Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!

Subject: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: GaryD
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 09:02 PM

Just got an incredible recording from our friends at Folk Legacy, of a group I never heard of..they are called "Boarding Party" & they sing sea shantey's & seafaring music.. I'd like to know more about these guys.. so, how about it? What do you know?... Gary

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Kelida
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 09:28 PM

Don't know, but I'd be interested in finding out more about them, too. . .

Peace-Keli

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 09:54 PM

Yes, they're great. One of them is on the Mudcat, goes by Boarding Party (KC). Check out this thread for some background on The Farewell Shanty, one of the many fine songs on their first album. Sadly, KC says they're not doing any more performing or recording.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 11:14 PM

Jonathan Eberhart, stalwart singer and prime scholar of the Boarding Party had to give it up as MS got the better of him. He's now virtually bed-ridden. When he was till working, he was Space Editor for Science magazine. Tom McHenry, the rich-voiced bass (or tenor, when they needed one) retired from his Washington job and is off at some seminary studying to be an Episcopal (I think) priest (or whatever they call their clergy). K.C. King (our Mudcat member) is living in the deep south, having left Washington moons ago. Bob Hitchcock, one of two Brits in the original group, is spending much of his time developing a recording studio in the Washington area. He first left the group to be a part of "The New St. George." David Diamond, the other Brit, is now in the Boston area, and we saw him at NEFFA a few days ago. He writes wonderful, often satirical songs, and still sings whenever he gets a chance.

Eberhart has a solo recording on Folk-Legacy also, titled Life's Trolley Ride. McHenry sang with Rock Creek also, a trio that included Mudcatter and former Camsco entrepreneur Wally Macnow and Bill Destler. These three contribute significantly to Folk-Legacy's one recording of all folk gospel stuff titled Sharon Mountain Harmony.

Eventually, I'll get both Boarding Party recordings out on compact disc, but that has to wait until more money trickles in. As I've often observed: reality really bites.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 11:48 PM

I have often had the joy of eating, drinking, singing and working with all them...they were singly... and later, as a group, a mainstay of the FSGW here in Wash DC...They really researched their songs, and found some rare stuff that others has missed...

sure miss the 'old days'

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Wotcha
Date: 20 Apr 00 - 04:42 AM

The Spirit of the Boarding Party lives on with The Ships Company Chanteymen who perform every couple of weeks in the DC area: and I think The Pyrates Royale may owe something to this connection too. Certainly got me interested in the genre of sea chanteys.
On my travels I have met one of the groups' sons who is a singer in his own right doing good things in the NYC area with the likes of The Johnson Girls and the Mudcat's own Dan Milner and Bob Conroy. In turn, the New Orleans area must be doing great things since KC is down there and apparently influencing folks.
Cheers
Allahamdalla
Brian

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Skivee
Date: 20 Apr 00 - 11:32 AM

I would like to strongly agree with Wotcha's ( Hi,Brian!)crediting of the Bording Party as an influence on both The Ship's Company, and The Pyrates Royale. We have noted the same on several ocassions. They are the pier that we tie up to.Their scholarly liner notes have helped us in understanding and finding new materials; and they have been very supportive to me personally. Anyone interested in seasongs should order the LPs or tapes from Sandy, so that he can put out CD version ASAP. A salute to our mentors.

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Apr 00 - 11:56 AM

Those notes (the famous Folk Legacy booklet) that comes with their recordings, was the most unbelievably thorough and scholarly researched accompanying tome that it's been my pleasure to ever see. I was embarrassed, after seeing their booklets, to see the ones I'd put out for my LPs with Sandy. The last time I talked to Jonathan he was in good spirits in spite of his situation.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Ferrara
Date: 20 Apr 00 - 02:26 PM

Not much to add, just to say that we miss them very much, singly and together, around the DC area. They had a very successful English tour some years back among other things. All of them are splendid musicians and are one of the reasons that living in the DC area is incredibly rewarding for folk music lovers. Tom McHenry did a concert at last year's Washington Folk Festival. Dave Diamond co-led the sea songs workshop with Barry Finn at last year's FSGW Getaway.

You can also hear Jonathon Eberhart on at least one of Helen Schneyer's albums, and singing "See Rock City" with Andy Wallace on one of Pete Seeger's Clearwater albums, possibly the first. In particular, if you ever get to hear Helen singing "Living in Beulah Land," Jonathon was one of the people in the background making trumpet noises in his cupped hands on the choruses. This is quintessential Eberhart. One of the first times I saw him, he was playing a jug with a group called Dr. Kilmer's Medicine Show. He played piano for Helen Schneyer and has an amazing collection of wierd instruments.

A wonderful memory is a party given on a houseboat. I don't think the whole Boarding Party was there, but I remember KC and Tom McHenry and a cast of thousands, all crowded into this boat and onto its decks. We were all singing shanties and anything else that appealed, and people came alongside in canoes and small boats to smile and listen to the music. Bill's mom cried, she said she had never had such a wonderful experience.

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Abby Sale
Date: 20 Apr 00 - 03:04 PM

Well, I like Art's notes fine but agree that there's special information on rare chanties on the Boarding Party tapes. You don't often hear Japanese ones or any dating back to 1540's as "Heise All" - a knockout, at the least. My strongest recommendations are to quick, get the other tape from F-L - and force KC to sing if you run into him in a pub in New Orleans.

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: GUEST,Nancy King
Date: 20 Apr 00 - 07:08 PM

I'm glad to hear there's still interest in the Boarding Party! The recordings are still terrific, as are the album notes. I almost hate to mention it here, for fear of jinxing the project, but there is another recording "in the can," which hopefully will be released when certain people (mainly me) get out from under some other time-consuming life problems. Even though it was recorded some years ago, it should still be worthwhile (Bob Zentz remarked that by the time it finally comes out, the new album "will seem fresh and new..." Let's hope so.) One of the difficulties--and there have been many--in finishing the project has been writing the notes without Jonathan's help; the MS has really taken its toll. But the notes are now basically done, and the next challenge will be to pare them down to CD-size. Don't hold your breath till this recording comes out, but with a bit of luck it will happen eventually. --Nancy

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 21 Apr 00 - 01:39 AM

Significant announcement!

I've just arranged to put the first Boarding Party recording on CD!! It's being co-financed with money contributed to the "Lee B. Haggerty Memorial Fund" through the non-profit "Northwest Corner Arts Center." These contributions are to honor our late partner in this enterprise, who passed away on March 31st. Lee bailed us out when things got tight over a period of nearly forty years, and, by God, he's still doing it, now that he's gone.

I'll get to work squeezing those copious notes into the Boarding Party CD insert right away. And, Nancy: whenever you get it ready, we're all set to release the third volume of the set.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: GaryD
Date: 21 Apr 00 - 12:10 PM

Sandy, you must have been the one I talked to when I ordered those tapes & CD's... thank you so much for your choices.. I've extremely enjoyed the Golden Ring, Schneyer, & certainly that Boarding Party tapes.. I'm gong to get the other one next week..

I am truly grieved that they can't perform together anymore... Give them my regards & best wishes.. especially the one with that insidious illness..such a tragedy!..

As for the rest of you...thanks immensely for your input.. I'm going to check out some of the things you said... If there are other performers with that great kind of harmony & note of authenticity, let me know. I do have a personal page here, too.

Meanwhile..still waiting to ditch this dinosaur & get my new IMAC so I can actually HEAR some of the music up here on the net.. & hope you all have a Blessed Holiday.. Gary

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: KathWestra
Date: 21 Apr 00 - 04:10 PM

Wow! Nothing like coming across a SIGNIFICANT ANNOUNCEMENT buried in an ongoing thread! Thanks for the great news Sandy. We'll be waiting.

And a heartfelt memorial thank you, Lee, for all you gave us during your life by helping the enterprise called Folk Legacy to flourish. We'll be singing for you on Sunday May 14.

Kathy

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 01:45 PM

Ah, Sandy, let me be the first to order the CD !

Art

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 03:55 PM

You got it, Art! I've been authorized to tell y'all just this much: Our Boarding Party angel is "a Mudcatter who has long admired Folk-Legacy's work." No name until you find it buried somewhere in the BP booklet that will come with the CD (and which challenges my typing skills for the next several months!!) Those guys really did their homework, didn't they?

Sandy (eternally grateful)

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 06:28 PM

Sandy,

I think I know ! He's quite a guy, although I never met him.

Art

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 10:57 PM

Nope, Art. You're probably thinking of the one helping me out with the Frank Proffitt CD re-issue! Bless his heart. It was the John and Clara Higgins Foundation that helped me get the Ballads and Songs of Tradition, Volume 1 (CD-125) done, although it took a loooonnnng time to get that one ready for the eager market. The second volume is in the planning stages, but there are several re-issues ahead of it in the pipeline. I'd better stop all this Mudcatting around and get to work!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From:
Date: 29 Apr 00 - 11:52 AM

Hi Guys -- Just wanted to add that Tom McHenry is now an Anglican (NOT Episcopal) deacon down in the Virginia Beach area. Maybe ordained a priest soon. Anglican is an off shoot of the Episcopal church. Mostly folks who didn't like the new prayer book in the late 70s and didn't approve of the ordaining of women! (Best priest I've ever known is my current rector -- a woman!) Tom and I often joke about this together, but he is in the Anglican American church or some such, not the Epsicoapl church. Still singing wonderfully.

And Dave Diamond is now back in the Washington, DC area!.

jennifer near dc

Subject: RE: Help: Boarding Party: Tell me about them!
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 30 Apr 00 - 02:02 AM

Golly, Jennifer, when I saw David Diamond at NEFFA, I just assumed he was still carousing in Boston. You guys have all the luck down yonder in folk Mecca, MD. Those subtle Anglican/Episcopal distinctions are beyond me, but won't McHenry make a great singing priest!

Sandy