Archives of Bloodlines Oct 1-8,1996

Bloodlines Mailing List Archives October 1-8, 1996

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Subj: UK album release?

Date: 96-10-02 10:28:54 EDT

From: tae69@dial.pipex.com (Mark Austin)

The October issue of Country Music People here in the UK lists the following under forthcoming UK album releases:

John Stewart - Live at the Turf Inn, Scotland - Folk Era 1486

Does anyone know anything about this?

Is it (sigh) a reissue of the Bandera album or (gasp) something new?

Mark

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Subj: Omaha Rainbow

Date: 96-10-02 14:38:53 EDT

From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)

Bloodhounds:

I received this message and promised that I would put it to all of you

since I have no clue as to the answer. Can someone help this guy?

>Hi Michelle

>I wonder if you can help me.

>There used to be a UK based magazine in the 70's called Omaha Rainbow. I am

>trying to get in touch with the editor, Peter O'Brien.

>Can you help, or know of anyone who can?

>Your help would be most appreciated.

>Bob

>=========================================================

>Slowcoach Home Page

>http://homepages.enterprise.net/nortyrascal/slocoach.html

>=========================================================

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Subj: Re: Omaha Rainbow

Date: 96-10-03 05:59:51 EDT

From: M.J.Mooney@Bradford.ac.uk (Mike Mooney)

At 14:32 02/10/96 -0400, Michelle wrote:

>Bloodhounds:

>I received this message and promised that I would put it to all of you

>since I have no clue as to the answer. Can someone help this guy?

>>Hi Michelle

>>I wonder if you can help me.

>>There used to be a UK based magazine in the 70's called Omaha Rainbow. I

>>trying to get in touch with the editor, Peter O'Brien.

>>Can you help, or know of anyone who can?

>>Your help would be most appreciated.

>>Bob

I've been wondering about Pete's current whereabouts, too. If he's anywhere

with access to a computer, he really ought to be on this list. I have a pile

of old ORs at home, and I was musing on the advisability of posting selected

article 'reprints' to the list. It would be nice to get permission from Mr.

O'B first though.

My only suggestions would be:

1. Try Pete's 70s address from the magazine. OK, he's almost certainly not

there any more, but there may be a chance of forwarding. I can get it if Bob

doesn't have his copies anymore.

2. Try contacting the Homecoming Records mailing list people: Pete may well

be a subscriber there.

3. The other mag that plugged John a lot during that era was ZigZag. Its

founding fathers Pete Frame and John Tobler *may* still be in contact with

Pete. They are still around in the music biz, e.g. you could probably get in

touch with Frame via the publishers of his (excellent) 'Rock Family Trees'

book. I had an idea that Tobler worked for the BBC, but I can't find an

email address for him on their Web pages.

4. Walk around singing 'Mother Country' as loudly as possible. You never

know, you just might bump into him!

Mike

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Subj: Bloodlines Membership Update

Date: 96-10-03 22:32:36 EDT

From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)

As of today, Thursday October 4th 1996, we have been online for FIVE weeks!

and 25 from other internet service providers.

I have been enjoying reading everyone's bio. If you still haven't posted

your introduction, please do so, so that we can get to know you better. I

hope to see some concert reviews soon from those of you in the New York

state area. Also, did anyone meet up at the recent concerts? We'd like to

hear about it if you did.

For you newer subscribers, if anyone would like me to mail them previously

submitted introductions that you missed, please e-mail me directly and I

will send those to you.

Michelle, webmistress and mailing list manager

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Subj: Introduction !!`

Date: 96-10-04 00:22:20 EDT

From: insman@citynet.net (Ron Fleshman)

Hi gang:

Here is my attempt at introducing myself. My name is Ron Fleshman

and after teaching school for 14 years I have somehow ended up the last

10 as an insurance agent in Rainelle WV.

I first knew of John as a member of the "Trio" when I saw them

perform in 1966 (?) in Roanoke VA. I remembered John because of his

stage presence and jokes he told during the preformance. After that

(and after the Trio broke up), I lost track of John until about 1971. I

saw "Lonsome Picker Rides Again" in a music store in Cincinnati and

bought it. I had forgotten about him and it sent me on a 15 year

pilgramage to find his work. I found California Bloodlines in 1973 and

I continued to buy the Warner albums (Sunstorm, Willard, etc). Went

thru the RCA period (Chilly Winds, Wingless, Phoenix) the RSO stuff (you

know what it is--Promise the Wind being one of my favorites, although a

Jimmy CArter fan) and the more obsure stuff, which I have only found

recently--and I've got a lot of making up to do.

You may enjoy the story that on my wedding night (or day), I

delayed the whole party to go to the Monroeville Mall (in a Pittsburgh

suburb) to search for "Dream Babies Go Hollywood." I bought it and took

it on my honeymoon (yes, the wife is still a big JS fan).

Good to see this folder alive,

Ron

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Subj: Re: Bloodlines Membership Update

Date: 96-10-04 10:30:55 EDT

From: GriffPR@aol.com

Yes---I'd like to see previous introductions. I'm especially interested in

any from the greater Chicago area. Thanks!

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Subj: Turning Point Show

Date: 96-10-04 11:56:26 EDT

From: Dan_Hodges@usccmail.lehman.com (Dan Hodges)

I attended the show at The Turning Point in Piermont, NY on Wednesday

night. It was a great show.... with a surprise special treat - Rosanne

Cash drove John to the show from her place in New York City and joined

him on stage for a couple of songs. An even bigger treat for me was

that my wife and I shared a table with Rosanne and her two friends

during the show. I can only say that she is a class act in every way,

a real pleasure.

John was in fine form, backed masterfully as usual by Dave "Dave"

Batti. The song selection was varied with a little something from all

John's "periods".

I did not keep a song list, but a few of the highlights of the show

for me were -

Opened with Ticket to The Stars - A favorite of both me and my wife.

Wheels of Thunder - A song I have always really liked - I think it's

the first time I have seen John do it live - a real treat for me.

Runaway Fool of Love/ Somewhere Down the Line - a different

arrangement - very nice blending of the two songs.

California Bloodlines/ Freeway Pleasure and a third song (can't

remember which one but it's from Rough Sketches) also a nice blending.

Dance with the Tiger (Rosanne singing John playing)

Price of the Fire (with Rosanne)

A very interesting mixing of a I remember America intro. into Pirates

of Stone County Road.

A nice intro. to July You're a Woman - A longer version of the one on

Phoenix Concerts and if I read it correctly the true story of the

seeds of the idea for the song. The hitchhiker asked John to guess her

middle name - yes it WAS July - lucky for us because we have had this

great song for all these years.

I am going to Boodles tonight in Chester, NY - if any of you will be

there please post a note we should try to get together.....

Dan Hodges

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Subj: Re: Bloodlines Membership Update

Date: 96-10-05 09:06:36 EDT

From: lnhfbo@polaristel.net (Luke Havumaki)

My name is Luke Havumaki. I teach elementary school in Faribault,

Minnesota. I have been a John Stewart fan since the late '70s. I have

never had the pleasure of seeing John in person. That is one of my goals

in life, next to solving world hunger. Other objective is replacing all

John vinyl and tape with CD's. Still looking for "Fire In the Wind".

Favorite John song of mine is Dreamers on the Rise followed extremely close

by She Believes In Me.

Luke

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Subj: Re: Bloodlines Membership Update (long)

Date: 96-10-06 14:42:30 EDT

From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)

Intro:

My name is Del Lausa, I'm a grad student at Syracuse University (teaching

Rocket Roy in a literary theory course this semester). Despite the name,I'm

female. Heard K3 albums as a very small child, loved the Monkees song

"Daydream Believer" when I was 6, learned to listen to non-top 40 music

from a Jr. High teacher named Frank Wilson who brought a set of Civil War

songs into the classroom one day, turned off the radio and explored folk

music for most of my remaining childhood. Turned the radio back on in 1979

and heard "Gold"--full circle.

The rest of this is a re-post from AOL for those of you not there:

Hey! I just got home from John's appearances at Bodles in Chester and The

Towne Crier in Pawling, NY. John and Dave were in TOP form, and I've never

heard John sing better. The Chester crowd was fun, although there was a

touch-and-go incident when the national "Dave" conspiracy was nearly

exposed by a guy disguised as ZZ Top, who quickly covered himself by

claiming to be "Steve". But it's "clear as a rose on a tatooed arm" that

something funny is going on--conspiracy theorists everywhere take note. And

beware of the "Daves."

The Folk Opera is taking shape nicely, and we should all be holding our

breath for the promised full-blown multi-media performance.

Nice to meet a few AOL folks at Chester. An all-around good time.

I have set lists! (Although there was so much magic in the air that I lost

focus a lot, so i may have missed something. This is pretty close, I

think)

Chester:Ticket to the Stars, Strange Rivers, She believes in me, Molly

Malone, Runaway Train, Irresistable Targets, Eyes of Sweet Virginia (yes!),

The Road [and here begins "act one" of the Folk Opera], Johnny Flamingo, a

"reinvention" of the "Seattle Mister" bit from the Pheonix Concerts (she's

Miranda July Fontana), July, Midnight Wind/Looking Back Joanna (but now

it's Miranda),Summer Child, Runaway Fool of Love, Somewhere Down the Line,

Rider, Dreamers on the Rise, Daydream believer, Wheels of thunder,

California Bloodlines, Freeway Pleasure, Because of a Dancer, Last Hurrah,

Cody, Ghost of the Superchief/Pirates of Stone County Road

Pawling:Ticket to the Stars, Strange Rivers, Molly Malone,a really funny

story about a grocery cart, Irresistable Targets, Shadows of the Angels

Wings, The Road, Neon Road, short narrative about the "real" Evangeline

from 6th grade, Johnny Flamingo, introduction to Miranda July Fontana,

July, Cadillac Ranch, something i didn't recognize that i'll call Spirit of

the Road, Mac Brassel's Farm, Midnight Wind, Summer Child, Looking back

Miranda, California Bloodlines, Freeway Pleasure, Because of a Dancer. (2nd

Set and encores): The Runner (yes!), Dreamers on the Rise, Rider, Somewhere

Down the Line, Wheels of thunder, Willard, Armstrong, Missouri Bird

(yes!yes!), Last Hurrah, Grace of Rain, Children of the new Frontier,

Keeper of the Flame, Gold,Daydream Believer, Ghost of the Superchief/

Pirates of Stone County Road, Go Bum Again(?) [that was two encores]

Dave, this is the first time I've seen you, and you were just perfect.

John, I only hope you enjoyed the shows as much as we did.

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Subj: Re: Turning Point Show

Date: 96-10-06 14:46:57 EDT

From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)

Dan--It was nice to meet you at Chester! Sounds like i missed a great show

in Piermont.

Del

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Subj: Re: Bloodlines Membership Update

Date: 96-10-06 15:40:03 EDT

From: PeterB1103@aol.com

1. I would like to see the other bios.

2. A little about me: I'm an attorney in Southern California. Came across

John's music in college in 1968 or so when a friend recommended "California

Bloodlines". Have followed the usual route since then--concerts, mostly

complete collection of recordings, etc. My 5-1/2 year old is already

following in my footsteps.

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Subj: Kids and KT

Date: 96-10-06 15:56:57 EDT

From: Ddumail@aol.com

I was asked:

>Have you (like me) thought about why the little kids are into this? The

best I can come up with is: I don't know why I'M touched by it. We just

are--and in a very different way from being a "fan" of most other artists.

My answer:

My 9 year old boy got hooked with the Songs of the Civil War. I think the

folk songs in general have an appeal to children's ears that classical (too

complicated) and rock (too noisy) don't have. The words are understandable

and they can relate to the concepts (mostly becasue they can understand the

words).

John's music is so melodious and the chord progressions are so pleasing to MY

ears... I'm sure that growing up hearing JS played ALL the time has had an

effect on him. My 11 year old daughter won't admist to liking his music, but

I know that she secretly listens to it at night when she thinks nobody knows.

Michelle "who actually bought her children a CD of the Cowsills as a joke and

now has to listen to them singing the theme from HAIR" Stevens

Does anyone else have children who enjoy this kind of music?

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Subj: Re: Kids and KT

Date: 96-10-07 09:42:27 EDT

From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)

Michelle wrote,

>Does anyone else have children who enjoy this kind of music?

No (I mean no children). But i WAS a child who loved this kind of music. I

was born in '62 and it was part of the New Frontier for me. I was one of

the fools who took those dreams seriously. I never could get over how it

was all a fad to so many people. But as early as '67(?) '68(?) When the

only Monkees' song I really liked was "Daydream Believer", and i had never

heard the name John Stewart,the song seemed to me to capture something very

profound. A stance that just perfectly balanced a kind of necessary

reality-check with the need to hang onto the dreams. Working out that

tension was pretty much what childhood was about for me, and at some level,

that's still what it's about for me. Maybe that's an idiosyncratic

response, but I think working out the tension between dreams and cold

reality--trying to survive and grow up, yet still hang onto that childhood

faith--is an issue for a lot of kids. At least for some. MAybe it's even

more important in the 90s than it was in the 60s and 70s.

[Or, we could just ask the kids. . . . . . . . ]

Del

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Subj: Recent shows

Date: 96-10-07 13:42:51 EDT

From: GregDenis@aol.com

Thanks for the details on the NY State shows, Del! Good stuff. Coudl you

please explain yhe "Miranda July Fontana" reference? Is this by way of

explaing the original "July"?

Also, it must have been nothing short of exquisite to hear John do The Runner

and Last Hurrah -- two great songs from a tough time of his life, and here it

is 20 years later and he's still singing and playing. Also, Wheels of Thunder

was a surprise choice -- not my favorite JS period (tho The Raven is on my

list of John's best songs), but I'd love to hear how John would do Wheels now

that he's in his Blue Dream Road Period.

-- Greg

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Subj: Re: Bloodlines Membership Update

Date: 96-10-07 18:11:25 EDT

From: GriffPR@aol.com

What an amazing coincidence. I just read Luke Havumaki's intro. The amazing

part is that Faribault, Minnesota is my home town! I was born and raised

there, going to Faribault High School. I left Faribault (a pretty small

town) to attend the University of Minnesota in the early 60's, where I first

became a rabid "Stewart Trio" fan. What a small world!!! It's good to know

there's a fellow Stewartista in my old home town. I hope we have a chance to

meet one of these days.

By the way, I believe that Fire in the Wind and Signals Through the Glass are

the only Stewart LPs that haven't made it to CD yet.

Cheers,

Dick Griffith

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Subj: Re: Recent shows

Date: 96-10-07 20:13:12 EDT

From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)

Greg wrote:

>Thanks for the details on the NY State shows, Del! Good stuff. Coudl you

>please explain yhe "Miranda July Fontana" reference? Is this by way of

>explaing the original "July"?

It was woven into the "Folk Opera" which was both narration and song. He

did a variation on the "Seattle Mister" story from the Pheonix Concerts

(many laughs), except she was going to New Mexico and her name was Miranda

July Fontana. This, indeed, led to "July," (I didn't hear it as an

explanation of the origin of the song in an historical sense) then a

"Midnight Wind" (Come on down Miranda)/Looking Back Joanna medly--except

now it was "Looking Back Miranda". The character held the songs together in

the weave. "Summer Child" was part of that, too. I'd have to look at the

play lists again to see what else got caught up in it. All this follwed an

introduction to the Route 66 Folk Opera--the left in the desert story, with

"johnny Flamingo" off to begin a life of freedom before dad came driving

back down the highway (I love that story)--and then a statement about

looking back from his perspective now and reinventing himself as Johnny

Flamingo (which i'm connecting with sort of "reinventing" some of the songs

in this context). This is all from a glowing, warm, and fuzzy memory. Dan

Hodges was there, too. Maybe he can add something to this. (and John, if

you're out there, correct me where I'm confused).

>Also, it must have been nothing short of exquisite to hear John do The Runner

>and Last Hurrah -- two great songs from a tough time of his life, and here it

>is 20 years later and he's still singing and playing. Also, Wheels of Thunder

>was a surprise choice -- not my favorite JS period (tho The Raven is on my

>list of John's best songs), but I'd love to hear how John would do Wheels now

>that he's in his Blue Dream Road Period.

"Wheels of Thunder" has long been one of my favorites. I blew two sets of

cheap speakers on that one. Ironic, since I don't drive. It sounded true.

Del

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Subj: Re: Bloodlines Membership Update

Date: 96-10-08 00:33:13 EDT

From: PeterB1103@aol.com

I think Dick is right re the only 2 JS albums not yet on CD. However--"Holly

on My Mind" and "Mucky Truckee River" (from "Signals thru the Glass") are on

the Capitol CD "John Stewart--American Original", which was available for

about 20 minutes in 1992.

Does anyone have any info about a U.K. release called (I think) "Forgotten

Songs of Long Ago"?

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Subj: Re: Bloodlines Membership Update

Date: 96-10-08 00:59:57 EDT

From: WardHorde@aol.com

Hello to all in the group.

My name is Marty Ward and I am a Stewartista. There, I said it.

I was introduced to John's music several times before it stuck. A friend had

the "Willard" album and used to play it at parties. I thought it was

interesting, but never concentrated on it - hey it was at a party!! I had

other things on my agenda for the evening.

Later, in the early 1970's, I became a fan of another John, Denver. I read

that at one point after his Mitchell Trio days he cut a demo tape with a

friend of his named John Stewart that had "Daydream Believer" and "Leaving on

a Jet Plane", two songs that went on to be No. 1 hits for others, but were

rejected by the demi-gods at the major labels. The name Stewart connected

with the party album guy. About a week later, John came to my hometown,

Wichita, KS, and played at a small little bar in downtown that another friend

of mine's bluegrass band played in frequently. The bar was only 25 feet wide

and about 100 feet long, so intimacy was key. I went and John was playing

solo. A real wonderful evening filled with great songs.

I live in Colorado now. Missed John earlier in the year as I was out of

town. The only show I have seen is that show in Wichita (although I listen

to the Phoenix Concerts and the Neon show discs a lot).

I have continued to follow John's music, faithfully buying the albums that

made it to stores. However, I never knew of any fan clubs - not being a fan

club type of guy - so I never knew of all this other music. "Rough

Sketches," "Secret Tapes," etc. I recently joined the cyberworld, found the

newsgroup, then the "bloodlines" thing. I am really excited about all this

mother lode of undiscovered (for me) gems. Like most music nuts have been

buying predominately CD's for about 12 years now. I am looking forward to

filling in the holes. Hope the stuff on tape is eventually also released on

CD. Guess I'm anal retentive in that regard, although until then I'll get

the tapes.

I know John is on-line and reads this stuff. Just want to say you have moved

me many times over the years. You're a wonderful writer, one of the few that

makes me say "Damn, I wish I'd written that!" I look forward to continued

correspondence.

Marty Ward

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Subj: Re: Omaha Rainbow

Date: 96-10-08 01:01:13 EDT

From: DBATTI@aol.com

Peter O'Brien is alive and well! He can be reached at:

Peter O'Brien

10 Lesley Court

Wallington

Surrey

England SM6 8AZ

I talk to Peter 3 or 4 times a year...good chap...tried to get him on line,

but he's resisting...maybe we need to push him in that direction? Write him

a letter...he's got a mess of interviews and articles...by the way, where is

Lordfrench? He should be here too! Somebody wake him up!

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Subj: Re: Bloodlines Membership Update

Date: 96-10-08 01:21:59 EDT

From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)

For WardHorde:

You can get most of John's music on CD and/or tape now, but the ones that

aren't released on those mediims, can often be found in second hand record

stores.

About 5 years ago, I scoured the 2nd hand stores in San Diego area and got

some perfectly NEW albumns....(Yup, on VINYL!) Fire in the Wind is one I

think, that is NOT on CD or tape, and I have a "like new" one on vinyl.

good luck...it's worth looking for...(as we all know) <G>

"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray

and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from

heaven and will forgive their sin, and heal their land." (I Chronicles 7:14)

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Subj: Re[2]: Recent shows

Date: 96-10-08 10:02:33 EDT

From: Dan_Hodges@usccmail.lehman.com (Dan Hodges)

Subject: Re: Recent shows

Author: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa) at usccmail

Date: 10/7/96 7:19 PM

Del wrote:

//It was woven into the "Folk Opera" which was both narration and song. He

did a variation on the "Seattle Mister" story from the Phoenix Concerts