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 Catherine Whittington BP] _________________________________________________________________ Subject: NN: Oh, What a Night - Long Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 19:51:42 -0500 (EST) From: [email protected] Hey Y'all, So sorry to hear that some of the earlier shows were cancelled :( and almost hate to post this, but Nanci's fine and was in great form at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA last night. Anyone going to the Birchmere tonight or tomorrow who wants to be surprised should not read this. It was a full moon, but too cloudy, cold and drizzly to see it. The weekend's weather had been unsettled and raw as my husband and I visited Arlington National Cemetery and the Viet Nam Wall, taking shelter on Sunday afternoon in the splendor of the mineral and gem exhibit on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The unusually warm winter produced a rare confluence of blooming things: brilliant yellow forsythia, ghostly Bradford pear trees and appropriately, berm after berm of daffodils planted in honor of Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson. The famed cherry trees were also in full bloom; the second earliest peak weekend in recorded history. Lord, I am a lucky woman. Thanks, Nanci. Thanks, Guy. Finally it was time to leave for the big show, thinking certainly if we got there half an hour before the box office opened at 5:00, we'd be first in line, but nay. There were folks who had been there since 2:30 and it was COLD outside and windy. The Birchmere has 500 seats at tables, and the line is to get your seating number. They open the dining/music hall at 6:00 and call parties one at a time, so that the lower your number, the better your choice of tables. We were about 40 deep in the line and ended up with number 23 and seats on the front row, right edge of the stage, 15 feet or so from Nanci and Guy when each performed. Guy Clark fashion report: wild, bushy hair, expressive, mischevious, timeless face, black, constantly tapping cowboy boots, faded Wranglers, white shirt, tan vest, all Texan, all the time. Guy and Verlon Thompson came out pretty close to 7:30 and played until almost 9pm. Both of them seemed just purely giddy. There were some Guy Clark fans there but most folks had come to see Nanci; it didn't take long for them to fall under Guy's spell. He doesn't use a set list, but seemed to have a general plan; unlike the Variety Playhouse here in Atlanta, the Birchmere has signs on every table requiring absolute silence while musicians are on the stage, preventing Guy from taking his usual requests from the crowd. He opened with Cold Dog Soup and followed it with The Cape. The he talked a little bit about Cold Dog Soup and said they'd finally learned three or four songs of it, "the trouble with making a new record is having to go back and learn the songs..." as a segue into Ain't No Trouble to Me. Next was L.A. Freeway, during which he paused to tell the story of his boring landlord and the grapefruit tree to which he attributes the tune. After singing and telling his way through Texas-1947 and Boats to Build, someone in the crowd got brave and yelled for Immigrant Eyes. Verlon and Guy both played the lights out on a rousing version of Sis Draper, which Guy called the Imaginary Fiddle Song because we'd have to imagine the fiddle. They plowed on through three or four more standards including Homegrown Tomatoes when Guy decided it was time for Verlon to sing and Verlon decided it was time to tell the audience that he and Guy and just returned from doing a quick overnight show in the Netherlands, and claimed they'd been "Amsterdamed." Guy said they called it something else in Texas, having to do with ducks and rakes and hunting. Verlon did his Greasy Bend, OK -- Ouachita River -- Daweeita's Mandolin song followed by another called "I'm a Lucky Dog," which included a pretty good Johnny Cash impression and story. Verlon hadn't been hanging with Guy all these years for nothing. Guy closed his set with Let Him Roll. Standing ovation. Not the last one. Endless, 20 minute intermission and finally, time for Ms. Nanci. NG fashion report: the thinnest woman I have ever seen. She was wearing gold metallic capri pants and a black knit top with one of the blue silk Cambodian scarves wrapped around her neck. And of course, the ubiquitous black flats. First thing she said was how cold it was for the first day of spring and how she'd had her socks on until right when she had to come on stage. Said she would have left them on, but didn't think we'd like white athletic socks with those flats. I was trying to picture it, but then she launched into "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" and the socks were forgotten. She was simply luminous, and with all that blue and black, when the blue spots hit her, it would almost knock your eyes out. She was accompanied by the "Blue Moon Combo," consisting of Pat McInerny, Ron De la Vega, and the sartorially splendid and hatless James Hooker. One of the true highlights of the show for us was the gorgeous duet she and Hooker did of Gulf Coast Highway -- both were in superb voice. Nanci seemed to be having a great time and enjoying this tour. At the outset, as she was describing what was to come, she said it was going to be "one old bag with a bag full of fun." It certainly was a bag full of fun, but I didn't see any old bag on that stage and I was CLOSE. Another very high point was a beautiful version of Tecumseh Valley that she dedicated to Guy. Nanci ran through several of her standards before bringing out the Kennedys to accompany her on Across the Great Divide, inviting the audience to sing along. And of course, she plugged the Kennedys and their "Evolver" CD. Among the standards was a very wistful version of Not My Way Home, which she described as "MY favorite song, even it if isn't anyone else's." Wonder if she saw the poll? She also talked about singing with the Lubbock symphony and was comically miffed when someone in the audience snorted, asserting that Lubbock does indeed have a symphony. As Ron mentioned in his report, "Travelin' Through This Part of You" is a heartfelt and "just Nanci" piece of music -- it stood me still. She made several references to her trip to southeast Asia and talked about waking up in the middle of the night to write the song -- this is the kind of lyric and poetry that I'd love to hear more of. Like someone posted recently -- just nine more and call it a CD! She's a wonderful advocate for the landmine cause -- VERY passionate about it. And she was unusually open about not truly understanding an important part of Eric Taylor until she had taken that journey. A rare glimpse into a private soul. Verlon came back out to join the group and the audience for The Hammer Song. He and Pat kept picking at each other and Nanci kept threatening them, "Don't make me come back there, boys..." Guy joined the group and he and Nanci duetted on She Ain't Goin' Nowhere, Do Re Mi, and Dublin Blues (major giant huge big league sigh>, with Guy taking the lead and Nanci the harmony. The show ended with It's a Hard Life, Nanci singing the lead, of course, and Verlon and Guy providing powerful harmonies. Standing ovation. Not the last one. The magical evening ended with the encore "Old Friends," which began with each band member performing a solo or duet and having an individual moment to shine and ended with Nanci and Guy sharing a single microphone, singing "Old Friends" and looking at each other with the purest love of friendship, transcending the room to a beautiful place of musical carpe diem. Standing ovation. Lights up. Whiter Shade of Pale. Cate, was I dreaming? back in Atlanta Nanci Griffith / Guy Clark Jan 11, 2022
  br54knight Chris Knight Frank Rische Chris Knight / The Ugly Architect Jan 10, 2022
 Breed Very good show, don't recall the opening act. Quite the showman Elton was. Not the wildly flamboyant Elton that came a little later. No crazy suits or bizarre glasses. I remember at the end of the show, him reaching out from the stage to shake hands. Played all stuff from his 1st US release. Lighthouse / American Dream / Elton John Jan 09, 2022
 Breed Thought for a while that I lost my mind at this show! Wasn't big into Floyd at the time, had recently gotten the Ummagumma album. I remember a crazy, trippy light show. I read another persons account of the show that recalled a fan climbing on the stage and being kicked off, literally, by David Gilmore. Sid had recently departed the band. Definitely a very fuzzy memory, wonder why?? Savoy Brown / Pink Floyd Jan 09, 2022
 Guidorec "I Won" was debuted at this concert Throwing Muses / The Sundays Jan 09, 2022
 Ricardo Silva 1. Reza 2. É D’Oxum 3. Oyá 4. Num corpo só 5. Maltratar não é direito 6. Cara valente 7. Romaria 8. Caminho das águas 9. No Rancho Fundo 10. Manhã de carnaval 11. Saudade louca 12. Lucidez 13. Aí foi que o barraco desabou 14. Como nossos pais 15. O mestre-sala dos mares 16. Não deixe o samba morrer Maria Rita Jan 09, 2022
 seaninconcert Funny moment. In between songs, he would tell a story or two about his musical past. During one story, his microphone was faulty. Buzzed on every word. Instead of the soundman fixing right then, he waits until the next song to walk onstage, while Al is playing to swap mics. Because of the swinging mic stand, it would come close to hitting Al in the head. So he stopped the song, and told a few jokes while waiting. Al Di Meola Jan 08, 2022
 Breed Great show!! My daughter's band, opening for her friend's band from Seattle. First live show for Shredford! La Luz / Savila / Robert Shredford Jan 08, 2022
 Guidorec All tickets were taken at the door. For those that wanted one, random tickets were handed out after the concert. The Specials / Saffiyah Khan / The Tuts Jan 08, 2022
 Breed Took the whole family, my kids first real concert and our first concert at Red Rocks. I'll never forget the look on my kid's faces when they launched into The Wanton Song. Smell of pot drifting through the air, guy in front of us had too much fun and was passed out on the bench. Crowd singing along as Plant held out the microphone for the punch in the nose bit from Going to California. Unforgettable!! Jimmy Page & Robert Plant Jan 08, 2022
 Breed Great show!! My daughter on guitar and vocals with Mike on Keyboard, Christy on drums, Alia on bass and special guest Josh on guitar. Last show before the pandemic. Chess at Breakfast / The Beeves / Robert Shredford / People in General Jan 08, 2022
 Breed Didn't make this one but remembering that the first time I heard of Santana it was a free show at the factory and the newsletter that I used to get said that Santana was Janis Joplin's favorite band. Found out why shortly thereafter! Zepher / Nat Turner's Rebellion / Santana Jan 08, 2022
 Breed Good show featuring local bands, kind of an in between weekend at the Factory. Strobe lights and mattresses. Edison Electric Band / Sweet Stavin Chain / MAX Jan 08, 2022
 Breed Nice to experience Tull in a smaller venue, vintage Tull with the greatcoat and the knee-length moccasins. WoW!! Jethro Tull / Sons of Champlin Jan 08, 2022
 Breed Big crowd, our music was becoming mainstream, AM radio play, date night. Iron Butterfly / Black Pearl Jan 08, 2022
 Breed Great show, Alvin Lee was incredible!! I'd gotten their album not too long before this show, so I knew the tunes. Ten Years After / sweetwater Jan 08, 2022
 Doug Slead Just happened to be in the area on a very special ski trip with friends, and lo and behold look who’s in town. What a great 😊 thing to have happened! Grateful Dead / New Riders of the Purple Sage Jan 08, 2022
 Doug Slead New Riders also were on board that great day. 101+degrees. Lots of naked people. Lots of acid! Grateful Dead Jan 08, 2022
 Doug Slead Sister, (Sidney) Got me 2 tickets and me and a friend drove from Medford to Corvallis on the day of the show, had a blowout N. of Grants Pass, no spare cause of fancy wheels & tire set-up, had to drive back to G P to find a tire that would work. I was about to lose it. I just knew we were going to miss the show. But we hauled ass to Sid’s apt. Got the tickets, sped to the auditorium and heard the last 2 songs from Big City Blue. The other band, The Mint Tattoo, failed to show up. So we got to see all of The Dead’s show, with by the way, Ron ‘Pig Pen’ Mckernan. Grateful Dead / Big City Blue Jan 08, 2022
 Brian Eilert I was at the show. R.J. Dio's voice is crazy good live. Sounds better than on a mixed album. Vivian Campbell was on point that night. Twisted Sister / Ronnie James Dio Jan 07, 2022