Change of Fortune Song Information and Liner Notes Lyrics Lady Franklin's Lament The Rocky Road To Dublin The Gull Stuart Frank The Rosabella The Yankee John O'Connor Just The Motion Richard Thompson Paddy Lay Back Bring 'Em Down A Man's A Man For A'That Robert Burns Auld Lang Syne Robert Burns For this first solo endeavor, I've put together a collection of songs that (with one exception) have some connection with the sea. Some of these come directly from the tradition of sailor's work songs, and some have only a marginal relationship. The real unifying thread, however, is that each of the songs, traditional or contemporary, stuck in my head and refused to let go until I learned it in some form. Some are brand new to me; others are old, old friends. Owen Beattie and John Geiger's excellent book, Frozen In Time, finally lays to rest some of the questions implied in Lady Franklin's Lament. When Sir John Franklin set out to find the Northwest Passage, he was equipped with the latest technology of 1845—metal cans. However, instead of providing him with a reliable food supply, their lead seams brought him failure, madness and death. Generally, Irish immigration songs tend to be long and sad. As an exception, The Rocky Road to Dublin is most cheerful and optimistic, bouncing along in slip jig time. Paddy Lay Back, Bring 'Em Down and The Rosabella are all sea shanties in variouls forms. The Rosabella is the closest to the true traditional style of unaccompanied vocals. Paddy Lay Back not only adds a guitar (highly untraditional) but also picks up the pace substantionally. No anchor was ever raised quite so quickly, except maybe on a ship with a cargo of coca leaves from Brasil. Bring 'Em Down throws tradition to the wind, incorporation a phase shifting electric guitar, tin whistles, and a female chorus of one! Close to the sea shanty in structure is Northwest songwriter John O'Connor's The Yankee. I was part of the chorus of John's recording of the song and it stayed with me. In the true folk process tradtion, I altered a line here and there—but only with John's blessing. I first heard the multi-talented director of the Kendall Whaling Museum Stuart Frank sing The Gull from the deck of sailing ship at a sea music festival. The sea, the ocean breeze through the rigging, the sun on the water, were tied together at that moment and not a person there was left unmoved. Richard Thompson has been high on my hero list for years. Just The Motion is just one of the many reasons why. Two songs by Robert Burns are included here. A Man's A Man For A' That remains a timely song with its message that a person's worth is measured by what is inside rather than rank or bank balance. It's only fault is that is was written in a language rank with inherent sexism. If female listeners will look beyond that point, they will find that the sentiment embraces all of us together. Burn's greatest hit closes the show. In times past, Auld Lang Syne was sung at the end of any gathering of friends and not restricted to one verse, once a year at midnight. Thanks for listening. Produced by William Pint & Rob Folsom Recorded at OMB Studios, Port Orchard, WA. Engineered by Rob Folsom Cover art by William Pint C#1001 William Pint vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, mandola Felicia Dale vocals, tin whistles John Peekstok synthesizer Special thanks to: Rob Folsom for his time, faith and support, to my family for their encouragement, Felicia for everything,