Bloodlines Mailing List archives April 7, 1997
from the John Stewart email list
McCabe's madness and an intro from a new Bloodliner-REB
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Another McCabe's report
Date: 97-04-07
From: PeterB1103@aol.com
Quick report on the second show at McCabe's. First, partial
playlist/highlights--
Darwin's Army: 12 Gates to the City; Boy in the Bubble; Goodnight Irene;
Dylan song ("I was so much older then..." I'm so old now I've forgotten the
name of this one).
John solo: The Last Hurrah; Johnny Flamingo (spellbinding).
John, Buffy, et al.: Runaway Fool of Love; Cal. Bloodlines; July;
Mazatlan/All Along the Watchtower medley; Daydream Believer (with Max Kennedy
on stage); Interview with an Angel; Shadows of the Angels' Wings; Bringing
Down the Moon; Ticket to the Stars; Irresistible Targets; and that phenomenal
new song (a John Stewart song in 3/4 time) which others have called "Star in
a Black Sky"--John didn't give the title--you'll all know it soon, it's
powerful and elegant.
This was one of my favorite John Stewart dates (and I've been to many)--after
Darwin's Army, John did several songs alone w/12-string--set a very special
tone. (Reminded me of a similar night at the Palomino Club about 15 years
ago--Jess Unruh was there--anyone else remember it?) John, Buffy and band
sounded great.
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: t_mstrin@qualcomm.com (Merle Stringfield)
Dear Bloodlners,
As always...John was simply the best Saturday night!! My 14 year old son,
Justin, fellow bloodliner Greg Dennis, and our good friend Doug Fisk, made
the 2 1/2 hour journey from San Diego to Santa Monica, and arrived early
enough to chat with JS and Dave Batti before the show. Its always a treat
talking with John because theres always an up and coming project he's
working on. We chatted a bit about the Pete Seeger tribute. Ok, lets get to
the set list. Darwins Army opened the show with "Darlin Cory" then John
Hoke sang lead on Dylans "My back Pages" then, "12 Gates" Buffy then sang a
solo on Tim Hardins "Reason to Believe" (Her voice is easily the most
beautiful voice in music!) then "Santiago" "They call the wind Mariah" then
the audience joined in on "Goodnight Irene" It was a great opening! John
then had the stage alone for "Johnny Flamingo & Blue dream road" "Freeway
Pleasure" "Black sky shining (a fantastic new song) then "Last hurrah (the
four of us were literally 'loyal friends & front row dancers'" Buffy then
re-joined John for "Bringing down the Moon", then the full band for
"Wingless Angels/Survivors" (I've seen John more than 30 times, and I've
never seen him do this song live!) Then "Ticket to the stars" "Cowboy in
the distance" "Keeper of the flame" "Dreamers on the rise" "Children of the
new frontier" "Across the Milky way (Buffy on solo lead vocal)
next was "Neon road" then a medley of "Midnight wind/Dogs of San Juan".
Monkee time closed the show with "Daydream Believer" The encore brought
"Shadows of the Angels wings" "July you're a woman" and the closing number
was a medley of "Ghost of the Super chief & Pirates of stone county road"
As usual, you hated to see it end, but the show was so outstanding, you
couldn't help but feel great! After the show we met fellow bloodliners,
Paul, and his wife Linda, Mott, and Patrick. Our buttons hadn't arrived by
Saturday, so I downloaded the logo from Michelles web site, and my son made
us our own. Alot of people commented on them, including John. The usual
post-concert frenzy was interupted when Dave "Dave" Batti called us
bloodliners up to the dressing room to meet with John, Buffy and band
members. It was the perfect ending to a perfect evening. John's daughter
Amy, was in attendance, along with one of his son's Michael. It was
wonderful to talk with everyone. My son enjoyed meeting everyone, and
thought it was cool meeting a "Legend!"
To me, the highlight of the evening came by way of a comment John made
between one of his songs.....he said, "it isn't what happens to you in
life...it's how you HANDLE what happens to you in life"
Thanks John,
Merle Stringfield
Santee, CA
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: OCONNETJ@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us (Tom O'Connell)
Merle Stringfield wrote:
>
Darwins Army opened the show with "Darlin Cory" then John
> Hoke sang lead on Dylans "My back Pages" then, "12 Gates" Buffy then sang a
> solo on Tim Hardins "Reason to Believe" (Her voice is easily the most
> beautiful voice in music!) then "Santiago" "They call the wind Mariah" then
> the audience joined in on "Goodnight Irene" It was a great opening! John
>
> Thanks John,
> Merle Stringfield
> Santee, CA
Is that "Mariah" as in "pariah?" Having been a KT, JS fan since the 12th
century myself, I think it's "Maria."
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: east coast tour details
Date: 97-04-07
From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)
Hey, folks--how many of you are planning on staying overnight at
Northampton on Wed.? Any good suggestions for an affordable h/motel close
to the Iron Horse? Anybody up for a room party after the show? Anybody who
is going from there to Saratoga Springs have any good ideas for how to
spend the day?
del
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: GregDenis@aol.com
Just to add a bit more about Saturday night's show...
I was impressed with John's genuine friendliness when we talked with him, and
he's clearly enjoying bloodlines and the bloodliners. The Pete Seeger tribute
should be quite a showcase for John -- Darwin's Army doing "12 Gates to the
City" and John himself doing "Riley." Among others on the disc: Springsteen,
Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne. August company indeed.
The new songs are classic Stewart. "Cowboy in the Distance" could have been
part of "Cannons in the Rain." Timeless. But "Black Sky Shining" or whatever
it's called is in a class by itself. "Sometimes songwriting is like taking
dictation," John commented. "A song writes itslef in about 10 minutes, and
those are the ones you wait for." Worth the wait for this one. Haunting both
musically and lyrically.
Darwin's Army was a treat. Nice showcase for John Hoke's voice, and it's fun
to hear John doing backup harmonies.
After the first set John seemed a bit unhappy with the way things had gone,
because of feedback in the monitors and a pickup that kept falling off the
back of his banjo. But none of this impeded the audience's clear delight in
the show. After all, John is someone who still remembers the Phoneix Concerts
sessions as a nightmare, and we know how beautifully those turned out.
Other highpoints: "Wingless/Survivors" to a gentle reggae-like beat. "They
Call the Wind Maria(h)" with a blow-em-away vocal by John ("Bob Shane used to
do this in the Trio, but that was then and this is now"). "Neon Road," which
really rocks in concert. "Dogs of San Jon" melded with "Midnight Wind" to
give the latter some meaningful context, and "Ghost of the Super Chief" along
with "Pirates," songs linking the decades of John's bittersweet love affair
with America.
The tone of the show was less rock-n-roll than last July's at McCabes, tho
Dennis the D Man Kenmore and Dave "Dave" provided rock-solid support. More a
folky feeling, and a great pleasure to visit with The Big Guy and hear the
latest songs that keep bubbling up from his creative wellspring. Great show!
-- Greg
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: INTRODUCTION
Date: 97-04-07
From: alleycat@cruzio.com
Greetings Bloodliners,
I'm sorry I'm late, got here as soon as I could: we only recently
acquired a home computer.
My name is Catherine and my husband is Alex. Our home is in the Santa
Cruz Mountains, 6 miles from downtown Santa Cruz, a fine place to live
for many reasons: the ocean, the redwoods, the natural food stores, the
bookstores, the frequency of appearances by J.S.
I've been a fan for over 30 years, have owned Stewart music (KT) since
'65. Late one night in '69, I heard "July, You're a Woman" on the radio.
I bought California Bloodlines the next day and I've never looked back.
Now, in 1969 I was nineteen so "July" was an easy song to hook me with.
What do nineteen-year-olds spend most of their time thinking about? But,
hey, this is 28 years later and I'm still hooked. California Bloodlines
and subsequent releases nourished, comforted and inspired me in a way
that no other music has. Spirit, nature, love, sex, social conscience,
Bobby Kennedy, California, Mother Country - just about everything that's
important to me is there in his music. There are many singer/songwriters
whose work I love, but none that remain as constant in my life as John
has been. I like listening to California Bloodlines just as much today
as I did when I bought it nearly 30 years ago.
When I met my husband Alex in '89, he was not familiar with John's work,
but he was easily converted. On his birthday a few years ago I took him
to Palookaville in Santa Cruz for his first live view of John. I recall
feeling thrilled that I had brought together the man whose music and
spirit I had loved for 30 years with the man I love more than anything
else in the world. And the latter was thoroughly enjoying the former. My
work was done. Alex will even stand in line himself to purchase tickets
for John's concerts.
I know from my Finger subscription that many of John's fans have named
their children after characters or places in his songs. I don't have
children ( don't cry for me, Stewartistas, my brother and sister-in-law
have produced 5 little angels and they live only 10 minutes away ) but
many years ago when I thought I'd have a child one day, I planned on a
daughter named Ludi. Ludi was, and still is, my favorite John-created
character. ( Gosh, my eyes water just thinking about her. ) Anyone know
if she was based on a real person? Anyone have any Stewart-named kids?
Dogs? Cats? Other varmints??? Nancy, I'm guessing you have a bunch of
cocatoos with assorted Stewart names.
And so ends my introduction. I'm pleased to be in your company.
Michelle, thanks for bringing us together.
Catherine
Oh, just checked my mail. Thanks to Peter and Merle for McCabe's reports
- the first posts I've received ( other than Michelle's warm welcome.)
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: INTRODUCTION
Date: 97-04-07
From: t_mstrin@qualcomm.com (Merle Stringfield)
Hi Catherine,
Welcome to Bloodlines! Spent 2 weeks in Mt Herman in 1974. The only music
we had was "Willard"....I remember walking thru the woods humming Earth
Rider to myself! "across the hill from Placerville" Regards, Merle
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Merle's Welcome
Date: 97-04-07
From: alleycat@cruzio.com
Hi Merle,
Thanks for the kind welcome! We live right near Mr Hermon, my oldest
neice is working in the bookstore there after school. No, her name's not
Ludi - I did turn my brother into a J.S. fan, but couldn't get him to go
that far. Catherine
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: davidltaylor5@worldnet.att.net (David L. Taylor)
Thanks to all the people who attended the JS concert at McCabes. What
great pictures you all painted. I almost feel as though I were there.
Thank you.
David
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: DMotley@aol.com
Well Merle, you beat me to it. Thank's for posting the set list. I must
say Saturday's show was one of the best yet, especially the second set when
John's voice was warmed up.
The evening started out with an informal dinner get-together where my wife
and I got to meet fellow Bloodliners Patrick Farnam, Duncan & Karen Kirby,
and two other lady friends of Patrick. At the concert we also met Merle
Stringfield, and Greg Dennis. I'm relly pleased to get to know some of
these people whose faces I've been seeing for the last 25 years or so.
Between shows John invited all of us "Bloodliners" up to his dressing room to
meet him and other . My wife and I had a pleasant conversation with John's
friend Henry Diltz ( noted rock music photographer). I also got a chance to
say hi to Peter Yarrow, and Paul Stookey who were also in the audience.
Can't wait till next time! Keep it flyin' , MOTT
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: cwoodward@ucflink.com (Charlie Woodward)
We've always appreciated how gracious John and Dave are to us when
we get to go to a show.
John tells a story about when he met Elvis that a lot of you have probably
heard--how he "turned into Woody Allen" when face-to-face with his hero.
That's about how I felt when I got to meet John, but came away thinking,
"What
a nice guy." He paid a lot of attention to my then 8-year old son, too.
And what can you say about Dave? He seems to really go out
of his way to make you welcome.
This whole Stewartista thing makes you feel like part of a big family,
doesn't it? Thanks for keeping the family together, Michelle!
Charlie
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: GregDenis@aol.com
In a message dated 97-04-07 16:59:28 EDT, Mott writes:
<< Between shows John invited all of us "Bloodliners" up to his dressing room to
meet him and others. My wife and I had a pleasant conversation with John's
friend Henry Diltz ( noted rock music photographer). I also got a chance to
say hi to Peter Yarrow, and Paul Stookey who were also in the audience. >>
Wow, I knew John had a big following among fellow musicians, but to have both
Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey show up is quite an honor, indeed. I didn't see
either of them during the first show, Mott. Were they there for the second
one, or did I just miss them?
-- Greg
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: east coast tour details
Date: 97-04-07
From: GregDenis@aol.com
In a message dated 97-04-07 15:08:17 EDT, you write:
<< Hey, folks--how many of you are planning on staying overnight at
Northampton on Wed.? Any good suggestions for an affordable h/motel close
to the Iron Horse? Anybody up for a room party after the show? Anybody who
is going from there to Saratoga Springs have any good ideas for how to
spend the day?
>>
Del --
Here's the name of someone who lives near me in San Diego County but was a
longtime Saratoga Springs resident, if you want ideas for what to do there:
Jon Wurtmann -- jw@landing.net
Also, before the McCabe's show Saturday night, a couple friends and I got a
chance to hear the sound check and chat with John. I had requested via
bloodlines that he play "Comfort Me" -- a favorite of both yours and mine --
and he said, without my asking, that he'd completely forgotten how to play it
and would have to go back and figure it out. So I guess he's taking those
Internet requests seriously. Enjoy the shows, and please post all the juicy
details.
-- Greg
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: INTRODUCTION
Date: 97-04-07
From: RoyFritz@compuserve.com (Roy Fritz)
Catherine & Alex,
Welcome aboard. I envy you guys - I'm very lucky to see John once a
year here in New England, and venues for
him are getting scarce. As to naming kids etc, I do have an 18 year old
son John. My father-in-law
thinks he's named after him, but we know better don't we. I have two
daughters one, Laura Elizabeth (read
the 'Little House' books) who at age 13 went to see JS with me, now 3 years
later she's learning to play
guitar like her old man. I'd take my other daughter, but she's 11 and
John's shows somtimes run late and
Jeanne just gets too sleepy.
I (with a few friends) will head for Boston to see John this Friday.
Any other liners out there reading this going to be there?? COME ON we
have to give him an excuse to
come back.
Roy Fritz
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: Bluesy33@aol.com
Excellent report Merle--makes those not in attendance writhe in jealousy--I
know I should be handling this better!!.......I'm working on it.......come on
Texas tour!
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: INTRODUCTION
Date: 97-04-07
From: martink@mindspring.com (L. Kent Martin)
And a hearty welcome from the Midwest, too.
And now that you mentioned it, what's the latest on The Finger? Anyone know
when the next one's coming out?
Just curious, doncha know ...
Missouri Bird,
Kent
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: GregDenis@aol.com
In a message dated 97-04-07 18:21:10 EDT, Charlie writes:
<< This whole Stewartista thing makes you feel like part of a big family,
doesn't it? >>
I completely agree. I'm always struck, every time I see John and friends
perform, at how much of an evocative and emotional experience it is -- to see
someone who has kept the dream alive and who is so good at expressing the
things we're all feeling but hadn't been able to articulate -- and to share
one's own appreciation of that gift with others.
Every show it's something different. Today, for example, I've got some lines
from "Keeper of the Flame" (which John performed Saturday) knocking around in
my head -- If one brave angel flies at dawn, would you even know her name?
Who will stand upon the shore, keeper of the flame?"
-- Greg
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: McCabes
Date: 97-04-07
From: martink@mindspring.com (L. Kent Martin)
Wonderful, simply wonderful to have these terrific reviews of the concert,
folks. You've done a great job filling the rest of us in on what must have
been another magical night, courtesy of Mr. Stewart & Co. Many, many thanks
to all.
On the other hand, the thrill of reading your reviews is balanced only by
the obnoxious feeling that the rest of us missed yet another outstanding
show!
Best wishes to everyone out East for the upcoming Boston show.
Missouri Bird,
Kent
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: INTRODUCTION
Date: 97-04-08
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
At 10:07 AM 4/7/97 -0700, alleycat@cruzio.com wrote:
> Nancy, I'm guessing you have a bunch of cocatoos with assorted Stewart names.
>
>And so ends my introduction. I'm pleased to be in your company.
>Michelle, thanks for bringing us together.
>
>
> Catherine
Sadly, that's not the case...I don't even have the ONE I used to have...he
went with my soon to be ex husband.....and I miss him....(the BIRD)
But I DO have a very persnickity cat named MIRANDA! <grin>
Nanc
________________________________________________________________
end of Bloodlines archive Apr 97 (E)
Back to the archive menu