Kingston Trio/Lindsey Buckingham

[jeffles]

The Kingston Trio's influence on LB always interested me. As well, I have enjoyed the collaborations of the two parties.
It started with LB playing (and having a huge hand) on John Stewart's 1979 comeback album. (Stewart was a member of the Trio from '64 to '68) LB continued to play on several of Stewart's records throughout the 80's.
When the Kingston Trio reunited in 1981, the asked Lindsey Buckingham to participate, and he did. I have only seen pictures of the event but have not actually heard anything from that concert. However, John Stewart and Nick Reynolds (a founding member) released an album in 1983 called Revenge of the Budgie which had LB all over it, and the music was great. Around this time, LB contributed a song called "Dancin' Cross the USA", which, I believe, has various members of the Kingston Trio singing harmony.
He also wrote the Liner Notes on the Revenge of the Budgie album.
He wrote:
"The Kingston Trio, with its unique blend of wit, timing and chemistry, was almost solely responsible for the vast popularity of Folk music in the late 50s and 60s. The group provided its audience with a sound and image that was not only original but was also a reaffirmation of the freshness and spontaneity that rock and roll was beginning to lack. For me, although it may have been Elvis or Buddy Holly who initially sparked my musical imagination, it was the Kingston Trio that brought a far more sustaining influence to my guitar style and sense of arrangement and harmony. Nick Reynolds and John Stewart, both with their vocal blend and their personal rapport, were greatly responsible for the sound and spirit of the trio.
When I learned of their plans to reunite for this album and was asked to participate, I was naturally pleased. I was also intrigued because although John and Nick's blend has remained, their musical collaboration has been dormant for 16 years. Yet once the sessions had begun, any initial fears gave way to confidence and a sense of catharsis for all. Every day I was reminded of the importance that personal chemistry plays in the making of good music, and when we were done, I came away feeling privileged to be involved, happy to have been able to give back a small part of that which Nick and John had given me before.
As for the songs, they speak for themselves. They are connected to both new and old. The approach being contemporary, but the vocal blend being familiar. I know you'll enjoy the listening as much as we did the making."
- Lindsey Buckingham 1983

[sodascouts]

I find their relationship interesting as well. We've all heard the mutual influence story, which is quite something, but those two got along unusually well, didn't they? I mean, they wrote songs about each other! I'm not a musical historian, but I can't think of two other male rock stars who did that for one another. As far as I know, it's unique.

In fact, the extent of their appreciation for one another surprised me when I found out about it (I originally thought the song Johnny Stew was some ode to the many sides of a man lol - then I was clued in and I was like "He wrote that for John Stewart?!") The I hear that besides "Liddy Buck", John Stewart's "Gold" and "Comin' Out of Nowhere on the Run" also were inspired by Lindsey, and I'm thinking, "Geez, John Stewart is giving Stevie Nicks a run for her money in Lindsey-themed songs!" ;-)

Maybe "mutual admiration society" doesn't cut it - how about "mutual idolatry society"? (j/k)

All this to say I agree - the extreme esteem those two hold each other in is definitely worth noting. But hey, the esteem is deserved, so I certainly don't think it's a bad thing - just, as I said before, unusual.

[wondergirl9847]

Just goes to show....they BOTH have great taste in musical geniuses....

[sulamith]

jefles,
Thanks so much for posting that. I had certainly never seen it before, but I had heard about it.

What I found interesting was what LB had to say about "chemistry" and how the band felt nervous working together after being "dormant" for 16 years.

Hmmmm, sounds alot like the FM reunion in 97, hey? I wonder if he thought about how well it went for the Kingston Trio and used some of what he had learned by watching them in 83 when FM was "reconvening" in 97? Maybe they were influencing him yet again.

Interesting.

[AmbrFireflie]

I have that Kingston Trio video where Lindsey sings "spinning of the world", and plays bass on a few other songs. I think it's from 82/83?

[SoulDrifter1949]

Originally posted by AmbrFireflie
I have that Kingston Trio video where Lindsey sings "spinning of the world", and plays bass on a few other songs. I think it's from 82/83?

Hey! I LOVE that video! For anyone who has no clue what we are talking about -- it's the 1981 PBS Reunion special called The Kingston Trio and Friends Reunion. You can buy it here: http://store.yahoo.com/kingstonstore...lectables.html

Like she said -- Lindsey and John play/sing "Spinning of The World" together...and it's absolutely AWESOME! John tells the story of how they met/influenced each other and Lindsey looks incredibly happy to be there and be performing with John He is wearing his "Kingston Trio garb" and it's hilarious

[SoulDrifter1949]

Originally posted by wondergirl9847
Just goes to show....they BOTH have great taste in musical geniuses....

I am a huge fan of Lindsey (obviously..lmao) but also John...he is amazing! I have a few of his solo albums (some with Lindsey/some without) and let me just say that not only do Lindsey and him compliment each other's styles/vocals/guitar playing, etc. VERY well...I mean, they sound absolutely AMAZING together, but John's stuff without Lindsey is also definitely worth checking out!

Also -- I know I've posted this before (like a million times? hehe) and I'm always telling everyone about this but seriously...go to this page of John Stewart's tourdates http://www.chillywinds.com/tourdates.html and if he is playing near you soon I HIGHLY suggest that you go see him!!!

[jeffles]

I've had the good fortune of seeing John Stewart live several times. The first time was in small theater in Columbus, Oh in 1995. He played to, maybe, 100 people. It was a small, but appreciative, crowd in a very intimate setting. Not exactly like going to a fleetwood mac concert...I would highly recommend seeing him live.
For anyone looking to get into John Stewarts music, you can visit his website (one of a few) at www.chillywinds.com. You can purchase his records there. For starters, get "California Bloodlines" (1969), Bombs Away Dream Babies (1979-with LB & SN), Punch the Big Guy (1987) and the live set Neon Beach (1990). Those are good albums to start with and are representative of his different styles. All are great.

[wondergirl9847]

Originally posted by SoulDrifter1949


Hey! I LOVE that video! For anyone who has no clue what we are talking about -- it's the 1981 PBS Reunion special called The Kingston Trio and Friends Reunion. You can buy it here: http://store.yahoo.com/kingstonstore...lectables.html

Like she said -- Lindsey and John play/sing "Spinning of The World" together...and it's absolutely AWESOME! John tells the story of how they met/influenced each other and Lindsey looks incredibly happy to be there and be performing with John He is wearing his "Kingston Trio garb" and it's hilarious

WAAAAA!!! THANKS SO MUCH JESSICA FOR POSTING THAT!! I am going RIGHT NOW to buy it!!!! YOU RULE...ALONG WITH LINDSEY!! LOL

[Skylark]

Hi Jessica and Fellow Lindsey Fanatics!
John Stewart commented on Lindsey's help with his album...
Bombs Away Dream Babies..." I couldn't have done it without
him... {he points to huge album cover in the background!}Welcome to the man who helped me more than I can say! Lindsey BucKINGham...I love him like a brother...Lindsey!!!"

Lindsey is all dressed in a Kingston Trio Striped shirt but
John is dressed in a team jacket!!! Lindsey is just so darn
excited & thrilled to sing Spinnin of The World with his hero!
You can appreciate the rapport they share as fine musicians!
His brother is in the audience very proud of Lindsey! Sky

[sodascouts]

I was just watching Stevie and Sheryl on the Tonight Show and it suddenly occurred to me that what they have going on is VERY similar to Lindsey's relationship to John Stewart.

Lindsey was greatly influenced by John Stewart and the Kingston Trio. He was thrilled to find out that John Stewart respected and liked HIM, and was more than happy to sing backup/produce for John Stewart. On one song he even duets. After that, the relationship continued for a few years at least with Lindsey helping him on a couple more albums and appearing on the Kingston Trio Special.

Years later, Sheryl, who's greatly influenced by Stevie and Fleetwood Mac, gets a chance to write a song for Stevie to sing on a soundtrack. Once they meet, they become bosom buddies, appearing on shows for each other. Sheryl Crow comes to help produce Stevie, even singing a duet with her.

And hey, Sheryl wrote "It's Only Love" saying that it was partially inspired by Stevie's life....It's not Johnny Stew but still. Interesting, huh?

[elle]

From http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2...-grammy-award/ :

"The Kingston Trio's Lifetime Grammy recognition follows several years of lobbying by high-profile fans on the group's behalf, according to Mrs. Reynolds. Those fans include Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham (who co-produced former trio member Stewart's acclaimed 1979 album, "Bombs Away Dream Babies," Al Jardine of the Beach Boys Eagles' bassist-singer Timothy B Schimt."

[Betsy]

About 4 years ago, there was an Ebay auction with a black guitar...inscribed "To Lindsey from the Budgies". The guy had bought it at a police auction in ?New York? (Damn you old age! I can't remember stuff like I used to!)

For the Ebay auction, the seller had a long description about the guitar and how the police came to get it as abandoned property. He tried to give it back to Lindsey, but LB was reported as saying, he didn't collect guitars (or something) and declined.

The auction had lots of pictures and I printed out the listing...it is in a box, in a closet, far, far away.

There was a reserve on the auction (around $4000?) and the guitar didn't sell. I e-mailed the seller a few times asking questions. He said, he was kinda glad it didn't sell, cuz it was an omen to keep the guitar.

[elle]

Originally Posted by elle

The Kingston Trio's Lifetime Grammy recognition follows several years of lobbying by high-profile fans on the group's behalf, according to Mrs. Reynolds. Those fans include Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham

no reaction from anybody? i'm kinda glad to learn that lindsey has enough clout with grammy people that his lobbying (helped by several others, of course) leads to some actual results...

(replying to my own post - lame i know)

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by elle

no reaction from anybody? i'm kinda glad to learn that lindsey has enough clout with grammy people that his lobbying (helped by several others, of course) leads to some actual results...

(replying to my own post - lame i know)

No, thank you for sharing that with us. Even if it had had no effect, I'm glad that Lindsey did that for his friend. I have always been a little disappointed that I didn't hear anything publicly from him after Warren Zevon died. I like his loyalty to John (and vice versa) which spanned decades.

Michele