Info & Songs: Bob Zentz

Subject: Bob Zentz
From: Dita
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 03:25 PM

About 20 years ago Bob Zentz came over to Scotland and I had the great pleasure of hearing and playing with him. In addition to a lot of great memories, Bob left behind two Folk Legacy albums, "Mirrors & Changes", and "Beaucatcher Farewell." Two songs in particular that made it big over here were "Sweet song from yesterday", and "He was a picker" from Ramblin' Conrad. Ian Mackintosh and I have both used "Picker" in Josh Macrae tributes.
So what happened to Bob? Is he well, is he still playing, has he made any more recordings?. Seems to me Sandy Paton and the rest of you mudcaters are best placed to tell me
love,john

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 03:52 PM

I love his song, "'Til All Thy Names Are One." Looking forward to the development of this thread.:-)

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 04:12 PM

I think Bob has only one CD available. It's Hove-to and Drifting (click), available at Folk-Legacy Records. It was recorded in 1998. Nice recording, but it doesn't have "Til All Thy Names Are One," and I'd sure like to find a recording of that song.

Oh, and I found a recording of the song - in the linen closet. No linen in there, but lots of CD's. It's on a CD called Guide My Feet by Kim & Reggie Harrise and Magpie. I have mixed feelings about the CD (that's why it's hidden in the linen closet) - they tend to be a bit too commercial in their performance style, but I have to admit that this cut is quite nice. I paid a buck for the CD, and I guess the one song makes it worth the buck.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 06:01 PM

I have to disagree with you Joe about Kim and Reggie Harris, and Magpie being too "commercial" in their performance. Substitute "supremely professional" and you are closer to the mark. I have seen them rehearsing backstage and can vouch that they are four of the most accomplished performers you will ever see. And nice people too.

Murray

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 06:23 PM

Joe, I thought Rick had that on one of his CD's, but I just checked the two I have and didn't see it, BUT I knew I'd heard him sing it. If you click here you'll find a posting about it, with lyrics, and the date of a radio show on which Rick sang it. Since it was a couple of years ago, it should be in the archives of Acoustic Workshop.

kat

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From:
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 07:58 PM

Bob Zentz is alive and well, and I get to see him a couple of times a year. He can be reached at [e-mail]

I used to play with Bob in THE REEL IRISH WHISKEY BAND in Norfolk about 20 years ago. He is getting to be a regular now at our Pirate Invasion here in Beaufort/Morehead City NC

May 18, 19. Lots of yo ho ho -ing and Balck Powder cannons, re-enacters and a couple of good sessions.

Cap'n Chris Beaufort, NC

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: CamiSu
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 09:58 PM

Thread Creep! Joe, I have to agree with Murray about Kim & Reggie and Terry & Greg. They are quite professional, but distinctly UNcommercial. They work well together out of genuine love for the material and each other. I've known K&R for about 14 years and have really been thrilled the few times I've heard them on the radio, as their lack of commercialism seems to translate into not a lot of airplay. And, yes, they are great people.

CamiSu

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: GUEST,Marymac
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 10:06 PM

I love "sweet song from yesterday". I'll sing it sometime on the radio show if I can ever get all the sour notes out of my rendition.

Kim and Reggie Harris are doing a free house concert at my house May 19. If anybody wants to come to see them, we can probably find someplace for you to stay--like at Max's house, or Bert's house, for instance!!! You could also get to meet my mother, who's coming to visit in May!

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 10:27 PM

Bob Zentz has recently produced an instrumental CD of sea-related tunes with Rick Lee and (dammit! I can't remember the name of the third musician right now) another fine musician. Bob has been doing a lot of Elder Hostel programs, apecializing in Chesapeake Bay songs and lore, poems and songs of the sea, Kipling settings and recitations, etc., leading some of the Elder Hostel programs on board a coastal vessel cruising the inland waterway. He will be doing several concerts up here in New England later in the month. E-mail him for specifics. He's going great guns, strong and creative as ever. Caroline and I have done a couple of Sounding Board gigs with him in Hartford, CT, and had a wonderful time doing 'em! I'd say Bob's as busy or even busier than ever before.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Cap'n Chris
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 11:14 PM

Bob's new CD is SCUTTLEBUTT , and was commissioned by Norfolk Festevents for OpSail2000 in Norfolk. Rick Epping is the third one - on reeds and mandolin. [e-mail]

Chris

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Arkie
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 11:49 PM

Nice to see some recognition for Bob. I first heard him perform at the Folk Ghetto in Norfork, later met him at "Ramblin' Conrads", the music store he ran near Old Dominion University and attended the house concerts at Ramblin' Conrads, the Old Dominion Folk Festival, which he helped to organize and also enjoyed his frequent appearances on local television. In addition to making great music, Bob made it possible for the folks of Tidewater Virginia to see and hear many outstanding performers over the years and some of those performers I heard back then are still among my favorites. I doubt that his many contributions will ever receive the credit he so richly deserves. I am partial to "Beaucatcher's Farewell", a beautiful instrumental.

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 01 - 12:12 AM

Bob also has a recording from a number of years back which I think is called, It's About Time, or at least something like that. Can't put my hands on it right now. I know it's on cassette cuz that's what I have. Don't know about CD though.

Great guy, great musician and singer. One of the nicest people I know.

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 01 - 12:35 AM

Bob has a website. It's: members.aol.com/BobZentz/ (click) There is no www. When All Thy Names Are One is on the cassette called It's About Time which can be ordered from the website.
John

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: GUEST,Dita (at work)
Date: 07 Mar 01 - 06:22 AM

Thanks everyone for the info and web site. I love the dolphins and seagulls. I'll need to check if Bob will send his recent stuff to Scotland - he only has local rates on his site. Does he think we've forgotten him over here?
Good to hear he's working hard as ever.

Futher thanks to you all, although I been replying to threads for a while, this is the first one I've created. Thanks for being gentle wih me, my first time.
love, john.

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 07 Mar 01 - 09:13 PM

If Bob isn't prepared to deal with Trans-Atlantic shipping, Folk-Legacy certainly is poised to leap into the breech. You can find It's About Time (cassette only, so far) on our web site at Bob Zentz. If that clickie doesn't work, please call Joe Clone for help. I've lost my "handy-dandy Joe Offer HTML guide book" and I'm lost without it!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Dani
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 12:06 PM

Hey!

Bob and I had a brief parking lot encounter at last year's Getaway. Lo and behold, Bob was brave enough to drop in at the James Pharmacy Restaurant in between school gigs!

For an off-music night, there were a few folks here. Bob quickly hooked them in with his harp-of-joy (Bob, what were some of those other fun names and stories? Good feng shui). He did a short set just right for the people and the place, and it was lovely to have a taste of what a truly wonderful musician and music-sharer he is.

Sent him off this morning to explore the musical and literary environs of Orange and Durham counties, and hopefully home safe from there.

Thanks, Bob, and the Mudcat!

Dani

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 12:30 PM

I met Bob for the first time at the 2003 Getaway. He and I shared some sea songs and swapped stories of distant shores. I have his CD in my rotation and it brings back good memories whenever it comes up.

Mike

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: kendall
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 03:21 PM

When I saw the title of this thread I thought, "OH JESUS, NO! I can't take another loss right now.
Bob is one of the finest humans I have ever met, and an outstanding musician too.

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 03:30 PM

Kendall,

My reaction, too, was "Oh, No."

As a Maryland resident I have seen Bob perform many times. I had the great pleasure to open for him once.

One of the disappointing times in my life was travelling through Norfolk and trying to find "Ramblin' Conrad's", Bob's music store. Unfortunately he had just closed so recently that the phone number was still in the book and still rang.

Bob is a true gentleman and clearly in this business for the love of the music (a trait that just might define folk music).

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Dani
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 04:40 PM

Jeez, guys!

What the hell's this guy gonna feel like when he sees your first thought at seeing his name was his demise, not his spreading good cheer and music?! He's in fine form, and, as I told him after I looked at photos of him over the years, clearly improving with whatever age he has gracefully accumulated.

Or is it me? Kendall, no one though YOU died just 'cause you came to visit me.

Anyway, I'm glad the news is all good.

Dani

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 05:45 PM

O- bit, did you Kendall?

Bob's gonna think "Oh, that Kendall - always looking on the bright side of things."

My first encounter with Bob was in Korea. He was on the TV and I was just watching it. It was one of those little spots they'd put on in between shows - about sailors and ships, and he fit the part perfectly with striped shirt and eye patch. Then I went to the small-but-mighty Oak Grove festival and met him. He's one of those performers who can make you feel, no matter where you are, like you're sitting in your living room with a bunch of friends, one of whom just happens to be a very good musician.

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: kendall
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 09:16 PM

jeez guys, let me up will ya? you know what I'm going through right now.

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: Jeri
Date: 23 Jan 04 - 10:08 PM

It was extremely poor taste on my part, Kendall. I apologize.

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 11:43 AM

No need to apologize Jeri, I know you meant no harm. (I still love you)

Subject: RE: Bob Zentz
From: GUEST,edg at greenberg dot org
Date: 06 Aug 06 - 10:45 AM

Bob is still playing and doing great. I had the pleasure of being with him at the Willamette Valley Autoharp Gathering this past weekend. He has about five CDs out, and I bought three.

Find his website at http://www.bobzentz.com

Ed Greenberg

Subject: ADD: Sweet Song from Yesterday (Bob Zentz)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 17 - 03:49 AM

I really like "Sweet Song of Yesterday" by Bob Zentz. It's on a new CD of a 1979 concert by Gordon Bok and Bob Zentz, titled Together Again for the First Time. I transcribed the song from this 1979 concert. The words have changed over the years. It's often sung "sweet song of yesterday."

SWEET SONG FROM YESTERDAY
(Bob Zentz)

CHORUS
Hold back the day in which I'm living
So far from home, so far from free
Hold back the way we've all been given
And let a sweet song from yesterday wash over me

If we should meet like ships a-passing
Some stormy night upon the blue
We may not speak, but for the asking,
I'd let a sweet song from yesterday wash over you

When it seems your dreams aren't worth the dreaming
And when you can't find your way through
And when your schemes ain't worth the scheming
Just let a sweet song from yesterday wash over you


Here's a recording of Bob Zentz and Gordon Bok singing the song on the Beaucatcher Farewell album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ9jNcszYNw

Here's a recording of Bob singing the song with Jeanne McDougall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9su1rzHuaE. This was from a 2010 concert at Mudcatter SINSULL's house. I got a call from Jeanne a couple weeks ago, asking for help on a song she found at Mudcat. She said that she and Bob got married early this year. Two darn nice people.

Cathy Barton & Dave Para (at 2:46): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUcoi7CcfqM

---

Here are the Digital Tradition lyrics (typos in bold):

SWEET SONG FROM YESTERDAY
(Bob Zentz)

Hold back the days in which I'm living,
So far from home, so far from free;
Hold back the way we've all been given,
And let a sweet song from yesterday wash over me.

If we should meet like ships a-passin',
Some stormy night upon the blue,
We may not speak, but for the asking,
I'd let a sweet song from yesterday wash over you.

When it seems you dreams ain't worth the dreamin',
When you can't find you way through,
And when you schemes ain't worth the schemin',
Just let a sweet song from yesterday wash over you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recorded by Bob Zentz on "Beaucatcher Farewell", FSI-67,
copyright 1978.

"The old songs (and the ones that seem as though they've always
been around) take care of us, and tend to cleanse us by washing
away the immediate grit and grime of everyday existence in a
'solution' of 'we've all been there before.' Those songs and
tunes tend to plug us into the mainstream of mankind, and let us
live and learn from the billions who have lived, lost, worked,
loved, and felt - and celebrated it in song.

Sometimes I realize that my songs tell who I am better than I do.
We are all anchored somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow -
and those sweet songs are a way of holding hands in the darkness
as we face the unknown. As time washes over us, we keep our
footing by being rooted in tradition as we face the future."

@music
filename[ SWEETSNG
DC

Subject: RE: Info & Songs: Bob Zentz
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 29 May 17 - 11:20 AM

Ed Trickett often sang "watch" instead of "wash" ("And let a sweet song from yesterday watch over you") and liked his folk-processing of the lyrics. (I can't quickly find the Folk Legacy album where this is mentioned in the accompanying booklet.)

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Info & Songs: Bob Zentz
From: voyager
Date: 30 May 17 - 11:13 AM

From Bob Zentz 'Hove to and Drifting' -

Ode to the Mouth Harp (harmonic) - Robert Service / Bob Zentz

This song is at the top of my playlist when I need to 'buck things up a bit'. Great dulcimer accompaniment.

voyager

Subject: ADD: (Some Trust In) Chariots: (Bob Zentz)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 May 20 - 12:20 AM

Nice song - I'll fix it later....

(Some Trust In) Chariots

From Beaucatcher Farewell

Music and lyrics © 1979 Bob Zentz

When the night is a curtain of velvet blue (D-G)
And a falling star splits the sky in two (A-D)
Orion smiles and Ezekiel knew (D-G-Em)
That a chariot would carry him home (A-D)

    Let the wheels in the sky go ‘round and ‘round
    Let the sun and the moon go up and down
    Let the singing stars be my glory crown
    And the chariot’s gonna carry me home

2. On all the stars like grains of sand
On every world where life began
Where such a tiny thing as man
Dreams of chariots to carry him home (chorus)

3. Satellites fall, we need more room
Men make more and walk on the moon
If there’s anybody up there, hear my tune
And send a chariot to carry me home (chorus)

Some trust in legends of old (D-A)
Some trust in coins of gold (A7-D)
Some try to save their souls (D-G-Em)
Some trust in chariots (Em-A)

4. Some search for the glory throne (A-D)
In a universe unknown (D-A)
I trust we’re not alone (G-G/F#-A)
I trust in chariots (chorus) (A7-D)

5. Preachers and professors watching from below
Looking for answers they’ll never know
Why the fools will stay when the dreamers go
On the chariots that carry them home (chorus)

Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin’ for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin’ for to carry me home

Subject: ADD: River of Time (Bob Zentz)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 May 21 - 03:57 PM

River of Time
From It's About Time
Music and lyrics © 1992 Bob Zentz



There once lived a maid by the river of time (C-C/B-Am-Am7)
In the land of no regret (F-G-C-G)
And I was a boatman sailing down (C-C/B-Am-Am7)
To the city of never forget (F-G-C)

    And the wind came up and the storm came up (Am-Em)
    And I brought my boat to the shore (F-C-G)
    The shore of the river, the river of time (C-C/B-Am-Am7)
    And I came to this maiden’s door (F-G-C)

2. This maiden was lovely, this maiden was fair
This maiden was wise and free
I knew that she loved me by the way she cared
By the songs that her heart sang to me

    And I took her love and I gave her love
    And I guess that I always will
    Remember the maid by the river of time
    When the river of time stood still

3. But there came a day when she turned to say
I’d best be movin’ on
For she bore the curse of the river of time
If I lingered her youth would be gone

    Her truth and her wisdom, her beauty too
    Would vanish away like a flame
    But if I sailed on down the river of time
    For me, they would always remain

4. Now I’ve grown old sailin’ that river of time
In the land of no regret
And I have loved many, and I have loved one
In the city of never forget

      But I remember the maid by the river of time
      And I wonder if she thinks of me
      Like islands that wait in the river of time
      Unchanged in our own memory

      Like islands that wait in the river of time
      Unchanged in our own memory


http://www.bobzentz.com/songbook/r.river.htm

River of Time (intro): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OKXNpoiUHM
River of Time (Live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RGtq16wdVY

This song is on the album titled Together Again for the First Time, by Gordon Bok and Bob Zentz - recorded in 1979 but not published until 2017. I talked with Bob on the phone about this album just before it came out. He was really excited about the project, and it is a really good recording. Don't know if I've talked with Bob and Jeanne since then, but it was a kick to get a call from them.

Subject: RE: Info & Songs: Bob Zentz
From: bbc
Date: 05 May 21 - 08:13 PM

Bob & Jeanne Zentz are both still very much alive & doing well! Bob has several recordings now. Both of them are active on Facebook & here's a link to Bob's website

Best,

bbc