Cambridge Folk Scene

Subject: Cambridge Folk Scene
From:
Date: 05 Nov 97 - 09:02 PM

Where are they now? The early sixties - Cambridge, MA - Eric VonSchmidt, Mitch Greenhill, Goeff Muldaur, of course VanRonk, Rolf Cahn, etc.

Anyone care to reminisce?
DW

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: S.P. Buck Mulligan
Date: 06 Nov 97 - 07:52 AM

Last year WGBH produced a retrospective of this era (Club 47, Jack's Bar, etc.) called "Follow Me Down" - Von Schmidt and Jim Rooney hosted; Chris Smither did a lot of stuff, Tom Rush - don't recall whether Geoff Muldaur showed up or not. I see his name here & there playing at smallish venues - used to play the Old Vienna in Westborough before they stopped doing live music; I think the Iron Horse in Northampton is one of the prime places for these folks too. Van Ronk showed up on PP&M's "Lifelines" PBS special a year or two ago, along with Paxton, Ronnie Gilbert, Fred Hellerman,Odetta et al. He didn't look to be in great shape for a lot of touring. The others from that time & place are around, and working - you just have to keep your eye open. If you're in the Boston area, check out WERS (Emerson College) radio (88.9) from 6:00 to 12:00 every weekday runs a "Coffeehouse" show ("folk and acoustic music") and they keep pretty good track of who's playing where.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: Jaxon
Date: 06 Nov 97 - 11:01 AM

Eric Von Schmidt and Jim Rooney wrote a great history of the Cambridge folk scene called "Baby Let Me Follow You Down". WUMB, 91.9,(folk all day)the folk station at U. Mass. Boston recently had a new printing run and gave autographed copies away as part of their recent fund drive. I can't wait to receive mine. A lot of people from the sixties are making appearances in the area, many times for fund raisers of one sort or the other. Although I saw many performers at the 47 my most memorable night was when The Chambers Brothers played that tiny room. I don't think I could hear for about three days. I'm working on the sound for a Chris Smithers concert at the Emerson Umbrella in Concord in the spring. He still puts on a great show. E-mail me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: Earl
Date: 06 Nov 97 - 02:50 PM

I was a big fan of Geoff Muldaur, I miss his voice and unique mandolin style. He has done quite a bit of recording since the Kweskin Jug Band broke up. He had 2 albums with his then wife Maria, at least one solo album, an album with Paul Butterfield, and an album with Amos Garret. None were commercially or (in my opinion) musically successful. I saw him about 10 years ago (has it really been that long?) At a New Year's Eve show that Tom Rush put on in Boston. The show included Eric Von Schmidt and a partial reunion of the Jug Band including the Geoff, Maria, Fritz Richmond, and I believe, Richard Greene. I think Geoff Muldaur lives in Woodstock with that John Sebastian crowd.

Jim Kweskin is involved in some kind of religious cult (maybe with Mel Lyman.) I saw him playing on the street in Harvard Square (again, about 10 years ago) with a group called the "U and I Band". It included Kweskin on guitar, a cellist, a dulcimer players, and a set of 4 foot twins on guitar and banjo. It was interesting but they were also handing out religious tracts.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From:
Date: 06 Nov 97 - 05:03 PM

Last I heard, maybe 4-6 years ago, Muldaur was living in Northern California and was involved in computer sales. Saw him in New Haven at an afternoon show in the upstairs of a healthfood supermarket. Fritz was there, as well as a great harp player who had appeared on one of his albums. His daughter Jenny sang a song or two as well. Sam and Ann Charters were in attendance, too.

The next I heard of Goeff was on an album by Vince Bell - Not a bad pickup if you can find it. I think Fritz is on it as well. Victoria Williams and even Lyle Lovett. It's a little strange but really grows on you.

I've seen VanRonk several times, and, although his health seems a little shakey (hands, too), he remains one of my favorites from the "great folk scare." There are a couple of good sites to follow live appearances. I will post them in the bookmark section of the personal pages if they are not there already.

I think Von Schmidt is in Westport, CT - graphic art or something. Awfully close to DT, it seems.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: JMike
Date: 06 Nov 97 - 05:33 PM

And while we're at it...

Has Jaime Brockett done anything lately? Did he ever do anything after that first album (long since lost) that had his "Titanic" on it?

Thanks for the reminders of some good times...

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: dwditty
Date: 07 Nov 97 - 05:45 AM

For a recap of Brockett as well as the entire text from Titanic, check out http://www.cybernet.dk/users/barrystorv/legend.htm

I wish I knew Joe Offer's trick to make the above a clickable URL. Little help, Joe? Thanks.
DW

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: Wolfgang
Date: 07 Nov 97 - 06:09 AM

dwditty, here's what Joe might write (he'd love to do this himself but he might be away for a couple of days):

you write:
For a recap of Brockett as well as the entire text from Titanic, check out <a href=http://www.cybernet.dk/users/barrystorv/legend.htm> this place </a>

and we see:
For a recap of Brockett as well as the entire text from Titanic, check out this place

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: dwditty
Date: 07 Nov 97 - 06:47 AM

Wolfgang, Thanks. Who woulda thunk that the best place to learn the tricks of the internet trade is a folk/blues music site. Oh, the dichotomy.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: JMike
Date: 11 Nov 97 - 09:22 PM

dwditty, Thanks for the tip (and thank you too, Wolfgang) Good to know that a 60's icon (for some of us) is still alive & kickin'.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: JMike
Date: 11 Nov 97 - 09:26 PM

dwditty, Thanks for the tip (and thank you too, Wolfgang) Good to know that a 60's icon (for some of us) is still alive & kickin'.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Scene
From: Tiger
Date: 12 Nov 97 - 07:31 AM

Tom Rush is still very active and puts on a terrific show. Just saw him a week or so ago and he just gets better. Saw him two years ago and he did no two of the same songs - remarkable......Tiger