Monday morning we salute Judith Durham of the Seekers who died this month. The 1964 hit featured the Australian singer’s wonderful voice which would ring out from the harmonies of her band mates. They had other hits including the theme song to the film, Georgy Girl, but this song is my favorite of theirs.
Thanks to YouTuber Classic Hits {Stereo}
(Click on the video above to play)
Monday morning, a pretty great cover of the America favorite.
Reina del Cid and extended band including banjo, mandolin, and dobro.
More at Reina del Cid
Joni Mitchell, 78 years old, appeared this week at the Newport Folk Festival–her first public concert for 20 years. She’s had an aneurysm and other health problems, but with a little help from her friends (Brandi Carlile, Wynona Judd) she sang, among other songs, “Both Sides Now,” “Summertime,” and the song above, a very touching “The Circle Game.”
Thanks to YouTuber Amy Karibian
Monday morning, a beautiful song written and sung by Allison Young and Josh Turner. Josh writes:
“When Allison and I started to conceive of this project, we both wanted to do something acapella in the Scots-Irish-Appalachian folk tradition. I had suggested a few covers, and then Allison come to me with a verse and a chorus. We finished the song together over the next two days and recorded it just a few days after that. Allison woke up with her voice feeling terrible the morning of recording but it was one of the last days we had, so when she said she felt good enough to give it a try, I hit record on the camera without even checking it – couldn’t waste time! as a result, it is not a very good shot, with Allison almost out of frame and me blocked by the mic. But the recording I’m very happy with.
Longtime friend of the channel Gabe Terraciano added some subtle fiddle drones after the fact for this one, and I put just a tiny bit of Moog synth on there for bass. Topping it off is a recording of some birds Allison took at Edwin Warner park.”
More at Josh Turner Guitar
Monday, morning, Canada’s greatest folksinger, Gordon Lightfoot.
Thanks to YouTuber tony blackhall
Monday morning, Tom Paxton, one of the best of the political songwriters of the 60s and afterwards, sings a song for Pete Seeger in 1965 about buying war toys. Little did Tom or Pete realize that the problem of war toys would be fully solved in our time by banning toy guns for children and insisting that they use real ones.
Thanks to Mitchel Cohen for pointing out this video.
Thanks to YouTuber funkydudesupreme
Anyone remember this Donovan song? Is it the saddest song in the world?
Thanks to YouTuber Sky Vibes
Woody Guthrie’s song version of John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath as sung by Brooklyn’s favorite cowboy, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Phil Ochs fans might recognize the melody as the same that Phil used for his own song “Joe Hill,” but Phil was just following tradition since Woody had already stolen the tune from an even earlier song called “John Hardy.”
Thanks to YouTuber mrgildons
Monday morning, going to the window to hear those kids and birds singing. A great haunting cover of The Train Song by Kelly, Josh and Carson, performing a once obscure song by Vashti Bunyan. Vashti Bunyan’s musical journey is an interesting one in itself: this song was originally recorded in 1966, and released on an album in 1970; the album flopped and Vashti left the music world. Thirty years later, her music is rediscovered, she gains a measure of fame, and now she is playing music dates again.
Kelly’s and Carson’s harmonies are exquisite.
More at Josh Turner Guitar
Monday morning The Kingston Trio looking for poor Charlie who got lost on Boston’s MTA.
Thanks to YouTuber John1948SevenE
The other day on the street, I could swear I heard someone call out “Jimmy McGregor,” and so I immediately thought of this song, which I hadn’t heard in years. One of the most interesting songs lyrically and musically on a Peter, Paul, and Mary album; it’s sung and written by “Paul,” that is, Noel Stookey.
In glorious vinyl, complete with comforting scratches at regular intervals.
Thanks to YouTuber R.O.K DuKane TV
With a song title like that, you know the rest of the song just has to be great.
John Prine, with accompaniment by Nanci Griffith who unfortunately died this month.
Thanks to YouTuber derek868
Carson McKee with a solid cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song.
More at Carson McKee
Monday morning, Donovan does battle with the ephemeral.
Thanks to YouTuber jarichards99utube
Mike and Ruthy closing the 2019 Summer Hoot in Ashokan, New York. They’ll be back at it again August 27-29th.
More at The Mammals
Monday morning, gimme some of that old time music. Pete Seeger with the irrepressible Cousin Emmy.
Thanks to YouTuber Glenn Eric
Mr. Mckee and Mr. Turner with a lovely version of Jackson Browne’s song, written when Browne was 16 years old.
More at Josh Turner Guitar
May, Monday Morning, the birthday month of two of the greatest folk musicians ever.
Today, May 3rd, is Pete’s birthday. Saturday, May 1st, was Judy’s.
More at Judy Collins
Kami Maltz and Josh Turner’s harmonizing on this James Taylor song is just wow.
More at Kami Maltz
I recently posted John Prine singing his song “Summer’s End.” I ran across this cover done by Brandi Carlile who has performed with Prine in the past, and I’ve been playing it non-stop all week, so I thought I’d share it with you. The purity of her voice makes a nice contrast to John Prine’s growl.
Thanks to YouTuber Tu Mouton
John Prine could write some of the funniest songs ever, but also some of the most heart-breaking.
Thanks to YouTuber The Strombo Show
You’ll never hear a Shakespearean sonnet again in the same way. Folk singer Steve Earle makes a good case for Shakespeare being the Bob Dylan of his era—or vice versa.
Thanks to YouTuber PublicTheaterNY
