I do not, often, report on individual songs but I just heard a lulu on Nancy Nickelsberg's "Midnight" CD. Check out track #4 for her cover of Ann Leyland's "Rose Covered Prison". It has as authentic a Country sound as anything Patsy, Loretta or Dolly ever released. Ms Leyland, Levittown's version of Jennie Lind, has captured the misery of mid-marital disillusion to a fare-thee-well.
    Nancy Nickelsberg does a fine rendition on the recording. Are all wives as unhappy as Country songs would have us believe? If they're not torn between two lovers, they're sitting on silver threads and golden needles and that's got to be uncomfortable. Even when they stand by their men, they do so in spite of the unworthiness of those louts. I'm going to call Ann Leyland and ask her what us guys are doing wrong and how can we do better. Heck, I didn't get to be the best husband in the world by complacency.
    Well, as Carol Burnett said, on her umpteenth reunion show, I'm so glad we had this time together. If the creek don't rise, we'll do it again in the fall. I thank Ed Halpern for his editorial patience, Chance Shiver for his posting prowess and Lynn Sheeran, without whom, I would be treading water and you would be staring at a blank page. If you see me at a show or festival, say hello. Folk singing is so lonely.

Mike Miller