for the cake ceremony at the concert

Here are the cakes for the candle ceremony to close the concert. They're from Jill's Kitchen in Narrowsburg NY.

Lyrics and liner notes

Lyrics and liner notes for all the songs are up at http://sites.google.com/site/broadoldriver2/lyrics

There is one pdf with all the lyrics or individual text files for each song.

The liner and jacket notes from the record are available.

The 20th anniversary Limited Edition CD notes are up.

Pass it along...

Direction to the Beacon Sloop Club

Here's directions to the Beacon Sloop Club for the November 7th concert at 2pm.

Sloop Singers confirmed for the concert report to the Beacon Institute at Dennings Point at 10am.

The Beacon Sloop Club is located along the waterfront at the Beacon Train Station lot (Beacon, NY). The building is very unique as it has a tree growing through the roof. The address is Red Flynn Drive, Beacon NY, 12508

From New York and Westchester: Taconic Pkwy North to route I-84 West (Newburgh). Continue West on I-84. Take exit 11 (last exist beforeNewburgh-Beacon bridge). Go left at end of exit ramp. Cross overpass and continue on Route 9D to second traffic light. Make right onto Beekman St. and follow Metro North railroad signs down to riverfront. Festival is on river side of train station. Parking in station is OK on Sundays.

From Northern Dutchess County: South on Taconic Pkwy to I-84 West. Take exit 11 (last exist before Newburgh-Beacon bridge). Go left at end of exit ramp. Cross overpass and continue on Route 9D to second traffic light. Make right onto Beekman St. and follow Metro North railroad signs down to riverfront. Building is on river side of train station.

From West: New York State Thruway or Rte 9W to I-84 East. Cross Newburgh-Beacon bridge, staying in far right lane. Exit 11, just before tollbooth. Right at end of ramp, follow Rte 9D to second traffic light at

Beekman St. Turn Right and follow Metro North signs to riverfront. Building is on river side of train station.

From Albany, Kingston area: South on NYS Thruway to I-84 East. Cross Newburgh-Beacon bridge, staying in far right lane. Exit 11, just before tollbooth. Right at end of ramp, follow Rte 9D to second traffic light at Beekman St. Turn Right and follow Metro North signs to riverfront. Building is on river side of train station.

November 7th News Release

Spittoon Studios

Contact: Maryellen Healy For Immediate Release

Tel: 845-744-5483 cell: 845-399-4630

email: melhealy@yahoo.com web: http://broadoldriver.blogspot.com/

CONCERT IN BEACON TO HERALD REMASTERED CD

BROAD OLD RIVER 2

Vinyl classic resurrected from the 1986 recording at Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival. Five more songs incorporated and remastered with a new story to explain it all.

FUNDRAISER FOR SLOOPS CLEARWATER and WOODY GUTHRIE

AT THE BEACON SLOOP CLUB, on the river at the train station

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2009 at 2PM, $10

The Hudson River Sloop Singers, a musical arm of the Poughkeepsie/Beacon/ Saugerties based Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, were the backbone of Clearwater musical offerings during the seventies and eighties. Some were on the sloop Clearwater since the beginning. This unique folk ensemble spans four decades and grows as another musician joins the crew. This CD captures the sound and feel of the heyday of the group. In addition to remastering the vinyl release "Broad Old River", the original Beach Stage recording of the set in Croton Point Park that June night in 1986 has yielded five more songs that did not appear on the original vinyl, including two sloop singer classics, Sailing Time and The River That Flows Both Ways. Most of the performers on the album will lead their songs during this show. The chorus will include some who were not at the 1986 set. Children of sloop singers will also lead a song. Afterwards there will be an open music session where you can hear sloop singers not featured on this CD and more from those who were.

This day is not just another concert or a party. Rik Palieri explains:

When I was putting together the collection of my Songwriters Notebook TV shows for the Library Of Congress Archives, I had to watch most of the 145 shows before I sent them to Washington D.C. In my collection, there is one show that I archived that was about one of the last Pumpkin sails. It was while I was watching that show, that I realized that while there have been many films and videos done about the Clearwater, showing the Sloop Singers in the background, very few have talked about who these people were. It was that spark combined with the new release of “Broad Old River” that gave me the idea that we should do a new show based on the Sloop Singers.

When I started working with the archives they told me that they think of things in the context of what will be important at least 100 years from now. So this is really what we are doing on November 7th in Beacon, we are preserving our history for future generations, telling our stories so that long after we are all gone that our grandchildren's, grandchildren's, grandchildren, will be able to hear our stories and remember there was once a group of people who were bonded by the love of the Hudson River and a replica of an old sailing sloop and how that boat changed their lives.

In the Clearwater spirit and tradition we ask you bring food or drink to share for the after concert potluck. We’ll provide the cake. Bring instruments to the open session. We never know who or what will show up, but it is certain that Beth Partridge’s famous sloop cookies will be for sale during the show. All proceeds from the concert and sale of this CD directly benefit maintenance of the Sloops CLEARWATER and WOODY GUTHRIE.

###

For more information contact Maryellen Healy at melhealy@yahoo.com or visit http://www.broadoldriver.blogspot.com

A note from Rik Palieri

Hello to all!

Yes, we are looking forward to this gathering to honor the Sloop Singers and to see and be with many old friends. As you can imagine this project has been a lot of hard work in getting it all together. It has taken months of planning and I have to thank everyone for your time and energy.

What this day is about is not just another concert or a party. It is a time to honor the Sloop Singers. Celebrating the group, not only for their good work to support the Clearwater, but for the vision itself and how in being a part of this group has in a way changed or shaped our lives.

When I was putting together the collection of my TV shows for the Library Of Congress Archives, I had to watch most of the 145 shows before I sent them to Washington D.C. In my collection, there is one show that I archived that was about one of the last Pumpkin sails. It was while I was watching that show, that I realized that while there have been many films and videos done about the Clearwater, showing the the Sloop Singers in the background, very few have talked about who these people were. It was that spark combined with the new release of “Broad Old River” that gave me the idea that we should do a new show based on the Sloop Singers.

When I started working with the archives they told me that they think of things in the context of what will be important at least 100 years from now. So this is really what we are doing on November 7th in Beacon, we are preserving our history for future generations, telling our stories so that long after we are all gone that our grandchildren's, grandchildren's, grandchildren, will be able to hear our stories and remember there was once a group of people who were bonded by the love of the Hudson River and a replica of an old Sailing sloop and how that boat changed their live's.

If we look at this day in this way, we can come together in the “Clearwater Spirit” and in that spirit, if everyone brings a little food and drink to share , I am sure that there will be enough for all.

Best Wishes,

and looking forward to seeing you on November 7th

Your Banjo Picking Pal

Rik Palieri

the mind of an organizer

by Vinnie Cerniglia 10/22/09

Sunday October 25th CDs Available

Please join us at 2PM on October 25th, at the Beczak Environmental Center, when UrbanH20 presents River Songs, a live music event featuring original songs celebrating the Hudson River. After the event, ticket holders are invited to attend a complimentary artist's reception featuring delicious food from Kingsbridge's Garden Gourmet, draft beer from the award winning Captain Lawrence Brewery, and wines from Artisan Wines.

River Songs features collaborative performances by Tribes Hill singer/songwriters Rick Nestler, Mel and Vinnie, Marc Black, Madhumita Chakrabartti, Iris Cohen, Andrew V. Craig, Eddie Denise, Phil Dollard, Joe Duraes, James Durst, Fred Gillen Jr., Great Blue, Joe Iadanza, Susan Kane, Judy Kass, Steve Kirkman, Eric Puente, Spuyten Duyvil, Pete Tamburrini, Matt Turk, and The YaYas. They will be joined on stage by noted Hudson Valley storyteller Jonathan Kruk and Victorio Roland Mousaa.

Tribes Hill members may purchase tickets at the discounted price of $14 for adults and $10 for seniors and children up to age 16 online at www.tribeshill.com. Tickets may be purchased at the event at the regular prices of $20/$14.

This event is made possible, in part, by the Arts Alive program of the Westchester Arts Council, with funding from the decentralization grants program of the New York State Council on the Arts.

Pumpkin festival

It was a cold wet Pumpkin festival in Beacon on Sunday. The river rose into the parking lot. It was the perfect year to bring back Stone Soup. The music was inside the sloop club. We had our tent outside on the lawn with the compost exhibit, the stone soup and the pumpkins. Many other sloop singer faces to be seen and heard besides ours: Pete Seeger, Rick Nestler, Betty Boomer, Steve Stanne, Paul Rubeo, Jan Christensen, Eric Hebert and others. We sold some CDs. Jan took this photo.

concert flyer

Broad Old River 2 Concert

Saturday November 7th

2pm at the Beacon Sloop Club

$10 at the door, no advance sales

Hudson River Sloop Singers perform songs from the Broad Old River 2 CD for a taping of Songwriters Notebook, Rik Palieri's Vermont public access TV show which is archived in the Library of Congress. Join us for an open session after the show. Tickets at the door only. From 9D in Beacon, NY turn onto Beekman St. and follow Metro North railroad signs down to riverfront. Sloop club is on river side of train station, with a tree growing through the roof.

Proceeds benefit the maintenance and repair of the sloops Woody Guthrie and Clearwater, just like the CD sales.

Beautiful Album!

Here's a nice review by the person who did the graphics for the 2007 20th Anniversary Limited Edition CD, she taught us well.

Mel and Vinnie,

Great job, guys!!! Top quality from the professional sound to the graphic design. The drawing on the front cover really pops with color and and sharp detail. My favorite photo is your's of the golden boom -- (must cost a fortune to re-gild it each spring).

Again, great job!

What's your next project ? A personal music one I hope!

Pat Korn

CD Festival Review from Mimi Cross

The cd is WONDERFUL! I love it - we love it. Charles (my son) has been listening to it every night before bed. I am so impressed with the whole effort. Thank you for telling me all about it.

It's so special to have Helyn on there...I wish she could see/hear the cd...what a gift of a person she was. And it's absolutely marvelous that her artwork is the cover - and I love the picture (the whole layout is great) and it's perfect for the cover. I am looking forward to hanging the poster in Charles' room, he told me "Frame it!" Pretty sweet coming from a 3 year old who had 3 posters in his room as of now - and none framed! He knows something special when he sees it.

As much as I love performing at Clearwater the most blissful moments for me on Saturday happened when I sat listening to you all with Charles on my lap.

And he has asked several times since Saturday for the "mud water" song - that's the song that you sang! I sang along and apparently it was Charles' favorite.

I regret very much that I was not able to sing with you all on Saturday - we took two cars (my parents were there as well) and somehow between all of us walking around and having lunch and visiting with friends it just didn't work out, but like I said I loved listening to you all - I think I was actually a little shy in a way too...Would you invite me again next year?!

Very best,

Mimi

Mimi Cross was a main stage performer at the festival. Check out her website.

Pictures from Tise Tobin

Tise Tobin sent 2 pictures, obviously someone else was shooting her camera. Here she is with Vinnie and her Dad, Barry Tobin.

Above that is Joe, Mel, Vinnie, Ingrid, Mike, Tise, Bob and Jan.

Photos from this site are a challenge with the shadows, water, sun, and shade. I lightened the top one to bring out the faces, but you loose some of the beautiful flags.

2009 Sloop Singer Reunion Photos

There was a reunion in June at Clearwater's Revival, the usual sunday closing set at Circle of Song hosted by Rick Nestler.

The reunion in August at the New Jersey Friends of Clearwater festival closed the Circle of Song.

We put pictures of both events up on our website.

Sloop Singer Reunion at NJ Clearwater Festival

Circle of Song

In the morning there were 20 minute sets by:

Steve Kaplan

Shirl Kaplan

Vinnie Cerniglia

Joe Kaminsky

Maryellen (Mel) Healy

Mike Meade

Ingrid Heldt

Eric Russell

Jan Christensen with Bob Conroy

Mel asked everyone join her to start working on harmonies during her set.

After Jan was an hour long break for an environmental justice roundtable followed by an hour long all performer round robin where we were joined by Tise Tobin, Bob Conroy and eventually Guy Davis. We started the Reunion early when he showed up. He was the festival headliner, closing the main stage and our plan was to breakdown, packup and lockup the Circle of Song after the Reunion to go hear him.

The Sloop Singer Reunion set:

Steve Kaplan, Nestler's River That Flows Both Ways

Bob Conroy, trad. Whup, Jamboree

Mike Meade, Palieri's Riding the Westbound

Joe Kaminsky, Donkey Riding

Maryellen (Mel) Healy, her Sailor's Husband's Lament

Guy Davis, Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream

Vinnie Cerniglia, Winslow's It's the Clearwater

Ingrid Heldt, her Our Planet Earth

Jan Christensen, Winan's The River's Tale

Eric Russell, his Lower the Yawlboat Down

Tise Tobin, Seeger's Broad Old River

Tise Tobin, Reagon's Ella's Song (We Who Believe in Freedom)

Mike Meade, his I Still Remember (About Asbury Park)

Jan Christensen, his Ellis Island

Shirl Lawrence, MacDonald's Sailor's Prayer

CD Release August 15, 2009

We're off to a great start. This was a one day free festival. We sold 51 CDs. Jan Christensen and Clare Francis did much of the table tending.

What's to come?

• lyrics
• performer links
• instrumental credits
• more photos

It's here!

It's been a long haul since June 2007 when we sold out the 100 Limited Edition CDs of the Broad Old River and sent $883 each to Beacon Sloop Club and Clearwater. The second phase of the project was a two-person initiative by Spittoon Studios, aka Mel and Vinnie. We continued collecting gifts for funding and were given a big boost by photographers Econosmith when they gave us 6 photographs to sell - framed, matted and signed by Toshi and Pete Seeger. We recruited Rik Palieri to create a story to lead the original album into the additional songs. He tells the listener about Clearwater and Hudson River Sloop Singers. John Guth, the engineer still had the original 8-track recordings from the 1986 set at Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival from which 5 more songs were taken. He did his work for a tiny stipend. All else was blatant volunteerism. On August 7th 1000 CDs arrived in time for the New Jersey Friends of Clearwater Festival , Saturday, August 15th in Asbury Park. They'll be at the Circle of Song. All proceeds go for the restoration and maintenance of the sloops Clearwater and Woody Guthrie. Everything is paid for up front and out of pocket so the entire cost of the CD (except the tax) goes directly to the boats.

This project is a labor of love, artists helping artists who won't give up on this earth. We'd like share with you a musical slice in time on the Hudson River.