02

// Hey, folks,
// As mentioned earlier, the inimitable Dawn-Marie and I will be
// away for the next five days. Please keep the administrative and
// HTML messages to a minimum...well, you can go ahead and send 
// them; I just won't be able to do anything with them!
// We have some more concert reviews, and some silliness.
// Enjoy!  [BP

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Subject: NN: Knoxville report
   Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 07:17:14 -0400
   From: "Ken Stiffler" (ksmsc@kmsx.net>

This was the first time I saw Nanci in, I think, nearly three years.
Last time was when she was about to retire. Remember the hullaballoo
when we thought there would be no more new Nanci music and no more live
performances?

I think that was a Crickets tour, or maybe immediately after that.
Anyway, it was shortly before Doug Lancio left the Blue Moon Orchestra.
Or was that shortly before the BMO disbanded and reformed with everyone
except Doug because he'd made another commitment during the interim?
Whatever.

Yes, whatever.

Whatever may have been, Nanci Griffith and The Blue Moon Orchestra are
alive and well as a performing act.

First, the BMO: I like Nanci's band. I think they are very good
musicians and play well together and she has been lucky to have
musicians in her band who have been able to follow her through all of
her stylistic changes over the last dozen years. And do it all well.

On the other hand, I'm one of those who think that the band is more of a
distraction in a live show. The essence of what Nanci is and what she
does musically gets clouded over by all the other, frequently louder,
sounds. And really, I think it's that "frequently louder" part that I
have a problem with, rather than the presence of the band. A well
modulated concert with the band should still allow Nanci to stand out.
It seemed like the show started out at a good volume and about half way
through the first song, it suddenly got painful. Don't touch that dial!

The first time I saw Nanci live, she opened the first song by herself,
playing guitar and singing There's A Light Beyond These Woods, Mary
Margaret. That show also had a stripped down BMO, so Nanci herself shown
through. I've also been lucky enough to see her since then, playing solo
as the opening act for John Prine at Wolf Trap. Pure Nanci, no band. So,
though I did not get to see her live during the "early years", I do have
something to compare to the full band sound.

Also, I, for one, have enjoyed nearly all of the musical stylistic
changes and experiments that Nanci has produced on her CDs over the last
many years. But, at the heart of ALL of those musical styles has been a
woman with a guitar, a voice, and a song.

Despite the volume of the band, I was really focusing on Nanci's voice
and guitar this time, rather than the total effect.

And I'm happy to report that, to my ears, the Nanci Griffith performing
at the core of that maelstrom is still every bit as good as the Nanci
Griffith I heard perform for the first time just as Late Night Grand
Hotel was being released. Spectacularly good.

She may have had some rough shows earlier this year, but this was NOT
one of those.

Her voice sounded great. No problems there. She looked happy and like
she was having a good time. And the band WAS good. I might wish I could
hear another solo Nanci show, but I wouldn't want to forever lose out on
hearing James Hooker sing and play with Nanci. Definitely appreciate his
contribution. So there are times when I *want* to see Nanci with the
BMO. 

This was also the first time I've heard LeAnn Etheridge sing with Nanci
and was pleasantly impressed.

Every song tonight had something in it to remind me of one or more of
the reasons I've come to like Nanci Griffith's music so much. And, other
than the true intimacy of a solo performance, there was nothing of what
I like about Nanci's music that I came away feeling like I had missed.
It was all there. And there were brief moments of that intimacy, too.
So, bottom line is that, for a Nanci Griffith AND The Blue Moon
Orchestra show, I came away totally satisfied.

I was especially thrilled when Nanci introduced Emmylou. If I could have
chosen Nanci's guest for the night, that's who I would have picked.
Despite the close association between the two, they've never recorded
anything that distinctly brings their two voices together. (Or have I
missed it somewhere? The Land Mine CD maybe?) Where Emmylou is
noticeable on OVT, there are other singers involved, and on the other
songs that Emmylou has sung on, her voice is mixed too low to hear what
it would sound like if you were in the same room with the two of them
singing. So I was content with just the first guest, though I could have
listened to *more* of the two of them. Tom Russell was a bonus.

The song selection also struck me as a pretty good mix. Since I haven't
seen Nanci in so long, about half the songs were songs I had not heard
her do live before.

This isn't a set list, but I think this is most, if not all of the
songs. Some of them are even more or less in order:
   Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness.
   Two For The Road.
   I Wish It Would Rain.
   Clock Without Hands.
   Gulf Coast Highway. With James Hooker.
   Listen To The Radio.
   Goodnight New York. With Emmylou Harris.
   There's A Light Beyond These Woods, Mary Margaret.
   Traveling Through This Part Of You.
   Traveling Through This Part Of You.
   Flyer.
   I'm Not Driving These Wheels.
   What's That I Hear? With Tom Russell and Andrew Hardin.
   Lost Him In The Sun. I enjoyed the full band more on this song than any
other.
   Some song with every cliché the writer (Nanci?) could think of - don't
know if this is new or an old cover or what. Sort of fun song. Need to
hear it again to be sure what I think of it.
   White Freightliner Blues. With Emmylou, Tom and Andrew. LeAnn and James
also each sang a verse.

Encore:
   Home On The Radio. Nanci seemed to expect the band to join her for this.
She kept looking around, then said "They sent me out here by myself."
   If I Had A Hammer. With everyone.

The taping seemed to go very smoothly. I was expecting more delays
and/or disruptions. Other than the INDTW restart from forgotten lyrics
and the rerun of TTTPOY due to smeared lipstick, everything proceeded
along pretty much like a normal concert.

It was also nice to meet Shawn and Amanda, who sat down right next to
me. Small world, even if you only count Nanci Griffith fans!

Looking forward to the DVD release.

Ken

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Subject: NN: Birmingham AL 6/1/02 Performance
   Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 07:39:32 -0700 (PDT)
   From: JAMES WARD (jward39212@yahoo.com>

She's B-A-C-K!!!!!!!!

Nanci and the BMO performance with the Alabama
Symphony on Saturday Night in Caldwell Park was
absolutely incredible. I would estimate the crowd to
be about 2000 people. In fact, I would have to say
this was the best performance I have ever seen of
Nanci.  Her voice was strong and in fine form.  She
was constantly smiling, very energetic and appeared to
be having a wonderful time.  The set list contained a
few surprises as well!

The opening song was Trouble in the Fields.  She sang
two numbers from "Clock Without Hands" including the
title song plus Traveling Through This Part of You.
Several gems which I have never seen performed live
included Nobody's Angel, Always Will, Drops From A
Faucet, Tell Me How and Late Night Grande Hotel.  An
orchestrated rendition of "The Wing and The Wheel"
identical to "The Dust Bowl Symphony" recording was a
standout.  During this song, I noticed several members
of the audience around me were visibly moved and
wiping the tears away which were streaming down their
faces.  As of late, she ended the evening with a
rousing rendition of "If I Had A Hammer" which had
everyone up on their feet and singing along.  

This was truly an amazing performance.  If the
recorded performance in Knoxville, TN on the previous
Wednesday was anywhere near this, we are all in for a
treat when the DVD or CD is released!  Nanci said she
was going to be overseas during the month of July
working with the Landmine Free World project.  If she
is performing anywhere near you in June, get tickets
and go.  The performance will be absolutely amazing! 
She is currently at another peak in her career! Quite
frankly, I am sorry I every doubted her.      

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Subject: Re: NN: Birmingham AL 6/1/02 Performance
   Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2002 23:03:53 -0400
   From: Mike Chesman (chesman@preferred.com>

At 07:39 AM 6/3/02 -0700, you wrote:
>She's B-A-C-K!!!!!!!!

>Several gems which I have never seen performed live
>included Nobody's Angel, Always Will, Drops From A
>Faucet, Tell Me How and Late Night Grande Hotel.  An
>orchestrated rendition of "The Wing and The Wheel"
>identical to "The Dust Bowl Symphony" recording was a
>standout.  

None of these songs were performed in Knoxville.  I must say that I was
wishing for Always Will throughout the show the show.  Sounds like it was a
terrific setlist.  Hope someone gets to record one of these shows as I'd
live to hear that one live.

Mike 

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Subject: NN: Re: Birmingham AL 6/1/02 Performance
   Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 22:22:30 -0400
   From: "eprieto" (eprieto@columbus.rr.com>

this sounds like a repeat of the incredible
show she offered may 18 in columbus, oh.
song list sounds identical...
it was sooo good, i'm glad she did it all again!

a lurker...

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Subject: NN: Recommendation on Nanci in CA
   Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 10:32:44 -0700 (PDT)
   From: John Houser (jchouser@yahoo.com>

Hey Gang,

Any tips on which of two shows I'm considering this
summer in CA? There's a show at the Historic Mountain
Winery in Saratoga on 6/29 and a how at Galante
Vineyards on 9/1 in Carmel. I know that if I do the
Saratoga show, I could try to pull off the double dip
and see her again at the Kate Wolf show, but that is
unlikely enough as to not factor into consideration.

I'm working in San Luis Obispo now, so the midweek
show in Anaheim is out. Besides, Nanci at a winery or
vineyard sounds perfectly acceptable to me. I could
try pulling off both Saratoga and Carmel, but, again,
not very likely.

So, any advice from the folks North of me (or if
you've been to these places) will be appreciated...

Thanks kindly...

JCH

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Subject: NN: Nanci on The Kennedys' new CD
   Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 12:42:15 -0400
   From: "Ken Stiffler" (ksmsc@kmsx.net>

Nanci makes an appearance on the first song on The Kennedys' new CD "Get
It Right". The song is "Ride, Angel, Ride". It's not a major role, like
a full duet, but Nanci is distinctly present, doing a sort of
counter-point to Maura's main vocals. Nanci's vocal becomes primary
during the extended closeout, including the line "you've got a ticket to
ride". Pete and Maura also thank Nanci in the liner notes for giving
them their ticket to ride - a reference to when Nanci got them started
performing as a duo as her opening act while they were both part of the
Blue Moon Orchestra.

Nanci completists should certainly grab this one. It's very much a
unique Nanci appearance.

And anyone else who likes Byrds/Beatles/Everly Brothers influenced music
should also jump at this CD. Pete and Maura have gotten even better at
melding their 60s music influences into a coherent whole that is all
their own. Other prominent influences on this CD are Marvin Gaye and
(possibly) Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66. Anyway, there's some bossa nova
on this CD - I may be mis-remembering the SM+B66 sound (it's been
awhile, you know? :)  ), so maybe that's not where the influence comes
from.

The song "Why, Winona, Why" - a two minute rock n roller ala The
Beatles' "Please Please Me" - is a hilarious expression of wonderment
over Winona Ryder's shoplifting incident. Also included is TK's version
of "Pearl's Eye View", which Nanci and Maura wrote. It's mostly similar
to Nanci's version, but Maura has a very different vocal sound and
style. And the title song "Get It Right" instantly became my favorite
Kennedys' song when I heard it live for the first time in December. Now
I can finally listen to it to my heart's content!

Right now, "Get It Right" has easily jumped to the lead in my Best of
2002 list. This is good old rock n roll at its finest.

Ken

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Subject: NN: Info wanted
   Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 09:31:52 +0200
   From: "Hans Janssen" (hjanssen@zeelandnet.nl>

Hi all,

>From next Wednesday till July the 2nd I'm traveling in New England and
to North Carolina. If anybody knows about any concerts in this period I
should appreciate a private mail to hjanssen@zeelandnet.nl .

Already scheduled musical events:
  Fred Eaglesmith weekend in Bellows Falls, VT
  Terri Hendrix and Chris Knight.

met vriendelijke groeten,

Hans Janssen.
http://listen.to/Tish

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Subject: NN: Re: Banned From The NanciNet
   Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 00:19:38 -0400
   From: "The Kimbros" (kimbroj@charter.net>

My thanks to Ed Maier for getting my Knoxville review to the list. I wasn't
kidding about being banned, or at least my messages being blocked. Ed also
figured out that The World was tripping on my sig file (The Mount*in Soul
URL). So, I'll leave that off from now on, and I've taken it out of the
"organization" box as well.  Now, if this one bounces I'm going to shoot
myself (or somebody).  As appeasement to the gods of The World, I'd like to
apologize to everyone for violating their unwritten rule about linking to a
"commercial" web site. (Ha!) To prove I'm not a spam artist I also want to
advise list members *never* to visit this web site, don't do it, it's
against the rules, and also, don't look for the hidden link that leads to
pictures of a long-tongued Kermit the Frog, and drug induced men in tube
tops.

All my best,
-Shawn

http://***SENSORED***

Btw, has anyone ever noticed that South Park's Underpants Gnomes are the
same characters that live in Rock City's Fairyland caverns?

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Subject: Re: NN: Re: Banned From The NanciNet
   Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2002 08:04:21 -0400
   From: Steve Robertson (stever@mindspring.com>

on 6/3/02 12:19 AM, The Kimbros at kimbroj@charter.net wrote:

> As appeasement to the gods of The World, I'd like to
> apologize to everyone for violating their unwritten rule 
> about linking to a "commercial" web site. (Ha!)

World has a rule about linking to commercial websites? From my point of
view, that makes this discussion group much less of a valuable resource. I
imagine the majority of my messages have been designed to point out good web
streams or other resources that are hosted on commercial websites. Under a
rule like that, we can't even include the URL for Nanci's website!

Let's see if my sig file makes it through the spam filter-
-- 
>From the Georgia Pines,
Steve Robertson
====================================
_________Fiddlin' Around____________
The Journal of American Roots Music
          on the web at
      http://www.starchart.com/
====================================

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Subject: Re: NN: Re: Banned From The NanciNet
   Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 00:52:13 -0400
   From: "The Kimbros" (kimbroj@charter.net>

Steve, your URL got though, so it's not just that they think my site is
commercial.  I strongly suspect it's because they don't respect my *cause*.
You know, Nanci has the landmine campaign, Sting wants to save the rain
forests, and I'm campaigning against defective tanning bed timers.  THE
WORLD obviously doesn't realize how many unfortunate men and women are
seriously burned every year because of defective clocks on these potentially
deadly tanning beds.  It's becoming a national tragedy and no one seems to
care! I feel so strongly about this that I've volunteered to tour at least
six "Video-Tan" stores in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi to share my
music and collect donations to replace the bad clocks.  So far, none of
these stores have taken me up on the offer, but I'm confident donations
would start pouring in if I could only get THE WORLD to let me post my
website URL.  Alas, it isn't to be.

-Shawn

  __________________Nanci Is My Aeroplane____________________
 |                     __       ___         Shawn Kimbro     |
 | "And they danced   | \____o__/_/___|  kimbroj@charter.net |
 |  all night to the  \(>-----_/_/____]>      Morristown     |
 |  fiddle and banjo"          `o     |       Tennessee      |
 |______________________ URL CENSORED _______________________|


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Subject: Re: NN: Re: Banned From The NanciNet
   Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2002 08:16:44 -0500
   From: Sarah Wrightson (swrightson@vincebell.com>

Da** its good to be back on the list :-)  Shawn, Vince will be delighted
to help you in your cause...just tell us what parking lots you are
playing (my only request is that the temp should be 90+ with no hint of
shade within a mile) and he'll be there.

Sarah W.
vincebell.com

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Subject: NN: Nanci in Toronto?
   Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2002 22:59:52 -0400
   From: "Doug Kellam" (doug_k@sympatico.ca>

Nanci was due to perform in Toronto last September 11. The Toronto date 
is the only date she postponed that has not been made up yet. The web 
site for the place she was booked into "The Phoenix" indicates that she 
will be performing there next September 11. This is not confirmed on her 
web site but she does have a show booked in Washington State on 
September 10th. That's an awful long way from Toronto! It would also 
strike me that she might want to be at home and not in Canada when that 
date rolls around again.

Can anyone shed any light on this matter?

Doug Kellam

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Subject: Re: NN: CD Release
   Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2002 13:37:08 EDT
   From: Petop@aol.com

dbrons@adelphia.net writes:

> Honey didn't even come out till when? 

1968

************
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

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Subject: RE: NN: CD Release
   Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 07:17:14 -0400
   From: "Ken Stiffler" (ksmsc@kmsx.net>

Petop wrote:

>>Wait a minute, we could do the middle-age maudlin answer to
Lollapolooza with a tour featuring Bobby Goldsboro, Ray Peterson and
Erich Segal reading excerpts from "Love Story." 
We could call it "The Three Reasons to End It All" tour. ((

Or Leonard Cohen could cover for all three of them.

Ken

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Subject: NN: Re: Norah Jones - Believe the hype
   Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2002 13:17:45 EDT
   From: Halesbop@aol.com

I enjoy Norah Jones a lot, have seen her twice and will be again in 2 weeks. 
But I wish another deserving artist was getting 1/10 the hype that she is.

That would be Jenna Mammina, the Michigan native now living in the SF Bay 
area who performs in styles similar to Norah (jazz/cabaret/a little pop). 
Jenna has a more compelling voice than Norah (IMO) and her recordings are 
every bit as musically interesting. What Norah may have over Jenna is that 
she does play piano (while Jenna is *only* a vocalist) but I really believe 
the only reason Norah is on the brink of stardom and Jenna is relatively 
obscure is that Norah has the media push that a big record company provides. 
Please, if you're a Norah Jones fan--check into Jenna Mammina.

http://www.jennamammina.com/

Steve Hale

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Subject: NN: New CD
   Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 19:38:21 EDT
   From: RGorda5591@aol.com

The following was written and posted by Tom Russell on his web site.

"Received an email in Finland that Nanci Griffith was looking for us to be on 
her DVD. We arrived back from Helsinki and were flown to Knoxville, and the 
beautiful deco Tennessee Theater to record an In-Concert set with Nanci and 
band and Emmylou Harris. We performed on Townes Van Zandt's "White Freight 
Liner Blues," Phil Ochs' "What's that I Hear?" and Pete Seegar's "If I had a 
Hammer." Nanci did a flawless set with the Blue Moon Orchestra which 
included Bob Dylan's "Boots of Spanish Leather" and a great new Nanci song, 
"Last Train Home." Look for the CD and new live album in a few months".

Tom's site address is http://www.tomrussell.com

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Subject: NN: RE: New CD
   Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 20:40:28 -0400
   From: "Ken Stiffler" (ksmsc@kmsx.net>

>>Nanci did a flawless set with the Blue Moon Orchestra which 
included Bob Dylan's "Boots of Spanish Leather" and a great new Nanci
song, "Last Train Home." Look for the CD and new live album in a 
few months". ((

Ahhh, yes...Boots of Spanish Leather. I figured I'd probably
forgotten a song or two when I wrote up that list of songs. In this
case, it most likely was subconsciously deliberate. Although there are
only two songs on all of Nanci's CDs that I *always* skip, there are
about another half dozen (maybe fewer) that I will skip more often than
not. BOSL is one of those. On the other hand, I wouldn't skip it so
often if I didn't have so many versions of it. Seems like every bootleg,
semi-bootleg, TransAtlantic Sessions, etc has this on it. There's even
one version I sort of like, though I forget which CD it's on. Now it'll
be on the DVD. Sheesh! That's what I get for trying to be a Nanci
semi-completist.  :)

Last Train Home is probably the title of the song that I didn't know the
title of. Or could it be the correct title of the song about Harlan
Howard that we've been calling Home On The Radio? Shawn? Mike? Somebody?
I don't remember enough of the lyrics of either one. Certainly the one
about Harlan Howard is a great new (to most of us) Nanci song, though
she said she wrote it about twelve years ago, so maybe Tom wouldn't
consider it a new song.

Ken

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Subject: NN: Re: RE: New CD
   Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2002 22:50:00 -0400
   From: "The Kimbros" (kimbroj@charter.net>

I think we both slept through "Boots," Ken, but maybe not for the same
reasons. Endless verses to borrowed melodies aren't my thing, even when it's
Nanci singing.  I'm afraid this is one of my least favorites.  (The trivia
here is that this song uses the tune to Child's #2, "The Elfin Knight."
Dylan uses it again in "Girl From The North Country."  It survives here in
the mountains as "Strawberry Lane" or sometimes "Raspberry Lane."  Dave
Alvin did a great job with the tune a while back in "King of California."

I've wracked my brain to remember "Last Train Home" and I just can't come up
with anything.  (Nothing unusual there.)

I think we got "Home On The Radio" right.

The Phil Ochs song I dubbed "Freedom Calling" in my review is actually what
you and Tom correctly titled "What's That I Hear."  I just always called it
that.  For anyone that doesn't know, it's a Guthriesque folk anthem that
starts out:

What's that I hear now ringing in my ear
I've heard that sound before
What's that I hear now ringing in my ear
I hear it more and more
It's the sound of freedom calling
Ringing up to the sky
It's the sound of the old ways falling
You can hear it if you try

All my best,
-Shawn


Remember, don't go to the Mount*in Soul web site by searching 
Google for the URL.

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Subject: Nanci at Strawberry
   Date: Tue, 04 Jun 2002 16:35:48 -0700
   From: Ivy Griffiths (ivygriff@pacbell.net>

Hey folks,

Did anyone besides me see Nanci at the greatest Strawberry Music Festival at
Camp Mather near Yosemite?
She was terrific, in top form, and I was thrilled to see she was doing
great. Considering that some of the posts lately had been commenting on her
voice and health, I was hopeful, but ready for reality. She was terrific,
terrific, terrific!

Best to Nanci,
Ivy Griffiths (with an es)


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