An Instrument of Folk Music History

[skivee]

I like living in the DC area because of the big ol' chunks of history contained in the region

Comments

[canuckdesz]

Well, I can't imagine they've done much to change the UnAmerican tactics. Nor has their security improved since they let a PIRATE handle and hold Burl Ives guitar. Granted, Pirates probably have more respect for such a treasure than the American Gov't, since music at sea is far more valuable...

[skivee]

In fairness I must point out that the American Gov't. includes the Library of Congress. My LoC pals are all very respectful of the Ives guitar.

[maugorn]

So they caught you in the Archives trying to swipe Burl Ives' guitar and you talked your way out of it with *this* story?

Duuuuuuuuude!

But seriously, what a sweet gig you landed there. I'm envious.

[skivee]

Not so much a gigue as a pilgrimage....my old chum.
But it's so nice of you to drop in. Care for some almond cookies and tea, I made them myself.

[maugorn]

As much as I'd like to, I've got to flee, I mean fly.

I have an appointment with my Corrective Phrenologist.

[museclio]

One of the worst things my (pink diaper baby) mother can say about someone from that era is that "he named names". It would be nice if HUAC were something in the past but these days evidentally it's un-American to not agree with war again.

"he named names"

[skivee]

We would all like to think that we would do the right thing, but who knows. Ives could clearly see the lives of lots of the suspect "artsey" crowd being destroyed.
There's a parallel discussion about this on the Mudcat cafe. In it, contributor Don Firth noted:
" well after the hearings, Woody Guthrie, who didn't seem to be into bearing grudges, dropped in on Burl Ives in California and they spent some time together, even swapping some songs. When Woody came back east, he was asked about Ives. Woody responded, "He's one angry man!" "What's he so angry about?" he was asked. Woody answered, "He's angry with himself!"

Re: "he named names"

[skivee]

a link to the mudcat thread:

here

Re: "he named names"

[museclio]

I see your comments on the thread - and yes, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie could forgive him, and that is their right, but a lot of people stood up and didn't name names. As folks in that thread pointed out Ives was able to be who he was and such a star in part because of the blacklist. That doens't take away from his talent, but it was still the wrong this to do. I think he both contributed to HUAC and was it's victim - but he had a choice, and he chose to throw other artists under the HUAC bus.

That said, I agree with you in the we all hope we'd do the right thing.

[delerium69]

That's a pretty amazing experience.

It infuriates me that our government was so bullying during those hearings. Yes, we had to be careful of the Soviets (thanks for ruining Russia Mr. Stalin), but the US just bowled over its citizens without regard for whom they would ruin.

[skivee]

I think it suggests that politicians don't change that much.

[ferlonda]

Didn't the humidity put out the burning pigeons?

[skivee]

Barely. And scalded pigeons are surprisingly sticky.

[ferlonda]

Ew.

[skivee]

Hey, don't go blaming me. I merely relate the world as it exists.