Interesting albums from the folk and roots music history, by Marius Roeting.
Probably everyone in the Netherlands has heard of Lennaert Nijgh. He wrote, among others, lots of songs for Boudewijn de Groot. Although we dare to call De Groot a marginal figure in roots music, you do not need to fear an episode with this singer for DiscCover. But still, Nijgh will be present during this episode. As a sound engineer! In 1977, he was a sound technician in the theatre cafe/folk bar De Teerling in Haarlem. On 20 October that year, they received a very important guest. A man who had already earned his stripes in what is now called Americana or singer-songwriter. A musician, who was Donvan’s mentor, and inspired many, many others with his music, his knowledge of American folk tradition, his humour, his often personal stories and wit, and his personality. We are talking about one of the big names in American country and folk: Derrol Adams. In America, he played in a duo with the equally legendary Ramblin’ Jack Elliot. But after touring with Elliot in the 1950s, he remained in Europe, working on a solo career. This was not very productive during all these years, but Adams was a real entertainer, originally a busker. In Europe, he initially played on the streets as well, in metro tunnels for example. But gradually, he conquered the small, intimate halls. And later even the cultural centres. He became famous, but Derrol always remained humble. Providing space for travelling colleagues, as used to happen to him in the past. Brussels was his first stop where he settled down. In this broadcast he has told a nice story about this by means of one of the many, sometimes long announcements, infused with self-mockery and humour in a song to be played. He settled down in Antwerp, where he passed away in 2000. Although Derrol Adams did not leave an impressive catalogue, he did leave a crushing impression on those who met him. Live in Haarlem is a representation of how a concert with Derrol Adams became an unforgettable experience. Maybe this is not his masterpiece, but it is illustrative and with a bit of chauvinism a nice link with the Netherlands.
Derroll Adams and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot 1960s
Derroll Adams – Live in Haarlem 1977 – Stictly Country records SCR 78
- Muleskinner blues (Jimmy Rodgers) 5.11
- Darling Corey (Lomax) 8.28
- Freight train blues (John Liar) 4.13
- I don’t like no railroad man (James Stevens) 2.50
- I ain’t got no home (Woody Guthrie) 2.27
- My Dixie darling (A.P. Carter) 5.12
- Rich and Rambling boy (A.P. Carter) 5.21
- Cluck old hen (trad. Arr Adams) 5.11
- Trouble in mind (Richard M. Jones, Derroll Lewis Adams) 4.26
- The Valley (Derroll Lewis Adams) 7.51
- Portland town (Derroll Lewis Adams) 5.53
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