Songs of Freedom Summer

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“Those Three Are On My Mind” was one of several songs born out of the tragic killings in Neshoba County, Mississippi in the summer of 1964.  It’s hard for me to say whether it’s the best known, but was the … Continue reading →

Folksinger’s field report: August 5, 1964

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Pete’s Seeger’s musical memoir, The Incompleat Folk Singer, includes the following entry for August 5, 1964.  I hope he’ll pardon me for quoting it in its entirety, but I think it informs our conversation here about music, tragedy, and political … Continue reading →

Those Three Are On My Mind

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“Southern Justice (Murder in Mississippi)” by Norman Rockwell Freedom Summer Next week, June 21st to be exact, will mark the 48th anniversary of the day that civil rights activists Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman were murdered in Mississippi, … Continue reading →

A girl could feel special

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“Red Hair and Black Leather” One of the things that Pat explored with “Matty Groves” is how such a brutal song managed to endure as a folk favorite down through the ages, partly through it’s ability to provide a compelling … Continue reading →

He smiled to see her cry

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Richard Thompson. Esq., OBE A Songwriter’s Songwriter You’ll likely note that I’ve been reluctant to dive too deeply into a close reading or textual analysis of RT’s four-verse wonder (I’m still a little intrigued that in the video I linked … Continue reading →

Down to Knoxville?

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Red Molly and Tenbrooks So, how does a late 20th century English-style ballad about death and motorcycles become the 2002 International Bluegrass Music Association Song of the Year?  This is how.  Dick Bowden, a friend of Del McCoury and his … Continue reading →