Shanty Magazine August 2005

In Boston USA a group of people is very interested in the history of their country; during their extensive researches they came across the phenomenon shanty.

Readers of this magazine need no further explanation about this subject. Like with us here in Europe, the pleasure of singing and the pleasure it brings to the audience is the main aim of this group

The Jolly Rogues is a group of 4 men who do not only sing but also play one or more instruments. They are constantly looking for new material and given the chance love traveling to Europe.

They recently paid a visit to Germany and before flying back to Boston hopped over to England for a short stay. They had been invited to the UK before.

Their first appearance was combined with a concert by Shantychor Oldenburg (D) and Shanty- and folk group Square Riggers from Delfzijl in the lovely place called Bad Zwischenahn. The men and two of their wives had arrived the day before and collected from Hamburg airport and accommodated at the houses of a few choir members in Oldenburg. After a walk through the town they headed to Bad Zwischenahn, where nearly 400 people were waiting for a wonderful shanty evening. The local shanty choir opened the evening with nearly shanties only, not usual for German shanty choirs. Next on stage were the Jolly Rogues, dressed in traditional attire of the 18th century. Shanties and sea songs were included with some instrumentals.

Often it is said that an audience can not be entertained with shanties only and looking at the average age of the people in the audience this is a misconception. Also the a performance of the 3 Square Riggers was well received judging from the applause. After a second set by the Jolly Rogues all singers came on stage. The chairman of the shanty choir presented all foreign guests with a beautiful photo book and a copy of their CD, followed by a finale with all singers.

In the hotel in Oldenburg where the author of this article was staying, a few drinks were had and some songs were sung until the wee hours. A true friendship grew between the Americans, Germans and Dutch.

The next morning the Jolly Rogues were given a hike by coach with the Dutch shanty choir Zulthesingers to a shanty festival in Dahme. The Jolly Rogues were followed by a big group of newly acquired fans from stage to stage. They felt like rock stars. During the closing song "Rolling Home" the audience waved along with burning lighters and the many thumbs-up gave the 4 singers an enormous thrill.

That day they had an extra gig in a near by village where an international dance festival was held. Unfortunately they had to skip one set at the Dahme festival. To make things worse, it rained in Grömitz and the audience fled to dryer places of sheltered under the trees. Being cold and wet was not felt because of the warmth of the audience and other participating groups. Or was it because of some sort of blue drink that was served?

The Jolly Rogues look back to this trip with good memories; just a pity some gigs were cancelled at a very late stage.

When next time they are over and more time if available to sort out a proper tour, festival organizers are given a unique chance to book a very nice group from America. The more interest is shown, the easier it will be to get the group back to Europe in future. I am very grateful to the Shanty magazine for the opportunity to advertise their coming to Europe.

Iwe van der Beek

1st. International Shanty Festival Bad Zwischenahn big success

The Shanty choir Oldenburg hosted the American group Jolly Rogues during their stay in Europe from Boston USA to England. The Square Riggers from the Netherlands offered to come along to support this event and so three groups with three very different styles joint forces.

The Jolly Rogues, a 4 men band, which not only sings shanties but also folk music from America appear in costumes from the 18th and 19th. Century. Each singer plays 2 instruments like violin, lute, mandolin, guitar and hand drum fitting to each song they sing and of course have fine voices Accepting an invitation to England they decided to come to Germany as well

A request by Iwe v.d. Beek (ISSA) was received and since he is also the head man of the Square Riggers it was soon decided to have this festival. The Square Riggers, three salty dogs owning their own sailing ships, one of which a proper square rigged ship sing a capella only. Who dares nowadays!

The Shanty choir Oldenburg eV is active since 1974. It tallies 30 men and an accordion player, guitar and a base guitar. Except sea songs, the choir likes to sing the authentic shanties. Shanty boss Heiko Hillmer claims: a shanty choir must be able to sing shanties.

An enthusiastic audience in the sold out Wandelhalle was offered a colorful program. After the concert all three groups sat together with tales to tell but more songs to sing. That weekend the Jolly Rogues met once more with the Oldenburg shanty choir at a festival in Dahme, entertaining another audience.

A translation from Shanty Magazine to English.