Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news

Subject: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 12:14 AM

Seems as if folk music has been getting a shot in the arm from the press lately, espically shanty sings.

A young reporter, Terry Doyle, from the Cape Ann Beacon (Cape Ann is a real place) has lately been taken pictures & asking questions & writing stuff down at the Tuesday shanty sing at Cameron's located in Gloucester, Mass (USA). Here's his report. He's also done a slide show. I think he's begining to take more than a professional delight in the music.
Some other Mudcatters besides myself mentioned or shown are Doryman & his mate (Peter & Joanne). Pirate of Cape Ann (Gardi) & young Colin (he's mentioned in the artical along with a nice shot) who's father is a Mudcatter (Feadan) & a few other lurkers. Colin has quite a memory (don't ya just hate the young) for the lyrics, often having to step in with a forgotten word here & there for his mother & father (David & Rose, both very experienced & excellent singers themselves) or any others of us that have a memory lapse. Aside from his uncanny memory is an even more uncanny ear & voice for harmony. OK, read the artical.

The venue is a waterfront bar'resturant in the fishing port of Gloucester who's port is 3rd in the USA for it's share commerical fishing. Gloucester's population tops 30,000 & it has lost as many of her native fisherfolk since it's incorporation. So the songs of the sea are more than bit meaningful to the local folks that just happen to wander into the place. Some folks just come to drink (imagine?) others to drink & hear about these songs that's got to do with the water that they earn a living from & others just to see & hear the tomfoolerly & join in on a chorus or 2. This is part of what makes this shanty sing atmosphere so special. Just a week ago this last sing an Irish fishing captain & his woman friend happened to waltz in, unknowingly that a singing session was taking place, before long he was singing "Donegall Danny" along with a host of other Irish & Sea songs, vowing to drag in his 2 partners, who love to sing the next time they're not out fishing, & all his kids who sing & play when they come over for a visit. OK, again, read the artical.

This happens every Tuesday evening & has been going strong for the past 3 yrs. It's mostly supported by folks that volunteer their time restoring the Gloucester Fishing Schooner Adventure which by the way was launched 81 yrs ago today. This is one of the few sessions that I make a great effort to attend as much as possible (the Press Room being another) because of it's inviting atmosphere, it's zany patrons & it's probably one of the most informal, layedback sessions I know of (again with exception to the Press Room). OK, did you read the artical?

Barry

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: Anglo
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 02:38 AM

That's a really nice article, and a good soundtrack along with it.

Too bad I've got a 4 hour each way commute, or I'd be there!

Cheers and well done.

JR

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: maeve
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 06:38 AM

Well done! I did read the article, and would love to have such a gathering nearby. Thanks for letting us know.

maeve

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: MartinRyan
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 06:49 AM

Slide show is excellent. Nice to hear "Billy O'Shea" in there.

Regards

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: curmudgeon
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 07:00 AM

Great slide show, but the link in the article didn't work, rather that on the Press room shanty thread - Tom

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: adventure
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 06:52 PM

Tom,

Try typing in    www.capeannbeacon.com   this worked on all PC's that I tried over the weekend.

Barry....hope to see you tomorrow evening at Cameron's. Maybe a few more walk ins will show and make it another fun evening.

Glad to hear that you're going to South Street to sing.

See you soon and thanks.

Doryman

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 08:46 PM

Barry-

Nice review! Just the kind of media attention we should be generating, if we thought about it!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: GUEST,BB
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 09:10 PM

WOW! That's so GREAT!
Here's my favorite part:
If you can't catch Three Sheets to the Wind on a Tuesday night at Cameron's, check them out at the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Fest later this month (Sept. 29-30).

Ah yes, a cheap plug for Portsmouth. Why not? It's free!

Babs

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 04:15 AM

Great, Barry! It's a blessing when sea music gets good press, and this is really good press!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: GUEST,Mark Wolfire
Date: 18 Sep 07 - 09:43 PM

For your info:
The Baltimore/Annapolis/Weaton Shanty sing was recently written up in the Washington Post. Also a short segment re-aired on the local NPR station on our Baltimore sing. Attendance has been higher the last few weeks from people who heard it on the radio or read in the Post.
   Mark

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: radriano
Date: 19 Sep 07 - 12:03 PM

Well, shiver me timbers, it's a whale of a story.

[After all, today is September 19, International Talk Like A Pirate Day!]

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: adventure
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 08:29 PM

Another good session with lots of songs and new people coming in to Cameron's either to observe or participate. A family from the Northwest strolled in as they heard about the session while vacationing and wanted to make it an evening. Several more attendees are starting to collect song lyrics and make up books to practice with at their leisure. These are encouraging things to see that will lead to more people participating and learning chanteys and songs to pass along to others. Somewhere around 45 people filled the room at the peak of the evening. Cameron's is a gracious host and welcomes the public in to participate. Lots of good folks and good singers slide in and out on a weekly basis. Schooner Adventure will have some really good sings next year at this rate.
www.schooner-adventure.org
Doryman

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: Celtaddict
Date: 20 Sep 07 - 10:09 PM

Barry, and anyone else who makes Gloucester, check out the Working Waterfront Festival at New Bedford, this weekend. Also, the songs of 'Souls of the Sea' are written specifically about the commercial fishermen and their families.
Working Waterfront Festival

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: Barry Finn
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 12:10 AM

I plan on being there for Saturday, thanks Celtaddict. It's been a festival that I've been trying to make for a long time but it always was on the same weekend as the Portsmouth Maritime Fest, this year it's on a different weekend. I've always heard great things about this one.

Barry

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: Celtaddict
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 12:20 AM

I'll look for you on Saturday then, Barry!

Subject: RE: Gloucester (USA) Shanty Sing makes news
From: adventure
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 08:40 PM

Another fine sing last evening at Cameron's in Gloucester. Had approximately 55 or more in attendance either singing or listening. Three Sheets crew was boning up for this weekend in Portsmouth. Lots of good tunes and a few good poems. Wreck of the Hesperus in its full version by Captain Michael in his Irish accent was truly amazing. Again, many new folks looking for song info and lyrics. Hope they continue to learn and start singing. Alex, George, Gardi, Barry Finn, Rose, Colin, Michael, Tim, Roger, Carol, Leslie, Martha, Jan, Graham, Joanne and Peter cranked out many chanteys with the crowd who provided some really good chorus support. Lots of fun and many smiling faces throughout the evening. Good food put out by Cameron's last evening. Crap....Finn ate all of the chicken wings and nobody sang chicken on a raft!!!!! I'll have to remember it the next time chicken is placed out for our crew.
Doryman