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Three years 'One Song Concerts' from John Gorka

..Working in Corners (with Antje Duvekot)

One song Concert #59 Working in Corners (August 13, 2022)

Antje suggested we do a video of Working in Corners by Nanci Griffith in March of 2021. It took a while but we finally got to it now. I did my part in Minnesota and Antje did her part in Massachusetts. We lost Nanci on this day in August of last year. That August was a month with a Blue Moon. We miss her. Love, JG and AD

click here for the original version by Nanci Griffith (1988)

..Alberta Let Your Hair Hang Low

One song Concert #58 Alberta Let Your Hair Hang Low (May 1, 2022)

Alberta is a traditional song I learned from the recordings of Doc Watson. According to Roger McGuinn the song was sung by stevedores working on the Ohio RIver in the early 1800s.

I hope you like it!

Click here for extra information about this song

.. Girl From the North Country

One Song Concert #57 Sweet Love (April 10, 2022)

Here is a new recording of Bob Dylan's Girl from the North Country. This version is closer to Bob's duet with Johnny Cash on Nashville Skyline than the original on The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan record. The version I did on Nod to Bob on Redhouse Records in 2001, is closer to the original.

It's not all that timely but it's the song that was calling me.

I hope you like it!
JG

.. Sweet Love (2021)

One Song Concert #56 Sweet Love (September 19, 2021) is a song suggested by my friend Jos Van Vliet in The Netherlands. It is a Kate Wolf that I sang on a tribute CD to Kate released by Red House Records in 1998 entitled Treasures Left Behind: Remembering Kate Wolf.

Click here for extra information about this song

.. Night into Day

Hello All, This One Song Concert (#55, August 2021) is Night into Day, first released on So DarkYou See in 2009. I hope you like it, and it finds you well!

.. Hold On

One Song Concert #53 (May 30, 2021): A new song for a new One Song Concert. It goes out to those who might be going through a rough patch. You are not alone. Peace - JG

..Flying Red Horse
One Song Concert #52 is Flying Red Horse from my Out of the Valley CD. It's a song about what may happen if one of the flying red horses from the Mobil station should escape. I worry about these things and sometimes my worries turn into songs. This makes a full year of weekly One Song Concerts. I don't know when the next one will be, but I will be back. Thank you for watching and listening!

..When the Ice Goes Out

On March 21, 2021 John wrote; One Song Concert #51 is When the Ice Goes Out, a song for Spring. Here in Minnesota when the rivers thaw, the ice can head downriver all at once in a dramatic rush. I’ve never seen it happen but the ice went out recently in the nearby St, Croix River. I hope you Northern Hemisphere people have a good Spring. I’m happy for the light and the occasional warm days

When the Ice Goes out, a song from my CD, After Yesterday, which came out in 1998. I've lived in Minnesota longer than I've lived anywhere but Spring is still feels like a pretty big deal. Happy Spring to you!

..Potter's Field

On March 14, 2021 John wrote: We are up to One Song Concert #50 with Jack Hardy’s song Potter’s Field from his 1978 recording, The Nameless One. In the summer of 1979 I listened to that record and his Mirror of My Madness record more than any other music. Russ Rentler and I opened for Jack at Godfrey Daniel’s Coffeehouse in June of that year as the Razzy Dazzy Brothers, a subgroup of the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band. He was the first person I met who wrote songs on a schedule. His was a song a week and that idea of writing songs on a schedule changed my life. He was a hero who became a friend. I hope Jack would have liked my version of Potter’s Field and I hope you do too.

Here's more information about this song

..Love’s Been Good To Me
On March 7, 2021 John wrote: My late friend Willem Leeuwenhoek requested that I learn Love’s Been Good To Me a few years back. I did, and was able to play it for him in The Netherlands. Written by Rod McKuen, it is one of the only songs that I know of that was recorded by both Frank Sinatra and Johnny Cash. I hope you like it!

Here's more information about this song

..We Thank You For Your Service

On February 7, 2021 John wrote: This week’s One Song Concert and Home Video # 45 is a new song by Jack Presbury and me. It was a privilege to have a hand in this song which came out of Jack’s experience counseling returning vets. We hope you like it!

The guitar is a Red Rascal by Livermore guitars

NB: Jack Presbury also wrote "Cowboy Song"

..Auld Lang Syne
On January 3, 2021 John wrote: This week’s One Song Concert and Home Video #40 is a version of Auld Lang Syne, from the National Bard of Scotland, Robert Burns. Laurie Allmann and I each added a verse, to the verse and chorus that are traditionally sung. We hope you like it and have a healthy and happier New Year! John

Here is more information about this song

..Riverside

On December 27, 2020 John Gorka wrote: This Week's One Song Concert and Home Video #39 is Riverside, which first appeared on my CD Old Futures Gone in 2003. I hope you like it.
Happy 2021! or Better New Year!

..Christmas Bells

On December 20, 2020 John Gorka wrote:
Christmas Bells is Home Video #38 and this week's One Song Concert. The lyrics are from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the tune is my own. It first appeared on a recording called A Winter Solstice III on Windham Hill Records in 1990. I hope you like this version. Merry Merry and Happy Happy to You!

Here is more information about this song

..Spanish is the Loving Tongue

On December 13, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Spanish is the Loving Tongue is this week's One Song Concert and Home Video #37. It's a traditional song that I've always loved. I hope you like my arrangement!

Here is more information about this song

..The Streets of Laredo (2020)

On December 6, 2020 John Gorka wrote: This week's One Song Concert and Home Video # 36 is The Streets of Laredo, a traditional tune to which I added a new verse. The guitar arrangement is also slightly different. The new verse changes the narrative from the traditional versions. Also, I kept wanting the dying cowboy to sing the last vers of John Prine's Paradise: "When I die let my ashes float down the Green River...". The lyrics fit the melody perfectly. I hope you like it and John Prine and the cowby wouldn't mind.

Here is more information about this song

..Edgar The Party Man

On November 22, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Edgar The Party Man is Home Video # 34 and this week's One Song Concert. It is a song from Between Five & Seven, my 6th CD. I hope you like it! Edgar sends his regards.

..True in Time

On November 15 , 2020 John Gorka wrote: Home Video # 33 is True in Time, the title song of my most recent CD on Redhouse Records. I wrote this with Pete Kennedy of The Kennedys. He came up with the title and we wrote it over the internet. I hope you like it! The truth seems to be having a rough time these days. What is True in Time? John

..Particle & Wave
On November 8, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Here is Home Video # 32 - Particle & Wave, written in Seattle in March 2018 on the morning of the March For Our Lives rally against gun violence. It was inspired by the sight of all those hundreds of thousands of people in the streets and the speeches of the students. I thought about photons, the smallest bits of light. Sometimes they act like a particle and sometimes like a wave. Peace

Here is more information about this song

..If I Could
On November 1 , 2020 John Gorka wrote: Home Video # 31 and this week's One Song Concert is If I Could, written by Roland Maddrey who I met at The Swannanoa Gathering last year. He finished this song just recently. Thank you Roland for letting me sing it. I think it is a classic. I hope you like the song as much as I do!!

Here is more information about this song

..Where the Bottles Break

On October 25, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Home Video # 30 and this week's One Song Concert is Where The Bottles Break. Written in 1991, the lyrics have remained unchanged since 1994. I hope you like it!

Here is more information about this song

..The Sentinel

On October 18, 2020 John Gorka wrote: One Song Concert Home Video # 29 is the Sentinel, a song about a fellow who used to help people park their cars in the Fountain Hill section of Bethlehem, PA. His name was Francis. I hope you like it!

Here is more information about this song

..Zuly

On October 11, 2020 John Gorka wrote: The One Song Concert Home Video # 28 is Zuly, a non traditional Christmas song, written after my first trip to Alaska. I loved how wild and beautiful it was there. I saw a sign outside of Anchorage that commemorated the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964 and somehow this song came out of that experience.

I hope you like it!

Here is more information about this song

..Blue Chalk

On October 4, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Blue Chalk is today’s One Song Concert and Home Video #27. It was 1st recorded on Maura O’Connell’s Stories CD, as well as my CD Between 5&7. It was also sung by Lucy Kaplansky on our Red Horse project. I hope you like this version!

Here is more information about this song

..Where No Monument Stands

On September 27, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Home Video # 26 - Where No Monument Stands - From a poem by William Stafford, music by JG. Originally appeared in the film Every War Has Two Losers, also on my Bright Side of Down cd. I hope you like it!

Here is more information about this song

..Jack’s Crows

On September 20, 2020 John Gorka wrote: “Home Video # 25 is a new version of the title song from my 3rd CD - Jack’s Crows. I hope you like it!"

Here is more information about this song

..Brown shirts

On September 13, 2020 John wrote: Brown Shirts, from my 1992 CD Temporary Road.

Here is more information about this song.

..Outside (2020)
On September 6, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 23 - Outnumbered, a love song from the Bright Side of Down CD. I hope you like it!

..Outside (2020)

On August 30, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 22. - Outside - My wife likes this song because it contains the line “I want to have a party tonight”. She likes that because she’s never heard me say that in real life. I hope you like it!

Here is more information about this song

..Shenandoah

On August 23, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 21 is Shenandoah, a well known traditional song played on a not very traditional instrument. This is a song for Ozzie & Rita, by request. I hope you like it!

Here is more information about this song/session

..Arroyo Seco (2020)

On August 16, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Home Video # 20: Here is Arroyo Seco, inspired by Eliza Gilkyson's Casa de Musica songwriters workshop near Taos, New Mexico. I wanted to try to capture the spirit of the workshop and the beauty of the area. They told me the names of the land features and the native people of Taos Pueblo who call themselves the People of the Red Willow. It was written from the point of view 20 years in the future, looking back at this period of great change. I hope you like it!

Here is more information about this song/session

..If Not Now (2020)

On August 9, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Home Video # 19 is a song from my Old Futures Gone CD - If Not Now. It is just 4 lines, maybe more of a chant than a song. Some have compared it to this quote by Rabbi Hillel: “If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” I hope you like it.

Lyrics (3x):

If not us, not them
If not now, then when?
If not here, nor there
If not this world
Then where?

This song can be found on "Old Futures Gone". This was the ninth studio album by John Gorka. It was released on September 23, 2003 by Red House Records.

..That's How Legends Are Made (2020)

On August 2, 2020 John Gorka wrote: Home Video #18 This is a song I wrote in July 1983. It was inspired by my musical heroes, Stan & Garnet Rogers. There was so much electricity in the air when they played at Godfrey Daniels Coffeehouse, in Bethlehem, PA, my main place of inspiration. Thanks to Dave Fry, Cindy Dinsmore, all the Godfrey's regulars and to Dave Eadie and Jim Morrison, the bass men. With love, John.

Here is more information about this song/session.

..Cowboy Song (by Jack Presbury)

On July 26, 2020 John wrote: Home Video #17 Cowboy Song. I heard Jack Presbury play this song at The Swannanoa Gathering in 2019 and knew I wanted to learn it. It’s taken me a year but here it is. Jack is a really talented songwriter. I hope I do the song justice - John

Here is more information about this song/session.

..Morningside

On July 19, 2020 John wrote: Home Video #16 is Morningside from my 2001 CD The Company You Keep. I hope you like it!

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..The Dutchman

On July 12, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 15: The Dutchman, by the great Michael Smith, is a song that changed my idea of what a song could be. Michael is a masterful songwriter and I wish him well. By the way we were both born in the same hospital in Newark, NJ. I wanted to follow in his foot steps!

Here is more information about this song/session

..Unblindfold The Referee

On July 5, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 14 — Unblindfold The Referee is a song from my 2006 CD Writing In The Margins. I hope you like it!

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..Let them in

On June 28, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 13 - Based on a WWII era poem by Elma Dean, this is a song that goes out to all the ones who didn’t come home, and to those who remember - Let Them In. .

Here is more information about this song/session.

..If I Could Forget To Breathe

On June 21, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 12 - If I Could Forget To Breathe is a love song from my Temporary Road CD released in 1992. There is not enough love in this world. I hope you like it!

There is no more information about this song/session.

Click here for the "If I Could Forget To Breathe" lyrics.
Download Temporary Road CD at John's website here

..The Mercy of the wheels

On June 14, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 11 is a new performance of a song from my 1991 CD Jack’s Crows: The Mercy of the Wheels. I hope you like it! I hope to integrate some viewers comments in the next episode of my Home Videos.

Here is more information about this song/session.

..Ignorance and Privilege

On June 7, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 10 - Ignorance & Privilege appeared on my CD So Dark You See. I think this is my first homemade video at 1080 p.

Here is more information about this song/session.

. Muting the Sea

On May 31, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 9 is a new banjo tune in Open C tuning with a mute on the bridge. I’m playing without fingerpicks. I hope you like it!

There is no more information about this song/session

..You Can Run

On May 24, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 8 is a song by my friend Doug Anderson from our Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band days. Doug is making a lot of music presently under the name Ol’ Moose. I hope live music comes back some day. I’d love to hear him and maybe play together again..

Here is more information about this song/session.

..Careless Love

On May 17, 2020 John wrote: Homemade Video # 7 is my take on the folk song Careless Love. This is a folk song with a couple of new lines, played on a fretless tackhead banjo made by Jeff Menzies.

I’m still experimenting with the technology but I hope you like it!

Here is more information about this song/session.

..My Creole Belle

On May 10, 2020 John wrote: Homemade Video # 6 - A Mississippi John Hurt song that you may know well, here played on the fretless tack head banjo. (I feel better than I look.) I hope you like it. Happy Mother’s Day

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..Maya, May I

On May 1, 2020 John wrote: Home Video # 5. I hope you like it!

For May Day 2020. Inspired by seeing Maya Angelou at Lehigh University many years ago. I wish she was still with us! Thanks to the Grunewald Guild Song School for their inspiring company.

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..soap opera

On April 26, 2020 John wrote: Hello All, Home Made Video #4 is a new original song that is called “soap opera”. I hope you like it.

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..Polly Wally

On April 19, 2020 John wrote: "An old song with a new verse. There's some John Prine phrasing and a Cliff Eberhardt type guitar run in there. We miss you John! And Cliff stay with us!"

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Better Times Will Come

On April 12, 2020 John wrote: "Better Times Will Come" is a new song by Janis Ian. She sent this out yesterday (April 11, 2020) for people to sing and this is my version from last night. Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

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Red River Valley



On April 5, 2020 John wrote: Here is my 1st homemade video. It’s not perfect but I hope you like it.

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