Now the inspiration for a major motion picture written and directed by the Coen brothers
Dave Van Ronk was one of the founding figures of the 1960s folk revival, but he was far more than that. A pioneer of modern acoustic blues, a fine songwriter and arranger, a powerful singer, and one of the most influential guitarists of the ’60s, he was also a marvelous storyteller, a peerless musical historian, and one of the most quotable figures on the Village scene. The Mayor of MacDougal Street is a firsthand account by a major player in the social and musical history of the ’50s and ’60s. It features encounters with young stars-to-be like Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, and Joni Mitchell, as well as older luminaries like the Reverend Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, and Odetta. Colorful, hilarious, and engaging, The Mayor of MacDougal Street is a feast for anyone interested in the music, politics, and spirit of a revolutionary period in American culture.
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"Fun little read about a little niche of American culture and music from the perspective of an insider, albeit one of the lesser known. Those with an interest in the folk scene or Bob Dylan or the singer-songwriters developing out of New York in the 1950s-1960s" — Matthew (4 out of 5 stars)
"Fun little read about a little niche of American culture and music from the perspective of an insider, albeit one of the lesser known. Those with an interest in the folk scene or Bob Dylan or the singer-songwriters developing out of New York in the 1950s-1960s"
“In Greenwich Village, Van Ronk was king of the street, he reigned supreme.”
“A wise and very funny book.”
“A hulking raconteur and iconoclast, [Van Ronk] fondly captures the spirit of the times.”
“A funny, insightful, and honest recounting…Many readers may go to the book looking for stories about other people, including Dylan—and they are here—but along the way they will discover, or rediscover, the story of Dave Van Ronk.”
“Best Book of 2005—If you thought Bob Dylan’s Chronicles emanated atmosphere, try Van Ronk’s salty, seamless, and often hilarious re-creation of Greenwich Village…Where his Bobness could be frustratingly oblique, Van Ronk is concrete to the point of 3-D.”
“Charming, evocative autobiography by one of the key figures in the mid-twentieth-century folk revival…A must for those with an interest in the music, and of great appeal as well for anyone who enjoys a roistering life story recounted in a lively narrative voice.”
“Filled with amusing, colourful anecdotes.”
" Some of the books I read about Bob Dylan mentioned Dave Van Ronk so when I saw this book I decided to read it. I'm glad I did. He was a great songwriter, guitar player, teacher and a pretty good author. "
" Story of the beginnings of the folk music rise in the 60s. Not much about Dave's later years, but what's there is fun. "
" Highly engaging & funny. "
" DVR is amazingly intelligent, and emotional to boot. "
" awesome stories and history of the village folk scene "
" Tons of good info of New York, music, and social issues from a genuine insider view 1940's-60's. "
" A vision of the Village before Dylan arrived and took over!! "
" An entertaining memoir about the 6o's folk scene. "
" If you were a lover of folk music back in the early to mid 60s, don't miss this book. Van Ronk was probably the longest artist of the Greenwich Village scene. The book is just fun to read. He's a good storyteller. Enough. Just read it. "
Dave Van Ronk (1936–2002) was one of the founding figures of the 1960s folk revival, but he was far more than that. A pioneer of modern acoustic blues, a fine songwriter and arranger, a powerful singer, and one of the most influential guitarists of the ’60s, he was also a marvelous storyteller, a peerless musical historian, and one of the most quotable figures on the Village scene.
Sean Runnette, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has also directed and produced more than two hundred audiobooks, including several Audie Award winners. He is a member of the American Repertory Theater company and has toured the United States and internationally with ART and Mabou Mines. His television and film appearances include Two If by Sea, Cop Land, Sex and the City, Law & Order, the award-winning film Easter, and numerous commercials.
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