To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=143909
19 messages

Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad

17 Mar 12 - 11:11 AM (#3324137)
Subject: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: GUEST,Bob Walser

A friend asked me for 'Venezuela to Trinidad' that Barry Finn used to sing so well. Barry sent me the words (and they're here on mudcat, too) but not the tune. If anyone has a recording of him singing the song and could send me an mp3, I'll transcribe it and make it available to my friend and anyone else who'd like it.


Please send it to trinidad at bob and julie (spelledoutalloneword) dot net.

If and when I get the file, I'll post a message, and ditto with a web address for a pdf of the notation.

Thanks,
Bob


18 Mar 12 - 10:06 AM (#3324531)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: Charley Noble

Bob-

Hi!

"Venezuela to Trinidad" was composed by Roger Hussey, crew on the Norwegian MST (Motor Ship Tanker) Borjholt, who is in resident in the greater Gloucester area. He was an old friend of Barry. It's a great song and deserved to be shared with a wider audience.

I'd also be interested in hearing a recording of the song, if anyone has one.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble


18 Mar 12 - 07:56 PM (#3324847)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: stallion

Well i thought Barry had recorded it cos i remember singing along with it but it must have been at the Scarborough seafest ( that was spooky, the auto spelling thingy came up with safest it just wouldn't do safest)


19 Mar 12 - 07:45 AM (#3325059)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: Charley Noble

This is a song that Barry began to lead around 2007 and it's one that we don't have in our own collection of Barry's recordings. We'd love to have a recording too, if anyone has one.

The Gloucester gang hasn't been checking in on Mudcat threads much this last year. They mostly seem to chat on their Facebook page.

Stallion-

I wonder if Ken Shatz has a recording, as he was singing with Barry on his tour of the UK.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble


19 Mar 12 - 07:58 AM (#3325073)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: Bat Goddess

I'm pretty sure I have Barry singing it on several of the CASSETTE TAPES of the Portsmouth monthly sea music singaround.

But, as you may be aware, Tom and I are going through some difficulties lately (see "Curmudgeon's Latest Adventure" below the line -- he's in the middle of ICU psychosis right now besides the broken ankle), so I don't know when I can get anything to you.

However...a member of our musical circle, Steve Carrigan, has been singing it. He's got a folk show on a Portsmouth local (very local) radio station and has the wherewithall to record it for you. Not Barry, but Steve has a fine voice and sings the song accurately and well.

Linn


20 Oct 12 - 11:00 AM (#3423056)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: GUEST,Roger Allen Hussey, Gloucester

Hi folks -- I'm the one who wrote Venezuela to Trinidad in 2005/6, and Barry was the first one who learned it -- we used to sing it together, alternating verses, Wednesday nights at Cameron's in Gloucester. The song depicts life on the Norwegian tanker Margaret Unstad, and several months of short back back-and-forth trips between Venezuela and Trinidad. The ship was owned by the husband of skating star Sonja Henie, and their alcoholic son ("Lars" in the song) shipped around with us all over the world.
They say this chantey is being sung in England and Australia. There are two middle verses I rarely sing, cuz I think it makes the song go on too long. And the words and tune seem to be evolving over time --   OK with me. Anyway, let me know if you'd like me to send you a score or a recording of me singing verse 1, or of other chanties I wrote and sing in Gloucester -- Ahoy! -- Roger


20 Oct 12 - 01:23 PM (#3423126)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: Charley Noble

Roger-

Love to have a recording of you singing a verse or two of "Venezuela to Trinidad."

Charlie Ipcar
80 Main St.
Richmond, ME 04357

Happy to send you one of my recordings in return: http://www.charlieipcar.com

Charley Noble


20 Oct 12 - 06:59 PM (#3423237)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: Richard from Liverpool

I love this song! I heard it in Gloucester, MA at the shanty nights in Cameron's, and have since taken it to Shanty sings over this side of the water in Liverpool, Ellesmere Port, and Harwich. One of my favourite sea songs, many thanks to Roger for the fine composition and I hope he doesn't mind that I've picked it up and sing it around these parts.


21 Oct 12 - 06:52 PM (#3423830)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: MoorleyMan

Roger,
I too would love to have a recording of this one, as I've wanted to learn it for a while now, ever since hearing Barry sing it in fact, and I didn't even manage to get the complete words, then or since.
But since it's not possible to post to Guests, how can I contact you via "normal email" ?


03 Mar 18 - 12:44 AM (#3909154)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: GUEST,David Nicol

Roger I'm a gill net fisherman and I recently heard this sung at Astoria fisher poets. I'd love a copy of the score and/or recording. I'd be happy to pay postage or you could email me a copy at david@naknekseafood.com


03 Mar 18 - 04:15 AM (#3909158)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: mg

who sang it at fisher poets? i was there.


24 Oct 18 - 01:55 PM (#3958155)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: GUEST,BrianRobertson

Mary I wasn't there this year, but I think a good guess is David Kessler.


01 Feb 19 - 09:24 PM (#3974487)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: GUEST,Asrune

Yes, It was David Kessler


01 Feb 19 - 11:28 PM (#3974493)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: crism

Funny to see this thread pop to the top of the list.

I have been singing this song for a couple of years now; I learned it from Barry, though Peter Souza sent me Roger’s original score of it.

If anyone would like a copy of a recording of my singing it (from The Folk Revival with Nick Noble, WICN-FM, September 2017), or of Roger’s original score, let me know.

I’d really like to get in touch with Roger, though. If anyone knows how to contact him, please let me know! He has left Gloucester, and the locals there don’t know how to reach him, as far as I know.

—crism


03 Feb 19 - 12:44 AM (#3974626)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett

An EXCELLENT song, a big one for the Porch Singers at the Princeton Traditional Music Festival -led as always by David Kessler.

Jon in Kerala, India


04 Sep 23 - 07:08 PM (#4180648)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: GUEST,Debra Norby

Here is a link to a recording of this great song!

https://youtu.be/yneKIi9uchs?si=beF_He5Ncx2g9KoN


04 Sep 23 - 07:08 PM (#4187882)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: GUEST,Debra Norby

Here is a link to a recording of this great song!

https://youtu.be/yneKIi9uchs?si=beF_He5Ncx2g9KoN


05 Sep 23 - 08:51 PM (#4187883)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: MickyMan

Just heard it sung at the Sunday Evening, Labor Day weekend "Pub Sing" in Balston Spa New York, USA.    The weekend "members only" event is called "The Last Gasp", and it is run by PSG, "The Pickin' And Singin' Gatherin'. This is a group from the Albany NY area that has been active since the early 1970s


05 Sep 23 - 08:51 PM (#4180728)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Venezuela to Trinidad
From: MickyMan

Just heard it sung at the Sunday Evening, Labor Day weekend "Pub Sing" in Balston Spa New York, USA.    The weekend "members only" event is called "The Last Gasp", and it is run by PSG, "The Pickin' And Singin' Gatherin'. This is a group from the Albany NY area that has been active since the early 1970s