2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter

Subject: Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 09:23 AM

from Russel Hannah, Illawarra Folk Club

Kevin was a singer, songwriter, poet, musician and foundation and life member of the Illawarra Folk Club. One way or another he was involved with the Illawarra Folk Club since its foundation in 1979. In 1982 he became Club President, a position he held for many years. In fact, early club’s meetings were always held at Kevin and Beth’s place.

He was also the editor of the newsletter for a number of years as well as fulfilling a number of roles (barperson, doorperson and MC) in many of our early concerts.

Kevin always had a broader view of where the Folk Club stood in the arts community and for a period of time was also president of the Illawarra Branch of the NSW Arts Council. In this capacity, Kevin was responsible for the Folk Club being able to access Arts Grants to bring notable performers such as Raglan Road to the club.

Kevin was one of a group of members who were responsible for establishing the Folk Club’s Festival at Jamberoo. (Jamberoo Valley Folk Festival) We initially co-jointly ran a Festival at Wilton in 1985. In 1986 we moved to Jamberoo where we remained for the next 20 years.

Kevin has played at almost every festival since then until the last few years when his health deteriorated sharply. His presentation of theme concerts and workshops were always thoughtful, incisive and entertaining. Along with John Broomhall, he was responsible for running the first Poets’ Breakfast at the festival. (In those days we actually had breakfast in the Youth hall).

Kevin was for a number of years in a group called Currency Folk where he played the flute and sang. Currency Folk were regular performers at the club and featured Beth Baker, Joe Brown and John Broomhall. In 1982 Kevin produced the seminal LP, ‘The Snowy River Men’. The title track off that was played by Macca on ABC radio and was placed on his first album. It led to the club hosting an Australia All Over concert at the Diggers Club and gave the Club a great deal of publicity.

Kevin later produced, with the assistance of the club, an LP featuring many of our multicultural club members. Called Beneath the Smoke, A Gathering of Nations, it featured The Billabongers (Alan Musgrove), Beth Baker, Gerado deLiseo, Vince Brophy, Fernando and Sonia Arancibia, Val Whittaker and Kevin. This was certainly a first for our club and probably a first for any folk club. He later produced an LP, ‘I Called Him a Worship Your Bastard’ of two other stalwarts of the Folk Scene, the late John Dengate and the late Denis Kevans. Kevin produced six albums and enhanced his folk credentials when in the early nineties he travelled extensively with Alan Scott, collecting songs and stories from the oral tradition.

His funeral was held on Monday 22nd March at Lakeside Memorial Kanahooka. Our thoughts are with Kevin’s family, including former wife and folk club stalwart Beth Muntz and daughter Simone.

We plan to hold a memorial concert for Kevin in the near future so keep an eye out. You can hear Kevin singing his Snowy River Men on YouTube

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are only 2 of Kevin's songs on youtube
Snowy River Men using the letters sent home from French battle fields in 1917.

Riding the wind

I've added 4 of his songs to the Mudcat Australian/NZ songbook as I love his songs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: GerryM
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 10:14 PM

Thanks, Sandra. I only saw him once, and was impressed enough to buy a cassette off him. I particularly remember his song, Superstar (which is in the songbook thread). I have four casette players, and none of them work.

Subject: RE: Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: JennieG
Date: 25 Mar 21 - 10:44 PM

Sad news - I too like 'Superstar'.

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 02:29 AM

I also only met Kevin once & that was 2004 when I booked him for the Dog, has been for months along with 3 or 4 others ... must check again.

The songs I posted are Superstar, Aunty Rooney, One Hand's the Bosses's, Snowy River Man, but I forgot Riding the wind, so added it last night.

Gerry, you can buy a gadget to play the cassette to your computer Best cassette to MP3 converters 2021: Transfer tapes to digital

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: GUEST,#
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 09:54 AM

There is a four-part interview with Kevin Baker on YouTube which I hope you don't mind my putting here. May he RIP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7TJI_2JPc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7TJI_2JPc

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 10:46 AM

thanks, # I never thought to look for anything else. Penny & Roger of Restless Music have been putting out albums since the 70s & have a huge archive.

sandra


oops, I just notice the typo in my previous post. I wonder what I thought I was deleting & what I must check again (oops)

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 27 Mar 21 - 12:13 PM

I never knew Kevin Baker but from the YouTube snapshots you provided I can see that this was entirely my loss. My condolences to all those who know and love him. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Mar 21 - 09:52 PM

thanks, Pete

The memorial might bring more of his recordings to light.

sandra

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Hrothgar
Date: 09 Apr 21 - 06:39 AM

Sorry he has gone. Loved his songs every time I heard him.

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Apr 21 - 09:04 AM

he wrote great songs

a friend was converting a few cassettes for me, one was Kevin's, I really must ask her how the copying is going as i woud be good to hear what is on it.

sandra

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 21 - 07:37 PM

I have a large quite large number of albums, cassette and CD of Kevin's recording. if anyone would like copies you can contact me at [e-mail]. Elizabeth Muntz

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: GUEST,Peter Williams
Date: 09 May 21 - 06:40 PM

Kevin, to me, was an iconic Australian Folk Singer. His song, Snowy River Men, is an Australian classic.
Thank you Kevin for all that you did to support folk music. May you Rest In Peace.

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 May 21 - 08:42 PM

Kevin Baker Tribute Concert
Sun May 16th 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Diggers Club, Wollongong, 82 Church St, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia

We will be having a special memorial for our late life member, former president and newsletter editor, as well as great poet, musician and song writer Kevin Baker. Already booked are the Fabulous Fagans. (Bob and Marg)

Free entry.- Doors open 2pm    No booking necessary.

I'll be there, I wouldn't miss it for quids, but due to the current covid restrictions, ending the day after the concert - Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship is not allowed. But I'll be whispering under my mask!!

Illawarra Folk Club facebook

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: GUEST,Barry and Pat Emmett.
Date: 18 Oct 21 - 07:50 AM

Only just learnt of Kevons passing,sorry to hear that news.
We had the pleasure of his friendship and songs through firstly the Wollongong Folk club in its very early days,and his firstvalbum launched.Many great memories of thise days and people. Kevins songs touched us from many directions.A fine man, RIP mate.Those were the days indeed so many good people.

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: GUEST,Barry and Pat Emmett.
Date: 18 Oct 21 - 07:57 AM

So..yes Illawarra f c not Wollongong..memory failed me. We still have album of Kevins ,will have to see if record player in shed still works. Besides "The Snowy River Men "was very fond of another title ,I forget all lyrics Beth sang,   " I was raised by the bay with its seabirds .." Never realising it would become the fate of much of the old Gong we knew

Subject: RE: 2021 Obit: Kevin Baker, Australian songwriter
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Oct 21 - 09:43 AM

Barry, Penny Davies & Roger Ilott of Restless Music have covered some of Kevin's songs.

Kevin's daughter & her mother are planning to create a website of his work.

"I was raised on the bay ..." is the first line of 'Kogarah Bay', but it's the story of places all over Australia, probably all over the world where "wealth like a river has flooded our neighbourhood, Sweeping the poor people further away ..."

he wrote excellent songs.

sandra