Katie Jean Arnold and Delmark Goldfarb. For more tunes by Katie, go to myspace.com/katieamusic; more from Del at myspace.com/delmarkgoldfarb.
Influences
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.
July 3, Front Porch Stage is hot. July 4, Front Porch Stage - Journey to Memphis July 5, Elvin Bishop, my stage, Workshop stage is hot too. July 6, Front Porch, then 2:30 on my stage is Ruthie Foster
I wondered the same thing, I wish I knew? When is Jim Kweskin ever going to come play a show out here? Maybe another jug band reunion with John Sebastion and you? Did that DVD get released?
I forgot if I had given these to you yet? Grave Sheet Music.. I hope all is going well for you, it sounds like some fun music is coming up, down there soon.. ~hugs~ Isis
G'day Delmark Thanks for catching up at Duff's - and welcome to the friendship express! (sorry it's taken me a while...been neglecting my myspace responsibilities lately) cheers Fiona xxx
Tuesday July 22/08 7:00 p.m. A Jazz Live Tribute to Mundell Lowe, on his 86th B day!
Featuring: Mundell Lowe, Kenny Burrell, Jaime Valle, Russell Malone, Ron Eschete, Bruce Foreman, Bob Magnusson, Rob Thorsen, Mike Wofford, Holly Hofmann & Ramon Banda.
Funny, I just can't stop smiling when I listen to your music - it gets me that way, and I can't shake the feeling we've met before... ??? I will be there front row and center on July 11th. - Noa
~ Wishing You a Wonderful Week Del~ When are you leaving for NY? I made it down to the Folk Life festival one day.. It has grown over the years, still fun to hear some great music and see old friends.... I didnt see any Jug Players, though :? there are usually a few jug bands playing....ya needed to bring that band you were or are playing up there, maybe *:~)
Hello Del, Hey the sun came out here and it finally feels like a real spring.. Hooray.. I hope all is good in your world and that you are having some pleasant weather, and lots of Music... We are headed to the Norwegian Parade tomorrow.. Its cute and silly , some of the kids dress up as trolls... *:~)
