Haul Away, Oh!
If you can’t hear the wind in the rigging when William Pint and Felicia Dale break out in song, then you’re not listening. This Seattle-based duo will present a lively program of exclusively maritime music, both old and new, at Gardeners Green Folk Club’s first house concert of the new season, on Saturday Oct. 18 in Merville.
Be prepared to sing along, as Will and Felicia make it easy. Whether it’s a familiar tune like “Cape Cod Girls” or a new rendition of “Handsome Cabin Boy,” Pint and Dale relish the added vocals. As Pint says, “it’s nice to fill out the choruses and make it sound like it would have sounded on the deck of a working ship in a bygone era.”
Pint hails from Milwaukee, but found himself – and maritime music – in his younger years while on sojourn in the Puget Sound area. There he met Felicia Dale, a sea captain’s daughter.
In the ensuing two decades the couple has performed around the world, collecting songs from the British Isles, the coastal regions of France, and the Canadian Maritimes as well as the Northeast U.S. Nine albums to date showcase their powerful harmonies and dramatic instrumental work (guitar, mandolin, fiddle, penny whistles, and hurdy-gurdy). Their songs range from traditional work chanteys like “One More Day” to ghostly ballads like “Tryphina’s Extra Hand” to true tales of courage like “Harbo and Samuelson” who dared to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a rowboat.
One of the attractions of their performances is Dale’s hurdy-gurdy, an instrument dating back to the 12th century. It is basically a mechanical violin, but is played by turning a crank while fingering a keyboard. Traditionally used in French dance tunes, it is capable of a wide range of musical expression, and can wail like bagpipes, bark like a mad terrier, or roll like a gentle swell.
Pint and Dale have boundless enthusiasm for creating music and sharing it with their audience, so come join us at Gardeners Green for a wonderful evening of entertainment. Tickets are $20 ($10 kids) and include hot drinks and desserts, as well as our charity raffle with great prizes. As this is a house concert, held in a private home, seating is limited. Call them at 250-337-5337 with any enquiries and for information on purchasing tickets.