Castlebay Songs and Stories

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These samples are from our various recordings of songs and stories. There is a brief description of the theme for each CD and for each track there are program notes in the "Notes" link.

Fred Gosbee - The Ballad of Cappy John

FRED GOSBEE is known especially for his finely crafted narrative ballads about Maine characters and history. His works have been used by major media companies, recorded by other artists. and have garnered him invitations to international music festivals like the International Festival of the Sea in England. Born and raised in Maine, he studied folklore at the University of Maine under Prof. Sandy Ives.

Fred has designed and built many instruments including guitars, lutes, harps, and whistles. In addition to his musical career, he has extensive experience in engineering, carpentry and ship-building. With Julia Lane, Fred has toured the Eastern U.S., Ireland, England and Scotland playing at arts centers, folk clubs, festivals and schools. They have recorded six albums including "Song of the Sea", another collection of original Maine songs.

Letter from a fan July 6, 1999

Dear Fred & Julia,

I had the good fortune of spending my vacation this year in Boothbay Harbor during Winjammer Days and stumbling upon your concert. I really enjoyed your music, so much so that I was the first to buy your new CD, and the next day I bought two more at Sherman's [Bookstore] . I'm listening to The Ballad of Cappy John right now.

I think that Maine is such a special place and now your music can help me go back there whenever I want (without the ten hour drive). Every now and then you experience a "perfect moment", and sitting listening to you in Boothbay Harbor was one of those. I just wanted to thank you for that.

Sincerely,

K. S. , Waterloo, NY

The sound samples are from the most representative section of a track. The times listed are the total track time, not the length of the sample! The samples range from one to two minutes in length.

DON'T DOUBLE CLICK THE SAMPLE BUTTON!
If you do you'll get multiple samples playing at the same time

SHANTYMAN'S HAIL Š1984 Fred Gosbee mp3 [3:09] Notes & Lyrics

THE BALLAD OF CAPPY JOHN Š1991 Fred Gosbee mp3 [3:54] Notes & Lyrics

RAMONA Š1991 Fred Gosbee mp3 [5:28] Notes & Lyrics

THE FISHERMAN'S LIFE Š1984 Julia Lanee mp3 [2:48] Notes & Lyrics

CLAMDIGGER Š1991 Fred Gosbee mp3 [3:05] Notes & Lyrics

MUSCONGUS HORNPIPE Š1999 Fred Gosbee mp3 [1:53] Notes & Lyrics

THE OLD LIARS Š1993 Julia Lane mp3 [4:01] Notes & Lyrics

STONE SLOOPS Š 1995 Fred Gosbee mp3 [3:48] Notes & Lyrics

THE WHALE HUNTERS Š 1993 Fred Gosbee mp3 [2:54] Notes & Lyrics

SONG FOR STAN HUGILL Š1986 Fred Gosbee mp3 [2:18] Notes & Lyrics

CAPPY JOHN'S BRIDE Š1996 Fred Gosbee mp3 [5:18] Notes & Lyrics

CHANGES Š 1996 Fred Gosbee mp3 [5:30] Notes & Lyrics

WAITING FOR THE SNOW Š1987 Fred Gosbee mp3 [3:33] Notes & Lyrics

ROLLING HOME Š1984 Fred Gosbee mp3 [4:40] Notes & Lyrics

Julia Lane - Song of the Sea

JULIA LANE's family has lived in Maine for 300 years. She has loved, sung and researched British Isles folk music since childhood playing guitar to accompany her voice. Since she began playing the "clarsach" or Celtic folk harp, in 1989, her unique self taught style has won several international competitions on the instrument. Many of her compositions are of Celtic influence; some are simply about the experience of living in rugged, romantic coastal Maine, close to the elements.
With partner Fred Gosbee,the duo Castlebay weaves timeless traditions into sensitive, spirited arrangements. Lane and Gosbee are fine, expressive vocalists delivering the songs with emotion and exuberance supported by multi-instrumental textures featuring Celtic harp, viola, woodwinds, and 12-string guitar. Both artists have collected and performed this music for most of their lives and both are accomplished songwriters. Lane and Gosbee have toured the Eastern U.S., Ireland, England and Scotland. They have recorded six albums including the instrumental Skye Suite, an orchestral composition inspired by their first Celtic tour.

Song of the Sea Reviews "Lane is an accomplished musician. Listen to this."
Dirty Linen Magazine, Maryland

"A talented player with a sure hand"
The Source, Albany, NY

"A rich collection of singable songs and beautiful harp playing."
Northeast Regional Folk Harp Newsletter

"Lovely and serene"
Stephen Ide, The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

"Enchanting, lyrical, at times spirited and lively. The audience was clearly captivated by (her) poignantly clear voice and soul-stirring renditions of Irish ballads"
Lincoln County News, Damariscotta ME

"That Song of the Sea should stand up so well ought to be no surprise, because Lane has so much material to work with. She's also one of the Maine coast's foremost voices and instrumentalists."
FACE Magazine, Portland, ME

Song of the Sea mp3 Š Julia Lane 1990 [4:08] Notes & Lyrics

Winds of Change mp3 Š Julia Lane 1990 [5:02] Notes & Lyrics

Monhegan mp3 Š Julia Lane 1990 [2:51] Notes & Lyrics

The Fishwidow's Song Š Julia Lane 1990 mp3 [3:37] Notes & Lyrics

Something to Come Home To mp3 Š Julia Lane 1983 [2:54] Notes & Lyrics

The House on the Hill Š Julia Lane 1991 mp3 [3:18] Notes & Lyrics

Lament for the Wild Shore mp3 Š Julia Lane 1990 [2:32] Notes & Lyrics

Winds of Autumn mp3 Š Julia Lane 1986 [3:09] Notes & Lyrics

The Phantom Ship mp3 Š Julia Lane 1995 [3:33] Notes & Lyrics

The Isle of Malaga mp3 Š Julia Lane 1996 [4:29] Notes & Lyrics

Migration mp3 Š Julia Lane 1995 [3:39] Notes & Lyrics

The River mp3 Š Julia Lane 1985 [4:15] Notes & Lyrics

Run Before the Wind mp3 Š Julia Lane 1996 [3:12] Notes & Lyrics

Julia Lane & Fred Gosbee - Ae Fond Kiss

Artful expressions of Love abound in the Scottish tradition. Though in no way does he have a monopoly on romanc, the champion on the subject was the poet Robert Burns (1759-1796). In addition to his own creations, he often adapted or "improved" pre-existing traditional lyrics for inclusion in his song collections. Burns wrote in his native Scots language, a cousin of English.
Included in the CD program notes is a glossary of Scots terms as they appear in the lyrics.

Ae Fond Kiss

Alasdair MacLean
The Scots Magazine, April 2004

From the State of Maine in the USA - "pine-scented, harbour-dented Maine", gushed the National Geographic in 1935 - comes Ae Fond Kiss, presented by Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee, both Burns and Scottish music enthusiasts, in a collection offering seven songs by our national bard and five pieces from other pens, including "My Bonnie Greenwood Laddie" by Julia herself.

A good selection, finely judged and largely emotive, though prize-winning clarsach player and guitarist and viola player Fred also find time for the ironic, as in "Fordell Ball".

Incidentally if their names seem familiar to some readers, yes, it is the same Julia and Fred whose "Sang O' the Solway" was aired at Celtic Connections in Glasgow in 2002.

My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose mp3 [3:33] Notes & Lyrics

Fordell Ball mp3 [5:23] Notes & Lyrics

Bonnie Doon mp3 [2:40] Notes & Lyrics

Aye Waukin O mp3 [3:33] Notes & Lyrics

Ca' the Yowes mp3 [4:09] Notes & Lyrics

Arms Around My Jo Š Fred Gosbee BMI mp3 [3:39] Notes & Lyrics

Song Composed in August mp3 [6:53] Notes & Lyrics

My Bonnie Greenwood Laddie mp3 [4:13] Notes & Lyrics

Neil Gow's Lament on the Death of His Second Wife mp3 [4:09] Notes & Lyrics

Mary Morrison mp3 [3:26] Notes & Lyrics

Ettrick mp3 [3:26] Notes & Lyrics

Ae Fond Kiss mp3 [3:41] Notes & Lyrics

Islands in Time - Castlebay In Concert

Julia Lane- vocals, Celtic harp
Fred Gosbee- vocals, 12 string guitar, fiddle, tinwhistle

Songs and stories of the sea and shore, both old and new, recorded live at various venues during 2004 -2006. Presented as a complete concert, this recording includes rousing sing-alongs, moving ballads, unbelievable stories, and bouncy whistle tunes, as well as the "in-between bits" so beloved by Castlebay's live audiences. Fred's wacky wit and Julia's historic commentary are all captured here enhancing their spirited and sensitive musical arrangements. Maybe you were in the audience when these were originally performed? If not, this CD will make you wish you had been!

The Mackerel Jig Š Nik Apollonio mp3 [2:06]

Mingulay / Westering Home trad mp3 [4:53] Notes & Lyrics

Islands in Time Š 1996 Nik Apollonio mp3 [4:45] Notes & Lyrics

Muscongus Hornpipe Š Fred Gosbee BMI mp3 [2:41]

The Old Liars Š Julia Lane BMI mp3 [5:35] Notes & Lyrics

The Night Charlie Tended Weir Š 1958 Ruth Moore mp3 [7:11]

Uncle Neil's Adventure mp3 [3:12]

Cappy John's Bride Š Fred Gosbee BMI mp3 [4:47] Notes & Lyrics

Phantom Ship Š Julia Lane BMI mp3 [4:12] Notes & Lyrics

The Kelpie/The Mermaid mp3 [4:35]

Three Fishers words Charles Kingsley MusicŠ Stan /Garnet Rogers mp3 [3:52] Notes & Lyrics

Fisherman's Prayer (The Boat Blessing)Š 2001 Frank Gotwals BMI mp3 [4:34] Notes & Lyrics

The Lighthouse on the Shore Š 2004 Julia Lane BMI mp3 [3:34] Notes & Lyrics

I's the B'y trad. Newfoundland mp3 [2:58] Notes & Lyrics

Run Before the Wind Š Julia Lane BMI mp3 [3:30] Notes & Lyrics

York County Coast Star
Dale Robin Lockman

Fred Gosbee's The Night the Whiskey Froze is a collection of stories and songs of the winter season (not solely Christmas, so one can listen to it far into the deeper chill of winter). And what a collection it is; quirky, funny and different.

...

In keeping with an item tailor made for the holiday season, the packaging for the CD includes one of the panels that can fold out to become a built-in greeting card. And another flap transforms the packaging into a self-mailer so it can be sent right out to that music lover on our list.
Gosbee warns that one or two of the pieces have some material that is not suited for young listeners. "Not for the kids!" offers Lane, with a giggle.
Along with the fun and absurdity comes some mighty fine playing. Seems that this recording is just the ticket for relieving the stress that the holidays can bring with some good belly laughs and tales of winter in Maine.

Lots of fun.
(from a CDbaby customer)
This CD was alot of fun to listen to. The stories and songs were funny, and very down east Maine. I can't wait to share it with my friends.

The Night the Whiskey Froze - Fred Gosbee, Stories & Songs

It's the time for stacking wood, stocking up on supplies and bracing for the busy and sometimes crazy holiday season. Just when we are starting to get grumpy about winter, folk musician Fred Gosbee has come out with a sonic antidote to stress, The Night the Whiskey Froze -Stories and Songs for a Winter's Night.

This collection of songs and stories will help you chuckle through the winter. His rendition of The Night Before Christmas - Downeast has become an annual tradition in the mid-coast region of Maine since it was penned in 1992 and there have been innumerable requests for a recording of "that moose song". So here they are, along with 12 other wacky and wonderful winter tales including The Shopping Shanty; and Haul Away Snow both parodies of nautical work songs. From the deep woods there is The Rapogenus Christmas Ball, a poem by Holman Day, and The Frozen Logger, written in the 1950's by James Stevens. The title cut, The Night the Whiskey Froze, was written by local musicians Nick Appolonio and Bob Stuart. Put another log on the fire and have a listen!

Gosbee, creator of The Ballad of Cappy John, recorded the album at his own studio, Harper's Wood, in Round Pond. A group of friends, dubbed the Chowder Chorus, lent their voices to sing along on the refrains. The cover art was created by Tad Lyford of Brunswick whose work has appeared on numerous educational publications for the Maine Maritime Museum and the Department of Conservation. Klarity Multimedia in Vassalboro was the manufacturer making this an all Maine-made product.

This CD package is unique as it doubles as a greeting card. There is space for a personal greeting and a fold-back flap for mailing. Buy the CD, open it and write your message, then reverse the flaps, seal the edges with tape, and mail it to your snow-bird friends in Florida! The 2004 USPS rate to send the package is 60˘.

The Night Before Christmas - Downeast mp3 [7:28]

The Christmas Hornpipe mp3 [2:36]

The Shopping Shanty Š Brian Chadbourne BMI mp3 [3:14]

The Frozen Logger mp3 [3:06]

The Rapogenus Christmans Ball mp3 [8:00]

The Night the Whiskey Froze Š Nikos Apollonio & Bob Stewart mp3 [3:17]

Snowbound mp3 [4:55]

Haul Away Snow mp3 [2:54]

Gloomy Winter's No Awa'Š Fred Gosbee, BMI & Holly Morrison mp3 [4:16]

Tae a Moose Š Fred Gosbee BMI mp3 [2:37]

Powder! mp3 [5:55]

Frost & Snow mp3 [2:36]

The Seasons mp3 [0:36]

Yard Sale words Š Fred Gosbee, BMI mp3 [4:24]

I went to the opening performance of Grand Design last evening. What a treat that was! I learned so much and it helped me appreciate what brave and strong people they were. I appreciated all your research to make it historically accurate. I can't imagine all the effort it took to get to last evening. Congratulations! I hope that you will be able to present it in many venues to a wide audience. Thank you so much....

Betsy Kopyc

I am stunned by your accomplishments.

In the first place, the long, painstaking research in primary sources is amazing. I bought the booklet of your resources, Julia, and am savoring the details, a little at a time. Such a gut-wrenching story!

The music is superb and so appropriate to all the settings and situations . . . the lullaby, hymns, folk tunes, and original compositions. The directing was really classy: the shipboard scene, the canoe paddling, and especially the symbols of dying . . . the veils slowly covering the heads. It was wonderful to hear the Passamaquoddy legend. The photographs were sparkling! I came away feeling chilled to the bone after viewing the winter scenes.

The players, you and your fellow musicians, were outstanding in your skill . . . the wonderful strings, flutes, percussion, and pure clear voices. Also the techies who coordinated the visuals. I was mesmerized, and would like to experience it again and again. It is the best theater I've seen in years.

It was touching to see Isabel's descendants in the audience.

Your Grand Design deserves to go beyond Lincoln County, for many reasons. It is so fine. It should receive awards. Be proud!

Bravo to you both!

Sally J. Woolfe-Wade

The Grand Design - A Scots Irish Journey

Original Soundtrack Music and Lyrics by Julia Lane
Arranged by Fred Gosbee

This music is a soundtrack excerpted from the multimedia historic drama, The Grand Design, which chronicles the fate of a group of Scots-Irish Presbyterians who set out for Philadelphia in 1741. After their ship was disabled by a storm they stranded near Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. Abandoned by their scoundrel captain the survivors were eventually rescued by Passamaquoddy Indians and brought to Colonial St. George and Pemaquid in Maine.

Traditional instruments blend music of the era with original songs to create a musical documentary of early Ulster Scots emigration to New England.