Detroit Folklore Society

First, the entire DFS would like to wholeheartedly thank the amazingly talented, Steve Deasy, for establishing this website for us (if you haven’t heard his music, you should check it out . . .)

Secondly, we’d like to thank Eileen for hosting our February meeting, which begins with signing up with your name and the song you’ll be singing while we discuss ‘New Business’. Our new business began with the discussion of the purchase of new copies of RISE UP SINGING, but most had their own copy.

A.J. said he fully intends to have the Assembly Line Concert IV in Highland Park this year with a march at the end of 400+ hours of music on October 7th that actually ends at the Highland Park Assembly Plant. He was also proud to be a part of the first urban solar street lights on Victor Street, and also told us he sells coffee at 515 S. Washington where our own Hannah Waterstone will be accompanying vocalist, Steven Savage, on piano on February 17th at 7:00 p.m. in a cabaret show.

Marilyn said she and Jere will be performing with the band, QUENCH, at The Steak Hut, 1551 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48216 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (where they have live music every Sunday from 11:00 – 1:00) and that the breakfast special (if you arrive before 11:00, is less than $3 – – UNBELIEVABLE!!!!) AND THE MUSIC’S FREE!

We began with Eileen singing Tom Paxton’s “When We Were Good”, then moved into a traditional Irish love song, “Do You Love An Apple?” led by Charlene (which, ironically, Claire had originally planned to sing). That was followed by Denny’s choice, Wince Cole’s “The Glow of the Kerosene Light”, which reminded him of his Canadian boyhood before everyone had electricity and kerosene lamps were quite popular. Ted led us into a Johnny Cash rendition of “I Still Miss Someone” in his best impression of the man in black (very close, I might ad! 🙂 and Jere sang Procol Harem’s debut song, “Whiter Shade of Pale ” (co authored by Gary Brooker, Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher) while we all hummed the familiar Bach-derived accompaniment. Tom led us in an 18th century folk song, “Shady Grove” and Marilyn followed with a song written by Irving Berlin when he was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Yaphank, New York, originally titled, “Yip Yip Yaphank”, but ‘put on the back burner’ until 1938 when, on Armistice Day 1938, it was sung by Kate Smith as “God Bless America”. A.J. sang a beautifully moving delivery of Andy William’s “Love Story” (“Where Do I Begin”) and was followed by an equally moving performance of “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Sarah (not unlike Roberta Flack’s 1973 performance of the song composed by Charles Fox and written by Norman Gimbel). Jacqui tried to lead us in “My Lady’s a Wild Flying Dove”, but, it being a more obscure Tom Paxton song (not in RISE UP SINGING) wasn’t what Jacqui had hoped it would be, nor was it anything to make Mr. Paxton proud. Ruby lamented, “By The Time I Get to Phoenix” (he’ll be rising) taking liberty with Jimmy Webb’s version. Claire, who had abandoned “Do You Love An Apple?” decided upon W. B. Yeats’ “Down By the Sally Garden” and we all learned that a weir is a low dam that is built across a small body of water such as a stream or brook to raise the level of it, or to redirect the flow of it. Jack played “My Funny Valentine” on his saxaphone, and was beautifully accompanied by his lovely wife, Hannah on piano. It was then Hannah’s turn, and Jack played along as she presented an original composition, “Falling in Love at the Waterfall”.

At break, we all enjoyed each others’ company as well as the snacks and beverages we all brought to share, then we reconvened for one more round of songs we all love to sing until it wasn’t Saturday night any longer.

Next month we’ll meet at Denny and Claire’s at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 9th, so bring your copy of RISE UP SINGING and a snack to share and join us when we sing ANIMAL/CHILDREN SONGS.

Here’s hoping this finds You enjoying 2013!

Our customary meeting in January is at the home of our Co-President, Mr. Ted Berlinghof, where we always delight in seeing the latest in the Berlinghof family trains. Every year is different. As Ted and his kids have designed and manufactured the towns, props, and city names, it’s inclusive of his children, and their children’s names, and quite cleverly done!

As is usual, we begin the meeting with NEW news, and OLD news. NEW news included the upcoming presentations of “Sleeping Beauty” by the Moscow Ballet (it was BEAUtiful!), and Shen Yun at the Detroit Opera House (it was phenomenal!). OLD news was from AJ, who told us to make sure we check out the McDonald’s on Woodward Ave. in Highland Park, as it’s a treasure trove of information about our own FORD Model T plant.

As SOMEONE didn’t read his Half-Lyre (the very last ever published Half-Lyre by our own under-appreciated secretary-treasurer, Carolyn Montgomery) and see that the theme for the month was a SONG WITH A MAN OR WOMAN’S NAME IN IT, a secondary theme was posted as ‘Chilly Winds”. Consequently, DFS’ own Denny Sinnett began the year with “Chilly Winds”. This was followed by Eileen who was “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad” (we hope that gets better by the time we visit her house in February). Marilyn was asked to sing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, wherein David heard there was a secret chord, and Claire sang “The Road to Drumleman” which included both topics with ‘the winter winds blew oer the Eenen’s or Creggin’s wild shore’ before Greg led us in Donovan’s “Try And Catch The Wind”. Tom sang “Goodnight, Irene” with us, and Ted had us sing of “The Leaves That Are Green” followed by Ruby singing of an “Ill Wind”. A.J. led us in “Sweet Baby James”, and Hannah wowed us on piano with “Story Weather”, and her hubby, Jack, concluded the first part of the evening with “On a Clear Day” played beautifully on his saxaphone.

Next, we broke for snacks (that we all bring to share) and proceeded to delight in the trains. After break, we ended in our traditional song jam until everyone had to depart.

We look forward to seeing you at Eileen’s house for LONELY SONGS and/or SONGS OF LOVE. The meeting begins at 8:00 p.m. with any news you’d like to share, unless you’re too late, and we’re already singing 🙂

Detroit Folklore Society ended 2012 at the Snow-Carey residence, and sang carols and made beautiful music, and mourned the passing of Detoit’s own Brian Cleary, pianist superb. Brian kept alive the songs of the ’30’s. He will be missed. Our own Carolyn was also sorely missed, due to her recent mishap (ususally we hold our December meeting at her house). We hold her in prayer and wish her a speedy recovery.

We began our meeting with the lovely Ms. Ruby Jones singing “What Color is Love?” by Terry Collier, a Chicago guitarist (who also passed in 2012). Eileen led us in “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, and Ann Kerwin followed with “Mary’s Boy Child”. Next up was our hostess, Charlene, with “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, and then Mike Kerwin told us to “Go Tell It on the Mountain”. Claire Crabtree sang “All Through The Night”, and Natalie led us in “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”. Marilyn led us in “Deck The Halls” (featuring our guest, Haleyrose on violin), Jacquie sang a rendition of “Christmas in Killarney”, and our wonderfully creative co-president, Ted Berlinghof, sang his “Christmas Goodtime Blues”. Anna brought one of her gifted students, Ms. Haleyrose, who joined us on her violin in a beautiful presentation of “Away in the Manger’. Greg graced us with the optimism of “If We Make It Through December” 🙂 and was followed by Jim Boynton’s sad rendition of “When the Ice Worms Nest Again”. Tom Carey brought us back to familiarity with “Jingle Bells” and Allison Donahue played a beautiful cello accompaniment to “Silent Night”. Michael Birac hailed “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”, and Dave Nichols reminded us that “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”. After that, we surely had to turn the coin to sing “Dona Nobis Pachem” with Sarah, and we finished the evening with Anna singing “Oh, Come Little Children”. All were reminded to wear red on Monday on appear in Lansing on Wednesday to protest Michigan becoming a ‘right to work state’. We wish You a safe and happy new year.