Janis in Carborro NC 10/23

[BobNC]

What a wonderful show last evening in Carborro, NC-- and to think, I almost passed on it.

I hadn't followed Janis's career since the 70s. "Between the Lines" has remained one of my all-time favorite albums -- right up there with "Tapestry," "Court and Spark," "Hejira," James Taylor's "Gorilla," and Springsteen's "Born to Run." Yet, after I purchased "Aftertones in '76," I lost interest in Janis's subsequent output. Too depressing.

A few months back my pal from LA- Seth C. and another friend from Florida urged me to check out Janis in Carborro. I hesitated. Seth suggested I check out some of Janis's output from the 80s, 90s, and the new milenium -- and all I can say is that I was blown away.

After purchasing the Autobiography Collection, I've been urging my fellow singer/songwriter loving pals to check it out. There so many treasures on that double-disk package. Songs like "Days Like These," "This Train," "god and the FBI," "Joy" etc -- puts Janis ahead of her other 70s contemporaries like Ms. King and Ms. Mitchell. Janis is still evolving. CK is overdoing the living room tour/retrospective; Joni's "Shine" was the equivalent of an old cranky old lady's letter to the editor -- screaming in ALL CAPS from her soapbox about important issues, but in a oh so uninspired way. All angst; no art.

Janis's biography is the most honest, hard-hitting autobiography I have ever read. I can't believe that this will not be swooped up by Hollywood.

Back to the concert: I luckily got a front row seat and enjoyed every moment of it. Janis was in great voice and her interwoven monologues and songs complemented each other beautifully. I was surprised that more in attendance didn't applaud at the beginning of each song -- they were rather sedate, or perhaps just very polite. I had to hold back my applause as I recognized the very first chord of all my favorites. At one point, though, when Janis meandered into "Watercolors" -- one of the best songs ever written -- I clapped and Janis smiled in my direction.

Since it was a "work night" and I was exhausted, I didn't manage to hang out and get my CD signed, but, I'm hoping that Janis will be back in NC in less than the 15 years that elapsed between her Carborro apperances.

BobNC

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Hey Bob...

First of all thanks for the review and welcome to the klump O' Rudies.... Yes Janis has pretty much inspired many of us... all of ages ranging from back when Noah had an ark up to and including some very young... It is a shame that you didn't stay to say hello... You would have been even more blown away when you realized that Janis performed that entire concert just for you... well at least thats how we all feel at these shows... Yes as you noticed the Queen of depression does have a rather sharp wit and contagious sense of humor which many wouldn't expect listening to the first few of her albums...

Anyway Bob, Janis has played at Gastonia twice in the past two years which isn't to far...And you are in a fast forming pocket of rudies that you would have met had you hung out for a bit.... Suzzzzzzzz & Dan from Chapel Hill were at the show as well as Joan from South Carolina.... Don't be shocked but there are some that gladly travel quite some distance to attend a show or event with Janis and you know it's always worth it... Betty and I have seen Janis a couple times in a couple states now and Never have we seen a mediocre show... Always profound, enteraining and fabulous....

In anycase Bob... Seth told you the truth!!!! After all would he lie to you???? New rule Bob... Go to a Janis show and next time work nigfht or not hang out and visit... You won't regret it... Other new rule.... Stay in touch with the board here... Other new new rule... Make certain to check in for the Holiday sale at this websight for faboulous deals on all of Janis's CD's with the profits going to the Pearl Foundation... A great cause.... Oh and watch the Holiday Auction also.... If you have any questions about bidding Just ask Elliot... He's a bidding master!!!!

Best to you and yours and welcome to the board

R. from Pa

[Marcia Drummergal]

Welcome Bob. Don't be a stranger!! I had a friend (singer/songwriter/touring artist) who was also at the Carborro concert. She too was "blown away" by Janis. She loved that she sat close enough to see Janis' hands. My friend is a pretty good guitarist but said that she hoped to somehow learn some of Janis' playing style by "osmosis"! And she walked away from the concert wanting to write "about 100 songs"! Janis is truly inspirational isn't she?!

Marcia :)

[BobNC]

Thanks R. from PA for the welcome. Yes, next time I will hang out after the show. I should have drank a couple of cups of coffee. I did spend intermission mingling through the crowd telling others how great both the book and CD were. It's a rainy day in NC so I plan on catching up on reading past posts...

BobNC

[JoanM]

Hi Bob,
I was at the show too, thanks for writing it up (so you were one of the ones in the front row with the books that reminded the announcer of church...). Wormwoman1951 was there too. You can usually spot Rudies at a concert by their Rudie wear (we all had on Folk is the New Black t-shirts) It was a great show and Janis was very relaxed. You can still get an things autographed, take them next time you hear Janis or if you need something new Janis will be autographing things sold during the Holiday sale (starts Nov 15) if you can wait until after December 9.

What the heck, get in the car and haul to Charlotte to hear her tomorrow night...of course that is a work night...

I heard Janis in January at Rodi in Gastonia. It's a great venue. http://www.rodiworld.com/ Email or call them and ask if they're going to have her back, I already did. I hope I'll meet you there.

visit the board often, it's a good place to hangout.

Joan

[Jim in Chattanooga, TN]

Bob,

Glad you enjoyed the show. After seeing Janis perform many times, and chatting wth her afterwards, wait until you get to know her as person. It's only icing on the cake.

One of my favorite Janis Ian lyrics comes from "Watercolors"...

You called it love
I called it greed
You say "You take what you want"
I said "You get what you need"

Don't be a stranger, Jim

[BobNC]

Joan-- I've only lived in NC for two years now -- where is Gastonia near?
While I was sitting in front row, Janis's stage left, I didn't have the book with me, only the CD. The four or five women next to me had the the books on their laps...

BobNC

[Mary6906]

Welcome, Bob, to our little family of Rudies ... the more the merrier!!

[JoanM]

Joan-- I've only lived in NC for two years now -- where is Gastonia near?
While I was sitting in front row, Janis's stage left, I didn't have the book with me, only the CD. The four or five women next to me had the the books on their laps...
BobNC

Where did you live before NC? (I'm from Chicago.) Gastonia is in the Charlotte area, east of Charlotte. It's about 3 hours from Carrboro (about 4.5 hours from where I live)

Joan

[BobNC]

Joan-- Prior to relocating to Hillsborough, I lived in Westfield NJ for 9 years and before that Jersey City, NJ.

Love living in North Carolina -at least the triangle area -- the most progressive area of the state.

Can a boy like me be rudie? Isn't rudie short for rudegirl?

[dragonlady]

Crazy Janis fans (fanatics) in general are Rudies...boy or girl...if you fit the bill, Bob join the crowd...

-dragonlady di

[Dee]

Welcome to the forums BobNC.

To answer your question, yes of course you can. There are lots of us "boy" Rudies around here including me. Although my screen name is Dee that is just short for the phonetic sound of the first letter of my name, which is Daniel. Are you confused yet? No? Well stick around long enough and you will be.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/newwink.jpg

[Jim in Chattanooga, TN]

Bob,

I'm a boy and consider myself to be a Rudie. The term transcends all barriers.

Jim

[JoanM]

Joan-- Prior to relocating to Hillsborough, I lived in Westfield NJ for 9 years and before that Jersey City, NJ.
Love living in North Carolina -at least the triangle area -- the most progressive area of the state.

Bob, if you don't have it, put Janis' dvd Live at Club Cafe (150 minutes...) on you "to get" list. You can get it here on the site and if you wait until the holiday sale you can even have Janis sign it for you. You'll get to see an amazing concert, an in-depth interview, some Rudies, and as part of the concert, hear Janis talk about what it's like when you move from the north to the south...bless your heart.

jm

[JoanM]

If you have any questions about bidding Just ask Elliot... He's a bidding master!!!!
R. from Pa
Randy, Randy, Randy...Elliott...2 Ls; 2 Ts...and yes, we can all learn from Elliott, who excelled in out-bidding himself at the auction in Pittsburgh so he could give Pearl even more for what he was buying.
jm

[Randy & Betty in Pa]

Randy, Randy, Randy...Elliott...2 Ls; 2 Ts...and yes, we can all learn from Elliott, who excelled in out-bidding himself at the auction in Pittsburgh so he could give Pearl even more for what he was buying.
jm

Joaan, Joaan, Joaan....

Eye kan spel! whuts the mater fer ewe? Mi Anglish am gud tue... Oh and about Ellliottt, Yes thats masterbidder not the other thing!

Best to you all

Are frum Pa....:o

edited to kerect speling

[Elliott]

butt eat whaz phun, whaz't eat! Love, the masterbidder fromm Hou. Lord if my Mamma and my Pappa could see me now! :eek:

[Seth]

Great 2 c u here newbie rudie bobby! :)
-Seth

[hoops]

Bob, welcome to our merry band of rudies, often known as "the klump" , "the family" , "the nuthouse" whatever you call it, you are sure to love it here. make yourself at home.
peace
hoops

[MARILYN/GEMINI]

Oh...a NEWJERSIAN......WELCOME TO THE BOARD !