Dawn 'til Dusk in la "France Profonde"

AudeShantyMen break new ground in recording studio!

Deep in the verdant French countryside west of Toulouse all seven voices of the Crew assembled for two separate days of recording.  Under the watchful eye of their guru, Toby Locke, techniques were refined, tracks laid down and much hard work put in by all. Mercifully, between sessions, our lads were catered for brilliantly by the home team. Just as well after a 6am start and a 7pm finish!

Post-recording production is well under way. Watch this space!

AudeShantyMen Make their Largest Charitable Donation

Magnificent Sum Handed over to the GAFIRS

It is with great pride and pleasure that the AudeShantymen are now able to announce that they have made a donation of €1000.00 to the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service. This worthy organisation - which receives no public funding - will therefore be assisted in its valuable work and training.

Those who seek to know more about the organisation and work of the GAFIRS are invited to follow the link to : gafirs.org.uk

Magellan

No Need for Rum Ration at Bart's!

AudeShantyMen on top form 

Our gallant lads had a ball entertaining the large and appreciative gathering on the terrace outside Le Verre à Soif. The people clamoured for more and would just not let the Crew get offstage to have a well-deserved pot or two. Thanks to the efforts of "eighth man" Juggins, the harmonies came over the sound system in crystal clarity, inspiring the AudeShantyMen to pull off one of their most powerful and enjoyable performances in the band's history. 

Janner's chorus sheet really got the audience going - and his raucous, no frills version of "South Australia" had 'em on their feet.   Magic moments abounded!

As the light faded and the sweetness of a summer's evening in the Razès softly consumed those privileged to be there,  "the band played on".

 It was just one of those nights .....

Bellegarde- du- Razès: BELLEGARDE : Belle fête de la musique avec le grou...

Bellegarde- du- Razès: BELLEGARDE : Belle fête de la musique avec le grou...: Jamais la place de l'église n'avait été aussi animée, un bateau s'était échoué sur le bitume avec, tout autour, des marins porta...

Concert in Bellegarde-du-Razès on National Music Day

Place de l'Eglise transformed into harbour

 The AudeShantyMen may have had their feet on solid ground on Saturday night but it was the first time a boat had sailed into the heart of the village! Kindly loaned by one of the local councillors, it made the ideal backdrop to the apéro hour concert.

All seven of the Crew were in fine voice and kept the large and appreciative gathering entertained in English and in French. This gig also marked the first appearance with the band of their new sound engineer, Toby Locke, henceforth to be known as "Juggins"! A welcome addition, he ensured that the musical endeavours of the group were heard to very best effect.

With perfect weather on this fine summer's evening it was so very good to be a shantyman!

Six of the Best !

AudeShantyMen hit their straps in Alaigne

Last week the Crew treated the packed Café de la Galloise to a rousing and refined musical performance. Working their way through three sets of their favourites (plus several encores and requests!) the AudeShantyMen dedicated the €350.00 they raised on this unique occasion to the fund for the restoration of the village church. And a great time was had by all!

Make a date in your diary to catch the AudeShantyMen on their next run ashore. They will be performing on National Music Day, Saturday 21st June from 18H00-19H00 in the Place de l'Eglise in the attractive village of Bellegarde-du-Razès. Bring your apéros, folding chairs and tables and while away a pleasant hour in the company of the Crew!

RUMBLINGS DOWN BELOW !

WE'RE BACK !

The AudeShantyMen have over-wintered calmly but industriously and are now preparing to enter the shanty-fray once again.

Two "new hands" (and a couple more are loitering on the quayside) have been sworn in to take the places of those who were paid off after the last voyage. Fresh ideas and lots of new material have materialised in the past months - which makes on deck with the band an exciting place to be.

Just ask any of those who were present for a recent rehearsal in Villelongue (see above).  

So (l to r) Mutineer,  Bosun, Magellan, Janner, Columbus Powder Monkey and Greybeard will be setting sail very soon and they all look forward to entertaining you again in the coming weeks.

Magellan

R&R for the AudeShantyMen

Season Comes to an End

After a busy few months of concerts, individual work and domestic commitments the AudeShantyMen have decided to pull up the gangplank and sail away into calmer waters for the foreseeable future.

Before they return to the stage they will be working hard behind the scenes to compile a new programme and perhaps to devise some different formats to entertain their growing number of fans and followers.

The whole Crew would like to express their enormous gratitude to the venues which have so warmly received them this year as well as to all those who have contributed so generously to the RNLI and SNSM during performances.

Please keep an eye on this Blog, on their Facebook page too, to see the Donations they make to their two chosen charities and to learn when next you can hear the AudeShantyMen in concert. 

Keep a sharp lookout!

Magellan

Crew open Cailhau Fete entertainment

Depleted but not despondent

The four AudeShantyMen still standing on Friday night did a grand job in singing for a large and festive crowd gathered outside "A'Kotee" in Cailhau - the first time the village festivities had kicked off on anything but a Saturday.  Audience and stallholders alike put their hands in their pockets to send our brave boys home with a generous contribution of €118.18 for SNSM and RNLI.  Merci!

Simply Superb!

A fantastic fundraiser last Sunday chez Glasson to celebrate Col's special day resulted in the staggering sum of €648.93 being collected for SNSM and RNLI. Many thanks for this outstanding generosity - not least on the part of our hosts - on a beautiful summer's afternoon in the south of France. If, by any chance, you have still to contribute .....

Magellan