;Jeri ;Charley et al.There are many others and I can not recall the names just at the moment.You made us feel welcome at all the sessions ; from the moment we entered the Press Room right through the weekend.Great Friendship and great singing throughout. Our thanks to Jeff and Peter for making it possible for us to be there and everyone we met for making it a great weekend. It was great to meet Barry Finn again ; thanks Barry. If any of you local Folks see Debbie Richards Please give her our Love She is an absolute GEM . YOU ALL MADE IT A GREAT WEEKEND FOR US ....More Power to your Elbow! I hope we will meet up with you again ,take care ! FAIR WINDS ALWAYS MIKE. To all the friends we met and who helped us on our way from the start of our trip in Boston through Conecticut ; New York and York { Maine}THANKS and a special hello to Karen.{ Who took me paddling!} Long life good health and keep singing! |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Big Mick Date: 03 Oct 03 - 07:44 AM mumble, sputter, grumble, piss and moan,........ I did, indeed, fly into Boston on Sunday. I even caught an early flight so I could get up there for a bit. Got to town, problems with my room! Got that settled, and the *&%^&***$#@HGT%$%^&**** cell phone goes off. I have to meet at the Regional Office. I finally get out of there, and it is too late to head north. So I figure I will call Jeri when I figure out the next days schedule and see if we can do dinner. Trial gets delayed, while Attorneys work out stips, but I can't leave. Then it starts, and the friggin' management attorney moves to have the witnesses sequestered......I end up sitting in a room, and by the time I get out, it is too late. My flight left the next day (Tuesday)and I never got so much as a chance to go see my friends in Portsmouth. Shit!!!!!! So, Jeri, Tom, Linn, et al, I will see you next time. Sometimes life sucks. I sure wanted to get up there and see you dear folks again. And finally meet Charley Noble. And, of course, see my buddy Barry and his lovely wife. Damn. All the best, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Jeri Date: 03 Oct 03 - 08:09 AM And I couldn't see my friends And my plans for Portsmouth partying All met sorry ends I couldn't leave or even phone Oh lord, there were no joys But I could play my bagpipes Well, I could at least make noise I went many a mile for this trial A side trip was my plan, but I Was sequestered then went westward Back to Mich-i-gan. CHORUS: My butt was bored in Boston Then I had to head back home Mutter, sputter, grumble, piss and moan Nice to see you're still breathing, Mick! Mike & Tony, come back here right now! Seriously, I hope to hear when your CD comes out. |
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Subject: RE: Portsmouth (NH) Maritime Folk Festival From: Charley Noble Date: 03 Oct 03 - 09:24 AM Jeri- Your poem works very well (with a little warping, hammering, and reconstruction) to the tune of "The Boston Burgler.";~) It compares favorably to my Michigan song entitled "Shafted in Shaftsburg." Mick- Is there anything left of Greektown now that it's been redeveloped as a Casino block? I'd love to think that the Hellas Restaurant had survived. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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