Happy Birthday Woody ! !

Subject: Folklore: Happy Birthday Woody ! !
From: Francy
Date: 14 Jul 03 - 12:50 PM

Woody was born 91 years ago today. My choice as the country's greatest folk balladeer......Happy Birthday Woody.........Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Folklore: Happy Birthday Woody ! !
From: Steve-o
Date: 14 Jul 03 - 01:16 PM

A hearty second to that, Frank! He had a life filled with hardship and tragedy, yet left us with hundreds of wonderful, powerful songs. He certainly had more effect on American folk music than any other single person (his friend Pete running a close second). The Library of Congress recordings he made for Alan Lomax is still my most prized album.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Happy Birthday Woody ! !
From: Frankham
Date: 14 Jul 03 - 01:51 PM

I loved Woody. I used to pick with him when I was a kid.

He owes a lot to the Carter Family, not too shabby themselves.
He owes a lot to Pete Seeger who promoted him and publicized him when only a handful of people knew about him. It maybe that in his respec Pete was a greater influence on folk music but that turns into one of those damned "whose the greatest" threads again.

Woody was a great songwriter. So is Jean Ritchie who in my estimation is as good in a similar way. Evocative, descriptive writing, specific and to the point with brilliant economy and a humanitarian viewpoint. (Why is it we always throw bouquets at the ones who have left the planet?) Merle Travis is another one. Dark As A Dungeon says more about the heartbreak of coal mining then many other songs.

But where is Woody now that we need him? We need a fearless songwriter to comment politically on what's going on in this country who is as great a writer as Woody. Tom Lehrer, where are you? Tom Paxton, we have you.

These comments are a slippery-slope that leads into songwriting critique.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Folklore: Happy Birthday Woody ! !
From: Francy
Date: 14 Jul 03 - 07:00 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Folklore: Happy Birthday Woody ! !
From: zanderfish3 (inactive)
Date: 15 Jul 03 - 03:31 AM

No gods and precious few heroes but Woody is a GIANT among any company

Subject: RE: Folklore: Happy Birthday Woody ! !
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Jul 03 - 09:20 AM

Not only that, but my brand new little grandson Maxwell Alexander was born yesterday, on Woody's birthday!

Jenny

Subject: RE: Folklore: Happy Birthday Woody ! !
From: GUEST,MAG at the Public Library Terminal
Date: 15 Jul 03 - 08:19 PM

According to an NPR item on political humor Tom Lehrer is still very alive and kicking, just retired and happy that way. Performing palled. Sure wish he'd write some more songs about now, though. Just saw (on someone else's TV) a new TV show called Mad as Hell. Political humor. Breath of fresh air on TV.