John Gorka In Concert at Friday Night Folk

John Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs.  He occasionally laments, “Life is not fair and love is not enough, but it is the only thing worth pursuing.” His songs, rich with depth, beauty and emotion, have gained attention across Europe as well as the United States. Rolling Stone describes him as “the preeminent male singer songwriter of the new folk movement,” while the Boston Globe says, “Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs.” 

While he was studying Philosophy and History in Pennsylvania in the 1970s, Gorka encountered legendary folk troubadours Stan Rogers, Eric Andersen, Tom Paxton and Claudia Schmidt; captivated, he was soon performing his own songs.  Gorka’s stunningly soulful baritone voice and emerging songwriting began turning heads. Those who had at one time inspired him — Suzanne Vega, Bill Morrissey, Nanci Griffith, Christine Lavin, Shawn Colvin — had become his peers.

Gorka now lives near St. Paul, Minnesota. His first album, I Know, recently had its 25th anniversary. To date, more than a score of artists have recorded and performed John Gorka songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. Recently he has performed and recorded an album as “Red Horse” with Eliza Gilkyson and Lucy Kaplansky. He also performs with Antje Duvekot and Christine Lavin, both of whom recently performed on the Friday Night Folk stage.

 The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4, in Unity Hall, All Souls, 19 Jay Street, New London. Tickets are $20 at the door, $17 reserved in advance, and $10 for students with ID.

Friday Night Folk at All Souls has been bringing singer songwriters to New London since 1989.  Performers have included Bill Staines, Richard Shindell, John Gorka, Work O’ The Weavers, emma’s revolution, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Eliza Gilkyson, Gordon Bok, Christine Lavin, Antje Duvekot and Lucy Kaplansky among others.  Friday Night Folk brings Tom Chapin to New London on November 8; Geoff Kaufman and Charlie King with Karen Brandow will share the stage on January 17. The 2013-14 schedule and tickets for all shows are available at fridaynightfolk.org .