NanciNet Digest 8-27-98
// Nanci goes ballistic. Plus, yet another CD compilation appearance // and more Newport reports. - MF From: bobmcbob@clubhouse.email.net Subject: nanci bites back Apparently our Miss Nanci is more than a little pissed at some Texas critics who she accuses of "eating their young" in a recent form letter sent to a bunch of them including Joe Nick Patoski. To hear her letter to Austin American-Statesman critic read aloud, you can dial 512-416-5700 and punch in category 3238. It's a wild one. _________________________________________________________________ From: Mitchell (o416@erols.com> Subject: Nanci's newspaper letter--footnotes I figger I'll put my foot right in it, and give footnotes to the two literary references in Nanci's letter. You can laugh about what a pedant I am. Thomas Wolfe--Nanci's reference here is specifically to his phrase "You can't go home again." Wolfe came from Ashville, North Carolina. His firsat novel, which was heavily autobiographical, made him an object of abuse in his home town. Katherine Anne Porter--Texas writer best known for her short stories--and for her lack of recognition in her home state. "Noon Wine," "Flowering Judas," "Pale Rider"--all masterpieces. She was also an encourager of that great writer Eudora Welty, another one of Nanci's favorite. Pedantically, Reid Mitchell _________________________________________________________________ From: LDay67@aol.com Subject: Re: nanci bites back Hi Bob-- Vitriolic, and probably justifiably so. Thanks for the lead on Nanci Griffith's response to her critics in the Austin paper. I understand that Nanci is responding to Texas critics in general, but is there a specific review written by Patoski that we can read to get some context? Cheers, Lisa _________________________________________________________________ From: ferg@world.std.com (Mark Ferguson) Subject: Austin OVToo review Bizarre. Methinks Nanci ought to quit reading reviews. Anyway, here's the OVToo review that appeared in the Austin paper: http://austin360.com/enter/music/recrevs/07july/23/griffith.htm The author (not the same person to whom Nanci's letter was sent) gives the album a lukewarm rating, but it certainly doesn't seem as if it should have precipitated such an angry response. I guess she's not feeling so great lately. The text of the letter is not yet on the web, as far as I know. Maybe that's good, as the words might melt your computer screen. ;-) Happy listening, Mark Ferguson Austin, Texas http://world.std.com/~ferg/ _________________________________________________________________ From: Mark Wiggins (M.Wiggins@ftel.co.uk> Subject: Nanci track on new compilation Just popped up from longtime lurkdom to point out that BBC Music have released a compilation CD called "Best of the Cambridge Folk Festival". It includes a nice live version of "It's Just Another Morning Here" from 1992. Full track listing... The Saw Doctors - N17 Nanci Griffith - It's Just Another Morning Here Capercaillie - The Cape Breton Song Martin Carthy - Aux Anciens Parapets / Harry Lime Theme Eddi Reader - Honeychild Joe Ely - She Never Spoke Spanish To Me Lindisfarne - Meet Me On The Corner Loudon Wainwright III - Medley: The Swimming Song / Pretty Little Martha / Dump The Dog The Albion Band - The Shipwreck Ralph McTell - Mr Connaughton Kate & Anna McGarrigle - First Born Mary Black - Summer Sent You Eric Bibb - Needed Time Leo Kottke - Oddball The Blues Band - Noah Lewis Blues Steeleye Span - All Around My Hat It's on Strange Fruit records, catalogue number CAFECD001, (C) 1998. Regards, Mark. _________________________________________________________________ From: mike.leach@utoronto.ca (michael ryan leach) Subject: Re: no Nanci in Michigan My girlfriend and I have been Nanci fans for years, but as Canadians have never made the trip to the USA to see her. This summer we had hoped to change that. We spent 5 leisurely days driving from Toronto along Lake Erie and eventually through Detroit to the Pine Knob theatre. By this time our excitement at finally getting to see Nanci was palpable. We arrived early at the theatre so we could spend the day relaxing and picnicking. To our great dismay an older couple was coming from the front gates nearly in tears saying that Nanci was sick and would not perform and they had drove 56 miles to see her! We were hardly impressed with their 56 miles, having covered hundreds of miles to get there, but shared their disappointment. In any case we enjoyed the show which had Joan Baez and her spectacular voice headlining. Both Lucinda Williams and John Hiatt were also missing from the bill also to our disappointment, but a strong showing by Wilco made up the difference for me. I quite enjoyed their extra countrified versions of songs off their 'AM' and 'Being There' albums. I hope that Nanci is doing well and spends time to recover. She has given her fans so much over the years! I will remain patient and pray to be able to see her perform in the future. Michael Leach, Toronto, Canada. _________________________________________________________________ From: Charles Butler (Charles.Butler@Bigfoot.com> Subject: Newport Folk - Columbus Time to delurk... As a member of the USAF, I managed to see the show while on 30 days leave from South Korea. I had originally bought tickets for this show when it was scheduled in Indianapolis and missed out on the 1/2 off offer when they rescheduled it for Columbus. Nanci was absolutely fantastic at the Polaris Amphitheater on the 20th of August. I don't think the set list was much different than any of the other of the descriptions of the Newport Festival that we've read here this summer. IMHO she was the absolute star of the show and when I think about what Folk music really is, she was the only performer there who was truly singing Folk songs (maybe I'm just biased). Our aNGel was very alive and animated during several songs including "Three Flights Up" and "If I had a Hammer". I so enjoy her typical banter between songs describing the songs origins, her upbringing, and her political beliefs. I might have missed it here before, so please excuse me if I repeat. She mentioned her upbringing and described her parents as beatniks. Before she sang "It's a hard life", she mentioned that her grandmother has surpassed 100 years old and that it was her grandmother's favorite song, she dedicated it to the people who had died in the Ireland bombing and at the end of the song my binoculars detected that she was teared up (so was I). She looks well and her voice doesn't seem to have been affected by her cancer. At the end of her show she gladly received three red roses from the audience and dashed off stage as she frequently does. I sure hope she continues to tour as I so wish to see her again live. Thanks for the chance to say my peace as I re-disappear into the shadows..... Charlie Butler _________________________________________________________________ From: Steve Makarsky (thekidd@flash.net> Subject: LYRICS TO NANCI'S SONGS Morning to all you NanciNetters: Been lurking for some time, checking out NanciNet... Been a fan of hers since I first saw her on Austin City Limits in 1986... For those of you looking for lyrics to most of her songs, I recommend you check out this site: http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/dylan/705/index/art12316.htm Steve _________________________________________________________________ From: Doug Kellam (doug.kellam@sympatico.ca> Subject: Spa Date and Thanks Thanks to those who offered help in obtaining copies of both of Nanci's videos. I managed to get a copy of both and have very much enjoyed watching them. I was fortunate enough to see her with the Newport Flok Festival Tour in Saratoga. Being a racing fan, and it being the day the Jim Dandy Stakes was run, I did not arrive at the show until severals acts had appeared. Most notably was Lucinda Williams whose disc I have enjoyed thanks to listers and Bruce Cockburn who, as a Canadian I am embarassed to admit, I have never seen perform. Nanci did not disappoint but I will remeber her engaging personality far more than I will the songs she played. I have not seen a set list for that show posted on the list. If anyone has one I would appreciate their posting of it just to jog my memory. Alas, her limited set was all too short but I can't complain. A long time ambition was realized and I also got introduced to Bela Fleck and the Flecktones who really impressed me. _________________________________________________________________ From: "jean-paul layrisson" (layrisson@worldnet.att.net> Subject: Michelle Shocked I meant to tell you Nanciheads that when Lucinda played down here in the Big Easy in late July, something very interesting happened to me outside of the show. I was waiting at the ticket office to pick up my tickets at the House of Blues and the person in front of me told the ticket guy that she was on the guest list. The ticket taker demanded to see her drivers lisc. ; she ponyed it over with a simple "ok". A few minutes later, still in line to get in to see Lucinda, I got up the courage to tell this person that I too was very curious (albeit for a different reason) to see how her name appeared on her drivers lisc. She immediately got my joke, and said "It really does say Shocked" with a warm smile. This was a brush with fame I won't soon forget. Michelle Shocked is a singer and songwriter that I hold in regard right up there with Nanci and Lucinda based on her spirit, talent, and unadulterated lust for life and belief in the human spirit. Michelle was going to see Lucinda, in the crowded like everyone else, and Lucinda did not disappoint that fair summer evening. I haven't seen Nanci and hope dearly that I will get to someday. If any of you get the chance to see Michelle or Lucinda, please don't let it pass you by. Michelle once said something to the crowd from the same stage that we were watching Lucinda's beautiful show that night--it has stayed with me----"live till you die!" She meant it. Nanci does, Lucinda does, we all should. Thanks for all of the reports of Nanci and friends from the road, it is the next best thing to being there. _________________________________________________________________ Questions about NanciNet? 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