This special Mountain Stage Tribute features Mountain Stage guests who are no longer with us. There are many great artists who’ve visited Mountain Stage over the last 26 seasons and this is our tribute to just a small number of performers whose music remains relevant.
Koko Taylor- the undisputed Queen of the Blues made three appearances on Mountain Stage. The recording heard here was made in April 1994 and features Koko doing three of her signature tunes with her distinct, one-of-a-kind growl. Taylor died June 3, 2009.
Hacienda Brothers- Accordian player, singer and songwriter Chris Gaffney lead the group on Mountain Stage in September of 2006. Gaffney & company had toured with legendary songwriter Dan Penn, who co-wrote “Cry Like a Baby” with his longtime songwriting partner Spooner Oldham. Gaffney passed on April 17, 2008.
Stephen Bruton, a famed guitarist and producer who worked with Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt and Elvis Costello, among many others, made two appearances on Mountain Stage before his untimely death in May 2009. This performance of “Make That Call” was recorded March 6, 2002.
Sean Costello had only begun to realize his commercial and artistic potential when he died in April 2008. A bright career cut short, Costello’s diverse tastes expanded way past the blues, evidenced by this cover of Bob Dylan’s “Simple Twist of Fate.” Recorded in March of 2005.
Dave Van Ronk left his indelible mark on folk music of the 20th Century. A heralded interpreter of songs-this one written by Ian Tyson- Van Ronk performs “Four Strong Winds” in this recording from July, 1995.
John Stewart was a member of the 1960s folk group the Kingston Trio. His songs have been covered by many greats, including “Runaway Train,” which was recorded by Rosanne Cash. This performance comes from his June, 1988 appearance on Mountain Stage. Steward died in January 2008 in San Diego.
Bob Gibson was a folk singer and songwriter who became a mainstay at the folk club Gates of Horn in Chicago in the mid-1950s. His songs have been recorded by Peter, Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, the Byrds and the Kingston Trio. “Let the Band Play Dixie,” written about the atmosphere surrounding the end of the civil war, is a favorite of Mountain Stage host Larry Groce.
Odetta was an unmistakable force in the world of folk music, influencing Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin, among many others. The Alabama native made seven appearances on Mountain Stage beginning in 1988. This performance of “Rich Man Blues” was recorded in Bristol, TN in 2006. Odetta passed away on December, 2008.
Boston area rock band Morphine gained instant recognition with their pairing of drums and saxophone with the two-string bass and deep vocals of bandleader Mark Sandman. The band garnered MTV airplay and enjoyed massive success in Belgium, France and Australia. Sandman died on stage of a heart attack in Italy in July 1999.
Jeff Buckley’s definitive statement, the 1995 album Grace, highlighted his vast vocal range and remarkable songwriting. In his only appearance on Mountain Stage in February 1994, Buckley used a Nina Simone song “That’s All I Ask,” to transition into his own composition “Grace.” Buckley drowned in May, 1997 near Memphis.
Kirsty MacColl was an English singer and songwriter who appeared on many albums produced by her then-husband Steve Lillywhite, including records by The Smiths and The Pogues. Comedian, recording artist and TV star Tracy Ullman used “They Don’t Know,” included here from MacColl’s 1995 appearance, on her HBO TV series. MacColl died in a boating accident in Mexico in 2000.
John Martyn released his seminal album Solid Air in 1973. He performs the title track on this, his only appearance on Mountain Stage, recorded in 1993. He also performs one of his signature songs, “May You Never.” Martyn died in January, 2009 of complications from pneumonia.
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown was a New Orleans musician who stubbornly defied categorization. The guitarist and fiddler who melded blues, jazz, folk and country music made seven appearances on Mountain Stage. “The Drifter,” written by Brown, includes distinctive solos by Brown on guitar and fiddle.
Steve Ferguson was widely recognized as a founding member of NRBQ, even though he left the group after two albums. He spent most of his latter life fronting bands in Louisville, KY, where he died of cancer on October 7, 2009. “Shake & Bake” features the signature “Fergie Shuffle” beat that he perfected.
Marie Knight was a contemporary and longtime singing partner of gospel singing legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She sang “Up Above My Head” as a tribute to Tharpe, along with Maria Muldaur and Angela Stehli, in this 2003 appearance. Knight passed away in August, 2009.