All posts tagged: John Gorka

If You Have Loved Then You Have Cried

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Today I spent about two hours on an errand.  In a car.  After driving 4,590 miles in August, I’m not looking for more time behind the wheel. Plus, it was an errand that should not have been required. The fact that I had to take the time to do it was affecting my blood pressure. Then, out of the blue, I found out why I was in that car today. In driving down into Virginia by myself, I put my trusty playlist on the car system to become immersed in the music.  Soon came a voice that I could listen to sing the phone book. But today his song was much more profound than the yellow pages. Time is a river with no riverside Space a sea that has no tide I can’t get across, no it’s too wide If you have loved then you have cried And then the second verse: We are dust that was made in stars Now we roll off to work in cars When we were young we spilled our …

John Gorka Preview

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I mentioned a week ago that singer/songwriter John Gorka was playing at the historic Avalon Theater in Easton, Maryland on November 20th. Gorka has a way with words and a melody.  One of my favorite John Gorka songs  is Love is Our Cross to Bear. It’s from me, it’s to you For your eyes It’s a weight, a wonder that is wise I am here, you are there Love is our cross to bear I found this really sweet video of Gorka singing Love is Our Cross to Bear from a recent concert in The Netherlands. Let me know if you make it to Easton for the concert.  In any event, enjoy. More to come… DJB

Terrific roots music coming to Washington this fall

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We’re into fall here in the Washington region and that means that the acoustic music scene is busy pointing toward those holiday concerts.  But before December arrives, there are a few highlights for lovers of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music in the District of Columbia. This Monday, the Blue Moon Cowgirls and flatpicking champion Orrin Star are featured at the Institute of Musical Traditions concert in Rockville.  I’ve heard Star before, and he’s a treat for those who like the old flat top. Country singer extraordinaire Patty Loveless will be at the Birchmere on November 1st.  She’ll no doubt be featuring tunes from  her new album, Mountain Soul II. The original Mountain Soul was a terrific album, and the follow-up begins with a great version of that old country classic, Busted. (Well the bills are all due and the babies need shoes, we’re busted…) Sure to be a great show. For those who don’t mind a bit of a drive, folksinger John Gorka is playing on November 20th at the historic Avalon Theatre in beautiful …

Sweet Love

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Candice and I were out at a party on Capitol Hill last evening and had a nice time with friends old and new.  However, when I climbed into bed last evening I knew I’d best set our alarm or we’d miss our obligations at church this morning. My iPod has a playlist I entitled “Quiet Time” which we listen to as we fall asleep and then which is what we hear as our morning alarm.  We may wake to a Gregorian Chant or Anonymous 4, some Miles Davis or Bill Evans jazz, or perhaps a quiet New Age guitar piece from Will Akerman or Al Petteway. This Sunday morning we slept a little later, due to the party.  But the wake-up music set the tone for an introspective day that worked well with the gray and rainy weather. The first thing out of my iPod this morning was John Gorka singing this wonderful Kate Wolf tune entitled Sweet Love. John Gorka has one of the most distinctive voices in folk music.  I can listen to him sing anything.  But several …