From: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org (avalon-digest) To: avalon-digest@smoe.org Subject: avalon-digest V4 #279 Reply-To: avalon@smoe.org Sender: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk avalon-digest Monday, September 20 1999 Volume 04 : Number 279 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [AVALON] TOUR 1999 & Tour 94 ["Killip family" ] [AVALON] VH1 [shinoballo@webtv.net (Jeff Pavlock)] Re: [AVALON] Phil plays Newark, UK [William Sommers ] Re: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded [Victor Hastings ] Re: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded [Kicki Gustafsson ] [AVALON] Manzanera musings [erik simpson ] Re: [AVALON] Manzanera musings [Victor Hastings ] Re: [AVALON] Re: Later...with Jools Holland [Bahi Para ] Re: [AVALON] Manzanera musings [Victor Hastings ] Re: [AVALON] Manzanera musings [erik simpson ] [AVALON] short interview ["Han Snijders en Willy v/d Geest" Subject: Re: [AVALON] TOUR 1999 & Tour 94 - ---------- > From: Martin Stockman > To: avalon@smoe.org > Subject: Re: [AVALON] TOUR 1999 & Tour 94 > Date: 18 September 1999 10:20 > > > > Any thoughts ? > > Martineuax > Bryan will surprise and delight us all with acoustic versions of: Beauty Queen When She Walks in the Room Your Painted Smile Mother of Pearl; and 2HB oh, and his largely acoustic band will include former 801 guitarist Phil Manzanera, former Mott the Hoople saxophonist Andrew Mackay and former Concrete Blonde drummer "The Great" Paul Thompson. Yes, I know that's crazy, but it's my birthday today and I'll fantasize if I want to. David > > > > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 08:18:21 EDT From: JFROXY@aol.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] TOUR 1999 & Tour 94 In a message dated 19/09/99 03:03:00 GMT Daylight Time, martinstockman@btinternet.com writes: << I find Trower's crazy mad-axemanship slightly preferable, particulary set against Williams' wonderful funk groove. >> Yeah, have to agree with you there Martin, as much as I admire Hubbard his guitar sound can be a tad annoying, not a patch on Trower's heavy wah-wah sound. I thought the solo at the end of "Dream Home" from the Woolferhampton show was the best I have ever heard on that song (sorry Phil). JF - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 14:27:37 +0200 From: Kicki Gustafsson Subject: Re: Re: [AVALON] Life's pattern drawn in sand Please. This is so off-topic and sooooo boring. And not relevant to this list. /Kicki G >>History Lesson (in a nutshell): >>Dumb-asses at Xerox develop the first GUI (graphical user interface) >>but don`t know what to do with it so they allow arrogant, deranged, >>psychopath Steve Jobs to lift it from them. >>Arrogant, deranged, psychopath Steve Jobs builds a computer based on this >>GUI and decides that every single piece of software ever developed would >>*have* to come from him and can only be used on *his* computer. >>Arrogant, deranged, psychopath Steve Jobs adds to his moniker "Dumb-Ass" >>when he allows rich, nerdy-boy Bill Gates to lift it from him. >>Rich, nerdy-boy Bill Gates develops a GUI that can be used on *any* >>computer >>and allows *anyone* to write and profit from software they develop based on >>his GUI. >> >>I.Q. Test: >>Who would you prefer to be the GUI leader? >> >>Yeah, M$ has it`s problems, but in this light, we`re lucky things turned as >>they did. >> >>Gene > >Such hostility!! But I'm a "arrogant, deranged, psychopath" (Mac user >folks). I happen to appreciate Mr. Jobs buisiness sense - kill or be killed. >I also happen to think Mr. Gates might disprove evolution. God, if he's the >most powerful man in the world, I lose respect for most of the great >leaders. Napolion, Alexander, Ceaser and now Billy-boy. Maybe that's why I >listen to so much music, to get away from that crap. > >Chris > >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > > > > >-------------------- >To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: >unsubscribe avalon - ------------------------ Kicki Gustafsson, Östersunds-Posten 063-16 16 51 http://www.op.se http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG (privat hemsida) - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 15:57:52 +0200 From: Kicki Gustafsson Subject: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG/avalon.html Two links: Ferry in GQ with two pictures, and Ferry in Mojo, one picture (not the best quality, I'm afraid). If you're using a modem it may take a while to load the pictures, but be patient... Kicki G - much obliged to the wonderful Alan Carter and the wonderful John Fulton who mailed the pictures - ------------------------ Kicki Gustafsson, Östersunds-Posten 063-16 16 51 http://www.op.se http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG (privat hemsida) - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 15:27:45 +0100 From: "Martin Stockman" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded Good work sweet webmistress ... - ---------- >From: Kicki Gustafsson >To: avalon@smoe.org >Subject: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded >Date: Sun, Sep 19, 1999, 2:57 pm > > http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG/avalon.html > > Two links: Ferry in GQ with two pictures, and Ferry in Mojo, one picture > (not the best quality, I'm afraid). > If you're using a modem it may take a while to load the pictures, but be > patient... > > Kicki G - much obliged to the wonderful Alan Carter and the wonderful John > Fulton who mailed the pictures > > ------------------------ > Kicki Gustafsson, Östersunds-Posten 063-16 16 51 > http://www.op.se > http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG (privat hemsida) > > > > > > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon > - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 16:57:07 +0200 From: f2hb@casema.net Subject: Re: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded Thanks ppl! both for sending and placing...GREAT! Kicki Gustafsson WROTE: =============================================== > >Kicki G - much obliged to the wonderful Alan Carter and the wonderful John >Fulton who mailed the pictures - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 17:25:59 +0100 From: Bahi Para Subject: [AVALON] Phil plays Newark, UK Bought a copy of The Wire today. There's another Manzanera track - Yolanda - - on its cover CD, and the following ads printed in the accompanying leaflet. Phil Manzanera's 801 Latino 9th Oct. - 8pm Newark & Sherwood College Tickets: £7/ £5 concessions Soupsongs: the Music of Robert Wyatt 10th Oct - 3pm & 8pm The Palace Theatre Tickets: £7/£5 conc. Call 0115 977 4687. For those outisde the UK, that would be +44 115, etc. Newspapers are carrying adverts for London performances of the Robert Wyatt thing, which I think is by other performers doing his songs. (His last album, Shleep, was recorded in Phil's studio and included contributions by Eno and Manzanera.) B - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 12:35:49 -0400 (EDT) From: shinoballo@webtv.net (Jeff Pavlock) Subject: [AVALON] VH1 My daughter said she saw an advertisement for the "new" Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music" compilation "More Than This" on VH1 saturday afternoon. She said it had some quick video clips and mentioned inclusion of the new Ferry track. I hope this signals more of a Virgin push on the new CD and Ferry's upcoming release. I was shocked when he told me as I can't remember anything since Avalon was released. There is hope........Also thanks to Kiki for the photos. As a follically impaired man it really looked like a good hairstyle. Jeff - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 09:58:58 -0700 From: William Sommers Subject: Re: [AVALON] Phil plays Newark, UK At 05:25 PM 9/19/99 +0100, Bahi Para wrote: > Phil Manzanera's 801 Latino > 9th Oct. - 8pm > Newark & Sherwood College > Tickets: £7/ £5 concessions Arrrgh! Phil AND Bryan both playing Oct. 9th, the one night I'm already committed to be in D.C. -- sometimes, life is simply not fair. (And just for debate: Frankly, I'd pick Newark.) -wfs - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 14:03:55 -0500 From: Victor Hastings Subject: Re: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded (snip) thanks, kicki! anybody notice a resemblance to john larrouquette? - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 20:57:06 +0100 From: "Killip family" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded - ---------- From: Kicki Gustafsson To: avalon@smoe.org Subject: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded Date: 19 September 1999 14:57 http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG/avalon.html Two links: Ferry in GQ with two pictures, and Ferry in Mojo, one picture Brilliantly done Nordic webqueen! David - ------------------------ Kicki Gustafsson, Östersunds-Posten 063-16 16 51 http://www.op.se http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG (privat hemsida) - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon - ---------- - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 16:00:56 -0400 From: "Decophile" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded Hey, that`s not so bad. Thanks Kicki, Alan and John. - -----Original Message----- From: Kicki Gustafsson To: avalon@smoe.org Date: Sunday, September 19, 1999 9:58 AM Subject: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded >http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG/avalon.html > >Two links: Ferry in GQ with two pictures, and Ferry in Mojo, one picture >(not the best quality, I'm afraid). >If you're using a modem it may take a while to load the pictures, but be >patient... > >Kicki G - much obliged to the wonderful Alan Carter and the wonderful John >Fulton who mailed the pictures > >------------------------ >Kicki Gustafsson, Östersunds-Posten 063-16 16 51 >http://www.op.se >http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG (privat hemsida) > > > > > > >-------------------- >To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: >unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 21:59:18 +0200 From: Kicki Gustafsson Subject: Re: [AVALON] Ferrypictures uploaded > >Brilliantly done Nordic webqueen! > >David *blushing with pride* Thank you! :-D /Kicki G - ------------------------ Kicki Gustafsson, Östersunds-Posten 063-16 16 51 http://www.op.se http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG (privat hemsida) - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 14:41:36 -0700 From: erik simpson Subject: Re: [AVALON] VH1 At 12:35 PM 9/19/99 -0400, you wrote: >My daughter said she saw an advertisement for the "new" Bryan Ferry and >Roxy Music" compilation "More Than This" on VH1 saturday afternoon. >She said it had some quick video clips and mentioned inclusion of the >new Ferry track. I hope this signals more of a Virgin push on the new >CD and Ferry's upcoming release. Hi; I'm glad someone else saw that. I was afraid my mind was finally starting to go; flashbacks, senility, whatever. It was a 17 (or 18) song compilation of both Ferry and Roxy songs "featuring a track from his forthcoming album". They played an entirely too brief snippet of it and I was unable to tell much of anything from it, other than it still sounds like Ferry. I was in the next room (my 16 yr old son was watching "R&R Jeopardy" and that weenie from Sugar Ray, who I can't stand, was proving that his head is almost as full of R&R trivia as mine is) when the ad came on and I ran into the next room to check it out. I had no idea that Ferry OR Roxy had high enough of a profile to have their greatest hits CDs touted on television in the states. Several video clips I have never seen (which isn't really surprising, as many seemed "Mamouna" era, and where the hell do you go to see something like that in Spokane WA.) I hope you are right and this does signal a willingness to push his new album. I suspect this new album will be a much more "viable commercial entity" than "Mamouna" was, for better or worse. I share Colleen's (not to single any one out particulary, but she seems to be the most vocal regarding her reservations) skepticism. (Still, a mediocre new Ferry album still beats 90% of what's out there just by virtue of what it is, a new Ferry album.) Bye. Be well; Erik S np; Guided By Voices-"Do the Collapse" - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 15:18:47 -0700 From: erik simpson Subject: [AVALON] Manzanera musings Hi; Avalon list member Mark Hancock extended an invitation to me to get together while I was in Seattle, so I finally met a fellow list member face to face. It was a real pleasure meeting him and we talked about music and Roxy/Ferry for quite a while. He also took me to a local record store that had a pretty good selection and I was finally able to pick up the Manzanera/801 "Live at Manchester" and Roxy's "Concert Classics" which Mark, gentleman that he is, allowed me to purchase, even though he didn't have it and he found it first (cuz I had my head buried in the Manzanera section). He also made me some tapes of stuff I didn't have. So I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thanks for everything to Mark. It was great to get together. I was on vacation for a week, and this last week I have been wading through incredible amounts of email. I am finally mostly caught up. This posting refers to some by now not-so-recent postings. I realise the rest of you had this discussion at the first of the month, but with the imminent release of the new Manzanera album (AND resultant live performances) AND the re-release of the complete "801 Live", "Quiet Sun", and "Diamond Head", it didn't seem entirely uncalled for. Listening to these 2 new (to me) recordings gave me some thoughts along the lines of the recent exchange regarding Phil's guitar playing ability. I've always been a big Manzanera fan and always felt a lot of Roxy's appeal wasn't just Bryan, but the other members of the band as well, esp. in the earlier incarnations, where they were much more of a "band". Still, listening to these discs, I am forced to admit that Phil isn't always right on the money. The remark someone made about Phil mangling the opening of "Still Falls the Rain" is only too accurate in this (unfortunately recorded and released) case. "Bum notes, ahoy", indeed. This wouldn't have disturbed me so much if I hadn't listened to the "Live at Manchester" at about the same time and found some of the guitar playing to be a bit haphazard. I especially found his playing on "Diamond Head" a bit erratic. (The phrasing seemed a lot stiffer than it should have been and several of the string bends seemed to end up a little shy of the mark, and if it sounds like I'm nitpicking, I am. To be fair, he isn't the only culprit. It sounds like keyboard player David Skinner blowing the intro to "Miss Shapiro" on the 801 disc. In fact the whole 801 performance seems a bit less than technically perfect, but it gets by just fine on it's own rough charm. I really like the version of "Remote Control" in particular.) Yet, on both these discs, Phil does rise to the occasion. It just seems that in a live situation he needs to have someone light a fire under him. So maybe he isn't the world's greatest technician. But he does play with a whole lot of passion (which counts for A LOT with me) and definitely has a unique sound. When Roxy started, they were all about being "inspired amatuers". Strong ideas were more important than blinding technique. I remember an interview with Manzanera around the time of "Country Life" where he said (approximately) that he needed to have all his solos for the album worked out in advance because he didn't like to leave anything to chance. Most of his recorded work bears this out. In fact I will venture the opinion that, generally, Manzanera in the studio is usually better than Manzanera live for the precise reason that he can control the situation and how he presents himself best. So is he one the 5 greatest guitarists in the world (what a totally arbitrary designation!)? Nah. Not to me anyway. (Nowadays, my tastes run to stuff that is generally much more extreme than what Phil is up to. Nels Cline, Buckethead, Bill Frisell, David Torn, and Marc Ribot are a few of my current favorites.) But, as a musician, he has probably been as influential to me as many more technically challenging guitarists, often more so. Roxy-wise, he was definitely the right man for the job. And most of his solo albums (I esp. like "K-Scope", "Diamond Head", "801 Live" and "Primitive Guitars") have seen a great deal of play around my house over the years. One rumor (or rumour) I heard on another list a while back was that Roxy's reunion was in part scuttled because Phil's chops had deteriorated drastically in recent years. I look forward to having the new Manzanera album prove that one completely wrong. Erik Simpson np; PIL-"Plastic Box" - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 19:11:55 -0500 From: Victor Hastings Subject: Re: [AVALON] Manzanera musings erik simpson wrote: (snip discussion of manzanera) > One rumor (or rumour) I heard on another list a while back was that Roxy's > reunion was in part scuttled because Phil's chops had deteriorated > drastically in recent years. I look forward to having the new Manzanera > album prove that one completely wrong. > > Erik Simpson let's hope so but frankly i've been disappointed with nearly everything phil has done since avalon -- and i'm not talking only about technical skills, i'm talking about musicianship. the first time i heard 'lorelei' i could hardly believe the simplistic solo at the end of the song. it sounded like a kid poking out notes with one finger on a synth-guitar. then he released that miserable collaboration with john wetton. 'southern cross' had some pop moments but i expected a lot more guitar work, and was disappointed. and it's hard for me to get too excited over a new album of spanish-influenced material. here's hoping, though. - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 01:36:40 +0100 From: "Richard" Subject: [AVALON] Re: Later...with Jools Holland Dotmusic news http://www.dotmusic.com/News/september99/99917News2390.asp reports that a new series of "Later" starts October 16 and that Bryan is on the guest list. UK list members will know this is probably the premier music show in Britain and is held in very high regard in the media and music industry - the quality of live performances from all concerned always impresses and Bryan's last appearance, when he delivered his beautiful live rendition of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" is testament to that. The publicity machine is, it seems, out of first gear. Regards, Richard - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 02:29:17 +0100 From: Bahi Para Subject: Re: [AVALON] Re: Later...with Jools Holland I remember buying a CD player when Mamouna was released (only to see that album on vinyl a few days later). This appearance persuade me to buy a TV again. B >Dotmusic news http://www.dotmusic.com/News/september99/99917News2390.asp >reports that a new series of "Later" starts October 16 and that Bryan is on >the guest list. UK list members will know this is probably the premier music >show in Britain and is held in very high regard in the media and music >industry - the quality of live performances from all concerned always >impresses and Bryan's last appearance, when he delivered his beautiful live >rendition of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" is testament to that. - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 02:29:10 +0100 From: Bahi Para Subject: [AVALON] Scanner There was an article about Scanner (Robin Rimbaud) in the Grauniad the other day and it confirmed Robin's presence on what it called 'Brian Ferry's new album'. I assume the writer either lifted the information straight from a Scanner press release or was referring to Bryan's carefully maturing but not-quite-ready collection of originals rather than As Time Goes By. The sight of a national UK broadsheet spelling Bryan's name with an i is a sure sign of the great warbler's diminished following over here. The one Scanner album I have is good and the new one is on my shopping list. (The Gunraida called it Lauwarm Instrumentals. Check first.) I meant to get it and the new Gomez album yesterday but in the record shop heard an entrancing Death in Vegas track called Dirge and ended up with that band's new one instead, along with some other unplanned stuff. I'm not getting the hang of task lists or goals at all, and this leads to all kinds of problems. Erik Simpson: I'm very glad to hear that you got your Roxy Concert Classics after all and I'm really very sorry I never managed to send you a copy from here. Despite this ill treatment, I hope you write to this list more often. If you have nothing to say, just the "now playing" bits at the end would be fine. I'll try and get some cgi code written that automatically extracts them all and orders them from Amazon or CDNow - I can't be the only one here who'd buy them unquestionably. B PS. Following a move, I've hardly been listening to music at all over the last few weeks. I'm now unpacking CDs and once again listening to the radio and buying new albums - overall, it was good to have had time away from music. One of the oddest effects of not listening to music at home and yet being a big fan is to find yourself walking off the street into shops - any shops - that are playing something interesting and pretending to browse the merchandise until the track has finished. I've ended up in some really dodgy shops, which must say something about my taste. - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 02:40:16 +0100 From: Bahi Para Subject: Re: [AVALON] Re: Later...with Jools Holland >I remember buying a CD player when Mamouna was released (only to see that >album on vinyl a few days later). This appearance persuade me to buy a TV >again. ^^^ I meant "might" persuade. And in the previous message, "unquestioningly", not "unquestionably". Serves me right for broadcasting news of the G's spelling mistakes. B - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 19:59:34 -0700 From: erik simpson Subject: Re: [AVALON] Manzanera musings At 07:11 PM 9/19/99 -0500, you wrote: >let's hope so but frankly i've been disappointed with nearly everything phil has >done since avalon -- and i'm not talking only about technical skills, i'm >talking about musicianship. the first time i heard 'lorelei' i could hardly >believe the simplistic solo at the end of the song. it sounded like a kid >poking out notes with one finger on a synth-guitar. Admittedly in the last 10-15 yrs his musical output has seemed to lack direction or focus. The Explorers (or Manzanera/Mackay depending on how it's being billed) were pretty erratic. Some pretty great stuff and some not so great at all stuff. I think part of his problem has been the insistence of doing vocally oriented music and not being a singer himself (a situation that is about to end w/the new album, apparently). James Wraith was just way too much a Ferry clone (listen to the live "Out Of The Blue") to allow M&M to start a career outside Roxy and not have to suffer unfavorable comparisons. (And I would have to agree that both Manzanera and Mackay's playing at times in this project were not all I would have hoped for. I think their instrumental strengths are more textural than "virtuosic". If that is even a word.) Simon Ainley, vocalist w/801 circa "Listen Now" was once touted by Manzanera (before the album came out) as his "secret weapon". HUH? I thought he had one of the blandest voices I've ever heard. Of all the vocalists he has worked with, I liked Wyatt, Eno and Finn the best. I guess overall though, I really have enjoyed his instrumental work the best. "Mato Grosso" w/Sergio Dias is a very enjoyable album from the post "Avalon" period. >then he released that miserable collaboration with john wetton. Just goes to show how a traumatic incident can be totally blocked from your mind. I had forgotten all about that horrid beast. I remember getting it home, putting it on and slowly being stunned into a state of utter dismay. For me that is damn near the nadir of BOTH their careers. >'southern cross' had some pop moments but i expected a lot more guitar work, and >was disappointed. I decided to listen to that one again, since it had been a long time. There's half a good album there. I like the stuff with Tim Finn quite a bit and have long felt that PM and TF should work together on something more than the informal basis they've been doing for years. I also like "Astrid" and the instrumental "Southern Cross", but some of the stuff with singer Gary Dyson veers way too close to AOR/MOR territory for me. >and it's hard for me to get too excited over a new album of spanish-influenced >material. here's hoping, though. I don't know what to think here. There has always been a strong Spanish influence throughout Manzanera's entire solo career. It worked really well for quite a while, I thought, when it was balanced out with his British art-rock sensibilities, but the scales seemed to tilt to one extreme around the time of "Southern Cross". I recently heard the "Live at the Karl Marx" w/Moncada for the first time and felt that there really wasn't much there to recommend it to a Manzanera fan. I would be the last to suggest that I know squat about Latin Music, but it seems to me that a lot of the Latin artists Manzanera has been working with over the last few years (from what little I've heard) are pretty mainstream by any definition. From someone who once was on the cutting edge, I find that a little distressing. I do find his working as of late with Robert Wyatt a hopeful sign that maybe the scales will tip back a bit towards the art-pop-rock of old whilst still retaining the strong Latin influence and some sort of balance will be restored. When it works it really is a very potent combination, I think. Here's hoping indeed. Bye.Be Well; Erik S np; Phil Manzanera-"K-Scope" Be well. Bye; Erik S - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 22:30:30 -0500 From: Victor Hastings Subject: Re: [AVALON] Manzanera musings erik simpson wrote: > Admittedly in the last 10-15 yrs his musical output has seemed to lack > direction or focus. no doubt ferry has rubbed off on him! > The Explorers (or Manzanera/Mackay depending on how it's > being billed) were pretty erratic. Some pretty great stuff and some not so > great at all stuff. I think part of his problem has been the insistence of > doing vocally oriented music and not being a singer himself (a situation > that is about to end w/the new album, apparently). instead of him tring to become a vocalist in this late stage in his career, i'd rather see phil get away from doing vocally oriented music and get back to the instrumental orientation of his diamond head period. what i fear we're going to get on vozero is bad vocals on top of bad vocally oriented music. > James Wraith was just way too much a Ferry clone (listen to the live "Out Of The > Blue") to allow M&M to start a career outside Roxy and not have to suffer > unfavorable > comparisons. (And I would have to agree that both Manzanera and Mackay's > playing at times in this project were not all I would have hoped for. I > think their instrumental strengths are more textural than "virtuosic". If > that is even a word.) the first explorers album (i'm referring to the U.S. release) was a cautious first step forward for M&M but held a lot of promise. the second album stunk. i could have tolerated wraith if the new material had been up to par, but it wasn't. and you're right, there wasn't a lot of virtuoso work on either album, but the mood of the first album was nice. actually what i really enjoyed was the series of 12-inch 45s that they released -- i bought several of them long before i got the album itself. those 45s had extended mixes that in most cases were improvements over the actual album cuts. > Simon Ainley, vocalist w/801 circa "Listen Now" was once touted by Manzanera > (before the album came out) as his "secret weapon". HUH? I thought he had one of > the blandest voices I've ever heard. Of all the vocalists he has worked with, I > liked Wyatt, Eno and Finn the best. > > I guess overall though, I really have enjoyed his instrumental work the > best. "Mato Grosso" w/Sergio Dias is a very enjoyable album from the post > "Avalon" period. haven't heard that. and of course the impossible guitar album from the early 80s was fine. > >then he released that miserable collaboration with john wetton. > > Just goes to show how a traumatic incident can be totally blocked from your > mind. I had forgotten all about that horrid beast. I remember getting it > home, putting it on and slowly being stunned into a state of utter dismay. > For me that is damn near the nadir of BOTH their careers. after the first cut i took the album off my turntable and returned it to my collection, never again to see the light of day. it made flesh + blood sound positively innovative. > >'southern cross' had some pop moments but i expected a lot more guitar > work, and > >was disappointed. > > I decided to listen to that one again, since it had been a long time. > There's half a good album there. I like the stuff with Tim Finn quite a bit > and have long felt that PM and TF should work together on something more > than the informal basis they've been doing for years. I also like "Astrid" > and the instrumental "Southern Cross", but some of the stuff with singer > Gary Dyson veers way too close to AOR/MOR territory for me. agreed, particularly re tim finn. > >and it's hard for me to get too excited over a new album of spanish-influenced > >material. here's hoping, though. > > I don't know what to think here. There has always been a strong Spanish > influence throughout Manzanera's entire solo career. It worked really well > for quite a while, I thought, when it was balanced out with his British > art-rock sensibilities, but the scales seemed to tilt to one extreme around > the time of "Southern Cross". I recently heard the "Live at the Karl Marx" > w/Moncada for the first time and felt that there really wasn't much there to > recommend it to a Manzanera fan. I would be the last to suggest that I know > squat about Latin Music, but it seems to me that a lot of the Latin artists > Manzanera has been working with over the last few years (from what little > I've heard) are pretty mainstream by any definition. From someone who once > was on the cutting edge, I find that a little distressing. I do find his > working as of late with Robert Wyatt a hopeful sign that maybe the scales > will tip back a bit towards the art-pop-rock of old whilst still retaining > the strong Latin influence and some sort of balance will be restored. When > it works it really is a very potent combination, I think. i can't claim to be an authority on latin music either. but frankly i'd just as soon let phil's hispanic influences stay in the background. listening to his best roxy moments you'd never guess in a million years that he grew up in south america. remeber the 'blue ridge rangers' album that john fogerty released right after creedence broke up? it was a 'roots' work, full of country chestnuts, and it was dead, dead, dead. somehow i get the same feeling when i think of manzanera doing a latin album. - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 23:04:07 -0700 (PDT) From: markh Subject: Re: [AVALON] Manzanera musings Thanks for the kind words Erik ! I really enjoyed the visit in Seattle as well - it's about time, considering we've been emailing each other across the state and on Avalon for the last 4 years or so. :-) I have always enjoyed your thoughtful and knowledgable posts to Avalon over the years - they broaden my horizons and I always learn a lot from them. It was great to meet in person and have the opportunity to discuss things over lunch instead of over cyberspace. :-) I also have high hopes for Phil's new album, especially considering the positive review it's gotten in England. Let's hope his (or Bryan's) promotional tour comes "out West" and we can get a group together to see the concert. All the best, Mark in Seattle PS: Hey Kicki - great job on the website - Thanks ! On Sun, 19 Sep 1999, erik simpson wrote: > Avalon list member Mark Hancock extended an invitation to me to get together > while I was in Seattle, so I finally met a fellow list member face to face. > It was a real pleasure meeting him and we talked about music and Roxy/Ferry > for quite a while. ... So I just wanted to take the opportunity to > say thanks for everything to Mark. It was great to get together. - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 00:46:06 -0700 From: erik simpson Subject: Re: [AVALON] Manzanera musings At 10:30 PM 9/19/99 -0500, you wrote: >instead of him tring to become a vocalist in this late stage in his career, i'd >rather see phil get away from doing vocally oriented music and get back to the >instrumental orientation of his diamond head period. what i fear we're going to >get on vozero is bad vocals on top of bad vocally oriented music. I, too, would prefer more instrumentally oriented work. And there is a natural inclination to assume that when someone has had a career in the music business this long with out singing, there is a good reason they didn't. I guess we will know soon enough. >the first explorers album (i'm referring to the U.S. release) was a cautious first >step forward for M&M but held a lot of promise. the second album stunk. i could >have tolerated wraith if the new material had been up to par, but it wasn't. > >and you're right, there wasn't a lot of virtuoso work on either album, but the mood >of the first album was nice. actually what i really enjoyed was the series of >12-inch 45s that they released -- i bought several of them long before i got the >album itself. those 45s had extended mixes that in most cases were improvements >over the actual album cuts. I agree totally about the 12" 45's. I bought several of those also and thought they were better in many instances than the album cuts. I thought there was one really strong Explorers album between the 2. There were some songs on both I loved and likewise, some I couldn't stand. >> I guess overall though, I really have enjoyed his instrumental work the >> best. "Mato Grosso" w/Sergio Dias is a very enjoyable album from the post >> "Avalon" period. > >haven't heard that. and of course the impossible guitar album from the early 80s >was fine. The "Primitive Guitars" album is an excellent example of what I mean by Manzanera letting his Latin roots fuse with his art-rock sensibilities, to superb effect. "Mato Grosso", continues in the same vein, except perhaps a trifle more ambient in nature. "PG" is perhaps the stronger of the 2, but "MG" is about the only post-"PG" album of Manzanera's that I would recommend without reservations. Even the 2 disc "Manzanera Collection" got pretty spotty near the last half of the 2nd disc, because there wasn't much to work with from the later time periods. >i can't claim to be an authority on latin music either. but frankly i'd just as >soon let phil's hispanic influences stay in the background. listening to his best >roxy moments you'd never guess in a million years that he grew up in south >america. remeber the 'blue ridge rangers' album that john fogerty released right >after creedence broke up? it was a 'roots' work, full of country chestnuts, and it >was dead, dead, dead. somehow i get the same feeling when i think of manzanera >doing a latin album. I understand totally what you are getting at. "Roots" albums can be a mixed blessing (or worse). I'm trying really hard to think of one shining example of the perfect roots project, and I know it will come to me, just not right now. Of course, it depends how you define your terms. Many of BF's "covers" albums could be considered "roots" recordings if you define your terms broadly enough. (He says with tongue planted fairly squarely in cheek.) I like Los Lobos a lot and have several of their albums, but when they put out their "roots" album several years back, I heard some of it and passed on it. Their performance was heartfelt, but there are people in that tradition who can do it better. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't where their strengths lie. When they take those same influences and filter them through their own sensibilities, then you get something truly unique. You get art that draws on the past, present and future. They wear their heritage and it's influence proudly, but they aren't afraid to not play it safe. It's 3 dimensional rather than merely 1 or 2D. That's what I want from Phil. Bye. Be well; Erik S np; Bruce Cockburn-"Breakfast In New Orleans, Dinner In Timbuktu" Be well. Bye; Erik S - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:02:09 +0200 From: "Han Snijders en Willy v/d Geest" Subject: [AVALON] short interview Bryan Ferry discusses new album By RICHARD JOHN -- JAM! Showbiz TORONTO -- Few artists in rock history have recorded as many albums of other people's songs as Bryan Ferry. But while those previous albums featured modern instruments and arrangements, 'As Time Goes By' - Ferry's newest cover album and first recorded material in five years - features songs recorded in an acoustic, 'back to basics' manner. "It's an unusual thing for me to do a record that's acoustic. I've never done one before. It's nice to get away from guitars and drum patterns and computers," Ferry told Jam! Thursday. "I've actually wanted to do an album like this for a long time," Ferry explained, when asked about the initial idea for the album. "When I did the first solo album in 1973, 'These Foolish Things', the lead song was from the 30s. From then on people have been saying 'I wish you'd do an album of songs from that period' so it's always been a project I've wanted to do." "It's a very pleasant escape really from my normal way of working." Indeed, the album features typical acoustic instruments like piano and strings, as well as an early French synthesizer called the Ondesmartenot. For the new album, Ferry chose pre-World War II songs from the mid-1930s. Included are several Cole Porter compositions, Kurt Weill's 'September Song' and the signature song from 'Casablanca', the album's title track 'As Time Goes By.' When asked how will the album go down with the public, Ferry was frank. "It's not a mainstream, chart based record. It's not something you'll hear on the radio or MTV or anything like that. It's just a nice, old fashioned record." JAM! will have much more with Bryan Ferry in the weeks leading up to the October 19th release of 'As Time Goes By'. Ferry will be touring the album in select cities. He will perform a single Canadian date, November 9 at Toronto's Massey Hall. NOTE: Ferry's first five albums - 'These Foolish Things' (1973), 'Another Time Another Place' (1974), 'Let's Stick Together' (1976), 'In Your Mind' (1977) and 'The Bride Stripped Bare' (1978) - will be reissued by EG/Virgin/EMI on October 5. The second wave will hit stores December - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ End of avalon-digest V4 #279 **************************** ======================================================================== For further info, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: info avalon-digest