Thanks. Dave Ray was one of my heroes when I started playing in the 60s. The world has a huge debt of gratitude to K, R & G, along with Dave Van Ronk, John Hammond and, of course, John Fahey. They started it all, half a century ago, and it hasn’t stopped yet.
I met John in Milwaukee in '63 and always loved to hear those guys play and raise hell. Back then we threw rent parties to afford the places we lived/survived in on the East side. God what a time! Dylan, I remember, commented on how much he loved the hell outa Dave's 12 string playing. I also introduced my wife to John many years later in Berkeley at the Freight and Salvage. He hadn't changed a bit ... still the same John.
I met Dave Ray when I recorded his last CD in late 2000. It was an honor working with him and still today his professionalism in the studio hasn't been surpassed. I recently found the masters in a box of things I hadn't seen for several years but cherish the actual CD as a memory and a treasure of an era long past. Dave did Bonnie Riatt's first album and I did his last CD. a first-rate "Great Guy"!
I grew up on the West Bank of Minneapolis, MN, where these guys (along with Willie Murphy who is seen in this video) were musical staples. We could see them any time at the Viking Bar, the Triangle Bar, Ceasar's, Palmers, and the 400 Bar. I love you guys. I hope you're still truckin'.
This is really interesting, thanks for posting. I'm over 50 now, but when I was a teenager someone gave me a copy of "Running, Jumping, Standing Still" by Spider John & Willie Murphy. It still remains one of my fave's & I always wondered about who these cats were & what became of them. Thanks again.
I tip my hat to Koerner, Ray & Glover. These days, if you want to learn to play traditional blues styles, it's almost too easy. There are tons of tablature, instructional books, videos, and tutorials available, right at your fingertips. But in KR&G's time, the only way to learn the music was to sit and work it out by ear, from painstakingly listening to scratchy old records. Or maybe if you were lucky, you knew an old-timer who could teach you some of the tricks. KR&G did the work, and they did it well. They paved the way for generations of blues enthusiasts.
Dave "Snaker" Ray died of lung cancer in 2002. This is a fantastic documentary. I have it on VHS; looking forward to the extras on DVD when released in August. KRG, along with Willie Murphy, were legends on the West Bank/Dinkeytown, Mpls "bohemian" scene.
Billy Wolff and Robbie Krieger started playing in a jug band called The Back Bay Chamberpot Terriers* at The Menlo School in 1963. One of the albums we listened to was B, R & H - I mean over and over. Billy went on with The Peanut Conspiracy (and only recently got back into the biz with a couple of good releases). Of course, Robbie made it with The Doors. But, truth be told, Billy was a better musician back in 1963. But the irony was Krieger asking Tony Glover to do a gig with The Doors! He idolized KR&G.
It's apparent that there's a bunch of footage of these guys hanging out there, that I'm unable to find. Would also love to here "Goin' to Louisiana" again.
Spider John, along with Koerner Ray & Glover, the Front Porch Swinging' Liquor Pigs, and Willie Murphy & the Bees performed at First Avenue in January 2002:
Thanks. Dave Ray was one of my heroes when I started playing in the 60s. The world has a huge debt of gratitude to K, R & G, along with Dave Van Ronk, John Hammond and, of course, John Fahey. They started it all, half a century ago, and it hasn’t stopped yet.
I met John in Milwaukee in '63 and always loved to hear those guys play and raise hell. Back then we threw rent parties to afford the places we lived/survived in on the East side. God what a time! Dylan, I remember, commented on how much he loved the hell outa Dave's 12 string playing. I also introduced my wife to John many years later in Berkeley at the Freight and Salvage. He hadn't changed a bit ... still the same John.
These guys have always been loves of my life. Fantastic to read about them now - I’m 76 and they’re still killing it, making me smile. Liz from Oz
I met Dave Ray when I recorded his last CD in late 2000. It was an honor working with him and still today his professionalism in the studio hasn't been surpassed. I recently found the masters in a box of things I hadn't seen for several years but cherish the actual CD as a memory and a treasure of an era long past. Dave did Bonnie Riatt's first album and I did his last CD. a first-rate "Great Guy"!
Used to see Ray and Glover at the St Anthony East Bar when I was I college. 1985 I guess.
I grew up on the West Bank of Minneapolis, MN, where these guys (along with Willie Murphy who is seen in this video) were musical staples. We could see them any time at the Viking Bar, the Triangle Bar, Ceasar's, Palmers, and the 400 Bar. I love you guys. I hope you're still truckin'.
This is really interesting, thanks for posting. I'm over 50 now, but when I was a teenager someone gave me a copy of "Running, Jumping, Standing Still" by Spider John & Willie Murphy. It still remains one of my fave's & I always wondered about who these cats were & what became of them. Thanks again.
I tip my hat to Koerner, Ray & Glover. These days, if you want to learn to play traditional blues styles, it's almost too easy. There are tons of tablature, instructional books, videos, and tutorials available, right at your fingertips. But in KR&G's time, the only way to learn the music was to sit and work it out by ear, from painstakingly listening to scratchy old records. Or maybe if you were lucky, you knew an old-timer who could teach you some of the tricks. KR&G did the work, and they did it well. They paved the way for generations of blues enthusiasts.
I grew up on their "Return Of" album- every track is great.
Dave "Snaker" Ray died of lung cancer in 2002. This is a fantastic documentary. I have it on VHS; looking forward to the extras on DVD when released in August. KRG, along with Willie Murphy, were legends on the West Bank/Dinkeytown, Mpls "bohemian" scene.
Delightful tale, and says so much, thank you
Billy Wolff and Robbie Krieger started playing in a jug band called The Back Bay Chamberpot Terriers* at The Menlo School in 1963. One of the albums we listened to was B, R & H - I mean over and over. Billy went on with The Peanut Conspiracy (and only recently got back into the biz with a couple of good releases). Of course, Robbie made it with The Doors. But, truth be told, Billy was a better musician back in 1963. But the irony was Krieger asking Tony Glover to do a gig with The Doors! He idolized KR&G.
bob dylan knew this guys and you can hear it in his first LP's
It's apparent that there's a bunch of footage of these guys hanging out there, that I'm unable to find. Would also love to here "Goin' to Louisiana" again.
i want the dvds
hello from and old Westbanker.
Spider John, along with Koerner Ray & Glover, the Front Porch Swinging' Liquor Pigs, and Willie Murphy & the Bees performed at First Avenue in January 2002:
POSTED TO:
Il disco preferito da John Lennon....incredibile no????
Leo Kottke probably knew KRG, but he does not appear anywhere in this film.