Welcome to the New 12th Gate Coffee House. John McCutcheon is a master folksinger and story teller. His biography says it all.
His songs sing of the nation’s heritage. His words channel the conscience of our people into streams of poetry and melody. He writes about subjects small and great, from a child’s haircut to freedom and human dignity – issues equally eternal and enduring. Think of McCutcheon as an incarnation of Pete Seeger and Mr. Rogers, Will Rogers and Bruce Springsteen, and above all Everyman, righteously passionate and impishly playful, blessed with gifts as a songwriter, historian, musician and storyteller that have won him praise in Australia as “the most overwhelming folk performer in the English language,” from a Russian critic as “the most versatile and compelling performer this reviewer has ever seen,” and from Johnny Cash as “the most impressive instrumentalist I’ve ever heard.” From Blogsite
There are just a few You-Tube clips available. Most of what I am sharing are music videos rather than live performances, but I think they will serve to provide a sufficient introduction to his work. He has recorded more than 30 albums. The family of Woody Guthrie has provided access to his papers and John has put several of the unpublished lyrics to music. Now living in the Atlanta area, last might John did a benefit concert for our metropolitan Food Bank. My youngest and I had a great time. So tonight, we have an encore performance on our virtual stage.
Welcome to the New 12th Gate, John McCutcheon singing I am an Immigrant at the Kent Stage, Kent, Ohio on Oct. 21, 2008 as part of Sing Out the Vote Ohio.
Many of John’s songs are based on actual events. Oh, I better tell you that McCutchen can be pretty radical when it comes to our outgoing President. I was wrestling with making a choice between two clips, and then I said, “Hell with it!” So here are both. Both are music videos that use his lyrics and tunes, but they also include news clips and pictures to further make the point The first dates back to 2003, so some things are old. At the same time, one has to be horrified that it is five years later – Let’s Pretend
Our second video is full of Bushisms – Hail to the Chief
All right, let’s change the subject. John has written several songs about family pets, particularly dogs and puppies – It’s a Dog’s Life
Many of John’s songs are set in the upper Midwest. Again this clip is not a live performance but a video – Waiting For Snow
Having dropped out of college, McCutcheon went to Appalachia and learned folk music – real folk music and the traditional instruments played by our elders. This clip features John playing Leviathan on the “hammered dulcimer.”
John proudly notes that he is a six time loser in the Grammies. I’ll close with a performance of what may be his most famous song based on the stories of the Christmas Truces between soldiers in WWI – Christmas in the Trenches
Okay, just one more puppy song this one has a little bite to it!. Instead of a clip, it is actually an MP3 rather than a video. I hope you enjoy it – Puppies
Have a great weekend!
