Old Songs Festival 2002, back from

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Hollowfox
Date: 07 Jul 02 - 03:26 PM

Thanks for reminding me, 'Spaw. Next year the intestinal fortitude test will be Duquesne beer. Don Olesko, Old Frothingslosh was Iron City, put out under that novelty name during the Christmas season. Remember the ads, with Hans Conreid doing the voiceovers? For those less fortunate, the TV would show us a hand pouring a bottle of Old Frothingslosh into a pilsner glass. All went as usual until the very end when, with a thunk, the foam would pour out and sink like a rock to the bottom of the glass.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: kendall
Date: 07 Jul 02 - 01:17 PM

Sorry folks, the definition of "Savagrus" unpleasant, nasty, difficult. Often applied to the weather. Close to, but, slightly different from "Pod-auger" hehehe

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 06 Jul 02 - 04:52 PM

Anglo,

Sorry. I thought your post was serious. I'm glad, as you said, that your tongue was planted firmly in your cheek. Guess I had a bad day. I just love Margaret Mac and the Old Songs Fest -- and Andy and all her good work too. Once again, I shot from the lip. And once again I was, after reeading the post again, nowhere near clear in my ranting.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: bbc
Date: 06 Jul 02 - 02:54 PM

Sigh. Sorry, Brett. I don't remember seeing anyone w/ you. I do remember you saying you were going to sit w/ friends in the main stage area. Next time!

love,

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Jul 02 - 02:10 PM

Barbara, you DID meet them. I'm just not sure I was specific with mentioning their Mudcat connection.

I don't know about the rest of you but I can count quite a number of Mudcatters as friend AND neighbors. I am a very lucky fellow.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Jul 02 - 11:52 AM

Damn, WYSIWYG! He walked away with a brand new Taylor. What more could he ask for?

Yeah...he was too cute not to hug.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jul 02 - 10:59 AM

I'm so pleased that so many of you got a chance to meet or renew acquaintance with my MudBro Dharmabum (Ron). He really is a treasure, isn't he? (Quit blushing honey). I hope he got lots and lots and lots of nice warm squishy hugs.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 06 Jul 02 - 10:15 AM

I just remembered one thing that bothered me.... what happened to the buttons this year? I know many people have collected the buttons from previous years as momentos of the fest. The wrist band type "badge" that they used this year just doesn't have the same... attachment(pardon the pun) as the nice buttons from previous years. Was it a cost-saving measure?

It's not a big deal of course, but those colorful buttons were certainly a nice touch!

Ron

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: bbc
Date: 05 Jul 02 - 11:41 AM

Well, I'm finally back. It's been a few "tomorrows" since I said I'd post my thoughts on the weekend. The weather here has been unutterably hot & humid & I've been entertaining a houseguest.

Susan of DT had put together a list of Mudcatters who said they'd be attending Old Songs. Like a few others I spoke w/, I printed out a copy & used it as a checklist of those I saw there. For those of you who attended & didn't have any identifying Mudcat mark, I'd encourage you, in the future, to wear a Mudcat teeshirt, button, or patch, or at least drop by the Folk Legacy stand once in awhile & say hi. It's fun to see each other face-to-face!

Here's my list of who I saw:

Renewed acquaintance w/ Susan A-R, Barry Finn (looking good!), & the Chucks (Sorry we missed your anniversary party! We brought our splits of champange, but nobody mentioned what time on Saturday it would be. We toasted you at home Monday pm, w/ the then chilled bottles!).

Great to see kendall (Singing or not, it's always a pleasure!), Sandy & Caroline (With Folk Legacy there, it always seems like home.), karen k, Jeri (Hard to keep that girl from attending the singing events; we never get to talk!), Charlie Baum, Naemanson (Shame on you for not telling us you were w/ other Mudcatters; we never met them!), Susan of DT & dick greenhaus.

Great to meet Sinsull (Thanks for keeping us informed on kendall's condition!), Burke, Don Meixner & son.

Appreciated seeing georgeward (You probably don't remember me, but I told you at last year's Old Songs that "You Gotta Talk My Language" is one of my favorite songs!)& Mike Stroebel (Thanks for your work at Old Songs!) I was sorry to miss the Shaws, but heard they were sighted by other Mudcatters.

I already mentioned that The Muse found out the hard way that wearing a Mudcat teeshirt puts one at risk of being talked to &, possibly, hugged by strange people!

For the 2nd year in a row, we camped next to Dharmabum. We arrived Thursday night, but opted for a motel instead of setting up in pouring rain. When we set-up Friday am, Ron offered to let us attach a tarp from his van over our car to keep it cooler. Friday night turned out to be very windy. Every time the tarp flapped, it woke me up. We found out the next morning that it also rocked the van, almost throwing Ron out of bed a time or two. Needless to say, we remedied that before Saturday pm! Dharmabum couldn't have been a more congenial neighbor. Last year, kendall & Peg camped in the same area. This year, Peg was unable to come & kendall was relegated to the RV area. Although we missed their company, we really appreciated getting to know Ron better. We hope to lure him to NOMAD this fall w/ the offer of a place to stay! As both Dharmabum & Hollowfox have mentioned, our Sunday night chat at the campground w/ the 2 of them was a wonderfully mellow way to round-out the weekend. We spoke frankly about our experiences in various areas of life, but without pressing the need for others to feel or believe as we do. As it happened, we neither played nor sang music, but the connection was surely there. Thanks to both of you for being a very special part of this year's Old Songs for us!

Highlights of the program:

Friday afternoon, we were able to attend Peter Amidon's Shape Note Singing class. We had tried to sit-in on a shape note session last year & left, clueless & embarrassed that we couldn't sing along. This year, after the class, we attended festival sessions Saturday & Sunday, as well as the Book Sing Saturday afternoon & did pretty well. We hope to share some of the songs as special music at our church in the future. For those of you who aren't familiar w/ Shape Note or Sacred Harp music, the songs are similar to Christian hymns. They are written in what's meant to be a simplified scale of 4 notes, represented by shapes, to help those who don't read music to participate in 4-part a cappella singing. Each of the 4 parts sits on benches shaped to form a hollow square w/ a leader in the middle. The sound is truly glorious!

Saturday highlights for me were "What's so special about the Carter Family" w/ Ginny Hawker & Tracy Schwartz & "Songwriter's Choice" w/ Roy Book Binder, Bob Franke, Anne Hills, Alien Folklife, Jez Lowe, & Tom Paxton. We went to the beginning of the post-concert sing led by the Patons, but were just too tired to keep our eyes open. Sorry, Sandy! The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak!

Sunday, I went to Shape Note, Hymn & Gospel Sing, & Round Singing w/ Sol Weber & Joy Bennett. The highlight of the day, though, was "Spiritual Songs for Modern Times" w/ Bob Franke, Anne Hills, & Margaret MacArthur. I couldn't believe it; each song they sang just seemed to get better & better! Time w/ Patons & w/ Dharmabum & Hollowfox rounded out the weekend & sent us home Monday am still glowing w/ satisfaction! Thanks to all who contributed to what, for me, was my best Old Songs ever!

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: GUEST,Desert Dancer in the green
Date: 05 Jul 02 - 10:02 AM

Sigh...

Woodchucks, thanks for your kind offer of hospitality (a nearby tent spot) that we didn't take -- my non-singing husband thought maybe he might like to get some sleep, then I got involved with other connections and never stopped by again.

Fortunately, he had a great time in the Adirondacks, so maybe that means we'll do summer vacation in the East in late June again sometime...

Sat. nite at the Dutch Barn was fun, though another reminder I've got to work on my chorus song repertoire. When you sing mostly for yourself, you don't necessarily collect as many of those... Had to wait 'til something like 2:30 for Mr. Camsco to break the ice with a non-chorus song (and the crowd to thin) so I'd be brave enough to contribute mine. (Thanks, Dick!)

Off to Nova Scotia & PEI today, back at the home computer at the end of the month.

~ Becky, not in Tucson at the moment, in NJ

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: DonMeixner
Date: 05 Jul 02 - 12:14 AM

Bad as some local beers may be,(Probably only bad to the locals but really pretty OK to everyone else,) anything is better than Bud.

Duquesene is better than Bud. Hamm's is better than Bud. Yuengling's is better than Bud. Genie Cream is better than Bud, Piel's, Congress, Carling, Red Cap, Schafer, and Rolling Rock are all or were all once better than Bud.

My knowledge of Canadian beers is limited to Bras d'Or, Ten Penny, and IPA but guess what they are better than.

Best Beer I ever had my Brother Gary made. An ale actually but what nectar it was.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 11:51 PM

That's Old Frothingslosh Don, an Iron City product though!

I've actually enjoyed Iron City for nostalgic reasons. When I was a kid my family would be visited by hordes of relatives from the Pittsburgh area who would bring in this exotic foreign beer (at least to my young eyes!). For a local "neighborhood" beer they do all right. I wish my relatives lived a bit more in central PA, then I might have learned about Yuengling's at a younger age! My choice for PA beers.

Next year I plan on camping at Old Songs. I will be sure to brew up a batch of homebrew. I am open to suggestions for styles.

Ron

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: DonMeixner
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 09:15 PM

Iron City, the pale dry stale ale with the head on the bottom????

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 09:12 PM

IRON CITY??? Geeziz 'Fox, you got a real mean streak in you!!! Bigchuck, I'm glad you survived the Iron City, many don't.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 09:07 PM

Last night we watched THE SIXTH SENSE for the first time ever. I got through the entire film without realizing that Bruce Wiliis' psychiatrist character was actually dead the whole while.

ANGLO, I've got to thank you profusely. Just now, after reading your thoroughly modern post early in this thread, reality has finally "dawned on me" (Dracula's last words).--- As one who truly loves and appreciates what a gem of rare beauty, intellect and folkloristic integrity Margaret MacArthur truly is, the old diehard folkie that I am has finally realized, because of you, that I've been dead lo these 15 or 20 years already. Could be I ought to say, like Dick Nixon profoundly said (and I paraphrase)---"Feel good, guys; ya ain't gonna have ol' folkArt to "pick" on now." ---- And I still know what a folksong is !!! And Ms Margaret is a treasure and a true folksinger. So there! ;-) ****BIG SELF-SATISFIED GRIN****

Art Thieme

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: bigchuck
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 10:56 AM

Hollowfox, I did drink (most of) one Iron City beer. I'm glad I tried it, but the best I can say is that its not Budweiser. If I ever visit Pittsburg I'll know one thing to avoid. The 'shine, on the other hand, was sublime. Thank you.
Sandy

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Hollowfox
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 10:37 AM

Yes to all the good things folks have said. I'm back home, but my soul hasn't quite caught up with my well-traveled body yet. The rain ended just as we got on site Thursday, and we had the traditional put up the tent at dusk ritual. Thank heavens my three urchins know how to camp. I did more visiting than singing this year, but there still wasn't enough time for all the visiting I wanted to do. The hardest thing this year was choosing between the workshops. Usually it's just hard, this year it was almost painful.*g* On the other hand, I'm a Norman Kennedy addict, so that cut down on a lot of decision making. Camping by the 'Chucks is a joy. 'Nuff said. I brought a commnity six-pack of Iron City beer, just as an educational thing, you understand, and never got around to seeing if they liked/drank/could stand it. As I promised, Mmario, I raised a drink to you. It was a wooden goblet of coffee at the Burrow. My favorite performance memory this year (tied with Jake the Signer) is the Margaret MacArthur and Norman Kennedy workshop on Scottish traditions. At the end, all of us ballad junkies were stompingg, clapping wildly, and acting for all the world like a rock concert audience. It's nice to know you're not alone.*g* Jesus said that Heaven has many mansions, and one of them surely is Creature Comforts for the post-concert singingg. (For those not attending, Creature Comforts is where the staff has the privelege of eating, presided over by Jake Bryan and his most excellent crew. No cafeteria food there, if you know what I mean.) Ah, that Sunday night visit at Dharmabum's camp...sublime. Four good friends sharing thoughts, nobody trying to change anybody's mind (a problem I've had this past year on work breaks). Time is elastic at places like Old Songs, so I couldn't tell you how long that visit lasted, save that it wasn't dawn when the right time came for the visit to wind down. And then, of course, there was the Music...

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 08:09 AM

Yeah, Kendall. Context is everything. What's it mean.

I've got to say the biggest complaint I have is those tyvek proof-of-having-paid thingies. Every festival is different. Sometimes you get quieter concerts, sometimes more rambunctious. Sometimes there are acts I don't care for, often there are ones I want to follow around all weekend. There are too many workshops I want to go to scheduled at the same time, there's not enough time for chatting, there's not enough time for jamming. The festival wears me out - it's hot, I stay up too late and I have to walk all over hellenback. Aside from the Dutch Barn lighting, I don't think it could have been better.

I have to agree with George about the volunteers. I had one problem a couple of years ago. Most years, and especially this one (because it's easier to remember) the volunteers are folks who are having a good time and want to help. I know I said thanks for specific help they gave me, but I think I should just thank them for volunteering period and for the spirit they contribute to the festival - it's a BIG contribution!

And whoever thought to put a few porta-poopers in the campground so certain people didn't feel the need to go re-locate one - THANK YOU!

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 03:19 AM

Well Kendall, I'll admit it if no one else will. I'm baffled too. Is there a translation ?

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 02:01 AM

Sorry Sandy,

I think it was a race to see who would fall asleep faster, Greenhouse or me. He had the edge but Susan kept waking him up while I was unattended. I'm sure I would have pulled ahead and passed out if I hadn't stood up and hauled out.

Next year for certain.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 01:47 AM

I was disappointed that Meixner, Jeri, Duane, and a couple other 'catters had to leave the Saturday night session before I got to them. I was trying to encourage others to participate, then, when I looked around to where Jeri and Don were sitting, they were gone! Next year, friends, stay with us, please.

Caroline and I once had a signer explain to us how he had signed a particularly long and complex word. He said he simply signed "long word, starts with p" and let it go at that.

I thought it was a splendid festival and Dean is right -- Andy is one of the best organizers in the business. Her festivals have all been well run. Her volunteers are always great and never become officious. I've been to festivals at which a volunteer is given a small area of responsibility and instantly becomes an emperor. That doesn't seem to happen with Andy's crew. They deserve a lot of praise.

Sandy

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: DonMeixner
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 12:36 AM

Because I was tired, beat, and dehydrated and I had to call it something.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 10:48 PM

Why is this thread named a BS thread???? Took me forever to find it! For SHAAAAAAIME!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: kendall
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 05:05 PM

I once had a signer who was totally baffled by Maine words such as "savagrus".

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: georgeward
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 03:50 PM

Fact is, we've had the stage on the side now and again. As I recall, we started out that way. Let me kick it around with Andy et al. It makes no sense to have events at which you can't comfortably watch.

And DeanC, the bug-squashing song was one of the defining moments of this year's festival alright.

Let me add a personal sequel. The concert over, I was strolling back toward Gate 2 when I was accosted by Jake-the-signer.

"And how in the hell, " says he, "am I supposed to sign a woman playing a pump organ INSIDE a dead whale???"

He is our long-suffering iron man, for certain.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 08:52 AM

Rotating the stage, available-when-needed front-lighting, or a partial, lightweight screen curtain. John & Tony, Alison & Ken were fine in there, but I wasn't trying to watch any fingers. I was also off to the side and not in front of them.

George, I'm honored. If you want to pass my comments on to Andy or anyone else, please do. I think folks on the committee probably know what a special event Old Songs is, but it doesn't hurt to hear it from others.

TeriLu, if you were in that Sat part of the songwriting class, you probably saw me there. If you got there for the early part, you probably heard me shooting off my mouth. (Jeri was first to go with her song because Jeri was excited and couldn't keep her mouth shut. And Jeri's not being awful shy these days...)

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: DeanC
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 08:50 AM

Carly, Sam and I also had a great time at Old Songs. We hadn't been there for quite a few years (Sam hadn't been born yet), and we were delighted to see that it was at least as good as before. We can't help but look at festivals from an organization point of view as well as artistic, and we both thought it was one of the best organized and well run festivals we have been to.

For me one of the best moments of the festival was during the first half of the Friday evening concert. Margaret MacArthur finished her set with "A Bug Squashing Party." During the first chorus she glanced at the signer and started laughing. She said, "I can't look at him" which made the whole audience watch him. She continued to laugh through the rest of the song, and the signer proceeded to put on a great show for the rest of us. It was one of the funniest unplanned moments I have seen on stage.

On Saturday Sam and I went to hear the funny songs workshop which was pretty funny though I can't remember any of the songs. On our way back we passed the Street Corner where there was a northern music jam going on. Sam was grabbed by the hammer dulcimers and decided to stay there - for the rest of the weekend. He could read there while absorbing music. He also got a chance to play around on a hammer dulcimer. I think we may have a convert.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Midchuck
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 07:13 AM

I meant to say "stage." The state should be gotten rid of entirely.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Midchuck
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 07:11 AM

George, I apologize for saying what I really felt - I guess. On the other hand, all committees are idiots, in a collective sense. Everyone knows that. So I wasn't guilty of any real abuse.

The Dutch Barn is a beautiful building, but that doesn't make the problem any less real. I concur with DB that the most effective fix, while keeping the ventilation and the natural lighting, both of which are to be desired, would be to rotate 90 degrees, with the state at one "side" or the other, rather than the "back." But I don't know if the state is a permanent installation or not.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Dharmabum
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 07:06 AM

I must concur on the lighting issue in the dutch barn. I was listening to two silhouettes of Ginny Hawker & Tracy Schwartz on Saturday.

Easily remedied by moving the performance stage over by ten feet, or on one of the side walls.

The doors could still be left open.

DB.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: georgeward
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 12:41 AM

Jeri, I'm saving your paragraph about magic. I don't often need reminders about why we do this. But that's for when I do.

Ron, the song is in the DT as "Captain Billy and the Whale". And there, also, you'll find Fran Caracillo's account of what is known of the real whale's provenance and demise.

Midchuck, the idiots involved with backlighting in the Dutch Barn R us - the program committee (idiocy is always easier and more fun in committee). I gather you really felt it was that bad. Anyone else agree ? We'll certainly keep it in mind. Problem is, those big end doors are authentic 18th century climate control.

Terilu, sorry I missed you too. -G

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: TeriLu
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 12:16 AM

Well, here's my two cents. Didn't see any specifiic mudcatters except Jeri and George W from a distance. Don't know you all enough yet, but I like the idea of identifying garments... Great to see Jeri after all these years - we amazed each other by not having aged in 30 yrs! Must be the old songs keeping us young! Some other time, Jeri! (come to Saratoga!) I sold my bowed psaltery, which covered my husband and my tix and food for Saturday. Couldn't do more than that - too many family and friend obligations. First time in 18 years going to Old Songs. Great to see so many friends from around the Capital District, musicians and listeners. Got to know some people better, with interesting conversations, met a lot of new folks from all over. Enjoyed two fiddle workshops and the flatpicking workshop - that guy is amazing! Listened in on the 2nd half of the Bob franke workshop - wish I'd been part of that! Favorites always Tom Paxton, Anne Hills, Barachois and Roger the Jester - love that guy! (keep your ears open for another french acadian group named Matapat) Wish I could have been there for the weekend and camped. Maybe next year. Would have loved to hear Mike Agranoff -been a fan for years! Hung out with 8th Steppers, and Sarah Pyrtle. Sorry I never got to say hi,or hug George! Peace, Terilu

Terilu

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:13 PM

It was GRREEEAAAATTTTT! Wonderful time. Loved Jez Loe, he was a big smash for me, super. Shouldn't have written off Anne Hills so fast in the past because of the singer/songwritter lable. Anne Hills, NexTradition, Jez Lowe, Norman Kennedy & John & Tony had to be a best. Another best was in the Dutch Barn, again with John & Tony & the NexTradition, that was pure magic, pure fun & a pure musical orgasm. Listening to David Jones is like seeing & hearing what alot of others try to be, as usual, he's got some kind of nack. The best part though for me is always the late night informal singing, in the barn (fri eve), at creature comforts (Sat eve) or out the among the campsites (any time, eve or day). Saw Susan AR, she was fiddling 5 feet above her chair, wings & all fluttering, playing a trio alongside of Allen Block. It was real great to see old faces, catter's (way to many to list) & others (again, way to many to list) alike, it looks like I missed a bunch (again, again, way to way to list, SOB!), never time enough to see & hear everyone nor enough to do everything, (that's the only draw back, well, except that Naemanson passes out far to early for such a young HAH fellow). No it's not a Foxhollow but Foxhollow was no Old Songs either (both are damn close to as much fun though.
Charlie, your Yankzee River Shanty is on it's start for quite a journey, as such a great song should be. Nice to see & hear Kendall having a such good recovery.
Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: bigchuck
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 09:14 PM

Brett, your beer doesn't miss you at all. It's sitting in my refrigerator as I write, and is beginning to look necessary on such a steamy night. But there won't be any of it left for next year, I gare-on-tee.
Sandy

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 07:18 PM

Great "reporting" group! Those of us who are reading get that great feeling of what it was like.....I hate it when these things run to comments like, "I had a good time."

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 06:59 PM

Sorry Peter but I am not the only one who gets the various 'chucks confused. There are so damn many of you. On the other hand, I thought Ten Ton Molly was named Rose...I believe I have been referred to as "legally blonde" more than once.
Now I remember...Ian and Andrea put up my "tent".

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Dahlin
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 01:10 PM

I certainly agree with all the comments about the high lights of Old Songs. On Friday I had one of my own. I went into the Dutch Barn on Friday Evening to view the Photos of FoxHollow. Having gone to FoxHollow for many years the photos brought back a lot of memories. (Mostly good). The youthful appearance of the performers from '67 and '70 did put the passage of time into prespective. (I certainly haven't changed that much since then?!) When I returned to my seat at the main stage, Chris and Maire were just starting. Sitting there listening to the sound of the guitar and harp while looking up at the trees swaying to the breeze I was brought back to that other festival in a hollow a little further North. Old Songs is not Foxhollow, no festival could ever be, but it's the closest I,ll come to in my lifetime. Thanks Andy and all your crew for keeping that magical spirit alive and well

Dick Dufresne

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:56 AM

Peter, did Todd write a song about a dog. Anybody else you know? Got these lyrics here...

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Midchuck
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:30 AM

The High Points:

Chris Newman and Beppe Gambetta's jam together Saturday morning in area 2. Chris told me that they had only played together once before, and that not for very long. They could have been working together regularly for 20 years, from the sound of it.

Chris and Maire's main stage set on Friday night. I didn't see the whole concert, and I confess to totally missing the point of the performers (Sticks and whatever) that were on just before them, but I don't see how anyone can claim that a concert that included that set was too slow.

Our delayed 35th anniversary party at Woodchuck Heaven on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to Sinsull for the Mumms; I'm sorry there wasn't enough to go around and the common people had to drink the cheap California champagne we brought. And thanks to Mike Agranoff for wandering in and accepting my request for the full "Ballad of Jake and Ten Ton Molly," which I had heard Bill Staines do a couple of times 15 or 20 years ago, and hadn't heard since.

Chris coming back and playing my new-to-me Collings 000-2H for the better part of an hour Saturday night. I think if he'd had the cash on hand and I wanted to sell it, it would have been gone. Now, dammit, there's stuff programmed into it that I can never decode. I do wish, though, that he'd refrained from using the term, "smashing" to describe it. I know what "smashing" means in British English, but it still makes me nervous in the context of a guitar.

Kendall's one-liners.

The French Roast that Jeri brought in for the coffee mess.

Having both of my offspring there. But I missed the cats. They would have loved it, when it wasn't raining.

The Low Points:

The monsoon that hit just as we arrived, and forced us to huddle under the big tarp and swill beer to avoid hypothermia for 2 hours before we could set up our tents - and then we had to fight for the high and - relatively - dry spots.

Chris's Friday afternoon class in the Dutch Barn. Chris is one of the all-time great guitarists, and a good teacher. But what idiot had the idea of having an instrumental teaching session in a space where the main lighting is from the big open door behind the instructor? How do you learn anything, trying to watch the hands and fingers of someone you can see only in sillouette?

Sinsull referring to "Midchuck's son-in-law." This is scary, as I have no son-in-law. There were two people beating on the blue Johnson. Todd, the owner of it (the one with the whiskers) is Bigchuck's son-in-law. No relation. I disclaim him utterly. Though his daughters are fine people. I wonder if Dee fooled around. The long narrow one, Ian, is my son. Andrea is my daughter. Both are unmarried.

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Peg
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:01 AM

well, I am so glad everyone had a great time! I missed being there but I just got back from England on Thursday and I think it would have been impossible to work it ut logistically...

Congratulations on winning that guitar Dharmabum!!! Way to go! Taylors are very nice instruments.

I hope I can make it next year; I had a great time last year...

peg

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: MMario
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:00 AM

Hope you weren't driving when you dozed off on the road!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: kendall
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 09:52 AM

Had a hellava time getting there, the sky opened up just as I left rt 90. It was so dark I couldn't see my directions, so, I went into a little store for directions, and the guy thought he could speak English. Hell, he didn't know where HE was, let alone where I wanted to be! Somehow, I made it, and, it was worth the hassle. As always, it was great fun to hang out with the Woodchucks, and to swap stories with all. I didn't get to see much of the stage show what with all the wandering around I did. Chatting with Tom Paxton about mutual friends was nice, he is so down to earth. The Folk Legacy booth was, as usual, the center of the earth, another national treasure. I slept for 12 solid hours when I got home; that was after dozing off two or three times on the road. Gotta get rested up for next year.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 09:28 AM

Well, I had a great time cleaning out the refrigerator and straightening up the livingroom...sigh. Maybe, next year when I'm not fried from a trek out to Michigan and back.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 09:23 AM

Well, it must be time to sign back in with my take on the weekend...

DAMN GOOD!

Is that good enough? It was only my third visit to Old Songs and only my second to see the whole weekend. I had a great time. Regrets? Yes. I wish I had camped on site. I also wish I could be in two or three places at the same time.

Murrey, you and Dahlin and your mother were fine to travel with and I had a good time. I am willing to do it again. However, I think if I can ever get back to Old Songs again I will stay on the site. The motel is just too far from the site.

I went to Old Songs with money in my poscket for the first time. Plus I took my six string banjo along and sold it at the instrument exchange. The result? I came away with quite a pile of CDs and music books. And I bought a new kazoo. The button booth was a favorite, bought buttons for family members and friends.

And then the music. Jez is, as always great. That man is a bloody genius with words. Tony and John were fabulous. Barachois was a new experience for me. They should bottle that energy. I needed to meet with Beppe Gambetta for information on Italian Traditional music so I made a point of going to one of his workshops. There is a guy with talent oozing out all over that guitar. And I finally have heard a harp guitar played. NexTradition, Roy Bookbinder, Tom Paxton and Anne Hills, Rose Tattoo, the list goes on and on. It was all wonderful.

Interesting story. Charley Noble wrote music to a poem (Yangtze River) he found in a collection called Sailor With A Banjo. He has been singing it around and then Dahlin began leading it in our group. Dahlin has recorded it on our new CD, Outward Bound. Barry Finn heard Charley sing it and, uh, "borrowed" it from him. John Roberts heard Barry sing it and is in the process of "borrowing" it from Barry. And this weekend I was present as John and Barry talked about it and the changes they've made to the tune. The folk process in action. I pulled Dahlin into the conversation and completed the circle.

Ah, what a lovely time and weekend.

Oh, and I hope my beer was not ignored at the Wood chuck compound. I did intend to get back and drink it that evening but things just didn't work out that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Noreen
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 09:23 AM

Oh Jeri, that is WONDERFUL! I know exactly what you mean... I've gone all goosepimply now, thinking about it. The more of those connections made, the better.

Noreen

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 09:19 AM

George, I should have mentioned that I thought you were an outstanding MC! I loved the song you did about the stuffed (or was it pickled?) whale. What was the name of that one?

You make a good point about Friday night concerts and the audience being in a different frame of mind. Again, I don't think anyone was really knocking Friday nights performers - all were excellent. The pacing was a bit slower than most nights, but that isn't necessarily a problem!

Ron

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 08:44 AM

Damn. I'm still wishing I bought Chris & Maire's CD early on.

George, it may really be that it was just Friday. My limited attention span is usually non-existant on Fri. Also - I normally don't even sit down for Fri concerts - I wander around, talk to people and look at all the beautiful crafts I can't afford. This year was different. I sat and listened. So did more people than I've ever seen on a Fri night. The festival keeps growing year after year but somehow manages to keep the feeling of a small group of friends and friendly strangers. I shared cinnamon almonds with the woman next to me on Fri. I was invited to park my chair on somone's tarp on Sat - along with about 5 teenage kids. Someone asked to record the song I'd written for the class, and I wish I'd had a recorder and asked the young guy who wrote the song for his mother if I could record him because it was a Damned Fine Song.

I have an odd definition of magic. I think it's what happens when connections, often seeming uncanny, are made between people. Singing together seems to make this happen more than any other activity because folks have to pull together. People have to listen as well as sing. When we're ALL part of the chorus, we meet each other's eyes in the audience or on the road and think "Ah! One of US!" Old Songs isn't just a festival - it's a community centered around music. It's an old-style community where neighbors come to visit and you don't have to lock your doors. Maybe it's passing on a bit more than only musical traditions.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: georgeward
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 03:27 AM

Hugs are always o.k. bbc!

And - having lost Vaughn in December - I valued every one of you whom I managed to see (and everyone I missed) more even if it was hard now and then. As fractious as we are, this folk-whatever is a very special community.

When Tom Paxton accepted his lifetime achievement award from ASCAP at the Folk Alliance, one remark of his struck me: "All I ever wanted was to be a part of this community." Couldn't most of us say the same ?

(And anyone who can be as much of a satirist and gadfly and as gracious - or maybe graceful - as Tom deserves a ruddy lifetime achievement award..at least one)

As Fri night's MC, I value the comments about the feel of the Friday concert, even though my take on it is different. I had a few similar comments at the Festival (and some that went the other way, as well). Mostly with something added to the effect that the second half had more energy.

But sheesh! Think back over that first half: GrooveMama, Margaret AND Meghan MacArthur (whom an awful lot of people loved), Tales and Scales and then Chris and Maire.

My own experience is that Friday gigs just don't take off as fast as Saturday ones. As audience, we're in a different place,and it takes a while to shed our workweek heads. Jeri's remark about having just driven five hours to get there fits here. 's why I've been heard to say my idea of a good Friday gig is playing in a three-chord garage band.

Anyway, remarks heard and valued. Damn, it was fun! -G

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: Murrey
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 01:18 AM

After four years of not going to Old Songs it was wonderful to be there again and meet up with some old friends and make some new ones.Susan A-R its always wonderful to here someone else has become a Jez Lowe fan !!!He's been around awhile and just great that you've discovered him --now pass it around . Great moment --hearing Tony Barrand and John Roberts sing and the crazy -zany Barachois -and visiting --there IS one problem -it never seems long enough to catch up with everyone and all the music --ah well there's always next year -- oh yeah and I must say Naemason your a pretty good traveler--you can come with us anytime !!~! murrey

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Old Songs
From: bbc
Date: 01 Jul 02 - 09:41 PM

Duane D. & I had a really wonderful weekend! I promise I will post more detail tomorrow. For me, I think this was the best Old Songs weekend I've attended--lots of good music to hear & to participate in, combined w/ old & new friends. Who needs more than that?! Anglo, I'm sorry we didn't meet. Also, Ron Olesko. Dropping by the Folk Legacy stand and/or wearing a Mudcat teeshirt or button alerts other Mudcatters to one's presence. TheMuse found that out! We saw her Mudcat teeshirt across the way & Duane ran right up to her & asked which Mudcatter she was! Shortly after, Dharmabum did the same. georgeward was well-dressed on Sunday in a Mudcat teeshirt & Folk Legacy baseball cap. I was unable to resist going up & giving him a hug (Hope that was ok, George!). We saw Burke's Mudcat shirt at the Shape Note class on Friday, but she got away before we could greet her. Thankfully, she identified us the next day. It's such fun meeting members of our community! There was a lot of hugging this weekend. Never too much, though!

best from bbc (still glowing)