Stan Rogers

Subject: Stan Rogers
From: GUEST,paddy
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 03:59 PM

Speaking as an Islander (PEI), I just want to say that I think Stan Rogers is a goddamn genius. His life was cut tragically short due to a airplane fire. The music we all missed out on is a great loss. And Eric Bogle's tribute to Stan, "Safe in the Harbour" can bring a tear to even the most hard-hearted bastard. Rest in peace, Stan. We Maritimers still grieve your leaving.

Subject: Stan Rogers Silver Lining
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 04:08 PM

If he hadn'ta died, Garnet likley woulda never had the great career that he has now...

But yer right.. Stan is sorly missed... The most famous Newf to ever come out of hamilton eh! ;-)

See if you can find John Gorka's tribute to Stan and Garnet called "That's How Legends Are Made"... Brilliant song... I like it better than I like Safe In The Harbour, but that's saying an awful lot...

And they are both so much better than Bruce Guthro's (?) tribute that uses a bunch of lines that Stan wrote... ick...

Stan Favorite Quote
When sampling life, take large bites... Moderation is for monks!
---R. Heinlein--- (stan was a space folkie)

See you after, Stan...

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 04:24 PM

Northwest Passage is a distinctly Canadian anthem. Stan wrote and sang incredibly great songs. Garnet Rogers is a brilliant musician in his own right. I enjoy their music and it is sad to think of what Stan could have written had he lived longer. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 04:26 PM

WARNING: The Surgeon General has determined that smoking may be hazardous to your health.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 04:30 PM

Clinton,

Stan was, and Garnet continues to be, a friend of mine.

I think you're probably mistaken about Garnet. Long before Stan died, it was obvious to me that, sooner or later, Garnet would pursue his own music. Somewhat on stage, and particularly at latenight guitar pulls, Garnet was already showing his tremendous potential.

A few months before he died, Stan and I talked about the eventuality of Garnet doing his own thing. I can tell you that Stan would have been his greatest enthusiast.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Metchosin
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 10:26 PM

and game.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Melani
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 01:31 AM

How very weird to encounter this thread just now. My daughter has just aquired a CD of "Matters of the Heart," a stage production dramatizing Stan Rogers' songs, and was playing it about 15 minutes ago. As I listened to it, I was wondering--what would he have written by now if he had lived?

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 02:27 AM

I have the Sing Out! mag that memorializes Stan......la da.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: mkebenn
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 07:23 AM

I am not as familiar with Stan's music as I should be, one of those journies I've yet to take, however, I do sing Mary Ellen Carter, and if that song is representitve, I've got some GREAT songs to hear. Mike Bennett.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Mooh
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 07:41 AM

Garnet would be just as he is with or without Stan. I've seen him a couple of times and this kind of talent survives on its own. Once he was working as an MC at Summerfolk (folk festival in Owen Sound, Ontario) and while there was the chaos of set changes going on behind him, he sung and spoke as if he was there alone. Funny too, how I can't remember what other acts I saw that day, and he was only the MC.

Stan was fantastic, though I never saw him play. His recordings are in regular rotation in my home, mostly on account of my 13 year old who really digs this stuff, and that's fine with me. If Stan can reach from where he is to my kid, in spite of today's pop posturers and image marketing, he's done his job well.

Peace. Mooh.

Subject: Stan Rogers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 07:57 AM

Spaw...

I'm not even gonna dignify that lame-ass post with a reply...

Everyone else... re:Garnet... Like I said, I was simply speculating after the merest 'silver lining'... We'll never know for sure... I will have to admit to probably enjoying Garnets music even more than I enjoy Stans, but the 'new material' factor may have a lot to do with that...

What are your thoughts on "From Coffee House To Concert Hall"? My opinion is that there is probably a lot of stuff on there that Stan would have hated being released... But some real jems in places, if very rough...

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Charcloth
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 09:20 AM

Hey folks Although Stan died just a few miles from my hometown. I haven't heard but a few cuts done by him (although I have heared several covers of his stuff) can any one recommend a must have recording of his for someone who ain't got any of his material

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 09:48 AM

Must have?

That's all of it no?

May as well start at the beginning and get Fogerty's Cove... or sample a bit from napster and then go out and buy it all!

LOL!!

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 09:53 AM

Did he cover "Leaving on a Jet Plane?"

Spaw (having a good time pissing off Clinton)

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: RichM
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 10:18 AM

That's enough catspew....

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 10:35 AM

(:<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Willie-O
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 12:25 PM

A look at the discography:

It depends on your personal taste. Stan had a dual musical personality, so his albums alternated (intentionally) between highly-produced and polished and quite traditional-sounding.

Fogarty's Cove-- very rootsy, a major event in Canadian folk music, a must-have album, with the original Barretts Privateers and 45 Years, and some great songs on it that nobody covers any more.

Turnaround--Some very very fine songs, (The Jeannie C.), some less so. More produced. This was actually sort of a retrospective album in that some of the songs were written before Fogarty's Cove. I'm not crazy about most of those earlier ones although the title track-written when he was about 20--is very nice.

Between the Breaks--Live album. If you never saw Stan, this is one you must get. First recording of Mary Ellen Carter, I think.

Northwest Passage--My favourite of the big-sound albums, although there are a couple I prefer to skip over (Lies.) but classics like The Idiot and NW Passage itself, as well as Canol Road, the lovely Field Behind the Plow, and more.

For The Family--a gem, totally acoustic and very sparse his only album of non-original music, a collection of family favourites, some written by his uncles, some standards. Stan's sonorous bass vocal is a perfect vehicle for "Cape St. Mary's"--stunning.

From Fresh Water--final big-production album which was a work-in-progress when Stan died, his songs about the Great Lakes. Again, some very fine songs such as "White Squall", while there's some stuff here verging on MOR ("Lockkeeper"--some like it, and I understand that it's special to his family, but just too sentimental for me.)

Home in Halifax, a live concert recording released several years ago, is well worth getting. Stan wrote great songs and put them on great albums, but for me, the live shows were the greatest presentation of his music. If you were at Winnipeg Folk Fest in 77 or 78, when it had been raining all day but the sun came out from the edge of the clouds during his mainstage concert out for all of 45 seconds before it set, you would think so too. (OK, I don't remember what he was playing, but it was a great moment.)

Willie-O
Certifiable Stanologist

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: GUEST,Diane
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 12:47 PM

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers From: catspaw49 Date: 27-Jan-01 - 09:53 AM

Did he cover "Leaving on a Jet Plane?"

Spaw (having a good time pissing off Clinton)

**********************************

That is a horrible thing to say. If anything tragic ever happens to you, I hope that you'll be spared some creep making a joke out of it in order to piss off someone else.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 12:55 PM

Catspaw49... yer not pissing me off... you're reinforcing my opinion of you...

welcome to my blind spot, looser...

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 12:57 PM

What's the name of that Stan album that has his readings and radio plays on it??? A picture of him, looking very hobbitish on the cover, reading a book...

Anyone know?

(Ya... I know... when didn't he look hobbitish eh? LOL!)

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 01:17 PM

I wouldn't assume that's really spaw when it says "guest." Let us not let the apple of discord set our tone.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: JohnB
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 01:24 PM

You have to admire Garnet for not cashing in on BIG Brothers name and songs. He could have done so easily, but he did his own thing. JohnB.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 01:31 PM

No MAG, that's my fault and it was an asshole comment to make. I like Stan Roger's stuff, always have, and it was a tragic loss. (I also think Garnet would have made it in his own right) I get too used to trying to laugh at tragedy, but there's often little else to do. So on the basis of that and going over the top here, I apologize.

But if you want crude and dishonoring, talk to the FAA or Air Canada. Stan and most of the others on that plane died, and hundreds since in similar accidents, because of smoke. There is still no mandate nor has any airline voluntarily equipped there planes with smoke hoods. The hoods would allow a little extra time and make evacuation possible.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Charcloth
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 04:03 PM

thanks Cliton & Willie-O

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: CamiSu
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 07:26 PM

Thanks Willie-O for the discography, now I know the holes I need to fill in.

I also really enjoy Garnet's work, and as well, find him to be very nice. (I have a friend who learned to drink single malt in an after-show drink with Stan, something he treasures greatly.)

And even if the stories of Stan's heroism in the crash are exaggeration, I still think he was a great man.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 07:31 PM

I believed for years the story about smoking in the john causing the fire; a previous discussion on this list assured me an investigation revealed it was a fire in the electrical wiring.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Jo King
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 01:51 AM

Hello all, Stan had enormous talant. His keen insights and creative spirit would have continued to make great contributions to our culture. I would love to hear what he would say about the direction governments have taken in recent years.

John B. I agree, but I thought I would add a few other ideas. I think that Garnet's avoidance of performing Stan's songs likely had a bit more to do with his healing process after the loss of his brother. Also fans would have expected a lot of Stan's songs every time Garnet stepped on stage, which would impeed his own musical path. As is turns out Garnet had/has a great deal to offer the world of music (including some very direct commentary on some levels of politics). Of course the term "cashing in" makes one chuckle a bit when used in reference to folk music. It is all relative I guess. Having said all that Garnet has been heard to include a Stan tune in his sets if requested. I think this is a relatively new development though.

ClintonHammond - I think the recording that you referred to is "Poetic Justice" 1996. I do not know this recording, but I looked it up here (http://stevebriggs.superb.net/stanrogers/poet.html) by looking for the hobbit-like cover.

I saw Stan when I was younger (10-12?) at The Home County Folk Festival. I do not remember the performance itself, I just remember feeling really good. The brother that took me to that festival appears between songs with vigorous whistling and yelling, on "Between The Breaks" at the Groaning Board in Toronto.

Thats it for my Stan blabbing. Anyone who played a Laskin must have been a heck of a guy.

Be well, Jo

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Mooh
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 09:14 AM

Jo King. You're up early this morning. Or couldn't you sleep 'cause the Leafs finally won?

I think you're likely right about Garnet, and I wonder if he's spoken in public about it. It would interesting to hear his take on it.

Btw, did it rain alot at that HCFF? I remember trying to see and hear someone really good through a storm about the time you mentioned. If it was Stan, I wouldn't have known.

Peace. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 09:43 AM

For those who might be interested I started this thread back in August. It is interesting in that some of his friends and band members chimed in to talk of him and their memories. There is also some talk of the play, A Matter Of Heart".

STAN ROGERS MEMORIAM

I hope that clicky works!

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:55 AM

Poetic Justice?? Sounds pretty familliar... cool... ta...

It's the only one of his I don't own... and this thread has given me a serious "Northwest Passage" craving...

*wanders away singing*
"44's no age to start again
But the bulls were gettin' tough and he was never free of pain..."

;-)

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Melani
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 08:56 PM

Clinton, he was WAY too big to be a hobbit. :-)

I saw his last concert in San Francisco, two weeks before he was killed, and three months before my daughter was born. I had just read an exceedingly dumb book called "The Secret Life of the Unborn Child," which maintained that fetuses only like Mozart. I can assure you there was at least on who liked Stan Rogers--she jumped up and down IN TIME TO THE MUSIC the whole time. A tape of that concert was later broadcast locally, and I taped it from the broadcast, and played the tape a lot for the next couple of years. One day when she was about two, she was amusing herself by dancing around and singing while waiting for me to finish at the bank. I stopped to listen and found that my toddler was singing, "There's self-respect and a steady check in this refinery."

"Mary Ellen Carter" was the first song she sang in public, at age 11.

Subject: RE: Stan Rogers
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 12:53 PM

Stan was even in a band called The Hobbits... re-read yer JRR... hobbits began to grow and soon were as men...

;-)