NanciNet Digest 8-19-01
// Concert reports from Denver and Salt Lake City...
// We hear from long-time members...More reaction to the new CD...
// We get taken over by the Alison Krauss contingent...
// And more...Enjoy! [BP]
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Nanci at the Botanic Gardens in Denver
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 06:42:30 -0600
From: "Greg Hill" (gfhill@freshbaked.com>
August 15, 2001
After an afternoon of nasty black skies and intermittent thunderstorms,
the skies cleared in the early evening, seemingly on cue for the 7 PM
concert. It cleared a little too soon, actually, and the sun was glaring
in the eyes of those of us unlucky enough to be facing West. An
announcer came on at 7:05 and said that Nanci would be on in five
minutes. He then asked the crowd to give a big hand to the sponsors,
who's names he read dutifully off of the banners on the big green wall
on the south side of the amphitheatre. He then asked how many in the
crowd had seen Nanci before. Not pausing to even note if anyone had
raised a hand (about a quarter of the audience did), he allowed that
"The rest of you are in for a treat. She calls herself a little
Rockabilly, whatever that is." He mercifully left the stage after that
thrilling introduction.
At about 7:15, Nancy entered the arena down the sidewalk that split the
crowd in front of the stage. She strode energetically down the pathway,
smiling and nodding, and a buzz slowly spread through the entire crowd.
She hopped up on the stage and greeted the crowd merrily. This was my
first live Nanci concert, though I have been a fan for at least 20
years, and yet her outfit looked strangely familiar. She wore tan pants
with dark, high top boots, some kind of diaphanous transparent top that
flowed past her knees, topped off with a long turquoise-colored scarf. I
know its blasphemy, but it was a bit reminiscent of Stevie Nicks.
Anyway, after a short introduction, she jumped into nearly flawless
performances of 17 songs:
1. Across the Great Divide
2. Trouble in the Fields
3. Clock Without Hands
4. One Blade Shy of a Sharp Edge
5. These Days in an Open Book
6. Gulf Coast Highway
7. Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
8. Pearl's Eye View
9. From a Distance
10. Wall of Death
11. Midnight in Missoula
12. Ford Econoline
13. It's A Hard Life Wherever You Go
14. Where Would I Be
15. Traveling Through This Part of You
16. If I Had a Hammer
17. This Heart (the only encore)
I say nearly flawless, because at some points the keyboards of James
Hooker and the guitar of John Stewart nearly drowned out Nanci's voice.
Nanci introduced the other players as Lee Ann Etheridge, rhythm guitar
and wife of the drummer, Pat McInerney; Ron de la Vega, bass and cello,
and Chas Williams doing something, but I'm not sure what exactly.
Nanci was absolutely charming, taking the time to introduce each song
with interesting stories (though the audience didn't seem to appreciate
it, see below), except for one song, Here is everything I can remember,
sorry if it's redundant, I was just amazed at how she talked to the
audience almost as if she were among friends:
* Before "One Blade Shy of A Sharp Edge", her first anecdote was
about George W. Bush and the Washington gathering she attended in honor
of Ireland. She said GW had never heard of her and she had been invited
at the request of the PM or Ireland. When she met Bush, he asked her
what it would take to get her to come back to West Texas. She replied
that he could sign the Treaty of Ottawa, which bans landmines and has
not been ratified by the U.S. She said he nodded his head and said he
knew she would have some cause to "put in his ear", but Nanci was quite
sure that GW pulled Colin Powell aside later in the evening and asked
him "Colin, are we at war with Ottawa?".
* Before "Gulf Coast Highway" she spoke of when she and James
Hooker wrote the song.
* Before "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" she paid tribute to
John Prine and exhorted everyone to sing along.
* She gave the now-familiar speech about the novelist whose book
title "Clock Without Hands" is based before doing the song.
* Her longest dissertation of the night introduced "Pearl's Eye
View", about the female war correspondent who was killed in Vietnam by a
land mine.
* She mentioned her campaign with the Vietnam War Veterns to stamp
out land mines several times.
* She prefaced "From a Distance" by talking about its success and
the fact that she had done it in 5 different languages, which she
demonstrated by switching dialects during the song. She frequently
encouraged the audience to sing along during the performance. Afterwards
she said "You missed your cues twice!"
* She talked about how recognizable Richard Thompson's work is in
every song he touches before singing "Wall of Death".
* She talked about the two singer/songwriters who left Salt Lake
City in the Ford Econoline van who were the subject of the song of the
same name.
* She mentioned her two grandmothers who died recently, one in her
hundreds and "The Babe" in her nineties, and how fortunate she (Nanci)
had been to have lived 47 years with both of them. She then sang "It's A
Hard Life Whereever You Go", because she said the only thing the two
grandmothers agreed on in their entire lives was that it was their
favorite song by Nanci because it showed she was paying attention to
them.
* She mentioned the author of "Where Would I Be" as a friend of
hers, and that the drummer, Pat McInerney had stumbled up to her house
drunk late one night, waving the cd and demanding that she listen to the
song.
* She prefaced "Traveling Through This Part of You" with a nice
story, but it escapes me now.
* Nanci mentioned Pete Seeger with a sort of awe in her voice, and
many others who had recorded "If I Had A Hammer", and demanded that the
audience sing along.
* After saying goodnight to Denver and Lee Satterfield, whom she
says is retired here (she seemed to know she was in the audience, though
she didn't point her out), she walked to the edge of the stage and down
the stairs, waited a few minutes, then came back and performed "This
Heart". Then she exited through the back and out onto the street and
presumably into a waiting car. The audience waited, expecting another
encore, but it never came.
I'm sorry to say that the Botanic Gardens was not a good venue for
Nanci, in my opinion. The place was filled with young, affluent,
couples, many with small children. Most of them brought all of the
hardware from their kitchens - casserole dishes, plates, glasses, etc.,
plus blankets, coolers, chairs and who knows what else. All around me
were wine bottles being opened and caterers boxes being unpacked. The
couple next to me had a lovely cold salmon salad with a nice French
White Wine. The problem was, they considered this a picnic, with the
musical accompaniment being no more significant than a piano player at
the mall. I heard people say "Who's playing tonight?", and others
respond "Who cares?". They actually booed and said "Shut up!" when
someone yelled "We love you, Nanci!", and the guy in front of me made
snoring sounds every time Nanci talked. The applause between songs
sounded like the polite patter you hear in cocktail lounges in Vegas
where no-names are playing. No one ever sang along or danced. I didn't
see any Nancinetters there, most likely because the concerts are sold
out to subscribers early in the year and few tickets are available to
the public. Nanci is too professional to comment on it for sure, and she
may not have even noticed it, but I was heartbroken - she deserves
enthusiastic crowds that appreciate the tremedous mark she has made on
the music scene of this world. I hope in the future she only performs at
places where people who love her buy all the tickets.
Well, thats my view, and in spite of everything, it makes my top ten
list of most wonderful events. I think it gave me more pleasure even
than my trip to Disneyland as an 8-year old.
Here is the text from the flyer handed out at the concert:
"Striding the fine line between folk and country music, Nanci Griffith
has become as well-known for her brilliant confessional songwriting as
her beautiful voice. A self-styled "folkabilly" singer, Griffith began
as a kindergarten teacher and occasional folksinger. Finding no luck
with commercial country radio however, Nanci Griffith recorded several
pop-oriented albums and then returned to her folk roots by the mid-'90s.
Originally from Austin, Nanci began her career at age 14, when her "West
Texas liberal" parents chaperoned her on the Austin club circuit. In the
late '70s and early '80s Nanci brought her self-described "folkabilly"
music to Nashville as one of the new generation of folk/country/pop
artists which also included Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, and Steve Earle.
During over twenty years of writing and performing, Griffith has
gathered admirers among legendary artists (Bob Dylan requested Griffith
perform at his anniversary concert) as well as the millions of fans
she's reached through relentless touring, playing everywhere from Texas
honky-tonks to Norwegian National Symphony Hall to Albert Hall to
Carnegie Hall.
Rolling Stone dubbed Nanci "the Queen of Folkabilly," while Telegraph
Magazine called her "the torch-bearer of American folk music."
Griffith's body of work includes some of country music's most enduring
hits, including Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris' "Gulf Coast Highway,"
Kathy Mattea's "Love At The Five And Dime" and Suzy Bogguss' "Outbound
Plane," as well as over fifteen literate and acclaimed solo albums.
Career highlights include five Grammy Award nominations, her first
nomination for The Last Of The True Believers in 1986 and her first win
(for Best Contemporary Folk Performance) in 1993 for Other Voices, Other
Rooms. She also has received two Grammy Awards for her performances on
albums by the Chieftains. Nanci has enjoyed superstar status in the UK
and Ireland since her take on Julie Gold's "From A Distance" became a #1
hit there, five years before Bette Midler's version. (Someone at NASA
must be paying attention - Nanci's version of "From A Distance" has been
used twice to awaken the astronauts on space shuttle missions.) In 1997
she celebrated ten years with the Blue Moon Orchestra on the acclaimed
Blue Roses From The Moons, and in 1998 she released Other Voices, Too,
the sequel to Other Voices, Other Rooms. She also published her first
book, Nanci Griffith's Other Voices -- A Personal History of Folk Music,
a companion to the Other Voices albums. In 1999, she took a fresh look
at her career to that point with The Dust Bowl Symphony, featuring her
best-loved songs performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, and which
Q magazine described as "full of worldly grace and a gentle humor,
reconfirming that what Laura Ashley is to the flower-print dress,
Griffith is to American folk, and always will be."
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Utah concert... sorta...
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 02:06:59 -0600
From: Paul Larsen (paul.larsen@hsc.utah.edu>
Apologies in advance about the length. Tonight was probably the single
strangest concert experience I have ever had in my life. I might report
more on it later, but I wanted to get at least this much out.
The concert (my second Nanci show) was held at the relatively new
Thanksgiving Point complex just south of Salt Lake City in Lehi. The
amphitheater is absolutely stunning, with waterfalls running off the rocks
behind the stage. While the opening act had them turn the falls off, Nanci
had them turn the falls back on, announcing that the water was going to be
part of the music.
Fashion report (for those who care) - I wore denim shorts, sandals, and a
white shirt... oh wait. That's probably not what wanted. Nanci had on a
black shirt, black pants (the ones that go just below the knees), and a
transparent coat / dress type thing that made it look like she was wearing
a very nice black dress. She also sported a purple scarf. (Gimme a break,
please. I am a guy and only providing this information because it seems
like people might be interested, based on other posts I read. My last name
is not Versace, and I know nothing about clothing names or accoutrements.)
There was an opening act named.... ummmm.... I forget. Anyhow, they did
folksy songs making fun of people in the west and (more specifically) in
Utah. With songs like the Aryan Nations Waltz (which was actually kind of
the humorous highlight of their act, although the song about cowboys loving
cowboys wasn't bad, even though I appreciated the humor in it more than my
fair wife), I doubt that anyone will be racing out to buy their records.
It is good to hear these kinds of songs, though, in a state that has a hard
time laughing at the quirks of our daily life.
Nanci came out at about 9:00 and opened with Across the Great Divide. She
then went on to sing Trouble in the Fields, and gave a great intro to One
Blade Shy of a Sharp Edge. My memory is not great, but as part of her
intro, she spoke of a concert she gave where she had the opportunity to
meet President Bush. He evidently inquired when she would be moving back
to west Texas, and she replied that it would happen as soon as he signed
the Ottawa Treaty (I think. If that is not the treaty that deals with
banning land mines, someone please jump in and correct me.) She continued
with her story saying that later on that evening, she saw the president
consulting with Secretary of State Powell, and she wondered if the
president was asking him if we were at war with Ottawa, and what we needed
to do to end the war. Something like that. Maybe you just had to be there.
After One Blade Shy, she introduced Clock Without Hands by telling a bit
about the book that inspired it and reminding us that if we are not
actively involved in life, we are just taking up space, just like a
clock... well, you get the idea. After that song, a really cute girl named
Elizabeth and her brother Christopher took roses up to her. (Those were my
cute kids.) She acknowledged the gift which, I know, made the evening
entirely worth it for both me and my kids. Nanci - I don't know if you
read these or not, but if this finds its way to back you, thank you for
being so gracious! You can never know just how much that meant to us!
She then continued with These Days in an Open Book, followed by an
introduction of the BMO and a rendition of Gulf Coast Highway with Hooker.
After that, she sang Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, then gave us all a
free history lesson with her introduction to Pearl's Eye View. She
mentioned a book called Requiem which contains photographs of reporters
killed during wars (I think). If anyone can jump in with more information
about the book, I would be most interested in checking it out.
Then came the weird part. After Pearl's Eye View, Nanci introduced From a
Distance as a song she has recorded in 5 different languages (anyone have
any more info about that?) and dedicated it to Dickey Chapelle and Julie
Gold. The band began to play, and after the first chorus, THE LIGHTS WENT
OUT!!! Of course, there was some murmuring in the crowd about this new
development, but as soon as it died down a bit, in the silence, we could
hear a guitar and an angel singing "God is watching us, God is watching
us..." The cheers started up, but the solo acoustic rendition was short
lived. She let us know that they were working on restoring the power
(thank heaven that I was only 4 rows back so that I could hear all this),
then warned us to keep our hands to ourselves.
Without making you suffer through the details of the 60 - 90 minutes that
we had to wait, there had evidently been an automobile accident that had
taken down power lines and had put the power out for the whole town. They
told us that the date would be made up, but would not say when. Long story
short, it was another absolutely stunning evening put on by one of the most
talented and gracious and passionate artists that I know. For all of the
comments made recently about how static her set list is, I still find it
inspiring to hear the songs performed live by her. I can hardly wait for
her to come back and play the rest of her set. Of course, when she goes to
the trouble to come, she might as well just stay on and play a whole
show... :)
Paul "who cares how late it is?" Larsen
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: no guns. no bombs . . .
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 09:22:58 -0700 (PDT)
From: Martin Nelson (coyotelists@yahoo.com>
It's been a year and a half since I posted to the
NanciNet, but I'm still here reading. And I'm working
on a review of the new Griffith cd, but it's not baked
yet.
Just a coda on Paul's post:
"And there are no guns"
"no bombs"
{Blackness}
So there must be some diseases and hungry mouths to
feed; a drunk driver hit a transformer and knocked the
town's power out, but we didn't know that for another
hour or so.
When Nanci finally took the stage again, shining a
flashlight (Blair Witch-style?), she told us she loved
us and she'd be back, not to forget to take our
children home. I hoped my dad was listening--he had
headed up the hill by then.
So we wandered home in the dark, in medias res, or
distance, as it were.
I wanted to post this so that Nanci can pick up right
where she left off if she wants to.
Some notes about the partial concert:
So nice to hear Nanci Griffith sing without most of
those very annoying vocal mannerisms that have
distorted her sound these last 5-7 years. They were
all but gone from everything except "Trouble in the
Fields." Stay-shon.
For Kenn Lippert: The Perseids are still going, to an
occasional meteor could be seen streaking through the
sky.
The venue is fast becoming my favorite of the 3-4
outdoor venues in Utah--if not because it's had some
wonderful artists for its opening year. Emmylou Harris
opened it up in mid-June (dang--that rockin Spyboy
version of "John the Baptist" was killer, and all the
new self-penned tunes from Red Dirt Girl really got
me). Her D guitar was on the fritz, so we didn't get
"Prayer in Open D," but the compensations were apt.
A few weeks ago Mary Chapin Carpenter graced the
place, and packed in the folks. She was afoot that
night, killing her knee and limping when she wasn't
playing, and bouncing on that recent surgery when she
was playing. More tween-song stories than usual, which
was wonderful.
Surely that's enough from me this morning. I'll get
that album review done as soon as I can get through
track 13 without being a weeping mess.
cheers,
deb thornton
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Subject: NN: What's in a number? and more actually
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 23:56:57 -0400
From: Rob Schrull (rschrull@gbla.com>
Gesum.....it has been so long since I've posted to this list, that I had to
actually look up and see what the address was!!!
I have been lurking so long, that I completely missed the discussion which
I believe Kenn described about a NanciNet number. Patti emailed me the
latest comments regarding it. That got me to going back through the past
few digests to understand what the numbering was all about. So I thought
I'd throw this one out to you all. If the NanciNet number is based upon
the level in public performance, that could result in a lot of 1's no? So
how about level 1 being not only first level of performing with Nanci, but
how many times? Ah...so some of you see already where I'm heading don't
you...and you are probably accusing me of being a protective dad. Right?
Sure why not? So on Kirsty's behalf, if the committee should someday
decided to revise it's rules to differentiate between the number 1's...here
is my list..... Boston Symphony Hall, Cape Cod, Northampton, Kerrville,
Burlington, Boston Harbourlights,....I think there are a few more, but
shoot, I'm getting old and my memory is terrible lately.
Yeah...OK...proud dad too. But hey....you older NanciNetters know that's true.
Speaking of way old NanciNetters...you know...those who were here when Mark
first started the list...... Any of you still out there? Kenn, you are
down in Chattanooga area no? I'm now working with the Chattanooga Heart
Institute twice monthly and am in Chat. Still in KC sometimes...
Eric..you there still? If so, Donna (another NanciNetter from way back)
wrote...she's back in MO. David, you still in Austin taking great
pictures? My best to you guy. Oh heck, you all know who you are. Miss
you all a lot. Just no time lately to keep up with the list. Need to slow
life down a bit.
Life needing to slow down reminds me of something to share before I get
some sleep this evening. Not sure if any of this has been shared before,
but Kirsty is growing up much too fast! She has been keeping her singing
(and her performance) alive, recently doing a knockout performance run of
Louisa in the Fantasticks. I still don't believe it was my gal singing that
stuff. It's amazing to me how things move from one point to another from
the first action. I mean, here is this little gal, who by chance get's to
meet Nanci on a loading dock, which later turns into singing with her,
which later through the experiences and talk Nanci gave her, inspires her
to do some of the things she is doing now. She's having the time of her
life right now, and it has some of it's root in something that happened at
5 years old. Recently she shares with me "Dad, I come alive when I'm on the
stage. During the performance, I can't wait for the next time I'm on".
Quite frankly, more then I can say for my experience at 5 or in my teens.
Guess that's all for the night. Thanks for bearing with me and letting me
be a proud pappa tonight. I tell you, kids remind me of everything that's
good in life.
My best to you all,
Rob
(Nancinet number ???? I have no idea....With a few good drinks in our
bellies, and in response to some joke she was telling, I sang a few lines
from some bar-like song with her at a hotel bar in Washington DC with ADO.
Not exactly a public performance about which to proudly announce....but at
least the beer and the company was good!).
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Re: West Virginia
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 07:21:58 EDT
From: CMi5404726@aol.com
It's been a rather musical month for us here in central Virginia - Patty
Griffin in Charlottesville, followed by Lyle Lovett in Washington and then
Alison Krauss in Charlottesville again.
Highly recommend both A. Krauss and Lyle Lovett to anyone who gets to see
them live. Lyle Lovett performed in an outdoor theater (Wolf Trap) in 98
degree heat with a 17 piece orchestra - all of them wearing long sleeve dress
shirts and ties. For three hours! It was one of the best concerts I have
seen. And Alison Krauss with Union Station is always a wonderful experience.
For those of you around Charlottesville - a relatively new venue, Starhill
Brewery (has its own web site) booking a lot of good people. They helped
sponsor the A. Krauss. Lucy Kaplansky, Marcia Ball and Susan Werner coming
up there in the next few months.
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Low notes
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 10:16:01 -0400
From: DvBGardner@genelogic.com
Ron Hennessy wrote: (((((( I continue to enjoy Nanci's low "tessitura"
(general vocal range) on "Clock Without Hands." For me her voice has a
scrumptious velvety quality in this low range.>>>>>>>>
Ron -- I didn't think Americans would use the word "tessitura" -- I'm
thrilled. Do you also know what a "plectron" or a "capotastro" is? I
find myself being looked at like an alien when I use these words around any
fellow musicians here. [ Okay, okay, a "plectron" is what you guys call a
"pick" and a "capotastro" is a capo. Only my European friends seem to
use these terms. ]
Re: CWH -- dare I say this? I began listening to it a second time
yesterday - only got through half of it, though, since I had to dash off to
rehearsal. Okay, it looks like some songs might be growing on me,
although only one has sparked my interest musically. As I said in my
first post about this -- Nanci's lyrics are wonderful. She is a very
inspired poet. However, my second impression still brings with it some
reservations about the lack of inspiration with regards to melodies. As a
songwriter myself, I know how hard it is sometimes to come up with new
melodies when you basically only have 8 notes to play with -- someone will
always say "oh, that phrase sounds like something from......." (I hate when
that happens). But remembering some of the good stuff Nanci did in the
past, the first few songs just didn't grab me that much. Good to dance
to, I think, with a lover -- but that's not what Nanci should be about.
I do love "Where Would I Be" -- that's a cover, I think, right? Again,
I don't have the CD with me to make immediate references here, so I'll get
my courage up next week when I've finished listening to the rest. Maybe
I'll have to eat crow -- is there a good sidedish you'd recommend?
It is funny, though, that you mention Nanci's low tessatura on some of the
songs, Ron. I noticed this as well last night and - actually - liked it a
lot. It's the cigarettes, I tell you. For a while, I had ruined my
mezzo soprano voice when I picked up smoking again after my friend's death.
(Consequently, I was banned to the alto section in choir -- well, they have
more fun, anyways.) But that temporary relapse also made for good
progress in my non-classical music endeavors: it helped me finally sing
songs that used to be too low for me - e.g., Nanci's "Talk To Me While I'm
Listening", various blues and jazz stuff, etc. I don't want to start a
discussion about the wretched habit of smoking here, but in Nanci's case
(and mine at the time), it did contribute to some interesting changes.
(See also Joni Mitchell).
Donate "sometimes we need to do bad things to be able to grow......" v.B.-G
---- Now listening to John Martyn and getting carried away..... -------
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Utah concert... sorta...
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 10:30:21 EDT
From: Tricia9999@aol.com
paul.larsen@hsc.utah.edu writes:
> Fashion report (for those who care) - I wore denim shorts, sandals, and a
> white shirt... oh wait. That's probably not what wanted.
Thanks for the fashion report, Paul. Hard to imagine anyone reporting what
John Prine or Steve Earle or Buddy Miller is wearing for their concerts. But
it certainly does persist for Nanci...
Glad you got a partial show at least.
tricia
// There was an impassioned post about 5 years ago by a list
// member reminded us all that the Nanci fashion report was
// a de jure requirement of all concert reports...[BP]
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Utah concert... sorta...
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 11:19:54 EDT
From: Catelaw@aol.com
Tricia9999@aol.com writes:
> Thanks for the fashion report, Paul. Hard to imagine anyone reporting what
> John Prine or Steve Earle or Buddy Miller is wearing for their concerts.
Hee hee -- I did fashion reports on Guy Clark until I realized he wore the
same outfit to every concert...
Cate, in Atlanta
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: Utah concert... sorta...
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 12:59:17 -0500
From: Sarah Wrightson (sarahwrightson@vincebell.com>
Catelaw@aol.com wrote:
> > Thanks for the fashion report, Paul. Hard to imagine anyone reporting what
> > John Prine or Steve Earle or Buddy Miller is wearing for their concerts.
> Hee hee -- I did fashion reports on Guy Clark until I realized he wore the
> same outfit to every concert...
Yeah, and poor Steve had to endure weight reports until he slimed down again.
Sarah
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: [NNC] Patty Loveless
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 09:47:11 -0500
From: Ed Maier (evmaier@dhc.net>
Hi All,
I found a copy of Patty Loveless' *Mountain Soul* in a used CD store.
(Isn't that the name of Shawn's band?) Anyhow, it's been in my car
player for about a week, and I think it's brilliant. It has a definite
bluegrassy sound which I believe is a departure from Patty's usual
work. I liked it so much that I bought a brand new mandolin. (G>
Eddie
--
Where griping grief the heart would wound
And doleful dumps would thee oppress,
There Music with her silver sound
Is wont with speed to give redress
Of troubled mind for every sore
Sweet Music hath a salve therefore. -Richard Edwards
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: [NNC] Patty Loveless
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 01 18:15:11 +0100
From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>
Patty Loveless's "Mountain Soul" cd is a real treasure. The equal of
anything roots/bluegrass to have come out in a long time. Here in the UK
it has had better reviews than "Little Sparrow" by Dolly Parton and "New
Favorite" by Alison Krauss. All are fine records. Interestingly one of
our national newspapers (not a music publication) called Patty, "without
doubt the finest singer in current country music". A high accolade indeed
and something I would not disagree with.
John Graveling
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Dickey Chapelle from one who knew her
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 16:02:49 EDT
From: Poetmuse@aol.com
A snippet of a letter sent to me this morning by a friend I've
just introduced to Nanci- he bought CWH based on the recommendation:
----
>I have to tell you... have to...
I had heard several snippets of some of Nanci's CDs on B&N....but
I did not hear "Pearl's Eye View".
My undergrad degree was in physics and journalism at Marquette U, Milwaukee.
Virgil Ross (a veteran -- as they say -- NY Times foreign correspondent) and
Dickey Chapelle team taught a senior level reporting class I took as a soph,
I think. I idolize(d) the woman. I love(d) the woman. She became my icon,
I think now, of what any woman important to me should be. She made reporting
seem to be the vocation it should be. (Others wore that down fast later.)
She was older than I, but incredibly attractive to me. In shape, and she
let her strength show, decades before that was cool. But tender, loving,
caring, with a voice like a cello. She was there before going to Vietnam.
When I learned she had been killed, it fit into the time frame neatly when
JFK, MLK, on and on, were killed. And when many of my good friends were
either killed or psychically mortally wounded. That piece tore my soul
apart, and I think I mean that literally. I could not friggin' believe it.
>From someone who knows Dickey like I know George Washington.
(I escaped 'Nam... was rejected by Marine Aviation... vision problem I did
not know I had; explained why I could not hit a curve ball. Also had a minor
problem with my neck, easily fixed, which disqualified me from any military
service. Good thing, I accept now; everyone I knew who was on the ground
there in any capacity was seriously damaged.)
I had not thought about Dickey Chapelle in years......
I will be forever deeply in your debt, dear Christina.
I'm still in real shock.
When I feel better, I'll look Dickey up, see what else is written about her.
It never ever occurred to me that she would outlive her destruction......
-------------------- (end snippet)
Just goes to show that Nanci is the bell and her reverberations can touch all
aspects of anyone and everyone's life. I think "Pearl's Eye View" just made
another Nanci fan for life.....
back to sleep. perchance to dream.
-C
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Clock Without Hands
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 12:27:02 +1000
From: "Barry Medway" (barrymedway@interact.net.au>
Unlike my fellow Ozzie, Tony, I remain still to hear a single
note from CWH, but I do concur with his thoughts on reading
all the "for & against" posts on NN. I have this strange feeling of
familiarity with a set of tuneless tracks, titles known but the melodies
circling in silence like migrating birds. The sense of anticipation is
becoming unbearable, I know I will like it, but will I love it?.
As a supporter of the old adage that "It is better to travel than to
arrive" I shall resist a little longer, devouring the morsels thrown
by fellow NN, until I am helpless and must submit to the will of the music.
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: RE: [NNC] Patty Loveless
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 15:29:00 -0500
From: Ron Hennessy (rhennesy@coserv.net>
Hello Eddie,
After reading your recommendation, and those by John Graveling and "Country
Weekly" (a checkout counter magazine I like), today I bought Patty
Loveless' "Mountain Soul." I have been listening to it with the delight I
had anticipated.
I've been a Loveless fan since the release of the album "When Fallen Angels
Fly," which has such marvelous songs as "I Try to Think About Elvis" and
"Halfway Down." Patty is not a songwriter (unlike her husband Emory Gordy),
but, boy can she deliver a song!
Thanks for the recommendation. I'd like to pass it on to other fans.
By the way, Eddie, does the mandolin purchase mean you've decided to brush
up on your bluegrass skills?
And yes, if the Kimbos have the name "Mountain Soul" copyrighted, I think
Patty owes them royalties! Can we get a legal opinion, Donate?
Ron Hennessy
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: CWH - The Great Vinyl Invitation Challenge
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 01:22:42 +0800
From: "Bob McConnochie" (rsm@ppp.com.hk>
Here's the idea - anyone older than 30 (I'm guessing there's a few of
you out there) should remember the days when music came in 20 minute
segments and albums were delivered in two parts. Soooooooooooo different
from a monolith of music on a 50 minute CD. (Ah.....the good old daze).
I'm hereby inviting Bill Page to be our judge, and offering a free copy
of Lucinda Williams "Essence" from Amazon - or same-price alternative of
your choice, on the assumption we all have CWH - to the lucky NN'er who
submits the Best Vinyl Track Selection.
All you need is your remote control and your opinions.
BUT!!! - There's one catch! - only room for TEN TRACKS. So four have to
be dumped overboard ( - not hard some might say but we won't say that as
there are some sensitive people out there and maybe it's the price of
progress anyway.....probably, whatever....). Any submissions with eleven
tracks will be immediately disqualified and your e-mail address will be
sold to the highest bidder.
To start us off....my own entry. (Note - existing CD track numbers are
shown first for ease of programming).
Side ONE
8 - Cotton
9 - Pearl's Eye View
5 - Lost Him In The Sun
3 - Where Would I Be
11 - Shaking Out The Snow
- GAP - (while you get off your tootsie and turn the vinyl platter
over.....then carefully apply the anti-static duster and align the
quivering cartridge above the dark grooves.....)
Side TWO
6 - The Ghost Inside Of Me
1 - Clock Without Hands
2 - Travelling Through This Part Of You
4 - Midnight In Missoula
14 - In The Wee Small Hours
Okay - not convinced? - then put together your own ten tracks and let's
hear 'em. If Bill agrees - he can choose his favourite, and I'll provide
the prize!
What could be simpler, or more F-U-N? Go For It!
Bob, Hong Kong ("The place where I now make my life").
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: CWH - The Great Vinyl Invitation Challenge
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 05:38:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bill Page (bpage3@yahoo.com>
> I'm hereby inviting Bill Page to be our judge...
You might wanna pick someone else...I'm not familiar enough with the CD to be
able to judge well...
BP
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: CWH - The Great Vinyl Invitation Challenge
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 12:44:33 +0800
From: "Bob McConnochie" (rsm@ppp.com.hk>
Hi Bill - doubt if many people are interested... although I have to say it
is a great way of getting to know the album better. I woke up this morning
and played the whole CD form start to finish and yes, pleas to "give it a
chance" are (as always) well-founded. However there are still a couple of
tracks that I (capital "I") think let the collection down and would
have/should have been dropped from a more constrained medium, ie vinyl. (I'm
reluctant to mention titles, but dear oh dear the lyrics of 4th of July just
make me cringe....).
But true enough, favourites are beginning to emerge and it's getting under
my skin, more so in fact than Flyer and BRFTM.
My admiration for the artist is undiminished, and my envy of those of you
who can see her live is unabated.
By the way - can anyone confirm that Nanci is still wearing an LBJ badge on
the back cover photograph? Has she ever made any comments herself about the
irony of her support for LBJ's domestic legacy (I'm making big assumptions
here...) and the Vietnam War/Landmine focus?
Peace everyone.
NP- Led Zepplin 'Four Symbols'
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: CWH - The Great Vinyl Invitation Challenge
Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 08:29:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Reid Mitchell (reidmitchell@yahoo.com>
--- Bob McConnochie (rsm@ppp.com.hk> wrote:
> By the way - can anyone confirm that Nanci is still wearing an LBJ badge on
> the back cover photograph? Has she ever made any comments herself about the
> irony of her support for LBJ's domestic legacy (I'm making big assumptions
> here...) and the Vietnam War/Landmine focus>
I raised this question a while back, but got no
takers. A lot of those landmines did get laid on LBJ's
watch.
Reid Mitchell
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Fabulous Kate Campbell
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 12:30:12 -0500
From: Kim Diorio (kinno@netzero.com>
Wow!! Kate's show in Jacksonville last night was so outstanding!! My
sister (now a new fan) and I were sitting about 8-10 feet from the small
stage at European Street Cafe in San Marco. Kate played for almost two
hours straight, as she decided to pass on the intermission in order to
introduce and play more songs in the available time! What a wonderful
performer she is. I just can't say enough about how great it was. Her eye
contact was especially meaningful, her voice was so clear, and her
sincerity and charm are quite captivating, to say the least.
Don Porterfield on fretless bass and harmony vocals did indeed add a nice
dimension. He has performed there with Pierce Pettis in the past.
This was, without a doubt, the best show I have seen in this venue, and
there have been some great ones before! The sound is always top notch and
it is great to be RIGHT there.
Of course she signed CD's afterward and graciously posed for pictures with
us. I hope she comes back next tour.
I did not write down a set list, but this is what I can recall (missing a
few I'm sure):
(in order):
The House You Live In
Rosaryville
Visions of Plenty
Moonpie Dreams
Mississippi and Me
(no order):
See Rock City
Bud's Sea-Mint Boat
Jesus and Tomatoes
Crazy in Alabama
Bowl-A-Rama
Rosa's Coronas
10,000 Lures
The Last Song
Ave Maria Grotto
Heart of Hearts
A Perfect World
Do yourself a favor and see her live any time you can!
Time for me to join the moonpie list!
Kim
// One can join the moonpie list by sending an email
// moonpie-subscribe@yahoogroups.com [BP]
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: RE: Re: NN: New favorite
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 20:48:43 -0400
From: kjohns2001usa@netscape.net
I have to agree with Dick that the music on this album does have a rather
somber tone, but, I find that 'Ghost In This House" is not one of the saddest
songs recorded, but a [in my humble opinion] song describing the realization by
a woman that her status is that of a taken for granted figure that has no real
substance in her own home. Ok, so this sounds sad...but, I choose to see it as
that spark of realization that has lit a fire in the soul of this woman who
will now DO something about the situation, either leave or stand up for
herself. OK, so this is my optimistic streak coming out, but I find that
looking for the best in a song, as in a person, can have surprising rewards.
By the way, I have NEVER bought an Alison Krauss album I did not consider well
worth every penny I spent on it.
Oh, last thing, if you like Nanci, and Mary Chapin Carpenter and Alison...try
giving
a listen to Cheryl Wheeler...I recommend the album 'Driving Home' highly.
Take care all,
DJ
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: RE: Re: NN: New favorite (Ghost)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 06:02:29 -0700
From: "Susan Krauss" (susankrauss@earthlink.net>
There's a wonderful version of "Ghost in this House" by its writer, Michael
Johnson (Nanci connection) on the latest live collection from FolkScene
(Vol. 3) the LA based radio show. Nanci, of course, sings with Michael on
the new record and does one of his songs on one of the OV collections. This
record is a killer with live stuff from Kate Wolf, Janis Ian, Jackson Brown,
Rosie Flores & Katy Moffatt, Cheryl Wheeler and more (lots of NG connections
in that list).
susan in oakland
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: RE: Re: NN: New favorite (Ghost)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 08:47:15 -0500
From: Cindy McArthur (seaborn@mjblue.com>
At 6:02 AM -0700 8/17/01, Susan Krauss wrote:
>There's a wonderful version of "Ghost in this House" by its writer, Michael
>Johnson (Nanci connection) on the latest live collection from FolkScene
>(Vol. 3) the LA based radio show. Nanci, of course, sings with Michael on
>the new record and does one of his songs on one of the OV collections. This
>record is a killer with live stuff from Kate Wolf, Janis Ian, Jackson Brown,
>Rosie Flores & Katy Moffatt, Cheryl Wheeler and more (lots of NG connections
>in that list).
>
>susan in oakland
Actually, Hugh Prestwood wrote "Ghost in this House". And I don't think
Nanci did one of Michael's songs on the OV collection - at least not that I
know of!
Cindy McArthur
Webmaster
Michael Johnson Web Site
http://www.mjblue.com
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: RE: Re: NN: New favorite (Ghost)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 09:59:38 -0500
From: Cindy McArthur (seaborn@mjblue.com>
At 7:51 AM -0700 8/17/01, Susan Krauss wrote:
>Sorry - misread the lyric book this morning without
>my glasses. I do love Hugh Prestwood. Anyway,
>Michael's arrangement is beautiful on this record. And
>i was sleepy - I thought Michael sang on at least one
>of the other OV collections but I didn't check. Sorry
>- I hate to see misinformation and I'm sorry I spread
>some.
Michael's arrangement is beautiful like you said, the best I've heard. The
way he makes a song his own quite often leads people to conclude that he
wrote it. And we're waiting for his future project to begin: "Michael
Johnson Sings Hugh Prestwood".
Cindy
P.S. My favorite this week on CWH: Shaking Out the Snow.
________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Re: NN: New favorite (Ghost)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 08:15:36 -0700
From: "Maudeen" (maudeen@cablespeed.com>
Is this the same Michael Johnson who sang "Bluer than Blue" - he's a great
favorite of my best friend and although I *like* his stuff, I have never
been as enthusiastic about it as she is. She has had quite a bit of
difficulty finding his originals on CD. Is this the same song that Ronnie
Milsap (Ghost in this House) originally sang?
Maudeen
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Re: NN: New favorite (Ghost)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 11:13:41 -0400
From: "eprieto" (eprieto@columbus.rr.com>
that was "stranger in my house"!!
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Re: NN: New favorite (Ghost)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 08:49:15 -0700
From: "Maudeen" (maudeen@cablespeed.com>
Thanks! I knew it was something like that but when Cindy mentioned
Shenandoah had done it, then I recalled that there had to be some difference
between the Shenandoah/Alison version and the Ronnie Milsap song. CRS
strikes again (g>!
Maudeen
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Re: NN: New favorite (Ghost)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 10:28:33 -0500
From: Cindy McArthur (seaborn@mjblue.com>
At 8:15 AM -0700 8/17/01, Maudeen wrote:
>Is this the same Michael Johnson who sang "Bluer than Blue"
Yes it's the same MJ. His three folk albums (pre-pop days) from 1973-77
have been released on a double CD "The Early Albums" and is available only
at his concerts and his web site (http://www.mjblue.com). His most recent
stuff (Live At the Bluebird Cafe) is neither pop or country - he's back to
just him and his classical guitar.
I'm not sure if Ronnie Milsap sang "Ghost". A country group named
Shenandoah had the original hit with it, I believe.
Cindy
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: NN: New favorite (minimal Nanci content)
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 07:36:21 -0600
From: Paul Larsen (Paul.Larsen@hsc.utah.edu>
>You were about to listen to Allison Krauss' CD New
>Favorite & I was wondering what you thought of it.
Sorry - I subscribe to the digest, so I just barely got your response. It is
an interesting album - not exactly what I had expected. Since the same could
be said for me with CWH as well, however, I am going to give it a chance. (I
have found that with multiple plays, many songs on CWH have made themselves a
part of me.) I am disappointed that Alison does not take more lead vocals on
this album, and (for me) Dan Tyminski's voice will take some getting used to.
On the upside, she reminds us that she is an amazing fiddle player, and I still
love her voice.
I would second the recommendation for the album "Now that I've found you." I
will never forget the first time I heard her sing - it was the song "I will"
(yes, as in the Beatles), and I was smitten. I loved her voice, and as I heard
the rest of the album, I discovered many gems. As a side note, I can only
imagine what John Lennon would think hearing the song introduced by a banjo,
but as Livingston Taylor says (paraphrased), "If you really love the banjo,
what songs shouldn't be played on it?"
Paul "In 12 hours, I'll be the fat guy with the Nancinet badge, waiting for Ron
de la Vega to keel over so I can take over cello playing duties" Larsen
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: NN: Ghost in This House
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 13:16:27 EDT
From: Petop@aol.com
seaborn@mjblue.com writes:
> A country group named
> Shenandoah had the original hit with it, I believe.
>
They certainly did, in the very early 1990s. Right around the same time
Amanda McBroom recorded it on her album "Midnight Matinee" and Caroline
Doctorow recorded it on her "Hide Out in Plain Sight" album (both in 1991).
Hugh Prestonwood has his own recording of it on a couple of anthologies and
this year Smily Saxe recorded the song for an album called "Time After time."
==================
"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them
myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter
evenings."
--Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) at his best in "The Big Sleep,"
_________________________________________________________________
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