NanciNet Digest 1-09-00
// Lists, lists, and lists, and a bit of other stuff...
// And a new NN website to surf!
// Enjoy...[BP]
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Subject: NN: Re: NanciNet #00106/Ashley Mac Issac
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 22:32:23 EST
From: ChocChippy@aol.com
(( Apparently this happened during a New
Year's show at which he was guesting. The CBC is considering dropping him
from an upcoming TV show, and his record label is considering releasing him.
>>
...sorry if I'm coming to the discussion late, but did anyone read the
profile of MacIsaac in the New Yorker? He seemed like a man about to come
apart, which is so sad. I did see him on the tour he was on with the
Chieftains and Nanci, and he blew me away with his talent. I also still
listen to "Hi, How are You Today." I hope he DOES get the help he obviously
needs, otherwise, it will be the waste of someone who has the possibility of
being a very great artist.
Fingers crossed,
Kathleen W.
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Subject: NN: Re: Ashley MacIsaac
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 12:28:01 -0000
From: "Pugsley, R.M." (rmp6@leicester.ac.uk>
Not really Nanci linked, except that, you know, he might have
said/done something which led to NG leaving a tour but enough
of that already, I read on a Canadian website that part of Ashley's
rant on New Year's Eve was racist. Does anyone know if this is
true or not? I think the guys a great fiddler (and owner of a fine
beard) and he claims his tirade was in the stlye of Allen Ginsberg's
'Howl' (for those of you who might be interested you can find
that on the web - but be warned that this poem contains language of -
how shall we say - a rather...erm...forthright nature concerning sexuality
and drugs so don't say I didn't tell you!) but I for one don't buy records
by racists (at least not intentionally). So if anyone knows the truth please
enlighten me...
Thanks,
Robert (Pugsley)
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Subject: NN: Top Ten of 1999
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 23:50:06 EST
From: LeeMcAbee@aol.com
Hey Folks:
Sorry if this is late. My top ten of 1999 are as follows:
1. The Dust Bowl Symphony- Nanci Griffith. I got to see Nanci play with
The Atlanta Symphony this summer on her "Symphony Tour" to promote the album.
Classic Griffith.
2. In Spite of Ourselves-John Prine. Prine doing classic country covers
with some of the greatest female vocalists from all sides of the music
spectrum.
3. Cold Dog Soup- Guy Clark. In my opinion, Guy Clark has never made a bad
album, but this has to be one of the best. The highlight for me was Guy's
cover of Steve Earle's "Fort Worth Blues" a tribute to Townes Van Zandt.
4. A Far Cry From Dead- Townes Van Zandt. Steve Earle once said that,
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the world, and I'd stand on Bob
Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." This album is a
wonderful collection of some of Townes best material. Townes spirit and
influence on music is a far cry from dead.
5. The Austin Sessions- Kris Kristofferson. A great collection of remakes
from a great songwriter. Very somber, great with a scotch on the rocks.
6. Forget About IT- Alison Krauss. A great new fairly pop album for the
Bluegrass Princess.
7. Live From the Mountain Stage- Bill Monroe. Classic Monroe recorded in
the late 1980's on the popular West Virginia radio show, "Mountain Stage". A
must for any Monroe fan.
8. The Mountain- Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band. A great combination
of great songwriting from Steve Earle accompanied by the greatest Bluegrass
Band playing today, the Del McCoury Band.
9. The Family- The Del McCoury Band. The definitive album from America's
hottest Bluegrass Band.
10. Ancient Tones- Ricky Skaggs. Monroe, Stanley Brothers and a little
Skaggs to boot. A wonderful album from the Crown Prince of Bluegrass.
Lee McAbee
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Subject: NN: Top Ten of 1999
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 09:44:10 -0000
From: "Pugsley, R.M." (rmp6@leicester.ac.uk>
Nan (or Jessie?) wrote in her top 10.
((Swan Song - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
The last recording by the quintessential Q'walli Sufi, a live recording
of a concert in Pakistan. Now I'll admit that Nusrat is an acquired taste,
but once one grows accustomed to the rather unique sound, 'hooked' doesn't
begin to describe it. This music is absolutely mesmerizing, and this double
album has just a touch of Western influence, making his work more accessible
to more people. It is indeed transforming!>>
I hadn't heard this so I'm really looking forward to it. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
was truly one of the greatest singers ever. According to some probably one of
the greatest Qwalli singers in 300 years (don't ask me how they know!) and the
few occassions I got to see him were magical. I would really recommend a
couple of albums he made with the Canadian guitarist/etc. Michael Brook which
are sublime. He died at the age of only 43 (I think), a death made all the more
tragic because he was actively involved in trying to mend relations between
Pakistan and India. Although he died young he produced over 100 albums, ever
one worth a listen (probably...).
Robert (Pugsley)
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Top Ten of 1999 (Really Top 5)
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 00:28:20 -0500
From: Rich Kulawiec (rsk@gsp.org>
WXPN (where I first heard Nanci) in Philadelphia has an annual listener
poll to select the top 50 albums of the year; each listener gets to
pick five. Here's mine:
Susan Tedeschi - Just Won't Burn
Indigenous - Things We Do
Cheryl Wheeler - Sylvia Hotel
Richard Julian - Smash Palace
Amy Rigby - Middlescence
with a runner-up nod to Bruce Cockburn for "Breakfast in New Orleans..."
---Rsk
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Subject: NN: John Prine
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 22:26:20 +0000
From: Ann Tyas (ann@awnpb.demon.co.uk>
There is a half page[broadsheet] article on himself in today's
Independent Review [Thurs. 6/1/00]. I scanned it quickly but could see
no reference to Nanci.
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Nanci on the cover of the Schwann guide.
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2000 22:47:39 EST
From: ChocChippy@aol.com
http://www.schwann.com/enter.html
I hadn't heard of this publication, but it hit me right in the eye when I
went to Tower Records yesterday...Nanci on the cover with a nice article.
It's big as an encyclopedia and costs $17 to boot, so I didn't buy it.
However, this is the website, and you can see a picture of the cover!
Kathleen W.
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Subject: NN: RE: Nanci on the cover of the Schwann guide.
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 08:57:48 -0500
From: "Panchyshyn,Roman" (panchysr@oclc.org>
What do you all think of the term "Folkabilly queen" describing Nanci?
Roman from Ohio
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Subject: Re: NN: RE: Nanci on the cover of the Schwann guide.
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 09:49:27 EST
From: VickiStein@aol.com
(( What do you all think of the term "Folkabilly queen" describing Nanci? >>
I don't like it much...shucks, I could dissect the term's connotations in a
thousand ways but I'm still feeling a bit too ill to stare at the screen for
any length of time. I think the term sets very limiting parameters on
Nanci's talent, and additionally it strikes me as a label offed by a
condescending critic....
Vicki
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Subject: RE: NN: RE: Nanci on the cover of the Schwann guide.
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 10:08:51 -0500
From: "Panchyshyn,Roman" (panchysr@oclc.org>
Vicki,
The label "Folkabilly" just doesn't make sense. What's it supposed to mean,
a "hillbilly hick" that plays "folk" music? If that's what the critic means,
then why aren't many bluegrass performers called "folkabillies"? I agree
with you, to me this is a negative comment.
Roman
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Subject: NN: RE: Nanci on the cover of the Schwann guide.
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 16:34:45 -0500
From: Steve Robertson (stever@mindspring.com>
> What do you all think of the term "Folkabilly queen" describing Nanci?
I can't tell for sure from your message, but I'm assuming you saw this
description for the first time on the cover of the Schwann guide. It's
been around for at least fifteen years. I'm pretty sure Nanci invented
the term herself about the time she signed with MCA and moved to
Nashville. I know I remember magazine articles calling her the
"self-described Queen of Folkabilly".
I always figured she was saying that her music was a lot like
rockabilly, but with a heavy folk music influence. A lot of my favorite
Nanci songs are the ones that would be right at home in the bars of
Austin and Houston.
Hidin' Out in the Georgia Pines-
Wishin' It Would Rain,
Steve Robertson
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: RE: Nanci on the cover of the Schwann guide.
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 13:56:03 -0800
From: Dan.Gerson@mckhboc.com
Queen of folkabilly was a term coined by Nanci herself. It comes from an
article in "Rolling Stone" from the late 80s. I don't see anything wrong with
it. In fact I like it and think it describes what she was doing at the time
better than the other terms available (Pop, Country, Folk).
On another note, bowing to the continued mention of "Cold Dog Soup" on the
top 10 lists, I just went out and bought it. This is pretty much a case of
preaching to the choir, but damn!!! Mr. Clark has touched my heart/soul
again. He and Emmylou singing Steve Earle's grief set to words over the
passing of the Late Great One sure made me cry.
What a man that Guy Clark is. I don't mean that in the common macho sense,
but rather that he embodies some of the ultimate qualities the male is
capable of ... from sensitivity to awareness to compassion to guts and
strength. Like Townes and Senator George Mitchell, he's one of the few
modern men in these ClintonBushGingrichesque times I count as a hero.
And the fact that he's got a dog on the CD booklet cover cinches it!
Dan G.
"The great pleasure of a dog is that you can make a fool of yourself with
him and not only will he not scold you, he'll make a fool of himself too."
- Samuel Butler
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: RE: Nanci on the cover of the Schwann guide.
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 23:41:44 -0500
From: Shawn Kimbro (kimbro@planetc.com>
Hey --
Yes, I also believe Nanci came up with "folkabilly." I've always sort
of liked it, although I'm not sure it's very applicable any more. I
think it's a derivation of "rockabilly," the label Elvis and others wore
for years. To me, it always conjured up images of something between The
Carter Family and Judy Collins with a little Buddy Holly mixed in. What
first attracted me to Nanci's music was her combination of hillbilly
(usually a completely benign and affectionate term) influences and folk
sensibilities. Since her musical style has evolved some, I can see how
some might now find the term a bit odd.
Oh, and by the way, she's also referred to herself as "west Texas
trailer trash." It's another one of those terms a neighbor from her neck
of the woods can get away with, but it's fightin' words when an outsider
says it.
Warm Regards,
-Shawn "proud to be a hillbilly" Kimbro
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: A New Voice
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 09:31:07 -0500
From: Patti Schrull (gblauser@sover.net>
Hey Ya'll
Happy New Year, Merry Little Christmas and all that! Just wanted to drop
the name of a fairly new artist I have had the pleasure of enjoying most
immensely. She is from Vermont (YAAAAYYY!!) and has performed at many folk
festivals and won in songwriting at four of them, including Kerrville this
year 1999!
She sounds kind of like Nanci way back when. But really, she is someone you
just have to hear for yourself. Check out her website if you like at:
http://www.dianezeigler.com
There you can read some reviews, interviews and even go visit her listening
room. Her cd is "Sting of the Honey Bee". Enjoy!
-patti
// Patti!! Where ya been, girl? [BP]
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: A New Voice
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 18:16:32 -0500
From: "Scott Johnsen" (sjohnsen@webhire.com>
Having seen Diane Zeigler a few years ago (before she began having children) I
would have to agree. Perhaps a little like an early Nanci, but either way,
certainly worth seeing. If you have a chance, I would agree with Patti that
this is a real talent.
- Scott
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Subject: NN: re:ng album ratings
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 07:50:43 -0800 (PST)
From: Bob Riegner (rg48@yahoo.com>
Dear Paul...
Here is my personal ranking of Nanci's albums:
1. Flyer
2. Other Voices, Other Rooms
3. Last Of The True Believers
The above three albums are her masterpieces.
4. Poet in My Window
5. Little Love Affairs
6. Dust Bowl Symphony
7. Just Once in a Very Blue Moon
8. Storms
9. Lone Star State of Mind
10. One Fair Summer Evening
11. Blue Roses From The Moons
12. There's A Light Beyond These Woods
13. Other Voices, Too
14. Late Night Grande Hotel
Bob Riegner
rg48@yahoo.com
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Subject: NN: Greatest Q'walli singers
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 08:02:16 -0800
From: Kim Cline (threebf@pacbell.net>
Ok, so I'm feeling very hip listening to a Christmas gift of the Buena
Vista Social Club (a beautiful CD of Cuban music produced by Ry Cooder)
and Robert Pugsley and others start talking about Nusrat Fateh Ali
Khan. You win. Keep on keeping me humble guys.
Kim Cline
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Top 10 of 1999
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 10:34:34 -0600 (CST)
From: douggo@kfwbmail.com
Hi All,
Not in any particular order, my favorites from 1999
1. Nanci Griffith -- Dust Bowl Symphony
2. Guy Clark -- Cold Dog Soup
3. Bill Morrissey -- Songs of Mississippi John Hurt,
I was glad to see a gramy nomination for this one.
4. Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris -- Western Wall
5. Folkscene Collection, Volume Two
6. Paul Brady -- Nobody Knows
7. Return of the Grievous Angel
8. Cajun All Stars -- Chez les Cajuns, featuring Michael Doucet and
others
9. Bleecker Street, When I first heard about this project, I assumed it
would pay tribute to people that attracted the Bob Dylans and Hoyt Axtons to
the area, John Hurt, Gary Davis and the like. But it turned out to be a
tribute to the students of the teachers which I guess is really a tribute to
the teachers.
10. MacUmba -- Bruhuhahho, I figure every list should have one album
that reults in a collective "huh?" This is a fun album by a Scottish Band using
African rhythms.
Doug from L.A.
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Top 10 of '99
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 12:14:40 -0500
From: Susan Chisom (Susan.Chisom@JWHOMES.com>
Hey there NNer's:
Like several other folks have stated, I know for certain there are some
albums that would have made it onto my list had I purchased them (such as
our very own NG's Dustbowl Symphony!) , but there you have it. Here's my
list, flaws and all of the best in 1999:
1) XTC, Apple Venus Vol. 1
2) Wilco, Summerteeth
3) Dixie Chicks, Fly
4) Fountains of Wayne, Utopia Parkway
5) Lyle Lovett, Live in Texas
6) Steve Earle & Del McCoury Band, The Mountain
7) Kelly Willis, What I Deserve
8) Matthew Sweet, In Reverse
9) VA, Return of the Grievous Angel
10) Harry Connick Jr., Come By Me
Looking forward to seeing the compiled results...
Susan
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Tish Hinojosa appearance
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 15:58:46 -0600
From: chevelle@pnx.com
Hi, Nancinetters!
I read this in the Plano online paper today:
Folk singer Tish Hinojosa, a fixture on "Austin City Limits," will perform
a benefit for ArtCentre of Plano at 8 p.m. Saturday at Uncle Calvin's
Coffee House. The coffee house, which hosts folk performances on weekends,
is located at NorthPark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central Expressway in
Dallas. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.
I was talking to a friend at lunch today and he related a story of seeing
Nanci Griffith and her band playing somewhere in Mississippi several years
ago and they weren't appreciated by the crowd; seems the crowd was looking
for hard-core redneck country music. He can't remember the exact location
or date, but he was sure it was Our Nanci. That led to a discussion of
more places he'd been that were hardcore redneck dives, such as the one on
the Neches River bottomland between Evadale and Silsbee, Texas, where the
quality of the clientele caused my friend to observe that maybe the
clientele in his home state of Mississippi was a little more intelligent.
Being from around those parts, I had to agree with my friend.
Have a great weekend!
Hank "going home" Van Slyke
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: New Website
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 15:27:30 -0800
From: Susan Peete (suepeete@cruzio.com>
Hi Folks
Bill and I have been putting together another Nanci website with "Friends
Out Of The Madness". Our goal for this site was to have a central location
where it's easier to get to Nanci related links & stuff.
We had hope to have the site completed by now and already announced. But
seeing that lots of people have missed FOITM, we have decided to go ahead
and announce it now.
Comments, complaints, suggestions or corrections are welcome.
Happy surfing,
Sue
The preview site is at:
http://nanci-griffith.com
Soon to be at:
http://nancigriffith.com
// This is one beautiful site...[BP]
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: My picks for 1999 CDs
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 15:32:34 -0800
From: Susan Peete (suepeete@cruzio.com>
1. Eddie From Ohio - Looking Out Of The Fishbowl
http://www.efohio.com
One of the greatest bands around. Beautiful vocals from lead singer
Julie Murphy-Wells.
2. Kate Campbell - Rosaryville
http://katecampbell.com
Excellent songwriter & storyteller, and Oh, did I mention she has a
great voice.
3. Nanci Griffith - Dust Bowl Symphony
http://nanci-griffith.com
Well...another rerun but I love it just the same.
Drops From The Faucet might be my favorite song on this CD. In fact
I would enjoy a full Nanci CD done in a bluesy - Jazzy kind of style.
4. John Cowan - Self-titled
http://www.johncowan.com
Sound somewhere between New Grass Revival and Little Feet. John could
sing anything and I would listen. "Dark as a Dungeon" is worth the CD
alone.
5. Patty Larkin - A Go Go / Live On Tour
http://www.pattylarkin.com
Fantastic guitarist. I just love watching and listening to her play.
6. Lucy Kaplansky - Ten Year Night
http://www.folkartists.com/kaplansky
Took a little longer for this one to click with me but it finally did,
For some reason I found the drums distracting at first. It must be
just me because no one else has mentioned it.
7. Steve Seskin - Steve Seskin
http://www.songs.com/seskin/index.html
Great songwriter and sings it like he means it. Saw him playing around
the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival campfire. Awesome! He's another artist
that comes across better live.
8. Cheryl Wheeler - Sylvia Hotel
http://CherylWheeler.com
Always enjoy her singing. I do prefer her "funny" songs much more in
concert.
9. Lynn Miles - Night In A Strange Town
http://www.rounder.com/rounder/artists/miles_lynn/profile.html
Not quite as good as Slightly Haunted but good.
10. Parton, Ronstadt, Harris - Trio II
What a trio! I found this one more enjoyable to listen to than Western
Wall.
I can't believe I never got around to buying Steve Earle & Del McCoury Band =
The Mountain and Guy Clark's Cold Dog Soup. But I will.
Happy musical year,
Sue
Opps...that's "Friends Out In The Madness" NOT "Friends Out Of The Madness".
I knew that. :-)
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 09:13:54 -0700
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 20:20:20 -0500 (EST)
From: "Dave Hahn" (dwhahn@bigfoot.com>
happy New Year to all 'Netters!
just wanna say to Jenny, Kristina, and any young Nancinetters I may have
missed that the best things about this list for me, a lurker, are the
exposure to other artists and viewpoints, and the enthusiasm and
exuberance of Jenny, Kristina, etc. thanks!
Dave Hahn
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Top Ten Lists
Date: Sat, 08 Jan 2000 01:37:12 GMT
From: "Katrina Rae Carr" (katierae@hotmail.com>
Hi Everyone:
Well, I'm finally getting around to posting my top ten list for 1999.
Before I do that, I just wanted to thank the individual who posted the
information about 107.1 KGSR's Broadcasts Vol7. I ended up contacting the
record store in Austin and had my very own copy sent all the way to Madison,
WI. The funny thing is I thought I would be the only person in the area
with a copy, but I when I brought it into work one of my co-workers said her
good friend from Austin had sent her a copy of it for Christmas. Good news
travels fast I guess.
In no particular order...
1. Meg Hutchinson - Against the Grey
I was recently introduced to this wonderful musician. Great lyrics and
a beautiful voice. You can check her out at www.folkweb.com. I highly,
highly recommend this. (Even though I said "in no particular order," I think
this is my favorite.)
2. Julie Miller - Broken Things
3. Eddie from Ohio - Tales from the Fishbowl
I agree with Susan Peete on this one...one of the greatest bands with
incredible vocals.
4. Ani DiFranco - To the Teeth
It amazes me how much incredible, powerful and meaningful music Ani
continues to put out, and it's on her own terms.
5. Willy Porter - Falling Forward
I'm not exactly sure where he's based out of, but he plays in Madison quite
a bit. Excellent guitar player. Check him out at www.willyporter.com.
6. Lucy Kaplansky - Ten Year Night
7. Kate Campbell - Rosaryville
8. Eliza Gilkyson - Misfits
I just got this CD and it has quickly become one of my favorites. I think
you can find info on her at www.TDRSmusic.com.
9. Indigo Girls - Come on Now Social
What can I say about these women. They never seem to disappoint me.
10. Kaouding Cissoko - Kora Revolution
Here is my "world" music contribution. This is from Senegal. I'm usually
years behind in this category but I've been into Baaba Maal lately and
Kaouding Cissoko is one of the musicians that plays with Baaba and I'm
pretty sure this is his first solo effort. It is spectacular.
That's all for now.
Katrina
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Top Ten Lists
Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 21:29:21 -0500
From: "Diane B. Wilkes" (diwilkes@erols.com>
Tom Gill was the nice guy who posted the info about KGSR's Broadcasts, and
I got a copy sent to me in PA. Very cool cd.
Tom likes Bruce Springsteen, too, so his taste can't be denied.
I echo Katrina's thanks--and many of her top ten choices, too!
Diane
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Beginning of a musical new year...
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 22:37:26 -0500 (EST)
From: dsteere@dellmail.com
After such a wonderful 1999 of great cds, 2000 is starting off startingly well
with a new release, Kasey Chambers' THE CAPTAIN. An amazing young
singer/songwriter from Australia, of all places. A real original but still
hauntingly like Julie Miller (who sings harmony with her husband Buddy on this
import cd) with a large dose of a young Iris DeMent and Patty Griffin in her
voice. Great lyrics, great singing, great original instrumental backup.
Recorded at Norfolk Island and Avoca Beach, New South Wales. The alert Bill
Lavery from Village Music is carrying it. It is at import prices but worth
every cent. Find out more about it at
www.countryreview.com/KaseyChambers/index.html and at www.kaseychambers.com. I
can't imagine any fan of Nanci, Iris, Patty, or especially Julie not loving it.
David
"Well it hurts down here on earth lord
It hurts down here on earth
It hurts down here 'cos we're running out of beer
But we're all gonna die someday."
(from Kasey Chambers' WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE SOMEDAY)
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Any Nanci dates in California?
Date: Sat, 08 Jan 2000 19:46:36 +0100
From: Georg (gvallest@c2i.net>
I might get the oppurtunity to visit California
around the middle of February. Just in case this might
happen, are Nanci performing anywhere in the area around
that time?
Regards,
Georg
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: UK?
Date: Sat, 08 Jan 2000 22:41:36 GMT
From: "susanah Lindsay" (susanah7@hotmail.com>
are there any other members on this list from the uk??
// oh, just a few :)
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Top Ten
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 01:31:36 -0600
From: "Tina Shackleford" (tshack@sprynet.com>
just under the wire...
1. Broken Things -- Julie Miller. Thanks to all who recommended this
album. It's beautiful and breathtaking, and I became an instant fan.
2. Return of the Grievous Angel -- Various Artists. A great
reacquaintance with one of the pioneers of our kind of music.
3. Central Reservation -- Beth Orton. Her third album is her best.
Haunting and ethereal, it gets under your skin and stays there.
4. Bad Love -- Randy Newman. The songs range from bitingly funny to wryly
touching. Newman can do all the film scores he wants if he'll then release
albums like this one.
5. Mock Tudor -- Richard Thompson. As Bonnie Raitt said about RT: "If he
was to ever have a hit, it would mean that the bar of excellence would have
been raised so much in pop music that I would lay down and flop like a
fish."
6. Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions -- Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris.
A terrific collaboration by two greats. Extra points for the Emmylou
originals.
7. Rosaryville -- Kate Campbell. "What a lovely suite of songs" she said,
preaching to the choir.
8. Mule Variations -- Tom Waits. An offbeat masterpiece by a true
original. Don't always know where he's going, but it's worth the trip.
9. Fight Songs -- Old 97s. The best of the jangly-folk-alt-country
semi-genre this year. Wilco's album got more hype, but it's not nearly
this good.
10. Hours -- David Bowie. Bowie's best in years (although that's perhaps
faint praise), it manages to sound both familiar and new. His voice never
seems to age.
Probably would have been on the list but I just bought it: Cruel Moon --
Buddy Miller.
Very Honorable Mention:
Songs From the Girl Singer -- Rosemary Clooney. I didn't include this in
the list because it's a compilation, but this career retrospective from the
best popular singer of the century is sublime. Smooth as silk, rich and
deep, with just a hint or whiskey...
Thanks to Vicki for compiling the list. It's been a good year for music.
Tina
// I almost bought the Rosmary Clooney CD last week, ended up with
// Cleo Laine, instead...[BP]
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Top Ten
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2000 10:43:23 -0600
From: Bill Page (bpage@itol.com>
Hey, y'all...
Dawn-Marie and I have had an interesting year, which included changing jobs and
moving half-way across the country. But that hasn't kept us from being able to
add to our music collection, and in a couple of cases having the opportunity to
see some of our favorite performers.
The following are 10 1999 releases that have gotten a great deal of air time in
our CD Changers:
1. Harry Connick, Jr. -- Come By Me
One of the premier talents of his generation returns to his ballad/jazz
roots, with a mixture of original songs and standards. On this release he wrote
much of the original material, arranged all the numbers, and directed the
orchestra...oh, and he still plays and sings. This may be my favorite CD of the
year.
2. Diana Krall -- When I Look in Your Eyes
Lucious versions of wonderful songs, with the lovely Diana singing and
playing (piano) in her own style. This CD got as much changer time as any other
I purchased this year.
3. Nanci Griffith -- Dustbowl Symphony
I knew the name Ronn Huff long before I heard of Nanci Griffith, from his
unsurpassed choral arrangements of the 80s. So I loved his orchestrations of
Nanci's songs. And I don't mind hearing old favorites in new settings. Like
many of you, I find the jazzier tracks to be lots of fun.
4. Kate Campbell -- Rosaryville
Over the past three years Kate has become one of my very favorite
singer-songwriters, in part because we share a common background. She is a
truly warm person, as well as a remarkable performer. This isn't my favorite of
her releases (it's not my way home), but it still is better than just about
anything else I heard this year.
5. Tom Russell -- The Man from Who Knows Where
A brilliant concept album, successfully executed. I was blown away by it,
and listened to it almost everyday for a month.
6. George Winston -- Plains
The best of the modern pianists in an evocative album. Great background
music for visiting with friends or playing cards.
7. Kenny G -- Classics in the Key of G
Kenny G isn't one of my favorite performers, but this is one of my favorite
releases. Great arrangements of truly superb songs (some of which are on the
NPR Top 100).
8. Lucy Kaplansky -- Ten Year Night
When we saw her that snowy March night in upstate New York, Lucy told me
that I was the first person in America to receive an autographed copy of her
new release, which she had available for the first time that night. The songs
are all readily identified as Lucy, and all fine.
9. Steve Green -- Morning Light
My favorite of the contemporary Christian singers offers an hour of music
that is designed to augment morning meditations. Great voice, fine music.
10. Phil Collins -- Big Band
So you think you know Phil Collins' works? Wait til you hear them in a big
band setting, with Phil driving one of the best bands you've never heard from
the drum set.
The music that ad the biggest impact on us this year, though, came from an
unusual source. This summer we were introduced to the Veggie Tales cartoon
series, and really fell in love with the campy, fun-to-sing songs from these
videos. Call me weird, but I like "God Is Bigger Than the Boogie Man" and the
rest of these songs. Made for kids, they're full of inside approaches both
musically and verbally that are meant as a nudge in the side for the adults.
Hope your musical year was equally fine.
>From a foggy Wisconsin,
Bill "no, I didn't buy as many CDs as Graveling" Page
// What didn't make the list? Lyle, the Trio, Sam Pacetti, Sandi Patti and
// Kathy Troccoli, Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers, a couple more...[BP]
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Top Ten
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2000 12:53:10 -0500
From: Shawn Kimbro (kimbro@planetc.com>
Bill Page wrote:
> The music that had the biggest impact on us this year, though,
> came from an unusual source. This summer we were introduced to
> the Veggie Tales cartoon series, and really fell in love with
> the campy, fun-to-sing songs from these videos.
Ha! Then you should hear the parody of "Mary Did You Know" my kids came
up with. We were practicing it a lot for a Christ night show and I
guess they sort of got tired of it. All I can remember is the first
verse.
Larry did you mow
The neighbors yard
The day you were supposed to
Larry did you mow
The front and back
The way she always told you
Did you mow
And trim the weeds
That grow around the garden
'Cause you know she always pays you good
And looks like Dolly Parton
Yes, there's more to the story and no, there isn't any Nanci content
here, just an observation that NanciNetters are never alone in the
universe.
Now, where is my hairbrush?
-Shawn
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: 100 Songs of the Century
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2000 19:08:10 -0500
From: "Kristina Plath" (flyer23@angelfire.com>
Hi All!
Okay, I did it! I finally got the results of the 100 Songs of the Century Poll
onto a webpage!!! It was fun and hard and educational, and I'm really glad I
undertook the whole big thing!
The webpage is at:
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/100songs/index.html
Enjoy! Any comments welcome!
Flyer
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: 100 Songs of the Century
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 2000 20:34:06 -0600
From: Ed Maier (evmaier@dhc.net>
> The webpage is at:
> http://www.angelfire.com/folk/100songs/index.html
Don't stop at the 100 song list. Follow the link
to the poetry. You won't be disappointed.
Ed "Where was I when talent was being passed out?" Maier
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 19:14:59 EST
From: TBaerMojo@aol.com
NG on Austin City Limits here tonight with Hootie.
TB
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: PBS - Sessions at W 54th
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 21:09:39 EST
From: Tricia9999@aol.com
Since so many had the Parsons tribute album on their 99 list, just thought
I'd pass along that my local PBS station showed the Sessions at... taping
last night, so keep your eyes on the listings in your area. Also, scheduled
for January 30th here is John Prine.
Best to all nancinetters,
Tricia
_________________________________________________________________
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