Would there even BE folk music if some wise coffee shop owner hadn't, way back in the '50s, decided to push a few tables off to the side to provide space for guitar/harmonica-toting beatniks to sing their protest songs whilst earnest Young People sipped dark roast and smoked Lucky Strikes and nodded approvingly and they all changed the world three chords at a time?

Methinks not. I also wonder why some coffee company hasn't signed a folksinger as a spokesperson. "Hi, John Gorka here for Folgers. I can't fingerpick so much as an E-minor without a few cups to start my day!"

In fact, Gorka did get his start in a coffee shop — and has, of course, gone on to occupy legendary status in the folk community behind such songs as "Love is Our Cross to Bear," "The Water is Wide," "Down at the Sea Hotel" and so many more. Yes, it doesn't hurt that Gorka looks like a favorite professor at a small college — the one you always bump into on Saturday hikes up forested hills — but his tender melodies and thoughtful, wise songs, delivered with an endearing, slightly warbling quality, are absolutely top notch.

Gorka performs Friday in New London at the All Souls UU Congregation as part of their Friday Night Folk series. 

John Gorka, 7:30 p.m. Friday, All Souls UU Congregation, 19 Jay St., New London; $10-$25; (860) 443-0316, fridaynightfolk.org.