Washington Square Memoirs

Subject: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Steve-o
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 02:18 PM

Went to see some of my folksinging heroes on Saturday night at UCLA, and I'm afraid my review is somewhat "mixed". For starters, the show was "stolen" by Tom Paxton, which I didn't expect. He was joined by a local player, Fred Sokolow, on banjo, Dobro, and mandolin, and Tom was very musical and charming in person. Mike Seeger, who opened the show with his old-timey music, was particularly wonderful when doing songs with autoharp- but that ancient gut-string banjo just doesn't cut it in a huge auditorium. And his choice of songs let me down- mostly goofy "play" songs, none of the old mountain songs or "No Depression in Heaven"-type stuff that I love him for. John Hammond, who I heard many times at the Ash Grove in years past, also picked material that was less than accessible, choosing to do heavy-handed, raucous stuff with percing high harmonica riffs. I love his voice and style particularly when he does the slower blues with catchy guitar figures. Finishing up the show was Loudon Wainwright III (I think), whose songs were kinda weird, but lots of fun. I never paid much attention to him, but he was a big highlight of the show, playing guitar very well and projecting a lot of "personality". The big overall disappointment was that there were really only a few "memoirs"....I expected lots of great stories about the Washington Square scene and all the great singers and players, and that didn't happen. Our Mudcat Forum "reminiscences" of that era were so wonderful, I guess I was expecting more of that stuff, but no luck. For the encore, they all sang "Down By the Riverside" together, and you could feel that THIS was what the crowd had been wanting. They should probably have gotten a show producer to help them weave in a bunch of great stories, chosen more interesting songs, and played a few more tunes in duos, trios, and quartets. Okay, got that off my chest. They're still my heroes, of course.

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: BH
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 07:16 PM

So---how do you reminisce about Greenwich Village in the City of the Angels---known to some as La La Land. One would suppose that reminiscences are done in the area where the occurred.

Pushing a record release is a different issue. It is not a nostalgia trip back to the "arch" in its prime.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Steve-o
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 07:45 PM

Great. The first time in my Mudcat life I ever "start a thread", and my response comes from BH, who really IS in La-La-Land. That'll teach me.

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Amos
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 08:04 PM

Now, Steve-O, let's 'ave a bit o' forebearance, wot?

Sorry the old timers let you down. But ya pay yer money and take yer chances. And having Tom Paxton steal the show is not something to whine about, now, is it? :>)

Start another thread, any time!

A

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: BH
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 08:11 PM

I thank you for the compliment; Steve-o. Perhaps my world is more realistic than yours---could it be that you are a resident of the fair community that believes that the sun really sets there and nowhere else---I have heard that with my own ears when visiting there.

However--my comment was about nostalgia and you seem to have taken it to another plane---is that a plane that leaves LAX-=--the proper abbreviation for LA International---LAX.

Please do not let this deter you from posting more complimentary messages in this forum.   Good repartee is always welcome.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Steve-o
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 01:18 PM

Well, the mystery compounds. "So---how do you reminisce about Greenwich Village in the City of the Angels---known to some as La La Land. One would suppose that reminiscences are done in the area where the occurred." What am I missing here- does anyone get the point? I was just sort of hoping that THEY would reminisce about THEIR east coast "folk music boom" experiences, friends, etc., which us west coasters might find fascinating. Poor old BH sure has a lot of need to insult my little town out here, and I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. Amos (I know you're one of them nasty west-coasters too), thanks for the encouragement, and BTW, I was not implying that it was a bad thing for Tom P. to steal the show... it was just not what I had expected. I thought Mike S. was going to blow me away (I'm a big lover of Old-Timey).

Subject: RE: Washington Square Memoirs
From: Amos
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 02:19 PM

Actually, SteveO, if ya read the earlier Washington Square memoirs thread here, you'll find I was raised in them parts in them days, but that would make the reminiscences even more entertaining!

A