RE: Steve 'n' Del
Mr. W. That's the difference between the native state of Earl Scruggs, a locale smart enough to have an interest in bluegrass, and a cold, faraway, rock'n'rollin' kind of place that can barely support Special Consensus (though they've got some great polka). Is this the same Jon Weisberger who wrote a letter to The Reader explaining and complimenting Chicago's place in the history of country music? Yeah, it was. So what happened between the 1940s and now? Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/
Re: Steve 'n' Del
At 10:42 PM 3/26/99 -0500, you wrote: Those of you who have seen the tour elsewhere, what type of reception is Del getting? Last night is wasnt so hot. From where I was sitting at the show's stop in Durham, it seemed that most of the crowd was there specifically to see Del. Not only did he receive quite a reception (one guy even yelled at Steve and the rest to bring Del out during the opening set), but I also spent much of the intermission explaining to neighbors who Steve Earle is. Now that's the way it's supposed to be. Look at what Del has done for Steve, that no one else has ever been able to get him to do Put on a suit, and cut his hair. Steve may be getting a bigger reception in some places, but I'd be willing to bet that Steve knows who the big kahuna is. I'm impressed by Steve's G Run. Del has taught him well. That Del McCoury is deserving of Sainthood if you ask me. Jeff Wall http://www.twangzine.com The Webs least sucky music magazine 3421 Daisy Crescent - Va Beach, Va - 23456
Re: Steve 'n' Del
At 8:49 PM -0600 on 3/26/99, Kelly Kessler wrote: I saw the instore today, and besides enjoying it thoroughly, I came away with new respect for Del's ego. The crowd was totally into the McCourys - no problem there - but he spends a great deal of time hanging around in the back while Steve handles guitar chores and sings songs that could use IMO a little high harmony. Yeah, yeah, I know this is bringing Del's music and *bluegrass as a whole* to new audiences, blah, blah, blah, but the man's a front man, and I respect his equanimity in hanging back and letting the others have the show for a whole tour. Many others would be champing at the bit. I assumed it was because bluegrass is typically arranged for five. I have to admit, last night my favorite part of the show (aside from, as Mr. Knaus has already observed, my correcting Steve on the original alt.country) was the way Del kept edging farther into the wings with every song. He finally made his getaway. Bob
Re: Steve 'n' Del
At 12:10 AM -0500 on 3/27/99, Jeff Wall wrote: At 10:42 PM 3/26/99 -0500, you wrote: Those of you who have seen the tour elsewhere, what type of reception is Del getting? Last night is wasnt so hot. From where I was sitting at the show's stop in Durham, it seemed that most of the crowd was there specifically to see Del. Not only did he receive quite a reception (one guy even yelled at Steve and the rest to bring Del out during the opening set), but I also spent much of the intermission explaining to neighbors who Steve Earle is. Now that's the way it's supposed to be. Look at what Del has done for Steve, that no one else has ever been able to get him to do Put on a suit, and cut his hair. Steve may be getting a bigger reception in some places, but I'd be willing to bet that Steve knows who the big kahuna is. I'm impressed by Steve's G Run. Del has taught him well. That Del McCoury is deserving of Sainthood if you ask me. He sure looks like a preacher. When he doesn't look like Steve Martin, anyway, which as Tom Mohr pointed out, is always. Last night, the best-dressed guy on stage was the roadie. Seriously. Bob
Re: Steve 'n' Del
At 10:37 AM -0600 on 3/26/99, Christopher M Knaus wrote: Earle "Bluegrass is the original alt.country" Soron "Western Swing!" I only wish I'd been willing to stand in line for an hour today to say it to him in person. It ain't *my* fault he's uneducated. Now that he's getting his bluegrass jones out of his system maybe someone like the Hag can sit down with him and straighten him out. Bob
RE: Steve 'n' Del
Those of you who have seen the tour elsewhere, what type of reception is Del getting? Last night is wasnt so hot. From where I was sitting at the show's stop in Durham, it seemed that most of the crowd was there specifically to see Del. That's the difference between the native state of Earl Scruggs, a locale smart enough to have an interest in bluegrass, and a cold, faraway, rock'n'rollin' kind of place that can barely support Special Consensus (though they've got some great polka). Plus which, though he pretty much grew up in PA, Del is a North Carolina native, and you better believe folks there know it. Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://home.fuse.net/jonweisberger/
Chicago (was Re: Steve 'n' Del)
Jon Weisberger referred to the city as: a cold, faraway, rock'n'rollin' kind of place that can barely support Special Consensus (though they've got some great polka). I think I'm going to send this to Mayor Daley and suggest this as the city's official motto. TWM np: Plastic People of the Universe -- Tom (59 degrees in the living room this a.m.) Mohr usually here: [EMAIL PROTECTED] sometimes here: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Steve 'n' Del
At the Birchmere, the crowd was probably tilted slightly in favor of Del n' the Boys. Washington is, after all, an old bluegrass town believe it or not. I thought Del's set was in many ways the highlight of the night and was certainly paced the smoothest. Made me go out and buy his new one, I tell ya. Steve's solo set dragged the most, IMO. It wasn't due to his politics (with which I agree, mostly, although some of my friends grumped about his speechifyin'), but rather due to the fact that he tried out a couple of new ballad-y songs. That's tough under any circumstance. Incidentally, I thought "Hillbilly Highway" was the most successful "bluegrassed up " of Steve's songs. That's the one that should be a festival staple. PS -- Mucho thanks to P2er Tom Herman (I hope I got this right, please correct me if I didn't) who actually *called* me up that afternoon to say that the Sleater-Kinney show was postponed. Now that's an incredible demonstration of the kind of community represented on this list. Damn. Drove out to Annandale instead to catch the last set of an apologetically croaky Bill Kirchen. William Cocke Senior Writer HSC Development University of Virginia (804) 924-8432
RE: Steve 'n' Del
Drove out to Annandale instead to catch the last set of an apologetically croaky Bill Kirchen. So how was Kirchen? (as if he could be anything but excellent) Jeff Wall http://www.twangzine.com The Webs least sucky music magazine 3421 Daisy Crescent - Va Beach, Va - 23456
RE: Steve 'n' Del
On Sat, 27 Mar 1999 10:32:19 -0500 Jeff Wall [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Drove out to Annandale instead to catch the last set of an apologetically croaky Bill Kirchen. So how was Kirchen? (as if he could be anything but excellent) He was his usual gracious self. Unfortunately, he had a bad case of laryngitis that night and could barely sing. That led to some extra guitar slingin' so it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I've seen him several times and he never fails to put on anything short of an excellent, professional show. Johnny and Jack are rhythm Rocks of Gibraltar themselves. William Cocke Senior Writer HSC Development University of Virginia (804) 924-8432
Re: Steve 'n' Del
Those of you who have seen the tour elsewhere, what type of reception is Del getting? In Atlanta I found the crowd mostly respectful and (more importantly) into it. I don't know if this is a Southern thing (let's face it, Atlanta ain't Southern like a lot of Southern towns), but I thought the audience was held rapt by Del's voice and his friendly, aw-shucks demeanor. Tucker
Re: Steve 'n' Del
Drove out to Annandale instead to catch the last set of an apologetically croaky Bill Kirchen. So how was Kirchen? (as if he could be anything but excellent) Amen...This man is a master. Can't wait for "Raisin' a Ruckus"... (I rate the songs I've heard from it "Two Scoops"!) Tucker
Re: Steve 'n' Del
Tucker Eskew writes: Drove out to Annandale instead to catch the last set of an apologetically croaky Bill Kirchen. So how was Kirchen? (as if he could be anything but excellent) Amen...This man is a master. The be sure to check out the brand-spankin' new Jack Smith album, "Can't Help Myself" on the New Jersey-based Run Wild label. Kirchen produced the album and plays guitar on about 2/3 or it. --Jon Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wollaston, Massachusetts
Re: Steve 'n' Del
Hey there, Mr. W. That's the difference between the native state of Earl Scruggs, a locale smart enough to have an interest in bluegrass, and a cold, faraway, rock'n'rollin' kind of place that can barely support Special Consensus (though they've got some great polka). Is this the same Jon Weisberger who wrote a letter to The Reader explaining and complimenting Chicago's place in the history of country music? Just checking. g Later... CK ___ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
RE: Steve 'n' Del
On Sat, 27 Mar 1999, William T. Cocke wrote: Incidentally, I thought "Hillbilly Highway" was the most successful "bluegrassed up " of Steve's songs. That's the one that should be a festival staple. Now I coulda *swore* some bluegrass band has covered this (either that or I had a dream about it). Help me out here, Weisberger.--don
RE: Steve 'n' Del
At 04:25 PM 3/27/99 -0800, you wrote: On Sat, 27 Mar 1999, William T. Cocke wrote: Incidentally, I thought "Hillbilly Highway" was the most successful "bluegrassed up " of Steve's songs. That's the one that should be a festival staple. Now I coulda *swore* some bluegrass band has covered this (either that or I had a dream about it). Help me out here, Weisberger.--don Ricky Skaggs Jeff Wall http://www.twangzine.com The Webs least sucky music magazine 3421 Daisy Crescent - Va Beach, Va - 23456
Re: Steve 'n' Del
Sez Chris of the Chicago show: Just Steve - everyone paying rapt attention Steve plus Bluegrass - everyone paying rapt attention Just Bluegrass - feels like intermission Kinda felt sorry for they guy(s). I saw the instore today, and besides enjoying it thoroughly, I came away with new respect for Del's ego. The crowd was totally into the McCourys - no problem there - but he spends a great deal of time hanging around in the back while Steve handles guitar chores and sings songs that could use IMO a little high harmony. Yeah, yeah, I know this is bringing Del's music and *bluegrass as a whole* to new audiences, blah, blah, blah, but the man's a front man, and I respect his equanimity in hanging back and letting the others have the show for a whole tour. Many others would be champing at the bit. For the record: I ain't knocking Mr. Earle. I'm way big on that boy. Just musing, is all. Kelly P.S. Favorite Steve Earle quote: On having trouble keeping his guitar tuned, "This guitar is so new, it still thinks it's a tree."
Re: Steve 'n' Del
Those of you who have seen the tour elsewhere, what type of reception is Del getting? Last night is wasnt so hot. From where I was sitting at the show's stop in Durham, it seemed that most of the crowd was there specifically to see Del. Not only did he receive quite a reception (one guy even yelled at Steve and the rest to bring Del out during the opening set), but I also spent much of the intermission explaining to neighbors who Steve Earle is. Chad Cosper ** Chad Cosper Dept. of English Univ. of North Carolina at Greensboro 336-275-8576 http://www.uncg.edu/~cscosper
