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  ::                                                              ::
  ::                     - WHAT'S RATTLIN' ? -                    ::
  ::       The Weekly Digest for Canterbury Music Addicts         ::
  ::                          Issue # 75                          ::
  ::                 Thursday, November 27th, 1997                ::
  ::                                                              ::
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From: "Anatole Gordon" <agordon@ashra.engr.sgi.com>
Subject: Caravan "Better By Far" reissue
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 14:25:31 -0800

Hello again,

Thanks for responding to my previous message. I suspected something was amiss with the CD reissue of "Better by Far." It was pretty difficult to find this title on vinyl (at least in the US), so it doesn't surprise me that the record company is dragging its feet with the CD.

Is Caravan interested in playing in the US? If so, I can contact promoters of "Prog Fest" to see if they can work something out. It would be great to see them perform live. Let me know if the band is interested in this prospect.

Your comment on music labels' treatment of reissues sure makes me wonder. For instance, I don't see fans of Christian Boule's music getting any younger (I know I'm not). On the contrary, waiting for "the right time" to reissue something as obscure as "Photo Musik" seems very odd to me. How many new fans can a company expect to garner when (1) the artist hasn't done anything in almost 20 years? and (2) when the musical genre is getting swept under the carpet in terms of commercial exposure? Seems like specious reasoning (on the music industry's part, not yours) if you ask me. Then again, I understand very little about the minds at work in the industry.

When you mentioned Christian's "forthcoming release," were you speaking hypothetically or is he really working on a new title? If the latter, please share the known details.

Thanks again,

Anatole

[When I last was in touch with Christian Boule, he was working on a song-based solo album. Tim Blake was collaborating, and was also recording his own solo album, which too hasn't yet come out. It seemed to me that Christian was hoping to release the album on a big label... While we're on the subject of big labels, my personal thought on the topic you raise : I for one think that record labels are more than ever before in search of new ways of making money now that they've run out of the easiest ones - reissues of famous albums, boxed sets with 0.0001% previously unreleased material, more compilations... There is so much uncertainty about what to do next that, I think, they've come to reckon that maybe they should dig out obscure gold nuggets from their vaults. This "theory" is partly inspired by a conversation I once had with Bernard Gueffier of the Musea label. He told me that when the label had started out in the mid-80's, big labels didn't mind selling the rights to some of their vinyl back catalogue, thinking nobody was interested at all. Ten years later, it's much more difficult because the CD reissue market has become such a big part of the music market. Gueffier told me that the deal they'd signed with CBS France in 1987 for reissues of progressive rock albums released on the label in the 70's would be unthinkable nowadays. Now, all this is open to discussion... Over to you, WRers... - AL]

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From: m.laplante@videotron.ca (m.laplante)
Subject: Caravan videos
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 14:39:12 -0500 (EST)

[In WR#74, Dan C. wrote:]
>Is there any way of getting a hold of some live Caravan videos?

[to which Aymeric replied:]
>the Central TV show from 1990 is in circulation among fans,
>but that's the only one I'm aware of

I know of 2 Beat Club Caravan videos, one in black and white, the other, 'Golf
Girl', in color. They are circulating too.

Martin Laplante

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From: Roger Farbey <mmr@easynet.co.uk>
Subject: Graham Collier - a correction
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 11:32:16 -0800

Aymeric,

Just realised my last letter to you contained an incorrect statement! On Graham Collier's soon to be re-released album 'Songs for my father'; John Marshall and Karl Jenkins do not appear but they do appear on the (hopefully) soon to be re-released Graham Collier album 'Down another road'. Just for the record (no pun intended) drums and piano on 'Songs for my father' are played by John 'Chick' Webband John Taylor respectively.
Sorry about that.

Roger Farbey

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From: Jeff Ryan <jsrtheta@colorado.net>
Subject: Thanks
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 22:37:25 -0700 (MST)

Thanks for the info on the U.S. release of "Shleep".

I have gone ahead and ordered it from the U.K., but I will nonetheless promote it over here.

It is a bit lonely here to be a Wyatt fan. Drives me crazy, since he's a genius, and music fans here are so dense.  

Does Robert have an available email address? He has been a source of wonder and comfort to me for thirty years. No single artist has touched me as he has.

Anyway, thanks again.  All the best to you.

Jeff Ryan

[I for one would be surprised if Robert had e-mail... - AL]

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From: Jim Powers <j.and.m.powers@juno.com>
Subject: Caravan BBC sessions
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 17:19:58 -0800

Dear Aymeric,

In WR#74 you wrote:
>As for the BBC sessions you mention, this must be a CD version of a tape
>that's been in circulation for some years.

Is anyone out there on this who can report on sound quality? Word's been out on Calyx that the 'official' version is coming out without the '69 tracks a while back, but I'd pick this up for Feelin'... cover if the sound quality was OK.

Speaking of Feelin' Reelin' Squealin', is that first Softs single ever going to come out on CD?  Or more Wilde Flowers?

Catch you on the flip side,

Jim Powers

[The tape copy I have has a fairly decent sound which makes it very listenable. But it's obviously made from second generation tapes recorded from the radio, not the original session tapes - AL]

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From: "Bill Duhigg" <duhigg@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: trades
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 20:18:36 -0500

'Ello,
I feel like I've been a lurking Rattler for months now but its only been a week or so since I found, downloaded and read most of the back issues of WR.  Three rafter-rattling cheers for The King of Canterbury Information for running this great newsletter. The participation of the musicians is especially unique!

("But, wot, exactly does this Aymeric fella do to keep body and soul together?  I mean, between the time it takes to do the newsletter, the web site and run all over Europe to Canterbury related events, the bugger must be a 'man of independent means', if ya know wot I mean!  Or, if he does have a job he's no time for a social life!")

[The short answer is : discipline, motivation, passion - AL]

The real reason for my adding to the eye-strain of the collected Rattlers is the following list of records I'd like to see receive a good home.  Most I'll let go for the equivalent of shipping costs (via trade or cash).  I'm looking for LP copies (in VG to EX condition) of Egg's "Polite Force" or the 1st Gilgamesh (If anyone has upgraded from vinyl to CD and has an unwanted copy.) I'll also trade for CD reissues.  (I have many other Canterbury LPs from which I could be induced to part.)

All LP's are in VG+ to EX condition(both disc and sleeve) unless noted.

Soft Machine Alive & Well EMI/Harvest SHSP 4083
Soft Machine 7 Columbia 32716
Caravan Songs & Signs Telefunken/Decca 6.23668 (saw cut, edge of sleeve)
Hugh Hopper 1984 IRI/Atmosphere reissue
Hopper/Gowen 2 Rainbows Daily Red Records Rouge 1
Hopper/Dean/Tippett/Gallivan Cruel But Fair Compendium (cut-out hole in sleeve)
Dean/Gallivan/Wheeler The Cheque is in the Mail Ogun (cut-out hole/seam unglued)
Lol Coxhill Joy of Paranoia Ogun (cut-out hole)
Lol Coxhill Digswell Duets Random Radar
Elton Dean Quintet Boundaries Japo/ECM

And one CD:
Soft Heap A Veritable Centaur Impetus CD18219

Thanks,
Rattle On,
Bill Duhigg
Lakewood Ohio

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From: "Sean David Schmidt" <seanschmidt@mailexcite.com>
Subject: I like it!!!!
Date:   Sat, 22 Nov 1997 06:36:29 -0700

Read with great interest my first post of WR. Never dreamed that there would be such a devoted page to the Canterbury scene.

Have been listening to Caravan and like bands over here in Baltimore USA for 15 years. Got to see Richard S. on one of his US tours a few years back at a club here. Fantastic show!!!. The club was a block from our symphony hall, where Pierre M. from Gong was in the orchestra. He dropped in towards the end of the set, but sadly did not perform with Richard.

Thanx for the posting, and I'd give my left nut to be at the Caravan show in Dublin on the 29th!!!

Sean

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From: mail@musart.co.uk (Canterbury Musicians Server)
Subject: RESEARCH on Voiceprint
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 12:57:01 GMT

Hi A & WR.........
Just a glance at the Canterbury Scene uncovers the latest CD from Voiceprint.

         - RESEARCH - 'Social Systems' (VP199CD) -

Originally a Dossier Records vinyl import (from Germany)
        This record features;

                Jim Dvorak - Trumpet, Voice
                Mark Hewins - Guitar
                Django Bates - Keyboards
                John McCulloch - Bass
                Geoff Searle - Drums, Leader.

Recorded in Charles Hayward's 'Cold Storage' studio in Brixton 1985-6.
        RESEARCH in this combination may tour next year.

Mail order sales details for the CD...........
( rob@vprint.demon.co.uk ) - Rob Ayling at Voiceprint.

        PO.BOX 50,
        Houghton-le-Spring,
        DH4 5YP,
                         UK

Thanks folks!
P&L>M

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From: DLoran8438@aol.com
Subject: robert wyatt stuff
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 19:39:26 -0500 (EST)

I just wanted to say thanks for doing this page. I was a big fan of Wyatt's
a long time ago, nice to know that people are still listening to his stuff.

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From: Claus Mirlach <cmirlach@eichborn.de>
Subject: subsciption
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 12:09:27 -0800

Hi, Al!
I'd printed all the back issues of what's rattlin' and had many fine
hours to read them. i'd like to come nearer and want to subscribe.
Little question: Anyone know of an album by "Walki Talkis" with our
Dave S. playing on it?

Have a nice day,
Christoph Steinrücken

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From: Gabe_Camacho@usccmail.lehman.com (Gabe Camacho)
Subject: Caravan sheet music???  +   Mantra Record Label???
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 14:19:56 -0500

This might have been covered before, but have there ever been any sources
for Caravan sheet music?

Also, any idea how I could contact the Mantra label in France?

[Mantra's contact is : <fglparis@pratique.fr>. I've never used it, so it's maybe not valid anymore - AL]

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From: Cosmos Music <bigbang@alpes-net.fr>
Subject: Forgas Band Phenomena "Roue Libre" - out soon!
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 16:58:40 +0000

Nine months in the making, the new CD by French drummer Patrick Forgas and his band is currently being manufactured.

It is the first release on the Cosmos Music label that I am launching with my fellow Big Bang Magazine editor Olivier Pelletant.

Patrick Forgas will be known to some of you as the vocalist/drummer behind the Soft Machine/Robert Wyatt influenced albums "Cocktail", "L'Oeil" and "Art D'Echo". This time, the music is all-instrumental and played by a full band line-up consisting of :

Patrick Forgas - Drums
Mireille Bauer - Vibraphone/Marimba
Mathias Desmier - Guitar
Fred Schmidely - Sax/Flute
Stephane Jaoui - Keyboards
Philippe Talet - Bass

"Roue Libre" consists of three tracks, one of 6 minutes, and two of about 20 minutes. The musical style can be described as a cross between "Expresso II"-era Gong, "Six"-era Soft Machine and National Health, with Forgas' individual style as well.

The sessions took place last March. At the time, I issued an appeal to selected subscribers of this list. I would like to thank all those who took the risk of supporting this project for their help and their patience. The wait will soon be over, and I'm hopeful that your CD will be in due time under your Christmas tree.

The release of the CD is planned for December 15th. We plan to have it available from most prog-specialised mail-order retails as soon as possible, but as our first pressing has to be limited, this won't immediately be the case. If you want to secure a copy of the CD and receive it as soon as it's out, you can buy it in advance at the price of 20 US dollars, 12 Sterling pounds or 120 French francs, postage included. We are sorry the price is expensive for the US, but the conversion rate between dollar and franc being what it is, we can't afford a lower price. Hopefully, it will be cheaper once it's distributed locally.

Payment should be sent (in registered mail if you send cash, otherwise IMO is fine) to :

COSMOS MUSIC
17 avenue de la Monta
38120 St. Egreve
France

Thanks for your attention,
Aymeric Leroy

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From: RAYMBEN@aol.com
Subject: Slapp Happy / Wim Mertens
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 21:47:31 -0500 (EST)

Hi all---
Two questions--
I've heard that Slapp Happy have reunited and have made a new CD.  Is this
true?  Info please!
Also, off topic, does anyone like Wim Mertens?  Does anyone know a good mail
order outfit that carries his works?
--Raymond
RAYMBEN@aol.com

[The Slapp Happy issue has been raised several times in WR. Yes they have reunited and have been recording for an upcoming CD on Virgin's new label V2. Is it out yet ? I don't think so... - AL]

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*               FORTHCOMING CANTERBURY-RELATED CONCERTS                 *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[for more info : check out the 'Concerts' page of CALYX - see URL below]

IN CAHOOTS
[Miller-Dean-Dvorak-Lemer-Baker-Pyle]
Dec 02 - Birmingham (UK), Conservatoire of Music [Paradise Parade]
Dec 03 - Hull (UK), Dee Street Club [tel : 01482 492868]
Dec 04 - Leeds (UK), Irish Centre [tel : 0113 2742486/2608]
Dec 05 - Old Harlow (UK), St John's Arts Centre [tel : 01279 442447]
Dec 06 - Brentwood (UK), Monkeys at the Hermit Club [tel : 01277 218897]
Dec 08 - London (UK), Vortex Jazz Bar [tel :  0171 254 6516]

CARAVAN - IRISH GIG
[Hastings-Richardson-Sinclair-Coughlan-Leverton-Boyle-Bentall]
Nov 29 - Dublin (Eire), The Olympia Theatre (Dome Street)

OZRIC TENTACLES - UK TOUR
Nov 27 - Dublin (UK), Mean Fiddler
Nov 28 - Belfast (UK), The Empire
Nov 29 - Manchester (UK), University -MDH
Nov 30 - Milton Keynes (UK), Woughton Centre

BON LOZAGA/CARYN LIN BAND - U.S. TOUR
Nov 28 - Warrenton, VA, D&S Coffeehouse
Nov 29 - Arlington, VA, Iota

FRED FRITH
Nov 27 - Stainach (Austria) - venue unknown (w/Bob Ostertag)
Nov 30 - London (UK) - ICA (Zwischenspiel, w/Chris Cutler, Frank Schulte, John Tilbury)
Dec 02 to 05 - Berlin (Germany) - (Po-de-Wil -collaboration with Neue Kammer Ensemble)
Dec 12 - Nanterre, near Paris (France) - venue unknown (Impur)
Dec 13 - Cr&eacute;teil, near Paris (France) - venue unknown (Impur)
Dec 18 - Munich (Germany) - venue unknown (performances with Arditti String Quartet)
Dec 20 - Lyon (France) - venue uniknown (Impur)
Jan 10 - Paris (France) - Sons d'Hiver (w/Chris Cutler)
Jan 25-30 - tour with Sylvie Courvoisier (pno), Lucas Niggli (d), Urs Leimgruber (sax)
Feb 17 - Stuttgart - Musik des Jahrhunderts (performance of "Tense Serenity"
with Uwe Dirksen (trombone) and Ardilli Quartet)
Apr 25-May 06 - tour with Tense Serenity
(+ Chris Cutler (dr), Daan Vandewalle (pno), Claudio Puntin (cl))
May 18 - St. Etienne (France) - venue unknown (with Louis Sclavis and J-P Drouet)

GONG - EUROPEAN TOUR
[Allen-Smyth-Malherbe-Sharpstrings-Howlett-Moerlen]
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden - late Spring 1998 (tba)

IN CAHOOTS - EUROPEAN TOUR
[Miller-Dean-Dvorak-Lemer-Baker-Pyle]
Mar 6-11 - tba

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                        END OF ISSUE #75

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