Folk-n-poke

I recently learned that there is a sulfur hot water springs near San Luis Obispo that college students there affectionately refer to as the "soak-n-poke". While pondering what words may rhyme with "folk", I've struggled to think of anything else. Thanks a lot hot springs. Not surprisingly though, these two words could not be more opposite. Where there is folking, there's a good chance there's not a lot of poking, as many of the best folk artists tend to look like so:

I watched the movie Sugar last night and midway through I recognized a Spanish version of the song "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. I don't know much about the man or his music, but remembered enjoying that song when I've heard it (although uncomfortable and confused as it played during a sex scene in Watchmen). This, along with last week's Strictly Bluegrass festival here in the city, got me thinking about my secret love for the genre.

Undoubtebly due to my parents, I've carried a fondness for folk music throughout my life. Consider this an intro to several upcoming posts on songs that I associate with my family, childhood and Kansas existence. As an adult, I've enjoyed the storytelling and moodiness of Neil Young and Mary Gauthier. It'll be interesting to look at the artists that my parents listen to and ultimately led me to find my own preferences in the folk genre.

(Papa Townsend in the tie and me trying to hide in the background on the far left)

If you like the following songs, I highly recommend the full albums on which they're found.

Neil Young - The Painter (from the album Prairie Wind)

Mary Gauthier - Mercy Now (from the album Mercy Now)

_Michael