Dave Alvin Questions and Answers: 14Jan00

Hey, Dave! Enormously enjoyed talking with you after the melting Cincinnati concert. (Louis who made Brooklyn Dodgers dig and pregnant Amy who totaled the car with the first Blackjack David cd in it.) So, we got tix to San Francisco for the labor day concert. Is it still tentatively going to be a Knitter's reunion?

Looking forward to seeing you! (And if it's not the venue for evening blues, I'll understand.)
Louis and Amy

Hey Amy, Louis and fetus (baby by now, I hope),
Well, it's taken me a long, long time to finally be able to answer your letter. I trust you've gotten a new car and a beautiful new baby. Congratulations! I hope you enjoyed the Slim's show, either Guilty Men or Knitters, and that the next time I'm in Cincinnati, it isn't so DAMN hot. Although I think I lost 5 pounds at that gig.

Mr. Dave Alvin; I'm going back a ways here: do you remember doing a radio interview in Tucson while promoting your debut solo-album? You were in the studio with a little red-head and dedicated "New Tattoo" to her and her neck. Do you remember that? I'm just wondering because if she was still doing a radio show where she could promote your latest album, I can just about guarantee that she would.

Sincerely,
Mary Reilly

Dear Mary,
If I remember correctly, the radio station was in south Tucson in an industrial part of town and we did the interview in the early evening before the gig. I don't remember the name of the club but I recall that it was a heavy metal joint. I also remember local Tucson blues singer Sam Taylor sat in on the encore with me and my old band, The Allnighters. I can't picture your tattoo right now but I do kind of remember the dedication. I'm sure it's beautiful. In regards to another interview or whatever, if someone has a radio job, I'm more than willing to do just about anything, just let me know. See ya at the Crossroads, my favorite Mexican joint in Tucson.

Dave - I saw you recently in Providence (Great Show!), and spent a few moments talking with you. Later I saw you playing with some locals at club (I enjoyed that almost as much as your set).

You mentioned a new release you were producing for Katy Moffatt. You sounded really excited about it, but I have not been able to find it anywhere. What is the title and where can I get it.

Thanks - Albee

PS: The singer, Chris, that you had with you was great - I'm on the prowl for his CD too - kick myself for not buying it at Lupo's....
Albee

Dear Albee,
I had a great time that night in Providence, both playing at Lupo's and then sitting in with Barrance Whitfield at another club. Yeah, I'm REAL proud of the Katy Moffatt CD. It's called Loose Diamond and it's on Hightone. If you haven't found it yet, try Amazon.com [Ed: or CDNOW, or others....], hell, while you're at it, the Chris Gaffney CD (which I also produced) is called Losers Paradise also on Hightone. I hope you enjoy them and see you in one of the fine bars of Providence.

Why does Dave never tour in Germany! He´s got a lot of fans here!!
Martin

Dear Martin,
I've only played Germany twice as a solo artist and twice as a Blaster. I would love to go back someday soon. But Greg Leisz and I did take a train through the Rhine Valley one time, with two of the worst hangovers imaginable, and the scenery was awesome and amazing. I'd like to do it again without the hangover. See you soon, hopefully!

Dave, Just wanted to tell ya that my wife and I really enjoyed the show (Rhythm Room Phoenix AZ.). Wanted to tell ya that in person but you made like Jerry Lee Lewis and split? Wanted also to talk to you about my works and pass it on to you for possible review.I know we have at least one thing in common, were both into Roots Music.Me,more Johnny Burnette, Gene Vincent,Conway Twitty, early SUN. Would love to tell you all but, I'll be lucky if ya even get this message or read it for that matter. Anyways, met Mr "train track" Your drummer, (who by the way has a great meter) and passed on my works, two CDs and my card. Also put one into the hands of your Multi-talented steel player,TASTY WORK, I'm in hopes that they will pass them on to you Dave which they said they would. I'm in hopes that you'll find some interest in my works. Would at least like to hear your thoughts. Would also like to tell the Bass Man great job on pedaling those strings and the man pounding ! on those keys has got some great fingers. You have got a great group of guys playing with ya, please pass the praise from Kenny Love on to them. Much more to say, but I'll wait to hear from you. Thanks for the great show and music (I would have loved to get up on stage with you and sang some of those blaster tunes, my wife had to hold me DOWN!!) I do hope you receive and respond. Web site WWW.Kennylove.com.
Kenny Love

Hey Kenny,
Naw, I didn't pull a Jerry Lee on ya. I was in the backroom drying off and doing the business thing. I came out after a while and had a beer or two with some people. You should of stuck around cuz I was buying! Unfortunately, your CDs must have vanished into the van or somebody's motel room, because I never got them. The best thing to do is to send them to me care of Hightone Records up in Oakland. As far as our mutual love for roots music, I LOVE early Sun records and have most of the great 45's from Elvis and Roscoe Gordon to Warren and Ray Smith. Sun Records have always been one of my biggest influences. As the old saying goes, "They don't make 'em like that anymore." I hope things are going good with your music career and thanks for the compliments to my band. They're incredible musicians but lousy at passing on CDs.

Dave,
Just met John Doe in Sacramento, seems to have a bit of a problem with you, care to explain?

Loyal fan
Dave B.

Hey Dave B,
I'm sure Johnny Doe was just teasing you. He was teasing you, wasn't he? He must have been . . . teasing you . . . I hope he was just teasing you . . . wasn't he? Sure . . . thats all it was, just teasing . . .

Dear all,
I have been looking for you for years and finally i found information about you. I live in Skopje, capital of Macedonia, near the Kosovo border (it is like a Mexico's border in your song "Border radio"). Because finally I saw American soldiers, I understand your song "American music". I must say that when I hear you for the first time with the album "Live at ..." , American soldiers were an enemy for us, but rock'a'billy and rock&roll music were everything for fun to us. My lifetime wish is to see you Live in concert here in Macedonia. So send me any information regarding organization for the gig and the costs for everything.

I am waiting your positive answer ASAP.

Best regards,
Mirko P.S. I imagine myself on that concert seating on a medical chair with alcohol infusion on both my hands and with two nurse's with big ... pushing me in to the crowd to the front line of the stage. The background song is "Keep a knockin...". I think that you will understand my humor.
Mirko Billy Todorovski

Dear Mirko Billy Todorovski,
Hey, man, I'm amazed that someone in Macedonia has heard of me and the Blasters! I'm proud that my songs mean something to you and I would love to come over there and play a gig. The booking information (phone numbers etc.) is listed on the website. Hopefully, when all the political crap is finished, I'll be able to make it over there. As far as the nurses wheeling you around to "Keep A Knocking," you're on your own there, pal.

Dear Dave Alvin,
I'm wondering as I'm sure other fans do, how much control do you have over your touring schedule. Last summer I saw you at the Rhythm & Roots Festival at the Stepping Stone Ranch, in Escoheag, Rhode Island. You tore it up! Your set was outstanding, (it was the first time I saw your show). From the stage you said, "You folks don"t know how lucky you are to have something like this, here."

It is special, and last summer was one of the best I ever attended, with Doc Watson, Steve Riley, Fred Egale-Smith, Asleep at the Wheel, Tim O'Brien and yourself. As you recognize how special it is, why don't you pencil it into your schedule every summer? We'd love to have you back.

Have you heard the work of Bill Morrisey? He could be your New England soul mate. A number of songs on his first three albums are masterpieces. I urge you to familiarize yourself with his work. He reaches great depths with few words and the space between the lines have tremendous connotations and implications.

Dave, your best work is yet to come, keep digging beneath the surface, don't settle for the facile, the obvious,the easy answers, the cliches--dig for the gold, you know where it is.

Love your music,
John Twomey

Hey John,
I LOVED the Escoheag festival, except that I had to play after Doc Watson (a fate I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy - well, maybe I would). Following him was mighty intimidating! It's up to them as far as who gets invited to play but anytime they want me I'll be there. Yeah, I know Bill Morrissey. He's one of the best songwriters in the known universe and a great guy also (the two don't always go hand in hand). Unlike a lot of singer- songwriters, Bill has solid blues and R+B roots and I think that gives his stuff a lot of it's power. I just talked to him recently on the phone. He's living up in the woods in New England and was trying to get me to go up there and play a couple shows and maybe write a couple songs. We'd probably smoke a couple cigarettes also. Anyway, see you at Escoheag one of these days.

Dave, are you planning on writing more music with Tom Russell any time soon? I caught you guys together at Off Broadway It was a night to remember. My wife "GAIL" is now a fan so thanks for taking the time and keep it up.
Mike

Hey Mike,
I'm always thinking of writing more songs, playing more gigs and drinking more beer with Tom. In fact, tomorrow, I'm driving up to central California just to watch Tom do a private show for some ranchers and cowboys. I'll tell him you said hello. And tell your wife I said hello. See ya in St. Louis.

I caught the recent Austin City limits show, but missed the closing credits as to band members. Who was the side-man playing the variety of instruments steel guitar, etc.
Rick Netemeyer

Hey Rick,
The talented, well-dressed, multi-instrumentalist was (is) Rick Shea. He's been touring with me the past two years but is also a great singer-songwriter on his own. I believe there is a link at this web-site to his website where you can get more info on him. An incredible talent.

Hi Dave,
I can't get enough of your Blackjack David album. I have been learning some of your songs on guitar. But, I am puzzled. Can you please reveal to me what tuning the song, Black Jack David is in? First, I tried open D. That works, but I know the tuning you use must be lower. So, I tried an E tuning where I tuned all strings to E except for the B string. That worked too, but it is not right. Please let me in on the secret so I can sleep again at night. Seems like the song is in A#. Am I right about that? Anyway, thanks for that wonder arrangement of a great old song. And thanks for the other great songs of the album too!
Lisa Schomberg

Dear Lisa,
Do I ask you to give up your precious secrets? The tuning is the low E dropped to D and the A dropped to G. Then I either capo on the third or fourth fret depending on how my singing voice is doing. I don't know the correct name of this tuning but Lonnie Johnson, the greatest blues guitarist of all time, used it a lot, so I just call it the Lonnie Johnson Tuning. Now, I have no more secrets. I feel used and empty. Anyway, good luck and thanks for the kind words.

My wife and I saw Dave last night at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas (with Richard Thompson, what an amazing double bill). Dave is one of the great American troubadors, and we were embarrassed by the inattention and outright rudeness of the audience. Just wanted you to know that you had some people there last night who know and appreciate your music. (I hollered for "On the Line," but then realized such a quiet, subtle song would have been lost in the yammering among the audience.)
Steve Bunch

Hey Steve,
Thanks for the support. The audience wasn't that rude. I've dodged beer bottles and cherry bombs in the past so a couple of loud drunks don't upset me too much. But, unfortunately, I don't perform certain songs in those conditions. Some songs are just like shy children and don't like to come out very often in front of strangers. Brother on the Line is one of those. I hope you come to another show under better circumstances. By the way, wasn't Richard Thompson incredible? What a singer, guitarist, songwriter and he's a nice guy.

Please let Dave know I think he's one of the greatest singer/songwriters I've heard in a long time. I'm not the only person that thinks so either, my daughter who is 6 is also a big fan! Also let him know that my three favorite songs are From a Kitchen Table, California Snow and Why Did She Stay with Him. I would love to see him here in Detroit. So would my daughter but she's a little too young.

Thanks and I love your web site!
Tina Frame

Dear Tina,
Wow, thank you for the compliments. Thank your daughter too. You picked 3 of my favorites songs also. I wrote in the answer to the last question that some songs are like shy kids that don't like to go out in public that often, and those 3 songs are shy kids. But the next time I play Detroit, I'll do at least one of them for ya. See you on Cass street.

[Ed:Tina, Glad you like the site. That's why I do it! -Scot]

Dave- what's your view on mp3's? Any plans to make some of your music available to fans? I think a lot of people would love to get studio rarities, outtakes, covers, etc? I have winamp, and it works great. Send us some mp3's and we'll bring you some chocolate chip cookies when you come to Mpls!
Steve Young-Burns

Hey Steve,
I think mp3s and all that are great. Any way to get the music out there because radio has become so closed and limited. Unfortunately, I'm new to this computer jazz and it will be a while for me to figure out how to do it (unlike my brother, Phil, who is a genius at this stuff). As far as outtakes go, my budgets aren't large when I make records so there are very few outtakes. We just cut the song and move on. Someday I'll have 300 thousand dollars to make a record and then there'll be countless outtakes. Does this mean no cookies?

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Last modified 14Jan00

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