Redfern Shanty Club
A retrospective welcome to the Redfern Shanty Club which kicked off a weekly Monday night shanty session on March 24th, 2014 at The Dock in Redfern.
Here’s a link to the first post to the Redfern Shanty Club facebook page.
Norfolk Island – “On the Middle Ground” – James Craig Shanty Session – May 2014
James Craig
The May 2014 James Craig Shanty Session will feature “Norfolk Island – On the Middle Ground” with Don & Sue Brian.
Don and Sue Brian have recently returned from 5 years of self-imposed exile in this fascinating gem of the southern ocean. Diligent researchers, they have immersed themselves in its history, particularly the log books and other historical records of whaling vessels that called in to the island and the songs that the whalers brought with them. Don and Sue will share some of the fruits of their research, conveying their enthusiasm and insights in a most engaging manner. This will be a really special night. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities to participate.
This session was originally scheduled for March 2014, but has been postponed due to circumstances beyond the control of the organisers. There will be a regular session on Thursday, 13th March at 7:30pm. Read the rest of this entry
Valé Len Neary (1947-2013)
We mark the passing of a former member of the Roaring Forties, Len Neary on Tuesday, 24th September 2013. The obituary below was compiled by Margaret Walters and was published in the South Sydney Herald.
The Roaring Forties in New Zealand
Sunday 13th October – 1pm
The Roaring Forties will be joining Bob Large and the rest of the Auckland Maritime Crew for a an hour or so of singing shanties and other sea songs at the Voyager Maritime Museum, Viaduct Harbour, on the corner of Quay and Hobson Streets, Auckland.
Sunday 13th October – 8pm
Devonport Folk Music Club meets at the historic command post, “The Bunker” on Mt Victoria, Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand.
Book early for concerts, as space is limited – add your details to the form below:
Bookings/queries: info@devonportfolkmusic.co.nz
Devonport Folk Music Club on Facebook
Sunday 20th October – 7:30pm
House concert at 4 Rangatira Road, Tawa.
Hosts: Dave and Jan Barnes david.barnes@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 04 232 7231 or 027 472 5148.
Wednesday 23rd October – 7:30pm
House concert 303 Waitohu Valley Road, Otaki – north of Wellington
Hosts: Cavan and Penelope Haines
Email: chaines@pocd.co.nz
Phone 06 364 8991 or 027 464 8991
Friday 25th – Monday 28th October
Wellington Folk Festival
The festival is held at the Brookfield Outdoor Education Centre in Moore’s Valley Road which is beyond Wainuiomata – about 40 minutes drive from central Wellington. comprehensive map with driving instructions.
Formal commitments are below but we also hope to be contributing to ballad sessions etc.:
| Time | Venue | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 26th 12.30pm – 1.30pm |
Maire Hall | “We Made The Steel” – songs from the latest Roaring Forties CD on the steel industry in NSW. Humour, gritty realism, pathos and great choruses. |
| Sunday 27th 3.15pm – 4.15pm |
Marquee | Roaring Forties in concert – mix of our favourite songs. |
| Sunday 27th 7.30pm – 11.00pm |
– | Contribution in the Final Concert. |
Facebook “Wellyfest“
A few new reviews of “We Made the Steel”
We’ve recently received a few reviews from the British Isles of our latest CD, “We Made the Steel“. We’re chuffed…
“Not only are the singing and playing on this disc uniformly excellent and highly characterful, but the actual presentation of this release is also exemplary…. A benchmark release; and highly entertaining and inspiring to boot.” – Folk Roundabout (UK) #167 [read the full review here]
“A CD packed with ripping yarns, dry humour, poignant laments and lots of great choruses … we can hear many of these songs becoming classic folk club material in future years.” – Living Tradition (UK) #96 [read the full review here]
“Outstanding among the Connaughton/Warner compositions is The Price of Steel, which tells of the effects of the steelworks’ pollution on the health of those living and working around them, and has echoes of Alistair Hulett’s ‘He Fades Away’. … This is an album worth having for the songs alone, with the bonus that it tells a really good story as well.” – Shire Folk (UK) #123 [read the full review here]
“Albums like this can so easily lapse into beer-induced nostalgia and sentimentality, but this one mostly escapes, especially by means of its tight lyrics. … Though this is New South Wales, the songs are applicable to the steel industry anywhere in the world, especially the Don Valley.” Stirrings (UK) #155 [read the full review here]
“An entertaining CD for anyone interested in life in heavy industry, especially in the antipodes. There is an excellent booklet with the words of all the songs, which also has many images of the New South Wales steel industry.” – Tykes News (UK) Spring 2013 [read the full review here]
Forty Degrees South 