From: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org (avalon-digest) To: avalon-digest@smoe.org Subject: avalon-digest V4 #359 Reply-To: avalon@smoe.org Sender: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk avalon-digest Wednesday, November 10 1999 Volume 04 : Number 359 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [AVALON] newcastle evening chronicle article [S.J.Batie@open.ac.uk] Re: [AVALON] How much did you pay? ["Simon Galloway" ] [AVALON] RE:Manzanera survey [Glen Lehman ] Re: [AVALON] If I Didn't Care [Kicki Gustafsson ] Re: [AVALON] If I Didn't Care ["Simon Galloway" ] [AVALON] Test [Alexander Papazoglu ] Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters [Heather James ] [AVALON] but I do care #2 [Colleen Matan ] Re: [AVALON] the Toronto show [hsszlenk ] [AVALON] John Punter [avalon-digest V4 #357] ["David Squires" ] RE: [AVALON] the Toronto show [David Jacobs ] Re: [AVALON] Thank You [Kicki Gustafsson ] Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters [ASchulberg@aol.com] Re: [AVALON] If I Didn't Care [ASchulberg@aol.com] Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters [Heather James ] Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters [ASchulberg@aol.com] [AVALON] New to the list-> Hi ["James James" ] Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters [Noam Bronstein Subject: Re: [AVALON] How much did you pay? Nice one Martin. Glad you identified yourself. People should be proud of where they're from (I shall refrain from mentioning Croydon again. Ooops). I've never seen Bryan at Sheffield City Hall, but every concert I've been to there (including my first - Eric Clapton) has always been good, and the surroundings definitely help. I've only seen Bryan at the BIC in Bournemouth (1995) which is one of the most sterile venues I've ever been to - just a big assembly hall with no vibe or ambience. That probably explains why only Cliff Richard, the Labour party and the Conservatives make return visits. And today I'm going to try and convince one of the presenters at Jazz FM to play something from ATGB. I shall report on my achievement. Think positive. She already plays Sting.... SimonG >>> "Martin Wilkinson (roxy)" 11/10 12:01 am >>> I've paid £25 for Bristol. Another Sheffielder! Born and bred there, myself, and saw Bry on the Mamouna tour both at the City Hall and Hammersmith Odeon. City Hall way better. Martin Wilkinson martin.wilkinson@tesco.net ========================= And back to the ticket price, is it the same over the UK? I envy anyone going to Sheffield City Hall - a great venue and my hometown. Unfortunatley I can't make it there. And I couldn't even find the Croydon info (did anyone see David Bowie's recent Croydon comments? Very funny, but I've never been, so I can't validate it). - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 20:11:25 +1000 From: Glen Lehman Subject: [AVALON] RE:Manzanera survey Would anyone have a full list of all the Roxy B-sides not on albums. It could be interesting to know so that a full choice could be added to Mr. Manzanera's Roxy Survey. (ie., If a reunion was planned what songs would you choose? A kindred soul wondered why they could not choose The Numberer or The Pride and the Pain). It was fun trying to narrow it down to 12 songs ! ps. Worry not about prices etc.etc as I cannot even find a copy or listing for ATGB Single or Album. In what was once a country which loved Ferry etc. I doubt he will ever tour here again (what a backwater). ENJOY THE CHI-TOWN SHOW DR Kim and Jas...wishing I could be there......Viva ! > > > >-------------------- >To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: >unsubscribe avalon > - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 11:46:36 +0100 From: Kicki Gustafsson Subject: Re: [AVALON] If I Didn't Care Robert wrote: > >Well point taken but Cliff, George Michael and Garth Brooks are all crap. No, no, no, no. I'm very sorry but George Michael is _not_, I repeat, _not_ crap. He is, quite simply, a very gifted singer and songwriter. /Kicki G - --------------------------- Kicki Gustafsson http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG kicki.gustafsson@op.se - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:53:57 +0000 From: "Simon Galloway" Subject: Re: [AVALON] If I Didn't Care Don't start with George Michael - a good songwriter and singer he maybe, but I just can't get over his pop appeal, too popular for me. Although, going through my old videos the other day I found an interview with Bryan plugging TAXI, where the interviewer asks him about the Trojan Soul project (remember that anyone) where George Michael was supposed to be writing and producing a song for Bryan. I'm quite glad it never happened really. SimonG >>> Kicki Gustafsson 11/10 10:46 am >>> Robert wrote: > >Well point taken but Cliff, George Michael and Garth Brooks are all crap. No, no, no, no. I'm very sorry but George Michael is _not_, I repeat, _not_ crap. He is, quite simply, a very gifted singer and songwriter. /Kicki G - --------------------------- Kicki Gustafsson http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG kicki.gustafsson@op.se - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 12:26:46 +0100 From: Alexander Papazoglu Subject: [AVALON] Test I've subscribed with a new email adress. Just testing Alex - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:18:06 -0500 From: Heather James Subject: Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters I'm near Wash., DC. Based on discussions here, I cancelled my order with A&B Sound and on Nov 4th, I ordered 5 of the Remasters. through HMV (in Canada). They list the price as 14.99 Canadian - ROXY MUSIC AVALON/REMASTERED/LTD $14.99 ROXY MUSIC VIVA/REMASTERED/LTD $14.99 FERRY*BRYAN ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE/REM $14.99 FERRY*BRYAN LETS STICK TOGETHER/REMASTERED $14.99 These arrived in yesterday's mail ... all 4 are the "Limited" edition - the Mini-LP format with the black Japanese "sash" on the left, in the little plastic bags. The other CD (HEART STILL BEATING LIVE/REMASTERED/LTD) is still pending. I'd ordered Country Life and For Your Pleasure through Amazon on October 25th ... although it says "Usually ships in 2-3 days", they're "Pending" & haven't budged yet. They have SIREN/REMASTERED and that shipped a few days after I ordered it... CDNOW had the 1st and 3rd album REMASTERS ... CD-Now was highest at $18 each ... Amazon.com had some at $16 (American) HMV seems to be the best price if you buy quantity (shipping is pricier) A&B Sounds is cheapest, but who knows what they have or when they ship ... -= )-(eather =- >------------------< hjames@thewebgal.com Heather's Website: http://www.thewebgal.com/hjames/ My Roxy Music site: http://www.thewebgal.com/roxymusic/ >-----------------------------------------------------< ASchulberg@aol.com wrote: > > CDNOW is handling the remasters as imports and wants more than $18 apiece for > them. After the bad mouthing of A&B Sound, I'm leery of ordering through > them. So, who knows a reliable supplier with an attractive price for the > remastered Roxy albums? > > Thanks all. > > Arnie > - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:25:43 -0500 (EST) From: Colleen Matan Subject: [AVALON] but I do care #1 [well, it was bound to happen eventually--a reply so long I had to split it in two to get it to post] On Tue, 9 Nov 1999, Robert Whiteford wrote: > > If this is true--and of course I don't think every word that he utters > > should be taken as the Gospel truth--and Mr. Ferry's primary career goal > > is to sell records, then he should devote himself to the practice of > > making records that lots of people will buy. It's as simple as that. > > No No No ! It isn't as simple as that. "For your pleasure" was hardly a > commercial album was it ?The whole point of Ferry's success was that he was > he brought something new into the mainstream AND achieved a level of > acceptance and recognition of his work. Ferry makes records from a purely > artistic base and then hopes they sell because he's reached enough people. I I was, of course, purposely overstating the points in my own message. > knew my last post would attract some flak but I can only give my view. And > my view is that Ferry will pack it in if he has a miniscule audience and his > work can't even attract record company interest. What's the point of > painting a picture no one will ever see? Incidentally Taxi MAY have been an What's the point? *Art* is the point. The act of creation. The process and the end result. You've just said that "Ferry makes records from a purely artistic base" and now you're asking what good that is? I'd say that it's the whole point of being a painter or a writer or a musician or an actor or whatever. It's everything, even if it is solitary. Sometimes art sells, and sometimes it doesn't. And if it doesn't, does that make it any less valuable? But once you begin to create with one eye open for the idea of how to please an audience in your mind you change the entire process and you end up with that commercial angle which so many of you abhor (even as you lament Ferry's lackluster sales). > effort to do exactly what you describe above - and it failed to do so. "The > name of the game" was another effort to be commercial , and a bloody awful > one at that. Ferry's commercial decline is surely primarily due to his lack > of output........ I'm not sure how how this follows. If he puts out 10 albums and each of them sells 10 copies, or he puts out 4 albums and each of them sells 10 copies, while his overall sales obviously increase, his sales potential remains the same. Low. And commercial decline is not necessarily staved off. Ferry's commercial decline stems from one thing: It's over. Ferry's shelf-life as a pop star has expired. He should feel lucky he's still making records. And I say that as gently as I can, and do not mean in *any* way to blame him or find fault with him. It's just the way things are. And you know what? He knows it too. I've written about how on the opening night of his tour he delivered an almost joyful version of "September Song." "These golden days/I'll spend with you." And why not spend a few weeks in smallish rooms with people who appreciate, even adore, him. We should all be so lucky. He knows and while it's bittersweet, it seems he's accepted it. The question is why can't everyone else. All the scheming and plotting in the world isn't going to put him at the top of the charts anymore. So let's allow him some dignity. (Actually, one amendment--I suppose if Mr. Ferry could wean himself from cannabis his output might improve, both numerically and qualitatively.) continued... - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:27:08 -0500 (EST) From: Colleen Matan Subject: [AVALON] but I do care #2 [... continued] > Well everythings relative I suppose but Ferry insists Lucy isn't wealthy. > He's hardly on the poverty line I grant you however I think the notion that > money from commercial success means little to him is totally wrong. He could > do with some more money from everything he says. I believe him - he has a > lot of bills to pay ! He's not living in a one room flat, worrying about how he's going to feed his children. Maybe he's not Bill Gates, but he lives better than 95% of the world does, and better than probably almost all of us on this list. And if he needs money, well then he'll have to find work. Just like the rest of us. Whether that means creating more commercially viable records or driving a bus is up to him. But I'm hardly going to sit around wringing my hands over the state of his bank account. > Well point taken but Cliff, George Michael and Garth Brooks are all crap. I > wouldn't buy anything they did. Who bought Boys and Girls? Was it Cliff > Richard fans ? No No No (again no !) - it was ROXY/FERRY fans. Some of them > bought Bete Noire. Some of them even bought Taxi. God some of them even > bought Mamouna. And some will buy ATGB. "They" are potential and previous > fans of Ferry/Roxy. Cliff, George Michael and Garth Brooks all crap in your opinion. Just as Mr. Ferry is crap in the opinion of others. It's all relative. Personally I don't see how dragging other artists down in any way elevates Mr. Ferry. Again, I don't see how you can find fault with a record buying public who don't buy a record they don't like. It's how the system works, right? The marketplace of ideas. Personally I don't buy David Sylvian records because I don't like his music. Does that make me wrong? No. It means I don't like it, and since it's my money... > I didn't write the line above attributed to me but I agree with the Gareth I > think who did. Colleen WHY do you like him? Is it just the music ? Nothing > more ? Not the style , the class , the strangeness ? I stick to my guns on And what if it is just the music with me? Isn't that Ferry's *art*? Again I ask: isn't that what it's all about? The clothes and the hair and the country home and the white socks--that's not art. That's artifice. That's advertising. That's the image. Are you saying that if Mr. Ferry performed in jeans and sneakers you'd like him that much less? If he lived in a trailer with reproductions on the walls, that'd lower his talent in your estimation? Frankly, I am truly mystified by this worship of Ferry and his "lifestyle." "He's the best dressed" "He has the best taste" "He's the most intelligent rock star ever" Even if these assertions are true, so what? What has any of that got to do with comes out of my speakers? If I can only enjoy the music because I've understood the theoretical construct of French cuffs and Floris water then the emperor has no clothes. And the weirdest thing is that it's all men who have written in to passionately defend Ferry as the pinnacle of grace and style. And so, yes, for me, it's about the music. Mainly because since Ferry is a singer/songwriter that *is* what it's all about. And partly because I realize that everything else is a put on. > that one - name me one other person working in the field of popular music > who has brought as much "intelligence and taste" to the arena. OK. Johnny Lydon. Morrissey. Brian Eno. Elvis Costello. Ray Davies. Neil Young (but not after 1992). Lyle Lovett. Madonna. But you know, it's not like the field of rock'n'roll attracts every genius in the zip code, so all of this is relative. (and just because you read Rimbaud [or Wilde] you are not _ipso facto) an intellectual) Of course, now you're all going to tell me that "taste" has a very narrow definition--having to buy a house full of someone else's old furniture (try reading _Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil_), wearing suits, and generally being Ferry. And only Ferry. At which point I will have to drop out of the discussion because then it becomes tautological. Certainly "taste" consists of more than just aping the upper classes. And, as I've written before here, to take Ferry's affections at face value and to see in them only sincerity, if not the dreaded earnestness, is to sell him quite short. Maybe it's because I'm American that I don't worship his lifestyle or his persona so slavishly. (But then again, a few years back I did spend a lovely afternoon with Princess Alexandra and her husband, so it's not like I'm completely indifferent to these things.) But it's his music which comes first with me. And before you all get out the pitchforks and torches--or slap my face with a glove and challenge me to a duel, perhaps--let me remind you all that I am indeed a fan of Mr. Ferry and obviously I do care. But you know, you can see someone's faults quite clearly and love them quite deeply despite them. Or even because of them. Colleen - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:35:48 -0500 (EST) From: hsszlenk Subject: Re: [AVALON] the Toronto show Noam, Thanks for the great review. I have front row seats for tonight's concert in Detroit. I can't wait. Maybe, us Avalonians could start something here by having someone shout out at every concert. " We love you Bryan ". Hank - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 14:23:49 -0000 From: "David Squires" Subject: [AVALON] John Punter [avalon-digest V4 #357] On 10 Nov 99, at 0:14, Noam wrote: > He said someone very special was there, a John Punter if I heard right, and > he dedicated the next song to him - Bittersweet. John Punter co-produced "Country Life" and "Another Time..." and engineered "Stranded" too. A nice touch from wor Bry! David - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 14:23:48 -0000 From: "David Squires" Subject: [AVALON] Re: Carts [avalon-digest V4 #353] On 8 Nov 99, at 4:05, Rob wrote: > Tom Jones is essentially crap His choice of material is often poor (too much Vegas too soon?), but he can sing most others under the table. I remember him duetting with both Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin on his '70's TV shows (may have fading videos of these somewhere) and he gives as good as he gets! Not that he needs me to defend him :-) David - -- David Squires Wimbotsham Norfolk UK - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 14:23:49 -0000 From: "David Squires" Subject: [AVALON] Re: A drink before RFH [avalon-digest V4 #354] On 8 Nov 99, at 23:55, Martino wrote: > Yeah David. I'm down that way this week so I'll check it out. I have a > feeling that this is the one Andy Cooper and I visited a couple of months > ago. It's on a terraced street, no ? Yes it is. > I have a sneeky feeling that Phil M will be guesting at this gig so perhaps > we'll notify him as well via his site. I'm sure he'd enjoy it. > Yours, labouriously checking out watering holes, My heart bleeds for you! David (labouring in a watery hole, a.k.a. Norfolk) A Transdiffusion Anglia Production - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 14:23:48 -0000 From: "David Squires" Subject: [AVALON] Re: Virginia Plain & Pyjamarama [avalon-digest V4 #353] On 8 Nov 99, at 4:05, JF wrote: > The Island single version, (far superior to the "Greatest Hits" version, due > to the wonderful sax solo) is featured on "The Thrill Of It All" box set. I > remember reading once that the "Hits" version was in fact the original > version, anyone know more about this? Thanks for this. What I saw Tony Blackburn introduce on TOTP back in 1973 and what I heard at the time and what I have on 45 is the weirder sax. I'm sure this was remixed to produce the Greatest Hits version. Perhaps at that stage of the game, part of a process of de-Enofication? The treatment of various instruments (both during and after Eno) is one of Roxy Music's sonic trademarks. The quietly screaming saxophone at the back of the mix on A Song For Europe, the scratchy feedbacky violins at the end of Just Like You... brilliant. It's all in the detail. I may have missed if someone else has asked this ( I get the digests and some of you really should quote more succinctly when replying to messages - we have to pay real money for phone calls in the UK...) but I presume that the Chris Lawrence who played upright bass on Stranded is the same Chris Laurence who plays bass on ATGB? David - -- David Squires Wimbotsham Norfolk UK - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:49:21 -0600 From: Kimberly Shell Subject: [AVALON] RE:Chicago show Glen says: <<>> Thanks! Will be thinking of you! ONE MORE DAY!!! - -k- - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 09:44:01 -0500 From: David Jacobs Subject: RE: [AVALON] the Toronto show I liked most of Noam's comments. I have seen every Bryan Ferry/Roxy show in Toronto and can say that this ranks high on the list. The musicianship was flawless and Bryan's voice was peerless. He has lost none of the nuance, power and emotive qualities which characterise his style. If anything, I was more impressed with the depth of feeling and range of expression which he gave the interpretations. There were a number of high points. "Sunset", which I do not recall him doing live before, was simply magical. Ditto for "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "Where or When", "September Song", "Casanova", "ATGB" and others. I agree with Noam's interpretation of Bryan's response to the -very- friendly heckles. Friends came out of the show asking where his next appearance was goingto be so that they could catch the show again. ATGB skeptics were handily won over. A memorable event. - -----Original Message----- From: Noam Bronstein [mailto:wishinvain@earthlink.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 1999 12:15 AM To: avalon@smoe.org Subject: [AVALON] the Toronto show I just got back from the concert and wanted to share my thoughts. The show was very enjoyable, and I thought Bryan was quite strong overall. This is the first time I've ever seen him live so take my opinions as you will. Most of my impressions are well captured by Colleen's review, so I'll try not to bore you to death with the same details. The skinny is I loved it and would see him again on this tour if I could. Massey Hall holds 2,800 and was sold out. I thought Bryan had some trouble connecting with the crowd at times, but he broke through a number of times and those moments were pure magic, for me. To elaborate... I think the audience tried hard to go with the 'new' stuff (30's music) but I think many - probably about half - just didn't really 'get it'. It seems to me Bryan feeds very much off the crowd's responses and he seemed most 'into it' when playing his previous work and the Roxy songs. Because that's when the entire crowd would come alive. For myself I enjoyed the whole evening immensely. I took my sister who is 21 and knows nothing of Ferry but did in fact know a lot of the 30's songs. She enjoyed it too. We had great seats, sixth row, a bit right of center. The setup is cool, great lighting, and the musicians were all good, the whole thing was just a treat for the senses. But I must say too that the sound (from our vantage at least) sucked on many songs. Probably the setup at Massey. On 'Avalon' Bryan had to motion twice for his mic to be turned up, and were he not such a composed man I think he was getting somewhat.. distracted by the problem. The highlights for me - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (that's when things started clicking), Carrickfergus was stunning, Bittersweet also, Sunset, Casanova, The Only Face, Where Or When. And........ after the two encores (jealous guy and do the strand), he did As Time Goes By. I thought it was a great ending, it was subdued but really left people wanting more. After Where Or When I yelled "Bravo!" pretty loud, and Bryan thanked me (well, that's how I'll tell it to my grandchildren at least). A few seconds later a guy somewhere behind me yelled "We love you Bryan!!" in a REALLY loud voice, and this was the nicest moment in the evening; Bryan laughed shyly, the crowd roared... and then Bryan relaxed enough to chat with us a bit. He said that on these tours, there are people behind the scenes who don't always get their just desserts. He said someone very special was there, a John Punter if I heard right, and he dedicated the next song to him - Bittersweet. I don't know the significance of this, but thought I'd share it anyway. Bryan seemed really moved at that moment, and on that note, I want to say the experience of seeing him live was really moving for me. He is such an emotional performer and it touches people who are open to that sort of thing. I have a feeling veterans of Ferry concerts would say he had an off night - he did look tired at times, but he's definitely still 'got it', and I loved it. cheers and goodnight -- Noam - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 16:12:43 +0100 From: Kicki Gustafsson Subject: Re: [AVALON] Thank You >>>but there are even some members of >>>our list coming from Holland and Sweden, >> >> Who's coming from Sweden?? > > >You are.. I'm holding a ticket ! Martin, you are so sweet...but I need airplane tickets too. And a nice hotelroom. And someone to fill in for me at work. Kicki G - wishing on a star - --------------------------- Kicki Gustafsson http://www.torget.se/users/k/KickiG kicki.gustafsson@op.se - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:26:53 EST From: ASchulberg@aol.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters Thanks, Heather. Looks like HMV is the way to go. Out of curiosity, what is $14.99 Canadian equate to in US bucks? Arnie - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:26:52 EST From: ASchulberg@aol.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] If I Didn't Care In a message dated 11/10/1999 5:57:17 AM Eastern Standard Time, SIMONG@jazzfm.com writes: << Although, going through my old videos the other day I found an interview with Bryan plugging TAXI, where the interviewer asks him about the Trojan Soul project (remember that anyone) >> No. What was the Trojan Soul project? Arnie - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:59:56 -0500 From: Heather James Subject: Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters According to this online web conversion site ... http://www.x-rates.com/ (Rates from Tue Nov 9 20:30:02 1999 GMT) United States Dollar $0.6787 = 1.00 Canadian Dollars Canadian Dollars $1.4735 = 1.00 United States Dollar So - a CD at $14.99 canadian should be around $10.17 US Isn't that a nice treat? -= )-(eather =- >------------------< hjames@thewebgal.com Heather's Website: http://www.thewebgal.com/hjames/ My Roxy Music site: http://www.thewebgal.com/roxymusic/ >-----------------------------------------------------< ASchulberg@aol.com wrote: > > Thanks, Heather. Looks like HMV is the way to go. Out of curiosity, what is > $14.99 Canadian equate to in US bucks? > > Arnie > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon >-----------------------------------------------------< - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:02:25 -0800 From: Eric Gregory Subject: RE: [AVALON] but I do care #1 >>I suppose if Mr. Ferry could wean himself from >>cannabis his output might improve, both numerically and qualitatively.) HUH????? ______________________________________________ Eric S. Gregory IVR Assistant egregory@standard.com (503) 321-8503 ____________________________________________ - -----Original Message----- From: Colleen Matan [mailto:matanc@gusun.georgetown.edu] Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 1999 5:26 AM To: avalon@smoe.org Subject: [AVALON] but I do care #1 [well, it was bound to happen eventually--a reply so long I had to split it in two to get it to post] On Tue, 9 Nov 1999, Robert Whiteford wrote: > > If this is true--and of course I don't think every word that he utters > > should be taken as the Gospel truth--and Mr. Ferry's primary career goal > > is to sell records, then he should devote himself to the practice of > > making records that lots of people will buy. It's as simple as that. > > No No No ! It isn't as simple as that. "For your pleasure" was hardly a > commercial album was it ?The whole point of Ferry's success was that he was > he brought something new into the mainstream AND achieved a level of > acceptance and recognition of his work. Ferry makes records from a purely > artistic base and then hopes they sell because he's reached enough people. I I was, of course, purposely overstating the points in my own message. > knew my last post would attract some flak but I can only give my view. And > my view is that Ferry will pack it in if he has a miniscule audience and his > work can't even attract record company interest. What's the point of > painting a picture no one will ever see? Incidentally Taxi MAY have been an What's the point? *Art* is the point. The act of creation. The process and the end result. You've just said that "Ferry makes records from a purely artistic base" and now you're asking what good that is? I'd say that it's the whole point of being a painter or a writer or a musician or an actor or whatever. It's everything, even if it is solitary. Sometimes art sells, and sometimes it doesn't. And if it doesn't, does that make it any less valuable? But once you begin to create with one eye open for the idea of how to please an audience in your mind you change the entire process and you end up with that commercial angle which so many of you abhor (even as you lament Ferry's lackluster sales). > effort to do exactly what you describe above - and it failed to do so. "The > name of the game" was another effort to be commercial , and a bloody awful > one at that. Ferry's commercial decline is surely primarily due to his lack > of output........ I'm not sure how how this follows. If he puts out 10 albums and each of them sells 10 copies, or he puts out 4 albums and each of them sells 10 copies, while his overall sales obviously increase, his sales potential remains the same. Low. And commercial decline is not necessarily staved off. Ferry's commercial decline stems from one thing: It's over. Ferry's shelf-life as a pop star has expired. He should feel lucky he's still making records. And I say that as gently as I can, and do not mean in *any* way to blame him or find fault with him. It's just the way things are. And you know what? He knows it too. I've written about how on the opening night of his tour he delivered an almost joyful version of "September Song." "These golden days/I'll spend with you." And why not spend a few weeks in smallish rooms with people who appreciate, even adore, him. We should all be so lucky. He knows and while it's bittersweet, it seems he's accepted it. The question is why can't everyone else. All the scheming and plotting in the world isn't going to put him at the top of the charts anymore. So let's allow him some dignity. (Actually, one amendment--I suppose if Mr. Ferry could wean himself from cannabis his output might improve, both numerically and qualitatively.) continued... - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 11:23:45 EST From: ASchulberg@aol.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters In a message dated 11/10/1999 11:03:22 AM Eastern Standard Time, hjames@thewebgal.com writes: << So - a CD at $14.99 canadian should be around $10.17 US >> That's good but $7.49 CDN is better. However, no one expresses high confidence in A&B and I want to make sure I get what I order. Arnie - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:42:56 PST From: "James James" Subject: [AVALON] New to the list-> Hi Hi there, I'm just new to this list. I really didn't know it existed until I saw the FAQ on Bryan Chow's page. I've been a Roxy/Ferry fan from the very beginning, and look forward to hearing from other fans. I live in a suburb of Toronto, Canada called Mississauga. (Anyone else here from Toronto?) Was there anyone from the list at the Bryan Ferry concert last night? I'd like to hear your impressions. When I have more time I'll post my review. Glad to be here. James ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 09:07:45 -0800 (PST) From: Noam Bronstein Subject: Re: [AVALON] Best Price on Remasters Our dollar is a glorified Peso. That's why we build your cars and trucks for you up here (when we're not hybernating in our igloos). :) Noam - --- Heather James wrote: > According to this online web conversion site ... > http://www.x-rates.com/ (Rates from Tue Nov 9 20:30:02 1999 GMT) > > United States Dollar $0.6787 = 1.00 Canadian Dollars > > Canadian Dollars $1.4735 = 1.00 United States Dollar > > So - a CD at $14.99 canadian should be around $10.17 US > > Isn't that a nice treat? > > -= )-(eather =- > >------------------< > hjames@thewebgal.com > > Heather's Website: http://www.thewebgal.com/hjames/ > > My Roxy Music site: http://www.thewebgal.com/roxymusic/ > >-----------------------------------------------------< > > ASchulberg@aol.com wrote: > > > > Thanks, Heather. Looks like HMV is the way to go. Out of curiosity, > what is > > $14.99 Canadian equate to in US bucks? > > > > Arnie > > > > -------------------- > > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > > unsubscribe avalon > > > >-----------------------------------------------------< > > > > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon > ===== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 12:38:55 EST From: JFROXY@aol.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] If I Didn't Care In a message dated 10/11/99 03:30:37 GMT Standard Time, ASchulberg@aol.com writes: << No. What was the Trojan Soul project? >> When George Michae, something like that anyway. JFl was going through his record company hassles he was going to assemble a cast of his favourite singers, BF Aretha Franklin, Elton John to name a few, to sing his compositions cos he couldn't release them himself - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 09:55:40 PST From: "mark shanahan" Subject: [AVALON] cad shoes & scoundrels pt. 1 (from 'details' again, may '93 ... this is the first half ...) Bryan Ferry - The master song stylist covers the waterfront with a new LP, 'Taxi', and a new pair of shoes Q: How did you become yourself? BF: The first thing I was interested in was art history, and it led me to art school, which was a great moment in my life. I was drawn in by pop art, because I thought it brought together the things that I thought were cool, sexy, turned-on, and fabulous with what also seemed worthwhile and intelligent. And I was able to discover people like myself -- a *group* to belong to -- for the first time in my life. I guess that's how I began to answer the question 'Who am I?', which is what everybody's trying to find out, desperately. Q: With Roxy Music, you changed who you were every year. BF: A lot of that came from a basic lack of self-confidence. I've always been a reluctant public performer, so it was easier to appear onstage in various disguises. And it suited the mood and the collage-ish feel of the music to dramatize the presentation. Q: How did your singing voice arrive? BF: By accident. You hear things through the sensibility of all the people you ever liked who sang -- all the R&B singers you appreciated and the jazz singers before that. And then you just sing without thinking. Q: Was is ego battles that ended Roxy Music? BF: Largely. I was kind of jealous and proud of the fact that it was 'my baby'. I like to be in charge, and because I was writing and singing the songs and designing the covers and playing the keyboards, I felt the others were just along for the ride, which was not how they felt. The first bit of dissension came when I was on the cover of the second album, 'For Your Pleasure', and they weren't. And by that time I felt we'd exhausted the possibilities of the group and so Brian Eno left. That was the first big change, and in retrospect I think it came too soon. brian didn't really play any instruments, but he was a great catalyst and a wonderful stage presence. but at that point, it was like, "Oh, God, how often can we have that synthesizer squawking away?". I really wanted the group to get more musical. Now I think that Brian and I could have done more interesting things together. Q: Do you miss Roxy Music? BF: Well, a lot of energy comes out of conflicts, and I miss that. I now tend to create the conflicts within myself, arguing against myself on every detail, which gets exhausting. Q: How has your music changed in twenty years? BF: It's gotten more fussy and convoluted in some ways. Perhaps also less joyful, which is rather sad. I thing the singing is better, the rhythm section is much better. Overall, certain aspects have improved, some have been lost. Nothing I should be too worried about. Most people who've worked in pop music for twenty years have gotten progressively worse, so I'm happy to have developed in any way. My big regret is that I haven't done as much in the last ten years as I'd have liked. So, in the next ten years I want to do a lot more recording. And I mean ten years. I think I have maybe ten years left before my voice goes. Q: Why does it take you so long to finish a record? BF: Nothing's ever good enough. I'm always looking for something different and finding it hard to achieve. Technology has had something to do with it over the past ten years. Too many possibilities became available. When I write the songs, I write and re-write. It can go on endlessly, which is maddening, but it's also quite interesting. Q: You were supposed to release an album called "Horoscope" last year ... BF: True. As a whole, it wasn't quite complete, so I went into the studio to do some more songs to add to it and that became its own project, which is the new record, 'Taxi'. So there is an almost complete album waiting to come out in the near future. Q: What's the common thread of the songs on 'Taxi'? BF: That they weren't written by me. The first time I did an album of other people's songs was 'These Foolish Things', twenty years ago. I found it very exciting. It's like a treat, a special favor to suddenly find yourself working with material you don't feel responsible for. That's a great pleasure. I'd been stuck in a position on the last few records where I wanted to write my masterpiece, and I wouldn't give in. I'm actually quite good at interpreting other people's songs. I'm a song stylist. Given the material, I can transform the songs into something different. It's nice to take a song's basic melody or lyric and use it as a starting-off point. There are so many ways to do a song. It doesn't matter if you're singing from the telephone directory: If you put yourself in it and do it the right ways it can work, it can touch an audience. peaces/ms ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ End of avalon-digest V4 #359 **************************** ======================================================================== For further info, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: info avalon-digest