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POPULAR FOLK MUSIC TODAY, WINTER 1991

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Kingston Trio Reunion Tour on Hold

— Other Trio News —

"original" Kingston Trio. I used the word "supposedly", because the cover is a drawing and not a photograph and, although the drawing shows a reasonable facial likeness of each of them, the drawing makes them look rather overweight and hardly flattering in any event.

The cassette is titled, THE ORIGINAL KINGSTON TRIO VOL. 2 (which makes one wonder what became of Vol. 1) and is also a drawing, apparently by the same artist, of Bob, Roger and George, even less "original" than the Bob, Nick & John configuration. And they look a tad overweight too!

Regardless, I was able to pick up a few of these albums in both formats and at a pretty good price, so have included them in the catalogue supplement for those who are into collecting Kingston Trio oddities. I don't expect to put them in the catalogue as a regular item, even if they turn out to be more than a one-shot deal, so if you have any interest, order them now and don't wait.

There has been no further activity on the "Scotch & Soda Records" project to have some of the Kingston Trio Decca material reissued on CD. The Scotch & Soda guys have run into some delays in getting their financing together, but tell me they plan to go ahead as soon as they get their money together. I hope so.

In the meantime, I received another letter from the unidentified person (I know who it is, but haven't said) whose letter regarding the "Texas Across The River" song I included in the last kolumn and used to explain why that particular recording wasn't being considered for reissue on CD. To put it mildly, he tore me up one side and down the other for having the temerity to express opinions contrary to his own. He described his previous letter as "friendly" despite it's having said, "please tell them, if they're going to do it, please take the time and do it right." That didn't (and still doesn't) sound very "friendly" to me. He also took offense to my saying he was probably a fan (I meant it as a compliment), but didn't comment on my major argument against reissuing it which was that it would be an offense and an insult to the Trio to do so. In that respect, he apparently interpreted my criticism of the song as being of the song itself rather than the Trio's rendition of it. In retrospect, I can see that I should have been more emphatic on that point although another reader obviously caught the point when he wrote and asked if a remixing of the recording might not make it re-releasable. Maybe so, I don't know. Regardless, the reader/writer who excoriated me for expressing my views contrary to his specifically denied me permission to reprint any part of his letter. I'm disappointed because I think that not only this column, but the whole paper would be a lot more interesting with differing viewpoints offered. That was one of my main reasons for reprinting his first letter - I wanted to give voice to opinions contrary to my own and give reasons for my holding the opinions I do. That's mainly why I'm sorry he doesn't want his letter printed. But perhaps someone else will take up the challenge. If any of you disagree with me on my opinions on this issue or any other, please take up the cause and send me a letter. I can't promise to print everything I'm sent, but would be delighted to have a lot more than I have now.

That's it for now, and I'll look forward to hearing from at least some of you. In the meantime, please remember Dave Guard in your prayers. They mean a lot. Thanks.

ALWAYS APPRECIATE
THE TRIO - WHOEVER
THEY MAY BE
By Steve Preston

After reading Allan Shaw's front page article on the KT Reunion Tour, I felt it my duty to shed a slightly sideways look at those people who neglect the current Trio's efforts in favor of those that they knew and loved from their heyday.

First, a little bit about me, so you understand what perspective I come from. I am 30 years old, and have loved the music of the Kingston Trio since I was about 12. (Math experts note: That means 1974—certainly not the highlight of the Trio's successful career.) I discovered their music while attempting to find the "original" version of the Beach Boys' "Sloop John B"...and found the debut KT album at the local flea market. I heard that song, and several more that piqued my interest...and proceeded to acquire as many of these KT albums I could find. Not many were in print at the time, so I had to console myself with flea markets. Goodwill stores, and eventually Goldmine Magazine to get nearly a complete collection. But I bought 'em, every one.

Eventually, I got around to noticing that some had a fellow named Dave Guard and some had a fellow named John Stewart performing with Messrs. Shane and Reynolds. The difference in personnel bothered me not, since I had been accustomed to many rock group members changing. The thing I noticed was that the quality of the music to my young ears was just as good by either set of three performers.

Flash forward to today. I have managed to buy all of the Trio lps by the various configurations of the group, including such maligned efforts as 25 YEARS NON STOP and THE WORLD NEEDS A MELODY. The first time I saw the Trio on television it was on a 1977 Dick Clark special sitting around the campfire singing "Where Have All the Flowers Gone." That was Bob, Roger, and Bill Zorn. It didn't matter...it still had an emotional impact on me as good music performed superbly.

I first saw the Trio in person in 1983. Living in Albany, GA not many acts come here, with a special dearth of folk performers. I had to travel 180 miles to Atlanta to see them at the Chastain Park Amphitheatre. This was the Bob, Roger, and George version. I enjoyed the show very much, and noticed how the various personalities worked well together. After Roger's death I saw the version of the Trio with Bob Haworth. And then I've seen the current Trio three times. Each of these times I have traveled that 180 mile trek to see them, and each time have gone away a happy man. I take different friends with me on these trips and they agree that the Kingston Trio, whoever they may be, has put on a show worth telling about.

Which makes the Reunion Tour even more interesting. For the people who insist that it is the people who make the Trio good, disavowing any but "their" version of the Trio, I feel very sorry. Not to take anything away from any Trio member past or present, but he Reunion Show will be like attending three different concerts in one. Each of the versions of the Trio had a special feel, a special interplay that made them unique. Some prefer one to another. I enjoyed them all. Perhaps I am lucky not to have been prejudiced by growing up with a specific version of the Trio-just being able to enjoy the music of the Trio performed by whoever is a member at the time. I'll be at the Reunion Show, if I find out about it before tickets are sold out—and I hope a lot of the old fans are, too. This will give them a chance to see their "favorite" Trio...and be exposed to the current Trio as well. Hopefully they will see that the current Trio with Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds, and George Grove is just as legitimate, just as good, and certainly as entertaining, as any version of the Trio. When the Reunion is over, I hope they will support the Trio as well as its offspring solo projects. After all-John Stewart's entire solo career has created some excellent music, and Dave Guard's new album UP AND IN is a masterpiece...taking folk music into the 90s nicely.

I say—open up folks—the Trio Reunion tour is a landmark opportunity to renew old friendships—and begin new ones. For me-I'll enjoy it all. See you at the show!

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