Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Flicka
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 02:57 PM

Genie,
I have a couple of files that I could email you. They may help you undelete your video of Uncle Stan.
Here is my email unabri at centurytel.net

THe files are over 5 MG.

Oh, and if you could send any photos as higha resolution as you've got that would give me room to work with them.

Thanks,
Lisa

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: mg
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 03:03 PM

Speaking of the tugboats...Stan had two major projects that he wanted to work on..and I am hoping that we can somehow do this. I kept running into him at Folklife and every time he would elaborate on these projects..he was so exuberant it was hard to pin down exactly what they were..but one had to do with the docks of Seattle and the Wawona etc. in the 1930s. Or 20s or whenever. It sounded like a combination folk opera, with songs, stories, etc., but also he had some original photographs and it sounded like tapes of the old men who had worked on the Wawaona. So he was perhaps talking about CD's, lesson plans, but I think the folk opera was in there too. I remember we talked about net hauling songs for some reason..and I told him about my second cousins the Jusinovitchs who worked on the docks..one as a fish box builder and one as a fish packer..can whoever writes this put them in? They were sardine fishermen in probably Croatia. I met the Kappa singers in folklife, told them about it, and they were very interested in perhaps singing something for it. For some reason I was also thinking of Japanese, although I don't know for sure they worked on the docks. Anyway, the vision, and several of us talked with him about it at folklife, was centered around the docks of Seattle, with all sorts of music and then maybe CD's or something with pictures? Like I said itwas hard to extract exactly the plan from this jumble of great ideas.

Back to the tugboats. The second project was similar..perhaps a folk opera again with lesson plans, CD's perhaps....we could get into the whole Mrs. Anna ? Fossan (Foss) whose story gave someone the inspiration for tugboat Annie.

Sorry to digress so much, but he was so excited about these projects, probably Wawona first and then tugboat. And last week some of us were at a shanty camp in Chinook WA, and I just really thought I must get this going again...he was the great idea man and the source of some original documents and recordings, and others could give it more structure etc. There was some serious interest in getting the materials scanned, photos, etc., and a radio announcer here was very interested in interviewing him..she does marine reporting and is a photojournalist as well.

So as the family goes through stuff, could you be on the lookout for this type of material? I know it was very very important to him and I know there was a lot of interest just at folklife even, although we were all a little vague on exactly what it was he had in mind...the stuff would just need to be copied, scanned, digitzied or whatever and there are professionals who have volunteered if it could be made available for a while. It is just so odd that I took my finger out of the sugarbowl finally just as it is maybe too late, but maybe not. mg

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 03:43 PM

Stan is another of those Northwesterners with a collection that needs to be cared for, preserved, and if possible, donated to a library or museum in the area. It's a slow process, but (and I say this with the understanding that not everyone sees this material in the same way) if you can keep it all together, it has even more clout for the Stan James legacy. Books, clippings, files, photos, instruments, and all of the recordings you come across. Scholars in the future will bless you for taking the care now.

There are people who have contributed to this thread who can advise you. John Ross, Stewart, Bob Nelson, and others have dealt with or have their own collections and those of others that they can tell you about.

In addition to what we all know about Stan the man, he was also a great resource for this Pacific Northwest and Western region. (I didn't know about the tugboat project. My mother's father was a longshoreman in Seattle for a while around that period, but they moved away to live on a sugar beet farm in Silvana during the depression. I wonder if he wrote about the Seattle years? I have a lot of his clippings from years of writing for local newspapers.)

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Don Firth
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 04:05 PM

"The one time I visited the Corroboree, after the ownership change, I remember a young fellow singing songs from Australia. He had a robust delivery and a sort of boistrous spirit, as I recall him through the mists of time."

Yeah, TJ, that was Stan, all right!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: johnross
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 04:29 PM

There's also a recording of Stan siming "The Mermaid" on one of the Northwest Folkife cassettes. The Folklife office does not have any spare copies, but they have authorized me to make copies for Stan's family.

Will any of you who want copies please send me e-mail to [e-mail]?

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Sally
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 06:05 PM

Loving thoughts and warm hugs to all to celebrate Stan James' life and songs!!!

I've got photos of Stan - which I will scan and post. Also cassette tapes from events, concerts and house parties with Stan in the 70's, if anybody has the technology to do something with them???

Big smiles for grand memories: singing into long nights and wee hours, Thanksgiving gatherings at Hood Canal, Leavenworth, Mt. Hood; camping trips to eerie ghost towns, a stormy Cape Flattery, and remote locations aroung the state, Statn at '74 Expo in Spokane; Song Circle, Folklife, on the Wiwona, at Mystic Seaport and other concerts too numerous to mention. My arms are reaching out in a huge embrace to say THANK YOU, STAN!

Blessings and love to Stan's family!!
Sally Pushkara Ashford

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,aw
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 06:14 PM

Here's a link to a photo of Stan playing accordion on the Wawona, from a 2004 Seattle Times article. This photo was on the front page of the Northwest section.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2001991159_nwwchantey29.html

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Wendy Ashford
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 07:02 PM

My memories of Stan are as a child. When I was born The James, The Macks, and other families were friends with my family. I have fond memories of laughing with Stan. He was soooo mischevious and playful. He was a big kid in a lot of ways.
The last time I saw him was briefly at the Folklife Festival in 2003. He told me that he loved me and always had loved me when we hugged. We never stayed in touch.
I don't totally understand from the thread how he died, but I hope that he is at peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stewart
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 07:17 PM

I have put up a page for Stan on the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society web site. It has a picture (at NW Folklife Festival several years ago) and two mp3 clips of his singing at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair (Mermaid & The Skin Diver, and Klondike). I'll post other material on this web page as I collect it. If you have any photos or recordings you would like to share, email me and we can figure out how to get it on the web site.

It is very moving and interesting to read all these posts. Stan is well remembered by many people and he had a big influence on folk music here in Seattle. For me, his passing is still sinking into my mind. I still sort of expect to see him coming into my house with a big smile on his face, telling me of his latest adventure or some new project of his.

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Deckman
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 07:27 PM

Apparemtly Stan passed away of a heart attack. Bob Nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Marc Bridgham
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:38 PM

I met Stan in the very early 70's as a member of the Seattle Song Circle and the emergence of the Seattle sea chantey movement. He was universally welcoming and encouraging to newbies. There are songs he sang consistently that I can still hear vividly in my head even though I've been gone from the PNW music scene for many years. In fact, one of the songs in my current repertoire is a song I first learned from him in those years. Those were good times and his laugh, smile, and rascally warm nature are an indelible part of those memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,FLicka
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:57 PM

I have the techie knowledge to put photos up. Here is a site that I have started.
Stanley James Memorial
I'm the wife of one of his very musically talented nephews...I'm quickly learning that the whole family is very talented.

I will work on this some in the wee hours of the morning tomorrow.

You may hear one of his nephews here...
Jerry Naillon

Firefox is the best browser. He sings a different Genre but there is the same ringing tone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Divernoir
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 10:43 PM

Hello All,

It looks like the memorial is tentatively on for the twenty ninth of November at the CWB. More to come.

The Kids

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Deckman
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 11:15 PM

I'm wondering IF the CWB is is large enough place? Perhaps some place bigger? bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 12:55 AM

Please spell it out--what is the "CWB"?

Sally, I remember you and John from hoots at our house in Seattle and/or Everett when I was a child. You'll remember me, perhaps, as the tallest of the four tow-heads running around the place. Everyone would arrive and for a while they'd sing kids songs, and then Mom and Dad (John and Carol) would chase us up to bed.

We, of course, sat at the top of the stairs and listened for hours. You always got into the really good stuff once we were out of sight.

I can do some of the techie stuff with the files, but I'm not in Seattle, so if there is someone there to help convert your tapes, that would be easier than mailing them to Texas.

Maggie Dwyer

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Deckman
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 07:34 AM

Maggie ... "CWB" stands for "The Center For wooden Boats". hugs to you, bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 10:23 AM

Thanks, Bob. It was probably in there, but I couldn't find it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 03:29 PM

I have heard from a woman who worked for Stan and has pictures of him working on the boats. If a family member wants to call me at 360-642-8049 (I am never home) or at work at 360-642-2031 I will pass on her number...or pm me through the pm machine here..but you might have to register. mg

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Al Hirsch band mate of Halibutstew
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 05:47 PM

Stan did so much more than the "Skindiver and Mermaid Song". It was the one song everyone requested, whenever he played. During our show at the CWB last spring, it was of course the big hit. Only Stan could wag his vocal chords like that!   I have mp3 files of the Halibutts recording of; The Skindiver and the Mermaid, The Wawona Song and Cockles and Mussels. Stan leads the siging on these. He plays the accordian on the Wawona. If you would like a copy email me at   [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Al Hirsch Halibutstew
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 05:58 PM

Ooops how could I forget, I also have Stan doing Ben Backstay, The Gooey Duck nd The Toredo song. Let me know if there's a web site we can put the mp3's on

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: mg
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 06:33 PM

I would like the Wawona MP3...did you read up above where family members are putting together a web site? [e-mail] which I will regret because it doesn't seem to do attachments well, but we can try. mg

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Deckman
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 06:51 PM

Al ... talk with Stew. Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Divernoir
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 09:37 AM

As the dust settles out I would like to get three folks to help out with Stan's memorial. It is sure to be a hoot and even though there is sadness around we all know that Stan would love one more music filled evening. I have been in contact with our pal Paul D. about the newspaper angle. I am open to all suggestions and ideas on this as would have been our dad. Thanks again for all of your beautiful words and thoughts they are a source of strength.

Geoff
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 10:08 AM

I don't know the size of the Center for Wooden Boats, but I do know that when we met at Camp Long for my Dad's Song Circle/pot luck event, that we strained the limit on the number of occupants who could legally be in the building. An open space like that with room to set up tables and chairs is all you need (along with no time limits--we could have gone on for hours!) I don't know if Floral Hall in Everett is any larger than Camp Long (but I think it might be). Viking Hall in Silvana is off the beaten path, but you get my drift--you're going to need to hold a lot of people when you set up this thing.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stewart
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 03:22 PM

I just put the following up on Stan's page
on the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society web pages

Recorded live by Stan with 'The Halibuts' (Stan James, Al Hirsch, Jon Pfaff) at Ivar Haglund's Seattle restaurant.
Wawona
The Mermaid and the Skindiver
Run Clam Run
The Torredo
Cockles and Mussels
Ben Backstay

And an article by Percy Hilo about Stan, in his column 'Folking Around' - The Victory Review, August 2006, page 18.

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: mg
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 04:08 PM

Stewart and Flicka: I just sent you another email and sent a PM to Flicka...concerning a radio show that was recorded. I think don't worry about duplicating efforts...the more people who can access the better. mg

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,JRSherrard - guest
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 05:23 PM

For some fairly recent clips of Stan James singing and a reminiscence - both from Paul Dorpat - please visit our blog.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Nov 08 - 06:54 PM

Hi Friends of Stan

In a thread above I offered to email the songs I have of Stan with the Halibutts. They are large files. So I sent them to Stewart. He put them up on the Paficifc NW Folkore Soceity page. http://pnwfolklore.org/

Stan was proud of this recording. somewhere in his cabin 30 or 40 copies exist. I have some too. I'll bring them to the Memorial.

Al

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Divernoir
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 09:50 AM

Hello All ,

Just a quick note to be clear that at this time we are still working on details of the memorial. The 29th is not a reliable date to base travel plans on. All else is well and the critters are playing fairly well with each other!!

Geoff

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Deckman
Date: 08 Nov 08 - 05:29 PM

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Sara Ullman
Date: 08 Nov 08 - 07:09 PM

I am so very sad to hear the news of Stan James passing. My brother and I became friends with Geoff and Carrie at Miss Joanne's preschool back in the late 60's and my parents ended up meeting and becoming close friends with Stan and Kirby through that connection. I have seen very little of Stan in my adult life but thinking about him and Geoff and Carrie and Kirby brings back a flood of great memories. It was such a long time ago but for me they were important formative years. I feel like Stan and his family are part of the foundation of who I am. My heart goes out to all of Stan's family. It is a great loss to lose him.
- Sara Ullman

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Pushkara Sally Ashford
Date: 09 Nov 08 - 04:37 PM

Hi again, folks,
I've had a chance to hear cassette tapes in my collection, among them several of Stan's singing. There's one of the SFS Song Circle concert held on Bainbridge Island, 1978, that is choice. Stan is singing Brisbane Ladies or Augathella Station or whatever he called it with the entire Song Circle behind him. Fabulous! On that tape is also a version of The Black Fly.

John Ross has agreed to convert the cassettes to CD format - in time for the memorial (I think).

I'm struck by what an incredulous , forever amazed and amused story-teller Stan was. If we can filter some of the house party tapes for noisy backgrounds and funky tape recorder noises, we'll have some of Stan's recorded stories, as well.

I've scanned and forwarded some photos of Stan to his son, Geoff, and to John Ross. These are from the '70s, by the way. Not sure how or where to post them online.
Love,
Pushkara (Sally in the old days)

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: johnross
Date: 09 Nov 08 - 10:52 PM

I have receive the pictures. I will forward them to Stewart this evening.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stewart
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 05:15 PM

Here are the pictures of Stan from Sally Pushkara Ashford
posted on the Pacific NW Folklore Society web pages

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 05:22 PM

Great photos! Thanks!

I see Bob Nelson in that last photo along with Stan and Don. Who else is in there?

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Deckman
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 05:49 PM

Hi Maggy,

I'll give it to you, right to left, as best I can. I'm not SURE about all the names. Right to left: #1= Steve Lalor #2=? #3= Nancy Quense #4= (behind) John Phoff #5= in front Alice Stuart #6 (behind)= ? #7 Mike Nelson #8 Maggie Savage #9= Stan James #10= ? #11 Bob Nelson (hisself) #12 perhaps Maryide Widman? #13 = Jim Wilhelm(?) and of course, in front, just where he BELONGS is DON FIRTH. I stand to be corrected on any of these. CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: GUEST,Linda Allen
Date: 10 Nov 08 - 08:40 PM

Oh, my. I just got the news yesterday, and am feeling the loss. When I began collecting songs of the Northwest in the 70's, Stan was one of the first people I was directed to. I loved the song circles with John Dwyer, Bob Nelson, John and Sally Ashford, Don Firth, Walt Robertson and so many others who so freely shared their songs and their knowledge, and made me feel so welcome. Stan was something special. That smile! And that voice! I'm grateful to have known him, and grateful for all I learned from him. We'll carry it on.
Linda Allen

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Divernoir
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 09:24 AM

Hello All,

The Freinds and Family Wake is set for November Fifteenth at the Center For Wooden Boats at the South end of Lake Union from four 'till eleven, potluck style. Because dad had such a wide array of people in is life if you new him well and spent time with him we'd love you to come by. There will be another memorial for the community at large on a month or so. I am shooting to have that in the armory.

Take Care,
Geoff James

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 12:21 PM

I am shooting to have that in the armory.

Puns run in your family, too? :)

Thanks for the update!

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Deckman
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 01:31 PM

Maggy ...Was that a BULLETin? bob

---

"Maggie" is the spelling--temp. mudelf

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington has died
From: Divernoir
Date: 11 Nov 08 - 07:59 PM

Hello All....Pause...I heard from the CWB and they had double booked us on the 15th so we have to move out to the 22nd. Same bat time same Bat Channel. I'll be in touch with more detail.

Geoff

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)
From: Deckman
Date: 13 Nov 08 - 06:27 AM

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)
From: Divernoir
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:01 PM

Hulloo all,

The date is set firm for the 22nd between five and ten at The Center For Wooden Boats at the south end of Lake Union. Potluck, Close Friends and Family...If in doubt come on!

Geoff

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)
From: GUEST,Carrie James Stan's Daughter
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 12:08 AM

Thank you all! it has taken me quite a while to read through all of your thoughts, and heart felt reflections.My father has had a great impact on many peoples lives.I am looking farward to sharing
your stories, sweet, and salty, when we come together to celabrate A Unique,and viberant man. Who is my Father. May The Wind and The Water Bring His Love To Us All.

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)
From: Genie
Date: 09 Dec 08 - 02:17 PM

Flicka,
It turns out I did have a backup video file of the little clip I made of Stan with John Ross and Nancy Q in the hospitality suite at Folklife last May.    I have it in QuickTime format and in .mov format as well.

I could email it to you, but the small version is almost 15 MB and the larger one is almost 45 MB.   I can probably edit the clip, to leave just the part with Stan on camera, and that might make it a tad smaller.   

I could easily burn both to a DVD and send it to you if you like.   That wonderful Stan James smile is very much in evidence in this little clip.

I'm hesitant to post it in a public place without Nancy's permission, because I video'd these three with the assurance that it was just a demo of how the built-in iCamera works with iMovie.

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 05:18 PM

Rika Ruebsaat and I would like to come down from Princeton. It's five hours drive one way, so we wouldn't want to go back the same day. Is there a 'Catter who can put us up that night? It would be greatly appreciated!

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 07:52 PM

Since this thread was refreshed after a few weeks below the line, to clarify, this event is on December 22, 2008, between five and ten at The Center For Wooden Boats. Is that correct?

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)
From: Stewart
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 08:16 PM

Maggie, a smaller family event was at the CWB on
Nov. 22, 5-10pm
As far as I know, the larger event has not yet
been scheduled nor is the venue known.
But someone(s) might be working on it now, I think.

There's another thread "Stan James Memorial Events"
that you might also check.

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Obit: Stan James of Washington (Nov 2008)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Dec 08 - 08:56 PM

That's what I thought, but I knew there was something else being planned and I was reading up the thread (backwards). I took out the details other than the question itself.

SRS