Jeri Corlew, songwriter.

Subject: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: GUEST,MC Motivator
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:11 AM

I have watched and heard Mudcatter Jeri's musical skills improve steadily over the last few years, and because she's at times shy to a fault, I figured a little 'outside pushiness' might be in order.

Yes, she'll freak out totally when she sees this, and because I believe she's one of those "Jo-Cohones", she could erase this whole thread before reaching 'full-blush'......but I hope she doesn't.

Why do her songs deserve to be more widely heard and sung? I wish I could give a concrete answer, but I can't. She simply "nails" things a lot of the time. So do other lesser known writers like Bob Coltman, Rick Speyer, Norm Hacking, and Joe Hall. They should ALL be better known. It's in the intangibles.

My suggestion to her has been to start a song-book, complete with melody lines, lyrics.....and CHORDS for those of us not used to the unaccompanied tradition. I'd be happy to provide a few illustrations, and I know that there are several other 'pencil geeks' among us, so t'would be artistic.

By the way....the lady herself is a fine artist.....plus...she can take an engine apart......now THAT'S a rare combination.

Anyone else noticed from snippets and stuff, how good Jeri is? Since she won't do any self-promotion, I don't think it's wrong that we do some for her.

MC Motivator

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:20 AM

Well I heartily second that. I think some catters already sing her songs. I've had one "to learn" in my book for the better part of a year now, and it's a dandy. I'm just lazy, but I'll get to it.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:26 AM

Jeri sang one of her songs for us at Old Songs last year. It was an exercise written under a deadline for a class. The song was beautiful - about a boring drive made easier by remembering the people a hundred years earlier who had risked their lives to make the same trip. The melody suited it perfectly. And Jeri put it across as no one else could.

After her stage performance at the Getaway. I thought she was headed towards a CD and some professional performances.

So YES. We have noticed.

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:36 AM

In the 4 years that Jeri has been here and regardless of her own humility and self deprecation (Does that mean she shits herself?), it would be a pretty lame nabob who hasn't recognized her talent in a lot of areas, not the least of which is her writing ability. We have others around of course, but I find Jeri's ability with both the tune and the words to be several cuts above the rest. Extremely talented person!!! Also can retrieve clams with her toes.

Gee MC, I bet Rick knows an awful lot of those folks you mentioned.......

Spaw

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: curmudgeon
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 11:39 AM

MCMotivator - I don't know who you are, but this post shows you to be one of those rare people with exceptionally good taste in music and much wisdom in your assessment of Jeri.

She can also come up with great parodies within minutes and start up big generators, in addition to being a gifted songwriter and singer; her harmonies are exquisite.

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:00 PM

start up big generators -- 'Mudge means industrial grade electrical type generators, singlehandedly saving a concert after a thunderstorm knocked out the power. She's practical as well as decorati . . . I mean, musical. (Well, she can be decorative, too, sometimes.)

She's amazing with parodies, but also writes some seriously cool songs, especially the one about her mother which she doesn't sing anywhere near often enough.

Her tunes are good, too, and have been recorded several times. She's sneakily introduced at least one to the Press Room session -- by "sneaky" I mean she got other people to learn it and love playing it, but somehow never got around to mentioning that she wrote it. (Or else she just shrugged and looked innocent.)

Linn

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:18 PM

To steal a phrase from InOBU: JEEZ LOUISE!!!

Linn, whatever the tune was, I really didn't write it!

Thanks guys. You MUST be aware of the fact that, as I mentioned in another thread, Mudcat really has changed my life. Not only have I been able to learn a lot about music, but I've been inspired to write songs by people and their posts here. I also have met people who've helped me believe in myself, and I don't think there's a greater gift than that.

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: curmudgeon
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:37 PM

Hey MCM -- I just noticed that you misspelt her name. Its Corlew. A curlew is a bird and Jeri is not, unless of course you're English.

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:44 PM

Hi Jeri, let me add my name to the accolade!! I think you are such a good singer and songwriter, and should be heard more, I was nailed to my seat at the Getaway when you did Linda Kellys " Sparehand" as your 1st . on stage, public performance!! all this and such a nice person too!!! look forward to meeting again, (this year I hope)

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:45 PM

??? I'm English and have never seen a Corlew fly!!!

Generally speaking I'm not a big one for words and take much more notice of tunes. Jeri has written a few good ones. Dargonfly is one that comes to mind.

Jon

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:46 PM

Hey that's right! I know you want to publicize the lass a bit...but some thought before submitting your header might have been in order. Sorry....don't mean to be a pedant, but sometimes 'lazy spellers' DO bring out my evil twin.

Could a Joe Clone please fix it, so our Mudcat gal gets full value for her embarassment.

Jeri sang a song here in Toronto that impressed a LOT of people, but let's face it, there are more singer-songwriters around today than hookers. As a matter of a fact, there are singer-songwriter-hookers, as well!

I just wish she'd been able to hand out a few simple hand made "Jeri" songbooks,.....they'd have gotten used.

Cheers

Rick

P.S. Watch yer speeling in the future, folks.

Subject: RE: Jeri Curlew, songwriter.
From: Micca
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:54 PM

Oh Bollocks, the catsPHiddle post above is ME!!! Micca

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 01:17 PM

Micca, I was wondering when I'd met catsPHiddle, you cookie thief, you.

Rick, I'll do the songbook. One problem is that I haven't written tunes for some of them.

Does anyone tell the hookers to keep their day jobs?

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: kendall
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 01:39 PM

Jeri is a very rare "bird" indeed. Bright, witty, intelligent, generous and very talented. I don't know of anyone who doesn't love her.

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 01:57 PM

Wrote a tune just for me, she did, with my name on it! Very bright, airy, jaunty, optimistic sounding and I love it!

Also, saw the beauty of my sister's words about my mom and her garden, turned them into a beautiful song which she and IvanB have both performed, separately...made us cry it is so beautiful and such an incredible gift for us to remember our mom by.

Plus, she's got this non-nonsence, plainly-stated, tell-it-like-it-is nonchalance which just makes a body wanna get it all down in a Simple Truths to Live By kinda way. Love visiting with her and love that voice! To say nothing of how many fiddles she's got!**BG**

luvyajeri...kat

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Tinker
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 03:00 PM

Jeri's music is very much the "stop in your tracks and listen" kind that set you to pondering. I'd second Kat's no nonsense, but Jeri does love nonsense, and is one of the best waltz partners I've ever had... I'd love one of those songbooks...

Tink

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Amos
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 03:40 PM

She's on them Mudcat CDs -- twice!!--for good reason!



A

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 04:16 PM

MMario here - visiting Wysiwyg's cookie

Jeri's songs that I have heard all seem to "grab" me - and she seems to have a knack for performing any song that gives it that same "listen to me" imperative. And I don't mean just when she vocalizes. It is a sheer pleasure to watch her fiddle - and you don't have to hear what she is playing to know that - just watching her play - she is most certainly not a performer who distances herself from the music!

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 04:17 PM

It tickles me more than I can tell you to be able to take credit for encouraging Jeri early on. At that time it was her fiddle playing and singing. Geez, she would sit in the background and you could barely hear her. I asked her to move up beside and play. That was at our first Getaway. Jeri, Kath Westra and I performed a marvelous song there called "Far Away From Their Homes" (Brendan Nolan). I stumbled on the lyric when I choked up at the emotion of it and she jumped right in and covered for me, just like a pro. An aside, those two ladies did that song so well that it was what inspired Ed Trickett to give me "Along The Famine Road" (Brian Flynn), which is on our CD.

She started singing more as many of us encouraged her. Rick and I were standing and watching her sing at the next Getaway and just chuckling and marvelling at how far she had come as a singer. The woman sang with a powerful voice, and we were both very proud to have been part of encouraging her. And a bit in awe of her talent, I might add.

Rick took a lot of interest in her songwriting early on. He saw a lot of potential in her. She often sent me songs, and the thing I like is that one didn't have to baby her. If you saw a problem in the lyric, she was willing to listen. But if she didn't agree she would defend what she was trying to say. In short, just a very talented person with all the right things going for her.

As far as everything else she does, what can I say? If you only knew all she does to keep this place going, it would amaze you. It would also make you realize what a debt we ALL owe her.

Finally, she is my dear friend. A wonderful smile, hugs to die for, great conversation, razor sharp wit, and loyal to a fault. For me she belongs in a very select group of some of the closest friends I have ever made. The others know who they are, as does Jeri.

Thanks, my friend. My life is better for knowing you.

Now..........get back to work. LOL.

Mick

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 05:17 PM

Nice thread for a deserving person!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: bradfordian
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 05:22 PM

When I first played the BLUE PLATES SPECIALS, Orchid became one of favourites (only by a hair, of course, they're all great!). Three songs really grabbed me. Harvey's "If it wasn't for the song", Kendall's "Rolling home to old New England", and Jeri's "Wings of Song". Wings of Song was the first "new" song from the CDs that I sang at both my folk clubs. Not an easy tune in parts, but I got there in the end. I was asked "who wrote that?", and told them, (Of course they hadn't heard the name before). The song has got that magical french ingredient "je ne sais qui". I love it and yes, credit where it's due. Well done Jeri and thank you. I may try and get around to "Why we sing" as it's also on my Blus plate specials list.
Brad.

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 05:27 PM

being only semi-musical, meself, I just thought of Jeri as one of the sanest, cleverest posters going..(and HOW I miss her banter in ICQ chat in the days of the radio program)...yeah, I have been at the Getaway and noticed the blossoming musical talents too, but I know good musicians whom I would NOT like to be snowbound with...*wry grin*..(and only a few who can hang a spoon on their nose...and will do it publicly!)

Nice to have you around, Jeri...

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From:
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 05:36 PM

Here's my favourite Jeri song:

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Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: bradfordian
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 05:45 PM

except Wings of song is on Violet, (just testin')
Brad

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 09:05 PM

Bradfordian, I had no idea anyone was actually singing anything I'd written. The tune IS a bit hard to sing - it started life as an instrumental lament. I try to start it about as low as I can manage.

George, I somehow missed your post about you giving the "Bug Up My Butt" song to Dave (?) to sing on stage. It's just a bit scary.

Mick did drag me from the shadows of obscurity at the Getaway, and anyone who saw that concert probably noticed I was scared to death up there. I think I've gone from wallflower to potentially obnoxious in record time!

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 01:02 PM

You felt scared. You looked totally in control. The audience was stunned. Honest.
The only surprise is that you haven't followed up with a CD.

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: GUEST,diggy-lo
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 01:31 PM

I had the pleasure of hearing Jeri once when she was far from home. What a powerful voice and strong commitment. Several people in one of the song circles I attend talked a lot about her for a couple of weeks. Keep singing Jeri.

Bev

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: georgeward
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 02:21 PM

Jeri, you didn't learn about hanging spoons on your nose in public from Vaughn, did you ? Whether or no, she would so love this thread.
As do I. -G

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 04:24 PM

George, the words of 'Wings of Song' referenced above were for Vaughn. Liner notes for Violet here. I think she planted the seeds. I was still too chicken, back then, to let 'em grow properly. I actually learned the spoon hanging thing in the Air Force. We were eating lunch in the hospital cafeteria, and some doctor started it.

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 05:11 PM

It's been a few years, Jeri, but I've also enjoyed your wonderful songs. Keep cranking them out! I want to hear some at Old Songs!

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: JedMarum
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 10:24 AM

I especially love her mother's gardening song ... sorry, Jeri I don;t recall the title.

Jeri has a way with verse. She can tell a tale and reveal her deepest thoughts in a graceful and pretty lyric. She can paint a story with verse. This is a rare gift and Jeri has developed the skill.

I look forward to more good stuff from this soulfull lady!

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From:
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 05:53 PM

I wondered, Jeri! Yes, That was Dave Stone. It was a quiet evening at the pub, and we tossed a few songs at Dave, and one of them was this one. He liked it. Not sure if he'll use it again.

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 06:14 PM

Animaterra, I just may do a couple! (I can't wait for Old Songs!)

Jed, "My Mother's Garden?" It's the one I wrote for kat & Bet. Thanks for the kind words.

George, I'm glad he liked it even once. Sometimes funny songs just aren't funny much more than once. It's the surprise that makes folks laugh.

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: lamarca
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 10:20 AM

Jeri, I'm joining in the chorus of people who think your songs are fantastic - you have a way of crystallizing a feeling or image into a few well-chosen words; that's a great talent. I also deeply respect your posts here on Mudcat - you have a LOT to contribute, and yours is one of the calm, reasoned voices among a lot of babble that still makes me want to come back and visit here now and then! All that and a great fiddle player, too (who's graciously agreed to accompany us on one number at NEFFA).

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: GUEST,MC Motivatah!
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 12:25 PM

Yes kats and kitties, I've decided to find my "roots", hence the change in my Mudcat name. Actually my 'real' name is Marvin Chrissie Motivatah, because my parents really wanted male and female twins.

We should also mention here that the incredibly beloved Songwriter-Jeri, also quit smoking this year, and believe me, that's harder than writing a darn song!

MCM

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: KathWestra
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 06:08 PM

Jeri is a wonder. Her songs make me laugh. Her songs make me cry. Sometimes they make me laugh so hard I cry. But never, ever, do they leave me indifferent. Nor does her wonderful singing. She is everything everyone has said--fun, funny, loyal, smart, talented. etc. etc. etc. I feel blessed to know her. Her "Why We Sing" song, inspired by Big Mick's Mudcat thread of the same name, is a powerful distillation of the sentiments there (it's one of the ones that always makes me cry). Her "Shine Like a Diamond" is a true gem.

But Jeri has never told me that she hangs spoons from her nose. I thought that was MY trick (learned from Sandy Paton many years ago at a post-Fox-Hollow lunch where he also stood on a chair and did a hilarious rendition of "I'm a little teapot"....but that's another story.) Can't tell you how many photos there are of me with spoons. Jeri, we'll have to pose for a spoon pic when we see each other in early May! I just KNEW we were soulmates! XOXOO Kath

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Morticia
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 07:02 PM

what all of them said.....I am trying to learn one of Jeri's songs at the moment and I know perfectly well I won't do it justice...but ain't it a blast that your stuff is being sung over here(UK) too?

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 Apr 03 - 10:31 AM

Ooh! Ooh! Can I put in my 2 cents worth?

Jeri knocked me off my feet the first time I heard her and has continued to bowl me over with every song she sings. She is a consummate performer and one of the best song-writers I have heard anywhere or anywhen. I wish I havd one bit of the talent she has.

And she's cute, too.

Subject: RE: Jeri Corlew, songwriter.
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 03 - 08:04 AM

What everybody else said, and anyone who likes Zevon's song "Carmelita" has got to be all right.