Going Back to Brooklyn

History

Although Van Ronk was primarily an interpretive singer of traditional folk and blues songs along with covers of the songs of others, he still wrote a number of songs over his long career. Going Back to Brooklyn is the only album he made that is devoted entirely to his own compositions. Many of the songs were written, and some recorded, years and even decades previous to this release; however, all of the songs on this release were re-recorded specially for this album.

Going Back to Brooklyn was re-released on CD twice, in 1991 by Gazell Records and in 2006 by Hightone Records.

Reception

Writing for Allmusic, critic William Ruhlman wrote of the album "Van Ronk is primarily an interpretive singer with a repertoire of traditional folk-blues songs along with covers of the songs of his peers... Even when he writes a well-developed original, he basically adapts one of his favorite folk-blues fingerpicking patterns to accompany a lyric idea... Van Ronk uses his raspy, expressive voice, which contrasts with the sweetness of his guitar playing, to get across harsh, bitter feelings... Going Back to Brooklyn is unique among Dave Van Ronk albums for the portrait it provides of the artist, even if on the surface it sounds like many of this other records." Music critic Robert Christgau called Van Ronk "the most steadfast of the folkies—and the funniest."

Track listing

All songs by Dave Van Ronk.

1. "Losers" – 3:14
2. "Blood Red Moon" – 4:06
3. "Honey Hair" – 3:22
4. "Head Inspector" – 2:29
5. "Luang Prabang" – 1:36
6. "Antelope Rag" – 5:21
7. "Tantric Mantra" – 0:39
8. "Gaslight Rag" – 2:06
9. "Last Call" – 2:37
10. "Garden State Stomp" – 3:30
11. "Zen Koans Gonna Rise Again" – 3:42
12. "The Whores of San Pedro" – 0:33
13. "Left Bank Blues" – 3:39
14. "Another Time and Place" – 4:37

Personnel

Production