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13 Dec 08 - 04:27 PM (#2514521) Subject: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: SINSULL Just back from a storytelling tribute to Bert and I, Bob Bryan and Marshall Dodge's legendary recording of Maine humor. There were supposed to be two half hour shows at LL Bean's, 1 & 3 PM. But the crowd for the first one was standing room only - even the window sills were occupied. So they added a 2 PM show...except the 1PM show carried over and... It was wonderful to see an audience of grey haired oldies, teenage punkers, tiny babies with parents in their 20s. When the emcee asked if anyone did not know who Bert and I were, only on woman raised her hand - she was just looking for a place to sit. Bob Bryan was the highlight doing the boat in the fog story sound effect for sound effect in that painfully Maine accent. There were six "acts" including Tim Sample and Marshall Dodge's brother but honestly the next highlight for me (of course) and everyone around me was Kendall's "following them rabbit tracks". The chat around me was whether he could still perform after his cancer. His first adlib put everyone at ease. Kendall is fascinating on stage. In person, he is Captain Morse, don't mess with the bull. On stage he becomes the taciturn, modest downeaster who almost fades into the background. In fact, yhe emcee had to come back on the stage - he forgot to introduce Kendall. He takes his time weaving his tale. At times you think "oh no he forgot the next line". But he is just working his audience. There was some filming going on and mention of UTube. I hope it all shows up there. Meantime, there ia a fresh audience for Maine storytellers. http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2006/02/18/50_years_after_bert_and_i_maine_humor_retains_its_appeal/ |
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13 Dec 08 - 05:48 PM (#2514558) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: Amos I want the damned VIDEO!!! A |
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13 Dec 08 - 08:37 PM (#2514669) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: GUEST,SIN Refresh |
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13 Dec 08 - 10:03 PM (#2514703) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: Nancy King WOW! What I wouldn't give to have seen that show! I've LOVED "Bert and I" from the beginning (still have my vinyl records...), and fondly remember seeing Marshall Dodge at a "Liar's Bench" evening for the Folklore Society here in Washington back in the early 60s, along with several other folks whom I cannot now recall. Especially great that Kendall took part -- a rare opportunity to see him in his element. I don't suppose L.L. Bean will repeat that show in, say, June or September, when I could go to it...? Do you think maybe there IS a video? I'm jealous of all who were close enough to get there, ice storm and all. Bert and I come down to the dock in the early mornin'...... Nancy |
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14 Dec 08 - 08:19 AM (#2514852) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: kendall Sins, thanks you for the review. The thing about Maine humor is, its laid back style of delivery. That is the tradition. Many of the asides take a few seconds to "sink in" so you have to proceed at a space that does not leave the audience behind. I know one storyteller who troops back and forth like Groucho Marx while saying things that need time to be absorbed. It just doesn't work.He once asked me what you do when your best material falls flat, and I said "Get used to it." He thought that was funny, but he didn't realize I was commenting on his delivery style. My upbringing trained me to not "stick out" and call attention to myself. That works well with Maine humor, and they go hand in hand. Sins, you may have noticed that one of the performers parked on the sidewalk right outside the room where we did the show? That sort of thing is common to stand up comics who want to draw attention to themselves, but it is a no no to the traditionalist. I parked so far away from the venue I needed my passport to get back and forth. Did my demonstration of the lead line make my story about the compost heap clearer? |
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14 Dec 08 - 10:14 AM (#2514910) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: Becca72 Dad, didn't you say that the performance was being filmed for MPBN? Do you know when it will air? We only made it for the 3pm show and I'd like to see the rest. |
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14 Dec 08 - 12:10 PM (#2514988) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: jacqui.c I hope that it will be shown - I am really sorry that I missed it. I would have loved to have been there to see Kendall do his stuff and I am so glad that it went so well. KENDALL'S BACK!!!!!! I know which performer parked on the pavement - can't stand him myself and that just sounds like typical behaviour for him. |
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15 Dec 08 - 09:30 AM (#2515734) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: SINSULL I chatted with a few people arouind me. Many were surprised and annoyed that Kendall appeared at the Portland Maritime festival and they never even heard of it. So we have some live ones for Portsmouth and Portland. |
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16 Dec 08 - 10:49 AM (#2516836) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: Becca72 I bet I can guess which performer parked on the pavement, too...and we didn't stay for his bit. Never found the man funny, myself. |
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16 Dec 08 - 10:59 AM (#2516851) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: ranger1 Oh, I think we all know who that performer on the pavement was. He's as bad as that old bat with the fake accent that does the Marden's TV ads. |
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16 Dec 08 - 11:09 AM (#2516860) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: SINSULL But the buffoon aside, it was a wonderful afternoon. Port City Magazine has an article on Bert & I with some great pictures. |
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16 Dec 08 - 01:54 PM (#2517024) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: Becca72 Ohhhh...I'll have to pick that up, thanks Mary! I was engaged to Marshall Dodge ya know... LOL. |
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27 May 13 - 04:52 PM (#3519781) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: Thomas Stern BERT & I Records Can anyone fill in the missing numbers: 10, 13, 16, 18ff. Thanks! Best wishes, Thomas. 1 Bert & I and other Stories from Down East - Robert Bryan & Marshall DOdge 2 A Maine Pot-Hellion - Horace Stevens, Alan Bemis, Steve Graham, Betty Brown..... 3 Walter Hard, Vermont Poet 4 Connecticut Characters remembered by Nelson C. White 5 More Bert and I 6 Wilbert Snow, Maine Poet 7 Frank Hatch sings songs of Old Castine 8 Urban development and other swan songs of old Boston - Francis Whiting Hatch 9 The Return of Bert and I 10 ??????????? 11 Bert and I Stem Inflation 12 Bert and I On Stage 13 ??????????? 14 How to Talk Yankee - Bob Bryan and Tim Sample 15 Downeast Stand-up - Ti Sample 16 ??????????? 17 Tim Sample's Snappy Answers |
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27 May 13 - 04:57 PM (#3519783) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: Mark Ross The above link is broken. Can anyone fix it? Mark Ross |
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27 May 13 - 05:08 PM (#3519792) Subject: RE: Folklore: Bert and I, 50 years later From: Thomas Stern This MAY be the article abstract - now available to subscribers, or for a fee: Laughs last Down East Humor album retains relevance after 50 years Boston Globe - Boston, Mass. Author: Jerry Harkavy Date: Nov 23, 2008 Start Page: N.8 Section: LivingArts Text Word Count: 808 Abstract (Document Summary) Maine's Islandport Press has marked the 50th anniversary of "Bert and I" by distributing a CD that features 34 stories compiled from Dodge and Bryan's four albums, a concert appearance by Dodge, and a public television special. |