10,000 Maniacs with Michael Stipe - To Sir With Love | Top Hat Crew's "Live Music Archives"

 To Sir With Love - 10, 000 Maniacs and featuring Michael Stipe

Top Hat Crew's "Live Music Archives"

Albums That Should Exist : Follow up | 10000 Maniacs Cover Songs Vol. II 1993

10,000 Maniacs - Cover Songs, Volume 2: 1993

Paul he say: This is the second and last volume of cover versions by the band 10,000 Maniacs. 

The undisputed star of 10,000 Maniacs was Natalie Merchant, who was the lead singer and wrote the lyrics of all their songs, and most of the music too. She left in 1993 to start a solo career, which was very successful. 10,000 Maniacs found a new female singer and continued without her, but other than one hit, they didn't have much success. My interest in the band ends when Merchant left.

All the songs here are from the last year Merchant was in the band. This album is about the same length as Volume 1, which deals with nine years of the band's career. Perhaps they wanted to go out with a bang, doing lots of covers of their favorite songs. Most of them are classic hits, although there are a few oddball selections. Perhaps the most surprising is "He's 1-A in the Army and He's A-1 in My Heart," which is from 1941, during World War II and have a military theme to the lyrics.

Four of the songs here have been officially released on record, with another three being released only on DVD. The first three are B-sides. "Because the Night" appeared on the band's album "MTV Unplugged." The three songs after that, tracks 6, 7, and 8, appeared on a DVD of the band's MTV show only, and feature David Byrne from the Talking Heads in a supporting role.

The other songs all come from concert bootlegs. Luckily, the band was popular enough by this time for me to be able to find soundboard recordings of all of them.

Although this is the end of covers by 10,000 Maniacs, I like Merchant's voice and her choice of cover songs. So I'll be carrying on with more cover albums dealing with her solo career. There actually are dozens more interesting covers done by 10,000 Maniacs, but I couldn't find recordings of them with soundboard-level quality, or even any recordings at all. But if anyone has more that sound as good as these do, let me know and I'll add them in.

This album is 41 minutes long. 

This is a list of the original artists for each song: 

01 Everyday Is like Sunday - Morrissey
02 [Don’t Go Back To] Rockville - R.E.M.
03 To Sir with Love - Lulu
04 Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
05 Because the Night - Patti Smith / Bruce Springsteen 
06 Dallas - Jimmy Dale Gilmore
07 Let the Mystery Be - Iris DeMent
08 Jolene - Dolly Parton
09 He's 1-A in the Army and He's A-1 in My Heart - Harry James
10 I Know How to Do It - Dinah Washington
11 Drift Away - John Henry Kurtz / Dobie Grey
12 Band of Gold - Freda Payne
13 The Art of Love - Eartha Kitt 

14 Long Black Veil - Lefty Frizzell

 

ALBUMS THAT SHOULD EXIST | 10000 Maniacs, Linda Ronstadt (1976) , Patti Smith (1979)

10,000 Maniacs - Cover Songs, Volume 1: 1984-1992

Natalie Merchant, the former lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs, has an interesting and unique voice. It turns out she sang lots of cover songs that generally make it to studio albums when she was with 10,000 Maniacs. There's enough for two volumes. Here's the first one.

Generally speaking, all the songs on the band's studio albums were originals. One key exception is "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens. It first appeared on the 1987 album "In My Tribe," but then it was removed after Stevens made controversial comments about the fatwa on writer Salmon Rushdie. However, the band later included it on their best of collection, "Campfire Songs." I've included a version of the song here, but it's an unreleased, from a concert bootleg.

Only five of the 14 songs here have been released. "These Days" comes from a various artists compilation. "Wildwood Flower," "Hello in There," "I Hope that I Don't Fall in Love with You," and "Starman - Moonage Daydream" are B-sides.

Everything else comes from concert bootlegs. I was very selective about the sound quality. All, or at least most all, of the live songs come from soundboard bootlegs. I also used the MVSEP audio editing program to remove the crowd noise, to make the live tracks fit in with the studio tracks. I additionally used the UVR5 program to boost the lead vocals in the cases where they were low. 

There are a lot of interesting song choices here. For instance, I didn't expect songs from before World War II by the likes of the Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, and the Carter Family. 

This album is 42 minutes long. 

Here are the original artists for each song:

01 Rum and Coca Cola - Andrews Sisters
02 Burning Airlines Gives You So Much More - Brian Eno
03 Children, Go Where I Send Thee - traditional
04 Peace Train - Cat Stevens
05 Where the Soul Never Dies - traditional
06 From the Time You Say Goodbye - Vera Lynn
07 Wildwood Flower - Carter Family
08 Hello in There - John Prine
09 These Days - Jackson Browne
10 I Hope that I Don't Fall in Love with You - Tom Waits
11 Starman - Moonage Daydream - David Bowie
12 Needle in a Haystack - Velvelettes
13 Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
14 The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff

 

Paul at ATSE has posted another few worth checking out too. He is on FIRE lately!

Patti Smith - Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA, 5-13-1979

Linda Ronstadt - BBC Sessions, Old Grey Whistle Test, New Victoria Theatre, London, Britain, 11-13-1976

"Don’t Talk” : 10,000 Maniacs TV debut on Letterman 1987

On this month in 1987, 10,000 Maniacs made a memorable TV appearance, performing “Don’t Talk” on Late Night with David Letterman. The track came from their recently released third album In My Tribe, which saw the band finally garner mainstream success. While the Jamestown, New York group had built a cult following, In My Tribe marked their breakthrough to a larger audience.

Formed in 1981, 10,000 Maniacs originally included vocalist Natalie Merchant, guitarist John Lombardo, and a rotating cast of musicians. Their mix of melancholy melodies and socially conscious lyrics gradually earned them notice. But after two indie albums, Lombardo left the band in 1986, with Merchant taking greater control of the songwriting.

For In My Tribe, Elektra Records brought in acclaimed producer Peter Asher, who steered the band toward a more radio-friendly sound. Though initially resistant, the group embraced Asher’s vision. The polished yet poignant results made In My Tribe their first major hit.

The Cat Stevens cover “Peace Train” was originally the lead single, but later removed from the album due to controversial remarks by Stevens. Instead, the majestic jangle-pop of “Like the Weather” became the breakout track, making the Top 40. Anchored by Rob Buck’s chiming guitar lines, Merchant’s lyrics poetically evoke seasonal depression.

Equally impactful was the haunting “What’s the Matter Here?”, tackling the sensitive issue of child abuse. Merchant adopts the perspective of a conflicted neighbor witnessing domestic violence next door. Meanwhile, the lush “Gun Shy” examines the dichotomy between civilian and military life.

Throughout In My Tribe, 10,000 Maniacs perfected their blend of beautiful melodies and thought-provoking words. Songs like “Don’t Talk” and “City of Angels” confront alcoholism and homelessness with empathy and intelligence. Even when singing about darker themes, Merchant’s maternal voice provided reassurance.

In My Tribe ultimately went platinum and was praised by critics, including Rolling Stone. Robert Christgau applauded Merchant’s “deprivatized metaphors” that say something profound about social issues. The album cemented 10,000 Maniacs as top college rock contenders, while hinting at wider popularity to come.

In the following years, 10,000 Maniacs issued more acclaimed albums before Merchant left for a solo career in 1993. But In My Tribe remains their definitive work, beautifully balancing gravity and accessibility. On gorgeous yet socially conscious songs like “Don’t Talk,” 10,000 Maniacs achieved a thrilling synthesis that deservedly resonated with legions of thoughtful listeners.

10,000 Maniacs - 1993-05-29 - Berkeley CA (FM) :: So Many Roads

 Once Natalie Merchant had decided to leave the band and told them so, they embarked on one of the busiest years they had ever had and I have over ten boots from this year alone not counting official items like the ‘Unplugged' album and 'Our Time in Eden' itself. Having so many from this period is challenging for the boot collector but patience pays dividends and this just yesterday from the brilliant So Many Roads is a peach and possibly the best from that year (ever?). Their second (at least!?) appearance that  year in Berkeley they had played in Feb and now here in May. Very bass heavy to a degree but nothing an equalizer can’t twitch! It is well worth it. As it’s a radio broadcast the quality is truly exceptional

10000 Maniacs Live in Berkeley May 93 - So Many Roads

10,000 Maniacs - MTV Inaugural Ball 1993

Speedy says 

"In September 1992, 10,000 Maniacs released the album Our Time in Eden, which featured the singles These Are Days, Candy Everybody Wants and Few and Far Between. The disc would be the last that the band would record with original lead singer Natalie Merchant. While recording of the disc in 1991, Merchant had informed the other members of the group that she would be leaving with the next 2 years to start a solo career. This FM broadcast captures 10,000 Maniacs on their last tour with Merchant on May 29, 1993, 3 decades ago today, in Berkeley. Just a little over 2 months later, on August 5, 1993, Merchant formally announced her departure from the band on MTV."

10,000 Maniacs

1993-05-29
Greek Theater
Berkely, CA
FM Broadcast
320 kbps
Artwork Included

01. Radio Introduction 

02. These Are Days 

03. If You Intend 

04. What's The Matter Here 

05. A Campfire Song

06. Like The Weather 

07. How You've Grown 

08. Jezebel 

09. Eat For Two 

10. Trouble Me (end applause spliced, tape flip)

11. Gun Shy 

12. Stockton Gala Days 

13. Candy Everybody Wants 

14. Hey Jack Kerouac

15. Few And Far Between 

16. My Sister Rose 

17. Everyday Is Like Sunday 

18. City Of Angels 

19. Let The Mystery Be > radio outro

 Crikey TWO hours of it here from St Louis of that year!

10.000 Maniacs: Original Album Series 1985 - 1993 + Hope Chest (The Fredonia Recordings 1982 - 1983) - URBANASPIRINES

Well Kostas over at Urbanaspirines has done it again and is always worth subscribing to or keeping an eye on as to what he is posting and today is no different in covering the first 5/6 albums from a firm favourite 10,000 Maniacs. I love this band and loved Natalie Merchant too (I think I have bought all her solo work and have most if not all the Maniacs' albums) So once again this is well worth the read and avail yourselves of any lost ones you may have missed . . . . . . . she has worked with Michael Stipe, Billy Bragg, David Byrne and others and remains a powerful interesting voice and writer. The band with Mary Ramsey on vocal now have reformed again in 2007 and continue  . . . . . . . 

10000 MANIACS - Original Album series - Urbanaspirines

10,000 Maniacs in The Garden of Eden, Mountain Stage Charleston WV 1993 - FM Broadcast - So Many Roads

 We seem to have built up quite a collection of Maniacs from the band's last year playing publicly and have about 5/6 sets from the American tour of that year, maybe the press and powers that be realised or sniffed out that Natalie had said as early as 91 she was going to leave? 

This is no exception quality wise and is fine quality too (they all are pretty much soundboards from this year but this is FM broadcast quality)

10000 Maniacs - Charleston WV 1993 - So Many Roads

Notes:

10,000 Maniacs

1993-05-12

Mountain Stage

Charleston, WV

FM broadcast

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. These Are Days

02. What's The Matter Here

03. How You've Grown

04. Jezebel

05. Stockton Gala Days

06. Candy Everybody Wants

07. Few And Far Between

08. Hey Jack Kerouac

Notes:

This is taken from the silver-pressed bootleg CD entitled "In The Garden Of Eden", which also included the majority of a 1993 Toronto concert (to be uploaded separately).

This recording was from an FM broadcast of NPR's "Mountain Stage", which was recorded live in Charleston, WV.  I think that there were a few tape generations between the original FM source and the bootleg CD, and IMO the recording also runs slightly slow.

Rob Buck plays a great solo on "What's the Matter Here?" (included in mp3 sample).

So Many Roads notes - 1993: In September 1992, 10,000 Maniacs released the album Our Time in Eden, which featured the singles These Are Days, Candy Everybody Wants and Few and Far Between. The disc would be the last that the band would record with original lead singer Natalie Merchant. While recording of the disc in 1991, Merchant had informed the other members of the group that she would be leaving with the next 2 years to start a solo career. This FM broadcast captures 10,000 Maniacs on their last tour with Merchant on May 12, 1993, 29 years ago today, in West Virginia. Just 2 months later, on August 5, 1993, Merchant formally announced her departure from the band on MTv. 

10,000 Maniacs - STRAWBERRY HILL 1993 - So Many Roads

 COMPANION piece to the LAST BRILLIANT posting from So Many Roads 

10,000 Maniacs -

10,000 Maniacs - Live in Richmond VA 1993 - So Many Roads

Again really good soundboard quality recording . . . . lovely long set with the band and Natalie at their peak.

As So Many Roads say:

10,000 Maniacs 1993-06-27 - #2: As promised, here's part 2 of our Same Tour, Different set featuring the last tour 10,000 maniacs did with Natalie Merchant.  This one is a soundboard recording from Richmond from June 27, 1993, 28 years ago today.10,000 Maniacs

1993-06-27

Classic Amphitheatre 

Strawberry Hill

Richmond, VA

Soundboard Recording

320 kbps

Artwork Included

01. Candy Everybody Wants

02. My Sister Rose

03. A Campfire Song

04. Cherry Tree

05. What's the Matter Here

06. Trouble Me

07. If You Intend

08. Eat For Two

09. Gold Rush Brides

10. Long Black Veil

11. City Of Angels

12. Don't Talk

13. Jezebel

14. These Are Days

15. Stage Chatter

16. Stockton Gala Days

17. I'm Beginning to See the Light

18. Hey Jack Kerouac

19. Few and Far Between

20. Noah's Dove

21. How You've Grown

22. Verdi Cries

23. Stage Chatter

24. Every Day is Like Sunday

25. Request Hour

26. Among the Americans

27. Drift Away

28. Eden

29. Like The Weather

30. The Art Of Love

31. Band Of Gold

10,000 MANIACS - LIVE IN LA 1993 - SO MANY ROADS previous link here

10,000 Maniacs - Live in L.A - So Many Roads

"HOW YOU'VE GROWN"

Live at The Greek, L.A.  June 1993

Then there's this! Great quality as the band approached their end . . . . . . 

10,000 Maniacs - Live at the Greek 1993 - "How You've Grown" - So Many Roads

So Many Roads turns up trumps again and this FM recording from the Greek Theatre in LA back in 1993 is such good quality and a follow up still to come tantalisingly mentioned as being their next post. If it's half way as good as this it will be well worth having. This is a peach!

So Many Roads notes:

10,000 Maniacs

1993-06-03

Greek Theatre

Los Angeles, CA

FM broadcast

Tracklisting - 

01. These Are Days

02. If You Intend

03. What's The Matter Here?

04. A Campfire Song

05. Like The Weather

06. How You've Grown

07. Jezebel

08. Eat For Two

09. Trouble Me

10. Gun Shy

11. Stockton Gala Days

12. Candy Everyboys Wants

13. Hey Jack Kerouac

14. Few & Far Between

15. My Sister Rose

16. Every Day Is Like Sunday

17. City Of Angels

18. Let The Mystery Be

10,000 Maniacs - 1993-06-03 - Los Angles, CA (FM)

10,000 Maniacs 1993 - #1: In September 1992, 10,000 Maniacs released the album Our Time in Eden, which featured the singles These Are Days, Candy Everybody Wants and Few and Far Between. The disc would be the last that the band would record with original lead singer Natalie Merchant. While recording of the disc in 1991, Merchant had informed the other members of the group that she would be leaving with the next 2 years to start a solo career. This FM broadcast captures 10,000 Maniacs on their last tour with Merchant on June 3, 1993, 28 years ago today, in Los Angeles. Just 2 months later, on August 5, 1993, Merchant formally announced her departure from the band on MTv.

Jack Kerouac by Elliott Erwitt

Hey, Jack Kerouac!

As the post with the biggest numbers of 'hits' is a photographic one [Gary Winogrand - see below] so here's a masterwork by one I have actually met. I was fortunate enough to have been able to promote certain artists and photographers when the manager of BH Blackwell's Art & Poster Shop these included Elliott Erwitt, Eve Arnold, Robert Doisneau, and relationships with artist the like of the then Ruskin Master, Stephen Farthing, the lovely David Mach, Gilbert & George (who came twice so that they ended up calling me Mr Andy!) to name but a few. 

 Jack Kerouac, New York City, 1953. Elliott Erwitt. [Silver Gelatin print.]

My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them. 

~ Jack Kerouac.

Top posts visited

10,000 Maniacs  . . . . . of course! 

Jack with Steve Allen

TEN THOUSAND MANIACS - PARADISO 1987 - Big O

10,000 MANIACS!

LIVE AT THE PARADISO AMSTERDAM

Start the week with a fine fine set from Big O of early 10,000 Maniacs around the time of their breakthrough album 'In My Tribe' which is where I joined them and have enjoyed the work of Natalie (Merchant) ever since. Intelligent writing and that unique and haunting voice but the band were exceptional too and despite Merchant leaving them to go her own way in 1993 and the tragic death of Rob Buck her co-writer on such fine songs as 'Hey Jack Kerouac' (a personal favourite for obvious reasons) 'What's The Matter Here' and later 'These are Days' the band reformed with John Lomardo returning with his wife Mary Ramsay  who was the lead singer from 1993 to 2001 and then from 2007 to the present and she does a stirling job too. . . . . . Natalie of course continues to astound and beguile us with her work

10,000 Maniacs - Live at The Paradiso Amsterdam 1987

SUZANNE VEGA

I first came across Suzanne Vega singing this song which blew me away and alongside hearing 10,000 Maniacs' song 'What's The Matter Here' around the same time stand as one of the most moving songs about child abuse I have ever heard. Both songs tore my heart out and made me like Suzanne and Natalie Merchant ever since and I have followed everything they have ever done.

On this day in music history: April 1, 1987 - “Solitude Standing”, the second album by Suzanne Vega is released. Produced by Steve Addabbo and Lenny Kaye, it is recorded at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, NY and RPM Studios in New York City from Late 1986 - Early 1987. After the release of her acclaimed self-titled debut album, Vega once again works with former Patti Smith Group guitarist Lenny Kaye and Steve Addabbo on the follow up. It is the breakthrough release for the California born/New York City raised singer and songwriter. The album spins off two singles including the title track (#94 Pop) and “Luka” (#3 Pop). It also includes the original acappella version of the song “Tom’s Diner” which is remixed by UK producers DNA in 1990, becoming a huge hit (#5 US Pop, UK #2). The album is remastered and reissued as a SHM-CD in Japan in 2010 in a mini-LP sleeve, replicating the original album cover artwork. A similar standard red book CD is released in France in 2014. Out of print on vinyl since the late 80’s, “Standing” is remastered and reissued on vinyl by Music On Vinyl also in 2014. “Solitude Standing” peaks at number eleven on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

Help support the Behind The Grooves music blog with a donation by clicking on the link at: PayPal.Me/jharris1228

I recall this song when it came out had a profound affect upon me and at the time was also listening to 10,000 Maniacs and struck by another song about child abuse at the time that haunted me then and haunts me still 'What's The Matter Here?' . . . . . . they speak for themselves. 

Some great stuff this morning over at my favourite cafe. A 10,000 Maniacs soundboard set from Miami Florida in 1992

slightly low in volume but hey, turn it up!

10,000 Maniacs - Florida 92

I adore the work of Natalie Merchant but tend to forget how great this band was . . . . . nice set and worth revisiting

Then Mat at the cafe served us up with this . . . . . 

Dave Rawlings Machine - Charlottesville 2006

Now I am sure it has been hammered to death elsewhere but I love the work of Gillian Welch and the stuff by her partner Dave Rawlings hasn't always hit the spot for me but this, not least because of it's selection of Dylan covers, is really worth checking out. The interplay of the two 'bands' continues to fascinate but over all the Gillian stuff is what pleases me the most but hey, it's really worth checking out and I know there are fans out there who dig Dave's band over the Welchwerk!

Finally the cafe came up with a fine carafe of the MAN from Jo Wiley's who the end of September and it has many of my very favourite Morrison songs. Not ENTIRELY sure about the new single 'Too Late' it's catchy enough but sort of pop throw away to these ears. Perhaps it will wheedle it's way into the Morrison songbook but it is more than made up for by 'Cleaning Windows', 'Brown Eyed Girl', 'Enlightenment', 'Carrying a Torch' and 'Here Comes The Night' and his band are tight as a gnat's chuff!

Van Morrison - BBC Radio Theatre London Sept 2016

Enjoy!

I think you will!