This is my last report and probably my last post for awhile. Work is getting pretty
crazy, plus I've got new commitments with the school. It's going to be a hard year
ahead. It was nice to have a break being surrounded by all the nice loving JMDL
people and beautiful music.
Saturday was a crazy day. I felt like I hardly got a chance to catch my breath. Had
a quick breakfast, then worked with Bob Muller setting up the VG-8 and then going over
his songs. Then raced over to Chuck's great Dulcimer Workshop. It was very
informative and fun. Thank you so much Chuck!!! Then I did my Joni Guitar 101
Workshop. I had never led a workshop or tried to teach this stuff before, so it was
all new for me. I hope people understood everything. Thankfully, Michael Paz helped
at the end by suggesting that we all learn to play Dreamland, so we did that and then
he led us into Song For Sharon. I would never have tried to teach people that song,
but everybody got it and it was really fun! Thank you Michael Paz! Then I raced over
to the main building for Julius' and Jenny's Acapella Workshop. Julius had worried
that we could only learn one song, but the group managed to get together three songs
in just over an hour. It was really fun, and very very beaut!
iful with all the different harmonies. I think this practice session was one of the
best moments of the fest for me. Thank you Jenny and Julius! Saturday night was
amazing, starting with Patti Witten. She was so perfect and her songs were really
beautiful. I felt very lucky to be able to hear her perform for free! It was like
seeing Jonatha or something. I really loved your songs, Patti, and will be ordering
your CD in the near future. Sue McNamara! It was so great to get to meet you at
last. I'm so glad you finally made it to a fest. Just wish you could have stayed
longer and we would have had time to chat and jam. I loved hearing you perform - you
have so much heart - and you really said so many nice things about everyone on the
stage. I wish I had your gift of thinking of nice things to say. Sherelle! Wow! It
was wonderful to see you live! Your songs are really great and you really got
everybody happy and wanting to get up and jive! I loved it! Claudia!!
When are you going to make a CD????? I want to put your songs on replay on my CD
player!!! Just gorgeous! Henning and Christina - wow, Christina sounds almost like
Joni sometimes. Such a clear voice and she makes it all looks so effortless. What a
great gift! And Henning's guitar playing was really beautiful to back her her up!
Bryan Thomas - you are so unique - your guitar playing is so excellent - your voice -
what can I say? I love to watch you. You are also really perfect on the stage. I
can't wait to get your latest CD which I will be ordering soon. Nikki! You were just
great, Nikki! You shouldn't worry or be shy! Michael, just loved that Flat Tires!
And Chris - great bass playing! Bob Muller, I love your voice! It's not too late to
consider a singing career! I stayed up too late Saturday ('til 6:45 a.m., to be
exact) and drank too many cognacs (three), so I had a headache when I woke up on
Sunday. Just barely made breakfast at 10:55. After brea!
kfast, spent some time with Claud in the library. Thank you Claud for being
interested in the music - sharing that time with you meant a lot to me. In the
afternoon I went to the Songwriting Workshop led by Kate Bennett and Jeff Bisch. I
had never been to a workshop like that before. I enjoyed hearing everyone's songs and
it was interesting to hear the feedback from everyone. Thank you Kate and Jeff! Then
I worked with Susan Guzzi for guitar on Sweet Bird, which went pretty well. And then
with Pearl Weisberg for guitar on Circle Game and Nathan La Franeer. Pearl had spent
the whole day practicing these songs on guitar - so much that her fingers were really
hurting and she felt she just couldn't bear to play in the evening, so she asked for
my help. I didn't know Circle Game very well, and Nathan La Franeer not at all, so
Nikki kindly printed out the tab for Nathan and let me borrow her Circle Game tab. In
the middle of practicing with Pearl, my luggage arrived, so !
that interrupted the session. I wish I had taken notes with you, Pearl, because at
the performance I really blew it. I'm so sorry! I played Nathan too fast and goofed
up the chords, and played Circle Game too slow. But your singing was wonderful (how
come you waited so long to perform???) and I hope you'll build up some caluses so that
you can play on your own next time! Gisele Hawkins, you are fantastic! Please get
your CD out soon! I very much enjoyed your banter with Paz - really funny stuff!
Susan Guzzi, thank you for asking me to play for you. I loved your heartfelt Sweet
Bird, and man, what a voice!!! I'm really looking forward to the videos, so that I
can enjoy watching and hearing everyone again! Catherine McKay, we missed you!
Stephanie Morrison, wow! You really know what you're doing on the piano!!! I enjoyed
the Tori Amos tune that you played while Yael sang in her beautiful clear voice! And
later in the song circle you played that amazing Bach pie!
ce as perfectly as my favorite Bach pianist Glenn Gould! Wow!!! Sugar Pants!!! And
Granola Pants and I can remember all the pants, but what you did was very
entertaining!!! Les Ross, I have mentioned before - meditation in motion - your vibe
is really peaceful and safe. I loved you! Jack Neilson, your songs made me cry -
they are so beatiful - can't wait for your CD. Jeff Bisch, really love your down to
earth, salt of the earth songs! Also, great stage managing. Kate Bennett!!! It was
really wonderful to hear you perform live! I have your CD and have enjoyed it very
much, and hearing you in person was a special treat! I totally love that Indian wolf
song - love that guitar rhythm. Can't wait for the fest CDs as that's one that'll be
on replay and one I'd like to learn. Roberto, your piano arrangements were really
great. Chris, your bass playing really rounded out some of the songs and was totally
great! Ashara, this fest could not have happened without your c!
ourage and patience. I don't know how you do it year after year! Thank you Chuck for
bringing all your equipment! Thank you Heather for the beautiful name tags! Thank
you Jody for helping with the scrap books. Thank you Full Moon for your excellent
food and beautiful place. Thank you everyone who didn't get up and perform for
listening. Thank you Bette for smiling at me so kindly. Thank you Rose for
understanding. Thank you John Balkin for your encouragement. Thank you JMDL people
for just being the great people that you are.
Love,
Marian
