January 4, 2007

Happy New Year!

and Happy New Government if you live in New York state.

On January first I was invited by our new governor, Eliot Spitzer to perform a free concert for thousands of his supporters after he publicly took the oath of office on the steps of the capitol building in Albany. Eliot Spitzer is a young (47), dynamic, progressive Democrat with eight years of experience as New York's Attorney General. His numerous suits filed on behalf of the citizens of New York against powerful interests (commodities brokers, insurance companies, communication conglomerates, energy companies and health professionals involved in Medicaid fraud) have won landmark victories for consumers and earned him titles like, "The Sheriff of Wall Street" and "The People's Lawyer". I normally don't associate myself with particular politicians for fear that traces of corruption will eventually appear but I feel certain that Mr. Spitzer's character is of the highest integrity and honesty. I'm looking forward to the next six years.

I asked Dan Zanes and his band to join me for the event in Albany and they graciously accepted, even though it involved rehearsals during Christmas week and a 6:00 AM wake-up call on the morning after New Year's Eve. My debt to Dan and his band is large, thank you.

Rehearsing backstage with Dan Zanes and his band before the free concert celebrating the inauguration of Governor Eilot Spitzer in Albany, NY.

I thought I should write a quick summary of the past 2 or 3 months because there was quite a bit of activity. The Ladysmith Black Mambazo show at Carnegie Hall in mid-October was great. We had two long rehearsals in advance of the show and I enjoyed my brief status as a member of this phenomenal singing group. The memory of singing and dancing with Joseph Shabalala will be one of my favorites. They came up with a sweet a cappella arrangement of my song "Kind & Generous" which we performed in addition to "Rain Rain Rain" (the song I recorded with them on their most recent album). I just read last week that this album, "Long Walk to Freedom" has been nominated for a Grammy in the best world music category.

Natalie rehearsing with Ladysmith Black Mambazo for their Carnegie Hall concert.

Natalie dancing with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Natalie rehearsing with Ladysmith Black Mambazo for their Carnegie Hall concert.

Natalie with Vusi Mahlasela after their performance at Carnegie Hall.

The surprise of the night for me was being asked by Vusi Mahlasela to join him on stage during his set. Since my Zulu is a bit rusty, I suggested Bob Marley's "Redemption Song". He agreed and we worked it out together the night before and backstage day-of-show. It was a beautiful version. Vusi sings like an angel. If you'd like to know more about him, here's the link to his site: vusimahlasela.com/.

I flew up to Toronto the first week of November to film a live DVD with The Cowboy Junkies that will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the release of their first album, "The Trinity Session". The idea was that the band would recreate that first session in the same church (Holy Trinity) but with added musicians. "The Trinity Session" is a mixture of original songs written by Michael Timmons and covers. I've always loved two songs on this album, "To Love is to Bury" and "Misguided Angel". I sang with Margo Timmons on "Misguided Angel" and performed "To Love is to Bury" alone at the piano. Ryan Adams and Vic Chestnut were the other special guests and I helped out on backing vocals for Ryan in a few spots.

Natalie with Philip Glass at Bob Dylan tribute concert, Lincoln Center.

The Bob Dylan tribute concert at Lincoln center was a crazy scene (the fact that I got in my first car accident on the way to rehearse with Philip Glass set the tone). Anytime there is a night with more that 10 artists sharing the bill, it's bound to be chaotic and this show tipped the scales at over 20. My daughter was sick that night so I missed the performance that was universally accepted as the highlight, The Roots doing "Masters of War". Philip and I started the evening with an understated version of "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll".

Back to Dan Zanes again...our show at Carnegie Hall was very sweet. I got to meet his mom and sing for 2000 kids going bananas in the hallowed aisles of the nation's most august theatre. Dan's "Catch That Train" album (which I sang on last year) has also been nominated for a Grammy (best children's record). Go Dan, go.

Natalie with Dan Zanes after their Carnegie Hall family concert.

If you'd like to see a review of 2006 in photographs, visit the TIMELINE.
If you'd like to watch the short documentary film about the "Give Us Your Poor" recording session in Boston, go to MISCELLANY.
If you have been wondering when the jumbo songbook, "Natalie Merchant Collected Songs" will be released, go to NEWS.

Visit here from time to time and there will be more special features soon.

Best Wishes,

Natalie