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September 2009 Meeting
Theme: "Songs my Grandma & Grandpa used to Sing"Leader: Patty Hall
Patty Hall was invited back to lead the San Diego Folk song Society Song Circle September 13, 2009. In honor of Grandparent's Day, Patty is asking all comers to help celebrate the theme "Songs my Grandma & Grandpa used to Sing". Of course, this can be any song or tune that evokes memories of grandparents or grand kids or family and kin. As usual, songsters and musicians of all levels and persuasions are welcome at this very special monthly round-robin. Read about Patty Hall in the September 2009 issue of the San Diego Troubadour
Sam Hinton
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Patty got the meeting started with a bit of remembrance of Sam Hinton. She recalled seeing him for the first time at the 1963 Berkeley Folk Festival where he was helping to run a children's program in the morning with Pete Seeger. Patty said she thought he was very approachable and his ease with the subject matter and friendliness made 'all things seem possible'.
Ten years later, in 1973, at another folk festival, Sam was working as the MC. This time, Patty was going to perform and she said she really was a bit nervous. Sam in his friendly and kind way, gave Patty a very warm and personal introduction which Patty said really put her at ease. She said she was always grateful for his warm hearted friendliness.
Patty got the song circle started with what she described as a 'cumulative ballad'. "When I First Came to this Land" about a farmer and his time on the farm.
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Cindy sang the circa 1904 "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". She said it was apropos in
remembrance of Sam and might be something her grandparents might have sung.
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Chuck and Susan Thompson (In the back) were visiting from
the San Diego North County Folk Song Society.
Chuck played 'Roseville Fair' with Sue helping out on fiddle,
and then Susan played 'I'm On My Way" from 'the book' (Rise Up Singing),
with Chuck helping out on Harmonica.
Did you know that Sam Hinton did all the original calligraphy for "Rise Up Singing"?
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Sandy told the story of when she was a student at the UCSD Medical School, someone gave her a copy of the Sam Hinton's "Men at Work" album. It was suggested that she look up Sam and she did. Sam sent her a letter with "I'm My Own Grandpa" (p72 - Rise Up Singing). This is the song that Sandy sang.
Neal (center below) sang Amazing Grace and asked that everyone leave out the instruments.
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Doreen (above left) was pleased that she had brought her two children to see Sam Hinton at the local Public Library and was also glad to have attended SDFSS meetings with Sam present.
Doreen sang "Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet".
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Larry (above right) did a great variation of "Old Mill Stream'.
Lot's of laughs and good harmony at the end!
Connie (above center) sang "Grandfathers Clock" with help from Jim (left) and Larry (right).
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Here are Lynn, Laura and Jim. They did three songs. The first was "I'll Fly Away".
Next up Laura sang "Who Will Watch the Home Place" and then Lynn finished with Acony Bell.
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New attendee, Amber (seated left) sang "Strawberry Roan" with help from Doreen, Jim and Lynn.
Patty indicated that it was time for a break and she did one last song before everyone stretched.
"Sweet Betsy from Pike" was a song her grandfather would play on an old Martine Ukulele.
After a twenty minute break, Patty got the circle restarted
with a Mississippi John Hurt version of Casey Jones.
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Jim told of how when getting ready for this new school year as a teacher, he was taking over an older classroom. After the previous teacher had taken everything she wanted, Jim found five albums by Sam Hinton in a closet. He said he'll find a turntable somewhere and play those albums. Knowing Jim and his enthusiasm for music and teaching, we all know there will be a lot of joyous singing coming out of that room this year!
Jim led us all on "Home On the Range".
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Opal sang "I Won't Have To Cross The Jordan Alone" in tribute to Sam Hinton.
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Peter told of the political song he had written, "Julio Carrasco", about a laborer who took a lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court and won. While Peter was visiting at Sam's home, Sam had him sing it, using the old Washburn guitar that Sam kept in the living room for just such moments. Sam liked it enough to suggest that Peter send it in to the 'Sing-Out' people. Peter never heard back from the Sing-Out organization but considers it an honor that Sam Hinton had taken the time to listen, and then liking it well enough to suggest that it be submitted.
Peter sang his song "Julio Carrasco" dedicated to Sam.
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Chuck sang "Goodnight Irene".
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Drew (left) with help from Martha sang a song he wrote, "This Old Train".
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John recalled that Sam Hinton was from Oklahoma, and that many great singers came out of that state. Singers like Red Foley, Ernest Tubbs and of course, John Slaughter himself, thank you very much!
With an Okie theme brewing, and seeing as Sam Hinton was from Tulsa, OK
~ John sang
"Take Me Back to Tulsa".
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Lynne sang a great song, "I'm Gonna Tell"
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Allen singer noted that Utah Phillips, even in his poor health just before he passed, had taken the time to visit with Sam Hinton up in Berkeley. Apparently, Utah thought such of Sam, that he found time and made the effort to see him. Allen sang the Utah Phillips song, "Starlight On The Rails".
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Dennis told a funny story about how he had gone up to Sam's house for what he thought was going to be a song meeting and birthday celebration. As it turned out, he was a week late. No one was there but for Sam and his family. Sam invited Dennis in and they had a nice personal chat and time spent together one on one. Dennis remarked that that was so like Sam, very friendly and hospitable, to invite in a stranger and spend time with them on the spur of the moment.
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Erin told of mentioning to her teenage daughter of Sam's passing and asked if she remembered him. "Oh yea, of course I remember him", her daughter replied, "he's the guy that played that little harmonica in his mouth with no hands!" Erin led the circle in "When You and I Were Young".
Darrel (above left) led the group in a 'participation song'. With "Arkansas Traveler" riffs as interludes between jokes told by the whole circle. It was a bit like that old Hee Haw segment of funny questions and answers. Where's Buck Owens and Goldie Hawn when you need them?
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Ken sang "Blue Mountain".
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Above is an example of Sam Hinton's original calligraphy that he did for Ken Graydon.
(click for larger view)
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Phee asked the group if they had noticed the dinning table at Sam's house. It was suspended from the ceiling by chains. She said it was like that so they could hose out the dinning room after get togethers. Phee played Nealy Song Melodies.
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Patty closed out the meeting with her original song "Just Be Glad".
Fair thee well and God Bless you Sam Hinton,
You'll be fondly remembered by all your friends!
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Copyright San Diego Folk Song Society 2005 - 2009  |