Proof that a white man -can- sing the blues.
. | Chicago, IL USA | 04/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There have been earlier white blues singers, (mostly those percieved as country performers), but Van Ronk was the first guy clearly known to the baby-boomers as an unaffected bluesman. White bluesmen tend to credit black artists as their 'roots', but Van ronk definitely had a strong influence on many of them; A/B a Van Ronk track and Bob Hite singing with Canned Heat to hear an obvious similarity."
Honest music
charles f. bendzans | abita springs, louisiana United States | 07/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"it dosn't matter if van ronk is groweling,whispering,crooning,talking,moaning,shouting,or singing like a huge hairy angel,you have to believe what you hear.he sings a song like a cherished friend telling you stories of his experiences,in some historic late night bar.he does frankie's blues like he saw her with the gun.i'm sure he new the guy in dylan's he was a friend of mine.he owns the traditionals he chooses to interpret,but,like a close friend,he'll share.truth and beauty in music?it'll never sell."