In this issue:
Movie schmaltz
Recycle
Re: Re: festivals sold
Chris Smither song on "The Horse Whisperer" soundtrack
FAME Review: Tom Sheehan: Where You Are by Moshe Benarroch
Re: Pete Seeger & Bruce Springteen + Phil Ochs Tribute
Re: Pete Seeger & Bruce Springteen
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Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 11:34:31 -0500 (EST)
From: Chris Smith <chris.smith@erols.com>
Subject: Movie schmaltz
All time schmaltziest was "the Five Pennies" with Danny Kaye as Red
Nichols.
My favorite Frank Sinatra film was "From here to Eternity" - He deserved
that Oscar...
The was lots of rehearsing in the old black & white films (there is some
technicolor here but I had a b&w set as a kid so...). "The Glenn Miller
Story", "Stars & Stripes Forever", "Three Little Words", "The Benny
Goodman Story", "Orchestra Wives", "The Fabulous Dorseys", "The Five
Pennies"...
Chris
Outta Sights & Sounds Concert Promotions' Flunky
(peruse our OS&S site- http://members.aol.com/osnsnews)
- --
"Take away all those differences and we're all so much alike." Andrea
Joyce
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 11:34:31 -0500 (EST)
From: "Christian Bauman" <ducksquack@hotmail.com>
Subject: Recycle
<<<RICH WROTE:
I was recently struck by the similiarity between Woody's Ramblin'
Round and
Leadbelly's Good Night Irene, but both being folk songs I figured
the melody had been recycled by one or the other.
>>>>
Woody loved to "recycle," and made no bones about it.
A large majority of his melodies are lifted from either something he had
already done, a traditional tune, or something he heard from say The
Carter Family, etc.
He and Leadbelly were not only peers, but friends. No surprise if some
swapping went on... It's the folk process! :)
By the way, one of my favorite albums of all time is a tribute to both
of them, with their songs back to back. I believe it was called "A
Vision Shared" and had such gems as Brian Wilson (!!) singing
"Goodnight, Irene" in perfect Beach Boys harmony, Arlo strummin' "East
Texas Red," John Mellencamp doing "Do Re Mi," and Little Richard
pounding out "Rock Island Line." Great album!
- -chris
********************************************************
Christian Bauman
http://www.pobox.com/~camphoboken ducksquack@hotmail.com
********************************************************
"In the pain of my angriest moments I want this to be
somebody's fault...I want someone nailed to the cross
for this, but the truth remains tangled and difficult."
- -Don Brody
********************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 11:34:31 -0500 (EST)
From: Pstff <Pstff@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Re: festivals sold
<<great now maybe the world of acoustic music wont be looked at by the
majority
of the world as a bunch of hobbiests in a cottage industry....
>>
Isn't this exactly what it is? Sure, if you consider cumulative sums
generated by the sale and prsentation of folk music/product you have a
respectable figure, but if you weed out all those who finance their "spare-
time" activities as folk artists with substantial incomes from cushy day jobs,
what you have left is a few talented, well developed individuals perching
themselves for the leap over to the more lucrative "pop" world, and a troop
of hard working, square-one "lifers" struggling to get by on a night's pay
working from joint to joint, getting their music out to whoever cares to
listen - one person at a time... a purely "bootstraps" effort that, perhaps.
deserves more recognition than the general public has the attention span to
give.... I call that a "cottage industry".
Peter Steff
PS Mgt.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 13:20:10 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michaela O'Brien" <yhpub@javanet.com>
Subject: Chris Smither song on "The Horse Whisperer" soundtrack
Speaking of soundtracks...
Emmylou Harris sings a haunting version of Chris Smither's song
"Slow Surprise" from his '97 release SMALL REVELATIONS on the
soundtrack to Robert Redford's movie THE HORSE WHISPERER.
The soundtrack -- featuring new and existing songs by The Mavericks,
Don Walser, Gillian Welch, Don Edwards, Dwight Yoakam, Allison Moorer,
the Flatlanders (Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely),
Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Iris DeMent and George Strait --
will be in stores April 7 on MCA-Nashville.
The movie is scheduled for a Memorial Day release.
Here's what the movie's music supervisor said about Chris' song:
"Even before I was on the project, when I first heard the song I
thought it would be a great song for Emmylou to do. It also has
a great feeling of the relationship between the Annie character
and the Redford character in the film."
Thanks,
Michaela O'Brien
Young/Hunter Publicity
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 16:18:23 -0500 (EST)
From: "David N. Pyles" <dnpyles@acousticmusic.com>
Subject: FAME Review: Tom Sheehan: Where You Are by Moshe Benarroch
The following review has been posted on the Folk & Acoustic Music
Exchange at http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
Where You Are
Tom Sheehan
19N1101
19 North Records
P.O.Box 244
Reading, PA 19603
http://www.19north.com
A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
by Moshe Benarroch (moben@internet-zahav.net)
"Where You Are" is the first CD release from singer-songwriter
Tom Sheehan; it includes nine new Sheehan songs, plus intimate
covers of John Prine's masterpiece "Angel From Montgomery" and
Steve Earle's gem "Nothing But A Child". Sheehan released one
record back in the seventies, and it seems his recent CD is
highly influenced by the music of that time: Jackson Browne,
Wendy Waldman, Karla Bonnoff, J.D. Souther, The Eagles, and many
country-rock bands. Sheehan's voice reminds one of Don Henley,
Cliff Eberhardt, Bob Seeger, and John Prine. His music is very
clean pop with some hints of country and folk. The production is
clear and communicative, though I think that better results would
favor Sheehan's voice mixed more up front. This was also the
kind of music you used to hear in FM stations in the 70's, and
the CD sounds like a very good one to listen in the car.
Sheehan plays an impressive array of instruments on the
recording, including acoustic and electric guitars, bass, organ,
piano, accordion, mandolin, Rhodes, harmonica, violin, drums,
percussion and sings all the vocal parts. Supporting him on the
CD are accomplished studio musicians David Cullen (guitar on five
tracks) and Ken Gehret (very touching violin on four songs).
"Where You Are" was co-produced and mixed by Staveley C. Andrews
and mastered by Andy VanDette in New York City.
Three songs have the word 'angel' in the title. Like John
Stewart, Sheeham seems to show a special interest with them, and
many poignant songs seem to be about disasters. In "Wish Upon A
Star" Sheehan brings us very convincingly the words of someone
who has just lost his loved one in an unexpected accident: "Where
the hell do you think you're going?/You can't leave me all alone/
How am I supposed to go home now/When all I cared about is
gone?/Kiss me once for strength and once for luck/Promise there's
no reason for me to fear/'Cause it's so hard for me when I wake
up/And realize that you're not here." This song is that rare
performance that grows, becoming stronger with every listen.
"Where You Are" is about the trial of the century. Sheehan
doesn't say what trial he considers to be the trial of the
century, just that it is about a football player. Expounding
further on that point, "City Of Angels" is about the Menendez
Brothers and what O.J. Simpson might have said to Rev. Rosie
Greer: "Lord hear my prayer/Yea, I can't believe it's me/It's
been a long time, since you last heard from me/I've been living a
good life of sin/in the City of Angels/" That's how Sheehan sees
Los Angeles---no more angels in the City of Angels.
The chorus of "Die Like Elvis" goes: "I don't want to die like
the king/I don't want to die like Elvis." As in the Talmud, where
there are 903 different kinds of death, this song tells us of the
many facets of death. The moral of the story is that even at the
moment of death, we are not equals. I also found the version of
Steve Earle's carol "Nothing But A Child" very beautiful.
Particularly with the upcoming holiday season, it is especially
relevant.
"Where You Are" is a very varied CD, with something for everyone.
I don't know if this CD will reach many people, but I certainly
urge any programmers of radio shows of pop, folk, easy listening
and even country to look for this CD. They will sure find one or
two songs for their shows.
Song List:
Where You Are (Tom Sheehan)
City of Angels (Tom Sheehan)
Die Like Elvis (Tom Sheehan)
Under the Desert Sky (Tom Sheehan)
Little Angel (Tom Sheehan)
Angel From Montgomery (John Prine)
Before the Storm (Tom Sheehan)
Wish Upon A Star (Tom Sheehan)
Love Me Tonight (Tom Sheehan)
Nothing But A Child (Steve Earle)
East of Heaven (Tom Sheehan)
Edited by David Schultz
Copyright 1998, Peterborough Folk Music Society. This review may
be reproduced with prior permission and attribution.
If you enjoyed this review, check out the more than 350 other
reviews posted at the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange.
David N. Pyles | (512) 929-3840
Music Alive! | dnpyles@acousticmusic.com
2716 Sweeney Lane | http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/
Austin, TX 78723 | http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
__________________________________________________________________
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 16:18:20 -0500 (EST)
From: dbroida@juno.com (David S Broida)
Subject: Re: Pete Seeger & Bruce Springteen + Phil Ochs Tribute
This morning I got in the car, turned on WXPN-FM (Philadelphia), and the
instrumental start of a song that was unmistakenly Bruce Springsteen
began. What followed was "We Shall Overcome", the Boss's contribution to
the new Pete Seeger tribute album.
It's touching - Bruce's gravelly voice, steady, quiet percussion, gentle
accordion, and very, very slow pace. If this cut is indicative of the 2
disc album, it'll be a treat to hear.
Phil Ochs songs are featured in another tribute album, also 2 discs, put
out by Gene Shay's Sliced Bread Records. The recordings are stunning,
and the artwork, liner notes and photos are impeccibly done. Robert
Corwin photos, liner notes by Phil's biographer. Pat Humphries version
of "Hands", a song not released by Phil, is just great, full of emotion.
Sonia Rutstein, Peter Yarrow, David Buskin, Tom Paxton, Greg Greenway,
Magpie, Kim and Reggie Harris - + many others - the usual suspects
contributed to this wonderful collection of Phil's songs. It's a
non-profit venture - $ above expenses goes to the ACLU and Sing Out!
Magazine.
Thanks to Phil for the songs, but thanks, too, to Gene Shay and his
supporting cast for putting this album out for those of us who love
Phil's work.
I saw Phil Ochs just once - at the Counter-Inauguration, January 19,
1969. It was known as the InHoguration, of Pegasus the Pig, on the Mall
in Washington, D.C. Phil sang his protests songs under a tent, we
listened and cheered, and together we stopped the war, sort of.
Private replies on how to get the album. David Broida
_____________________________________________________________________
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Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 18:31:11 -0500 (EST)
From: "Shirley M. Cottle" <cottles@uwwvax.uww.edu>
Subject: Re: Pete Seeger & Bruce Springteen
At 04:18 PM 3/24/98 -0500, you wrote:
>This morning I got in the car, turned on WXPN-FM (Philadelphia), and the
>instrumental start of a song that was unmistakenly Bruce Springsteen
>began. What followed was "We Shall Overcome", the Boss's contribution to
>the new Pete Seeger tribute album.
>
>It's touching - Bruce's gravelly voice, steady, quiet percussion, gentle
>accordion, and very, very slow pace. If this cut is indicative of the 2
>disc album, it'll be a treat to hear.
>
I've been talking some about these discs on the Greg Brown discussion
list, as Greg performs one of the cuts. I'll repeat myself a bit here with
apologies to those on both lists.
This collection is a stunning tribute to Pete. I was kind of worried
about how it would turn out, even though I have nothing but respect for
folks like Jim Musselman, Bob Feldman and others who were working on the
project. Pete has been an idol of mine since I was very young, maybe the
only one for whom that youthful admiration has stood the test of time and
more adult knowledge of the object of the blind worship young folks tend
toward. I wanted so much for this to be a beautiful recognition of Pete's
work, with other musicians willing to show a truly worthy legend what he'd
passed on while he was still with us to enjoy seeing the impact of his life
work. And every rendition is so good here and so respectful of Pete. Some
are incredibly powerful - Tim Robbins, John Trudell's and Studs Terkel's
readings, Ani DiFranco, Indigo Girls, Guy Davis, Odetta - Dick Gaughan's
"Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" - Brown's rendition is excellent - the backup
singers and musicians are a highly impressive group as well. The very best
cut, however, is the last, with Pete, himself, strumming and singing.
I hope everyone who subscribes to any folk list will look upon this
collection as a must-have. I gather more volumes are in the planning
stages, as this one, with maybe 75 or 80 minutes per disc (I don't have
them with me) barely scratches the surface of Pete's writing. The two
booklets of liner notes are treasures in themselves. I'm pretty confident
that Pete's fans will not be disappointed. I sure hope Pete is pleased, too.
Shirley Cottle (cottles@uwwvax.uww.edu)
------------------------------
End of FOLK_MUSIC digest V1 #2346
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