510. Children of Darkness (Richard Farina)

Richard Farina (1937-66) was an active member of the Greenwich Village folk scene in the late fifties and early sixties and was briefly married to folk singer, Carolyn Hester. They divorced after Farina became involved with Joan Baez's teenage sister, Mimi. The two married in 1963 and their debut album, "Celebrations For A Grey Day", was released on Vanguard in 1965, followed by their second and final album, "Reflections In A Crystal Wind".

With Richard playing dulcimer and Mimi autoharp, their voices sounded very natural together. Mimi's was like an earthier version of Joan's with Richard's tenor blending perfectly. "Children Of Darkness" is the closing track, a stunning ballad which features possibly the couple's greatest vocal interplay.

Their music obviously had great potential, but on April 30th, 1966, on Mimi's 21st birthday, and two days after the publication of Richard's novel "Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me", he hitched a ride on the back of a friend's motorbike. It crashed, allegedly at 90 mph, and Richard was thrown off the back, dying instantly.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• mimi
• joan
• baez
• reflections
• war

[oldstewball]

Hello

Raymond...

If there is one Farina composition that is suited to your perfoming talents,it would certainly be this one. You've performed it with grace and sincerity...and it shows. Many thanks for sharing your splendid showcase of this beloved gem.

Peace,

Stewball

[raymondcrooke]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

[ghostgal30e]

Simply splendid

[raymondcrooke]

Thank you, Ghostgal.

[rixiroo]

I love it! Another winner!

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Betsie.

[hevox]

Hehe, yeah, just found your channel recently, and I really like enjoy listening to the songs :)

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Lost. You're always very supportive.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Alex. Glad you liked it.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, David. Definitely one of Farina's best songs.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks again.

[raymondcrooke]

You must be unfamiliar with my channel if you expected heavy metal! Thanks for commenting.