Customer Reviews

I Know

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I grew up with this album, and with Gorka himself; my father was an early fan of the Arlington Folk scene and so Gorka, Colvin, Vega, and Massengil (among others) seem like old standards to me even as they "hit the bigtime" in the eyes of others. But let's be realistic -- this album is inconsistent. Sure, especially if you're used to seeing Gorka live the gems on this early album are fun and easy to listen to (see especially shorts "Like my Watch," Branching Out" and "Out of my Mind" for often-played-live deep cuts), but some of the strongest cuts from here can can be had on Gorka's stronger albums (see his second release Land of the Bottom Line for the same studio versions of "Love is Our Cross to Bear" and "Stranger with your Hair), and a few songs on "I Know" are just too tempting to program out of the rotation (especially that awful song about Judy Garland, and, although I'm sure others will beg to differ, "BB King" really doesn't work as well in the recorded version as it does live on stage.

The short version of all that? The short songs on this album (some less than two minutes!) are gems, but all the full-length songs can either be found elsewhere or don't hold up to Gorka's later best. Ultimately, this album is strong at beginning and end but weaker in the middle -- unless you are working towards owning the full Gorka catalog (a noble pursuit), I'd stick with Jack's Crows and Land of the Bottom Line.

There is a great promise in this album, but it only got fulfilled with "Land Of The Bottom Line" where Gorka even rerecorded some songs appearing here. I guess he understood these werent the best versions. This cd is for Gorka's completist, rather than for the beginner or casual listener. There are probably quite of a few of us out there.

All of John's albums after this were more polished, more professional, with more elaborate arrangements, but none are more honest and heartfelt than "I Know". Having seen him live several times, I can tell you this is the closest to seeing him in person.

Standouts on this album are "Heart Upon Demand" and "Love Is Our Cross To Bear". If these songs don't get to you, quit breathing, you're already dead.

This is the first album of his I ever listened to--although he had others out at the time. I've seen him live 5 times, including very small venues. While I like his music live, it certainly doesn't take away from the pleasure I get from his studio tracks. There's not one lame song on this CD, and it's a nice introduction to his music.

This music is fun, provokative, thoughtful -- everything that folk music should be. John paints with his words in a kind voice with a gental strum of the guitar. I listen to this music when I want to celebrate a good day and when I need to be cheered up. My favorite song is "out of my mind" a clever and catchy play on words which always made me smile.

"Stranger with your hair" brings back the taste of lost dreams, reminding one of things which where pinnacle in ancient memories.

"Branching out" is a fun song that reminds me of the absolute joy one experiances when they realize what new opportunites are.

The only song I avoid is "B.B. King was wrong"

I Know was John Gorka's first album release and still ranks as one of his best (along with Jack's Crows). Gorka offers quite an assortment of goodies here: touching odes (Loss Is Our Cross To Bear, I Saw A Stranger With Your Hair), amusing ditties (Out Of My Mind, Like My Watch), breezy fare (Branching Out), a barnburner (B.B. Was Wrong), and a few small town epics (the title track, Down In The Milltown) - a continuing Gorka specialty. The only mis-fire is the maudlin Heart Upon Demand (aka I Dreamed Of Judy Garland). Even Judy might have trouble with that one.

If you have no Gorka CDs, this is a good place to start. If you were fortunate to hear him along the way and misssed this CD, go back and get it. Either way, you won't be sorry.

A complete joy and one of my favorites