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"The Waterman's Kiss", performed by Calico Jenny (www.janiemeneely.com/calicojenny.html) at the Institute of Musical Traditions (www.imtfolk.org), Takoma Park, Maryland, USA on December 12, 2014.

Mermaids, Sirens and Sailors: Calico Jenny brings the ladies’ point of view to sea music.

Calico Jenny, a trio of sultry sirens, adds a little spice to the salty side of sea music, adding the ladies’ point of view and setting the record straight on myths of all kinds whenever they perform. The trio consists of Janie Meneely (guitar, whistles and vocals), Chelle Fulk (fiddle and vocals) and Molly Hickman (banjo, cello and vocals). Besides spinning tales about the Chesapeake Bay (that would be songwriter Janie Meneely’s strong suit), they also dip into the vast trove of sea lore to sing of pirates, mermaids and ghost ships. Just about all the songs they sing fall from Meneely’s pen (songs like Twiddles and The Brigantine among others). They perform very little traditional fare.

Meneely herself is braving new frontiers since the passing of her husband, Paul DiBlasi. Together they formed the duo Calico Jack and were familiar players on maritime stages. “He was my crusty sailor's voice,” Meneely says. “But it’s been terrific to experiment with women’s voices and work out three-part harmonies. Plus, I get to broaden my creative reach and expand into more universal themes that focus on the women who went to sea or remained on the shore for whatever reason.”

Fiddlist Chelle Fulk, owner and operator of Music by Anthem, is a versatile instrumentalist whose talent is recognized by myriad Celtic, jazz, pop and rock bands, classical string trios and quartets, Latin ensembles and more. She brings a flair for strings to Calico Jenny plus an estimable talent for vocal harmony. Her lush alto adds a warm glow to the tapestry of Calico Jenny voices.

Molly Hickman, the youngest member of the group, adds cello and banjo to the trio's instrumental line up. A student of DC cellist Fred Lieder, Molly moves easily between classic and folk rhythms, complementing Chelle's fiddle licks. Her sweet young voice adds an air of innocence to whatever she sings, but the twinkle in her eye betrays Calico Jenny's often slyer undertones. The banjo adds zest, pure and simple (it's what banjos do).

From Bay-centric ditties like one about Big Liz, a popular ghost from the lower Eastern Shore, to a song about an outspoken siren’s insistence that she “just comes to this beach to sing,” Calico Jenny's songs illuminate the waterfront from a different (sometimes naughty) perspective. With lush harmonies, lively accompaniment and spontaneous on-stage humor, Calico Jenny is highly entertaining.

Sound: Dave Eisner, Dave Richardson, Dave Eisner

Camera: Kathie Lillie, Laura Christoplos, Tim Twomey, Ralph Lillie

Editing: Ralph Lillie

© 2014, Institute of Musical Traditions