Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday
From: Mick Tems
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 04:06 AM

Of course, the Dame was totally correct - the fault was mine when I didn't read her message. Sorry, Pattie!

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday
From: Mick Tems
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 11:50 AM

I almost fell off my seat when I read the Mudcat thread "Bob Zentz in Boston" - still, Boston, Lincolnshire would be almost too far to go!

The Dame and I remember Calennig's marvellous series of gigs in Norfolk, Virginia when Bob was the organiser of Ramblin' Conrad's. I remember shaking hands with Gordon Bok (swoon!) who had just come to visit, and staying with Bob and his wife. Bob was an avid Star Wars fan (remember "Chariots"?) and he drove us out to this Star Wars convention, where we called a ceilidh/twmpath for dancers who were dressed as Darth Vader, Obiwan Kenobe or The Blob. We attended this "filk" singaround, where ancient tunes got mixed up with the conquests of space.

Later we stayed with the hosts George and Gigi, whose strict law "Is the sun down behind the yardarm?" coupled with "attitude adjustment time" led to many lost nights and bleary-eyed mornings. Thank you, both!

...And Bob was going to be on this trip to Finland! The Dame was partially incorrect when she she says the sun didn't down; the sun did set, but it was only for an hour or two, and we could see that red rosy glow until it was time for the sun to rise once more. When the time came for the trip to end, Bob rode with us on a two-hour train to Helsinki.

Bob, wherever you are reading this, please get in touch!

Mick Tems

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 08:36 AM

Bob-

While we're freezing our buns off (and other extremities!), it sure will help to give voice to "Old Winter." Thanks for posting it.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday
From: GUEST,ScuttleBob
Date: 14 Jan 09 - 12:30 AM

Thanks for the kind words, all! I was so sorry that Ol Winter reared his snowy head & blew off those gigs. I made it far as Joisey when th plug was pulled! Oh well, another time! But, speakin' of Ol winter, Here's a poem setting for you all!...

OLD WINTER Thomas Noel [1799-1861]
musical setting by Bob Zentz
        [I set this frosty ol' poem to 'STAR of the COUNTY DOWN' [traditional].
        I sing the chorus as a second 'B part'.
        May it remove some of the chill!- bz]

Old Winter sad, in snow yclad,
Is making a doleful din;
But let him howl till he crack his jowl,
We will not let him in.

    Ay, let him lift from the billowy drift
    His hoary, haggard form,
    And scowling stand, with his wrinkled hand
    Outstretching to the storm.

CHORUS:
    Come, lads*, let's sing, till the rafters ring;
    Come, push the can about; -
    From our snug fire-side this Christmas-tide
    We'll keep old Winter out.

And let his weird and sleety beard
Stream loose upon the blast,
And, rustling, chime to the tinkling rime
From his bald head falling fast.

         Let his baleful breath shed blight and death
    On herb and flower and tree;
    And brooks and ponds in crystal bonds
    Bind fast, but what care we?

Let him push at the door-in the chimney roar,
And rattle the window-pane;
Let him in at us spy with his icicle eye,
But he shall not entrance gain.

    Let him gnaw, forsooth, with his freezing tooth,
    On our roof-tiles, till he tire;
    But we care not a whit, as we jovial sit
    Before our blazing fire.


*a PC, multi-gender chorus may be obtained by simply
omitting the word LADS*!

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 08:32 PM

Bob Zentz works hard at what he does and is one of the few folk performers who actually supports himself by singing, and has been doing so for more than 30 years. I wouldn't miss one of his concerts if he were singing within a 100 miles.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday
From: Dame Pattie Smith EPNS
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 04:23 PM

Hi from very cold Wales Bob if you are reading this. I haven't seen you for about 15 years when we were on tour together in Finland. I'll always remember that tour, we were on the road with 5 other acts in a minibus, the sun shone most of the night, not much sleep and lots of partying. X Pat

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday
From: GUEST,Elmore
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 12:22 PM

Barry, Thanks for posting this. I believe Bob to be one of the most underrated folk artists ever. I wouldn't miss this event and highly recommend it.

Subject: Bob Zentz in Boston 1/11 Sunday
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Jan 09 - 01:50 AM

Actually Bob Zentz will be in Waltham at 2:00.
Put on by the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston (you might have to scroll down).
You'll have to contact the Song Society to make reservations & get the address & directions from the Are they trying to not make this easy?)
It's $10 & $12, I'm not sure about the price differences, maybe 1 price for members & the other price for non members?

Directions & reservations email; [e-mail]

For those of you who don't know Bob see him at his web site linked above, he's very interesting & a super entertainer.

Barry