The Lonely Goatherd Blog And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats - Matthew 25:32
Up to the minute notes on the current state of free thinking and free living: Kentucky moonshine - original analysis and reporting from MoreThings, and all round pop culture museum of sight and sound - photo galleries, mp3 and video downloads.
Al Barger and MoreThings - getting people's goats since 1998.
Live free or die!
----
I wouldn't want to ask people to just give me money cause they like my website, but do please take a quick look at Barger's Boutique. You might find yourself a little something-something for 2 or 3 bucks that you just can't resist! Any of the round images you find around MoreThings will get you to an Amazon page to buy my stuff and help ol' Al keep the lights on.
Links
To explicitly state the obvious, these external links go to interesting and provocative websites, but they speak for themselves. I don't necessarily agree with anything they say - especially that no-goodnik Richard Marcus.
*************
All original content on MoreThings.com copyright 2008 Albert Barger or the respective authors
October 05, 2008
The Kingston Trio The recent passing of founding member Nick Reynolds has brought the Kingston Trio back to the top of my playlist. They were pretty big cheese commercially in the late 50s into the 60s, and critical in establishing folk music as a modern commercial idiom. They don't seem to have much cachet among the hip, but I know I've gotten pretty much good out of them over time - certainly a lot more than Joan Baez or Peter, Paul and Mary or such weenies.
Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and Nick Reynolds formed the Kingston Trio in 1957. Their recording of the tradional "Tom Dooley" was huge #1 hit in 1958, and still the main most song they're known for. In 1959, this recording got them the very first Grammy for Best Country & Western Performance. Dave Guard left the group in 1961, and was replaced by John Stewart - who passed earlier this year.
They eventually had 10 Top 40 Billboard pop hits, finishing up with "Desert Pete" in 1963. Definitely my personal favorite that's made a lot of my car CD mixes was the Hoyt Axton composition "Greenback Dollar." Now that right there is a proper manly folk song. I just love how that chorus explodes. "And I don't give a damn about a greenback dollar." That sentiment by the way goes good back to back with Little Richard wailing about wanting to "Rip It Up."
Also, dig on their original English language recording of "Seasons in the Sun." This was also from 1963, based on a French song by Jacques Brel. The song became much better known for the big hit 1974 recording by Terry Jacks, but Bob Shane and the Kingston Trio did much better. Terry Jacks made a more maudlin and morbid pop song, and substantially changed the lyric to make it much gentler. Whereas the Kingston Trio's simple folk arrangement without the strings was much brisker - and bracingly harsher, with the whole verse about forgiving the wife for her numerous infidelities, as well as promising to haunt her if she keeps screwing around on him once he's gone. Sweeeeet!
As music, I'd put the Kingston Trio at least head to head with anything that would likely be called "folk music" up until, of course, Dylan. They're not as cool as Pete Seeger though, probably mostly because they weren't much interested in politics or spouting cheesy commie rhetoric. But for singing, arranging and performing, these guys were somewhere near the top of any folkie heap. The Essential Kingston Trio package on Shout Factory would be a right tasty little addition to any collection.
