From: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org (good-noise-digest) To: good-noise-digest@smoe.org Subject: good-noise-digest V4 #84 Reply-To: good-noise@smoe.org Sender: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-good-noise-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk good-noise-digest Monday, April 23 2001 Volume 04 : Number 084 Today's Subjects: ----------------- JG at Appel Farm April 21 ["Beth C. Sheligo" ] Re: JG at Appel Farm April 21 [Togg4@gateway.net] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2001 14:24:14 -0400 From: "Beth C. Sheligo" Subject: JG at Appel Farm April 21 Last night, I attended a performance at Appel Farm in Elmer (Salem County) NJ. This is an unusual venue, with the facility placed on what was a small farm in the middle of southern NJ. All of the farm buildings that remain are used for arts programs (music, basically) which includes a summer camp for kids and workshops of all kinds. The organization is designated, "A Major Arts Presenting Organization," by thge NJ State Council on the Arts. The theater has wonderful acoustics, and would appear to be built in the remains of a renovated church, with the pews still used for seating. It holds about 300 people; the Farm has built a small lobby with new plumbing at the entrance, which is about a 5 minute walk from the parking lot, past other farm buildings, over a small bridge built over a stream that runs next to the theater. It is very charming and intimate. They have a website, which is www.appelfarm.org, if anyone is interested. Alice Peacock opened the show, performing about 10 songs, and totally winning over the sold-out audience. At the break before John took the stage, her table in the lobby was mobbed by people trying to purchase her CD. John took the stage wearing his now almost trademark black jeans, gray t-shirt and black jacket; black sneakers with red sholelaces. He seemed to be slightly distracted throughout the night (even for John), and suffered a few sound related problems, but nothing major. The set list follows: When She Kisses Me I'm From New Jersey Morning Side Shape of the World With Alice Peacock: I Saw a Stranger With Your Hair Houses in the Field (by request from the audience) Lighting's Blues Solo: Oh, Abraham Let Them In People My Age When the Ice Goes Out Wisheries Love Is Our Cross to Bear (audience request) Branching Out With Alice: Good Noise Encore (with Alice) The Water is Wide John sang for a total of about 90 minutes. He seemed very tense; I don't know if this tension is the result of the Wolftrap problem last week, or, maybe one of the causes. I do know that his voice did not have the usual rich timbre I have come to expect. This was especially noticeable on "Love is Our Cross" and "Water is Wide," which I had listened to on CD shortly before attending the show. Both songs sounded like they were performed in a somewhat higher key. I know my personal reaction to tension is a tightening of the throat, and I wondered if that was what was going on here. The show was still very well received, but John looked like he couldn't wait to get off the stage, which was not the case the last time I saw him at Appel Farm; it left me sort of feeling badly for him. I am very fortunate to live in an area which gives me 2 to 3 opportunities per year to see John perform. The last time was as part of the Wyndam Hill tour at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA, about 6 months ago. My next chance will be July 22, at Upper Merion Township, PA Concerts Under the Stars series. I hope JG will be lighter of heart (and deeper of voice!) in three months. Tonight, however, I get to see my other favorite in concert artist - Steve Forbert - at Tin Angel in Philadelphia, PA. What a great concert town! Beth ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2001 14:41:07 EDT From: Togg4@gateway.net Subject: Re: JG at Appel Farm April 21 In a message dated 4/22/01 1:26:38 PM Central Daylight Time, bcs@jersey.net writes: > I do know that his voice did not > have the usual rich timbre I have come to expect. Yes, this does seem to happen to John. The McCabe's concert of last year was the one where he nearly missed the show due to travel delays and his voice was noticeably higher and just not what I had heard before. It was a definite contrast to the recent McCabe's concert where he was having a wonderfully "on" night, so it seemed. I do hope that everything is okay for John and his family. ------------------------------ End of good-noise-digest V4 #84 *******************************