House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 01:11 PM

What do you need, Mary?
Regular bread? More wine? I don't know whether red or white goes best with roast Roberts. Maybe more desert?

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: curmudgeon
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 01:54 PM

Just about ready to head to the cheese shop, then to pick up Linn from work. Our friend Ken is supposed to meet up with us in S.Portland to swap a router for some computer books. If he gets there before we do, don't panic; he's mostly harmless - Tom

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: KathWestra
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 06:07 PM

Have a wonderful time tonight. Share hugs liberally on my behalf, and be sure John gets a couple from me. Nancy, I'll expect a full report when you get back to these parts. I do miss my buddies in Maine, and Mary's welcoming soirees. Love to all of you. Kathy

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 06:14 PM

Wish I could be there too ! But I will see some of you at Getaway

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: CamiSu
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 11:22 PM

Hope you all had a good time. I haven't seen John in years.

Mary- I answered your message from a year ago???

Cami who hasn't been here in years.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: jacqui.c
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 07:56 AM

Well, we had a great time, although Kendall is a little under the weather this morning, poor lad. Now, if they could find a single malt with no deleterious morning properties he would be a very happy bunny.

What a great night - some of the best company on the Eastern seaboard, wonderful food and the incomparable John Roberts, who gave his usual magical performance last night.

It was good to also see some new faces in the mix, and a brief visit by Deb Cowan and her husband.

Next month we have Cindy Kallet, yet another unmissable performer.

Life is DAMN GOOD!

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: maeve
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 08:11 AM

It was indeed a very lovely evening.   I arrived with a homegrown tomato salad and left with a marvelous songbook, a book on weaving techniques, and a third on a childhood hero, along with bags of apples for pie, pectin, and cider. I borrowed a pen from Ranger 1 so I could make notes regarding one after another of John's songs I must learn. Happy bunny, me!

With all the house cats roaming around it was a surprise to see a new feline insist on gaining admittance to the gathering. He appeared to be a polite and charming fellow, but was firmly ushered back outside, where he lingered for quite a while.

What a great crowd for laughter and warm hugs! Thank you one and all, and Sinsull in particular for never-failing hospitality.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Becca72
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 10:39 AM

Maeve,
I held said kitty for quite awhile on the porch and he was a purrrrfect gentleman. When I got home I asked my 3 boys if they wanted a baby brother. They do not. :-) He was cute, though!

John was wonderful, btw!

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 10:56 AM

The food was great, lots of choice entrees and deserts to choose from, not to mention the fermented fluids. John was in great form, and provided almost an entire set of non-sea-related songs. George Ward's fine song "The Boatman's Cure" certainly provoked an enthusiastic response. But there was also "The White Cockade," "All the Little Chickens in the Garden," and "Singing Nelson Home." My fading brain cells can't seem to recover the rest of the set but there were other brain cells present and perhaps they can fill out the rest of the set.

Thanks again to our gracious host, Sinsull, whose home is most likely still reveberating from the sounds of revelry and song!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 10:57 AM

I think Mary has a new cat. He's been inside for a while and all her cats seem to know him.

Jeri, from Mary's living room

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 10:59 AM

Oh, John's still here. It was a GREAT concert (and a very late night).

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Becca72
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 11:05 AM

Tee hee hee..thanks for the update, Jeri. I told him to just be persistent and she'd let him in. :-)

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Nancy King
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 01:12 PM

It was indded lovely. John was terrific as usual, the food was great, and the company was marvelous. What more could anyone want? Wish I could be around for more of these events! Thanks to all!

Nancy

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: kendall
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 01:29 PM

John always does a great job on everything he does, but his rendition of Carrying Nelson Home was outstanding. It gave me chills.

This morning, Mary asked me why my car was on the lawn, and after a while I remembered putting it there.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 01:39 PM

well, all WE had here was Elizabeth and Sandy LaPrelle at my house. Otherwise, a drive to Maine might have tempted us.
At the Getaway in a short time, John Roberts and the LaPrelles will be at the same camp....yep..life does work out sometimes.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 01:47 PM

Charlie, John didn't sing "Chickens In the Garden" -- I did, much later AFTER John's wonderful concert. (Nice choices of songs, John, and thanks for "The Man Who Played the Trombone".)

What a feast! Of food, desserts, spirits and music!

I over-served myself last night, too -- good, though! (Ah, Lagavulan! Laphroaig AND Lagavulan!)

Not to mention way too little sleep. Sigh.

Gotta get away from this computer -- and maybe I'll be able to fit in a nap, too.

Linn

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 02:18 PM

The cat (who could be 'JR' and not 'John', or he could be referred to as 'Nads') was behaving as though he'd lived in that house all his life. Perhaps he was some past occupant, reincarnated.) Mary was talking about having his appendages removed.

I love the way John sings 'Carrying Nelson Home'. I love the way he sings, period, but the reason is very evident when he does 'Nelson'. It's sung with a great deal of feeling, but an appropriate amount. It's like someone smiling for real and not flashing you one of those phony toothy cardboard jobs that never quite get to the eyes. He sings it for real, and it does give you chills.

Charley, John played the tune 'White Cockade', and another march I can't remember. They followed 'The Flower of France and England'. 'What a Mouth', 'Catch Me If You Can', Ramble-Away', 'the Three Butchers', Bottle o' the Best', and a great quantity of other songs, all very enjoyable. Having bought a concertina in April, I love listening to his arrangements which are among my favorite accompaniments of any sort.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 02:19 PM

I wisely stuck to Coca Cola Until after the concert so as to be able to give you all an accurate recounting of events.

The food was good and plentiful.

John was brilliant. No one else should be allowed to sing Carrying Nelson Home. Any of you who haven't seen John perform, get yourself to the Portsmouth Festival. He loves the music; he knows everything about his songs having traced most of them back to the third millenium BC; he loves sharing them with his audience.

As to the persitent little feline who actually convinced someone to open the door and let him in. Appaerntly, he is no longer a stray. After a half hour of clawing at the front door and wailing pitifully at 8AM this morning. He came in, had some breakfast and took over Alice's chair. There has been a minimum of hissing and complaing although poor Seamus got spit at several times.

I expect we will call him John. Maybe Sir John.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: curmudgeon
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 02:30 PM

Does not the title "Sir" require his name to be spelt "jOhn?"

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Becca72
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 04:38 PM

He is a cute little bugger, for sure. and the cat, too (eg).

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 06:33 PM

Jeri, John sang the song "The White Cockade" as well -- just before playing the TUNE "White Cockade -- which is a different tune from the tune of the song.

Mary, I favor "JR" (for what it's worth).

And thanks again for the tastefully embroidered flamingo curtain! And Jacqui for the Marks & Sparks tote. And Pete & Joanne for the CD.

Lots of "stuff" finding new homes -- I handed out several books to new readers and exchanged techno crap with a friend prior to the gathering. (I won -- I got rid of several bags of computer books and documentation and received a router; I cleared out more cubic footage than I brought home.)

Linn

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 07:55 PM

sounds like another wonderful New England house concert, I so miss them ....

I am sure John will be reading this, so I can say that I still have fond memories of both him and "Anglo" performing at the Strawberry Festival in Homestead in 2000.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 07:58 PM

AND Congratulations to Linn on the publication of her story on the Portsmouth Festival I hope to read it quietly tonight and go over the pictures with a magnifying glass - I know a lot of those people.


John left here about noon headed to the West's for an afternoon concert. Peter and Joann followed. It is not often I end up with a year's supply of single malt but I have at least three, maybe four unopened bottles of 12 and 18 year old Laphroiag, Glennfiddech and lord knows what else. Of course the 30 year old Laphrioag is awaiting the return of our beloved Micca. Andrew and Carole arrive week after this I think.

Thinking over the evening I think John's Seven Gypsies was the highlight for me. The shock of the last verse when contrasted against the playfulness of the first is brilliant - I think I used that word before.

Deb Cowan's surprise appearance, Holly's flowers, the air filter cake, a new kitty, Tpm's curry, etc. A wonderful evening.

Thank you all.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Siochain
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 08:55 PM

Glad to hear how wonderful it was. Wish I had been able to attend. Was there an offering of "The Two Magicians"?
R

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 14 Sep 08 - 09:46 PM

It was wonderful - I overimbibed (as usual) and really cannot say what a pleasure it was to have my daughter and future son in lawl (I think) there.....

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 08:41 AM

No! NO Two Magicians. And I laid a heavy guilt trip on John about it. He claimed he forgot. I don't believe it. I think he needs cheat sheets to get through it and his pride won't let him.

heh heh The line is drawn in the sand.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 08:45 AM

Siochain - SINSULL had elicited a promise from John for the Two Magicians for this concert but, sadly, it was not to be.

We've now extended the deadline (note choice of word John!) to the Getaway so he has a bit of learning to do in the meantime.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 08:47 AM

Sorry to see only "The White Cockade" was done. What about a rendition of "The Blue Cockade?"........a wonderful exultation in praise of Viagra.

I think I'd have demanded my money back!

Spaw

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 09:31 AM

Spaw-

Or "The Black and Blue Cockade," that wonderful song about a bar room brawl.

I seem to remember a horrid song we composed on an old Mudcat thread to the same tune called "The Blow at Witch's Hole" having to do with methane bubbling up from the ocean depths and sinking ships. I resisted the temptation to sing that one too.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 09:49 AM

Update on the new kitten front. About 7:30 this morning, after having a bit of breakfast and making it very clear that he does not arise this early, "John" demanded to be let out. He was as insistent about going out as he was about coming in.
So either he went to his real home with tales both strange and true about his adventure or he will be there when I get home this afternoon.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: curmudgeon
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 08:12 PM

What happened to the new cat?

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Siochain
Date: 15 Sep 08 - 09:44 PM

I was a witness to the Two Magicians' Promise back in August. An intense electrical storm was the backdrop. John sang the first verse, then said to come to the September house concert to hear the rest! I WILL be in Portsmouth, so I hope to enjoy listening to it there.
Siochain

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 09:38 AM

Still trying to figure out how any woman could be silly enough to get involved with a guy named Catchmeifyoucan. It may be the new cat's name. He was waiting for me when I arrived home from work, had a snack and a nap and then disappeared for the night. No sign of him this morning. But he did make it clear yesterday morning that he was not amused at being awakened at 5:30Am for breakfast.

I like his attitude.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 01:11 PM

And now for the photos........................

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: CET
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 01:27 PM

All those great songs, and a new cat! I wish I could have been there.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 01:50 PM

Cta's gone. He took off and did not come back. He was clean, healthy and housebroken so I think he belongs to someone in the neighborhood. Freddie is covered with scratches so I also think the kitty was told not to come back.
I wish you could have been here too, Edmund.

Subject: RE: House Concert: John Roberts at SINSULL's
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 02:07 PM

I like the crown John is wearing in photo 3...it pays to know where to stand.

Looks like a good time was had by all.