I woke this morning to find that the great folkie Dave Van Ronk passed away on sunday.
Those that know his music will tell you he was a master of fingerstyle playing. A huge influence on the New York 60’s scene, Dave was a student of bluesman Rev. Gary Davis. He was a mentor for Dylan and a friend to the young musician.
Able to take traditional songs and give them a new twist with his signature gravel voice. He was a master interpriter of many forms of music from Kurt Weill to tin pan alley to Mississippi blues. Just as Ramblin Jack Elliot covers Woody Guthrie like no other, Van Ronk is second to none in his renditions of Joni Mitchell tunes. Favorites of mine being Both Sides Now, and That Song About Midway.
I gave a listen to Nobody Feels the Way I do This Morning, on my way to work today. Chills and shivers.
I was fortunate enough to see him twice, the last being february 2nd 2001, and he was fantastic. Weaving stories and tales like only the old masters can. He will sorely be missed.
May his jumbo Guild hang in peace.
Jack “One more man dead and gone” Orion
