[L.N. Smithee]

At least at the show in August Natalie Merchant put on a good show....

I can only take Natalie Merchant in one form; with 10,000 Maniacs doing that "unplugged" cover of Patti Smith's "Because The Night," one of the greatest singles of the '70s. The fiddle solo that replaced Springsteen's guitar solo (I don't care if the liner notes don't say it's him, IT'S HIM) were a stroke of genius. Merchant didn't really seem to know all the lyrics, but it worked anyway.

[feedback doctor]

I can only take Natalie Merchant in one form; with 10,000 Maniacs doing that "unplugged" cover of Patti Smith's "Because The Night,"

I was a DJ back in the late 70s when Patti Smith had that song out. I remember a story that Debbie Boone (the 'you light up my life' song girl) showed up at some party that patti smith was also attending. Patti attcked her saying "you don't represent rock n' roll" and patti pulled her hair and such. Well a few months later Patti was asked to be on a variety show, and guess which song the host wanted her to sing with him? Not 'Because the night' but . . . you guessed it.