// Our peripatetic Brit reports on his latest trip to the US,
// more on Texas singers/songwriters...
// Enjoy...[BP]

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Subject: NN: Back Home
   Date: Sun, 15 Aug 99 10:57:28 +0100
   From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>

Well I'm back home after my most recent three week jaunt around Tennessee 
and Alabama. I'll fill in all the wonderful musical experiences as time 
passes, but, suffice to say, the weather was glorious, three weeks of 
unrelenting heat and sun, just what a Brit needs in summer!!

I'm reading the 300+ e mails on the lists and catching up with what I've 
missed. 

Kate Campbell's "Rosaryville" made it into my collection as soon as I 
touched down in the States three weeks ago, and I've played it twice, 
which is sufficient to say I think it a major piece of work, possibly her 
best yet, but I need to become more familiar with it. I put another 29 
cd's in my collection during the trip and will let you know what is 
recommended listening in the coming weeks, as I get through them.

The American press were pretty cool about the new Alison Krauss cd, 
"Forget About It", some indicating it was a most appropriate title. The 
British press, daily nationals and musical monthlies, have embraced it as 
one of the major releases of the year, some saying it is the ultimate 
chill out cd.

One of our country publications has recently reviewed Nanci's live 
concert at the Bass Music Hall in Austin. The love affair with her seems 
to a little strained in the eyes of this reviewer who would, "prefer to 
see the songwriter discard her own tired Blue Moon Orchestra and try to 
recapture the songwriter muse that brought us endearing acoustic gems 
like "Poet In My Window". He feels she is now interested in capturing 
that mainstream middle of the road radio market. Food for thought there.

Finally some personal thanks.

To Shawn, for driving 200 miles to join us at the Bluebird in Nashville, 
then proceed to drink me under the table, sing harmony with some 
unsuspecting street musician on the corner of Third and Broadway, and 
being a number one great guy!!!!

To Gin and Tom, for again feeding us, although I got revenge the 
following lunchtime. You are truly a lovely couple and I hope our paths 
cross again in the future. They surely will if you move to Nashville.

To Sarah and Vince Bell for sharing all those musical insights in your 
living room as six hours of great discussion spilled over to travel, 
life's rich experiences and avoided politics. I look forward to sharing 
many more of life's moments with you both.

More details will follow as I get my head together and get the cd player 
wound up.

Two web sites very worthy of your attention, both with sound bites are:

http://vincebell.com

http://kevinmontgomery.com

Enjoy the voyage of musical discovery, I'm about to embark on another as 
I get through these 30 cd's!!!

John "back in England" Graveling.

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Subject: NN: Blown Away (1)
   Date: Sun, 15 Aug 99 14:59:23 +0100
   From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>

While reading through my backlog of e mails I pumped up the cd player and 
was blown away by one of my new purchases. Geoff Muldaur's "The Secret 
Handshake" is simply awesome. It has a feel similar to the early work of 
The Band, and is a really enigmatic run through, what we on these lists 
like, Americana/Cosmic American music, with a fair bit of blues thrown in 
for good measure. It may be too eclectic for some, but for those who like 
a musical adventure I can guarantee, this will not disappoint you.

I see Sarah Wrightson said that I see more music in three weeks in 
America than she sees in three years. Well the first week of my trip did 
not disappoint. The Monday night took us to the Sutler to see Davis 
Raines, who had our very own moonpier, Tricia Walker, accompanying him on 
acoustic guitar. Tricia is a VERY accomplished picker and added many 
lovely flourishes to Davis' rich country blend of lived in lyrics and 
great voice. He really is a keeper of the REAL country flame and deserves 
a far bigger audience. His cd "Big Shiny Cars" is one of the best Country 
cd's I've heard in recent times. Walt Wilkins and his Texas troubadours 
followed and played a good set of roots music. We then dashed off at 
10.30 to catch the unmissable Bluebloods at the Bluebird. Two and a half 
hours of pure blues/r'n'b energy followed from arguably the best live 
band around.

Tuesday took us to the Exit/In for the Townes Van Zandt tribute. I took 
my barstool next to Davis Raines, pure coincidence, we chatted a while, 
he is a really nice guy and I hope he keeps at his muse and gets the 
breaks he deserves. Sarah and Vince walked in and chatted and Sarah spent 
the evening with us. A wide array of talent adorned the evening, the 
highlights for me being, Greg Trooper and of course, Vince Bell. It was 
the first time I had seen Vince perform live and he played his Townes 
song "Mr Mudd and Mr Gold" having opened with the song he wrote for 
Townes, "Gypsy". I had been priveleged to hear this at Vince's house a 
couple of months ago, but it is a marvellous song and one you may get to 
hear if you log on to Vince's web site and request it for his "live music 
school" sessions, going out over the net. The music went on for about 
three and a half hours and most of my favourite Townes songs got an 
airing. I did not keep a set list, but suffice to say, it was a 
worthwhile evening, spent in good company. I had also arranged to meet 
Kevin Montgomery there and he duly arrived. Kevin has a cut on the last 
Martina McBride cd, "I Won't Close My Eyes" which he recorded on his own 
debut some 5 years ago, "Fear Nothing". He is a very gifted writer and 
has a good voice. His cd was reminiscent of Jackson Browne. He is 
planning on coming to England, and after we had met at his show last 
summer, he had looked me up and made contact. Log on his web site and 
hear two extracts from his forthcoming release, I do not think you will 
be disappointed.

Thursday took us back to the Exit/In for Kevin Welch's gig, and what a 
night this proved, with one of THE best writers putting on a great 
performance. He was backed by his full band, including the duelling lead 
guitars of Mike Henderson and Charlie White. He played for two and a half 
hours and trawled through his entire catalogue to entertain us. Fats 
Kaplan played accordian, pedal steel, mandolin, Glenn Worf provided the 
foundation on bass, with Harry Stinson behind the drums and on harmony 
vocals. If Kevin plays anywhere near you, get there, for this is dynamic 
music of real intelligence, he's simply up there with the very best.

Friday brought Tom, Gin and Shawn to town, and our meeting at the 
Bluebird. I enjoyed Jones & Leva, so much so in fact that I bought their 
debut cd, as it contains a track Carol Elizabeth played called "Someday", 
and it was one of those songs, when you hear it, that leaves a deep 
impression. I had their second cd at the turn of the year, when a kindly 
list member sent me it as a gift. I enjoy the Bluebird as you get to HEAR 
the songs without the infernal din of people around you talking. It is 
one of the big differences in our cultures. Us Brits like to listen, I 
always remember Nanci commenting years ago about how quiet we Brits are 
at concerts and how we hang on every word. I also remember Jimmie Dale 
Gilmore playing in a packed bar and threating to quit if people continued 
to talk over the music. He asked " why bother coming if you don't want to 
listen", my feelings entirely. (Sorry Shawn and Gin!!). We did get to 
talk downtown in the rowdy bars of lower Broadway, as we drank and 
listened to an array of musicians plying their trade.

Thus ended the first week in another memorable three week stint.

More to follow.........

John Graveling.

n.p. "Rosaryville", nobody seems to have mentioned the track that has 
gripped me most. "Who Will Pray For Junior" I think it is astounding, 
from the lyrical content to the descending drum work and Walt Aldridge's 
outstanding bazouki. A killer cut in every sense of the word.

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Subject: NN: Re: Blown Away (1)
   Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 16:25:04 +0200
   From: "Hans Janssen" (hjanssen@mail.dotcom.fr>

> I enjoy the Bluebird as you get to HEAR
> the songs without the infernal din of people around you talking. It is
> one of the big differences in our cultures. Us Brits like to listen, I
> always remember Nanci commenting years ago about how quiet we Brits are
> at concerts and how we hang on every word. I also remember Jimmie Dale
> Gilmore playing in a packed bar and threating to quit if people continued
> to talk over the music. He asked " why bother coming if you don't want to
> listen", my feelings entirely

But sometimes the artist is not able to hold the attention of the audience.
Last December I attended a concert of Stacey Earle and Kathleen Haskard in
the Thunderbird Café in Brussels, this is a Mexican Restaurant and bar.
Stacey opened and it was very quiet, but when Kathleen took over after about
one hour, she could get our attention with her performance and it became
noisy in the bar. But when Stacey took over again it was quiet within
minutes. She got back the attention of the audience with her very good
performance.

And I think even here in the Netherlands it is even more quiet in the venues
as in the UK. Fairport Convention and Iain Matthews told that several times.
And even one time it was so quiet the performer asked: "Are you still
alive??".

BTW I hope to see even more artists during my up coming holiday in the US as
John.
Planned till now:
Kathy Moffatt
Steve Earle
Stacey Earle
Cry3
Gillian Welch
Jennefer Berezan
and a lot more on the Strawberry Festival.
met vriendlijke groeten,

Hans Janssen.

See: http://listen.to/Tish and http://fly.to/nanci

BTW the spell checker of Outlook Express 5 doesn't know the words Brits.

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Subject: NN: Re: Blown Away (1)
   Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 11:08:40 -0400
   From: Shawn Kimbro (kimbro@planetc.com>

John Edward Graveling wrote:
> He asked " why bother coming if you don't want to
> listen", my feelings entirely. (Sorry Shawn and Gin!!).

Oh, I'm all for listening too, just depends on the mood. I know artists
love the Bluebird because of the opportunity to display the subtleties
in their music.

The new Asleep At The Wheel album, RIDE WITH BOB, is superb in a
non-apologetic, hardcore Texas swing kind of way.  I really like Shawn
Colvin and Lyle Lovett's duet on "Faded Love," and "Milk Cow Blues" is
really fun.

My favorite magazine, The Oxford American, has regained my confidence
despite the inclusion of Bob Dylan on it's Southern Artist Sampler CD.
Their review of The Freight Hoppers, WAITING ON THE GRAVY TRAIN,
although about six months late, is right on target.  Anyone with the
where-with-all to write, "Cary Fridley is becoming one of the finest
vocalists alive, categories be damned," is a-okay in my book.  One
hundred fifty-nine of Ox Am's one sixty page tribute to Southern Music
is excellent.  The CD includes songs by Billy Joe Shaver, Burrito
Brothers, Dusty Springfield, Townes, June Carter Cash, Prine, and many
others. It's on newstands now.

Warm Regards,
-Shawn

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Subject: NN: Re: Blown Away (1)
   Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 11:44:18 -0500
   From: "Virginia" (ginrose@midsouth.rr.com>

> Oh, I'm all for listening too, just depends on the mood. I know artists
> love the Bluebird because of the opportunity to display the subtleties
> in their music.

I agree with Shawn. I like to listen, but Tom and I had driven almost as far
as Shawn to meet up with John, Dorothy, and I was disappointed not to be
able to chat with them. It was a great show and I enjoyed every minute of
it. Fortunately, we did get a chance to talk all we wanted when we went
honkeytonking in downtown Nashville. I didn't know that was going to happen,
though, until after we left the Bluebird. Shawn was a great tour director!

> The new Asleep At The Wheel album, RIDE WITH BOB, is superb in a
> non-apologetic, hardcore Texas swing kind of way.  I really like Shawn
> Colvin and Lyle Lovett's duet on "Faded Love," and "Milk Cow Blues" is
> really fun.

I haven't heard Asleep At The Wheel since leaving Austin. I'll have to check
that out. Thanks for recommending it.

Hugs,
Gin

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Subject: Re: NN: Re: [moonpie] Blown Away (1)
   Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 11:58:29 -0500
   From: Sarah Wrightson (sarahwrightson@vincebell.com>

Shawn Kimbro wrote:
> 
> Oh, I'm all for listening too, just depends on the mood. I know artists
> love the Bluebird because of the opportunity to display the subtleties
> in their music.

Actually there are artists who don't care for it.  That "Quiet" rule is
sometimes taken to the extreme and the audience seems almost inhibited. 
An appreciative audience is one thing...one struck with terror is
another.  Speaking of Geoff Muldaur (John I TOLD you you were gonna love
him), when he played there last spring, a young couple was passing notes
back and forth to each other...somehow I found that more distracting
that had they said a few words once in a while.

Can't win for trying can you?

Sarah 
-- 
=======================================================
Live Music's Cool: an internet broadcast &
Vince Bell Web Site:  http://www.vincebell.com
P.O. Box 210373, Nashville, TN 37221 615/646-3103
=======================================================

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Subject: NN: Trip details (2)
   Date: Mon, 16 Aug 99 16:23:17 +0100
   From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>

My second week took me to Orange beech in Alabama, and a week of laying 
on the beach admiring the scenery. Went to have a look at the Florabama 
club, right on the state lines of Alabama and Florida. It's regarded as 
one of the toughest honky tonks in the country and a real dive!!! 

By the time we got back to Nashville I received the BAD news, that Tricia 
Walker's in the round with Pam Tillis, Karen Staley and Ashley Cleveland 
had already sold out. So I took in no more live shows, but spent a very 
long lunch on Tuesday with Kevin Montgomery. We talked about the state of 
the musical industry and songwriting, how he pitched his song to Martina 
McBride and a lot more besides. I hope Kevin gets some more breaks as 
he's a really great guy, and a fine songwriter. He duetted with Mary 
Chapin Carpenter on the Buddy Holly tribute a couple of years ago, so 
some of you may have heard him withoput really knowing it.

Wednesday was spent at the home of Sarah and Vince Bell, and we had a 
great time. Talked of travel across the USA, greyhound bus trips, staying 
in the old parts of Europe, life in Texas, the talent the state has 
spawned and much more besides. A wonderful couple, and a true Texas 
legend. (One to add to your list Shawn!!!).

The rest of the week meandered by and suddenly it was all over and we 
were on our way home. Another trip, another year gone by. How time seems 
to fly these days.

The people we shared time with certainly made this a great trip, and I'm 
hoping both Vince and Kevin come to England to play in the coming months, 
and that I can reciprocate the hospitality.

Some musical recommendations, as I SLOWLY get through the cd's laying 
around this room:

For Lisa -- KIM RICHEY "Glimmer". Simply stunning, a really beautiful 
record, full of lyrical wit and invention. The opening "Can't Lose Them 
All" being a great autobiographical tale. Kevin Montgomery told me that 
he came back to Nashville to live, from LA, by hitching, having put all 
his worldly goods on Kim's tour bus!!! I'm really looking forward to 
seeing Kim when she tours here in two months time.

For Shawn -- THE PINERS a really good time trio, hillbilly, acoustic, 
folky country. The opening "Austin Texas" being worth the price of the cd 
alone.

Buddy Mondlock "Poetic Justice". His best effort yet. More consistent 
than his previous two efforts. He will be known to some of you for 
writing "Coming Down In The Rain" which Nanci covered, and she sings 
harmony on his version here. Also author of "The Kid" on "Cry, Cry, Cry".

Tom Kimmel "Short Stories". Nanci's former beau, and his first cd for 5 
years. Full of quality songs, a terrific cd, worth buying if you like 
singer songwriters.

The Bottle Rockets "Brand New Year". If you like a little rock in your 
roll, these are your boys. Tough, dynamic, and ever so good. Some of it 
makes Led Zeppelin sound like Abba.

Trish Murphy "Rubies On The Lawn". Another 'star in the making' to emerge 
from the lone star state. Sort of Tom Petty meets Sheryl Crow, if I had 
to make a comparison. A gem.

Baker Maultsby "Bingo = Sin". Simply marvellous bar room music from the 
NC native.

Catie Curtis "Crash Course In Roses". Another superlative female singer 
songwriter, who is supporting Mary Chapin Carpenter on her British tour.

Tim Easton "Special 20". Native of Columbus Ohio (hi Donna - you still 
out there???) Good rockin' alt. country.

Terri Hendrix "Wilory Farm" and "Live". Reminds me, in part of early 
Nanci. Another Texan aiming for the top.

Ray Wylie Hubbard "Crusades Of The Restless Knights". Another from the 
long line of neglected Texan songwriters school. There are so many, who 
should all be stars, they write like no others. This is seriously good.

Add to that Kate and Geoff Muldaur, and I don't think I bought a single 
bummer. That's about half the 30 accounted for. I'll keep you informed.

John "my ears are loving these sounds" Graveling.

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Subject: Re: NN: Susan Werner's cookie
   Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 15:32:00 EDT
   From: Blueye2323@aol.com

I saw Susan at the Northampton Pines Theater Folk Fest, along with Ellis Paul 
(my personal fav and the reason I bought the tickets), Vance Gilbert, Chris 
Lavin (she's nice, but all she sang were non-serious songs...so I didn't 
really enjoy that..), John Gorka (who is really nice), Moxy Fruvous (they 
rock!!!) and Cheryl Wheeler (who didn't impress me at all...she has a nasty 
attitude and she was making a scene on stage cause her monitor wasn't 
right...and bitch and moan..etc...she just really ruined my mood...and I 
didn't like her songs..) BUT it was the firrst time I ever saw or heard of 
Susan Werner...and she REALLY impressed me!!!!  She's real good and she knows 
it...you can tell by her stage presents....seems nice too (unlike Cheryl).  
She sang a new song she had just written about the stock market and the Sound 
Of Music...it was great....she was one of the best ones there....I still LOVE 
Ellis though...
J

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Subject: NN: Re: Texans (The Lone Star State)
   Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 23:23:45 -0700
   From: "Jim Mehl" (mehl@ihot.com>

For those of you interested in pursuing this topic further, there
is a book out called "Texas Music" by Rick Koster (St. Martin's
Press, 1998, ISBN 0-312-18193-0). It discusses most of the 
people mentioned here and more. It's even got Nanci's 
picture on the front cover of the dust jacket along with Buddy 
Holly, ZZ Top, and the Butthole Surfers. I'm not familiar with 
that last group, but that's what the dust jacket says.
 
Jim Mehl

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Subject: Re: NN: Re: Texans (The Lone Star State)
   Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 09:50:26 -0500
   From: Sarah Wrightson (sarahwrightson@vincebell.com>

Jim Mehl wrote:
 
> For those of you interested in pursuing this topic further, there
> is a book out called "Texas Music" by Rick Koster (St. Martin's
> Press, 1998, ISBN 0-312-18193-0). It discusses most of the
> people mentioned here and more. 

Rick's book is being updated and will be reissued this winter in
paperback by St. Martin's as well.

Sarah

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Subject: RE: NN: Re: Texans (The Lone Star State)
   Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 11:16:38 -0400
   From: "Panchyshyn,Roman" (panchysr@oclc.org>

Folks,
With all this talk about Texas musicians, I'm surprised no one mentioned Roy
Orbison, from Vernon, Texas. His hometown before he died was Wink, I wonder
if that's close to Lubbock? No one wants to be too close to Lubbock, you
know!

It was nice to see James Hooker posting here. Don't know if this is funny or
not but at the same time I was reading his post, I was listening to
"Caroline No" on the Sounds of Wood and Steel CD. Remembering the words from
the old Beach Boys tune, I wondered how it would sound if you substituted
the words "Where did my gall bladder go?" in the lyrics?
Just my sick sense of humor coming out again.

Roman

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Subject: NN: Recommendations
   Date: Tue, 17 Aug 99 12:33:44 +0100
   From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>

Having spoken about Texans yesterday one of the 30 new cd's in my 
collection is an absolute revelation, and straight out of the lone star 
state.

The Robison brothers, Charlie and Bruce, have ploughed their own musical 
furrows and up til now Charlie has always grabbed my attention, with his 
two rockin' country roots cd's, "Bandera" and "Life Of The Party". 
Bruce's effort from last year, the largely introspective "Wrapped", left 
me a little cool. His new cd "Long Way Home From Anywhere" came out just 
before  my arrival Stateside and I thought I'd give it a miss. However, I 
decided to buy it one day and upon first listening it is an absolute gem. 
It's gently lilting country tones augmented by superb lyrics, great 
musicianship, delicate harmonies, some courteousy of wife Kelly Willis 
and the obligatory Texans swipe at Nashville. The title track, which is 
magnificent, has lines, "I ain't going back to Nashville/all alone where 
no one cares/now it's a long way home from anywhere". I guess it is a 
long way home from anywhere when you are from Texas.

Of course brother Charlie is now married to Dixie Chick, Emily Erwin (the 
tall dobro player), so I guess the boys have done well in their personal 
lives, as well as musically.

Tim Easton's "Special 20" is also exceptional and will appeal to all 
those, who like me, enjoy Son Volt, Whiskeytown, and their ilk.

Finally a hard core country recommendation. If anyone can remember real 
country music of ten years ago and Randy Travis/Clint Black etc., before 
the cookie cutter pop took over, well Matt King's "Hard Country" is the 
best thing to come out in that field since then. A pearl of a cd.

John "still listening, about 12 more to go" Graveling.

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Subject: Re: NN: Texans (The Lone Star State)
   Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 08:57:06 -0400
   From: Steve Robertson (stever@mindspring.com>

John Edward Graveling wrote:
> 
> Shawn's recommendation of last week, Shaver's "Electric Shaver" cd, which
> he said vaulted Billy Joe into the great Texans category, alongside Guy
> Clark and Steve Earle, got me thinking. Just how could one state produce
> so many great artists? I scanned my rather large album/cd collection and
> found the following Texans have all made music I have bought.

> Eric Taylor

Most of my favorite musicians are Texans, but if we're going to compile
a list of Texas musicians, I think it's important to make a distinction
between native Texans and musicians drawn to the Austin or Houston music
scene from other areas. Eric Taylor is a Georgian.

Hidin' Out in the Georgia Pines-
Wishin' It Would Rain,

Steve Robertson

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Subject: Re: NN: Texans (The Lone Star State)
   Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 11:03:49 EDT
   From: Petop@aol.com

alanlarson@mindspring.com writes:

(( Charlie Sexton w/or without Arc Angels >>

Mr. Sexton recently replaced Bucky Baxter in Bob Dylan's band (just in time 
for the start of the tour with Paul Simon). I've got tickets to see them 
Sept. 18 in Dallas. I'm juiced. It's the first time I've seen Dylan live 
since early last year when Lucinda Williams was his opening act. 

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Subject: Re: NN: Texans (The Lone Star State)
   Date: Tue, 17 Aug 99 17:43:46 +0100
   From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>

Steve is right, and I tried to keep the list to native Texans, I just 
didn't realise that Eric was born in Georgia. Someone this morning 
mentioned the brilliant Toni Price, well I think she is actually a 
Nashville native who migrated to Austin.

As my great friend in Tennessee says, "texans are only misplaced 
Tennesseans anyway!!!!"

John "not from Tennessee either" Graveling.

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Subject: NN: Re:Texans (The Lone Star State)
   Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 10:00:29 -0500
   From: Justin Marquez (jmarquez@flash.net>

> Just how could one state [Texas] produce 
> so many great artists? 

Three answers....

1) It's a REALLY BIG place... about equal to 4 or 5 regular size states.

2) It has a rich tradition in live music of varied types.

3) If you're stuck out in West Texas and have access to a guitar, you'll
eventually learn to play it.... there isn't much else to do!

heeheee....

Justin "I wuzzn't born in Texas, but I got'chere quick as I could!" Marquez

Justin Marquez
Houston, TX


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