Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room

Subject: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 12:59 PM

Next Saturday, 19 November is the date for the next shanty/forebitter session from 3:30 to 7:30 at the press Room, 77 Daniel Street, Portsmouth NH. Due to the Getaway, we cancelled October's session, so it's been a long time

We have been very fortunate in the intervening weeks, however, to have some fine singers from Gloucester, MA coming to the Friday night sessions, and this great lot of shanty singers has promised to join this Saturday's event en masse. And they have all requested that Barry Finn be there too.

Now if the crew from Maine travels south, we will have a great tri-state gathering, and will most assuredly make the rafters roar.

See you next week - Tom

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 01:38 PM

I'll be there if my evil twin can make it.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 03:10 PM

If she can't, I will drive Jacqui.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 03:55 PM

You're on!

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 07:10 PM

Hmmm . . . who exactly is whose evil twin?

Inquiring minds want to know . . .

;-)

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 07:44 PM

It's gonna be a great turnout!

At least 4 Roll & Go folks are also planning to join this Shanty Raid. We'll try to get there early so we can get a seat.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 08:44 PM

This looks most promising. But we haven't heard from Barry yet.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 09:26 PM

Both of them are evil. There's nothing in the Pop Culture Handbook that says there has to be a GOOD twin!

Barry should be committed, but never actually commits. He just sort of shows up.

I think I might be able to make it this time.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 11:31 PM

iS THAT A COMMITMENMT. jERI?

dAMN cAPSLOCK! tHIS HASN'T HAPPENED IN A WHILE.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 02:48 PM

AW, Jeri, I don't have a problem with committments I just have problems with being committed. I am not guilty & I'll swear to it! Thanks Tom for the heads up. I'm trying to figure out some kind of doable plan. I'm thinking of going by bus to Boston then to Portsmouth but I'm still working on getting home. We're going to Natalie's swim meet (maybe go from there?) that afternoon, early & Gabe's hosting a stage crew party late that night & I'm gonna be there to make sure no one gets drunk or pregnant or does this or that & still has fun. Maybe the future will have NH Public Transportation. Not this century. I feel so wanted, aw shucks, thanks.

Barry

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 04:42 PM

Barbara said she was planning to be there.

The weather looks great!

Now if JudyB gets over her flu and cold and if I manage to avoid both...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Cormac
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 05:23 PM

Hi. I'm living in Ireland trying to trace Jim Radford, English shanty and folk singer, former Committee of 100 CND activist, etc. Last heard of living in Lewisham, South-East London.
Hope you can help (by the way he has a huge collection of sea shanties and sings well, and also sings other songs, some of which he composed himself (they're good too!).
Regards, Cormac

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 08:09 PM

Sorry Cormac, we're talking Porstmouth & Derry New Hampshire USA. Tom, who have you seen coming to the session from the Cape Ann area? Some of the folks from there I haven't seen in a long time & would love seeing & hearing them again, I'm still planning

Barry

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 08:30 PM

Haven't got all the names yet, but those i have are Peter and Joanne Souza, George ? and Alexander? There are some others I didn't have the chance to exchange names with. They might even pry Peter Marston loose - Tom

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 08:34 PM

Cormac - You might go to    this site,
click on "links" and go to the Chanty Cabin.

Otherwise, post a separate thread here on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 08:49 PM

If it's the same George & Alex they'll most likely have the same Peter in tow, he's probably one & the same. There's quite a bit of mighty fine talent around that area that's doesn't seem to wander about that much anymore. But then look whose talking I don't get around much anymore, either. Peter, Alex & Goerge used to run a small singing session down there, maybe they still do. It was a really nice session but hard to get to back then & then I had to & ........ you know. It'd probably not be possible for me now or at least for the time being anyway.

Barry

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 09:52 PM

Barry, if you need a ride home from Portsmouth, you have one.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 16 Nov 05 - 01:05 AM

I could really use one, thanks bunches. Now I just have do my damn best to get my self there which I'm hoping will be the eaiser part. Thanks Jeri

Barry

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 10:42 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 12:02 PM

Note this day would have been Stan Hugill's 99th birthday.

See you all there!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 09:29 PM

WOW! What a session!

This was a tri-stater -- major infusion of new blood from Gloucester, Massachusetts. Besides major representation of the state of Maine by Roll and Go (and Lynne Cullen and Kathie Morris, from Maine but not members of Roll and Go) and New Hampshire represented by Jeri, Barry Finn, Barbara Benn and Tom and I, we had a full complement from the Schooner Adventure out of the fishing port of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Don't think I have everyone's names, but Peter and Joanne Souza, Alexander, George, Gordy, Brian and Brian's wife. (And son -- and I never got their names.) Oh, the Roll and Go contingent, for those who don't know, are Nor & Eli, Dick Dufresne, and Charlie and Judy.

Speaking of rafters being raised and shaken, we're talking a powerful bunch of voices. Lots of new songs including a new song by Charley Noble.

And after the closer of "Leaving of Liverpool", Tom did the seasonal Thanksgiving round because I asked him to. (I missed the Friday night session at The Press Room last night and we have such a short window of opportunity.)

Sinsull and Jacqui got lost, I think. (Keep the ocean on your left, fer gawd's sake!) At least I hope they got lost or some such benign thing which kept them from showing up rather than any crisis or bad thing occurring.

I even had a voice again. It decided to go south at the end of a gig the other night, but seemed to be there when I needed it today.

Oh, and Helene Jones showed up and sang a few. She was part of the Press Room regulars about 15 years ago and disappeared until about a week ago. Hope she's back on a regular basis. We had a good bunch of listeners, too. (Always a good thing.)

All in all, a really good session!

Linn

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 11:13 PM

What she said...
Great music, great bunch of people. I'm dealing with my winter voice (the one I get when the heat comes on in the house), but it worked. Barry sounds great and looks good (for Barry). I dropped him off, and came home. The evil twins missed the best Saturday sea session ever, and I hope they're OK.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 11:58 PM

It was over the top. No doubt & no exception, it was warmly if not hotly inviting, full of great music, singers & song & loads of laughter to boot. I got up & headed from from the opposite end of the room to hear the sound. It was like I was listening to a ship's crew singing in the harbor, more than just the cat's meow. I can only think of 1 or 2 sessions that holds a candle to this night's. I hope that this high octaine occassion won't be a once in a life time thing. I also have to say it was a great thing to see that the incredable talent attending & their supporting of a shanty session virgin & a budding singer lend the kind of support that they did.

Barry

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: jacqui.c
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 07:26 AM

And we missed it!

Mary was doing her voluntary stint in the Lighthouse shop and wasn't going to finish until it was really too late to do the drive down. The last few weeks have been pretty hectic in this corner of the world, what with house moves and concert going and I think we were both rather exhausted.

I shall be in the UK when the next one takes place. After that it depends upon the vagaries of the Cap'n - and when we head South in January........

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 09:45 AM

You don't call, you don't write...
Glad to hear nobody's bleeding to death in a ditch or anything.

Barry, you're right about that 'high octane' thing. The singing can often get into a lackadaisical rhythm when it's the same people doing the same songs for the same ears and chorus voices. This one kicked ass. When the turn came round for that back table, you could tell there had been some minor plotting, because one song would finish and another would start before the notes got cold, and they were GOOD songs and GOOD singers! The number and quality was such that I felt they inspired the rest of us and made everyone better. I certainly hope we continue to be blessed by their presence.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 10:37 AM

We were pleased to share the evening, and what an evening! There's always a boost of energy when a new group of good singers drops in and the Gloucester folks certainly know how to pull their weight on a good shanty. But were they missing a member? I thought I heard someone mumbling about how "They lost 'er in Gloucester" but that could have been MY evil twin mumbling in my ear.

My new adaptation of a C. Fox Smith poem is called "Rio Grande" and in setting it to music I make free use of the gospel tune to "Little Black Train" which fascinated me ever since I heard it on Jeff Warner's new CD JOLLY TINKER. There's a MP3 sample on my personal website: Rio Grande

I'd certainly like to know more about the traditional fishing schooner "Adventure" that the Gloucester folks are involved in reconstructing.

I hope we see and hear from this gang again at the December shanty sing.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 08:57 AM

Sorry to have missed this one. Next Saturday is my last day volunteering at the museum for this season. Next year I will definitely have a different schedule. I had hoped to do some shopping in Portsmouth too. Damn!

Actually, I had my broom tuned up. The alignment went haywire and i knocked Jacqui arse over teakettle into the bay. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

When is the next one, Tom? December 17?

SINS

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: jacqui.c
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 09:55 AM

Definitely directionally challenged!

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: adventure
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 06:17 PM

Afternoon to each and all.
Looking forward to the 17th and another great session of shanties.
Hopefully I can pack up the crew from Cape Ann...Gloucester and Essex and from schooner Adventure and slide in at the same time as we did in November. We really appreciate your open door approach to shanty singing.....the way it should be. We do a Wednesday evening shanty sing at Schooner's in Gloucester each Wednesday evening with groups of 10 to 12 and sometimes 30 plus people present. Lotsa fun and lotsa learning going on. Start late though about 9 p.m.
Hope we can continue to venture into your home port and do more music. Someone asked about the schooner Adventure...my second life....check out our web site. Working right through the winter to keep up the restoration pace. Contact me if you would like a tour or any information. When we're done, and at 122 feet, she'll carry a good bunch of shanty singers on for some fine times in the future.
Thanks for your kindness and thanks to Tom for hosting the sessions.
The doryman.
Peter

www.schooner-adventure.org

Sing heartily into the darkness and you will find your catch!

Barry...great to see you out and about...last time was at the Red Barrel in Essex. I was kind of shy and quiet back then....not really!
Just contained.

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 07:55 PM

Peter-

We'll certainly look forward to seeing and hearing from your gang on December 17th at the Press Room. I believe all five members of Roll & Go will be there, along with a pre-release version of our forthcoming ROLLING DOWN TO SAILORTOWN CD; this is our Christmas draft version which is quite good but we still have some tinkering to do with it before we produce a 1000 coasters.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Nov. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 08:39 PM

Hi Pete. Thanks, I was great to see & hear you & Joanne again. I hope we'll do it again, soon! It was such a good time. Thanks for the link, it's so nice to see the Adventure's progress, it's been awhile but she seems to be shaping up. Last time I was onboard waswhen she hosted a party for Sea Reavels, some yrs ago. Physically (for the moment) I'm not able to volunteer with the restoration & I can't (hopefully for the moment, too) drive there even if I could, but if you ever do fund raisers & are in need I'd be happy to donate my voice. It was probably back in the late 90's that a couple of partners I did do a couple of stints singing under sail at Mary Helen's asking(give her a hug from me if you would) so there's no worry about me screeming potical statements into the scuppers & spreading chum bait all over the deck. Illl keep those sessions in min, just in case. Thanks Good luck to you & yours & all the other Cape Ann folks.

Barry