June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Mar 15 - 02:44 PM

Okay. It's taken me almost five years to post this. Five years... Tom Hall slipped his mooring in November 2013 and Bob Webb followed the following month.

Better late than never, I guess, for posting this --

The Crew included – Tom Hall, Linn Schulz, Natalie Finn, Justin Donovan, Jeri, Mark Ryer, Barbara Benn, Bruce MacIntyre, Paul & Charlene Schurr, Emery Hutchins, Judy Barrows & Charlie Ipcar, April Grant and her mother, Tami Bill, Mary Sullivan (Sinsull), Jacqui Morse, Pete & Joanne Souza, Chris Maden, Mark Ryer & Keven Seufert, Cuzin Richard, Rita Pomerleau, Dave Hallowell, Rose Sheehan, Colin de la Barre, Norris Dale (Nor) & Eli, Tami Bill, Don Hale, Erin Hathaway, Bill Lehrman & Carol Pierson, Marty Stock, Bob Webb & his daughter Margaret, David Coffin, Jean Jennings, Alan Eaton, Ken Schatz & Kate, Nancy King, Joyce Cockerham, Anabel Graetz, Jeff Warner, Phyllis Richard-Sloat, Anne Robinson, Sharon & Lou Stama. And Jeff Keller, I think.

1. Venezuela to Trinidad – Ken Schatz
2. Fire Marengo – Charlie Ipcar
3. London Julie – Pete Souza
4. Help Me to Raise 'Em – Jeri
5. Rolla Bolla – Paul Schurr
6. Shawnee-Town – Emery Hutchins
7. The Alabama – Bruce MacIntyre
8. On the Erie Canal – Rose Sheehan
9. Stormalong John – Chris Maden
10. Main Royal Yard – Norris Dale (Nor)
11. Rose of York – Jacqui Morse
12. Sailor's Alphabet – Bob Webb
13. Oysterman – Joanne Souza
14. Hanging Johnny – Barbara Benn
15. Go To Sea Once More – Sue Grant
16. Johnny Come Down to Hilo – Paul Schurr
17. Captain Sully On the Hudson – Joyce Cockerham
18. Who's On the Way – Ken Schatz
19. Yangtze River – Jeff Keller
20. Laying On the Screw – Charlie Ipcar
21. Hard Times In Old Virginia - Kate
22. Northwest Passage – Bruce MacIntyre
23. Late One Night on Lac St. Pierre (recitation) – Emery Hutchins
24. Black Bird, Get Up – Jean Jennings
25. Ida Lewis – Justine Donovan & Rose Sheehan
26. Blood Red Roses - Nor
27. Fire Down Below – Jeri
28. Ranzo Ray – Bob Webb
29. Reuben Ranzo – Chris Maden
30. Hurrah, Our Country Forever – April Grant
31. Rock Your Bars – Rose Sheehan
32. Hey, Rain – Pete Souza
33. Down Below – Linn Schulz
34. Don't Take the Heroes – Joanne Souza
35. Sea Lion Woman – Barbara Benn & Jean Jennings
36. Sun Go Down – Ken Schatz & Jean Jennings
Pete Souza gave a toast to Barry Finn
37. Davy Louston – Justine Donovan
38. Outside Track – Charlie Ipcar
39. Old Zeb – Emery Hutchins
40. Runnng Down to Cuba – Bruce MacIntyre
41. Astoria's Bar – Pete & Joanne Souza
42. When You Leave Your Old Ship – Juddy Barrows
43. Goodbye, Fare Thee Well – Bob Webb
44. Where Am I To Go? – April Grant
45. Roll the Woodpile Down – Ken Schatz
46. Shanty For Barry – David Coffin
47. Rolling Down to Old Maui – Paul Schurr
48. Down Went the Captain – Anabel Graetz
49. Weldon – Chris Maden
50. Drinkin' That Wine – Jean Jennings
51. Live humble – Ken Schatz
52. I Wish That I Was There – Jeff Keller
53. Row On – Jeff Warner & Barbara Benn
54. Home, Dearie, Home – Linn Schulz
55. Morning Glory – Bruce MacIntyre
56. Mobile Bay (Roll the Cotton Down) – Charlie Ipcar
57. Hard Times Cotton Mill Girls – Anabel Graetz
58. Wild Mountain Thyme – Bruce MacIntyre
59. Bye Bye, My Roseanna – Paul Schurr
60. Crossing the Bar – Rose Sheehan & son Colin de la Barre
61. West Indies Blues – Ken Schatz
62. Stormy – Emery Hutchins
63. Bully In the Alley – Paul Schurr
64. It's a Pleasure to Know You – Marty Stock
65. Nelson's Prayer – Pete Souza and Company

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 08:34 AM

It'll take me awhile to type out the list, but it will get posted eventually. Maybe in waves. (Episodes? Chapters?!)

The songs moved around the group well, seldom any dead air for more than a second or two, nobody hogged the limelight and, I think, everyone got a chance to contribute.

Marty Stock's "It's a Pleasure to Know You", dedicated to Barry, was a really nice touch, too.

Linn

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 08:10 AM

Linn-

If you've got the time to post the list that would be great. It really was an extraordinary session, and involved quite a few folks from far out of town.

I'd be happy to help but there's no way I can do more than focus of a few songs and people while missing some other amazing contributions.

I was also impressed that most everyone was very respectful in terms of spacing out the songs led, permitting others to lead a song even if it were their first time in the Press Room. There was no need to bring out the muzzling gear we keep in the corner.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 05:37 PM

I DID keep a list of what was sung and by whom in case anyone is interested.

It was quite an afternoon! Thank you, everyone, for coming and making it the tribute it was.

Linn

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: ranger1
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 05:30 PM

I was asked at work this morning how I enjoyed my vacation day. I had to think about it a moment and just said "you had to be there to understand". Justine, Natalie and Gabe: thanks for sharing Barry with all of us.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Nancy King
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 04:17 PM

Justine, even that wonderful session couldn't do justice to all that Barry meant to so many folks, but I hope that Gabe and Natalie got an idea of how very much we all loved Barry, and how much fine music he gave us. It was great to see them, and you -- and to hear you sing! I hope we'll have another occasion to get together before too long.

Nancy

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 02:57 PM

I was exhausted when I got home, and I'm not 100% even yet. Nothing I could say would do the session justice. It was one of those times I'll remember forever and think of often. Yes, it's hard for those who were at the center of the Barryverse to understand what it was like for those of us farther out, but hopefully, yesterday demonstrated that a little. Thanks to all responsible.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: GUEST,Justine
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 02:38 PM

A very moving afternoon. Such a tribute to the fact that Barry belonged to all of us. It brought great joy to me to see his daughter and son see how much he meant to so many. Memories of this session will sustain me for a long time.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 02:36 PM

I felt for the soccer fans at the bar who could not possibly have heard anything over those choruses. LOL

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 01:25 PM

There were about a thousand folks packed into the Press Room and the building was literally shaking from the thundering choruses and refrains. It was an amazing gathering and I agree that Barry would have been amused and might even have blushed on occasion.

There's no way that I can list all the songs and participants. It was all I could do to ride the wave and pick moments to launch a few songs myself.

I think I led the traditional cotton-screwing shanty "Fire Marengo," the wool-screwing poem "Laying on the Screw" by Edwin J. Brady, "The Outside Track" by Henry Lawson, and C. Fox Smith's "Mobile Bay" with more references to rolling bales of cotton down to the ships.

JudyB led C. Fox Smith's "A Parting" and Norris Dale led Neil Downey's "Main Royal Yard" and the traditional shanty "Blood Red Roses."

Ken Schatz started things out with a rousing version of Roger Hussey's fine song "Venezuela to Trinidad." He also led an interesting acapella version of "West Indies Blues" but with a switch in the chorus that some found hard to adapt to; I'm still not sure if it's a rhythmic break or a repeated phrase interjected. Ella Madison who taught the song to my mother would be amused that there is renewed life in this old song.

Some of the other songs that Barry and Neil recorded that were covered included:

"Roller Bowler" led by Paul Schurr
"Yangtse River Shanty" by one of the MIT shanty singers (Dave?)
"Ida Lewis" by Justine Donovan and Rose Sheehan
"London Julie" by Justine Donovan and Peter Souza

David Coffin led Ernie Johnson's (Lonesome EJ) memorial "Shanty for Barry," which David set to music.

How the wait staff were able to deal so well with this hungry and thirsty crowd is a tribute to their skill and humor. But someone in the kitchen burnt the toast.

Thanks again to Linn, Tom, and Barbara for pulling this one together.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Nancy King
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 12:21 AM

Indeed a fine afternoon. It was great to see so many old friends and meet a few new ones. The music was great, as is the esteem in which Barry is held by all who knew -- or heard -- him.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Jun 10 - 09:40 PM

Thanks also from me. What a wonderful afternoon. The place was packed and the voices raised in harmony were sublime. The affection for Barry was obvious - he really did make his mark.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Jun 10 - 09:30 PM

It was an astonishing afternoon of brilliant songs with beautiful harmonies from sea shanties thru work songs and some songs of inspiration and friendship. Barry would have been pleased and more than a little I think amused at the traditional shanty in his memory which has become part of the folklore of New England. In some circles, Mr. Finn is right up there with Lord Nelson and Captain Hook. Justine led a few songs. She is a great lady.
Thank you Linn and Tom for making this possible.
Mary

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jun 10 - 10:41 AM

We'll be bringing copies of Roll & Go's new CD titled Look Out! if anyone is interested in acquiring one. I'll also have a few copies of theSea Songs of Cicely Fox Smith songbook for sale.

We plan to stay over and have a more leisurely dinner after the session.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Jun 10 - 09:47 AM

(To Mary) Uh oh.

Looks like the session will be well populated. The Schurrs are already in town. Looking forward to seeing (and hearing) everyone today.

Sorry I couldn't stay too late at last night's session -- day from hell at work and after one little pint of Guinness, I crashed. Needed to drive home while I was still awake. (Listened to Tom Hall and Bill Madison, circa 1983 at the White Horse Pub at the Nereledge Inn on CD -- thanks, Dave!!! -- on the way home. Bob's banjo, too!)

Linn

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 08:17 AM

I will definitely be there but may be a bit late. And I have a birthday gift from Becca for you, Linn.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 08:14 AM

Should be a good turnout!

Linn

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 10:14 PM

Sounds like Nor and Eli will be coming as well.

I do hope someone alerts the Press Room that they might want to ring up an additional waitperson or so. There could be quite a crowd. I wonder if Sarafina is on their list?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 08:33 PM

I'd carpool, but I'm already mostly there.

Of COURSE I'll be there.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Nancy King
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 08:17 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: ranger1
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 08:56 AM

I will definitely be there, asked for the date off back in December. Jason may trail along, as well. Anyone up for carpooling?

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Micca
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 07:10 AM

I will be there in spirit, I was looking at some pix the other day from my 1st Getaway and trip to the Press Room and there in the middle was Barry, in October 2001!! 9 years ago!!

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Paul_Schurr_PSG_NY
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 10:48 PM

We are just back from Mystic, and it seemed only right that songs dedicated to Barry were popping up all over the Seaport. Also, more than once someone made a quick key change and dedicated that to Barry as well. I am planning on making my own key changes in Barry's honor this weekend. Charlene and I will see you there.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: GUEST,Justine Donovan
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 08:25 PM

Thanks for dedicating this one to Barry, Tom. Barry's daughter Natalie, son Gabe (we hope) and I will be there too.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 05:48 PM

Nancy-

Good to hear! I expect this will be a session to treasure.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Nancy King
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 11:50 PM

Looks like I'll make it too! Along with Ken and Kate. See you all there!

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 09:19 PM

I will be there Tom. With a bottle of Diet Pepsi.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 09:18 PM

There will be several folks who attended the Mystic Sea Music Festival who expect to attend, including Paul and Charlene. I'll be there for sure and maybe Judy and Nor.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, still in Mystic after a wonderful final dinner with folks before they migrated back home.

Subject: RE: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 08:59 PM

Making every effort to get there for this one.

Subject: June Shanty Session @ Press Room (NH)
From: curmudgeon
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 08:57 PM

The monthly shanty/forebitter/ballad session will happen on Saturday, 19 June at the Press Room in Portsmouth NH, and will be dedicated to the memory and contributions of our departed comrade and "shipmate," Barry Finn.

Please join us for this tribute to our friend. And since I yet cannot talk, let alone sing, I need all the help I can get - Tom