Janine Nichols SEMI-FREE

Reeling

2012-01-08T19:19:00.000-05:00

Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies has asked me to join him in singing his beautiful song, Reeling, at Rockwood Music Hall this Wednesday eve, January 11, at 7.30. We met in Vancouver in 2010 during what I like to call the Willner Olympics. We sang Ben Perowsky's gorgeous arrangement of Neil Young's Expecting to Fly at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and it was a lovesome thing we both remember with fondness. Come hear that sound we get!

The Elusive Band Photo

2012-01-04T23:08:00.002-05:00

It has proven surprisingly difficult to get a picture, much less a good picture, of the trio. This shot by Elizabeth Lloyd was taken at Sunny's Bar in Red Hook last summer. It was a humid, bad hair day for me. Brandon has his pick in his mouth, not his fave way to be depicted. Charlie is charmingly out of focus in the back, beneath the nude.

It's a start.

Debut recording 40 years in the making!

2011-11-28T14:00:00.002-05:00

Talk about thanks-giving. Over the past week, Brandon Ross and I finished mastering the SEMI-FREE debut recording with the great Michael Hynes of Nomatic Studio in Asheville, NC. He was recommended by the equally great Shahzad Ismaily, who recorded and mixed most of the record at his under-the-sidewalk co-operative studio in Manhattan known as Rivington66.

There are 5 tracks on the CD, three original compositions (Sigh of Relief, Do As I Do, Needle And Thread) and two covers – John Sebastian's Darling Be Home Soon and Cyril Tawney's The Grey Funnel Line.

All the tracks were recorded live, with overdubs by Doug Wieselman on bass clarinet. Kenny Wollesen, exquisite genius that he is, added Howitzer shells, wind wand and groaning rubber ball to Grey Funnel to stunning atmospheric effect. The first time I ever sang the song, at a benefit concert for St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, I told Kenny I wanted to try to capture the quality of sound at sea, where you're never quite sure what you're hearing. He responded with empty Howitzer shells and I'm so glad they're back. You will be too.

Getting the artwork together this week, translating my cut paper collages to digital info with help from Kathyrn Dreier. CDs will be in hand in time for the holidays. And it only took 40 years, give or take (photographic evidence below). The secret is to make it worth the wait, and methinks we fulfilled the mandate.

Model Players (Not)

2011-11-16T23:09:00.001-05:00

If there's one thing that really gets under my skin it's fashion photos featuring some gamine with a musical instrument she obviously can't play. Here's two new offenders.

Me and The Moonbeam Song

2011-10-09T14:15:00.000-04:00

I'm honored to have been asked to sing The Moonbeam Song in this year's benefit for the Howl! Festival at Theatre 80 St. Mark's in the East Village this Wednesday night at 8pm.

This year's show is dedicated to the music of Harry Nilsson, for me, one of the greatest pop singers EVER and a songwriter of first heartbreaking order and enduring delight.......

I'll be accompanied on 12 string acoustic guitar by the wonderful Knox Chandler with whom I recently had the great and extended pleasure to work on music for the movie, Greetings From Tim Buckley, based on events surrounding the concert of the same name produced by Arts at St. Ann's in 1991. Believe me, anything Knox didn't know already about the mysteries of the 12-string, he knows now ...

to our mutual benefit!

Come out, come out! Always hoping to see you,

Janine

Future of Music summit in D.C.

2011-10-01T18:08:00.000-04:00

I'm headed down to Washington, D.C., specifically Georgetown University, for the Future of Music Policy Summit. Apparently, I was among the first to respond to their "Money From Music" email survey and won myself a $25 pass to the 3-day event. Because I'm about to release my first recordings, I welcome this gift/opportunity to figure out how best to push my little boat out into the harbor.

If you are visiting this site because you met me at the conference, please leave a comment after having a listen at our band page at reverbnation.

Chasing the blues away

2011-09-15T00:28:00.000-04:00

This weekend, I'll be singing Tim Buckley's Chase The Blues Away for the movie Greetings From Tim Buckley which centers on the concert of the same name that Hal Willner and I produced for Arts at St. Ann's back in 1991. This picture of Jeff was taken shortly afterward by Jack Vartoogian. Jeff had one spectacular spirit and smile. Gary Lucas and I were also in the picture, but we didn't photograph nearly so pretty.

Notice of SHELebration

2011-08-24T14:30:00.001-04:00

Always nice to be noticed. The writer and editor John Zuarino, obviously no rain-fearing man, posted this pic of me and others singing in Willner's SHELebration that he considered to be highlights. That's the arranger/conductor Steve Weisberg behind me. What a beautiful job he did too. Thanks for noticing, John.

SHEL-stock! Wish you were there

2011-08-10T18:14:00.001-04:00

I had the unalloyed pleasure of singing in Hal Willer's SHEL-ebration of the music and poetry of the crazy wonderful Shel Silverstein. Of all the shows I have made and done with Mr. Willner, this was the most loose-limbed and something-for-everybody ever. Unlike the, say, Leonard Cohen shows, where every song is a Faberge egg, Shel's songs and stories are so deeply free-wheeling, that even when they break your heart, they're just pure joy.

Let me say something else too. To be treated, regarded, as an artist by Hal Willner is am amazing thing. He says so little, but his confidence in you and the song is complete and causes you to really dig deep -- and to make him happy! It wasn't until the week of the show that he emailed me with a suggestion. "Could be a beautiful ballad," he wrote, meaning "The Taker," a song co-written with Kris Kristofferson, who recorded it on The Silver-Tongued Devil and I, and later by Waylon Jennings and the yodelin Marty Robbins, who I swear could sing any damn thing, the phone book, and make you smile. I've worked with Hal long enough to know that if he thinks a song is right for you, it is. Right again. The Taker is a keeper.

The song has a great rhyme scheme – "taker" with "take her" – and it's written from the perspective of a guy who's losing his girlfriend to a sweet-talking loser (specifically, a taker) because he wasn't even nice to her. But to my mind the Tex-Mex arrangements all three did only undercut the story of the lyric. So I slowed it down, way down, switched the perspective to the voice of a woman who knows all parties involved, tuned the G string on my guitar up to A for a new voicing, and there it was. Steve Weisberg did an amazing string arrangement, bless him, just killer.

Hal was happy too. I wish there was an iPhone video of it but there seems only to be one from the entire show, of Lou Reed and Emily Haines doing an amazing job on Shel's deathhouse ballad 25 Minutes To Go. She's really something, that Emily. I met her on the Neil Young shows in Vancouver during the Olympics, where she sang the shit out of A Man Needs A Maid. Then I saw her in Prospect Park, me a Boomer among the teens, and she was bopping around like a pogo stick, just a ball of fire. See her sometime.

All thanks and respect to the crowd who filled the playfield in the pouring rain and stayed for the whole 3 hour show. Among the other videos I wish existed: Reggie Bennett's killin version of Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout (Would Not Take The Garbage Out) into The Collector, a list poem about what used to be called a garbageman, again with a slamming string arrangement by Weisberg. Also, Brett Sparks' (of The Handsome Family) rockin version of A Boy Named Sue, Roswell Rudd's crazy crooked Freakin' at the Freaker's Ball, Laurie Anderson's tender reading of The Giving Tree, Chloe Webb's tell-the-truth Bury Me In My Shades, Richard Belzer's Cover of the Rolling Stone (on which I sang along with Don "Penicillin Penny" Fleming), Terry Adams' 26 Second Song. The whole list of performers is here. Melvin Van Peebles, Annabella Sciorra, John Ventimiglia (especially Ugliest Man in Town). Believe me, I could go on.

Wish you were there or that I had a picture!

Come to the Shelabration!

2011-07-27T11:57:00.000-04:00

I'll be singing a song or songs to be named later in Hal Willner's Shelabration at Central Park Summerstage on Sat Aug 6 at 7pm. More info here.....

The genius beside you

2011-07-26T00:40:00.000-04:00

A friend sent a link to this TED talk by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, which I haven't read and won't see because I avoid all things Julia Roberts. But Elizabeth is onto something about the nature of creativity and how artists might best hold onto their sanity.

Last two verses

2011-07-01T18:09:00.000-04:00

An iPhone clip of our performance of The Grey Funnel Line at Sunny's Bar in Red Hook last weekend. Thanks Bathabile!

A sea-change

2011-07-01T00:37:00.001-04:00

Something wonderful happened for Semi-Free down at Sunny's Bar in Red Hook, Brooklyn last Saturday. The word sea-change arose in my mind that night and has been with me ever since. A sea-change is defined as a striking shift, often for the better, or a transformation brought about by the sea. Since Sunny's is one of the city's oldest waterfront bars,

I think both definitions apply. Everything went right from the first note of Needle and Thread. Applause turned to cheers. At some point, I looked out to the bar and realized that it was empty because everyone had come in the back room to listen to us. The smokers were listening through the window, smiling, even waving, at me. After we took a 10-minute break, everyone came back. One gentleman, a facebook acquaintance, told me that he rode his bike down from the Upper West Side "on a hunch." Later he said he "could never have imagined" how great it would be, and that he'd come back next month with friends in tow. It's all working. Most of the songs we played were my own, things the audience had never heard before, but connected with. I tell you, it was thrilling. I'm so grateful, so excited.

We turned in a particularly fine performance of "The Grey Funnel Line" inspired by the harborside location; an iPhone clip shot by beloved Bathabile Mthombeni will be up on youtube shortly. My new old friend Don Mount (until recently when we met at a Karl Berger gig at The Stone, we hadn't seen each other since our kids went to pre-school together; they're now 21) videotaped the whole show, so there'll be more to follow. My photographer friend Ed Fladung took this picture, which is lovely, but doesn't show the crowd or my knockout band, Charlie Burnham on his heartstrung violin or the elegant lookout guitarist Brandon Ross.....

Next show is Saturday July 16. Come out! Help me make this a monthly thing......

Debut recording news

2011-06-20T17:47:00.010-04:00

The news is all good. The mighty HAL WILLNER, my friend and creative partner of countless years, will be mixing my record at Trout Recording in Brooklyn in mid-July. What makes me happiest about this is that Hal is mixing because he loves the music, not just because he loves me. I know that because he keeps playing the disc I gave him for the likes of Lou Reed and Bill Frisell. Anyway, there are 7 tracks to work on, five of my own composition, and perhaps all of them will make it onto the debut.

The recordings feature Brandon Ross on guitar, me on vocals and rhythm guitar, Charlie Burnham on violin, and Doug Wieselman on bass clarinet.

Semi-Free fans: A status update

2011-03-14T17:02:00.009-04:00

After a decade of turning myself into a musician, a singer and, more recently, a songwriter, I've been in the studio with Brandon Ross and Charlie Burnham to make my first record with Shahzad Ismaily recording. We've tracked 7 songs now, five of mine and two covers. Around the New Year I sent the rough mixes to a few people I know and love and trust, beginning with Hal Willner. Willner, to my everlasting happiness, declared that I "have [my] own musical language," adding, "And that's the hardest thing." He was sufficiently knocked out to play the tracks for Lou Reed, who called me over to him at a party and gave me two – TWO – unsolicited "Bravo"s right in my ear. At first, I didn't know what he was talking about, but then I realized Hal must have played him my tracks. I know Lou a long time. He cares only for music and art that is unique and tells the truth – and he really likes my record.

As if that was not enough, Nick Cave wrote after listening to say that my record put him in mind of his "favorite record of all time," Van Morrison's Veedon Fleece. I have to admit I'm not familiar with the record, but I got a copy and I see what he means, a certain loose-limbed trance-like feel. I'm a little taken aback to put him in mind of such beauty.

So I was especially delighted to see in the Times magazine this weekend a photo essay on rockers of an age who can still rock the skinny suit with a 2-page spread featuring two serious Semi-Free fans. May you be next.

We start mixing this weekend. I've got the manager of my dreams now and a 6-week residency brewing at Sunny's Bar in Red Hook in late spring/early summer. Lots of music to come. Keep your ears open..............

Janine Loves A Uniform

2010-08-28T01:24:00.004-04:00

Recently, I was asked to participate in The Uniform Project, the completely satisfying result of an artist's challenge to herself to make a dress so perfect that it could be worn every day for a year, with the proceeds from its sale going to support alternative education in, first, India, currently, the Lower Ninth Ward. Ladies and men, it turns out it really is all about accessories, because the designer, Sheena Matheiken, photographed herself in the dress every day for a year looking genuinely incredible. Millions of hits to the website and a barrage of press helped her raise over $100,000 in the opening run.

Now, the design has been tweaked and Sheena wanted to photograph other-looking women to dress up the dress with things from their own closets, to prove its versatility. I was only too happy to rise to the occasion, and though it was over 100 degrees in the studio, wore layered skirts and buttoned-up shirts, even a cumberbund and hat, for the cause. Incredibly, this 3/4 Rickenbacker 12-string guitar was gathering dust in a corner of the studio. It was not for sale (you know I asked), but I was welcome to have it in the picture. Of course, I couldn't wear the guitar, because that would obscure the dress. So I had to lean on it like Chaplin's cane. And me, in love with Buster Keaton all these years. Anyway, that explains the slightly claw-like right hand.

The dress is for sale for $150; you could buy the pattern and make it, or have it made for, yourself. I'm getting one. Perhaps I'll wear it at every gig from here on in. But it's too much fun to try to outdress Brandon.

The Mary Margaret O'Hara In Me

2010-08-04T23:29:00.004-04:00

Here, captured by a delightfully devilish, cruelly under-employed photographer who was – still is – on my Census team in NW Brooklyn, Ted (Theodore) D'Ottavio, is my inner M2O'H, as it says on my impossibly rare tour T-shirt. I'm sure Ted doesn't know who Mary Margaret O'Hara is, but I do, and there she stands. Given how much I aspire to MM's fluid, intoxicating mix of heart-strung, griefstricken and goofball, I love this picture. Miss America is as ear-opening a record now as it was when it was released more than two decades ago – and probably several years in the making. Looks like you could listen in here.

Janine Nichols Trio is now Semi-Free

2010-05-08T01:32:00.003-04:00

I never liked the name Janine Nichols Trio because it suggests jazz, which is not exactly what I do. If anything, I'm jazz-ish in precisely the same way I'm Jewish. But I digress. I wanted to use a generic title until the band's sound and name revealed itself. It happened just recently, around the same time I sent out an e-blast announcing a show with NRBW, as in Nichols, Ross, Burnham and Wieselman. And I'll always use that name to describe that line-up because the homage to NRBQ is just too delicious to pass up. But Weezie doesn't always play in the band and Shahzad Ismaily sometimes does. It's a semi-free arrangement.

In case you want to ask, "semi-free" is a word I made up to tell some story, now forgotten, during a rehearsal. Brandon later suggested "semi-free" might be a good answer to the perennial question, "What kind of music do you play?" He turned out to be exactly right, as did Charlie, who said "semi-free" is "the way we live and the best we can hope for." I said, suddenly filled with craven ambition, "And think of the marketing possibilities! 'We have a new record for sale. $20 - Semi-Free!'"

I was even more amazed to discover, night before last, that semi-free.com was available. How is that possible? semi-free.net is available too, but who wants that?

Henceforth, let it be known throughout the lands that Semi-Free, and semi-free.com are all mine.

I think the first record cover will be based on this illustration from the book, The Art Of Money, which I happened to have on loan from the Brooklyn Public Library at the time and may in some way have prompted the name to speak itself.

Reviews for the Neil Young shows

2010-02-24T02:36:00.002-05:00

Scroll the headline for the link to Neil's news site. All good!

The Willner Olympics in Vancouver

2010-02-24T01:35:00.003-05:00

The glories of international cooperation! Dream, comfort, memories....to spare!

We came to rock the Neil Young catalog for the Cultural Olympiad and so we did, for two nights at the Queen Elizabeth TheatRE. From New York: Joan Wasser (music director), Doug Wieselman, Shahzad Ismaily, Ben Perowsky, Fred Cash, Rob Burger, Eric Mingus, Ambrosia Parsley, Teddy Thompson, Jenni Muldaur, Lou Reed, James "Blood" Ulmer....

Out of Toronto and the extended Broken Social Scene: Brendan Canning, Jason Collett, Julie Doiron, Sam Goldberg, Bill Priddle, Justin Peroff, Chris Brown, Emily Haines, Jimmy Shaw, Kevin Drew, Elizabeth Powell, Ron Sexsmith. From San Francisco, Mark Kozelek, of Sun Kil Moon, and Kevin Hearn, of Barenaked Ladies – who sang Expecting To Fly with me on Thursday night, and Bill Priddle on Friday. Elvis was knocked out by Expecting, said he never thought he'd ever hear a live version of that song. My gift to him! In from the UK: Vashti Bunyan and Alasdair Roberts (Scotland). Vancouver's own Michelle Faehrmann (cello) and Daniel Lapp (violin and flumpet)(really) and Elvis Costello. REALLY.

We stood in a circle and said our names and instruments and off we went, deep into the catalog, as is our custom, friendships were launched and amazing music was made. I wish I had more pictures, especially one of the stage, which looked so beautiful. Amazing what can be done with 1500 yards of white nylon if you're Brendon Boyd.

Thanks to Olli Chanoff, and Rachel Chanoff, and Laurie Cearley, and Nadine Goellner (who also sang her ass off with Eric Mingus, who knew?), and of course, to Hal, without whom my life would be very different and not nearly such an earful and so inspiring and fun.

First Song This Morning, Final Song Last Night

2010-02-08T23:17:00.003-05:00

I'm very proud to be the inaugural entry on music writer Jim Macnie's new blog project, "First Song This Morning, Final Song Last Night". My first of many entries includes "Black Minute Waltz" by the late James Booker, from Junco Partner, one of my favorite records. It was all NOLA all day here yesterday....

"True Love Will Never Die"

2010-01-31T22:58:00.003-05:00

This picture surfaced tonight, following a chance meeting at the Park Slope Food Coop last week. It's a great shot of me singing with my friend, the stunning Shannon McNally, during Hal Willner's Doc Pomus show at Prospect Park summer before last. I just worked with Shannon this past week and she was asking me if I'd ever seen any pictures from the show, did she look OK in that dress? I told her she looked great; I only tell the truth! But this gal held her own. What a voice she has. We sang "True Love Can Never Die." One day we'll sing it again.

JANINE NICHOLS SINGS: Flutterbox "Luminous" at St. Ann's Warehouse!

2010-01-27T01:46:00.000-05:00

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2010/01/live_hal_willne.php

Flutterbox "Luminous" at St. Ann's Warehouse!

2010-01-27T01:37:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Rich Miller for this photograph from 5th row center. Neill miraculously, seamlessly merged Ed Sanders' "Ah, Sun-flower" (William Blake) with Tuli Kupferberg's generally acknowledged only beautiful song, "Morning Morning." I helped of course. Flutterbox made something as beautiful as can be, indeed brought a tear to Mr. Sanders' eye, something of which we are very proud. Read all about it in the Village Voice online and hope that it runs in the print edition tomorrow.....

New Guitar!

2010-01-20T18:48:00.004-05:00

I've been looking for a while and I finally found her at Ludlow Guitars, a new "Blizzard Pearl" Telecaster. Don't we look good together? Not sure what I'll be calling her – will wait to hear what she says. I already have a car named Dizzy and a bicycle named Pearl.

Thanks to Neill Furio for taking these pictures. They helped me get to Yes.

Get thee to Copenhagen, if only virtually!

2009-12-07T13:54:00.003-05:00

Sign the petition at http://tcktcktck.org and every other petition that comes your way calling for responsible action to avert devastating global warming. Do it TODAY, Day One of the UN Conference.

Wanted Alive

2009-11-16T23:38:00.003-05:00

When Brandon offered to share his online battery source with me today I took it as a measure of my progress and a reward for my daily practicing. "Here," he said, handing me a sleek Duracell "Procell" 9 volt. "That's the kind you want. Accept no substitute." "Okay," I said, grateful for the secret knowledge. "You can keep that one," he added. "It's dead." Thanks!

A Little Change Of Key

2009-10-14T23:53:00.004-04:00

As a treasured consequence of the many performances of Leonard Cohen's music that Hal Willner and I have engendered around the world I have a wonderful friendship with Nick Cave. As a birthday present I invited him, as I'm now inviting you, to look at this youtube video of my performance of his song "Love Letter" at Le Poisson Rouge back in April.

Now the thieving bastard writes to tell me that he liked my version so much he's started playing the song on guitar, not piano, and in D! I respond by capo-ing up a step! Your move, Mr. C.

I'm reminiscent of the old Vienna "Schrammeln." I'm flattered.

2009-10-12T18:58:00.002-04:00

Since the death of poor Willie DeVille, my version of "Just To Walk That Little Girl Home" has been seen by several thousand people, more than enough to encourage me to put the song back in the act. The following e-missive came to me from a fan in Germany who wrote to Eliot Wagner, the music writer at onlytheblogknowsbrooklyn.com who wrote about me this summer. She didn't leave her eddress but I hope she finds me when she's in New York later this year.

I quote: "in youtube I found the superb interpretation of the song "Just to walk that little girl home" by Janine Nichols. I only know it from Willy de Ville and it is good. But the band with the sentimental string [that's Charlie Burnham!] reminds me of old Vienna "Schrammeln". In December 2009 I visit New York and ask, if there may be a concert by Janine Nichols and the band, which I admire! Best wishes Renate Mayer from Germany

Check out the entries under Vienna Schrammeln at songza, the online music juke box I adore. You'll hear why I'm flattered by the comparison.

"You're the happy Cat Power!"

2009-09-17T00:06:00.002-04:00

A woman I know and whose taste in music I respect finally came to hear me sing, at Barbes with Charlie and Brandon. After the show, she ran up to me and said, "You know who you are? You're the happy Cat Power!" Thanks, Toni.

What's A Bandleader To Do?: The Paul Anka Rant

2009-07-26T19:01:00.005-04:00

Brandon sent me this surreptitiously obtained recording of a post-performance rant by a bandleader, in this case Paul Anka ,reaming out the band for wearing T-shirts and not watching the music director for the cutoffs. Scroll over the headline for the link.

Me, I'm a nice bandleader. But recently I decided what my first diva-esque contract rider will be: No yellow lights on the singer! PINK, on the other hand....

Come see us in strong white light at Barbes on August 10th.

Coming Right Up: Barbes, August 10th

2009-07-09T03:05:00.006-04:00

I love, love, love this latest incarnation of the ON TIME ARRIVALS with CHARLIE BURNHAM on fiddle and bass and BRANDON ROSS and myself on electric guitar. I can play! I can write too, turns out. Come hear: Barbes is at the corner of 9th St and 6th Ave in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Show time is 7-9pm. A $10 donation is strongly suggested!

For a glimpse of the trio, check out this video shot at Le Poisson Rouge back in April. We opened for John Kruth's shindig celebrating the 40th (!) anniversary of Nashville Skyline...

New Youtube Video:

2009-06-07T23:50:00.003-04:00

Here's 9:03 of me singing the postwar (WWII) sea shanty, "The Grey Funnel Line", at Le Poisson Rouge at the end of April, opening for John Kruth's shindig marking the 40th anniversary of "Nashville Skyline". Thanks to the cameraman. I enjoyed this.

That's Charlie Burnham playing conch and violin, Brandon Ross on guitar, and me on a Strat I borrowed from John Janetatos; thanks John!

I first sang this at St. Ann's a few years back, as part of Hal Willner's benefit concert based on his record, "Rogue's Gallery". That time I had a 7 piece band and the song had another verse. I must have been out there for 15 minutes, between Brian Ferry and Lou Reed. The nerve of this girl.

Let me know you were here!

2009-06-07T23:31:00.000-04:00