I hate how emotional land mines can sneak up on you out of nowhere. I was getting ready to go to Navy Pier for the shanty sail, and a couple songs popped in my head and just hit me pretty hard. You would think after 3+ years I’d be able to see it coming…
One of the two, Last Shanty, I have pretty much gotten to the point where I can cope with it on it own. I don’t fully enjoy it as much as I used to still, but it’s at least something I can listen to most days. (Certain days in April are an exception)
The other one, that really just knocks the wind out of me, is “Where the soul never dies“. I love the version by Bryan Bowers, on his Bristle Cone Pine album, its just haunting. That is of course the one that popped into my head… followed then by Last Shanty… a double whammy…
Ugh…
Clip of Soul of Man
Gordon and I found ourselves at the Kendall Pub tonight. Our friend Steve was scheduled to play, but unbeknownst to us they also scheduled a bagpipe & drum group as well. Poor Steve. The bag pipers were great, We even managed to impress the hell out of them by complimenting them on their rendition of “leaving of Liverpool”. The look on their faces was priceless.
tonight was another nice night at the pub. It was looking like it would be a no show but at the last minute a phone call changed it all and it ended up being a great night. I struck up a conversation with “Gordon” at the end of the bar only to discover that he is from Scottland. I mentioned my music tastes tend to lean towards irish & Scottish folk as well as Sea shanties. At that he challanged me to prove it by singing him the “wild rover”. So I did. As I got throught the first verse he laughed and joined in. After we finished that he started naming things at random and I’m proud to say he didn’t stump me once. (well I knew choruses to everything) We talked off and on all night and might haveJon the manager convinced to organize a folk music night! Jon would also like me to pass along the names and contact info for the folk bands I know. So… Seelie Court, Bounding Main, Jessie, Oghm, Etc… Get me your contact info for booking if you are interested.
Ok gang,
There is actually going to be Irish music out by me for a change. Friday, September 12th please join me at the stonefire pub in Yorkville, IL.
For more info on the artist visit http://www.katiemusic.com/
I would really like to show the pub a good attendance and encourage them to bring in more Irish & Folk type musicians. So please mark your calendars now. They have great food, and even have vegitarian options.
Saturday, FOF had a singalong that lasted for an hour and a half. That was fun but I pretty much trashed my voice that had not really fully recovered from last week. This normally wouldn’t be any problem at all, and I didn’t even give it a second thought. About 30 minutes later I arrived at the revel. When I got there I started moving a few benches over like normal. Then Jesse blindsided me by requesting I get up front and sing. I protested and appologized for not having much voice left and then went ahead with “Ambletown”. It was really a surreal moment to say the least. A handfull of the regulars knew the song and sang along on the chorus which helped settle my nerves a little. Then about 3/4 of the way through Jesse started playing along on his guiter. I have to admit the whole experience was very cool. I just wish I had actually had my full voice. Afterwards, everyone applauded, and Jesse said some very nice things. I spent the rest of the revel up front with the muscians. It was really a wild experience to say the least.
Thank you Jesse.
Wow, we have been singing all the way from Amsterdam to our next host. People took turns leading and everyone else jumped in as they could.
I even got up enough courage to lead a couple. I did ambletown and after the first verse Bounding Main chimed in with a beautiful harmony. David taped it… I’m admitedly scared to see that tape…
I’m currently sitting in a German pub with a new friend from Poland, maggoe, David, and jon. Two tables over is a shanty group from Ireland, they are singing traditional songs, we join in when we can, and it is just fantastic.
Oh my god,David and I just got back from the 3 hour and still going all sing shanty singout.
Imagine around 80 shanty singers all singing their hearts out. It was incredible, absolutly incredible.
This night was one of the best nights in my life. Just wow! ! ! Overwhelming shanty goodness!
Something really cool happened today in the FOF garden. Uncle Ho managed to put together an impromptu singout. Between himself, Jennifer, Kate, Ray, and myself we managed to sing together for almost an hour. It was so well received that we have been asked to make it a regular event.
I think my personal favorite was Ho and I doing “Grey funnel line”.
In addition to the faire folks we had dinner with both nights, we were also lucky to have ‘s brother and his lovely wife join us as well. It was nice to get the opportunity to catch up with her brother, and to actually meet his wife.
As far as CD purchases go, I purchased “Hither Dither and Yon’s album: The Mad But Not Angry Tour”, “Empty Hats: Released”, “Porter & Stout: Three Sheets to the Wind; Live at the Claddagh”, “Porter & Stout: Treasures”, and “Axel the Sot: Songs to Sing When You’re Drunk”
Still no iPod… You know it’s funny, I resisted the idea of owning an iPod for so damn long, and now I’m going stir crazy without it… Funny…
A few weeks ago I noticed a pub/restaurant that can be on my way home, that has Open Mic night on Tuesdays. I’ve gone every Tuesday night since. It’s enjoyable, I was hoping there would be some folk music, so far there hasn’t been but it is all acoustic. So far it hasn’t chased me off, and it’s nice to have something to go to that’s close. People have already learned my name, and have been really friendly, and welcoming even though all I do is sit and listen. (ok, yeah I do sing along from my seat)
Wow, its late, I should get to bed…
Happy Birthday , many happy returns.
I stumbled across this song by John McCutcheon today, the version I heard is sung by Robbie O’Connell. Wow, what a tear jerker. I can see a number of you doing this one, in non-faire settings…
Christmas in the Trenches
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I have the new album, Wanderlust. Thank you Greg and Susan, glad I could help out. The new album is phenomenal. As soon as you get the opportunity, buy it. They sounded great together at Bristol last year, now it’s been a year, and holy crap!
Photos from yesterday are here:
http://www.wohlershome.net/gallery/v/Renfaire/Carolina/CRF_2007-11-10/
This really seems to be a great faire. Lots of permanent buildings, lots of great acts, and a street cast that is constantly playing with patrons. I definitely will have to make this a semi-regular visit.
Special thanks to Ramblin Sailors for making me feel so welcome at the faire as well. 
Ok, so I’m leaving for NC in the morning for the Carolina Renaissance Faire. This weekend’s theme is A Pirate Christmas, puttin’ the tide back in Yuletide…
I find it really funny and in keeping with that humor, my brain came up with the following rewording of a Christmas classic. It’s scary to me that it actually fits the tune…
“Up in the riggin reindeer pause
Out jumps good ol’ cap’n claus
Down from the crows nest with lots of toys
All for our piratey christmas joys
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
up in the riggin click click click
down from the crows nest with cap’n nick
First comes a barrel for first mate Bill
Oh, dear Captain, don’t you spill
Give him some rum thats good and fine
We’re all tired of hearin’ him wine
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
up in the riggin click click click
down from the crows nest with cap’n nick
”
I know… scary… very scary… Thank god, thats all for now… I fear I may wake up with the rest of it though…
[Edit: 7:30 a.m.] It seems verse 3 was actually pretty close to being written for a pirate anyway so a couple of changes and poof…
Next comes the sea chest of gunner Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here is a pistol and a boarding axe
Also a cannon and a whip that cracks
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
up in the riggin click click click
down from the crows nest with cap’n nick
Ok, I’m to old for getting home at 4:30 a.m. Ugh… I can’t sleep in the daylight… The Seelie show was a blast thought and I’m glad I went. Next time theres a Delafield show though… I’m getting a hotel up that way somewhere…
I know I haven’t posted other weekend reviews but I just felt like rambling a bit tonight. (ok, and as I typed that my internal soundtrack just switched to “I’m a rover” by Great Big Sea… funny…)
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Crap…
I’ve just been notified of a bit of a scheduling conundrum… Fermilab has their schedule of concerts, and performances out. On that schedule is “Woods Tea Company”. Of course, they are scheduled for a faire night. Saturday, August 4th, at 8 pm. This is very frustrating. I could leave faire early, and make the show no problem. But of course I would be missing the end of the day revel that day, and that’s one of the things I really look forward to… Then again, thats only ONE DAY of the revel, and I’ve really wanted to see Woods Tea Company for a couple years now… Arrrgh decisions decisions…
Ok… Opinions people?
