April Shanty Session at the Press Room

Subject: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 04:00 PM

Next Saturday, 12 April is the date for the fourth monthly Shanty and Forebitter Session at the Press Room in Portsmouth NH, from 3:30 to 7:30 PM. Since Naemanson and Charley Noble are "jumping ship" this month we could use a couple of new voices. Last month, Tinker made the trek all the way from New Jersey. Anyone want to best that record? Weather is supposed to be in the sweltering '50s.

See you nest week -- Tom

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 11:41 AM

Sad to miss this one, Tom, but this will give everyone else the opportunity to try leading "our songs" without the embarrassment of us being there. Actually, I for one usually enjoy hearing others try one of my songs.

I do wish them folks down at NYC would have had the courtesy to shift their Chantey Sing to a non-competitive week-end.

Have another great afternoon and evening!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 09:16 AM

Charley -- Maybe you can change their thinking while you're there. Have a great time -- Tom

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 03:56 PM

We're hoping a few singers who have been threatening to come will join us -- you know who you are! (And a few non-Mudcatters.)

After all, it IS spring -- and all those nasty winter chores and obstacles should be history.

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 07:58 PM

Linn,
We had 6" of snow on Saturday, at least. NYC is getting 3-6" today. I ain't stowing my long johns for a while yet.
Mary

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 07:38 AM

So when has wearing long johns kept anyone from gathering together to sing?

We got the 6" too -- and it's snowing right now.

I may even have a parody about Portsmouth sidewalks ready for Saturday.

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 03:48 PM

I hate to drive, but, this may just be enough incentive for me to bite the bullet. So, How do I get there from Newport, Rhode Island.? send PM.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 05:42 PM

Oh my! The Cranky Yankee in person. Time to drag out the ceremonial cat'n nine tails.

Does anyone know if Brian is recovered enough to ride down? He probably can't sing or even play his whistle. But I bet he can manage a Guinness through a straw.

I expect to be there. Some personal stuff may interfere but...

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 06:25 PM

I would love to go to listen, of course, because my jaws are banded shut from my surgery,if I could get a ride. Charley Noble and Naemanson who are my usual ride are going off to NYC. Sinsull, ya goin' my way?

Brían

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 07:30 PM

Oh, please, Brian -- come. You're so much a part of the group, even if you can only listen and add to the background information. Besides, music is good for the body and the soul.

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 06:10 PM

Brian,
My sense of direction is hopeless. PM me your address and directions. This time include your phone number. I will pick you up about 2PM.
Mary

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 06:51 PM

And the rest of us will pray for you.

Sins, just head South (that's DOWN on the map). You run out of Maine when you hit the Piscataqua. And the town you see on the other side of any of the 3 bridges over the river is Portsmouth. Aim for the tall white steeple (but try not to hit it). The Press Room is a block away back towards the river.

See you there!

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 09:49 PM

I meant to Brian's house. DOH!

Brian and I will be there and possibly Brett and a friend if his knee can handle it. Kendall is practicing tying knots so he is a "no-show".

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 10:39 PM

Hey Cranky Yankee it'll be great to see/hear you there. Follow RT#95 north to the last N.H. exit, #7 (if you hit Maine good luck, you may even run down Kendall) at the end of the ramp (lights) go right. Head straight into town (Portsmouth) keeping the river & tugs on your left shoulder. As you get into the main part (not center) of town head up the hill & through the lights bearing right after the lights (not the sharp right at the set of lights. At the end of that block will be the center of town. On your right coming into the center will Be Daniels Street (a one way coming at you). The Press room is 1 block down from the center. I'd wait on using my directions I possitive Bat Goddess will do much better as soon as she see's your question. Good luck & see ya. Barry

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 12:03 AM

Thanks a lot, Sinsull. I went to the doctor today and he says I'm doing great. The bones are lined up the way they're supposed to be and I only lost about 5 pounds which is only half of what they expected. I'm talking more clearly, though I doubt I'll be leading any shanties :-). I walked about 2 miles this morning. I didn't sleep very well, but I seem to be getting my strength back. I am off the ghastly pain medication and am walking around with some low grade pain except when I'm foolish enough to yawn or stretch my jaws in any way. It'll be a couple months before I can sing again, but I have no reason to think I won't be singing as well or better when I come through the other side. I am playing my fiddle a little in the morning and night because I go nuts not being able to get my mouth around a whistle or flute to play a jig or reel or sing a song. I am really looking forward to coming Saturday to see and hear everybody singing.

Brían

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 08:04 AM

Looks like Nor is planning to attend, and you may see Brett if he can figure how to navigate with his banged up knee.

Rolling down to Brooklyn for a load of dreidels,
Way, me boys, for Brooklyn!
Stuffing meself with lox and bagels,
Way, me boys, for Brooklyn!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 01:47 PM

Right now it looks like we'll have a pretty potent line-up for the session, even without Charley. Weather is supposed to be windy, 50s, with some sun. We may have a new bartender, so patience and tolerance will come in handy.

See you on Saturday -- Tom

BTW, Charley, lox are fishes, but do bagels count as hardtack?

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 07:05 PM

Looks like we have Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island represented. Not bad!

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 08:28 PM

Who's coming from Mass?

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 09:36 PM

Massachusetts is represented by Tyler Buck.

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 07:37 AM

Look what popped up on the Shenandoah thread in 2000:Subject: RE: Song info:
From: Downeast Bob - PM
Date: 05 Aug 00 - 08:50 AM
In The Mudcat Shop: Shenandoah , Let the Bullgine Run

Lee Murdock, in his Folk Songs of the Great Lakes Region study guide says "This song is thought to have come from boatmen on the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers during the mid 1800s. It was also sung by Great Lakes sailors and, eventually found its way onto the salt seas in an adapted form." Then he claims the song was used as a "capstan shanty."
His first statement makes sense to me, but this ain't no capstain chantey. Sailing ships on the lakes must have had capstans, which are big winches used primarily to raise heavy anchors. Riverboats had no need for them. In any case, the rhythym of "Shenandoah" is nothing at all like the rhythm of a capstant chantey.

In 1969, I spent some time in the crew of a full-rigged ship and I know from experience that capstan chanteys have a rather fast almost staccato rhythm. Six crew nenbers would insert six heavy spokes into the capstan and use these to turn the capstan as we marched around it in a circle, with short, powerful steps, our feet pushing against wooden slats attached to the deck as treads.

Our bosun was folksinger Jody Gibson, of Newport, R.I, and when we had to man the capstan, he used chanteys with a fast, regular beat, like Santy Ano, or Clear the Track Let the Bullgine Run. The graceful, slow and flowing lines of Shenandoah would have been useless.

Cranky Yankee, right?

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 08:27 AM

That's him, Mary. And as far as I know, he'll be making the trek North from RI to join us tomorrow -- Tom

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 10:05 AM

I will be there with a friend. Sins, if your car can handle four adults, a guitar, and crutches we could ride with you. I don't believe your car can do that, though, so I may have to drive down in my little pickup. Fortunately, with the handicap placard, I should be able to find a good parking space.

How are the sidewalks? Clear of snow and ice? Crutches aren't funny when they slip out from under you.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 10:51 AM

Tom and Linn-

To properly enjoy lox you need to have a quey...

Have a good time on Saturday. Nor may be able to convince Dick Dufresne to come with him.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, adrift in Brooklyn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 11:50 AM

Brett -- The sidewalks should be clear. If not, I'll post otherwise tomorrow AM. There are no designated handicapped places right near the Press Room, but your handicapped card/sticker allows you to park in any spot without having to feed the meter. I'll also scout out the closest HC space this afternoon.

Till tomorrow -- Tom

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Just another Dave
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 04:40 PM

Sounds like you could use a Connecticut rep...just to help round things out.
Barring any major difficulties, I am hoping to attend.
Do I hear anyone from Vermont?? (Just to make it a New England sweep.)

Dave

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 06:23 PM

Brett,
It will hold four but I doubt that you will be comfortable. Up to you.
Mary

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: kendall
Date: 11 Apr 03 - 07:19 PM

Brett, if you ride in Mary's car, be sure to bring a bale of hay to feed your "Charlie horses"

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 01:44 AM

just a note on Shenandoah: Both Stan Hugill in Shanties From The Seven Seas and Frederick Pease Harlow in Chanteying Aboard American Ships have Shenandoah as a capstan chantey, and according to Hugill, also a pumping chantey. Hugill writes: "It was one of the most popular of all capstan and windlass shanties..." He goes on to point out that "Shenandoah" was pronounced in many different ways, and was sometimes omitted altogether for another name, but was basically cut from the same song. He gives a "Shenandoah' version in the book.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 08:14 AM

It's raining now, and will probably continue to do so for most of the day. On the bright side though, there seems to be no ice and a lot less snow.

Amy, our regular bartender will be there and Kate, our waitress, will be coming on board at 3:30; less waiting for beer.

No Vermonters Dave; no seaports there.

See you this PM -- Tom

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 08:24 AM

Tom-

Lake Champlain with it's sea monster?

Charley Noble, still adrift in the Big Apple

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 09:27 AM

Rain means parking will be easier to find. Got a spot smack in front of the Press Room last night. Susan A-R is from Vermont, but we haven't heard from her in a bit. Must get Hugill out and read up on Shenandoah.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 09:32 AM

I have got to get away for a couple of rambles before I go mad. Got to get to the Press Room to sing with these folks, and to see friends............and get a hug from my Jeri. Then we need to get a hold of Marum and head for Toronto for a bit of Rick's warmth and Heathers magnificent smile, and all of our other friends there.............mumble, mumble, bitch, moan.......

Mick, missing his friends.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 09:48 AM

Susan has threatened to arrive for previous sessions -- then something came up, I think. She needs bus connections or a ride -- and I think you can only get to or from Portsmouth by bus from Massachusetts.

Hey, Mick! We miss you, too! Lots of hugs floating around the Press Room -- not to mention good music and a few hours' relief from the war.

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 09:50 AM

Linn..........hugs from you and Tom are a rare treat. Besides, I can sing the old lefty, wobbly songs with Tom and he gets it..........Shit, I just have to get away sometime this year.....

Mick

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: karen k
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 10:53 AM

Only about 3 hours for me to Portsmouth. When is the May session? Can't make it today although I thought about it. Sure wanted CT to be represented.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 10:57 AM

I woke up this morning with a cold - coughing, sneezing, runny nose - very attractive. Sorry, guys. Not this time. Damn! I did want to meet Jody.

I called Brian. see if i can get a hold of Brett. Maybe Brian can still make it.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:30 AM

Brian

I'm leaving early. Sins should be calling you too. I need to do a little shopping in Portsmouth and I move slowly with these crutches.

I will be at your door in about 40 minutes from the time on this post. If you want to pass just let me know then.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:32 AM

Brian will be ready for you. Have fun! and I am going back to bed. Sarah Bernhardt style. I do suffer thru a cold.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:48 PM

So, Sins -- which of the cats is going to wait on you?

(Actually, that's not so important if you can get them all to lie on top of you and purr.)

Got a good book? Or a good movie? And equal parts of honey, lemon and bourbon -- warm -- good for the cough, etc. and, after enough of it, you don't care about the other symptoms either.

Tickle Alice behind the ears for me -- and feel better soon.

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Tinker
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 02:51 PM

Ohh, Sins I'm so sorry. Similar strain has been running through our house for the last two weeks. Lots of hot tea and rest. Let the cats cuddle .... Sorry I can't ramble back down but this weekend is my daughter's musical. Take care.

Kathy

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 08:13 PM

Awake from my nap. Wasted day...anybody back yet? Kendall called while I was asleep - he was headed down. Kendall and Cranky Yankee in one room. What a night to have a runny nose!

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 08:57 PM

Cranky Yankee was a no-show. Hope he didn't get lost of have anything unpleasant happen to change his plans.

The good news, though, is now the house has had the winter detritus cleared out a bit. So I've got a fighting chance of the guest room staying shoveled out until Micca lands in our neck of the woods in October. (Yes, anyone who's seen our place knows it could take that long!)

Good session -- but I have a cat screaming for dinner (which is late because of the session) so I'll have to post more later.

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: kendall
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 10:28 PM

That was a very nice session. Didn't hear anything I didn't like! Been avoiding such gatherings because of the smoke, and, the fact that my voice is so unpredictable. Sometimes it's not too bad, other times it sounds like George C. Scott immitating Elmer Fudd.
Having the young lady from public radio there was a great idea, she had been to a previous session, and thought it should be recorded.

As usual, I was unable to get through the poem Loch Archre, I choke on that one every time.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 08:16 AM

I must admit ti was awful difficult for a singer to sit through four hours like that without singing. I might have been heard mumbling throug somr choruses with gritted teeth(hopefully not on National Public radio)!

I had three requests, all of which I heard: THE HARP WITHOUT THE CROWN, ANDREW ROSE(must hve a little blood and guts) and SAMMY'S BAR(which I didn't actually request, but got sung anyway).

Brían

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 09:19 AM

It was a grand, robust session despite the colds now running through so many noses. JustanotherDave once again won the longest distance award for his long drive up from CT.

It was especially nice to have microphone weilding Raquel Maria Dillon from New Hampshire Public Radio there. She now has to distill 3+ hours of recording and interviews into a five minute space. She expects to have it on air in about three weeks at which time I will post the time and call letters as well as the website for those out of earshot of NHPR.

Once again, a masterful job was done by all -- Tom

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 11:45 AM

Now Linn and Tom, you should be able to provide more detail than that. Not a single brawl? No one's head shoved through a bore-on? No ultimate parody of a parody? Sign, and I couldn't even set the VCR to record it!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, on his way to Bellport, Long Island

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 12:07 PM

There seem to be a whole lot more hula girls than there ever were before. You wanna hear my Mary Ellen Carter one-verse-and-the-chorus parody? No. It'll get me into trouble with (at least) half the people at Mudcat.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 12:35 PM

No, Jeri, it won't -- cuz it's not really a parody, just using the same tune and, of course, a line from the chorus (which makes you want to think it's a parody).

Good session and with less than usual dinner hour background noise. I think a lot of people were being specifically quiet (not with 'tween song comments, which are definitely encouraged!) but with things like slamming rest room doors, etc. probably because of Raquel's microphone's presence. But it didn't change the dynamics of the session, which is good.

Thanks, Just Another Dave, for doing "Survivor's Leave" -- really appropriate in the current situation:

    "Oh, there's got to be a reason to heal all the hurts and lesions,
    On the killing ground, it's too bad to believe.
    What's the use of disagreeing, when you're fighting and not seeing,
    And the whole world can't be on survivor leave?"

Kendall! Fantastic to finally get you there! I TOLD you Saturday afternoons aren't that smoky!

Linn

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Just another Dave
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 02:18 PM

Thanks to all for another truly satisfying session!

Hope I can make it back for another one soon.

Great music -- Good company.

Dave

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 03:38 PM

Great Session! Brian and I were a pair, him silent and me on crutches. He was kind enough to play guitar sherpa for a while for which I thank him.

Lots of good music and plenty of fun. Not as boisterous between songs but I really think that was because people were being polite about the recording by NHPR.

I even dared to play my guitar for once.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: kendall
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 05:34 PM

Brett, I'm still willing to give you twice what you paid for that guitar.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 07:30 PM

Sorry Kendall, $140 isn't going to get that guitar away from me.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 07:51 PM

Brett, I suspect you've been doing something folkies aren't known for - practicing. Guitar playin' sounded good!

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 08:03 AM

Thanks, Jeri. I have to confess that I have actually been playing my guitar since I began to perk up. But there is a lot to be said for playing among forgiving friends too.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 04:05 PM

And if you take that guitar with you to Guam, we'll be expecting virtuosity on your return. Who's organising the going away party?

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,Hutch
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 04:42 PM

Tom and Linn, That was an excellent sesion last Saturday. Next time I won't make plans so I can stay until the end.

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 05:09 PM

Thanks, Hutch. Now its time for you to stop being a "guest." Sign on and join the family you're already part of -- Tom

Subject: RE: April Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 07:06 PM

I second the motion.

Brían