Concert Review: EARTH JAM -- Stone Mtn, Georgia

[Mark E Ferguson]

EARTH JAM '94 -- STONE MOUNTAIN PARK, GEORGIA -- APRIL 30, 1994

featuring

INDIGO GIRLS, MARY-CHAPIN CARPENTER, JACKSON BROWNE, NANCI
GRIFFITH, BUFFALO TOM, KRISTIN HALL, MURRAY ATTAWAY, and
VIVA LA DIVA

What a great show. Of course, with this kind of lineup, how could it
be anything but wonderful? A benefit for environmental groups, the
event stressed a theme of ecological awareness and activism. Looks
like the organizers have pretty good tastes in music, too!

After a couple of interesting sets by local college-rock outfit VIVA
LA DIVA and former Guadalcanal Diary frontman MURRAY ATTAWAY, KRISTIN
HALL gave a fine solo performance. She performed several numbers from
_Fact and Fiction_, and previwed her new album coming out soon. The
highlight was when the Indigos joined her for Neil Young's "Southern
Man." Great rendition of a classic song.

Boston's BUFFALO TOM, a trio of alt-rockers whose songs could be con-
sidered "grunge folk," delivered a solid electric set. Their live
performances aren't as polished as their recordings, but frontman
Bill Janovitz is certainly spirited. He puts all he's got into his
singing and guitar playing.

Next up was NANCI GRIFFITH. Now, I've been in love with Nanci for
some time now, so it's hard to be totally objective, but I'll give it
a shot. NANCI WAS PERFECT! WHAT A GODDESS! SHE DEFINES BEAUTY! OH,
SHE'S WONDERFUL! NONE CAN MATCH HER! ... OK, OK I'll calm down and
just tell you that despite not having performed solo in a while, and
starting out rather tentatively, she made the most of her too-short
time onstage and presented the crowd with a lovely eight-song set[1].
She included two new songs from her forthcoming album, and they prove
that Nanci hasn't lost her touch. Far from it -- the new numbers can
stand with her best folk-style work. She also performed "Road to
Aberdeen," an a cappella number that's been released on record in
Europe only. I wish she'd put it on a US release -- it's a great
song! Anyway, if her performance here is any indication, her summer
shows should be tremendous. It doesn't get much better than this.

JACKSON BROWNE took the stage next. He switched between guitar and
piano during his rather lengthy, low-key set. Several of his "cause"
songs were prominent, keeping in the spirit of the day. I confess
that I was still recovering from Nanci during his performance, so
I'll leave it to a true JB fan to write the rave review. The crowd
seemed to like him, though.

MARY-CHAPIN CARPENTER, joined by constant stage companion John Jen-
nings on lead acoustic guitar, was superb. Most of the recent hits
were played[2], and she also previewed her next album. She seemed
relaxed (in a plain white T-shirt) and truly happy to be performing.
And John Jennings -- this man is simply a guitar genius. His playing
complemented the songs perfectly. Too bad they're not touring this
year. They provide one of the best live acts you'll ever see.

This whole event probably would never have happened were it not for
the INDIGO GIRLS. They put on an excellent performance -- like
nearly everyone else, they previewed their new album and played a
few older hits. A highlight was "Touch Me Fall," a new _electric_
number, complete with distortion and feedback. Not your typical IG
song, by any measure!

The day ended with the entire cast (minus Buffalo Tom and Viva La
Diva) coming onstage to perform a three-song closer -- songs by
Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens, and Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny
About) Peace, Love and Understanding." Great, great fun.

A big THUMBS UP to the organizers, the sound technicians, the park
staff -- and the weather. All cooperated to provide a truly great
festival in a spectacular location. If they put on another one of
these next year, it should be a "must-see" event.

Happy listening,

Mark Ferguson
fe...@world.std.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------
All new song titles are approximate.

[1] Trouble in the Fields, That Flyer (new), Time of Inconvenience
(new), I Wish it Would Rain, Road to Aberdeen, It's a Hard Life
Wherever You Go, Outbound Plane (audience request), The Wing and the
Wheel.

[2] I Take My Chances, He Thinks He'll Keep Her, I Feel Lucky, Quit-
tin' Time, Tender When You Wanna Be (new), Shut Up and Kiss Me,
Passionate Kisses, The Hard Way, Halley Came to Jackson (encore).

[Shane K Ahn]

Thanks a bunch for posting. I almost made the trip myself except for
these things called finals. Yes, Virginia, grad students actually have to
work, too.

--
Shane K. Ahn "LOVE IS...getting a bigger thrill from
Fels Center of Government holding hands than being naked."
University of Pennsylvania "If my opinions coincide with
University of California, Berkeley anyone else's, then they do..."

[bn3...@gmail.com]

What an awesome day in the history of me

[cfc...@gmail.com]

Thanks so much for this trip down memory lane... we were there for that fantastic concert 20+ years ago... in fact, my friends and I were the ones in the audience yelling out and requesting "Outbound Plane" from Nanci. What a wonderful and special day that was!!

[Carolyn Andre]

Was trying to remember the date of this great event for a post on current social media. Glad to find this review and memories of the old lists. And remembering I got my northern gal sandal clad feet sunburned!

Still keeping up with some of the performers - just saw Mary Chapin Carpenter, sadly sans the late JJ, in Bloomington, Indiana. Will miss the 8ndigo Girls' run through Chicago this year but saw/heard the combined glory of the 4 Voices in Harmony last year (Indigos, Carpenter, Joan Baez). Great voices and spirits persist!

Carolyn