I Know

by John Gorka

Overview

By the time he recorded his debut album I Know, John Gorka was already a seasoned veteran and it showed. With excellent harmony vocals from Shawn Colvin and Lucy Kaplansky, who also cut their teeth on the New York City folk circuit, John Gorka recorded an album of original songs that had been road-tested and audience approved. The chorus of nearly every song is instantly memorable, and the simple, acoustic arrangements help bring out his powerful voice. The most impressive feature of this debut is the ability of Gorka to move easily from light-hearted humorous songs ("Winter Cows," "Like My Watch") to serious songs about the complexities of relationships ("Love Is Our Cross to Bear"). The versatility in his songwriting and the expressiveness of his warm baritone would become his trademarks, and John Gorka has become a leader of the genre dubbed "contemporary folk." This stunning debut also established Gorka songs in the folk canon, as his inspirational song "Branching Out" is often sung in elementary schools. ~ Vik Iyengar

Product Details

Release Date:	03/23/1992
Label:	Red House Records
UPC:	0033651001829
Rank:	30046

Tracks

1. Downtown Tonight
2. Winter Cows
3. Blues Palace
4. Love Is Our Cross to Bear
5. Branching Out
6. I Saw a Stranger With Your Hair
7. B.B. King Was Wrong
8. Heart upon Demand
9. I Know
10. Out of My Mind
11. Like My Watch
12. Down in the Milltown

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Gorka   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Shawn Colvin   Vocals (Background)
Steve Gillette   Vocals (Background)
Christine Lavin   Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Frank Christian   Guitar,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Mark Dann   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Lucy Kaplansky   Vocals (Background)
Megon McDonough   Whistle (Human)
Howie Wyeth   Drums
Robin Batteau   Fiddle,Violin
Timothy Pitt   Guitar,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Janice Kollar   Percussion,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

William S. Kollar   Engineer,Producer,Producer,Arranger,Engineer
Shawn Colvin   Vocal Arrangement
John Gorka   Composer
Lucy Kaplansky   Vocal Arrangement
Roger Seibel   Mastering
George Ostroushko   Design,Artwork
Janice Kollar   Arranger,Vocal Arrangement
Ann Marsden   Photography