//  A place to send your "Top 5" votes, more "Tecumseh Valley," more
//  suggestions for other artists.   - MF

From: Robert Pugsley (rmp6@leicester.ac.uk)                       
Subject: A volunteer to do the Top 5 List 1997                       

Dear All,

Woohoo! I love making lists.  If no-one else wants to do it I will
happily compile a top 5 (10) from everyones suggestions, just send me
your emails (NOT the NN, don't want to overload it) - do your worst!

One question, should we include re-issues and compilations?

best wishes y'all

Robert (Pugsley)
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: David Bronsveld (dbrons@mindspring.com)                     
Subject: Re:  Tecumseh Valley                                    

> Do I think Towne's
>knew all this?  Hell yes.  But he didn't learn it from a text book.  He
>lived it.
 Again, great post Shawn.  And couldn't you take it even one step
further, and say that Caroline represents Townes, himself. You've
written of the similarities between sexual addiction, alcoholism,
etc.
 As you might be able to imagine, the identification I feel, in
this, is very strong.  I love "Caroline" as a story, but when I
think of Townes, an unease comes over me. What it comes down to
is... There, but for the grace of God, go I
 What I find really striking, is the contrast between Townes, and
Nanci, in how they dealt with a deep, emotional, pain.  Nanci has
made, acceptance, and "movin on", one of the major themes of her
work. Townes, in some ways, stayed where he was, and eventually
died.
Dave
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Jose Tormo-LJT005 (Jose_Tormo-LJT005@email.mot.com)         
Subject: Re: Patty Loveless (no Nanci content)                       

Her new one is a good CD, but for my money, her best disc was the 1994 "When
Fallen Angels Fly."  That one had songs that ranged from the light "I Try To
Think About Elvis," with its audience-participation line of "Come on Patty,
Get it together," to the heavy alcohol-saturated "Here I Am."

Enjoy them both, though.

--jose'
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Susan Cane (SusanCane@compuserve.com)                       
Subject: Julie Gold                                                  

I don't know of any true "solo albums" released by Julie Gold, but I do
have a tape of hers from 1992. It's called "The Official Demo Session" and
I got it from a US mail order company. From what I can remember it wasn't=
commercially released, but copies were made available to this mail order
place (which I *think* was called Hear Music).

Being a demo tape, the packaging is very basic and the only information
included is the song titles and a contact number.

Susan

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Brimpls@aol.com                                             
Subject: Re:  Tecumseh Valley                                    

Dear Dave,

Can you or anyone else on NNet write a little about what the deep emotional
pain has been in Nanci's life?  Do we know?

Sabrina
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: John Alvord (jalvo@cloud9.net)                              
Subject: Re:  Tecumseh Valley                                    

> Can you or anyone else on NNet write a little about what the deep emotional
> pain has been in Nanci's life?  Do we know?

Parents divorced early. First big love died in motorcycle accident on
night of senior prom (John). Only marriage resulted in divorce... husband
(Eric Taylor) physically abused her. Twenty years on the road. Breast
cancer.

is that enough?

john alvord


//  It's far from a proven fact that Nanci suffered physical abuse
//  during her marriage.  - MF
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: aross@hitachi-eu.com (Andrew-HMSE Ross)                     
Subject: Iris DeMent UK concert - don't miss it.                     

     Hi NanciNutters,

     Iris is playing The Queen Elizabeth Hall London, Sunday 15th Feb.
     The seating is A-M? front stalls then AA-ZZ? rear stalls.
     Their Box office only has from row OO and beyond - 0171 960 4242.
     Ticket Master have from CC - 0171 344 4444.  Minus the two I've just
     bought.

     Keep chattering, Nanci fans.
     Andy.
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: RussOverby@aol.com                                          
Subject: results of "which nanci cd should i buy next?" poll         

Hi NanciNet,

last week I posted a question to the NanciNet: "which Nanci cd should i buy
next if i already have the following 6?":

Lone Star State of Mind
Storms
Little Love Affairs
Once in a Very Blue Moon
Flyer
Other Vocies, Other Rooms

I heard back from about 15 NanciNetters (Thanks! :-)) and tabulated the
results.  I also included Mark's rankings of Nanci's cds from the FAQ page.
 Here are the results:

1. OFSE (7 votes)
2. LOTTB (4 votes)
3. PIMW (3 votes)
4. LNGH (2 votes) [this was a polarizing cd; also got 3 votes for last place
of all]
5. MCA years Retrospective (1 vote)

So, OFSE will be next (and I bet i won't be able to wait TOO long to get the
others, because there were so many nice things said about each of the top 3).
 Thanks for your help in my continuing Nanci development.

RussOverby
russoverby@aol.com
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Rachel Anne Mooney (ramooney@facstaff.wisc.edu)             
Subject: Tecumseh Valley                                             

Hi folks,

I agree (mostly) with Shawn's comments about Tecumseh Valley and Caroline's
emotional state.
Here is a female perspective:   I feel  it is a lot more about
self-destructive behavior rather than some sort of inner lust for life.  I
think at the point her father has died, some inner part of her self has
died.  Maybe "with all the lust inside her" means with the little bit (or
nothing) that is left of her ability to care.  That is to say, that with
the loss of her father, she has lost her ability to feel anything, which is
why she is able to sell her body. She no longer has anything to hope for,
or work towards, since her one goal in life was to earn money to save
herself and her father, so they could have their lives together.    I don't
think there was really any sexual lust left in her at this point, or any
lust for life even, instead maybe she was trying to feel something,
anything, by offering herself to strangers.  More than playing the role of
harlot, or showing her passion, her turning "to whorin'" was due to her
complete loss of passion and lack of enjoyment of life.    The
father/daughter does put an interesting twist on the story as well, and
makes me think there was some sort of intense relationship, that probably
arose from the mother not being around.  (Not to get too off-track, but it
is another favorite gripe of mine- the lack of mothers in fairy tales and
Disney movies!)

I completely agree that Townes was quite familiar with self-destructive
behavior, which can be demonstrated in many ways.

Just my 2 cents!

Rachel

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Steve Brogden (steveb@adnetsol.com)                         
Subject: Other artists                                               

I'm a little late with my .02 worth here but there two artists/songwriters
that haven't been mentioned here -- at least in this context -- that I
think are most of us here on the Nanci-Net would think are worth a listen.
The first is Jesse Winchester who was "popular" in the early 70's.  He
spent a lot of time in Memphis and was very tight with the Amazing Rhythm
Aces in those days. This was before he went to Canada to avoid the draft
during the Viet Nam war.  "Yankee Lady" is perhaps his best known song but
there are many others.  "All of Your Stories" is one of my personal
favorites as is "Brand New Tennessee Waltz."  If you're looking to buy and
of his CD's, try the earlier ones.  Emmy Lou recorded some of his songs
when she and ex-husband Brian Aherne were working together. He is a true
wordsmith.  Several years ago an author -- I don't remember his name or the
book he wrote -- was compliing a book on songwriters.  Both Todd Rundgren
and Bob Dylan told him that his book wouldn't be complete without Jesse
Winchester.

Rod MacDonald is another artist I think many would like.  His "Highway to
Nowhere" on Shanachie is terrific.  He has appeared on some of the same
anthologies as Nanci has.

Anybody else familiar with these two?

And, as many of you have come to expect, a post from me wouldn't be
complete without mention of Bill and Bonnie Hearne.  For those who might be
new to the list, Bill and Bonnie were label mates of Nanci's on B.F. Deal,
were the first people to take Nanci out on the road in her early days and
have, over the years, won several awards at Kerrville.  There current CD on
Warner Western, "Diamonds in the Rough," features Nanci, Lyle Lovett, Jerry
Jeff Walker and Tish Hinojosa.

Bill and Bonnie opened for Lyle on many of his recent "Road to Ensenada"
tour dates.  For more information on them, check out their website at:

http://bbhearne.adnetsol.com


Steve Brogden

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: dgrant@eden.com (David Grant)                               
Subject: Re: 1997 top 5?                                             

Hi y'all.

Linda Svendsen (lsvends@iastate.edu) wrote:
>PS  yeah, where is David Grant, didn't he say he bought 200 new CDs in
>1996!!!  (holy smokes!)

I'm here -- just lurking on a full-time basis now...

I've bought at least that many CDs in 1997 as well.  My top ten list will
be forthcoming, if I can get it together.  I will say that my favorite new
release right now is the latest Dougie MacLean album, RIOF.

David
dgrant@eden.com

Nanci discography at:  http://www.eden.com/~dgrant/

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: jcq@ABPEDS.ORG                                              
Subject: Update on the 1980 tape                                     

Okay, I should have known that some of you out there have access to
high-tech tape dubbing facilities. I have received a fair amount of e-mail
regarding the "circa 1980" tape, and I just wanted to respond quickly so
that you'll know where this is going.

My intention is that everyone who loves Nanci and wants a copy of this
should have one. It's a rare glimpse of her early in her career, before
most of us knew of her. I want you all to have it. I can't believe I let it=
sit in a box for so long, but at any rate, it's "out of the box" now.

A couple of people have kindly offered to make multiple copies for as
many people as want them. I'm not sure which of them should do it, or if
both should. But I will think on it a spell and get back to them, and to the
NN in general, either later today or tomorrow.

I can't remember the name of the person who e-mailed me to say I should
make this generally available before trying to trade, but whoever it was,
he/she is right. That is what will be done.

Don't be depressed Anna! You'll have a copy soon!

Jeff

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Dan.Gerson@mckesson.com                                     
Subject: other artists                                               

     I haven't heard anybody mention these 3 Texans yet:

     Lucinda Williams - an amazing singer-songwriter who's been covered by
     Emmylou ("Sweet Old World" from "Wrecking Ball"), Patty Loveless, and
     others.

     Joe Ely - I think he was/is part of the Austin Mafia. The last CD of
     his I bought was "Letter to Laredo", one of my favorite traveling CDs
     and contains a cover of Tom Russel's "Gallo de Cielo" along with a
     bunch of originals  that are dripping with that dusty Texas
     sensibility.

     Sarah Elizabeth Campbell - another Austinite whose sweet, gravelly,
     voice is unforgettable. Best seen live.

     I'd also recommend Dave Alvin. The 2 CDs I have and love are "Blue
     Blvd." and "The King of California". Another excellent storyteller. He
     does a song called "Andersonville" about the infamous Civil War prison
     camp that leaves me with chills.


     Dan G.

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Terminator (gvallest@online.no)                             
Subject: Re: NanciNet video compilation PAL/NTSC                     

Since the OVOR video is not available in PAL, I ordered
a NTSC copy from USA to be sure I got it before it
eventually got out of stock. A lot of videoplayers can play
both PAL and NTSC colour system, and next time I buy a
videoplayer, I will go for both options. Anyway, I tried to
play the tape, expecting to get only sound and no picture.
To my surprise, I got a picture in a grayish black & white
style. The stereo soundtrack made some sharp noises in the
speakers, but the mono sound worked very well.
Of course, I would have loved to see it in colours, and in
stereo, but this was more than I expected...
Does anyone know if this is how NTSC videos normally works
with standard PAL players in Europe?

Regards,
Georg Vallestad

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: jamesh@hiwaay.net (James Hooker)                            
Subject: Re:  Tecumseh Valley
>
>Paul wrote:
>
>> There are two lines in particular that bug me: "So she turned to whorin'
>> out on the streets/ with all the lust inside her."

You should have seen and heard the fit that that Nanci had when I sang
"took" instead of "turned" one night......Jesus!!!

Hooker
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Barbie Roberts (flyer@ix.netcom.com)                        
Subject: Sorry!                                                      

Well, I stand corrected!! Seems we must have rented Milk Money & A Simple
Twist of Fate on the same weekend!! I could have sworn it was at the end of
"Fate" but I looked it up and it isn't!! Hope no one rented it just to hear
"This Heart"! (oh, well...it wasn't a bad movie or anything!!)  Sorry again!
BABS
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Halesbop@aol.com                                            
Subject: Re: other artists/top 5                                    

More Texas artists...I agree that any self-respecting NNetter should have at
least one Lucinda Williams cd. As for Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, i've not
heard of her. Seeing her live may be best, but probably not an option up
here. Does she have any cds out? Yes, Dave Alvin is great (that's right, he's
not from Texas/Texas wants him anyway...). Chris Gaffney is from Texas, i
believe, and i really think he's good, too. Not necessarily someone i'd give
a blanket recommendation to all NNetters, but fans of Dave Alvin and Joe Ely
would appreciate him.
i like the idea of a top 5 list. is this
something that we realistically are trying to get together in time for
holiday shopping? or by years end? how soon do we need to submit our
favorites? i sort of agree that it should be only new 1997 releases, or have
a separate catagory for reissues. then again, what about previously
unreleased older recordings? (speaking of Townes...)
                -steve
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Danise Busic (busicd@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu)                    
Subject: Tracking down a song                                        

Gill ---
I think the title you're looking for is "If these walls could speak".  One
of my favorites --- I have 3 versions.  Nanci sings it as a duet with
Jimmy Webb on a compilation album called "Red Hot + Country", an Aids
benefit album that I think was organized by Kathy Mattea.  It has many
good tunes by many good artists.  If you can't find this anywhere, e-mail
me and maybe I can get you a tape by Christmas.

I heard this song first, on an Amy Grant CD from years ago --- Lead Me On.
This was about her last album on the Christian music scene before she had
a top 40 radio hit, and I actually listen to some of it regularly, this
song particularly.  Shawn Colvin later put it on her Cover Girl album,
another good version.  All 3 have a few differences, but basically that
same great song.  I THINK Jimmy Webb wrote it.

Guess this shows that there are just some truly good songs, and if one
artist doesn't discover it --- another one surely will.

Danise

 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: REBeffa@aol.com                                             
Subject: townes                                                      

I have enjoyed the Townes discussion and find my feelings much more in sync
with Michael than with Paul. I simply think Tecumseh Valley is one of the
best songs by anyone. And I am inclined to think that Caroline just died of
despair beneath the stairs. But that to me is part of the charm of the song:
the listener can put whatever they feel in those missing spaces. I tend to
think that when Caroline turned to whorin' with all the lust inside her, that
she was looking for love in all the wrong places.... (sorry, couldn't resist
that.) The only Nanci performance that is more of a tearjerker for me is "If
These Old Walls Could Speak".

However, another Townes song that almost anyone should be familiar with is
"Pancho and Lefty" which was a big hit for Willy Nelson and Merle Haggard in
the early 80's. It was that song that really interested me in Townes. Another
of Townes songs that was popular int hat era was done by Emmylou: "If I
Needed You". I think Don Williams and maybe Willie Nelson may have done that
too.

And for those who have never heard it, the version of Tecumseh that Nanci did
on American Music Shop with Townes stands as one of my all time favorites. We
included that on the Nanci rarities tapes last year.

Unfortunately the one time I saw Townes perform in person must not have been
one of his good nights, and I was sorely disappointed. I tend to like him
more as a songwriter than as a performer.

Ron
http://members.aol.com/clackclack/rebeffa1.htm

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: John Arthur Cecchini (faux@earthlink.net)                   
Subject: Re: Patty Loveless (no Nanci content)                       

My two absolute favorite artists are Nanci, of course, and Patty
Loveless.  If you haven't given Patty a spin I highly recomend all of
her recordings.  She rarely misses the mark. Her latest, Long Stretch of
Lonesome, is a masterpiece. Nobody comes close to matching her raw
emotion, especially in Country Music.
Tony Brown, produced Nanci's OFSE, Little Love Affairs, and a few other
C.D.s. He also produce Patty Loveless on On Down the Line, and Up
Against My Heart.
I've seen Patty in Concert approx. 15 times.  She is always wonderful.
Like Nanci she alway makes you feel like she owns her lyrics, whether it
be first person, Troubador style stories, or playful ditties.
Both Nanci, and Patty speak to.... and from the Heart. Patty Loveless is
a very gifted artist.  Like Nanci Griffith she may not be an immediate
hit to the quick spin first impression. I find that my favorite
artists/recordings sometime take a few extra listens to uncover the
layers and depth, that aren't always evident at first.

For the Record I also recommend:

Alison Krauss: Bluegrass Perfection
Gillian Welch: Alternative Hillbilly,(I made that up)
The Sundays: Sweet Textured English Rock.
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Mike Chesman (chesman@preferred.com)                        
Subject: Re: Nanci, circa 1980                                       

At 05:15 PM 12/2/97 -0500, Jeff wrote:
>Hello fellow NanciNuts.
>
>I have been lurking for some time, but I have a good reason for
>de-lurking.
>I have a tape that
>someone gave me about 5 or 6 years ago of Nanci singing in a bar.

> But I don't think I'm officially on the list
>yet, because of a message I got back when I tried to subscribe.
>
>Jeff Qualls

Mark, get Jeff fully subscribed onto the Nancinet immediately!
I have heard the tape he speaks of thanks to an exchange with him through
the Live In London tree.  With his permission I have sent two copies out to
some other Nancinetters.  They should get their tapes in a day or so more.
I expect that we'll hear more comments from them about this tape.

I suspect that the performances are all from the same appearance but have
had some of the between song chatter edited out.  There's still some gems of
dialog here.  Like Nanci joking that Mary Margaret wanted to marry in
addition to Leonard Cohen.... Bob Dylan or Burl Ives (then she takes a poke
at her own lifestyle).

Georgetown was a surprise to hear... because Bill and Bonnie Hearne's 1997
release has Nanci singing on that tune.  Hearing this 1980 tape sort of
makes the Bill and Bonnie version fit in with Nanci's "Other Voices" concept.

I also find it ironic that we have recently talked a lot about Nanci singing
Darcy Farrow for John Denver at recent concerts and this tape begins with a
lovely version of the song.

I have been trying hard to identify all the songs that Jeff has listed and
there were several I had not heard Nanci sing before.  I think Jeff has made
a remarkable find.  I'll help in any way I can Jeff!

Mike
 
_________________________________________________________________
Questions about NanciNet?  Send e-mail to ferg@world.std.com