Dave Van Ronk - Sings Ballads, Blues, And A Spiritual 1959-1961

 

VAN RONK

Dave Van Ronk - Sings Ballads, Blues, And A Spiritual 1959-1961

Van Ronk, a native of Brooklyn, and later to become Bob Dylan’s first guru in Greenwich Village, released this debut album having become heavily influenced by blues and folk music. Noted for his ability to impersonate the voices and styles of others, he was able to take on the covers of traditional blues tracks, written in the main by legendary performer, Bessie Smith, and imbibe them with the same degree of emotional intent. The standout tracks here include his version of ‘Duncan and Brady’ and ‘Winin’ Boy Blues’. However, the best moments are his powerful cover of folk standard, ‘John Henry’ and his version of Lead Belly’s ‘In the Pines’.

Not infrequently I am taken to task for the manner in which I approach my material, Folk singer and guitar player Dave Van Ronk (1936 - 2002) wrote in the liner notes to Ballads, Blues, and a Spiritual. A white New Yorker singing traditional Southern Black songs, he distinguished himself from others who adopted this repertoire by imitating the way he heard Black musicians perform. "Although I can appreciate the 'White approach' to Negro folksongs and enjoy the work of many of it's adherents, I still reserve the right to sing these songs in the style to which I am accustomed, partly because of habit, and partly, I confess, because I feel that my way is the 'right way'."This 1959 release was Van Ronk's first record. It contains the tracks "If You Leave Me Pretty Momma," "Backwater Blues," "K.C. Moan," "How Long," and "John Henry," which were not featured on the Van Ronk collection The Folkways Years, 1959-1961. Liner notes include photos, lyrics, song histories, and an introduction by Van Ronk.

Dave Van Ronk Sings Ballads, Blues and a Spiritual is an album by American folksinger Dave Van Ronk, released in May 1959 on Folkways Records. It was also released on LP as Gambler's Blues and as Black Mountain Blues. Some of the songs can be found on the 1991 Smithsonian Folkways CD release The Folkways Years, 1959–1961. (Amazon)

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Track lists

1 Dave Van Ronk Duncan & Brady (Remastered) 3:04

2 Dave Van Ronk Hesitation Blues (Remastered) 2:35

3 Dave Van Ronk In the Pines (Remastered) 3:08

4 Dave Van Ronk Willie the Weeper (Remastered) 2:50

5 Dave Van Ronk Twelve Gates to the City (Rema 3:16

6 Dave Van Ronk River Come Down (Remastered) 3:46

7 Dave Van Ronk Careless Love (Remastered) 2:59

8 Dave Van Ronk Betty & Dupree (Remastered) 3:37

9 Dave Van Ronk Bed Bug Blues (Remastered) 2:47

10 Dave Van Ronk Leave Her Johnny (Remastered) 1:29

11 Dave Van Ronk Yas, Yas, Yas (Remastered) 2:08

12 Dave Van Ronk Please See That My Grave is Ke 2:58

13 Dave Van Ronk Winin' Boy 2:39

14 Dave Van Ronk Just a Closer Walk With Thee 3:03

15 Dave Van Ronk Gambler's Blues  2:45

16 Dave Van Ronk Spike Driver's Moan 3:15

17 Dave Van Ronk Georgie on the Irt 3:31

18 Dave Van Ronk Come Back Baby 3:54

19 Dave Van Ronk Black Mountain Blues 4:02

20 Dave Van Ronk My Baby's So Sweet 2:32

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