Kossoy Sisters

Subject: Kossoy Sisters
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 11:27 AM

The Kossoy Sisters, whose voices were heard singing "I'll Fly Away" in the movie--but not the "soundtrack CD"--of O Brother, Where Art Thou have just released a new CD. Their 1956 CD ("Bowling Green"), which was out of print for a year or so but is now available once again, was their only recording. Now, with the release of their new release, "Hop On Pretty Girls", here's a chance to hear what they sound like today. Sweet harmony.Available at CAMSCO (800/548-FOLK)

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Peter T.
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 12:15 PM

Anybody got any information on this duo? I just acquired their record with Erik Darling, and was curious. Were they bogus, or the real thing (whatever that means)?

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: GUEST,Nancy King at work
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 12:30 PM

"Were they bogus, or the real thing (whatever that means)?"

Well, what DOES that mean, Peter?

All I know of their background is what I read on the album cover of "Bowling Green," and basically it says they became interested in folk music in their teens in New York. They are definitely the "real thing" if by that you mean real singers -- I have heard them in person as well as on that recording, and they are wonderful! Great harmonies and great songs. If you mean were they raised in Appalachia, learning songs in the oral tradition, etc., then no. But they have done a great job keeping some "real" traditional music alive.

I'm delighted to hear they have a new recording and will order it pronto!

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Kim C
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 12:49 PM

It's a great CD. :-)

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 02:02 PM

Peter T. asks whether the Kossoy Sisters were "bogus?"

Bogus? Gimme a break Mr. T.

Forst of all, you talk about living people in the past tense. Both Irene and Ellen are very much alive. As Dick Greenhaus reports, they've recorded a new CD.

Bogus? As in fake? No, they are real sisters. I know Irene personally.

No, they were not authentic Appalachians singing traditional songs learned orally from their parents or grandparents. And if that makes them "bogus" in Peter T's view, then most performers of traditional folk music are "bogus." Pete and the rest of the Seegers, bogus. Gordon Bok, bogus. Utah Phillips, bogus. Michal Cooney, bogus. Mudcatters like Art Thieme and Rick Fielding, bogus.

Or at least bogus by Mr. T's reckoning.

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Peter T.
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 02:28 PM

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. Poor choice of words. It was my amused reaction to the album in my hands. The album has, on its cover, a bearded young "hillbilly" in work clothes with a shotgun, and a long-suffering wife with a baby sitting in the window in the shadows of a Walker Evans hut, straight out of the 1930s. Take off the wrapper, and open the cover, you see another picture: two beautifully groomed 1950s high school girls all in white who look as if they have just discovered the right end of a guitar. I was interested in finding out whether they were considered to be reasonable interpreters of this music that was obviously not theirs.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 06:05 PM

The cover is a later addition--it didn't appear on their LP.

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Jim Krause
Date: 22 Nov 02 - 10:27 PM

Gee, I always rather liked the Kossoy sisters. I found an old LP in the cut-out bin in some record store and bought it because Eric Darling played the banjo on it. Still like the record, even though the liner notes don't have much to say about the sisters. Glad to hear they're still around. I never knew before now.
Jim

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 23 Nov 02 - 12:23 AM

I have a question. As a radio host, I often worry how I pronounce names. Is it pronounced Kah-soy or Koss-soy?

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Nov 02 - 01:15 AM

These grand folks and fine singers came from, yes, more urban backgrounds than, say, the Carter Family----but they did a fine job of singing old songs as did "Cathy and Carol" or "Alice and Hazel" or "Stecher and Brislin" or "Cathy and Marci" or "Cathy and Duck" and many other duos who also chose to sing and to love the rural singers' music.

A PERSONAL ADMISSION: At various times during the last forty years of the folk revival in the USA I've had crushes on both of these women --- and their music was a big reason for that. ***BIG SMILE***

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: johnross
Date: 23 Nov 02 - 01:15 AM

It's kuh-SOY.

The Kossoy Sisters and their 1956 record were hugely influential and important in the early years of the postwar folk revival. They were among the first urban singers to take the traditional songs of the Southern Mountains, and make them their own, without turning them into parlor pieces. It was one thing to hear somebody like Jean Ritchie singing the songs of here own family and neighbors, but quite another for a couple of twins from The Bronx to sing the same songs and demonstrate that the music could have a life of its own. As regulars at the legendary Sunday sessions in Washington Square, they were musical role models for a whole generation of folk revival singers, beginning with people like Maria D'Amato (whom you know as Maria Mulduar).

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Barry Finn
Date: 23 Nov 02 - 11:37 AM

IMHO, the Kossoy Sisters are not to missed (if there's a chance). They recently started performing together again after many yrs of living quite a distence from each other. In the 50's they were the darlings of the NYC folk music scene & for good reason (they're personalities are as lovely as their their music). I don't remember when they started playing the Boston area but I can remember my first (mid 70's) earfull of them. I caught a few cuts of their new CD on the radio recently & I can tell you they're better than ever & live you'd be hard pressed to find others more enjoyable. Tickeled to have them both back in the area singing together again. Barry Barry

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Art Thieme
Date: 24 Nov 02 - 12:51 AM

And it's quite nice to see you in a discussion again, Barry.

Art

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Suffet
Date: 02 Jan 03 - 06:46 AM

The Kossoy Sisters Return to NYC 1/17/03

Irene Saletan and Ellen Christenson, once and again known as the Kossoy Sisters, are appearing in concert at the Advent Lutheran Church on Friday, January 17, 2003, at 8:00 PM. Admission is free to members of the New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club. Otherwise, the general admission is $18. Students or seniors pay $10. Children's admission is just $6.

The Advent Lutheran Church is at Broadway and West 93rd Street in Manhattan. Doors open at 7:30 PM.

For more information about this particular concert, call Evy Mayer at [phone] any day after 11:00 AM.

For more information about NY Pinewoods Folk Music Club click here!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: Suffet
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 06:59 AM

Don't forget: Kossoy Sisters, Friday, 1/17/03 at 8 PM, Advent Lutheran Church in New York City, Broadway & West 93rd Street.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Kossoy Sisters
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 06 Jan 03 - 10:24 AM

And if you want their two CDs (45 years apart) CAMSCO carries both of them.