Yesterday, I indulged myself in a guilty pleasure. In fact, my family gladly joined me in the indulgence! We attended John Gorka’ concert in Salt Lake City.

John Gorka, you ask? Who’s this John Gorka? Shame on you, says I!

He’s an urban folk Singer/songwriter with a booming, honey-toned baritone voice. I’ve heard some describe John Gorka that way; however, my description continues . . .

If you like smart lyrics, that’s John Gorka. If you like clean, crisp acoustic guitar work without a heavy overproduced sound, that’s Gorka. If you like a touch of intelligent whit hidden loosely between phrases — that, too, is Gorka.

For some years, now, I’ve enjoyed Gorka’s music. I first discovered him in the early 1990’s when I heard him played on a local station. That first song was Prom Night In Pigtown. I remember stopping what I was doing and just listening to the song. I’d never heard anything like it! Being a closet folk-singer, myself, I found his brand of music really resonated with me. I was hooked! I’ve been a fan ever since. I’ve purchased every album he’s released and rarely miss his concert stops in SLC.

Gorka’s a master of the urban folk genre. In a clear baritone, he weaves stories of champion boxers, stolen cars, and of trading the maybe for the sure. He weaves tales of ordinary things, made extraordinary by his treatment. His music, lyrics, and whit are addictive.

If you’re not familiar with Gorka, think of him as a cross between Jim Croce, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne. But, there’s more. That’s still not John Gorka, but it’s in the ballpark.

At last night’s concert, John presented a robust mix of songs from his library of more then 160 songs from 10 different albums released over his 20-year career. As always, he wooed the audience with new treatment of several old staples. He presented fresh piano renditions of three classic Gorka tunes, two of my personal favorites, among them.

The last four or five times I’ve seen John perform, he has had his Grand Piano with him and shares new, keyboard versions of a handful of his classic songs. It’s always nice to hear a keyboard rendition of songs originally recorded as guitar pieces. He has a nice hand at the keyboard.

I really enjoyed his concert and having my family gathered around me made it even more enjoyable. That’s what I like best about Gorka. For my family, he’s become common ground. We have his music in common.

My kids have listened to Gorka since they were cradle age. Over the years, Gorka’s music has become intertwined with family memories: family vacations, yard work projects, or simple drives around the country side while talking with the kids. John Gorka has always been been there. Whether it’s passively listening to his music, singing along with his music, or playing his music while jam’n with my boys, Gorka’s music is responsible for some very precious memories in our home.

At the concert, I saw something wonderful. Like me, another man had his family with him. As Gorka played a tribute to his mother, One Of Your Own, I saw this man begin to sob. His son, a lad of about fourteen sitting to his right, placed an arm around his father. The man’s wife, sitting on his left, did likewise. It truly was an emotional moment. Gorka’s music can do that for families.

On John’s most recent album, Writing in the Margins, I find one of the most heart wrenching songs he’s ever presented: Lockkeeper. Although written by the late Stan Rogers, Gorka’s rendition adds richness to Stan’s original that makes in uniquely his own. The lyrics are a simple conversation between a merchant sailor and a lockkeeper while they waited for the locks to cycle. It’s a well-told story about priorities. Gorka’s treatment is unforgettable! It’s simply brilliant.

What do the critics say about John Gorka? Here’s an excerpt from an NPR piece on Gorka from October of 2006. “John Gorka’s music demonstrates an easy melodic sensibility: Nothing is contrived or overproduced. His work is built around little more than his unmistakable voice and the simple, clean sounds of his guitar.”

You can read the article and listen to NPR’s interview with Gorka, here:
John Gorka on NPR

If I’ve persuaded you to give John Gorka a listen, pick up his album, Pure Gorka. It’s (more or less) a compilation of his greatest hits while he was with the Windham Hill record label. If that album speaks to you, I’d next recommend Bottom Line. This is my personal favorite. Gorka describes Bottom Line as being from his dark years. I view it as essential Gorka. The raw power of both his music and lyrics from Bottom Line are virtually unrivalled in all of the genre. A bold statement, but I’ll stand by it.

My only regret on the night?  I wasn’t the event’s official photographer.  I think that’s the only way I could possibly have enjoyed the evening more.

On a personal note to John Gorka (just in case he should ever read my blog!), Thanks Much, friend! I appreciate what your music has done for me and for my family. You’ve truly been writing in the margins of our lives for many years. Strong work! Keep going.

Cheers,
-Mike.

John Gorka’s official website
John Gorka’s Website

Read about Gorka on Geocities
John Gorka on Geocities

Read about Gorka on Wikipedia
John Gorka on Wikipedia
John Gorka on Wikipedia – Pure

Writing in the Margins reviewed on Twangville
John Gorka reviewed on Twangville