Ray’s Chat – number 8
Shirley Red Lion Folk Club
RAY’S CHAT
Hi Folks
So it’s RAYS CHAT NUMBER EIGHT
Yes we have got to number eight.
Sorry it is late being issued. Simon going to Devon caused a Hitch. And did you hear the Sad News that Dave Swarbrick died on 3rd June. Dave was in the Original Ian Campbell Folk Group line-up; Before pairing with Martin Carthy. and then later was with Fairport Convention. Sad Loss.
And talking about THE IAN CAMPBELL FOLK GROUP; There was a brilliant article by Ken Hunt in “R2” Issue 56 . giving the group History. I did not know they had been REAL BIG in Denmark. Seems they virtually started FOLK there.
I hope you are enjoying the trips down Memory Lane with me. Yes real History this time: Early American Folk Revival stuff from 50’s 60’s.. and even earlier. Yes You have a lot of Great Music in my selections for this time: Researching I have found some Early American FOLK MUSIC: The first one is a 1930 Recording; surprisingly Good Quality… Yes it is the old shellac records. I bet a lot of you have never even seen one??
Carson Robinson. Moonlight on the Colarado 1930.
It takes 3.10 mins to play. YES really 1930 Music. Brilliant quality as well What’s that??? You don’t think that is Folk!! More Country!!… Well where do you draw the Line between Folk and Country?
BUT OK if you want definite Folk: put in
Legends of Folk The Village Scene d.8.58.. WOW!! this is HISTORICAL FOLK from The 50’s If you listen to this really good history of Folk you will know a lot more about the Early Folk scene. These were the guys that were the Pioneers: When the Follk scene was just starting to get Big in America. Lots of New Young guys were coming on the scene.. Peter, Paul & Mary; Phil Oaks, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez; Julie Felix,
Buffy St. Marie, Tom Paxton. and the biggest name of all Pete Seeger. Pete is no longer with us:
But Tom Paxton is still very much alive and is still singing at 79.
AND: I found a real gem: Tom Paxton chatting to Pete Seeger, and singing with Pete. Magic Stuff.
Put in Ramblin Boy Paxton & Seeger 1963 5.36 mins
And having mentioned Pete Seeger.. Well I really have to say something about him. He was a great influence on the Folk Scene with friends, like Woody Guthrie. But Pete’s political views got him in trouble with the FBI. He was a member of the Communist Party for a while; as indeed were many of the Folk crowd. Well it sort of followed on from The Hippies Flower Power, time. NO: I know, a lot of you won’t remember those times. But “Flower Power” Hippy times were when the young really believed that LOVE could change the World. And the World could live in Peace if everyone joined the Peace movement. And many of the “Hippies” were Folk Singers. Yes it was Peace; and Love; Bells and flowers in your hair time.
I wonder if you have ever heard this next choice:
IF YOUR GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO sung by SCOTT MCKENZIE
It was the anthem of the “Hippies” I loved this song; and still do. I used to wish I had the courage to be a Hippy.
Yes I loved the idea of Love, and Music and bells, and Peace. But I made do with Folk !!
Well Pete Seeger was of this period: For a long time he was banned from performing in USA, as indeed were many others including Joan Baez and Harry Belafonte, and of course Woody Guthrie. Pete sang with the Group “The Weavers”, who were a pioneer Folk Group really in at the start of the Folk Revival.
Pete was not only a VERY good performer with a brilliant Banjo technique; But he wrote the songs that he sang. Yes He wrote very many GREAT songs including Turn,Turn,Turn. If I had a Hammer; Where have all the flowers gone. and lots more.
Pete was born May 3 1919, died January 27 2014, age94.
But my choice is not Pete Seeger.
I said earlier that Tom Paxton wrote some real GREAT songs
and I think this one of his Very Best: Yes My Number One Choice: RAMBLIN BOY sung by Tom Paxton takes 4.09 mins
Tom wrote this early in his career and has been a favourite of mine for OHH very many years. This is a lovely gentle song.
Make sure you get Tom singing it, there are lot of others.
Tom has been a GREAT guy for Oh so long. He writes Brilliants songs, and performs them with style.
I have never been lucky enough to see him Live; but I am sure He is one of the GREAT performers . And talking about Great performers of our time. for the next Rays Chat I am going to tell you about one of UKs Greats, who I have been fortunate to know from his first venture into writing Folk Songs and singing his own songs. Yes I am going to chat about Harvey Andrews.
And:: I believe that we might have one of our own Club members singing Ramblin Boy, at the next Club Meeting.
So time to say Cheerio till next time
and I hope you have enjoyed
RAMBLIN BOY: Super Song!
NICE CHATTING TO YOU
RAY