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Buskins

A buskin is a knee- or calf-length boot made of leather or cloth which laces closed, but is open across the toes. It was worn by Athenian tragic actors, hunters and soldiers in Ancient Greek, Etruscan, and Roman societies.

The word buskin, only recorded in English since 1503 meaning "half boot", is of unknown origin, perhaps from Old French brousequin (in modern French brodequin) or directly from its Middle Dutch model brosekin "small leather boot". Figurative senses relating to tragedy are from the word being used (since 1570) to translate Greek kothurnos or Latin cothurnos, the high, thick-soled boot worn in Athenian tragedy; contrasted with sock (from Latin soccus), the low shoe worn by comedians.

Byzantine emperors were formally clad in purple buskins, embroidered in gold with double-headed eagles.^[1]

It is also used as a name of a torturing device used in the Middle Ages: the boot.

Roman Catholic Church[link]

In the Roman Catholic Church, buskins are ceremonial liturgical stockings (caligae in Latin) of silk, sometimes interwoven with gold threads and even heavily embroidered, formerly worn by the celebrant of a pontifical Mass.^[2] The buskins can be worn over the episcopal sandals, regular dress socks with regular dress shoes, or over the red papal shoes worn by the Pope.

Originally liturgical buskins were worn by all priests, until about the eighth century when they were reserved for the exclusive use of bishops as part of the pontificalia, i.e. episcopal "regalia", a privilege in modern times extended to some lesser prelates. In liturgical colour they correspond to the chasuble, but are never worn with black.

In rural Norfolk buskins made of sacking were worn by farm labourers prior to the 1960s, especially at haymaking and wheat harvest, to prevent rats from running up the inside of the trouser legs.

References[link]

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. 

David Buskin (born December 13, 1943 New York City) is a singer, songwriter, performer, author, playwright, jingle composer and girls’ basketball coach. He is well known for composing numerous television and radio commercials produced in the 1980s and 1990s. He won a Clio Award in 1983 for Just Watch Us Now, NBC's signature jingle.

Biography[link]

Buskin grew up in New York City. He graduated from Brown University in 1965 in the middle of the folk music era. After Brown, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he began to write his own brand of folk-rock songs. His brother is the playwright, John Buskin.

Composer[link]

After selling five songs to Mary Travers for her album, Morning Glory, Buskin toured with her for several years as her opening act and they became lifelong friends. Some of the other artists who have recorded his songs include: Astrud Gilberto, Judy Collins, Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Mathis, Tom Rush, Roberta Flack, Dixie Carter, and Tracy Nelson.

In addition to his folk-rock music, Buskin has written numerous advertising jingles. Among others, Buskin wrote the jingle for NBC for which he won a Clio Award in 1983. He co-wrote All Aboard America for Amtrak, and did work for Burger King, JC Penny, and the US Postal Service.

He also helped create the children's show Generation O that was seen on the WB Kid's Network. He is currently working on a play to be directed by Tony Award winner and fellow Brown graduate, James Naughton.

Performer[link]

Buskin signed his first recording contract with Epic Records in the early 1970s. He recorded two albums in Nashville and later toured with the rock group Pierce Arrow, recording two albums for Columbia Records. Here he met Robin Batteau, and the two decided to become a duo. David played guitar and piano; Robin guitar, mandolin, and electric violin. The partnership lasted until 1990. The Washington Post has described the duo as "an irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit." They appeared together, composing and performing throughout New England in various clubs, including The Bottom Line.

David performs with his partners, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach in the group “Modern Man – filling the void between The Three Tenors and The Three Stooges.” “With the release of their third CD, “Assisted Living,” the somewhat musical group known as Modern Man continues its assault on the out-moded idea that only those persons not yet manifesting symptoms of senile dementia should perform in public.”^[1]

In 2005, after a thirteen-year hiatus, Buskin rejoined his former partner, Robin Batteau. They have just finished a new CD and are touring again as "Folk du Soleil."

Personal[link]

Buskin resides in Katonah, New York.

Awards[link]

Buskin received the Clio award in 1983.^[2]

Buskin is the recipient of the “Kate Wolf Award” from the World Folk Music Association in 1999.^[3]

In 2002 Modern Man was awarded Backstage's “Bistro Award” for Best Musical.”^[4]

Discography[link]

• David Buskin (Self-titled)
• He Used to Treat Her by David Buskin 1973
• The Winter Comes/When I Need You Most Of All by David Buskin
• Two on One by David Buskin and Robin Batteau 1990
• Buskin and Batteau by David Buskin and Robin Batteau
• Heaven Is Free Tonight by Dave Buskin 1993
• A Folksinger Earns Every Dime by David Buskin
• On a Winter's Night with Judy Collins
• New Year Live at Symphony Hall by Tom Rush, Fritz Richmond, David Buskin, Robin Batteau and Trevor Veitch
• Wealthy Man: Live at The Bottom Line, NYC by David Buskin & Friends
• Big League Babe - The Christine Lavin Tribute Album Part 2 by Hugh Blumenfeld, David Buskin, Robin Batteau, Patty Larkin, Sally Fingerett 1998
• The Wide Album: Modern Man by David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach, 1999
• Modern imMaturity by David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach
• David Buskin Goes Out On A Limb by David Buskin 2005
• B&B3 by David Buskin and Robin Batteau 2006
• Assisted Living by David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach 2007
• Red Shoes and Golden Hearts by David Buskin and Robin Batteau 2009

References[link]

External links[link]

• [1] Brown University
• [2] Modern Man
• [3] World Folk Music Association
• [4] “David Buskin Is Having It His Way” By Jill Schensul The Bergen Record, 09-12-1992.
• [5] The Wide Album, Modern Man.
• [6] Clio Awards
• [7] Buskin and Batteau website
• [8] Buskin on YouTube