Pokey LaFarge: Evolving Through Preservation

[@SwagMcFresh]

I've been enjoying his music for a while now, but I had no idea what a deep thinker he was. Absolutely wonderful!

[@michaelelliott1212]

He was brought here in his time (and ours) not according to time's calendar. As a "deep thinker" as you call him, he knows what matters most. The timelessness of ART. The old landmarks of our music only live when it is played.

[@dontaylor7315]

@Swag Mcfresh I had no idea either but in view of his work I'm not surprised. As I listened to this talk I was thinking "Yes - I should've known he couldn't be doing this music, and doing it this well, if he had a shallow mind." The surprise for me was that he's articulate about it. Musicians often aren't; they understand but can't necessarily make their understanding clear verbally. And I had had no idea he was an architecture enthusiast.

[@tukangcoenen4131]

Offcourse he is a deep thinker 🤷‍♂️

[@gmrv4]

His comments are amazingly relevant now more than ever. Talented thoughtful musician and thinker. Multilayered person.

[@evanabbott2737]

Absolutely👍

[@dickvolen4589]

And you are a dimwit. Let me guess... community college drop off.

[@dickvolen4589]

@@pestpro6606 Don't be silly boy. Try C.W. Stoneking.

[@dickvolen4589]

@@pestpro6606 Shut it halfwit numbskull.

[@dickvolen4589]

@@pestpro6606 Another thing.., respect must be earned and not given. Sheet!

[@MrShbbz]

... "tradition is a guide, not a jailer"; such a young and wise man. This is America we all love, not the corporate landscape ruining everything.

[@michaelfrisbie7247]

he was 31 in this video

[@didgit6495]

Riding freight trains taught me that. We have a beautiful country and people who will warm your heart!

[@jeanninelandreneaux3145]

I love the pregnant pause he uses after "so then you wont abuse, words like Freedom;;" Through and through beautiful.

[@madogblue]

He is a national treasure at such a young age

[@Dulcimerea]

Definitely.

[@frankapplegate4852]

What ever “it” is, he’s got IT. I love his music and he knows why better then I do.

[@Latino_scholar]

The world needs more people like Pokey La Farge in the world. I love his music and everything he stands for. I am quite proud that he is a fellow Illinoisian. I cannot wait to see him in concert again.

[@anviltroy]

Thats alot of pubic hair on your face hahahaha WTF?

[@The25thBusShow]

chris nonya Someone is annoyed because he can't grow a beard.

[@zd3365]

I love Pokey as a musician, a songwriter, and as an entertainer. But the more I learn about him, read about him, etc...the more I realize I love him as an (accidental) educator and as a humanist. I love that he is always learning and sharing his experience. Proud to support him any way I can.

[@lsingstock1646]

If only half our kids could be like him.

[@paulward9936]

Im watching this 2021..this is profoundly prophetic. He really is a philosophical visionary. Pretty rad dude.

[@gxtmfa]

It’s kind of funny to see the “Fuck Me Up” guy in a suit giving a lecture.

[@RealBradMiller]

You can be both people! I am, you are.

[@Ignatz71]

Jaw dropping talent in music and philosophy. Pokey LaFarge is the real deal!!

[@stringfever0151]

This man is a living Time Machine with an amazing grasp of history. Not to mention a world class musician, writer Performer! How on earth is he not a household name!?!? He dwarfs the entertainers of today, all of ‘em! An American Treasure!

[@jonhelmer8591]

Nice whistle! Whistel and Flute/Suit that is.

[@denemessina8601]

I love pokey's music.....But after hearing what he has to say , I think he'd also make a fantastic president. What a sane, intelligent, progressive, articulate, warm and incredibly positive Man he is. I'm so impressed with this.

[@jeanninelandreneaux3145]

Pokey for PRESIDENT!! I'm with that all day.

[@evanabbott2737]

Pokey 2020! Slip him in there, before the end of the year!👍😁

[@theplaguedoc8386]

Oh absolutely, he’d be such a good one

[@michaelkingsbury4305]

There's Something the Water..

[@markjames8603]

Pokey has a good ear for music and understanding the cultural heritage paramount here. I've also got an ear for older music, the more produced it sounds the less I'm interested, the compression used in old recordings is like a main-line to my brain, bands I've played in all share a period in time but all have created new songs to be a part of this rich tapestry, I hear the roots of music in everything I listen to but not often thrilled in this modern sounding world

[@geosutube]

Wonderful talk. So articulate and thoughtful. It's clear where his musical inspiration comes from.

[@TheTheValer]

This is absolutely amazing. It's so refreshing to hear such well presented ideas coming from an entertainer.

[@gourddrawing]

Just saw him perform live in Cleveland, Ohio (Oct.2021). If you ever get the opportunity go see Pokey in concert. An excellent musician and singer, an extraordinary songwriter, and a dynamic and energetic performer. The thoughts & ideas he discusses in this TED talk come out through his music.

[@tkmair6559]

Pokey for President 2024

[@NancyConner]

Drats!!! I need to be about 40 years younger. I'm already in St. Louis. Whoo-ha ! Pokey has it all. Brains and talent.

[@coopernewhouse7592]

In Australia and i bloody love his music and have a for years now

[@mentalspeakwithlt]

This man time traveled back to us. I’m certain of it.

[@overdose247]

Forward to us, lol...

[@sundownsigns]

Well spoken man and a very entertaining musician.

[@golfo0011]

What a great person is this musician!!!

[@marvinjames6398]

This is a great talk on music and the importance to preserve it along with passing it on to another generation.

[@pwaterdu]

Agree on every level! Thank you Pokey and Thank you for your music! God Bless brother!

[@imannonymous7707]

Big fan.... in an age that technology is an answer for lack of talent. This man makes his hay with tradition and creativity. He proves the best songs have not all been written and that the blues will never die....western music is steeped in it

[@geosutube]

LovePokey LaFarge!

[@Bscott-390]

I love this dude. Awesome young man. Amazing music.

[@gasser2348]

Wow, I am glad I just discovered this guy. Outstanding music & well balanced attitude & thoughts. Thanks, keep up your good work.

[@adders45]

Billy Bragg is cool, I am sure he would agree with you and he has been quoted out of context Pokey, you are awesome Pokey, England and the States does has a huge amount of music crossover right back to the original songs of the founding fathers. For example I discovered an old Appellation tune that is the same song that exists from Somerset England. The music is by far and away the best thing to have come from you and you are correct in saying that you all should be proud of your heritage.

[@WgCdrLuddite]

Deliberately misrepresenting Billy Bragg. Not everyone is a nationalist like you Pokey.

[@BrusyurSoksow]

Its pretty annoying. Billy Bragg did not just say something foolish, he put his name on and presumedly got paid for an article in the guardian online making exactly that claim. I wont link to the article, but anyone who can google should find it in about 30 seconds.

[@tonywright8294]

Billy brag lefty tosser

[@leepolster1865]

This guy gets it. Happy to get to know him and listen to his perspective, which is not new, but it is refreshing.

[@TheFishinray]

The first time I saw Pokey it was clear to me that this guy was so cool and smart. Beautiful mind and great talent!

[@superimposedfun]

Excellent musicianship instantly I heard pure Americana from day 1 he has some great unique talent

[@jeanninelandreneaux3145]

What a strikingly handsome man, on top of the gifts he shares! I loved this talk.

[@DSteinman]

American music is awesome!

[@theondebray]

Good talk, enjoyed that, lots of food for thought. In Scotland & Ireland, where they have a very dynamic (esp) folk scene, they are very clear about the importance of the interaction between tradition and innovation, which I think sums this up.

[@Soso64bit]

man in 2022, this guy's words couldn't be more true.. really ahead of his time in his thinking, especially the part where he speaks of embracing our past and celebrating the things we've overcome instead of letting our past be our downfall.

[@USNAVDC]

It's great to hear Pokey just speak. A true original type musician and thinker. So many great thoughts... Couldn't draw a blueprint....? I think you probably could.

[@stratmentalist]

love his music but what bright tuned in mind he has and such an ability to project his knowledge and philosophy.

[@rsjury]

I hope a lot of people are getting what his true gift is between his music and this talk. He is asking people to bridge the differences and open your mind and we can all live together if we are able to just change a few things in the way we think. I wish I had this gift, It is only given' to very few!

[@swapshots4427]

I love him even more now.❣

[@VictorMartinez-d4m]

FUCK YEAH thank you for your advice Brother

[@swapshots4427]

I been digging Pokey since 2016. I'm 67 I've turned people in 20s on to him.

[@Jedi-rh6tx]

I worked the audio-video of this event, and had the pleasure of meeting him and other brilliant people at this event. He is very much down to earth and a friendly soul :)

[@vickymay9222]

Dear Pokey. A Spoken Word tour of You n Henry Rollins, would TOTALLY Kill. Cheers frum SpoCanada

[@bazookajoethompson3407]

No way...get Greg Ginn and crank up the bands... Imagine Black Flag with trumpet and clarinet and Pokey rappin and Henry backin. Distorted jazz blues beat goin. Noteworthy Babe!

[@michaelpasold5083]

JamesScott Guitar, your right American music is world music. We were and still are the melting pot of the world. Irish, English, Black, German and just about every culture and country were it's roots are from people landing on our shores. He's making the point that it's evolved from it's beginnings and we transitioned and mixed it into "American Music" . But, the black music in this country that was created might have originated in Africa was morphed into Blues, Jazz and Gospel then combined with several combination of Application Music and Irish Folk music to become Rock N Roll. Just read about the Everly Brothers background and origin of they're songs. This combination resulted in what we know as American Music. Thank God it did. Way to go Pokey, I think your fantastic and I love the words in your songs. You have something positive to say as well. You're one of a kind for sure.

[@johnnyboyii6756]

Man I can't wait to see Pokey here in Muncie. Heard him only a few months ago, saw a flyer for the show a few days ago.

[@mlfsup]

It was a GREAT show!!! This guy rocks. Thanks for the sponsors that made this show possible

[@kentborges5114]

POKEY HAS AN APPROACH TO MUSIC AND LIFE THAT IS PRICELESS !

[@dougsmith6648]

Jr Brown.....is the king of tradition country/swing with a touch of jazz, blues, rock and rock a billy, and swing. Check him out !

[@juliej6642]

I am shocked by this speech, as it comes from a young person. As a gen x, I was there to see the best of America slip away. I keep telling gen y, and z that we should go back in time but lose the "isms" like racism, sexism, and other hate. Also the restrictions of personal freedoms. Then this nation would recover it's greatness and expand upon this. I also explain that capitalism is not the problem, as it worked for decades, but instead greed is the issue. They think I am crazy! I agree with everything Pokey said. So he can tell them! :D

[@bazookajoethompson3407]

We Gen Xrs were horrible at raising our kids... Sadly.

[@lsingstock1646]

You have a wonderful insight.

[@EmmaRoseNethery]

I know your comment is old, but I’d like to still reply. I love Pokey’s music so much, and now that I have discovered this video I do agree with a lot of his statements as well, and I believe in his words. I’m eighteen, and if for his age, it’s hard to find people with his beliefs, at my age it is even harder to but despite age, im happy to here anyone speak on topics like these.

[@bonzomcduffy8336]

I love this guy. What an amazing human.

[@pantezistentes3444]

the american nation has nothing to fear as long as there are people like mr.Pokey LaFarge. Mr. LaFarge you have my respect as a citizen of our planet who adores music ,cultures and human beings

[@dontaylor7315]

"Tradition is a guide not a jailer." What a wonderful attitude.

[@RealBradMiller]

Amazing talk, Pokey!

[@TheJdaldridge]

God I love this dude!

[@USNAVDC]

Is anyone more COOL than Pokey LaFarge?

[@sandraghelfi5836]

Pokey LaFarge è un GRANDE!!!!

[@ajtayloruni]

Skiffle scuffle … in a British tea cup, as Billy Bragg brings out the pugilist in Pokey LaFarge! www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/skiffle-scuffle-as-billy-bragg-brings-out-the-pugilist-in-pokey

[@145inA]

LaFarge 2024

[@yak6896]

shit man. great speaker. great entertainer. intelligent and funny, all on central time. 10/10

[@zdzichus.3264]

and it's from 2014 ??? I have known he is a big one, a prophet, a CHARACTER! I'm so happy!

[@rapidtx]

i call you refreshing

[@truckdaddy1957]

Brilliant! There is hope in American youth after all.

[@davestambaugh7282]

His music is is the popular music styles from nineteen twenty to the start of ww2. Like today we have classic rock which spans about the same amount of time. It's classic pop.

[@leadershipvids]

this man is a sagely soul

[@RhythmJunkie]

Well said !!!

[@thomassimmons1950]

Wow! Pokey is okey dokey!

[@williamw7583]

Listen people! Music is music. Those who produce it are amazing. However, nothing dictates music. It's like beauty. It's in the eye (or the ear) of the beholder. Don't over complicate any form of visual, audial or any other form of art.

[@dougsmith6648]

The point I always take is that .....You can never re-invent the Wheel.....but you can find new and interesting ways to use the wheel and keep it rolling.....just like Music....you can never Re-invent music...however you can find interesting ways to "keep it Rolling along".

[@Vledos43]

I know I'm late on this but... Pokey for President?.....

[@russnurse2b807]

Brilliant musician and thinker. Just wondering if he has a brother named Hokey(just kidding)

[@xtremefight]

I love Pokey and this was just wonderful. The audience was a little shy though.

[@lwoodt1]

Well said young sir.

[@songforanyone]

What an incredible human

[@zachariahmelchisedeck2244]

Pokey for president’24

[@rafaelmangrone721]

❤️

[@gaylaaucoin9075]

You sing like your from down south ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@zdzichus.3264]

5:45 - and THIS EXACTLY STEP BACK IS... it's kind of a secret, (sacred)... it's like to discover and open the wholesale of real AFRICAN music through their Jamaican grand, grand, sons, and daughters... The same with any Jazz music...

[@zdzichus.3264]

Just - pls, step back, and take another look, your second thoughts... And DO IT! And Follow your true inspirations!

[@hescher997]

Really like this guy. Id vote for him

[@grahamshipley]

Write him in in November 2024!

[@WildDismay]

Aside from getting influences surrounding Jimmie Rodgers completely back asswards, nice talk.

[@xiola138]

True true true Pokey

[@96driver]

Damn I love this guy. I discovered him way too far down the road. HAHA I said this before he said the Taylor Swift part. haha

[@warrenpuckett4203]

Pokey evolved through preservation. I evolved through perspiration, after I got drafted.

[@Daystarmyson]

Could this be a Smithsonian entry?

[@tullsongs]

EEK...Tough crowd !

[@78vinnieb]

and music will set you free..

[@zomart4016]

This is such an old vid I can say whatever I want and no one will ever read it . I love you Pokey, you're my favourite artist, but what's with those shoulder pads? Channelling David Byrne much?

[@EmmaRoseNethery]

I read it 😊

[@justincharlswick8848]

pokey for POTUS 2020!

[@zdzichus.3264]

It's not how it REALLY works, bro! Forget it!

[@alansmith4729]

President of U.S material !!

[@nightblizzard3160]

Amen.

[@FritzKraut]

Nice to see that there are still very intelligent and educated people in the US (just joking.....a bit)

[@j.b.n.1492]

TIL Pokeys voicebox is a 1932 HMV gramophone speaker

[@JamesScottGuitar]

All American Music originates from outside of it. The synthesis of the different Musics may have happened inside the US, but the origins are from outside.

[@filianablanxart8305]

Well , only if you were to massively overgeneralize and say that all American music consists only of British/ Irish/ Scotch Folk music and slave chants . If you were to break music down into genres of even vague specificity , there are several distinctly American ones . Most specificity , Bluegrass and Western Swing were each created by a specific individual . Jazz had multiple influences , but the various flavors of it were created in several areas of America . Rock and Roll is a broad term , but the primary direct ancestor , Rockabilly is entirely American . The British Invasion of R&R is primarily British artists retweaking of American influences in slightly different combinations . And uniquely American musical instruments . Slide style playing simultaneously and independently originated in Hawaii and the Mississippi Delta . Amplified guitars were invented in California in 1927 by John Dopera . No matter which influences you point to as most important between George Beauchamp , Paul Bigsby, Merle Travis, Leo Fender, or Les Paul , the Electric Guitar, and electrified string instruments generally are American origin .

[@michaelbarton2283]

@@filianablanxart8305 For example? The only music before the English, French, Spanish etc. invasion was Indigenous native american music. Everthing you mention has evolved from music that came from outside 'merica. I call bullshit to your opinion and I am sure most musical ethnocologists would say the same. I am happy to debate you on this topic.

[@warnerjohnson1338]

JamesScottGuitar - Whoa now, young feller, ain't you ever heerd of the the Injun tom tom? What could be more American than that. What do you think inspired drummers Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa?

[@zdzichus.3264]

"Pls, Do Not Piss Off the Masters of the World!" P.S. - like Pkey LaFarge! - pls again.. do not!

[@jeanninelandreneaux3145]

What happened what do you mean?

[@mls300154]

Loved what you were saying Pokey till you said Lonnie Donegan claimed his music was British. He always gave providence to its roots, the American country.

[@michaelbarton2283]

Pokey is an inspiring, joyous and entertaining performer. Either solo or with one of his ensembles. The crowds/audience where I have seen him perform (Australia) love him. My point is what the fuck was that audience? Can't/won't sing, some don't even applaud at the end WTF.

[@nickprohoroff3720]

Awesome Pokey. Piss weak crowd.

[@presterjohn71]

I think he slightly misunderstood Billy Bragg's point. Like many things in life people often don't understand or appreciate what is under their nose. An outsider can appreciate and give life to something that is under appreciated in its own land. Bragg's argument though maybe not water tight is a valid one. Don't forget even American legends like Jimi Hendrix were ignored in the USA and had to come to the UK to find an audience.

[@geosutube]

presterjohn71 Doubtful that your understanding and experience of Jimi Hendrix is anything like the experience we who were alive here at the time had in listening and appreciating Hendrix. You have misunderstood that Hendrix was very appreciated here by both his fans and musicians alike, which was heightened by his being appreciated overseas.