Mary McCaslin's Roundup

July 14, 2006

TRAVELIN' MAN COMES TO FELTON

What does rock band Pink Floyd have in common with country-blues performer Roy Book Binder? The answer is their admiration for South Carolina bluesman Pink Anderson. The band's co-founder, Syd Barrett, combined Anderson's first name with the first name of another, much more obscure American blues musician named Floyd Council and came up with Pink Floyd. Book Binder has played the songs of and told stories about Pink Anderson for almost four decades.

Roy Book Binder was born and raised in Queens, New York. Right out of high school he joined the navy, buying a guitar at a military base in Italy. After serving his hitch he returned to New York City and began to take in the mid 1960s Greenwich Village music scene. There he met two lifelong heroes and mentors, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Dave Van Ronk. He was astounded by Van Ronk's guitar playing, which is based on the style of the legendary blind preacher and street musician, Reverend Gary Davis. It was a life changing experience for Book Binder, who played a little and had listened to some blues, but had never heard anything like that.

He eventually hooked up with the Reverend Davis, who also lived in New York City, and became one of Davis' many students. Davis' influence can be heard in the playing of guitarists Book Binder, Van Ronk, Paul Geremia, David Bromberg and Jorma Kaukonen, to name a few. Pretty soon Roy began the life of a professional blues guitarist and singer. By the late 1960s he was touring the U.S. and abroad.

A little later Book Binder discovered another country-blues songster named Pink Anderson. He learned Anderson's versions of the songs "Travelin' Man", "He's in the Jailhouse Now" and "I Got Mine" and includes them in his repertoire along with songs he learned from Davis and others. Roy was the first person I had ever heard mention Pink Anderson, whose influence on him was equal to that of Reverend Davis. Over the decades he has become the Travelin' Man, driving the country in a motor home. For many years the spare tire cover on the back had a likeness of Roy with the words "Travelin' Man" underneath.

Roy has always told stories - lots of stories. Over the years his reputation as a storyteller has grown substantially. He has stories about traveling with the Reverend Davis and stories about Pink Anderson, and just stories. His 1993 CD, Live Book...Don't Start Me Talkin', features some of the finest examples of his storytelling, most notably the tracks "Candyman" and "Statesboro Blues".

In the 1990s Roy began working with guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, formerly of the Jefferson Airplane, and also an admirer of Reverend Gary Davis. After the demise of the Airplane Kaukonen released some solo recordings featuring his incredible acoustic guitar playing. His version of Reverend Davis' "I Am the Light of the World", on the Quah CD, is truly breathtaking. Roy has an equally outstanding version of another Davis song, "Oh Glory, How Happy I Am", on his CD, The Tampa Sessions 1979.

Book Binder teaches and performs at the Fur Peace Ranch, the guitar camp run by Jorma and Vanessa Kaukonen in southern Ohio. His Live at the Fur Peace Station CD is a collection of performances from the years 2000 to 2004, and highlights his relaxed, engaging stage personality along with his excellent picking and vocals. Sometimes his laid-back style evokes J.J. Kale or some early Dire Straits' acoustic songs. But then, there are the stories.

This coming Wednesday Roy Book Binder brings a lifetime of songs and stories to Don Quixote’s in Felton.

Email Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com

WHAT: Roy Book Binder

WHERE: Don Quixote's, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton

WHEN: Wed., July 19, 8 PM

DETAILS: (831) 603-2294