Re: Bill Anderson article
that *is* an excellent article. It ought to be pointed out, though, that "City Lights," "Once A Day" and "Saginaw, Michigan" barely begins to start scratching the surface of great Anderson songs; I suppose that editorially speaking it would have made for excess to list many more than three. Still, folks interested in songwriting ought to head over to http://bmi.com and check out Anderson's catalog; in my opinion, he's one of the very best ever at it. Fine Wine is a pretty enjoyable album, too, and there's a great song on there every musician ought to check out, called "My Van." Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/ It's also interesting that "Saginaw, Michigan" keeps getting singled out as one of Anderson's greatest creations when he actually had less to do with writing it than with any of his other songs. He just helped the guy with a couple of lines and instead of a writer's credit, he was supposed to get the first crack at recording it. When the song somehow wound up with Lefty Frizzell instead, Anderson was given a cowriting credit to make up for it. Bill Anderson was /is one of the greatest - and most prolific - songwriters in history, and at least 90% of the songs he got recorded he wrote solo. I'm still amazed that I can never pick up an old country album without finding something by him on there. And Jon is write about "Fine Wine" and "My Van."
Re: Obit: Eddie Dean
On Fri, 5 Mar 1999, Jim Nelson definitely wrote: Uh, actually Cary Ginnell wrote that, Don. You can take it up with him, if you like. g Oops! Sorry for the misattribution, Jim.--don "One Has My Name (Yhe Other Has My Heart)" is credited to Eddie Dean-Dearest Dean-Hal Blair. Maybe Cary Ginnell should take it up with them.
Garth's Field Of Dreams
From Peter Gammons' baseball column in today's Boston Globe. Padre pipedream Vaughn's replacement in San Diego, Garth Brooks, isn't just going to spring training, he has told the Padres that he wants to play the entire season in the minor leagues, at age 37. The scouting report on Brooks reads ''25-30 arm (out of 80), 20 hitter,'' which is what a good Brookline High School left fielder would get. There's at least one very good baseball mind in that organization who recommended Shania Twain over Brooks
Re: Shot My Baby Down
Despite occasional misattribution, "Hey Joe" was NOT written by Chet Powers aka Dino Valenti, nor did he ever claim to have written it. The official writer of record is Billy Roberts, although there is a story that it was actually written by a girl Roberts knew who OD'd. Trying to remember some songs for the sunday nite show that feature the timeless theme of - shot my baby down, etc. Then there's "Hey Joe". Not the Boudleaux Bryant tune, but the one written by Chet Powers, aka Dino Valenti, who is also the author of the hippie anthem "Get Together". -jp
Re: Other voices - Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt - another great voice, full of quivering vibratto, but devoid of sincerity and emotion. You got that right! Especially obvious on that song she did about the windstorm, "Blew By You". At least it sounded like that's what she thought it was.
Re: Sara Evans ND review
N.D. review of Sara Evans - No Place That Far (RCA) : " Just a simple question: Why sign artists if you're going to insist they play so far away from their strengths? - Grant Alden (that's the entire review) A review which I found extremely irritating on many levels. Although I had the same reaction to this album (that it moved away from Evans' strengths), I'd say the answer to this question should be obvious to anyone, let alone someone who's been around the business as long as Alden. The answer is: To sell some friggin' product! The first album, as good as it was, did not sell. This one already has a top 20 single so it's going to do better. Another thing about this review that bugged me is that it assumes (as some people on this list also do) that the artists on major labels have no say in what their album sounds like. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Sara Evans wants to sell product just as much as her label does. Nobody put a gun to her head. And I think in general it's just an irresponsible, cheap shot review. Either write something that at least has pretenses of being an intelligent, thought out, critique, or just ignore the album like they ignore all the other mainstream country albums.
Re: Garth
The reason Garth wants to sell the maximum number of CDs is not money. He is OBSESSED with the notion of being crowned the biggest selling artist of all time. Selling six CDs for the price of 2-3 and having it count as six units is a good step in that direction. Selling 2 CDs for the price of one and having it count as two units is another good step. It's not about money, it's an ego trip. I'll take an edumacated guess and say that is total B.S. Of course he is in it for the money! Of course, it is just a guess and my opinion, blah blah blah. Why do you think he wants to sell the maximum number of CDs? Because that gets him MONEY. Do you really think he wants that to spread worldwide his versions of other people's songs? I doubt it. Another guess. And OF COURSE he isn't going to go public and say "I care more about money, than the number of CDs sold!" Who would? Talking about units is much easier for the public to take, than talking about dollars...especially when you are already loaded
