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Tales of Walt Robertson
Related thread:
Other 'Walt Robertsons'??? (7)
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Don Firth Date: 01 Jan 03 - 04:03 PM Bob, I have two 78 rpm records of Walt, which I bought in 1951 or 52. The first time I ever heard Walt was on these records. Claire had them, and I bought my copies from Campus Music and Gallery before I actually met Walt. The record label is Linden, and both records are red. Red translucent vinyl. The four sides he recorded are Wanderin', Blue Mountain Lake, Life is a Toil, and Drill, Ye Tarriers, Drill. I've never heard of a Stinson recording of Walt (originally "Ashe-Stinson," as in Moses Ashe, founder of Folkways). I did ask Walt once (in the Fifties) how many records he actually had out, and he said that he had one on Folkways (American Northwest Ballads) and the two 78rpm records, which he had done locally. This was before the second Folkways he did in 1959. Next time you're here, I'll show you the Linden records. I'll bet they're what you're thinking of. Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 01 Jan 03 - 04:23 PM AAAAAAwwww Linden schminden! It's all the same to me! (Says Bob, in a cavalier manner) I'm sure you're quite right ... 'course you usually are! And you are probably the one that showed them to me. (well duh!) We'll be seeing you on the 12th, if not sooner. CHEERS, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Cluin Date: 02 Jan 03 - 12:29 AM Wow! I read the first post and then got a beer and sat back down to scan through this great thread. The beer was gone a long time ago but I was too hooked on reading here to get another. Thanks for dusting this one off. Made me feel both priviledged and jealous at the same time. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST Date: 14 Aug 03 - 11:42 PM Good Read - its been awhile |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 15 Aug 03 - 10:56 PM I started this story about Walt Robertson on Febuary 1st, 2001. It continued until January 3, of this year. When I saw that "Guest" has re-introduced it gain, I read it through. "Guest" is correct ... it is a good read. I thought about adding more to the story, but I told myself "no." It was put down very well the first time around. And yet, I have to add another thought: A week doesn't go by but what I don't have a new/old memory or two pop up. And, more than that, I am very much in touch with all the wonderful folks that did contribute to this thread. In fact, this coming Sunday, several of us are gathering for an afternoon of dinner, conversation and music. And I'm quite certain that several "Waltisms" will occur! Also, this thread was my first contribution to MUDCAT. The encouragements I received during the process made me a committed member. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Amos Date: 15 Aug 03 - 11:11 PM And cheers to you, Bob -- the encouragemnent was well-deserved! A |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: SINSULL Date: 21 Aug 03 - 08:50 PM His LP just showed up on Ebay. Look here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2552027717&category=1075 |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Aug 03 - 10:15 PM Looks like 11 Mudcatters (as of my look just now) have visited the Ebay site. Don't bid against each other--collude here to keep the price down! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 21 Aug 03 - 10:28 PM I just looked at the album cover as displayed. That's a PHONEY cover. I don't know what it means, but that is NOT the original album cover. Don Firth ... check me out! Bob Nelson |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Aug 03 - 10:42 PM I think I have some of his albums here. I'll take a look, too. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Don Firth Date: 22 Aug 03 - 01:08 PM I just checked a couple of things. The album offered on eBay is probably genuine. The original release of Walt's American Northwest Ballads was a 10" LP. In the picture on eBay, you can see part of the cover of the enclosed booklet laying flat in front. The layout of the first page of the booklet and of the cover of the original release album are the same, except that the album cover is blue (I have it right here in front of me). No photograph on it. However, I believe that Folkways re-released the album later as a 12" LP (same songs) with a new cover. I think the one on eBay is the re-release. If you are a speculator who is into collecting old vinyl records, then you may want to take a chance and go for this. Personally, I have a lot of old vinyl records, but I'm not a record collector in the sense that I just like to have the record—the physical object—on my shelves with the object of selling it later and using the proceeds to retire to the Riviera. I want what's on the record. To listen to. And I don't care what the format is as long as I can play it on something (I find CDs very convenient and they don't take up as much space as vinyl records). But choose your own poison. If you are interested in the record to play—to listen to Walt singing the songs—then be aware that Walt's American Northwest Ballads is available on CD from Smithsonian-Folkways HERE, and you don't have to bid for it. In fact, the CD's price is $19.95, four cents less than the eBay opening bid of $19.99. If you prefer it on cassette, you can get it for $10.95. I don't know who this person is, but they seem to have quite a collection of folk music records (I clicked on "View seller's other items"). I think it's all for real. But I've found that if I spot something on eBay that interests me, I always check other sources. I find that more often than not, I can buy the item outright somewhere else, new, often for less than the opening bid, I don't have to go through the bidding process, and usually shipping is less expensive. Caveat emptor! Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Cluin Date: 28 Jan 04 - 05:13 PM Saw a couple of older threads refreshed. This is the best one I've read here. Worth a look by any newer members and a refresher by older ones. Threads like this one would keep me coming back. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 30 Jan 04 - 05:09 PM Walt Robertson continues to have an impact in my life. I've been house bound for the last couple of months, which has given me time to go through many boxes of stuff and many books and notes. I've been wondering where to place, as a final repository, some of these items. Any suggestions will be very welcomed. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 30 Jan 04 - 06:26 PM Bob, I'll email you from home later. I've talked to a couple of folks about this same thing. I'm glad to see you're sorting through that stuff. Those same kind of boxes (with Dad's stuff) have made it out of the storage lockers and out of the garage and are in my front room. They're as close as they have ever been to being sorted through. I just need to put up some shelves to house the contents once I open the boxes. So, are you finding any gems in there? Maggie |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: SINSULL Date: 31 Jan 04 - 06:28 PM There are books to be written, guys. Get busy. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 02 Sep 04 - 09:51 AM This thread just turned up as a Random Link at the top of the Mudcat Forum Page. How nice to be able to give it a boost back to the top. Enjoy! SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: SINSULL Date: 02 Sep 04 - 11:44 AM This thread is my favorite. Met my good buddy Deckman and his "bride Judy" through it. Wish I could have met Walt or at least been a fly on the wall when he showed up at a song circle. Also makes me not take for granted the wonderful people I have had the pleasure and privilege to see and hear. Once again - Thank You Max. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Sep 04 - 03:27 PM I'm refreshing this thread to post a link to Don Firth's story in the Pete Seeger's Last Concert discussion. (It's the researcher in me, to do the cross-linking). SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 17 Apr 05 - 06:55 PM I started this thread about the "Tales of Walt Robertson" back on Feb. first, 2001. It was last activated by Stilly River Sage (Maggie) on September of 2004. I have recently, within the last ten days, been in contact with several of Walt's family members. None of them knew of this telling of Walt's tale. I'm activating this thread again in the hopes that it will make it easier for them to contribute to the telling of the tale! CHEERS Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 18 Apr 05 - 04:40 PM |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:59 PM Thanks, Bob! I heard from his step-daughter a couple of weeks ago and suggested she get in touch with you. I'm glad she did. Any new stories to add to this thread? SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST,Jeff Place Date: 26 Aug 05 - 01:31 PM Hi Folks: Jeff Place from Smithsonian Folkways here. I have been trying to find out info on Walt Robertson and stumbled on this thread. Hopefully people are still reading it. As you know we have two albums on Folkways of Walt. We currently have no address for any next of kin/estate etc.. Last address we had was in Hawaii. We have a little bit of money for the family if someone can tell me how to get hold of them. I'm at jeff@folkways.si.edu. I am also working on a collection of railroad songs for the Smithsonian and would like to use Walt's rendition of Railroad Bill. I was looking through old Victory Reviews looking for an obit to get biographical info, I believe I read above that he died in 1994? In the liner notes I want to say a bit about who Walt was. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 26 Aug 05 - 01:59 PM To: Jeff Place, I'm Bob Nelson and I live in Everett, Washington. I am in touch with all of his family. I will PM you in a few hours to answer inquiry. By the way, thank you in advance for being so ethical in your attempts to get proper money to the surviving family members. This speaks well of you! CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson (Amos ... thank you muchly for alerting me to this message ... MUDCAT STRIKES AGAIN)! |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST,Jeff Place Date: 26 Aug 05 - 02:46 PM Thank you Bob. The new CD with the track by Walt should be out at the beginning of 2006.- Jeff BTW- Those that are interested can now get Walt's Folkways Recordngs as downloads on MSN music (matter of fact Seattle's Jon Kerzer arranged it), EMusic and the Smithsonian's Global Sound Site. Thanks again. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Amos Date: 26 Aug 05 - 03:39 PM Bob: You're more than welcome, least I could do. Suggest you use his email though-- I don't think Jeff has a user handle here. A |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST,SINSULL Date: 26 Aug 05 - 04:17 PM I love it when this thread comes to the top. Always hoping for some more tidbits. And now a CD! Neat! And money too! |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 26 Aug 05 - 05:13 PM Sins, I had a nice long phone conversation with Walt's sister a couple of months ago. She's doing well and lives in Oregon. CHEERS, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST Date: 26 Aug 05 - 10:21 PM Bob and Don, I've just finished reading the whole of this thread, prompted by a short discussion we had at Stewart's last Sunday night. Thank you so much. Only contact I ever had with Walt was finding and checking out his American Northwest Ballads from the Multnomah County (Portland west) Library in about 1956. I have always rememebered the songs and the way he sang them. I'll get the update from Smithsonian soon. Reading the thread has given me the feeling that I spent much of my life just down the block or around the corner from the events described. " I have never cut throats, even when I yearned to. Never sang a dirty song that my fancy tuned to..." I had forgotten where I first encountered some of the songs unitl I came across this thread. Again, thanks. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 27 Aug 05 - 12:09 AM Wonderful news all around! |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Don Firth Date: 27 Aug 05 - 01:17 PM Unfortunately, when Mudcat had its major crash a few months ago, the order of the posts in this thread got scrambled (same thing happened on a whole bunch of other threads as well), so it can be a bit confusing to read. Responses to questions or comments often come before the comment or question. If someone is getting bewildered, check the time and date of the post. It would be nice if this and some other threads could be rescrambled into the correct sequence, but that would probably be a pretty monumental chore. Glad to see this is up and around again, though. Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 28 Aug 05 - 10:33 AM Jeff, This is being Sunday morning here on the west coast. As I know that you're on the east coast, it's probably Wednesday by now. In a couple of hours, I'll be able to PM you some of the information you requested. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST,Jeff Place Date: 28 Aug 05 - 11:28 AM Hi Bob: I'm afraid I'm not exactly sure what "PM" means, I'm not on the Mudcat network.-JP |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 28 Aug 05 - 11:34 AM Jeff: "PM" stands for "private mail." In other words, I'll use your private e-mail box to get some stuff to you. You might consider joining MC as a member. It is totally free and doesn't take long to establish a membership. This will allow you several things: yet another method of P.M.ing other members; access to all the incredible data base; ability to use the open chat line, etc; access to member backgrounds including bio's and pictures. Consider it. By the way, I think I'll need your FAX number to send you some of the information you need. Don't post it here on-line. I'll talk to you privatly soon. CHEERS, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Bill D Date: 28 Aug 05 - 03:11 PM Jeff...all membership is, is a cookie whick allows you to use extra feature that require 'identifying' you.....private messages...etc...link at top of page tells you how. If you can't do it at work, perhaps at home. |
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Subject: The Walt Robertson I Knew (Part 1)-Bob Nelson From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Jun 06 - 09:49 PM Deckman wrote quite an impressive article about Walt Robertson. You'll find it online at Victory Review Acoustic Music Magazine (click) - the first installment is in the June 2006 issue. - but Deckman gave me permission to post it here. -Joe- Musical TraditionsThe Walt Robertson I Knew (Part 1)by Bob NelsonWalt Robertson (1928-1994) was known as the ‘Dean of Northwest Folk Singers.’ His impact on the Northwest folk scene was immense and spanned nearly 50 years. Starting in the early 1950s with his television show The Wanderer on KING-TV, Robertson introduced folk music to an entire generation of followers. I met Robertson in Seattle when I was 16 and he was 25. Little did I suspect that he and I would become lifelong friends. It was not a smooth journey as we both had lots of rough edges, which needed softening. In the 12 years since his passing I realize just how much I learned from this man. It was always amazing to watch Robertson take over a ‘hoot’ (hootenanny, first used in Seattle for a folk song session). He would arrive late, hang in the background to pick his spot, sit down next to a pretty girl, strike a chord on his guitar, throw back his head...and the performance was on! To understand the impact Robertson had on Seattle, you have to understand what Seattle was like in the early ‘50s. We were still just a friendly community of neighborhoods. World War II, with all its deprivations, had recently ended. The air was full of promise and hope. Jobs and growth were everywhere. And Seattle nightlife was exploding. Supper clubs, after-hours clubs, coffee houses and new restaurants were beginning to appear. All these places needed entertainment and we were the folksingers to provide it. Folk music was in. By the late ‘50s we were all performing around town. If it wasn’t at this coffee house, it was at that college concert. While we competed for these gigs, we were also fast friends. And we hung out together at hoots. These hoots became legend. They were invitation-only gatherings, usually in someone’s living room. It was here we practiced our best songs and performing skills. They often started well after midnight on a Saturday night, after we finished our earlier club dates. We let our hair down and sang our best songs for our best friends. Then we would often all go to breakfast together as the sun came up. It was during those days that I often found myself studying Robertson, trying to understand just what made him so magical. It certainly wasn’t his appearance. He was a small man, thin and kind of frail looking. He was more striking than handsome. But it was the look in his eyes and his powerful voice that grabbed you. He certainly had a presence. And time and again I noticed many of his performing tricks. He would keep his guitar tuned a little lower than standard pitch to prevent other guitars from playing along. If he wanted you to join with him, he’d let you know. He had impeccable diction. And he was dramatic. When he sang “Rich Gal, Poor Gal,” you knew exactly who was his favorite...’My gal!’ In 1959 I had many chances to watch him perform in the San Francisco area. One night he joined Jesse Fuller on stage at The Blind Lemon. It was a fascinating performance that clearly showed his past acquaintance with the likes of Josh White, Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and many other giants of the day. It was during the late ‘60s and through the ‘70s that Robertson came into his own as a stage and film actor. Seattle had developed a vital and active legitimate theater scene. He starred in many roles and I could see just how seriously he took his art. I saw the intense work and preparation he did. It was also during the �70s that his years of smoking started to catch up with him, ‘hisself’ as he used to say. I watched his health start to decline. At one point he took ‘hisself’ to Tonga to die on a warm beach. Then his health improved and he returned to Seattle for another couple of years. During his last summer here, he starred in a film titled Island Bound, then he left for Honolulu. There he continued to have success on stage while working as an editor for the University of Hawaii. By then he had developed emphysema and required oxygen therapy. Even so, he danced the role of Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady, while ducking behind a stage set to suck oxygen. When I visited him in Honolulu I was aware of just how much of his energy was spent in just staying alive. But he kept his struggles to himself. Robertson returned to his beloved Northwest in 1993. One year later he told me that he had a diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer. When he told me, I found it interesting that his concern was for me, not for himself. He knew that I’d lost two friends in the previous year. He said, ‘Sorry, but you’re gonna lose another friend.’ I found that very telling. He asked me to help prepare a list of the things necessary to do before he passed on. We spent several days working on that list. One of the first items was to re-establish a relationship with his daughters. This he did with great satisfaction. I was again amazed as he spent that Summer tying up the loose ends of his life. On the day of my last visit with him, I brought a $100 bill with me. This was a ‘marker’ that had floated back and forth between us for many years. We’d lost track of exactly who owed it to whom, but I thought I owed it to him. On his deathbed, he got very upset with me, saying that he was certain that He owed me. I let the matter drop. As I remember his life today, I am struck by two things: his astounding talents and his complete loyalty to his friends. He was a very private person and he liked it that way. And he was a true Scotsman in that he never wanted his left hand to know what his right hand was doing. Yet, if he accepted you into his life as his friend, his generosity and loyalty knew no bounds. Robertson died at his home in Kingston on September 23, 1994. He had said all his farewells to his dearest friends and his family. At his passing, he was in the presence of two of his most loyal friends. That was as it should have been. Walt wrote his own epitaph: Sing raucous, Sing Joyful, Sing sad and lonely, Sing work and play and sweat and love, Sing raunchy, sing sweet, sing hard, sing gentle, Sing sea and sky and bucking broncos, Sing quiet nights, sing rivers and dams, Sing children asleep and lovers awake, Sing battles and heroes, betrayals and faith, Sing mountains and valleys and mules and ships, Sing wars and reunions and faery queens, Sing bosses and flea and impertinent cats, Sing life, my friend, sing life Don't mourn for me, Sing! And join in on the choruses! Don Firth wrote about his remembrance of Walt in the April, 2002 issue of Victory Review. For more reminisces about Walt see Tales of Walt Robertson at Mudcat.org: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=30285 Walt recorded two LPs (now available on CD):
Next month I will tell more about Walt as a performer and how he created his special magic. **** Bob Nelson was a Seattle folksinger in the '50s and '60s. He now lives in Everett, WA. Contact him by personal message (click) for comments and more information on the early folk music scene in Seattle.
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stewart Date: 14 Jun 06 - 01:21 AM Thanks Joe, I just want to point out that the above article was reprinted from the Victory Review, June, 2006 issue. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Jun 06 - 09:47 AM Thank you so much for posting that! It's wonderful! Maggie |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Joe Offer Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:58 PM MUSICAL TRADITIONS THE WALT ROBERTSON I KNEW (Part 2) By Bob Nelson, guest columnist I've been a-wanderin', early and late, New York City, to the Golden Gate, And it looks like Ain't never gonna' cease my wanderin' In my first article I described how I met the late Walt Robertson in 1953. He became an early icon of the Seattle folk scene as well as a pivotal person in my life. It's been twelve years since his passing and I'm enjoying remembering many times and lessons. So just what was it about Walt's performing that caused so much attention? It was a combination of many things. Taken alone, his voice was not great though it certainly was pleasant. He could sing on pitch. And he could sing with great power and force. And he knew how to make himself, "hisself" as he used to say, easy to listen to. He did this by singing very clearly. His diction was excellent. He knew how to spit out the final consonants. You never had to struggle to understand the words he sang. Never! His guitar work was clean and simple. He never let the guitar get in the way of the song, but it always added with it's strong and clean rhythms. And could use amazing chords to surprise and delight you, chords you wouldn't expect, but you knew were a perfect fit when you heard them. He looked you directly in the when he sang. No staring at the ceiling, struggling to remember the words. He was fully prepared or he wouldn't sing that song. If you were giving him your attention, he felt an obligation to perform well. I was often amazed to watch as his eyes seemed to make contact with every person in the audience. You were left with the feeling that he was singing just for you and you were the only person in the room. He had a certain vitality. His eyes would fairly sparkle and shine. He could mesmerize you with a look. And when he had you in his grip, there would be a twinkle in his eye, as if to say, "I've got you, don't I? And ... ain't it fun!" His energy was something to behold. When he sang of a love lost, and looked inside you, your heart bled. When he sang "Sam Hall," with the line And those bastards down below, Said Sam, we told you so, God damn their eyes! you felt a chill. Whenever he picked up his guitar, whether on stage or in a room, I always felt a sense of excitement. I knew something wonderful would be coming. He never picked up his guitar casually. If he reached for it, it was because he had something to say and he was worth the listen. He never played his guitar when someone else was playing. He felt this would be disrespectful to the other performer. This total combination of voice, guitar, diction and acting made a powerful presence. He could sing loud and robust and yet, within a verse, bring the volume down to a whisper that would have you on the edge of your chair. Another telling aspect of his performing would be the total silence that often followed his songs. Many times we just sat there stunned at what we'd seen and heard. Early on, in the 1950's, Walt became so closely identified with particular songs that they became "his." Even his closest friends wouldn't sing them. "What? You can't sing 'Wanderin', that's Walt's song!" Other such songs were "Life Is A Toil; Rich Gal, Poor Gal"
I'm 'goin' cross the mountain, sweet Betsey, 'Goin' cross the mountain, Cora Lee, poor girl, And if you never ever see me again, Poor gal, remember me! And he had a Pennsylvania Dutch version of "There's A Hole In My Bucket, Dear Liza, Dear Liza", that would put you on the floor with laughter, no matter how many times you'd heard it. As I think back on those hours we all spent together, I smile to remember the dynamics of a typical hoot. Someone would start a song. Slowly others would get out their guitars and start to tune. Someone might set a jug of wine on the floor. Then perhaps Don would sing, and maybe Moose would follow him. Dick, with his tenor guitar, might add something. Stan might follow that one, and that would trigger something to remind Walt of one. And on and on it went, all night long. Toward the end of Walt's life, when he knew his time was short, he sent me a letter suggesting the songs and singers he'd like to hear one more time. I quote from that letter: ... songs I'd like to hear ... Bob, 'La Llorna'; Don, 'Bonnie Dundee'; George, 'Ramblin Boy' and 'Minstrel Show' Gary, 'Ayree Peaks'; Patti, 'Come A Landsman'; Stan, 'Handsome Cabin Boy'; Richard, 'Sully's Pail'; Nancy, something French; Larry, 'Moon Man'; Utah, 'I Have Led a Life'; Guy, 'Old Blue'; Don, 'MacPherson's Lament' ... let there be plenty of cheap red wine, and let there be a joyful noise. Still let the amenities and courtesies of the old hoots prevail. honor each other and let the music honor all ..." Those of us that knew him well often tell "Walt Stories" when we get together. And we still wonder where his drive and energies came from. He was a man of incredible talent: an actor, a dancer, a singer, a world traveler, a storyteller and a writer. He knew how to get the most out of a piece, be it a song or a part in a play. One hint of his talents came from a conversation I had recently with his sister. As we were remembering him, she mentioned that one of her more vivid memories of him was when he was just five years old. �He had a part in a children's play at church. When he made his entrance, he did it in spades. He ran up the aisle toward the pulpit, brandishing a sword and dressed in a Roman toga, yelling at the top of his lungs. I guess he learned early on!� For more reminisces about Walt see Tales of Walt Robertson at Mudcat.org: Walt recorded two LP's (now available on CD): 1. "American Northest Ballads," Smithsonian Folkways FW02046(1955) Track list and sound bites are available on the internet: 2. "Walt Robertson," Smithsonian Folkways FW02330 (1959) Track list and sound bites are available on the internet: Photograph of Walt Robertson by Gary Oberbillig **** Bob Nelson was a Seattle folksinger in the '50s and '60s. He now lives in Everett, WA. Contact him by personal message (click) for comments and more information on the early folk music scene in Seattle. Text furnished by Bob Nelson. Also published in Victory Review, July 2006. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST,Gary Cristall Date: 04 Aug 06 - 07:37 PM I was looking for info on Walt Robertson and discovered this lovely batch of memories. I'm working on a book about folk music in Canada. Walt ran a club in Vancouver in the mid sixties- The Ark. If anybody knows anything about how and why he came to do such a thing, I'd love to know more. You can see an outline of the book at www.folkmusichistory.com My e mail is garycristall@telus.net. Thanks for some great reading. Gary |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Aug 06 - 11:53 AM Bob Nelson ("Deckman" is his Mudcat moniker) is a good one to contact about this. The easiest way is for you to join Mudcat (it's free and easy) then come back and find his name in this thread and click on the little PM beside his name and a message box will open up. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: SINSULL Date: 05 Aug 06 - 12:24 PM What the hell is this? "Bob Nelson was a Seattle folksinger in the '50s and '60s. He now lives in Everett, WA." WAS? IS! Or has something changed? SINS |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Aug 06 - 01:24 PM SINS, Seattle is 30 miles south of Everett, where Bob lives now. My father started out in Seattle also, then moved to Everett in 1965, and finally in 1969 he moved another few miles north to live out at the beach on the Indian reservation that is west of Marysville. But it is all an easy drive to Seattle. The distinction is understood by the locals. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Don Firth Date: 05 Aug 06 - 02:02 PM Bob Nelson most definitely is a Pacific Northwest folk songer. He used to live in Seattle, but he now lives in Everett, which is about 30 miles north of Seattle, up Interstate 5 (anywhere from 45 minutes to three days travel time, depending on traffic conditions). During the late Fifties and Sixties he sang on television, in coffeehouses and clubs, and did concerts. He has also participated in many folk festivals. In the late Fifties and early Sixties, Bob and I sang together as a duo, both in the Pacific Northwest and in the San Francisco Bay area. Bob has a fine baritone voice, knows hundreds of songs, and is a good guitarist. He has also taught guitar. But mostly he is a carpenter by trade and specializes in building decks, hence the nom de guerre? Nom de plume? Nom de Mudcat, "Deckman." We (Barbara and I) will be seeing him, and swapping a few songs, over the Labor Day weekend, and after his having undergone a rather harrowing operation for a detached retina and subsequent recuperation, he will also be seeing us. Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Deckman Date: 08 Aug 06 - 02:34 PM Contrary to populiar belief, I actually am alive and well in the land of Oz! Gary, if you'd like to "PM" me with your questions, I'll be happy to answer as best I can. And I may well know so other folks that can perhaps fill in the blanks. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST,Penguin princess Date: 07 Oct 06 - 02:49 PM Who is this person everybody is talking about? |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Bill D Date: 07 Oct 06 - 05:37 PM read from the beginning..... |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Don Firth Date: 07 Oct 06 - 06:36 PM I might suggest to GUEST,Penguin princess the following: Some time back, Mudcat crashed, and in that process, a lot of posts in this thread (and many others as well) got all scrambled and out of sequence, so if you come on it cold, it might get a little confusing (answers coming before questions, that sort of thing). If you go to the top of the page and click on "Printer Friendly," it will put all of the posts into the correct sequence. Walt Robertson was one of a number of folk singers who really should have been better known than he was, but that's the way the fickle finger of fate works. Famous or not, however, he was definitely a FORCE. Don Firth
-Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego Date: 11 Jan 08 - 12:48 PM I only had the pleasure of seeing Walt perform once, in Seattle, and never had the opportunity to meet him. This thread has persuaded me to revisit him, through his recordings, not only to see what I have obviously missed musically, but to go back in time, briefly. I was only in the Great Northwest for two years, January 20, 1961 (the day of Kennedy's inauguration)to January, 1963 courtesy of the U.S. Army. The experience was an indelible one, however. Don Firth's book is one I would love to see come to fruition. By the way, Don, my Mother, now 99 and in end-stage dementia, was a pioneer nurse and physical therapist who specialized in polio rehab in the '30's and '40's. I visited with and knew many people who suffered the lifelong after-effects of the disease. It often made them stronger people in many ways, as you might well testify. She was the one person in my family who supported my interest in music. Until you mentioned your early years, I had almost forgotten that fact. |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: Stewart Date: 11 Jan 08 - 01:45 PM Visit the web pages of The Pacific Northwest Folklore Society to find more about Walt. Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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Subject: RE: Tales of Walt Robertson From: GUEST,Humming in Seattle Date: 12 Nov 08 - 12:35 PM Is Stilly River Sage, Maggie, a daughter of Walt? |
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