Merritt Herring: What do you know?

Subject: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: harpgirl
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 06:24 PM

I've heard about Merritt Herring. HOWEVER, I've never heard him sing nor do I know anything about his music. He is mentioned in several threads but not much information is flowing.

So I think we should share our knowledge. What does he sing? What recordings? History of his influences? With whom does he perfom? Why do you like him? etc etc.....harpster

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Deckman
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 07:01 PM

Merritt is quite an extrodinary person. One hell of a singer ... one hell of performer. When I write out the list of my top ten most favorite performers, he's on that list. I speak to his integrity, his genuiness, his skill, his presentation. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Apr 03 - 07:16 PM

Hi, Harpy - I've had contact with Merritt Herring several times at the San Francisco Folk Music Club's Camp Harmony. One thing that struck me right off is that he's a minor folk legend, but he's very unpretentious and congenial. He's also not afraid to admit that he tends to forget lyrics, so he sings from a looseleaf binder full of gems. Since I do the same, it makes me feel a whole lot better about singing at Camp Harmony. He sings a wide variety of folk songs with authority and a nice touch of humor. And he's really a nice guy.
Apparently, he recorded a CD with Kenny Hall, but I haven't heard that one.
I do have one CD of his, Precious Memories. I bought it at Camp Harmony. I can furnish an e-mail address for Merritt if anybody wants to buy a copy.
Here's the track list:

1. All the Baby Chickens in the Garden 2:38
   
2. Bangum And The Boar 3:24
   
3. The Cryderville Jail 3:44
   
4. Hold My Hand Lord Jesus 2:38
   
5. Log Cabin Home In The Sky 2:09
   
6. Sweet William 3:12
   
7. The Bear On Von Hill 2:09
   
8. Forty A Month And Found 2:32
   
9. The Trusty Lariat 3:39
   
10. The State Of Arkansas 3:47
    
11. Precious Memories 3:22
    
12. Barbara Allan 4:51
    
13. Money. Marbles, and Chalk 3:5
    
14. When the Works All Done this Fall 3:35
    
15. The Night Herding Song 2:39
    
16. There's A Gold Mine in the Sky 3:57
    
17. Who Will Sing for Me 3:23

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 11:30 PM

I love Merritt's beautiful voice,
A strong and kindred spirit...
His tone is clear, in meanings choice
Oh, what a gift to hear it!
ttr

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Barbara
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 11:44 PM

And you should know, Tom.
He missed the pub sing again last night, though he said he was coming. I gather the chemo keeps wearing him down, but when I last saw him it was a couple weeks ago, after he and Kit returned from Hawaii, and they both were looking happy and fit.
Amazing musician, delightful person.
The CD Joe bought is self produced, but I bet we could come up with a place for people to order it. Not sure if Merritt's email addy is still functioning. Let me check with Kit, and I'll post back.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Francy
Date: 30 Apr 03 - 11:44 PM

Talked to Merrirtt yesterday afternoon......He is playing a concert for Nancy & I June 7th with Holdstock & Macleod......a real gem of a person in every way.....Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: mg
Date: 01 May 03 - 12:54 AM

You absolutely cannot go wrong buying this c.d. and if you hear he is coming to a camp or concert near you, make sure you see him. He has a lovely voice, a great repertoire..lots of gospel songs, pub type songs etc...plus he is very handsome. mg

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Stewart
Date: 01 May 03 - 04:06 PM

One of my favorite musician friends, met him at Rainy Camp about six years ago. A great singing voice, and as Joe says "very unpretentious and congenial." I particularly like his gospel and old-time songs. I missed him at Rainy Camp this year. I hope he is well and doing better. Give him my best regards, Tom. Also, I highly recommend his two CDs.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 02 May 03 - 12:47 AM

Does he do nautical material? I mean, with a name ike that.......


Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 02 May 03 - 12:00 PM

I met Merritt about three years ago and liked him as a person and a singer straight away. A grand chap. Ihave heard that he is not too well lately. Lets hope for a speedy recovery. Anyone who will be seeing him please give him best wishes from Roy & Elaine.

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 May 03 - 12:29 PM

Had not heard him myself, but from the opinions given here, Merritt Herring would merit hearing.

Spaw (son of Dorothy Parker)

PS...Chanteyranger, are you implying that if, like a seal, he performs well then he would merit herring?

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: David Ingerson
Date: 02 May 03 - 04:16 PM

A gentle man and a gentleman, quiet and unassuming, with a huge store of songs he sings with a strong voice and subtle graces. It's with pride we can call him a Portlander now.

David

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Barbara
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 01:23 PM

Yesterday Merritt's friends gathered for one of a series of sings we are having at his home, and raised the roof. There were close to 30 of us and the harmonies were amazing, though it was a bit snug for instrument playing -- your guitar neck tended to be in someone's face.

Merritt is getting weaker and is pretty much housebound, though he can still walk/stagger around, and a couple friends are transporting him for platelet transfusions twice a week to help with the leukemia caused by the chemo. Hospice is helping, but I gather that the music makes his week. Boy, did he belt the songs yesterday, along with an old friend up from Berkeley, and he speaks matter of factly about what is happening to him. After the crowd had thinned, he sang a chunk of "Oh, Death".

He is an amazing man, and I feel honored to share this part of his life with him.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: pdq
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 01:30 PM

His brother "Red" is much better known.

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: mg
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 05:22 PM

I will be trying to get to Portland next week and hope to see him. I don't know how much longer he will be with us, but I first met him probably 20 some years ago in Seattle Song Circle...a great singer and great friend...if you can get hold of his CDs, I heartily recommend them. Maybe a Portland person can ask if he would like them sold, and do it for him..

mg

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 05:23 PM

I imagine Merritt would appreciate that one, pdq - although I'll bet he's heard it before. I can't say I know him all that well, but I certainly have enjoyed singing with him at Camp Harmony.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Don Firth
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 02:07 PM

It saddens me to hear of Merritt's illness.

I first met Merritt at the 1960 Berkeley Folk Festival (Cryderville Jail kept playing in my head for weeks afterward, but frustratingly enough, I couldn't remember all the words!), and when the Seattle Song Circle first got going in summer of 1977, he was a regular every Sunday evening, even though he had to commute to and from Bainbridge Island, where he was living at the time.

During my perambulations through the folk music scene since I first picked up a guitar in the early Fifties, I've had the honor and pleasure of meeting some of the best singers around—and some of the most famous singers. Sometimes these were not necessarily the same people. Merritt may not be numbered among the best known folk singers in the country, but he is certainly among the best of the best singers. Big repertoire of great songs, beautiful, strong singing voice, and most important of all, a beautiful person—one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.

Our love and our thoughts are with him.

Don Firth

P.S.: Where can I get Merritt's CD? Gotta have it!

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Deckman
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 02:30 PM

Don expressed my sentiments perfectly. Bob

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Barbara
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 08:05 PM

I'm not sure who distributes his CDs other than himself and his friends, but drop me a PM and I'll give you his address and phone number. I'll also check and see if anyone else is doing it.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: GUEST,Sandy Paton
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 08:14 PM

Barbara, dear: When you next see Merritt, please give him much love from Sandy and Caroline Paton. I knew and admired him in Berkeley, lo, those many years ago. The news you bring saddens us, of course, but the courage you describe sets an example few of us will be able to live up to.
    Sandy (and Caroline) Paton

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: mg
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 08:26 PM

I don't know if this is in bad taste or not, but I made a donation in honor of his life to the Mercy Corps...some children in Liberia will get some clean water as he passes on...I somehow think he would like to know that and I will tell him when I see him...mg

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: karen k
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 10:25 PM

A wonderful recording by Jim Ringer on Folk-Legacy contains the song Dreary Black Hills. In the notes that accompany the recording, now on cd, it says that Jim learned the song from Merritt Herring. If you don't have this cd you are missing a great one.

I have never had the pleasure of meeting Merritt, being on the east coast and all, but from all written above I sure wish I could have. I'd love to hear the cd's. Hope someone posts here a way to get them.

k

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Barbara
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 07:53 PM

We had another lovely sing at Merritt's this morning, and I came home with a bunch of CDs for distribution. I have "Precious Memories", with a track list described up near the beginning of this thread, and also "Jug of Punch", a mostly Irish CD with Merritt and Kenny Hall. Merritt sings and plays guitar, Kenny plays mandolin, and they are joined by Skip Parente on viola.
The track list for "Jug of Punch" is:
1. When I Was Single
2. Work of the Weavers
3. Jug of Punch
4. Wee Lass on the Brae
5. Mister Moses Ri Tu Ra Li Yay
6. Ilene Oge
7. The Nightingale
8. Dick Darby
9. Minstrel Boy
10.The Garden Where the Praties Grow
11.The Moonshiner
12.Dublin in the Rare Ould Times
13.Rosin the Beau
14.Crushkeen Lawn/Dance of the Fairies

If you're interested in these, send me a PM, and I'll give you ordering info. The cost is $15 per CD, plus $2 shipping (one or two).
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: MAG
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 01:36 PM

send 'em along to Singtime Frolics, Barbara -- probably lots of takers there.

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: GUEST,emily rain
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 02:05 PM

barbara,
could you send blessings from me, emily, one of tom's old sweeties? i would love more opportunities to learn from him... though it's a bit of a road-trip for me.

also, i'd like one of the cds but i've permanently tossed my cookie; my email is [e-mail]. thank you thank you!

emily

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 04:26 PM

Hey there Em...

Did you say old...? We're not THAT old... C'mon down with me if you'd like! Barbara sez we don't have to talk... ;^) ...and frankly, until you want me to appologize, we probably shouldn't say much... I think that Merritt deserves to hear you sing... and I can't really imagine anything more suitable to his happiness.

Cheerio!
ttr

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: David Ingerson
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 09:03 PM

I'm sorry to have missed the last two Sunday sessions at Merritt's but have been lucky enough to have spent an evening singing with him. I wanted to learn at least one song to remember Merritt by--both now when he's living and later when he is gone--and have selected "The Wee Lass on the Brae", which he got from Roisin White of County Armagh(I think). I hope to learn several more, as well, for he deserves to live on through his songs.

Let me encourage others to do the same.

Thanks, Barbara, for taking the initiative for getting his CD's distributed. Kit, Merritt's wife, had suggested the CD's could be ordered by writing to Merritt's address, but I think it would be easier for everyone to get them through Barbara.

However, I will include Merritt's street address--he never did use email much--for those of you who would like to send greetings and wish him well. Sandy, I already told Merritt of your post. He said, "Oh yes, it's good to hear from Sandy."

Merritt Herring
2037 NE 49th Ave.
Portland, OR 97213


It's great to see so much love flowing his way.

David

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: Barbara
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 08:55 PM

I will have the CDs at Singtime for any of you that want to purchase them there.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Merritt Herring: What do you know?
From: David Ingerson
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 08:51 PM

Singtime Frolics was great (again) this year, but not quite the same without Merritt there.

Keep your good thoughts and love flowing in his direction.

David

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Merritt Herring died April 5, 2004. To avoid splitting the discussion, please post your comments about him here (click).
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-