John Sebastian (his website is a fine place to visit)
and other previously heard or caroused-with individuals of a particular musical bent.
Sounds Like
DELMARK GOLDFARB: Up To My Neck
Renegade hipster with deep, rumbling vocals, snappy guitar-slinging and a wayward way with words. "Best new writer of good-time music," says Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Famer John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful).
Born and raised in upstate New York, after high school Delmark Goldfarb landed in the Village at the tail end of the Great Folk Era. On banjo or bass, he fell into gigs with the likes of bluesmen Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee; bluegrass mandolin wizard Frank Wakefield; and legendary folk/country songwriter Keith Sykes.
Drafted in 1970, instead of sending Del to Vietnam, the Marine Corps transferred him from Camp Pendleton to NAS Millington, the Navys only inland air base, twenty minutes down Highway 51 from Memphis. Weekends were spent in town at the knee of Furry Lewis or Rufus Thomas, or getting wasted under the influence of Jerry Lee Lewis.
Upon discharge, Del stayed in Memphis, where the transition to civilian life was not without its obstacles. After some particularly inappropriate behavior in a poorly managed situation he found himself serving a one-year stretch in the county slammer.
There, during a card game, one of his fellow inmates, a certain O.V. Wright, told him that he could use a piano player. After volunteering for this unusual request, Del was led out to an open cellblock area where makeshift church services were held on Sundays. Out of a broom closet rolled a piano. There he banged out the blues to O.Vs scorching wail, while the jailbirds danced like angels and the walls vanished into thin air.
Later in Memphis, he assembled and composed for the Rhythm-Aires, a washboard-style combo which became a house band on Beale Street and was featured at the Memphis Music and Arts Festival. On the rockabilly side, Del was invited to be Billy Lee Rileys sideman on guitar for a recording session at Sun Studio.
Another highlight of the Memphis years was the Beale Street Songwriters Showcase, where Del appeared twice alongside icons such as Rodney Crowell, Billy Joe Shaver and Todd Snider.
After a move to Oregon in the 1980s, Dels music took a serious turn for the jug band side when he teamed up with jug and washtub veteran Fritz Richmond, world-reknown for his work with the Kweskin Band. Fritz clued him to the roots of the string band sound: Gus Cannon, the Mississippi Sheiks, Jamaican Joseph Spence, and the Memphis Jug Band.
Also in Portland, Oregon, Del began working with Curtis Salgado, who covered Portable Man on his Soul Activated album (Shanachie). It was Dels growing involvement with the blues/roots community in the Northwest and an affinity to the money-raising aspects of rent-party style benefits which led him in 1987 to launch what has become the annual Waterfront Blues Festival. The event continues to raise millions of dollars and tons of food donations for charity.
Dels latest cd, Up To My Neck, his first solo effort, presents his distinctive tunes backed by an all-star combo including John Sebastian (Lovin Spoonful) on harp and Cody Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) on drums.
Hi Del It was a lot of fun for me to pick with you even though my hands were not at all recovered from the carpal tunnel OP. I love your songs and hope to meet up with you again in your travels. BTW, how can I get so many beautiful women to leave comments on my site?:) Be well and stay in touch, Rick
Great! Looking forward to meeting you... have a great trip and let me know what your schedule looks like... will be coming to see you at The Nashville Palace on the 14th.
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Thanks for the inspiration! Maybe if we give a little more, and take a little less, we will find the key to happiness. Fight the GREED and search for Common Ground. Peace
