Bloodlines Mailing List archives February 19-20, 1997
from the John Stewart email list
JS through the years. an interesting request from AB,
Trio song questionsm Pat Boone, We Five and more.-REB
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Reflections and perspectives...another take
Date: 97-02-19
From: RGodwin495@aol.com
After my television and their car engines had been turned off. . .
Reflections upon watching fearless men challenge life on one special Sunday
afternoon. . . .both on and off the raceway. .
It's always intriguing to observe just where John's songs might fit within
any of life's infinite activities. Sometimes, a somewhat innocuous event is
suddenly re-defined by circumstances seemingly without control. .
..providing a mirror upon which the words and music reflect a whole different
take on the happenstance. . .and. conversely, eliciting yet another meaning
to the song.
Look at what happened Sunday at Daytona.
In NASCAR's greatest annual race - the Daytona 500 - Chevrolet finished
first -
second - third, with all three cars owned by Hendrick Motorsports. A
highly unlikely outcome, created only by a sudden turn of racing events very
late in the race.
But along with the cheers and joy, this year there also are tears and pain.
For as sure as one battle was taking place on the speedway, another is being
fought in North Carolina. There, team owner Rick Hendrick, prominent in
auto racing for many years, now suddenly lies stricken with a rare
life-threatening leukemia, undergoing chemotherapy, looking for a marrow
donor.
For Rick Hendrick, his team's stunning victory probably was the best dose
of medicine in the short run.
In a larger sense, though, perhaps quiet meaning and soulful healing might
be better found within the song. Certainly the songs we know best both
reflect and keep in perspective the reality of this past Sunday.
Chevrolet(s) burnin' in the left hand lane. . .(and winning in victory lane)
guided by an Angel on the Road Shoulder
while their leader awaits in the Shadows of the Angels Wings
who will Comfort (Me) along his own Blue Dream Road
.
. . Rick
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Where's the Audience
Date: 97-02-19
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
Laurie (and Bob , Katie and Matt) Foster wrote:
>In listening to Live At the Turf Inn I keep asking myself is the audience
>asleep?? The few times you can hear the reaction it sounds like just a
>handfull of folks (as compared to electricity you can hear on the Phoneix
>Concert album) Now maybe it's just where they placed the recording mikes
>but it's the least responsive JS audience I've seen or heard.
>
This is only an educated guess, but weren't there about 50 times more people
at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, than the Turf even holds???????
Nancy
"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit
salvation?
"...Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have
entertained angels without knowing it..." ~ Hebrews 1:14; 13:2
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Where's the Audience
Date: 97-02-19
From: doghelp@primenet.com (Bill Rayner)
> This is only an educated guess, but weren't there about 50 times more people
> at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, than the Turf even holds???????
>
Caught you Nancy - although John played the Celebrity Theater many
times, Phoenix Concerts Live was recorded at the Civic Plaza. Two great
nights!
________________________________________________________________
Subj: JS thru the years
Date: 97-02-19
From: PFARNAM@aol.com
I just finished reading a post on AOL from Bob Foster about his feeling that
John's music from ten and twenty years ago was better than today's. (At least
that was what I got from the post). I'm composing offline (AOL is down for
the next several hours) so I'm going by memory, and at my age, that's always
tricky. IMHO, I beg to differ with Bob's analysis.
I've been a "fan" of John Stewart since the Cumberland Three days. When I
go back and listen to his music from the Trio days and the seventies and
eighties, I am aware that a great deal of the appeal for me is the emotional
attachments I have to the experiences I was going through at the times I
first heard the songs. Not that the music isn't great - it is, and the
lyrics still have power and meaning in my life today. But I think that if
one objectively compares John's music of the last five years or so, with a
similar ten year period of say 1970 to 1975, or 1975 to 1980, I think that
his current output is better. Better music, better lyrics, better human
meaning. I recall the first time I ever heard Botswanna. It was at McCabes,
and John was playing alone. After the song, there was a long moment, when
there was no sound at all. For me, that was much more powerful than a
standing ovation. You have to listen intelligently to John's music, I think,
and in my experience, it takes many playings for a song to unfold for me, all
of it's meanings & textures. And his music can really move me physically. I
don't like to compare songs or albums. Rough Sketches, Rocket Roy, Escape to
Arizona, to name a few of the more recent releases keep growing on me. I
can't say I like them more than California Bloodlines, or Cannons In The
Rain, but I certainly can't say I like them less either. I am so grateful
that John continues to write and perform. His music touches something very
central to my sense of who I am, and I feel I have benefited greatly over the
past 37 years or so by having his music available to me.
One of the things I have noticed over the past ten or fifteen years is the
Spiritual quality of John's music. I think he is a mystic. I've noticed
that quality in his music more and more lately. I don't think it was ever
lacking, but maybe I'm just noticing it more of late. Sort of like the
eighteen year old who left home because his parents were so stupid, and upon
returning at age 21, was amazed to discover just home much they had learned
in three short years.
Anyway, to sum up, I think that John's musical output today is the best ever,
and I expect it to continue to improve. I still love to listen to the older
stuff, and I expect that in ten years, Rough Sketches will carry a lot of
emotional weight for me that it currently doesn't.
One hundred years from now, I believe that the works of John Stewart will be
as popular and as respected as the works of Woody Guthrie are today. I rate
them pretty equal now.
I guess this is my longest post by far.
"...and so it's up to you and I, to beat our arms against the sky, and to
keep it flyin'..."
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: JS thru the years
Date: 97-02-19
From: Bluesy33@aol.com
Well said PFAR--The Best Is Yet To Come!
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Untitled
Date: 97-02-19
From: Angelbravo@aol.com
Dear friends, I have a favor to ask. My oldest friend George Yanok, we went
to high school together, is now writing a column for the Nashville Banner.
His first column ran Tuesday and the editor is looking to see what kind of
reaction it receives. It's a story of how he first went to nashville as one
of the creators of Hee Haw.(George has produced and written a slew of hit tv
shows and he has won two Emmys) He's a teriffic writer and, trust me, his
column is witty, colorful and full of interesting stories and characters.
You can email the Banner with your reation to his piece at
tghianni@NashvilleBanner.com.
I realize you haven't had a chance to read it , so you're going to have to
trust me, it's really top of the line. It would mean a great deal to George
and me if you responded positively.
Thanks for your endless support.
Love you madly
John S.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: JS thru the years
Date: 97-02-19
From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)
PFARNAM wrote:
> But I think that if
>one objectively compares John's music of the last five years or so, with a
>similar ten year period of say 1970 to 1975, or 1975 to 1980, I think that
>his current output is better. Better music, better lyrics, better human
>meaning. < . . . > You have to listen intelligently to John's music, I think,
>and in my experience, it takes many playings for a song to unfold for me, all
>of it's meanings & textures.
I am in general agreement with this. I think that the "full" meaning of
the songs never finishes unfolding--they are inexhaustable. Which means
that the longer we listen, the richer the meaning becomes. I suppose that
is connected to something like "nostalgia"; but it means that the new work
holds a richness that we simply haven't had time to discover yet. And, for
all that, my favorites today tend to be the very latest work. I cannot go
more than a day or two without listening to "Rough Sketches." And as far as
i'm concerned, no other literary, musical, or filmic work can best "Rocket
Roy"
>One hundred years from now, I believe that the works of John Stewart will be
>as popular and as respected as the works of Woody Guthrie are today. I rate
>them pretty equal now.
>I guess this is my longest post by far.
I'm going to say he'll be remembered as the American Yeats. Who really
knows what people in a hundred years will think? But, if modern medical
science doesn't let me down, in a hundred years, *I'll* remember him as the
American Yeats.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-19
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
My goodness...he's actually asking US for a favor? Wow.... Like he hasn't
done us enough favors himself, just by sharing his music with us... :))))))
If John says it's good...it must be superb. Consider email sent.
Nancy <-----concocting good story as to why I'm reading the "Nashville
Banner" in Prescott, Arizona <BG>
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-19
From: cnewton@fyi.net (Christopher Newton)
Can't pass up on a favor for The Man. Just e-mailed the following message
to the Nashville Banner:
Just a short note to comment on George Yanok's column in Tuesday's Nashville
Banner:
I've never been more delighted by a column since my days in San Francisco,
and the pleasure that came from reading the Chronicle's Herb Caen and
Charles McCabe over the morning coffee. Both are gone now, but Yanok's in
their league. The Banner is lucky to have him.
His grasp of character, eye for telling detail and blend of warmth, wisdom
and wit provide a refreshing respite from the harshness of everday news.
I'm sure your othe readers found his column as irrestibly engaging as I did.
Hope he's a Banner fixture for many years.
Kit Newton
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Trio song questions
Date: 97-02-19
From: pjmar@ptdprolog.net (PJ March)
Dear Angelbravo & Bloodlines:
I've always wondered where the Kingston Trio got the songs "The Long Black
Veil", "Brown Mountain Light", and "Honey are You Mad at Your Man". I'm
familiar with the Lefty Frizzell version of "The Long Black Veil" and "Honey
are You Mad" is very similar to the Osborne Brothers' (of Rocky Top fame)
tune "Ruby". Speaking of Rocky Top, what was the inspiration for recording
that on the Trancas album? Also, what is the deal with the supposedly
unreleased versions of Roddy McCorley, 500 Miles, and Goin' Away for to Leave
You on the Capitol Years Box Set? They sound like the exact same versions
that appeared on the College Concert LP.
P.J.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: JS thru the years
Date: 97-02-19
From: RTFAL@aol.com
PFARNAM's comments are absolutely right on. John's current output of music
has as much impact as the songs of yesteryear. Hopefully, he will keep the
fires burning bright and the Best is Yet to Come! and we will '..keep it
flyin...'
Art
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-19
From: DMotley@aol.com
Christopher,
What an incredible bunch of BS (Balogna & sausage, of course), but it's for a
good cause. I think I'll E-Mail them too.
Keep it flyin"
Mott
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Fwd: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-19
From: Angelbravo@aol.com
What's a bunch of BS?
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Nashville column
Date: 97-02-19
From: GregDenis@aol.com
I'm planning to send e-mail about the column, as John requested, but I'm
wondering if there's a way to actually read the thing on the Net so we can
sound like we truly know what we're talking about. I'm too rushed to do a Net
search right now, and wondered if anybody has an URL for the Nashville Banner
(which, BTW, has a very good reputation in newspaper circles). Anybody?
-- Greg
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Fwd: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-19
From: DMotley@aol.com
Sorry, by BS I was only alluding to the fact that Christopher was commenting
on an article that I assume he has never read.
I'm sure it was a fine article, however, and I am willing to put in a few
good words for your columnist friend too, because if you say it was a grteat
article, then that's good enough for me. No harm intended! How can
balony & sausage hurt anyone anyway?
Your pal,
Mott (Keep it flyin' ")
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Nashville column
Date: 97-02-19
From: gbrother@dash.com (George Brother)
The web site is http://www.nashvillebanner.com/, however , I was
unable to find this article there.
George
***********************************
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Fwd: Nashville column
Date: 97-02-19
From: Angelbravo@aol.com
Try emailing George at writer@aol.com. Perhaps he canput it on line.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: JS thru the years
Date: 97-02-20
From: donfish@sttl.uswest.net (D&L Ruiz/Peeveyroo)
I've been enjoying everyone's answers on this topic, but mostly I'm struck
by the incredible compliment that is implied by the mere raising of the
question.
Think of it: How many other sets of fans could have a serious debate about
whether their favorite artist was at the top of his game in the '60s, '70s,
'80s or '90s?
Think of some of the artists who were part of the singer-songwriter
movement of the late '60s and early '70s: John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot,
James Taylor, Carole King, Billy Joel, Danny O'Keefe, Don McLean, Dan
Fogelberg, Janice Ian, Tom Rush, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Jeff Walker, Harry
Chapin, Jim Croche and probably dozens more that I can't even think of any
more. Tragically, death took two of these talents way too early. And even
though some of these others are still turning out wonderful music, I find
it hard to imagine that many of their fans can mount a good argument that
their present work is their best work.
The only artists I can think of who came out of that period and who could
still be considered at a creative peak might be Neil Young, John Prine,
maybe Randy Newman, and very definately our very own John Stewart. It's a
subjective list, of course, and there may be some I'm just not thinking of.
But without a doubt, it is a very exclusive number of artists with this
combination of longevity, quantity and quality.
And with the folk opera and Darwin's Army and who-knows-what-else looming
out there, it's exciting to think that John's best decade might be *next*
decade. -- Don
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: JS thru the years
Date: 97-02-20
From: DMotley@aol.com
Don,
My sentiments exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself!
"Keep it flyin' ",
Mott
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Fwd: Trio song questions
Date: 97-02-20
From: Angelbravo@aol.com
Honey Are You Mad At Your Man is taken from Ruby and
Skillet Good and Greasey, those cuts from College Concert are identical to
the live album, they are the studio version.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: JS thru the years
Date: 97-02-20
From: MButters@aol.com
Re: Peevyroo's comments on John Stewart's enduring artistry.
I couldn't agree more. I also think that, to fully appreciate that, you must
see John in person. The songs are great and the recorded work is wonderful,
but the fullest rendering of John's work, I think, is accomplished before a
live audience.
That raises another point. Anyone in the New York-Massachusetts area up to a
house concert in April ? There is a great opportunity, with one open date in
a three-to-four date schedule in your area. This makes such an endeavor much
more do-able.
Any update on the West Coast house concert, anticipated this spring ?
Also, start saving money now for a possible Chattanooga gathering later in
the year. I will try not to disappoint.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Fwd: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-20
From: cnewton@fyi.net (Christopher Newton)
>What's a bunch of BS?
>
I suspect this was in reference to my email to the Nashville Banner, which
you may have missed because I appended it to the bottom of your original
request. Here it is again (below)....Incindentally, wasn't George Yanok a
publicist for the Kinston Trio early in his career, working for Trio manager
Frank Werber?
Kit Newton
Just a short note to comment on George Yanok's column in Tuesday's Nashville
Banner:
I've never been more delighted by a column since my days in San Francisco,
and the pleasure that came from reading the Chronicle's Herb Caen and
Charles McCabe over the morning coffee. Both are gone now, but Yanok's in
their league. The Banner is lucky to have him.
His grasp of character, eye for telling detail and blend of warmth, wisdom
and wit provide a refreshing respite from the harshness of everday news.
I'm sure your other readers found his column as irrestibly engaging as I
did. Hope he's a Banner fixture for many years.
Kit Newton
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: JS thru the years
Date: 97-02-20
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle Stevens)
Don wrote:
>The only artists I can think of who came out of that period and who could
>still be considered at a creative peak might be Neil Young, John Prine,
>maybe Randy Newman, and very definately our very own John Stewart.
Wow! I was just thinking about Randy Newman in this vein. He goes out on a
limb (eg "Faust") and does the kind of songs *he* wants. Great minds think
alike, Don!
`````
( O O )
------------------------oOOO--(_)--OOOo---------------------------------
Michelle Luce Stevens
http://www.concentric.net/~Ddunet/ (John Stewart Home Pages)
Data Descriptives Unlimited
Centreville, Virginia
http://www.concentric.net/~Ddunet/ddu/ (Data Descriptives Unlimited)
.oooO
( ) Oooo.
-------------------------- \ (-----( )---oOO-(^)--OOOo----------------
\_) ) / ( O-O )
(_/ !!!!!
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Fwd: Re: Fwd: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-20
From: Angelbravo@aol.com
George was our tour manager and co-wrote Strange Day with me.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Fwd: Re: Fwd: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-20
From: cnewton@fyi.net (Christopher Newton)
>George was our tour manager and co-wrote Strange Day with me.
He IS witty....."Waaaaaait a minute!.....That's the Sherrif's girl!"
Kit Newton
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Fwd: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-20
From: cnewton@fyi.net (Christopher Newton)
>
>What an incredible bunch of BS (Balogna & sausage, of course), but it's for
>a good cause. I think I'll E-Mail them too.
> Keep it flyin"
> Mott
It comes easily for me. I write speeches for business executives.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Trio song questions
Date: 97-02-20
From: MBobryk@aol.com
Lefty Frizell did it years before them, but the Country Gentlemen introduced
"Long Black Veil" to '60s folkies on their live bluegrass album for
Folkways. "Brown Mountain Light" was done by a number of country artists,
most prominently [I think] by bluegrasser Mac Weisman.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Favor
Date: 97-02-20
From: sprest02@sprynet.com (ALLMuse)
Angelbravo-
E Mail has been sent. Its the least I could do.
Steve
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Untitled
Date: 97-02-20
From: MFinleyCS@aol.com
In a message dated 97-02-20 16:59:38 EST, you write:
<< He IS witty....."Waaaaaait a minute!.....That's the Sherrif's girl!" >>
I believe that's "the Sherrif's GAL."
Mitch
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Pat Boone ? Pat Boone!!
Date: 97-02-20
From: GeryJarcia@aol.com
News flash, Los Angeles: Singer Pat Boone, seen at the American Music Awards
in Leather & spikes, was asked by reporters about this strange transition.
Said Pat; " It is an interesting story. I met & fell in love with this
woman named July. We were out driving one day & I told her: 'I cant hold it
on the road when you're sitting right beside me & I'm drunk out of my mind,
merely from the fact that you are here'." Pat went on. "She smiled and gave
me that 'you're gonna get some' look and said, Oh Pat!' ". I then told her,
I have not been known as the saint of San Joaquin & I'd just as soon right
now, pull on over to the side of the road and show you I'm not so mean". "It
was then," Pat said, " that she looked at me funny & said, ' how in the hell
do you do that? You gonna show me your bunny or something?!!!' Then she
slugged me in the eye & got out of the car & I never saw her again." Pat
continued. "It was then that I decided that maybe not being mean doesn't do
it for todays woman, so I have decided to get mean. do the leathers help?"
Pat finished by saying, "The next time I will just pull on over to the side
of the road & just shut up & show her what I mean!" Pat then left the
auditorium with his leather granny bodyguards, humming some familiar song,
which this reporter thinks might have been sung by Eddie Arnold, or even
Robert Goulet.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Group project for February
Date: 97-02-20
From: Ddumail@aol.com
I hope Susan won't mind that I reposted this from the AOL MMC. I thought that
she wouldn't mind if it means more chances to get John the recognition that
he deserves.
Here finally is the address if anyone is interested in sending letters or
cards suggesting that A&E do a "Biography" special on the Trio and John....
EVERYBODY WRITE!
Michael Cascio
Executive Producer
Biography
A&E Cable Network
235 East 45th Street
New York, New York 10017
Michelle, your friendly Bloodlines mailing list manager and webmistress
________________________________________________________________
Subj: We Five
Date: 97-02-20
From: MButters@aol.com
A few weeks back, someone asked about We Five, featuring John's brother
Michael, on CD.
Collector's Choice has both of the first (and only ?) two We Five albums on
one CD. They're having a sale, so this twofer is going for $12.88 plus
whatever for shipping, etc.
You may order toll-free at 800-923-1122. The order number is BHCCM00232 for
"You Were On My Mind"/"Make Someone Happy".
Happy trails.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Pat Boone ? Pat Boone!!
Date: 97-02-20
From: MButters@aol.com
Gery,
Do not, repeat, do *not*, smoke those canvas sneakers before going online.
The committee can accept no responsibility for your safety.
Thanks for the giggle.
________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: Favor
Date: 97-02-20
From: martink@mindspring.com (L. Kent Martin)
>
>E Mail has been sent. Its the least I could do.
>
Same here. Actually, after searching in vain for the piece on the Banner's
web site, I clicked on the section of its homepage where they let you e-mail
them with comments. I mentioned I'd heard about George's considerable
skills and talent as a writer and wondered if his column might be made
available on the 'Net. No reply as of yet. Still, it's one option to
consider for anyone else trying to help.
Kent
(And by the by, this is my first note since I recently subscribed to
"bloodlines" and I must thank you all who made this forum possible. John,
I've followed you since your Trio days, caught your one show I've ever seen
at the old Vanguard coffeehouse in January of '71 in Kansas City and have
kept the faith ever since, give or take a lapse or two for time to raise a
family, et al. You've helped us all keep our wings from dragging the ground
... Thanks from another survivor.)
________________________________________________________________
end of Bloodlines archive Feb 97 (F)
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