Merle & Iris

bdp24, thank you for this.  I had (so far) only one opportunity to see Iris in a small venue (350 seats) near me a few years back, and I literally fell in love that night.  I had all of her records and listened to them often, but seeing/hearing her at the piano singing was transcendental.  BTW, I agree that NTTC could be the finest song of the last half century, and Merle's version of it is transcendent.  I might have to put it against a John Prine song or two, but think NTTC would still be at the top.  I think Merle became aware of Iris when she covered his Big City on a tribute record.  

Iris Dement is a true artist, along with her husband of 15 years, Greg Brown. I came to appreciate both independently before they married. I haven't seen her live, but have seen Greg three times, including once at his "home" venue, The Mill, in Iowa City.

At that show, audience members, at Greg's suggestion, passed notes to the stage with requests, which he honored. I spoke to him for a few minutes between sets, a very easy-going and low-key guy. After five full sets (!), I had to leave for an early wake-up. Greg didn't leave.

The first song that got me hooked on him was the title song from his album, "Dream Cafe." The sonic quality of his recordings is typically excellent. His LP, "The Poet Game," is a particularly wonderful one, both musically and sonically.

If you like Iris, you might like Greg, too.

I've seen Iris live twice. At her show at The Troubadour in West L.A. in the mid-90's, the audience was so quiet and respectful you could have heard a pin drop. In addition to her great songwriting and singing, she has a wicked sense of humor. The musician's on her albums are all A-team Nashville masters, the best in the world---Jerry Douglas, etc. She is by far my favorite living artist.