Central Machine Works
Mercier Review Mean-Spirited and Malicious
RECEIVED Thu., Jan. 25, 2007
Dear Editor,
I was shocked and very disappointed at Jim Caligiuri's review of Mandy Mercier's new CD, Run Out of Darkness [“Texas Platters,” Music, Jan. 26]. She has been an intergral part of Austin's music scene for many, many years.
Playing with the Troubadours, Champ Hood, Ray Wylie, Shake Russell, Dana Cooper, and Bugs Henderson just to name a few.
Even if her singing isn't your cup of tea – this reveiw was mean-spirited – almost like a personal attack. There's just no reason to be so malicious. Mandy has a following that loves her singing, writing, and her recordings.
I have an idea.
Since these reviews will be able to be read via the Internet – they should be reviewed by people who know about the different genres of music. Blues should be reviewed by a blues fan and writers who are knowledgeable of folk or Americana should review those genres.
There are musicians in my hometown that are judged solely by the Chronicle's recommendations.
If ya don't like the CD – don't review the record – on second thought give it to someone who loves blues music and is knowledgeable in that genre.
Check this out!
As a fiddle player and harmony vocalist, Mandy Mercier has worked professionally with Lucinda Williams, Billy Joe Shaver, Steve Forbert, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Charlie Robison, Tom Pacheco, Willy DeVille, Mick Ronson, David Rodriguez, Angela Strehli, Rusty Wier, Chris Gaffney, Ted Roddy, Champ Hood, Walter Hyatt and David Ball, Shake Russell, Dana Cooper, Sisters Morales, Vince Bell and Rick Nafey, and has also appeared onstage with Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.W. Stevenson, John Stewart, Doug Sahm, Gene Clark, Bob Neuwirth, Geoff Muldaur, Jimmy LaFave, and Lyle Lovett.
Awards and honors: Great American Song Contest 2004, Contemporary Acoustic/Folk honor award for "Wild Dreams of the Shy Boys."
Austin Chronicle Music Poll, 1997: Strings (14th) (winner: Champ Hood)
Music City Texas awards, 1994: Female Vocalist, Acoustic (honorable mention); Female Vocalist, Rock (third); Female Vocalist, Blues (HM); Good Attitude (HM); Fiddle/Violin (HM); Woman of the Year (HM); Female Instrumentalist (HM); Female Vocalist, Overall (HM); Female Songwriter (HM); Acoustic Act (HM).
MTV Beach House Band (HM), 1994
Academy of Country Music, inducted 1992-93
Female Vocalist of the Year, Los Angeles Chapter, California Country Music Association, 1992
I was shocked and very disappointed at Jim Caligiuri's review of Mandy Mercier's new CD, Run Out of Darkness [“Texas Platters,” Music, Jan. 26]. She has been an intergral part of Austin's music scene for many, many years.
Playing with the Troubadours, Champ Hood, Ray Wylie, Shake Russell, Dana Cooper, and Bugs Henderson just to name a few.
Even if her singing isn't your cup of tea – this reveiw was mean-spirited – almost like a personal attack. There's just no reason to be so malicious. Mandy has a following that loves her singing, writing, and her recordings.
I have an idea.
Since these reviews will be able to be read via the Internet – they should be reviewed by people who know about the different genres of music. Blues should be reviewed by a blues fan and writers who are knowledgeable of folk or Americana should review those genres.
There are musicians in my hometown that are judged solely by the Chronicle's recommendations.
If ya don't like the CD – don't review the record – on second thought give it to someone who loves blues music and is knowledgeable in that genre.
Check this out!
As a fiddle player and harmony vocalist, Mandy Mercier has worked professionally with Lucinda Williams, Billy Joe Shaver, Steve Forbert, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely, Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Charlie Robison, Tom Pacheco, Willy DeVille, Mick Ronson, David Rodriguez, Angela Strehli, Rusty Wier, Chris Gaffney, Ted Roddy, Champ Hood, Walter Hyatt and David Ball, Shake Russell, Dana Cooper, Sisters Morales, Vince Bell and Rick Nafey, and has also appeared onstage with Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.W. Stevenson, John Stewart, Doug Sahm, Gene Clark, Bob Neuwirth, Geoff Muldaur, Jimmy LaFave, and Lyle Lovett.
Awards and honors: Great American Song Contest 2004, Contemporary Acoustic/Folk honor award for "Wild Dreams of the Shy Boys."
Austin Chronicle Music Poll, 1997: Strings (14th) (winner: Champ Hood)
Music City Texas awards, 1994: Female Vocalist, Acoustic (honorable mention); Female Vocalist, Rock (third); Female Vocalist, Blues (HM); Good Attitude (HM); Fiddle/Violin (HM); Woman of the Year (HM); Female Instrumentalist (HM); Female Vocalist, Overall (HM); Female Songwriter (HM); Acoustic Act (HM).
MTV Beach House Band (HM), 1994
Academy of Country Music, inducted 1992-93
Female Vocalist of the Year, Los Angeles Chapter, California Country Music Association, 1992
Sarah Elizabeth Campbell