Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus

Subject: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 11:46 AM

For those of you in the NJ/NYC metro area, please note that the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club will be presenting Bob Franke in concert this coming Saturday evening (Sept. 9) at 8pm.    The show will kick off our 2006-2007 season. I am honored to be a member of the board of directors and the booker for the club.

Bob Franke has created some of the most compelling songs that have become staples on the contemporary folk circuit. Songs like "Thanksgiving Eve," "Hard Love," "For Real", "The Great Storm Is Over", and "Beggars to God" have found their way into our conscience as well as the repertoire of artists like Peter, Paul & Mary; Gordon Bok; David Wilcox; Priscilla Herdman; June Tabor and many others.

The Hurdy Gurdy concerts are held in the Central Unitarian Church at 156 Forest Avenue in Paramus, NJ. The venue is less than a mile from Route 4 and also easy to reach from a number of NJ highways. We are also less than a 10 minute drive from the George Washington Bridge. To find out more, you can go to our website - www.hurdygurdyfolk.org .

I also wrote a preview/reminisce of Bob Franke on my website - www.ronolesko.blogspot.com .

I hope to see some of you on Saturday night. Please stop by to say hello!   If you have not been to the Hurdy Gurdy, I think you will enjoy the experience.   A cozy room, good people, they brew a good cup of coffee, and a magnificent performer to kick off our season!

See you there!

Ron

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 01:01 PM

A great songwriter and a great performer.

Ask him to do his knock-out version of Al Greene's "Take Me to the River", on slide guitar. Amazing ....

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 08:38 PM

I am going to have to ask him about that one!!! Wow!

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 06:05 AM

Ron, when I last saw him (in the Lunar Star Café in Miami in 2000 or 2001),to my surprise he opened the set with a stunning version of a traditional English ballad, with superb guitar accompaniment.

Thing is, I can't remember the title of the song (he hasn't recorded it AFAIK )

Do you think you could ask him which ballad it might have been ?

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 10:02 AM

I will be happy to ask him and I will let you know what he says.

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 09:14 AM

Just refreshing - I hope to see some local Mudcatters on Saturday night!

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 09:17 AM

Sorry to keep refreshing, but I am really trying to help the Hurdy Gurdy get the word out.   

Our local newspaper, the Bergen Record,chose not to mention this concert in their weekend listings. The Record prints a lengthy section each Friday that lists concerts and events in the area which is dividided by genre. The "folk" section lists several other venues, including some concerts that are happening NEXT week as well as venues that are much further away, but for whatever reason they ignored our show.   We followed their procedures for submission of events.

Anyway, if you know people in the area - perhaps you could help by passing on the word. The Hurdy Gurdy is a not for profit club that exists to offer a stage to talented musicians. Bergen County has fewer venues that offer such music (which is one of the reason I am so bothered by the neglect of the BERGEN Record) and we need word of mouth help to promote our shows.

Thanks for reading my rambles!

Ron

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 10:20 PM

Don't miss this concert if you possibly can make it.

I would go if Bob Franke was within 90 minutes of home.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 10:40 AM

looking forward to hearing how the concert went ...

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 06:35 PM

and I've just remembered the ballad he sang in the Luna Star Café, it was "Willie O' Winsbury"

Subject: RE: Bob Franke at the Hurdy Gurdy in Paramus
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 08:37 PM

A wonderful night of music. Bob did "Take Me To The River" and it was a highlight. With his great skill as a songwriter one can forget what a great guitarist he is.   If Bob is playing in your neck of the woods - go see him!

He is also wonderful to work with and I am so glad he was available to start our season off.

Our next concert will be on Saturday October 7 when we present Guy Davis.   Have you heard his new CD "Skunkmello"?   I am looking forward to it!   Hope to see more of you at the show! I will save you a seat!

Ron

www.hurdygurdyfolk.org