Johnny Silvo: May 7th 2004
A happy smile eases around the door — “I am what you might call an entertainer. I began in jazz and the blues, but took to the music of Guthrie and admired Ewan McColl ”, and so for forty years or more has travelled the world with his guitar and songs, “but never written any myself.”
And sure enough we were taken on an easy stroll through popular song: for years he couldn’t bring himself to sing the Mudie Waters’ lyrics: “What did I do to be so black and blue / I am so white inside, /but I can’t hide what is in my face. /I wish I was never born ......” Black in a white society, but he is now at peace with himself, born of an American father and an Irish mother. So naturally comes to his lips an Irish version of the ballad The Farmer and his wife, where the the farmer wishes his own wife upon the devil, sung with a catch in his eye, teasing out the humour.; and straight on celebrating What a Wonderful World mimicking the gravelly voice of Louis Armstrong in conversation with the distinctive tone of Ella Fitzgerald’s swooping phrases in reply. Years ago he gave little attention to a young guy Bob Dylan but now sings a medley which begins Well it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe ....When the rooster breaks at the break of dawn ..; and with ease takes us into the traditional Seeds of Love, and ends the night with The Wild Mountain Thyme, everybody joining in willingly with the choruses.
He turns his hand and voice to any style and has the range and versatility to do so.
And Johnny has the last word. “The song is the most important. The guitar is used in support of the words, and to create the atmosphere” – and every word could be heard.