NanciNet Digest 12-08-97
// Sorry for the couple of truncated Digests -- there was a message
// in there which caused my e-mailer to cut off. Here's the full
// digest for today, including a report on the Townes tribute and
// some Top Tens. - MF
From: ferg@world.std.com (Mark Ferguson)
Subject: ACL Townes Van Zandt tribute
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS: TRIBUTE TO TOWNES VAN ZANDT
Austin, Texas
December 7, 1997
With Guy Clark, Peter Rowan, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, J.T. Van Zandt,
Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, and Cowboy
Jack Clement
A mighty impressive song circle, that's what this was. Ten of the best
on the same stage, playing their favorite Townes tunes plus a few that
were inspired by him. Guy Clark hosted this very special Austin City
Limits performance at the KLRU studios on the U of Texas campus, a
stone's throw from the Cactus Cafe, where I saw Townes do his final
Austin performance last year.
It was quite a crowd that had gathered: many Austin music luminaries
were in attendance, including the likes of Charlie Sexton and NNetter
Sarah Elizabeth Campbell. There weren't many folks lucky enough to
get in without the coveted "guranteed seating" tickets -- thanks to
John Hillerup we had "space available" passes which meant we needed to
get there about four hours before showtime in order to have a shot. We
ended up with good unobstructed-view seats at the top of the bleachers.
OK, so the show started with Guy doing "To Live is to Fly." Then he
introduced Peter Rowan, who had Nanci sing backup on "Lonesome Tune."
Other highlights? "Tecumseh Valley," of course -- one of the finest
renditions I've ever heard from Nanci and James Hooker. Also, Lyle and
Steve's duet of "Lungs" was incredible, Emmylou's "If I Needed You" was
beautiful, and the closing "all-star jam" of "White Freightliner Blues,"
where Nanci and Emmylou sang a verse together (they sure do sound fine)
was great fun. Steve Earle also did his new song "Fort Worth Blues," a
song Townes could've written. Steve's vocal and guitar picking were
perfect for this number. I should also mention that J.T. Van Zandt,
Townes' son, sure does resemble his father in looks, voice, and manner.
He played a couple of tunes and you could almost swear it was Townes
himself in the room.
A letdown was "Pancho and Lefty" as performed by Willie and Emmylou --
I was looking forward to this, but as soon as they started, it became
painfully obvious that Willie's guitar was way out of tune, and this
seemed to throw everything off. They couldn't keep together, they sang
different lyrics at spots, and it was generally a mess. Maybe it can
be salvaged in the mix.
Overall, it was a dazzling showcase of talent. We didn't get a chance
to visit with Nanci (she scurried out with Emmylou before we could leave
our seats), but we did say hello to the inimitable Mr. Hooker. I wonder
if we'll ever get a chance to hear him and Nanci sing together again?
Anyway, the show will air March 21 in Austin -- check your local listings
and have those VCRs ready.
I like this town. :-)
Your friendly Austin transplant,
Mark Ferguson
ferg@world.std.com
http://world.std.com/~ferg/
_________________________________________________________________
From: Danise Busic (busicd@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu)
Subject: Top Ten List
Obviously, I agree with the idea of posting our top 10 to the list. I
got MANY good ideas from you guys last year! As long as we title it as
such, people who don't want to read them can blow them away with one key
stroke --- right?? Contrary to several who have already posted, I found
MORE than 10 CD's I liked this year, and had a tie for #10!! I think some
of you may be forgetting a few from the beginning of '97 that we discussed
a lot at the time. I'll TRY not to editorialize unnecessarily, to keep it
shorter, but... Here goes, in approximate order:
1) Alison Krauss and Union Station - So Long So Wrong - I doubt I need to
say much about this one, it has stayed in my CD changer for months.
2) Kim Richey - Bittersweet - Loved it, but maybe not as much as her
first one, which would likely be on my "desert island 10".
3) Kathy Mattea - Love Travels - I've always thought she was under-rated
for her ability to sing other people's songs the way they'd like them to
be sung... (notice my lesson in the conjugation of the verb "sing"). I
particulary like "Sending Me Angels", both of Gillian Welch's songs -
"Patiently Waiting", and the rockin' "455 Rocket", and maybe Cheryl
Wheeler's song the most "Further and Further Away". That one really
seems to get you, if you're from a small town...
4) Patty Loveless - Long Stretch of Lonesome - I still like the '93 album
best, even though her next two won consecutive CMA "Album of the Year"
awards. I feel sure that this one will be nominated too.
5) Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing - Pretty consistent, a little more
"electric" than her last one in places, but not distracting from the voice
or lyrics, for me. Has been in my car for 3 months now...
6) James Taylor - Hourglass - He will always be in my top 10, but help
from Sting, Edgar Meyer, Mark O'Connor, Shawn Colvin, Stevie Wonder,
Branford Marsalis, and YoYo Ma, didn't hurt on this one.
7) Amy Grant - Behind the Eyes - OK, this may not be on everyone's list,
but I think her true Nashville tendencies shine on this album and I've
always liked her voice. At least get one of her Christmas albums!!!
8) Trisha Yearwood - Songbook - Although a collection, this has four new
songs on it, so does it technically count as only a greatest hits? I
think she puts LeAnne Rimes to shame with her version of "How Do I Live"
(even tho' the other version is OK) --- it's much stronger and more
heartfelt IMO. The duet with Garth is great; and this CD actually chose MY
personal favorites, which rarely happens when they make a "greatest hits"
album. If you don't have any of her stuff, this would be a good deal.
9) Fleetwood Mac - The Dance - Any album with "Landslide" on it would have
to be in my top 10(EXCEPT that Smashing Pumpkins insult), and since
Lindsey Buckingham plays the banjo on one of the cuts, I figured it
qualified for this list's consideration... It's good for a "LIVE" album.
I had a tie for 10th place --- liked them both for different reasons
10) Matraca Berg - Sunday Morning to Saturday Night - Some really good
songs on this one, but I THINK I may prefer to hear other people singing
her songs, sorta like Beth Nielsen Chapman. Not meaning to take away from
her personal interpretation, but I think I'd like several of these songs
better by Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Mattea, or Patty Loveless. It's produced
by Patty's hubby, so maybe she'll get her hands on one of them next year.
10) Bryan White - The Right Place - I LOVE his close harmonies! How can
you NOT like a boy who pays allegiance to his mentors (Steve Wariner) and
dedicates his album to his great-grandmother?!?! Although he is clearly
country, his work is clean, crisp, personal, and sort of toe-tappingly
cheerful in most places.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS for '97: Indigo Girls, "Shaming of the Sun" (they
shamed it) and Wynona, "The Other Side" (I liked her OTHER side better).
Who I'd like to hear from in '98: Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Hornsby, Bryndle,
and the Subdudes... yes, I know they broke up, but it's a wish.
This was an excellent distraction, but I must go wrap dust busters, jigsaw
puzzles, sweaters, and beanie babies!!!!
Danise
_________________________________________________________________
From: Hans Janssen (hjanssen@mail.dotcom.fr)
Subject: top 10
Hello,
I agree with Danise:
So here are my best 10 of 1997:
1 Tish Hinojosa So=F1ar del Laberinto
2 Sandy Denny BBC session 1971-73 first time released
3 Nanci Griffith Blue roses for the moons
4 Guy Clark Keepers-a live recording
5 Tom Russell The long way round
6 Van Morrison Healing game
7 Mary Black Shine
8 Maura O'Connell Wandering home
9 Alison Kraus So long so wrong
10 Beth Nielsen Chapman Sand & water
So send your top 10 to the list, other members get maybe good ideas.
And I will be that someone, who puts everything together to one top 10
met vriendelijke groeten,
Hans Janssen.
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From: Astra Valters (dockrat@iscorp.com)
Subject: 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Hi all,
Does anybody recall ever hearing Nanci do a cover of Richard Thompsons's
1952 Vincent Black Lightning? There is some money wagered on whether or
not she played this song with the Crickets on her recent tour -
specifically, in Milwaukee.
It's a great song from Thompson's "Rumor and Sigh" album, BTW.
Thanks,
Astra
// When Richard played this tune during the "Sessions" TV show taping,
// Nanci sang backup. - MF
_________________________________________________________________
From: LeBlanc Lauren J (lleblanc@brynmawr.edu)
Subject: Re: NanciNet #97C07
jonatha brooke is fantastic -- i'd recommend 1st of all to get _angel in
the house_ by the story, which was jonatha's duo with jennifer kimball
before going solo. her solo efforts are _plumb_ and _10 cent wings_. all
wonderful, but Plumb and angel in the house are the best
enjoy!
_________________________________________________________________
From: BOBNJIMI (BOBNJIMI@aol.com)
Subject: Top Ten
Hey Nanci Fans...
Yet another Top Ten for 1997, although this has been, in my not so humble
opinion, a very poor year for music in general. The "mainstream" music stores
simply s*ck! I have had much more fun and spent money wisely in used CD stores
and online stores such as CD Universe and NOMA sites. My Ten: Limited by what
I actually plunked down cash for...
Nanci Griffith "Blue Roses..." - 'nuff said
Van Morrison " The Healing Game"- My Musical Hero
Kathy Mattea " Love Travels" - Great songwriting, good singer
Chet Atkins/Tommy Emmanuel-"The Day Fingerpickers Took Over The World" a 10
Joni Mitchell " Hits/Misses " it just feels good
Sheryl Crowe "Sheryl Crowe" very cool
Wallflowers " Bringing Down The House" Bob Zimmerman's kid does good
Sylvia "The Real Story" Lee Satterfield plays/sings/writes on this sweet one
Blues Traveler " Straight On 'til Morning" Drivin' music...!
George Strait " Blue Clear Sky" Manly man singing manly songs
Some older stuff that I picked up: The Corrs.....Neil Young.....Rosanne
Cash.....Maura O'Connell....Steve Earle.....Richard and Linda
Thompson....Chieftains.....Hootie....
Another country heard from...
Bob & Jimmie
_________________________________________________________________
From: Jerry Enright (fasolaman@pipeline.com)
Subject: CDNow picks
Hi Nanuits -
CDNow has a Christmas thing in which you enter the name(s)
of someone's favorite artist(s) and they recommend 10 recordings by
other artists that that someone should like. Just for giggles I entered
"N.G." and got the following recommendations. Thought you might like to
compare.....
Alison Krause & Union Station - So Long So Wrong
Mary Black - Shine
Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites
Shawn Colvin - Few Small Repairs
M.C.C. - Place in the World
James Taylor - Hour Glass
Bob Dylan - Time Out of Mind
Iris Dement - Way it Should Be
Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing
Cheers,
Jerry
_________________________________________________________________
From: David Steere (dsteere@sil.si.edu)
Subject: In time for Top Ten consideration?
To all Nanci lovers who have discovered and are yet to discover
Kimmie Rhodes:
The new compilation cd ("Jackalopes, ...1985-90") of Kimmie's early
work is out and should be listened to for consideration on everyone's
top ten list. The cd is wonderful--once again proving the glory of
Texas musicians. On a number of cuts, Kimmie sounds a bit like Iris
Dement. It makes a nice complement to Kimmie's recent album, "West
Texas Heaven." Check out Kimmie's web site for information
(www.kimmierhodes.com). Good listening. David.
_________________________________________________________________
From: Scott_Johnsen@restrac.com
Subject: Top Ten
It seems like I bought a lot of music this year but as I went back to all
of it, I only made purchased a hand full from 1997. I could list them all
and I wouldn't have ten. Therefore, I have only listed those I think would
have made a top ten if I purchased more. So, here goes:
1) Dee Carstenson The Map
2) Nanci Griffith Blue Roses from
the Moons
3) Mary Black Shine
4) Patty Larkin Perishable
Fruits
Scott Johnsen
_________________________________________________________________
From: Lluis Sala (picker@bigfoot.com)
Subject: Top 10 releases
Hi everybody from Girona, Spain,
This is my first posting to the list, although I've been reading it
since half a year or so. Indeed, it's one of the best lists I am
subscribed to.
Well, the aim of this message is giving you my list of Top 10 releases
(no specific order):
Nanci Griffith: Blue roses from the Moon
Steve Earle: El Corazon
Son Volt: Straightaways
Goose Creek Symphony: Acoustic Goose
Kate Wallace & Michael Camp: Two lane America
Jack Ingram: Livin' or dyin'
Dwight Yoakam: Under the covers
Toni Price: Sol power
Ricky Skaggs; Life's journey
Matraca Berg: Sunday morning to Saturday night
Prairie Oyster: Blue Plate Special
Maybe under another mood or in another member I could make some changes
in this list, but these are records that definetely have impressed me
this year. Other following close on the list are "Love travels" by Kathy
Mattea, "So long, so wrong" by Alison Krauss and "Everywhere" by Tim
McGraw.
Best regards,
Lluis Sala
http://ww2.grn.es/genoher
_________________________________________________________________
From: Tracy Bryce (brycetk@frc.com)
Subject: Matthew Ryan on Conan O'Brien Tuesday, Dec. 9
I am assuming this is the same Matthew Ryan that co-wrote "Everything's
Coming Up Roses". When I saw Nanci last January she encouraged us to
"keep an eye on him" (paraphrasing badly here...).
Tracy
// I'd agree with Nanci -- Matthew Ryan is one fine songsmith. - MF
_________________________________________________________________
From: SPINYN (SPINYN@aol.com)
Subject: Cosmic American Music
Thanks for the interesting list, Charlie...
Don't know if there was any order to it, but 'Gilded Palace Of Sin' has to be
No. 1. Both Gram Parsons' solo LP's should be there, too. And I might make a
case for the Grateful Dead's 'Working Man's Dead" and "American Beauty".
And, they have the wrong Jayhawks album. The newest one is a brave
continuance, but the 'Hollywood Town Hall" and "Tomorrow The Green Grass"
absolutely belong. HTH is a perfect record, not an unworthy cut on it.
Thanks again...
Mark Grissom
Berkeley
_________________________________________________________________
From: MreenParr (MreenParr@aol.com)
Subject: Top Ten List
Hi Nanci-netters,
Looking through my CDs I was surprised to find that most of the albums I
thought were current turn out to be last year's! This means that my top 10 is
in fact the *only* 10 I have of 1997 releases. So every one gets to be a
winner :-) In alphabetical order:
1. Matraca Berg - 'Sunday morning to Saturday night'. I have such a great
respect for this artist. She's been writing songs for other people for a long
while, of course, and has released two previous albums, but there was a long
gap when the record companies appeared to ostracise her. She's back on the
'Rising Tide' label, and this album is *good*. The songs range from the
thoughtful and rather sad ' Back when we were beautiful' to a real fun 'Back
in the saddle' (backing vocals from Suzy Bogguss, Faith Hill, Patty Loveless
and Martina McBride). 'Give me tonight' (with Suzy Bogguss and Raul Malo) is
also superb.
2. Mary Black - 'Shine'. I'm not a huge Mary Black fan but I like the
Richard Thompson track 'I misunderstood' and the lovely duet with Paul Brady
(who recorded his part over the phone from Australia) 'I will be there'.
3. The Burns Sisters Band - 'In This World'. Some lovely close harmony
singing; most of the tracks are self-penned and there is a range of emotions
and issues explored here. I find their singing moving and even, at times,
inspiring.
4. Nanci Griffith - 'Blue Roses from the Moons'. Love it.
5. John Jennings - 'Buddy'. JJ is Mary Chapin Carpenter's co-producer, multi-
talented musician, great friend etc etc. He wrote all 10 songs on this album
(his first, I think) and it's excellent.
6. Alison Krauss and Union Station - 'So Long, So Wrong'. Great.
7. Kathy Mattea - 'Love travels'. I like most of this very much indeed, but
there are a couple of tracks that I always skip (especially 'Beautiful fool'
which, although it's a Don Henry song, I find sentimental and distinctly
forgettable.) But Gillian Welch and David Rawlings' '455 rocket' and Cheryl
Wheeler's 'Further and further away' more than make up for this.
8. Kim Richey - 'Bitter Sweet'. She's a very talented singer and song-writer
and wrote all these tracks with a variety of collaborators. Really good.
9. Tom Russell - 'The Long Way Round'. Some of this has been released
previously in electric recordings but much is new and all tracks have been
'updated' as Russell says in the liner notes. This was my introduction to Tom
Russell and I have thoroughly enjoyed this album. It includes duets with
Nanci, Iris Dement, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Katy Moffatt and Dave Alvin.
10. Lee Ann Womack - Self-titled. Good voice, some fun tracks, enjoyable.
Probably not a 'must buy'.
Collections:
1 and 2. I don't know whether these are British compilations but there are
two 'Women in Country' albums which have been produced this year. I know some
people don't go a bundle on this sort of collection but for a relative
newcomer like me, they've been really useful. The first one introduced me to
Iris Dement, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Trisha Yearwood, Gretchen Peters and Suzy
Bogguss (Nanci is there singing FAD as well). The second volume is not as
good although it does have Nanci singing 'Turn around' (I don't know who
chooses these tracks; IMO neither of these songs really does her justice) and
also Bobbie Cryner, Victoria Shaw, Deana Carter and Shelby Lynne.
3. Brooks and Dunn - 'The Greatest Hits Collection'. It's fun (she said,
defensively); what more do you want?
4. This is probably my favourite album of the year - The essential Guy
Clark. All the tracks you would expect - Desperadoes waiting for a train,
Texas 1947, She ain't goin' nowhere, Texas cookin' and 16 more.
Looking forward to 1998. Who, apart from Nanci, has an album ready for
release?
Maureen Parr
_________________________________________________________________
From: Susan Peete (suepeete@cruzio.com)
Subject: 97 top ten picks
Here are my picks for 1997. But I have to say my favorite overall album of
the year is Refuge by Jennifer Berezan. Nina Gerber joins her on guitar.
1. Jennifer Berezan - Refuge
http://www.rahul.net/hrmusic/artists/jbart.html
2. Nanci Griffith - Blue Roses From The Moon
"http://www.sover.net/~rschrull/ngriffith/gchpage.html
3. Sara Hickman - Misfits
http://www.sarahickman.com/
4. Amazing Rhythm Aces - Out of The Blue
http://www.sover.net/~rschrull/jhooker/ara.html
5. Fred Eaglesmith - Lipstick Lies & Gasoline
http://www.pobox.com/~eaglesmith
6. Richard Shindell - Reunion Hill
http://www.folkartists.com/shindell/index.html
7. Eddie from Ohio - Big Noise
http://random.simplenet.com/efo2/
8. Laura Kemp - Corduroy
http://www.rahul.net/hrmusic/artists/lkart.html
9. Cliff Eberhardt - 12 Songs Of Good And Evil
10. David Beaudry - Alien Man (kind of like Tom Russell's music)
My pick for re-release:
The Nields - Gotta Get Over Greta - Blue (3 added songs)
http://www.ntplx.net/~senft/nields/nwhomepa.html
These two CDs spend a lot time in my player but I try to keep the top ten
for new material even though they are 97s:
Tom Russell - The Long Way Around
Guy Clark - Keepers
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT for '97:
Dar Williams - End Of The Summer (because I had such high hopes)
Just bought this advance copy. It's great, and worthy of top ten next year.
Kate McDonnell - Next - 1998 http://w3.ime.net/~sanchez/
Who I'd like to hear from in '98:
Lucinda Williams http://www.lonestarwebstation.com/lucinda.html
Susan Werner http://songs.com/susan/index.html
Tanya Savory http://songs.com/tanya/index.html
Lucy Kaplansky http://www.pair.com/lucy/
That's All Folks
Susan Peete
suepeete@cruzio.com
http://www.cruzio.com/~billpeet/
_________________________________________________________________
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