//  A special holiday poem, and more artist suggestions.  - MF

From: Ken Lippert (lippert@fyi.net)                               
Subject: 'Tis the season                                             

This is a repeat from last year, but I haven't had an original thought
since that oxygen depravation event in October in the mountains of
Tennesee.  I guess it is especially poignant with the dissolution of the
BMO.

The Night of the Concert

Twas the night of the concert, and all through the hall
Not a singer was singing - no more curtain calls;
The cables were hung on their spools near the stage,
by the roadies who finished and at last got their wage.
The guitars were packed up all snug in their cases,
along with the keyboards, the drums, and the basses.
My wife in her leather and me in my hat,
had just gotten up to head back to our flat.
When back in the wings there arose such a ruckus
That I sprang from my seat to see what the fuss was.
Down to the stage I flew like a bird
lept up on the apron to see what I'd heard.
The lights cast stark shadows between the dark curtains,
Making indistinct shapes - I couldn't be certain,
There in the shadows a glimpse of a star
an angel from Texas, with a Taylor guitar.
With tight black jean pants and a smile quite auspicious
I knew in a moment it was Nanci Griffith.
Behind her the rest of the B-M-O came,
And she whistled and hollered and called them by name;
Hey Lancio, Satterfield and Ron De La Vega!
Hey Breen, hey Patrick, where's Hooker that vagrant?
To the front of the stage, to the glare of the lights
We've got to keep playing on all through the night.
As tumble weeds that 'fore a Texas wind fly
when met with a trailer, soar into the sky,
So into the lights the musicians they flew
With their hearts full of song, and their axes in tune.
And then in a moment, I heard from the amps
The humming and buzzing of power up-ramped.
As we gave them a hand, and started to cheer,
Up at the front did Ms. Griffith appear.
She was dressed all in black from her head to her boots,
And her clothes were well cut, a fine looking suit.
A custom made Taylor slung from her shoulder,
and the joy of a child, but a wisdom much older.
Her eyes -- how they sparkled, her dimples how sweet!
Her cheeks were like roses, her smile -  what a treat!
Her slight Texas drawl was just like the wind
of the west Texas plain where her life did begin.
A button of Lyndon pinned to her strap,
And her finger picks sparkled in the bright spot lights' lap.
She had a warm face and a little caboose,
That just filled her jeans - not too tight - not too loose.
She was cheerful and brilliant, a silver moon beam,
And I cried when I saw her, "This must be a dream!"
A wink of her eye and a nod of her head,
Soon gave me to know the REAL concert's ahead.
She spoke not a word but went straight to her songs,
And poured forth the music, both tender and strong.
And laying at last her guitar picks aside,
And giving her voice a rest for a while.
She came to our seats and smiled at us two,
And thanked us for coming to see her and her crew.
Then she gathered her band and waved from the lights
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO All, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT."


Happy Holidays to all, I miss you
kenn

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From: "Bob Lem" (august1974@hotmail.com)                          
Subject: Top 10 Lists - late as usual                                

Greetings, eh?

It's been quite a few months since I last posted to the NanciNet.  (Had
some ISP problems.  But I'm doing much better now!  Wish'd I'd known
about HotMail then!)  So a big "Hello" to all those who remember me.

Thought I'd quit lurking to say that, while I normally don't care much
for people's opinions on music, I LOVE these Top 10 lists! (Despite the
fact that I get the Digest and the last handful have been almost nothing
but these lists.)  I find it very cool that a lot of the same albums
appear on different lists among other very obscure choices.
Fascinating!

I haven't bought too many recent releases this year.  I'm still catching
up on the early 90's stuff I'd neglected when it was popular. Not to
mention the 80's...

However, here's a list of my own.  At least check out these titles.
They are highly recommended.

NANCI GRIFFITH - Blue Roses from the Moons
   This album rocks!  That's all I want to say about it. (I gave a more
detailed review of this on the NNet way back in March.  I think it's
still kicking around in the archives...?)

THE WALLFLOWERS - Bringing Down the Horse
   I think this one was actually released in '96 but really hit this
year for most of us.   The music is cool, but what really stands out for
me is the lyrical skill of Jakob Dylan.  The only album to touch me so
profoundly this year.   Anyone else think that a duet with Nanci & Jakob
would completely rock?  (Provided, of course, that they also co-wrote
it.  *wish*)  Rock music has, for me these past few years, seemed to be
in a state of qualitative flux.  I have a renewed sense of hope for the
future of rock'n'roll thanks to this album.  Jakob Dylan is clearly his
own man, a true artist & visionary, and I hope he breaks free from the
plethora of comparisons to his father.

DONNA LEWIS - now...in a minute
   Yes, she now has a lame, cheesy duet with the Archduke of Lame
Ballads, Richard Marx on the charts.  Trust me on this.  This album is
surprisingly good!  I would like to hear from other people who enjoyed
this album.

MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS of 1997:
LISA LOEB - Firecracker
   Still haven't cracked the cellophane on this one.  I'm waiting for a
good night so I can really listen to it. Like I did with "Blue Roses".
Headphones & candlelight, a great combination.  This is the sophomore
effort to follow up her last album "Tails" with her band, Nine Stories.
If you don't have "Tails", you ought to have your head examined.  Truth
be told, I'm surprised her name is so rarely mentioned on this list.
She is wonderful.  She is also a Taylor-playing Texas songwriter like
someone else we know.

PAT BENATAR - Innamorata
   Haven't heard this one yet.  Been somewhat hard to find.  Anyone have
it?

BIGGEST LETDOWN of 1997:
THE INDIGO GIRLS:  Shaming of the Sun
   How do I loathe thee?  Let me count the ways.  Except for the first 2
cuts (which are only OK), this album is the worst effort ever by the
Indigo Girls.  Emily's contribution was the biggest disappointment.
Have they stopped trying?  Nice to hear them using electricity with
their guitars, but it's just not enough.  Notwithstanding, I'd still
spend my life savings to see them live.

Some OLD albums I just discovered this year:

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Born in the U.S.A.  (Where the hell was I?)
THE CRANBERRIES - Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
CONWAY TWITTY - 20 Greatest Hits
   The best true Country singer ever and the only one I'll be caught
dead listening to.  Truly "the best friend a song ever had".
SARA HICKMAN - Equal Scary People  ("Simply" is a great tune.)
DAN SEALS - Fired Up
   One of Dan's best.  And he only wrote one tune!
BILLY JOEL - River of Dreams
   One of the best Rock'n'Roll albums ever from one of the most profound
yet underrated lyricists ever.  Period.

I could go on, but I'm sure many of you already want me dead, so I'll
shut up here.  *L*

Quick question:  Is Nanci still doing work with a ballet company?  If
so, is there anything available to view or any upcoming release that
will showcase this combination?  Highly intrigued...

Until we meet again,

"No Problem" Bob Lem in Thunder Bay
august1974@hotmail.com

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: "Paul Musicant" (musicant@cax.es.xerox.com)                 
Subject: Any Comments on Ana Egge? (opening for Iris next month)     

        As I'm gathering my tickets for Iris Dement's concerts in Southern
California (January 20-24?), I notice the repeated opening act of Ana
Egge on the Ticketmaster listings.

        I have read 2 Web reviews acclaiming Ana's brief career as an Austin
singer-songwriter. She has one album named "River Under The
Road".

        Anybody have any first-hand comments about Ana?

        I know this is non-Nanci; but while Nanci is not touring, I hope a
brief mention of another Austin singer-songwriter doesn't hurt.

        Note that Ticketmaster is spelling her names as Anna or Egga in
various listings. The apparently correct spelling is Ana Egge
(www.anaegge.com).

pmusicant@cax.es.xerox.com (Paul Musicant)
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: GORDON1717 (GORDON1717@aol.com)                             
Subject: paul simon is my #1                                         

Hi Everybody,
it's been a while, how're y'all doon?

Perhaps I have missed it on someone's top ten ,(I have to admit I have skipped
a few.. it's christmas and I am very busy) but as far as I can tell there has
been no mention of Paul Simon's new album "Songs from the Capeman.  This is an
extraordinary piece of work!  For anyone interested in the fine craft of
songwriting (and that includes everyone on this list) this should be right at
the top of your christmas wishlists.  I personally cannot get the damn thing
off my cd player, it's stuck there.  Check it out and be
rewarded.............. Gordon

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