NanciNet Digest 10-25-04
// Seems we may have to make a decision about the World.std
// address sometime soon...this is, again, my fourth try to
// send a digest in five days.
// So this digest has reviews of the new CD, and a very good
// concert review. Enjoy...BP
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Subject: NN: Nanci "rises to the occasion" and connects
From: "David T. Steere, Jr." (davidtsteere@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 20:08:40 -0400
I hate those overzealous, underthinking critics who scream "masterpiece"
at the loud drop of the latest phenom's cd or movie or novel. They
should back up, slow down, contextualize and think before they speak and
toss superlatives. Having said that, I'll take nominations for
other--less overused--words to describe HEARTS IN MIND. It has
"masterpiece" written all over it and throughout. It's been worth the
wait. Nanci seems to have backed up, slowed down, contextualized,
thought and most certainly felt. She "rises to the occasion."
When I hear a new album, I usually mention the songs I like best and the
ones I find slightly less successful. That approach would be pointless
here. There is so much good stuff here on all kinds of levels that I'll
leave it to those of the NANCINET more acute, more analytical and with
better memories than mine to fill in some of the wonderful details and
connections. Perhaps the only problem I wonder about concerns those for
whom HEARTS IN MIND is their first Nanci album to hear. They'll
probably love it but will miss so many references and reflections which
connect very emotionally with other Nanci compositions and performances.
A few fairly random thoughts:
Nanci's and Elizabeth's Cook's "A Simple Life." Literal and yet ironic
as a first song. Nanci does seem to be simpler here, detailing and
playing counterpoint with many of her old themes and a few new ones.
Her voice--as beautiful as I've heard in ages--seems simpler and
straighter here. But, the irony of the illusion is that the simple
themes and settings harbor very complex issues and feelings. Nanci the
novel writer is here. Nanci the historian. Nanci the faithful
observer. Nanci with the huge heart. They are all here. Nanci with the
"Big Blue Ball of War" view and Nanci with the appreciation of the small
and the "Beautiful."
No better time than now for "Heart of Indochine" and "Old Hanoi" and
"Big Blue Ball of War"--at least no better time than before the upcoming
election day. The first two songs bring one of my favorite movies to
mind--THREE SEASONS with Harvey Keitel. I will never be able to watch
that movie again, feel its beauty and sadness without thinking of these
two Nanci songs. "Big Blue Ball of War" brings us right around to Julie
Gold's "From a Distance." More counterpoint. A theme and wonderful
variations as with many of the songs here. Speaking of Julie Gold, her
"Mountain of Sorrow" may suffer on the surface when compared with the
9/11 songs on Lucy Kaplansky's great last album. But with Nanci's
delivery here, we're in the midst of wonder and tears.
Nanci looks back and connects with her older songs and the people of her
heart. "Beautiful" and her stepdad and mother. "Before" does it
explicitly. Listen and count how many Nanci songs she brings together
here. There are at least three songs on "HEARTS IN MIND" which sound
like classic Nanci songs of the past but which are very new.
How many performers or composers have been inspired just once by parts
of Wim Wenders' great WINGS OF DESIRE? Well, now there are two in the
Nanci canon--amazing.
Covers. A real gift with superlative cover performances as well as
Nanci originals. I don't know how to begin to describe Lee Ann
Etheridge's "Back When Ted Loved Sylvia." It certainly carries more
heft, clarity and emotion than the recent Plath film with Ms. Paltrow.
I guess only Nanci could make me enjoy Jimmy Buffett who guest vocals on
Clive Gregson's "I Love This Town." More fun than many barrels of
monkeys. Ron Davies' exquisite "Rise to the Occasion" is so touching
and subtle I'm reminded that I can't help but love Nanci's way of
singing love songs--like no one else--and Mac MacAnally sings it with
her! More connections to the earlier Nanci--the duet of all duets,
Nanci and Mac on "Gulf Coast Highway." As simple and as beautiful a
love song as Nanci and Charlie Stefl's "Love Conquers All" manages to
avoid all the obvious dangers of cliche and ... soars.
Her Blue Moon Orchestra. One of you much more eloquent that I could
write a Sherlockian monograph on the wonder of their playing here.
I'll just mention a few things. Hooker's piano/keyboards throughout
reminded me of the famous image when Jane Eyre and Rochester part and he
talks about the invisible string tieing them together heart to heart.
John Catchings' cellos and strings. Doug Lancio's guitars. Clive
Gregson's mandolin and accordion. And Nanci's harmony duet singers:
Cathryn Craig and Jennifer Kimball. Oy!
Don't miss reading the song notes when you get your copy. Charlie
Stefl's on "Love Conquers All," Pat McInerney's on "Rise to the
Occasion," and Nanci's on "Big Blue Ball of War" are alone worth the
price of this album.
David
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Subject: NN: Hearts in Mind
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 12:15:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: "JAMES WARD" (jward39212@yahoo.com>
Well, got my copy of Hearts in Mind yesterday. I
listened to it 3 times last night while sipping a late
night cocktail. I wanted to share my thoughts on this
album with Nancinetters today. Quite simply, I
believe this disc will be on many "Best Of" year-end
lists. I love all types of music........and I believe
this is the "BEST" album I've heard this year. It
MUST win a Grammy because it is just that good! With
each listen (two more times today)a different song
becomes my NEW favorite. It is impossible to choose
just one......all 13 songs are brilliant. The
production accomplished with Nanci taking the
production lead for the first time is
flawless.....without a single misstep. Musical
history will be king to our lady, Nanci. I believe
this album will be considered her "MASTERPIECE", a
musical landscape so real you almost find yourself in
its center. Nanci and the Blue Moon Orchestra fit
together like a glove with each complimenting the
other. This album is a "haunting" work of art...you
can feel the "hearts in mind".....I cannot recommend
it enough.
Track Listing
1. Simple Life
2. Angels
3. Heart of Indochine
4. Beautiful
5. Back When Ted Loved Sylvia
6. Mountain of Sorrow
7. Old Hanoi
8. Before
9. I Love This Town
10. Rise To The Occasion
11. Love Conquers All
12. Last Train Home
13. Big Blue Ball of War
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Subject: Re: NN: Hearts in Mind
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 18:45:30 -0400
From: "Mike Chesman" (chesman@preferred.com>
At 12:15 PM 10/19/04 -0700, James Ward wrote:
> Well, got my copy of Hearts in Mind yesterday. I
> listened to it 3 times last night while sipping a late
> night cocktail. I wanted to share my thoughts on this
> album with Nancinetters today. Quite simply, I
> believe this disc will be on many "Best Of" year-end
> lists.
Well, James I envy the fact that you are already listening to
the CD. The only good thing I can think about the delayed
2005 release to U.S. fans is that maybe "Hearts In Mind" will
make "Best Of" year-end lists for two years in a row (2004 and
2005).
Wouldn't that be fine!
Mike Chesman
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Subject: Re: NN: Hearts in Mind
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 19:19:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Shawn Kimbro" (shawn@mountainsoul.net>
--- Mike Chesman (chesman@preferred.com> wrote:
> The only good thing I can think about the delayed
> 2005 release to U.S. fans is that maybe "Hearts In
> Mind" will make "Best Of" year-end lists for two years in a
row
> (2004 and 2005). Wouldn't that be fine!
I think it's that Nanci is punishing the U.S. audience
for recent poll numbers! Can't say as I blame her. I
wouldn't want the "idiots for Bush" crowd buying my
CDs either!
-Shawn
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Subject: NN: Cd of the Year
From: "Barry Medway" (bmedway@austarnet.com.au>
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2004 18:02:43 +1000
Yes, I know its too early to talk of such stuff, but, hell !!
the christmas thing is already lighting up the eyes of
advertising & retail types. And besides, I havent recommended
anything since Cyndi Laupers "At Last" Cd last year. I hope you
checked that out, huh, too bad, but not too late.
But I digress, & yet again, how encouraging to hear the positive
reviews of Nanci"s new album, makes one look forward intensely
to hearing it. Thank you to those who have posted such
entreating entrees. What I really started out to say is if you
love Nanci type music, & like me, cant buy it yet, go out & buy
"A Kiss In Time" from Patty Griffin. This is the best thing I
have heard this year. It is live from The Ryman & just
beautiful. Nothing else I can say to convince you, the rest is
up to you. I am now on a mission to collect everything this girl
has done, I am her slave, enraptured, how embarrassing, no,
joyful really at my age.
And by the way, the DVD of the Year is "SINGING SONGWRITERS"
Why? Because it has Nanci, Emmylou,Patty Griffin,Julie Miller,
Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell, Willie Nelson, John T
Van Zandt, Dave Mathews & others all on stage together. It is
mainly a tribute to Townes Van Zandt & is superb.
Where are the Concert reports from the UK?? Come on you lot !!!
Kind regards from A Land Down Under ...Barry.
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Subject: NN: new CD
From: "DWF Abbott" (D.Abbott@bristol.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 09:57:13 +0100
It was a surprise to see the 'Independent' review in the UK but I went
out the next day and bought the CD. What a mixed bag. Strange thing is
that when I first bought 'Clock without Hands' it was, 'Travelling
Through...' that stood out as a class A track. I've had the same
experience with the new CD with track 3 - again about Vietnam - standing
out as really good. There are some other tracks I liked a lot instantly
- 'Believe in the Dream' and 'Big Blue Wall'. But some are just
cringingly awful - especially the Ted & Slyvia track.
I know a CD can't please everyone but I felt there was a real lack of
overall coherence to the CD.
But I don't mind so much - I'll take the tracks I really like as gifts
and wait and see what the Albert Hall concert is like.
In contrast, I can't take K.d. Lang's CD off my player...
David Abbott
Bristol, UK
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Subject: NN: Nanci in Ireland
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 09:11:02 -0500
From: "Lisa Pogue" (lpogue@APWA.NET>
Dear Nancinetters - I'm coming out of my lurking to share something
exciting that those on this group will appreciate. I noticed that Nanci
is playing in Ireland this fall and my husband and I decided that we
should see her there. We have been going to see Nanci in the DC area for
many years (Wolftrap, Lisner, Birchmere) and see her whenever she's
around. I have tickets and a plane ticket to Dublin and can hardly wait!
--- Lisa "Packing my bags" Pogue
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Subject: NN: NanciNews on Hearts in Mind
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 15:35:38 -0600
From: "Paul Larsen" (pbl2@utah.edu>
Hmm. I just read the e-mail sent by nancigriffith.com, and I am left
with a few questions. (I am just thinking out loud, and the questions
are mainly rhetorical in nature...)
1. Why can't we in the U.S. purchase Hearts in Mind until next year?
Does this have anything to do with her political views? Do we have to
worry about the return of McCarthy-ism and censorship of artists who put
out works that are described as "...an uncompromising, unflinching look
at war and an ultimately hopeful look at love...?" And if Junior gets
re-elected, are we ever going to get to hear the album? And if Britain
is our ally like they keep saying on the news, why won't they
(amazon.uk) ship me the dang album?
2. Why would a website that promotes an artist include a line like this
in a review of her new opus? "...(the love aspect) does however fall
short of its goal on Nanci and Le Ann's 'Before,' Nanci's 'Last Train
Home' and Clive Gregson's tongue-in-cheek 'I Love This Town,' featuring
Buffett on guest vocals." It seems to me that they are not exactly
interested in promoting the album with quotes like that.
*SIGH*
Paul "I wish it would rain to complete the mood" Larsen
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Subject: Re: NN: NanciNews on Hearts in Mind
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 10:58:10 +0100
From: "Stuart Pollock" (stuart.pollock@which.net>
Paul Larsen wrote:
> And if Britain is our ally like they keep saying on the news,why
> won't they (amazon.uk) ship me the dang album?
As recently mentioned by somebody else...
Try http://www.play.com - they may send internationally, it's a Channel
Island venture that ships (free) to the UK. As they're "off shore" their
prices are pretty decent. This is the lot that had Hearts in Mind at the
special pre-order price of £5.99 (maybe $9), I believe my copy arrived
this morning, sad to say... I'm too lazy to go downstairs and check what
the loud thump was a few mins ago. regards
stuart
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Subject: NN: !
From: Mildredgibson@aol.com
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 09:31:26 EDT
Paul wrote:
"2. Why would a website that promotes an artist include a line like this
in a review of her new opus? "...(the love aspect) does however fall
short of its goal on Nanci and Le Ann's 'Before,' Nanci's 'Last Train
Home' and Clive Gregson's tongue-in-cheek 'I Love This Town,' featuring
Buffett on guest vocals." It seems to me that they are not exactly
interested in promoting the album with quotes like that."
Actually, Paul, that was the part of the message that got me most
excited! When her music centers around great love lost/never found, I
believe NG is almost always at the height of her powers (that's why
"Flyer" ranks so high for me). I'll confess that I have found her more
overtly "political" material more attractive in recent years, especially
on "CWH," where the personalization of the material was, I believe, the
catalyst for more moving songwriting. In contrast, I feel that "Time of
Inconvenience" is the only (possibly) weak song among complete
perfection on "Flyer."
In fact, the review linked on here from the Americana site in GB began
with something like, "There's a pervasive sadness all over this album,"
(please forgive my very loose paraphrasing), and I reacted with abundant
joy. Melancholy is her greatest inspiration, in this fan's humble
opinion.
Jonathan G.
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Subject: NN: Nanci on the Beeb this Sunday
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 14:48:47 +0100
From: "Graham Shipley" (gshipley@perioikos.u-net.com>
Stuart's e-mail reminds me, to my embarrassment, that I never did send
out copies of the video of her *last* appearance on this programme about
20 months ago to the three people who requested it (and agreed to do the
same in turn). Life and work have been terribly hectic.
My first three respondents were M. Schommer, John Courtney, and Paul
Chiu. If you're still out there guys, I now have more free time to get
these copies made. Let me know *off-list* if you would still like them.
Graham
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Subject: NN: Love Conquers All
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2004 11:28:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: "JAMES WARD" (jward39212@yahoo.com>
"Love Conquers All" from Nanci's "Hearts in Mind"
disc. Written by Nanci Griffith & Charlie Stefl.
She's a brown skin girl from El Paso City
He's a sweet tempered soldier from Fort Bliss
They ran off one July evening
All concerned said this one is anyone's guess
Love conquers all
Love conquers all
And to all concerned you'll survive that fall
Cause love conquers all
She's a rest home bride up in New Jersey
It's her first trip down the aisle, and it's his
second time around
All concerned said she looked so pretty
Dressed in white though she's wheel chair bound
Love conquers all
Love conquers all
And to all concerned you'll survive that fall
Cause love conquers all
She's a Muslim girl from the Motor City
He's an uptight Irish Catholic boy
They found their love in a class on history
And the bells of Ann Arbor rang with joy
Love conquers all
Love conquers all
And to all concerned you'll survive that fall
Cause love conquers all
And it's love, love, love, love conquers all
Yes it's love, love, love, love conquers all
@2004 Irving Music Inc./Ponder Heart Music (BMI) and
Critter City Music (SESAC)
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Subject: NN: Concert Report
From: "Sue and Keith" (sueandkeith@freenet.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2004 20:48:02 +0100
Barry Medway wrote:
> Where are the Concert reports from the UK?? Come on you lot !!!
Hi everyone,
Sorry this has taken so long to send. Sue and I just got home from
Sunday's Manchester concert this morning (friday), having spent the last
few days walking in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. We
logged on expecting to see several reports, and were most surprised to
see none. So here goes - some of what we can remember.
The concert was at the wonderful Lowry Centre, built as a millennium
project and part of a scheme to revitalise an old dockyard.
Magnificently modern. The Hall is on 4 levels, with superb acoustics and
great views from all seats.
Opening act were our old friends the Crickets, who entertained us with a
succession of Buddy Holly hits. Sue was wiped out by these, knowing the
songs but not ever realising who sung them or wrote them. She is now
threatening to become a BH fan. A great addition to the Crickets line
up was our old pal Albert Lee, who also did a solo song from the
Crickets new album. Nanci joined them for a couple of rockers to close
the opening segment of the show.
Nanci looked very slim, was in terrific voice, and seemed relaxed and
happy. The set was a mixture of tracks from the new album, together with
the usual Gulf Coast Highway, From a Distance, Listen to the Radio, Hard
Life, etc, etc. A good set, professionally performed. They made it
look very spontaneous, hadn't rehearsed it to death, and the
introductions were mostly off the cuff. BMO line up was James Hooker,
Pat McInerney, Le Ann Etheridge and Clive Gregson. One blade shy of a
sharp edge perhaps, but they were so obviously having a good time that
the audience lapped it up. Nanci talked a lot about the Mines Advisory
Group, sang a couple of the Landmine Free World songs (This Part of You,
Heart of Indochine). She had appeared live on British TV that morning
and obviously felt that had gone down OK.
We had bought the new album a few days before, and had started to learn
the songs. It was noticeable that many of the songs performed were
unknown to most of the audience, many of whom would have been unaware of
the existence of the new album. Amazingly, none were on sale at the
venue. Unforgiveable really, considering we bought the tickets nearly
six months ago. The merchandise was poor too. The programme was from
the Clock without Hands Tour. We watched several people scurry back to
reclaim their money when they realised they had paid 5 GBP (about 8
dollars) for old stock. There is a T shirt for the new tour and album,
but the quality is not good at the price (16GBP)
We had a lovely time, and the two hour drive back to our camp-site flew
by as we relived the day out. It was Sue's first Nanci concert, but
most defintely not the last.
Excuse the bittiness of this report - still car-lagged from the drive
home.
Regards
Keith
***********************************************************
Sue Gatehouse and Keith Harrison
Norwich, UK.
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Subject: NN: More interesting music (some avian content)
From: "Tony Cox" (tonycox@pacific.net.au>
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 15:36:32 +1000
I have a hunch that hard rockers Hatebeak won't be featuring strongly in
many NanciNetters' end of year 'best of' retrospectives, but what's not
to like about a death-metal band with a parrot for a lead singer?? And
with a song titled 'Beak of Putrefaction'?!
You can read all about it on their Web site - here is an excerpt:
Face-crushing guitars, head-pounding drums, bass so low you'll vacate
your bowels, and vocals so scorching, so extreme they simply can't be
human! They're not. This death metal outfit with a parrot for a singer
makes trashes the pathetic birdfeeder you call the metal underground!
That's correct, a parrot for a singer, savaging you with feathers of
razored steel! This is not Jimmy Buffet's parrot - be warned! Try as one
might, they will not escape the claw; nothing can dodge the talons of
hate!! These three songs are an ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY beak in the ass of
all things sacred in the underground. The holiest shrines of metal and
hardcore seriousness are duly trashed, burned, laid to waste, smeared in
Avian excrement. The pecking order has been established! For the last
time, it really is a parrot, not the loser from Six Feet Under.
Groundbreaking, nest-crushing, egg-shattering! You can run, but you
can't fly.
http://www.reptilianrecords.com/reptilian/hatebeek.html
Tony - exploring the music that flies in the face of conformity
:)
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