From: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org (avalon-digest) To: avalon-digest@smoe.org Subject: avalon-digest V4 #412 Reply-To: avalon@smoe.org Sender: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk avalon-digest Wednesday, December 15 1999 Volume 04 : Number 412 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [AVALON] Bryan at the RFH ["Turner, Chris (cturner)" ] [AVALON] Another gushing post about the RFH ["Simon Galloway" ] RE: [AVALON] In Bed with O'Brien [Jocelyn Fiske ] Re: [AVALON] Hello everyone. ["Will Frechette" ] [AVALON] RFH [Peter Dewey ] [AVALON] Re: RFH etc. ["Richard Swift" ] [AVALON] Avalonia Pecker Checkers [RODEISLRED@aol.com] [AVALON] RFH [JObinv01@aol.com] Re: [AVALON] RFH ["Richard Swift" ] [AVALON] Flangebracket Strikes Again? [Helchat@aol.com] Re: [AVALON]Royal Festival Hall 14th December ["Robert Whiteford" Subject: [AVALON] Bryan at the RFH Hello All, Sorry if my last post had a hint of hubris about it, I hope you'll understand in the circumstances. Here are some snippets of information I picked up at the gig from Jim Lawn. The RFH gig was filmed for inclusion in a documentary. When I asked further, Jim said that there were "three or four possibilities" At least we know the film is in the can. One thought: Could this be a long overdue South Bank Show retrospective, given the RFH's location. (for non-UK listmembers this is a long running arts documentary show.) There is to be a continental leg to the tour, starting in early February, but none of the dates are yet confirmed. Jim mentioned at least two Dutch dates and one in Belgium. Avalonians, fetch those passports! Streetlife and Out of the Blue were both played. The band have apparently rehearsed three additional Roxy tracks which may be inserted into the setlist later in the tour. Bryan's management, IE Management are no longer handling him, despite appearing as such in the programme. Jim Lawn said to me that "a group of people are managing him" and somewhat mysteriously: "some of the names would amaze you" Your Intrepid Reporter Chris - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 02:02:12 -0800 From: "Turner, Chris (cturner)" Subject: [none] Hi All, Here's one I forgot. There are six unreleased tracks from the As Time Goes By sessions including "I Can't Get Started". One had been intended for a film soundtrack, but subsequently fell through. Chris - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:54:34 +0000 From: "Simon Galloway" Subject: [AVALON] Another gushing post about the RFH First of all apologies to fellow Avalonians - I couldn't make it to the pub beforehand and only got to the RFH at 7.25pm. I did scan the bars but couldn't spot any familiar faces (but you can't always go on a photo anyway). Well. What a show. As I said after GG - I was looking forward too it even more knowing how enjoyable it was going to be. I was quite near the back (terrace row N) but quite central with a good view of the whole stage. I counted 6 TV cameras in all, but no signs as to where they were from. Essentially it was the same set as GG, but things changed with Out Of The Blue - really good at the end with the strings and cowbell. But when they launched straight into Street Life I nearly burst in to tears - every hair on my body felt like it was standing on end, there's no other way to describe it - it's my number one favorite song of all time, how would you feel? Incredible. The only bad point is that the drummer was just tinkering on the kit (for both those songs) when really he should have been giving them a good pounding to drive the songs along. And it wasn't loud enough either. Street Life certainly got the longest round of applause between songs. After that I felt drained and didn't really come back down until Love Is The Drug when the stage invasions began (who was that woman swinging the white tuxedo jacket at the right? she's a good jumper). The arrangement of Casanova is very inventive (as is Sunset) with every member of the band joining in by the end. Even Enrico made a grand statement with his shaker thingy. But as for Julia Thornton - a showstealer with her percussion work and dancing on Just One Of Those Things. And when she let her hair down for the encore......I'm glad I wasn't around that man wearing the kilt (and unless there was more than one person wearing a kilt then I followed you down some of the stairs on the way out). Well, in one month (in fact less than 2 weeks) I've seen David Bowie once and Bryan Ferry twice (and only paid for the RFH). I bet you haven't been able to do that since about 1973. And if anyone's interested me and my girlfriend caught the number 1 bus to Waterloo (actually getting off on the bridge) and caught the 381 home - the bus stop being right outside the RFH and drops me off right outside my house. And takes bloody ages (35 minutes - I can do it in 10 minutes in the car). And I held a door open for Nicholas Parsons at Pizza Express earlier that day. It doesn't compare to meeting Bryan, it doesn't even come close, but at least he said thankyou. To those going to Croydon tonight ENJOY IT, it's a great faith restoring show. And if anyones got any tapes - I've got to have Street Life. It'll be eyes peeled around Camden Market this weekend. SimonG - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:52:50 -0000 From: andrew.langley@bt.com Subject: RE: [AVALON] Bryan at the RFH What can I say! Chris has said it all, I am star struck! I was great to see you all again, and meet Hans, who was SO excited I thought he would pounce on Bryan! Thanks for the disc Hans. For nearly 30 minutes we all screamed and boogied not three feet away from the Maestro, who was really enjoying himself, it seemed to me. AFTER: I shook Bryan's hand: ME: thanks very much, it was brilliant BRY: pleasure, glad you enjoyed it, did you notice it was being filmed, and the audience (grins) ME: the audience was a very interesting demographic (smile) - (or some similar attempt to sound sane, I just wanted to scream) BRY: VERY, yes (grin) ME: well thanks very much for seeing us all, good night! BRY: good night (offers hand, shakes again). What the hell, I should have kissed him !!! Regards Andy Langley > -----Original Message----- > From: Chris Turner [SMTP:ferryman@freeuk.com] > Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 1999 1:56 AM > To: Avalon > Subject: [AVALON] Bryan at the RFH > > Dear Friends, > > Just got back from the RFH following a great gig by Our Hero in the > company > of a large number of Avalonians. May I say that time spent in their > company > is well spent, for a more knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd would be > hard > to imagine. Thanks everybody for making a good night great. Special credit > to Luc and Han for making the long trip across the North Sea. Han is every > bit as nice as he appears in this group and the new Strictly Confidential > CD > is superb. Perhaps you can hear it playing in the background? > > As I said my goodbyes to the other Avalonians outside the RFH I considered > myself to have had an evening to remember. Bryan even gave me a high five > as > he came on for the encore. But there was more to come... > > A sauntered down the concourse outside the I glanced across to my left to > see a black car draw up. I wandered over, half-interested. I saw a group > of > about thirty people outside the Stage Door. It was 11.05, surely the Old > Man > has gone home. They're wasting their time. As I wandered up I saw Andy > Langley cheery grin amongst the throng. A voice spoke right next to me and > Jim Lawn, who I had engaged in conversation earlier was there. "I thought > he'd gone home ages ago" said Jim "But he's still in there" > > I thought I'd hang around to see if the Great Man came out to his car, and > a > few exited minutes passed. A large doorman asked everyone to step back and > we braced ourselves for a crush that never came. Instead the word filtered > back. "Bryan will see you in turn all as long as you're well behaved. My > heart skipped a beat. Could it be true? An audience with His Royal > Ferryness? > > Eventually the queue shortened and I reached the Stage Door. I glanced > inside and there was the Great Man, incongruously dressed in a checked > flat > cap, a full length bottle green coat, red silk scarf, dark trousers and > tan > wing tips (I noted this for you Martino). I was bizarrely reminded of Eric > Morecambe at the end of the Morecambe and Wise show. A few seconds more > and > I stood in front of Our Hero. I looked into that big familiar face and I > have to say that, for the first time that evening he looked his 54 years, > tired and careworn and strangely expressionless. The two girls in front of > me gushed their last and kissed their hero goodbye and, for a few brief > seconds the Maestro was mine alone. I mumbled some platitudes about the > gig > and, as I struggled for words. I blurted cringingly "I'm looking forward > to > the new material next year" "Yeah", said Bry, and after a few moments > thought, "Late next year" > > I thanked him for his time and as I turned I touched his left elbow in > acknowledgement, His right hand immediately came up to shake mine for a > second time. I turned and left, autographed programme riveted to my hand, > and wandered outside to see a dazed Andy Langley, with whom I swapped > anecdotes. After a few moments Bryan came out to the car to a slightly > sheepish cheer from all of us. And then he was gone into the night... > > Ferry looked a tired man as I spoke to him but he took the trouble to be > attentive and courteous and to sign for everyone who waited. Such is the > mark of a true gentleman and a true star. > > My dear friends, yesterday I was just a mere mortal, but now I have met > Bryan, and life will never be the same again...there are no ambitions left > unfulfilled, > > Even the fact that a fat drunken woman sat on me on the train home can't > detract from the splendour of the evening > > It's quarter to Two, I'm tired and a little trembly. Back to the real > world > in six hours... > > Chris (Whose met Bryan Ferry don'cha know?) > > > > > > > > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 11:07:56 From: "Jason Gibbs (G-media/IMS)" Subject: RE: [AVALON] Bryan at the RFH On Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:52:50 -0000, andrew.langley@bt.com wrote: >What can I say! Chris has said it all, I am star struck! >I was great to see you all again, and meet Hans, who was SO excited I >thought he would pounce on Bryan! Thanks for the disc Hans. For nearly 30 >minutes we all screamed and boogied not three feet away from the Maestro, >who was really enjoying himself, it seemed to me. Yes, it was a very cool night - after turning up late at 8:20 because of traffic and having my seats taken in the 4th row (we ended up on the far end), I thought it was going to be a bad night. .....but we got backstage passes from my friend who knows the promotor and got to see and very briefly chat to a very, very friendly Bryan later in the Artists Bar (what a hole!) before leaving out the stage door where there must have been at least 40 people waiting paitently. Sorry I missed all of the Avalonians last night! What a night it turned out to be for me! Jason - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 12:17:54 +0100 From: "Martin Stockman" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Another gushing post about the RFH Han has left for the lowlands, John up to his highlands. I've enjoyed the posts of Reecey, Chris and the elusive Simon G. I heartily concur with their rave reviews and I'd like to add a few observations... * Up close he's looking at least 38 years old. * The violin crescendo of Out Of The Blue was the most exciting moment I've witnessed in 27 years of following the Maestro. Lucy was indeed note perfect yet I was staggered when the other 3 stood up and took the song higher than the milky way. This was the Siren call. I knew it was out there somewhere. I hurled myself upon the rocks. * As Bry sat down and adjusted his mike he introduced "The Only Face" with a few seemingly off the cuff comments : "Here's a song that I began in the late 70s and, (thinks) wel, I guess I only finished it in 94." Then he laughed and shook his head as if to say "why the hell can't I get my finger out." Charming. * Lighting : Green for Carrickfergus, Violet for "Do do that voodoo", Yellow/orange/red for Sunset, Mirrorball for Avalon. * The cellist is sporting a rather expensive looking necklace since the Golders Green gig. Affirmation of a new admirer perhaps. * I was disappointed with Street Life. Sorry. I thought the rhythm section was off the pace. These old guys are excellent on the jazzy numbers and the Roxy ballads but lumber along on the rockier tracks. (Casanova a possible exception.) I'm not entirely convinced by the guitarist either ; hearing him you realise how intuitive Hubbard was with Ferry's work. * Avalonions who believe Bryan's drug du jour these past three decades was Bud-Lite and a cup of Horlicks might like to check his mime of a tourniquet during that rhapsody of self-hate, Casanova. * John O'Brien did indeed sport a kilt for the occasion. On the tube home a pair of lovely girls, flushed from their Office party, were keen to check under the sporran to see if he was a true Scotsman. As the train came in a wind surged from the tunnel. "Here girls, Marilyn Monroe !" as the kilt swirled ever upwards to reveal rather grubby boxer shorts. * I introduced myself to Luc Morvelier, our chic Parisian friend, in the bar. After the briefest of pleasantries he got down to business. "Please tell me Martin is it possible to get the instrumental version of Winswept on CD format. A true Avalonion. * Jocelyn looked very fetching in her leather catsuit, a voloptuous Emma Peel. * We will forever remember this tour for the string section. The brass certainly had its moments of course, (THAT trumpet on The Only Face, the sax on Smoke, full blast on Lets Stick,) but those girls were truly amazing. Talented, fun, sexy, hip. At one point I thought they were going to strike the Flesh and Blood pose with their bows as javelins ! I'd love to have seen the auditions. * Lucy W told some moths to her flame that they were presently rehearsing More Than This. As Han would say .. HOLY SHMOKE Martini - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 12:23:22 +0100 From: "Martin Stockman" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Bryan at the RFH - ---------- >From: "Jason Gibbs and very briefly chat to a very, very friendly Bryan > later in the Artists Bar (what a hole!) before leaving out the stage > door where there must have been at least 40 people waiting paitently. More than this please ...Full text of dialogue - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 13:23:58 From: "Jason Gibbs" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Bryan at the RFH On Wed, 15 Dec 1999 12:23:22 +0100, Martin Stockman wrote: > > >---------- >>From: "Jason Gibbs and very briefly chat to a very, very friendly Bryan >> later in the Artists Bar (what a hole!) before leaving out the stage >> door where there must have been at least 40 people waiting paitently. > >More than this please ...Full text of dialogue Ok, Ok - i'll work on some prose suitable for the perfect moment and throw in as much 'gossip' as I could gleam (not a lot though). Cheers! Jason - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 16:13:39 -0000 From: Jocelyn Fiske Subject: RE: [AVALON] In Bed with O'Brien - -----Original Message----- From: eRacerX [mailto:eracerx@mindspring.com] Sent: 14 December 1999 12:52 To: avalon@smoe.org Subject: Re: [AVALON] In Bed with O'Brien >A superb collection wrapped in a sumptuous sleeve. > >Han, I salute you, You can add my thanks to the list also. Well, I'm still walking in a Ferry wonderland this morning. What a fab evening, made all the more special by sharing it with a bunch of Avalonian reprobates. I wish you were all coming with me to Croydon tonight to do it all over again. The sack surely looms if I spend any longer slaving over a hot CD repeat playing Strictly Confidential when there are new campaigns (featuring Ferry natch) to be dredged up from the sub-conscious doldrums that harbour impure thoughts. Doesn't Movie, Move Me sound like some bastard child of Depeche Mode and the Velvets? Highlight was definately the full string crescendo at the end of Out of The Blue, which prompted talk of Eddie Who? Again, trembling chins were de rigour during When or Where. And I made a complete plonker of myself by demanding rather loudly "where's Bitter Sweet?" after mistakenly thinking it had been deleted from the set, only to be rewarded by the dull distant toll of the bell. Yup it was Bitter Sweet. Well, you don't get if you don't ask. And how could they not encore after Do the Strand if they've been rehearsing three more songs.? Sacrilege. Lovely to meet you all again, particularly Han and Luc (we'll always have Paris - a more suitable setting for ATGB I can't imagine). Mr O'Brien very kindly showed me the contents of his sporran - not a pretty sight I can assure you. And at one point I was convinced Martino had actually suavely persuaded our favourite harpist that he was indeed the man for her, only to discover that she was Mrs Martino. Jealous guys? Now what can I shoe horn myself into for tonight? Jocelyn - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 16:19:59 -0000 From: S.J.Batie@open.ac.uk Subject: RE: [AVALON] In Bed with O'Brien > And I made a complete plonker of myself by demanding rather loudly > "where's > Bitter Sweet?" after mistakenly thinking it had been deleted from the set, > only to be rewarded by the dull distant toll of the bell. Yup it was > Bitter > Sweet. Well, you don't get if you don't ask. > > > as they say jocelyn, shy bairns get nowt ! - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 17:59:02 +0000 From: "Simon Galloway" Subject: [AVALON] Evening Standard in good review shocker London newspaper the Evening Standard has shocked readers by featuring a favourable review of last nights Bryan Ferry show at the Royal Festival Hall. Reviewer Max Bell gives the concert a 2 star rating which equals Very Good. Only one more star is possible which would attain the status of Outstanding. Amongst many cheesey references to Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry songs include "He offered a generous appraisal of Roxy classics, out of the blue, as it were, plus remade, remodelled solo items..." and "not many could have moaned about the bittersweet goodies on offer". He also claims that the "poignant" Sign Of The Times was performed, but that must have occurred when the entire audience was out of the hall for a moment, along with the performers, with Mr. Bell obviously hearing things in his head (were his ears ringing?). His eyes were obviously taking note commenting that "when Roxy Music recorded albums like For Your Pleasure and Stranded, the uber babes adorned the sleeves. Now they play the harp or comprise the string section". According to experts, this is one of the best reviews given in the Evening Standard for some time, the article ending "We really must do this again some time, Bryan old chap". A photo of Bryan looking wistful, microphone in one hand, the other raised to his chest accompanies the review. From your man on the street(life) - SimonG - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 13:26:12 -0500 (EST) From: Wally Flangebracket Subject: [AVALON] FLANGEBRACKET FLANGEBRACKET enjoyed talking to you all at the Royal Festival Hall. FLANGEBRACKET laughed when Bryan forgot the words to Out Of The Blue FLANGEBRACKET wanted to bring the inflatable alien from the Kings Arms FLANGEBRACKET is not who you think... - ----------------------------------------------- FREE! The World's Best Email Address @email.com Reserve your name now at http://www.email.com - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 13:05:14 -0600 From: "Will Frechette" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Hello everyone. You might get lucky on the Euro leg and have a show in Germany. Will - ----- Original Message ----- From: Konstantin > Hi > > My name is Konstantin and I guess I'm one of the lurkiest lurkers on > this list. It's my pleasure to say that the Avalon builds up into very > pleasant society to spend time with. And, of course, special thanks to > everyone contributed to these wonderful projects, Boston Boot and ASSH2. > All the latest activities around Bryan seen in USA and especially in UK > made me envy for I haven't noticed a ghost of them in Germany where I > currently live. And there's hardly a chance for concerts, damn it! But > starngely enough, ATGB made its way up to Nr32 in local charts, reducing > now to 40 or so and this without any kind of promotion etc. We don't > even have a single yet. The only things I've run into were some rather > pessimistic reviews and a very good long interview in Spiegel where > Bryan talks about his private life. I hope to come up with the > translation later this week. Chao, > > > K. > > P.S. Who shall I ask for my copy of Boston boot? > > > > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon > - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 20:00:39 +0000 From: Peter Dewey Subject: [AVALON] RFH What an excellent concert. Good to see some Avalonians again and to meet some new ones. Thanks for the CD Han, btw. I am envious of those who hung around, my wife and I had to drive back to Cardiff straight after the show, well almost..... I managed to record 3 songs, Sunset, Let's Stick Together and Do The Strand, on my digital camcorder. I than felt a hand on my shoulder and was whisked off by security to meet "Management". I was given the third degree, ie illegal copying on Broadcast quality (!) equipment (but I thought they were recording it for broadcast anyway????). I had to demonstrate that I only had a small part of the show on tape before they "let me go". I was thinking in the car that I should have demanded to meet the Maestro and be judged by him! Still, I can watch my small part of the concert and rekindle happy memories. Yours 'til the next one. - -- Peter Dewey - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 21:15:13 -0000 From: "Richard Swift" Subject: [AVALON] Re: RFH etc. By the time I post this I'm sure there will be no shortage of enthusiastic reports of last night's concert and little I can usefully add. Like Liverpool it was a tremendous performance by everyone involved with the much vaunted addition of Street Life and Out Of The Blue with terrific violin work from Lucy Wilkins who was happy to talk to a number of us in the bar afterwards. The tour just goes on to exceed all expectations - Golders Green was excellent but somehow Bryan and the band pull something extra out of the ether with every performance. It was good to see so many familiar faces again too - Andy, John, Chris, Martin (congrats. again on getting everyone such brilliant seats), Peter, Robert, Jocelyn, Richard, David etc. etc. and some faces new to me - Reecey and a rather travel weary but nonetheless enthusiastic Han. This has been an extraordinary 10 days or so - concerts at Golders Green, Liverpool and London. Additionally I had the tremendous good fortune to be asked along as a guest to Oslo on Saturday. I was to spend the day showing Jim Lawn around Liverpool but in the middle of last week Bryan was asked to appear at the Nobel Peace Prize concert and invited Jim along. Since he had already made arrangements to be in Liverpool with me and two other scousers (Gary and Sheila) Bryan asked him to invite the three of us along too. Not something any of us had to think twice about! We had a brilliant day - private jet to Oslo with Bryan, the full band, Rhett etc. arriving at a cold and snowy Oslo a little after 1.00 pm local time. Straight to the venue where Bryan did his sound check. I think he may have been the first to do this because it was taking a long time and the tour manager suggested we head out to explore the city for a while which we did. This didn't take long - Oslo doesn't seem to have a big city centre and Jim, Sheila, Gary and I spent probably the best part of two hours chatting over coffee before returning to catch Sting finishing off his rehearsal. In no time at all the King of Norway took his seat and it was 'curtain up' - the Norweigan Radio Orchestra with Ole Edvard Antonsen opened the televised event followed by Tina Turner who sang her current single plus one track from the new album. Next came the excellent Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Secret Garden and boy band A1 before Bryan took to the stage to bring the first half to an end. As reported earlier he sang Love Is The Drug, Falling In Love Again and Let's Stick Together and, to my ears at least, had the best reception of the evening so far. All the acts seemed to be flying in, performing and flying out again so we left shortly before the concert resumed - the second half featuring The Corrs, Denyce Graves, Ismael Lo, The 1999 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Medecins Sans Frontieres and Sting. As with the inward trip from Oslo airport to the city centre, Bryan returned to the airport by car and we joined the rest of the band on their coach, chatting to Robert Fowler and John Sutton along the way and appearing educationally challenged as Colin Good wrestled successfully with the clues of his broadsheet (The Times?) crossword (pity he didn't read The Mirror because we may have been of some help). Back at the airport everyone was far more relaxed than on the outward journey and a party atmosphere broke out as we reached the gate and Bryan's performance of Let's Stick Together was playing on an adjacent TV screen! The return journey was as enjoyable as the outward one - the cabin crew enjoyed every minute and were really impressed with just how friendly everyone was - in stark contrast to some of the other acts they have handled! The food on both legs of the journey was excellent and there was no shortage of complimentary drinks including a glass of wine from the bottle Bryan had brought along himself. Unless a win on the lottery is also in the pipeline I doubt I will ever again travel in such style. As for the man himself, we all respected his space throughout but especially on the outward trip because he was resting his voice. But on the return journey there were two or three opportunities to have a brief chat. Plainly very shy (although it didn't stop him going walkabout at Liverpool airport in the morning) he was nonetheless happy to chat, sign autographs and have some photographs taken, enquiring along the way if we were having an enjoyable day and being taken care of OK. Around midnight at Liverpool airport all that remained was to thank Bryan once again for his hospitality to which he said we were very welcome and it was all over. Unbelievably, although we arrived at Liverpool airport at at 8.30 am, Bryan had arrived at around 9.40 am - a mere 15 hours earlier. We'd done so much that day that it seemed as though the whole weekend must have passed since we left. Having never before met Bryan the day was particularly meaningful to me and is one I'll never forget. Regards Richard - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 16:47:46 EST From: RODEISLRED@aol.com Subject: [AVALON] Avalonia Pecker Checkers In a message dated 12/15/99 5:09:42 PM, Jocelyn.Fiske@greyeu.com writes: << And at one point I was convinced Martino had actually suavely persuaded our favourite harpist that he was indeed the man for her, only to discover that she was Mrs Martino. Jealous guys? >> Not a guy but not jealous. Word on the street is that Martin has left his wife and moved in with John O'Brien since the beneath-the-kilt peek. - --Red Who wouldn't be adverse to a picture of Jocelyn in her catsuit - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 16:59:56 EST From: JObinv01@aol.com Subject: [AVALON] RFH There isn't much I can say about RFH as it has been covered already, then everyone else got a 700 mile start from me. The gathering of Avalonians was almost as big a highlight for me as the show was. My sartorial elegance has already been covered by the others. I definately had the smartest kilt in the hall. It was great to meet so many people again and some others too for the first time. As Martin had said, the 3 violins at the end of Out Of The Blue was breathtaking, it fair put a tilt in my kilt. The music was transcribed straight off Country Life. All the other archive songs have been transcribed perfectly. Chance Meeting has every note Graham Simpsom played in the original, Bitter Sweet too. The difference though in Out Of The Blue is that the string section add themselves to it with there youth, enthusiasm and obvious passion for the Ferry originals. The other musicians in these numbers can seem to be a wee bit out of place and almost too clinically perfect. you can transcribe note for note where Manzanera's hand was on his guitar and these guys will play it no problem, but to put the aggression, enthusiasm and belief in what you are doing on paper is an impossibility. I am not knocking these guys, they were shit hot at what thay are all about and that is the big band arrangement type stuff. We can't have our cake and eat it. Ferry wanted a 30's album for years and a 30's tour to follow it, he has gone half way with us and played us some sorely missed classics live again. If we have to have Charlie Watts grandfather trying to do the Paul Thompson bit then it's a small price to pay. A special thanks to Han for the work he has done for the Strictly Confidential CD, .........what artwork....... great stuff. Has any one noticed that the track Movie Move Me has a guitar break from Impossible Guitar which is on Heart Still Beating and Phil's Primitive Guitars. I would also like to make clear that the person in the skirt who ran onstage and kissed Bryan was not me. J.O'B. - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 22:21:47 -0000 From: "Richard Swift" Subject: Re: [AVALON] RFH Hi John - What a night - we were out until a little after midnight - as Reecey posted we found an Italian restaurant for something to eat and a quick drink - just about the only place open but an improvement on MacDonalds! The pre - concert drink was good - look forward to more of the same and then some on Saturday. If you can remind me of the guest house name and 'phone number I'll check it out for additional accommodation. Cheers, Richard - ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 1999 9:59 PM Subject: [AVALON] RFH > There isn't much I can say about RFH as it has been covered already, then > everyone else got a 700 mile start from me. > > The gathering of Avalonians was almost as big a highlight for me as the show > was. My sartorial elegance has already been covered by the others. I > definately had the smartest kilt in the hall. It was great to meet so many > people again and some others too for the first time. > > As Martin had said, the 3 violins at the end of Out Of The Blue was > breathtaking, it fair put a tilt in my kilt. The music was transcribed > straight off Country Life. All the other archive songs have been transcribed > perfectly. Chance Meeting has every note Graham Simpsom played in the > original, Bitter Sweet too. The difference though in Out Of The Blue is that > the string section add themselves to it with there youth, enthusiasm and > obvious passion for the Ferry originals. The other musicians in these numbers > can seem to be a wee bit out of place and almost too clinically perfect. you > can transcribe note for note where Manzanera's hand was on his guitar and > these guys will play it no problem, but to put the aggression, enthusiasm > and belief in what you are doing on paper is an impossibility. > > I am not knocking these guys, they were shit hot at what thay are all about > and that is the big band arrangement type stuff. We can't have our cake and > eat it. Ferry wanted a 30's album for years and a 30's tour to follow it, he > has gone half way with us and played us some sorely missed classics live > again. If we have to have Charlie Watts grandfather trying to do the Paul > Thompson bit then it's a small price to pay. > > A special thanks to Han for the work he has done for the Strictly > Confidential CD, .........what artwork....... great stuff. Has any one > noticed that the track Movie Move Me has a guitar break from Impossible > Guitar which is on Heart Still Beating and Phil's Primitive Guitars. > > I would also like to make clear that the person in the skirt who ran onstage > and kissed Bryan was not me. > > J.O'B. > > > > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon > - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 17:24:21 EST From: Helchat@aol.com Subject: [AVALON] Flangebracket Strikes Again? I know the lucky British are basking in their glow of having recently seen our man, but . . . the mystery continues: Flangebracket writes: Subject: Re: [AVALON]Royal Festival Hall 14th December I have NEVER heard Ferry sing better and I have NEVER seen him perform better than at RFH. I felt the whole set was full of emotion and all the better for it. A great venue as well , surprised more big acts don't play there. He really put everything into every song and I'm not suprised he looked tired at 11 o'clock. Hard to pick highlights but Where or When, Casanova, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Street Life, I can't get Started with You, Just One of those things, Let's Stick Together and Do the Strand all spring to mind. Ferry is a real star/icon in every way and I hope the re-introduction of some genuine emotion to his repetoire prompts him to be more spontaneous and more productive. He obviuosly has talent. Thanks to the Avalonians who made Calvin & I so welcome from the Kings Arms onwards. It was lovely to meet people like Richard Swift, David Squires, Han and all the others. Thanks in particular to Han for the CD - superb and worth a trip to London on it's own. Rob - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 23:58:36 From: "Jason Gibbs (G-media/IMS)" Subject: [AVALON] RE: RFH backstage Martin asked me to elaborate a bit on what I got to see backstage after the RFH show. I was frankly amazed at how 'relaxed' the atmosphere was. About 10mins after the show ended, we reached the place backstage where we picked up our "As Time Goes By Tour 1999" After Show badges - which (naturally) were stylish printed red/pink, high-quality printed square pieces. I may have one spare if anyone wants one? Martin? I'm keeping mime! Up on level 3 was the Artists Bar, which was typical RoyalFestivalHall bland 70s design. When we got there there were only about 5 or 6 people but it slowly filled up - a couple of the musicians were there, and I do remember the Cello girl. It was really very friendly with no groupies in site or luvvies (well maybe a couple), and Bryan came in about (I guess now) 20 minutes later. Bryan spotted my friend John (who used to tour manage The Who for his sins) and came over to us (which was nice!) and started chatting about how he was etc - apparently his kids went to the same school - Windlesham? (sp?) Bryan was definitely being really straight and charming and was genuinely interested in what John was 'up to' these days. What I noticed most was how he wasn't being 'surrounded' or 'hounded' by anyone - unreal! Also, he didn't stick out, and was wearing a tweed jacket and red (?) scarf - not smart, not casual, just 'normal'. My friend introduced me as a `Bryan, this is Jason, your #1 fan` and Bryan said 'I'm very pleased to hear that - very pleased to meet you' (there are some things you don't forget!) - and stuck out his hand. He asked if I liked the show. Silly me didn't feel quite right about asking stupid questions or saying 'great show'. I could have asked some real interesting questions. . . Anyway, the only real "gossip" I got was that apparently the USA tour had been a 'bit of a nightmare' - from someone there who really knew what was going on. Apparently they'd had a few 'walkouts' but I didn't press on who they were - but I'll try and find out after Xmas. They said the UK tour was going great. No problems. There is a guy called Barry Dickens who basically is the 'promoter' for the tour and is doing all the shows. And as he is an old friend of my friend John (and now John tells me me is old mates with Chris Thomas and David Enthoven!) Now I can dig for nuggets over the coming weeks and months! What a night though! Sorry we couldn't get to the pub beforehand, but I am working on that video compilation for Martin and hope to have it all finished by Saturday morning with 20 sets shipped to Martino before I have to leave for the US on Monday. I thought the Out Of The Blue violin solo was absolutely extraordinary! Jason - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ End of avalon-digest V4 #412 **************************** ======================================================================== For further info, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: info avalon-digest