From: owner-mad-mission-digest@smoe.org (mad-mission-digest) To: mad-mission-digest@smoe.org Subject: mad-mission-digest V8 #137 Reply-To: mad-mission@smoe.org Sender: owner-mad-mission-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-mad-mission-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk * If you ever wish to unsubscribe, send an email to * mad-mission-digest-request@smoe.org * with ONLY the word unsubscribe in the body of the email * . * For the latest information on Patty's tour dates, go to: * http://www.pattygriffin.net/PattyInConcertDB.php * OR * go to http://www.atorecords.com * . * PLEASE :) when you reply to this digest to send a post TO the list, * change the subject to reflect what your post is about. A subject * of Re: mad-mission-digest V8 #___ gives readers no clue * as to what your message is about. * Also, PLEASE do not quote an entire digest when you reply to the * list. Edit out anything you are not referring to. mad-mission-digest Monday, May 31 2004 Volume 08 : Number 137 Today's Subjects: ----------------- MM: Patty at Berkeley Freight & Salvage ["Don Henn" ] Re: MM: Patty at Berkeley Freight & Salvage [Tricia9999@aol.com] MM: Foreward/Warning ["Don Henn" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 30 May 2004 22:27:51 -0400 From: "Don Henn" Subject: MM: Patty at Berkeley Freight & Salvage Too good for MMers to miss.From TDtT. Don ********************************************************************* Hi everyone, I was going to post this on the MM list, but I my email server is not compatible with the list's server, so I thought I would put it up here. Be warned, it's a little long. Sorry! The Patty concert today at the storied Freight and Salvage Coffee House in Berkeley was nothing short of wonderful. And I mean that word in its truest meaning -- Patty produces a sense of wonder in those of us who have followed her closely over the years. Album after album -- from Living with Ghosts to Flaming Red to Silver Bell to 1000 Kisses and now to Impossible Dream -- Patty pours out the finest music possible. Who else on the contemporary scene has her consistent ability to write one extraordinary song after another? No one comes close. And so she produces a sense of musical wonder that we feel each time she sings for us live. Elana and I had front row, center seats and were delighted to be so close. It's not every day that you get to be near someone who has shepherded you through so many feelings and hours of enjoyment. She was in very good voice, although she did miss a few notes (she always does particularly as she gets a little older and is traveling even more). The great thing for everyone is that the radio station, KFOG, will post the concert as part of their website in a few days (weeks?). You will be able to hear it for yourself at www.kfog.com. What to say about Patty that I haven't already said in previous posts? Well, for one thing, it has been nice to "keep up" with Patty, to see her age and evolve, as I age and evolve. She sang mostly from her new CD and it was all good. The whole experience, especially since it was in a small, slightly stuffy room was like church with Patty as the talented, familiar, good-natured minister. Though she looked a little tired, Patty ran through her songs with care and professionalism. It was pretty apparent she knew she was being recorded and she paid attention to details and interpretation of her songs. Although the opening act was surprisingly good (a woman named Vienna Teng who won over the audience with her mastery of the piano, complicated melody lines and clear-minded intelligence), it is amazing to watch and listen to an artist like Patty who is on the top tier. The top artists know how to transport you and make us exalt in the wake of their art/music. Elana made some very interesting observations about Patty. Elana likes to observe people's paradoxes and says that one of Patty's paradoxes is that she is both accessible AND mysterious. Patty flounces on stage and though she looks great she still is just Patty, the person who isn't going to spend all day dressing up for her gig. She retains that stage awkwardness that she has had from the beginning of her performing career, and it is completely endearing and inward pulling. She's not that far removed from the mannerisms and thinking of her audience. And as so many of her songs reveal, she is one of the most compassionate and loving people around. Yet, despite this genuine display of accessibility, love and friendliness, Patty reserves part of her self from us. In a concert, she quickly cuts through her awkwardness to send her melodies and voice to exactly where they need to go. As we all know, she is keenly aware of her art, and we are there to watch her create it. She has a fire burning inside that walls her off from others in that she is compelled to write and perform. It would not be the easiest thing to go up to her and strike up a deep conversation. Before any of us were around, and perhaps Patty might disagree with this, Patty displayed a deep knowing, a knowledge that her core was connected to music. Elana says that all masters have an effortless quality about them that makes them not rely upon anyone or anything exterior. Just as Patty doesn't spend the day analyzing her stage image, she lets the mystery of her music flow and prevail. She has no choice but to move forward with her music, and though she may be aware of this, she still has no choice. And we're merely her compassionate witnesses. Highlights of the show? Well, that's tough to say. In reflecting upon it, it felt as though every song was a highlight. Patty has reached that level where it's all good. I think that "Impossible Dream" is a lot like her concerts these days -- masterful and self-assured and without a single misstep. But having said that my personal favorites were "The Rowing Song," "Kites," "Useless Desires," "Don't Come Easy," and the encore "Long Ride Home." Patty revealed the inspiration behind "The Rowing Song" and "Kites," which you can hear about on the web rebroadcast. The story of how "Kites" came about was moving and a real insight into Patty's artistic process of taking a daily event, turning it over in her head, coming up with the concept, and then executing an extraordinary melody to give it life and wings. The world could learn a lesson or two from the artistic way of approaching everyday experiences. We certainly would have more peace. I was slightly sad that she didn't play "Florida." It was on her set list but she passed it up for some reason. Too bad, as I think that song is a masterpiece from start to finish and would have loved to hear her sing it live. I should mention that Doug Lancio, as always, was there. He is an extraordinary talent in his own right, and I hope everyone takes the time to let him know how much he contributes to the wonder. His devotion and insights into Patty and her music are for the ages. When the dust settles onto their careers, hopefully he will be recognized for all of the things he has done over the years. It's not the easiest life he and Patty lead. I just hope they both know how much they're appreciated. Jerry ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 May 2004 22:48:27 EDT From: Tricia9999@aol.com Subject: Re: MM: Patty at Berkeley Freight & Salvage Nice report. I tried to get in to see her here. The Freight is a regular stop for me, just down the hill and I would have loved to see Patty here, but I didn't get the tix they were giving away. Fillmore will have to do. Tricia ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 01:04:55 -0400 From: "Don Henn" Subject: MM: Foreward/Warning MMers , Finally got caught up on my priorities , life's responsibilities , & all those little details that pile up while you're away. Got home last Monday after a 26 hour drive with a few hours sleep in the car , surveyed the jungle that once was my lawn , & knew I had to do it right then , in the afternoon sun. Was torturous for awhile , with the mower choking & stalling , but after a few cut height adjustments , I breezed thru it in a mere 2 1/2 hours. A little too fast , as me & the mower almost went down a hillside. Been playing catch up since , mainly preparing for the next trip b/c I didn't decide to go until I was in Milwaukee. Mind's shot , notes are haphazard & occasionally indecipherable , & I can't believe how many notes I didn't take b/c I was sure I'd remember - mostly a blur now. Set list songs are accurate & in order , but who's playing on what may not be , since band changes were so frequent , I was writing in the dark most of the time , and of course , my priority was enjoying the show rather than stressing over every detail. 16 set lists / reviews coming up : ) Apologies from a forgetful old man to those whose names I don't recall. They were only making Angels in the snow In the middle of a war The blood of these lambs Speaks of the darkness Patty Griffin "Shells" Don ------------------------------ End of mad-mission-digest V8 #137 *********************************