So, I really dig 10,000 Maniacs.
I also really dig all of Natalie Merchant’s solo work.
I also really dig John and Mary, the duo John Lombardo began after he left 10,000 Maniacs.
I also really dig the two 10,000 Maniacs albums that came out after Natalie Merchant left and John Lombardo rejoined, bringing Mary Ramsey (of John and Mary) with him as the new lead vocalist. I thought this was a great idea, a way of “keeping it in the family”. John and Mary had toured with 10,000 Maniacs for years, most of 10,000 Maniacs appear on the John and Mary albums, Mary Ramsey appeared on both of the last two Natalie Merchant era 10,000 Maniacs albums. So, it wasn’t like “Shit, we just lost our vocalist- let’s have open auditions!” One founding member left, another founding member rejoined and an auxiliary member became a fully committed member.
AND they put out two GREAT ALBUMS!!! Most people never heard them but they are awesome. If you haven’t heard Love Among the Ruins or The Earth Pressed Flat I highly recommend you check them out! Also check out the 3 John and Mary Solo CDs, also really great!
So I felt that it was quite a “diss” to see that Mary Ramsey is not represented on the newly released Campfire Songs: the Popular, Obscure, and Unknown Recordings a compilation that, other than the conspicuous lack of Mary Ramsey, looks like it’s pretty good.
This was released as a 10,000 Maniacs compilation NOT a “10,000 Maniacs: the Natalie Merchant Years” compilation. So I think our friend Mary should get some credit. Honestly, what’s more “Obscure and Unknown” than the Mary Ramsey era?
Are we just to pretend that she never existed?
Is she to fall into “Chuck Cunningham” staus?
I love you, Mary. Even if everybody else ignores you, remember I still love you.