//  Today we have reports from the Nashville ballet show.  Also, some
//  Texas music in April, Pete and Maura, children singing along with
//  Nanci, and a mandolin for sale.  - MF

From: Shawn Kimbro (kimbro@planetc.com)                           
Subject: "This Heart"                                                

The pastel curtains at the Polk Theater of the Tennessee Performing Arts
Center were illuminated with dozens of candy-colored hearts last night.
And even more hearts fluttered in the audience as we anticipated the
beginning of Paul Vasterling and Nanci Griffith's ballet of bittersweet
love, "This Heart".  The stage was set for the final performance and the
entire Blue Moon Orchestra was in place just to the right of the main
stage.  Lee Satterfield smiled and waved while James Hooker suspiciously
scanned the balcony for seat-jumpers. He didn't catch us, we were
already in place right in front of Nanci's microphone!

What could possess NanciNet folkies to doll up in black dresses and new
shoes instead of t-shirts and hiking boots? Nothing short of Nanci's
love stories.  But in this performance Nanci didn't share her stories in
her aNGelic sing-song voice between songs, this time the Nashville
Ballet performed the familiar tales. The orchestra tuned, the lights
dimmed, the curtain went up and we sat on the edge of our seats in eager
anticipation.

There was Nanci, alone in a single spotlight on the big empty stage.
The crowd applauded as she curtsied and walked over to her microphone.
She looks great!  Her hair is longer now, almost shoulder length with
just the slightest hint of grey. She wore a full-length dark green
velvet dress with black lace up shoes.  She strapped on her Taylor and
cued the orchestra with a strum of the first chord to "These Days in an
Open Book".  Ballerina Nicole Johnson led the members of the troupe on
to the floor.  We couldn't decide who to watch, Nanci, the BMO, or the
dancers on stage.

I'd like to have sat in on auditions for this heart.  I swear many of
the dancers *looked* like Nanci! In fact the resemblance was uncanny in
one girl.  The costumes were great.  Most of the girls danced in denim
mini-skirts with bare midriff tops (there was even a tube top!!!) and
the guys wore jeans and tanks or flannel.  There was an equal amount of
toe-dancing and foot stomping.  The dancers really seemed to be enjoying
themselves, I noticed most were lip-synching the words.

Nanci traded guitars for the second song, "Always Will" for which
Vasterling has choreographed a flirty pas-de-deux which showcased the
talents of the dark eyed Kathryn Beasley Gager and Mike Biggers.  I
imagined Nanci's senior prom and wondered if Hooker felt the urge to
throw in a short riff from "A Whiter Shade of Pale".  Next was "Outbound
Plane" with eight dancers swirling and spinning, sometimes soaring
across the stage. I marveled at the upper body strength of the guys as
they effortlessly tossed the ballerinas into the air. When everyone
finally landed the BMO droned into the intro of "Nobody's Angel". We
listened carefully but there was no dog bark ;-).  During this song
Nicole Johnson danced with three guys.  She added a few jazzy hip
thrusts as she flirted between the trio of young suitors, never spending
too long with any one.

The next to last song was "The Wing and the Wheel".  I've never heard
Nanci's voice any finer than when she sang this song.  She even added a
few trills and lilts perhaps inspired by the accompaniment of a full
sting section.  The couple dancing this pas-de-deux began very closely,
their legs intertwined, but then moved apart and danced separately as if
to illustrate a love-affair gone wrong.

And then came the finale, "This Heart" in which all the dancer's rushed
back on to the stage. The choreography included country line-dancing,
modern jazz moves, and frequent clapping with the down-beat.  I noticed
Nanci's attention move toward the dancers, it must have been thrilling
for her to see this culture-bending rendition of her music. The audience
erupted into a standing ovation and Nanci led the BMO through an
additional verse while the audience clapped along.  I wonder how often
that happens at a ballet??

After the show a few NanciNetters joined the BMO onstage.  Lisa Day
quizzed Lee about the future of the band.  Maybe she'll tell us what Lee
said?  I was speaking to Doug Lancio when Kelly Sanderson popped up and
gave me a big hug.  Lisa headed toward James with that look in her eye,
I tried to hold her back but there's no stopping a woman with a crush! I
finally pulled her away in time to get a message from James to the
NanciNet.  He said, "Tell 'em I said hello and I'm listening in when
they least expect it."

I'd been informed my Montero would turn into a pumpkin at midnight so I
started looking for glass slippers where Nanci had stood. Finding none I
hurried up the steps and off towards Hillsboro Village.  Driving home
from Nashville this morning I had time to consider the events of the
night before.  If "This Heart" makes it anywhere close don't miss it.
It's a must-see. As I aimed my truck across the Cumberland Plateau and
back toward the Smoky Mountains, I realized that this heart is still
somewhere in downtown Nashville.

Warm Regards,
-Shawn

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: lbday@siu.edu (Lisa Day)                                    
Subject: Re: "This Heart"                                            

Hi Nanci-hearts--

Standing ovation to Shawn for posting such a beautiful review of _This
Heart_.  It truly was an awesome experience.

I was smitten in the first act of the ballet when I felt as if the dancers
symbolized Nanci's lyrical themes perfectly.  Three couples would appear
intermittently, and their dances were never synchronized.  Sometimes the
couples would separate, and then find each other again.  For me, their
moves epitomized the way each relationship is different and often unsure,
yet everyone still wants to dance anyway.  A solitary ballerina would often
grace the stage or flit among the couples in what looked like a powerful
combination of confidence and loneliness.  I remember someone said last
year that the solitary ballerina symbolized the heart, but I think the
dancer could also represent a person who chooses not to get involved in the
dance that everyone else is doing--a theme that Nanci Griffith articulates
so accurately.

Shawn's judgment of the performance of Nanci and the BMO was right on
target.  They were in exquisite form.  They played only five songs, but
they put all of their energy into that concentrated bit of their
repertoire.  I did miss Nanci's between-song stories, no matter how many
times I've heard them.  I also missed her dancing, but I guess if she had
danced in her usual way, she would have been stealing the ballerinas'
thunder.  I noticed that one of the muscular dancers and Nanci were winking
and smiling at each other.  Nanci obviously breaks hearts everywhere she
goes!

When I talked to Lee Satterfield after the show, I immediately said, "Hey,
I thought you guys weren't touring together anymore!"  She grinned coyly
and said, "We're *not* touring.  We're home."  Ah, so there's the loophole!
I also asked Lee about the release of her solo CD, and she keeps promising
that we'll see it sometime this year.  After hearing some of her original
songs in Knoxville, I'm eager to see her launch a solo career.

I hope _This Heart_ goes on tour.  If it comes to a city near you, get a
black dress or a denim snap-up shirt and go see a magnificent blend of
American cultural forms.

Cheers,
Lisa "Born feet running" Day

 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Kelsan78@aol.com                                            
Subject: Re: "This Heart"                                            

I have nothing to add to the wonderful reports by Shawn and Lisa except that
someone said that taping the ballet for PBS was being taken into
consideration. Keep your fingers crossed! It would be a great way for lots of
folks to get to see and hear this very lovely program.

black dress and new shoes safely put away just in case I ever need them again
;-),
Kelly

 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Kpcallahan@aol.com                                          
Subject: Re: NanciNet #98219                                         

1.  To the person who asked about a Townes Van Zandt CD, I just recently
bought Rear View Mirror (I think that's the name) as an introduction to TVZ.
I am very happy with it.
2.  Is anyone familiar with Kim Forehand?

Thanks.

Kevin Callahan
kpcallahan@aol.com

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Ed Maier (eddie@flash.net)                                  
Subject: Texas Music Festival                                        

Anybody going to the Texas Music Festival April 16-18 in Meridian, TX besides
Me? Scheduled so far are

                              Latty Joe Taylor
                              Ray Wylie Hubbard
                              Rusty Wier
                              Pat Green
                              Dale Watson
                              Brian Burns
                              Joe Pat Hennen
                              Kimmie Rhodes
                              Max Stalling
                              Chris Schlotzhauer
                              Ed Burleson
                              Owen Temple
                              Terri Hendrix
                              Adam Carol
                              Jeff Glover

See http://www.larryjoetaylor.com/


See ya there,

Ed Maier

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From: phasz@tclsystems.com                                        
Subject: Pete and Maura Kennedy's New Release                        

Hi All,

Just a quick note to let you all know that Pete and Maura Kennedy
have just signed with Rounder records!!

They have a new CD due out
in June.  It will be called, "Common Ground".

This will be their third together--The two previous being, "River of
Fallen Stars" and "Life is Large".

Pete also has a guitar CD out which is super.

Also noteworthy is their version of "Wall of Death".  It is just
great!  It's on "River"...

If you need a great CD to get you through
until OVOR 2 debuts, try any of these.  I highly recommend them.

Patty
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: KFYI@aol.com                                                
Subject: "Songwriter's Paradise", Texas Highways, Feb. 1998; pp.34-41

In this month's Texas Highways, there is a nice article on the revival of the
traveling folk artist in Texas through an informal circuit of places to hear
contemporary folk music.  These venues are called "listening rooms" or "house
concerts"( some events takes place in individual's homes).  It provides a
smoke free atmosphere that permits interaction between performer and the small
audience.  A listing  is given for these types of venues on p. 44.

Paul Johnston

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Susan Krauss (skrauss@hooked.net)                           
Subject: Folk Vote Results                                           

Here's the results of the Folkmusic org voting for 1997.

http://www.folkmusic.org/folkvote97/results.html


 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Michael Wilt (mwilt@smp.org)                                
Subject: Nanci and parental affirmation                              

Hello all,

Just a quick Nanci-related post from a proud dad:

While driving along the other night, my nearly-5-year-old son Sam
serenaded me with a beautiful rendition of Malvina Reynolds's lullabye
"Morningtown Ride." Simply brought tears to my eyes.

The next day on the way to the barber shop Sam said, "Hey Dad, let's
sing 'Goin' Gone'." And so, of course, we did. It's really something to
hear such a young 'un sing "Deep in the waters of love I am falling,
sinking like a stone . . ."

Just two signs that the wife and I must be doing something right.

Back to your regular programming.

Michael "I wanna go to the ballet" Wilt
mwilt@smp.org

n.p.: Flyer

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: MURRAYS (MURRAYS@dstm.com)                                  
Subject: RE: Nanci and parental affirmation                          

More cheers for kids loving Nanci along with us...my 8.5 year old knows
all the words to just about everything and has been singing Nanci songs
since he was about 2 while I strum away on the guitar...so many great
bedtime songs...driving songs... kitchen songs...

We took him with us to see Nanci in Atlanta a couple of years ago and he
sat in the pouring rain all night...never complained a bit...went as
wild for her as I did...

I can imagine him being an adult remembering the influence as I remember
my mother singing James Taylor songs...


_________________________________________________________________
 
From: MreenParr@aol.com                                           
Subject: TvZ and all the gang at ACL                                 

A kind friend from Texas sent me a couple of scanned pictures from the current
Texas Monthly (well, the March edition, I suppose), one of Townes, and one of
the recent ACL tribute taping.  The picture shows all the contributors sitting
in a semi-circle - there's Lyle and Willie and Guy and Emmylou and Nanci and
Steve and Rodney Crowell and Peter Rowan and all the rest - it's a great
picture.  Those of you who can get hold of Texas Monthly will enjoy having a
look at this.  The text was apparently difficult to scan but it's being held
for me when I visit Texas at Easter.

Can't wait!

Maureen Parr
London.

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: BOBNJIMI@aol.com                                            
Subject: Lee's  BMO Mandolin                                         

Hi Folks...

It seems the lovely Ms. Satterfield is up to her elbows in stringed  devices
and is having a garage sale.  She is selling some instruments and wanted to
offer a mandolin with significant Nanci/BMO experience to interested
NanciNetters...

Lee's description :  ..."Its a Washburn M-3SW/TS - an F style bluegrass mando
with a nice pick up and a beautiful top of the line velvet lined hard shell
(oblong square, not mando shaped ) case.  I played it with Nanci on the "Other
Voices Other Rooms" tour and the "Flyer" tour.  It really is pretty. There is
one little battle scar on the top of the scroll on the headstock where a light
pole came loose before a show, rolled across the stage and turned our stands
over like bowling pins but you can barely see it!  Ah, authenticity! "...

The list price is $1199. without a pickup or pro case. Lee is asking $1000.
for the whole shebang. Interested mando types can email us and we'll hook you
up with Lee for the details...

Best to All,
Bob and Jimmie McClellan
Bobnjimi@AOL.com   or
bobnjimi@softdisk.com

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Kelsan78@aol.com                                            
Subject: NN: RE: Nanci and parental affirmation                      

One more with a slightly different angle:

My 15 year old daughter is growing up. This fact dawned on me as I sat beside
her in the car the other night while she proudly exercised her newly acquired
drivers permit priveledges. There she sat, behind the wheel of mama's car,
immersed in concentration on the road (or so I thought), as we listened to the
strains of Nanci singing Lookin' for the Time. All of a sudden, my daughter
erupted in astonished laughter and said, "She's a h*!! The character in the
song...she's a H*!!," and dissolved into peals of giggles. I told her to just
watch the road, please, and then she erupted again, "You just wasted mine!!
hahahahahaha!!". I asked her if this was the first time she ever realized what
that song was about, and she said "yes," and then she said "you know that line
about 'You just wasted mine?'. Well, all these years I thought she was saying,
' I'm a workin' girl....you're just a wasted mind.'" LOLOLOLOL
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