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- WHAT'S RATTLIN'?
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:: The "Periodical" Digest
for Canterbury Music Addicts ::
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Issue #
194
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Sunday, July 7th,
2002
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Dear Rattlers,
Due to major problems with my computer - thankfully now
solved - this issue has again been preceded by a long silence, for
which I apologise. The situation is back to normal now and,
depending on the amount of e-mails I receive, there may well be
another WR quite soon.
The last couple of months have brought a mixture of good
and bad news for the Canterbury scene. Early last month I was
particularly shocked to hear of the untimely death (at 49) of
French guitarist Francois Ovide. Many of you will know Francois
from his work with John Greaves over the last two decades, most
recently on John's latest album "The Caretaker". Francois was also
a longtime collaborator of Albert Marcoeur, an avant-rock legend
in his own right; he had also played with Weidorje and Gwendal;
and also a very in-demand session player who had worked with some
of the most famous French mainstream pop singers. He was also
married to ex-Gong percussionist Mireille Bauer, with two
children. I had first met Francois in 1996 when, a few months
after seeing him play with John Greaves for the "Songs" concert in
Paris, I interviewed him with Geoff Richardson (Caravan) when both
were touring with Renaud. I was struck at how modest Francois was
regarding his ability and talent as a player, even to the point of
being self-deprecating. It is something of a tragedy in itself
that he never got around to making his own album, although there
were a couple of attempts. Last autumn, after Patrice Meyer left
John Greaves' live trio, Francois returned for a one-off gig in
Paris. As usual, he performed splendidly on both acoustic and
electric guitar. We will miss you, Francois.
I was in London when I heard the news. My reason for being
in London wasn't the Queen's Jubilee; it had a lot to do with the
recording sessions for the upcoming SoftWare album. As many of you
will know by now, SoftWare is a 'supergroup' of former Soft
Machine members - Elton Dean, Allan Holdsworth, Hugh Hopper and
John Marshall. The name was first used in 1999 when Dean, Hopper
and Marshall played a one-off gig in Germany with Keith Tippett on
piano. It has now been reactivated thanks to a recording contract
with Universal Music Japan, no less, and plans for international
touring and more recording. The album recorded in London in early
June, which I understand will be entitled "Abrakadabra", will be
released in Japan in September. The quartet will make their live
debut at the Progman Cometh festival in Seattle in mid-August, and
will tour Asia (mainly Japan) beginning late October, with plans
for live album to be recorded there.
Actually I have some fresh news as, since writing this
last paragraph, I've met Elton by chance (!) just a few streets
from here, outside a free open-air Herbie Hancock concert (of all
places)... Elton told me he's preparing for a rather busy summer -
he's going to Austria soon to work on a new project by drummer Joe
Gallivan; then rehearsals for the In Cahoots (with a new drummer
following the departure of Pip Pyle) and SoftWare gigs in Seattle;
then a performance by Keith Tippett's 'Tapestry' big band in
Barcelona; and the two gigs by PolySoft, playing the classic Soft
Machine repertoire, in Paris on September 13/14. I asked Elton
what SoftWare would play apart from the album material (more on
that below), and he said that, since he would be rehearsing Soft
Machine pieces for the PolySoft gig, they would probably pick two
or three such compositions to play with SoftWare, including
"Slightly All The Time" and, I would guess, "Facelift"...
As for the album... Well, although I was there for most of
the duration of the rehearsals and sessions, I wasn't actually
*inside* the rehearsal/recording room the whole time, so I only
really got one opportunity to hear the whole thing, at the
playback session on the last day of studio work. My general
impression is that this band has successfully avoided what could
have been expected from them - a sort of "Soft Machine 5 meets
Soft Machine Bundles"... I has neither the complex and angular
compositions of Mike Ratledge or the fusion leanings of
late-period Softs. Instead, the band sounds remarkably close to
Hugh Hopper's recent bands; probably in part because the
instrumentation is the same (oh, I didn't release, but since there
hasn't been a WR since, I didn't even review Hugh Hopper's French
gig from May...) - sax, guitar, bass and drums. Elton actually
played (a real) Fender Rhodes on a couple of tunes, in one case
using a Leslie cabinet to obtain a suitably 'vintage' sound...
As for the material... Well, the general concept was
really the formation of the band itself, since they had never
played all together before the first day of rehearsals; getting to
know each other, in other words. So they've relied largely on
existing material, although chances are most of you will only be
familiar with a couple of pieces - Elton's "Seven For Lee", and
Phil Miller's "Calyx" (already played by Elton and Hugh in the
second Hopper Dean Tippett Galliven album).
Elton brought two pieces he did (very well, incidentally)
on his recent Cuneiform album "Moorsong" - the gorgeous ballad
"Baker's Treat", and the funky "Willie The Knee". And Hugh
resurrected two overlooked pieces from his rare "Odd Friends" EP -
"Elsewhere" and "First Trane". Both clock in around 10 minutes so
you can see they've been rather extended. Apart from a spontaneous
duo jam by Allan and John, the only new compositions are Hugh's
"Spans" and Allan's "Al Frazela". Even so, because most of the
other tracks are not well-known, it does sound like a new project,
and anyway the ensemble playing is superb. It's particularly
fascinating to hear Allan Holdsworth play outside his usual
"technical fusion" mode; I guess he hasn't played other people's
music a lot in the last two decades, and it's certainly
refreshing. The unbelievable thing is that, since he doesn't read
music, Allan has to rely on sheets of pen-drawn chord sketches...
Yet, even on pieces he wasn't too familiar with, he came up with
his usual pyrotechnic lightning-fast solos... only to ask the
sound engineer to trash them immediately after recording them
because they were "crap"... In Mr. Holdsworth's case, I guess
"self-deprecating" is a major understatement. An impromptu meeting
with Kenny Wheeler at the rehearsal studio provided a classic
example of his (and Wheeler's) modesty.
Back to Elton's news for a minute... He told me Pip Pyle
is starting rehearsals for his band Pip Pyle's Bash tomorrow
(Monday) - this will feature Patrice Meyer on guitar, Fred Baker
on bass, and Alex Maguire (a frequent cohort of Elton's,
incidentally) on keyboards. I met Patrice a week ago at a Didier
Malherbe concert (which included a rather unexpected cover of
Steve Hillage's "Dervish Riff" from Fish Rising!), and he told me
that, in addition to new material composed by Pip over the last
couple of years - some of which I heard during the process, and it
was certainly very promising!! - they will play some of his own
stuff, including "Carousel" and the rarely performed full-length
version of "No Long Solos", both from the Hugh Hopper Band
repertoire.
Well, I guess that's about it for now, except to mention a
couple of Caravan newsbits, courtesy of Mark Powell. First, I have
finally gotten hold of the last two reissues in the
Decca/Universal series - of two albums that weren't actually
released by Decca in the first place, but thanks to the octopus
nature of Universal Music they've somehow fallen back into the
same catalogue. And there's no complaining with that in this
instance, since "Caravan", the very first album from 1969, and the
mythical "Best Of Caravan Live", a French-only release from 1980,
have been given the same superb treatment as the Decca/Deram back
catalogue (more good news are the reissues of the Camel albums,
including "A Live Record" with quite a lot of bonus material
featuring the voice and bass playing of Mr. Richard Sinclair).
In the case of the first album, this means we finally have
the entire mono version, which is such an improvement on the
terrible stereo mix (which is also included, of course). At last
you can actually hear Richard Sinclair singing on "Policeman" and
"Grandma's Lawn"! Sadly, the drum sound is still much too hollow
and echo-ey, but it's still something of a re-discovery. Great
liner notes and rare photos again, and a further bonus track - the
'single version' of "Hello Hello", a song which belongs on the
next album, only the master for this hadn't been located in time
for its reissue last year. In any case, not an essential find
anyway, hardly distinguishable from the album version - for
completists.
The "Live At Fairfield Halls 1974" CD is superb. This is
the new title for "Best Of Caravan Live" - and if that isn't
enough of an improvement, check out the specially commissioned
cover design which adorns this reissue. A token of the care and
respect which went into the whole reissue process... Another being
that the CD clocks in at 79:58 (!!!) - yet there was somehow room
for a bonus track, "Chance Of A Lifetime". This rendition, like
all the other tracks on this album, is superb, easily better than
the original; I second the general opinion that this is the
best-ever live document of Caravan ever made. The repertoire is
strong, the band tight and energetic (Geoff Richardson was a great
compere!), and there's that bit of extra magic that's unique to
the time period. Classic epics like "For Richard", "A Hunting We
Shall Go", "The Love In Your Eye" and "Virgin On The Ridiculous"
have rarely sounded that good. A must-have!!
Caravan fans are also in for an extra treat - read the
following, from Mark Powell -
"I would be really grateful if you could publicise a new
CD by Caravan available on limited edition . This is at the moment
a web and gig release only and is not available in the shops. It
is entitled 'Green Bottles for Marjorie': the Lost BBC Sessions.
This will consist of the following material, never before
released: 4 songs recorded on 31/12/1968 and broadcast on the BBC
on 5/1/1969- Green Bottles for Marjory, Place of My Own, Feelin'
Reelin' and Squealin', Ride, 3 songs recorded on 16/5/1971 but not
released- 9 Feet Underground, Land of Grey & Pink, Feelin'
Reelin and Squealin' (recorded in concert to promote the album L
of G & P), 1 song recorded on 11/4/1972 and broadcast on
2/5/1972- Love in Your Eye. The CD is 62 minutes long, with art
work by Phil Smee and remastering by Paschal Byrne. Please make
Chqs with card details on the back or postal orders for £13.25
including postage and packaging payable to M Powell (Caravan
Account) and send to Caravan Songs, 56 Alexandra Road, St Albans,
Herts, AL1 3AZ. Delivery will be within 21 days. If anyone has any
queries they can email caravansongs@aol.com"
I have just received a copy of this CD, and I urge all
Caravan fans to buy it. Firstly, although it is a self-produced
release by the band, it has the same quality of packaging as the
Decca remasters. It is musically a great complement to the two
volumes of BBC sessions put out by Hux Records a few years ago. Of
course, the sound quality isn't quite as good, although in some
case surprisingly decent. It's great to have a live rendition of
"Nine Feet Underground" from the period when the original was
released. And to hear the Steve Miller-era line-up for an extra 12
minutes is great too.
As far as I know, pretty much all the BBC sessions Caravan
ever did have been released - expect "Waterloo Lily" from the
11/4/1972 session. The November 1970 Top Gear session was included
(but not properly credited, or credited at all for that matter) on
the Mooncrest Records 1998 release "The Show Of Our Lives" -
including a great version of "For Richard". I understand more
releases are planned from the Caravan Songs label - I'm looking
forward to seeing what else is in store for us.
Well, I guess that's really it now. In closing I can only
urge you to do your best to attend the two major festivals that
will take place in August - the official "Canterbury Festival", in
Kent, which is more of a 'classic rock' festival than an actual
'Canterbury music' event, although names like Caravan and Kevin
Ayers are probably enough to make it qualify as such. Anyway,
there's so many great bands appearing (ranging from prog to
punk/new-wave!) that it's worth going for everyone! Secondly,
there is of course the "Progman Cometh" event in Seattle; this
isn't a purely 'Canterbury' event either, although it has more
Canterbury music that you would dare to dream of ever seeing. All
in all, appearing will be Phil Miller, Pip Pyle, Elton Dean, Hugh
Hopper, Richard Sinclair, Kevin Ayers, Daevid Allen, Allan
Holdsworth, John Marshall and Patrice Meyer. I understand even
Mike Ratledge and Robert Wyatt were asked to appear, but both
declined (how surprising...)!! Details of both on the website.
I wish you all a very fine summer... But don't forget to
write, especially if you are lucky enough to attend these great
festivals. I'm not sure I will be able to, so...
Aymeric
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From: CuneiWay@aol.com
Subject: Nucleus
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 21:11:37 EDT
Cuneiform Records has licensed a live 1971 German radio
broadcast by the UK fusion ensemble NUCLEUS, which we will
release sometime in 2003.
Unfortunately we have not been able to come up with photos
to use for the booklet of the band/musicians
If anyone has usable photos or leads for photos of Nucleus
or the musicians who made up Nucleus in that period of time [Ian
Carr, Brian Smith, Ray Russell, Karl Jenkins, Roy Babbington &
John Marshall], please contact us.
Thank you
Steve
Cuneiform Records
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From: "Stefano Cicale" <s.cicale@keposnet.com>
Subject: Caravan in Italy (Sarzana and Rimini)
Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 01:56:27 +0200
Dear Aymeric,
I made it to be present at two out of the four concerts
that Caravan gave in Italy. Rome was too far and Ancona was not
compatible with family needs, but I could be present at the shows
held on thursday 18th in Sarzana and Friday 19th in Rimini.
The band (left to right):
Geoff Richardson, Jim Leverton, Pye Hastings, Doug Boyle,
Dave Sinclair; on the back end, Richard Coughlan, of course.
The programs:
SARZANA
o All the way
o A very smelly, grubby, little oik
o Liar
o The dog, the dog, he's at it again
o Nine Feet Underground
o Travelling Ways
o Medley:
All Aboard (only few seconds...)
Where but for Caravan would I
O Caroline
The dabsong conshirtoe
The Love in lour Eye
Backwards
A hunting we shall go (reprise)
o Nightmare
o Nowhere to hide
o I know why you're laughing
o For Richard
o Encore: Hoedown
RIMINI
o All the way
o A very smelly, grubby, little oik
o Liar
o The dog, the dog, he's at it again
o Nine Feet Underground
o Travelling Ways
o Medley:
All Aboard (only few seconds...)
Where but for Caravan would I
O Caroline
The dabsong conshirtoe
The love in lour eye
Backwards
A hunting we shall go (reprise)
o Nightmare
o Nowhere to hide
o For Richard
o Encore: If I could do it all over again I'd do it all
over you
The first concert (Sarzana) was given in a nice pub, in
front of a quite large and very enthusiastic audience. The second
one (Rimin) was held in an underground disco, in front of an
audience a little bit colder, probably because of the venue, which
was really under-ground, with a ceiling very low which made the
band seem a little bit far from the audience, and mainly because,
starting from about half past twelve, many pepole came in
waiting for the usual disco program to start: most of them
probably didn't even know that the band who was playing was
CARAVAN!!!
I was in Sarzana in the late afternoon and I found Caravan
waiting for the personnel to give them the chance to do the usual
sound check and final rehearsals. Unfortunately there were some
troubles with the keyboards and Dave Sinclair had to spend about
two hours before he could get the right sounds. This caused a
little delay in the beginning of the show, which began at 22:45.
Caravan chose to start the show not with the usual lively
Memory lain, Hugh, but with the slow and beautiful All the way,
from the Blind Dog at St. Dunstans album. The same beautiful
album, which deserves better attention - someone writes it's a
minor effort - has been represented by A very smelly, grubby
little oik, another song that is very good in its live version
too. As you can see from the list, the set of songs that Pye and
fellows have chosen can satisfy both the occasional listeners and
the loyal fans: some songs that can never miss and some songs not
very often performed live.
It's very hard for an old time fan of Caravan to tell
which ones were the most remarkable songs, but at least we must
spend some words about Nightmare, the great ending song of Better
by far, it's been played superbly, with beautiful voice (needless
to say), beautiful arrangement and beautiful Viola solo. I think
that Better by far is probably the album in which Geoff Richardson
gives it's best and mature contribution to Caravan, and I'm not
forgetting great albums such as For girls who grow plump in the
Night.
Travelling Ways saw Jim Leverton voice even better than in
the former performances that we know from recordings (Utrecht,
Astoria) and an astonishing mandolin solo by Geoff Richardson. The
long medley made a young man somewhere in front of me in the
audience say "Tomorrow I'm going to buy all their CD's!". What can
I say more? A pleasant surprise was Oh Caroline (if you remember
it had already been performed by Caravan of Dreams) this time
beautifully sung by Doug Boyle, who has a voice that, if it's not
powerful, really fits the song. Unfortunately the audience in
Rimini could not enjoy this, because of some errors at the mixing
console.
We should not forget NOWHERE TO HIDE, written by Dave
Sinclair and probably present in the forthcoming Caravan studio
album, which - as promised by Pye Hastings - will be available in
autumn. As many Caravan fans probably know, five songs have
already been recorded. Nowhere to hide is a long beautiful song,
sung by leading Jim Leverton, often doubled by Pye and Geoff. The
song is rich and very good. It contains, at least in the live
performance, a quite long instrumental part with the best Dave
Sinclair playing what we like him to play. Personally I didn't
need to listen to this song to begin to wait impatiently for the
album, but after having listened to it, I think that many people
who were there at the shows, will regularly ask their record
sellers: When the album is available?
...And what else... Hoedown and For Richard have been
played at the highest levels, and would have deserved a live
recording. Nine feet underground, as usual played by Dave Sinclair
differently each time, and different from the Grey and Pink
version, unfortunately suffered by the lack of knowledge of
Caravan music of the people at the Mixing console, so sometimes
you could hardly hear the first notes of the keyboard solos,
because the volume was often raised with some delay. Anyway the
performance by the band was very good both in Sarzana and in
Rimini.
In summary, trying to forget I've always been a Caravan
fan: two very good shows that would have pleased anyone who likes
good music and well played. Caravan get together very well,
showing of course to have rehearsed much more than when I could
see the band in Utrecht. The music is played precisely and with
enthusiasm by the band. Richard Coughlan and Jim Leverton are a
very good rhythmic support (and not only this, of course). Doug
Boyle has changed the guitar, finding a warmer sound which
probably better fits the usual Caravan sound. His solos are always
technically astonishing and perfect, but not for this empty or
useless.
Some errors at the console unfortunately made the powerful
Jim Leverton backing vocals surpass the leading voice of Pye
Hastings. Caravan have three great solists (Boyle, Sinclair,
Richardson) and in these italian shows the balance between them
have been improved if compared with former performances.
Caravan like the music they play and we like it too; at
the shows there were people coming from very far italian towns,
and I'm sure it's been worth travelling for all of us. We hope
Caravan play again in Italy!
A final thing, that I'm even shy to tell: after the show
Pye Hastings, who's a very friendly and kind person, was available
to tell us something about the new tracks, but I was four hundred
kilometers far from home, it was later than two A.M. and I knew
that even if I arrived at home at six in the morning (and that's
what happened), one hour later my little child son would have
kidnapped his father, as it's his own right... so I had to leave.
Sorry for this, Rattlers, and thanks Pye: you know that you and
Caravan have friends here in Italy.
P.S.: As formerly announced, at the italian shows the
remastered version of the first Caravan album and the Fairfields
show CD's were available. If you like Caravan you will of course
enjoy the first album, which, besides being compiled in both the
mono mix and the stereo mix, is free from the error at the
beginning of Grandma's Lawn, present in a former CD release. And
even if you are not between the most enthusiastic Caravan fans,
you will love the Fairfields Hall live. If compared with the
original LP (The best of Caravan live), the sound is greatly
improved, Be Allright is not rudely interrupted, but is followed,
as nature laws dictate, by Chance of a Lifetime, Caravan are very
warm and it's definitely the best Caravan official live recording.
It's incredible that it was the first Wedgwood live performance
playing bass with Caravan! Here you will find a 15 minutes long
version of The Love in Your Eye with great Hastings and Sinclair
performances, beautiful Hastings songs, Virgin on the Ridiculous
played without the orchestra, a beautiful version of the Hunting
we shall go/Backwards suite, and a great 19 minutes long
performance of For Richard!
Ciao!
Stefano Cicale.
P.S. : Aymeric, thanks again for all your work, please
hold on!
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From: rcarlberg@aol.computer (Robert Carlberg)
Subject: Seattle Prog Festival, Part II
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2002 08:41:32
This just gets better and better!
We're having a Canterbury reunion in Seattle!
In addition to SOFTWARE (the new group featuring Hugh
Hopper, Elton Dean, Allan Holdsworth & John Marshall, all
ex-Softies), a few other bands have been announced for the
"Progman Cometh" Festival on August 16th & 17th at Seattle's
Moore Theatre. Here's the updated link with all the new info:
http://twomonkeyfinger.com/progman.html
HUGHSCORE (Hugh Hopper, Fred Chalenor, Elaine DiFalco,
Tucker Martine & Steve Moore in what I think is their first
festival appearance anywhere?)
KOPECKY (brothers Joe, Paul & William Kopecky, hot off
a blazing performance at BajaProg!)
PHREEWORLD (Dave Wheeler, Mark Phraner, Brian Phraner, and
Donovan Michaels
-- not familiar with 'em)
And get this, Pip Pyle's new band, "PIP PYLE'S BASH" which
includes Patrice Meyer (long-time Hopper bandmate), the great Fred
Baker on bass, and Alex Maguire on Hammond, Rhodes & synths!
And let's not forget GLASS, who are putting this whole
thing together.
Mellotron also promises to debut their first new
instrument in 15 years, the Mellotron Mark VI.
Shoot, this is pretty incredible. The last time anybody
Canterbury played Seattle, it was SEVERAL years ago (1993?) when
Richard Sinclair played a very poorly-promoted solo show, in the
(no kidding!) basement banquet room of a Chinese restaurant. He
ended up sitting and sharing a pint with every one of the 16 of us
who showed up.
As Jeff Sherman (GLASS) puts it, "Did you ever in your
wildest imagination think something like this would ever happen?"
[There have been further additions since this message -
check the festival's website for more info - AL]
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From: "Steve Foster" <stevefoster.london@virgin.net>
Subject: Martin Wakeling / WAWS
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 17:39:32 +0100
Dear Aymeric
Thanks for the latest What's Rattlin'? - great to hear the
latest news.
Have you any news concerning Martin Wakeling and Why Are
We Sleeping? That trail seems to gone very cold of late. What with
Manchester City getting promotion, a new(ish) Kevin Ayers cd and a
handful of gigs this year, I would have thought Martin would be
delirious and eager to spread the news. Is he OK?
I imagine you will be at Canterbury 2002 - hope to catch
up with you there.
All the best
Steve
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From: "Simon Knights" <simon@bridge-village.org.uk>
Subject: Rotters Club book.
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 10:21:43 +0100
Hi Aymeric and fellow Rattlers,
In issue 192 Rick Chafen took time to mention a novel
called 'The Rotters Club' by Jonathan Coe. When I first saw this
book last year it practically jumped of the shelf in the shop -
well with a title like that, it would be hard for a rattler not to
notice it. But the hardback price was more than my meagre pocket
could manage - so it stayed in the shop. The good news is that it
is now available in paperback - £6.99 in the UK....but £2.00
discount in Waterstones.
As Rick said, it tells the story of what it was like to be
a teenager during the 1970's in England. The ineffectiveness of
Edward Heath's Government, the re-election of Labour under Wilson
and then Callaghan - a time when things were not as they are now -
it all seems strangely distant. The main character of the novel is
introduced to the music of Henry Cow, Hatfield et al by his older
sisters boyfriend (The Hairy Guy).
Personally, I found my self identifying with much of what
happened. All my own teenage years were in the 1970's and I spent
a lot of time listening to the like of Soft Machine, Henry Cow,
Hatfield etc etc (well, you'd guessed that didn't you ?). I have
to say, that I am quite enjoying the book. Rick found the writing
disjointed - to be honest, I don't. The chapters do alternate (at
least up to the point where I am now) between the life of the
teenagers - which tell of the growing pains, finding their
way, exploring and experimenting and contrasting with the life of
their parents, which covers more of the political background etc.
For me, the book is a 'must' simply because of the period
in which it is set, and the events and lives of the individuals. I
grew up in Kent and not Birmingham (as in the story) so my area
was country towns and villages and not the sprawling city.
Keep rattlin',
Simon Knights
Canterbury.
ps: Richard Sinclair's new CD 'Live Tracks'...great
stuff...get one today !
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From: Jonny Greene <jonny@planetgong.co.uk>
Subject: Gong Bong - June 02 (PP)
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2002 01:35:57 +0100
Whether it is your longest day or your shortest a very
celebratory, auspicious and magical Solstice to you. I hope and
trust that however and wherever you are, your higher elf rests
assured that you're doing the right thing in the right place - of
course it does.
News A GO-GO ahead with details of what's happening,
what's about to happen, what did happen and what may never happen
in this lifetime/dimension... Plus some deep fantasies that we may
make real together.
As we joyously spin even further out of the rather crooked
alignment with the 'powers that be' in mu-sick land, direct
contact with you becomes ever more real, deep and precious.
GILLI
I can't really start this Gilli newsbit without once more
commending all the hard work she and Orlando put into the live 'OK
Friends' Gong CD (details of which are in the New Release section
further on) which many of you are enjoying - maybe even right now.
Never one to put her feet up much after completing one
project Gilli has also almost finished a collection of satirical
poems (a sequel to 'Godly Talk')... called 'Vagaries of Godly
Thought'. It's a 60 page collection that deals with the marvellous
absurdities and contradictions in spiritual practices of all
kinds, including organized religion. Could be out by September.
The two San Francisco based projects involving Gilli also
seem to be nearing the end of their protracted gestation period.
The latest word is:-
GONG MATRIX
Gilli will be in San Francisco in September to finish the
Gong Matrix album, 'It Just Is'. This was started before September
11th but because of those events it was felt that some things had
to be rewritten for a changed world. The Matrix band is Pierce,
bass player and composer, with James, of the music for this CD...
Aryeh is the musical tug your heartstrings player, on electric
violin, harp, mandolin, flute. Gilli wrote the structure and the
lyrics, which she is still working on. But still could be out
before Christmas.
TALIESIN AND THE NINTH WAVE
DVD by Jen of Keltic Designs is almost up to release date.
It really gives full value to the beautiful designs of ancient and
modern Celtic life that Jen sells all over the world... On this
project Gilli recorded voices of all kinds, some for ancient
Celtic poems, some for her own poems on the same subject.
Unbeknownst to each other, Gilli and Jen have been working in the
same area of ancient myth for years, though they only met a couple
of years ago when this project came up. (Gilli wrote and
recorded the Taliesin /Ceridwen story for the 'Mother' album in
l979). And of course Taliesin himself has recorded an ancient song
from the Book of Taliesin (circa 6OO A.D.) for Gilli's 'It's all a
Dream' album.
Talking of which, there are plans to re-release 'It's All
A Dream' in a new edition. Taliesin has made great new designs for
it which will be worked into new layout, and it may be
re-mastered, now that miraculously Gilli and Orlando have acquired
some state of the art mastering software.
Gilli is also now working on some film music (producing
and writing). One of her first loves, since early Gong days, when
the band made made the music for several films, Gilli did many
voice overs such as 'Barbarella' (bet you didn't know that) and
'Le Chat' (Marcial Reysse). So anybody out there with ongoing film
projects...contact the website - http://www.gillismyth.t2u.com
DAEVID/ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE TRIO
After getting on famously at the Royal Festival Hall
Gong/Acid Mothers Temple/Orb bash last year Daevid is getting
together with Acid Mothers, Kawabata Makoto and Cotton to perform
in what I'm sure is destined to be a new-psychedelic-defining,
wild improv trio at the Egg Lake Faire in the States in August. I
do wish I could be there coz it'll be very 'different'.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ERRORS NEWS
Gauguin said "There are only two kinds of artists: the
plagiarists and the revolutionaries." I know which category the
University of Errors falls into! So rekindle that inner spark of
adventure and wildness I know to be inside each one of you, and
join them either in person, at one of the rapidly evolving tour
dates (see gig section), or with your ears via the miracle of
modern digital recording technology. Or then again you could just
get out there and make your own 'errors'... Oh, I see... you are.
Actually events are really Errorizing into existence all
over now (Their time has come). Plans for the extensive touring
from August through October are now almost complete and every gig
is shaping up to be something special.
It all kicks of in August in Seattle at the Progman
Festival when Kevin Ayers, no less, joins Daevid and the
band for what just has to be a unique event. Being a Festival
there are of course loads of other performers - find out all about
it at:- http://207.178.193.147/progman.asp
Two other UofE performances will also be taking place in
the Pacific Northwest the week following the festival. On Thursday
August 22 at I-Spy in Seattle and at the the Egg Lake Music Faire
on a bill with the Daevid/Acid Mothers Trio (see above), Richard
Sinclair, and Damo Suzuki.
There are possibilities of one or two shows in the San
Francisco area at the end of August and early September - we'll be
sure to keep you posted on those. On Sept. 7 the Faculty will be
flying to Paris to begin a 5-8 week tour of the Europe (Norway,
France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark).
Dates are coming in confirmed every day now, but to avoid too much
confusion, we won't release all the details until next month,
although a few of the dates listed below in the gigs section.
"What about the UK?" I hear you cry. Well with Glen (the
Gong agent) up to his credit cards in the Canterbury Festival
(Pretty Things, Caravan and all), and the joys of sorting out the
recent Arthur Lee of Love tour there seems to be no-one to bridge
the gap. We are still looking at the possibilities - any ideas?
Finally, CDs - the third album 'Ugly Music For Monica' has
been finished and Daevid will be completing the cover artwork
soon. The CD is scheduled for release in France with our friends
on Audiocrash Records in August and of course will be available
from GAS. Their rather remarkable second album, 'e2x10=tenure' has
been repressed and is now back in the Kasbah after being
unavailable for several months.
For further info
contact <profpeterperplexed@universityoferrors.com>
GONG DREAMING II
The two Da(e)vid's (Allen and Gregson) put aside work on
the opus to complete work on the Subterrania DVD and new From Here
To Eternitea covers - so not too much progress on the book layout
front. Because of that I decided to postpone the website
subscription page promised over the past couple of months. However
with those two items ticked off the 'to do' list I've been busy
HTML-ing the subscription page once more.
GONG SUBTERRANIA DVD
Well even though the cover and menu pages have been
finished by Daevid and David Gregson in Australia (you can see a
version of it in the news on the website), and it was scheduled
for an end of July release, 24th I think, due to a few
technical hitches and a further improving of the fabulous (so I'm
reliably informed) 5.1 surround-sound mix, this date no longer
will be met. I'm not sure when a new release date will be
revealed, but I''ll let you know as soon as I can.
NEW
FROM HERE TO ETERNITEA CD COVER
Daevid has also completed the new alienized 'From Here To
Eternitea' CD cover to replace the rather grim first pressing one.
But once again I have no information when, or even if, Snapper are
going to use it. I suspect that it will just happen with the next
pressing whenever that will be. However, if it isn't used I will
make it available on the website for anyone who wants to download
it, print it out and give their copy of from 'Here To
Eternitea' the cover it deserves. Maybe I'll just do that
anyway.
SNIPPETS and RUMOURS
After his trip to Russia Pierre Moerlen tells me that he
has been recording an album with some Russian musicians. No
further details. Maybe there's some more info on his web-site - if
there isn't right now I'm sure there so will be.
http://www.geocities.com/pierre_moerlen/
Just between you and me - there is a 'reclaiming the
heritage' Gong Family release which has been bubbling away on a
secret back-burner in deepest outback for some time now. It's not
too far off 'unveiling' will be cause for much rejoicing - I know
you'll like it, and it's ethic - Beyond these few semi-buried
words I can say no more. I have been sworn to secrecy and death by
tickling if any more leeks out.
Brian Zero has another band on the go called 'Space
Bandits' - "can you see what it is yet?". We are promised Devonian
and SW UK gigging in the not too distant future.
I can't remember if I have asked you about this before but
does anyone know anything about this release?
OR011 Allen Daevid
Manatee's
Snackinwith
That's how the listing was sent to me. Is it a Daevid
bootleg, a homage by the Manatee's, or what? Any help
solving the riddle would be appreciated and disseminated to all.
And if you are a Manatee and it has got something to do with el
alien - go-on, send us a copy.
Gong friend Chris Cambridge came and digitally videoed
some of the Gong gigs last year and is currently having a go to
make some choice cuts internet ready - so perhaps we can get some
moving pixies on the site sometime in the future
Keith tha Bass is embarking on some serious Here & Now
live tape listening with a view to compiling a new live CD
collection.
After their successful appearance at one Grant Showbiz's
Sunday Mellout events recently Cipher will probably contribute a
couple of tracks to a compilation CD Grant will be releasing.
BABIES
Ending the general news is - well...the beginning - Oh
these joyful personal events come wizzing in and in the afterglow
of my happiness for the participants I sometimes forget to pass on
the news. So belated congratulations to Tim Blake, who became a
father last year, Brian Zero and Jackie Juno, whose little
Sapphire came 2 months ago (very nearly at our house - but that's
another story), and future blessings on Pip Pyle who is to become
a dad again in, I think, October.
* * * * *
PLANETGONG WEBSITE UPDATES
Links updated, checked and added to.
Info Now Gigs updated.
There's a bit of a backlog of half-built pages to be
completed and added over the next couple of weeks including a
simply wonderful piece of writing by Monty Oxymoron about one of
the Self Initiation Workshops, loads more lyrics, Gilli's Gong
rarities, and the GAS subscription page - which will be first.
* * * * *
OTHER WEB NEWS
Calling all you web-fishers - the usual request. If you
find any Gong related pages or links out there please let us know
so we can all have a look, listen, laugh, groan or whatever
There is a good little recent interview with Daevid on the
Mescalina website in Italian and English.
http://www.mescalina.it/musica/interviste-/daevid_allen_ing.htm
Daevid has also been recently been interviewed by BBC
Online about the Glastonbury Festival. It should be posted on
their site sometime this week
http://news.bbc.co.uk
Theo Travis has a page on his web-site with a complete
list of all the Gong gigs he has been involved with since joining
the band in May 1999.
http://www.travis.force9.co.uk/gong.htm
Luc Pilmeyer has fully updated both the sites he is
webmaster of:-
University of Errors site.
http://www.universityoferrors.com
Gilli's site - http://www.gillismyth.t2u.com
The System 7 has been updated with all the latest gig and
release news. - http://www.a-wave.com/system7
Tim's site seems to have a new nicely changing front page
and I'm sure there's much more newness inside -
http://www.a-wave.com/system7
3 more Psyquest mp3s from Mad Stoff at http://newom.fr.st
* * * * *
GIGS and EVENTS
KANGAROO MOON - European/UK Summer Dates
Thr 04 Jul UK, Leeds, The Grove. Tel
0113243 9254
Fri 05 Jul UK, Telfords Warehouse,
Chester 01244 390 090 http://www.telfordswarehouse.com
Sat 06 Jul UK, Trades Club, Hebbden
Bridge 01422 845265
Thr 11 Jul UK, Shrewsbury, Buttermarket. 01743
231 142. http://www.jazzandroots.com
Fri 12 Jul UK, Hitchin, Rhythms of the World
Festival. 01462 457326
Sat 13 Jul UK, Cardiff, Toucan Club.
02920 372 212
http://www.toucanclub.co.uk
Sun 14 Jul UK, Bath, The Bel. Tel 01225 446975
Tue 16 Jul UK, Brighton, Komedia. 01273
647100. http://www.komedia.co.uk
Fri 19 Jul UK, Glastonbury, Assembly
Rooms. 01458 834677 http://www.assemblyrooms.org.uk
Sat 20 Jul UK, Sesiwn Fawr Festival,
Dolgellau, Wales. http://www.sesiwnfawr.demon.co.uk
Sun 21 Jul UK, Glossop, Lift Festival. 01457
853821 http://www.theliftglobalmusicclub.com
Tue 23 Jul UK, Hartlepool, The Studio.
01429 424440
http://www.studiohartlepool.com
Thr 25 Jul UK, N. Someset, Big Green
Gathering.
Fri 26 Jul UK, Bridport, The Bull. Tel 01308
425713. TBC
Sat 27 Jul UK, Swanage, Worth Matravers,
Square & Compass. Tel 01929 439229
Tue 30 Jul Germany, Cologne. TBC
Wed 31 Jul Germany, Geissen, Domizil.
Thr 01 Aug Germany, Berlin, Tacheles Cafe
Zapata. TBC
Fri 02 Aug Germany, Nurnberg, Barden Tree
Festival.
http://www.bardentreff.de
Sat 03 Aug Germany, Tubingen, Sudhaus.
Sun 04 Aug Switzerland, Open-air Emmen,
Luzern, Tel 041 2604460. http://www.comaluzern.ch
GRAHAM CLARK - New residency.
The first of new monthly residency. Gentle jazz with Neil
Frost singing and playing guitar.
Thr 04 Jul UK, Poyton, The Foyer Cafe Bar, 10a
London Rd. Tel 01625 879 577
TIM BLAKE - UK, Hawkwind Festival.
The Hawks' very own special 'mini festival' with all
manner of friends and relations including Tim B. Find out about
the requirements you need of comply with to be there (some kind of
Hawkwind passport apparently?) - here
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hwind/hw_jshome.html
19-21 Jul UK, Nr Devon coast
somewhere.
UNIVERSITY OF ERRORS - US August dates.
Professor Emeritus of the College of Pataphysics Kevin
Ayers will be joining Daevid and the Errors for a one time only
performance at the Progman Festival, and at the Egg Lake Faire
there will be a Daevid/Acid Mothers Temple members line-up as well
as an Errors performance.
Sun 18 Aug USA, Seattle, Progman Cometh
Music Festival
http://207.178.193.147/progman.asp
Thr 22 Aug USA, Seattle, I-Spy
http://www.ispyseattle.com/home/home.html
Sat 24 Aug USA, San Juan Island, Egg Lake
Music Faire
DAEVID ALLEN/ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE TRIO
Daevid together with Acid Mothers, Kawabata Makoto and
Cotton to perform as what is destined to be psychedelic-defining
improv trio.
Sat 24 Aug USA, San Juan Island, Egg Lake
Music Faire
UNIVERSITY OF ERRORS - European Tour, Sept-Oct
Dates coming in France, Italy, Norway, Denmark,
Switzerland, Spain, Netherlands. Below are some of the confirmed
dates - more in the gig news as they come in, I think 5 or 6 gigs
in Norway are also now confirmed but I don't have details of those
yet.
Mon 9 Sep France, Paris, Nouveau Casino
http://www.nouveaucasino.net
Tue 10 Sep Belgium, Vervier, Spirit of 66
Thr 10 Oct France, Paris, New Morning-
with James Chance & Terminal City http://www.newmorning.com
Fri 11 Oct Switzerland, La Chaux de
Fonds, Le Bikini Test - with James Chance & Terminal City
http://www.bikinitest.ch
THOM THE WORLD POET - October UK Tour.
The long range poet forecast - a lifeforce returns.
Sat 12 Oct UK, Cheltenham, Voices Off
Festival.
Available for professional poetic possibilities in October
2002. Contact us or Thom.
http://www.geocities.com/worldpoet_2000 for THOMTOURS
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Canvas/1410/thompoems.htm
* * * * *
NEW/RECENT & BACK IN STOCK ITEMS
Prices shown are in UK Pounds Sterling and are P&P.
CD: OK Friends - Gong (Gas AGASCD017)
UK/EU £ 12.50 - USA/Rest of World £10.64
This is a delightful sonic 'postcard' gathered from from
all those remarkable gigs at the end of last year. It captures the
essence of that strange Gong adventure perfectly. Gilli and
Orlando (great mastering and editing), with the very odd spare ear
from Daevid, have compiled the most wonderfully, Gong affirming
live CD from recordings made in Norway, France and the UK.
The brief they set themselves was to compile a release
using only the most scintillating solos and the most atmospheric
passages from the recordings they had - the parts of concerts that
remain with you long after it's all over - not serving up yet more
versions of much too well known songs. And they have succeeded
admirably, it certainly made these somewhat over-Gonged ears
sit-up, take notice and smile... if you would like smiling ears as
well then look no further. All the musicians involved are well
represented There's a beautiful, photograph-rich booklet produced
by Daevid and 'Gong Dreaming Book I' designer David Gregson
in Australia.
CD: e2x10=tenure - Daevid Allen's University of
Errors
UK/EU £ 12.50 - USA/Rest of World £10.64
Thanks to Michael Clare the new pressing of the shockingly
good second UofE CD means it is back in stock again after a bit of
a gap. And as the original pressings (the GAS members and the
regular ones) have all gone, the relationship with the US label
has come to an amicable end, then we may well be soon the only
place to get this CD.
For me it's an album that just grows and grows in stature
and contains a couple of my all time favourite Daevid compositions
ever. It may be sacrilege to say so, but Gong would be a force and
a half, not just the wonderful twinkling secret society that we
seem to be, if it could but take on board some of the
sensibilities of this lot. But hey it's great to have both - but
we definitely need both.
CD: Reflections In A Radio Shower - Spirits Burning
(Gazul)
UK/EU £ 12.50 - USA/Rest of World £10.64
Daevid has written and plays on 6 tracks of this CD by a
spontaneous band composed of the best of some older and current
musicians, working in the fields of Progressive Rock, NeMusic,
Nu-Psychedelic and Krautrock. The project initiator is keyboardist
Don Falcone, an eminent 'Trap' & Spaceship Eyes member. The
miracles of technology even allow the participation of the
legendary Robert Calvert (Hawkwind). It's all rather strange,
atmospheric and wonderful.
CD: Kangaroo Moon - Between Two Worlds (Klangbad)
UK/EU £ 13.50 - USA/Rest of World £11.49
This new Moonie CD is not for the celtic/folk-diehards
amongst their followers as it's often rather more akin to Planet
Gong, albeit it smoother and funkier, than what we have become
used to from them. Loads of Steffe-ish guitar, clean, clear
production and and some wonderful Mark Robson melodies mark
this release out as a major step in the Moonie's saga -
whether you think it's up or down depends on your addiction to
whistles, violins, jigs and reels (although there are a couple).
CD: Blake's New Jerusalem - Tim Blake (Voiceprint)
UK/EU £ 12.50 - USA/Rest of World £10.64
Horray! The long promised Voiceprint edition of one of Mr
Blake's best is finally with us. If you've worn out your old copy
(can you wear out CDs?) or have never heard it before then 'get
them while they're hot'.
LP: Angel's Egg - Gong (Get Back GET 613)
UK/EU £ 12.50 - USA/Rest of World £10.64
The vinyl junkies that walk amongst us continue to be well
served by the Italian reissue label Get Back with this unexpected
(well they didn't tell me) release of the second part of the Gong
trilogy on 180gm virgin vinyl in it's wonderful, original gatefold
sleeve and with 24 bit re-mastering to boot.
As with their Flying Teapot, Camembert Electrique and
Bananamoon vinyl reissues this looks and feels great...but I
haven't actually heard it yet. However the inclusion of 'Ooby
Scooby Doomsday' as a 'new' last track calls into question what
masters were used for this release, as that track was not on the
original LP. The track listing actually follows the Virgin
CD release where 'Ooby Scooby' was included as a 'bonus' track.
Strange and disturbing... And I still can never understand how, as
with the Japanese 'mini-LP' sleeved Gong CDs, something 'licensed'
from Charly Records, as this is, can come in a Virgin sleeve? So
an oddity in many respects - but still way cheaper than hunting
down an original mint copy.
Leaving aside the imponderables, this release would of
course have benefited from the inclusion of the legendary 'Blue
Book' insert - but maybe that's a gap in the market that we can
fill with a reprint? Oh yeah, remember - buy anywhere other than
from GAS and no Gong musician benefits in any practical way
whatsoever (they won't even get the publishing royalties)...but
whatever, if you need it, you need it and anything I say
isn't going to stop you. And it is still glorious music.
Finally back in stock are most of the Gong and Steve
Hillage Virgin titles - Angel's Egg, You, Gazeuse, Expresso II,
Shamal, Fish Rising, Green, Live Herald and the first System 7 CD.
* * * * *
AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER
This release will be available to pre-order in the Kasbah
after the weekend. And as with he pre-ordering of 'OK Friends'
cards will not be debited until the CDs are sent out.
CD: One Who Whispers - Cipher (Gliss CD007)
UK/EU £ 12.50 - USA/Rest of World £10.64
The, by turns deeply mysterious and jewel-like, fruition
of what we have been calling until now the 'Alien/Cipher' project
in past news is complete. The ambient, gliss guitar, sax and flute
concept was inspired by some wonderful pre-Gong gig sound checking
between Theo and Daevid. Daevid appears on 6 of the 9 tracks
alongside Cipher, who for the record are Theo Travis on flutes,
soprano sax, wah-wah sax and samples and Dave Sturt, on just about
everything else.
The deep ambient experimentalists Cipher morph their
live flute, sax and bass with rich soundscapes and layers of
looped instrumental atmospherics. Following their acclaimed debut
'No Ordinary Man', and recent performances with silent films, 'One
Who Whispers' further explores Cipher's unique soundworld, this
time with six of the nine tracks incorporating glissando guitar
textures of Gong's inimitable Daevid Allen and a further track
made in collaboration with synth texturalist Richard Barbieri
(Japan/Porcupine Tree). Perhaps the closest thing to a follow up
to Daevid Allen's beautiful.'22 Meanings' that has yet been
released.
Beautifully recorded sound - recorded by Toby Robinson
(Gong/ Derek Bailey), mixed by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and
mastered by Andy Jackson (Grammy winning Pink Floyd engineer).
* * * * *
IMMINENT RELEASES
CD: Ugly Music For Monica - University of Errors
(Autocrash)
I haven't heard the final mix of this, the third UofE
release yet, but by all reports it is as major a step as
'e2x10=tenure' was from 'Money Doesn't Make It' (and Money was
great to start with) so I expect off the wall magic, painful joy
and joyful pain, sounds that happily challenge my perceptions of
the participants - in short expansive reward a plenty. Really
looking forward to it. To be released in August in time for the
tours.
CD: Mysterious Traveller - System 7 (A-Wave CD009)
The new System 7 releases, due in July, are a celebration
of their long, exciting working relationship with original
Godfather of Detroit techno, Derrick May.
"Meshing funky lush Detroit techno soundscapes and tuff
beats with System 7's haunting spacey grooves, this album
showcases new mixes of rare and unreleased tracks from both System
7 & Derrick May, together and solo. It joins the dots from
early deep and unbridled funky 90's techno through to today's more
eclectic technoid soundscapes.
There are 10 tracks in all including vintage highlights
such as Rhythim Is Rhythim's 'Icon' masterpiece (the full version
never released on CD before). The unreleased electro-tinged
'Prototype 1', 'Altitude', here in its rare Mayday mix, and
the lush live jam, 'Fractal Liaison' which come from the first
System 7 album, and were produced over 10 days in September 1990
and the exclusive new System 7 track 'E-merge'."
Also released around the same time will be a limited 4
track doublepack sampler.
Both will of course be in the Kasbah - can't wait.
* * * * *
RECENTLY RELEASED BUT NOT IN THE KASBAH YET (maybe never
will be)
CD: Soft Machine - Soft Machine (Metrodome)
The early Softs demos featuring Daevid repackage once
more. You know Daevid wouldn't have to hold some of his his aging
gear together with Gaffa tape, Robert could have brought a bigger
seaside chalet, Kevin had his bar-tabs cleared and Mike not had to
produce all that 'incidental' music had they but had any kind of
slice of the monies generated by the oh so regular release of
these tracks. How much do you get for a French Granny these days?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Gary Davis <artshop@artist-shop.com>
Subject: Canterbury related releases
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2002 15:30:57 -0400
Hi, folks:
The latest Artist Shop newsletter is out and you'll find
it in its entirety at <http://www.artist-shop.com/news.htm>.
Here are excerpts for Canterbury fans.
First a reminder that The Artist Shop is giving away a
free pair of tickets to NEARfest 2002, but time is running
out. May 1st is the last day to enter. You'll find all
the information to enter at
<http://www.artist-shop.com/1/nearfest.htm>.
Available now from Discipline
<http://www.artist-shop.com/discipln>
Bill Bruford's Earthworks/Footloose & Fancy Free
....double CD
"Over hundreds of nights and thousands of concerts, the
imperceptible removal of grime and accretion will, you hope, let
your light shine forth more brightly," says Bill Bruford. Bruford
has, by his own count, played some 2800 concerts since his light
began shning in the early 1970's as a singularly brilliant
art-rock drummer with Yes and King Crimson. Now on this double
live album, Footloose and Fancy Free, with tunes drawn mainly from
studio albums A Part and Yet Apart and The Sound of Surprise, this
composer and master-drummer polishes the diamond on his current
instrument of choice; the acoustic sax-piano jazz quartet. Plucked
from London's jazz scene, the quartet includes Patrick Clahar on
tenor and soprano saxophones, Steve Hamilton on piano and Mark
Hodgsonon double bass.
soundbite -
<http://www.artist-shop.com/discipln/footloos.ram>
Available now from ESD
<http://www.artist-shop.com/esd>
Henry Cow/Western Culture (Deluxe Edition) ....CD
Formed in 1968, Henry Cow evolved into one of the most
imaginative and provocative British bands that trailblazed their
own individualistic music which sounded like nothing had ever
sounded before. They drew upon rock, free jazz, experimental, and
modern classical music with Fred Frith's unmistakable guitar
playing, Tim Hodgkinson's creepy electronic organ, and Chris
Cutler's percussion. "Western Culture" is the "swan song" of the
Henry Cow legacy, recorded just before the band split up in 1978.
To many, it is their best work, marked by total focus and group
cohesion. This new "Deluxe Edition" includes 3 never before
released tracks in addition to the original LP. The 8 page color
booklet includes many rare photos and the conclusion of the HC
saga, as documented in ESD's recent remastered repackaged CDs.
soundbite -
<http://www.artist-shop.com/esd/western.ram>
From Exposé <http://www.artist-shop.com/expose.htm>
Exposé #24 is at the printer now! Some of the features in
this issue:
JOHN ETHERIDGE: John Etheridge epitomizes the Englishman
journeyman guitarist. From his first few bands where he rubbed
shoulders with the likes of Darryl Way (ex Curved Air), Karl
Jenkins (ex Soft Machine and later Adiemus), and the late jazz
violinist, Stephané Grappelli to his high profile accompaniment
with Stephané Grappelli and Nigel Kennedy, Etheridge has proven
his adaptability to forms of rock and jazz and in between. Jeff
Melton caught up with John prior to a pub engagement with his trio
featuring ex-Soft Machine mate, John Marshall.
REVIEWS, REVIEWS & MORE REVIEWS: Our four regular
reviews sections
(Roundtables, New Releases, Archives & Reissues) are
packed to the limit with Hundreds of the most knowledgeable and
informative reviews you will find in any English language music
publication anywhere. 84 pages in all.
Recently released by Musea
<http://www.artist-shop.com/musea>
M. W. pour Robert Wyatt/M. W. pour Robert Wyatt ....import
CD
As the title clearly indicates, "M.W. pour Robert Wyatt"
is a compilation issued by Jean-Michel MARCHETTI to make a tribute
to the drummer-singer of SOFT MACHINE & MATCHING MOLE, now in
a wheelchair due to an unfortunate accident. His most famous
tracks were adapted, changed, destroyed by a band of happy weirdos
led by Pascal COMELADE, Chris CUTLER, Jean-François PAUVROS,
L'ENSEMBLE RAYE, Dominique REPECAUD, Jean-Marc MONTERA, TOUPIDEK
LIMONADE, LOOK DE BOUK, KLIMPEREI, JAGGER NAUT, KAFKA, An PIERLE
and even Dominique GRIMAUD. This work was issued in 2001 on the
label Gazul, in collaboration with In PolySons. The sympathetic
Robert WYATT himself is present with his comments and other
sounds...
soundbite -
<http://www.artist-shop.com/musea/mw.ram>
Various Artists/NO MORE... No Mouroir ....import CD
Delicate... Very delicate... Bombs, wars... Everywhere,
everybody expressing his own violence. All that for pieces of
lands that could be shared. Could we avoid wars and bombs ? Yes.
Utopias ? Yes. Though... Wars are present in our allday life, as
soon as our personal vital space seems threatened. Despite all of
this, artists wanted to stand up. Musicians (Pascal COMELADE,
KLIMPEREI, Pierre BASTIEN, Robert WYATT, Jean-Michel MARCHETTI,
Denis TAGU...), poets (texts written by Albert MARCOEUR) and
illustrators (MOULINEX, Robert WYATT...) has rapidly proposed
freely their works to compile "No More... - No Mouroir" (2002),
the profits of which will be given to independant organisations
helping civil victims of war and bombing. Utopia ? Yes. Because
these benefits won't save the Earth. Utopia ? No. Because we have
to show our disagreement with this violence. Artistic struggle,
the place of art in geopolitics. A complicated struggle, involved
and necessary ! So, together ! Urgently exploding...
On our import preorder page
<http://www.artist-shop.com/catalog/imports/preorder.htm>
WYATT,ROBERT-POSTCARDS FROM ITALY
(CDS+BOOK)
The updated book dedicated to the great Robert Wyatt
includes memories and various interviews from 1980 to 2001.
Complete discography and pictures plus the book contains a free CD
single with music composed by Walter Prati - 3 variations on music
by Wyatt with Wyatt on vocals. The tracks are previously
unreleased. 96 pages with text in Italian and English.
On our new import releases page
<http://www.artist-shop.com/catalog/imports/new.htm>
CARAVAN-CARAVAN (LTD)
Japanese remastered reissue of the British progressive
rock act's 1968 album, packaged in a limited edition miniature LP
sleeve. Includes the bonus track 'Hello Hello' (single version).
Gary
**************************************************************
Gary Davis
The Artist
Shop
The Other Road
http://www.artist-shop.com
artshop@artist-shop.com
phone: 877-856-1158, 330-929-2056
fax:330-945-4923
INDEPENDENT PROGRESSIVE MUSIC!!!
**************************************************************
Artist Shop Radio
<http://www.artist-shop.com/radio>
Check out the latest
Artist Shop newsletter at
http://www.artist-shop.com/news.htm
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END OF ISSUE 194
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