Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath

Subject: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 11:24 AM

Despite a very small number of attendees for this mostly free festival, it was a great time!

Saturday I went to the workshop on the "Naval Songs of the 18th Century" at the John Paul Jones house. It was a wonderful fun and informative program put on by Jerry Bryant.

The Friday night concert was outstanding, with Lou Killen, Danny and Joyce McCleod, Jeff Warner and Forebitter. I knew what to expect from Jeff and Lou, and they didn't disappoint - wonderful music from a couple of pros. The banter between them was very warm and funny, including many reference to speaking foriegn languages (Geordie) Well, there were three of them there!

The McCleods are outstanding singers with a repertoire of exraordinary old and new songs. They're former members of the group "Salt of the Earth" - bought the CD, love it - who sing with unaccompanied, with strong and true harmony. I got a chance to talk to both of them several times throughout the weekend, and came away feeling like I'd made a couple of new friends. They're incredibly warm and comfortable people to be around.

Forbitter just blew me away. Harmony, incredible energy, and voices to-die-for. They're the official Mystic Seaport singers, and they know their stuff.

Sunday was made up of free workshops in various locations. Jeff Warner had had the idea for this festival based on festivals in the UK, where events are held in various pubs and restaurants throughout a town. He got together with organizer Peter Constr...Costran...tino. (Well, I can't find any reference to him anywhere to check spelling, but he organised the whole thing!) I don't think many intentional listeners went to the events, but I was plopped in the sing-around for most of the day. We had a small but energetic group of singers, a few listeners, and a very good time.

Move on to the chanteyblast. The place it was held was outdoors. Earlier, I had a real problem because the stage was situated so the sun was directly in the eyes of the audience. Add traffic noise. (Naemanson mentioned the motorcyles on another thread.) By late early evening, the sun wasn't a problem, but the traffic (including the really annoying motorcycles) was still there. For some inexplicable reason, we had a B-17 flying in a pattern that brought it directly overhead. My personal opinion was, except for drowning out the traffic noise, there wasn't a real need to mic this event, or at least not as loudly as it was mic'ed. I love chantey singing when I can hear many voices, and I couldn't really hear anyone in the audience. It was a wonderful time anyway. The worst thing about it was it was far too short! (Next year, how about an hour or 3?)

And one last note (so to speak) Naemanson, where the hell were you?! I had my Mudcat T-shirt on, and thought I was standing right in front of you at one point, (did you talk to Jeff right before the chantey blast?) but figured if it was you, you'd see the shirt and say hi.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 09:29 PM

Hi Jeri, Naemanson was there, I swear, got to meet up with him between running back & forth to different venues. It was a great time with alot of wonderful singing sure do hope it becomes a full weekend event next yr. Barry

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 09:35 PM

Barry, he said he was there and I believe him. Too bad I missed him. (The guy I was talking about above was a singer from Portland. Oops.)

The festival will hopefully draw more people next year. I've heard a few folks drove up but were unable to find the music. (Frankly, it was hard to miss the sound from the outdoor stage, but maybe they were driving too fast and being buzzed by two-wheeled assault vehicles, boom cars and their air support.)

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: MMario
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 09:42 PM

Forebitter is great, aren't they? Got one of their CD's on my long weekend over Columbus day. Due to which, my friends and I are probably going to add a day at mystic to our annual trip to Cape Cod.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 11:39 PM

I had a great time but couldn't spot the woman with the cat on her head! I guess I should have looked at women's chests all day instead.

Thanks Barry for confirming my presence!

Jeri, I guess we'll have to meet at the party in November. If I remember rightly you and Barry will be at FSGW this weekend and will miss Roll & Go in Kennebunk. Funny how life works.

Pene just posted my pictures in the photo section. Maybe you saw me, Jeri, and will recognze me. I talked to Jeff right AFTER the chanty blast. Also made a oint to talk to Jerry Bryant. Missed a chance to talk to my new cousin though.

MMario, see if you can schedule your trip to Mystic for the 2nd weekend in June and come to the sea music festival. Great fun! Barry and I will be there.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 01:06 AM

It sounds like a great festival! I'll have to try to attend it next year. Do they have a mailing list for flyers? Were The Windlasses there, by any chance? They knocked 'em dead at Mystic '99.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 09:17 AM

Chanteyranger, no Windlasses were here that I noticed. Also, as far as I know, there isn't a mailing list. If I hear of any more events, I'll post them to the "What's On" thread. The Folk Horizons web page is here.

Naemanson, you should have been looking at chests! The only time I've had a cat on my head was when I was about 9, and the cat was going from my lap to somewhere else, and decided the fastest route was over my head. I still have scars!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 01:20 PM

The Windlasses were with me in Stonington, CT. Bob Conroy and I did a concert there on Sunday and got The Windlasses and Bonnie from The Johnson Girls up for our last few songs. Glad to hear everyone had a good time in Portsmouth.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 01:59 PM

By all means, if in the Mystic area, DO see the Seaport; we did a couple of summers ago after the Deep River Ancient Muster (Fife/Drum) and although a little pricey, it was terrific. Got a chance to meet and breifly sing with one of the Chanteymen of "Forebitter" who puts on a very enlightening and enjoyable program with his banjo, then got a demo on board an 1840's whaling ship of the chantys being used during various operations of the rigging, windlass etc..
We missed Portsmouth; the idea got overruled by Matronly edict, and we went to check out lakeside property in the Winthrop area - the foliage was lovely - instead. Just as well, as me leg has some healing yet to do, the knee was "out", and the hike from parking to music sites might have been irksome. I wouldv'e liked to seen that B-17, though; that's one awesome airplane! We do live in a noisy culture, here, and I have a little problem competing with blatting macho-bikes and punk-o boomcars. That's no so much an issue with the F&D Corps; we tend to set off car-alarms along the parade route with the concussion of the big bass drum, and mics and amps are never required! Next year perhaps they can arrange things to be a little more considerate of "traditional" musicians and those who still like to hear it (the "quiet minority"?) How about more bugles and bagpipes? We don't need no stinkin' electronics to make a bloomin' racket!

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Naemanson
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 03:31 PM

I second the opinion that Mystic is something to see. Just plan to do it on the 2nd weekend of June so you can be there for the sea music festival. The real party is the one that goes on with the staf and performers through the weekend. If you can get on the volunteer staff you will have the best time ever. The best advice I got was not to waste any of the weekend asleep!

BTW, you guys are my witnesses. I have Jeri's permission to spend my time watching women's chests.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: radriano
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 03:47 PM

You guys have got me drooling over this. Just my kind of thing. If there's a mailing list for next year, can I get on it?

Hey Barry, how's it going?


Radriano

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:27 PM

Hi Radriano, doing just fine here thanks for asking, except after having a cold it finally got to my throat by the end of the festival. It was a real fun time, a bit small but it's only getting to test the local waters for the first time. A surprise to me was the twenty something age group who stumbled on it by chance were more than just interested in the music, once they copped on we kept seeing them throughout the day showing up at different spots & soaking it up. I guess it pays to be free. Anyway still recordless here but I'm working on getting you something soon. Best to the West. Barry

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: WyoWoman
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 12:07 AM

This sounds fab. I want to go, I want to go! When I win the Lottery I'll set up the Traveling Mudcat Foundation so we can all just circulate, circulate and visit each other's musical events.

I went to the Seaport summer before last. It was simply amazing -- so utterly different from MY milieu, for certain. And I wonder if it was Forbitter I heard singing there?

In some regards, I'm a lousy bet for such places. I keep crying for the whales ...

My daughter and I did have lunch at Mystic Pizza, however.

ww

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 12:15 AM

We were both there, Wyo. How did I miss you? Oh, yeah - I wasn't a catter then. That was B.C.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 08:49 AM

Barry, after the sing-around at the festival, the folks at Coat of Arms pub talked about having a regular monthly singing session there - probably unacompanied songs, probably on Sun afternoons. I'll let you know.

It was very nice in there. Even the young folks (especially the young folks?) Barry mentioned listened to everything. (And one was recording all the songs!) Many people were a little shy - sitting back from the actual circle. Perhaps they're just more used to performances than particapatory singing. Others just grabbed chairs and plopped down in the circle.

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: radriano
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 07:59 PM

Hey, Barry, please don't feel pressured to send me anything. I just feel glad to have re-established contact with you. Sounds like there's lots of great events happening out your way. I'll see if I can make it to the next Mystic, at the least.


Richard

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 09:46 PM

Hi Radriano, thanks for letting me skate but I'm such a procrastinator sometimes & I still can't believe I don't have a decent recording device (& I am a bit picky about what I send & how it sounds) but I need to pressure myself some what so things'll get done as they should, thanks again for being so kind though. Another thing is that I know what good taste you have & what you'd do with a song that you liked so all the better. Barry

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: radriano
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 02:42 PM

Stroke me some more, Barry. I like it.


Richard

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 03:52 PM

Jeri & Barry,

Let me know if they decide to do the Sunday sing at the Coat of Arms pub. Also I'd like to hear more about open mikes and coffeehouses down there.

I am considering a regular Sunday gathering at my house in Bath this winter. I figure it will be a little gathering to fight off cabin fever, the cold, and the regular winter blahs. Come help fill up my house with song.

Brett

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 03:54 PM

Wyo,

Are you familiar with The Whaler's Tale? The song tells the story of one of the few times the whales win one. Let's get together at Hearme some evening and I'll sing it to you.

Brett

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 10:16 PM

Naemanson, you live in Bath? I was there a few months ago visiting a friend in New Harbor, went to the Bath maritime museum, jammed with Castlebay, took in Maine's incredible beauty. I'll have to look you up next time. I was too new to the 'cat to plug into who lives where.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Oct 00 - 10:31 PM

Yes, chanteyranger, I live in Bath and have a very good close friendship with Fred and Julia. I have often sung with them both professionally and in living rooms.

There are a few 'cats living near here. Kendall, of course, you must be familiar with but there is also Downeast Bob, and Uncle Jaque. Somewhere here is also someone named Chocolate Pi but I haven't met him/her.

Come on by anytime.

Brett

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 12:13 AM

Naemanson, what a small world. The friend I was visiting is Julia's brother, Tad. He and I worked together in San Francisco when he was a Park Ranger here a couple of years ago. There was a young fiddler at the session named, I think, Mazey, or Macy. A very talented musician. Yikes, I'm digressing into serious thread creep. I'll PM you, Brett.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Portsmouth Maritime Fest - the Aftermath
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Oct 00 - 06:35 AM

Yeah, this is thread creep but in the right direction as you will see.

Tad is working with Fred on his book as the illustrator. He has done the most beautifull color pencil drawings.

The book is targeted for children as an illustrated chapter book about how Farmer Jack becomes Sailor Jack. It will be a multimedia experience because it will have a CD which will feature the chanties and ballads which will be featured in the book. The book will include the words so kids and families will be able to sing along.

I have a draft copy and have been shoving my oar in by making some notes. He has done a wonderful job. Two weekends ago he and I recorded some chanties to use as placeholders to illustrate to the publisher how the book will work in conjunction with the CD.

I'll be seeing them tomorrow. We are performing in a music heritage festival with them and Gordon Bok. Include your real name in your PM and I'll pass along your greetings.