Essra Mohawk Talks of Golden Age, Hit Songs & Woodstock - Part 3 of 3

[MrBruceBarham]

sometimes I count my blessings that I didnt get famous ......and quite possibly we make the best decisions and walk better paths when we arent driving, so to speak.....I dunno when this was done, this interview.....hope she is well today

[fecinny]

@MrBruceBarham Hi Bruce, I think the interview was '91 and Essra is doing well.  In fact, she is currently working on a few projects so stay tuned. Regards, Frank

[JoggynSmyler]

for some reason I'll never forget the day I heard THUNDER IN THE MORNING broadcast over WMMR back in the 70's..amazing...I just loved it and never forgot it.. Enjoy my PACK IT UP song..song about going home...everyone is determined to go home..so I also gave the song a determined sound...you'll see what I mean.. ENJOY!

[pnyc1969]

Probably they were both responding to a general mood in the music scene. Janis Joplin sort of rewrote the rules of how a woman could sound and that looseness is evident in both Essra and Laura's voices. Their lyrics were certainly nothing alike and they were both such great observers of life. They poet-recorders. There are few greats and we can never have enough of women like them.

[DangerousBastard]

@pnyc1969 Fair point, and well said!

[pnyc1969]

What evidence do you have of that? I know a lot about Laura and I have never read any references of her being particularly aware of Essra. I do know that Laura's influences tended to be general or even abstract--an overarching genre or an era's music. She also coincided non-musical elements like colors and objects with musical cues. It wasn't Laura's style to ape another artist. Her inspiration lay within. No offense to Essra but I think any influence was either Philly-bound or a coincidence.

[DangerousBastard]

@pnyc1969 Then it must have been coincidence. It was a bit harsh of me to use the phrase "ripped off". Those are strong words, I'll grant you that. I personally feel that Laura was influenced by Essra, and its not an opinion without merit. I shouldnt have said Laura "ripped off" Essra though, that was a careless statement.

[pnyc1969]

Her vocal and musical sound is very reminiscent of Laura Nyro. I wonder if this is intentional or not. I have heard that Essra has said unflattering things about Laura. Still, I put Essra in a category with Laura, Joni, Rickie Lee Jones and Stevie Nicks. She's underappreciated.

[WoodstockStory]

It's difficult to say that Woodstock could have been any greater than it was, but if Essra had played, it would have been that much better.

[DangerousBastard]

I was just thinking last night, if Essra had played Woodstock and been in the film, chances are her performance would today be considered one of the highlights. She might have even rivaled Jimi in Woodstock notoriety (although his Star Spangled Banner would always stand out historically)...

Just a thought, entirely hypothetical :-)

[thimoneus]

Essra is a fascinating person. She would have been great at Woodstock, and it would have been an excellent career move. But... she might have gone in a very different direction and not done School House Rock, which would have been a huge shame. I know "Interjections" is an educational video song, but it is also a Hell of a good folk rock song.

[fecinny]

Thanks, not to mention that she admitedly might have been dead like her then contemporaries Janis, Jimi & Jim. Yes, we are glad that she is still around....Secret Diva no more!

[nomiclas]

to be a good writer you must be intelligent and insightful.Essra is a deep talent.she is very philisophical.beautiful lady!

[boogieabilly]

Maybe if she was in that festival, her artistic image could have been monopolized by vulnerability in which many artists struggling against this direction like Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro, Essra made her own carrer, changing her signature names and everything, with very style and authenticity

[fecinny]

Appreciate your kind words.

[boogieabilly]

I didn't agree about what Frank said to her in final moments of interview, A lot of big artist didn't got chance to play at woodstock and Essra was not an exception about this, but she was much appreciated by a large and substantial number of fans all over the decades past with big songs hits that she ever made.. .

[baldyholly79]

She is some woman and a true wealth of musical information. Beautiful too, what a combination!!

[fecinny]

Thanks much.

[caretakerless]

talented woman... beautiful too!

[ChrisDutch]

She's a very good looking and talented Stevie Nicks.

[SkeeterNYC]

Yeah. I was thinking she looks like a young, flawless Joni meets a pre-coke scary Stevie Nicks.

[SkeeterNYC]

Make that Laura Nyro meets pre-scarey Stevie. She even has that vocal sound like Laura.

[art2liv4]

Thanks for sharing, Frank. I like the glimpse of album covers at the end, especially in light of her comments about them -- I'd like a better look at the nude one!

[fecinny]

Ahhh...you refer to the blue "Essra Mohawk" album which some call the "Naked Pochhontas" cover. Yes, I really like that photo too!

[beefnik]

Thanks for this third part! Is there more coming? So good to just watch her speak.

[UnboundAngel]

This 3-part interview was great! Despite Frank deFord's hamfisted interviewing LOL Essra as always is graceful under pressure or not, and it's always fun to see and hear her :-) Thanks!

[YellowTexasRose90]

Amazing Interview .... : )

[fecinny]

I agree, thnx

[jogschneider]

Ahoy, '09 Mates, and fecinny,

 And I thought that FRank de Ford only announced sports critique. Yes, the Ezra M. songs are delightful. I am still moving. Dock Rocker , Houston