Bilgemunky

I have both, and they're about as diverse a compilation as they come - pirate core to pirate metal to pirate folk, the who shabang. My full review can be read at http://www.bilgemunky.com/reviews/music/la...sreturn_1-2.php

Originally I didn't think I'd be able to make it this year, but now it looks pretty positive that I should be there the first weekend - all day the 13th, and at least part of the 14th. Hope to see some of you there!

Final contest was between Christa (the tall blonde) and Ben (the "surfer dude" looking guy.) Each got to choose three team-mates from those that had already been planked for their final treasure hunt. As I recall, Ben was well ahead of Christa for much of the search, but one of her team-mates, Jay true to form, "cheated" (in quotes because it's debateably whether there is a such thing as cheating in such things) on her behalf and got them all to follow Ben's team, skipping finding the clues themselves. This resulted in a very close final challenge of solving a puzzle to open a treasure chest, in which Ben was victorious by a smidge. Hope that helps!

If we're going down that road, then I have to put in a vote for Paul Reubens.

I definitely think this would be the job for a non-action hero type - no Gerard Butlers or such. Blood was a doctor, and a relectant pirate. He was about brains and honor - sort of the Dr. Ryan of the pirate world. Not that our speculations mean much - Hollywood will do what Hollywood will do. Personally, I think Captain Blood could make for a splendid remake. Now as to whether I have faith in Hollywood to actually do so, that's a different question

Reading it now, actually. It's an interesting book - paints Long John as a bit more sinister than I'd envisioned him (I'd always thought him more a manipulator than murderer.) I do rather like one line in particular from reading last night: "There's always time to kill a spaniard"

That's Pyrate Leatherworx new project - Pyrate Trading Company. They're still very much in business, but I think they're having servier issues or something. Email them. They've always done fantastic work for me, as well as many of my friends and cohorts.

I know that Pyrate Leatherworx makes something like that: ---------------------- Blackbeard Baldric Based On Legends Of One Of History's Most Infamous Pirates. Similar To One Seen In A TV Documentary. Holds Six Pistols And One Sword. Available In Your Choice Of Color & Buckle; 3" Wide. Specify Left Or Right Handed. Available With Buckle In Back Only. The Baldric And Each Pistol Holster Is Sewn Totally By Hand And Treated With Wax For A Sturdy Finish That Will Last. $150.00 --------------------------- Unfortuantely there's something up with their website - all graphics are busted. But this is the page: http://pyrate.org/baldrics.html If that's who you're looking for, just email them - they're pretty responsive generally.

Aye, you're not wrong, LadyBarbossa! But alas, for reasons aplenty it was best for us to stick with only one ship for this year. And that aside, mass pirates is the Pirate Festival's speciality - if we also had mass ships, then what would Maritime Festival be left with?

Wow - I never thought I'd say these words, but "I agree with Satan on this one". Interesting show, but the guilt is just amazing. In my neighborhood I witness racial inequity daily, and reparations of any kind won't even begin to bridge this gap. And I can comforatably say that as an heir of no slave money whatsoever (my father built himself from nothing - white trash, by today's terms.) And did I mishear, or did she refer to the cheiftain from Ghana as an "african american"???

It's a bit "on the nose" for my taste. Jolly Rogers can be overdone. I prefer the subtlety of a gutted spanish officer for my bathmat - dries the feet right fine, and doesn't maintain fleas quite so much as shag carpet. My toilet seat was intended for the king of Siam before it saw fit to fall into my posession - molded from solid gold, actually. I'd hoped for forged gold, as I'm a fan of durability - and I'm also uncertain whether all 52 gems are genuine (I worry the emeralds may in fact be calcite), but we all have our crosses to bear. For my shower curtain, I typically don't use one, as the servants are relatively punctual about mopping up whatever oversplash my boisterous washing generates.

Alas, yer correct on all accounts - spot on in your summary of the site and the sounds, and also accurate in your observation that they've been swallowed by the waves. My own bookmark of their site seems dead as dead.

Harrr - Worst Pirate Song and Pirate Annie's Chest have both been featured on Bilgemunky Radio, mate! Bonehead, on the other hand - I'm familiar, but their website never had an email. If you know how to contact them, DO let me know!

Pirates Charles is one of my favorite bands around at the moment (and indeed, they have many more than 3 songs, although I can't vouch whether or not they played more than 3 at PyrateCon, as the venues were too crowded for me to stick around.) The beauty of Pirates Charles is that they make modern piracy seem natural - on stage they were clothes from various decades, including GAoP, Victorian, and even the 70s - and yet it all works for them. I adore this sort of pirate-inspired fashion, and well in-sync with my own "big tent" view on piracy. NorCal was definitely the Pirates Charles element. They played on a huge stage on Sunday, and worked the crowd like electric putty in their hands. It was a marvel to witness.

Aye, I'm not much a fan of yelling either, for the most part. Some pirate metal is indistinguishable from non-pirate metal - all banging guitars with "YALDK!!!!WAHHHHHGGGG!!!!DEEEVOTNATELLL!!!!!!!!!" sort of lyrics. Not my thing. But a bit of angry gravel can do a lot to turn a friendly sea shanty into a pirate song. But then, so can singing about peglegs and rum.

when worlds collide, eh?

It seems quite common to view modern pirate enthusiasts as two opposites - the historical reenactors, and the "hollywood" pirates (those who promote the popular image of pirate rather than the historical truth.) What is often overlooked are those folks who aren't trying to recreate anything, but rather take inspiration from piracy and do as they will with it from a fashion or other creative perspective. I've seen punks with bucket boots and spiked leather jackets. I've seen a mod pirate in white leather, funky sunglasses, jolly rogered tights and purple plumage. And I've seen more than a handful of biker pirates (we've all seen these, I expect.) These folks are actually the flip side of the coin, with the Hollywood pirate being much more closely aligned with their worthy adversary the reenactor than most would care to admit. Historical pirate shanty groups obviously line up well next to historical reenactors - both are trying to recreate and educate true historical piracy. They both also face the challenges and limitations of presenting accurate, documented facets of their craft. In contrast, I would equate many of the festival pirate bands (Jolly Rogers and such), who sing "chanteyish" music of a traditional-ish nature to the Hollywood pirates - the general public may not realize its not really historical, but likely they sell many more CDs in the end. Such bands are in the business of giving the audience what it wants, and if that means jazzing up the traditional a bit or a lot, so be it. Pirate-Core, that being the pirate-themed rap, metal, punk, alternative, etc, is really a different beast altogether. No Pirate-Core band I've ever met intends or pretends to be traditional or historically accurate - and any member of the audience that thinks they're hearing period music is a lost cause anyways. Essentially, Pirate-Core is right there with skull&crossbone t-shirts, Disney's Treasure Planet, Pirate-inspired runway fashion, and all other modern artistic endeavours that aim to take what they want from piracy, and then create something new. So I guess my point is that - love it or hate it (I love it) - Pirate-Core can't be judged on its success at capturing historical elements, as that's not its intent. Festival or Hollywood shanty groups walk a more dubious path, as they intend to entertain, but risk generating a false impression with their audience as to what is and is not a historical chanty. And hardcore purists have their own challenges, as historical music is sometimes dry by today's standards. And thanks to sketchy, incomplete records, oftentimes the only way to guarantee you're not playing a historically innaccurate note is to pack up the banjo and go home, which isn't much fun for anyone.

Are you really asking us to put a price on healthy breasts? Aye - I'd drop $10 for the cause without blinking, and would feel quite happy to receive such a button in return. Methinks others will feel the same. PM me if you start offering these online, and I'll make a mention or two on Bilgemunky Radio and Bilgemunky.com.

Just pulled in myself - and considering that I live closer than anyone, you do the math as to when I actually left Thanks Achangel and Fool's Gold for being so great! I hope it's not too long before I can join you all at an event where I can participate in a few more of the festivities.

Sadly the decision was made to forgo any djing this year in favor of more live bands. And while most of these bands aren't terribly piraty, I was able to throw in my own influence and book a small performance from the Great Lakes Renegade each night (think a one-man and a'la Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins - but piratey). The other upshot of me not DJing is that it was pretty rough for me last year, since it was run-run-run all day long, I didn't really have the energy to give the DJing my all. THIS year, I'm hoping to be able to sit back and enjoy the bash a bit more. Of course, that's if the weather cooperates and I don't have to spend my evening weatherproofing tents, which is looking like an increasing possibility.

Just wanted to say "hey all" - everyone's chatting up Port Washington, and I never say a thing about this event in my own backyard. Looking forward to this weekend and seeing everyone. Of course, it may well be another year of me running myself ragged, but that's ok. If we've not met, you'll recognize me easy enough - you won't actually see me, but there will be a rush of wind as I fly past. That, and your rum will be gone.

Yarrr!!! Tune in TONIGHT to find out what happens to Bilgemunky and Gunther next! Did UPS arrive? Was everything carefully shipped and free of water damage, or did a computer glitch result in Bilgemunky getting a cheese-wheel instead of his new outfit? There's only one way to find out - tune in to Bilgemunky Radio tonight!

Rush makes a splendid pirate, but I don't see him as Blackbeard - too wirery, and a few too many years. Butler, on the other hand, can carry that robust, "larger than life" physique and personality Blackbeard was so known for. It's true that, of any pirate, Blackbeard's story should require the least tweaking to make it exciting and "piratey" enough for public consumpion. But hollywood or authentic, ultimately I just hope it's a good film. Decent writing, believable dialogue, compelling action, etc. etc. Sadly, butchering the history of a subject is only one of many crimes the film industry is capable of

I'm glad your crew liked the review, but the credit really goes to you lot - I just report on what I hear, and I heard lots of good things

I just got my Alestorm album, and I do love it! Many pirate heavy metal bands are difficult for those unfamiliar with the genre - many, in fact, are so hard to understand that you wouldn't even know they're piratey unless you read the lyrics. No such trouble with Alestorm - you can hear the pirate in them through and through. And the music is fairly approachable too!