Stan Rogers, legends, and "The Flowers of Bermuda"

[sonia]

How Legends Are Made: Stan Rogers, “The Flowers of Bermuda,” and Air Canada Flight 797 by Stephen Winick.

I am a lifelong fan of Stan Rogers. I grew up going to a fantastic weekend folk festival in Glen Echo, MD every year the first weekend of June. Five concurrent stages, with all the fabulous international folk performers available in the Washington DC area (and the roar of airplane traffic overhead from National airport). I remember the air vibrating with shock one year as the news got out about Stan Rogers' death trying to rescue people from a plane crash.

Interestingly, the article says the "trying to rescue" part didn't happen, but it was how the story was told from the very beginning, early June 1983. First I've heard that it went differently. I bet Stan Rogers was helping people as the disaster unfolded, even if he didn't physically return to a burning plane.


Stan Rogers, Flowers of Bermuda

Watch on YouTube

His son Nathan with his own gorgeous version

Watch on YouTube

Article via mdlbear

Comments

[minoanmiss]

This is truly beautiful

[sonia]

<3

Stan Roger's human energy was so strong

[jesse_the_k]

...it manages to thrill me through a YouTube clip or CD.

I'm glad you got a chance to see him perform in the flesh.

Re: Stan Roger's human energy was so strong

[sonia]

I didn’t get to see him in the flesh, sadly, although I did hear other great performers sing his music, and I agree, the recordings are already fabulous.

Re: Stan Roger's human energy was so strong

[jesse_the_k]

The linked article mentioned One Warm Line, a 1988 documentary available for rent ($US2) or purchase ($US7) on Vimeo. The "trailer" is six variously-bearded men singing Barrett's Privateers acapella. It's not in-person but it's lovely to see his enthusiasm!

[panisdead]

I love that guy. We went to Alaska and then drove into the Yukon on our honeymoon specifically so we could drive a little piece of the Canol Road and visit the Kopper King.

Re: Stan Roger's human energy was so strong

[sonia]

Ooh, that trailer is great! Would you be interested in a long-distance viewing party of the documentary? I rarely sit and watch films, but I might be interested in that one.

[sonia]

Wow! How was it to be there after putting in that effort to make it happen?

Re: Stan Roger's human energy was so strong

[jesse_the_k]

That would be a gas!

It's a tight 46 minutes, so highly suitable for a shared watch.

I'm available pretty much all the time, so let's plan around your schedule. I'll also defer to you on the technology required.

Re: Stan Roger's human energy was so strong

[sonia]

We could probably share video over zoom. Let me think about scheduling and get back to you - bit overwhelmed at the moment.

Re: Stan Roger's human energy was so strong

[jesse_the_k]

...it's waited 7 years so feel free to make this a surprise plan in mid-November :p

[panisdead]

Cool! Let me clarify--we had already decided to go to Alaska and then from there made the Stan-based plans, so it wasn't entirely a pilgrimage? But I really enjoy that feeling of putting another sensory overlay on an experience, so while driving the Canol Road in reality was mostly about moving at about 15 mph so the loose gravel didn't fly up and damage the rental car and leave us with extra fees, I can still picture the slope and the trees rising up on either sides and the general lonesomeness of the area. So listening to the song, there's definitely an extra shiver of "yep, that would be a brutal way to go" stemming from the trip.

I was actually pretty charmed by Whitehorse and the folks we met and talked to there, although you'll notice I haven't tried to move up there and live through the winters. :D

[sonia]

I like having a body sense of a place in a book or song too. Sounds like an amazing experience all around!