It is often said that we folksingers – when the «How many does it take..» jokes are told – tend to talk about how great old folks were.
How many folk singers does it take to change a light bulb?
One. And all the other folkies sitting around talking about how good the old lightbulb used to be..
And it is true! We do. That is our nature, and maybe our purpose and why we are put on this planet; to say «Gather around me children, I will tell you a tale..»
Some tell with music only. Hans Graasvold from Telemark, Norway, was one. Last night I was in a hootenanny party in my street in Oslo where all the musicians played in rememberance and respect to our late friend, Hans!
Lillebjørn Nilsen
Thanks, Lillebjørn, for your good words reminding us of our dear departed friend. For my own part, I just want to add that Hans Graasvold was the most loyal musician I have ever had the privilege of sharing the stage with. His musical brilliance was such that he could make just about every musician he played with appear like a fumbling fool, had he wanted to. Instead, he always went out of his way to make his compatriots on stage sound good. There are many of us who have much to thank him for.
Erland Lyngve.
He was a dear and loved friend. I will never forget him.