Re: 10,000 Maniacs inquiry

[ulysses!sfsup!tamar@UCBVAX.BERKELEY.EDU]

The 10,000 Maniacs have 2 albums out. They released their second one
in the last couple of months.

The band is from Jamestown, New York. The lead singer and lyricist is
a woman named Natalie Merchant. The rest of the band are men. Robert
Buck is the lead guitarist, who is incredible. The keyboards are by a
guy named Dennis, bass by Steve, and drums by
I-forgot-his-name-offhand. (They are obviously listed on the album.)
There was an additional (very talented) guitarist on the first album
but he left the band after their tour for the last lp.

The sound of the first album is a mixture of old English and American
folk (at one concert Natalie did a Mabel Carter song with Billy Bragg)
as well as rock. Highlights in my opinion are Can't Ignore The Train
and the song with "Amaze Me Now" in it. (Can't remember the name and
my album is not nearby)

The second album also has several terrific cuts on it, including a
version of Cat Steven's Peace Train. Don't laugh. It's pretty good.

I recommend seeing them live. I have been to half a dozen shows, all
enjoyed.  Natalie has an interesting stage presence. Kind of a gloomy
dead-head.

Tamar