Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room

Subject: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: curmudgeon
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 05:30 PM

Next Saturday, 21 January, is the date for the next shanty / forebitter session at the Press Room, 77 Daniel Street, Portsmouth NH, from 3:30 to 7:30 PM.

This will mark the start of our fourth year doing these gatherings which have gotten better and better with the passage of time, and especially with the influx of new voices from Gloucester (MA).

Despite the frigid conditions now upon us, the weather promises to be quite balmy for January by the end of the week.

So, who's coming aboard?

See you there - Tom

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 05:34 PM

I will be as long as my driver is fit and well.

Anyone want any Vocalzone? I've bought a few packs back from the UK - got to charge $4 a pack to cover the cost.

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 06:46 PM

I'll be coming down but unfortunately I'll have to leave Portsmouth about 6 pm.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 11:22 PM

Her driver will be well or else! THe weather looks to be cooperative. I have been too long away and am looking forward to this one.
SINS

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 07:14 PM

I heard a rumor that Ramona might even show up.

It's been a loooooooong time.

Linn

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Pirate of Cape Ann
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 08:19 PM

If needed, I can pick Barry up (if he'll give me his address). Can anyone give him a ride home? If not, I'll do that too. Where are you Barry? Pipe up! Any offers for the homebound passage?

Pirate

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: adventure
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 09:41 PM

Hey Jacqui,

Peter the doryman , here. Please bring several Vocalzone packs with you.....these things are great. Danny Spooner broke these out last year when we were in Essex one night.....they sure do the trick during a long session or over the period of several days. We should hit the Press Room from Cape Ann some time after three pm. Thanks. See you there. Thanks.
Peter

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 08:02 AM

Tom Lewis first turned me on to Vocalzones. (Gee, how's that for name dropping?!?) Jeff Warner brought me back my first coupla boxes and Jacqui has been my pusher since.

People either love 'em or hate 'em -- I think they're great. (Can't stand Fisherman's Friend.)

Can't get their website to work, though, at least the last time I tried. Wouldn't accept my order, wouldn't display button directions, etc. Too bad; I wanted their free (with order) booklet on care of the voice. Even tried emailing to the address listed on the site, but it bounced. Haven't snail mailed, though.

Linn

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 10:07 AM

Linn-

Should we start a song challenge with regard to Vocalzones, or have you already composed the song?

Something like:

Since my voice left me, no one could hear my moans,
Since my voice left me, no one could hear my moans,
But now I'm belting the blues again,
Since I popped some Vocalzones!

Maybe we could sell it to the company for a commercial!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 10:32 AM

Vocalzone packed and ready to go.

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: adventure
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 07:31 PM

Jacqui,

Thank you. Much appreciated.

We learn from other's travels and experiences.

Peter

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 11:42 PM

Thanks Pirate, That's a real kind offer, thanks. My wife has me at a silent auction to raise money for a building that being given over in part to Head Start (where she works). She claims to have supported me enough & wanted me there & she's right. So I'll be singing the blues. If it's silent I can do that right, with out being charged for bying something, right? Have a great time. Hopefully the next time???. Thanks
Barry

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 11:50 PM

I'd been volunteered to give somebody else a ride, but Tom said they'd do it and I could give Barry a ride home. It doesn't sound like you can escape the auction block, but if you can, you've got a ride home.

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 10:42 AM

Barry Finn is up for auction? Where do I place my bid? Cash? Credit Card? Personal Check?
He thinks I have forgotten being called a whore? Wait until he is mine!
SINS

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 08:39 PM

Who called you a whore? Let me at them. I'll defend you but I don't actually have any firm proof. Only whore I ever knew was me, prior to being married of course. Those streetwalkers & high class call girls & boys where were all childhood friends. Bid as much as you like, I've already been had.
Barry

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 10:54 AM

Maybe it's time to refresh my "Widgery Wharf" version of "Cruisin' Round Yarmouth."

See whoever shows up in a few hours. Weather sounds great!

Cheerily,
Charley Noible

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 11:38 AM

There was a crowd all in rare form. The Gloucester group is full of music, fun and enthusiasm. Bruce made a short appearancce as did Charlie Ipcar. Linn will have to fill you in on the details but I did get a new(ly written) song to learn about a lady, a lighthouse, and a man at sea.
Who were all those quiet people on the other side of the table.
As we left, a couple at one of the tables stopped Jacqui and me and thanked us for the wonderful music. Neat!

Subject: RE: Jan. Shanty Session at the Press Room
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 12:29 PM

Good to have Sinsull and Jacqui attending again. I really hated to leave at 6, just when the session was clipping along at a robust pace. But I did want to catch the Tanglefoot concert in Bath that my friends organized, and it was wonderful! They're organizing a Jez Lowe & the Bad Pennies concert as a follow-up for February 12, Sunday, 4 pm, Kresge Auditorium, Bowdoin College, Brunswick (call 207-688-4515 for more info), fortunately not a conflict with anything I'm aware of!

I led Vince Morash's fine trawling song "Haul Away the Nets" which folks seem to like but I should probably do it some more to work up the chorus to its full-throated roar! I also led Bob Zentz's arrangement of Cicely Fox Smith World War 1 version of "Leave Her Johnnie Leave Her" of a ship which is sunk by a mine as she nears England, with the crew pulling away in the lifeboat while updating the old sea shanty; the chorus and refrain are identical which helps bring chorus folks up to steam quite rapidly. I also tried out my new arrangement of Cicely Fox Smith's poem "Shipmates - 1914" which seems to be a keeper; it also has a refrain that is readily picked up and is a missing link in her personal love story.

Joanne had a new song from Western Australia which I'd like to hear again; it's from the same folks who put together "Don't Sail on the Emma." Peter did a fine job of leading "Roll the Old Chariot." Bruce led his marvelous "Fisherman Song" and his fine song with the intricate chorus with reference to the banks of the St. Lawrance River. Jeri came in late and I only got to hear one song from her "Bear Away Yankee, Bear Away Boys." Tom lead "The Banks of Newfoundland" which I haven't heard in a long time. Linn lead Joyce McLeod's song of warning for those considering marriage with a keelboat lad. Alan lead his original rap song about ticks; it was not exactly a nautical song but everyone got into it with a will. Now he just needs to do one about bedbugs and roaches, and weevils (the lessor of two weevils?). Rich Gato joined us for the first time in months and ran off "South Australia" accompanied by his Anglo concertina. The Pirate of Cape Ann led "John Kannaka." And there were at least two version of "Deep Blue Sea," one led by Carol and another led by ???. What's the name of the mandolin player?

Will someone else please fill in what I've left out, and all the really great stuff I missed after I left.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble