Mystic June 11-14 2009

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: CET
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 09:50 PM

Excellent pics, Charlie. I'll send you a PM.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 02:02 PM

Becky-

The Morgan's hull is truly impressive, certainly a more ancient design than the clipper ships of the day (1840's).

And there is hope of sailing her when the job is done.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 12:31 PM

About the pics:
Wow - the Charles W. Morgan mastless and on dry land. I have an etching of her from before there was a museum, by a well-known maritime artist (who's name I can't recall at the moment -- I haven't had the print framed yet so I can't check quickly) that my grandfather did the printing for in NYC in the '20s or '30s.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 10:05 AM

Twin#2-

Pix is on its way! It's slightly out of focus but you both look as if you're having a great time singing.

Gibb-

Poor ol' horse!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Twin#2
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 06:41 AM

great pic Charlie. I would love to have a copy of the Heavenly Twins photo. email address [e-mail] Thanks! Twin #2

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 05:43 PM

Lack of sleep had finally caught up with me, now I'm reading this.

KathyW, arrgh! see, you're someone I'd like to have talked to more (never did get the whole low-down on the Chicago scene)...if there'd been the right sort of framing context...but I make too many excuses... My main umbrella excuse is that there was so much going on by way of a scheduled program that I was focused on not missing it -- not necessarily a bad thing.

More highlights:

-Marching around the capstan to Marc Bernier's (and Dillan's?) fife.

-Doing the same to Salty Walt's "Old Moke," with Carl Thornton helping to set the pace. I remarked that it's nice to have at least one other strong singer involved, since usually in those demos you get "stuck" with some "tourists" who don't sing much or keep a beat :)

-Halyards haul with the Hudson Crew doing Dutch version of "Reuben Ranzo"

-Meeting the young members of the demo squad, other budding chantey singers that are not as "entrenched" (the flip side of "experienced"!!) in their ways yet! ;-o

--Christopher Smith's paper about Afro- and Irish American musical interactions in early 19th century. The crucial part of his thesis was, for me, the idea that minstrel music, rather than being seen as a rough imitation of Black music (by largely Irish performers), instead represented an already creolized art form. It was also good to meet him as, being from outside the sea music "scene," his outside view of the proceedings was refreshing

--Stuart Frank panning Huntington's "Songs the Whalemen Sang"

--Don Sineti and crew (sorry didn't catch the name) accidently actually dropping the "dead horse" in the water (not sure if they recovered it!)

--Realizing that maritime music singers apparently "mess up" in at least 2 out of 3 of their songs in performance (after which they make a funny face or laugh, thereby drawing more attention to it), ha ha

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Stal, about to go home
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 02:59 PM

Martin has at least two of you charley, sort it out when we are home

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 01:47 PM

Here's a hot link to some fresh pixs from this year's Mystic Sea Music Festival, featuring the late Friday evening shanty session at the German Club: Click here for photos!

There are only about 30 photos so not everyone is represented. Some photos I took were too out of focus and others were just too weird to post even on Mudcat. If you click on the small photos, you should see a larger image.

There are also photos from previous Mystic Sea Music Festivals on the same website.

I do have high resolution images of these photos if anyone is interested in a personal copy; PM me with your e-mail address, identify the image, and I will send you a JPG.

Oddly enough I don't have any photos of myself from this year!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,stallion on Joys PC
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 11:03 AM

Yes on Sunday we had to prise John's ass of the deck of Bill and Suzy's boat, "Snow Goose" ,like a limpet off a rock when it was his turn to perform! Such was the fun he was having listening and , er, erm, drinking! Again, like Barry has already said, it could do with being a week long, and also, a special mention to the sound crew, from a performers point of view, their skill and what they achieved was what made the whole event for the audience and performers alike, they were really superb, really well done guys.
Pete

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 10:34 AM

Kim-

Laura Travis does a great job as MC and coordinator of the final concert; it was she who had to track down potential performers (milling about here and there) and decide when they would perform. And, yes, we did periodically send a "runner' (well, either Bill or myself because an inexperienced runner is less than helpful) over to Laura to assess what was happening. But there were still "surprises" when the performers appeared. It would also be helpful if the "on-deck" performers would actually be there at the edge of the stage so we could also visually assess who they were and how they were armed. That all too rarely occurred. Maybe next year we will make sure we have a reliable runner as part of the sound crew. Anyone want to volunteer?

I'm really not complaining so much as making suggestions that might make everything work more smoothly, at least in my dreams!

For Friday and Saturday evening concerts we did have a printed sheet to work from, and even some set-up recommendations. Thursday evening was another catch as catch can.

I still had a whole lot of fun singing here and there, and listening to everyone else when I had a chance.

Oh, I've finished editing the Friday late night session at the German Club; so we should have some pixs up and linked by the end of the day.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Pelrad
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 11:27 PM

What a wonderful, wonderful festival! It was gratifying to know one can still "come home" to Mystic.

Charley, you guys do an awesome job on the sound. Maybe you can send someone over to Laura Travis periodically to see who's on her clipboard, so you can have more prep time for the final concert - I can just imagine the stress of having a different setup every five minutes for nearly three hours, without the added bonus of them being surprise setups!

The Chanteens were marvelous, as usual. I loved seeing how close they all were this year, even more so than previous years perhaps.

Thank you to everyone who made the festival happen this year. It was delightful!

- Kim

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: JWB
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 04:52 PM

Paula,

You've done a great job with the youngsters -- keep it up! Fran and I are convinced Eric could go far (and break some hearts) with the music, uke and all.

Please PM me for a question I have for you appropos to Eric.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 03:33 PM

As a member of the main stage sound crew, "our" only wish on the final Sunday afternoon fling is that we had a clue who would be coming up next, with what instruments, and with what "new friends." Our highest priority is that the musicians be heard. Last minute scrambles to reposition mic stands may look amusing but it's also stressful, and sometimes despite our best efforts the musicians end up being poorly served.

And at the end of the long day, as we're packing up all the loose cables of the sound system, we really should be singing:

All coil down and it's time for us to go,
Every sailed furled in a neat harbour stow,
Another ship for us and for her another crew,
So long, sailor-man, here's good luck to you!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Paula Daddio
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 03:20 PM

Thanks for the kind words Mr. Finn. I certainly did not get enough of a chance to hang with you this year.
Thanks for a great festival everyone. The Chanteens had an incredible experience this year. There was a lot of emotion for the seniors on the van ride home. They truly love the sea music communty.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 01:53 PM

Ok. I'm not going to say that's a bad idea. Actually I think it sounds interesting. Hmmmm.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: JWB
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 01:44 PM

Marc, you're right: there are performers at SMF who are not chantey singers. What I'm thinking of isn't all over-the-top renditions of Fire Marengo, but rather each performer's take on a sailor work song. There would be no requirement other than presenting a chantey – accompany yourself on electric guitar, sing in Farsi, do it as a round – anything goes as long as it's something everyone can join in on. Even if I did not have one chantey in my repertoire, I could learn one for a gig like this (could you imagine performing at an Irish music festival without presenting a single Irish song or tune?). With email and such it would even be possible to coordinate in advance: have each performer post their choice, so as to avoid duplication.

The goal would be to make the final concert totally participatory, so the audience is engaged throughout and leaves feeling even more amazed than they do now. IMHO, the focus of the Festival is the *audience*, as Barry stated above. I think a chanteys-only concert to end it all could be a peak experience for those who buy the tickets/CDs/programs/T-shirts/refreshments, not to mention those generous and important Clipper, Packet, Schooner, and Dory Friends of the Festival.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 12:05 PM

Not everyone invited to the festival has chanteys or even high energy songs in their repertoire Jerry.

And Kenny might have said that, but the US Army 3rd Infantry, The Old Guard, has a Fife and Drum Corps stationed in DC. Part of MDW, they also perform at White house functions quite a bit.

Our good friend Don Sineti was a member of The Old Guard, although he was not part of a ceremonial unit.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 11:57 AM

JWB...I definitely agree...rousing chanteys, not mournful ballads to end Twin #1

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: JWB
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 11:17 AM

I talked to Kenny Wolin, and he said the President's Own Band is made up of about 200 Marines, and they provide all the music for White House functions. They can field a brass band, chamber orchestra, jazz combo and even an Irish group (in which Kenny plays concertina, bones and bodhran -- there have been squeezeboxes in the White House!). Kenny's main instrument, he said, is mallet percussion, like marimba and xylophone. He could probably make music with a wet paper towel and a drinking straw.

I'd like to get your opinions on a thought: what if the final concert on Sunday was just chanteys? One from each performer, but a requirement that they present a chantey in some form or other. I would love to see the Festival end with 3.5 hours of participatory, energetic songs. Sort of what Gibb mentioned: a combo of concert and pub sing. What do all y'all think?

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Thanks
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 09:47 AM

Thank you, Charley and Barry, for working sound for us. I'm mentioning you because seeing you all helped calm me down. :)

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful festival. I'm still vibrating from this entire weekend. Wow.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 09:42 AM

Kenny was in the inauguration for Obama but wasn't playing percussion... he was playing SAX. I hear Ken and Tim played an amazing set at the Grislast night. Wish I'd seen it.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 09:18 AM

Ken is a drummer with The Marine Corps Band, The Presidents Own. He'd be perfectly welcome in The Mariners though, if he had a mind to.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Twin#2
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 07:09 AM

Carl Thornton did " Keep on Fishin" " at the humor sing and Robbie did Fredricks! I have a mind for small details. Twin "2( typical teacher)

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 02:30 AM

You're welcome Gibb, it was my pleasure to meet & hear you

Hi Kathy, glad it was all that & more. The bones player with Tim Riley wasn't part of the Ancient Mariners, he's far to young & handsome for those guys. It was Ken Wolin, who was during the Bush administration with the President's own Band (hopefully he's still employed there, not with Bush, won't wish that on anybody but with Obama, where he should be-part of the future) & aside from being a pretty good concertina is a percussion extraordinaire

Another highlight was at the Saturday evening after concert blast. A young kid maybe 12 or 13 yrs old singing with one leg propped up on a window sill at least 6' above floor level doing a perfect rendition of "Why Paddy's Not At Work Today", he was great. Who says that this isn't music for the young. And that's another subject, there was a good represention from the youth. From Paula Daddio's SS Chanteens who as usual were a good part of what this festival's about to the many up & coming singers that voiced their backing of this music. \


Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 10:23 PM

Gibb-

It is damn nice to work with the pumps and the windlass on the old ships, with the help of a traditional shanty sung at a traditional pace. It's not so nice at concert pace!

I do wish we had found some more time to talk. But I tied myself up in knots by volunteering to help with sound at the main stage. Next time you should figure out how to get to the YTB for the smaller late night sessions, and plan to stay over rather than commuting back to Hartford.

You know, it's just nice wandering about the grounds late at night talking to the ships!

C. Fox Smith composed a poem about that!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: KathyW
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 10:15 PM

I had a great time; it was all I'd hoped and more. The concerts were wonderful, the people were friendly (particularly you mudcatters that I met), and the sings at the German Club after the concerts were the best fun I've had in a while.

Nice surprises:

When faced with the news that the Thursday night concert was violating the Mystic noise ordinance against amplified music after 10 pm, Don Sineti (I'm pretty sure it was him) said "we're chantymen, we don't need amplification" and the concert went on with the loudspeakers disconnected.

Singing "Sailor's Prayer" in a circle at the end of the Friday night sing.

Running into an old friend I'd lost track of and hadn't seen in over ten years.

The nice ladies who made room for us so we didn't have to sit in the rain Saturday night.

The bones-playing battle between Tim Reilly and one of the Ancient Mariners--sorry, I'm not sure of his name--Saturday night. Brilliant.

And later that night Gibb here improvised an insane number of verses to the shanty he was leading. Gibb, you have what it takes!

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 10:11 PM

It was great to meet and hear so many 'in the flesh.' I took French leave as is my usual style. So here's thanks for the warm welcomes by everyone (especially anchors Barry and Charlie). yeah, somehow there wasnt really enough time, oddly. It might be missing some sort of context, though I really can't think what?? Something maybe without singing (GASP!), just some sitting around at a bar or coffeeshop...some official dinner...I dunno. I'm a misanthrope in the world at large and in large groups, but sit me down with a nice cozy crew with nothing but rum and time and I'm a nice enough person with plenty of stories to tell.

Anyway, lots of food for thought after those symposia and seeing the interaction of so many types of audiences. Barry, start a thread and I'll hash it out...!

Overall, the organization was very well done. I guess to be honest, the one thing I could take or leave is the evening concerts. Blasphemy, I know, but strictly personal taste -- i'm not big on sitting in chairs and watching people on stage. I could go for something half-way between the concerts and the pub sing.

Another 'complaint', though not wholly a legitimate one, is just the sheer amount of repetition of songs. At one point where I was walking I could hear "Chicken on a Raft" being done on both sides of me, and at another the same happened with "roll the woodpile down" (replete with the album-style way of singing it).

My favorite part was working the pump-style windlass (3 times), as that's one thing i'd never done before.

Gibb

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 09:20 PM

Hi Pete, it was great seeing & hearing you, Ron & Martin ("2 Black Sheep & A Stallion" for those of you who don't know them) again, you guys well always be a welcome treat here.
I was great to meet up & hear new & old friends. Gibb you did some wonderfull add-libbing with your renditions from your Hugil shanty repitoire.
Tim Radford, it was a pleasure finally meeting up with you & getting to hear you sing so womderfully, even far beyond what I had been told
Met up with new Mudcatter Kathy W & her Jim who came from Chicago & were very pleased that they did, hope to see you again next year.
The 2 day symposiums were the highlights for me, well as well as all the singing. Even if I disagree with some presenters views, the educational value & information taken from those I treasure. The only elephant in the room, IMHO was that the songs are never more important than those that love to hear them sung even if they don't give 2 shits about the histories, origins, lineages, backgrounds, for without the listeners we'd have no more reason to sing than to ourselves (I'll leave this for a thread).
After 4 days of the festival you'd think that I'd be full but it always seems as if it should be at least a week long, there just isn't enough time to spend with everyone, there's only so many places you can be at one time & I can't get to hear & see enough. For me it goes be far to fast. I missed an early-late night sing so I could wallow in the wonders of staying at the shanty blast only to miss some folks that I probably won't get to hear again only to end up staying up till 5 in the morning listening to another large group of wonderfull singers & going onboard the Conrad to sleep as it was dawning. Maybe if there were 48 hrs to a day a 4 day festival like this would be enough, but I don't think so. Maybe 2 of these festivals a year would do it?

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 09:13 PM

Pete-

"it's something you have to do before you die."

"Blowdart drunk" or "Mystic"?

Whatever. You lads did yourselves proud, even if you don't quite finish the "Mystic crawl."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,guest - stallion on Joys toy ('puter!)
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 08:48 PM

well now wasn't that just wonderful! Martin said on Sunday "This is as close to paradise I'm going to get" Such wonderful people. I apolgise for getting "blowdart" drunk on Saturday night i was ok then I wasn't! If anyone has never been it's something you have to do before you die. Thanks to all the beautiful people we met and made our trip so brilliant.
Pete

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 07:24 PM

p.s.
Sorry, it was not Bob Zentz, it was Robbie O'Connell.
Mark

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Guest, Mark
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 07:21 PM

Jerry
   On Jon's "Frederick's Of Galilee" - We heard Geoff Kaufman sing it at a house concert in Annapolis, also last year at Mystic I think it was Bob Zentz.

Brian, glad to see you got home safe and sound!

Mark

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 05:27 PM

And at the Humor at Sea stage it was Rick Nestler who covered another of Jon Campbell's songs "Keep on Fishin'" and promised Jon who was observing from the Gazebo that he'd pay him his 8¢ in royalties immediately.

Marc-

Glad to hear you made it home safely.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 04:55 PM

Robbie O'Connell does it Jerry.

Great Time Everyone! I just got home from putting away sound systems. I'm going to have a beer, take a nap, then go to the Gris.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: curmudgeon
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 03:01 PM

Happy to hear that a great tine was had by all. Looking forward to Charley's pics and others.

For those in the area, and those travellers who will be around for a while, there's a musical "hair if the dog" to be had next Saturday at the monthly shanty/forebitter/ballad session at the Press Room in Portsmouth NH from 3:30 to 7:30 PM. It would be swell to see some of you who are rare attendees, and some new faces as well.

Also   the Tenth Annual Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival will be happening at the end of September. As we still are awaiting final confirmation from more performers, keep checking back to the website.

Hope to see lots of you at both events - Tom hall

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: JWB
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 02:57 PM

Charley,

Who presented "Frederick's Of Galilee" at the humor workshop? I couldn't make it to that one, but I sang it in the Contemporary workshop on Sunday. I'd love to know who else is doing the song -- it's a great one.

Thanks,

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 02:10 PM

The reference to "women's underwear" is no doubt focused on Jon Campbell's song "Frederick's of Galilee" which was presented at the Humor at Sea concert.

I agree that the "Old Red Duster" should be a familiar artifact to the nautical crowd., along with the "Charley Noble."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 02:01 PM

Can't let Twin #2 respond without me. I call today "Monday morning coming down". Waking up this morning I felt sad that it was all over but thrilled about the past three day. Our festival family is the best! What very special and unique people we are who sing about mermaids, shipwrecks, women's underwear in Rhode Island, and no more war. Thank you to the amazing people who make this happen every year. Thank you to the Friends of the Festival who send their hard earned money to finance this special weekend and thanks to you who like me love to sing about mermaids, shipwrecks, women's underwear, and no more wars. I speak for us both when I say we love you all. #1

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Wotcha
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 12:32 PM

Had a great and rare time at the festival. Exercised the vocal chords quite a bit and got access to a fine single malt whiskey ... and got to hear high energy songs in French, Dutch, Polish and Russian which for me was one of the festival's highlights.

I also learned that during movement to an "alternate" song site much later one night that despite some instruction to be stealthy, this is an alien concept -- we need some night ops training for next year!

Can it be that "The Old Red Duster" is unknown in the Yankee Provinces? Got a lot of quizzical looks, not to mention silence, during its rendition during an informal sing...

Again, a great festival.

Cheers,

Brian

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 12:30 PM

I'm also resident at home in Maine, after a truly wonderful entertaining weekend and workout at the Festival. After helping pack up the sound gear at the main stage I elected to shoot for home rather than the sunday evening follow-up party in New London or hang on for the survivors gathering at the Griswold Inn in Essex Monday evening.

I have lots of memories from the Festival (and some excellent photos from the Friday night after concert session at the German Club) but I'm having some problems this morning accessing them! It's a good thing that I have the printed program at hand. Let's see, in no particular order:

The symposium experience at the Coast Guard Academy in New London was good, an entire day devoted to presentations about sea music, in addition to the traditional Saturday morning session at the Museum. My favorite presenters demonstrated their research skills as well as their storytelling and singing skills, and their mastery of Power Point. I Particularly liked the presentations by Christopher Smith, Stephen Sanflippo, Talitha MacKenzie, and Karen and Robert Madison. But they were all interesting.

I agree with the Heavenly Twin that Barbara Benn and Jeff Warner did a great job at the Sunday morning Seamen's Bethel Revival, an excellent combination of Barbara's lecture, the skill which she and Jeff demonstrate in leading songs, and a great response from the audience.

The Friday session at the German Club had the Dutch group Nanne and Ankie with the Hudson Crew leading "Hand Over Hand" which seamlessly morphed into "Chicken on a Raft." I love it when things like that happen!

The Saturday session at the German Club also had a similar moment when Bob Walser was leading the "The Soldier and the Matelot" and added a verse about world peace, where everyone responded by rising up and raising their glasses, bottles, and whatever else was handy, in a grand toast.

There was the late-late session at the YTB (Youth Training Building) where there was a nice run from a version of the "Titantic" followed by my leading "Cowardly Act" (the cow that falls from the sky and sinks the Japanese fishing trawler), followed by another cow song laced with even more atrocious puns led by young Colin from Gloucester, followed by an admiring silence!

Two Black Sheep and a Stallion certainly earned themselves a warm welcome. And they did lead "The Crawl", one of my favorite drinking songs. At one point early Sunday morning at the YTB session Peter was looking as if he may have "crawled" a bit too far. But he was game enough Sunday afternoon to lead more songs, and to solicit autographs for the T-shirt he was wearing; there wasn't much room left when he offered me the laundry pen and there were several very interesting ad libs already penned which distracted me for more than a moment!

The crowd at the Main Stage was well behaved; Bill and I did not need to make use of the crowbars I had brought for crowd control. Nor did anyone fling underwear at the performers! There really were some amazing waves of harmony from the crowd. What a joy for performers who generally do not have an audience anywhere that attentive and responsive.

Dennis Cook did a fine job of setting up and managing the sound for the main stage, and he is a joy to work with!

And the early Sunday morning cloud burst disappeared entirely (swept in through my open porthole aboard the Conrad providing me an impromptu shower), replaced with a new brighter day! In fact the weather was excellent all weekend, perhaps just a little chilling in the evening for those who did not bring the required layers. Oh and special thanks to the woman who offered Aoife Clancy (one third of the Clancy Legacy) a blanket when she was shivering on the stage.

And I really enjoyed the collaborations between Talitha MacKenzie and the Quebec singers Robert and Gabrielle Boutthilliers which ranged from sea shanties, Scottish worksongs, French Canadian ballads, to Balkin songs.

I only wish I could have cloned myself to be able to be in more places simultaneously during this incredible weekend. As it is, I'm not exactly all together this morning!

Oh, and there was the Charles W. Morgan, all braced up out of the water in the shipyard undergoing initial stabilization prior to a complete rebuild of what lies below the waterline. And what lies below the waterline is quite massive, and reminds me of the profile of a much older 18th century ship. And there are even hopeful plans to sail her when the work's complete.

Now to begin editing some pictures, not to mention the sound clips of Mike Kennedy's singing renditions of C. Fox Smith poems. What fun!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, with calico cooncat in lap

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Heavenly twin #2
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 09:18 AM

well here I am back at work on Monday morning with chanteys and memories running through my head. Amazing festival thats all I can say . Two things stood out the most for us. At the Saturday night concert we have never heard such singing from the performers but especially the crowd. It was unbelievable! The other was the Bethel service in the church on Sunday morning Barbara Benn and Jeff Warner put together a presentation that was educational, inspiring and down right fun. Yes, fun in church. they must take their show on the road.It was wonderful and so was seeing people we have not seen in many years. Thanks to all who put the festival together. These memories will take us through another year. Lets hope they do some fundraisers during the year. We"ll be there . Love from the Heavenly Twins or as Dick Holdstock,called us, the Angel sisters( a variation on a theme!)

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 06:11 PM

I can't make it this year. I hope everyone has a great time and enjoy some wonderful music.   I'll sit in my den and hoist a few rounds on Friday and Saturday night while singing a chantey or two to myself.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 01:25 PM

I'm off too. See you there

Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: GUEST,Here We Go
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 07:21 AM

Well, today's the day! It's finally here. See everyone tonight.

Mary

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 08:50 PM

Gibb-

Where will you be staying while you're in Mystic?

I'll be aboard the Conrad for the 4 or so hours each night that I sleep but most of the time I'll be at the main stage at Lighthouse Point shifting microphones so Dennis Cook can do his usual superb job of managing sound.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 07:18 PM

Yes, that's as I suspected. Interesting trivia about the church though.

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: JWB
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 06:10 PM

Although there is a bawdy sailor song called The Red Flag, this workshop focuses on the other meaning: war at sea.

By the way, Gibb, the famous bawdy songs workshop that Stan and I were part of in 1989 or so was held in the church -- it's the only venue with doors, which were firmly closed to prevent the unaware passerby from having her ears burned.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 05:36 PM

Hey, what's this "Blood Red Flag" thing I see on the schedule? I don't suspect it's bawdy ballads in the Greenmanville Church. ;)

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 04:24 PM

All will be revealed!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, packing up

Subject: RE: Mystic June 11-14 2009
From: JWB
Date: 10 Jun 09 - 01:27 PM

The concert line-ups are not given on the Festival Brochure that is linked to from the Mystic home page. Go into the calendar of events and use that link to get to the Festival page. At the bottom is a link to a PDF of the concert line-up schedule.

Sort of like navigating your way into harbor on foggy night during a power outage...