Castlebay at The Saco Coffeehouse
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Gig / CD review

Castlebay’s CDs are available at iTunes

The Saco Coffeehouse is open on the third Saturday of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco and Biddeford.

Different, enchanting, and inspiring; these are the words that remain with me a day after enjoying the music of Castlebay at The Saco Coffeehouse this past Saturday night.

The original and traditional songs were memorable for their poignant stories, authentic characters, and lilting melodies and harmonies. But the aspect of this performance that I found most impressive and distinctive was the musicianship displayed by Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee, the two Mainers who make up this entertaining acoustic duo.

Add the homey, intimate, and friendly atmosphere of this classic New England church coffeehouse, and what you get is a completely enjoyable folk music experience, which I highly recommend.

The Saco Coffeehouse is a real listening room

We arrived just in time for me to sign up for a slot in the open mic portion of the evening, which precedes the feature performance. I ended up in the third slot, which is just where I like to be (going first appeals to some open mic performers, but I prefer to let the audience warm up a bit before subjecting them to my music!) I thoroughly enjoyed my set; the coffee house has a very nice stage setup, with great stage lighting, a nice sound setup, and, most importantly, a very attentive, appreciative audience. I struggled through a brand new song, and was rewarded with a warm reception from a very forgiving audience. The other open mic acts got more deserved applause, and entertained us with some very well-executed covers and original tunes. The talent that frequents this open mic is a fine way to open the show.

During the break before Castlebay’s set, we enjoyed some delicious home-made baked items, all of which were available for a dollar. A very friendly crowd made us feel right at home as we waited for the main attraction to begin.

Castlebay then took the stage and launched into their program of sea shanties, Celtic music and songs of Maine and its environs. Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee have been performing together for over twenty years as Castlebay, which originally included three other vocalists and instrumentalists. This long musical partnership has resulted in the two musicians’ uncanny ability to play and interact almost as one entity. Fred is an accomplished 12-string guitarist, fiddle player, and penny-whistler; Julia plays the celtic harp as if it were a part of her, and is knowledgeable about it’s history and heritage. Fred’s vocals have an impressive range and a more subtle, harmonic quality. They perfectly compliment Julia’s strong, assertive voice with its interesting Celtic inflections.

Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee of Castlebay

The stories in the songs are fun and intriguing, and draw you in; my favorite was “The Old Liars”, which recounts the entertainment, education and supervision that a very young Julia and her brother received from a motley crew of old fisherman on the docks near her childhood home in New Harbor, Maine. The song relates the “tall tales” told by these old men and others who frequented the fishermans’ co-operative shack.

“Oh, what has become of the old liars all,
Julian and Manley and Frankie and Paul?
Down at the co-op when fish weren’t so few
They’d lie through their teeth and they’d swear it was true”

The song is sung with affection and nostalgia for this time in the past when children could run freely among trusted adults who would pass on oral traditions, some more true than others, and who would watch out for them and keep them out of trouble. The last line of the song sums it up: “Their tales were as true as the tide and the breeze / My children will never hear stories like these”.

If you enjoy stories of the Maine seacoast, music laced with haunting Celtic melodies and vocals, and first-rate musicianship and songwriting, you should try and catch up with Castlebay when they come back to the area. Their next Portland date is on March 19, 2007, at Bull Feeneys Seanachie night. You can check their full schedule at their webpage. I can also recommend their new live CD, “Islands in Time”, which is available through iTunes.

Donna Beveridge (left) is the coordinator of the Saco Coffeehouse, and Myra Robinson is the MC

I also want to recommend The Saco Coffeehouse – it’s a great way to enjoy great folk and acoustic music. Check out their full schedule for the season at their webpage.

All the best to you!
Bob McKillop

E-mail this entry to a friend