Washington Square Memoirs

Subject: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 10:58 AM

For the past several days, I've been listening to a new 3-CD set called "Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom 1950-1970." There are 72 songs in all, beginning with Woody Guthrie and ending with Arlo Guthrie.

It includes traditionalists like Jean Ritchie, commercial groups like the Limeliters, legends like Pete Seeger, and folk boom songwriters like Bob Dylan and Tom Paxton. Some of the material is very well known, some of it quite obscure.

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 11:23 AM

Was that released in conjunction with the recent book about Dylan, Baez, et al? The book was exerpted in last months "Vanity Fair." Looks like pretty good reading -- and sounds like the CDs are good listening, too!

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 11:36 AM

Bat Goddess,

No, nothing in the liner essays or notes mentions that book. Both Dylan (Boots of Spanish Leather) and Baez (There But For Fortune) have a track on the collection.

There are also Dylan songs included by Peter, Paul & Mary (Blowin' In The Wind) and Richie Havens (Just Like A Woman).

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Suffet
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 06:06 PM

What I remember most about Washington Square Park in the early to mid 1960s was the exceptionally high quality of the bluegrass and old-timey country musicians. Anyone else share this memory?

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Jun 01 - 08:47 PM

Indeed, you're right Steve. I lived briefly in NY in the late 60s (the heyday had passed by them) but a lotta fine pickers had just "graduated". I spent quite a bit a time at Israel Young's and that was an education in itself.

Rick

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 10:56 AM

Rick,

One of the songs on the Washington Square set is Erik Darling's 1958 recording of "Swannanoa Tunnel."

When I was listening to it, I had a deja vu and pulled out your CD with Tom Paxton's "Deep Fork River" on it. Obviously, Tom's song is a rewrite of "Swannanoa Tunnel."

I must ask Tom about it when I see him at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival.

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 10 Jun 01 - 11:52 AM

Tedham. I LOVED Erik's Swananoa Tunnel, and you're right. Lotsa similarities. I've gotten to know Erik in the last couple of years, and as one of my early musical heroes, it was a huge treat to do an hour's worth of pickin with him in Cleveland a while ago. He was complimentary, but a bit embarassed when I attributed a lot of my skills directly to his influence. Tom was in Toronto 4 weeks ago.

Rick