Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Celtaddict
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 02:25 AM

Thank you, MMario; that does sound like a reasonable project. I love taking them so am always glad to have something to do with them.
A few more up today. I feel as if I am just trickling them in but I see by last year's thread that it was early July too....

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 02:05 PM

(whoops) Forgot about the guitar...I actually borrowed my father's gorgeous Epiphone for the festival this year. I am shopping around right now for a new guitar, though.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 02:04 PM

celtaddict - a thought - a pdf-format "Mudcat/Mystic" calender - for a nominal fee (donated to mudcat)

shouldn't be too much work - and the photos are fantastic!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 02:01 PM

No offense taken! I was just wincing at the thought of how "new" I might have looked in that scenario. In fact I learned more about traditional accompaniment in that hour with Ken and Craig than I could've imagined. What a nice way to wrap up the festival.

And your photos are *gorgeous*. Particularly the scenes of the seaport at sunset and sunrise -- you should have a gallery show!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Celtaddict
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 03:22 PM

I am sorry if you are wounded, Timbrel, and yes, we know each other. I was just abbreviating for the sake of picturing the moment. Of course in full it should say, "a [guitar] player new to that style of play," though in my defense it did specify that it was just so you could accompany them. I am fortunate enough to have heard you sing and play many a time. I was also glad you sang Phil Ochs' "Pleasures of the Harbor" again that night too. And is that not a new guitar? (Maybe you could pretend "new guitar player" could also be worded "player of a new guitar"...)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Timbrel
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 12:05 PM

My wounded pride compels me to respond to this, CeltAddict:

"Watching and listening as Craig Edwards, the Festival director, who had every reason to be exhausted, sitting at midnight Sunday night giving a patient guitar lesson to a new player so she could accompany his fiddle and Ken Sweeney's squeezebox."

That was a terrific session Sunday night. I just have to protest that I'm not a new player, although I can see how it might have looked that way. I've been a guitar player for 20 years in a variety of styles. But I am new to accompanying traditional tunes on the guitar, which is a strict and demanding style that's very different from most folk guitar playing. Craig, Ken, and Carl T. spent some time teaching me a few new tunes and techniques that night so that they could have backup for their tunes.

I started learning to play tunes because there's a new Monday night session in Mystic for old-time players. It's into its third month and has been really successful and well recieved. There are usually a couple of fiddles (including Craig's), banjo, mandolin, and guitar; and on occasion, even the rub board, washtub bass, and ukelele have made their appearance.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Celtaddict
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 08:12 PM

Well, you did all appear to have all of your parts (back to last year's festival photos...)
Anyway, enjoyed the songs and was glad to meet you and Bryan. And if you will kindly give me some names, I will ask Pene Azul to redo the photo caption, and will call you whatever you want.
Including calling on you for a song at any opportunity.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 06:49 PM

Hey Gang,

Salty Walt's pullin' yer peglegs!

We opened for the guys who started "Talk Like A Pirate Day" this weekend at a benefit for a local non-profit. If they pay us enough, or we like the cause enough, we *MIGHT* be convinced to pretend we're pirates...

We just don't want the word gettin' out. If'n it does, we'll be cuttin' yer throats for gills to breath with when we throws ye overboard! Hargh! ;)

We're just goodhearted, amiable, honest guys. Honest.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Bryan of Salty Walt!
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 06:25 PM

Hey, we made it back just fine, Charlie!

I just had to chime in and say "Hello!" Is CLLR around here somewhere, too? Wondering if he made it back across the Pond alright.

...and we all have shirts that say "Pirates *ARE* the new Monkeys". Only the Griffer brought his.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST,SaltyWalt
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 02:05 PM

Hi folks,
I've not wandered around this part o Mudcat before (last night), so don't know who everyone is, so please bear with me. . .

Celtadict: yes,"Pirates are the new Monkeys" it's a long story involving our first newspaper interview in the SF Weekly-it's online.

MMario: Nope, Black T with white letters=confusion, but you can see my face in the event photos listed as "SaltyWalt & the Rattlin' Ratlines".

>"what's wrong with being pegged as pirates?
There are few venues out here that are interested in "Traditional Music". When I tell people we sing "seamusic" or "chanteys" they usually don't get it and eventually settle on "Pirate Music" and start Yarrin' away at us. It makes it harder to be taken seriously.
Also,there's a group out here we'd rather not be confused with.
Not that we can't Yarr and YoHo with the best O 'em. ;)

Charlie: Thanks for asking! For reasons beyond my ken, it took us ALL DAY to fly back to the west coast, INCLUDING the time change!
It was a hair arduous, but we're all well thanks!
-Walter

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: JudyB
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 11:08 AM

Thanks for the lyrics, Jerry - it really is beautiful! I look forward to hearing it on your next CD. And thanks, Celtaddict, for making me aware that it existed.

   JudyB

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 08:29 AM

Salty Walt-

Good to hear that you made it back to San Francisco. You sure looked like you had a great time a Mystic, and at the Gris. Did the rest of your crew make it back as well?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 08:25 AM

and wasn't it one of your group wearing the shirt that said (in Latin) "we are the singing pirates?"

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Celtaddict
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 03:25 AM

Hey Walt! Good to hear from you! I was informed by someone who purported to know the name of your group, which seemed to fit with the (too few) songs we heard. So who are you really? (And for that matter, what's wrong with being pegged as pirates? And did the shirt say "Pirates are the new Monkeys" or "Monkeys are the new Pirates"? Or was that Monkees?)(she queried, sidling toward the plank)
Thanks, Jerry, for the words.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST,Salty Walt
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 03:18 AM

Not that I don't appreciate all the kind words, but I've got to know how we've gotten branded as "Pirates". Heck, we didn't even wear funny clothes.
-Walter

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: JWB
Date: 30 Jun 04 - 02:03 AM

Judy,

Here are the lyrics to "Hard to Say Goodbye" (my title for the song Celtaddict calls No Consolation). When I get around to doing another CD of my own stuff (next year, maybe?), I'll include this.

HARD TO SAY GOODBYE (tune based on "Leave Her, Johnny")
by Jerry Bryant
Copyright 1996

Oh the hour was late and the moon was high yet still we did not depart,
For the glow of pleasant company warmed each and every heart.
"Just one more song," said someone, as the landlord doused the light,
So we sent a final chorus ringing out into the night.

Chorus
It is no consolation to know that time must fly;
It's still very hard, when the hour comes, to have to say goodbye.

"Why must you go?" the young wife says, and tears are in her eyes.
"To build a better life for us," he tenderly replies.
Together they have talked of this for many a long day,
And still she cries when he, at last, is finally on his way.

Chorus

Two brothers stood upon the dock not knowing what to say,
For one was going to board a ship while the other one would stay.
One had made the choice to travel out into the world alone,
While the other one chose family, security and home.

Chorus

When the news arrived from far away that our old friend was gone,
We did not call it tragedy to hear he'd traveled on.
For his life had been a long one, with friends and pleasure filled;
Yet still a stone was in our hearts to think his voice was stilled.

Chorus


Written for Stan Hugill's memorial service at the 1992 Mystic Sea Music Festival.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 09:01 PM

wonderful new pics, celtaddict!...makes me 'almost' feel like I was there this year...*sigh* If I lived in Conn., I'd never miss it....

(last fall, I attended my 25th consecutive FSGW Getaway, and we just had our 24th Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park...so it ain't like I'm hurting for music.....still.......)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Celtaddict
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 08:04 PM

Sure, Charley, the camera lies all the time; sometimes it makes people look better than they do in person too! But yes, many people's smiles when they are singing tend to be fleeting, and the baseline expression serious with concentration, so I have often had the experience of watching someone I know smiles and never catching a smile.
Judy, Jerry wrote the words to "No Consolation" after Stan died (can it really be over a decade ago?) and sang it at the memorial service for Stan at the Seaport the first festival after. It is set to a modification of "Leave Her, Johnny," an eminently suitable choice of melody, not only as a farewell shanty but as the song Stan sang to close the Festival at Mystic for many years. In a way, the closing at
Mystic contains two songs in memory, as Don started singing "Maui"
in his memory since he sang it so often himself.
I do not know if he has sung it much since. The chorus goes,
    It is no consolation,
    To know that time must fly.
    It's still very hard, when the hour comes,
    To have to say good-bye.
I believe I do have all the words around somewhere, or you might PM Jerry (or I can) and ask if he wishes to post them or to supply them individually.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 10:06 AM

Celtaddict-

I really enjoyed your close-up images of people leading songs at the late night singing sessions, an incredibly difficult situation to photograph in. You never know where the next song is coming from and the lighting is marginal.

Do I actually look that serious leading songs? I suppose I do. A camera couldn't lie...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: JudyB
Date: 28 Jun 04 - 08:54 PM

There are more of Celtaddict's photos up! Hooray!!

One question - as I wasn't able to get to the green at the right moment (too many stages, too little time...) - what was "Jerry Bryant's tribute to Stan Hugill, ''No Consolation'"? Or should I quiz JWB about that? Don't remember hearing anything along those lines elsewhere over the weekend.

Thanks!
JudyB

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 28 Jun 04 - 01:25 PM

Two groups that I would like to see at future festivals, if Craig can get the sponsorship financing to bring them down, would be the Men Of The Deeps from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia and the Cormiers from Newfoundland.   SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: JudyB
Date: 28 Jun 04 - 11:17 AM

Marc,
I found the session interesting - I hadn't known anything about fife and drum corps before, though I did know that not all ships used shanties. I liked the different approaches of the two groups, and the way you used them to compare techniques. And I was rather amazed that the joint performance sounded so smooth - it's a lot harder to quietly hum along on a joint number you don't usually do quite that way when you're playing a fife or a drum! It sounds as if there are enough groups in the area that a slightly different perspective with a couple of different groups would work well in a year or two without being repetitive.

I'd also like to suggest something with the teenage group that sang at the open mike - they had a name like ChanteyTeens or something. Hmm - maybe something about different ways teenagers are adopting traditional music - there was a definite difference in appearance between the Nutmeg Corps and the ChanteyTeens, but both seemed to have put a lot of effort into what they did. And just last night my teenage niece was telling us that she and her mother often listened to Roll & Go's CD in the car as an acceptable compromise between her rap music and her mother's golden oldies. Just a thought....

I have a couple of other photos of the Nutmeg Fife & Drum Corps I could e-mail if you're interested. The other ones of the Ancient Mariners didn't come out as well as their faces were in shadow from where I was. I didn't get a picture of the whole group - don't have a wide angle lens and was afraid if I went far enough from the sound board to get a good shot, you could make it to the mike and start talking faster than I could make it back to the sound board to turn on the sound! :)

JudyB

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Celtaddict
Date: 28 Jun 04 - 10:28 AM

Just sent off Tommy Makem and the songwriting workshop; the ballad workshops, TM in concert, the final concert, and a handful from the Gris, will follow. (Actually I doubt if I would find it possible to send off Tommy. These are just photos.)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From:
Date: 28 Jun 04 - 03:44 AM

celtaddict, they are fantastic pictures - thanks for sharing them with those of us who can't get there.

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 11:23 PM

Thank you very much satchel. All I needed was for one person to say the found it interesting. It almost certainly won't happen every year , but I have close associations with many corps, so maybe a 2 or 3 year rotation with various groups and material. I was looking for food to discuss the subject further.

Marc

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: GUEST,satchel
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 09:56 PM

Yeah Marc,
I'd say do it again, even though I'm not a fife and drum corp person. Great job moderating, especially relating fife and drum to sea music. It was great to have more than one corp, as has happened in the past. Interesting as well to see how different corps play the same song! And, the arrival at the main stage for them final concert was a nice touch.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival 2004
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 09:10 AM

Great Stuff. THank you. Isn't Mystic Seaport a Beautiful place without the people. It is a great place to work, but its early in the morning and late in the evening that I really feel lucky. Most people never get to see that side. BY the way, I'd like an oppinion on something. Did anyone here catch any of the fife & drum workshop at the northend stage on sunday? Did anyone find it at all interesting? The performers had a blast, now I'm curious if none fife & drum people found it of any interest at all. Is it worth doing another some year in the future?

Marc

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival-2004
From: Celtaddict
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 05:59 PM

Joe Clone(s), you RULE.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 05:54 PM

Joe Clone? Are you there? Maybe years on this thread and the photo thread from 2003 (which I just refreshed) would be a help too. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 05:10 PM

Chanteyranger, I thank you. (Blush.)
Just sent pub sing shots off. Sets of workshops, scenery, final concert, and the Gris will follow.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 02:21 PM

Celtaddict, those are professional quality photos! In the scenic shots, you have a great eye for capturing the beauty of the seaport.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 12:52 PM

Celtaddict-

Very nicely done!

Look forward to the next set.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 12:40 PM

I see Craig actually used "ChanteyCraig" when he signed on as a guest.
Next installment on the way.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JudyB
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 12:34 PM

Wow - beautiful!! I love the pinks and oranges and what you were doing with reflections.

I didn't have much luck taking photos inside the tent, so I'm glad you got some at the main stage. The photo from behind the stage of the Georgia Sea Islanders is a nice touch - and the caption for Jerry Bryant is great!

JudyB (waiting eagerly for the next installment)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 11:23 PM

While everyone is singing (or if Don Sineti is humming to himself) it is far from quiet, but I like the look. AOL keeps dumping me tonight so I will have to keep sending tomorrow I guess.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 10:57 PM

Gosh, what a quiet looking place! :-)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Pene Azul
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 10:50 PM

Here are the photos!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 05:29 PM

Thanks, Bill (and we missed you this year!), I think we have a simple version. I like them separate but do not often use the text-on-photo trick except for greeting cards. (Sheer laziness on my part I suppose but these 3 a.m. babies keep me hopping enough I will continue to look for shortest cuts.) Just about to send off another batch.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 01:03 PM

Celtaddict--there are ways to actually add captions ON pics (place letters in color in a corner..etc.) let me know if you'd like to try that sometime. (free programs)

I posted some from Mystic that way last year

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 12:15 PM

Just had an e-mail from Pene Azul so know he has the first handful of shots; the bulk are on my laptop here at work now so will go off tonight. (I hope he puts a link; I can't from work.)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 12:27 AM

You are right, Charley, I have been rather swamped, but just sent some photos off to Pene Azul to add to the Events page, and am hoping he will put a link from this thread. Also I hope he can tell me an easy way to send a file with a caption to it. I have some that please me. But Marc, I do not have as good a shot of you this year as the one last year. (No, not the pirate prosthetic one, the one in the white shirt.) There will be a few installments of shots, as I get them off; I have seen/edited most, but if I am to be functional tomorrow I had better stop for now.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Nancy King
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 10:16 PM

Nice pix, Judy! Wish I'd been able to be there! Well, maybe next year!

Nancy

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 08:41 PM

Thank You Charlie. In all honesty, I was a bit under the weather at the festival, particularly monday night. But to be fair, I had a great festival just the same. I hope you enjoyed yourself also. My post was really more of a refresh to see if any more commentary would trickle out. This actually is one of my favorite parts, reading your comments about the festival. Generally I'm so sucked up in the festival, I don't get to talk to as many people I might like to.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 05:59 PM

Marc-

Celticaddict promised to post some of her images on Mudcat but she may not have had time to do that yet.

You looked like you were enjoying yourself at the Festival.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 05:26 PM

One link. Charlie Nobles site. Which are great shots, I was just curious if there were any more. By the way Mario, I owe you a cd. pm me your address and I'll get one in the mail to you.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,mmario
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 02:45 PM

several links above in thread

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 02:42 PM

I thought there were pictures coming. Where are they?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JennyO
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 10:40 PM

Charlie, when you describe Carl Thornton, I have a vision of someone with a voice like John Warner :-) Comes in very handy for getting people's attention sometimes!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jun 04 - 12:43 PM

One enduring image for me was Carl Thornton leading "Paddy Lay Back" at the after concert shanty-shout in the Galley Saturday night. He was one of the first to sing and he managed to cut through all the confusion of people talking to each other, milling around, and breaking bottles over each other's heads (well, no, that didn't really happen). And I've never heard so many verses. What a powerful voice!

And, yes, Jerry Bryant's rendition of "Hexagon Zombies" was superb!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 02:55 PM

A more appropriate name for his duo would be "The FlexTradition." BTW, I second the motion, very nice photos, JudyB.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 01:43 PM

yup - Ken is a "full body listener" let alone singer!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jun 04 - 08:59 AM

Looking forward to more pictures!

Off to Kennebunkport for singing this afternoon from 1 to 3 pm.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 06:04 PM

Other good moments to recall:
Tommy Makem singing on the Town Green and the ducks coming over to listen, until he came to a rousing chorus and they took off. He did go on to literally sing the birds out of the trees.
One of Bob Walser's boys listening to someone onstage, putting his hands in his pockets and bowing and swaying just like Bob.
The two representatives of the Georgia Sea Island Singers having everyone shouting how glad we were to be there.
Meg Frost and Donna Glover's debut as a duo at the Gris.
Deirdre Murtha's little one perched on a chair listening saucer-eyed.
Carl Thornton singing a contemporary song that could have come straight from Greek mythology, from an old man who longs to go to sea again but will no more, "for I am old, and I am blind..."
Jerry Bryant singing Rick Spencer's "Hexagon Zombie" and the reactions of those who had not heard it before.
Watching and listening as Craig Edwards, the Festival director, who had every reason to be exhausted, sitting at midnight Sunday night giving a patient guitar lesson to a new player so she could accompany his fiddle and Ken Sweeney's squeezebox.
The inimitable Ken Schatz who puts more animation into listening than many performers do into singing.
Every trip I take, I wind up with a mental or written collection of the "best shots not taken."
The photos I did get are downloaded and will go off to Pene Azul probably Monday; earlier if no one is in labor this weekend.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JudyB
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 03:47 PM

Thanks for the IDs! I do know Meg, but didn't want to put her name there unless I could add the names for all three of them. I've made the change on Charley's web site.

And thanks for the compliments on the photos - I was quite pleased with how the sunset ones came out. It does help to have the ships and the water and one of the nicest sunsets I've seen in ages....

   JudyB

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 02:30 PM

The third one is volunteer Julie Moulton.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 12:44 PM

Thanks for the additional ID.

We, of course, recognized Volunteer Coordinator Meg Frost who has not missed a Festival at Mystic in its entire 25 years.

Sure was fun, wasn't it!

It was nice to hear Nor and Alison doing "Blood-Red Roses" again. Alison has a recording of them doing that on her new CD. Great for helping remove paint from surfaces.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,celtaddict at work
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 12:03 PM

Charlie, your Judy, Nancy & Sally are, on the left, Meg Frost, Volunteer Extraordinaire, and Donna Glover of Windlasses (and who has recorded with Rick Spencer as well); not sure of third.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 09:20 AM

Judy - thanks for the pics (espcially the sunsets - so beautiful!) - it looked like a good time was had by all.

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: karen k
Date: 18 Jun 04 - 06:05 AM

Judy,
Nice pictures, especially the last two.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JennyO
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 10:39 PM

Oh good, I was going to ask you if you saw Sally. I couldn't see her in any of the photos, but I knew she was going.

Yes, the James Craig is going well. Two weeks ago there was a party on her - hundreds of people, food laid on, a jazz and blues band on the deck, and a lot of other entertainment, including us, the James Craig Shanty Singers. At some stage, John got out his harmonica and joined the band, wowing us with his blues harp playing - not just a pretty face, our John!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 05:36 PM

And walking back to Ho-Jo's you get to pass that big cementary, humming to yourself "Over the ground and under the ground!"

Oh, I ran into Sally from the James Craig in Sydney. She was back in the states visiting her old friends at the Mystic Sea Museum and seemed quite pleased with how the shanty singing was coming along aboard the Craig.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JudyB
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 12:55 PM

Which is why I stay at the Howard Johnson - it's less than a mile away, which is reasonable enough walking distance for me, and people don't usually make a lot of noise at 6 am. Of course the walk is more fun when the weather is as lovely as it was this year!

   JudyB

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: MMario
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 12:24 PM

the things I regret about camping during this festival is that:

a) I need to keep myself in shape to drive safely

b) when I camp I rarely manage to sleep past 6:00 AM - which makes a VERY long day if I attend any after hours stuff.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Jun 04 - 12:18 PM

Might as well refresh this thread considering that the Mudcat system has been down.

One of the nicest times for Nor and I was Saturday evening, after the Chantey Shout in the Galley. We went over to the Youth Training Building (YTB) and found some 30 folks there swapping songs. The acoustics were great, people were polite and paying attention, and reacting to each other's songs.

There were a whole series of "roots" songs led by members of the Johnson Girls, NexTradition, and Jeff Warner. Nor did a great job of leading "Gosport Nancy" and I got to lead "The Mariner's Compass is Grog." Singing was still going strong when at 3:30 AM I decided to roll over to the Joseph Conrad and drop into my bunk.

Of course, Sunday morning at 6:30 AM, my neighbors (whose names I will never disclose but I know who they are) got up and began chatting in full voice. After 15 minutes of this I said something very rude to them, achieving blessed silence, and another 30 minutes of sleep before we were officially mustered out.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JudyB
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 11:29 PM

Well, we have some photos available on Charley Noble's web site - enjoy! I only took the camera to a couple of the venues - sorry.... If you can identify any more of the people in the photos, please let me know - I'm awful with names! Off to bed - it'll take a couple of days to catch up on the sleep I missed - but it was worth it!

    JudyB

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 08:34 PM

One of my personal thrills on Sunday was to meet Frank Werner again.
Frank, who used to sing with the X Seamen's Institute along with Bernie Klay, Dan Aguillar, & John Townley was the person who got me hooked on folk music and sea music in particular some 30 years ago. I used to be a regular on Tuesday nights at South Street. I presented Frank with an 8x10 color photo that I took of the group in August of 1978 while they were singing at the Seaport. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 05:22 PM

Charlie, Will Judy's images be posted to the web at a sight where I can view them ? If so, please give me the URL. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 04:33 PM

Errrr!

Cliff's closing song at the Griswold Inn might have been "Bide Awhile" rather than "Bid Awhile."

I also agree that the new Johnson Girl CD, ON THE ROCKS, is very well done. We had a good listen on the way back to Maine.

SALTY DICK'S UNCENSORED SAILOR SONGS also provided us much entertainment. I'm not sure if these CD's are still available at the Mystic Seaport Museum Store but if you're really interested in some classic bawdy sea songs, this recording is the best I'm listened to. The songs are all led by Professor Richard "Salty Dick" Docker. Note, this is not a live recording of the actual Mystic Sea Music uncensored shanty workshop, although some of the songs were collected there.

JudyB is busily editing digital images as I'm typing. Gosh, there are some really great pictures!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 03:00 PM

Please excuse my typo on "Lightlouse Point." It really isn't infested, and should of course be "Lighthouse Point."

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 02:58 PM

Liam's Brother, off at a festival in Cork, was also missed.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 09:25 AM

thanks for the reports, what a great weekend - now all I have to do is survive till pics start appearing.

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 09:13 AM

Missing from my above report on the Griswold Inn Survivors Chantey Sing is, of course, the incredible local group of chantey singers known as the Ancient Mariners. I enjoyed them throughout the weekend and they did another great job of leading the crowd Monday evening at the Gris.

Back to work!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 16 Jun 04 - 01:42 AM

The festival was wonderful. le Vent du Nord was a huge hit, and a revelation for me, as I hadn't heard them before. they perform some of the most energetic, joyous music I've ever heard; just irresistible. The band members are very much in the spirit of what the festival is all about. They are full of life and energy, inviting listeners to get up and dance, the button accordionist/stepdancer coming offstage to quickly teach a simple, basic step, leading a long line of people weaving around the lighthlouse point area. Their joyous approach to their music and their joy just being at the festival was infectious.
I agree with Sol Zeller that The Johnson Girls are sounding better and better (and were excellent to begin with). They are now clearly (IMHO) one of the great sea music groups on the world stage.
For me, it was also a chance to reunite with friends and former colleagues who used to be rangers at SF Maritime National Historical Park. Former rangers and SF chantey sing leaders Celeste Bernardo and Revell Carr were on the program. Revell is doing some pioneering doctoral work in ethnomusicology, and delivered a paper on musical contacts between Pacific Islanders and whalemen. It was Stan Hugill's contention that the chantey John Kanaka is the only surviving example of Pacific Island/whalemen musical mixing in chanteying. It is Revell's contention that there is more that survives, and he is immersing himself in this study. Stay tuned! Celeste is a very strong singer, as ever. She gracioiusly invited Revell, myself, and former SF chantey sing regular Greg Bullough to join her at her Fishtown Chapel solo gig. It was like old times, singing with them.
Always great to see louis Killen, Jerry Bryant, John Roberts (John Roberts did M.C. duties as well as performing), and local bay area heroes Holdstock and Macleod, and Carol Holdstock.
Saw Charley Noble, MMario, and, at the aforementioned Fishtown gig, saw a man in the audience with a mudcat T-shirt, who's moniker, if I remember correctly, when I asked him, is Just Another Dave.
Barry Finn was greatly missed. Barry, if you're reading this, I hope you're well! I kept Hard Times In old Virginia going at the sessions in your abscence.
   Was their a lowlight to this festival that stood out like a sore thumb?

Yes: it ended. :-).

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 08:14 PM

Judy and I got back to Maine about 4 pm this afternoon. The cats are fine. Everything looks like normal and we're looking forward to sleeping in our own beds.

I have to agree with Jerry (JB) that there were many sublime moments at the Festival. These moments keep flashing through my mind like someone's Powerpoint presentation. I?ll see what I can do to highlight some of them but first I?d like to describe our foray into deepest darkest Exeter.

Monday evening we made our way to the Griswold Inn in Essex, about 30 minutes southwest of Mystic. It appears to be a quiet river town which once had active international shipping, languished, and is now enjoying a gentrified rebirth. There are lots of well preserved wood clapboard houses, some quite elaborate, others with incongruous additions. Much of the town is on a peninsular, with rivers on 3 sides.The Inn itself is a wonder as you walk through the square dark ceiling taproom to the main dining hall. One could spend hours looking at the pictures of old steamboats and sailing ships lining the walls, old signs and newspaper stories. One of the other small dining rooms featured a fine collection of muskets and pistols. Judy and I had a leisurely meal as we tried to figure out what exactly was gonna happen when and where. After all, we were primarily here to take careful notes on the "Survivor's Gathering" at the Gris' Monday Evening Chantey Sing.

About 8:30 Cliff Haslem and some others began clearing a spot in the taproom for a small sound system and began to play some songs, and many of us crammed into that space, being careful to leave a partner or pile of foul weather gear on our chairs in the main dining room where there were rumors that the main part of the evening?s entertainment would be taking place. The taproom was still pretty noisy for good singing or listening, and after about 9:30 there was a surge to the main dining room where the sound system was set up again, this time in front of a large stone fire place. It was still quite noisy when Cliff explained the ground rules of what was to happen but by this time we were so focused that we could tell from his body language that he was referring to a sign-up sheet held by one of his cohorts. Accordingly, I made a dash for the clipboard and managed to scribble in my name in some legible fashion.

Cliff and his friends began another set of introductory songs, and gradually captured the focus of most of the people in the dining room. But there was continuous distraction from people in the back still talking and the dining room is extremely "live" in terms of acoustics. Our table was in the back and it was extremely difficult to make out words if a group with instruments was singing. It was better with single performers if he/she crowded the mic and sang loudly. I?m afraid I?m not going to be very good at reporting what was sung. But volunteer coordinator Meg frost and a friend did a lovely song together. Allen MacLeod did a quiet ballad. Geoff Kaufman led a worksong, backed up with some bones acrobatics from the energetic Tim Riley. Craig Edwards led another worksong, backed up with a borrowed banjo.

Sheri Mortimer did a nice job with her parody of "The Maid of Amsterdam" which she entitled "Dave of Amsterdam"; Dave is severely molested in this version by an aggressive young lady.

Then Marc Bernier presented a touching love ballad of a man and his lust for moose, and brought the house down as he stumbled halfway through between "boyfriend and girlfriend." Carl Thorton was left with the job of following that, and elected to do another very lovely ballad.

Then there was a wonderful group of "pirate" folks from San Francisco, who call themselves "Salty Walt and the Rattlin? Ratlines," who delivered a spirited version of "Henry Martin." I?m sure we?ll hear from this crew some more in the years to come.

I by this time was severely chilled in the back of the hall, bundled up in my boating jacket. I?m sure it was just a case of nerves but there might have been an air vent underneath our table with a duct leading directly to the Artic. I did have my concertina cued up on the table and managed when called to stumble my way to the front of the dining room. It was then that my eyes became riveted on the large steamboat model on the mantle piece that appeared about to tumble off, but I dismissed that disaster from my mind, straightened up in front of the mic and announced that I was gonna present a drinking song that probably had last been heard in this very room back in the early 1800?s, and launched into the tune of the "Mariner?s Compass Is Grog." I wisely put down the concertina after presenting the tune, and started the verses, and repeated the chorus which runs:

Grog is our larboard and starboard,
Our mains?l, our mizen, our log,
At sea or ashore or when harbored,
The Mariner?s compass is grog!

And folks seemed to pick up on it nicely. Whew!

I was followed by Michelle Moon who sang another lovely ballad.

Cliff wound up the evening with the parting song "Bid Awhile."

What an experience! I?d love to see how things work on a regular Monday evening; the Chantey Sings happen every other Monday, and I?m sure it?s a much smaller group and a whole lot of fun in a different way, with much more give and take.

The food and service, by the way, were excellent and we?ll make every effort to attend next year after the 26th Mystic SeaMusic Festival.

Sometime this week we'll try to post some of JudyB's digital images of the Festival; she has a hundred or so to sift through...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 07:00 PM

Pictures! We want pictures!

~ Greedy in Tucson

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 06:18 PM

Don't know about the ducks, but the cocks look the same but at daybreak sound different in Kilronan (west of Ireland) from the ones in Costa Rica...
The Festival seems to be better every year. Tommy Makem may look rather frailer than in years past but the vigor of his storytelling and the robust voice have not diminished in the slightest. Lou Killen is younger than he was in the 90s. One striking feature of Mystic is the number of performers who come whether they are on the program or not; John Roberts is a regular, and the Johnson Girls & Dan Milner, Jon Campbell, Windlasses, many who have worked at the Seaport in the past; many are there either way; Robbie O'Connell comes down often. There is also an increasing trend for groups and individuals to come from elsewhere and listen, and participate, and eventually (by design or not) wind up on later programs; New York has been well represented for years, and Washington and Baltimore contingents have grown, and some personable and talented pirates from San Francisco.
The biggest problem with the schedule is there are multiple venues at any given time and it is agonizing to have to make some of the decisions when any one stage could provide a wonderful day in itself. The after hours events are only loosely scheduled, for pub sings in a given place, and linger on elsewhere; last year there was clogging in the gazebo at three a.m.
I was privileged to meet MMario in person, and now have his CD, and if you do not, you are missing a good thing; what a beauty!
The weather was the typical SMF: cool and wet Thursday, then sunny days and cool nights.
Some good pics and many good memories, much to share; back to work just now.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 02:13 PM

Greetings from across the Pond! Been following this thread with some interest (and I have to admit, just a little envy)! Mystic sounds wonderful - delighted it all went so well.

It's our turn this weekend as we have the Liverpool Shanty Festival at the Albert Dock. We have some of the tall ships in, Mir, Grand Turk and Matthew of Bristol to name a few, the Anastasia Hospital ship, a registered charity that has just completed a voyage around the coast of Africa and all sorts of other odd assortments including canal narrow boats that have to make a rather hazardous journey out of the canal system and down part of the Mersey to dock in the Albert. (Not a lot of fun if the river is running fast)!! We also have concerts in such appropriately named pubs as "The Baltic Fleet" and a theatre called "The Neptune".

Dan Milner & Bob Conroy will be here (as will Bonnie), and we have guests from Poland, Holland, France and Germany.

So, wish us luck and fair weather. (Come to think of it - we'll enjoy it whatever the climate)!

MMario - Ducks with accents! I'd be interested to hear a Liverpool one!!

Cheers

Chris

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:50 AM

I wish "we" had known in advance that the friday and Saturday concerts were to be streamed live on the web. Have to remember to check on that next year so the poor suckers people who can't make it can tune it.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: MMario
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 09:47 AM

BTW- a lively conversation I overheard in the Gazebo on the Village Green Sunday - "Ducks have accents" - I guess Life imatates the Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 09:14 AM

I have to agree with Jerry (JB) that there were many sublime moments at the Festival. We're still in Motel-land here in Mystic gearing up to return to Maine, and these moments keep flashing through my mind like someone's Powerpoint presentation. I promise to provide a more full description of what we experienced but not from this motel/AOL connection that cuts me off from the internet every 5 minutes!

We had a wonderful evening at the Griswold Inn in Essex, in spite of the difficulty we experienced in trying to hear what people were singing in an acoustically live dining hall with too many people talking in the back and additional noise from the adjacent taproom and other dining rooms.

Fortunately, I did not have to follow Marc Bernier's presentation of "The Moose Song", more about that in a later post.

Now we have to dash for breakfast, come back for final packing, and head back to Maine.

Oh, yes, we'll work out something on them CD's.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: MMario
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 08:44 AM

To qoute a comment that was rep[eated several times 'Them Johnson girls are mighty fine!" - and they kept me company all the way home!!!!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Naemanson
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 01:00 AM

That's an idea, Charley, can I send you another mermaid?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JennyO
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 09:24 PM

On the other hand Charlie, is there something we can send you for a swap?

Jenny

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JWB
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 04:42 PM

One of my favorite parts of the Festival (and there are lots of them!) was the Symposium, the "scholarly" portion of the event. If you attend the Sea Music Festival and don't drag yourself out of bed on Saturday morning for the Symposium you're missing a lot. It's not dry and academic, but is full of music and insights into where the music we love comes from.

This year it was terrific, with Stephan Sanfilippo presenting a fascinating look at a collection of songs put together by a NY whaleman in the 1840s; Bob Webb enthralling the audience with his multi-media talk on the maritime painter Charles Patterson and a newly-discovered sea song; and Rev Carr showing footage and playing clips of how Polynesian and European/American music influenced each other during the days of South Sea whaling. Wow!

In my callow youth I opted for sleep over the Symposium, but I wised up about 1987 and haven't missed a Symposium since. Do thou likewise.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 02:38 PM

I really enjoyed the Johnson Girls. They blend together very well and have gotten even better than they were last year. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 01:54 PM

Great weather, except for the chilly night. My denim jacket did not cut it on Saturday night! Still, the weather was fantastic!

What a great weekend! Le Vent du Nord were amazing! I enjoyed Pint & Dale, especially the Hurdy-Gurdy. I am in awe of Don Sinetti. It was great to see Tommy Makem again too!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JennyO
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 01:43 PM

Sounds like you had a great time, Charlie and Judy. John and I are still interested in one of those CD's, if you have one available for us. Maybe you could send us a PM about what we owe you and how we can get it?

Jenny (green with envy)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 12:28 PM

Yes, there are survivors from the sea music festival. A small group of us took down the lights and sound system from the stage at Lighthouse Point after the final concert. There were the usual moments of high drama with various wasted people balancing themselves on shaky step ladders taking down the heavy speakers from the rafters. Once again no one was badly crushed. In fact there really was no reason at all for me to shout "Fair catch!" as Nor was endeavoring to twist 380 degrees around at the top of the ladder to unhook the last speaker. Then it was "all coil down" for the various cables and extention cords.

We had a great feed at Go Fish before most of our crew left town. Judy and I are still here in Mystic, having enjoyed 8 hours of s-l-e-e-p at her motel room.

The final concert is truly a wonderful experience, every performer who is still conscious leading a song, and for the sound crew all kinds of quick set-ups to deal with whatever creative "extras" that performers come up with. We began with the Frech Canadian group Le Vent du Nord, who we had already set up for from their previous concert, and once again they "blew" everyone away with their fiddles, accordian, key board, hurdy gurdy, step dancing, and vocals.

The final involved everyone on the stage with Don Sinetti leading "Rolling Down to Old Maui" which I'm sure carried to wherever old Stan resides. And then Geoff Kaufman led "Leave Her, Johnny, Leave Her."

My high moment was running the main sound board while Bob went rowing with his wife and Nor went up to lie in the sun. There I was fine tuning the board while Dick Holdstock and Allan Macleod were doing their set. Yes, I was having real fun until the last 10 minutes when I glancing down at the program and realized that Le Vent du Nord was scheduled next and neither Bob or Nor was in sight, and I am truly clueless when it comes to connecting direct boxes, adjusting monitors
and arranging any of the things one has to deal with for 5 people and half a gazillion instruemnts. Fortunately I found someone who thought he knew where Nor was collecting sun and I was rescued before I created too much of a tangle.

Judy has lots of digital images to process when we get home. And I'll endeaver to post more details. We do have some extra CD's of SALTY DICK'S UNCENSORED SAILOR SONGS as promised for our real friends. We still plan to attend this evenings Survivors Shanty Sing at the Griswold Inn in Essex and we'll report on that as well.

We had the best weather I've ever experienced at Mystic. Looking forward to next year already.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 06:21 PM

Don't waste any of the weekend in sleep! You can get plenty of sleep on Monday!

JWB, look for a personal message from me. I have a question.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 08:42 AM

Judy, I'm also a early (hours, that is!!) to bed & early to rise, tho I've never been shanghaied to work at 9am, but I do get by with very few hours of sleep at Festivals. It's the only way to festival. I don't want to miss anything, especially late night singing sessions.

2 lots of pics!! I can hardly wait

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JudyB
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 04:04 AM

Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised after all the times I heard Charlie sing Shanghai Passage - but I've been shanghaied! Charlie & Nor are hard-working volunteers - I was intending to be audience. Somewhere   around 2 am yesterday Charlie mentioned that they had a staffing crisis, so he'd volunteered me to be on the sound crew - and I should report at 9 am to get my assignment.... So I now have a magic pass that gets me into the after-hours parties. But gee - 9 am comes awfully early when you don't get to bed until 3 or 4!

I have some photos from the Friday night "pub sing" which I'll try to post on Charlie's site once we get home on Tuesday. The festival is fantastic, and the weather's even reasonable - a pleasant change from other times I've attended.

Charlie was still singing when I left at 3 am, and he's sleeping on site tonight - but I expect he'll have a full description once he gets near the laptop.

JudyB

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 10:42 AM

ta - much appreciated.

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 04:40 PM

Sandra, I will surely take more when I am there and love to share them, so mine at least will be up. Wonderful sunset last night, perfectly timed at intermission.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 10:13 AM

Charley, I hope you or someone else will be taking photos to share with those of us who can't make it!

sandrs

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 08:48 AM

Barry-

Sorry to hear that. We,ll all miss you this round but please come to the next shanty swap at the Press Room.

I did arrive yesterday with my crew in Mystic, with my wife Judy and our former Roll & Go member Alison. We had time for a nice dinner downtown at the Schooner Walk, formerly Trader Jack's. They advertize "Real Food for Real People" and it was quite good.

The evening concert down at the Spring Point shed was a little loosely organized but always fun. The were the usual Mystic shanty singers, Pint & Dale, Georgia Sea Island Singers, Bob Walser, and Jerry Bryant. Jerry had a newly composed Sailortown song that I lust after.

The shanty shout was in the Galley and I broke my advice for leading "Fire Maringo" by pitching it too high. No damage but embarrassing. I did better later with C. Fox Smith's "So Long (All Coil Down)." We had a nice table shared with our group, Celticaddic, her partner, Dave,and another woman. Everyone seemed in good spirits.

Today we are free to wander around the Museum groups until our 6 PM volunteer meeting. We plan to have great fun!

Off to Breakfast!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Barry Finn, forgot to restore my cookie
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 11:59 PM

Hi Charley

Sadly I won't be making Mystic this year, 1st time since the 80's when I stopped going for a number of yrs. I also won't be making Old Songs this year either. At this rate the getaway looks to be fadiing from my sights too.

Downhearted Barry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 10:40 AM

Does anyone know if folks from New Hampshire are planning to come?

Last year, Barry Finn, Bruce and some of their family members came. Be nice to see some of the folks at the Festival who regularly attend the 3rd Saturday shanty sings in Portsmouth. If you can only come one day, Saturday is probably the best day.

I found my volunteer confirmation letter. Now if I can only find the keys to the van...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 09:02 AM

Looks like great weather for the entire week-end, although I probably shouln't mention that...

I wonder where I put my volunteer confirmation form!

Here's the phone number for the Griswold Inn in Essex if anyone else is interested in making dinner reservations for Monday's Survivor's Shanty Sing: 860-767-1776

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Jen M
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 07:00 PM

Thanks Dave!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Just another Dave
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 06:23 PM

I understand that pre-ordered tickets will be available for you to pick up at the main entrance when you arrive. I had the same concern and received a phone message from the Seaport ticket office today. The past practice was to mail them -- so I was somewhat surprised.
Looking forward to seeing you all!

Dave

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Jen M
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 05:46 PM

Question from a first timer, I ordered tickets but have not recieved them. Should I be concerned?

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 05:27 PM

Jerry-

Certainly with a chorus, a refrain, or both!

And probably it is better to choose a shanty/chanty/chantey which you expect most people to be familar with, unless you're particularly good at commanding attention make some effort to teach a novel chorus.

There will be opportunities throughout the weekend to sing the quiet or longer ballads to smaller groups of people but the large late night events are shanty shouts. And seldom is anyone "invited" or "encouraged" to lead a song. You have to sieze your moment and then nail your song.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JWB
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 01:31 PM

Good advice, Charlie. I'll add this: lead a song that has a chorus. These afterhours sing-songs are not concerts, and they're not the place for a 12-stanza ballad which offers no chance for joining in.   The wonderful part of the singing sessions is the power of all those voices pushing the choruses through your very pores.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: MMario
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 10:43 AM

Of course you can do as I do - just wallow in the music - sing on the choruses and responses and forget about leading anything.

Given the caliber of people who are leading songs - it's no loss! (speaking strictly for myself of course)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 09:02 AM

Sounds like we should be making dinner reservations for around 6 pm, and then playing it by ear. Thanks!

Here's a suggestion for first timers who are attending the late night shanty shouts at the Festival. If you plan to lead a song, get there early with a group of friends and find yourself a corner or at least a wall to bounce off. Do not bother to bring an instrument, other than something to help you deliver the song in a key you can sing it in. There is a tendency under stress to pitch a song in too high a key and then self-destruct. Not a pretty sight! If your friends can support you in the chorus that will be a big help. If you know no one, use whatever social skills you have to attach yourself to a group.

I'm easy to identify. I'm about 60, bearded, usually wear a stripped shirt and a denim Greek sailor's hat. Of course there are several hundred other shantymen wantabees who fit that description...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 11:06 PM

The Gris has outstanding food, and is a favorite place to dine or lunch even without Survivor's Night (the Monday after the Fest). It is also an interesting place, with a wide variety of old pictures and artifacts, mostly maritime. You will definitely need a reservation for dinner. There is generally live music several nights a week; on Monday it is the Jovial Crew. This used to include Cliff Haslam though he is not there often any more. Later on (nineish?) the Crew sings, then typically calls up any SMF performers who are there, and there are always a number, of those who have come so far they have not left, and those who are regional or local. Connecticut has no smoking in restaurants, and the Gris does not have things like darts, but there are multiple rooms and the noise level is always high.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 01:44 PM

I will be going up for the day on Sunday only. I can not go Saturday because I am Orthodox and can not travel on the Sabbath. If anyone needs a ride from Rockland County, N.Y., send me a private message off the board (lavatory equipped van with professional CDL driver). SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 09:16 AM

Celtaddict-

We could use more planning info for our foray to the Griswold Inn on Monday evening for the follow-up shanty sing. How early should people plan to get there? If one comes earlier, is there food available? Is this gathering a "coordinated" shanty sing or a free-for-all? Should we be expecting tobacco smoke, active dart boards, or other competing activities in the same space? We're reasonably flexible but would prefer to know more about what to expect.

The weather looks promising for the Festival itself.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Celtaddict
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 08:06 AM

I hate to miss even part (and have been to every Festival since 1982) but daughter is graduating in Philadelphia Saturday night. I will make Thursday night and Sunday, and plan to post pics again too. The Gris on Monday is invariably packed to standing room only so if you do not have a reservation, cozy up to someone who does.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: KathWestra
Date: 04 Jun 04 - 04:41 PM

Waaaaaahhhh. This looks like an especially good year. Hope someone posts good reports (and pix) so we can have a little vicarious enjoyment, at least. Kathy

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 08:19 PM

Sigh, it's at times like this when I wish I lived closer. I hope everyone has a very good time and ends the weekend with a ton of great memories. And for those working as volunteers don't forget the old adage, don't waste any of the weekend by sleeping!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JudyB
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 02:25 PM

Just wanted to remind people to use the links above if you want to look at the schedule or whatever - if you do a search for Mystic Seaport, you're more likely to find the schedule from last year (which is at visitmysticseaport.com) than the new one Craig and friends have posted - an unfortunate side effect of how long it takes new sites to make their way to the top of search engine lists. If you can't get to Mudcat to check for the link, try typing mysticseaport.org in your browser window - just make sure mysticseaport is all one word - and then poke around until you find the schedules and list of performers. I was trying to check something while the 'Cat was down, and it took a Google search before I could find the new site - which is definitely worth finding and exploring!

    JudyB

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 29 May 04 - 07:32 PM

Thanks, JWB. No, haven't heard of him. I wonder if he'll be around the fest.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JWB
Date: 29 May 04 - 06:09 PM

Chanteyranger,

I do not believe they are releasing the recording of that session. What I hear is that this is an independent effort that includes some songs learned at that session (from Stan and others) as well as many others (some never before recorded). The name I was given for the artist is Richard Docker -- ever heard of him?

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 28 May 04 - 12:27 PM

Bill D -

I have a good photo of you from last year's fest. If you want to PM me your snail mail address, I'll send it. If your situation changes so you can make it to the fest, I'll bring it (film photo).

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Bill D
Date: 28 May 04 - 11:39 AM

"The store manager" at Mystic has, I am reliably told, VERY strong opinions about what CDs to carry and how many....extremely bureaucratic and tedious rules about inventory.

No telling how this will play out for the Hugill CD (if one appears). As I posted at another thread, I know the tape with 'some' bawdy chanties by Stan exists, because I know the guy who recorded it at Mystic, and he explained that the master is owned by Mystic (wouldn't copy it for me...*grin*)....so perhaps an arrangement has been made.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 28 May 04 - 11:14 AM

JWB, would this be a recording of the legendary uncensored chanteys session w/ Stan from years ago that I keep hearing about?

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JennyO
Date: 28 May 04 - 10:55 AM

Don't see how I was doing that - I said "..if Robin gets one.."

I was simply thinking that it sounds like a CD that at least one of us should have.

I think I'll be having a quiet weekend actually. They are pretty rare, and next one looks like being extremely busy, starting Thursday (North By Northwest).

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 May 04 - 10:35 AM

Jenny - don't put words in Robin's mouth! I sent him the thread for his info, he might not even want a CD of bawdy sea songs!!

see ya Sunday??

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JennyO
Date: 28 May 04 - 09:41 AM

Sounds like the James Craig Shanty Crew should have one, but if Robin gets one, I guess we can share it.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 May 04 - 09:02 AM

We're planning to get to the Fetival early on Thursday. So we'll stock up on the requisite CD's, for all our real friends.

And maybe we can convince the store manager to stock a few Roll & Go CD's.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 May 04 - 08:32 AM

Charley, this CD could be of interest to Robin of the Roaring 40's. I've sent the thread to him.

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 May 04 - 08:24 AM

Ooh-Ooh, please get me one somebody! Please? Pretty please with sugar on it? Charley? Anyone? I'll trade a genuine carved ifit latte stone from Guam, or maybe a nice Marshall Islands basket, or, if you are really kinky (or just need the ultimate conversation piece), a penis gourd from New Guinea.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: JWB
Date: 27 May 04 - 10:42 PM

I've heard from a reliable source that during the Festival the Seaport store will be selling a hot-off-the-press CD of uncensored sailor songs, some collected directly from Stan Hugill. Sounds like one of those CDs you can't find anywhere else.

See you all there!

Jerry

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Bill D
Date: 27 May 04 - 09:39 PM

It is indeed a wonderful place....even when there is no festival happening. It's only drawback is that 2 of the major venues are pretty exposed..(as in out in the weather!)...but we deal with that, hmmm? I've been 2 years in a row, and wish I lived closer....(gas at $2+ will affect where I go!)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 May 04 - 09:28 PM

For those who could make it but aren't going to--Even if you're not an avid fan of shantey singing, this is a prime example of what a folk festival should be. Lovely grounds, lots of both concerts and informal, sit-on-the-grass workshops, talent that you won't hear elsewhere, tall ships, friendly, helpful staff---it's one US festival I won't miss.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Bill D
Date: 27 May 04 - 02:34 PM

*sigh*...can't make it this year. *grumble*...

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 27 May 04 - 01:00 PM

dick - i'll want another red - xl or larger

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 27 May 04 - 12:55 PM

Susan and I will both be there--with some Mudcat T-shirts in the car, if anyone wishes to show his/her true colors (red or navy.)

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 May 04 - 10:50 AM

sounds good.

I await the pictures - last year's pics were wonderful.

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 27 May 04 - 10:09 AM

*grin* yup - that about sums it up!

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 May 04 - 10:06 AM

MMario-

It's really no problem. You start with whatever's at Village Green and after a few minutes run up to the North End Stage and after a few minutes back to Lighthouse Point, stopping off at a pub or a church where something else fascinating is happening, and talking to several friends while watching one of the shanty demonstrations aboard the Conrad or the Morgan...And then you sing all night at the after concert gatherings...Piece of hardtack!

Oh, and don't forget to purchase a few CD's that you'll never find anywhere else.

And stop a moment some late evening and enjoy the silhouettes of the ships in the harbor.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 26 May 04 - 02:32 PM

some tough choices to make as to which workshops to attend.

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 26 May 04 - 02:01 PM

I'll be there, too. Unfortunately I'll have to miss the post-fest bash at the Griswold Inn. Boss wants me back at work on Tuesday, so I'll be flying back to SF on that Monday. Charley, you'll love the Gris night!

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 May 04 - 11:10 AM

Sandra-

Certainly I remember Sally, and we'll be happy to welcome her back at this wonderful sea music festival. She can probably find me and other volunteers and staff at breakfast time at the Youth Training Building (YTB); this is generally off-limits to regular guests but I'm sure Sally knows the secret pass word. Or we could meet at Shinbone Al!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 May 04 - 10:55 AM

One of the James Craig Shanty Crew is heading for Mystic & I eagerly await her return with pictures.

Charley, you met Sally when you were here in November. She used to work at Mystic & is visiting her family, & will be looking for you, too.

sandra

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 May 04 - 11:05 PM

Hey Craig,

Who do I talk to if I want to propose a special guest for a future festival. I have become good friends with a traditional Carolinian navigator. He sings and dances and talk at length about traditional navigation techniques for getting around in the south Pacific. He is a 7th generation Navigator of the elite class of navigators who are well known around the islands.

Brett

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 May 04 - 10:52 AM

Sol-

Thanks for the driving instructions to the Griswold Inn. We may even have a chance of finding it now. Wonder what time things get started there?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 18 May 04 - 12:04 AM

It is the GRISWOLD Inn and is right in the heart of Essex, Ct. Go south on I-95 to Exit 69. Take Route 9 north to Exit 3. Make a right off the ramp and follow the main drag into Essex. The Griswold Inn is one block before you hit the waterfront on your right. There is parking behind the Inn for patrons only. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 May 04 - 08:59 PM

Nor, I, JudyB and Alison are planning to roll down from Maine on Thursday, and maybe get back Monday or Tuesday.

We hear that some Festival survivors continue singing at the Griswall Inn on Monday evening. Anyone know how to find the Griswall Inn?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Anglo
Date: 17 May 04 - 06:45 PM

Here's the blue clicky for the copy-and-paste impaired:

Sea Music Festival

Subject: RE: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 17 May 04 - 05:15 PM

I will be there on Sunday Craig just like every year. I have only missed one since the festival began. That was the year my father passed away. SOL ZELLER

Subject: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
From: GUEST,ChanteyCraig
Date: 17 May 04 - 04:56 PM

Hi Everyone,

The 25th Annual Sea Music Fest is right around the corner! Flyers are a little later than usual coming out, but our website is now up to date, so if you want info go to the following link. There's performer lists, schedules, ticket info, and all sorts of stuff there. Hope to see you!

http://www.mysticseaport.org/source/show_course.cfm?mcourse=13&mkind=visit