Excursion Around the Bay
January 6, 2010
Bentley writes:
Hello Crisfield! We’ve heard it’s cold up there… Winter in the Bahamas is still short sleeves…
Today’s sea song is a traditional one from the Canadian waters of Newfoundland. “Newfies” are a wonderful warm-hearted folk, with lots of music in their lives. This song speaks to traveling around Conception Bay, and the joys of the rough seas of the North Atlantic.
http://www.facebook.com/v/1217342827280 (had trouble uploading to YouTube, sorry.)
Excursion Around the Bay
[G]It was early Monday morning, and the [C]day be calm and [G]fine,
To the [D7]Harbour Grace excursion, with the [G]boys to [D7]have a [G]time;
And just before the sailor pulled the [C]gangway from the [G]pier,
[C]I saw some fella [G]haul me wife a[D7]board, as a volun[G]teer.
O Me, O My, I heard me poor wife cry,
O Me, O My, I think I’m gonna die;
O Me, O My, I heard me poor wife say,
I wish I’d never taken this excursion around the bay.
We had three hundred souls on board, oh what a splendid sight,
Matt Strong in regimentals, to make our spirits bright;
With meself being in the double, with the funny things they’d say,
And they’d choke themselves from laughing, when they see us in the bay.
Now, me wife she got no better, she turned a sickly green,
I gave her soap and candy, fat pork and kerosene;
Castor-oil and sugar of candy, I rubbed hair-oil on her face,
And they said she’d be a dandy, when she reaches Harbour Grace.
My wife she got no better, my wife, my darling dear,
The screeches from her throat, you could hear in Carbonear;
I searched every place in Harbour Grace, searched every store and shop,
To get her something for the cure, or take her to the hop.
Oh, she died below the Brandies, as we were coming back,
We buried her in the ocean, wrapped up in the Union Jack;
And now I am a single man, in search of a pretty face,
And the woman who says she’ll have me, then we’re off for Harbour Grace.
The daily frail is back for 2010 with a new twist.
We have decided to assign each day of the week a theme.
This will be carried over from week to week.
Here are the categories:
- Monday – frailing – bluegrass related licks and rhythms
- Tuesday – frailing – country blues including slide banjo
- Wednesday – frailing - anything goes (you know Patrick)
- Thursday – Dear Old Dad’s turn
- Friday – guitar – anything goes from the blues to the subway shuffle
Patrick is recovering quite well from the latest BAHA surgery.
He just handed me a whole bunch of editing.
We are on track to have “Songs For Sunday” at the printer this month.
But, as the man said about the best laid mice of plans and men…………..
More later.
Peace to all,
Pat Costello (Dear Old Dad)
looking back & looking ahead
December 31, 2009
I was doing the whole walk down memory lane the other day clicking through links regarding all of the stuff that happened to me in 2009. Braille-Friendly Tab, The Ukulele Project, The Folk Musicians Retreats, getting my hearing back with a Baha implant . . . the fact that the list could go on for several pages is a testament to just how wild the last twelve months have been.
Anyway, in my wanderings I wound up rereading a post on The Bluegrass Blog about the activation of my Baha implant and stumbled across an announcement about another musician in a similar situation.
David McLaughlin, who, among other things was the mandolin player for The Johnson Mountain Boys and the Lynn Morris Band, went deaf a few years ago and has finally found a specialized hearing aid that will help hims break through the silence.
The hearing aids in question are seriously expensive so Claire Lynch has started the David McLaughlin Benefit Fund to raise money to help cover the expenses. You can read all about it here: http://www.thebluegrassblog.com/david-mclaughlin%E2%80%99s-hearing-loss-how-you-can-help/
Reading the article, and then exchanging emails with David I couldn’t help but smile. It meant a lot for me to be able to chat with another deaf musician, but it means even more to see people swinging into action to help him just like you all stepped up to help me. How wonderful to realize that I wasn’t the only person experiencing miracles over the last year. How glorious to have my faith in the goodness of my fellow man reaffirmed. To me, this is the perfect way to end the year.
I can’t wait to take part in all of the wonderful things waiting for us over the next twelve months. Happy New Year everybody!
David McLaughlin Benefit Fund:
Donations can be sent via PayPal using the email address McLaughlinFund@gmail.com, or checks made out to David McLaughlin Benefit Fund can be sent to:
Jennifer Hardiman
805 E. College St.
Pulaski TN 38478 USA
The account is set up with SunTrust Bank, so you can also visit any Sun Trust branch and make a deposit to account number 1000105947542. You can also post questions to Jennifer Hardiman, Claire’s assistant, using the McLaughlinFund@gmail.com address.
a trip to Baltimore (or) adventures in BAHA land
December 31, 2009
We spent yesterday on the road and at Johns Hopkins. Doctor Niparko and his staff did a great job. The longer post has been installed amid (according to Patrick) much pulling, tugging and tapping). This should eliminate the skin growing and interfering with the BAHA plug. The rather large wound from last weeks surgery is healing nicely.
We anticipate being back to normalcy (work) next week.
The BAHA, Doctor Niparko, all of you and life in general have been a blessing to me during the past year. The fact that Patrick can actually hear and thus continue his musical life is proof that miracles can an do happen.
I wish you all happiness, prosperity and fellowship in the coming year.
Don’t forget those in need and please, please, please don’t step in anything soft.
Peace to all,
Pat Costello (Dear Old Dad)
Cool & Quiet
December 28, 2009
I can’t wear my Baha implant until the next procedure is finished so I can’t hear much of anything right now. Work on the book hasn’t been possible so I have been taking long walks down along the waterfront with my camera.
We were supposed to make the run to Baltimore tomorrow, but Dr. Niparko called today and rescheduled my appointment for Wednesday. Maybe tomorrow I’ll hike up the road and see if I can find where the blue herons are nesting.
Merry Christmas
December 24, 2009
Dear Old Dad and I had to get on the road at 3:30 AM this morning to get my appointment at Johns Hopkins today. It was nice seeing Dr. Niparko again, even if the visit did involve carving a honking huge hunk of skin off of the side of my head!
While I was getting carved up Dear Old Dad gave the kids in the waiting room harmonicas.
Anyway, to use the doctor’s terminology, they “aggressively cut” (aggressive and cut are two words that just don’t sound good together!) the skin around my Baha implant today. Near the end of the procedure they brought Dear Old Dad in and he was kind of freaked by all the blood . . . I’ll let him tell you all the rest of that story himself.
Next week I have to go back for some more work. In the meantime I can’t wear the sound processor so I will be almost completely deaf for at least a week.
In a funny way, it seems proper to end such a crazy year quietly. So much has happened over the course of 2009. Getting my hearing back, the folk musicians retreats, Somerset banjos, my girlfriend . . . I am grateful to have the time to reflect everything that has happened, but I am also using this time to plan for even bigger adventures in 2010.
Have a wonderful Christmas, everybody!
And now, let’s all kick back with the holiday classic, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians!
back to Baltimore (or) Charm City chumps
December 22, 2009
We have to make yet another unscheduled trip to Johns Hopkins.
Apparently Patrick is one of an extremely small percentage of BAHA recipients whose skin just wants to keep growing up and over the implant abutment.
We will be leaving at zero-dark-thirty on Thursday (Christmas eve) so that the minor but exquisitely painful surgical procedure can be done at 8:00AM. Hopefully we will be back in Crisfield by early afternoon.
In other news:
“Songs For Sunday” is moving along and we are on track to get it to the printer in the next couple of weeks. I know that you will like the content and the way that the songs and hymns are presented. More later.
We are most certainly going to set a one month sales record at Amazon for December.
Folks are still discovering and ordering all of Patrick’s books. I can’t wait to get the new series up and going. We are excited about encouraging folks to sing.
and most importantly:
Patrick, Miss Trudy and myself wish you a merry Christmas full of goodwill, joy and happiness shared with your loved ones.
Don’t forget to reach out to someone in need.
You won’t have to look far to make a difference.
Peace to all,
Pat Costello (Dear Old Dad)
Best Christmas Video Ever
December 17, 2009
James in Ireland writes:
Hi Pats
Its been a real pleasure following the blog this year. Besides the fantastic tuition (its like a regular pep talk to remind me why I try to play music – enjoyment), we’ve seen so many really talented people featured – too many to mention!However 2009 has to be the Year of the BAHA. Following you through the process of getting your hearing back has been absolutely wonderful (and gorey at times – I remember a couple of photos post surgery!). Not only can you hear again, but we all get to benefit too, with the return of the workshops!
I got together with a few old friends to record a Christmas video – hope you enjoy it.
Wishing you and all the visitors to dailyfrail.com (holds up sign) a happy Christmas and a successful new year.
James
Pik-Ware, Somerset and other stuff from Dear Old Dad
November 20, 2009
Patrick is hard at work on his next series of books for banjo and guitar.
He has included lots of songs and tablature of the type that we wrote out in our old music books many years ago. It worked for us and we are confident that you will find it useful. Each volume will include a companion audio CD to play along with.
We also plan to release his next video DVD on intermediate frailing techniques soon.
Somerset banjos has had a very busy year. We have sent banjos to new homes all over the world. The next two are going to Connecticut in the good old USA and Switzerland. After that a couple to Australia and a bunch stateside.
Patrick’s BAHA is working well. The latest surgery to trim away and cauterize skin from the abutment seems to have done the trick. Hopefully they won’t have to go to plan “B” (a length of twine and two Campbell’s tomato soup cans).
Feel free to call me at 410-968-3873 or email pat@funkyseagull.com
Peace to all,
Pat Costello (Dear Old Dad)
three days of too much quiet
November 17, 2009
The trip to Johns Hopkins yesterday went well, but the doctors had to cut and cauterize the skin around my Baha implant.
Yes, it hurts just as bad as it sounds.
Anyway, I can’t wear my sound processor( the hearing aid that attaches to my implant) for three days – and that means I’m deaf for the next three days.
Oh well. After so many years I can handle three days. It’s just weird not being able to hear my voice again.
This morning I have to run up to Salisbury for the first of three Synvisc shots for my knee. That should be . . . interesting.
In other news, Aaron from Camp Adventure is having hip replacement surgery today. He does a lot of good for a whole lot of people so we are all anxious to see him back on his feet. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers today.
Exploding Planet
November 13, 2009
Dear Old Dad and I are heading to town to do our usual business meeting routine. We’ll talk business on the way to town, think about what we discussed while we watch 2012 , stop for hoagies and formulate a plan of action on the way back to Crisfield.
Dear Old Dad and I love laughing our way through exploding planet movies. When I was a kid we wasted a lot of Sunday afternoions laughing at stuff like Crack in the World or When Worlds Collide. 2012 is going to make those movies look like Shakespeare!
I won’t be around much next week. On Monday I have to run back to Johns Hopkins to have some work done on my Baha implant. It’s not a big deal, but they have to cut away some skin around the titanium implant so it’s not going to be fun. On Tuesday I have to get the first of three Synvisc shots for my knee.
After that much poking and cutting I think on Wednesday I am just going to hide out and with the old VHS player and watch through my collection of Akira Kurosawa tapes: Rashomon, Seven Samurai, Throne of Blood, The Hidden Fortress, Yojimbo and Sanjuro.
Resophonic Favor
November 4, 2009
Dick in Iowa writes:
Patrick,
I have lurked for a long time and thought I would take a minute and say hi. I recently returned from an emergency trip to my hometown of Choteau, Montana. I was at a gas station in the famous South Dakota town of Wall. On the other side of the pump was a man about my age and he was having trouble with the pump. We tried to get it to work, to no avail. An employee got it going and he was filling his car and I filled my pickup. I noticed a gray 1” cube above his right ear and said, “Is that a BAHA?” He beamed and said “do you know what they are.” I said yes and tried to explain in two sentences about you and your BAHA. I didn’t do a great job, but he knew I was at least somewhat familiar with the unit. He took it off and showed me the stud in his head and handed it to me so I could feel it sense the vibration. He then fumbled to get it back on and said, “every time I show off, I have trouble getting it back on, usually it goes right on.” His hair do was a modified DAand so it really showed. He said one guy he knew in his community ask what it was and he said, “well that is lightning protection. I’ve been hit so many times they said this was the only solution, I’ve got a metal plate in my shoe to ground me.” He told another lady it was a wood tick. What a nice man and I thought you might enjoy his story. I was certainly pleased to know what a BAHA was and I am glad I mentioned it.
The real reason I am writing is to thank you for all the great banjo material you share online. I send newbees to your videos and tell them that you do it right. Over the last couple of years I have uploaded some videos, not all performance clips. Early on I saw your clip on “One Kind Favor”. I played that song years ago on the guitar and never worked it out on the banjo. Anyway, a friend here in Council Bluffs, Iowa where I live made me a resonator, frailed banjo and I am always looking for blues tunes which work on it. “One Kind Favor” seemed to fill the bill and so I worked it out. You were my reconnect to this song and so here is my big “THANKS” for all you do for musicians everywhere. Soon I will upload a slide clip using the reso. Here is a link to the video and thanks again for all the good music, philosophy, and good cheer from you and DOD.
New River Train
October 30, 2009
John in Chicago writes:
Hey Patrick,
Hope all is well in Crisfield. I’m so happy to hear that the BAHA is working well for you! I put together a short video of the tune New River Train with a quick tutorial on some licks I’ve been practicing. I think some of your daily frailers might enjoy learning a couple licks in double C. As you watch, keep in mind that little to none of this would be possible without your lessons. Many thanks for your dedication to teaching the banjo!
October Morning
October 24, 2009
A lot of people got a kick out of the recording of the little birds in the holly bush out in the front yard last week so I decided to do it again. This time I put the Zoom H2 in my bedroom window to catch the sounds of the gigantic old pecan tree rustling in the wind, the crickets and some of our backyard birds.
These sounds always shock me in the morning. I am just about completely deaf now without the Baha and I can’t leave the sound processor on while I am sleeping. So when I wake up everything is quiet and still. Then I snap on the Baha and turn it on. As the device charges up the sounds from the backyard roll in over me like a wave.
Not a bad way to start the day.
MP3: http://tangiersound.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/morning.mp3
knee deep
October 19, 2009
As some of you my remember, I got hurt at Charlotte airport coming home from Camp Adventure.
Well, my knee is still messed up. I went to a specialist today and he thinks I tore the cartilage. I have to go back for an MRI next week and then they will probably schedule surgery to get everything fixed.
An MRI with a Baha implant should be interesting . . .
