NanciNet Digest 12-20-05
// It's that time of year again.
// Post your top 10 for 2005 to Molly Prive at:
// cityrec@ci.grants-pass.or.us
// Enjoy! [BP]
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Subject: NN: Quiet Organizer?
From: "David T. Steere, Jr." (davidtsteere@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 19:16:42 -0500
It's been awfully quiet around here. But, it's also been a year of
awfully good music. Is there an interested soul out there who might
want
to volunteer to organize and compile our "Best of the Year" cd choices?
I'm chomping at the bit--a bit--to vote my 10 or 15 best? Any
takers? We
sure don't want to leave
http://www.nanci-griffith.com/nanci_links/TopTens/ bare this year and
I'm
sure Susan Holmes would post the results.
David
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Subject: NN: Re: Quiet Organizer?
From: "Tony Cox" (tonycox@pacific.net.au>
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2005 19:34:56 +1100
I wouldn't let anything stop you, David (or anyone else) - let's get the
ball rolling and maybe someone will step up in due course to do the
collating. I've got my list of picks for the year *almost* ready so I
won't be far behind in posting it. Let it roll!
Tony
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Subject: NN: Top Ten Lists-2005
From: prive@charter.net
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 17:40:59 -0500
Well, I have volunteered to take on this task this year! Thanks to David
Steere for his expertise.
Here go the rules:
1) I will be counting the Top Ten votes; anything over 10 will be
counted
as Honorable Mentions. (I will keep track of them.)
2) While lists can be posted on the NanciNet (and please do) send me a
copy to:
cityrec@ci.grants-pass.or.us for official counting.
3) Only CD's released in 2005 will be counted. Reissues and Tribute CD's
can be included.
4)Music DVD's will not be counted, but I know the list loves hearing
about
them.
5) Deadline is January 15, 2006
Thanks for trusting me with this job!! I've already counted Ken
Stiffler's
and Richard Hill's votes.
Molly
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Subject: NN: RE: Re: Quiet Organizer?
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2005 23:30:51 +1300
From: "Ken Stiffler" (ksls@kmsx.net>
No way can I do a Top Ten this year - I just haven't heard enough new
CDs.
Hard to believe, but I haven't even heard The Kennedys' "Half A Million
Miles", even though they tend to end up at or near the top of my list
each
year that they release a CD.
So here is my Top Ten list for 2005:
1. Tracy Grammer - Flower of Avalon
Yep. That's the whole list. :)
Luckily, Tracy's CD is good enough to be deserving of a number 1 slot
or I
probably wouldn't have submitted a list at all this year. Again.
It would have taken a pretty spectacular record to edge Tracy for number
1. The track "Winter When He Goes" is *still* haunting me.
Other CDs from recent years that I discovered this year that would have
been worthy of Top Ten status had I heard them when they were released:
Rodney Crowell - Fate's Right Hand.
This is now easily my favorite Rodney Crowell record and about the best
alt-country CD I've heard since Steve Earle's "Jerusalem", which
topped my
list the year it was released.
Kathleen Edwards - Failer
Can't imagine her voice working with alt-country backing. But it
does. It
does. A breathy voice and horns on a rocking alt-country song? Who'd a
thunk it?
If you haven't heard Kathleen Edwards, don't be put off by the horns
comment. There is only one song with horns. But that's my favorite
song on
the CD.
Eddi Reader - Sings The Songs of Robert Burns
I hadn't paid much attention to Eddi Reader since Simple Soul was
released
and never quite caught my attention. But I got to see her live here
in WLG
this year and she sang several of the songs from this CD, so I knew
it was
going to be good. And it is. :)
Have also been especially enjoying my old Christmas music this year.
Highlights being the Wind Machine CDs, as well as the old standbys
The
Roches, Amy Grant, Mannheim Steamroller, and Jon Anderson.
Oh, and thanks to Jerry for the heads up on the Townes documentary.
Sounds
interesting. I'll watch for it to come out on DVD.
Ken
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Subject: NN: Re: Best of 2005 (was: Quiet Organizer?)
From: "PhotoTwang" (PhotoTwang@insightbb.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2005 19:00:48 -0600
(I already posted these on 'moonpie' and the 'tracy list'/ but since you
asked, here they are for NN):
1) Flower of Avalon - Tracy Grammer
http://www.tracygrammer.com/
2) Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out - Petra Haden
Petra sings the entire "Who Sell Out" a capella! I LOVE this disc!
http://www.bar-none.com/artists.php?recordID=3DPetra%20Haden
3) Blues and Lamentations - Kate Campbell
Right up there with Kate's BEST!
http://www.katecampbell.com/
4) Baby - The Detroit Cobras
Absolutely wonderful kick-ass rootsy rockin' r&b! Listen to the
*Fresh
Air* review here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=3D5029160
http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/detroitcobras/182
5) Fair & Square - John Prine
Right up there with John's other classics!
6) O Come Look at the Burning - Kevin Gordon
http://www.kevingordon.net/
7) Who's Got Trouble? - Shivaree
Ambrosia Parsley (the name her parents gave her :) and the guys
made my
favorite "pop" disc of the year.
http://www.shivaree.com/
8) Moments from This Theatre - Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham
Their biggest hits, recorded live in 1998 in England and Ireland.
The sort of laid back atmosphere you'd expect at The Bluebird in
Nashville. (released long ago in Europe/now available here in US)
9) Dreaming Wide Awake - Lizz Wright
http://www.lizzwright.net/
10) Paradise Hotel - Eliza Gilkyson
http://www.elizagilkyson.com/music.htm
and:
Just Believe It - Susan Cowsill
Mercy Now - Mary Gauthier
I've Got My Own Hell to Raise - Bettye LaVette
Hope & Desire - Susan Tedeschi
Song of the Traveling Daughter - Abigail Washburn
My Better Self - Dar Williams
Best new Christmas disc: "Christmas Means Love" - Joan Osborne
(available
only at Barnes & Noble)
DVD of the Year: "No Direction Home - Bob Dylan: A Martin Scorsese
Picture" One of the best documentaries ever made.
Artist to watch: Maude Maggart http://www.maudemaggart.com/
Sings cabaret standards beautifully (is Fiona Apple's sister).
Can't wait to hear next year: The Little Willies (Lee Alexander, Jim
Campilongo, Norah Jones, Richard Julian, Dan Rieser)(They have a disc
set
for release in March 2006).
Best of luck to: Jeff & Vida, as they start fresh in new digs in
Nashville
(having moved from New Orleans).
http://www.jeffandvida.com/index2.html
Those are my picks. What are yours?
~Richard Hill
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Subject: NN: 2005 top ten
From: "joe" (aquarian@ptd.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 17:28:02 -0800
1. Prairie Wind-Neil Young
2. Hearts in Mind-nanci Griffith
3. Cole's Corner-Richard hawley
4. Cold Roses-Ryan Adams and the cardinals
5. nashville-Josh rouse
6. what comes after the blues-Magnolia electric co.
7. Paradise Hotel-Eliza gilkyson
8. In the Reins-iron and wine and calexico
9. On my way to absense Damien Jurado
10. Mystic chords of memory-mystic chords of memory
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Subject: NN: Re: Top Ten Lists-2005
From: "PhotoTwang" (PhotoTwang@insightbb.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 20:04:11 -0600
I posted my list just 24 hours ago, and I already want to change it.
Among
the items on my "also" list was Abigail Washburn's "Song of the
Traveling
Daughter".
I've been listening to Abigail most of the day today, and I've come to
realize that this is indeed one of the Top Ten discs of '05. It is a
wonderful disc!
How many banjo picking songwriters do you know who are just as adept at
writing and singing in Chinese as they are in English? Abigail is the
only
one I know of.
Have a listen to David Dye's interview with Abigail here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5049815
http://www.abigailwashburn.com/
~Richard Hill
(A little late now, but if I could, I'd knock out Dan & Spooner's
reissue
from the "#8" spot and insert Abigail's disc)
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Subject: NN: top ten
From: "David" (dbrons@adelphia.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 18:26:14 -0800
1. Kate Rusby -- The Girl Who Couldn't Fly
Kate's my favorite right now and last year I emailed her website
asking if
she'd be performing in the US anytime. I got a nice response though the
person said Kate would not be coming at least any time soon because she
was afraid of flying. After a week of listening to her new CD it dawned
on me: "The Girl Who Couldn't Fly" duh!
2. Kathleen Edwards -- Back to Me
I don't know a lot about her but I like this CD very much. I liked
"Failer" and this is even better I think
3. and 4. Mother Earth --
Living With the Animals
Make a Joyful Noise
OK I think they were technically released in very late 2004, but I
didn't
see them at Lou's Records till 2005. Anyway, finally, finally, these
classic records featuring Tracy Nelson are released on CD. These CDs
are
awesome - even after all these years. Mother Earth was the group that
took
me, a teenager who knew mostly the Beatles, and introduced me to
country,
and blues.
5. Laura Cantrell -- Humming By The Flowered Vine
I got to see Laura perform up in Santa Monica this year and she sings
just
as beautifully live as on record.
6. Anna Netrebko -- La Traviata
I caught the tail end of a show on PBS a while back with Miss Treblenko
and was just amazed at her voice and her beauty. If you like opera at
all, check out this site and click on "watch a scene from La Traviata"
Wow.
http://www.annanetrebko.com/discography.shtml
7. Bonnie Raitt -- Souls Alike
I love Bonnie. This disc has some very nice covers. I'm really
including
it because I'm so looking forward to seeing her in February at Symphony
Hall, in San Diego. The tickets are a gift from my wife for my
birthday.
The really great thing is that Paul Brady will be appearing with her.
Can't wait.
David
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Subject: NN: Best of 2005
From: "Tony Cox" (tonycox@pacific.net.au>
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2005 23:03:58 +1100
Here are my favourite (nine) albums of the year, in alphabetical order.
(I'd have great difficulty ranking them - each one's a five-star
classic,
IMO.)
Kim Barlow - luckyburden (sic)
Jackson Browne - Solo Acoustic vol 1
Kate Bush - Aerial
Clue To Kalo - One Way It's Every Way
Sigur Ros - Takk
smog - A River Ain't Too Much To Love
Bruce Springsteen - Devils And Dust
Emiliana Torrini - Fisherman's Woman
Martha Wainwright - self-titled
Also enjoyed were albums by: Sufjan Stevens, Lucinda Williams (live),
Odd
Nosdam, Magic Dirt, the EP by Growing - and the wonderful Judee Sill
re-releases.
Favourite DVD: No Direction Home - Martin Scorsese/His Bobness
Favourite live shows: Kim Barlow, Madviolet, Emiliana Torrini, Tegan and
Sara (again), smog, Joanna Newsom, Martha Wainwright
Most played CDs not released in 2005: Laura Veirs' Troubled By The Fire
and Kim Barlow's Gingerbread. Do try and get to hear them somehow -
you'll love 'em, guaranteed!
Most played Nanci album during 2005: Little Love Affairs
And so concludes my list of selections. Au revoir et bonnes ftes.
Tony
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Subject: NN: My top 10s of 2005
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 00:05:17 +0000 (GMT)
From: "NICHOLAS FORBES-WARREN" (n.forbeswarren@btinternet.com>
To add to this list, heres my bests of 2005:
Best live shows: Nanci Griffith (of course) Bristol Colston Hall
13-04-05
Beth Nielsen Chapman at the Eastleigh Festival also Martha
Tilston
opened for her that day, both lovely people to see live and speak to.
That
was on August 7th, I have an msn link to some photos if you wish to see
them as follows:
www.http://uk.msnusers.com/BethNielsenChapmanEastleigh07-08-2005
Hope That Works!
Tom Russell and Andrew Hardin, 28th Sept at the St Bonaventure's
Club,
Bristol
Kate Rusby at the Colston Hall 17th November over 2hrs of her.
Also saw and loved Gretchen Peters, Erin McKeown, Teddy Thompson (son of
Richard and Linda), Martha Wainwright, Patty Griffin and one of the best
ones Trish Murphy. One of Texass finest, lovely person. Check
out my
photos of her on the website(follow the Bristol gig link)
www.trishmurphy.com.
Best albums: Tom Russell Hotwalker
Trish Murphy Girls Get In Free
Kaiser Chiefs Employment
Robbie Williams Intensive Care
Erin McKeown We Will Become Like Birds
Patty Griffin The Impossible Dream
Tia McGraff Outside of the Circle
Gretchen Peters Trio
Kelly Clarkson Breakaway way, way better than
I ever
expected, love BECAUSE OF YOU . . .
Best books read: James Barrington OVERKILL
Chris Cleave INCENDIARY
Dale Brown ACT OF WAR
Patrick Woodrow DOUBLE CROSS
David Gibbins - ATLANTIS
Best movies: The Interpreter
Sahara
Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Lord Of War
Keeping Mum
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
National Treasure
The Pacifier
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Nanny McPhee
Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Best birthday present from my wife a copy of the WINTER MARQUEE
DVD
which Tom Russell and Andrew Hardin autographed at the gig now to
get
everybody else's autographs on it!
Happy Christmas and New Year to all at nancinet!!
Nick Forbes-Warren
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Subject: re: NN: My top 10s of 2005
From: catfan@extremezone.com
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 18:16:51 -0700
I didn't buy enough cds to make a top 2 list, but I did see a few
movies:
The Smartest Guys in the Room
The Corporation
Good Night and Good Luck
Walk the Line
That's more then I usually see in a few years. I have my GF to thank for
that.
Mark
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Subject: Re: NN: My top 10s of 2005 no N c
From: ConorMG@aol.com
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 04:19:37 EST
> I didn't buy enough cds to make a top 2 list,
> but I did see a few movies:
> The Smartest Guys in the Room
> The Corporation
> Good Night and Good Luck
> Walk the Line
Favourite Sandwiches of the Year:
-- Cheese and pickle at Dorking in May
-- one I was given in Aug at Leatherhead (strange meat but quite a
buzz)
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Subject: NN: My Top One of 2005
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 11:36:09 -0600
From: "Ed Maier" (evmaier@sbcglobal.net>
Didn't buy hardly any 2005 stuff this year.
My Top Choice Of 2005:
1. Loretta Lynn- "Van Lear Rose"
(This album is good enough to compensate for the other nine albums I
didn't buy. Favorite song is "Portland, Oregon". Wowza.)
Cold, rainy day here; got some good coffee but not a doughnut in the
house.
Ed Maier
Arlington, TX
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Subject: 2005 favorites
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 11:59:44 -0800 (PST)
From: "Bill Page" (bpage3@yahoo.com>
It looks like there were many of us who did not spend as much on music
this year as we have in the past. I found lots of good music, but only
some of it came from 2005:
Best of 2005 (whether I bought it or just listened to it:)
1. Lizz Wright -- Dreaming Wide Awake (my #1)
2. Kate Campbell -- Blues and Lamentations
3. Kate Campbell -- Sing Me Out
4. Linda Eder -- By Myself: The Songs of Judy Garland
5. Diana Krall -- Christmas Songs
6. Michael Buble -- It's Time
7. Jane Monheit -- The Season
8. Renee Fleming -- Haunted Heart
And released in 2004 but purchased in 2005:
1. Kate Campbell -- The Portable Kate Campbell
2. Peter Cincotti -- On the Moon
3. Jane Monheit -- Taking a Chance on Love
Bill "no Nanci this year?" Page
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Subject: NN: Be Here To Love Me
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 19:17:43 -0800 (PST)
From: "Gerard O'Connor" (gpoconnor@yahoo.com>
I wanted to let everyone on this list know about a movie I saw last
weekend. Actually, I saw it twice, to tell you the truth. It is
called "Be
Here To Love Me" and it is a documentary about Townes Van Zandt.
I remember discussing Townes Van Zandt's songwriting and his untimely
passing with people on this list years ago (now I keep receiving the
emails but rarely correspond), so I thought maybe there might be some
interest. The film's theatrical run appears to be quite limited -- I
saw
it during its five-day run at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge -- but I
heard that it is supposed to be out on DVD in March 2006, and if you
know
an independent theater in your area they might be able to get it.
I usually feel pretty queasy watching documentaries about
individuals;
it seems that the more famous or notorious someone is the easier it
is to
establish a persona on film that might miss a lot of the really
interesting things about the subject. This film, I think, does not make
that mistake. I think it is a remarkable piece of work and I highly
recommend it to Townes Van Zandt fans, appreciators of the songwriting
craft and anyone who is easily entertained. I would tell you more but I
don't want to give away the ending.
Jerry O'Connor
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Subject: NN: Re: Be Here to Love Me
From: prive@charter.net
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2005 11:39:59 -0500
From Performing Songwriter about the director of the film about
Townes Van
Zandt, Margaret Brown:
"With the film's unflinching honesty, lyricism and beauty, Brown has
accomplished what seems impossible: She has written a Townes Van Zandt
song." -Ari Surdoval
I checked on line and it seems the film will have very limited
distribution, but does have an application to have the film play in your
town.
On another note, I don't mind doing the compiling for the year's top
ten.
Molly in Oregon
PS I would have to say Tracy Grammer's "Verdant Mile" would be my
song of
the year.
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Subject: NN: Tracy Grammer-Verdant Mile
From: prive@charter.net
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 12:31:37 -0500
My mistake-Tracy Grammer's Verdant Mile was from 2004. The EP is
FANTASTIC!! Verdant Mile is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard. I
guess the Verdant Mile is a place in Oregon near Portland where Tracy
likes to walk.
Molly
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