July Shanty Session at the Press Room

Subject: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 08:32 AM

It's that time again. Next Saturday, 12 July, is the date for the monthly shanty/forebitter session at the Press Room in Portsmouth NH. It seems so long since the last one which was sparsely attended due to conflicts with Mystic and a local graduation party and Brett's transferral to Guam. And then there was the conflict in May which kept Linn and Jeri and Kevin and I away.
Really hope to see all the regulars back together again -- Tom

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 09:29 AM

Tom-

Nor and I are looking forward to attending this one.

It would be nice to see a few other "out-of-state guests" attending as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 10:11 AM

Twill be good to see you both again. JustanotherDave is on vacation and has a place in Maine; maybe he'll show.

The radio spot that Raquel did for NHPR was rebroadcast on Here and Now, an NPR news mag out of WBUR in Boston. I happened to be tuned in when they read letters, one of which wanted to know where the sessions were. Some new mates perhaps?

See you next Saturday -- Tom

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 01:02 PM

I expect to be in Bethel searching for tourmaline with some rock enthusiasts. Sorry.

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 06:35 PM

Mary -- Are you sure? The weather forecast calls for clouds and rain in Bethel that day, whereas the Press Room will be snug and (libations excepted) dry   -- Tom

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 07 Jul 03 - 09:38 AM

I hope to be there.

Brían

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 07 Jul 03 - 11:13 AM

Good to hear from you Brian. Just got word that Edmund (CET) will be making the long trek from Toronto for the weekend.

So, who else?

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,Heely
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:10 AM

Just interrupting your thread to ask when your August session is planned. We are travelling from the Scottish Games in Maxville Ontario Aug 1 and 2, and would love to plan to visit the Press Room on our return trip. Heely and Wilson from the Tanners Creek Whalers in Norfolk VA.

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 09:13 AM

The August session will be on the 9th. Will be looking forward to meeting you at that time. Let me know if you need directions or more details -- Tom

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 10:44 AM

I'll be seeing all of you then. Barry

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,Heely
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 10:50 AM

Thank you for the info. We will look at our trip plans and let you know if we can swing over your way on the 9th. Thank you. It has been fun reading your Chantey banter. We would welcome any of you to our sessions at Rebel Marine in Willoughby Bay, Norfolk. Second Tuesday of each month. Thanks again. Heely

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 06:34 PM

Glad to hear you're coming Barry. Looking forward to reports of Mystic from you and Charley and Nor and others.

Heely, really hope you can make it. I haven't looked up Maxville on the map, but we have a few people who travel to Ontario on a regular basis and should be able to provide you with good travel plans -- Tom

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 07:47 PM

Linn just reminded me that Edmund is coming from OTTAWA not Toronto.

Tom

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,Heely
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 10:35 PM

Tom, Maxville is near Ottowa or Cornwall (sp.) I attended the games there a couple years ago. Since then, we have been in Glasgow Scotland and Australia during August.
I believe that the route is fairly easy with the interstate systems. We would just need "intown" directions. We need to time out our trip to see if we can be in the area on the 9th. We'll let you know. If not, we may come through anyway just to see where you are and have a cold one. We had our sing tonight at Rebel Marine. I mentioned your sessions to the group incase anyone travels that way. Capt Lane Briggs is on his way to Maine tomorrow, so he may stop in. Beware. Our Best wishes to all. Heely

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: CET
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 05:52 AM

Heely, www.mapquest.com is a good source of directions. According to Mapquest the time between Ottawa and Portsmouth is 7 hours and 16 minutes. I don't know if that includes time for rest. I would also recommend AAA.

The Press Room is a good place for a beer even without the singing.

Edmund

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 06:11 AM

And remember there's music weekly at the Friday trad sessions as well (including sea music) -- those start at 4-ish in the afternoon and go until just before 9.

There's other music at the Press Room as well, though not participatory or folkish. Lots of jazz and blues, etc. and even some retro rock on weekends.

And, like Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, the Press Room is a great place for a beer.

Linn

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 06:14 AM

Oh, and directions to the Press Room have been posted in other shanty threads and various other places. Should I post them again?

I mean detailed directions other than "aim for the white steeple in the middle of the town (Market Square), back off one block back on Daniel Street towards the Piscataqua River and it's across the street from the main Post Office and the Federal Building."

Linn

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 07:11 AM

Can't make it on the 12th, but there's a good chance I'll be there on Friday the 25th! And then Gordon Bok in Newbury, Mass. on the 26th...and before that, a San Diego jam with Amos and the gang on the 19th! All this, and having my daughter with me, too. Heaven, I'm in heaven... (then, of course, I get to go back home to paradise!)

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 07:42 AM

Cool! I'll get a chance to meet my Secret Santee! (And add another 'Catter to my Life List.)

By the way, so my short version directions above don't confuse anyone, Daniel Street (where the Press Room is located) and Congress Street (same street a block west in Market Square) are both one way -- going AWAY from the river. State Street, one block south, is one way going TOWARDS the river. It is often necessary to circle the block in one direction or another in order to find parking close to the Press Room. Please see the directions in previous threads for more details.

Linn

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 08:45 AM

Looks like I'll be missing you on 7/25 as I'll be resident in San Francisco for that week. Maybe we'll encounter each other in Detroit Metro, take a quick run down to Greektown for a wonderful meal at the Helas, assuming they're still in business.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,Heely
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 09:24 AM

Thank you all for the directions, I did see them before on other threads. Hope to see you soon. Heely

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 10:26 AM

Heely -- Hope you were/are able to get this info to Capt. Briggs before he leaves for Maine. Of course Maine is a very big state. Depending where he's going it could be a fifteen minute drive to Portsmouth, or ten hours. Hope to see him and you at some point -- Tom

BTW, why don't you join Mudcat; PMs allow for the passing of information too
specialised to be part of a normal thread.

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Just another Dave
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 01:00 PM

Hey curmudgeon! -- Thanks for thinking of me. It was my intention to get back there this summer,and I was really looking forward to it, but... I have been asked to do a show with Debra Cowan here in Connecticut on Saturday night.
Next month I will be playing with "The Gallant Sons of Erin" -- my brother's Civil War reenactors band in Gettysburg, PA. -- So I guess that the short story is I'm looking forward to September.

Hello to all and I hope to see you all soon!

Dave

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 01:26 PM

Dave, you and Jed Marum ought to get together and compare Irish-in-the-Civil-War songs!

I'll miss you and your songs. Too bad you couldn't kidnap Deb for the shanty session, but I guess it wouldn't be professional. Have good gigs and I'll seeee you in Septemmmmber!

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 01:52 PM

Dave -- You will be missed. but its good to know that you'll be having a grand time anyway; greetings to Deb.

Don't forget our Friday evening sessions (dare I use that word where singing's involved?) at the Press Room. We start 4:15sh and go to nearly 9 PM.

Don't forget to add Dan Milner into the Irish-in-the-War-of-the-Rebellion mix.

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Just another Dave
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 03:16 PM

Jeri and curmudgeon -- Funny that you should mention those two... if you have a minute or two, check this thread:

Music of US Civil War & Irish Immigration

Then check the auction ;-)

Thanks,
Dave

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 03:33 PM

Too bad you won't be coming, Dave. See you in September(sounds like a song that dates me somewhat). It will be great to see Edmund again who i think I remember from the historic China Sea Trading Company sessions.

Brían

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: CET
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 05:41 PM

It's already historic?

Edmund

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Brían
Date: 09 Jul 03 - 05:55 PM

In my mind, anyway.....

Brían

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 12:28 AM

Hmmm...

Domestic Management has expressed no particular agenda this weekend...

Might we suppose?

There's a haunting (litterally) old 1840's song I've been noodling around with called "Mary's Dream" I'd like to try out on ye. One of the Boston Cameratta CDs has it and it sort of stuck to my head for a while there. While they do a cello reprise/bridge, I use my black walnut low "G" flute, (sort of a Tenor Fife) "Old Gilead" between verses.
Many of you have heard this instrument at previous Shanty Hoots in the Portland area - I use it a lot for slow airs, Hymns and the like.

And mercy; don't I miss these jolly little gatherings!?

Stay tuned, me Hearties!

(AAaarrgh!)

Onkel Jaque in Maine

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 08:00 AM

Hey, Uncle Jaque! Saturday would be a great time to rejoin us -- haven't seen you in a million years. (Yeah, I've told myself a million times not to exaggerate.)

I could bring my new "toys" to show you -- stone cutting mallet & chisel. (Gotta start practicing cutting letterforms in slate.) I could also bring the circa 1840 cure for syphilis in case any salty old sea dogs might need it -- as a curiosity, of course.

(Well, we've already had cats-o-nine-tails passed out at the session . . .)

History in motion.

Linnn

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 08:14 AM

Looks like Nor's run into a conflict. Judy and I are trying to Shanghi Eli as an alternative. Actually "Shanghi Eli" would also make a nice shanty shout.

Hope you're all checking "Meet the Giant Squid" BS thread.;~)

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Shanghai Eli...
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 04:36 PM

"...Paging Mr. BROWN!!!; There's a Captain NOBLE here to see you!"


Oh, Charlie; "Old Red", my '91 Plymouth Voyager (130K mi.+) blew a fuel pump down in Saco last week, and we rode back to Yarmouth (Ol' Red behind, me up front) with a AAA Wrecker, the driver of which related as to how he was one of the notorious "Parking Lot Pirates" in the Portland area in the Wintertime.

He was totally unaware, but quite amused to learn, that there is a rousing "Chanty" composed on his behalf!

I wish that I knew it well enough to sing to him during the ride... but pity; I don't.

Thought you'd like to know that. {8^{D~

UJ

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 07:16 PM

UJ -- I trust that you've got the Voyager repaired enough for the drive to the Press Room on Saturday. You have been promising to come for too long now to be a last minute no-show. See you at the session-- Tom

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Jul 03 - 10:39 PM

Well it will come as no surprise to learn I won't be there for either Friday or Saturday. But I'll sing a shanty when I wake on Sunday morning (local time) so I can say I joined in the music.

I had an email from someone named John who will be vacationing in the area. He didn't know I have moved. I told him about both Friday and Saturday. He says he will try to get there on Friday.

Have a great time gang.

Brett

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 08:36 AM

Brett-

I'll lead a round of "Alabama John Cherokee" in your honor, and remember, gang, the way Brett sings it the chorus ends in "Alabama John!"

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 09:29 AM

...Cherokee.
(Hehe)

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 09:38 AM

Haven't you read this thread in which Pied Piper warns us that the word "Session" is only to be used for activities in which large numbers of instrumentalists all play at the same time (usually Irish tunes at ridiculously fast tempi).

Although it is true that everyone joins in shanty choruses, shanties are usually led by a solo singer - and they are often unaccompanied. Please change the description at once, or I will inform PP and you will be raided be the "Session Police" who will insist on playing large numbers of Melodeons, Fiddles, Whistles, Bodhrans etc to make sure that egotistical singers get no chance to engage in their disgusting solitary vices.

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 10:40 AM

Bring 'em on. Barry

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 10:57 AM

Dave -- Not only do we sing shanties without accompaniment, we sometimes sing solo forebitters without choruses in the same manner. Furthermore, instruments are only permitted for the accompaniment of songs, and then only at the request of the singer.

With regard to your advisory , I shall make sure to bring the belaying pins. Should the "Session Police" make an appearance, we can show them new uses for banjos, fiddles and whistles.

Thanks for the warning -- Tom

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: GUEST,Heely
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 12:37 PM

TOM, I am finally replying to your previous thread. Sorry that I did not get right back, but I was recording an album. thank you for your suggestion to join mudcat. I have been a member for about 10 years, but recently,(I just got a new computer in June), I realized that I am now qualified as a guest. Oh well! I will resubmit. I love mudcat, and have suggested it to many of our local "naughtycal" river rats. Keep in touch. Heely

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 05:21 PM

Belaying pins, cat-of-nine tails, and flourescent squiglies. What fun!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Jul 03 - 06:13 PM

Heely, you just need to sign in with your new computer. No need to resubmit

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 01:39 AM

To clarify what Brett said, Heely: just go to the "Quick Links" dropdown menu at the top right of the main Mudcat Cafe page and click on "Login", then follow the very simple directions.

Uncle Jaque, is the "shanty" you're referring to a Portland version of Steve Goodman's Lincoln Park Pirates?

Gee, Tom, I hope that I fit into the Friday session all right. I can leave out the 35th and 36th verses of "Lord Randall and the Large Ball of String", if that would help. They're more or less repeats of verses 27 and 28, anyway, only in a sort of a quasi-Armenian dialect-- so it shouldn't really affect the artistic integrity of the song all that much. And I could leave out the saxophone break, I guess.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 07:50 AM

Mark, I hope, if you do the version collected by Mrs Alda Goldern-Day, you do NOT leave out the 53rd verse since it sort of ties up the whole song. The whole darned thing comes unraveled without that verse!

Seriously, Mark, can't wait to meet you. I've been perusing your songs in the DT and hope to hear a few.

Last night was a GREAT session (S.E.S.S.I.O.N.). There were sets of tunes that flowed, there was quite a long set of shanties that flowed - one started right after the other. I didn't notice any tension between players and singers. CET was here and did (amongst other) a nice, cheery dinnertime song, "The Twa Corbies." I hope everyone's voices still work today!

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 08:21 AM

BTW Mark, isn't that a variant on "the Little Ball of Yarn?"

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 09:10 AM

Mark-

You're correct about the origin of the "Parking Lot Pirates" which I adapted from Steve Goodman's "Lincoln Park Pirates." Actually, it's re-adapted from what I used to sing in Lansing, Michigan.

You really must do your bowling shanty at The press Room. ;~)

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 12:43 PM

So, should I bring the cat o' nine tails?

Linn

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 01:59 PM

Bring your bowling ball collection.
(She not only collects bats and rubber squid, but has a lot of balls too.)

Subject: RE: July Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 08:42 PM

I always said Bat Goddess had a lot of balls but I was speaking figuratively. I didn't realize there was truth to the rumor.