Stan Rogers

[paddyinthepub]

I can trace my appreciation for Stan Rogers' music to the very first time I heard his voice on the radio. Somehow I knew I'd stumbled upon someone magical.

Little did I know at the time -- Stan had already passed away, tragically, onboard a commercial airliner that had caught fire in flight. The plane was able to land and evacuate many of the passengers and crew. It is said that Stan could have survived except that he continued to assist in saving other passengers by helping them find their way off the plane through the smoke and flames. In all, 23 of the passengers lives were lost.

He was flying home to Canada from Texas, after playing what would be his final concert, on the mainstage of the Kerrville Folk Festival.

Stan's music and legacy live on. His brother Garnet Rogers is still out there touring the country and I'll assume playing some of the old songs. John Gorka lists Stan Rogers as an early influence. John's days as emcee at Godfrey Daniel's Coffeehouse in Bethlehem, Pa. allowed him to see Stan perform in an intimate setting. John covers Stan's song "The Lock Keeper" and both the original version and John's cover are amazing. In addition, there's a song John wrote about Stan Rogers called "How Legends are Made." It's on one of John Gorka's records as well as the song John is playing live as the closing credits roll on his latest project, the DVD titled "The Gypsy Life." If you get a chance someday, check out some of the music of Stan Rogers. I think you might just like it.

Here's an interesting youtube video that covers the tragedy of the flight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ck5F-zU35w

[paddyinthepub]

Here's a youtube video of a fan of Stan Rogers playing one of his favorite Stan Rogers tunes. This song just happens to be one of my favorite Stan Rogers tunes, too.

"45 years from now"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYXhQr8rR0w

Enjoy!!!

[paddyinthepub]

Here's a link to the Stan Rogers myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/stanrogers200636

[herve]

Hi Paddy,

I second every word you say. I have discovered Stan through Gorka's "Writing in the Margins" album and am starting to collect his music.

Lockkeeper is a fabulous song and everytime I listen to it or play it, I understand the song better, not too easy with this constant "I said"/"He said" structure. Who says what? sometimes I'm not too sure!!! And playing that song is a real pleasure.

Herve, still in the souvenir of last night with Tom Paxton and Eric Andersen playing for my series for 100 persons. Life can be sweet sometimes

[paddyinthepub]

Herve,

Thanks for the feedback, it was long about 1984 that I first heard Stan's voice over the radio. Something about his voice. Been a fan since. It was his amazing "Song of the candle" followed by "Harris and the Mare" that had me falling hard for his sound.

I'm pretty sure I heard Gorka's cover of "The Lock Keeper" first on a compilation CD called "From the Heart of Studio A: The Folkscene Collection." It's on his latest CD "Writing in the Margins" as well.

I had a tough time keeping up with who was saying what in the song, too. I got chills just now when I found and read the lyrics, online. Here they are:

[ There is an extensive system of locks
along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The
locks have a marvellous history. It's a
pity they couldn't speak half the
tales they've been privy to. I guess it
probably goes without saying that
everyone who has to travel to make a living
will relate to the parallels in
this song. Stan loved the road and performing
was life's-blood, but he wanted
very badly to be the lock-keeper. ]


You say, "Well-met again, Lock-keeper!
We're laden even deeper that the time before,
Oriental oils and tea brought down from Singapore."
As we wait for my lock to cycle
I say, "My wife has given me a son."
"A son!" you cry, "Is that all that you've done?"
She wears bougainvilla blossoms.
You pluck 'em from her hair and toss 'em in the tide,
Sweep her in your arms and carry her inside.
Her sighs catch on your shoulder;
Her moonlit eyes grow bold and wiser through her tears
And I say, "How could you stand to leave her for a year?"
"Then come with me" you say, "to where the Southern Cross
Rides high upon your shoulder."
"Come with me!" you cry,
"Each day you tend this lock, you're one day older,
While your blood runs colder."
But that anchor chain's a fetter
And with it you are tethered to the foam,
And I wouldn't trade your life for one hour of home.
Sure I'm stuck here on the Seaway
While you compensate for leeway through the Trades;
And you shoot the stars to see the miles you've made.
And you laugh at hearts you've riven,
But which of these has given us more love of life,
You, your tropic maids, or me, my wife.
"Then come with me" you say, "to where the Southern Cross
Rides high upon your shoulder."
"Ah come with me!" you cry,
"Each day you tend this lock, you're one day older,
While your blood runs colder."
But that anchor chain's a fetter
And with it you are tethered to the foam,
And I wouldn't trade your life for one hour of home.
Ah your anchor chain's a fetter
And with it you are tethered to the foam,
And I wouldn't trade your whole life for just one hour of home.

[paddyinthepub]

Herve,

Great photos of Tom Paxton....I saw him once, many moons ago. There is one photo of Tom Paxton in your series, he's onstage with another player who I do not recognize, but anyway, Tom Paxton bears a somewhat strong resemblance to another musician of note -- David Crosby.

[herve]

I'm pretty sure I heard Gorka's cover of "The Lock Keeper" first on a compilation CD called "From the Heart of Studio A: The Folkscene Collection." It's on his latest CD "Writing in the Margins" as well.

Thanks Paddy, I've posted the solo Folkscene version here for everybody to hear.

Herve

[paddyinthepub]

Stan Rogers recorded live in Halifax, Nova Scotia -- May 12, 1982.

It's the last time Stan Rogers performed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The concert was recorded by the CBC. (Canadian Broadcast Co.) Canada viewed Stan Rogers as something of a national treasure.

players:

Stan Rogers -- guitar/vocals
Jim Morrison -- bass/vocals
Paul Mills -- guitar/vocals
Garnet Rogers -- fiddle/vocals

Setlist:

1. Xerox Line
2. Wheel Behind the Plow
3. Night Guard
4. The Idiot
5. Lies
6. Working Joe
7. Giant
8. Archie Fisher cover
9. Northwest Passage

http://radio.upei.ca/ecma/audio/by/track/1

Scroll down to: From the Archives -- Stan Rogers live at Rebecca Cohn auditorium -- 52:29