Victory Gardens
Encyclopedia
Victory Gardens is the debut album from John & Mary
, recorded in 1990 just six months after the two met in December 1989 and immediately following their signing with Rykodisc
. John Lombardo
, former member of 10,000 Maniacs
and responsible for much of their early music, brought elements of the early Maniacs sound with him. Combined with the classically trained Mary Ramsey
's blend of folk and classical influences, the album is considered by some to be heir to the 10,000 Maniacs
album The Wishing Chair (1985), critically acclaimed for linking traditional influences with the contemporary new-wave sound.
Victory Gardens was produced by Lombardo
and recorded at Mitch Easter
's Chapel Hill Drive-In Studio in Winston-Salem, NC. The album features 10,000 Maniacs
members Robert Buck and Jerome Augustyniak
as well as special guests Ronnie Lane
(Small Faces), Joey Molland
(Badfinger
) and Augie Meyers
(Sir Douglas Quintet
, Texas Tornadoes).
The song "Red Wooden Beads" was included on Steal This Disc Vol. 3, part of a series of compact discs released by Rykodisc
in 1991. "Rags of Flowers" was included on Troubadours of Folk
Vol. 5: Singer-Songwriters Of The '80s, part of a five volume series of compact discs released by Rhino Records in 1992.
and Mary Ramsey
except where indicated
Additional musicians
Technical staff
released a 7-inch vinyl promotional-only single
John & Mary
John & Mary is a U.S. based folk music duo featuring John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey who have had a long-time close association with alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs.-1989-1993:...
, recorded in 1990 just six months after the two met in December 1989 and immediately following their signing with Rykodisc
Rykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
. John Lombardo
John Lombardo
John Lombardo was one of the founding members of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and one of the band's most influential members, writing much of its early material.- Biography :...
, former member of 10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs is a United States-based alternative rock band, which formed in 1981 and continues to be active with various line-ups.-1981–1993:...
and responsible for much of their early music, brought elements of the early Maniacs sound with him. Combined with the classically trained Mary Ramsey
Mary Ramsey
Mary Ramsey , currently a resident of Buffalo, NY is a member of folk duo John & Mary and lead singer for alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs.- Biography :...
's blend of folk and classical influences, the album is considered by some to be heir to the 10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs is a United States-based alternative rock band, which formed in 1981 and continues to be active with various line-ups.-1981–1993:...
album The Wishing Chair (1985), critically acclaimed for linking traditional influences with the contemporary new-wave sound.
Victory Gardens was produced by Lombardo
John Lombardo
John Lombardo was one of the founding members of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and one of the band's most influential members, writing much of its early material.- Biography :...
and recorded at Mitch Easter
Mitch Easter
Mitch Easter is a songwriter, musician, and producer. As a producer, he is probably best known for his work with R.E.M. from 1981 through 1984, though he has also worked with many other acts including The Hang Ups, Pavement, Suzanne Vega, Game Theory, Marshall Crenshaw, Velvet Crush, and...
's Chapel Hill Drive-In Studio in Winston-Salem, NC. The album features 10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs is a United States-based alternative rock band, which formed in 1981 and continues to be active with various line-ups.-1981–1993:...
members Robert Buck and Jerome Augustyniak
Jerry Augustyniak
Jerome Stanley "Jerry" Augustyniak is the drummer for the American band 10,000 Maniacs. Augustyniak joined the band in March 1983, two years after the group formed...
as well as special guests Ronnie Lane
Ronnie Lane
Ronald Frederick "Ronnie" Lane was an English musician, songwriter, and producer who is best known as the bass guitarist and founding member of two prominent English rock and roll bands; the Small Faces where he was nicknamed "Plonk", – and, after losing the band's frontman, Faces, with two new...
(Small Faces), Joey Molland
Joey Molland
Joseph "Joey" Charles Molland is an English composer and rock guitarist whose recording career spans four decades...
(Badfinger
Badfinger
Badfinger were a British rock band consisting originally of Pete Ham, Ron Griffiths, Mike Gibbins and Tom Evans, active from 1968 to 1983, and evolving from The Iveys, formed by Ham, Griffiths and David "Dai" Jenkins in Swansea, Wales, in the early 1960s. Joey Molland joined the group in 1969,...
) and Augie Meyers
Augie Meyers
August "Augie" Meyers is an American musician. He is best known as keyboard-player with the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornados.-History:...
(Sir Douglas Quintet
Sir Douglas Quintet
Sir Douglas Quintet was a rock band active in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Despite their British sounding name, they came out of San Antonio, Texas. Their career was established when they began working with Texas record-producer Huey P. Meaux, after which the band relocated to the West Coast...
, Texas Tornadoes).
The song "Red Wooden Beads" was included on Steal This Disc Vol. 3, part of a series of compact discs released by Rykodisc
Rykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
in 1991. "Rags of Flowers" was included on Troubadours of Folk
Troubadours of Folk
Troubadours of Folk is a five volume series of compact discs released by Rhino Records in 1992. The series documents several decades worth of "contemporary" folk music. The first three volumes focus on the American "folk revival" of the 1960s while the final two volumes focus on...
Vol. 5: Singer-Songwriters Of The '80s, part of a five volume series of compact discs released by Rhino Records in 1992.
Track listing
All tracks composed by John LombardoJohn Lombardo
John Lombardo was one of the founding members of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and one of the band's most influential members, writing much of its early material.- Biography :...
and Mary Ramsey
Mary Ramsey
Mary Ramsey , currently a resident of Buffalo, NY is a member of folk duo John & Mary and lead singer for alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs.- Biography :...
except where indicated
- "Red Wooden Beads" – 2:53
- "The Azalea Festival" – 4:28
- "Piles of Dead Leaves" – 4:14
- "We Have Nothing" (LombardoJohn LombardoJohn Lombardo was one of the founding members of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and one of the band's most influential members, writing much of its early material.- Biography :...
) - 3:47 - "Rags of Flowers" – 3:20
- "I Became Alone" – 3:33
- "The Open Window" – 3:45
- "July 6th" (LombardoJohn LombardoJohn Lombardo was one of the founding members of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and one of the band's most influential members, writing much of its early material.- Biography :...
) – 4:39 - "Pram" (LombardoJohn LombardoJohn Lombardo was one of the founding members of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and one of the band's most influential members, writing much of its early material.- Biography :...
) – 3:21 - "Un Canadien ErrantUn Canadien errant"Un Canadien errant" is a song written in 1842 by Antoine Gérin-Lajoie after the Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837-1838. Some of the rebels were condemned to death, others exiled to the United States . Gérin-Lajoie wrote the song, about the pain of exile, while taking his classical exams at the...
" (Public Domain, arranged by Mary RamseyMary RamseyMary Ramsey , currently a resident of Buffalo, NY is a member of folk duo John & Mary and lead singer for alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs.- Biography :...
) – 4:40
Personnel
John & Mary- John LombardoJohn LombardoJohn Lombardo was one of the founding members of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and one of the band's most influential members, writing much of its early material.- Biography :...
– 6 and 12 string guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, bass, vocal, producer - Mary RamseyMary RamseyMary Ramsey , currently a resident of Buffalo, NY is a member of folk duo John & Mary and lead singer for alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs.- Biography :...
– vocal, violaViolaThe viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
, violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
Additional musicians
- Robert Buck – lead guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... - Jerome AugustyniakJerry AugustyniakJerome Stanley "Jerry" Augustyniak is the drummer for the American band 10,000 Maniacs. Augustyniak joined the band in March 1983, two years after the group formed...
– drums, vocal (background - "We Have Nothing") - Armand John Petri – percussion ("Un Canadien Errant"), engineer, mixing
- Ronnie LaneRonnie LaneRonald Frederick "Ronnie" Lane was an English musician, songwriter, and producer who is best known as the bass guitarist and founding member of two prominent English rock and roll bands; the Small Faces where he was nicknamed "Plonk", – and, after losing the band's frontman, Faces, with two new...
– vocal ("We Have Nothing") - Joey MollandJoey MollandJoseph "Joey" Charles Molland is an English composer and rock guitarist whose recording career spans four decades...
– vocal, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, guitar solo ("I Became Alone") - Augie MeyersAugie MeyersAugust "Augie" Meyers is an American musician. He is best known as keyboard-player with the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornados.-History:...
– accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
("Un Canadien Errant")
Technical staff
- Stuart Sullivan – engineer
- Joe Barbaria – mixing
- Mitch EasterMitch EasterMitch Easter is a songwriter, musician, and producer. As a producer, he is probably best known for his work with R.E.M. from 1981 through 1984, though he has also worked with many other acts including The Hang Ups, Pavement, Suzanne Vega, Game Theory, Marshall Crenshaw, Velvet Crush, and...
– engineer - Toby Mountain – mastering
- Shannon Carr – mixing
- Dan Griffin – production
Singles
In 1991 RykodiscRykodisc
Rykodisc Records is an American record label. It is owned by Warner Music Group, operates as a unit of WMG's Independent Label Group and is distributed through Alternative Distribution Alliance.-Company history:...
released a 7-inch vinyl promotional-only single
- "Red Wooden Beads" – 2:53
- "The Azalea Festival" (live version) – 3:10