Plan Ahead: Cayamo Cruise's "Journey Through Song"
Tuesday July 8, 2008
I know nobody wants to think about February at this time of year. Especially not me, considering how long it took for Seattle to get in the swing of summer weather. But, February is a little more fun to think about when you factor in a seven-day Carribbean cruise featuring a slew of extraordinary singer-songwriters. We're talking Patty Griffin, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, Shawn Colvin, Indigo Girls, Brandi Carlile, Buddy Miller, Mindy Smith, Joe Ely, Girlyman, and 14 others (and probably more—they're still taking submissions for bands that would like to join the lineup).
Personally, this sounds like heaven on a boat to me. Tickets are on sale now, and aren't bad, considering what you get for the money. Did anyone go last year? I've only heard good things. Learn more about Cayamo at their Web site.
Comments
I went on Cayamo this year and the Sixthman organization produced a festival at sea very expertly. Every concert was on time and the sound and lighting, etc. was excellent in all of the many venues on board. It was really a great experience and I have recommended it to several friends for 2009.
The significant complaint I had in 2008 is with the artists they booked other than the six headliners and Buddy Miller. In 2008 the lower-tier performers were mostly not announced until January just before we sailed and were almost all marginally talented bar performers from Nashville or from Atlanta (where Sixthman is from)and even some Atlanta based rock bands which were totally out of character with the headliners and the majority of passengers on this cruise billed as a “singer-songwriter/folk” themed cruise. I walked out of a lot of the performances by these marginal talents very disappointed – but the headliner concerts were just excellent. Lets face it – the audience for the quiet songs performed by Patty Griffin and Shawn Colvin can’t be expected to relish rock bands that tour with Marshall Tucker and the Allman Brothers as was the case this year.
Their full line-up for Cayamo 2009 so far is much better with at least a little less of the southern Nashville/country singers and less of the unworthy and unknown lower-tier performers and rock bands.
In 2008 there were passengers from all around Europe, Canada and the US who were all passionate about at least a few of the headliners and it was great meeting a lot of them. But also there was an unfortunate group of young folks from the Atlanta area who came for the party atmosphere as fans of some of the inappropriate Atlanta bar bands that were on the roster. The downside this year is having the Indigo Girls replace Emmylou as headliners – the cruise might just become recognized as a lesbian themed cruise now between the Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlisle’s fan base and that might just not be too comfortable some of the passengers there more for folk music. Wouldn’t bother me, but I did meet a few folks on the cruise this year that were actually put off by some of the lesbian groups of Brandi’s fans when they tended to cluster in areas of the ship. Plus the Indigo girls are sooo 80’s.
I am particularly glad that among the lower-tier performers for 2009 are such stand-outs as Mindy Smith, Joe Ely and the Greencards. Still my personal hope was for more nationally revered artists from the folk circuit and less southern favorites but I can’t say they have not made a vast improvement.
You can find a lot of movies taken by passengers of 2008 Cayamo on You Tube to give you a flavor of the concerts. Look at some of them for Buddy Miller’s concert as an example of how Emmylou, Shawn and Patty would join in with each other and have a great time while performing.
You won’t be disappointed on Cayamo 2009 if you are at least a fan of most of the headliners. Even the performers all stated repeatedly how much they were enjoying the Cayamo cruise every day (Emmylou even brought her mom!) and they were all very relaxed circulating the ship with the passengers all week. All were very approachable due to a great environment.
The bottom line is that Sixthman manages this Cayamo cruise with total professionalism. They have been doing other cruises for a few years with rock themes and they know what they are doing as well as someone running a large folk festival on land.
Is gonna be Brandi Carlile in the 2009 cruise??
Kari–yeah, Brandi’s on the bill. You can see a partial list of performers in thist post, and a full list at the Cayamo Web site.
We are considering buying tickets to this cruise. Love Lyle. But believe it or not some of the “undercard” is whats putting us over the edge. Glen Phillips and I love Webb Wilder too. It looks like alot of bucks. Its ALL of FIVE K for us to go. But we had a normal cruise for us to fly and all still runs 3k. And my wife and I are GIGANTIC music fans. I play and write as well. It almost seems like CAMP for adults. I don’t think we can resist. If you have any advice let us know!
OH yeah if they would add PETER CASE I would pawn the dog!
Cayamo is a fantastic music experience. I went on the first cruise and just returned from the second. All the artists are exceptional, as Sixthman have great talent scouts. There is a mix of music from around US and Canada, with elements of each genre of acoustic music.
The boat is fantastic. NOTHING LIKE A CONVENTIONAL CRUISE. Everyone is so laid back and friendly – even the traditionally stiff cruise staff. The venues on the boat are excellent and well suited for a music festival. sound quality is sublime. With only 2000 people it is far less crowded than a land based festival. The performers are more relaxed and willing to try out new things and have a genuine raport with the audience (who they probably met in the breakfast line!).
The best description is as a week-long back stage pass!
It makes me sad to read Richard W´s comments on the Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile joining the 2009 Cayamo cruise: „the cruise might just become recognized as a lesbian themed cruise now“. So would the cruise be „straight-themed“ without them?
I am lesbian and I went on the 2009 cruise and had a wonderful time and I hope I didn’t offend people by my sheer presence.
Besides: There were many straight people on the boat who probably got attracted by the line up of straight musicians…anyway; I did not feel offended by them. But then, I’m very open minded
; )
Come on, shouldn’t Cayamo be about NOT thinking along these lines?
@Berio I’d have to agree. I would hope if I were on the cruise, my presence wouldn’t be ruining anyone’s experience! After all, I would feel just as compelled to go on this cruise if Brandi and the Indigo Girls weren’t included, and I have many gay friends who would feel the same. Also, the Indigo Girls aren’t “so 80s.” In fact, they just released a great double album of all new material last week.