'Way Stormalong John [77] (71-72)

chantey, a variant on the "Stormalong" theme

With guests Rana and 1 more.

See the whole "Shanties from the Seven Seas" project, here:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=58B55DD66F22060C

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sea
• chantey
• shanty
• folk
• song
• work
• halyard
• ship
• stormalong

[NotaCapn]

Really? 

[hultonclint]

@NotaCapn It's part of a study project to learn all of the chanties presented in Stan Hugill's collection. They are recorded wherever, whenever, with whatever "crew" may be at hand. The goal is to look at the songs fresh and critically, based on the "evidence" there and independent of the "folk revival" recorded, commercial, popular versions, etc. It introduces this repertoire to people not part of any established "scene" and without gimmicks, artificial polish, etc. What's your question?

[NotaCapn]

@hultonclint - No question. This is the first I've ever seen, anywhere, folks with heritage from the Indian Subcontinent singing western maritime music. Given the British involvement in that part of the world it is surprising that this hasn't happened before. Kudos to you for bringing these worlds back together.

[hultonclint]

@NotaCapn OK thanks for that, Cap'n. Incidentally, however, Im not really trying to bring any worlds together, rather hoping (not trying explicitly) chanty singing might become disengaged from its currently popular heritage associations. I think the notion of British heritage connected w/ chanties is a construct formed after the genre went out of "use" + my study avoids reinforcing it. OTOH these just happen 2 b my friends and there's no "South Asian" anything being put forth in the pres.

[mirekm111]

that was great!

[hultonclint]

@mirekm111 And fun, too! :-) thanks

[mirekm111]

@hultonclint oh yeah i can see the moments youre trying not to laugh hehe :D

[hultonclint]

The books include the major collections by Doerflinger, Colcord, Harlow, Sharp, Bullen, and Terry; I always cross reference with those these days. But there are tons more, with a lesser number of songs, that I also use.

People are often shy about singing on video, so it's not as often, in my current living situation, that I find collaborators. My ultimate goal is to get people at work to sing with me!

[kingjohntheman]

I would like to know what recordings/books you have on the subject. I'm sure it's a long list but I'd love to compare notes. Have you had much success in roping folks into singing with you? A group that can perform is always a great way to engage people with music they are unfamiliar with.

[kingjohntheman]

I've always though it would be a rewarding project to put together a diverse group that wanted to perform diverse kinds of authentic shanties, from the costal schooner shanties of the Georgia Sea Islands (as preserved by the Lomax recordings) sung with appropriate harmony and grunts, to the deep-water Cape Horner anglo tradition complete with un-earthly cries and pure melody singing. Throw in a forebitter or two accompanied maybe by a fiddle/banjo/tambourine and you've got yourself a concert!