Brooklyn Music Milestones – September 2014

September 5, 2014 by David K. Moseder

Oct. 3, 1967: Woody Guthrie, who lived for much of his later life on Coney Island’s Mermaid Avenue, dies after suffering from Huntington’s chorea disease at age 55. Thankfully he lives long enough to see the release of his son Arlo’s first album, Alice’s Restaurant, a few weeks earlier. (You can read about Woody’s musical legacy, including reflections from Arlo and his other children, Nora and Joady, in Brooklyn Roads Volume 3, Issue 1.)

Oct. 5, 1974: Clap for the Wolfman, The Guess Who’s tribute to legendary radio personality Wolfman Jack (Robert Weston Smith), peaks at number six. Wolfman, a self-described “Brooklyn boy who learned to hustle,” is not only the subject of the song, but his signature raspy patter can be heard throughout the record, most prominently during the chorus.

Oct. 10, 1935: After a brief tryout in Boston, George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess debuts on Broadway. The run is disappointingly short, but a successful revival in 1942 firmly establishes the East New York native’s “folk opera” as a classic of American theater. It has been revived six times since, most recently in 2012.

Oct. 16, 1992: Lou Reed’s rendition of Foot of Pride and Richie Havens’ classic take on Just Like a Woman, along with Al Kooper’s iconic Hammond B3 organ work on opening number Like A Rolling Stone (sung by John Mellencamp), are Brooklyn’s contribution to the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration at Madison Square Garden.

Oct. 30, 1990: Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Big Daddy Kane continues his chart success with the release of his third album, Taste of Chocolate, destined to hit number 37 on the Billboard 200 and 10 on the R&B/Hip Hop charts. Exactly one day shy of a year later he scores again with Prince of Darkness, featuring a guest appearance by East Flatbush’s own Busta Rhymes on Come on Down.

Nov. 1, 2008: Grammy Award-winning Beninoise singer-songwriter and current Brooklyn resident Angélique Kidjo makes her Carnegie Hall debut.

Nov. 4, 1986: Led by longtime Brooklynites John Flansburgh and John Linnell, They Might Be Giants release their eponymous debut album. They have since released more than two dozen studio albums, live CDs, and compilations, including the Idlewild retrospective, issued this past March.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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