Thank you for your appreciation of Natalie and the band. You're quite handsome yourself and I love the joy you are expressing while listening and watching Natalie and the band as I always have myself. And the gal on the violin (Mary) is just so cool. Love this and, yes, that entire album is wonderful.

I'm just absolutely thrilled to hear you gushing over this song and this performance! In the last 2 years since I discovered this video, I've shared it with at least half a dozen people just wanting them to lose their minds over the sheer genius and greatness of it like I did. No matter how many times I watch it and listen to it, it just blows me away. Of the current tens of thousands of views it has, I'm probably 500 of them. And seeing her in concert this past May was a life highlight of mine for sure!

This was a masterpiece to watch and listen to.

Grew up in the same area as the band did. Stockton is a tiny little place in Western New York you'd never think about. Love this song. Makes me feel about home.

Ten thousand percent agree. This is from another planet. Ten thousand years from now people will still be talking about it.

Her newest album (2023) is stunning. She always comes up with ways to move us in a different direction.

Those in the know realize what a superb artist she truly is.

You puted words to my fellings when I listen Natalie singing, specially this song, always make my skin and heart shake!

Natalie Merchant is amazing. "Stockholm Gala Days" (1993) was a song from the final album with Natalie as the lead singer of the folk-rock band 10,000 Maniacs "Our Time in Eden" which would have made her 30 years old that year. Later in 1995, she quit the band and ventured off with her solo career. Thank you for sharing.

I've been a Merchant fan since Letterman, and went back further and had all of her albums through 2003 or so. And 10,000 of course. But it was always her, and her and Stipe.

@imobannon

Жыл бұрын

And also... in about 1994, I saw that emerald green in the hills above San Diego while I was in the Navy. Emerald Green like none I have seen, apart from dreams that escape me.

Insightful reaction

@daxmusix

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I've loved 10,000 Maniacs since "In my Tribe", this one has always been special though. Thanks for posting this performance, you can't take your eyes off her.

Love me some Natalie as well. Although I own some of her solo albums I only ever listen to the Maniacs stuff. Stockton Gala Days is my favorite song of theirs but my favorite vocals would be a toss up between Headstrong and Jezibel.

The music overwhelms her vocals here.

@daxmusix

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. And I should’ve mentioned that. The music should’ve been down a notch or two, so we could hear her lovely voice. Thanks

@rexgoodheart3471

2 жыл бұрын

@@daxmusix , Our Time In Eden is certainly within my top 10 favorite albums. Thanks for the video.

@user-hj3qp7yf3h

2 ай бұрын

Perhaps it's the acoustics of the smallish arena stage there, but yes a bit here. Still lovely. And this is quite an old recording now. Not sure, but yes. Live performances : )

I almost can't even listen to this song since when this album came out, I was going through a horrible breakup of a relationship, or was on the verge thereof. The song literally hit me between the eyes when I first bought the Eden album and put it on at home after a horrible day at work, among other things. I actually do play the song on guitar here these days for fun, sometimes. Enough time maybe has gone by. Honestly, this is a VERY sad song if you truly listen to the lyrics (and the music of course). I was trying to write a critical book on the Maniacs around the mid 90s but sadly, too much was against me. The band themselves didn't precisely seem thrilled at the idea, (I met John Lombardo once and he seemed totally disinterested or nonplussed at the idea of a book. It wasn't very encouraging, nor was he very encouraging), not that they were really involved, I did speak to a few of them briefly over those years. I met Jerry Augustyniak (and his wife, who was also a lovely person) at one of their post-Natalie shows in NYC and he was actually a much nicer, and much more down to earth guy to talk to. We both bonded over a love of Public Image Limited, of all things, which was playing in the bar after the show. When you see Jerry air-drumming to PIL, you know he's into it! I even tried to get some permissions granted to quote lyrics and was denied, uncategorically. Mind you this was not for even a major commercial book, but a small, indie-published title. I still don't quite understand why that occurred. However, I took it as a very bad omen and indeed, it proved to be so. I tried to interest Omnibus Press but they said there was "zero commercial interest" in 10,000 Maniacs as far as a critical book was concerned. My own publisher folded later on, and that was the end of that. Shelved. I'm not even much of a fan anymore but I used to be a massive fan of this band. Most of my friends hated them for some reason that I still don't understand entirely. My old HS friend Erik from LI NY here came with me to see R.E.M. in 1987 and the Maniacs opened, and he loathed them!! He seemed to find Natalie's dancing and movements irritating or insufferable. He was eager to see them off and R.E.M. to come on! A few old friends liked them though. Eden is still a solid album, minus a few preachy clunkers, mainly I can only listen to the early material these days, if at all. Anyway, this particular song is a barnstormer without a doubt, as difficult as it is. I started tuning out when they started writing "preachy" songs. At least Stockton Gala Days is nothing like that, it's from a very personal perspective.

It's Morgan Fichter on violin not Mary Ramsey.

I think she was talking to herself. Current Natalie is talking to the Natalie of those old days. And telling young Natalie that she'll never know what she becomes.

@daxmusix

2 жыл бұрын

That is an interesting perspective. I actually never thought of it that way. Thx

Love the enthusiasm in your reaction, but at some point you have to let the listener enjoy the song. Especially a song like this that most viewers have not heard before.

I was very upset when Natalie left the Maniacs. She's very talented, but her solo songs were pretty bland.

Merchant's solo album is mediocre at best. Maniacs needed her and vice versa. The reason why her songs are almost perfect is due to a polished musicians surrounding her. I think there's a performance floating around where she played with just Buck and it immediately elevated her performance. Stockton is my favorite Maniacs tune of all time.

@portcullis5622

2 жыл бұрын

Which solo album? She has released a few and none of them are mediocre or contain filler songs. 'Ophelia' in particular, was a great album.