Although I was a professional bassist when I was younger, I
took up the acoustic guitar because playing the bass by myself was boring. I
used take my Martin D-35 and play regularly at a particular coffee house in
college. So, although I’m a jazz/blues musician by training, I have always
loved the folk scene.
Amy Ray and Emily Saliers make up what I consider to be one
of the premier duos to ever hit the music scene—the Indigo Girls. The only
other due that comes close to their melodies, harmonies, and lyrical beauty is
Simon and Garfunkel. They first met at Laurel Ridge Elementary School near
Decatur, Georgia. They didn’t become friends until high school because Emily was
a year older than Amy. While attending Shamrock High School, they recognized
their musical love and started performing together, first as “The B-Band” then
as “Saliers and Ray.”
After graduating, they went their separate ways, Saliers to
Tulane University and Ray to Vanderbilt. Both became homesick and returned to
Georgia where they attended Emory University and reunited as a musical duo.
They needed a name and began going through the dictionary looking for words
that struck them. Indigo was the winner and they began performing publically
under the name Indigo Girls.
Around 1988, the duo seemed to fit into the category of “the
next big thing,” following the success of artists like Tracy Chapman and
Suzanne Vega. As a result, Epic Records signed them to their first major
recording contract. Their first release, “Indigo Girls” contains one of my all
time favorites, “Closer to Fine.” The album won a Grammy award for best folk
recording.
While their guitar and vocal harmonies are captivating,
don’t miss the poetry of their lyrics starting with “Closer to Fine.” Hope you
enjoy them as much as I do.
Closer to fine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUgwM1Ky228
Least complicated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOBZ_dkGpJ4
Power of two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj0yVN8pFNw
Blood and fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIDyGTD6EZw
Prince of darkness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY9-98tkfvg
Hammer and a nail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTI2GGNFR_U
Romeo & Juliet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEcMzxLxSgo
Chickenman/Bitter root: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-rxBU5p2cs
Tangled up in blue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PKoMxd3Idk
Share the moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBGPAwHHHpQ
Opened a bottle of one of my favorite wines recently, which is very
appropriate since the Indigo girls are one of my favorite folk groups. The 2009
Saint-Amant Grangeneuve Beaumes-du-Venise is a Southern Rhone crafted from 60%
Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 5% Viognier. In the glass it’s dark purple with aromas
of red raspberries and spice. Its tastes like a bowl full of raspberries and
cherries with a bit of pepper due to the Syrah. At $17.00, it also a bargain.
Get your local wine shop to order a case and enjoy it with the music of the
Indigo Girls.
Cheers!
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