Maiden Voyage
This fun and delightful album is a dulcet bridge between contemporary music and traditional maritime music. Maiden Voyage is Bounding Main’s freshman album where they have assembled a group of songs that focus on maritime work songs, English country tunes and Irish songs popular in the folk revival of the ’50s and ’60s. This group of theatrical performers have added rich harmonies to the songs in this collection, creating a strong differentiator from the ultra-traditional treatment given by other bands.
Listener Testimonials
“I was listening to your CD in the car with my husband and we got through the first song when he hijacked the CD player and said, ” I want to hear it again!” (and again and again . . .) Just thought you’d like to know.
“Someday I’ll play the second song for him!”
– Jessica Don
Lead singer for Seelie Court
“Without a doubt, this is a wonderful album. Instrument lovers will notice that almost none play a role on this CD, but the singers put their voices to fantastic use, and it’s a joy to hear. While the lyrics are all nautical in nature, no one would ever accuse this music of sounding rough or piratey – it’s just too highly polished and well done (that’s hardly a criticism – but it is something that should be mentioned in a “pirate review.”) Some sea songs were meant for dancing, others for parties and background music. But this album is meant for listening, plain and true.”
— Gerard Heidgerken
Bilgemunky.com © 2006
Beautiful; a truly unique sound. I first saw Bounding Main at the Greater St. Louis Area Renaissance Festival and was floored by their stunning harmonies and wonderfully sweet personalities. I bought my copy of this CD from them directly that weekend, and since then I’ve near worn it out. The songs selected for this CD showcase their talent wonderfully, and there’s honestly not a song on it that I dislike. Between the fabulous vocal talent and the almost delicately-applied accompaniment, this CD is the perfect addition to any rennie or folksong lover’s album collection.
— Elizabeth
Maiden Voyage Liner Notes
Mingulay Boat Song
(Hugh S. Roberton)
We re-recorded this song for “Maiden Voyage.” This song was arranged for all of us to use our strengths; men together, women together, duets and choruses. Paired into couples during the verses are Jon & Maggie, Dean & Christie and David & Gina. We added a round near the end, just because we could and it sounded nice. We frequently hear reactions to this song like the one below and it makes us very happy and proud.
Pump Shanty
(Tony Goodenough, recorded with permission.)
Tony Goodenough wrote “Pump Shanty” and performed it with The Shanty Crew. This song was introduced to us via Pint & Dale at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Tony recently wrote to us with his blessings for us to use his piece. Filled with double-entendres, the song is fun on all levels and the rhythm gives you a feeling for the nature of the work aboard a tall ship.
Fiddler’s Green
(John Connolly, recorded with permission)
Dean sings to the concertina accompaniment of our friend David HB Drake. This song has long been a favorite of Dean’s and it was an honor for him to perform it for Bounding Main. The version that we sing has evolved from the original, both to accommodate the Renaissance motif (jumpers were sweaters invented no earlier than the 1800’s, for instance) and through simple folk-song evolutions
Soloist: Dean Calin
“Ahoy, Bounding Main ! have just discovered your website and have been enjoying listening to your version of my song ‘Fiddler’s Green’ …”
– John Connolly
Legendary Folk Singer
Music available from The Chantey Cabin
Pay Me, You Owe Me
(Traditional)
Jon goes wild on this piece! We had so much fun recording this song, adding voices and percussion to the background. David HB Drake stepped in and gave us a hand with castanets while Dean shook the tambourine, Pretty Boy David knocked sticks, Maggie struck some other wooden objects together and Christie added her virtuoso kazoo, while Gina lead us in the chorus.
Soloist: Jon Krivitzky
Sailor’s Prayer
(Rod MacDonald, recorded with permission)
Rod MacDonald’s song is a ballad of strength and unity with a marvelous chorus. Rod was kind enough to grant us permission to use this song, and we put our own touch to this piece. Previously arranged by Jon Krivitzky for his efforts with Mosaic Whispers, the arrangement that we performed was influenced by his earlier work and also flavors acquired by versions performed at local renaissance faires. We really enjoyed this arrangement and we hope you do, too!
Old Maui
(Traditional)
Another manly tune sung by David Yondorf. His amazing voice propels you along on this journey between icy north waters and the bliss of the tropics. Jon’s arrangements for the accompaniment are very beautiful.
Soloist: David Yondorf
A Rovin’ (Amsterdam Maid)
(Traditional)
We added this song to the CD at the last minute. This is normally one of our audience participation pieces, but with Maggie’s help it became a fun piece here, too. The version compiled by Stan Hugill had so many verses it could go on for days! Dean shortened the verses to accommodate the size of our group and put in a definitive closing line.
Soloist: Dean Calin
Blow the Wind Southerly
(John Stobbs)
Maggie discovered this song and brought it to Bounding Main. This is an amazingly sweet tune that our girls have down to a science of harmony. Maggie’s heartfelt performance speaks for the wives of the men who work at sea. Gina and Christie’s beautiful accompaniment makes this song a treasure. It is not to be missed.
Soloist: Maggie Hannington (Retired)
The Mermaid
(Traditional)
This is another favorite around the Bristol Renaissance Faire crowd. It has an audience participation piece in the chorus for “Ocean Waves Do Roll” and “Stormy Winds Do Blow.” Let the Bounding Mainiacs, our stalwart fans, show you how! We did a version of this song on “Casting Off,” but re-recorded it for “Maiden Voyage.”
Derelict
(Young E. Alison)
Everyone loves pirates, and what better song than Derelict to give an audience all of the expected “Yo-ho-ho’s” that they long to hear? David Yondorf’s amazing voice carries all of us through this piece. Maggie never fails to be amazed that David has never sung professionally before working with Bounding Main. Heather Lewin’s fiddle helps us turn this song into an appropriately spooky piece. The arrangement for this song is our own, but we were inspired by The Jolly Rogers’ “Yo Heave Ho” in the last verse and it fit well with our background vocals. This song was re-recorded for “Maiden Voyage.”
Soloist: David Yondorf
Leave Her, Johnnie
(Traditional)
Leave Her, Johnnie is homeward-bound shanty and is normally sung by the men preparatory to landing. It is an opportunity for the crew to complain about the officers, the food, the ship, the pay and fellow sailors. We arranged Leave Her, Johnnie to be the voice of the women waiting for their sailor men to return to them – a “Calling Home Shanty,” if you will. We think we may well have turned this into a love song! This is one of our most popular pieces, which we newly recorded for this CD.
Health to the Company
(Traditional)
This song was once selected for the closing of the Bristol Renaissance Faire. It is a traditional Irish/Scottish parting song.
