Versatility hallmark
By Cherie Chun
of Carolyn Hester
Star-BulletinThere's no question that American folk music is still a present and relevant force in society, says guitarist/singer Carolyn Hester.
"Definitely," says the self-described lifetime musician. "There is a new emergence ... of folk music by a brand new generation"
Hester -- who plays Oahu concerts tomorrow and Saturday -- was one of the mainstays of the American folk music in Greenwich Village during the '60s.
She points to Nanci Griffith, Emmylou Harris, Lucy Kaplansky and Sarah McLaughlin as members of the next folk generation.
"Well, Nanci Griffith, for instance, she says that a great deal of her style is like my style."
Hester says she grew up on the music of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and derives inspiration from her idol Seeger.
"I felt that I did adapt (Seeger's) way of wanting to express myself in music more than I wanted to sing popular kinds of songs. I wanted to sing ... the music of the people and latch onto songs that were important to me."
During the years, Hester has put forth a variety of musical fare, doing traditional songs from Texas, mountain songs from the Ozarks, blues and revival songs, to name a few. And as a musician, she can't say that she's really changed during that time.
"How I've stayed the same is that I feel like I'm still a gambler, that I'll try to do all kinds of songs ... I can just give people a general potpourri of music," she said.
Potpourri of music
Who: Carolyn Hester and David Blue
