I felt the music in me.
Late one night, back in the mid sixties, I saw a TV programme and it caught my attention. A woman was singing and there was something about the song that really tugged at me. I had never heard this type of music before, or seen singers like the three that this programme featured. Three singers that all had long black hair and played a guitar. This was ‘Folk’ music.
I went out and bought some of their recordings and I was hooked. I made a decision to go out and buy a guitar as soon as I could. My first guitar cost me £3. Well, I had to make sure I was able to play before spending a lot of money on one. I drew flowers all over it and it looked really cool. I drew flowers on most things in those days.
Joan Baez was my (absent) mentor. I would play along with her records. I learned how to finger pick like her, and decided it was time to get a decent guitar. My next guitar was a beautiful classical guitar. Later I would pass my ‘flower power’ guitar on to my niece Lynne (the illustrator).
Eventually I started listening to a lot more folk singers, both male and female – mostly American. I bought another guitar. A steel stringed Jumbo. I learned to flat pick and eventually found my own style, although I have been told that it’s very ‘American’ – that figures I suppose, since I listened mostly to American singer songwriters.
I went to every London performance of Joan Baez, and other folk artists. One day while practicing my pencil drawing, I decided to draw a portrait of Joan. I worked on it until it was the best I could get it. She was appearing in London and I went to see her with some friends, taking the portrait along. We gave it to a stage hand, who took it backstage for Joan. Later, when the concert was over, we saw Joan leaving with her son, who was carrying the portrait. Nice to know they took it with them.
I haven’t listened to folk music for many years now. I kind of grew out of it, although I still have some of the newer Joan Baez stuff that has a modern rock sound, along with some more modern Buffy Sainte Marie. Julie Felix didn’t last as a folk singer and slipped into children’s TV.
Look at Joan now – She looks good for her age, but it brings home just how many years ago that all was.
• Joan Baez: Public Domain
• Mature Joan Baez: http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070502/070502_baez_vmed_830a.widec.jpg
• Julie Felix: http://www.retrosellers.com/images/jf3.jpg
• Buffy Sainte Marie: http://nativeamericanrhymes.com/women/images/buffy_sainte-marie.jpg
If you enjoy reading my fifties and sixties posts, you may well enjoy my eldest sister’s new blog – granny grimbles grunts. She is writing a series of posts of her memories of life and survival of WWII in war torn London. Please pop over to her blog and welcome her.
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Drowsey Monkey | 25 August 2008 at 3:54
She does look good. I remember all of them as well, especially Buffy … she’s like royalty here.
I never had the desire to learn to play the guitar, wish I had now. I was too afraid to do anything when I was young! lol
Rich Dansereau | 25 August 2008 at 4:01
I heard Joan Baez sing when I was young and really enjoy her music. I remember Bob Dylan, John Denver, and Neil Young as well. I enjoy modern folk music today, especially the Indigo Girls. Some of Joan’s words are still very relevant and touching today.
Lux | 25 August 2008 at 5:56
Time moves on, doesn’t it? Sigh …
I’ll have to check out your sister’s new blog,
Elaine
Babs (Beetle) | 25 August 2008 at 12:58
Drowsey:
I love Buffy’s original voice – always have :O)
Drowsey afraid? I don’t believe it!
Rich:
She came to Sheffield to do a concert – Right on our doorstep, and I missed it! I would have so liked to have done the ‘40 years on’ thing ;O)
Lux:
Yes, time does move on. Actually, we do mature and improve with age, like good wine ha ha!
granny grimble | 25 August 2008 at 13:16
Some of my happiest memories are of you Babs strumming your guitar and singing folk songs.
Lynne passed the flower guitar on to her brother John, who I believe still has it! Thank you for recommending my WW2 blog. I happily await visits from new friends
granny grimble
Jay | 25 August 2008 at 13:33
I remember all of those people! I did try to teach myself guitar when I was a teenager, but didn’t get very far. I could strum a few simple songs – I couldn’t afford lessons, and had no-one to guide me (my brother could play but was way too busy with his own stuff to teach his baby sister LOL!) and I wasn’t very good at teaching myself. I’d have loved to learn picking. Ah well. Not to be.
I’ve already opened up Granny Grimble’s blog and when we’ve walked the little doggies, I’ll pop over for a browse! Such a shame my Mum isn’t internet savvy, she’d have enjoyed this one, I think.
JD at I Do Things | 25 August 2008 at 13:59
I’d love to see that drawing you did of Joan. She does look great. But I miss the long “folk” hair!
Babs (Beetle) | 25 August 2008 at 14:09
Granny Grimble:
Mum loved me to play for her, and always asked me to sing her favourite song for her :O)
Jay:
It takes a lot of practice, to teach yourself. I would play for ages every day, without fail. I loved it :O)
JD:
No record of the portrait, I’m afraid. I did do another one, and must have it somewhere – maybe in the loft ;O)
JD, most of us reach an age where long hair just doesn’t work. You will lose yours one day too, so make the most of it now ;O)
LadyBanana | 25 August 2008 at 14:28
I’m not too familiar with these ladies but I do remember one song I liked, “Country Girl Again”
I did like Carole King – not sure if she was similar..
Babs (Beetle) | 25 August 2008 at 14:44
LadyBanana:
I used to sing that song, in fact I still have it in iTunes ;O) I loved Carole King also. I think lots of great singer/songwriters came along in the late sixties early seventies.
MamaFlo | 25 August 2008 at 17:36
Those were the days!!! And these were the grand dames of folk.
Babs (Beetle) | 25 August 2008 at 19:16
MamaFlo:
They certainly are among the best of folk music!
Swubird | 26 August 2008 at 4:40
Babs:
A very nice little story. I always wanted to learn to play the guitar, but I never made the time for serious lessons.
Joan B. is my all-time favorite folk singer. Years ago I saw a science fiction movie called Silent Running. It stared Bruce Dern. Joan sang a song that played throughout the movie, and I loved it. Unfortunately, I don’t know the title. Have you ever heard of the movie?
Again, nice post.
Happy trails.
Babs (Beetle) | 26 August 2008 at 13:09
Swubird:
Yes we saw the movie too! We watched it on TV and Mo and I adored the song. Unfortunately I never did know what it was called either. As it was no longer a new film we had no way of finding out, or buying the record.
A. | 26 August 2008 at 19:33
Oh the memories! My not-yet-husband and I went to see Joan Baez in when she was performing in Liverpool. Those were the days! Goodness, I do hope I’ve worn as well as she has.
Babs (Beetle) | 26 August 2008 at 23:26
A:
Yes, she looks very good for her years!
Kathy | 27 August 2008 at 10:29
Both my husband and brother-in-law play guitar. I marvel at their ability. I would never dream of trying. I have no musical talent whatsoever. So nice Ms. Baez took your portrait with her. I would have liked to have seen it. Honestly, Babs. You are such a talented lady. I loved the “Ruby Tuesday” piece you put up on your photo blog. It’s gorgeous.
WillThink4Wine | 27 August 2008 at 12:30
I love all sorts of music! In many ways Joan Baez looks better now!
Babs (Beetle) | 27 August 2008 at 13:48
Kathy:
Oh that’s great. Do they play together? I miss having someone to play along with.
We did have creative parents – that helps :O)
WillThink4Wine:
Joan, like most of us, was at her best at about forty :O)
granny grimble | 28 August 2008 at 14:05
Thought you might be interested in the following:
“Silent Running”
Lyrics by Diane Lampert
Music by Peter Schickele
Performed by Joan Baez
Babs (Beetle) | 28 August 2008 at 14:21
Granny Grimble:
Thank you for that info. Just looked it up on YouTube :O)