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Thursday, October 26, 2023

Happy 60th birthday to Natalie Merchant, born in Jamestown, New York on this day in 1963 | ‘SISTER TILLY’

 

Sister Tilly
Natalie Merchant


A universal message to the sisterhood


"I’m thrilled to announce that the fourth and final video for 'Keep Your Courage' has been released today for the song “Sister Tilly"


This song holds a very dear place in my heart and on the album. I created Tilly to celebrate the lives of several beloved female friends who are aging rapidly or have recently passed away. These are mother, auntie, and sister figures to whom I owe so much for all the nurturing love and care they gave me throughout my life. These women made up the generation who came of age during the mid 1960s-mid 1970s and the video features archival footage of them, vibrant and powerful.  


When I have performed this song live over the past six months, I can feel its resonance with the audience. We all seem to have known someone in our lives with Tilly qualities. I can tell that I’m not the only one who feels an urgency to give these women their due respect. Thank you to Machine Street Projects, Robert Edridge-Waks, and all the film archives who allowed their footage to be used in this impactful piece."


#keepyourcourage #sistertilly #nataliemerchant


ALSO

Because the Night

Natalie Merchant


Happy 60th birthday to Natalie Merchant, born in Jamestown, New York on this day in 1963. They can't hurt you now, because the night belongs to lovers.


Because The Night

10,000 Maniacs

21.04.1993... MTV Unplugged @ Sony Music Studios, New York, US.


"Because the Night" is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith that was first released in 1978 as a single from the Patti Smith Group album Easter. A well-known acoustic version was recorded by 10,000 Maniacs in 1993 for MTV Unplugged, with a few lyrical alterations. The recording gained considerable radio airplay and reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. A live version with lead vocalist Mary Ramsey was also included on their 2016 album Playing Favorites.


After the recording but before the release of MTV Unplugged, original lead singer and main songwriter Natalie Merchant left the band to pursue a solo career. She was replaced by Mary Ramsey. Merchant announced her departure from the band on MTV on August 5, 1993, saying she "didn't want art by committee anymore." Merchant later recalled. "The last 10,000 Maniacs gig was the first time I'd got drunk in nearly two years. I laughed a lot and threw lots of flowers out of the hotel window."


Album      : MTV Unplugged

Released : October 28, 1993


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