I Love New York

Posted by Craig Sanders Aug 23, 2009

I am sitting here on the couch right now, icing my aching back (played football this morning) and watching the Yankees/ Boston game. Yes, I have other interests besides music. Matsui just launched one into the seats, and that makes me happy.

What does this have to do with music? Nothing, but its my blog, so you'll just have to bear with me.

I am a lifelong New Yorker, born and spent my early days in the Bronx, raised across the Tappan Zee Bridge, and still there. I want to say that living here gives you a certain perspective on the world, but I really don't know cause I have nothing to compare it to.

New York has always been important to the music scene, espeically Folk Music. Leadbelly came here. Woody Guthrie came here. Bob Dylan came here. Pete Seeger is from here. I can think of a million more, (Steve Earle and Levon Helm both live here, Felice Brothers are from upstate) but I will refrain (except that I didn't).

New York was also important to the labor movement, and Labor Day is coming up. That's why I am rambling about New York.

(actually, I was just talking about whatever came to mind and hoping that something would stick. I love it when a plan comes together ;)

Folk it up,

Craig

Soon to come this week: A Review of the new Vince Bell, an article on patriotic american folk songs (for 9/11), and an article on the nest songs about New York (my vote goes to "Here Come the Yankees"*)

* Ok I realize I have to explain that. "Here Comes the Yankees" the theme songs for the Yanks, one that never gets played anymore cause it is awful, but is permanently stuck in my head due to watching the Yankees constantly on WPIX as a kid. **

** I guess I have to explain that. WPIX is a cheesey tv station in New York, famous*** for its interactive game where you shouted 'pix pix pix pix pix' into the phone in order to win lame prizes. Good times.

*** They also had Twilight Zone marathons, Romper room, the Magic Garden****, and a yule log on the screen all Christmas morning (they still have the yule log). Only in New York.

**** The Magic gArden was the greatest idea for a kids show ever. Picture, if you will, two longhaired hippie chicks with guitars, surrounded by puppets, singing songs about trees and flowers and friends and all sorts of things for kids. I honestly dont remember much of it, but i remember thinking that they were the most beautiful women in the world. I still love pig tails.