i kept waiting for jean ritchie to show up too! i reckon her absence in “a complete unknown” means you have a screenplay to write to correct the oversights. holler at me when you are finished so you can cast me as the lead in the film! 😆
You mentioned “Max Brand” as one of the early NYC folksingers along with Jean Ritchie and others. Max Brand was the pseudonym of an author of numerous western novels and other pulp fiction. I believe you meant Oscar Brand, the Canadian/American folksinger, songwriter, radio host and author. Brand’s folk music show on WNYC was the longest running show in broadcast history with one host. The show ran for 70 years. Brand is another artist who is too often forgotten these days.
I too wished that Jean had been included in some way. The omission seemed a bit glaring to me, but I wondered it I was just to sensitive about it. Reading your arguments makes me feel more solid in my concerns, as I know now it’s “not just me”. Thanks for that validation.
I’m currently listening to an audiobook of “Another Side of Bob Dylan” by Victor Mayudes and Jacob Mayudes. I was surprised to hear that Dylan, Mayudes, and an entourage visited Hazard, KY in 1964 with some clothes to donate to striking miners.
This is surprising and perhaps more evidence of Appalachian omission in the American narrative. I am a native of Lost Creek, KY—just 20 miles from Hazard, a descendent of coal miners, and a fairly dedicated Dylan fan. Despite those factors, I had never heard of this visit until today.
(Note: Mayudes correctly says Hazard is in Perry County while Anthony Scaduto says Hazard is in Harlan County in his 1972 piece in Rolling Stone.)
Some good points and thanks for the education on Ritchie. She was clearly a giant. But damn it was a movie, and movies are generally kind of stupid. As for the melody theft, well, good luck. The whole point is, Bob broke everything, including that. He’s a trickster and a pirate and no one gets credit save his Maker. As for what Mangold left out, where would we even begin? One idea: The New Lost City Ramblers, imitators of the highest order, and Bob’s truest musical and spiritual mentors, according to his own word. It’s all about the mirrors. This insistence on originality is the illusion that Dylan shattered, and in doing so, showed himself to be the most creative of all.
I enjoyed your film review. I just can’t help wondering if Appalachia isn’t in film so often because the way people there refuse to change for the sake of Hollywood’s ideas of what sells. I think there are a lot of places in America like this. When films are made though, they win awards. It’s a shame that a narrow lens with a lot of filtering has so much power to make cultures feel so isolated.
I’m also grateful for all of your information about Jean Ritchie. I’m sad to say I didn’t know. I’m not Appalachian but from the flatlands of the Jackson Purchase. I grew up listening to the artists Ritchie influenced without knowing about her. Don’t let her story die.
And I think I have an idea of a story you can explore more with “Another Country.”
Slight correction - her husband’s name was George Pickow (photo credit). I knew a number of people in her circle while growing up in Jackson, Kentucky in the ‘60s, but I regret never meeting her.
Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
An essential read for anyone who sees this movie! (And just in general.)
Wonderful article and I concur.
i kept waiting for jean ritchie to show up too! i reckon her absence in “a complete unknown” means you have a screenplay to write to correct the oversights. holler at me when you are finished so you can cast me as the lead in the film! 😆
You mentioned “Max Brand” as one of the early NYC folksingers along with Jean Ritchie and others. Max Brand was the pseudonym of an author of numerous western novels and other pulp fiction. I believe you meant Oscar Brand, the Canadian/American folksinger, songwriter, radio host and author. Brand’s folk music show on WNYC was the longest running show in broadcast history with one host. The show ran for 70 years. Brand is another artist who is too often forgotten these days.
I too wished that Jean had been included in some way. The omission seemed a bit glaring to me, but I wondered it I was just to sensitive about it. Reading your arguments makes me feel more solid in my concerns, as I know now it’s “not just me”. Thanks for that validation.
I’m currently listening to an audiobook of “Another Side of Bob Dylan” by Victor Mayudes and Jacob Mayudes. I was surprised to hear that Dylan, Mayudes, and an entourage visited Hazard, KY in 1964 with some clothes to donate to striking miners.
This is surprising and perhaps more evidence of Appalachian omission in the American narrative. I am a native of Lost Creek, KY—just 20 miles from Hazard, a descendent of coal miners, and a fairly dedicated Dylan fan. Despite those factors, I had never heard of this visit until today.
(Note: Mayudes correctly says Hazard is in Perry County while Anthony Scaduto says Hazard is in Harlan County in his 1972 piece in Rolling Stone.)
Excellent!
Some good points and thanks for the education on Ritchie. She was clearly a giant. But damn it was a movie, and movies are generally kind of stupid. As for the melody theft, well, good luck. The whole point is, Bob broke everything, including that. He’s a trickster and a pirate and no one gets credit save his Maker. As for what Mangold left out, where would we even begin? One idea: The New Lost City Ramblers, imitators of the highest order, and Bob’s truest musical and spiritual mentors, according to his own word. It’s all about the mirrors. This insistence on originality is the illusion that Dylan shattered, and in doing so, showed himself to be the most creative of all.
So grateful to you for shining a light on this artist and for pointing out this glaring omission from the story.
I enjoyed your film review. I just can’t help wondering if Appalachia isn’t in film so often because the way people there refuse to change for the sake of Hollywood’s ideas of what sells. I think there are a lot of places in America like this. When films are made though, they win awards. It’s a shame that a narrow lens with a lot of filtering has so much power to make cultures feel so isolated.
I’m also grateful for all of your information about Jean Ritchie. I’m sad to say I didn’t know. I’m not Appalachian but from the flatlands of the Jackson Purchase. I grew up listening to the artists Ritchie influenced without knowing about her. Don’t let her story die.
And I think I have an idea of a story you can explore more with “Another Country.”
Slight correction - her husband’s name was George Pickow (photo credit). I knew a number of people in her circle while growing up in Jackson, Kentucky in the ‘60s, but I regret never meeting her.
George was a dear friend of mine. Auto correct on Substack is so strident, it changed all the Pickows to Picks, but I've corrected them. Thanks!
I figured as much.