Old Folk Singers

**preserve** · October-02-09, 11:56 AM

Anyone know whatever happened to Phil Esser and
Charlie Latimore?

**Detroitnerd** · October-02-09, 12:06 PM

This is the last known photo of Charlie and his wife.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...n/homeless.jpg

**gazhekwe** · October-02-09, 12:07 PM

Phil Marcus Esser is still entertaining. Here is a play from last year:

“ME FOR PRESIDENT”
Performed at Boulder High School
July 24, 25, 26, 27, 2008
An original musical by Phil Marcus Esser and Jo Anne
Lamun all about the election of a young person[[it could
be YOU) as president of the United States

Stosh · October-02-09, 12:16 PM

I believe you mean Charlie Latimer.

http://latimer.netfirms.com/home.html

**gazhekwe** · October-02-09, 12:21 PM

PAYING TRIBUTE TO PHIL MARCUS ESSER
HON. JON C. PORTER OF NEVADA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Phil Marcus Esser for work on behalf of the Boulder City Community.

Phil is a very accomplished folk singer and musical producer and has been a resident of Boulder City Nevada for the past six years. Since moving to Boulder City, Phil has immersed himself in charitable and community orientated projects, most notably as the choir director for St. Andrewâ€™s Church. Most recently, Phil performed at the Boulder City American Legion Hall, raising over $4000 for Emergency Aid of Boulder City. This show was the first in a series of four such performances intending to support a local cause.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Phil Marcus Esser. His work on behalf of the local community is admirable and I applaud his efforts.

**gazhekwe** · October-02-09, 12:26 PM

Charlie Latimer's site says he is still performing but there are no bookings listed. Some nice music though.

Charlie continues to perform in and around the Detroit area with guitarist Al Ayoub and bassist Tony Suhy

http://latimer.netfirms.com/home.html

**preserve** · October-02-09, 04:13 PM

Thanks for the info. I doubt if I'll get to Boulder, but now I can
maybe find out where Charlie is going to be. Just another
nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Lorax · October-02-09, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

This is the last known photo of Charlie and his wife.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...n/homeless.jpg

Hey, I was the first to post that photo earlier today! I want royalties! Just kidding. That one was too good/bad not to use.

**douglasm** · October-02-09, 07:33 PM

Speaking of old Detroit area folk singers, I found this website for Chuck Mitchell.

https://www.mitchellsong.com/bio.php

I've asked this question a couple of times before and have gotten no real answer, but I'll try again. Any old folkie out there know what ever happened to Charlie Latimer's guitar player Paul Bowles? I know it's been a hundred years ago, but.....

**1KielsonDrive** · October-02-09, 11:00 PM

Great idea for a thread. I knew Phillip Marcus Esser and Charlie Latimer from our days at the Soup Kitchen Saloon and well before that. They played the annual Focus Hope Holiday Music Festival at Masonic Temple, almost every year, along with Barbara Bredius [[I think she was Esser's life and musical partner at the time) as well as Josh White Jr, Ron Coden and others I can't remember at the moment. Duh? There used to be shows at the 'Down Under', the restaurant downstairs at Hart Plaza by the ice rink. Does that space still exist? The Leather Bottle Inn on Warren Road in Dearborn Heights was a regular spot for folk and theatrical music. Marcus was much more theatre oriented than folk, but crossed the lines often when performing with folkies. He was a huge stage presence. Commanding voice! The Salty Dog on John R in ?Madison Heights?, the wooden joint on the east side of John R that resembles the prow of a ship, was another folkie/theatre venue. Jonathon Round [[aptly named) was a huge [[literally) folk performer. I still have a self titled album by Round from Westbound Records. Dennis Coffey and Jack Ashford played on it. Jef Fisk was another folkie who was excellent. I have his album, 'It's All Root Beer', with Rich DelGrasso on mandolin. There was such a nice folkie/theatre music scene in the 70's and 80's. I used to see and talk to Esser, Josh White Jr, Jonathon Round and others, at clubs all over town. I attended the farewell show at the Raven's Gallery featuring Josh White Jr. It later became the original Sweet Lorraine's. I'll post more thoughts as I get over my senior moments. Or is it senior hours, days, weeks.....Help!

**1KielsonDrive** · October-02-09, 11:05 PM

Jim Cunningham - another performer of note. I saw him a couple years ago at The Dally. He stopped by the porch and we reminisced. He was playing at Foran's Pub well in to the 80's. I don't believe he's performing regularily now. If I remember correctly, Jim has a marina on the east side or up on the St. Mary's River. Boy, would it be nice to have a reunion 'Folk Festival'.

**1KielsonDrive** · October-02-09, 11:10 PM

The owner of Joe Kool's in Birmingham [[Big Beaver Road?) is a friend of Phillip Marcus Esser. Esser would likely play there if and when he's in town. He called me a couple of years ago to say Esser was visiting but didn't mention any shows, or I'da been gone.

**1KielsonDrive** · October-02-09, 11:21 PM

Josh White Jr. is a great performer. He always gets the audience involved. Whether it's singing or sound effects, his audiences participate in his shows. I worked with him at the Soup Kitchen Saloon numerous times. He was one of my very favorites, not only for his music, but because he was such a nice and considerate person. When you work with famous, celebrity types, oft times they're a pain in the ass. Josh was fun. He's still around occasionally. I always liked him also because he chose to stay and live in the Detroit area - Rosedale Park. He, as well as his father, the legendary, Josh White, were native New Yorkers, I believe.

**1KielsonDrive** · October-02-09, 11:22 PM

Dummy George on McNichols, used to do some very folk leaning jazz shows also.

**1KielsonDrive** · October-02-09, 11:26 PM

The Salt Mines and Salt Walk Cafe at Shelby and Larned, kitty corner from the Pontchartrain Hotel hosted folk music on occasion. The downstairs part was the Salt Mines, I think. That's where they had the shows. The building may be gone now. I'll have to walk there and check it out.

**eno** · October-03-09, 12:11 AM

I went to the Raven's Gallery a couple of times in the early 70s to see Chuck Mitchell at one show and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee for the other. I was curious about Chuck because of his association with Joni. Sonny and Brownie were a folk-blues institution.

**1KielsonDrive** · October-03-09, 03:02 PM

I can't remember all the shows I saw at the Raven's Gallery. A wonderful venue - intimate and great sound, not to mention the performers. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee played the Soup while I worked there. I've told this story a few times, but for many years I was hesitant to repeat it because I thought my recollections might be innaccurate. After hearing others confirm it, I felt better because my memory was correct. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee played together for something like 25 - 35 years. They were an inseparable musical duo, traveling the country and world. Inseparable, unless you mean they were good friends and they communicated. Sonnie and Brownie came to the Soup for their show. I attempted to speak to them together. They'd barely look at each other. They even feigned not hearing me and didn't respond. I was quite perplexed. Finally I discovered the problem - they wouldn't speak to each other, going as far as to not acknowledge the others presence, even on stage. How long did this take place and how did they manage to perform so well and be such an important musical act? Got me. But, I quickly learned to speak to each of their aides and have them speak to the artists. The aides would then return to me to confirm important communications. Sonny and Brownie's shows were always excellent and their fans loved them.

**gazhekwe** · October-03-09, 03:34 PM

Ron Coden sometimes performs at O'Mara's in Berkley.

**65memories** · October-03-09, 03:35 PM

1Kielson brings back memories...I remember seeing Ron Coden at the original Raven Gallery, just off Woodward in Birmingham. This was the mid 60's...Coden was just out of the army at the time. Later, we saw him at the Raven in Southfield. Remember seeing Esser, Bredius and Latimer at the Sheraton Cadillac in the 70's...a dinner theatre production called "Personals". Also saw them perform in a similar type show at Mercy College. Great talent displayed by all artists...wish they were still performing regularly [[although I know Coden is often at O'Mara's on 12 Mile in Berkley).

**Bobl** · October-03-09, 03:58 PM

1KielsonDrive:

"...Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee played the Soup while I worked there..."

Just one of many probable times we have likely met. I saw them at a Soup Kitchen gig one time. Great show.
I sure miss that place!

**preserve** · October-04-09, 12:27 PM

I remember most of those performers at The Living End - then when that closed the Raven. So, it's been a long long time since I've heard any of them, except for Coden at O'Mara's.
Listened to an old Bob Dylan CD and "Like a Woman" brought back the memories of Charlie singing it and that's when I started this thread. Thanks for all your memories, sometimes
I feel I must be the oldest person on this forum

**Gary** · October-04-09, 12:35 PM

65memories...are you sure Ron Coden was in the army? It's certainly possible, but I never heard him mention it.

Ron Coden is still fairly active. Aside from his monthly appearances at O'Meara's, he still does some commercials from time to time, as well as stuff like corporate gatherings, etc. He also had a speaking part in "The Ben Carson Story" but I think it is uncredited.

**douglasm** · October-04-09, 01:05 PM

For all the information available about the Detroit music scene, be it jazz, blues, soul or rock, there has been very little documented about the very active folk scene in Detroit in the '60's, with places like The Raven, The Living End, Chessmate, The Retort, The Absolute Zero [[re-named to reflect the crowd that packed the place one night...) and other folk based clubs that kept Latimer, Coden, Esser, White, and a host of others employed and brought enjoyment to many.

I remember open mikes at the AZ, after the regular performances had concluded, would sometimes last until dawn......

**1KielsonDrive** · October-06-09, 11:16 PM

Bobl, I still talk to Brian, the owner of the Soup, periodically. We don't talk much about the Soup itself, mostly personal matters. He's moved on after having all the bad experiences with The City of Detroit [[Archer) administration over the 'Warehouse', 'Rivertown' districts and their designation as 'Casinos' area. They forced Brian out very abruptly. You can't feel too good about being pushed out after building a business, a very famous one at that, for 25 plus years. It's a shame. I miss it too. Where else in the Detroit area could you see the acts that played the Soup, in an equally intimate setting, even having personal contact with the players? I know Sully's was one, but none of them had the atmosphere and longevity of the Soup Kitchen.

**Bobl** · October-08-09, 09:17 PM

Ruining that district was the mother of all stupid politician tricks!
Only in Detroit......

By the way, in addition to the intimate setting and great performers, the sandwiches were quite good at the Soup Kitchen. If memory is correct, their liquor license was one of the oldest in the city.
One night, we met some people in town from Chicago for a hockey game at the Detroiter. They mentioned that they liked blues, so we took them to see live music at the Loco, back to Detroiter, then Soup Kitchen after the game. They were happy and amazed at the many venues offering quality music.