NanciNet Digest 9-27-99
// Been a long time since we've had this much discussion...
// Enjoy...[BP]
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Food For Thought
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 99 12:14:27 +0100
From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>
I had a personal, backchanneled, message this morning from one of the
lists more regular contributors. He was bemoaning the fact that some of
the more 'vociferous' contributors, like myself, Shawn, Lisa, Bill, Kenn
and Sue and Bill have not commented on "Dust Bowl Symphony". I have
plenty food for thought on the subject, so here goes.
I did not rush out to buy the cd, the first time I can ever remember not
having Nanci's new release on release day. I was actually thinking
seriously about not buying it, the reasons being; I do not buy 'greatest
hits' or 'best of' packages and this seemed like one of those with an
orchestra added. How many versions, no matter how wonderful the songs,
does one need of "Love At The Five And Dime", "Trouble In The Fields" and
the other songs done originally, then done live on "One Fair Summer's
Evening", plus their appearances on 'best of' packages?
Last weekend, after reading the enthusiastic reports posted here, I did
purchase the cd, and played it, and enjoyed it. Some of the orchestral
inflections are wonderful, as is Nanci's voice. I do enjoy listening to
it, and it will return to my cd player. How often will remain to be seen.
As Nanci said last night on UK radio, it was the fullfilment of a dream,
25 years in the music business. She also commented on how she wanted the
arrangements to be sparse. Her voice and guitar to the fore with just the
lightest of orchestral inflection and the merest of BMO touches. I think
she achieved that goal, but as this morning's e mail pointed out, did she
need an orchestra to achieve this? There is still the suspicion of
'marketing' rip off in this release. How many remakes of an artists
material can they expect their fans to buy?
If we look back at this decade in Nanci's music, she has released 6 cd's,
starting in 1991 with "Late Night Grande Hotel" which of course featured
her original material. Since then we've had two original releases in
"Flyer" (truly excellent - one of her very best) and "Blue Roses From The
Moons", plus the two "Other Voices" projects and now "Dust Bowl". While
it is a catalogue of work to be proud of, it is not a stunning testament
to Nanci's own songwriting. After all, didn't she capture all our hearts
with those little vignettes of life and love, sung and played in her own
inimitable fashion?
Nanci has had health fears to contend with and she may have her reasons
for no longer being the, seemingly, prolific writer she once was, we can
only speculate. She will remain one of my musical icons, because of the
sheer impact she had on me when I first heard her songs. Now I want to
see her get back to writing and releasing her own, original work. It is
time for a new chapter in the songwritng life of Nanci Griffith.
Often this list becomes too precious about Nanci and any criticism is
flamed by those who think everything Nanci touches is golden. I'll sit
back and read whatever reaction this letter provokes, but remember, music
is about opinions, and if we all agreed on everything the musings on this
list would be far less thought provoking.
I enjoy "Dust Bowl Symphony", and some of the versions are excellent, but
I'd much rather have spent my money on an 'original' Nanci Griffith
recording.
John "putting on the flame proof suit" Graveling
Subject: Re: NN: Food For Thought
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 11:25:42 EDT
From: Halesbop@aol.com
Wow, another brilliant post from John. No flames coming your way from
this locale. I've suspected, also, that some of the more notable frequent
posters to NN have not shared their thoughts on DBS because they don't wish
to dampen others' enthusiasm or ruffle feathers. Sometimes silence speaks
volumes. Or maybe it's just a matter of with so much already being writtten
about it, yet another glowing review would be redundant. John's post very
well captures my view of DBS, for the most part. Like he said, of her last
six records, only Flyer is a full cd of just Nanci and the BMO (and even that
one features some guest vocal spots) performing new material. Not that I
don't like all of those. Heck, she could enlist the LSO to back her and
George Michael doing a duet on Procol Harum's "Conquistador" and I'd probably
like it. But I'm ready to hear new songs and new stories from her now,
perhaps which tell where's she's at these days, etc.
I don't feel cheated by the Dust Bowl Symphony project or think it's a
marketing rip off by any means. I appreciate that she was fullfilling that
life-long dream. Nor do I expect her to recreate such albums as OIAVBM or
LOTTB, my favorite period in her recording career. However, I am also hoping
for something new next time, and that will excite me more than DBS does.
Steve
Subject: Re: NN: Food For Thought
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 11:40:44 EDT
From: Annavedo@aol.com
(( There is still the suspicion of
'marketing' rip off in this release. >>
Oh John!! Take off that stupid flame suit---you look silly in it
anyway---and take what's coming to you! I have only one thing to say
regarding the above quote. If I truly felt, FOR ONE MINUTE, that this was a
rip-off orchestrated (no pun intended) by Nanci or anyone she trusts with
those marketing decisions, I don't think I could value and respect her as as
much as I do. Her whole philosophy of gentleness, humanity, brotherhood,
etc. would seem a scam, and I wouldn't be able to "buy the Nanci package."
*Anne*
Subject: Re: NN: Food For Thought
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 17:20:37 -0500
From: Bill Page (bpage@itol.com>
Unlike the peripatetic Mr. Graveling, I have no problem with greatest hits
collections, per se. I do kinda object to the packaging and repackaging of
static songs under different banners (as has been done with Fogelberg or (ad
nauseum) with the late John Denver).
But I don't see DBS as being in that category...nor, truly, do I find
irritating having more than one version of the same song -- between VCR, tapes
of live shows, etc., it is always enjoyable to hear differeing versions of
songs you've always loved.
So I won't flame Mr. Graveling. I will also refrain from suggesting that his
complaint is a form of intellectual snobbery :)))
And I'm looking forward to my copy of DBS showing up for my birthday!
Bill "sometimes a snob myself" Page
Subject: NN: Reviews?
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 12:04:31 -0400
From: Shawn Kimbro (kimbro@planetc.com>
Hi Folks,
My review of DUST BOWL SYMPHONY:
- I guess it's not all that bad.
My review of REVISITED:
- I wore a "Disco Sucks" t-shirt to high school in
1978. Nothing has happened since then to change
my opinion.
Since I still count myself as a fan, I'm very pleased to see all the
positive comments. I'll just say this; now that Ms. Griffith has it out
of her system, I hope she will return to hard-edged folk music.
Warm Regards,
-Shawn
Subject: NN: Re: Food For Thought
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 17:19:36 +0100
From: "Mike Barrett" (mikebarrettuk@hotmail.com>
> I enjoy "Dust Bowl Symphony", and some of the versions are excellent, but
> I'd much rather have spent my money on an 'original' Nanci Griffith
> recording.
I think I'm right in saying that we'd all rather have seen an all original
album, but for whatever reason Nanci is apparently not as prolific a
songwriter as she was. But she has indicated that she is writing material
for the next album, which will be without the hoopla - and she is also
evidently aware that this is what her audience would like to see. So maybe
in a year or so we'll be wondering why we doubted.
But in the meantime, I have to say that I am absolutely delighted with DSB,
although as I said in my last posting I had not been particularly looking
forward to it - I even turned down the opportunity to hear the advance copy!
I don't see this as anything at all like a greatest hits
compilation/retread. What we have instead are in the main bright and bold
new versions of songs that I for one thought could not be significantly
improved upon. I am very pleased to find that I was totally wrong in that
supposition. As ever, Nanci has the ability to surprise and delight us with
her vision.
So while I accept and appreciate your point of view John, I think you should
accept this album on its own merits - which are substantial. Play it a few
more times and you'll agree with me!
Mike Barrett
Subject: Re: NN: Re: Food For Thought
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 17:44:39 -0500
From: Bill Page (bpage@itol.com>
Mike Barrett wrote:
> I think I'm right in saying that we'd all rather have seen an all original
> album, but for whatever reason Nanci is apparently not as prolific a
> songwriter as she was.
How long has she been at this game? Nearly 20 years?
Have you ever looked at the longevity of singer-songwriters creativity?
It's not unusual for songs to become harder to write and record after the third
or fouth album...I think it's remarkable that we have so many recordings of
original material from which to select!
Would I like another BRFTM? Not really...Would I like another Flyer?
Yeah...Would I like another LOTB? Oh, yes!
But I'll settle for a DBS...
Bill "I'll shut up now" Page
Subject: NN: Nanci Interview on Radio 2.
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 11:57:47 -0400
From: colinwebster@compuserve.com
Hi.
I don't often write to the list but I thought I would give my opinion on
Nanci's Radio 2 show last night.
I had my tape recorder ready 3 hours before the show started.
The show was hosted by Bob Harris who was also interviewing a number of
other different folk/country artists throughout the show.
Nanci finally came on air at approximately 10:20pm British time. Bob
welcomed Nanci and asked her if the weather was usually as beautiful as it
was that afternoon. Bob seemed interested in the Austin City Limits show
and got Nanci to explain to us Britts what the show is actually about.
Nanci sdaid "The show is so laid back and relaxed and the crew don't
interrupt when you are performing". Nanci went on to tell us about her
appearance on Austin City Limits when she performed with the Crickets some
time ago. "The show I did with the Crickets was actually filmed 3 years
ago" she remarked.
Nanci explained her experience when recording with the LSO last April in
London. "It's a life long dream to play with the LSO. The whole album
took 4 days to record. There's so much to learn about playing with an
orchestra, it's much like starting at playschool (kindergarten) again".
Straight after the 11o'clock news they played the opening song of DBS,
Trouble In The Fields. I never recognised the song at first until Nanci
started singing. The orchestra really gives the songs a whole new life.
Towards the end of the interview Nanci mentioned UK DATES. She will be
appearing at The Royal Albert Hall for 4 nights in May. I am hoping to go
to a couple of these shows and maybe just maybe I will have front row
centre seats. I hope they all dont fall on school nights!!!!!!
The interview and music lasted for a good 25 minutes and finished with a
song requested by Nanci off the new album "Tell Me How."
Does anyone know the U.K release date for the OVOR2 video?
Bye for now
Nicola Webster age 14
Subject: NN: Re: NanciNet #99925
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 12:15:12 -0600
From: "Mark D. Gardner" (markdgardner@mindspring.com>
Tastho@aol.com wrote:
> I rewound and watched Nanci sing "The Road To Aberdeen" about 4
> times. God, that's good stuff!
No kidding! I watched the whole concert noticing how differently she was
singing, in a lower register, than she used to, wondering whether I liked it
or not. It seemed that some of the softness of her voice was gone. Then she
sang that song and completely blew me away.
Another thought, about harmonizing. I read recently where Graham Nash said
that to sing harmony with someone you almost have to become that person.
Nanci always looks at the person she's singing with, as if trying to do
exactly that.
Like a mature adult (ha!), I'm spreading out my Nanci pleasures. Video this
week; DBS next week. The reviews have been very intriguing - I can't wait!
Mark Gardner
Louisville, CO
Subject: NN: NN on radio 2 UK
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 17:51:46 +0100
From: Paul Reeve (paul@preeve.clara.co.uk>
"jenny.frog" (jenny.frog@virgin.net wrote
...
> i am really going to have to write and beg her to
> come to glasgow i think....
...
I think you'll be lucky Jenny - I can't see the LSO packing up
everything and going round the country with Nanci - unfortunately.
I only caught the news and the last two tracks of DBS unfortunately, but
I'm off for my copy soon. I was driving back from Southampton after an
evening listening to the Poozies at the gantry (with Kate Rusby for the
last time) - beautiful as always. Bought Kates CD sleepless but haven't
yet had time to listen.
Paul
Subject: Re: NN: NN on radio 2 UK
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 12:22:12 +0100
From: "jenny.frog" (jenny.frog@virgin.net>
Guys,
>I can't see the LSO packing up everything and going round the country with Nanci -
unfortunately.
OK, but what everybody (including nanci) seems to overlook is the fact
that we have great national orchestras here. not JUST the LSO. I don't
know about Ireland, but i definetly know that the Scottish National
Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are both crackin.
Everybody forgets this because this country pumps all their money into
one orchestra, that's why the LSO is so world -famous. The SNO regularly
does concerts with people like nanci and often does recordings with them
too.
jenny*
Subject: NN: Re: Food for Thought
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 22:32:03 EDT
From: BMiller224@aol.com
I’m not someone for whom *marketing* is a dirty word. When it comes to songs
as good as those Nanci Griffith writes, I cheer for those marketing them.
I’d like to see her songs get as wide a circulation as possible.
I expressed my praise and my reservations about the Dust Bowl Symphony album
earlier. I really enjoy it. And repeated playings haven’t diminished my
fondness for it.
John G reported on Nanci’s radio interview in which she said she wanted this
album to summarize her career thus far. And he reminded us of some of what
that career has consisted to date. In her early years with Rounder, she was
doing more the *folkie* work, turning out gems like *Poet in My Window* and
*The Last of the True Believers.* In her MCA period, she was pitching to the
*country* market, and produced some of her best work, including *Trouble in
the Fields* and *Ford Econoline.* One of my favorites has always been *Sing
One for Sister,* which is three times as good as anything I’ve ever heard
from Shania Twain.
Since then, she returned to a *folk* emphasis but in a more eclectic fashion.
On *Late Night Grande Hotel* she leaned toward the artsy, on *Blue Roses
from the Moons* she generated more of a mainstream pop work. But her
distinct spirit and talent were evident throughout, as in *One Blade Shy of a
Sharp Edge* (LNGH) and the powerful *Saint Teresa of Avila* (BRFTM). *Other
Voices, Other Rooms* was her most effective album of this period. (I’ve
never looked up the sales volume on these, so I don’t know which ones sold
best.)
In the case of Dust Bowl Symphony, the marketing messages coming out on it
are quite confusing. If she really wanted this to summarize her career, I’d
say it falls short of that. The orchestral arrangements are not what
established her as a leading singer-songwriter. The arrangements evidently
aimed at giving the songs an especially rich and pretty sound, and they
succeed in doing so.
But I don’t see it as a representative summary of her work. And I don’t
think it was very successful in bridging the gap between *folk* and *art*
music. The fact that there IS a gap is a big part of what makes successful
efforts to combine the two, as in some of Aaron Copland’s work, so
interesting. The sound of a symphony orchestra just cannot be reproduced in
the living room.
And it may be picky to say so, but I’m surprised the London Symphony
Orchestra would agree to have this album titled as the Dust Bowl *Symphony.*
A symphony is a particular type of musical work. A symphony written by Bela
Bartok or Leonard Bernstein sounds very different from one written by Mozart
or Haydn, the latter of whom originated it. But it’s still the same musical
form. As nice as it sounds, a collection of separate songs is not a
symphony. It’s a little like calling a play with four acts a *one-act play.*
Why do it?
Bruce Miller, pleased but confused
San Bruno, CA
Subject: Re: NN: Re: Food for Thought
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 11:54:51 PDT
From: "John Cambre" (thrak61@hotmail.com>
Ah, but the LSO is an orchestra-for-hire, and neither has the input nor
(would I imagine) any imperative to set any musicological guidelines
vis-a-vis titles of works they're associated with.
Subject: NN: Re: Food for Thought
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 02:47:36 EDT
From: BMiller224@aol.com
John Cambre writes:
(( Ah, but the LSO is an orchestra-for-hire, and neither has the input nor
(would I imagine) any imperative to set any musicological guidelines
vis-a-vis titles of works they're associated with. >>
This post inspired me to spend a couple of minutes checking out the Web site
of the London Symphony Orchestra. They are featuring news about another
music project with Sir Paul McCartney to be released in mid-October. Didn’t
he start out as a rock singer or something?
It also mentions soundtrack albums for Star Wars films and a recording with
Frank Zappa.
But even using the search function, I turned up nary a mention of Nanci
Griffith or the ((Dust Bowl Symphony.>>
Bruce Miller
San Bruno, CA
Subject: NN: A dissenting viewpoint
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 20:24:19 -0700
From: "Robert C. Phelps" (rcphelps@pacbell.net>
I have to say that I, for one, have been extremely surprised by the almost
universal praise for DBS. I've been a Nanci fan for going on twenty years,
and I'll always buy her stuff. But I have to say that I neither like nor
understand DBS, for the most part.
I really wanted to like this CD (really). Many of the songs are songs I've
loved for a long time. At the risk of overgeneralization, I have to say
that the new versions, in my humble opinion, were either unnecessary or just
not that good.
A few specifics:
The original "Trouble In the Fields" still gives me chills. This version
leaves me flat. At the very least, it's simply no better than the original,
and thus, by definition, it is inferior. At the risk of reviving an old
topic, there's the weird phrasing all over it again. Am I the only one who
thinks it sounds like they're working the crops with "sweat and tiaras"?
"Love at the Five and Dime" is a great song. Darius Rucker is good on his
own stuff. But why does this need to be a duet? The sound of these two
together grates on my ear.
"Wing and the Wheel" has never been a personal favorite, but it's been at
least though provoking and pleasant in the past. So what's with the new
lyrics? The "scat" part, though no doubt heartfelt, makes me cringe.
Ultimately, I suppose, they're her songs and she's entitled to do what she
wants with them. If Nanci thinks that a calypso and steel drums version of
"Flyer" is artistically relevant to her, so be it. But I just don't get the
vision behind these remakes.
Maybe it's just that I loved so many of these songs in their original form.
I'm not generally closed minded to new versions, changes and growth.
Indeed, hearing an artist stretch an old favorite and make it new can be
very exciting.
But like I said, I just don't "get" this one. Anyone wanna try to help me
out here?
----------------------------------------------
Bob Phelps
rcphelps@pacbell.net
---------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: NN: A dissenting viewpoint
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 13:40:42 EDT
From: "Tracy Applebaum" (poohbear512@hotmail.com>
Robert wrote:>
>But like I said, I just don't "get" this one. Anyone wanna try to help me
>out here?
Gladly. Nanci has always had a dream of working with a symphony, of hearing
her beautiful songs in that kind of context, appealing to that kind of
audience. DBS was her chance to do that. Hasn't she always said, like in
context of the OV projects, that music needs to be rerecorded, reperformed,
resung, in orer to stay alive? So she's keeping her favorite songs, and the
most profoundly meaningful that she's ever written, alive by dressing yhem
up differently, kind of laying with the different styles, while achieving
her dream of symphony work at the same time. Like she said about FAD on I
think it was the OFSE video, 'this song seems to mean someting different to
every ear that hears it." Well, songs like Hard Life, Trouble int eh
Fields, Wing and the Wheel mean someting different every time my ear hears
them, especially with different inflections, accents, backup. Whatever
words she pronounces "differently" make me pay more attention to those
words, and to the words around them, than I would if she just sang them the
same old way.
Re: WATW:
>"Wing and the Wheel" has never been a personal favorite, but it's been at
>least though provoking and pleasant in the past. So what's with the new
>lyrics? The "scat" part, though no doubt heartfelt, makes me cringe.
Funny how two people can have such different reactions. I'd definitely
classify that song as one of her most meaningful, partly from her oFSE intro
to it, and from the way she sings it live and dedicates it to, liek, the
memory of Princess Di or whatever. When she sings, "I was a SMALL child
with a BIG dream," she's referring to so much, her dream of being a
somgwriter, of passing ont eh folk songs she loves, of working with a
symphony, of surviving cancer twice. And she's, in a way, rejoicing in her
victory but not just a selfish, pat herself on the back kind of thing.
SHe's doing it in the form of a great gift, and a great inspiration, to her
fans.
All IMHO, arguments welcome, I'll shut up now
Tracy
Subject: Re: NN: A dissenting viewpoint
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 99 20:12:26 +0100
From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>
Very good points Tracy. My only reaction would be, how old do songs have
to be before they are re-recorded and allowed to live again? A lot of the
songs Nanci has put on DBS are not more than a decade old, hardly time
for them to have been forgotten and faded away. The songs she covered in
the Other Voices projects were much older and from an age when not so
many people were exposed to the music.
John Graveling
Subject: Re: NN: A dissenting viewpoint
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 20:02:08 GMT
From: "barbara costas" (moogirl51@hotmail.com>
my reply:
i think that songs can morph and change as the writer changes- when i write
something, i fuly realize that even though i think it's done, it's most
likely not, so it's shelved until i know what it is that i need to add to
it. i perform it or read it as if it is finished, and then when that
proverbial lightening strikes, i pull it out.
what comes to mind when i write this is "i would bring you ireland". i
drove through west texas this summer in august, of course singing that at
the top of my lungs, and when i finally saw amarillo, i had to pull over- i
was so overwhelmed by a number of feelings. i had a new understanding of
that song. it _was_ a 'hot platinum summer day.'
i don't know if that makes any sense in the context of what i intended this
email to say, but *sigh* it does to me. i don't know. when the inspiration
is there, it's there. i don't remember who made the comment earlier about
nanci losing her creativity- i think that DBS is a testiment to the fact
that she hasn't. we all grow, and nanci growing as a songwriter, arranger-
i think it's wonderful and i am thankful for every vicarious experience that
i have through her.
barbara costas
Subject: Re: NN: A dissenting viewpoint
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 17:12:02 -0500
From: Ed Maier (eddie@flash.net>
barbara costas wrote:
(snip>
>i drove through west texas this summer in august, of course singing that at
>the top of my lungs, and when i finally saw amarillo, i had to pull over- i
>was so overwhelmed by a number of feelings.
(snip>
I've seen other comments along these lines, and I guess the feeling escapes
me completely. I've lived in Texas forty-four years, and when Nanci sings of
Austin, Dallas, Amarillo, etc., the only connection I can make with the
towns are "been there, done that." Possibly I should visit a place she sings
about that I've not been to, like maybe hit the road to Aberdeen or visit
Grafton Street. I'm definitely ready for a new Mecca.
Ed "making plans to retire" Maier
Subject: Re: NN: A dissenting viewpoint
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 99 21:21:32 +0100
From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>
Barbara, I know what you mean about getting to places Nanci sings about
in her songs. I drove across the Texas panhandle, through Amarillo, some
5 years ago and thought of all the songs that have cited that particular
town. I have stood on the corner of 6th and Congress in Austin and
thought about the intro to the live "Love At The Five And Dime".
Some of Nanci's songs, as well as those of other notable songwriters,
have taken me places I may never have otherwise visited. I would never
deride the power of Nanci's songwriting ability, but, is it time for a
renaissance, a renewal of the spirit and originality that brought us to
her music in the first place?
John "still thinking" Graveling
Subject: Re: NN: nanci Places
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 16:59:17 EDT
From: SierraSkyz@aol.com
I always get chills when I remember being in the same place Nanci sings
about. In Central Texas I happened to hear the spoken prelude to the song
about Mary Margaret. Nanci was telling about how the song is still on the
juke box up at the truck stop on the highway in the little town where Maggie
and her family lived.
I was moving West in a U-haul, listening to this on the radio. (Those trucks
don't have tape players) I don't own the song and had never even heard it
before that night. Then as Nanci was telling the story, I passed the town
on the highway.. middle of the night, with many miles ahead of me.
Somehow that's not the same as being stuck in traffic in Tempe when NPR
mentions that Dan Quayle will be ending his campaign at a conference from
that location.
Deb " It's crowded in this Honda with all these reporters" Meyer
Subject: Re: NN: A dissenting viewpoint
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 00:52:47 GMT
From: "barbara costas" (moogirl51@hotmail.com>
Ed said:
>I've seen other comments along these lines, and I guess the feeling escapes
>me completely. I've lived in Texas forty-four years, and when Nanci sings
>of Austin, Dallas, Amarillo, etc., the only connection I can make with the
>towns are "been there, done that." Possibly I should visit a place she
>sings about that I've not been to, like maybe hit the road to Aberdeen or
>visit Grafton Street. I'm definitely ready for a new Mecca.>
And so I say:
I think that i know where it is you are coming from. I can't imagine
someone writing a song about my hometown that would make me stand still for
time. But i think what it is about Nanci's sense of place that leaves me
breathless is that it transcends just "Amarillo" or "Austin." 'I Would
Bring You Ireland' gets to that place inside of me that is a perfect feeling
of longing for a place- she touches my sense of place. So, it isn't just
'Amarillo' for me. 'On Grafton Street' is another perfect example of that
feeling for me. I think that this is one of her major talents.
Like y'all don't know it already.
Barbara Costas
Subject: Re: NN: A dissenting viewpoint/Wing
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 23:45:07 EDT
From: Halesbop@aol.com
Robert wrote:
> "Wing and the Wheel" has never been a personal favorite, but it's been at
> least though provoking and pleasant in the past. So what's with the new
> lyrics? The "scat" part, though no doubt heartfelt, makes me cringe.
I have trouble with that, too. On the so-called "farewell" tour with the
Crickets it was kind of touching the way she did this at each stop, changing
the scat from show to show to apply to each city. But the rather generic
version of that part on DBS seems contrived, leaves me cold.
Steve
Subject: NN: Nanci in traffic
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 01:49:55 -0700
From: "Julie" (julie-anne@home.com>
No, we didn't spy Nanci in a traffic jam, but here's a little story for your
Monday morning. My daughter and I were in gridlock on the freeway the other
morning and whiled away the time singing Trouble In The Fields a cappella,
trading lines back and forth. I laughed when she had to be the mule, and
she laughed back that, well, that meant I had to be the cow. The cow? It
turns out all these years she's been hearing, "You be the mule, I'll be the
cow . . . ." (She must have gotten that stuck in her mind when too young to
know what a plow is.) I was reminded of her favorite song on OVOR, This Old
Town. She used to sing, "This old town was built by hens . . . ," and
cracked me up for the longest time until someone had to go and tell her it
was built by h-a-n-d-s. Can you picture in her mind all those hens running
around in tool belts raising buildings? I guess she wants to gather up as
many farm animals in Nanci's songs as she can so that neutron deer has
company.
Julie
Subject: NN: DBS
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 21:46:38 -0700
From: JOHN PRIVE (prive@internetcds.com>
I have been a Nanci Fan since 1993. A HUGE fan. I have seen her in
concert four times. Most recently in Portland OR. I fell in love with
OVOR and Flyer and started collecting all of her CD's. Devouring would
be a good word. Then came BRFTM. Not a great CD IMO. OVOR2, was OK. DBS,
not enough reworking of the old material for me to see the point of it
all. Yeah they are beautiful songs, I thought they were the first time
around. And how many of the songs are actually "old material"?
The Buddy Holly sounds uninspired to me on the CD. She sang it perfectly
in concert this summer. Pre-War Kimball is a cute song, but not one for
NNetters to sink their teeth into. There won't be long discussions on
that one. She left nothing up to the imagination. The old Nanci would
have would have kept us guessing. She is getting just a little too
precious. "Drops from a Faucet", ugh. Give me San Diego Serenade
anytime.
I keep plunking my money down and I will continue to do so. I even found
a copy of "Revisited" at Sam Goody. I hope that if there is a NEW CD in
the future it will be more like the OLD Nanci.
Thanks to the NanciNet for introducing me to Lucy K, Stacey Earle, Dar
Williams, Richard Shindell and all of the great music I have been
listening to instead of Nanci Griffith.
Molly P.
Subject: Re: NN: DBS
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 09:27:09 EDT
From: Annavedo@aol.com
(( The Buddy Holly sounds uninspired to me on the CD. She sang it perfectly
in concert this summer. Pre-War Kimball is a cute song, but not one for
NNetters to sink their teeth into. >>
...so, are you Molly P., or are you John Prive? Whomever you are, know this
about the above-mentioned songs: They are, in fact the two songs from DBS
that are programmed to repeat (ad naseaum, according to my husband) in my CD
player. The backup vocals of "Bath" Nielson Chapman on "Kimball" just really
make that song for me.
(( She is getting just a little too precious. >> Oh come on, people! Can't
we come up with a more original criticism than that worn out old "precious?"
Where did I read it first; was it Bill Page? Shawn Kimbro? When I first
signed up for the NN, I read somebody's review of all her albums, where they
dared to say it---"precious"---and since then, it gets tossed around like
everybody's favorite adjective. Ok, ok, she's precious, already. Is that
bad, or is that just one facet of Nanci? I like precious.
*Precious Anne*
Subject: NN: San Luis Obispo, CA concert
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 08:19:46 -0700
From: Susan Peete (suepeete@cruzio.com>
We bought our tickets a few days ago for the:
11/18/99 Cal Poly Theatre - San Luis Obispo, CA.
Tom Rush's Club 47/NANCI GRIFFITH
PAC Ticket Office:
Local calls: 756-2787
Toll-free in CA: 1-888-233-2787
Outside California: 1-805-756-2787
You can also check out their website at:
http://www.pacslo.org/
Cheers,
Sue
Nanci Griffith Tour Dates
http://www.cruzio.com/~billpeet/Nanci/TourDates/tourdates.html
Subject: NN: Re: San Luis Obispo, CA concert
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 22:43:51 -0700
From: "John Houser" (jchouser@earthlink.net>
> We bought our tickets a few days ago for the:
> 11/18/99 Cal Poly Theatre - San Luis Obispo, CA.
> Tom Rush's Club 47/NANCI GRIFFITH
Hi Gang,
I may have posted this info once before, but if you are anywhere near SLO,
this could be a wonderful show... Pardon me if this post is from the
Department of Redundancy Department...
Of all the times I've seen NG, by far the best was at the Seattle Opera
House, and I have no doubt the Cal Poly PAC will be better than the Opera
House in terms of acoustics - indeed, ignoring the risk of being too much of
a homer for my school, the PAC could have some of the finest acoustics
around - I guess that's the result from having a great Architecture School
on campus and a bunch of big money local donors who tired of the symphony at
local churches and the like...
Anyways, now that I am a Californian again, this will be show #3 for me this
year and am looking forward to it...
Subject: NN: Emmylou
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 99 20:40:07 +0100
From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>
Last night on UK tv we had the pleasure of seeing Emmylou Harris on her
"Spyboy" tour. What a staggering hour of music. Yes it was almost
identical to the cd release of the same name, but to see the music
performed live was a timely reminder of what makes good music so
essential. I had seen the tour, here in the UK, before they began
recording the gigs, but that was three years ago and the power of what
Emmylou and her band created was truly amazing.
It really brought home how brave Emmylou has been in her career
decisions. Here she was backed by Buddy Millers vast array of, impeccably
played, guitar tones and one of the finest rhythm sections to grace any
stage, Daryl Johnson on bass and Brady Blade on drums. I remember the
howls of derision from fans and press alike when she disbanded the Hot
Band, which had included such luminaries as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell,
Vince Gill, Glen D Hardin, James Burton and Barry Tashian, amongst a host
of others. She formed the acoustic Nash Ramblers featuring the late Roy
Huskey Jnr., Al Perkins, Jon Randall Stewart and Sam Bush and brought a
fresh approach to her music. Then some three or four years ago she
decided to change course again, mainly when radio refused to play her
music any more. She produced "Wrecking Ball", again to howls of
dissenting voices, but her music has continued to reach new audiences and
she has never closed her ears to new sounds.
Now while Emmylou is an interpreter of other peoples songs she has an
outstanding catalogue of recorded music behind her. Nanci is
predominantly a songwriter, and a very fine one at that, but what if she
were to change course a little and perhaps disband the BMO, would that
bring an edge back to her musical creativity? Perhaps the BMO are like a
childs blanket, a warm safe haven, when what Nanci needs to stir the
creative juices is some different musicians to bring a fresh approach.
John "more food for thought" Graveling
P.S. Do not misintepret this as a criticism of the BMO, they are all top
class musicians, but in music, like in life, some things run their
natural course.
Subject: NN: More dissent
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 20:23:32 EDT
From: VickiStein@aol.com
"I would never
deride the power of Nanci's songwriting ability, but, is it time for a
renaissance, a renewal of the spirit and originality that brought us to
her music in the first place?" John G.
John, I say, "yes, of course...." I agree with you and anxiously await new
material from Nanci, but I believe it has to come in its own good time, in
Nanci's own good time.
Nanci has written some of the most impressive songs of our generation.
"Trouble in The Fields" continues to stir hope in my heart, and it blankets
me in peace and plain, old, down-home comfort when my world seems to tilt on
an alien axis. (I love the metaphors in that song!) TITF has been a great
source of inspiration when I find the need to realign my spirit. (I chuckled
when I read the recent post about the mom and daughter singing acapella, "You
be the mule, I'll be the cow...." I taught the song to my daughter ten years
ago, too. But I digress...) "It's A Hard Life" continues to bring me to
tears (not every time I hear it, but every time I LISTEN to it) for its
brutal and honest claim about social injustice born of ignorance, and
cruelty, and narcissistic lack of concern for "the human condition." The
context of that song can be applied to so many situations on so many levels.
And then, "Always Will" rendered me frozen in time....remembering a certain
Mr. Someone whose vitality and passion still finds a way to skate on and
forever etch a figure eight into my heart and mind, some 25 years later. The
ending of that story is better left for Elvis Costello's acerbic wit...and of
course, there is "Grafton Street," which also touches me deeply, for the same
reason. I could go on (I am effusive), but y'all get the point.
Which is, of course, that Nanci has written some incredibly poignant and
meaningful songs. I am a writer, and I cannot imagine putting my words to
music ~ God, what a gift she has! To be so ... profound ... coupled with
the ability to write melodies and harmonies that brew deep within the words!
Sometimes, the muse just runs slow, or not at all....and if we have to wait
for a bit to hear more "original" Nanci, well, then, I will wait. Many
artists are prolific, but some of their stuff just isn't "what we had hoped
for..." Some of Nanci's material is so moving that it will be difficult,
perhaps impossible, to improve upon, and based on where she is in her life,
maybe she's just a-waiting for songs that can equal what she has already
accomplished. I don't know, I certainly cannot speak for Nanci, but her
musical influence on my life has been so pervasive that I cannot possibly
expect her make more of an inroad into my heart than it already has. Still,
there is more within her, and I look forward with great anticipation to
hearing what she has to say.
Thanks for reading.
Vicki
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