Obit: Bob Kotta - sad news (21 Apr 00)

Subject: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: GUEST,mary g.
Date: 21 Apr 00 - 10:22 AM

I heard on Kurt L.'s radio show (Lark in the Morning, KBOO, Portland) that Bob Kotta had died. Kurt said he had been vacationing and had a heart attack. He was an absolutely great singer..well known in the northwest, and moved to Mystic Seaport where he was involved with their musical activities. mg

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 21 Apr 00 - 07:39 PM

Bob was one of the fine Seattle folks (like you, Mary) who introduced me to the folk music world in the Northwest in the early 80's. I don't think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. I remember a solo spot he did at one Northwest Folklife Festival, culminated by a sidesplitting rendition of "Oor Hamlet." At another Folklife, I was privileged to join Bob and Mariide and I've forgotten who else, doing a thoroughly enjoyable set of rounds. A masterful singer, instrumentalist and parodist, he will be missed by many. Yet another gone way too soon...

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: GUEST,mary g
Date: 21 Apr 00 - 08:25 PM

you're right about the master parodist...because he wrote the only one I ever liked...Tequila in the jar..don't know if it is officially a parody...but if it is not on the DT is sure should be...as I was going over the mountains of Morales.....I met the federales...

my first memory of him is being a little pie-eyed and singing the best version of Faith of our Fathers I have heard yet..

mg

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Apr 00 - 08:47 PM

Mary, was he in Mystic around 1987-93? I didn't know hardly anything about anybody back then, but I did get to hear the guys from the Seaport sing at a private environmental party one night, just up the hill from our hosue and I was enthralled. They were superb. I have a wonderful tape of theirs which walked away when a daughter moved out. I am sorry to hear one of them has passed on.

kat

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: GUEST,mary g
Date: 21 Apr 00 - 09:13 PM

I think that he was....I lost track after he left Seattle..

mg

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad (afterlife)
From: GUEST,valerie
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 04:26 AM

Hello -

   I am in SE Alaska now, but lived in Portland and Seattle at the times Howlin' Gales and Bob Kotta were active. In fact I knew Bob pretty well, and was just searching on the internet for what has become of him, when there
were three distinct knocks on the wall which could NOT have been done by anybody in this house.
   You can think I'm crazy, but it was just after that - that I ran into this antiquated thread here about Bob's early demise. I am reeling from the news - and even more freaked out about the three knocks on the wall!
   Bob was a brilliant man - one of those individuals who is masterful at whatever they do. He had the richest voice I ever heard. I cannot count the times that I saw him and Howlin' Gales and Copperfield, on 2 hands and both my feet. We went to see a movie - Canterbury Tales, whereupon my eyes were opened to just how crass humor has been since the Middle Ages. Once, when I was really young, a friend and I were broke, but drove up to Vancouver to see the FolkLife Festival anyway. On the way back, we ran out of gas in Seattle, about 2AM, and - after spending the night in the car playing the pennywhistle all night, I called Bob and he gave us ("lent us"?) 20 bucks to get back to PDX. So, technically, OMG - I still owe him 20 bucks!!! I had totally forgotten! No wonder he knocked on the wall!
   I'm really NOT out of touch with reality whatsoever - in fact, I don't know how many,if any people I would tell about the three knocks on the wall. And in fact I don't even know whom I'm relaying this to. But - since it just now happened - I thought it best to let people know that - in my current estimation - there appears to be an afterlife. And somewhere out there among the stars, Bob continues to exist, indubitably filled with music and singing sea shanties wherever we go next.
   I would say "may he rest in peace", but I'm sure he's doing excellently. already.
   Thankyou for the information - maybe I'll hang out for awhile...
all my best,
valerie
http://www.aflow.net

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: Deckman
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 08:54 AM

Stranger things have happened. Bob

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 11:17 AM

Many of us would be surprised if our departed folkies WEREN'T knocking on a few walls. I think it's a hopeful sign--they haven't washed their hands of us.

SRS

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: Amos
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 11:28 AM

The timing is remarkable, isn't it?


As to who was doing what and with which and to whom, I guess that's up to you. :>)

A

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: open mike
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 12:43 PM

welcom valerie, and do hang out...here's hoping you find many wonderful times here on the mudcat. see? Bob brought you here!!
(editor (clone)--could you add the date to the thread title, please? )

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: RiGGy
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 10:56 PM

Anyone have the lyrics to "Tequilla in the Jar" ??
I've mentioned it in other threads, & it's nice to have
a real tree to bark up now !!

Riggy

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 11:57 PM

Valerie who used to call dances at the New Melody? Good to hear from you if it is. And welcome to the Mudcat either way.

I don't doubt your experience at all, and I think it may well have been Bob knocking. If you listened closely you might have even heard him singing the old song by Tony Orlando and Dawn. No, on second thought, I doubt he'd ever sing that one. Anyway, you might be interested in this old thread in which I describe my own experience along that line, with lots of Mudcatters chiming in.

Riggy, I don't have "Tequila in the Jar, but I think Bob may have written The Bug-Eye, which is in the DT. I heard him sing it, anyway, and I think the words in the DT are from the transcription I posted back in '99 when I was a newcomer here. Maybe somebody knows if he did write it.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: Lyr Add: TEQUILA IN THE JAR (Bob Kotta)
From: John P
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 10:02 AM

Ah, Bob. Seeing this thread made me pull out my old videos of the Electric Shock Folk Rock Therapy Band and start looking for my Elipsis record. Those were certainly the days. Here's Tequila in the Jar.
-John Peekstok

TEQUILA IN THE JAR
By Bob Kotta

As I was goin' through the mountains of Morelos
I spied Captain Sanchez, he was countin' his dineros
I pulled out my pistola and stuck it in his middle
Saying, "Give me all your money 'cause I am a bad bandido!"
Muchos gringos trabahar,
Whack fol the barrio, whack fol the barrio,
Es tequila in the jar.

I took all that money and went home to my Maria
She saw them shining pesos and she said, "It's good to see ya!"
She vowed and she swore that she'd never blow my cover
But never trust a woman if she's got another lover!
Muchos gringos trabahar,
Whack fol the barrio, whack fol the barrio,
Es tequila in the jar.

I woke up the next morning, had a breakfast of tamales
When the casa was surrounded by a bunch of Federales
They kicked in the door and they broke the window latches
And took me off to prison, but they had no stinkin' badges!
Muchos gringos trabahar,
Whack fol the barrio, whack fol the barrio,
Es tequila in the jar.

In the calaboose they put me with all the other fellows
For robbin' Captain Sanchez in the mountains of Morelos
But they didn't take my reefers so I got the jailer loaded
And then I rode away while his mind it was eroded
Muchos gringos trabahar,
Whack fol the barrio, whack fol the barrio,
Es tequila in the jar.

I think I'll find me brother, the one who's in Ayisto
We'll get ourselves a Chevy and go up to San Fransico
Together we'll go crusin' and pretend like we are machos
Pick up pretty women, get 'em drunk and feed 'em nachos!
Muchos gringos trabahar,
Whack fol the barrio, whack fol the barrio,
Es tequila in the jar.

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: RiGGy
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 11:26 AM

Thank YOU Mr Peekstok !!!
I remember the chorus having the phrase:
"WE'RE from the Barrio"
right/wrong ??
Riggy

Subject: RE: Bob Kotta - sad news
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 12:49 PM

A search on the title brings up another thread with the lyrics here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Kotta - sad news (16 Apr 04)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 05:07 AM

thankyou for all the replies!
   yes i think folkies are most apt to harmlessly knock on walls - the heavy metal crowd might just bust them in... :-)
   Mark - thanx for sharing your experiences with Lani with me, of course I believe you and am really sorry that your time on earth was cut so short. Did you ever find another?
   No I am not the valerie who used to call dances at The New Melody - though I've heard of it - been there.
   yes, the timing was uncanny, Amos.
   I don't know how to reset the date in the thread line, I'm sorry, open mike.
   Thanx 4 the welcome! (well maybe i just did reset the date, by using horse sense...?)
   Yes, in a backchannel way, Bob did send me here!
   On my *own* merits, I play guitar and a little bit of fiddle, which I have just bought another one, and practicing to reclaim lessons from 20 yrs ago.
   I *had* a radio show up here on community radio which - in fact - I called 'Howlin' Gales' because nobody up here has heard of them, and the actual concept is so appropos to the area much of the time. I played Celtic and world music, and sometimes I got bizarre and played past hits of the seventies, and new music from my subscription to a magazine which included a CD every month (only after previewing it). I quit/faded myself out, after my daughter was becoming incorrigible, and the weekly Saturday radio show was becoming too much like hard work. I do intend to go back eventually, and have been collecting Celtic and new Age and world music to help me in that cause.
Now there are 2 sets of people who have taken over my time slot, and not bothered to change the name, but play drivin' blues, and sometimes tex-mex music, from what i hear. People much preferred me., apparently.
   I've been playing guitar since I was about 11, and I am 47 now. So I know thousands of folk and etc. songs, but am a rhythym guitarist and sing.
   I am working in a bookstore for the alaska natural history association, which intrigues me.
   I hope I didn't miss anyone's comments, as I am now in "post" mode, and don't see how I can go back to read them without erasing all here that I have written.
   You peoples are *so* nice - i really appreciate you - here i had a paranormal experience while I was reeling in shock, and y'all are right on with that.
   My profound thanks!
much love,
valerie

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Kotta - sad news (21 Apr 00)
From: GUEST,Spyder of The Medieval Inn, Portland, Oregon
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 01:12 PM

It's July of 2011 and I just became aware of the news of Bob Kotta's death... I'm very saddened. Bob was a brilliant talent. I learned of the news through Porter Dodge (a fine violin maker), who I ran into at a coffeeshop in NW Portland. Bob and I were 'minstrals' at the Medieval from nearly its opening til the day the IRS shut her down. We must have done about 300 'feasts' together, along with Jim Cronyn, Porter, Marchais (the Magician), Artis ( the Fire-eater and Sword Swallower). During that wonderful and magic time... I met the highly-seasoned vocal chords of 'the Sunday in every week' Mary Benson... also Peter Yeates (troubador) and Nick Vorhees (tin whistle), whom I've played 'the spoons' with, over the decades. I'd love to connect with, and catch-up with folks who loved or worked at the Medieval Inn, back in the 70's.
Dort, Marchais/Dan Pelletier, Nancy Nastahl, Doug Highland, Monica McDonald, 'Doey' (boy would I love to have Doey's Cold Cuccumber Soup recipe!!!). I am... Spyder/Ken Gillam and was a minstral at the Medieval for about 3 years. My email address is [e-mail]
Anyone out there??? How are you these days? All the best... Spyder

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Kotta - sad news (21 Apr 00)
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 13 Jul 11 - 08:20 PM

Have you heard of the news of Mary Benson then? She had a stroke several years ago, and her speech was greatly affected. She is recovering her singing voice though. She would love to hear from you I am sure. She lives a bit outside Portland now. mg

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob Kotta - sad news (21 Apr 00)
From: GUEST,Tom Ernest
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 07:25 AM

I shared a house with Bob on Phinney Ridge in the early 90s. Real nice guy with a great sense of humor. The good die young I suppose.