Interview on Philly Folk Scene, 1 hour in.
Just Like A River
New Music Alert!
The deep human desire for liberation is an inherent part of human nature and ultimately will seek expression.
Those who would control others, limit freedom, oppress dissent, or demand traditional social or sexual rules and attitudes from anyone they meet are in a losing battle against the power of liberation itself.
The inexorable pull of Freedom all people feel is powerful and, when combined, can sweep away impediments, much like a powerful river can destroy mankind’s best efforts to contain it.
The song “Just Like A River” celebrates that power.
Stream it free on my website or ReverbNation profile or on your favorite streaming service.
https://www.reverbnation.com/jbakervt/song/35298758-just-like-a-river
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It’s In Our Power
New Music Alert!
Announcing a new single release from Vermont Song Smith and Folk Singer Jason Baker.
“It’s In Our Power”
3:14
12-string Guitar and Vocal
Inspired by a Soviet animated film of the same title, time travel science fiction, an RFK speech and our deep collective need for a call to action, “It’s In Our Power” reminds us that it’s our participation, enthusiasm, and mutual cooperation that creates the future world we will live in.
“It’s In Our Power”: http://www.reverbnation.com/open_graph/song/35275479
You can also find this song on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, and more streaming services.
Please like/subscribe and share/playlist!
Thanks for listening!
Jason
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Whaddaya say we start a Revolution Right Now?
If the state of the world and the direction of the nation are causing you mental and emotional distress, you are not alone. Let’s “work hard to be part of the solution” and you can start by singing along!
“Revolution Right Now”
3:49
12-string Guitar and Vocal
Don’t forget to share!
“Baker’s songs are often political in nature. His latest single is no exception. “Revolution Right Now” is a protest song that finds Baker seething at the wealth inequality in America and the uncertain state of the Union.”— Chris Farnsworth, Seven Days, Jan 6, 2026 |
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What Would The Prophets Say?
As an ethnically Jewish American who is also an atheist, I spent much of my life shrugging about Israel and ignoring the whole thing as much as possible. This has become impossible as the IDF operates to exterminate civilians in Gaza, as well as continuing expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank accompanied by ongoing daily violence against Palestinians.
I’ve always had mixed feelings about my lack of faith, not because I doubted the non-existence of supernatural beings, but because it seemed to separate me from the Jewish community in general. At the same time, I’ve always felt like I dodged a bullet somehow by avoiding religious extremism, and now I know that the main bullet was really Zionism.
When I was young, and asked my father about what was going on in Israel, he was uniquely vague, and I never understood why until now: he was conflicted, and didn’t know what to do about it. On the one hand, he was a Jew, if a thoroughly secular one, but OF COURSE he supported Israel… but never went there, and when asked why, waved it off and just said “it’s a mess”. Deep down, as a labor leader and liberal, my father knew something was not right about Israel, but was in no position in society, which still persecuted Jews, to turn his back on other Jews.
I think my apprehension around Israel started with internalizing those conflicts my father had: I don’t want to abandon people who have suffered, but something feels wrong. If there’s ongoing conflict, surely something isn’t right.
I wasn’t until I saw, due to the ready availability of video-capable cell phones, clear evidence of the harassment and violence Israeli settlers visited on Palestinians in the West Bank, where they are STILL building settlements in violation of international law, that I began to question the morality of tacitly supporting Israel by ignorance and silence. I realized my instincts about avoiding Israel and modern Judiasm essentially saved me from becoming a bigot.
Now we have the ultimate modern spectacle: a full-blown genocide on TV, committed on behalf of Christian Nationalists by Zionists in the name of Judiasm. The other governments in the region complain to greater or lesser degrees but are in no position to do anything, especially as they have no moral high ground on human rights.
The governments across the Middle East mostly claim to be disciples of Moses, Jesus, or Mohammed, and claim political authority on that basis, no matter how much their actions deviate from the stated principles of their supposed religion.
From Iranian Morality Police killing young women, to IDF forces killing children in Gaza right now during a new ground offensive, it seems political violence is the norm from these governments.
The religious basis of authority in the Middle East (or anywhere for that matter) is the source of a lot of suffering and is unsustainable. The violence perpetrated on women and children in particular is at odds with the stated principles of Judeo-Christian religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What would Moses, Jesus, or Mohammed say? What would they do?
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Do undocumented veterans deserve deportation?
At least 94,000 Veterans have been Deported since passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
My song “Soldier’s Heart” tells the story of one of those Veterans.
Check out my new video.
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Music Of America Podcast Season 1 Episode 223 – Jason Baker
I’m excited to be featured on tomorrow’s Music of America Podcast! Please check it out to hear songs from my latest EP and an interview.
Thank you to host Tom Pollard for a wonderful conversation!
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NEW RELEASE: 10,000 Miles Away EP
10,000 Miles Away
Jason Baker
https://www.reverbnation.com/jbakervt/album/310675-10000-miles-away
10,000 Miles Away is a set of traditional songs accompanied by long-neck banjo (with one song with original lyrics set to a folk tune, “Red River Valley”).
“10,000 Miles Away” is a fun recording of old favorites, and also a document of the results of a year-long apprenticeship with Rik Palieri learning the Pete Seeger style of long-neck banjo playing.
The apprenticeship took place from September 2022 to September 2023. Thanks Rik for a wonderful experience!
Many Thanks to Vermont Folklife for selecting us to be a part of the 2022-2023 cohort!
The entire EP was recorded in my home with the Gold Tone AC-1LN: Long Neck Acoustic Composite 5-String Openback Banjo. Thanks to Gold Tone for making a professional sounding instrument that is affordable!
“10,000 Miles Away” (3:03)
Ten Thousand Miles Away is a sea shanty and bush ballad, originally a shore ballad sung by street singers in Ireland in the early nineteenth century. Later it became a popular music hall number.
I want to thank Heidi Slaney for pointing me in the direction of the Dan Milner version on his Smithsonian Folkways album Irish Pirate Ballads and Other Songs of the Sea.
Dan recently passed away, and it’s a tremendous loss, so I dedicate this song to Dan Milner.
“Old Rosin The Beau” (2:52)
I was inspired to record this song by the New Audiences for Old Songs project.
‘The “New Audiences for Old Songs” project aims to expand awareness for – and enjoyment of – a rare and important collection of folk songs and traditional ballads from the Adirondack region of New York State; the kind of “self-made” music sung by everyday people and passed down through the generations in earlier days.
Musician and teaching artist Dave Ruch is working throughout 2023 with Colleen Cleveland to introduce this “heritage” music to musicians in widely varied genres.’
I listened through the archive and decided to record “Old Rosin the Beau” using the lyrics and key Sara Cleveland used.
I want to thank Dave Ruch Music and Colleen Cleveland. It’s a wonderful idea.
“The Leatherwing Bat” (2:37)
“The Leather-Winged Bat” is an English folk song about a collection of flying animals, mostly birds, except for the title character who begins the list. This version’s cast members are the bat, robin, blackbird, owl and turtle dove. Each has something to say about love and courtship.
Again I want to thank Heidi Slaney for suggesting this song!
“Deep Elm Blues” (3:06)
“Deep Elm Blues” is an American traditional song.
The title of the tune refers to the historical African-American neighborhood in downtown Dallas, Texas called Deep Elm, later pronounced Deep Elem or Deep Ellum, coming from the area’s principal thoroughfare, Elm Street.
The song warns of the area being a den of vice and corruption, where you can lose your money and your virtue all at once.
“Ally (The Ballad Of Lauri Carlton)” (2:28)
On August 18, 2023, Laura Ann “Lauri” Carleton was murdered for refusing to remove a pride flag from outside the clothing store that she owned in Cedar Glen, California,
Lauri gave her life for her beliefs in equal rights and free speech. I consider her a true American hero. I feel it is important to not forget her sacrifice or her name.
I chose the tune from “Red River Valley” as a song about remembrance, and also a “western” themed song.
My heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and community. I hope this song provides some modest measure of comfort.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Rik Palieri, Mary Wesley, Vermont Folklife, Dave Ruchs, Colleen Carpenter, Heidi Slaney, and David Tanner and Wayne Rogers of Gold Tone Music Group.
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New EP released!
Sing A Song EP
Jason Baker
A celebration of collaboration and the power of music to heal
This EP is composed of three songs which were co-written with fellow songwriters whom I connected with during retreats run by Dar Williams and her team of song, guitar and voice coaches, and one song I wrote to honor one of those coaches, Rick Gedney, who passed away in January 2023 unexpectedly.
At each of these retreats, there is an optional activity called “SoFab Collab” run by Amanda Gates-Elston and KJ Denhert, where retreaters are paired randomly to co-write a song, and get help, feedback and support. It was a wonderful learning experience for me.
“Late Bloomers” 3:26 Guitar, Vocal
“Late Bloomers” was co-written with Julie Campbell, who took the idea “Late Bloomers” and wrote an amazing set of lyrics. I made a few additions and we worked out the melody and chord structure together in real time, the first time I have done that with a co-writer. The song is about how some of us are “late bloomers” and how that is not only ok, but makes life sweeter.
“Who Knows” 2:42 Resonator Guitar, Vocal, Harmony Vocal, Bass
“Who Knows” was co-written with Pam Paris, from nothing more than a chord progression and my complete lack of idea what would go with it. She came up with a brilliant set of lyrics that is quite outside my normal style, and melody to go with it. The only changes I made was to repeat certain lines. The song is about the mystery of existence itself and you can hear Pam (on backing harmony vocals) and I doing our best to channel Lou and Mo from The Velvet Underground.
“Sing A Song” 5:15 Guitar, Vocal, Harmony Vocal
“Sing A Song” was co-written with Megan Erickson, who also sings harmony vocals on the track. I had noticed that many of the fellow songwriting retreaters had mentioned how music had become a healing force, a saving grace, a lifeline, when they faced trauma and/or depression, and how it was true for myself and Megan too. Megan took that idea and created a lovely story, which I added a final half-verse to, and we worked out the music together. The story carries us from isolation to healing and community.
“I Always Thought” 2:48 Guitar, Vocal
“I Always Thought” is written for and dedicated to Rick Gedney, whom I met through the retreats, and who’s sudden passing left a big hole in our hearts and our lives. I want to thank Michelle Gedney for her permission and approval to share this song with the world.
Thank you to Dar Williams, Michelle Gedney, Raquel Vidal, KJ Denhert, Amanda Gates-Elston, Kellie Lin Knott, Pam Paris, Julie Campbell, Megan Erickson and ALL the retreaters from Writing a Song That Matters With Dar Williams.
https://www.reverbnation.com/jbakervt/album/309399-sing-a-song
https://spotify.link/HOb34E7LjDb
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Vote for me! Plus… YouTube Stream Saturday!
The Open Act
If you like my music and have a moment to help me out, please go vote (1 free Facebook -authorized vote each day for the next week) for me in this contest. If you are not familiar with my music or just want to hear some, there are YouTube links on the profile to listen (and subscribe to the channel while you are there)!
https://theopenact.com/2023/jason-baker
Baturday Night Live!
Yes, that’s right I will be the musical guest on “Baturday Night Live”, a Live Streaming Show every Saturday night from 8-10 PM (EST) on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@bhuddah
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“It Doesn’t Go Away” (live in studio) video posted on YouTube
“It Doesn’t Go Away” is a call to face the unpleasant truth about the impact of violence on children in an increasingly dangerous world. TRIGGER WARNING FOR VIOLENT IMAGERY
Please SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Official Artist Channel while you are there!
Please SHARE this video!
The events described in the first verse were witnessed by the whole world in early 2022 during the Russian assault on Mariupol during the invasion of Ukraine.
The events of the second verse are an amalgam of the many, many school shootings the United States has had to endure.
The events at Uvalde in particular were fresh in my mind when writing this song, but Sandy Hook also was present in my thoughts, as well as an incident that occurred at a school I worked in, which killed one coworker of mine, and critically injured another.
I’m hoping people take this song as a call to action.
Originally released on the EP I Have Come To Set You Free, “It Doesn’t Go Away” was selected as a Finalist in the Songs For Social Change 2022 Song Contest and appears on the compilation of finalists available for purchase here:
https://rawamusic.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-social-change-volume-7
If you are inspired to take action regarding gun violence : Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund
SongwriterTribe 