//  The Letter, OVToo, interviews, GCH, and the Kate Wolf CD.  - MF

From: Victoria A Smith (newmama@nm.net>                           
Subject: If you can't say something nice...                          

I was talking to a friend of mine a coupla weeks ago about the
OV2 album.  He was a contributor to it and had recently been
sent an apparently not so nice review of the album by some
Texas news writer or another.  I don't ask lots of questions,
so I don't know who.  Mind you, this was before this latest
NN brouhaha over "the letter" came out.  I suspect the review
he read was the one which inspired said letter.  I also
suspect the reviewer was told it was particularly mean-spirited
but chose to stand by his original writing.

Don't y'all know, in the south, and I will include Texas there for
this missive, 'though I don't usually, it's good graces that
"if you cain't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

And I may not subscribe to that theory completely, but I see
the point.  There are certainly some shining moments that come
across on the new album.  Maybe least of which is her decision
to pay homage, if you will, to those who came before and those
who influenced her.  Or to pay homage to the longstanding
tradition of a hootenanny.

Nanci Griffith is an artist.  And if she chooses to put
out her art in a way that doesn't appeal to the masses, well,
hell, that's been her life, ain't it?  But I reckon it doesn't
get any easier to hear people slamming what you put forth.

To say the letter she wrote is histrionic is just one more
value judgment.  Nanci is certainly welcome to voice her
opinion.  Certainly the people on this mailing list are not
quiet when it comes to voicing theirs.

O. Pinionated

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From: "Eric Hay" (ehay@gateway.net>                               
Subject: RE: some random comments/questions (one form of delurking, a

I'm surprised nobody has replied to this one yet...

Christina Ashley Di Gangi de Langsprechen Moniker said:
>>3)I'm not so up on my Nanci discography.  What's the best version of
>>"Gulf Coast Highway" (apart from the Emmylou/Willie Nelson version),
>>which still occasionally manages to reduce me to tears.

In my opinion, the original is without a doubt the best.  The Willie/Emmylou
version is definitely a keeper and the Nanci/Hootie version has elevated
itself over time to just less than tolerable, but slightly above
excruciating.  "Little Love Affairs," however, contains the definitive
original with Mac McAnally on the duet.  This is perhaps my favorite song of
all time.  It is beautiful, tragic, sad and joyful all at the same time --
much like love itself.  This song conveys the image of a true emotional bond
between two people as well as a true sense of place -- the bleak realistic
picture of "this old house here by the road" and the idealistic promised
land of the "sweet bluebonnet spring."  And the delicate harmonies of
McAnnally's vocals mixed with Nanci's beautiful lead combine perfectly to
capture the essence of the song.  It is rare that I hear it without at least
getting goosebumps.

So there's my recommendation.  Any other opinions out there?  Anyone want to
dare the threat of lightning bolts from above and blaspheme the sacred?

Eric

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From: "Hank Van Slyke" (Chevelle@pnx.com>                         
Subject: Re: GCH version                                             

The lyrics are a love story, in it for the long haul, 'til death do us part.
Some marriages last until the next disagreement,  some last a lifetime.  The
couple in GCH are the ones who have found their lifelong love and share
their lives together as the precious gift it is.
The version described by Eric is the best, to my ears.   It means a lot to
me, both as a romantic ideal and to its location which seems to be in my
neck of the woods.

Seems I've heard of Mac McAnally since the late 70s.  Anyone have some
history on this fine singer?

Hank "watching the Storms roll in off the Gulf of Mexico" Van Slyke

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From: BMiller224@aol.com                                          
Subject: Re: Nanci and the "Scary Monster"                           

I enjoyed hearing Nancis "All Things Considered" interview for which Bill
Page provided the address for the Real Audio version at the NPR Web site
www.npr.org.

In the interview of roughly 11 minutes, she tells a story about having 37
people packed into the studio to record "Wasnt That a Mighty Storm" and makes
it sound like an enjoyable jam session.  The online version omits the songs,
but presumably some or all of the songs discussed were played in the live
broadcast.

She talks about "Wall of Death" and the role of Richard Thompson in folk
music.  She says the song is about "taking chances," about the need in life to
experience "the precipice."

The interviewer, Noah Adams, asks her about her book, "Nanci Griffith's Other
Voices : A Personal History of Folk Music" which according to Amazon.com has
not yet been issued.  In the section that Bill Page referenced, he says that
in the book Nanci says "that depression should not be all that feared because
it helps sometimes with creativity."  She says that when she feels periods of
depression coming on, "it gives me a chance to evaluate things creatively.  So
its not something I ever want to correct.  Ill never be a candidate for
Prozac."  And they both giggle.

They also discuss "Darcy Farrow," and Nanci relates the story of the songs
creation.  Shes says that Tom Rush found "Wasnt That a Mighty Storm" in the
Library of Congress, and says it is about a storm which destroyed the Port of
Galveston in September, 1900.

I agree with Bill Pages comment that this interview and the recent Acoustic
Cafe interview are both impressive presentations by Nanci.  She does sound
good, quite clear and focused, and certainly succeeds in making the book and
the new album sound attractive.  I joked on the AOL Nanci board earlier this
year about Nanci's having a Frank Black-type vision, but her comments about
the virtues of depression aren't so far off from that!  Although Frank himself
says, "I'm not depressed.  I'm just serious."

Bruce Miller
San Bruno, CA
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Andrew (andrew.butter@ndirect.co.uk>
Subject: I'm back!

I'm kind of amazed you're still here and still so fired up after all
these years.

I quit the internet as a bad habit long before Blue Moons came out,
but I got withdrawal symptoms and found a cheaper provider.

Saw Nanci in Glasgow on the Blue Moons tour and would dearly have
liked to report on it back then - seems a long time ago. The
Crickets: big mistake I thought. The song they did about the "real"
Buddy Holly story was just terrible... Nanci's rendition of LNGH was
awesome; a song I've never much liked, but she made it into a
whole new experience that night. She does go on a bit in between
though... don't you think?

While waiting for OVToo I took myself off to see David Gates and
Bread on the last date of their world tour last year and they blew
the Crickets into the water. Talk about no comparison. What a night;
there was a woman in front of me in tears most of the time. Seeing
David sing "Goodbye Girl" was a dream come true.

 Most recently, and more on topic, I got to see Guy Clark and Eric
Taylor in a strange little hall in Tadcaster, near York, here in the
UK. The audience (a rather eccentric bunch I thought) was about 150,
and both artists complained bitterly about the appalling stage
lighting, but it was a good event. Guy had us calling out requests
and sang till he looked ready to drop dead. No mention of Nanci from
Eric which I suppose isn't a surprise.

So here I am back on the NN, and I've missed all those first
impressions of OVToo. Mine: It's very long, "Walk Right Back" is a
fantastic track, the rest is okay, but why, of all  the Guy Clark
songs she could've picked, why choose THAT one? Sorry, it's going to
be played about as much as OVOR, ie. not much. I'm still waiting for
a pared-to-the-bone album; after all, Nanci's the one who says a song
is no good unless it can stand on its own two feet, or words to that
effect, isn't she? Perhaps one day.

Cheers,
Andrew.

_________________________________________________________________
 
From: Michael Hornsby (micru@earthlink.net>                       
Subject: OV

As for the OV disks, I find that more and more of the songs have worked
their way into my daily listening. While there still are some that have
not yet endeared themselves to me I can't dismiss them as not
up-to-snuff. Just a different vein. Certainly some of them show new life
with the fresh arrangements and vocal touches.
Singers have forever toyed with their voices and stretching vowels or
mimicking styles is certainly an avenue to new techniques. I, for one am
not disappointed with my purchases.
Michael
 
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From: Kevin and Diane Gray (houndogs@micoks.net>                  
Subject: Yes, hit the road                                           

Yes, hit the road

In response to Catelaw@aol.com, by all means take OV2 on the road.
I wrote a while back about travelling to Ohio and what OV2 did for me
on the interstates.  We just got back from Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Our
son's at the College of Santa Fe.  OV2's even better in western Kansas,
Oklahoma's panhandle, and best of all in New Mexico.  There's nothing
weak about it, when you have that amazing expanse of land (esp. Inter
25) and few cars to distract you from listening, thinking, and letting 
your mind wonder.

Of course, Lucinda's Car Wheels are made for the open road.

Kevin Gray

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From: GV (gvallest@online.no>                                     
Subject: Nanci defense II                                            

The part about album critisism in my posting was inteneded
to be SLIGHTLY ironic and exaggerated. The first part was
deadly serious.
There are many Nanci songs that I skip when I play
the CDs. They are not of my favorites, but I will
not say that they are bad. It's a matter of like or dislike,
and there's nothing wrong with that. But I would say there is
a difference between the two sayings I don't like this
music (which is personal) and this is bad (which is to generalize).
>From your posting I know a lot of you like the songs I don't play
much, and the other way around. Like 'Saint Theresa of Avila' from
BRFSM. I'll rather play 'Battlefield', 'Not My Way Home' or
'Maybe Tomorrow'. Her music goes in so many directions that
I think if everyone on this list could make a list of 20 favorite
and 20 non-favorite songs, many songs will be on both lists.

Regards,
Georg. I don't have enough spare time to write all these postings ;-)

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From: Catelaw@aol.com                                             
Subject: Nanci on NPR & "Look Ma, no Prozac!"                        

Hey Netters:

Preface with IMHO:

Special thanks to those who pointed us to the Labor Day interview on NPR.  I
especially appreciated NG's comments on creativity born of depression.  For
those who have worried about her mental state, these words should ease your
minds.
Anyone who has dealt with depression over any period of time will recognize
that her approach rings very true for those who are strong enough to wade
through the murkiness of the pit to find the meaning within without
pharmaceutical armor.  (Although this in no way indicates that depression is
not serious, that not everyone can wade through so unarmed, and for those who
can't, prozac is nothing short of a miracle.)  I guess the point is that it's
precisely those quirks, instabilities, idiosyncracies, and other general
weirdnesses that make an artist an artist.  If all those we regard in this
light were rounded up with a butterfly net and force-fed antidepressants,
lithium, or other mood-levelers, we wouldn't have much of the art, music,
dance, drama, comedy, and other whisperings of the muses that give our lives
color and meaning.

Of course it also probably explains why these types have higher instances of
suicide, drug dependency, alcohol addiction, etc. etc. and the "why" behind
"the letter," since not all feelings born of depression spawn beauty or art.
But from everything I've heard, seen, and read, it appears that Ms. Nanci has
her feet planted pretty solidly on the terra firma.  The only thing to add is,
"you go, girl."

Cate "fragile in the morning" in Atlanta

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From: Michael Ross (mhross@us.ibm.com>                            
Subject: Interesting Times Here                                      

Fellow fans,

I arise from my long-dormant slumber due to the recent postings regarding OV2
and the "Letter" phenomenon.

For those new to the list, OV2 is the third Nanci CD to be discussed at or near
release on the NN (Flyer was a September release and the NN started the
following October), and reviews of all three were mixed, as would be expected.
Hell, a *lot* of people, myself included, simply *hated* BRFTM on first
listen.  I thought it overproduced and boring; I even told friends of mine not
to waste their money buying it.  Of course, it grew on me and I wound up buying
it for my friends for birthday presents (they all hated it on first listen,
too).

OV2 was similar.  I did not like it upon first listen, but it grew on me.  I'm
not sure what I expected, but I at least expected it to be a Nanci Griffith
CD.  Although her name is on the cover, OV2 is more a compilation than a Nanci
Griffith.  Not that this is bad; "Deportee," "Storm," and "Desperados" are
three of my favorite tracks, but great songs though they may be, they are not
Nanci Griffith songs (not even Nanci-written songs).

The debate over the quality of Nanci's new releases is the kind of debate that
any good list will have.  At least this debate is about *Nanci*.  The digest
was created (among other reasons) because there were a few months where there
were several discussions going on, but none having the most remote connection
to Nanci Griffith or her music.  Debates like the current one are, to my way of
thinking, what this list is all about.

A True Believer,
Michael H. Ross
 
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From: "Broyles, Julie A." (JABroyles@lyonlyon.com>                
Subject: Buy this CD . . .                                           

> On 09-01-98, MISTERCD@webtv.net wrote:
> > The Kate Wolf tribute album is an absolute "Treasure".  I can't get
> it out of my CD Player.  Be prepared for Nanci's Pronunciation of the
> word "friend".  Myself, I love it, but the first thing I though of
> was, "oh no, here we go again".  Lucinda and Kathy Mattea are
> particularly good, but our lady shines over all of them.(
>
> I had to laugh when I read your post.  I had just listened to the
> "Remembering Kate Wolf: Treasures Left Behind" CD for the first time
> and was hoping the way NG starts off her beautiful version of "Friend
> of Mine" by singing "Fraaend"  would't start a riot!  This one is just
> a slight vocal twist though, and fits the song nicely. (Sounds great
> to me, too!)  She does a very touching, bittersweet rendition of this
> lovely song.  It's reminiscent of John Denver's "It's Goodbye Again."
> Sweet and simple lyrics and delivery, but very moving.
>
> Lucinda Williams' version of "Here in California" is absolutely
> perfect.  I just love her 'could be from the hills--could be a
> hangover' drawl.  This is definitely a standout.
>
> Kathy Mattea's cover of "Give Yourself to Love" is full of her warm
> and stirring vocals.  Of all the songs I've heard her sing, I like
> this tune best.  She really delivers on this one - which should have
> been the quintessential wedding song back in the 70's and 80's when a
> song like this could hold that spot for years.
>
> I like "Cornflower Blue" by Eric Bogle.  I don't know who he is, but
> he can sing me to sleep anytime.  What a soothing voice.
>
> Nina Gerber did an outstanding job putting this album together, and
> played guitar beautifully throughout the recording.  All the songs are
> worthy of a listen, and I agree - buy this CD!
>
> Julie  "There's no gold, I thought I'd warn ya"   (listen to Lucinda
> sing it - wow!)
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
From: "Steve Chatham" (schatham@interpath.com>                    
Subject: "Free Man Happy Man"                                        

I have this LP, and was considering selling it, and thought there
may be some takers here on NanciNet.

The LP is in good shape, the cover is in fairly good shape, with a
split about 2.5" long at the top of the cover.  The lyrics sheet and a
LP cover are also included.

Not sure what this is worth, or if it's collectible, but I'm considering
offers for the LP, and would prefer a Nanci Griffith fan to have it.

David Grant (dgrant@eden.com) referred me to this list.

Thank you,

Steve Chatham


//  This is a Mike Williams LP, with Nanci as a backup singer.  It
//  contains "Wichita Falls Waltz" (the song at the end of the OFSE
//  video).   - MF
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