JOHN P. HAMMOND BLOWS 'EM AWAY AT THE TOWNE CRIER

What a show put on by the amazing John Hammond!

FOLK CITY @50: RECORDED AT GERDE'S FEBRUARY 1962

BIG JOE WILLIAMS and his custom made 9 string. Bob Dylan said to be in the audience for nearly every set that week, even sitting in with Joe on occasion. Recorded February 26th, 1962. Get this rare copy HERE











And recorded by student and young friend, Stefan Grossman, on February 3rd and 10th 1962, REVEREND GARY DAVIS Live at Gerde's Folk City. Rev Davis is remembered for teaching his style and traditional blues licks to everyone from Dave Van Ronk to Bob Weir. Brilliant recording complete with interaction from the Gerde's faithful....and typical Gerde's background sounds of glasses clanging and cash register bells ringing.
Buy it HERE

BIG JOE WILLIAMS AT FOLK CITY

Big Joe Williams was first booked at Gerde's in the fall of 1961. Ever the crowd pleaser, he entertained in the intimate setting with his rousing style fashioned after 40 years on the road. Born in 1903, he was playing traveling minstrel "tent shows" around Mississippi by 1918. He converted his beat up Supertone into a 9 string and played in open G tuning giving him a one-of-a-kind sound. As if all that wasn't unique enough, he added a kazoo for good measure. A most ecstatic Bobby Dylan befriended Joe and sat in with him for almost the entire two weeks. By the end, they were billed as Big Bill and Little Joe.  
 
Early in 1962, Mike Porco was considering booking him again. By then, Folk City regular Dylan had more than an influential hand in getting Big Joe some work. "He's the greatest old bluesman. You gotta put him in here," he told Mike. 

A three week booking began on 2.20.62 with Zimmy showing up throughout to either jam, listen or, once again, perform onstage during some of Joe's sets. The album BIG JOE WILLIAMS AT FOLK CITY was recorded on 2.26.62.