NanciNet Digest 8-31-98
// Nanci's broadside at Texas critics and the resulting fallout
// help produce this giant Digest. We have the full text of the
// infamous letter plus a bunch of responses. Also, news about
// Nanci's book, online music, and other artists. - MF
From: "Broyles, Julie A." (JABroyles@lyonlyon.com>
Subject: Text of letter
Dear Mr. Corcoran:
In response to the years of brutal abusive review in your publication:
There has always been a certain amount of pathos within artists who
leave their sacred bountiful homes of birth for the benefit of
preserving their own belief in their art . . . especially in cases such
as my own, where my native soil that I have so championed around this
globe has done its best to choke whatever dignity I carried with me.
Each time I've crossed that great Red River and left your big fat hats
and your good old boy politics, your self-inflated worth and conceit,
and your myopic and self-consumed view of your self-proclaimed
importance in the world of art, I gave a sigh of thanks for having taken
Thomas Wolfe to heart in my youth . . . for putting the few dollars in
my pocket into the fuel tank of my vehicle instead of drugs and alcohol
to mentally escape you.
I have remained your moving target for criticism for 20 years. Though I
have truly been wounded many times by your malice, you still couldn't
catch me at point-blank range. I learned well from another of your
native daughters you battered, abused and terrorized throughout her
career -- Katherine Anne Porter. She, too, had the wisdom to get the
hell out of there, and you hated her because she wrote of you as you
are, not how you so self-indulgently perceive yourself. That mirror
must be incredibly difficult to accept.
I carry with me always the pride and the knowledge that great things
have come from my native soil. Very few ever return there. Texas is,
after all, the only place on earth that actually eats its young.
Sincerely, your native daughter forever, far from your crooked, biting
teeth, desde lejos, Nanci Caroline Griffith, abroad from bountiful
August 1998.
(desde lejos = From A Distance en espanol) (or perhaps As Far Away From
The Gnawing Teeth Of Texas As One Can Get).
For anyone who hasn't heard it - Nanci sang parts of From A Distance in
English, Spanish and French with Donna Summer and Raul Malo of the
Mavericks on the One Voice album. It's beautiful.
Julie 'in the kitchen rattlin' pans' in California (where everything
is relevant and everyone gets gobbled up).
_________________________________________________________________
From: "DeYoung, Andy G." (agdeyoun@utmb.edu>
Subject: Transcript of Nanci's Letter
Well, I got home late to read the Houston Chronice, and on page 3G of
the PREVIEW section, they published Nanci's famed letter in the Rant and
Rave Section. Here is the paper's intro to the letter, her letter, and
the paper's response (the typos are all mine):
The following letter from Austin-born singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith
was sent to several newspapers and magazines in Texas, including the
Houston Chronicle. So we thought we'd share it with you.
// Text of letter snipped ... - MF
The response from the paper was:
"DEAR NANCI,
We checked our library files back to 1985 and found glowing reviews
and interviews - nothing that could be construed as brutal and abusive.
We don't deny the crooked teeth, though."
Anyway, there it is. I'm a Texan, I don't eat my young, and I still
love Nanci. One day we'll discover what triggered this. Y'all have a
great weekend.
Andy from Galveston, Texas
_________________________________________________________________
From: Clive Dawson (clive.dawson@amd.com>
Subject: Nanci's letter
Does anybody happen to know when Nanci's letter was actually published
in the Austin American-Statesman?
I was a little curious about the fact that the review was written by
Rob Patterson, and yet Nanci apparently addresses her comments to
[Michael] Corcoran. Perhaps there was another piece by Corcoran at
some point?
Also, regarding Mark's suggestion that Nanci should quit reading
reviews, I suspect that the Patterson review is not the one which
prompted her to write her letter. (It was negative, but not *that*
bad.) As evidenced by some of her remarks, and by the fact that she
made it into a form letter, I'd bet that this ire against (at least
some) reviewers from her "native soil" has been building for a long
time.
So even though it might be considered an overreaction in the case of
the AA-S review, hey, if I had taken the time to craft such a
marvelous "zinger", I'd probably want to get as much mileage as
possible from it...! ;-)
Clive Dawson
Austin
// I've yet to see a review by a Texas critic that was as nasty as
// Nanci's letter. It's probably a bit strange to receive such
// accusations without a specific reference -- the same letter was
// also addressed to a critic at the Austin Chronicle (the local
// alternative weekly) who, according to the paper, has never reviewed
// any work of Nanci's. I tell ya, this thing is bizarre. - MF
_________________________________________________________________
From: James_Troiano@umit.maine.edu (James Troiano)
Subject: Review about Nanci
Hi folks: I can understand Nanci's anger. The Austin reviewer expects a
pale imitation of Other Voices and the fact is that she was not trying
for that. So many other critics did see the value in OV2- the Rolling
Stone, Boston Globe, No Depression, even Stereo Review and People. By
the way, I have heard almost everyone but Peter, Paul, and Mary sing
You Were on My Mind- and they certainly did not have a hit with that
song. as maintained by the the Austin critic. He actually compares her
version with theirs. Of all the versions, I have heard , Nanci's is the
best. It has a combination of power and playfulness, which I had never
heard in that song before. Where do they get these folk critics who do
not know basic facts about what they are writing about? It must be
frurstrating to be judged harshly in your own place of birth and
receive acclaim everywhere else. I do hope, however, that Nanci gets
well and that is my main concern. These nasty little reviews are
meaningless in the larger context of things. I am saddened that this
one got to her. I recommend she and all of us read the review of her
album and her Newport performance in the Boston Globe-- informed
critics with open minds, who do know what they are writing about.
Sincerely, Jim Troiano.
// I really doubt that there have been more negative reviews from
// Texas than from elsewhere. - MF
_________________________________________________________________
From: Kenn Lippert (lippert@fyi.net>
Subject: American Statesman
I listened to the audio version of Nanci's letter to the American
Statesman (sure feel bad for the poor volunteer that had to read it - the
vitriol seemed to stick in her throat at times). All I can say is that
there must be an entire lifetime of history building up to this response
from Nanci. No way is this based on a reaction to one review. This
seems to be the culmination of anger and bitterness cultivated through the
years by the reviews and editorials in the American Statesman and other
Austin publications, radio, and television publications.
Nanci does not speak just of her own treatment however, she mentions a
Kathyrn Anne Porter as being "battered, abused, and terrorized". There
are just so many words in such a short time, (sure this isn't from Dar?)
that I cannot recall enough to quote more. Suffice it to say, she is
PISSED!
Not being privy to this history, I feel somewhat hesitant to pass
judgement on Nanci's reaction, BUT (since when did ignorance ever stop me
from having an opinion) although the sentiments, accusations, and insults
Nanci spews may indeed be utterly justified, I fear that this responce of
hers will have no benefit for her, her career, other musicians, the Austin
music scene, or the staff of the American Statesman. Perhaps it heals a
wound in her heart, or releases pressure from her tank, I cannot know. I
have some of the same feelings I did when there was that big AOL flap
sometime ago; almost embarrassed.
kenn "Crooked, biting teeth - sounds like a banjo player" lippert
_________________________________________________________________
From: Ron Gorda (rgg@lucent.com>
Subject: Nashville media
A short interview with Emmy Lou Harris appeared in today's Newark Star
Ledger (a major New Jersey newspaper). Emmy states that her new music is
being ignored by the Nashville media in preference to the new and young breed
of upcoming performers. This trend has had a major impact on her music
from reaching a much wider audience. She goes on to say that this trend has
likewise impacted the careers of her established contemporaries; Nanci
Griffith and Steve Earl.
// I wonder when Nanci will target these Nashville writers, with their
// "big fat hats and good-ole boy politics," for their treachery. ;-)
// - MF
_________________________________________________________________
From: Cynthia Courtney (courtney@mpi.com>
Subject: Nanci's chest-clearing
I called and listened to Nanci's, ahem, "letter" to the editor. She's
definitely one lady whose bad side you do NOT want to get on ;-)
Anyhoo, I was puzzled by what she said about Texans criticizing her for 20
years. Is this true? I thought she was a beloved figure in the Austin area
- an "institution" as my sister who just recently moved there put it. If it
_IS_ true, I can see why Nanci might have reached the end of her rope,
because most of her work up until the past couple of years was truly
exquisite. I think her latest 2 recordings have not held up to these
earlier works, and frankly, while there are good things in each, there's
also quite a bit to criticize (that is, after all, what "critics" are paid
to do :-) ) I thought the review which appears to have set Nanci off was
rather innocuous - no, it wasn't glowing, and clearly the reviewer thought
the overall product was not up to snuff, but he also balanced his criticism
with very complimentary remarks about Nanci and her legacy, and by including
a paragraph on what he thought were the "wonderful moments" of the album.
SO, can anyone shed some light on what she meant by "20 years of criticism?"
Thanks,
Cindy Courtney
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Hank Van Slyke" (Chevelle@pnx.com>
Subject: Re: Transcript of Nanci's Letter
Thanks very much, Andy! If not for your post, I would have missed it. Yep,
it will be interesting to find out the reasoning behind writing and sending
such a letter. Seems like we shouldn't bit the hand that feeds us, even if
it doesn't feed us too well sometimes. I hope the letter works as a
"wake-up call" to the media's music reviewers and the music industry in
general.
Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings and many others were "outlaws" in the 70s,
shunned by Nashville and the big records. So they came back to Austin,
hunkered down, and kept on doing their thing. They're still big stars,
well-respected, in demand by the public. Perhaps in hindsight, our aNGel
could draw some strengths from the old outlaws' experiences. Hey, what
about an album with Nanci, Waylon, Willie, Rusty Wier, and any other outlaws
that are still around? Call it "Outland Outlaws" and get Berke Breathed to
draw the cover.
Seriously, maybe some of the old outlaws could share their experiences
with a less-than-receptive media with Nanci. Might help.
Hank "are there any C&W; songs about a lawnmower dying?" Van Slyke
_________________________________________________________________
From: LeonBass@aol.com
Subject: Re: bad reviews
Hi, 'Netters:
for a couple of more complimentary reviews than the Austin360 one, try:
"http://www.newcitychicago.com/raw/raw71598.html
and
http://www.nj.com/music/edition47/griffith.html, which allows you to cast your
vote on OVToo.
And remember, if everybody liked our Nanci, she'd probably be churning out
mediocre pap.
LeonBass OO==#
_________________________________________________________________
From: Poetmuse@aol.com
Subject: Austin/ Nanci
I was wondering- has Nanci already performed in Austin this tour? Or has that
been planned for the fall? Anyone? I would love some info on it- as I may
actually make the pilgrimmage to see our aNGel. (and check out Austin as well)
thanks!
// Nanci hasn't played a concert in Austin this year, and none is
// scheduled. :-( - MF
_________________________________________________________________
From: ingaqotr@CTC.Net (Amy C. McKibbin)
Subject: on criticism
In response to all the criticism that OVII has received, I say this: Just
be glad that Nanci does *not* concentrate on trying to write/perform what we
the body of fans think should be "her style." We would never have been
given Wimoweh, Morning Train, This Heart, or Three Flights Up. We wouldn't
be discussing which of her various albums was better or worse for having
production, acoustics, not enough back up, too many voices, or personal and
relevant writing. It seems to me that if an artist tried to target the
security of approval in one strict style, growth and change would be halted
and their wells would eventually run dry. And so would ours.
Drink up,
Amy "blatantly contradicting how I feel about the dance mix issue" M.
_________________________________________________________________
From: "jenny.frog" (jenny.frog@virgin.net>
Subject: WHY????????
> it will be interesting to find out the reasoning behind writing and sending
> such a letter.
Hello?????
i point the finger at nobody in particular and everyone in between.
WHY do we need to find out what lies behind this letter??????
i'm not a texan or even an american, but I think everyone should give
nance a break, maybe she just had to let off some steam!!!! why does
everybody want to analyse everything she does. fair enough i know you
(we) all love her to bits, but hey. she's human just the same as the
rest of us and gaskets burst all over the place all the time.
luv 'i'm not getting pissed off at anything and everything today' jenny
_________________________________________________________________
From: c572559@showme.missouri.edu
Subject: critics and fans and eggs
Hello all,
I second Jenny's observations . . . moreover, because I consider critics
to be generally a feckless bunch, I'm not too troubled when they come in
for some vitriol . . . and since I feel like letting my 'devil's advocate'
impulses hold sway a bit, let me ask this: why do 'we' (and this is an
editorial 'we', not an NN 'we') think 'we' understand an artist or his/her
work any better than the critics 'we' sometimes disparage for
misunderstanding or misconstruing a song or album or artist 'we' cherish?
Assume that a whole posse of Texas critics had in fact trashed NG for
years . . . what follows? Just that a whole posse of Texas critics had
trashed NG for years, and 'we' (this time the NN 'we') don't agree and
shouldn't care. Any other response still strikes me like a debate over
the best way to cook eggs . . .
Thom Bassett
_________________________________________________________________
From: kenn lippert (lippert@fyi.net>
Subject: Re: critics and fans and eggs
The point I was trying to make was not to defend the critics at all,
heavens knows I don't want to defend THAT crowd; but that no one here seems
to recall that "a whole posse of Texas critics had in fact trashed NG for
years", so why this letter? Its not so much WHAT she wrote, but WHY. She
is certainly free to write anything she wants whether she looks like a fool
or a savior of the down-trodden artist. Since I am not privy to her
thought process, I am curious as to what ignited her flame.
kenn "pointy end up of course" lippert
_________________________________________________________________
From: jalvo@cloud9.net (John G. Alvord)
Subject: Re: Transcript of Nanci's Letter
lippert@fyi.net writes:
>
>(( the question needs to be rasied: could this be a forgery? >>
>
Petop@aol.com wrote:
>I certainly hope so because the letter was unnecessarily cruel and the
>words of someone wallowing in the same mud from which she claims she is trying
>to escape.
I hope its a forgery but I think it is real. I have observed
(indirectly) of other signs of instability. One is the weird AOL letter
from 1996. Other is the Chieftan's tour blow-up, which has never been
explained publically. Another is the repeated claim that touring would
end in 1997 (especially th interview in Sessions at 54th street, which
was explicit). Recordings released lacking (at times) the degree of
perfection previously seen. The misunderstanding with James Hooker that
had him playing with Pam Tillis for a while. And last is the situation
with her childhood friend Maggie, apparently estranged for no obvious
reason, while Maggie is in great distress.
Of course, we are far distant from "the truth"... like the old Kremlin
watchers who would try to figure out hidden politics by seeing who stood
with whom on the parade reviewing stand. But so be it, she doesn't speak
directly and we pan for gold-dust facts in the river bottom of events.
If there is a truth.
Clearly, anyone would be under severe strain from the heath problems
Nanci is suffering. And that may be the ultimate cause. In any case, we
all hope for a restoration to health.
As a friend mentioned privately... her songs, her performances stand
unchallenged... at the best they are unsurpassed. That part can never
change for me.
John Alvord
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Sarah E. Johnson" (utsarah@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Nanci letter
I am sorry I usually just lurk but come on! On the verge of a nervous
break down I dont think so. It is someone who is clearly expressing an
opinion which she is certainly entitled to do! I say to Nanci "YOU GO
GIRL" and to others that have whined in the past about how they dont like
new albums get over it she is allowed to express herself in whatever way
she pleases. If every one of her albums sounded the same I would not be a
big a fan of hers as I am--each album is unique and expresses a different
attitude. That type of diversity should be praised.
_________________________________________________________________
From: c572559@showme.missouri.edu
Subject: psychoanalysis--no! music--yes!
It strikes me as perverse to presume to track NG's mental health or plumb
her soul from the fragmentary public signals we have access to . . . we
don't 'know' NG in any meaningful sense, and can't know her in all
likelihood . . . no wonder artists tend to avoid lists like this as they
would a convention of Texas critics . . . 8^) . . . why not focus on what
we are given--the music--and leave the rest to NG and her real friends and
family? . . . we're not part of that circle, and we shouldn't be . . .
Thom
_________________________________________________________________
From: Petop@aol.com
Subject: Re: Nanci letter
In a message dated 8/30/98 1:18:03 AM Central Daylight Time,
utsarah@bellsouth.net writes:
(( I am sorry I usually just lurk but come on! On the verge of a nervous
break down I dont think so. It is someone who is clearly expressing an
opinion which she is certainly entitled to do! >>
It is time for blunt honesty here. I have been an admirer of Ms. Griffith
for over 20 years now, but that letter, as quoted, was a wrong-headed personal
attack that had nothing to do with a criticism of an album. That was a
personal attack, but since it was leveled at an entire group of people it was
also racist and I, for one, found it extremely offensive. I am also trying to
make excuses for Nanci, blaming it on an emotional situation, hoping she was
not in a rationale state of mind when she wrote it, if, in fact, she actually
did write it.
_________________________________________________________________
From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: OtherVoices,Too
Having read all the comments on the new CD I decided to live with it and
delay any 'knee jerk reaction'. Well one month on and I have to say that
it has grown on me, and while it's not the best thing Nanci has ever
recorded, it's certainly got it's merits, and what shines through is the
conviction in the music. The performances have a feel as if everyone
enjoyed recording these songs, and while there may be better versions of
these songs lurking in all our collections, I think Nanci has got her
point across in stretching listeners boundaries as far as folk music
goes, in much the same way as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band did with their
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken" recordings.
Can anyone out there enlighten me as to who Mickie Merkens is? I think
"Yarrington Town" is a real standout, and something that would stand up
on virtually any of Nanci's recordings.
Now I'll just let the disc seep it's way into my inner conscience and
look forward, Nanci's health permitting, to seeing her over here in
England in November.
John Graveling.
_________________________________________________________________
From: Mitchell (o416@erols.com>
Subject: Nanci's Declaration of War on Texas: THE CONSPIRACY THEORY
The notion that the Declaration of War on Texas is a forgery is
interesting but unlikely. Unless the forger is someone really close to
Ms. Griffith. Friends of her have repeated her recent observations on
Katherine Anne Porter to me and they're the same as in the full text of
the letter.
Of course, that makes it possible I am the forger.
Reid "yes, it was a single bullet" Mitchell
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Deb Thornton" (dlt4@email.byu.edu>
Subject: a question about the conspiracy
I've enjoyed enormously the debate and i have a couple of comments and then
a question.
There is a dialog in Waiting for Godot, one of those great
exile-literatures (Beckett didn't just get the heck out of Ireland, he
wrote many plays in French---he absconded from the very language), in which
one of the two absurdist characters are exchanging the worst insults that
they can think of. It all boils down to a point, and the speaker wins, when
he clips, "Critic." The whole play comes to a full stop.
So, of course, i've been thinking about that, since i've been critical of
Nanci's last two products. I don't know where i fit in. I hate the
"mannered" affectation and the hackneyed metaphors, but i'm also a great
fan of Late Night Grand Hotel, the other much-hated Nanci recording. In
fact, my mother and i canned 26 quarts of tomatoes off our patch this
afternoon and she kept singing the title track and said she listened to it
just that morning. So. I do love The Last of the True Believers the most,
then probably Flyer, then the first one, then ... who cares? I teach K. A.
Porter, and of the Woolfes/Wolfes, i vastly prefer Virginia to Tom.
My point, in a roundabout way, is this: a critic is somebody whose written
opinion you disagree with, and a great reviewer is somebody who writes what
you think.
Now to the question: Who in the heck is Mike Corcoran, the addressee of
Nanci's rant?
cheers,
deb "spent too much of the weekend canning" thornton
// Corcoran is a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman. Not a
// Nanci fan, as evidenced by his published response to Nanci's letter
// (XLent section, 8/27) which called her "pretentious and vaguely
// talented." However, I've yet to see any prior examples of his
// supposedly less-than-flattering criticism. - MF
_________________________________________________________________
From: "JanL" (JanL@olp.net>
Subject: Re: Nanci letter
I grew up in the town Woody Guthrie was born in. My father and Colonel
Martin knew him as boyhood friends. Yet even to this day the town still
struggles to claim him. There are some hardliners who will never forgive or
attempt to understand his affiliation with the Communist party. For many
years the only recognition of the town's status as being his birth place and
early residence were the words "home of Woody Guthrie" on the water towers.
The trick was keeping them there over the efforts of the "good ole boys" who
resented him. He was never judged on his talent by people who had a first
hand opporunity to watch him become the genius he grew into being. They were
a part of the very experiences that became his ode to life in America. But
they rejected his entire life and works for one affiliation.
It amazes me that people find it difficult to understand Nanci Griffith's
anger and resentment. We expect more from those who are a part of our
extended "family", the place where we grew up. So it hurts more when they
don't fully appreciate our creative efforts.
Hell, I am amazed she waited this long to write. I would have been singing
about them on national television.....not just a letter.
Jan.....
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Eric Hay" (ehay@gateway.net>
Subject: The Texas Question
Boy, I don't know what to make of all this. There obviously have been some
negative reviews of Nanci's recent works from Texas publications. Nanci is
obviously upset. But in the same regard, there have been some negative
things said about her recent projects on this list, which is made up of some
of her most devoted supporters. One would think that as a public figure, an
artist, and a veteran professional in the business, Nanci would be above
letting something like that bother her. But it isn't the content of the
reviews that appears to bother her; it is the source. Texas is her home,
her family. When any of us have ever tried something new with our lives --
or when the chips have been down -- we expect criticism from others, but
support from our families. Nanci feels like her family has alienated her,
and that can hurt.
But Texans are funny. I know, because I am one (though unfortunately
misplaced at the moment). I know we're talking about folk music and not
country music here, but by most definitions folk is closer to country than
to any other major music type. Therefore, folk music is closely tied to the
country music industry. From a commercial standpoint, there are basically
two types of country music -- Nashville country, and non-Nashville country.
Texas has traditionally been the center of non-Nashville country, and proud
of it. Nanci is a non-Nashville type of Texas musician -- but for many
years she has been living and working near Nashville. During this time her
albums have sounded progressively more produced. I can see where a Texas
reviewer might see her as the prodigal daughter who has wandered away from
the blessed homeland to the evil city of industry in the distance. If she
does something they don't like, they can secretly blame it on the fact that
she left the promised land and got corrupted. There may be some sour grapes
being thrown about here too.
I do not think that Nanci Griffith has given up any of her artistic
integrity. I do not think she is any less talented than she ever was. I
just think that her recent work has been a lot different from what we've
grown used to, and is perhaps a little less accessible than her earlier
work. It must frustrate her that it doesn't strike the same chord in the
hearts of many critics and fans that is obviously strikes in her own heart.
It must frustrate her even more that her native home is not backing her up
when her luck seems down. I will admit that OVToo is not my favorite album.
Neither was Blue Roses, or Flyer for that matter. But I am still a fan, I'm
still behind her, and I don't fault her for being upset that the land which
shaped her into what she has become can be so unsupportive of her efforts to
further grow as an artist.
Sorry I rambled on so long.
Eric
// I wouldn't expect Texas critics to go easy on an artist because
// of their place of origin. No double-standard blues, please. - MF
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Eric Hay" (ehay@gateway.net>
Subject: Re: The Texas Question
Petop wrote "This is pure horse manure. Texas critics should not give leeway
to someone
just because they are from Texas."
I never alleged that Texas critics should give good reviews to people just
because they are from Texas. I merely stated that Nanci might have been
more bothered by negative reviews from her "hometown" publications than by
similar reviews from other sources. It is always easier to blow off
criticism from strangers than from the one's near and dear to you. The
critics honestly expressed how she felt about her music, which is fine.
Nanci was hurt by their comments, which is understandable. Nanci lashed out
publicly against the critics, which is unprofessional yet forgivable. In
the same token, comparing people's opinions to animal excrement is impolite;
but if I actually said what you misinterpreted my as saying, I would think I
was full of crap too.
_________________________________________________________________
From: Mitchell (o416@erols.com>
Subject: the brouhaha
Well, we're probably all getting sick of the subject but I heard from
Nanci directly (who was not amused by my declaration of war joke) and
the letter to those editors is a letter to those editors ONLY, not to
the state of Texas as a whole. The Dallas paper got it less for anyting
they said about Nanci than for saying that the Crickets were a Holiday
Inn lounge act in a review of last year's tour.
_________________________________________________________________
From: Bill MacKay (macbill@pacifier.com>
Subject: Letter Leaves Listserv Lurker Looney
Can anyone from Texas recall truly bad reviews of Nanci's work
coming out of your state's publications? I mean, reviews that were
downright nasty and mean? If Nanci HAS been trashed many, many
times throughout her careeer, her invective would certainly be
understandable.
At least she's not destroying hotel rooms, punching photographers in
the face or forever entering court-mandated drug rehabilitation
facilities. Not that there is anything wrong with that........
Bill "That's right: I'm not from Texas" MacKay
macbill@pacifier.com
Vancouver, Washington
_________________________________________________________________
From: "R.J. White" (rwhite@mlive.com>
Subject: Nancy Griffith feature on Michigan Live
Hello, my name is R.J. White, and I'm the entertainment producer for
Michigan Live http://www.mlive.com), an online news paper in, well,
Michigan.
After doing a search of the web, I found your folks' web pages dedicated to
Nanci Griffith. I just wanted to let you know that we will be featuring
Nanci in our 'Acoustic Cafe' section, starting this coming Monday, August
31st.
What you'll find is a RealAudio interview and live performance. If you're
interested, stop by, and tell other fans that you know.
Simply point your browsers to: http://www.mlive.com/cafe/
Thanks, and I hope you'll check it out.
R.J. White
Entertainment Producer
Michigan Live
whiter@mlive.com
_________________________________________________________________
From: hr ziegler (henryruth@yahoo.com>
Subject: Happy to be a NanciNetter
This is my first contribution to the Nancinet. I think life is pretty
darn sweet when I've got a place to go to talk just about Nanci. I
have worshiped her since listening to an old boyfriend's tape of LLA
over and over on the Amtrak from Cincinnati to Boston in the winter of
1989. I bought OFSE in Harvard Square for the long ride home. I don't
have a computer so I have used my parents to read the Nancinet
Archives. Thank you for filling in the gaps of my Nanci Knowledge. I
have wanted to know more about "John" for so long and finally got my
questions answered. The question I have now seems lame in comparison,
but still I must know. What hurricane is "Wasn't That A Mighty Storm"
referring to? Also, does anyone know when she will be finished with
radiation treatments? If all goes well with her health, a friend and I
have front row seats to see her at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin in
November. I can hardly wait.
Everything's Coming Up Roses,
Susan (henryruth@yahoo.com)
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From: John Alvord (jalvo@cloud9.net>
Subject: Re: Happy to be a NanciNetter
> but still I must know. What hurricane is "Wasn't That A Mighty Storm"
> referring to?
This was a hurricane in (1900?) which came ashore in Galveston Texas and
killed several thousand people. The song is traditional, arranged by Eric
Von SChmidt (Famous 1960s folkie) and associated with Tom Rush who does a
brilliant version... and sings with Nanci on OV2.
john alvord
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From: Petop@aol.com
Subject: Steve Fromholtz
In a message dated 8/27/98 6:57:48 PM Central Daylight Time,
jqhodges@uclink4.berkeley.edu writes:
(( Does anyone know who Steve Fromholz is? >>
Oh, no, another non-Texan. Steve Fromholtz is a wonderful human being and
an incredible songwriter from these parts who is one of the original Kerrville
Folk Festival participants (pre-dates Nanci by a good bit). In fact, the theme
of one of the KerrvillFestival's was "It's Fromholtz'as fault." There were
even bumper stickers proclaiming this fact.
He first came to my attention as part of a duo with Steve McKrimmon called
Frummox and his album produced the incredible song set known as "Ther Texas
Trilogy." He also appeared as part of Manassas on Stephen Stills' record of
that name around the same time.
One of his best songs was a little ditty recorded by Willie Nelson, the
hook line of which goes: "I'd have to be crazy, plum out of my mind, to fall
out of love with you." He also wrote a heartwarming song in the form of a
letter to his daughter, from whom he was separated at the time, called "Dear
Darcy."
I must admit the drunkest I ever got in my life was one night when I saw
Fromholtz at the original Poor David's Pub, when it was on McKinney, in
Dallas. Admittedly I had earlier in the night received some bad news on the
romance front, but it seemed like the only people in the club that night was
Fromholtz and me. After each song, we both drank a tequila shot and washed it
down with a gin and tonic, and while he sang his song on the stage, I sat
right in front of him whispering "How Do You Mend a Broken Heart" in my best
Bee-Gees imitation, trying to crack him up. It turned into a dark evening, but
that's another story best not revealed here.
Anyway, if Steve Fromholtz ever comes around where you are, go see him and
then try to meet him afterwards. He can be a genuinely wonderful human being
as well as a particularly gifted singer, songwriter and on-stage personality.
_________________________________________________________________
From: Petop@aol.com
Subject: Re: new lyle lovett (no nanci)
Great lineup, but what makes it interesting is that these are all Texas
composers. Walter Hyatt was the leader of that wonderful Texas group called
Uncle Walt's Band. He was killed in the US Air crash in the Florida everglades
a couple of a years ago. Lyle sang at his memorial service in Nashville. David
Rodriquez is this iincredible songwriter who, I believe, was stricken with
polio at an early age. "The Ballad of a Snow Leopard" is one of my all-time
favorite songs (in fact the version of it by the Shake Russell-Dana Cooper
Band used to be the signature on my answering machine); one of the most
intelligently written songs you will ever encounter. Anyone not familiar with
Willis Alan Ramsey should pick up his eponymous album, which should be still
available. Literally one of the greatest recordings ever made, not a bad song
in the bunch. Michael Martin Murphey, of course, has created somewhat of a
name for himself in the country field but this graduate of Dallas' Sunset High
School also had a pop hit about 20 years ago when he recorded "Wildfire"
without using his middle name. I encourage members of this list to find and
acquire a copy of his "Geronimo's Cadillac" recording. I have already
expounded on Steve Fromholtz in an earlier post and what more can be said
about Townes Van Zandt except would his old record company please make "Live
at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas" available on CD again? Please?
_________________________________________________________________
From: GrahamPeak@aol.com
Subject: Re: Wall of Death
I don't think Kim has got it right about the Wall of Death.
We have to realise that Richard Thompson (the writer of the song), is a Brit
and a motorcycle enthusiast as well.
Richard is referring to a spectacle that was very common at British
fairgrounds and "Theme Parks" during the fifties and sixties.
I can remember such a feature at a large funfair called Belle Vue that used to
exist in my native Manchester (UK).
Belle Vue had a very popular speedway stadium. After the racing each saturday
night we would rush over and watch different motorcycle riders take their turn
on the Wall of Death.
I'm not sure whether Richard himself ever tried it. A motorcyclist friend of
mine once told me that it's quite easy after you have overcome the initial
fear. I consider myself to be a competent rider but I never plucked up enough
courage to try The Wall of Death.
I believe that the rides became less popular as other more spectacular stunt
rides became prominent. An Evel Kneival (sic) type of truck jump can be
watched by hundreds or thousands of paying spectators whereas the wall of
death is far more intimate.
Here's to Nanci's music and Manchester City's swift return from soccer
obscurity.
Graham Peak.
_________________________________________________________________
From: Bob Ivers (bivers@sprintmail.com>
Subject: Wall of Death
Here are a couple of links with some info on/pictures of the Wall of Death...
http://www.shef.ac.uk/~nfa/history/walls.html
http://www.shef.ac.uk/~nfa/history/walls.html
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Tina Shackleford" (tshack@sprynet.com>
Subject: Re: Wall of Death
>From the Richard Thompson mailing list FAQ:
WHAT IS THE "WALL OF DEATH"?
When asked this question, RT often provides two different descriptions. One
is that the "Wall of Death" is a motorcycle daredevil stunt where the rider
drives around a bowl-shaped area horizontally. The other description is
that it is a kind of fairground ride where the floor drops away from a
spinning room. Centrifugal force sticks the people to the wall as the floor
drops down. RT has said that he often saw this sort of ride at the
Hampshire fair in London.
RT's song "Wall of Death" appears on _Shoot Out The Lights_.
So everyone's right. Sort of.
Tina
_________________________________________________________________
From: Paul Larsen (paul@davisnet.net>
Subject: Online Music
I was just curious if anyone out there knows if there is an all-Nanci Real
Audio station on the Web? I know that some artists have them. If there is
not, is there a good folk station broadcasting on the Web where one might
periodically hear Nanci and other artists of interest?
Thanks
Paul " " Larsen
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Avery, Debora" (AveryD@chi.osu.edu>
Subject: a thought . . .
As I was walking to lunch I had a flash of insight (that happens every
now and then). First of all, until you've seen Nanci sing "Wall of
Death," I don't think you can fully appreciate her version of it. I'm
still reeling from her performance last week and have not been able to
listen to that song since.
Okay, let's all agree for a moment (possible?) that the wall of death in
question is the motorcycle bowl. All the other rides mentioned in the
song are controlled by other forces: tracks, wires or the person at the
control panel. On the wall of death the rider is in control of not only
the ride, but over his/her life or death.
An amazing parallel for someone battling cancer.
Debbie
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Bill Page" (bpage@scctel.com>
Subject: Re: Online Music
Don't think there's an "all-Nanci" station (although my CD player came
close, for a while), but this gives me another opportunity to plug my
favorite on-line station: http://www.wmnf.org (RadioActive 88.5 FM in Tampa,
Florida). The morning drive-time show (6:00 - 10:00?) has an eclectic,
folk-flavored playlist, and both Saturday and Sunday mornings feature folks
music. They may go several days without playing Nanci, but they also take
requests by email.
Other choices include the famous KPIG http://www.kpig.com), the first
commercial station to broadcast on the web, and
http://www.wksu.org/cgi-bin/folkmusic.
Enjoy...
Bill
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Vicki & Marc Martel" (martel@ican.net>
Subject: OVT on CBC
The Canadian Broadcorping Castration played 3 tunes from OVT today while
discussing "nostalgia" music (the Ian and Sylvia Tyson and Tom Russel tunes)
Tom produced a couple of Ian's records way back when. I forget specifically,
but one of them was a hit for I&S; 33 years ago, apparently. Avril Benoit on
"This Morning" played "You Were On My Mind", "Canadian Whiskey" and then
"Summer Wages".
_________________________________________________________________
From: George Golob (geogo@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: The OTHER Texas Angels (Tish and Rosie)
Hi.
I just got a sneak preview copy from Rosie Flores of her new album
called Dance Hall Dreams which should be out sometime this fall from
Rounder Records and I wanna start raving about it to everyone. It's
Fantastic. It starts out with a jazzy, swingy, Rockabilly tune called
(I think) "A little bit more" (Lyrics..."..whenever I get what I want,
I need a little bit more..) and moves through sweet ballads, country,
blues, more rockabilly and all the other good things Rosie does.
Some of the songs were recorded live. I don't know all the personnel
but there's a great piano player in there, and I recognize
Greg Leiz's lap steel. Rosie plays a lot of solos too. Watch for it!!
For any Tish Hinojosa fans around Southern California, Tish will be
playing at 8 p.m., Friday sept.11 at the Neighborhood Church, 301 N.
Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena. Advance tickets are recommended
and information about them can be gotten at 626 791 0411.
She will also be at the Street Scene in San Diego on Sept. 12, but I
don't know the time yet. The Street Scene is a 3 day event that
features a whole range of artists and styles and is always worth
checking out. They have a web site at street-scene.com
George Golob
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Eric Hay" (ehay@gateway.net>
Subject: again Lucinda Williams
A bit off-topic I suppose, but there seems to be a lot of talk about Lucinda
lately. I guess that means there are a lot of Lucinda fans out here, so
maybe someone can answer a question for me. Do any of you ever remember
Lucinda doing a song called "Don't Bend, Just Break" in any live shows or
recordings?
_________________________________________________________________
From: MreenParr@aol.com
Subject: London, November 29th
I notice a couple of recent posts which mention Nanci's London concerts in
November so this seems a good time to remind/inform those with tickets for the
Sunday 29th November concert that there is a group of about 17 of us (and
growing) who hope to meet up. If you would like to be part of our discussions
and plans, please email me privately and I'll add you to the circulation list.
Maureen Parr
London
_________________________________________________________________
From: "Broyles, Julie A." (JABroyles@lyonlyon.com>
Subject: Nanci's Book
If you're waiting with bated breath like I am:
On-line sources put the release date of "Nanci Griffith's Other Voices:
A Personal History of Folk Music" (by Nanci Griffith and Joe Jackson)
anywhere between 9/16 and some time in October. The publisher has nice
comments at http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog, with quotes from Susanna
Clark, Gloria Steinem, and David Letterman. (Search via Nanci's name
and when the name of the book comes up click on it to get to the
comments.) It's listed on-line in the $14.95-$19.95 range. It's a 272
page soft-cover from Crown Publishers/Three River Press, ISBN
#0609803077.
The OVToo CD package came with an order form for purchasing a copy of
the book signed by the sweetest aNGel of folk music. The cost is $23.00
plus $7.00 shipping (TN residents 8.25% tax). (The insert lists the
book as a hardcover, but the publisher changed to soft-cover after the
inserts were printed.) You can order a signed book from: Music City
Merchandise, 2913 Berry Hill Drive, Nashville, TN 37204. (They take
checks, money orders, Visa, and Mastercard -- and you can fax an order
to 615-383-6564.)
Music City Merchandise told me today they are expecting to receive the
books this Wednesday 9/2, and that Nanci will be signing them 9/9 and
9/10 and they will be mailed out right away. Sounds like the signed
books Might be in fans' hands before the stores have them out -- can't
wait for the 'poet in my mailbox.' Music City says they haven't yet
decided whether the book will be available at upcoming concerts, but if
it is it definitely won't be a signed copy -- they are staying true to
the limited edition offer touted in the CD insert.
For all you NG merchandise completists (this is preliminary and still in
the works over at Music City, but they grudgingly said it could be
repeated after commenting how they were a bit overwhelmed at what a huge
and devoted fan base Nanci has based on the number of orders they've
received): A bonus for those who order(ed) a signed book is that they
will receive with their book an order form for a denim tour jacket of
sorts with the same logo on the back as on the tote bag already for sale
(I think it's a rose with Nanci Griffith and the Blue Moon Orchestra
written in a circle around the rose.) (Your name can be embroidered on
the front of the jacket for an extra charge.) They say this won't be
available at concerts or anywhere else -- order forms will only be sent
to those who purchased a signed book. Music City said the jackets just
arrived in their office this morning, they look great (nice stonewashed
denim), and they are looking forward to Nanci getting a look at them.
Music City also has another shirt for sale that wasn't put on the order
form - it's a navy blue t-shirt with the BRFTM album cover on the front
of the shirt.
Julie "not in the retail business but definitely saving a place for that
'book up on the shelf'"
_________________________________________________________________
From: Jim Notman (jnotman@calweb.com>
Subject: [RTLIST] Nanci Griffith talks about RT on NPR (fwd)
I thought some of you might find this interesting.
Jim Notman
Sacramento, Ca
>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>From: Scott E. Smith (scottesmith@home.com>
>Subject: [RTLIST] Nanci Griffith talks about RT on NPR
>
>Nanci Griffith was in out studios in Nashville on Friday to do an interview
>for NPR's All Things Considered. They plan to devote the better part of a
>half hour to her and will be playing at least a few tracks from her new CD.
>She talked about many things, one of them being RT and her cover of Wall of
>Death. Now, they recorded more than they can actually use, so it may
wind up
>being edited out, but maybe not! Not sure yet when it will be on, but I
>assume it will be one afternoon in the coming week. I'll try to give
>everyone a heads-up if I get enough advance notice.
>
>Also... I explained the auction to her and asked her to autograph a copy of
>the new CD (with Wall of Death and Who Knows Where the Time Goes) for an
>upcoming auction. I tried to get her to sign something to the effect of "To
>a fellow RT fan" or "Thanks for supporting AI," but instead she just wrote,
>"Kind thanks, Nanci Griffith." Dee tells me she'll have it in the October
>auction. I scanned the cover and you can see it at
>http://members.home.net/reneem/nanci.jpg. Start saving your pennies!
>
>Scott
_________________________________________________________________
From: DRiley4510@aol.com
Subject: Hard Times Come Again No More
Hi,
Well, do you think it'll cheer Nanci up to know that I think the jury's still
out over the inspiration for Stephen Foster's Hard Times Come Again No More?
Nanci suggested its inspiration was, in part, the Irish potato famine & some
of you might remember an interview with Joe Jackson (of the Irish Times?),
mentioned here a while ago, where he suggested that the inspiration for HTCANM
was Charles Dickens's novel Hard Times. I don't think the connection with the
novel can be made for many reasons; some of these concern the references in
the song & what the novel is about & I don't think these fit but won't go into
that now. What I want to show here is the dating of the appearance of
Dickens's Hard Times & the song & what Foster himself said about the
inspiration for it.
Foster wrote much of his material in surviving commonplace books & these,
apparently, can be dated pretty well. HTCANM was written around September
1854. If he was to be inspired by Dickens then he would have had to read Hard
Times in its serial form in Dickens's magazine Household Words, where it
finished its run in August 1854. The chances of his reading this magazine,
while possible, are slim - its sales figures were slumping in Britain then so
whether it had any export market at that time is also somewhat dubious. Also,
I don't know what transatlantic crossing times for post were at that time but
it might be doubtful that he would get the last instalment before writing his
song!
He almost certainly couldn't have gotten his inspiration from the book form of
the story as it didn't get published until immediately after the magazine run
so it's highly unlikely that it would have made it to the US in time for him
to read & write his song.
To cap this off there's what Foster told someone about his inspiration for the
song. He said that it came out of recollections from childhood of being taken
to her church by a black servant (a "bound girl"), Olivia Pise. If the
inspiration had been Hard Times the book he would surely have mentioned it as
he would have written the song immediately after reading the book - an
indication that it would have made a deep impression on him.
So, I don't think the book was an inspiration. However, I can't trace anything
about inspiration coming from the potato famine either nor an operetta that
HTCANM was a fragment of - but then, Nanci's been to the Foster museum & I
haven't so I'll defer to her sources here! For what it's worth though I don't
think the inspiration matters that much - this is clearly one of those works
of art that can transcend its origins & tell us things about hard times in
general and the feelings associated with them - then and now.
All the best,
Dave.
_________________________________________________________________
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