Van Ronk

Sound DNA

• Folk
• Singer-Songwriter

• raw
• bittersweet
• bohemian

About

Though best known for his dexterous, Reverend Gary Davis influenced guitar work, gruff vocals, and encyclopedic knowledge of country blues, early jazz, and ragtime, Dave Van Ronk was not above the occasional unexpected stylistic digression, and <i>Van Ronk</i> sees him tackling material far beyond the usual roster of folk and blues standards. During his time on the Village folk circuit Van Ronk rubbed elbows with nearly every major folk artist of the era, and on <i>Van Ronk</i> he turns in distinctive interpretations of songs by friends and acquaintances like Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and the Holy Modal Rounders’ Peter Stampfel. Van Ronk is right at home handling the manic irreverence of Stampfel compositions like “Random Canyon” and “Fat Old John,” and his glee is palpable as he belts out Stampfel’s surreal lyrics in a hoarse, Bronx-accented roar. His voice is less well suited to more solemn material, but he truly exceeds himself on “Gaslight Rag,” a sardonic reminiscence of the Village folk scene that stands as this set’s sole original composition.

via Apple Music

Tracklist

Credits