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my heart sank today as i heard news of Utah's passing...
here is something i wrote for the folkfest program book in 2006 about Utah
he had a huge presence and influence not only on myself, but many musicians and listeners...
blessing on your journey dear one~~~
Utah Phillips
“You’ve got to mess with people!” –words spoken by a true legend.
Mr. U. Utah Phillips has been with the festival since the beginning, gaining him the nickname ‘the godfather of the festival’ and rightfully so as his ideas and philosophies have had a profound impact on the way our festival has grown over the years. And, he continues to thrill audiences old and new.
It is inspiring to see an elder have as much rapport with older folks 29 years later, as it is to see his appeal and respect from those in their teens and twenties. He remains accessible to all generations because his message of unity, resistance and love are timeless and borderless. The struggle of the human race remains the same as the technologies and environments around us evolve. And Utah after 70 years is still at the forefront tearing down the walls.
While other singer/songwriters can only write about the past, Utah has lived through it and shares this through his songs and stories. He has ridden the rails and hobo’ed across the USA. He has fought in a war and on the picketlines. He has been arrested for his anti-war activities. He was even a candidate for the US Senate! A raconteur, a labourer, an activist, a friend, Utah is sure to tell you about what he’s seen and been through. Yet he does this with such joy and humour that one wonders how he keeps going after all these years. While most his age would be comfortably retired, he forges ahead spreading the message to the masses because he knows how important it is to keep the flame of hope alive, and to educate younger generations. And he isn’t one to shy away from embracing the newer sounds of music (ie. hip hop and electronic music) either. Educating himself on turntables as instruments, and listening to the new MC’s and singers, he knows that in the tradition of storytelling, these emerging artists are sharing their messages of resistance and struggle, as Utah was 50 years ago with a guitar.
And remember, while watching Utah this weekend, that he is passing down traditions to us the listeners, so that we may use our voices, minds and hearts to keep the struggle for unity and peace alive.
To the “godfatha” we raise our hats. It is a sincere pleasure and honour to have Utah with us again.
www.utahphillips.org
here is something i wrote for the folkfest program book in 2006 about Utah
he had a huge presence and influence not only on myself, but many musicians and listeners...
blessing on your journey dear one~~~
Utah Phillips
“You’ve got to mess with people!” –words spoken by a true legend.
Mr. U. Utah Phillips has been with the festival since the beginning, gaining him the nickname ‘the godfather of the festival’ and rightfully so as his ideas and philosophies have had a profound impact on the way our festival has grown over the years. And, he continues to thrill audiences old and new.
It is inspiring to see an elder have as much rapport with older folks 29 years later, as it is to see his appeal and respect from those in their teens and twenties. He remains accessible to all generations because his message of unity, resistance and love are timeless and borderless. The struggle of the human race remains the same as the technologies and environments around us evolve. And Utah after 70 years is still at the forefront tearing down the walls.
While other singer/songwriters can only write about the past, Utah has lived through it and shares this through his songs and stories. He has ridden the rails and hobo’ed across the USA. He has fought in a war and on the picketlines. He has been arrested for his anti-war activities. He was even a candidate for the US Senate! A raconteur, a labourer, an activist, a friend, Utah is sure to tell you about what he’s seen and been through. Yet he does this with such joy and humour that one wonders how he keeps going after all these years. While most his age would be comfortably retired, he forges ahead spreading the message to the masses because he knows how important it is to keep the flame of hope alive, and to educate younger generations. And he isn’t one to shy away from embracing the newer sounds of music (ie. hip hop and electronic music) either. Educating himself on turntables as instruments, and listening to the new MC’s and singers, he knows that in the tradition of storytelling, these emerging artists are sharing their messages of resistance and struggle, as Utah was 50 years ago with a guitar.
And remember, while watching Utah this weekend, that he is passing down traditions to us the listeners, so that we may use our voices, minds and hearts to keep the struggle for unity and peace alive.
To the “godfatha” we raise our hats. It is a sincere pleasure and honour to have Utah with us again.
www.utahphillips.org
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Vancouver
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