Cisco Houston - New York Town

[neurofire]

Haven't heard this for - lordy, I don't wanna say. Intriguing is the sheer volume of music Cisco's songs have inspired. This is the stuff of Library of Congress and Alan Lomax. And the recording! It's great - I can almost smell the puffs of pungent and fragrant guitar wood coming out of the sound hole. Also it's a great upload because those influenced by it - may not know the origins of their music until now...and who knows where that may lead todays songwriters to? Thanks.

[mr10pm]

Great song, thanks for putting it up. Grew up listening to Cisco sings Woody Guthrie, I know all the songs by heart and they are very precious to me. If you have more Cisco please post, this is real music, people need to hear it. Best regards, Dave

[howdymegan]

He looks like Ernest Hemingway!

[lostubos2]

NEVER HEARD OF THIS SONG, but it's interesting.

[persevere4]

Thank you for posting this song and showing some recognition to an American origianl and the best pal of ole Woody to think these two were the best of friends and to hear him here is amazing a real treat thank you so much

[goggsdick]

love it. amazing voice!

[jeanhartely]

Thanks so much for posting this. I grew up in NYC and my dad knew Cisco Houston. The poor fellow died of stomach cancer in the early 60's. The song you played is one of my favorites. That album also has "Danville Girl," "Precious Lord," & other greats. I think it was the last album he cut.

[onitram1]

Thanks for posting.

A minor correction-Cisco and Woody did not play on U.S. Navy ships, they played on Merchant Marine ships. They were merchant marines themselves for three tours along with Jimmy DeLonghi. His book Cisco, Woody, & Me is a great reminiscence of that time and of his friends Cisco & Woody

[owlet1963]

A long while ago(1987), a guitar playing man with a black hat in a train station was singing this and it was one of the pieces of music I played later on, as a street musician. Thanks for posting!

[stevesuffet]

For most of Cisco Houston's career he was Woody Guthrie's sidekick, and as such he was overshadowed by Woody's legendary status. It wasn't until Woody got too sick to perform that Cisco finally emerged as an artist in his own right. Unfortunately, he then only had a few short years left to live. What a terrible tragedy, for him, for his friends and family, and for all of us who love authentic American folk music!

--- Steve Suffet

[anglinthemtns]

Thanks for that!

[CurtisMateer]

Great promotion for Cisco...as Dylan wrote in Chronicles, he is still an underestimated, great American folk singer. May videos such as this one help to rectify the situation.

[anglinthemtns]

Thanks for that. Unlike so many musicians nowadays, music was Cisco's love and lifestyle and it wasn't so much about making money, which is probably why he wasn't so well known- but he did not live very long either. It is sad to see the quality of music overriden today by what mostly produces sales and comes and goes like the wind. It seems to no longer be about the authenticity and quality of a musician- such as Cisco. I think the English folk musician Nick Drake once said something similar.

[stablejelly]

Hope that part of Dylan's book was true..never know..but it was a great great read..

[Quickstoptim]

In 'Chronicles,' Dylan recounted attending a New York "going away" party for Cisco -- who was dying of cancer.

[stablejelly]

Hope that part of Dylan's book was true..never know..but it was a great great read..

[murasit]

beautiful song this is, by the way.

[anglinthemtns]

I am glad you liked it. Thanks.

[murasit]

Here's to cisco and sonny and leadbelly, too. Cisco Houston and Sonny Terry, I finally get it:)