"Dave Van Ronk (June 30, 1936 -- February 10, 2002) was a folk singer born in Brooklyn, New York, who settled in Greenwich Village, New York City, and was nicknamed the 'Mayor of MacDougal Street'" (Wikipedia).
"He was best known as a pioneer of the acoustic blues revival, but his work ranged from old English ballads to Bertolt Brecht, rock, New Orleans jazz, and swing. He was a pioneer of instrumental ragtime guitar... Van Ronk was very influential on the music scene in New York City in the 1960s" (Wikipedia).
"A crucial early influence on Bob Dylan and others of the Greenwich Village school, Van Ronk was at the forefront of a musical generation that drew inspiration from rural blues masters, while creating a solo performance genre popular with urban, college-educated audiences. Beginning in the late 1950's, he toured widely, performing in coffee houses and campuses. In subsequent years he broadened his repertoire to encompass the traditional jazz influences of his teenage years, art songs by the likes of Bertolt Brecht and Joni Mitchell, and his own compositions, usually marked by an ironic self-deprecation that eschewed sentimentality in favor of hard and beautiful realism. ("From Genghis Khan to the Fuller Brush Man/ They're all a bunch of losers like me.") He was also known for his solo guitar arrangements of the work of Jelly Roll Morton and other early twentieth century masters. Smithsonian Folkways is releasing a recording of his final concert, in which the artist revisits material from throughout his long career" (http://www.folkloreproductions.com/Html/vanronk.html).
To celebrate the completion of my second poetry book, Worn Pajamas, I will be offering my first book, Life Inside Pajamas: A Poetic Look at Modern Society, as a FREE download. Just my way of saying thanks for the support over the years. Check out my blog for info how to download.
“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.” -- Bill Cosby
"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." -- Frederick Keonig
“If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.” -- Nadine Stair
Come join us for the End of an Error Party at the Acoustic Cafe in Bridgeport, CT Sat Jan 24! This is an apolitical, poly-partisan, goodhearted celebration of W's retirement, featuring; Wandering Roots trio (Shawn Taylor/ Jim McKeeman/ Billy Bileca) and also Nick Harrison & friends! Doors open at 8. Peace!
