South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?

Subject: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 06:37 PM

I'm making my spring pilgrimage down to NYC next weekend, planning to stop in at the Chantey Sing at the Seamen's Church in the South Street Seaport area on Saturday, April 12, 8 pm. I'll probably be joining Al and Barbara for dinner around the corner beforehand, but I'd be delighted to meet anyone else who regularly attends this gathering.

Sunday I'll be driving out to Bellport, Long Island, and there will be a song party that evening as well at the Puleston compound.

Tuesday I take the Orient Express (my pet name for the ferry) over to New London, have a fine lunch at Chicken Little's, maybe touch base with folks at Mystic, and then on up north to Gloucester where I'll be attending the sea music session there.

Wednesday, it's back to Maine.

If anyone needs more information about what's happening at any of these stops, I'd be happy to provide more detail in this thread or by PM.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: stallion
Date: 07 Apr 08 - 05:50 PM

sounds terrific wish we were with you!

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Apr 08 - 07:46 PM

Peter-

It's just a hop, skip, and a jump over the great pond.

I'd love to see you as well, along with Martin and Ron. Give them my best!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 09:16 AM

One more day and it's off to NYC.

I hope I can leave the beginnings of a cold behind me!

Looks as if it will be a rainy weekend.

The restaurant we'll be gathering at prior to the chantey swap is called Meade's and it's just around the corner from the Seamen's Church Institute which is at 241 Water St. We'll be there around 6:30 pm. The singing session begins at 8 pm.

I will have supplies of my three CD's:

Uncommon Sailor Songs
More Uncommon Sailor Songs
Old Sailor-Poets

Here's a link to my website for further information, full lyrics and MP3 samples of all tracks and other works in process: Click here for a knotty and nautical time!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 09:31 AM

Hey Peter - when are you coming back? We are holding our maritime festival in August.
Mary

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 03:24 PM

What time does the Tuesday sea music session at Cameron's in Gloucester get going? I'm assuming around 7 pm but if it's much later I'd rather not be waiting there flapping sails.

Anyone want to join me at Kitchen Littles (Or is is Chicken Littles?) for lunch in Mystic on Tuesday, around 1 pm?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 09:23 PM

It gets going on Tuesday night by 9:00 Charlie but some folks show at 8:00 & after. If you get there 5 minutes afer 9 the free food spread may be gone.
See you ther, hope you have a great trip.

Barry

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 08:49 AM

Thanks, Barry. I'll be sure to be there by 8 pm sharp.

Off to NYC!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Suffet
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 09:29 AM

Charley,

If you make it to New York City by 8 PM tonight (Friday), you can hear A Little of What You Fancy, an evenening of English music hall and vaudeville songs featuring David Jones, Heather Wood, Murray Callahan, and Jerry Epstein. Location: Organization of Staff Analysts union headquarters, 220 East 23rd Street, suite 707. That's between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Free on-street parking is available after 7 PM. Sponsored by NY Pinewoods Folk Music Club.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 09:50 PM

Steve-

I had noticed that on the Pinewoods website but elected to go out with my brother's family and chat. It sounds like a great line-up. If I were spending more time I'd certainly drop by the People's Voice Cafe as well, assuming that it still has a home.

I really should spend a week here, and do some serious planning.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, alive and well in Brooklyn

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Suffet
Date: 11 Apr 08 - 11:47 PM

Charley,

The Peoples' Voice Cafe is still housed in the Workmen's Circle building (45 East 33rd Street, NYC). But, as you most likely know, the Workmen's Circle recently sold the property, and they must be out by June 30. The last Peoples' Voice Cafe show at that location will take place Saturday, May 17, when the NYC Labor Chorus performs. I will be appearing there with Joel Landy two weeks earlier, on May 3.

But don't despair. The Peoples' Voice Cafe has indeed found a new home, and it is in the same part of Manhattan. I cannot, however, reveal the location until all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted. If you check their website in about a month, it should show the new location.

Meanwhile, the Folksong Society of Greater Boston is presenting A Little of What You Fancy tomorrow (Saturday). It's a really charming show. You'll be in New York, however. Oh, well.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 09:02 AM

Steve-

Thanks for the update on the Peoples' Voice Cafe. You probably mentioned the sale of the building in a previous post but I hadn't heard of firm plans for a new location.

Excellent!

With regard to this evening, it seems like the thunder showers will be over by mid-afternoon and by 4 pm the temperature will be up to 70! Maybe I won't need my sweatshirt and Mackinaw!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: GUEST,Steve Uzzell
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 02:53 PM

Hello,

Do you mind if I crash your Meade's meet-up before the chanteys ? I'm a travel writer over from England, doing a piece of old New York (its music and bars) and would love to have a chat.

Cheers,

Steve.

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 04:44 PM

All are welcome to join the group getting together to go to the Chantey Sing at Seaman's Church. We generally arrive between 6 and 6:30 for dinner, then migrate to the sing in time to have it set up for our 8 PM start.

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 04:53 PM

Steve-

Do check out McSorley Old Ale House as well off Coopers Union Square.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Suffet
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 08:05 AM

GUEST,Steve Uzzell,

If you are writing a piece about music in New York City, I strongly suggest that you speak with some of the people from New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club, especially its president Joy Bennett, its program director Eileen Pentel, its publicity director Don Wade, and its festival director Jerry Epstein. Among them, they can provide you with plenty of information, leads, contacts, and suggestions.

All of them should be present when the club has its monthly board of directors meeting tomorrow (Monday) evening. Maybe you can meet some before or after the meeting? I cannot speak on their behalf, but it may be worth e-mailing Joy Bennett for more information. You might also do well to e-mail Heather Wood. She is another member of the NY Pinewoods board of directors, as well as a British ex-patriate and the sole surviving member of the Young Tradition.

Best of luck.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 10:52 AM

Steve, the British travel reporter, did make it to our pre-chantey din-din at Meade's Restaurant and we had a great time talking with him; he has fond memories of listening to the Spinners while growing up. He attended the session and appeared to be quite impressed with the full-throated singing!

What an evening! About 50 people were there, half of whom were leading songs. Mostly what we heard were the traditional work chanties but there were also forebitters, and a few parodies of the same. Most people were familiar with the choruses and refrains and joined right in.

A favorite memory for me was the Titanic set, at least four different songs dovetailed with one another, including the polar bear song. I contributed the tragic sinking of the Japanese trawler the Kasi Maru by a falling cow.

I also led some of the poems I've adapted for singing by old sailor-poets from the early 1900's: Bill Adam's "Bound Away" and "Sea Traders" by Burt Franklin Jenness.

There was some interest in my CD's and someone was delighted to buy one of my extra Barry Finn/Neil Downey CD's; I parted with it for $50 after he almost broke down in tears...;~)

Jan was kind enough to driver me back afterwards to Brooklyn; he's still talking about retiring to Southern Maine at some time. We may be seeing more of him at the Press Club gatherings.

Well, it's off to Bellport this afternoon and a song party with my old friends the Pulestons.
Life is hard on the road!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, on route to the wilds of Long Island

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Suffet
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 12:00 PM

Charley,

Glad you had a good time. Marilyn and I were at the Peoples' Voice Cafe, about 2 miles NNW of you, listening to the Ray Korona Band. They drew a nearly full house.

One of the things about the New York folk music scene, which I know is true in several other big cities, is that the "traddies" and the "politicos" occupy their own separate worlds. There is some overlap, and there are a few performers who have their feet in both worlds. For the most part, however, the two groups are at best indifferent to one another. At worst, they are openly hostile.

OK, enough of a rant. I know you are one of the "two worlders," so you likely know what I'm talking about. I presume others do as well.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 09:00 AM

Steve-

I know it well! ;~)

I would have loved to have attended Bev Grant's concert at the Ethical Culture Center (haven't heard her sing in years) but just couldn't figure out how to be in two places at once.

Anyway, back to the trec into deepest darkest Long Island. This time I didn't take the wrong exit on my way out and end up threading my way back and forth between the western and eastern shores of the island. Bellport is a little village on the Eastern shore, about an hour and a half from NYC. It's sheltered from the ocean by a long barrier beach, behind which are extensive marshlands which are full of nesting birds including egrets, swans, Canadian geese, and lots of feathered things that I wouldn't be able to name.

My friends the Pulestons live on a farm on the edge of the marsh next to a boatyard. Thier entire compound is a maze of small buildings, periodically inhabited by members of their extended family, or by resident livestock. The livestock includes a breeding herd of alpachas, a peacock, chickens and geese.

Al and Barb joined us for a small evening song party, which included my hosts Pete and Jen and several of their neighbors. We had a lot of fun trying out a few new songs, including some John Warner songs from Al and Barb.

Today I'm planning to recharge my batteries, wander aboutthe farm and re-explore the village. Then Tuesday I'll take the Orient Point ferry to New London and make my run up to Gloucester.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 09:00 AM

It's the morning after the sea music session at Cameron's in Gloucester. What a blast! There were about 40 people there, most of them singers, and I only knew about a dozen who have been regularly attending the Press Room monthly sessions. Let's see Barry Finn was there, Peter and Joanne, Garde, Alex, Rose, George, Tim, Gary from the MIT sessions, Leslie, Andrew, and the rest are just a blur.

There were the traditional shanties and forebitters, a few traditional drinking songs, some other folk style songs, and then a whole set of old rock & roll, blues, revival, not to mention singer-songwriter stuff. I even found room to loft one of my old favorites, "Wake Up, Susianna." It was that kind of evening.

The bar staff actually seemed to enjoy the whole process, and the regulars at the bar also seeemed to be paying attention.

I'm not sure how these folks can do this every Tuesday night, past midnight, and still function in the morning at work. But they obviously do so!

Well, it's time to hit the road again. See if I can find my way out of Essex and back home to Maine. I wonder if the great ice sheets have melted?

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Press Room next Saturday.

Cheerily,
CHarley Noble, in the wilds of Essex

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 10:18 AM

Work???????????

Barry

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 04:31 PM

Barry-

Well, Peter and Joanne got out the door this morning before I did!

It really was a wonderful evening at Cameron's and I'm really not doing it justice with my description but the action was too fast moving to take many notes.

It was interesting to have you request that I lead "Yangste River Shanty" which I haven't done for a long time. I don't lead it with Roll & Go, in favor of Dick Dufresne, and I enjoy harmonizing on your version. If I had started with the verse I realize now that I'd be singing your version. Some day we must have a workshop at Mystic with Danny Spooner and John Roberts and we can test which version survives if we all start simultaneously! Hamish Maclaren would be amused.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble


Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 12:45 AM

I'd like to hear how Danny does it. Where'd he get his version from & how does he do it?
When Pam ask who you where, she was enthralled that you were the one who came to putting Yangste River to music & how yours differed from what she had heard, so she asked if I would ask you to do it. I thought that it would be a treat for others there that had heard me & Peter sing it, so there you go. Peter sings it a bit different from me, where'd he get his version from, do ya know, I think John but John's not that different from me, is he? Maybe I should ask Peter, probably did & forgot. Do you know where the Johnson Girls picked it up from & where'd Al get his from, I think the J-Girls got it from Al but I don't really know. Anyway, glad you had an enjoyable time there last night, it was a better than usuall session but they're mostly pretty good sessions, very spirited.

Barry

Subject: RE: South St. Seaport Chantey Swap April 12?
From: adventure
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 06:48 AM

Doryman here...
Charlie thanks for the kind words about our Tuesday sing at Cameron's.
Three years running every Tuesday evening last month....and still having a blast. Good showing of singers as usual and a few new faces in the audience around the bar and tables.
Yangtze River....heard it from John Roberts first, Finn second, Spooner third and Charlie at the Press Room. Sing it as a primary favorite though a bit different. I'm up for the group therapy session for all to do their versions.
Barry and I have done a few song splits and we did try a verse a piece at the Press Room last year with Charlie....pretty funny as all ranges and inflections were close but different. That's what it's all about. I modified the chantey to fit my own personal style of singing....deep very deep!!!
Joanne can range her voice to support a harmony pretty well.
Anyway.....thanks and see you soon.
Doryman