Kind Words about Bill Amatneek's
"Acoustic Stories"
"He
is a gifted wordsmith and a wonderful chronicler of the life he's known.
He's giving voice to a culture.
I see parallels in his work and the
work of the cowboy poet -- both let us see a lifestyle that most of us
will otherwise never get to experience.
I don't know
anyone who's doing the work Bill Amatneek's doing: telling funny,
sweet, thoughtful, humble, generous stories about the rarefied culture
of the folk musician.
The folk music world has found its Homer."
- Milbre Burch, Storyteller
" 'Paris Remembers' is a great
story!" -
Pete Seeger
"You and your stories are MUSIC to my
ears!" - Mary Carter Smith, Griot
" 'Jazzbeaux' was just extraordinary.
You made the evening for me. People were touched. That closing was one
of the most powerful I've seen. You did a masterly job with that. It was
a really touching story. It was the work of a master; it was terrific."
- Jim Cooke, host, the Marin Story
Swap
"When I heard you at the National Storytelling Festival, you told a story about performing with Peter, Paul & Mary, and it was absolutely entrancing—you struck a chord with everyone in that theater.… I knew that your tremendous talents and truly unique blend of stories would be a wonderful addition to WinterTales. My expectations were fully realized for you moved us all with the power of your telling and the depth of your experience. It was a joy and a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with you—an experience I will hold dear always."
- Sandy Wright, Director, WinterTales 2000, Oklahoma City, OK
"There are only four performers at my
club whose sheer poignancy made me cry: Alan Shamblin telling how he wrote
'I Can't Make You Love Me,' which Bonnie Raitt hit-recorded; Elizabeth
Cotton, at age 84, forgetting the words to her song 'Freight Train,'
and the audience singing them for her; Ralph Stanley's singing about his
departed brother, Carter; And Bill Amatneek,
when he came to the end of 'Paris Remembers.' I just burst into
tears." - Jeannie Patterson,
owner, the Sweetwater, Mill Valley, California.
"Got your fabulous tape today and am listening to it now...it's
terrific. I love the sitar music under your voice in 'Swimming the
Oceans' . . . really great. Your voice is fabulous, so warm, and you
sound so natural: a natural storyteller. I think you are definitely onto
something here . . . all talents in appealing relief. GGRRREAT work."
- Lynne Terry, Paris correspondent, National
Public Radio.
"I loved the tape; absolutely loved it.
It's so great to hear you tell those stories in that cafe ambience with
people's energy there. It was really a treat, and I think they came out
fantastic. It was really fun." - Steve Gorn,
bansuri flutist
"Your stories speak to the 60's folk-revival movement, create
a bridge to younger generations, and stand alone as pieces of literature."
- Lisa Null, Folk Song Society of Greater
Washington.
"
'Layin' Buddy Down' is great material and a perfect, professional specimen of a personal essay -- enough first person, enough research and
detail and feeling to hold the whole thing in the road from start to finish. Graceful ending -- grace note -- smart structure, nothing
missing." - Hal Crowther, essayist