// California concert reports! Lots of 'em!
// Enjoy!  [BP

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Subject: NN: Nanci @ Mtn Winery
   Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 19:43:38 -0700
   From: Jenn Fletcher(fletcher377@earthlink.net>

Hi All,

  Nanci graced Northern California with her presence last night at the
Mountain Winery in Saratoga. I must say she certainly knows how to pick venues
- this was a small, almost intimate outdoor theatre high in the hills south of
San Jose, with a breathtaking view across the entire South Bay at night. It was
the first time in three years that I heard Nanci perform live, and I must say
the music more than lived up to the beautiful surroundings.
  Obligatory fashion report: Nanci was wearing sandals, blue jeans, a strapless
black top and a jeans jacket, perfectly appropriate to the cool clear evening.
  The playlist was similar to previous reports. She played the first four songs
from Clock Without Hands, all of which were absolutely stunning. I was
particularly struck by "Lost Him in the Sun", which Nanci rendered in a
slightly slower and more wistful tone than what I hear on the album. I have
always loved the power with which she sings it on the album, but this almost
regretful version took my breath away.
  Other highlights: Nanci's introduction to "There's A Light Beyond These
Woods", which she said was celebrating it's 25th anniversary. She then drew a
big laugh by claiming she wrote it when she was five. "Pearl's Eye View", which
as a member of the post-Vietnam generation never really appealed to me until I
heard the utter sincerity and ferocity and pride with which Nanci told the
story of Dickey Chapelle. And, "Last Train Home." I had begun to wonder if
Nanci's razor-sharp songwriting skills might have lost their edge a bit, until
I heard this new one! It's like a cousin to "Outbound Plane" twenty years
later, and proves to me that she's still very much in her stride.
  And finally - in case this is news to any of you, as it was to me - Nanci
said her new live album, which will also be released on DVD, will be out in
September.
  Thanks, Nanci! You never fail to move me...

--Jenn

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Subject: NN: NG show @ Saratoga 6/29
   Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 07:53:33 -0700
   From: "MarvinZ" (marvinz@pobox.com>

For any of you who'd like more info on Caren Armstrong, who opened the 
wonderful NG show last night at the Mountain Winery, you can check out 
www.wildplum.org/caren.

-- Marvin

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Subject: NN: Kate Wolf Festival
   Date: Tue, 02 Jul 2002 11:59:54 +0000
   From: Joseph MacTurk (macturk@cox.net>

The Kate Wolf Festival at Black Oak Ranch near Laytonville in Northern
California was tremendous this year. This was their second year at this
location, and Cloud Moss and Cumulus Productions did a fine job of dealing
with what they termed "comfortable growth". Nanci and the BMO closed the
festival Sunday night after an awesome set by Greg Brown. I was writing in
the dark but this is what I could decipher as far as a set list goes. The
order may be off a bit.

Speed of Loneliness
Clock Without Hands
There's a light beyond these woods MM (with Lucy Kaplanski)
Last Train Home
This part of you
Goodnight New York
I lost it in the sun
Hard life 
Ford Econoline (with Lucy and Nina Gerber)
Across the Great Divide
If I had a hammer (with a cast of thousands)
White Freightliner (encore)

Then, in what is a wonderful ritual, Nina and Rosalie Sorrels sang Kate's
Give Yourself to Love with the crowd to close out what was one of the best
experiences I have had in awhile. If you can make it to next years KWF, do.
You won't regret it.
Joe
-- 
Be satisfied with what you do.
Do no harm to others.

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Subject: NN: Nanci at Kate Wolf Fest
   Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2002 10:44:00 -0700
   From: Kendrick (tkendrick@jps.net>

Hi all:

Just returned from three days of some of the best music I have heard in
years, if not ever.  I did see and spoke with several other NanciNetters
there, but if there were many of us in attendance, they were for the
most part, like me, incognito.  The festival was capped by an excellent
set by Nanci, the BMO, and the much to be feared "cast of thousands"
common at such events.  The set had three new (to me) songs, and a
number of much older ones.  The set was:

Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
Clock without Hands
Flyer
There's a Light Beyond these Woods, Mary Margaret, with Lucy Kaplansky
(also accompanied by the disco mirror ball suspended over the
crowd--nearly every performer commented on it during their set, except
Nanci.)
Last Train Home (new Nanci song, written for several friends going
through the late night "drink and dial" stage of relationship breakups)
Traveling through this Part of You
>From a Distance
Good Night, New York (by Julie Gold)
Lost Him in the Sun
Hard Life Wherever You Go
Ford Econoline (to Kate and Rosalee Sorrels)
Across the Great Divide
Hammer Song (with Sorrels, Kaplansky, Gorka...)
Encore: White Freightliner

Nanci was in good voice, and seemed in good humor, for the most part.
She commented on the 25th anniversary (and re-release by Rounder of her
first album when she did Mary Margaret, and there was a bit of back and
forth at the start when several in the crowd shouted about "too much
bass."  Her reply was "I don't go to your job and yell at you." (I
thought there was just too much level from the drum microphone, but in
any case the sound--excellent all weekend--was better after the
exchange.)

The rest of the festival was also quite amazing, with great performances
by nearly everyone, but particularly (I thought) by Bruce Cockburn,
Kathy Mattea, Greg Brown, Karla Bonoff, Laurie Lewis, Garnet Rogers,
Gorka-Kaplansky-Everhart-Wheeler (though in the round robin format, not
enough by any of them), and Sarah Elizabeth Campbell.  Nina Gerber
played all weekend, with nearly everyone, and was spectacular as usual.
She played with the BMO for about the last third of the set.

The only odd part of the whole festival was the very end, following
Nanci' encore.  Nina Gerber came up, with the Martin Guitar Kate left to
her, to accompany Rosalee Sorrel leading everyone in "Give Yourself to
Love."  It was a peculiar way to end the festival, because although she
knew the words, I have no idea what tune Rosalee was singing.  The crowd
tried very hard, as did Nina (during one instrumental verse, I think
Nina was trying to teach her the melody), but all we could do was hang
on for dear life and be grateful it is a short song.

Now, I will sneak back to lurk land.

--
Tom "saved two hours by driving home last night, but boy, am I tired"
Kendrick

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Subject: Re: NN: Nanci at Kate Wolf Fest
   Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 19:30:00 EDT
   From: Tricia9999@aol.com

I have to second Tom's thoughts on what a wonderful festival this was. Cheryl 
Wheeler, Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage Choir, Greg Brown, Laurie 
Lewis, John G, Lucy K, Cliff E, Nina Gerber, Karla Bonoff, Kathy Mattea,Bruce 
Cockburn, and perhaps the biggest hit of the weekend, The Waifs from 
Australia. (TheWaifs.com) Know them Tony? They are so charming and fun in an 
Eddie From Ohio kind of way. They have a wonderful stage presence, great 
musicianship and vocal harmonies, and they have fun and enjoy what they are 
doing. 

I missed some - Jimmy Lafave, Garnet Rogers, The Waybacks, Sarah Elizabeth 
Campbell and a few others. The 2 stages going on most of the time makes you 
have to choose one. I finally met another NanciNetter, Susan, who is now 
enjoying the remainder of her vacation. Nice to finally meet you Susan.

Regarding Rosalie's singing, Tom - she is an old person who knows she has 
lost her voice, but she is much loved and admired and one of the mainstays of 
the Kate Wolf fest - she and Nina close out the concert every year. She is a 
wonder and her stories are wonderful to hear. 

Now to Nanci. I saw Nanci at the Mountain Winery last year. She was wonderful 
and spirited and a joy to hear that night. This festival night, I got the 
feeling that she was tired and feeling in a more serious mood than a 
'festival' mood, and maybe a bit worn out by the road. I was not up close to 
the stage and so I could have completely misread. It was good to hear the new 
song, 'Slow Train Home.' She brought Lucy K. up to sing harmonies on several 
songs (wonder if they ever discussed Lucy's last title song), but I don't 
think Lucy had a vocal monitor, so she sat out more than participated. Nina 
joined them for a few and Rosalie and John Gorka joined them for the Hammer 
song. She talked about it being a tough year for the losses of some of her 
mentors - Harlan H., Dave Van Ronk, (? oh dear, help me out here). As the set 
went along, Nanci did seem to become a bit more animated and involved. My 
interpretation could be because she did a lot of ballads to start the set and 
it was a big contrast to Greg Brown's set that immediately preceded.

 Anyway when people started to yell about the bass, and when she did respond 
with the now apparent standard line about not yelling at people at their 
jobs, I held my breath. But she got lots of applause and positive feedback 
from her comment and held it together and moved on.  After her set, Cloud 
Moss (the organizer) thanked Nanci for helping out the festival during some 
of the struggling years and implied that she had done a lot to help to keep 
it on its feet. All in all, a wonderful weekend of music and I think not as 
hot as last year.

Tricia

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Subject: NN: Unusual question (v.probably no Nanci content)
   Date: Wed, 03 Jul 2002 23:31:23 -0400
   From: Tony Cox (tonycox@pacific.net.au>

I just read a newspaper review of the film "Ghost World",
which finished up with "whatever you do, don't leave until
after the final credits".  Problem is, I saw the film
yesterday, and I did.  If anyone who's seen the film knows
what I missed, please could you fill me in and allay my
frustration (off list).

It's a very enjoyable movie, even without that special
ending, BTW:)

Tony

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Subject: NN: Message Board
   Date: Wed, 03 Jul 2002 08:37:56 -0400
   From: "James Troiano" (James_Troiano@umit.maine.edu>

Hi Leon: i appreciate your efforts to get the message board on track. I had
tried without success in December to post a message there about Nanci's
marvelous New York performance.  Each time I attempted to send the message I
was informed that I had not registered yet. Actually I had registered twice and
get two messages from them from time to time to prove it. I gave up after that
and sent everything to the Nancinet. Any suggestions? 
Best wishes, Jim

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Subject: NN: Hole in the Wall
   Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2002 15:27:32 -0700 (PDT)
   From: Reid Mitchell (reidmitchell@yahoo.com>

NN:  Forgive me if this story has been posted before.

Reid Mitchell
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Last call at Hole in the Wall
Landmark Austin bar closes with final night of music and friends
By Janet Jacobs

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Monday, July 1, 2002

After months of speculation, the Hole in the Wall closed Sunday 
night -- at least in its current incarnation -- with a last night of 
business that turned into a party for regulars, newbies and 
musicians. 

After almost 29 years, the times caught up with the Hole. Its lease 
expired at the end of June, and the building is for sale. Renting 
month-to-month was an option, but the bar's liquor license was up for 
renewal in August. 

"The combination makes it difficult," said co-owner Debbie Rombach. 
She said she might reopen the Hole in another location if she can 
find a place in Austin where the rent isn't too high. The asking 
price for the Guadalupe Street building and its adjacent neighbor is 
$972,000. 

On Sunday, the final hours of the Hole in the Wall brought out people 
who hadn't been in the place for years, as well as those who are in 
every day. Early in the evening, doorman and 18-year regular Gary 
Wilson was busy taking down pictures and memorabilia that might 
appeal to sticky-fingered souvenir-hunters. 

The bar "will be sorely missed by everybody," he said, pulling down a 
dusty photo. "Gosh, it's all my friends." 

The Hole opened in 1974 as a neighborhood bar, but in the early days 
it was largely supported by the video arcade in the back room. Over 
the years, the attractions have altered according to the patrons' 
wishes, from video games and pool to televised sports and live music. 
>From the first year, it was an attractive spot for musicians and 
music fans. Nanci Griffith played there in 1974, earning $15 a night, 
along with tips and drinks. Other musicians who have left their 
musical footprints are Steve Earle, John Reed and Charlie Sexton. On 
Sunday, the lineup included Pocket fishRmen, Mandible and Super Ego 
All-Stars. 

Throughout the decades, however, the constant was the customers 
themselves. Many of the patrons have been coming to the Hole for 20 
or more years, and the employees were regulars before they worked 
there. 

Former employee Emily Leueba Jones met her husband, a musician, in 
the bar. 

"It's a kind of cheesy Cheers quality, where you know everybody 
here," she said. "It's not a bar full of strangers." 

The tolerance of the regulars made it possible for Jim Hamblin, also 
a long-time customer, to bring his autistic daughter to the bar. "One 
of the few things she truly loves is live music," Hamblin said 
Sunday. "The regulars here are really good to her, and permissive 
with her." 

The Hole in the Wall was opened by Doug Cugini, now living in 
Virginia. He sold it to Rombach's group of regulars and long-time 
employees a few years ago in the hopes that it would remain as it had 
always been. 

The closing "makes me sick," Cugini said. 

The odds of another restaurant or club coming into the same spot are 
slim, he said. The Hole operated under laws that were in effect when 
it started in the early '70s. To bring it up to date would require 
deep pockets -- Cugini estimated $100,000 to bring the kitchen up to 
code -- and a parking lot. The Hole had no dedicated parking, relying 
on meager space on the Drag and in the alley behind the bar. 

Although the music was special, it was the regulars who made the 
atmosphere what it was, he said. 

"Most of those people have known each other for most of their adult 
lives," Cugini said.
((((((((((((

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Subject: NN: Radio broadcast extraordinaire!!!
   Date: Sun, 30 Jun 02 18:06:43 +0100
   From: John Edward Graveling (kai21@dial.pipex.com>

Well here is a radio broadcast to whet the lips, sharpen the ears and get 
to hear some of the best singer-songwriters in the business. From the 
highly acclaimed Dana Cooper, to the wild and whacky Tommy Womack, to the 
finest Texas has to offer, Vince Bell. What more could the discerning 
folks of this list want?

More inane ramblings?

So give your ears that deserving treat and log on.

Vince Bell              http://www.vincebell.com
Dana Cooper             http://www.danacoopermusic.com/ 
Tommy Womack    http://www.tommywomack.com/

Live in-the-round on Nashville Public Radio's Songwriter Sessions.  The
program aired last night and is archived at WPLN's web site until 6 July
http://ra.wpln.org:8080/ramgen/wpln.org/smil/songwriter_week.smil

John "nothin'" Graveling

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