Musicians you admire for reasons other than music

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 04:26 PM

Paul Robson and Pete Segar for sure for civil rights and a living Hudson River respectively.

Leonard Bernstein for conducting Wagner after WWII in Berlin and again conducting Beethoven's 9th when the Berlin Wall came down. All sang Freedom instead of freude

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,Bloke in Groucho mask
Date: 03 Oct 16 - 02:51 AM

A serious one.

Johnny Dickinson, as well as being an brilliant singer /songwriter and master of bottleneck and slide guitar, combining Americana and Northumbrian folk in a single set that leaves you shouting for more..,

Is also one of the nicest people you could wish to meet.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,Bootleg
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 12:40 PM

People like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano, Doc Watson, Ronnie Milsap and such.

I can't imagine how hard it would be for someone without sight to master an instrument.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 23 Sep 16 - 06:25 PM

Any of the Sands family, but Colum could surely make his living as a stand-up comedian and story-teller even if he didn't sing and play, while Tommy's songs calling for peace are legendary.
Brian McNeill, fine Scottish songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, with a political edge and much to say.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: meself
Date: 23 Sep 16 - 01:19 AM

Buffy Ste.-Marie, a woman who has never stopped learning and moving forward both in her music and in the humanitarian causes she promotes.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 16 - 12:35 AM

Bonnie Raitt

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 22 Sep 16 - 06:23 AM

Martin Carthy, Pete seeger, Ian Campbell, Billy Bragg, Rosie Hardiman, Arlo Guthrie

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,Bloke in Groucho Mask
Date: 22 Sep 16 - 04:54 AM

Suzi Quattro
Debbie Harry
Kate Bush
Suzie Soux
The blonde one off Abba (Yes, I know her name, Agnyetta Falkskog)
A couple of The Nolans, possibly more on a good day

This is of course a snapshot in time, including my own age at said time...

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: CupOfTea
Date: 22 Sep 16 - 12:18 AM

Mostly, it's admiring folks who USE their music in admirable ways:

-- John McCutcheon, Si Kahn, and a dozen others I've actually met who've made significant contributions to unions/union issues

-- Lou & Peter Berryman, Tom Paxton and others who use gentle humor to point out important political issues, using song to get messages to spread faster than diatribes.

-- Tom Kastle & all the other Solidarity Singers who faithfully protest & a thousand other protestors who sang for social justice, sometimes at great personal cost.

-- Pete Seeger and all the folks he's encouraged to be proactive in protecting the environment, the working class, the impoverished, equality, quality of life for all.

-- locally, Deborah VanKleef whose work on behalf of Cleveland Heights residents has saved the community from some disasterous corporate commitments.

The combination of skill and courage in commitment to causes that so exceeds what I can do - that is what I admire.

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Padre
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 10:05 PM

I would suggest all those musicians who, while dealing with serious personal health issues, continued to make wonderful music. Those are people to admire.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,ripov
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 09:42 PM

Yes I too initially thought that this might be about those whose day job didn't involve music, but nonetheless were musicians, and were involved in the local musical community. And my thoughts were of Colin Oates (father of Jackie Oates and Jim Moray), by day an electrical engineer known across Europe, who could give the guitar or lute the voice of an angel; who is sorely missed, but whose passing early this year went unremarked on mudcat.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 09:38 PM

Dick Gaughan and Joe Solo. Both activists as well as singers.

I would also add Cyril Tawney, who, as well as singing, did so much work as a naval folklorist and promoter of the folk revival in the UK West Country in the 60s.

Also Mike Harding, who promoted folk music through the BBC for years until they outed him, but who still presents online of course. All for the love of it.

The Mike Harding Folk Show

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 08:53 PM

Read the thread title and thought we were going to be talking about Sinatra & Moz Def's acting; Marcus Uzilevsky's & Joni Mitchell's art; Milt Hinton & Sammy Davis' photography.

Then I read the first sentence. A folkie with "...the courage of their social and political convictions."

And Les Paul was a luthier...

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 07:48 PM

I know I would get very protective if I heard anybody bad-mouthing B.B. King. He is more than a musician to me. This is the man who said that playing the blues was like being black twice.

He didn't seem to mind when Peter Green went through a period of covering the same songs he had recorded, like Need Your Love So Bad, and Green both played and sang very close to King's style when doing so. King was even generous to Green when the latter resumed recording and performing after the years away from the public, coping with a breakdown.

The quote of his that I kept near my heart was, that making his music was "like telling the truth -- you don't have to worry about saying the same thing twice, if it is the truth." (Guitar Player magazine)

That quote touches on music but it is about much more than music.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Jack Campin
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 06:47 PM

Anne Feeney - slogging away for a lifetime defending trade unionism in the US, never getting far above the poverty line.

Dick Rutter - who nobody outside Edinburgh will have heard of, but as an utterly committed pacifist he spent his entire life in austere poverty rather than oppress anyone. He was never the most brilliant fiddler around but everything he played he did with feeling. (And the fiddles he made are wonderful).

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 06:35 PM

Reg Meuross ("England Green, England Grey" speaks volumes).

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Pete from seven stars link
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 06:07 PM

Glenn kaiser excellent blues man and former singer for resurrection band. As well as musician, is a pastor of Jesus people USA in Chicago where they are involved in helping and feeding the homeless , among other things.   And of course on the other side of the Christian spectrum, and the music spectrum, is our own joe offer, involved in charitable works.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Felipa
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 04:29 PM

Victor Jara, Ronnie Gilbert

-- I suppose as well as naming musicians we admire for their political involvement or charitable work, there could be musicians who have other notable skills like being actors, painters, inventors, etc

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 11:45 AM

Thank you good soldier... I did not know that about Donovan, good on him.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 09:47 AM

apparently he donates a certain amount of his royalties,so that Scottish adolescents can do Transendental meditationhome        
Donovan aims to put students on higher plane
· Meditation to underpin university's curriculum
· David Lynch backs singer's proposal for institution
Thair Shaikh
Saturday 27 October 2007 09.15 BST Last modified on Monday 29 October 2007 09.15 GMT

Share on LinkedIn Share on Google+
Shares
0
Save for later
Many undergraduates already spend their days listening to psychedelic tunes, watching strange films and trying to reach a transcendental plane. But now, thanks to an unlikely alliance between folk singer Donovan and film director David Lynch, all of the above will be on the curriculum.
The Invincible Donovan University will provide the traditional university subjects, but students will also undergo training in transcendental meditation - the technique practised by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and popularised by the Beatles. Donovan, whose hits include Hurdy Gurdy Man and Mellow Yellow, said he would open the university in either Glasgow or Edinburgh, bringing the hippy dream of world peace to his home country of Scotland.


The stories you need to read, in one handy email
Read more
The singer was joined by Lynch, an equally unlikely academic who directed films such as Blue Velvet and the television show Twin Peaks. The pair are part of a British tour to promote transcendental meditation, as a means of reducing violence, crime and stress in schools and colleges. "I know it sounds like an airy-fairy hippy dream to go on about '60s peace and love," said the singer, who was born Donovan Leitch in the Maryhill area of Glasgow. "But the world is ready for this now, it is clear this is the time."

Donovan claimed that the practice of transcendental meditation would enhance the learning experience. "It will be a normal university but will also be very, very different because of its potential that will be unfolding because of an extraordinary technique which I learnt when I was in India with the Beatles in 1968," he said. "It's called transcendental meditation and it has been applied for many years in different educational programmes with astounding results."

Lynch said he had practised the technique for more than 34 years.

He said through his foundation he had found children undertaking meditation achieve better qualifications at school, boost their creativity, particularly in relation to the arts, and are more productive.

Donovan said he would like to be involved with some teaching at the university, particularly in relation to music, but his role would mainly be within a steering group for the project. He added that he had met Scottish culture minister Linda Fabiani at the Scottish parliament to discuss his university.

Donovan said he believed using meditation could lead to total enlightenment which, if enough people experience it and practice, could lead to a more peaceful Scotland and even help to eradicate terrorism. The singer continues to perform at festivals and keeps up his contacts with India.

Donovan and Lynch were joined yesterday by quantum physicist John Hagelin and Dr Bevan Morris, president of the Maharishi University of Management in the United States.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 09:16 AM

I had not heard Karine Polwart so went and gave a listen. Just lovely, thank you for mentioning her.
I have mixed feeling about Bono Sting and Geldoff. But I do know what you mean. Of the three I like Bono least, I find him a bit self righteous. But they have all been committed to their causes.
I am curious about Good Soldier choosing Donovan, could you tell us why, I am quite interested. I love much of his music but was not aware of him in any activist capacity.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: mkebenn
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 08:57 AM

Not folk or blues, but admirable: Sting and Bono and Bob Geldof Mike.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 07:42 AM

HiLo's list is fine with me + add Karine Polwart.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Newport Boy
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 07:30 AM

Leon Rosselson, still performing and letter writing after more than 50 years. Also the author of many children's books.

Phil

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 06:21 AM

Donovan.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 04:12 AM

Billy Bragg. I could respect him, if he didn't proselytize, if he could sing, if he played less of his punk repertoire. Apparently there was more than murmurings at Towersey this year because he spent so much time telling the audience how and who to vote for. At the Tolpuddle Festival, that is what the festival celebrates. But Towersey is a village festival, look at the title!

I respect Rory Macleod, his politics is more honest, joined a hundred unions at least. But he doesn't preach, he sings and plays a dozen instruments, whilst foot tapping. His songs tell the story and don't pull their punches. The plight of the individual is more his subject. And he has been a folkie from choice, not to preserve a fading career.

Bob Dylan - he ploughed his own furrow. Inspired a lot of people and didn't try to top that. Then left the inspired to make changes from the ground up. Moved on musically, as all creative people do, and enjoys making fancy iron gates as a distraction, now.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Splott Man
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 03:47 AM

Neil Young.

His political stuff, lately with the South Dakota pipeline protest.
His work for the Bridge School.
Best of all - he's a model railway enthusiast.

Splott man

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other than music
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 12:40 AM

Kendall Morse

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other t
From: Mark Ross
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 08:41 PM

Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other t
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 08:36 PM

Mick Lane. Tom Paxton. There are others.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other t
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 07:48 PM

Holly Near.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other t
From: Charmion
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 07:28 PM

There's a banjo player in North Carolina who goes by the name of Joe Newberry. He plays old-timey, rootsy stuff, both traditional and modern, and is a good sngwriter in his own right. But I particularly admire him for his social media presence, especially on Facebook, where he posts almost every day. Joe is just a very nice guy, with a broad knowledge of the world and a wide range of interests, who never fails to remind his followers that we all have the capacity to do right in this life. He uses quotations, memes, personal photos, literary references and anecdotes about his family and the people he meets on his travels. He is always interesting, often critical, but never mean -- a model of appropriate use of an easily abused form of communication.

Subject: RE: Musicians you admire for reasons other t
From: Andy7
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 02:44 PM

I can't think of anyone to add to your list right now, though I know there must be many,

But I agree, it takes conviction and courage for fine musicians/songwriters to stand up for their beliefs, in some cases over many decades, when much easier, and much more lucrative, opportunities must often have beckoned.

Subject: Musicians you admire for reasons other t
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 02:24 PM

There are a number of musicians I have always admired , not only for their music but for having the courage of their social and political convictions. There are many who could be names but I am going to mention the ones I admire most because they have stayed true to the causes they believe in.
In No Particular order..
Billy Bragg, I don't always agree with him but I always respect him.
Joan Baez, over fifty years of speaking up for non violence and world peace, just an admirable woman.

Paul Robeson, Human beings don't come any Braver than this man.
Bruce Cockburn has stood up for many causes over the years and continues to do so.
Even though I am not a big fan of Pete Seeger as a musician, I do admire his years of fighting for justice.

   I know I could go on, but these four are ones I especially respect.
   Who are the ones you admire, I am really interested to know.

   Thanks in advance
    HiLo