// Lots of lists, and musings from a long-time list member.
// Enjoy. [BP]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: NN: Sunday afternoon musings
   From: Miller, Dianne 
   Date: Sunday, January 11, 2004 6:37 PM

Hi everyone,

Was sitting here on a cold, sunny Sunday afternoon with something that's
been in short supply lately -- time to think.  I spent the morning indulging
in a rare moment of solitude, so I buried my nose in "Mystic River," the
book, not the movie on which it is based.  As murder mysteries go, it's not
a bad page turner. Five hours later, I emerged with my head spinning with
thoughts of how one simple act can set off a chain of events that, years
later, is life changing.

My friend Greg came to mind.  I met him on the sidewalk patio of a crowded
Washington bar during Labor Day weekend, 1989.  I had just moved to town,
and was taking a happy hour break from unpacking boxes.  We dated for about
five minutes, but became fast and enduring friends after we stopped seeing
each other.  He asked me one day, innocently, "Why do you always listen to
the classic rock station?  Do you like hearing only songs that you've heard
a thousand times before?"  I asked him to make some recommendations of the
people he was listening to at the time.

He made me a mix tape that was full of his favorites -- artists like the
Indigo Girls, Marti Jones, Shawn Colvin, David  Wilcox, Mary Chapin
Carpenter, John Gorka, The Cowboy Junkies, James McMurtry, Michelle Shocked,
and Nanci Griffith ("my mother's favorite singer," he said). For Christmas
that year, he bought me "Late Night Grand Hotel," and a CD collection was
born.

Greg was with me the first time I saw Nanci in concert, at Lisner Auditorium
during the Other Voices tour.  Iris DeMent opened the show, and Frank
Christian and Pete Kennedy played along with the members of the Blue Moon
Orchestra with whom we are so familiar.  What a great show -- I've probably
seen her 20 times since, and this first appearance still stands out as one
of the best.

The next time I saw Nanci, on the Wolf Trap lawn for the Flyer tour, Greg
was also with me.  I had just introduced him to one of my friends, whom he
later married (they still thank me every time I see them).  At the time, he
was flying jets for the Air Force, so the tour's headline song had special
meaning for our group.  

By this time, I had joined the Nancinet, and had become a voyeur into the
musical passions of a diverse and widespread group of people. I seldom
posted unless it was to write a concert review or add a top ten list. In the
company of people like "Shawn, the Music Guy" and "Deb, the Goddess of
Incredibly Thoughtful Music Criticism," I never felt like I had much to add,
but I did (and still do) enjoy listening in.  I owe a great debt to people
on this list over the years who have made record-collection-expanding
suggestions of new artists and old favorites.

There have been many times in the past few years, as I've gotten busier,
when I've thought about unsubscribing from the Nancinet.  But for some
reason, I could never bring myself to do it.

Last year, as the country was gearing up to fight a new war, the Nancinet
broke out in a fierce political debate that spawned the Nancinet cafe. I
migrated over there early on and found a place to vent my political
frustrations in a fairly benign fashion. Along the way, I picked up a
boyfriend, who quickly turned into a fiancˇ. Eight months later, I am
contemplating marriage, step children, career change, and a cross-country
move -- life altering events, indeed.  

Which got me thinking about how far back I could trace the improbable chain
of events that led me to this place. I went back as far as that night in the
bar on a warm September evening almost 15 years ago, when I met the man who
would introduce me to Nanci Griffith's music. From there, it was a fairly
straight line to the place I find myself now.  

Fate?  Destiny?  I'm too much of a pragmatist to believe it was anything
more than coincidence, luck, and good timing.  Consider this my belated plug
to keep the list going.  I'm really looking forward to seeing Nanci on
February 18 at the Birchmere.  I promise a concert report, complete with
fashion update, set list, and thoughts on any new material she chooses to
perform.  

And with that, I wish everyone the luxury of a little quiet time.

Dianne

p.s.  In case you're wondering, we're 99 percent certain that our "first
song" will be a very bluesy version of Lyle Lovett's "She's No Lady, She's
My Wife."

// I don't think she mentions it, but I think Dianne will be 
// marrying up with a NanciNetter who lives in Knoxville, TN.
// NanciNetters getting maried...who would've thunk it? :) [BP]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: NN: Tops in 2003
   Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 12:00:08 -0500
   From: Kevin gibley (kgibley@nd.edu>

Hello--

Sorry this has taken so long.
I, too, have  cut down on music purchases, but I can come up with this list
through the great gift that is my local library

Top 2:

Soul Sessions--Joss Stone
This CD is amazing.  Stone's voice and her styling of these soul standards
still blows me away.

The Wind--Warren Zevon
A strong final effort from Warren, one that includes a nice mix of different
sounds, from full out rockers to heart breaking ballads.

The rest:

World Without Tears--Lucinda Williams
Speaking of full out rockers--Lucinda really cranks things up here.
Additionally, she continues to be the mistress of steamy songs with
"Righteously."

Failer  Kathleen Edwards
More than one person has dubbed Edwards as a Canadian Lucinda Williams. I
get the comparison, but Edwards also cuts her own path on this debut. 

The Waifs
Another strong debut; this "middle class folk singing" Australian group (as
the opening track defines them.is infectious.  I return to this one almost
weekly.

Beneath This Gruff Exterior--John Hiatt
Hiatt continues to churn out albums at the clip of one a year--and they are
all strong.  This year's model features the Goners again, complete with
wicked guitar lines intersecting with Hiatt's trademark smart lyrics.

Red=Luck  Patty Larkin
I can't figure out why Larkin is not a bigger "star."  Her smoky vocals and
guitar (and other sonic) greatness comes together to craft distinctive
"atmospheres" for each album.. This one deftly juggles songs about lost
innocence and found love. great stuff.

Rules of Travel  Rosanne Cash
This long-awaited CD could not live up to expectations (understandably
exaggerated by the 8 years wait). But Rosanne's voice is still captivating
and her songwriting is honest. The duet with her dad is worth the price of
admission, but this album also guest stars Steve Earle and Sheryl Crow.

Stumble into Grace      Emmylou Harris
Emmylou has always been a favorite and she does nothing to change that here.
She can rip my heart out like no one else  (I Will Dream and Here I Am on
this CD)

Evolve  Ani DiFranco
The last album with the full "jazzy" band captures that sound in Ani's
career almost perfectly. Looking forward to her solo acoustic album this
year.

Peace,

Kevin

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: NN: My Best of 2003
   Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 21:11:05 -0800 (PST)
   From: "David T. Steere, Jr." (davidtsteere@yahoo.com>

I hope you forgive the compiler's tendency to be long-winded.  Many thought
this was a dismal year, release-wise.  I thought it was ripe with wonder. 
Here we go.

MY TOP 15

1--Kate Rusby. UNDERNEATH THE STARS. Pure Records (UK).  The incomparable
Kate from Yorkshire sings her heart out again in a beautiful collection of
traditional songs and several gorgeous originals from Kate and John
McCusker. Lovely instrumental work with Andy Cutting on diatonic accordion,
Ian Carr on mandolin, Andy Seward on piano, John McCusker (Kate's husband?
lucky man) on banjo, mandolin and cittern. You'll also hear a flugel horn, a
cornet, and a tuba in a great horn group. And...Eddi Reader sings harmony on
a couple of numbers.  It's been a Rusby feast of sorts. Also out in the UK
only is the soundtrack from the new movie, HEARTLANDS, with music, lyrics,
songs and new instrumentals by Rusby and McCusker. 

"Bring me a boat to cross to my dear, 
I stand here alone, with my sweetheart so near, 
Bring me a boat to cross o'er the Tyne,
For it's deep murky waters part his heart and mine."  
(from "Bring Me a Boat" by Rusby and P. Cunningham)

2--Patty Loveless. ON YOUR WAY HOME. Epic.  If there's anyone who can pick
superb songs written by others, Patty can...with a vengeance. She's aimed
just a bit more toward the mainstream for this cd after the
"impossible-to-follow" act of MOUNTAIN SOUL. As the review in NO DEPRESSION
mentions, she's likely the best country singer still appearing on mainstream
country radio. She makes all those females (Faith, Shania, et al.) seem wan
and pathetic.  She may be one of the best singers in the world right now.
All of the songs--including the more "radio-friendly" songs--have both the
bluegrass and the mountain lonely sound tightly integrated. Her singing is
just so amazing. I don't know if it's maturity/experience, the flowering of
her roots, or what. But she's so articulate and yet so emotional in
everything on this record. The foundation of her "mountain loneliness" is
carried throughout ON YOUR WAY HOME with the amazing fiddle work of Stuart
Duncan and Deanie Richardson and the mandolin of several players. You can't
forget the bluegrass and the mountains with their violins accompanying her
voice. Interesting word choices and rhymes can't be missed. 

"My woman's INTUITION is arousin' my SUSPICION. 
 I'm in a dangerous POSITION that I choose not to see." 

"Where'd you get that ALIBI? Did it fall out of the MIDNIGHT SKY?" 

"Here's to everyone from Maine to MADAGASCAR. 
 Findin' what you want, gettin' WHAT YOU'RE AFTER. 
 When I first saw you at the honey SOPPIN'. 
 Rocked me on down  to the feet of my PAJAMAS." 

"There are walls made of paper. And walls made of stone. 
 And some that are made out of livin' alone...
 Higher than the wall, a thousand feet tall. 
 High above the darkness. Where the blue shadows fall." 

"There's talk I just might be the last of the last in a long, lonesome
line."

"Brand new shoes, they hurt my feet. 
 This lace collar's chokin' me. 
 Cutting off my air supply. 
 When I hang my head to cry, 
 when I hang my head to cry."

My favorites in a cd full of them are "I Wanna Believe," "On Your Way Home"
(Matraca Berg strikes again!), "I Don't Wanna Be That Strong," "Lovin' All
Night" (Patty puts those young gyrators from country music videos to shame
with her adult sexuality here), "Last in a Long Lonesome Line," and "The
Grandpa That I Know."  The bonus DVD is nice too. It shows Austin City
Limits performances of two of my absolute favorite Loveless songs. Seeing
her in that mountain country dress and singing my favorites so well--truly a
joy. Of course, I would probably love Patty singing pages from the
phonebook.

3--Natalie Merchant. THE HOUSE CARPENTER'S DAUGHTER. Myth America Records.
The "looking back" continues. Nanci did it brilliantly with OTHER VOICES,
OTHER ROOMS and OTHER VOICES 2. The "O Brother, Where art Thou?" phenomenon
inspired others to do the same. Bluegrass and Irish/Scottish/Celtic artists
regularly live in this territory of traditional and folk songs. Patty
Loveless has pushed contemporary country to its classier mountain roots. And
now, Natalie Merchant...
Her new cd, THE HOUSE CARPENTER'S DAUGHTER is unexpectedly brilliant and
moving. I was a little uncertain what she'd do with these mostly old songs.
Well, she's taken that patented odd voice of hers we love so much, added
amazing--mostly acoustic--instruments, and fashioned splendid arrangements
of some familiar and some quite obscure musical slices of Americana. From an
early 20th century miners' union song ("Which Side Are You On?") to the
Carter Family's "Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow" to the traditional and
oft-recorded ("House Carpenter"), Natalie has done herself proud. Her
rendition of "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" is moving and mysterious. 

4--Laurie McClain. THE TRUMPET VINE: A TRIBUTE TO KATE WOLF. Kindred Voices
Music. Simply extraordinary! What an affinity for Kate Wolf songs! Get out
the handkerchiefs...What's particularly amazing is how good this cd is and
how weak her other recordings are. A mystery to me. Nanci fans. Kate fans.
Get this one.

5--Patty Griffin. A KISS IN TIME. ATO Records.  Is there a more moving
singer/songwriter than Patty Griffin? It's hard to imagine. There's
something about that voice that just pierces the heart. And to be such an
extraordinary songwriter, well...A lovely live album with particularly
gorgeous versions of her songs, especially "Goodbye," "Rain," "Be Careful,"
"Mary," "Nobody's Cryin'" and "10 Million Miles." A fascinating dvd
accompanies the cd, filled with interesting interviews, photos and music
videos. Patty is quite adorable.

6--Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez. THE TROUBLE WITH HUMANS. Train Wreck
Records. I love Chip and Carrie's new one--not the least reason being the
great title, THE TROUBLE WITH HUMANS.  Beautifully laid-back production.
Clearly  these two are very comfy with each other--it shows throughout in
everything, including their beautiful harmonizing. His speaking/singing is
wonderful and her lovely accented vibrato is very sweet. Great supporting
musicians and the whole instrumentation is extremely subtle and--as I just
said--laid back. Her fiddle and his harmonica are lovely. I particularly
took to DON'T SPEAK IN ENGLISH, the title cut, OH IRELAND, DIRTY LITTLE
TEXAS STORY, CONFESSIONS and the very amusing bonus cut. The whole
production seems, well, very Texas and that's great.

7--Allison Moorer. SHOW. Live cd/dvd. Universal South.  God, what can one
say about this woman: amazing voice, amazing songwriting, beautiful, sexy.
She really shines live. I got to compare this dvd with my experience seeing
her live at the Ram's Head in Annapolis. She goes to another level in live
performance that's intoxicating. And for her to share three songs with her
sister, Shelby Lynne, is just astounding. It's amazing to see and hear them
together. Kudos also to the wonderful but brief performance of Lonesome Bob
and to Allison's first-rate band.

8--Jeannie Kendall. JEANNIE KENDALL. Rounder.  What a glorious album--a
seamless mixture of country, bluegrass, and folk. Jeannie's voice is a
wonder. She's able to elevate material which might be lugubrious, cliched,
or too sentimental in other people's hands (or vocal cords)--such as THE
COLOR OF HER EYES and JACK AND LUCY. Who is Steve Gulley? A great duet on
that last song. In fact, all of the harmony vocals are fabulous. Alison
Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Allison Moorer harmonize so well with her that they
seem like a series of vocal siamese twins. There's not a bad song anywhere.
I found at least 8 of the 12 giving me goose-bumps. And what can you say
about the instrumentalists? I loved all the Union Station contributions,
Stuart Duncan, Rob Ickes--the strong role of the dobro throughout the cd is
another reason I love it. A real treasure.

9--Karan Casey. DISTANT SHORE. Shanachie.  A wonderful mix of new songs and
traditional ones performed by one of the most beautiful Irish voices.
Incredible instrumentalists and harmony vocalists. Karan sings quietly but
very emotionally.

And her mouth was as red 
As the fresh fallen snow. 
The day she told me again 
How another man's love 
Was as white as a raven's
While mine was blacker than blood 
How another man's love 
Was as white as a raven's 
While mine was blacker than blood.  (from THE SONG OF LIES)

10--Tom Russell. MODERN ART. Hightone.  Another great Tom Russell effort,
with spectacularly good original songs and covers. Nanci is in gorgeous
voice on three beautiful duets, especially on Dave Alvin's "Bus Station." I
didn't think still another version of "Gulf Coast Highway" could grab me,
but this very different version did. Eliza Gilkyson--one of my
favorites--sings harmony on several cuts...with lovely results. Don't
neglect to purchase the EP disk from Bill Lavery at Village Records. It
includes two repeats from MODERN ART and another memorable Russell/Griffith
duet, Rain Perry's "Yosemite."

11---Eva Cassidy. AMERICAN TUNE. Blix Street.  I wish she were still here.
I'd gladly part with a number of these lovely posthumous releases if I knew
she was alive and kicking and singing somewhere. Although from imperfect
studio and live tapes, there's much to rejoice in here. A mix of very quiet
and boisterous performances. My goosebump meter went way beyond critical
with TRUE COLORS, THE WATER IS WIDE (couldn't wait to here her sing this),
DARK EYED MOLLY, AMERICAN TUNE, YESTERDAY (another must hear and have...for
me), and YOU TAKE MY BREATH AWAY. The last song is so apropos of Eva and the
way we fans feel about her singing.

12--Suzie Ungerleider. OH SUSANNAH. Hot Records/Stella Records.  With the
first few songs of OH SUSANNAH under my belt, I felt something like, "Good,
but still not JOHNSTOWN." That may be so, but this album has some real power
and emotion. Her voice is better than ever...really good on both the
boisterous and the quiet songs. Very good instrumental backup and
arrangements. I'm not sure there's really an overall theme--explicit or
implicit--unlike her previous two recordings. But...perhaps the retro look
of the insert and its typeface and the 50s/60s car underline the "looking
back" aspect to most of the songs. I was particularly struck by the last
five songs--all superb. "Down by the Quarry" feels the most like something
from JOHNSTOWN and has a strong, "live" feel. "The Fall" and "Zoe" are like
delicate paintings--capturing a moment in time. The strings on "Zoe" are
great, as is the piano work throughout (especially on "Billy"). "The One" is
also great...really moving. And, Suzie's version of the Bob Dylan song "I'll
Keep it with Mine" is simply superb.

13--Gillian Welch. SOUL JOURNEY. Acony.  Should it mean much that Gillian
and David have created their "happiest" cd to day? I'm not sure. I do know
this  is lovely and quite mesmerizing. Spare and sweet and
unforgettable...just like the haunting "One Little Song."

14--Eddi Reader. EDDI READER SINGS THE SONGS OF ROBERT BURNS. Rough Trade.
It sounds esoteric but is completely accessible and gorgeous. Great singing,
great players (Ian Carr, Phil Cunningham, Boo Hewerdine, John McCusker,
etc.), the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the poems/songs of Robert
Burns. I'll bet you thought "Auld Lang Syne" couldn't still move you...

15---Chieftains. FURTHER DOWN THE OLD PLANK ROAD. RCA.  Superior to the
first volume, this second has a wonderful group of artists: Nickel Creek,
Allison Moorer, Tim O'Brien, John Prine, Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, Joe
Ely, Don Williams, Chet Atkins, Carlene Carter, Nittty Gritty Dirt Band,
John Hiatt, Patty Loveless, Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs, Roseanne Cash, and
others. Who could ask for more? Well, it's a Chieftains album. That's more.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Be Good Tanyas. CHINATOWN.  Nettwerk America.
Shelby Lynne. IDENTITY CRISIS. Capitol.
Townes Van Zandt. IN THE BEGINNING. TVZ/Compadre Records. 
Adrienne Young. PLOW TO THE END OF THE ROW. Addie Belle.
Dar Williams. THE BEAUTY OF THE RAIN. Razor & Tie.
Kelly Willis/Bruce Robison. HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Boars Nest Records.
Mindy Smith. Mindy Smith EP. Vanguard Records.
Cara Dillon. SWEET LIBERTY. Rough Trade. 
Kasey Chambers. TRUE COLOURS (EP). EMI Music Australia.
Nanci Griffith: COMPLETE MCA STUDIO RECORDINGS. MCA.
Caroline Herring. WELLSPRING. Bluecorn Music.
LIVIN', LOVIN', LOSIN': SONGS OF THE LOUVIN BROTHERS. Universal South. 

BEST DVDS
MERLEFEST LIVE!: THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY JAM. Merlefest.
Allison Moorer. SHOW. Universal South.
Alison Krauss and Union Station. LIVE.   Rounder.
Lynn Miles.  LIVE AT THE CHAPEL. DaViD (UK).
Joni Mitchell: WOMAN OF HEART AND MIND.  PBS.

Big Disappointments in 2003

Rosie Thomas. ONLY WITH LAUGHTER CAN YOU WIN. A disappointing follow-up to
her beautiful previous cd. The main problems: the religious content and the
loss of the simple, beautiful concrete writing of her last record. You can
follow the religion debate--if you are interested--by reading the Amazon
reviews of the record.

Andrea Zonn. LOVE GOES ON. A wonderful fiddle-player but an uninspired
singer. The presence of luminaries such as Jerry Douglas, Alison Brown, Amy
Grant, John Mock, Alison Krauss, and Tim O'Brien help but don't hide that
Andrea lacks something in the singing department.

Late and Great from 2002

Jude Johnstone. COMING OF AGE. BoJak Records. To finally hear the songwriter
sing the songs others have made famous and to find a great dusty, emotional
voice...a wonderful surprise.

Becky Schlegel. RED LEAF. Beautiful bluegrass singing. Warm and lovely. Is
there another Alison Krauss on the horizon?

Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez. LET'S LEAVE THIS TOWN. Train Wreck
Records. Their debut album of  duets. Sensational. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: NN: best of list
   Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 18:40:17 -0800 (PST)
   From: "C. Nakai" (catenakai@yahoo.com>

Like everyone else I did not purchase many new release
cd's in 2003, and those that I did buy don't make the
list, but the two below are the exception.

Natalie Merchant - The House Carpenter's Daughter.
This one is so Natalie.  The cd is a collection of
traditional and contemporary folk songs she found over
the years. This album hooked from the first song.

The Beth Hart Band - Leave the Light On.  I have not
been able to get this one out of the car cd player.
She reminds of Janis Joplin and Joan Jett in one. Very
good.

Catie

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: NN: Red Hot
   Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 15:17:55 -0500
   From: Steve Robertson (stever@mindspring.com>

Here's a little secret I stumbled onto-

It all started a few weeks ago when I pulled out my copy of the "Red Hot +
Country" CD. The one I bought mainly to get Nanci's cover of "If These Old
Walls Could Speak." I can remember seeing the video version of this concert
many years ago on TNN and I always wished I had bought the VHS video before
it went out of print.

Just for the heck of it, I went to the Amazon.com site and did a search on
the title. Lo and behold, the results listed about ten used and new old
stock copies from the Amazon marketplace merchants. And the prices were all
ridiculously low- $1.39 used or $2.70 new, plus shipping.

This was such a surprise that I did some general searches for music videos
to see if there were any other similar deals. While browsing through the
results, I came to an entry for Nanci's "One Fair Summer Evening" VHS video.
Two copies available starting at $100.00!

And I gave away my VHS copy when I found the same concert on LaserDisc. I
wonder if the price for collectible LaserDiscs is as high? I saw a few other
VHS videos with high prices. I think the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary concert
was the highest. I briefly considered trying to corner the market on the Red
Hot video and then promote its status as a collectible. But, in the end, I
just ordered one copy and left the rest of the cheap copies out there for
the rest of the NanciNet.

The copy arrived yesterday, and it's as good as I remember. There's not much
overlap between the video and the CD. Nanci's song is one of only a handful
on both. The video also includes Kathy Mattea, Suzy Boggus, John Hiatt,
Levon Helm, Waylon Jennings, Radney Foster, the Mavericks, Earl and Randy
Scruggs, Carl Perkins, Rodney Crowell, Shelby Lynne and, unfortunately,
Billy Ray Cyrus ;-)

Steve R.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: NN: Best of 2003
   Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2004 19:17:43 EST
   From: ConorMG@aol.com

I sent in my list of two on 23 Dec, but Santa was good to me so I can do a
full list now.  Also David's Best of 2003 has inspired me to try again.  His
January epistle is the highlight of the year for me on the internet!

I stand by these two:
1.  Rosie Thomas--Only with Laughter Can You Win   
This is not ruined by religion, any more than are Michaelangelo, Raphael,
Bach, Handel, Dante, Milton, Donne, Hopkins and  Eliot. Civilisation is
finished if we reject artists because they express beliefs different to
ours. (This isn't 'From a Distance'!)
2.  Caitlin Cary      I'm Staying Out

I've caught up with three live cds, and they're magic:
3.  Allison Moorer    Show 
4.  Patty Griffin     A Kiss in Time 
5.  Dixie Chicks      Top of the World Tour Live   
This is far better than expected.  Every track is shockingly exciting, and
there is a wonderful bonus I've not heard before, 'Mississipi'.  Well worth
buying.

My new favourites are:
6.  Eva Cassidy    American Tune  
The incontrovertibly, indubitably, ineffably supreme singer in this genre, I
think.
7.  Kevin Montgomery    2.30am    
He looks like a Maverick and sounds a bit like Dylan but with a more
melodious voice. The words aren't as good as on 'Another Long Story', but
that would be hard;  he plays a lovely soft electric guitar; and he gets
support from Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, Al Perkins, two Mavericks and
others. It's a moving but relaxing record by a very likeable person (at
least in Maidstone, Kent this month,  where the women around me were
drooling, but sadly not at me). 
8.  Brid Dower  Comings and Goings  
I can't imagine anyone who likes early Nanci not loving this Arizona 
recording.  Wonderful singing of haunting, wistful traditional Irish songs,
and
some 
by Andy M Stewart, Jean Ritchie and others.  Beautiful acoustic guitar by
Gerry O'Beirne, with some bass, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, flute, whistle,
bouzouki. Has gone straight to the top of my favourite Irish records by
women, even above Eileen Donaghy...I found it two days ago in the house of
my 95 year old uncle (RIP), a fiddler in San Francisco. How come he was so
far ahead of me?  
9.   Kris Delmhorst   Songs for a Hurricane   
Only just got it, but I like her. 
10.  Richard Thompson  Old Kit Bag   
This is something like a Best of.

My best discoveries of 2003 are:
Nanci Griffith  There's a Light 1982
Catie Curtis    Catie Curtis
Eliza Gilkyson  Lost and Found 
Mary Gauthier   Filth and Fire
Paul Carrack    The Collection  1988/ 94  (with 'Do Me Lover' as the song
I've found it hardest to get out of my head all year.  Tinnitus will never
be the same!)

It's been a fine year for music.

Conor

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: NN: Re: NanciNet #04112
   Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 02:21:47 -0000
   From: "Keith Farman" (keith.farman@ntlworld.com>

One CD.  Not new in 2003 but discovered by me in 2003.  Blew my mind. Not
since I first heard NG.....

Buffy Sainte Marie - Concidence and Likely Stories.

Lyrically intelligent. Emotionally deep and committed. Musically - off the
map. Culture and musical genre fusion. Stimulates the mind, stirs the soul
and at times emotionally kicks you in the gut.  Not sure what you guys on
the other side of the pond make of this very impressive lady. She must be a
bit uncomfortable sometimes. But Jeez what a CD!

DVD is a shoe-in: Alison Krauss and Union Sation  - including the
breathtaking Jerry Douglas on Dobro. (He has transformed their music -
giving it the edge it needed - fusion again). I would LOVE to hear NG with
Jerry on board - wow.

For the future - watch out for an 18 year-old UK girl who won our Fame
Academy competetion on TV - ALEX PARKS. Bright, intelligent, with a voice
emotionally expressive well beyond her years. Shades of Tracy Chapman but
when this girl gets full control of so much innate talent - watch out.

Regards

Keith

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: NN: Top CD's, etc. for 2003
   Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 15:57:16 -0500
   From: "Kim Diorio" (diorio15@msn.com>

Here are my selections, in no particular order:

Top 10 CD's from 2003:

Josh Ritter -  Hello Starling
The Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music
Kate Campbell - Twang on a Wire
Josh Rouse - 1972
Mark Insley - Supermodel
Kimmie Rhodes and Willie Nelson - Picture in a Frame
Greg Trooper - Floating
Gillian Welch - Soul Journey
Warren Zevon - the Wind
Kathleen Edwards - Failer

Music DVD's from 2003:

Steve Goodman - LIVE from Austin City Limits... and more!
Ryan Adams - Live in Jamaica

Reissues in 2003:

Alejandro Escovedo - With These Hands
The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Uncle Tupelo - Anodyne
Uncle Tupelo - March 16-02, 1992
Jorma Kaukonen - Quah

Compilation for 2003:

For Anyone That's Listening - A Tribute to Uncle Tupelo

From Previous Years:

Darryl Purpose - A Crooked Line
Darryl Purpose - Same River Twice
Josh Ritter - Golden Age of Radio
Mark Insley - Tuscon
Josh Rouse - Home

Favorite concerts:

John Prine
Darryl Purpose
Kate Campbell
Jeff Black
Slaid Cleaves

Favorite music magazines:

Paste
No Depression
Harp
Texas Music

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