Topic: Stephen Calt RIP

[uncle bud]

Apparently author/collector Stephen Calt passed away yesterday in New York.

I know he had been quite ill. I've just been enjoying his last book, Barrelhouse Words.

Condolences to family and friends.

[Stumblin]

I'm very sorry to hear that. He was one of my favourite authors.

[J. H. Deeley]

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2008/12/skip-james-biog.html

[Johnm]

I'm very sorry to hear of Stephen's passing.  He had had emphysema for some years, and was waiting for a lung transplant, which is a tremendous long shot in any event, of course.  If any of you are smokers, especially heavy smokers, if you are able to quit, it's worth it.  I think this is a horrible way to go.
All best,
Johnm

[oddenda]

Interesting how death smooths over the "rough edges" (he said with tact) of someone's character and output. Probably happen when I go, too! I found much of his writing offensive. "'Black & Tan' was a sexual perversion performed by Blind Boy Fuller and his wife, Cora Mae" from his Yazoo liner notes to the Fuller LP being a rough paraphrase of just one. Cora Mae Allen should have sued his ass. The Skip James book is full of them. I do feel sorry for his dying like that, but I won't get all warm and fuzzy about him. Smoking is its own reward... you're right about that, John M. "We" are becoming thin on the ground, just like the artists we wrote about.

Peter B.

[LD50]

Interesting how death smooths over the "rough edges" (he said with tact) of someone's character and output. Probably happen when I go, too! I found much of his writing offensive. "'Black & Tan' was a sexual perversion performed by Blind Boy Fuller and his wife, Cora Mae" from his Yazoo liner notes to the Fuller LP being a rough paraphrase of just one. Cora Mae Allen should have sued his ass. The Skip James book is full of them. I do feel sorry for his dying like that, but I won't get all warm and fuzzy about him. Smoking is its own reward... you're right about that, John M. "We" are becoming thin on the ground, just like the artists we wrote about.

Peter B.

I agree 100%, and I'll leave it at that.

[Blues Vintage]

Read "I rather be the devil" a few months ago. yes his writing was sometimes pretentious. I remember how he portrayed johnny temple as a second rate musician unable to play guitar and sing independently. never read barrelhouse words all the way but use it as a dictionary.

I'm sorry also to hear this sad news

[Michael Cardenas]

Calt believed Henry Thomas represented the oldest style and I wonder how others might feel?