A Couple Hours Away from the Madness
REVIEW – CRAZY WISDOM BOOKSTORE AND TEAROOM, ANN ARBOR, MI, JULY 11, 2009
Was hoping for a good turnout for this show and you didn’t disappoint! Rochelle and I have been playing here and there, but we knew that this show in downtown Ann Arbor would be a highlight! Thanks to all of you for coming out and packing the tearoom. We are grateful that you chose to spend your Saturday evening with us. In these hard times it means even more to us when people come to a show. We know you’ve all got things you’re struggling with and we can only hope that, in some small way, we bring a bit of respite to your day or week with the music we all share together for a couple hours. It sure works that way for us!
Sidemen Dave Brandt and James Humphries made us sound good all night, offering their own amazing musical layers to our set. Dave, in addition to having some really great hair, is an accomplished guitarist, banjo and lap steel player. Not sure there is much with strings that he can’t play! Jimmy was on solid form as usual. He’s my rock when it comes to certain songs. And, as usual, he filled a bunch of seats with his own fan club!
I’ll try to post some photos from the show here soon!
NEXT SHOW – ART ON THE GRAND AT THE FARMINGTON FOUNDERS FESTIVAL, FARMINGTON, MI, SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2-3pm
Click image to enlarge
This Sunday is the Farmington Founders Festival event. Rochelle and I will be performing on the outdoor stage with special guests. Although we have a few events under our belt together, this will serve as our first “official” performance as a duo. We’ve been working very hard to put together a show for you. Also, we’re happy to say that we’ve got two great sidemen playing with us for this event. Brian Keith Howard will be furnishing the guitar licks and Dave Brandt will be tickling the banjo. Hope you can come on out on Sunday afternoon!
John
Monday, July 13, 2009
Where Does the Time Go???
June 27, 2009 - Jackson, Michigan
REVIEW – THE PAST MONTH!
So much has happened since I posted last back about a month ago. Right after my last post I played in Chelsea at Zou Zou’s again. Daryl, Monica, Marv and Peggy all came out to offer their support. Place was pretty busy as well.
Probably the biggest news of the past month or so is the formation of a new Americana/Folk/Roots duo! I’m happy and proud to announce that Rochelle Clark and I will be playing together as a duo from time to time. Looking forward to it!
Here’s the Press Release:
Rochelle Clark, from Chelsea, Michigan and John Natiw, from Canton, Michigan, are teaming up to form a new Folk/Americana/Roots duo! What started as simply sharing the stage for a song at a local open mic a few months ago, then a few loose gatherings in John’s family room has blossomed into a new musical project. Rochelle and John will be drawing from their diverse musical backgrounds and love for various musical styles to craft their own sound.
Although they have already appeared, and will be appearing together, on various stages around town, look for their first (official) gig as a duo at the Farmington Founders Festival, Sunday, July 19 at 2pm on the Art on the Grand Outdoor Stage!
Here we go!
Rochelle Clark & John Natiw
June 26, 2009
The next weekend was festival-ville! Friday night Jim and I were up in Mio at the Nor-East’r Festval. I hosted the open mic in the parlor and Jimmy and I got to play a few tunes as well as sneak out and check out the entertainment on the main stage. The next day was the Ella Sharp Festival in Jackson. Jim and I ended up doing almost two full sets. Festival organizer (and my new duo parter) Rochelle Clark came up to sing a few songs too! Also, I got to hear a two hour set by two of my songwriting heroes, Jan Krist and Jim Bizer.
A couple weeks later Ro got a gig for us at the Lone Oak Vineyard and Estate in Jackson. We traded sets for four hours and even played together for a set.
The day before Independence Day Keith Howard and I headed up to the Blue Gill Grill to rock out the place for a few hours. Rochelle and I ran through all of our material as well. Karen and Vicki were joined at “table one” by fellow groupies, Marv and Peggy! The house was hoppin’ and we were asked back by our gracious hostess, Paige! See you soon!
And, finally, I managed to squeak out another new song this week. See the post below!
NEXT SHOW - CRAZY WISDOM BOOKSTORE AND TEAROOM, ANN ARBOR, MI – SATURDAY, JULY 11, 8:30-10:30PM
UPCOMING SHOWS - FARMINGTON FOUNDERS FESTIVAL OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE, FARMINGTON, MI – SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2PM
Pleasureville
Downtown Pleasureville, KY
Pleasureville – ©2009
words and music by John Natiw
There’s a blind man in the graveyard
with a shovel in his hand
Some folks they claim that he’s the devil
Others say he’s just a man
He runs the still down by the river
and the whorehouse on the hill
And if his whiskey doesn’t kill you
His women surely will
Pretty girl sits in the window
She got that sympathetic stare
She’ll lead a thirsty man to water
Then leave him drownin’ there
Across the street they got a bottle
That can take away the pain
But once you reach the bottom
You may never stand again
In Pleasureville
Stand in Pleasureville
In the road there stands a gambler
Burnin’ hundred dollar bills
He says “it ain’t about the money
No, it’s all about the thrills”
There’s a man that looks like Elvis
Sellin’ one way tickets out
But those tracks are old and rusted
And the engine’s broken down
In Pleasureville
Broke down in Pleasureville
Graveyard man says not to worry
“What you need’s a resting place”
Then you start to choke and struggle
As the dirt falls on your face
As the people throw the roses
And the preacher shouts “amen!”
That ole devil moves on to another
Starts it all over again
In Pleasureville
Again in Pleasureville
In Pleasureville
Downtown Pleasureville
There’s a blind man in the graveyard
with a shovel in his hand
Some folks they claim that he’s the devil…
