Don Q: I hear ya. And thanks backacha.
I was thinking how the term Minstrel would probably bring music to most folks minds, especially when related it to Gord. But, yes, the artist/entertainer-of-any-stripe can busk and stand proud w/ all the minstrels.
I understand what you mean by racism "in the definition of their days." Like the song Groucho, and others, would sing "That's Why Darkies Were Born." Not so clever these days - even though it's often included in the basically bootleg-fakebooks saloon musicians have relied on for years (this one included.)
And those Vaudeville days (and those auto-bios of all the folks you mentioned - giants of their time, one way or another.) Good reading, too. And, lest we forget, that other similar tradition Burlesque and the baggy-pants comics - and those tassles.
A mite far-afield from Gord's song, where we began, but that history Gord knows well. Well read, too, hence your choice of names here.
I'm headin' out to my "2001 Honda Accord CD player" to listen again. I couldn't afford an iPod.
kick-ball-chain-kick-ball-chain . . .
The Rez
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It was a Beautiful Rainbow
A Beautiful Time in my Life
A Thing to Share
A Time to Care
To Be Alive
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