Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 12:39 PM

I didn't look at it long enough to count eyeballs. I just watched Max. He stared at the clam, the clam stared at him (in as much as a dead shellfish could stare at someone), and Max pronounced "I ain't eatin' that thing."

Annap - in case you're wondering, I'm going to leave in about 15 minutes. Lets hope for no traffic jams...

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: annamill
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 12:39 PM

Hi everyone! Yes Moonchild is very fine and having a wonderful time as are we all. Bill, Lorna and Allen C were here a day early which is fine with me. We had music way til 1:30 AM and were up and playing at 8:30am. Now they (they including my Honey) are off to our local music store to buy some strings. I'm here resting for a few moments. It's biting cold right now, but no snow. (Boo) Max, a music video is a wonderful idea!! Then others can enjoy the gatherings also and maybe, just maybe, it will inspire others to the next one in the spring or summer, whenever.

Everyone is welcome and I cannot wait to see all of you that are planning to be here. We have ton's of food, wine, beer (even the vile black stuff; I thought we should have some), and other imbibications (I just created a new word)

People can't ask me any more why I do this. I woke up this morning and we sat around the kitchen table discussing, well, everything, just like a BS thread, and then..they sat on the couch and each played, Allen C., then Bill did some old rock N' roll and recited a very funny poem, then Moonchild played a song she is learning. As I stood out in the kitchen straightening out, I thought this is why. Now, when I'm asked, I can tell why. Well, maybe not. Maybe you have to be here.

There is still time. We'll keep checking in and telling you how it's progressing. Up til now it's been wonderful.

Love, annap

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: annamill
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 12:53 PM

Oh Max, I just listened to the video. It was wonderful. Thanks! I did notice, though, of all the music, you played yours. ***BG** ;-) It was great and portrayed the ambiance of the gatherings perfectly. I can't wait to share this with the others when they return.

Love, annap

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: emily rain
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 01:05 PM

thinking of you guys this rainy seattle day. sure do wish i could be there! have a great time!

love,
emily

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 01:46 PM

See you tomorrow! I am wracking my brain thinking of something to BRING with tons of food, wine and beer already there. Oh Well I'll think of something! Till morning, PETE

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 03:16 PM

So annap....Did you and Moon make anything sellin' it on the street?.........The crate, ya' know?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Okiemockbird
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 04:04 PM

'Spaw, you are a rogue! T.

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: kendall
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 04:46 PM

Have a ball you all..thought about coming down, but, my car didnt want to go to NJ either. It's running rough as a cob, and backfiring upon acceleration. Sure wish I had my Town Car back.

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: folk1234
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 05:24 PM

I'll be thinking of you all throughout the weekend. Each night I'll sing a song and pretend I'm on the big couch by the fireplace, surrounded by happy catters all singing and playing in perfect harmony. Tonight, I think I'll do "Isle of Haute Lullaby". Please join me.
Anna, if I had your phone number, I'd call and wish you all well.

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 07:07 PM

Folk 1234,

Send a personal message to Anna, perhaps she will respond. That is what they are for. She certainly would not want her phone number all over the internet.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Marymac90
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 09:40 AM

Dear annap,

All right, I'm up and getting ready! Once I have my act together (with me, no telling how long that will take!) I'll be on my way. I see from the map that you're not too far from Cranbury, where I used to work, so I don't think I'll have any trouble finding it (famous last words!) I'll see you all when I get there, whenever that is!

Love,

Mary

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: InOBU
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 04:40 PM

Hi Annap: I am at the Fairbanks Room 39, they dont know where to send me, and I cant find any adress in the posts! HELP

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From:
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 04:42 PM

PS I am registered under Larry Otway again Rm 39 Fairbands and again HELP!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: InOBU
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 05:10 PM

Larry is in the hotel, room 39 -- but there is no gathering in sight!! Please contact him immediately to tell him what's going on -- his phone # in Seabright is 732-842-8450. Call him before 7 pm, or he's driving back to New York!!

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: bbc
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 06:12 PM

Oh, Larry, I wish you had waited till you said! I just called the Fairbanks w/ the info you needed! If anyone else is in trouble, contact bbc at [phone]. I have annap's address & phone number, but will not post it publicly. Sigh. The motel said he checked out 10 minutes ago.

bbc

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: InOBU
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 09:25 PM

Sorry I missed you all, as you know I have a cracked rib, and the room was rather chilly, so I was in a bit of pain, and there were other things happening, I had just driven up from dropping my wife at the hospital in Vergina, to see her very sick mom, so have a good weekend all, and we will see you at some other get together... need a piper for your wedding?
Best wishes
Larry

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: KathWestra
Date: 15 Jan 00 - 09:26 PM

I'm whining and sniveling and feeling extremely sorry for myself not to be there. Caught the flu on a business trip to Tucson (where it was 80 degrees)this past week, and can't do anything but cough and snuffle through impacted ears, sinuses (or is that sini?), and chest.

Take lots of pictures and video (YES,Max!)and post them soon. Hi to Anna and Glenn and Jeri and RiB and Max and everybody else I wanted to see and sing with. Have a wonderful time -- and quick, Anna, schedule that next gathering so I have something to look forward to.

Kendall and Mick -- send me an e-mail. We can have a virtual (and germ-free) pity party! *BG*

Kath

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Peter T.
Date: 16 Jan 00 - 02:57 PM

Be sure and give us a report, if it has all settled down (or in). You've been real quiet....(or maybe noisy?)
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: annamill
Date: 16 Jan 00 - 03:16 PM

Oh Larry!! I am so sorry! Did you write and ask me for the particulars? I don't remember if you did or not. If you did, I'm so sorry. Please come to our next one.

Love, annap

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: annamill
Date: 16 Jan 00 - 03:22 PM

We've had a marvelous time so far. Music everywhere. In the dining room, in the living room in front of the fireplace, in the kitchen... right now we're enjoying Bert's delicious meat pies. oh, and some of us are having bloody marys. Sorry we've neglected you all, but we've been so busy and preoccupied. well...back to the fun. Talk to you later. (sorry again larry)

Love, annap

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: P
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 01:07 AM

So who's there? What songs have been sung? Is it being recorded? Come on, we all want to know! Please tell us soon. All the details please!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Robo
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 01:55 AM

Was the wee lad Clifton aboard? Aye, dear boy, isn't he? Trust he played you the Ballad of William Bloat!

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 05:06 AM

I had a wonderful time at annap's on Sunday. We sat in the living room around the roaring fireplace on a very cold and windy night; you could hear the winds howling above the chimney, resonating in keys not necessarily in harmony with the keys we were singing in. And a location on a barrier island one block from the ocean lends itself to windiness. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph, with higher gusts!

Inside the living room was a warm crowd with singing to warm the heart. No recordings (at least on Sunday afternoon/evening), although annap took snapshot photographs that might make their way onto bbc's mudcat resources sooner or later.

I drove home to Maryland tonight on reasonably empty but very windy roads. (Persons from outside the Northeastern United States should understand that reasonably empty means only about 8 or 10 vehicles in front of you in the next mile or so at 2 or 3 a.m.; at no point do you actually get to use your high beam headlights on I-95 or the New Jersey Turnpike, no matter how late the hour.) The crosswinds were fantastic and required careful control of the car, especially crossing the Delaware River (Delaware Memorial Bridge) and the Susquehannah (Tydings Bridge on I-95). When the folks in New Jersey who remained read this in the morning, they will know I've arrived home safely.

Thanks annap, for hosting a wonderful gathering!

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Allan C.
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 08:55 AM

It seems so mundane, so inadequate to say that the weekend at Anna's was wonderful. It seems to me that every gathering of Mudcats is nothing short of miraculous! And each time I get to meet more and more 'Catters who are already familiar to me through the Mudcat or some who, by way of ICQ have become even closer friends.

We're constantly breaking new ground here, folks. Gatherings such as this one, comprised of people who have only met by way of the internet are as yet fairly rare. You hear of the occasional marriage which resulted from an internet connection, (my daughter, Kelly, is an example,) but get-togethers on the scale we are doing (and with the frequency with which we are doing them, are uncommon to say the least. I find the whole thing to be totally mind-blowing.

For this reason, I always find myself very emotionally effected. I can only tell you that the bond I feel when at last I see Mudcatters in person and share music with them is intense.

I will leave it to others to give a better account of who was there and what was sung. For me, it was almost more important that it was happening at all rather than what was specifically going on or what was being played.

In short, I had a great time. Gods willing, I will get to do more such things in the future.

Allan

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 09:11 AM

I too had a WONDERFUL time there on Saturday; my plans changed and I was unable to stay over (had an unexpected chance to see one of my daughters before she left for school)but even in the time there got to meet some of the people that I already cyber-knew: Dick Greenhaus (who, it developed, I had known OF for some forty years already!) Susan of DT, the incredible Max, who sings the blues, Roger in Baltimore in Seabright, and so on! Annap--thank you for opening up your house and making it possible for me to see the ocean in winter and meet Catters! Moonchild is carrying a package back to FL for me. . . again, Annap, THANKS!

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Big Mick
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 09:15 AM

Allright, that does it. I am officially throwing a fit here. We either have to move you all to Michigan or move Michigan to where you all are. THIS SUCKS!!! Here 'Spaw and I sit, sheltered in Midwestern mediocrity while you are all having a wonderful time. I HOPE YOU ARE ALL SATISFIED!!!!! Here I am out here trying to save the world while you all monkey around singing songs and holding songs. It ain't fair..........................Damn, but I am green (Kelly green, of course!) with envy. I sure wish I could have been there, darling Anna. I hope you all post every bit of the weekend.

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Susan of DT
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 10:08 AM

Mick - you just have to organize similar gatherings in your neck of the woods.

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Clifton53
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 08:06 PM

I had a great time at annap's on Saturday. Once again Anna, thanks for your hospitality from me and the wife.

I especially enjoyed the song 'round and heard a lot of things I'd never been exposed to. Pete Peterson flies around a fretboard with such ease and grace, and he has a fine voice as well. Pete, it was a privelege. Roger from Baltimore has a great bluesy sound and a lot of great songs, and plays that Martin like he was born with it in his hands. Dick Greenhaus has more knowledge in his shoes than I have in my head, and is also a great picker. Moonchild has a fine, high voice ala Joan Baez,and her duet with Allan C. was warm and beautiful. Bill Sables, Bert, and Max (Leroy), you all were great,I was pretty much in awe of the talent assembled in that cellar. E Z Rider left early on the day I was there, but not before laying some nice blues on us. Jeri, I enjoyed your fiddle and singing, Susan, the same goes for you.

I can't name songs and remember everything that happened (Too much of the vile black stuff), but for me it was a great experience, and one that I look forward to repeating. Hope I didn't leave anyone out, if I did, my apologies.

Look forward to the next time. Take care all, and a big round of applause for Anna and Glenn.

Clifton 53

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 09:23 PM

I'm just writing to say I made it home alive. I had a wonderful time. No one, inluding (especially) annap got to Mudcat very often because we were too busy singing, eating, or talking. I'd write more, but I'm beat, and I start a new job tomorrow...

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 09:32 PM

I'm home!

Left Seabright this AM. It was cold!!!!! From the motel window we could see the river icing over as we watched. Wind chills of -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marge and I arrived just before lunch on Saturday. Anna said people started to arrive Thursday evening. At the risk of omission, I will try to outline who was there. My apologies in advance for anyone left out.

Max came in later on Saturday and stayed part of the AM on Sunday. He said he had a job to go to on Monday. Can you imagine that? I thought he did Mudcat full-time *BG*.

Bert came in on Saturday as well and brought some delicious pies that he and his wife had cooked. Very delicious. I was impressed with the amount of effort they had both put into them. Saturday night, Bert made some cheese and broccoli soup, a big soup kettle full. All who partook raved over it. I had already stuffed on ham sandwiches, so I missed out. Annap had bought a ham, Allen C. (I think) had brought one, and I trudged in later with a third. Leave it to Mudcatters to ham it up!

Saturday evening was a song circle in Annap's basement "studio" (her precious Glenn is in a surf band called the Jetty Rats, gigging 20 - 30 times a year. He's the drummer). Here is where it gets risky. Going around the circle it's: Marge and I, Susan of the DT and Dick Greenhaus, Pete Peterson, Max, Moonchild, EZ Rider, Clifton, Jeri, Bill Sables, and maybe a few more. Bert had gone to Phila. to see Oscar Brand.

Bill brought his wife Lorna (?). She is quite a humorous conversationalist, a real dear, but she does not sing. Clifton's wife came as well.

Sunday's circle was a bit more disorganized. EZ Rider left the day before. He was going to a concert, but I have blanked on the artist. MaryMc had arrived the night before. Susan and Dick were there along with Moonchild, Jeri, and Bill Sables. We talked Annap into singing a few blues numbers for us and we talked Glenn in to singing some old rock 'n roll (with me on guitar). We did House of the Rising Sun and Gloria, what a rip!

At one point the night degenerated into Bill singing what Lorna called "the bottom of the barrel", some slightly "off-color" numbers.

Let me talk about the songs. I think between them Dick and Susan know about 1,000 songs from the DT. Susan specializes in traditional songs. Dick sings whatever comes to mind. Dick says he is a little rusty on guitar, but I should only be so rusty! Either he likes some of those off-beat humorous songs which I, too, enjoy, or he played them just for me. Moonchild showed off her Gibson and sang some songs from the sixties and some from more modern writers. She's working on Iris Dement's "Let the Mystery Be."

EZ Rider played some Dave Van Ronk. Says he learned it from the video. He has Green Green Rocky Road down cold. Clifton sang a John Prine song, which one escapes me at the moment.

Jeri sings mostly traditional tunes and accompanied many of us on her fiddle. Bert sang songs by his favorite songwriter, Bert, and some traditional English tunes. He did a tongue twister that essentially builds up from a gill to a keg of booze and then goes on. The end of each verse requires you to go down the entire list. I caught him in one mistake so we took his booze away *BG*. MaryMc brought out her RUS. I think she may have caught CRS from Bert. We sang those songs anyway. Of course, Max specializes in blues.

I am sure I missed someone and something. I should let you know it was not just about singing. Maybe even better was getting to chat with Mudcatters face-to-face and getting to know them more as persons. We of course talked shamelessly about those who could not come. Lies and innuendos were widely spread.

It was near Midnight when Marge and I left. We were honored with a rendition of Bert's "There's Never a Good Time for Leavin'"

A word about our hosts. Annap opened her house to us. It is an older riverside cottage. Where she lives, the land is only three blocks wide. On the East side is a huge stone sea wall, maybe 20 feet high. On the West is the river on whose bank the house sits. It is quite broad and fairly deep. We watched a tugboat go by on Sunday.

They essentially have rented the view. Their house is modest in size and they complain that the landlord does little to improve the property. But when either of them talk about the river, their eyes glaze over and they seem to pass into Never Never Land. They were quite gracious, we wanted for nothing. There was more provided then we could possibly consume. If someone drifted away, Annap was soon over to ask if everything was allright. She's a doll.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Dani
Date: 17 Jan 00 - 10:50 PM

...sigh.

I can't tell you which image made me feel sadder to've missed it.

Allan C and Moonchild's duet?

The coldcold river?

Annap's hospitality?

The energy focussed by ANY group of 'catters on the planet?

The thought of hearing Roger in Baltimore play again? Or Max?

Or Bert's (wife's) home cooking?

....sigh

next time, without a doubt...

Dani

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Marymac90
Date: 18 Jan 00 - 12:42 AM

Hi, everybody!

I just wanted to let everyone, especially Bert, annap, and company know that I arrived home safely about 11:50 pm Monday night, feeling very mellow and satisfied by our wondercful weekend together. I will try to write more in the morning on what our weekend was like. Also, Bill and Lorna, I will try to post or email you with directions to my house before you leavre annap's in the morning. They are going to try to come to the Open Circle at the Mermaid, in Philadelphia, on Thursday night at 9 pm. Phila area mudcatters, please come and support them! To email me, write me at [e-mail]

Love to all, and safe journeys to all travellers,

Mary McCaffrey

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Bert
Date: 18 Jan 00 - 09:58 AM

What they said.

Got home safely having travelled in convoy most of the way with Marymac.
Had a bloody good time, too much to drink Sunday night. Didn't stop me trying to sing though.

Thanks Annap & Glen.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Easy Rider
Date: 18 Jan 00 - 12:49 PM

The car stalled about a hundred yards down the road from Annap's, when we were leaving, in the subfreezing cold, Saturday afternoon, but it started again, and we made it to the Doc Watson concert in plenty of time. We were just too tired, on Sunday, to come back, much as we would have liked to.

What a wonderful gathering of such nice people! We had a great time eating and drinking and playing and listening, renewing old aquaintances and making new friends. I played the Van Ronk song, "Green Rocky Road", and a few Mississippi John Hurt songs, on saturday, and it was great how everybody joined in on "Louis Collins". Thanx to everybody, and especially to Annap and Glen, for making it all possible.

EZR

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 18 Jan 00 - 06:13 PM

Well, I don't care what anybody says--I think it was great!

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: annamill
Date: 18 Jan 00 - 10:36 PM

I've had the most wonderful time at annap's gathering ;-)

JOKE! Thank you all so very much for making my alrady beautiful world even more beautiful!! I love having music in my house!

..and the variety..amazing..traditional..blues (beautiful blues)...a few chanties...a few work songs...(a tiny amount of r'n'r (my honey))...ballads (we kept them down to 14 or 15 verses)...

..and everyone brought food..on top of what we already had..

..and meeting such good friends.. it shows that all types of personalities can do it when beautiful music is envolved...

..Mudcat is filled with love, talent, humor, kindness..

Thank you all for being here..and I hope to see more of you in the summer.

..and GG, when you're out of the hospital, we'll welcome you back, Baby..

..Love, annap

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 03:28 PM

everyones being pretty close-mouthed about details....but guess we'll just have to wait until someone is willing to post...

*sigh*

MMario - whoisMMario

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: annamill
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 03:42 PM

Mario, what would you like to know? Everyone who was there has been posted. We had music, fun. and food. We listened to your tape while we had breakfast on Saturday morning. It was great and everyone loved it. Mostly we BSed, played music, and ate, and in some cases (me and a few others) we drank! I actually sang. **blush** I was coerced though. Come see for yourself next time.

Love, annap

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 03:52 PM

annap - just having the *dang I didn't get to go* blues, I guess...frustrated...and wondering just whatgot sung, if there was anythin' new to people, etc.

Spent the weekend in meetings, with people I like and doing something very constructive, but not necessarily fun; then came down sick on my drive back, which made the 5 hour drive seem like about 15....

guess I'm just gripin' and whinin'

I'm never at my best when sick...

MMario

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Clifton53
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 04:04 PM

Hey MMario, I'm looking for details too. And I was there! Some of the songs are starting to come back to me. As I said, there were many tunes I hadn't heard. Pete sang one I think called "Stay on the farm boys". And he chimed in nicely with me on the chorus of "Tennessee Stud", which Dick informed me was written by Jimmy Driftwood. Bill sang one warning women about getting married, don't recall the title. He also did one about coal miner's and keeping one eye on your wages. Maybe someone can help out with these titles.

Susan sang "I Once Loved a Lass", which I recognized from The Clancy Brothers version. Bert sang a great song about "Spare Time" dealing with the upkeep of a house etc. He has a good voice and obviously has been at this for a while. His voice reminded me of Eric Bogle in some ways.

Max impressed me greatly. What a great deep voice he has. Us heavier humans would wonder where that deepness and resonance comes from. He sang one called, again, I think it was "Bully of the Town". Great blues sound coming out of that thin body.

Roger sang a friend's number called "Woman with a Chain Saw" I think, about staying warm at night. Again folks, correct me if I'm wrong. I love the way he plays guitar.

For my part, I sing mostly contemporary stuff, that is, the last forty years or so. I like when people join in on choruses as they did on "I Shall Be Released", and "Fiddler a Dram". I'd been singing some half remembered lyric to that for twenty years, and Dick told me since it's a fiddle tune, it doesn't matter what you sing, so I'm making up some new verses to it. Thanks for your knowledge Dick.

I was only there for Saturday so I can't speak for Friday or Sunday, but I had a great time and learned quite a bit. But the best part was meeting 'catters(my first time), and shooting the breeze and laughing alot.

Anyway, that's some of the music, and I mean only some of what went on. Maybe someone else that was there can supply more.

Clifton

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: annamill
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 04:14 PM

MMario, I wasn't being snappy. I can see where that would be misconscrewed (I love that word; probably spelled wrong) as snappy. I was honestly trying to help, but didn't know what it was you needed. I hope Clifton helped some. You'll have to be there next time.

Love, annap

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 04:17 PM

That's better, now I have the sense I REALLY, REALLY missed something, while before I just suspected...*grin*

I did hear two new songs over the weekend, and came up with a new one myself, but don't have the right to post the other two and not sure whether or not I wanna post the one I came up with...but was made aware again (for about the umpteenth time) that I have friends with an incredible amount of talent. One of the songs,(written by a member of the group I was with ), he sang sunday to the 15 of us, by the second repetition of the chorus there were at least two harmony lines going as well as the melody. He sang it again on monday, and this time there was not only the harmonization, but people began playing with delays and echoes, and it all sounded good. When I try to improv like that...well, normally the results are NOT good.

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jan 00 - 04:32 PM

annap - NOI, NOT (No Offense Intended, No Offense Taken)

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: bbelle
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 02:21 PM

It looks like I'm about the last one to post. Everyone else has said it so well ... I had a wonderful time, which doesn't say it nearly as passionately as I mean it. It was so wonderful to see and sing again with the 'cats I met at the getaway. Dueting with Allan C. is such a joy because our voices blend as one and he carries the burden of playing guitar when my fingers get bloody. Meeting Bill and Lorna Sables was sheer delight. We arrived at the same time and departed at the same time so there was lots of time to bond and I'm planning my trip to Yorkshire! EZ Rider and wife, Remi, were a great addition to the group. Clifton93's performance style took me back a few years. As far as I'm concerned, he can sing a "John Prine" tune any ol' day. annap says she can't sing and that's bs. At one point, she said she didn't know what to sing and I threw out "St. James Infirmary" and she belted it out like a pro. Enjoy 60's rock & roll? Honey/Moondoggy's your man! Roger in Baltimore taught me to play "Biscuit Blues," for which I am grateful. His style of blues always draws a crowd. I'm convinced that Dick and Susan known every folksong that was ever written and they sing them so effortlessly. Now, Pete Peterson's from a whole 'nother era ... close your eyes and you just know A.P. Carter is in the room. Jeri's fiddlin' just keeps getting better and better and don't let her tell you she can't sing. She can belt out a sea shanty like an old tar. Max was in his element ... scurrying about being the entrepreneur or belting out a railroad song ... he always seems so comfortable.

I've been asking "Who's this Bill Sables guy?" for a year and now I know. He's a wonderful singer, storyteller, musician, comedian, and human being. I could listen to him all night and all day. Lorna is a great straight man and also tells a wonderful story. She's very, very funny.

To say we played music, ate, and drank all weekend, would be over-simplifying the experience. To attempt to impart the aura of the gathering via mere words on a page is impossible. "You hadda be there!"

We did have a rude awakening, though. All of us old folkies who, in our younger days, would stay up all night playing music, discovered that those days are over. The witching hour seems to be 1:30AM.

So, to close, I am ever so thankful to annap and honey for making these gatherings possible ... for opening their home to our mudcat community ... for giving us the opportunity to meet each other ... for their wonderful hospitality ... for possessing the openmindedness to be able to deal with all the personality types that make us what we are ... for giving me one end of the couch to lay my head ... for being such a gifted hostess and host ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: bbc
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 02:43 PM

Thanks for that report, moonchild. I really enjoyed reading the details & am glad you all had such a good time. I will open my house again in the future, preferably in warmer weather. It really *is* a pleasure to get together & find that everyone is actually even nicer & more talented in person than they appear to be, online.

best to you all,

bbc

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson at work
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 02:55 PM

Gosh it was fun to meet new friends! Annap, thank you AGAIn for your kindness to this Mudcatter. I was impressed by everybody that I met.People have already mentioned many of the things that I remember; Jeri's sea chanteys, Clifton and mississippi John Hurt (there were a lot of MS. John fans there) Roger and blues in general; trying to sing Iris DeMent's Let The Mystery Be with Moonchild with neither one of us QUITE knowing the words;and that one is a tongue twister! Sixties rock. . . one friend has said scratch a folksinger and underneath is a fan of oldies rock! (Actually my favorites are from the late 50s. I think I read somewhere that for everybody alive, the golden age of rock is the summer that they were 14. ) Susan and Dick and wonderful old ballads, playing double banjos with Dick while everybody was upstairs socializing , Bill Sables and great music! -- walking along the beach in late afternoon, walking along the beach late at night-- meeting Annap and Honey-- helping build a fire (in Annap's FP) and being told to let the experts do it. . . food, food and more delicious food. And drinks. Great memories. Annap-- thanks again! PETE

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: annamill
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 03:18 PM

Boy! You all make it sound sooo great! I can only say that I am sure grateful I was there! Thank you all for being there too!

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: bbelle
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 08:20 PM

Oh! I forget to mention my secret "hairball" medicine! After singing for a while, one just naturally starts to feel the tickle of hairball in one's throat. It takes a slow comfortable elixir to rid oneself of the dreaded hairball ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 09:24 PM

OK Moonchild. Cough it up. What is the recipe.

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Annap's gathering 1/14/00 Part II
From: bbelle
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 11:55 PM

Ah, 'tis a puzzle to be sure ... There was a young lassie from tallahassee ... who traveled north for a gathering. She sang and she sang ... day in and day out ... 'til her lips they were a'lathering. Hairball! Hairball! She cried to the crowd ... the bane of many a singer. So, she searched high and low ... round and round, all about ... and found the perfect zinger. The elixir to be sure was well hidden, it seemed ... but uncover it soon, she did. Southern Comfort was the cure ... smooth and heady to be sure ... and soon the hairball she did rid.

moonchild (with apologies to the real poets of the world)