tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post4554075908747472692..comments2023-12-20T11:32:15.997-05:00Comments on Billevesées: Marie BlakeWilliam V. Madisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120331095634473021noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-58627072905836498872016-08-28T19:52:55.483-04:002016-08-28T19:52:55.483-04:00Great memories of Marie and Dennis. Thanks for the...Great memories of Marie and Dennis. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. It was a special place for many. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06507340666233707766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-14093240583534036342016-08-28T19:47:53.070-04:002016-08-28T19:47:53.070-04:00What a great piece and a wonderful walk down memor...What a great piece and a wonderful walk down memory lane. I was introduced to the Five Oaks as a freshman at NYU (1982). I had the fortunate experience of sitting right next to Marie that night as it was the only seat available for my group. I felt it was a bonding moment because she always winked at me upon my numerous returns. <br /><br />Also who could forget Dennis. I also applauded loudly because God bless him, he knew the secret to life, keep singing. The Duplex allowed him to sing too. <br /><br />We lost something special with the closing and glad to hear the memories live on. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06507340666233707766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-17272023478889182872014-02-13T02:15:23.043-05:002014-02-13T02:15:23.043-05:00I will never forget Dennis in his turquoise wester...I will never forget Dennis in his turquoise western suit and matching string tie, clapping to the sledgehammered ONE-two ONE-two ONE-two beat of "TIE-a YELL-ow RIB-bon ROUND the OLD... OAK... TREE!<br /><br />Thanks for conjuring up those fond memories.<br /><br />Linda from NJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-31626353128531138162013-03-18T16:09:13.822-04:002013-03-18T16:09:13.822-04:00Thanks for reminding me of Marie. A colleague intr...Thanks for reminding me of Marie. A colleague introduced my partner and I to 5 Oaks in the mid-eighties. We went there to celebrate birthdays with drinks, dinner and Marie. What you say about Dennis is absolutely true. I still have Marie's LP (signed!)<br />Thanks for the memories and God bless you, Marie Blake!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-66932463945511140542012-09-21T09:43:41.568-04:002012-09-21T09:43:41.568-04:00What a lovely article. This brought me back to th...What a lovely article. This brought me back to the mid-1980s, when I had just moved to New York and was discovering the big city as a lad in my mid-20's. The Five Oaks was a regular haunt of mine, either as a destination or as a stop en route to some even later-night entertainment. Those nights of Marie Blake, the young talented singers (often services staff themselves), and even deplorable Dennis, are hard to forget.<br /><br />Thanks for the great memories.Robertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-27472318194991319892012-06-27T16:43:42.945-04:002012-06-27T16:43:42.945-04:00Thank you so much, Anonymous reader! I appreciate ...Thank you so much, Anonymous reader! I appreciate your taking the time to write.William V. Madisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18120331095634473021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-61835738329867912452012-06-27T16:37:22.104-04:002012-06-27T16:37:22.104-04:00Exquisitely evocative reminiscence. Thank you! I e...Exquisitely evocative reminiscence. Thank you! I every so often do some cyber-sleuthing on dear Marie, hoping that I'll one day find someone who is selling one of her cassettes. For nearly two decades I have had ineradicable regret for not having purchased one of those cassettes--my meager funds, like yours, went for tips and tipples--which were always for sale at the Five Oaks. Today I did one of my searches and jackpot! On Amazon is Marie's Live and the Five Oak album, and I also chanced upon your splendid write-up. I can't wait to clap hands on your Madeline Kahn book. She means a lot to me too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-30993983478713350442012-04-17T08:06:23.083-04:002012-04-17T08:06:23.083-04:00Thanks so much for sharing your memories, Karen! I...Thanks so much for sharing your memories, Karen! I envy you the chance to work with Marie Blake, even on those days when her playing was "a little rough."William V. Madisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18120331095634473021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-86236377757106331692012-04-17T07:10:11.064-04:002012-04-17T07:10:11.064-04:00A really lovely article, Richard. What memories ca...A really lovely article, Richard. What memories came back to me!<br /><br />I too was one of the regulars who came to the Five Oaks and sang. Although my background was more and more at the time strictly opera, I sang lots of musical songs and Brel with Marie. Her accompaniment was variable, sometimes right on, sometimes depending on her mood, a little rough. Sometimes though it just clicked and it was unforgettable. She had songs SHE wanted me to sing, and I would always oblige because it was her show and I knew it.<br /><br />I remember Dennis well, and if anyone doubts what you've written, it's all absolutely true, I can back you up. I think what you said about her recognition of his need to sing hits part of the nail on the head, to coin a phrase. And sometimes I think it was her way of showing who controlled the room.<br /><br />I remember Alice (with that lovely Scots accent) and the host (in much of my time) Jeremy. I can see their faces now as if it were yesterday that I was last there. <br /><br />The years of going to the Five Oaks in the 70s and 80s are so a part of my life that I find it hard to believe Marie is no longer with us and the Five Oaks long gone. I've been living in Europe for 16 years now but the Oaks remains with me like the memory of a vivid dream in another life. <br /><br />KarenSiegyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13339288873765878582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-37388143333699216422012-02-14T19:50:18.238-05:002012-02-14T19:50:18.238-05:00In fact there are now a couple of snippets on you ...In fact there are now a couple of snippets on you tube of the great Marie singing her most famous songs including Down In the Depths and Raggmopp. <br /><br />I particularly liked your closing comment. The Five Oak's experience was always for me quintessential a New York City one, and I too was always greatful to be part of it. <br /><br />How I long for those wonderful days and of course long nights. <br /><br />Richard Harveston<br />San FranciscoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-42064955589172097042010-11-02T15:17:15.425-04:002010-11-02T15:17:15.425-04:00I have been living outside the US for over 25 year...I have been living outside the US for over 25 years and, just this past weekend, I found out that Marie had passed away years ago. I used to frequent the Five Oaks with friends in the late 70s and early 80s, when I was still in college and during the first years of my career in NYC. The memory of the Five Oaks, seeing Marie perform, is forever etched in my mind as one of the backdrops of my <br />early adult years, as I explored NYC (and Greenwich Village in particular)and dragged my out-of-town friends to experience the same. I found out about Marie's passing from an well-known performer who, luck would have it, has recordings of Marie's performances. He has kindly offered to send me a recording in the near future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-59265635151595629682010-02-02T16:25:02.740-05:002010-02-02T16:25:02.740-05:00I had the pleasure of hearing Marie Blake only onc...I had the pleasure of hearing Marie Blake only once at The Five Oaks. I watched in amazement as she took a rag and dusted off the entire piano before playing. The bar maid was Barbara who designed hats and waited tables during the day.<br />I'm sad that there are not places like this anymore. But then, who would go? ME!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455126179375366490.post-68541049670548494402009-12-03T16:53:29.094-05:002009-12-03T16:53:29.094-05:00What an incredible surprise! I was listening to P...What an incredible surprise! I was listening to Pandora just now, and something by Alberta Hunter came on.. I looked to see who it was, and then started to wrack my brain about who the singer/pianist was at the Five Oaks.. eventually remembered Marie, and googled her name, fully expecting to come up with a blank! This entry came up. What wonderful memories! and what a good job writing - Kudos to you!<br />I have a cassette tape (gasp) of Marie and included on it are the songs you mention - RAGGMOPP, the 90th floor and many more... I am in the process of converting lots of items to digital media (vinyl, photos, etc) and now I guess I'll just have to convert that as well.<br />I was one of those semi-regulars that visited the Oaks.. and it was a sad time indeed when Marie passed away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com