THURSDAY AND ANOTHER EDITION OF.....

The weekly flip of the fedora to Jimmy Cannon

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT......

1) Why do I get the feeling that door men (people---so PC) negotiations do not take into consideration the tips and Holiday gifts that seem almost obligatory? Guess I will not be producing a benefit concert for them and I doubt I could have afforded a door man(person) for such an event in any case.

2) I loved this line---which I attribute to May Sue Twohy----Iceland’s final dying economic wish was to have its ashes spread over Europe. Let us now pray and say Amen. Hallelujah brothers and sisters.

3) I finally met a knowledgeable person who feels as I do about the merits of Phil Ochs vis a vis Bob Dylan. Phil Ochs. Period.

4) Facebook is a wonderful place for people to stream---just like a good urine flow. Some folks there just have to leave their inane brain droppings all over the place as the Canadian Geese do with their anal droppings here on many grassy areas.

5) There is a great side effect to a Prostate shrinking med---it stops hair loss. Does that mean baldies have huge prostates and do not take this boon to Mankind. Womankind has other problems.

6) The VA is terrific if you do not need immediate care.

7) When did people become Senior Citizens and stop being Old Folks? Was it around the time they had gone to Assisted Living and were not in Old Age Homes?

8) I am hoping that you tune in to Traditions on May 2 when we will commemorate Pete Seeger on his 91^st Birthday (5/3) and the loveable yours truly (5/2)

9) Sounds like a great show coming up at Tarrytown Music Hall on Saturday, April 24 and there are still a very few seats available. Did I mention—Work O The Weavers, The Klezmatics, Pete Seeger, Fred Hellerman, and some great surprise guests---all for a benefit for The Guthrie Foundation and The Woody Guthrie (Sloop)?

10) I am still wondering why we need a fence between the U S and Mexico and not Canada. I can imagine why but wouldn’t it be nice if the Mexicans could be as open and friendly as Canadians---they don’t have to apologize for everything. I know there is more to it---but who has space and time for an essay on Mexican politics and drug traffic.

PETE SEEGER AT 91

On May 3 Pete Seeger will be celebrating 91 years of life and music. I will surely be commemorating that on TRADITIONS on May 2 (my selfish note---my birthday that day--promise I will not sing). In the meantime something you might find of interest regarding Pete Seeger.

One of his great hits. Better way of putting it is one of his most memorable songs was Wimoweh. This came out of a misunderstanding of the pronunciation of the word---Mbube. The original recording was by the writer, Solomon Linda of S. Africa with his group The Evening Birds.

Over the years the song became a great hit in many forms and, sadly, Linda never received any royalties until, recently, Pete Seeger made arrangements for them to be sent to him. The song had been commandeered by groups such as The Tokens and re-named The Lion Sleeps tonight.

True BS since there are no lions in S. Africa (to my knowledge). Also a lion hunts at night.

The Lion in the song refers to the Zulu leader who will once again regain control of the tribe---so to speak.

In any case, Pete Seeger, singing the original version had a huge hit with it. Both as a solo artist and with The Weavers.

What follows are two versions---the original (which I thank Sharon Katz of Sharon Katz & The Peace Train for sending me) featuring Solomon Linda and then The Mahotella Queens. Stick around for May 2 and here Linda and Pete.







Two versions---the original and another brilliant one. Join me on May 2 for Solomon Linda and the Pete Seeger version and a tribute to this brilliant elder. Pete Seeger.