44 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY December 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC “All music is folk music—I never heard no horse sing none of ’em,” bluesman Big Bill Broonzy once told radio host and author Studs Terkel. That said, a folk tradition in music exists and has had its ups and downs, from Scottish and Appalachian origins to the folk boom of the late ’50s-early ’60s. From Peter, Paul and Mary to Bob Dylan going electric, it’s been a form which pays homage to the past while offering idealistic visions for the future. Yet four talented folk artists—Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka, Patty Larkin and Cliff Eberhardt—come to the Sunset Center on Friday, Dec. 20 with evidence that the genre has never really suffered. On A Winter’s Night is a reunion, of sorts, for a folkie event that has been going on, with varying performers, since 1994, although it was put on hold during Covid. Kaplansky left her Chicago home at 18 after “falling in love with the singer-songwriters of the ’70s: Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, James Taylor—especially Joni.” While not a protest singer per se, she recently updated lyrics to “Mary’s Window,” a tune originally written after Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory and Democratic Senate triumphs in Georgia for “what I thought was going to be a Kamala Harris win,” she says. But she remains undeterred. “I did a show a few days after the election and said, ‘We’re not going to talk about politics tonight, but it’s really nice to all be together,’” Kaplansky recalls. She also has a new album, The Lucy Story: Unreleased and Rare Tracks, 1976-2023. Gorka says on a lighter note that his John Prine-esque ditty, “I’m From New Jersey,” deals with the Garden State’s negative image. “I met John at my first recording session in Nashville through our mutual friend, Jim Rooney,” Gorka says with a laugh. “Jim said John and I shared a skewed vision of the world.” Dubbed “the pre-eminent male singer songwriter of the New Folk movement,” he wears the title lightly. “Rolling Stone called me that because most of the people doing the acoustic thing didn’t want to be called folk singers,” he explains, referring to the ubiquitous singer-songwriter label. “I had no problem with that. I thought the New Folk Movement was a style of dance. But you can call me ‘Pre.’” On A Winter’s Night takes place at 7:30pm Friday, Dec. 20. Sunset Center, San Carlos Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel. $40-$70. 620-2048, sunsetcenter.org. Folk Tales All-star musical collective join hands—and guitars— for a folkie gathering in Carmel. By Paul Wilner Boston-based guitar artist Patty Larkin (pictured) joins fellow folk standouts Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka and Cliff Eberhardt in a tour coming to Sunset Center. Custom Desigg! Repairs! Finished Jewelrr! Watch Baaeries! Lapidarr Serrices! Appraisals! Local Arrists Specimens Supplies & More 2245 Norrh Fremont St, Monterey (831)375-3027 www.peninsulagemandjewelrr.com Tuesday-Friday 10-5:30 Sattrday 10-4:00 Your COZY STAY in the heart of Monterey! Book your stay today! elcastellmotel.com (831) 372-8176 • Minutes from the Aquarium, Cannery Row, and stunning beaches • Heated indoor pool for year-round relaxation • Clean, comfortable rooms at great rates
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