It is taking longer than expected to fetch the next song to play.
The music should be playing soon.
If you get tired of waiting, you can try reloading your browser.
Please check our Help page for information about troubleshooting Pandora on your browser.
A singer/songwriter famed for his rich, expressive baritone, New Jersey native John Gorka was one of the leading lights of the new folk movement. Gorka began his career while attending college in Pennsylvania in the early '80s, appearing at open mic nights at a local coffeehouse before eventually forming his own group, the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band. Soon he hit the road, performing up and down the Eastern Seaboard before finally settling in Texas and winning the Kerrville Folk Festival's prestigious New Folk Award in 1984. In 1987, Gorka cut his debut album, I Know, for the Red House label, winning acclaim for his songs' subtle wit and acute character observations. After a move to Windham Hill, he issued 1990's Land of the Bottom Line, followed two years later by Jack's Crows. With 1993's Temporary Road, Gorka garnered significant airplay from country outlets with the single and video "When She Kisses Me," resulting in tours supporting Mary Chapin Carpenter and Nanci Griffith. For 1994's Out of the Valley, Gorka traveled to Nashville to team with producer John Jennings, who recruited guests including Carpenter, Kathy Mattea, guitarist Leo Kottke, and Fairport Convention drummer Dave Mattacks; Between Five and Seven followed in 1996, and two years later he returned with After Yesterday. Company You Keep, which followed in early 2001, featured guest spots from Carpenter, Patty Larkin, and Lucy Kaplansky. 2003 saw the release of the typically introspective Old Futures Gone. It was followed in 2006 by Writing in the Margins. So Dark You See appeared in 2009. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Just saw Gorka yesterday in Ringwood new jersey. He is still great - he played piano - and a tiny electric guitar in addition to his wonderful acoustic. Go see him - a good time - he will speak to your soul.
laskiblue
I could just fall into John Gorka's voice . . . I loved seeing him in concert many, many years ago as part of the Celery City Music Hall series in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Can you believe how beautiful and creative this song is? Unreal....second only to Flying Red Horse...
jacckson4cj
Boy has the music industry changed! Razy Dazy Spasm Band with a young John Gorka and a young Richard Shindell and no calls for nostalgic reunions. What I would have given to be a fly on the wall in their sessions. Powerfull songwriting artfully rendered...wow.
My first exposure was The Flying Red Horse, which someone pilfered, so I don't know what year that was, but it was at least as good as all the rest i've listened to. Maybe Pandora can include all his works, eventually. And to think you can catch this guy at Schuba's in Chicago on occasion!
sbrinkman89
He get's it done. John, you are the bomb! Whether sentimental, tongue-in-cheek, or dead-on right, you tell stories like no-one else can. Your melodies are fun, easy, memorable, your guitar work spectacular, and insight beyond that shown by many. You are a pleasure to listen to, I am a fan for life.
ac_witney
I have always loved this guys beautiful voice and performing skills. I would love to hear him in concert again.
John's rich baritone voice is unmistakable. Land of the Bottom Line still resonates as a work of genius. If you've ever had your heart broken, this one may stay in your rotation for many months.
Those pictures above aren't of John Gorka. They're pictures of Lucy Kaplinsky. (See Pandora's Lucy Kaplinsky bio.)
davidsames
Peacefully thought provoking.
fjuziuk
First heard him on a Windham hill cut at Christmas and fell in love with his voice. Now his version of "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" is the only one I sing.
Great songwriter, great voice. I live in Colorado, so I don't get to see as much of the great eastern folk singers as I would like
kjackson56
What a mellow voice...pure and relatable...where has he been hiding??? I live in PA!!!
JRMarks
Just saw John at the famed Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. The experience was sublime.
frissy61
John's been a favorite for many years....since the early days at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem. Almost got thrown out of one show for singing louder than him (so rude) - just can't help liking his music, including Christine Lavin, David Wicox, Patty Larkin. Thanks to Pandora for the free music enjoyment and variety.
Daniel: I listen and very much enjoy both Bill Morissey and John Gorka. Significantly different...albeit mostly just in sound, as both have great messages, great stories, and songs full of ear candy! We've heard J. Gorka 2 or 3 times. More than well worth it. Two incredible artists.
One of the best folk singers to come near Wichita...and definitely worth seeing live, although the recordings are superb. Been listening ever since Land of the Bottom Line. Ranks right up there with Lucy Kaplansky (although completely different).
I'd love to hear a Willy Nelson-John Gorka duet, or perhaps a Gorka and Jose Feliciano duet. It's wonderful and comforting to hear is his baritone. I can only imagine the blending of his tones with theirs.
cherylstone_sc
After reading the bio that he is from NJ, I realize that he sent me his demo tape in the early 90's! I was into heavy metal at the time, so I didn't play it on my radio show. Now that I have grown musically, I really do like his stuff! Need to dig out that old demo and press kit!
I first heard John perform live on Vin Skelsa's Idiots Delight radio program (wnew fm in new york) Easter Sunday Extravaganza in 85 I think...by good fortune I recorded it on a cassette tape...listened to Blues Palace over and over..till the tape got ate by the player...still a huge fan !
John Gorkas has really learned how to write good songs, I wish he would keep going with his song writing. I personally think his land of the bottom line CD is the best, but then he has allot of songs that are good to. I think though he may be tired of the crowds, because he had allot of people going to his concerts.
kjb_68
I've just discovered this artist! His voice is beautiful and I love his music! What a gifted man!
I've known about John since his days at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, PA. His turns of phrase, metaphors! How does he THINK of this stuff? Have seen him many times--last week at Falcon Ridge Folk Fest in NY. I agree--Pandora is great! I just discovered it today. I put in a bunch of folk artists, and they had every one!
I got turned on to Gorka in the 90's. His songs are poetic. This Pandora deal is AWESOME! When you live in the sticks, you can't find music off the beaten path. I wish more people could get what this guy is doing.
Comments
land of the bottom line
Tell me why, why are you near
'Cause if you cannot make yourself a good noise
Tell me what you're doing here
....'nuf said!
I love John Gorka!