[FM] FAME Review: John Gorka's "Writing in the Margins" Written by Roberta B. Schwartz

[David N. Pyles - FAME]

Writing in the Margins
John Gorka
http://www.johngorka.com/
RHR CD 194

Red House Records
http://www.redhouserecords.com/
1.800.695.4687

A Review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Roberta B. 
Schwartz (rschwart at bowdoin.edu)

Contemporary folk music would not get the respect and attention it has 
today without a handful of truly great singer/songwriters like John 
Gorka.  He first caught our attention back in 1990 with a recording 
called "Land of the Bottom Line" on the Windham Hill Records label.  
There was something about that distinctive baritone of his that pulled 
you in.  And there was a great deal of wit mixed in with the wry sadness 
of the everyday experiences he wrote about.  It was almost as if he were 
telling all of our stories.

Gorka continues to tell those wonderful stories in his new recording, 
"Writing in the Margins."  Sure, some of the sad songs are still here, 
but the tone is more upbeat.  And there are two covers mixed in with the 
Gorka originals - one by Townes Van Zandt and the other by Stan Rogers.

The CD opens with one of its strongest cuts, "Chance of Rain."  It has a 
clean, crisp melody, and a bridge that picks up the pace.  Gorka seems 
to be saying that nothing is simple where matters of the heart are 
concerned -- if you don't engage in life and love, they won't engage you 
back.  The wonderful Alice Peacock joins Gorka on backing vocals, and 
Tommy Barbarella is a standout on keyboards.

Lucy Kaplansky lends her gorgeous, plaintive voice to Gorka's "Broken 
Place," a mesmerizing tale about a place in time which provides both 
sorrow and "a curtained freedom."

Folk music was born out of protest and politics, but sometimes it's hard 
to marry the two and come out with great art.  "Writing in the Margins" 
is the best song I've heard about the conflict in Iraq.  The song is 
written in a soldier's voice, writing to his bride at home from 
somewhere in the desert of Iraq.  We don't hear about the bombs, or the 
tanks, or the artillery.  What we do hear are the feelings of an 
ordinary soldier doing his duty, "writing in the margins" to keep his 
hope, his faith and his sanity:


    I am writing in the margins
    In the outskirts of a town
    Peeking up at you
    On the day you wore that gown

    I guess try to sleep now
    When I get this off to you
    Knowing there is at least one thing
    In this world that still is true.

Gorka turns in a stunning and utterly unforgettable cover of Stan 
Rogers' "The Lockkeeper," with Lucy Kaplansky, once again, gracing the 
chorus with her lush harmony vocal.  The song is rich and deep, 
hypnotizing and captivating, as it kidnaps you and brings you along on 
its tale of the sea, and its lockkeeper.

Lastly, "When You Sing" is a glorious celebration of the music of one of 
Gorka's favorite singers, Mavis Staples.  It is so completely full of 
joy and love that it is infectious!

With the release of "Writing in the Margins," John Gorka proves once 
again that he is one of the leading lights of the acoustic music world, 
and is very much still in the business of producing songs that matter.  
There is a lot of light and love here, even in the darkest places.  
Gorka has come full circle.  He has been so adept at describing life's 
deepest challenges.  And now it seems fitting that he brings us out into 
the light.

Track List:

Chance of Rain (John Gorka and Laurie Allmann)
Broken Place (J.Gorka and L.Allmann)
Satellites (J.Gorka)
Writing in the Margins (J.Gorka)
Snow Don't Fall (Townes Van Zandt)
Bluer State (J.Gorka and L.Allmann)
Arms Length (J.Gorka)
The Lockkeeper (Stan Rogers)
I Miss Everyone (J.Gorka and L.Allmann)
When You Sing (J.Gorka)
Road of Good Intentions (J.Gorka)
Unblindfold the Referee (J.Gorka)

Edited by: David N. Pyles (dnpyles at acousticmusic.com)

Copyright 2007, Peterborough Folk Music Society and Roberta B. 
Schwartz.  This review may be reprinted with prior permission and 
attribution.

-- 
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David N. Pyles
Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
82 Leadmine Road
Nelson NH 03457 USA
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
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Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its many waters. --Frederick Douglass