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26 Feb 04 - 11:27 PM (#1124900) Subject: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hello gang! I'm just starting off now on phase 2 of my busking tour. The previous thread is here: Marion's busking tour (part 1) I decided to start a new thread because I know that some people had trouble using my mobile voicemail system, so I wanted this to be easily found as a reference. If you need to contact me: 1. Call 1-800-808-5773 (if YOU are in Canada) or 1-800-706-1333 (if you're in the US). It doesn't matter where I am. 2. Press * 3. Press 2 4: Enter 20 2611 1972 # 5. You will hear my name 6. Press 1 7. Record your message. If you're telling me a phone number, please say it twice slowly (sound quality has been an issue; so I don't want to miss part of the phone number). 8. Press # when done with your message 9. Press 3 to send it (or if you want to review it or redo it, follow the verbal instructions) 10. Hang up. I check voicemail at least once a day, and more often if I have reason to expect a message. I also check emails and Mudcat PMs at least once a week, but don't depend on it if you want me to know something promptly. Other FAQs for potential meetings: I'm travelling by bus. I love dogs unless they bite me, and cats even if they bite me. I am a vegetarian; I don't eat fish, but I do eat eggs and milk. I don't smoke or drink; I avoid spending time in smokey places as much as possible, but I have no objection to second hand alcohol. I'm happy to sleep on a couch or floor, but I don't have a sleeping bag with me. The other thing I wanted to tell potential hosts is: if you live close to a nice place to busk or jam, I might take advantage of it, but I don't need to busk every day. When I'm on the road I concentrate on music, but when I'm visiting someone it's fine for me to take a couple days off, hang out with you, walk around your back 40, or spend time alone (you can't be bored when you have a guitar and a notebook). My point is: I don't want anyone to feel that I need you to find me a local place to busk, or that I expect you to throw a party or take me to a session. So my general plan is to spend two months bussing around the US first. I don't have a set route at all, other than my plan to keep warm by staying in the south at the beginning. Then a friend will drive down to meet me for a couple weeks camping in the Badlands/Black Hills. Then I return to Canada with her, and spend two more months bussing around Canada. I expect to meet several more Mudcatters, but unfortunately, I probably won't have time to visit everyone who has offered. Bee-dubya-ell is first on the list... Thanks for reading, love, Marion |
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27 Feb 04 - 12:06 AM (#1124926) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman YIPPEEE! Look out World! Here she comes again! Bob |
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27 Feb 04 - 12:53 AM (#1124941) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: katlaughing But she does drink a certain kind of cola!**bg** Have fun, Marion!! I hope your friend brings lots of warm stuff for camping in South Dakota this time of year, or even a month or two from now.:-) luvyakat |
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27 Feb 04 - 10:10 AM (#1125153) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Willie-O So where are you, now, and where's next? Straight down to sunny climes? I'm off to sunny Toronto, myself, tomorrow. I'm even going to fix my turn signal in honour of the occasion. Happy trails. Bill |
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27 Feb 04 - 10:32 AM (#1125174) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage What kind of cola would that be? We'll have to put in a supply if she comes through town. :) SRS |
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27 Feb 04 - 11:33 AM (#1125218) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: katlaughing Vanilla coke, if I remember correctly.:-) A little "birdie" in Wyoming told me. |
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27 Feb 04 - 12:24 PM (#1125244) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Nah... I gave up the vile black stuff for Lent. Thanks anyway. Slight change of plans, as always... I'm putting off leaving till tomorrow morning, so I can go with Willie-O as far as Toronto. Then it's to Dallas, then Lafayette LA, then Pensacola-ish to see Bee-dubya-ell. It occurred to me that starting this new thread might cause people to assume that I was done posting in the first thread. In fact I just wrote a newsletter about November and December, it's at the end of the first thread (link above), for anyone who's interested. Cheers, Marion |
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27 Feb 04 - 02:04 PM (#1125295) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bee-dubya-ell I must say that it was a pure stroke of genius on your part to make my humble abode first stop on your tour, Marion. You'll have plenty of folks further down the line to help you recover from the experience. Tee-hee..... Bruce |
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27 Feb 04 - 09:56 PM (#1125550) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Dani North Carolina a possibility? We're right at the confluence of interestates 85 and 40. Dani |
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29 Feb 04 - 12:21 PM (#1126217) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Willie-O She's on the bus, heading south...left To. Saturday night as far as I know. Happy and safe travels, Marion! (We managed to get to Toronto without the truck breaking down this time) W-O |
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29 Feb 04 - 11:23 PM (#1126635) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Mudlark Hi Marion...Looking forward to seeing you on the 10th. Let me know where your bus will be coming from and what time it pulls into Paso. |
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01 Mar 04 - 03:18 AM (#1126706) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: open mike she is not from U.K. she is a canUK hope that is not a derogatory term- i suppose it to mean a canadian |
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01 Mar 04 - 06:55 PM (#1127310) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Willie-O open mike, I've been Canadian all my life and I've never heard the term CanUK. "Canuck" yes--a common slang reference to Canadians in general and French Canadians in the northeast US in particular. We have nothing to do with the UK, citizenship wise, and don't need visas to travel in the States. Garg's off his meds again, not a good prescription when you're a dork to begin with. |
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02 Mar 04 - 06:23 AM (#1127521) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bev and Jerry Mudlark tells us you're heading this way. We're about 40 miles from her and she's promised to bring you here or have us there when you arrive. Looking forward to seeing you. Bev and Jerry |
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03 Mar 04 - 11:51 PM (#1128840) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Bonjour mes amis. Things are all well. We had a warm snap right before departure so I even got in a little busking in Perth and Toronto (merci beaucoup a Willie-O). I squeaked through immigration then spent leap day watching winter turn into summer. Had a day busking in Dallas, where I got a variety of business propositions from the locals, some more decent than others. Then a quiet day in sticky Lafayette, where feathers and beads litter the streets. This morning I arrived at Bee-dubya-ell's house in the country, and spent the day with him and wife Susan and friend and cats, jamming and pottery-admiring and fish-observing. Bev and Jerry, that sounds great. Open Mike, Canuck isn't derogatory unless someone wants it to be. Mudlark, I will PM you in a few minutes. Dani, North Carolina is certainly a possibility. If you want to suggest a good or bad date for a meeting, you can PM me about it; otherwise I'll call you in a few weeks to propose something. Love, Marion (Santa Rosa county in Florida, though just barely) |
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07 Mar 04 - 01:32 PM (#1130989) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bee-dubya-ell Well, I'm finally getting around to posting something about Marion's visit with us old hippies out here in the woods. I hope the rope burns from where I had to tie her to a chair and make her listen to my singing heal soon. Next time, Marion, don't struggle so hard. It only makes matters worse. But, seriously.... We had a wonderful three-day visit from Marion. Hours of fiddle tunes on the deck during the day followed by hours of trading songs back and forth in the house after dinner. It was particularly nice to hear her do some songs written by other Mudcatters (Rick Fileding, Jed Marum, Jerry Rasmussen) whose music I hadn't heard before, as well as her own songs. Got to spend the last few hours before her departure at a party where she finally got to jam with some genuine Florida fiddlers. All in all, a great time. If you're on Marion's to-be-visited list, I hope you enjoy her visit as much as we did. Bruce |
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12 Mar 04 - 12:29 PM (#1134854) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Who says there's a next time, Bruce? But, seriously, it was a great visit to Bee-dubya-ell's; hanging out in the woods, fiddling all day, and singing all night, just like they did in the garden of Eden. Bee- has quite a repertoire of clever novelty songs, and an artful hand on the guitar. We also had a local tour to Pensacola Beach, with the whitest sand and highest ground floors that I ever did see... and then of course the party and a chance to jam with the gang. Thank you, -ells. From there I worked my way west again; busked in Houston, El Paso, Flagstaff, and Santa Barbara, then a quick stop in LA to pick up my travel guitar from my old roommate's place. Then I came up to Mudlark's place - a beautiful daytime drive along the coast. We've been trading lots of songs (Mudlark does lots of cool trad songs in a deep, rich voice), playing with the dogs and horses, and she took me to a beach to see dozens of baby elephant seals resting up for their entry to the ocean. We then went to see Jerry (and his helpmate, Bev) for a delicious meal and some more singing. I'm off again this morning - generally eastward bound - and trying to decide where to spend St. Pat's. I haven't seen a day yet that wasn't sunny and warm. Cheers, Marion (Paso Robles, CA) |
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12 Mar 04 - 01:46 PM (#1134934) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bev and Jerry Marion, let's not get this "helpmate" thing going. It's a label I deeply disliked and even in jest it raises my hackles! For the rest of you, we once had a public school principal introduce us to the students as Mr. Praver and his helpmate! Evidently that chauvanist couldn't see me as an equal partner in our music business. We had a great visit with Mudlark and Marion (that almost sounds like a song title ;>) ). Lots of wonderful music from both. Bev (and Jerry ) |
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12 Mar 04 - 02:03 PM (#1134960) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: open mike Marion i am glad to see you are on the left coast again... if your route brings you up thru the state, you know there are several bus stations near here! also, Bev and Jerry, do tell us more about your involvement in the music biz! Apparently in includes performing for students? |
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12 Mar 04 - 02:15 PM (#1134978) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bev and Jerry Open Mike: We have presented folk music programs in schools for more than 23 years and it has been our full time occupation since 1987. Mostly we do it in California but we have gone to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. We're sliding into retirement now and only do a few of our favorite schools each year. If you or anyone else wants to discuss this further, PM us or start a new thread so we don't hijack Marion's. Bev and Jerry |
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12 Mar 04 - 11:05 PM (#1135305) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage I heard from Marion today, and returned the call through her phone message system. Depending on what works best for her, she'll be here for a couple of days sometime between the 16th and the 20th. This is exciting! A Mudcat adventure in the making. :) SRS |
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13 Mar 04 - 05:13 PM (#1135725) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Mudlark Marion's visit was, if anything, too short, but we got in lot of playing, including a good musical visit w/Bev and Jerry. She plays great guitar and fiddle, writes great songs and has a wonderful, wicked, sneaky sense of humor, not to mention a lovely voice, as pure and sweet as a goldfinch. Good busking, good traveling, good sights and good company, Marion. Have fun! Nancy |
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13 Mar 04 - 07:38 PM (#1135837) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Willie-O A goldfinch? I'd have to hear a goldfinch to say any more... |
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14 Mar 04 - 12:18 AM (#1135936) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage She will be in Fort Worth for a couple of days, starting Tuesday. Do any of you folks living in the area have any good suggestions for busking locations? I think the Water Gardens is a good location for lots of visitors--can anyone concur or give us alternatives? SRS |
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14 Mar 04 - 12:31 PM (#1136200) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage refresh |
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14 Mar 04 - 01:02 PM (#1136220) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman Maggie, I don't know if this helps ... I hope it does. When Marion visited us last year, we had a hoot for her. I was quite distracted with hip pain at the time. This was before my surgery. If I had been in my right mind, I would have sent out the hoot invites with a note something like: "folksinger on the road ... donations for her trip are very welcome." Then I would have passed the hat. Our hoot crowd are such proffesional and generous people, as you well know, that I'm sure we would have raised some nice bucks for her. Hope this helps. CHEERS, Bob |
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14 Mar 04 - 01:03 PM (#1136222) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman BUT ... I would check with her first. Bob |
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14 Mar 04 - 03:46 PM (#1136306) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage That is what happens when folkie folks get together--too bad all of the folkie folks I know are in the Seattle area! SRS |
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15 Mar 04 - 12:34 PM (#1137121) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: GUEST,Ft Worth Busking Locations. I would think that Sundance Square (downtown) during the noon hour would be productive. I'm not a musician so I don't know what the laws governing busking in Ft Worth are. Walter |
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15 Mar 04 - 04:30 PM (#1137358) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage I orignally thought the Water Gardens, but upon consideration, remembered that the Park Department is strict about permits and I don't think they're very swift about granting them. There are also fees. Your suggestion is good. We'll aim for noon-time around Sundance at least on Tuesday then. Someone else suggested the museum district. And what do you think about the Stockyards? SRS |
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15 Mar 04 - 04:47 PM (#1137372) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: open mike stockyards stink. |
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15 Mar 04 - 05:32 PM (#1137412) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman Open Mike ... That's some beef! Bob |
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15 Mar 04 - 06:11 PM (#1137447) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Allan C. As for licensing, Marion generally relies upon guerilla tactics. If she is asked to move on, she does. So far it seems to have worked out okay. I don't know how it is in Ft. Worth, but in Dallas, a judge ruled that no license is required because "...it is not considered to be an income producing enterprise." I wish judges everywhere would show the same good sense (of humor). |
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15 Mar 04 - 09:20 PM (#1137583) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Good one, Allan! And thanks for the Stockyards observation, Open Mike. I haven't spent much time around there myself. I've tracked down a couple of people, and it would be nice if we could meet somewhere. Jed will be in Addison (north Dallas) on St. Patrick's at the Flying Saucer (14999 Montfort Drive). No cover. Might be a good starting place for Marion to meet local Mudcatters. SRS |
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16 Mar 04 - 10:05 PM (#1138796) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Wow, this thread has really grown while I wasn't watching. Since parting ways with Mudlark, I played a little more in Santa Barbara and Casa Grande AZ. I went again to El Paso, where I learned that the busking spot I've become so fond of is front of the local whorehouse. Next day was San Antonio, where I got kicked out of the Riverwalk, did some good busking in front of the Alamo, and toured the Alamo. This morning SRS kindly got up in the ungodly hours of the morning to pick me up at the station. Along with her kids we went beachcombing along the local creek, and on a driving tour of the area. Now dinner's in the oven... Sorry about that, Bev, no offense intended, just teasing. Deckman, it's sweet of you to suggest it, but I would have to say no, I'd prefer that nobody do that. I would find it uncomfortable being at a party where donations were solicited for me. (Not that I was embarassed when Amos' friend slipped $100 into my case... all things in perspective, eh?) Anyway, it isn't really necessary. On the days that I'm on the road by myself, I work hard and make enough money to pay for my trip. Also, don't underestimate the value (to me) of taking me in. By giving me a bed, or food, or a shower, or a place to do laundry, you're saving me money and improving the quality of my life. Your hospitality is a significant contribution to la causa. And besides those practical helps, I love meeting Mudcatters for the things it brings me that I can't provide myself, or not easily. I can shelter, feed, and bathe myself; but I probably wouldn't get to go seal-watching, if it weren't for Mudlark. And I wouldn't have seen any pottery in process, or jammed with Florida fiddlers, if not for Bee-dubya-ell. And so on. Having people to visit gets me off the bus-station-to-downtown-streets-to-bus-station grid and into the small towns, countryside, and into people's lives and interests. So it's a deeper view of America than I would be able to find on my own. Allan is right; it would be too complicated to research all the local busking laws, so I just ignore them and play where I want. I figure that as long as I look respectable, play nice, and am very considerate about where I set up, I'm not likely to run into any real trouble - and that's been true so far. Love, Marion (Fort Worth, Texas) |
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16 Mar 04 - 10:43 PM (#1138812) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman Marion ... You are such a class act! Any chance you can come by our neighborhood, again, on the way home? Happy trails! (Judy says "HI") Bob |
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16 Mar 04 - 11:09 PM (#1138817) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Willie-O In front of the local whorehouse? But you find the Perth liquor store too seedy?! Ha ha ha, spot's taken now anyway.... W-O splitting a gut... learned something new about the west texas town of El Paso. |
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17 Mar 04 - 12:43 AM (#1138852) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Well, Willie-O, we're gonna turn Marion loose in a busy downtown Fort Worth neighborhood on St. Patrick's Day and see how many Texans remember their Irish roots when they pass her guitar case. I haven't heard back from any local Mudcatters about making it to Addison tomorrow, so we will stick around Fort Worth on Wednesday evening. Marion will be back in Fort Worth later in the month for another of Jed's concerts, and I'll plan to attend that one. Good things eventually make their way over to Fort Worth! SRS |
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17 Mar 04 - 06:02 PM (#1139472) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Wesley S I'm sorry we havn't been able to connect this time around. Having a three year old puts a damper in the social life. Esp if your wife is a CPA and it's the middle of tax season. I hope the busking has gone well. The weather was certainly cooperating today. { Sunny with a high around 80 } |
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17 Mar 04 - 06:53 PM (#1139511) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage It's a spectacular day to be outside no matter what you're doing. She's downtown in Fort Worth this afternoon and evening. |
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20 Mar 04 - 01:02 PM (#1141780) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage And where is fair Marion these days? |
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20 Mar 04 - 09:55 PM (#1142040) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hi gang. Mudlark and I looked a bit at her father's music notebooks, and played around with his dulcimer, and her kids played cooperative fiddle with me (I fret, they bow). We went boldly by night to the tarantula's lair, but all we found was a not-scary toad. Next day she took me to the Cowgirl Museum then left me to do my St. Patrick's busking, where I met a rodeo clown. I'm taking the scenic road from Fort Worth to Dallas, the one that goes through North Carolina. Yesterday I went to Birmingham, which has almost no pedestrian traffic downtown. Busked anyway, and several people in cars waved me over to give me a tip. Drive-through busking, the wave of the future. This morning I arrived at Dani's place. I had lunch at her lovely restaurant and played for a bit in front of it. Then we went to her friend's house for an Equinox party, with several concurrent sessions going on. I'm really impressed by the number of traddy musicians - especially fiddlers - in the local circles. One of Dani's daughters is studying the recorder and we spent some time playing duets and rounds. Now the dog is trying to prevent me from typing by pushing on my elbow. That's another benefit to visiting Mudcatters that I forgot to mention in my last post: most of them have pets that I can play with. That's something missing from my regular life in Toronto, never mind the road. Love, Marion (Hillsborough, North Carolina) Oh yes.. and it seems that Willie-O has taken over my best busking spot in my absence. Curse his evil genius! But I take some consolation in the fact that, while he's freezing his fingers in Perth, I'm enjoying my 22nd straight day of warm sunny weather... |
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20 Mar 04 - 11:13 PM (#1142073) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage That's SRS, not Mudlark! But the name starts with an "M," Maggie. Glad to hear you arrived safely! |
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22 Mar 04 - 05:42 PM (#1143277) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Dani Of course, there is never enough time to do music like I'd like to, but it was truly a nice visit from Marion. Why didn't you guys tell me how sweet and talented she is! Thanks for going out on a limb and visiting, Marion. May the guardian angel of Mudcat travellers stay perched on your shoulder. Thanks for the songs, and I especially look forward to learning your Underground Railroad Trilogy. People, I've done my best to convince her to be at the Getaway this year so everyone gets a chance to hear her great songs and lovely voice. Dani |
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24 Mar 04 - 05:15 PM (#1145194) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Oh, how embarrassing. Stilly River Sage, not Mudlark. I had an unexpected adventure the following day in North Carolina - went hiking in a state park and found a six year old boy who had gotten lost. After some time sharing songs and talking about Rick Fielding, Dani and I learned of his death through the Mudcat thread. I had a brief busking stop in Atlanta then came to Dallas and spent a day downtown, where the busking was better but my bag of tips was stolen. In the evening Allan C. picked me up and we went out to dinner with his very cool daughter. Since then we have been hanging out, trading songs and travel stories, and I have been admiring the Mudcat guitar. SRS and other Forth Worth types - yes, I intend to be at Jed's show on Saturday night. I would love to meet some more of you there, and I promise not to call any of you Mudlark. From Jed's website: "I'll be at MacHenry's with Michael Harrison performing our Into the West: Texas Celts show on Sat March 27 9:00pm - 1:00am MacHenry's Upstairs 7618 Camp Bowie West Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76116 817-377-0202" Love, Marion (Dallas) |
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26 Mar 04 - 02:42 PM (#1146921) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hi. I'm visiting Jed. Will write more on that point later, but just a quick refresh to remind y'all of the Fort Worth show tomorrow. Also, I should have mentioned that there's a $10 cover. Love, Marion |
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28 Mar 04 - 03:10 PM (#1148336) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage I made the trip over to McHenry's last night. Jed was in good voice, as was Marion, who was invited to join in several times. You missed a good performance, AllanC! For future reference, here is McHenry's website. Some of the information from their old location on Pelham St. is out there on the web and I ended up with the map to the old site; the address Marion posted is correct. They didn't move far. SRS |
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28 Mar 04 - 03:39 PM (#1148358) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hello gang. Still in Dallas, though not for long. Allan and I met up with Jed Marum at a jam session in Deep Ellum. Since then I have been living out every Jedhead's fantasy: tagging along on his gigs and sitting in a bit. I've also really appreciated hearing some of his works in progress and hearing his thoughts about songwriting, as well as meeting wife Louisa and strong and fine son #3. Now I'm off to check out this Grand Canyon thingy.... Marion Oh, and it seems that I have a mysterious benefactor/benefactress. I found the money hidden in my fiddle pocket - not sure how long it's been there, but I think it must have been in the past month. Thank you! |
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28 Mar 04 - 06:48 PM (#1148479) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: artbrooks We are looking forward to meeting Marion tomorrow here in warm and sunny Albuquerque. Not overnight, worse luck, but probably some time for her in Old Town (ay, touristas con dinero!), dinner, and then off again. |
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28 Mar 04 - 08:11 PM (#1148536) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Allan C. I started a new job on the day of Marion’s departure from her visit with me and so I haven’t had much time to devote to writing about her stay. It may be just as well. It has given me some time to think about her visit a bit. I suppose I could join the chorus of others before me who have told you about how sweet she is. I could echo others who have told you about her talents. But instead, I think I’ll tell you about her courage. Most of us sit in front of our computers, sipping our coffee, tea or whatever and cannot really imagine what life on the road is for Marion. I’m sure what I have is only a part of the picture. Marion carries a thru-hiker style backpack to which a detachable daypack is normally affixed. I would guess the combined weight to be somewhere near 40 pounds (approximately 9 stones). In addition, she totes her fiddle and guitar, each of which has its own well-padded gig bag. Marion makes her way between destinations by way of long rides on the bus system. She has a pre-paid pass for unlimited mileage, good for a designated period. She finds it expeditious as well as economical to do her sleeping during the bus rides, thus often eliminating the need for hotels or hostels. More often than not, major bus terminals in the US are situated in some of the most out of the way parts of towns â€" places most people would avoid, given the choice. In many instances Marion walks from these places to the busier downtown areas where she sets up shop for busking. Normally, she leaves one of her gig bags unzipped and open to receive tips. But last week in Dallas the wind was blowing a lot and she decided to use her makeup box for the tips because it was less likely to blow away. A school age kid grabbed the box and ran. All of the tips Marion had made so far that day went with him. When Marion told me of this event after I met up with her later that day, she seemed barely even irritated. She appeared to accept it as just part of her workday. Two days later, after our visit, she went back to downtown Dallas to give it another try. Marion, for this and for a number of other reasons I may try to explain someday, I admire you for your courage and your determination. |
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28 Mar 04 - 09:28 PM (#1148586) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: JedMarum Still mulling over the windstorm, Marion visit! A few quick trips outs for gigs, lots of driving to/from Shreveport, a taste if the SONS OF HERMANN HALL jam session in Dallas - and a rather poorly attended show at MacHenrys in Foth Worth - but all were fun none-the-less, and glad that Marion got the chance to play a bit for the folks in Dallas, Fort Worth and Shreveport Louisiana! Next time they hear her songs, they'll say - "hey, I heard that girl in Dallas, Fort Worth or Shreveport." Marion has a bag of fine original songs, she's toting around with her, y'all - I hope as her tour progresses more Mudcatters will get to hear them. On her visit here, we talked a bit of songwriter technique and traded a few songs and recodings. A very enjoyable visit, Marion! All the best for the rest of your trip ... ... and thanks very kindly for the gift. It was very thoughful of you and is most appreciated! But that's another thread. |
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28 Mar 04 - 09:47 PM (#1148595) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: JedMarum But that's another thread. |
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28 Mar 04 - 10:31 PM (#1148619) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage I told Marion about Old Town, Art--I'm glad you'll be able to take her over there. My little hand-drawn map was without much detail except the intersection of freeways and a square for downtown, a square for Old Town, and a note about the Sheraton hotel as a good landmark. I also told her about an artist I patronize when I'm in Albuquerque--his name is Lorenzo Coriz, he's from Santo Domingo Pueblo, and he makes wonderful silver and tourquoise jewelry. I have several of his pieces. His wife usually sells on a blanket on the street in the square in Old Town. (I'm not saying anyone has to buy anything, but you might enjoy taking a look at his work.) I strongly suspect that the Mudcat network offers overall a more stable and safer trip than Marion might have experienced without all of these folks along the way. It was nice to play a part in this approach to music and travel, to be able to offer a bed and a hot shower and a place to putter for a couple of days. Ours wasn't the most concentrated musical venue along the way, but we were all energized by both her music and interest in seeing the area. Come again, Marion! Maggie (SRS) |
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29 Mar 04 - 04:00 AM (#1148770) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: open mike marion--too bad your albuquerque stay was so short..i have loads of musical friends there from Paltalk. they wouldhave loved to jam with you or feature you on a paltalk room broadcast, or offer hospitality.. well, Happy trails to you and good travelling to you! |
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29 Mar 04 - 10:36 PM (#1149578) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion After a few unsuccessful attempts to hook up with Artbrooks, I am visiting him today while passing through Albuquerque. After a look around Old Town we had a lazy afternoon, good supper, and little jam with wife Jen and the kitten. SRS said, I strongly suspect that the Mudcat network offers overall a more stable and safer trip than Marion might have experienced without all of these folks along the way. No doubts at all about that. I'm glad you could make it on Saturday. Oh, and my knapsack weighs 26-29 pounds, depending on how much food and how many songs I have in it at the time. I know this because they're constantly weighing it at the bus station. And I was irritated by the loss of my cash and makeup bag - but I realize that I might have paid a lot more in tuition for that particular lesson than I did. Now I'm really off to the Grand Canyon. Love, Marion |
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29 Mar 04 - 11:04 PM (#1149594) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: JedMarum God Speed, Marion! |
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30 Mar 04 - 08:42 AM (#1149910) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: artbrooks And Marion and Jenn even let me "play" my bodhran without breaking it over my head or running screaming from the room! A very pleasant, if brief, visit. Ya'll come back soon! |
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01 Apr 04 - 07:23 PM (#1152383) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bobert Jus' confirmation, Marion, fir Tuesday... The P-Vine and I will be home from Savannah Monday night and I will be available to pick you up at Dulles Tuesday any time after 10:00 am. Leave a message on my home phone aand I'll be lookin' for a guitar case and a Marion at the 1st "arrivals" area... Looking forward to it... Bobert |
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01 Apr 04 - 07:35 PM (#1152390) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman Marion, "bride Judy" and I were just talking about you. She mentioned what a pleasant guest you were and how wonderful it was that you graced our house! Best wishes, Bob and Judy |
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01 Apr 04 - 11:25 PM (#1152500) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: artbrooks Bobert, Marion is at the Grand Canyon (or, at least, that's where she was heading when she left here) and may not have internet access. It might be a good idea to leave a phone message as well. |
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02 Apr 04 - 01:10 AM (#1152549) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Genie From: Allan C. - Date: 15 Mar 04 - 06:11 PM As for licensing, Marion generally relies upon guerilla tactics. If she is asked to move on, she does. So far it seems to have worked out okay. I don't know how it is in Ft. Worth, but in Dallas, a judge ruled that no license is required because "...it is not considered to be an income producing enterprise." LOL, Allan. Seems that judge has a good handle on the truth! Anyway, Marion, I like your strategy! :-D |
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02 Apr 04 - 08:23 AM (#1152726) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bobert Thanks, artbrooks. I about to leave for Savannah myself and won't be home until Monday. We left it that she would leave a message on our answering machine so... ... we'll see what we see. Yo, Marian. Either way, I'll be available on Tuesday to pick you up and have the double decker bus/turned guest cottage available for you. Bobert |
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02 Apr 04 - 05:36 PM (#1153149) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage So how was the "Big Ditch," Marion? |
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07 Apr 04 - 10:13 PM (#1157136) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bobert Bobert here... Ahhh, we have been delighted to have Marion with us for the last couple of days. Today was the first good spring clean up day and she jumped in like a trooper and cut back lirope until I thought she's drop. Then we all went to Sheppardstown, WV for dinner, came home and she and I traded songs and jammmed and had some nice musical fun. Sweet, sweet girl. Bobert |
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07 Apr 04 - 11:02 PM (#1157161) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage You "jammmed?" You didn't "jammmm" instead? So Marion, tell us about the Grand Canyon, and how was your trip BACK across the U.S. If you draw a line on your map for every leg of this trip, it's going to be dark with long black lines zigzagging across the continent. I agree with your assessement, Bobert. SRS |
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07 Apr 04 - 11:43 PM (#1157174) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: GUEST |
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07 Apr 04 - 11:52 PM (#1157177) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Yup, that's quite a grand Canyon all right. I went on a 3 mile hike below the rim (Bright Angel trail, for you canyon connoisseurs) and had a great time. The hostel I was staying at didn't have lockers so I ended up bringing the fiddle with me, and I'm really glad I did. I took several music breaks along the trail - there's some fine acoustics down there - which led to some kind words from other hikers and requests to play again, and I even made some money without putting my case out. I met a woman who said she studied voice in college but never sang anymore, and talked her into singing Ave Maria into the canyon. Cool stuff. I'm so lucky to play a fiddle. Busked and meandered my way east - in Flagstaff I was playing Ashokan Farewell and someone came and told me that he was Jay Ungar's cousin. I stopped again in Albuquerque but had just a couple of hours, so I went and played at the Kimo theatre. The bus ride from Oklahoma City to Dulles Airport, Virginia took me through three Springfields. So... I ignored Greg Stephens' warnings and have come to visit Bobert and his wife whose name is not really The P-Vine. Yesterday Bob took me to see the famous Harper's Ferry (where the Potomac and Shenandoah meet). Today we did some gardening and jaming, with me trying to pretend that I can do blues. I'm becoming very conscious of the time left on my American bus pass ticking away...and I have a number of real-life friends to see here in the northeastern quadrant of the country. I have a date with Big Mick, and I'm going to try to work out a quick visit to meet M.Ted, but I think that'll probably be it for Mudcat meetings on this trip. I'm soon on my way to Champaign, Illinois for Easter. And as for that judge in Dallas, I like his conclusions, but his rationale is way off. Busking is most certainly an income-producing enterprise. He's just saying that because nobody would tip him to stand on the sidewalk and make rulings... Happy Easter, Marion (Blue Ridge mountain, Almost Heaven) |
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09 Apr 04 - 03:59 PM (#1158105) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Marion, This afternoon I spotted my first tarantula of the season. I cleared out a brushy area beside the garage and disturbed one that was average size, about three inches long with the legs. I'll put a pile of bricks back in a corner so critters can find shelter there and perhaps this spider will stay in that general area. Right now she's hiding between a few bricks on the driveway. From now until October if you come through Fort Worth we should be able to find one for you to see. SRS |
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14 Apr 04 - 12:32 AM (#1161434) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Marion, Tonight I sent Jeff (Pene Azul) three photos of your visit here with us. I hope others you've met in your travels have had their cameras handy and have some to share. If when you get home again you set up your own page of "Marion's Busking Tour Photos" we'll happily direct Jeff to copy or move any or all of them over there. Our creek isn't as exotic as the Colorado of the Grand Canyon, but the camera was handy. We can also mail you some hard copies. Maggie (SRS) |
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14 Apr 04 - 01:19 AM (#1161446) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Photos are here. Sorry to be hogging your thread! I hope you'll tell us more about your travels soon! |
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14 Apr 04 - 05:57 PM (#1161789) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman Charming pictures Maggie, thanks for posting them! Bob |
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15 Apr 04 - 12:41 AM (#1162097) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Thanks for the pictures, Maggie! And give each of the tarantulas a hug and a kiss from me... After leaving Bobert's I went to Champaign Illinois to see a college friend and her family. We went to Easter mass, went to a town called Arcola to stare at the Amish, and played with her two-year-old. Next I came to Virginia to visit a couple who I knew when I lived in Egypt ten years ago, so we have been eating lovely Egyptian food and talking nostalgically. Today I made a daytrip up to Maryland to see the enigmatic M.Ted, where I had lunch with him, met his kids, hid his dishes, and traded some songs. He let me in on the real secret to playing blues; I just wish I had visited him before Bobert. I said in my last post: but I think that'll probably be it for Mudcat meetings on this trip. Falser words were never spoken. My Egyptian friends and I are planning to attend Jed Marum's concert at Fortunato's place on Friday. Also, Deckman has suggested I come to Seattle when a party is planned for Alaska Mike's visit... and it looks like I'll be able to make it to that as well. Love, Marion (Sterling, Virginia) |
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15 Apr 04 - 09:01 AM (#1162306) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Bobert I'm sorry, Marion. You seemed such a fine musican I didn't think that you needed that 1-4-5 chord stuff, but at least, now you know our littke secret... Jus' funnin' wid ya, girl. The P-Vine says "hey" and we hope all is well with you... Bobert |
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18 Apr 04 - 10:41 AM (#1164383) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion No no no... 1-4-5 is the secret to playing country, gospel, bluegrass, old-time, Celtish, rock, folk, pop, and Bach. The secret to blues is to sing nonsense syllables in your head while playing. So I had a good time in the DC area. Learned to make stuffed grape leaves; I'll have to try that at home. Then off to a house concert/song circle to see Jed Marum again and to meet several of the FSGW crowd, including Catters Ferrara, Bill D., Fortunato, Gorgeous Gary, and Claymore. I was surprised and moved to hear Claymore sing an anti-war song as a tribute to Rick F., and I wanted to tell Rick about it. Now I'm in the Boston area to see a college friend and his family. Love, Marion (Framingham, Massachusetts) |
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21 Apr 04 - 09:45 AM (#1167093) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Big Mick I thought I should pop in and let you know that our Marion arrived safe and sound in Kalamazoo (birthplace of the Gibson instrument line and the adjustable truss rod), Michigan yesterday about 12:30 PM. I picked her up, and she filled me in on all the wonderful hospitality she has received. I must tell you that it is great to see her again. We have crossed paths in the Toronto area on 4 or 5 occasions over the last few years, including a night that she joined us around the table in Paul Mills backyard. She did several songs that knocked me out then. I think my fellow Beef Brother Jed and I both became enamored of her singing that night. Since she arrived yesterday we had to go and visit my sound guy in a physical rehab facility. Over the Easter weekend he was assaulted and suffered a closed head injury, and is there for rehab. He is also the fiance of Natalie who plays fiddle in my band. So Marion and I grabbed her fiddle and my guitar and headed to the hospital. Marion and Natalie alternated on the fiddle and I backed them, as well as sang a few songs. Then Marion and I headed home, had some time with my family, and then promptly adjourned to the living room and played songs back and forth until midnight. Hopefully today I am going to convince her to head to Lansing with me to visit Elderly Instrumments. I don't think she believes that there is any shop as good as the 12th Fret in Toronto. I agree that the 12th Fret is one of those special shops, but there is only one Elderly .... :^) HEY ... it's my bias, leave me alone, willya!!! She has sang a number of her own compositions for me, and I must tell you that I am very impressed with where this wonderful woman has gotten to, instrumentally as well as with her songwriting. I think she will be around this Folk movement a long time, and given the interesting life she is living, we will hear many fine songs from this wonderful person. She seems to have just the right combination of curiosity, empathy, and downright niceness. Mix that up with the ability to write a lyric and turn a phrase, well the outcome is obvious. Stay tuned. All the best, Mick |
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22 Apr 04 - 11:42 AM (#1168043) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hi gang. I am nearing the end of my visit to Big Mick. As he said, we've seen each other a couple of times before, but we haven't really had any quality time till now. I am enjoying the company of Marylou (sp?) and Ciara and the cat, and learning lots about Irish history, band politics, and unions. And of course we've found lots of stuff to sing to each other. Mick has quite a repertoire of powerful true-story songs up his sleeve. Now I've got to find some Bill Gallaher to listen to. Thanks for your kind words about my songs, Mick. Next stop is Seattle - the bus doesn't go to Alaska, so Alaska Mike is coming to me instead. And I will visit again Deckman and Bride Judy, who are some of my favourite people. Love, Marion (Gun Lake, Michigan) Why 12th Fret is better than Elderly: 1. I can walk to 12th Fret from my place a lot faster than you can drive to Elderly from your place. 2. The Taylor 314 I purchased at 12th Fret is way better looking than the equivalent model displayed at Elderly. 3. There are fewer instruments at 12th Fret, so there is less sympathetic vibration when you try an instrument, and therefore you get a less misleading impression of the instrument's voice. 4. Laskins. 5. 12th Fret is half a block from a wonderful little Ethiopian restaurant. Again, you have to drive if you're going to combine a trip to Elderly with a trip to the Tuba Museum restaurant. 6. 12th Fret doesn't carry string instruments, so there's nothing to distract your focus from playing with the guitars. 7. At 12th Fret a lot of the instruments are displayed too high for me to reach and I have to ask for help. This creates a conversation-opening opportunity, allowing me to network with other musicians (the tall ones, anyway). |
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22 Apr 04 - 10:57 PM (#1168566) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage I hope some of you other folks have cameras around when Marion visits. It would be nice if we could add photos to what is linked above and change the name to "Marion visits Mudcatters in the U.S." Get Clickin'! SRS |
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22 Apr 04 - 11:26 PM (#1168580) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman Marion ... As we've been communicating: "Bride Judy" and I are looking forward to your return vist. And, with my new hip, I'm in much better health and spirits than your last visit. That Monday, if you want, I'll show you some of the more beautiful areas of Snohomish County ... I have to drive around a bit that day and check out several projects. And, as you know, that evening, we're going to a gathering in Seattle where you'll meet "Alaska Mike" and re-new your aquaintence with Don Firth. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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22 Apr 04 - 11:37 PM (#1168585) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Bob, So many places to choose from! Do you plan something like the Mountain Loop Highway (a full day, at least) or simple trips like around Everett and Marysville and out to the rez? Take her by my Dad's old house (222 Priest Point Rd, as if you didn't remember) and you'll be astonished at the changes. The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Hike Mt. Pilchuck. Visit Snohomish antique stores. Drive up to Steven's Pass. That's no small feat, deciding on what beautiful areas of Snohomish County to look at! Geez, I'm making myself homesick! SRS |
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22 Apr 04 - 11:44 PM (#1168593) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman Hi Maggie, you need not remind me of 222 Priest Point Drive. I know the place very well. It's full of very wonderful memories. Actually, I've got two jobs going right now, one on Lake Bosworth close to Granite Falls, and another up in Sultan. Reggie Miles lives in Sultan, and he plays the magical saw, so maybe I can get them together. I'll keep you posted. By the way Maggie, you should have seen the glaciers todays up by Mt. Index. Simply glorious! I'm sure you've been up on them all. CHEERS, Bob |
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22 Apr 04 - 11:54 PM (#1168599) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Big Mick Got our Marion on the bus and she is on her way. We enjoyed her visit very much, and I especially enjoyed sitting at night and swapping songs. I recorded the first of our two person sessions on my MD recorder and will enjoy revisiting the time often. Marion is a helluva cook, in case you didn't know. She made a vegetarian enchilada dish tonight that was to die for. I then packed her in the car and took her to observe me coaching my U12 girls soccer team. Her comment, delivered in her marvelous understated Canadian way was, "Looked like fun but they forgot their sticks. Do they do that often around here?". If you get a chance, have her sing her Underground Railway Trilogy. Wonderful stuff from our talented friend. We greatly enjoyed her company and look forward to doing it again. The one regret is that I didn't get a chance to take her to my hill and sit and let the old Low D whistle have its way. We will do that the next time. All the best, Mick |
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24 Apr 04 - 11:14 AM (#1169713) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hi gang! Well, I've really learned my lesson about saying silly things like "but I think that'll be it for meeting Mudcatters on this trip." I picked a town to take a break on the way to Seattle just because someone I met in LA happened to tell me he liked a restaurant there... when I mentioned it to Mick, he said, "Well, you know who lives there?" So here I am visiting Alice of Montana for the day. I expect to do a little embroidery thread shopping while she works on voting the bastards out, then do some jamming with her and her son. I love the Samoyed too! Almost makes me stop missing Jed's puppy. Sounds great, Deckman. My current project is a song set in Washington and I'm going to try to have it ready on time to sing you... SRS, XOXOX Love, Marion |
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28 Apr 04 - 12:42 PM (#1173273) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Salut mes amis. So I had a good time in Montana - Alice's reputation as a singer is richly deserved - and she kindly sent a batch of her gourmet caramels with me for the Seattle gathering. Here I am again at Deckman's house. He seems like a whole new person now that he is recovered from his troubles, and Judy is charming as always. He said that he would take me along to work the next day and give me a tour of the Pacific northwest on the way. Privately, I didn't see how that would be possible - but it turns out he was right, a half hour drive was enough to see the Cascades, the Olympics, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Rainier. However, there seems to be a theme going on here - after watching Big Mick pretend to be Mr. Tough Guy Coach, I got to see Deckman pretending to be a deck man - but all he did was go and look at the deck for five minutes, then leave again. Heck, I could have done that myself. So off we went to Seattle where Don and Barbara Firth hosted a potluck and hoot for Alaska Mike's visit. Mike did a very funny new song about the Iditarod. Next day, Reggie Miles took me to the Pike Place Market to show me around. I did some busking by myself, and with another guy I met there, as well as playing the straight woman for Reggie's novelty blues routines. We attracted a lot of attention as a saw/fiddle duo too. I've mentioned that I was planning at this point to meet up with a friend from Ottawa and take a roadtrip to the Redwoods and Badlands parks. Unfortunately, she had to cancel on me for health reasons. So it seems that the Nelson house in Everett is both my first and last stop in the USA. I'm heading back to civilization this evening. I'll try to get a newsletter written and posted today, too. Love, Marion (Everett, Washington) |
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28 Apr 04 - 12:53 PM (#1173281) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Amos Well, sweetie, give our regards to civilization, and tell them the barbaric southern hordes send greetings... A |
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28 Apr 04 - 12:57 PM (#1173284) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: open mike thanks marion, what with travelling with you on your adventures and keeping up with kendall and sorcha I am exhausted!! How about that Reggie??!! I look forward to the thursday night paltalk sessions because he usually stops by and saws at us for a while...or graces us with some of that marvelous slide guitar work of his!! did you see miken again this time around? he may be on the mend . Glad you were able to enjoy the seattle hospitality again...happy trails!! |
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28 Apr 04 - 03:01 PM (#1173383) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion He leaped on his horse and rode madly off in all directions: Marion's newsletter #4, February 28 to April 28 Hello friends, comment allez-vous? Here is an account of the last two months on a long and convoluted trip through the states. This time I knew better than to have an itinerary in mind when I started out, and just went where the spirit directed (to Texas, mostly). I spent leap day on the bus south, watching the snow melt and the grass turn green, and I've had wonderful luck with the weather all along. If it weren't for the alligators, I'd sleep out in the woods. After quick stops in Dallas and Lafayette, Louisiana, I went to Pensacola to see Bruce and Susan and had an idyllic couple of days in the woods fiddling all day and singing all night. I also observed their pottery studio - you should all go and buy all of their pottery. From there I worked my way to the Pacific, including busking stops in Houston (where I walked right, I did not quarrel, I did not fight), in El Paso (where I learned that the busking spot I've had such good luck in is in front of a house of ill repute), and in Santa Barbara (where they must spend a fortune on public landscaping, but the result is very pleasant). I spent a night in LA to see Jill and Joel and pick up Charlie (my travel guitar). Then I went up to an area on the coast south of San Francisco to stay with Nancy and visit Bev and Jerry. One of Nancy's dogs loved to lick toes but I noticed that he had the good sense to wait till I had taken the first shower before going after me. A real highlight of that time was going to the coast to see dozens of baby elephant seals lying on the beach waiting till their time to hit the sea. (Also in the animals-I-don't-see-every-day department: I have had chances to see pelicans, egrets, fire ants, and a deceased Portugese man-of-war). From there I crossed the south again, with San Antonio being the most interesting of my busking sites - the Riverwalk and the Alamo are really something to see. I visited Maggie and her children in Fort Worth, and went to the "Cowgirl History Museum." After leaving there I had an interesting day trying to busk in Birmingham, where nobody walks anywhere, but people driving by waved me over to give me a tip, or jumped out of their cars and dodged traffic to come over to me. Next stop was a small town in North Carolina, visiting Dani and her family and eating at her restaurant, the James Pharmacy. You should all go and eat there. Her friends had an equinox party and I was astounded by the number of old-timey musicians in attendance at a private party. It seems like most of the time I'm the only fiddler at a gathering - but at this party there were at least a dozen fiddlers, never mind the pickers. In other North Carolina moments, we were at a gardening store and I was surprised to see a big pile of rocks on sale for $150. I guess we really take things for granted, living on the Canadian shield where we can get rocks for free. I also did a bit of hiking in a state park, where I found thousands of dollars worth of rocks as well as a little six-year old boy whose parents had gotten lost. From there, naturally, I started west again, making a quick and boring stop in Atlanta. I then had a longer stay in Dallas with lots of visiting and busking. There seems to be a real shortage of fiddlers in Dallas (course they're all in North Carolina, I guess): while busking I got requests from various people to come and play at a restaurant, a church, a school, some creepy guy's place, and a wedding. I felt like Fiddler Jones. I visited Allan, who has also done a fair bit of travelling the continent and meeting Mudcatters so we had lots of stories to trade. Since then, he has announced that I was a bad influence on him: he's quitting the job and buying an RV to spend a year drifting shiftlessly about North America. Next I went to visit Jed Marum, who I know I've mentioned to some of you: he's a folkish singer-songwriter I admire very much, so it was a real treat to trade songs and talk music with him, as well as tagging along to two of his gigs and sitting in with him a bit. The other thing is that he has a whippet puppy, and as Greyhound stations are full of promotional posters with pictures of greyhound puppies, and whippets and greyhounds are actually the same thing, I find myself missing his puppy whenever I'm loitering in bus stations, which is of course almost all the friggin' time. Anyway, you should all go buy all of Jed's CDs. Continuing west - made a daytrip to Albuquerque to busk and visit Art and Jenn, then off to Flagstaff. Albuquerque and Flagstaff are both on old Route 66, which I've wanted to travel on since the first dozen times I read Grapes of Wrath. From there I went to see the Grand Canyon as a daytrip. I spent most of my time on a below-the-rim hike (Bright Angel trail). The interesting thing was that I ended up bringing Rocinante - I hadn't wanted to, but the hostel I was in didn't have lockers and I'm very protective of my fiddle. But it turned out to be a real blessing to have it along. I played several times while taking breaks - the acoustics down there aren't half bad - and this led to many kinds words from the other hikers and requests to play more, and so the cycle continued. I met a woman who had studied voice in college but claimed not to sing anymore, and I persuaded her to sing Ave Maria into the canyon. And also, although I didn't put my case out, I made enough playing on the trail for dinner out. I finished the day feeling that I'm very lucky to be a fiddler. So eastward ho again. Short stops in Casa Grande AZ, Las Cruces NM, and Oklahama City. Next I visited Bob and Eve who live on the Blue Ridge mountain in West Virgina and are younger than the mountains if not older than the trees. Bob took me to Harper's Ferry, which is where the Potomac and Shenandoah meet and is just full of history. Next I went west to spend Easter in Illinois with Paula, Dan, and their little red-haired boy, and trade old stories from when we lived in Ste. Anne de Bellevue. We went to Arcola to stare at the Amish, and I purchased some linen in a little non-electric Amish store for my next embroidery project. Next I went east again to see Brian and Marcelle in Virginia, and we had a great time trading old stories from when we lived in Egypt. Marcelle showed me how to make stuffed grape leaves; I'll have to try that at home. They came with me to a house concert in DC where Jed Marum was played and where I met several of the local Mudcatters. Also, I went up to Maryland to spend a day with Ted, talking guitar and long depressing historical songs. Next stop was Boston to see Bryan, Jenn, and their stairstep of children and trade old stories from when we lived in Montreal. From there I headed west (saw that coming, did ya?) and went to Michigan to visit Mick and his family. I tagged along with him on a hospital visit, music store pilgrimage, and soccer practice, and spent lots of good time trading songs and gossip. From there I made a day stop in Montana, where I visited Alice and ate the gourmet caramels she sells. You should all go and buy all her caramels. Last stop in the US (which also happened to be the first stop way back when) was Everett, Washington, visiting Bob and Judy. Based there, we went to a jam in Seattle where I was reacquainted with Don and Barbara, and also met Mike Campbell, a Mudcatter and fine songwriter who was visiting from Alaska. I also went into Seattle with Reggie Miles to check out the busking scene in the famous Pike Place Market, and to jam along to his clever and bizarre music. Hmm, this got pretty long, didn't it? I'll try to write sooner next time. So here ends my trip to the US. Four months, but I didn't meet half the people I wanted to, and there were so many more things that I wanted to see and to do and to have done to me. I'll have to do this again next year, I suppose. I must say, though, that I'm rather relieved to see the back of Greyhound US. I kept thinking that my opinion of them couldn't get any lower, but they kept finding new ways to express their contempt for bus riders. You shouldn't all go and buy Greyhound US tickets. So... back up north tonight to spend two months waltzing my Matilda around Canada. With love, Marion Fiddler Jones by Edgar Lee Masters from Spoon River Anthology The earth keeps some vibration going Therein your heart, and that is you. And if people find you can fiddle, Why, fiddle you must, for all your life. What do you see, a harvest of clover? Or a meadow to walk through to the river? The wind's in the corn; you rub your hands For beeves hereafter ready for market; Or else you hear the rustle of skirts Like the girls when dancing at Little grove. To Cooney Potter a pillar of dust Or whirling leaves meant ruinous drouth; They looked to me like Red-head Sammy Stepping it off, to "Toor-a-Loor." How could I till my forty acres Not to speak of getting more, With a medley of horns, bassoons and piccolos Stirred in my brain by cows and robins And the creak of a wind-mill -- only these? And I never started to plow in my life That some one did not stop in the road And take to a dance or picnic. I ended up with forty acres; I ended up with a broken fiddle-- And a broken laugh, and a thousand memories, And not a single regret. |
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28 Apr 04 - 10:35 PM (#1173708) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman WHEW .....! Not only did I just read her most recent posting, I also just put her on the bus heading North for Canada. I've known lot's of folks with itchy feet, but I've NEVER met anyone like "Maid Marion." I'm tired just reading where she's been. We did have a very nice few days with her. And as I told her, last night, her voice has matured in the few months since we've visited, but most of all ... her songs are simply WONDERUL! This afternoon she sang me her new song about Washington state. She was guided by a vintage story of a true early pioneer. I've always been amazed, and in awe, of those magical persons that can put words on paper and can capture a tale. The thing that Marion is getting so good at, is her almost uncanny ability to capture the "feel" of the times. She has written some songs of vintage periods that you would swear must have come from those very persons who lived there and then. She's right, we did take a bit of a drive up into the mountains on Monday. I did have to check on a job, but I did NOT spend five minutes there.IT WAS SEVEN MINUTES! As we traveled along, I'd point out various mountain peaks, and rivers, and tell stories about the settling of these areas. I noticed that she was very quiet during this time, but I now know that she was taking it all in with a crystal clear memory. That's one of the reasons that she can write such good material. So, here's wishing her good traveling. She's always welcome at our home, and she knows that. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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28 Apr 04 - 11:36 PM (#1173736) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Allan C. Well done, Marion! |
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29 Apr 04 - 01:05 AM (#1173780) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: GUEST Bizarre! I resemble that remark! Wait a minute lemme look that up. bizarre: very odd in manner. Hmmm, maybe I do resemble that remark! |
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29 Apr 04 - 04:28 AM (#1173847) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Ellenpoly What a WONDERFUL thread! Thank you all so much for writing here. I have tears in my eyes from reading about Marion, and how she was received by all you lovely people around the States. It renewed my faith in there being big portions of America still filled with wonderful, creative, loving, welcoming folk. Maybe I won't stay an ex-pat forever. Marion, it's obvious from all I've read here, that you are a unique woman, and I feel privileged to be learning a little about you through the people you have impressed with such warmth and spirit, and TALENT throughout your busking trips. You are a fine example to us all. Cheers!..xx..e |
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29 Apr 04 - 11:10 AM (#1174076) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage I hope she'll write a song that gives us a humorous look at what her Grayhound travels have been like! Skewer 'em good! SRS |
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07 May 04 - 12:00 AM (#1179993) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hi gang, and thanks for your responses. Since I last wrote I've been making my way across western Canada, with stops in Vernon BC, Calgary AB, Saskatoon SK, and Kenora ON. In the Kenora area (northern Ontario) I saw three bald eagles sitting on branches of a single tree, as well as lakes that still had a thin ice cover. The bus stopped in Blind River, but I didn't see any blind drunks (unless they were being discreet about it). I've put the songwriting aside for a bit and am embroidering like mad to get a present done before my sister's wedding. Now I'm at my mother's place for a few days to reorganize, refuel, and refinance before heading to the Canadian Maritimes. OK, I have a little speech to make at this time: Thank you so much to all you wonderful American Mudcatters. The quality of your hospitality was exquisite and made such a difference to my travels. Now, of the Mudcatters I met along the way, there were a small handful who I had some prior connection with - either meeting at a jam in Toronto, or by dialoguing on the same threads. But most of the people I met were essentially strangers to me, as I was to them, but they took me in just because I was a Mudcatter and/or a wayfaring stranger. I believe this generosity is a reflection on the American spirit, not just the Mudcat spirit. And I can't tell you how much your hospitality improved my life while travelling. If it weren't for Mudcat, my trip would have been very different, and not for the better (if it happened at all - if it weren't for Mudcat I'd have never met Alanabit and been inspired by the concept of a busking tour.) Since I'm very focussed on songwriting these days (except for doing this frigging embroidery), it was very fun and useful to sit across from so many folk music lovers and hear your encouragement, feedback, and advice. And being invited into the lives of such diverse people in such diverse places opened up many experiences for me I wouldn't have had otherwise: chances to perform publicly, going seal-watching while working on a song about sealing, going above the treeline in the Rockies, and plenty more. I also had a moonlit walk on the beach with one Mudcat lady and a naked song circle with another; there's many people who wish they could say the same. And of course, the spare beds and showers and lasagnas and other practical gifts didn't do me any harm either. Needless to say, if you're ever in Toronto... Love, Marion (Perth, Ontario) |
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07 May 04 - 12:18 AM (#1180006) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Deckman Blessing to you Marion. Bob and Judy |
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07 May 04 - 12:24 AM (#1180009) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Amos Well, I enjoyed the hell out of your visit, Marion. Come a-calling anytime! A |
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07 May 04 - 01:04 PM (#1180473) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Big Mick You are a perfect houseguest, friend Marion. And a wonderful lyric writer. You may stop anytime in Michigan, and hopefully the boats will be in. Thanks for coming, and I hope you enjoyed the Tuba Museum. Mick |
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09 May 04 - 11:48 PM (#1182000) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Whoops, I forgot part of my speech: And thank you very much also to all of you whose invitations I had to turn down for reasons of time or geography. I appreciate the offers as well as your patience with all my "Maybe - I'll have to see" messages. You should all come visit me when I settle down too. I've had a quiet weekend at my Mom's, spending quality time with my good guitar and getting a fresh layer of cat hair on all my stuff. Tomorrow I start out for New Brunswick. I have another seven weeks or so of bus pass, good within Canada. I don't have my route all preplanned; the only definitely scheduled thing is passing through Toronto on June 5 for Rick's memorial. Basically, I intend to spend my time up till then on the east side of Yonge St., and the rest of June west of Yonge. Take care eh, Marion |
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14 May 04 - 10:58 AM (#1185699) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Howdily doodily neighbourinos. Not too much exciting to report, but I thought I'd check in. I went to New Brunswick to see a college friend who's just a week before her due date so I got to observe the baby kicking. Now I am in Montreal seeing another college friend and my old landlords. Hope you are all well. Love, Marion |
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14 May 04 - 11:23 AM (#1185716) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Now that you're back in the north you'll get to go through spring all over again! Lucky you--it's the best time of the year and you're getting an extended season. SRS |
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14 May 04 - 11:38 PM (#1185997) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Well, I'll tell you the truth. You know how in the last chapter of Travels With Charlie, Steinbeck wrote that his trip suddenly left him and he made a hasty retreat home? I understand that bit now. Once I had left the states and made my way from Vancouver to the Ottawa Valley, I suddenly found that my wanderlust had abandoned me and that I feel like I've had enough of this. Is settlelust a word? -- my thoughts have turned to what I want to do when I have a home again, and I've started making inquiries about a place to rent. Having said that, I have another six weeks left on my bus pass, and I certainly don't see myself just throwing it away. So I guess I'll carry on, go through the motions, and see if I get my enthusiasm back. But I'd just as soon not. Maybe all this means is that I'm finally qualified to write a depressing road song... Marion (Montreal) |
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15 May 04 - 04:54 PM (#1186398) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Dani OK, no one else has bitten..... Naked song circle!? Did that happen after I left Rob's Solstice party, or was that someplace else? 'Cause I would hate to've missed that.... Dani |
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20 May 04 - 06:34 PM (#1190197) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hi Dani. No, I wouldn't be surprised either if that party ended up skyclad, but if so, it was after I left too. Stilly River Sage, I forgot to mention this earlier: if you go a little lower on the Events Photos page, there's one called Marion's Tour 2003. It has a few pics that Rex and Sorcha sent in. Gang: I mentioned above my feelings of being sick of the road. Well, a few more recent discouragements: I got a bad cold, so I haven't felt much inclined to go socialize with people, and I sprained my thumb so I haven't been able to busk or otherwise play music for almost a week (I was playing on a trampoline with some New Brunswick urchins when I decided to see if I could still do the gymnastic tricks I did when I was 12.). So I asked myself, What would Steinbeck do? - and went back to Mommy's to spend several days cross-stitching and listening to CDs. Anyway... off to Charlottetown tomorrow... and if Prince Edward Island can't cheer me up, nothing can. Love, Marion |
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20 May 04 - 09:48 PM (#1190351) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Big Mick Marion, my friend, you are an amazing woman. I love your journals and the music you share. Rest until the urge to take a ramble grabs you. It will. And .... write more songs. Mick |
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20 May 04 - 10:47 PM (#1190393) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Sprained your thumb on the trampoline? You're lucky that's all you sprained! (Puts Mom-Voice back in the box. . .) I'm sorry about that cold--it went through here for several weeks in late April/early May. I think it took almost a month for the symptoms to finally go away, and it started a sinus infection with its own attendant miseries. Take care of yourself, and enjoy your few remaining weeks of bus travel. SRS |
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21 May 04 - 06:35 AM (#1190602) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: John Hardly Marion, you wimp! Wrap the damn thumb. Take Sudafed. Misery makes great music. You need to suffer for your Art -- get off your butt and back out the door! Don't you know that there are lots of middle age losers out here living vicariously through your adventures?! Don't let us down. Or do. Whatever, John |
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21 May 04 - 10:47 AM (#1190757) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage *edit the apostrophe out of puts* sheesh. My dad didn't like catching colds, of course, but I remember his remarking more than once that as the cold was clearing up he liked the way it made his voice sound for a couple of days. SRS |
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29 May 04 - 11:22 PM (#1196892) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion John said: Misery makes great music. Well sure... but other people's misery, not my own! You want me to turn into some kind of singer/songwhiner? And keep in mind that if I do let you down you can always switch to living vicariously through Allan C. as he follows the Grateful Dead around the country. SRS, there was a great episode where the Simpsons get a trampoline and Homer is telling the neighbourhood kids "When you get injured, it's somebody else's turn." Anyway... I am happier and healthier. I never did get to PEI - I got distracted on the way and ended up spending the long weekend in Montreal instead - but I have just finished a silly song about Anne of Green Gables, so that's just as good. I visited my sister and her children in mainland Nova Scotia, then proceeded to the L'Arche community in Cape Breton where I used to live. So lots of lovely time catching up with friends and singing "Working Man" over and over again. Being in Cape Breton is a pretty good substitute for PEI as well. Now I will start back towards Upper Canada and points west. Love, Marion (Whycocomagh, Cape Breton) |
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30 May 04 - 01:11 PM (#1197131) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Mudlark Hi Marion...Just wanted to let you know you are not forgotten here in the California back country. Just 2 days ago, playing country-western tunes with my Okie neighbor, he was asking about you, saying what a fine fiddler you are. And your wonderful flowcharts have been much appreciated by a select few of like-humored friends. And your tape has given me many pleasant hours... Good travels with your last 6 wks...but remember there is nothing more luxurious than abandoning a plan, when the plan stops making emotional sense! In any case, keep in touch, please, and I'll hope to see you again down the road. Nancy |
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30 May 04 - 03:56 PM (#1197234) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Sorcha Fond memories of your stay here, Marion. You are welcome back any time! I don't understand how you did nearly a year....6 weeks was long enough for me. Good luck and keep in touch. |
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04 Jun 04 - 09:07 PM (#1200700) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hi Sorcha, and happy homecoming. To be fair, I took two months off in the middle, so "almost a year" is really only eight months of travel. Hi Mudlark. I'm so glad that you're enjoying my souvenirs. I hope to have a new tape to send around later in summer. All: I just rolled into Toronto, so that I can go to Rick's memorial tomorrow. It feels good to be home, even if I'm off again in a couple of days. Since last writing, I visited a different sister in Belleville Ontario, and I went to watch three soccer games that her kids were playing/reffing in; I'm turning into a real soccer mom. Then I went to Simcoe in southern Ontario to see an old roommate. The town park is full of baby Canada geese. So cute. Mudcatters may be interested to know that I've made an agreement with Heather Fielding to rent her basement for my first year back in town. So there'll be guitars hanging on Rick's wall for a while longer. Love, and go Flames, Marion (about a kilometre northwest of the centre of the universe) |
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08 Jun 04 - 12:31 AM (#1202455) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hiya gang from hot and sticky Toronto. They were saying on TV that it's 97 degrees American in Tampa Bay. No wonder the poor Flames lost. I went to Rick's memorial (will post more on that thread) and have been hanging out with some local friends. I had a job interview today and now have a part-time job (that I can live off of in genteel poverty) lined up for when I come back for good. Off to the Soo tomorrow. Love, Marion |
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08 Jun 04 - 10:58 AM (#1202726) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: InOBU By the bye Marion... I have been gushing about your ballads for several days now... to bad it was so late at night and I had to run back to the US... would have loved to hear much much more... I've been telling folks about the stories behind your songs (can't decide which I like the most - the busking or Underground Railroad songs...) Cheers and my best to all up there... Larry |
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08 Jun 04 - 12:08 PM (#1202763) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Marion, Speaking of ballads, I haven't forgotten about that letter you asked about. I just haven't found it yet--it's in a file box somewhere. :) We're about to make a big improvement in clutter as we finish the construction of a very large and impressive set of shelves for my marvelous teenaged daughter who has held onto a lot of childhood stuff. This is that point where that party favor game comes into play: a little board with 36 spaces and 35 numbered tiles, and you have to move them all around, via that one hole, to get them into order. We'll start moving her boxes into her room and unpacking them into these shelves. I expect to evict a lot of out-grown things into other boxes for a garage sale. Then I'll have room to start moving my 35 little tiles through that one blank space. . . and the file with Edward's letter will turn up. Maggie (SRS) |
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11 Jun 04 - 10:39 AM (#1205155) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion No rush, SRS, I've got a big backlog of stuff to write about... Thanks Larry. I'll send you a tape sometime later this year too, including the songs you mention. I look forward to listening to your CD when I get home. I thought the Quaker boy story was an interesting angle for an UGRR song. I am in Manitoba visiting some college friends, and I have switched from being a soccer mom to an ultimate frisbee mom. The adult ultimate league here has a charming tradition: during each game, each team is expected to write a parody song in tribute to their opponents then they perform them at the end of the game. The players work on it while subbed off or halftime etc. Is this common in other sports or leagues? Love, Marion (Winnipeg) |
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11 Jun 04 - 01:33 PM (#1205241) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: open mike the only music i ever heard of involving sports are repetitive chants, cheers and "wipe them out" type hollering. this sounds like a creative outlet to give the brain a chance to work in between brawny out bursts! |
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11 Jun 04 - 01:34 PM (#1205243) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Further on the Underground Railroad songs (which have turned out to be popular favourites among my own compositions): my source is an 1879 book by William Still that you can browse at the link below. 800 pages of true personal stories... a great find for a historical balladeer. The Underground Railroad, online at American Memory. Click on "View this item"; there's a table of contents starting on image 7. But the image numbers don't line up exactly with the book's page numbers. Marion |
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17 Jun 04 - 11:59 AM (#1209202) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Stilly River Sage Marion, I know we spoke of visiting the Fort Worth Water Gardens, but did I ever take you over there? (I've been there recently with someone from out of town, not sure if it was you). Sad to say, several people drowned there yesterday. Here is the story if it you want to read about it. Visiting the front page (it's a PDF) of the paper for Wednesday brings that color photo into sharp detail--it's heart-breaking to see dead children (and a parent), and at what has been such a magnet for children and adults for so many years. If you're looking for material for a lament, this might serve. SRS |
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17 Jun 04 - 12:06 PM (#1209211) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: InOBU Ah SRS... You bring back a terrible memory... I was training a currach crew on the Hudson - for a race in Ireland... and we took a police officer out to recover the body of a young fellow, about 10, who had drowned the winter before... the body came up in the spring. There is just no way to be careful enough and let your kids have a childhood... We met the parents... it was torture. On a brighter note, it is now hot and sticky in NYC I hope you're having a blast up north and that it is cooler... Larry |
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18 Jun 04 - 09:17 AM (#1209838) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hello gang. Since leaving Winnipeg, I have visited Saskatoon, with busking stops in Brandon and Sault St. Marie, and a couple more rides across Northern Ontario (devil take the blackfly!). Can't think of too much exciting to tell you - in fact, now that I'm in Canada and not seeing so many Mudcatters, I'm running out of things that I think would be interesting to post here. But not to worry, I'm going out to an Ottawa folk club with Catter RichM tonight. Cheers, Marion |
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05 Jul 04 - 10:26 PM (#1219651) Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour From: Marion Hi gang! Well, the quest is over. I've put my backpack in the attic and started advertising my travel guitar for sale. Anybody who hasn't already switched over to following Allan C.'s travels should do so now. I'll put together a final newsletter sometime soon. Thank you all for reading and responding. Mandatory Mudcat gossip: I did have a night out in a folk club with RichM and his wife Sue a couple weeks ago. And very shortly after my return to Perth I ran into Willie-O, who told me that he's taken to driving past my house several times a week. I had no idea that he would miss me that much. Cheers, Marion |