Riot and Frolic

My huge network of music-loving brothers- and sisters-in-laws have an ongoing game of Show and Tell (one might call it one-upmanship) with new artists and songs.  Generally speaking, they find great Music, songs with harmonies and meaning and that will never be played on the radio.  Unfortunately, as The G will attest, I am hard to impress, so mainly my reaction to the YouTube links and 82 witty and banterous (it's totally a word) "reply all" emails following the first one is "Oh, that's nice."

But this week?  No.  

[Editor's note: any time you see words in italics during this post, imagine I'm swooning a bit.)

This week my sis sent this:

That's one charming video.  

Then, you might do some research on the rough and awesome group of 10 old guys (the oldest is 79, the youngest is the accordian player at 41) called Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends. 

They are indeed fishermen.  Fisherman, by trade, who just happen to put out gold albums and turn down U.S. tours so they can continue BEING FISHERMEN.  They are also former Coastguardsman, shopkeeps, potters, hoteliers, a children's book author, and ruggedly handsome.  

Most of them have known each other since childhood because Port Isaac (a town in Cornwall, the area on the southwestern tip of England) has a population of 700.  Well, that, and three of them are brothers.  They learned to sing together at the Methodist church in town and obviously that lead to forming a group that would later perform at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  

Port Isaac – I want to go to there

Are you in love yet?

In the summer, down on the beach, they'll play free shows, depending on the weather and the tide.  They've had to cut down on the number of shows, though, because they can only fit about one thousand or so people on the beach between high tides.  

this is only half the crowd

They rehearse over beers, claim no bandleader, and enjoy singing together because they enjoy singing together.  

Inevitably, in your research, you'll come across the story of Trevor Grills (who takes the lead on "Mary Anne") and the band promoter, Paul McMullen, who died tragically while unloading for a gig in February.  You'll find out the filming of the "Mary Anne" video was one of the last time the guys were together, roaming the beautiful cliffs surrounding their hometown and clearly having a rowdy and brotherly good time.  And then you'll watch that video again.

And when Trevor sings that last, now poignant line, I DARE YOU NOT TO CRY. 

Buy their music here.

Two years ago: How to Boil Water and Other Skills, in which I'm demanding.