From: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org (avalon-digest) To: avalon-digest@smoe.org Subject: avalon-digest V5 #113 Reply-To: avalon@smoe.org Sender: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk avalon-digest Saturday, March 18 2000 Volume 05 : Number 113 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [AVALON] ADMIN: smoe.org scheduled power outage (fwd) [jason and jill ] Re: [AVALON] to market, to market [thom.wallace@net.ntl.com] Re: [AVALON] Support Bands ["Will Frechette" ] Re: [AVALON] RE : Brand name ? ["Decophile" ] Re: [AVALON] to market, to market [Colleen Matan ] [AVALON] Greatest Rock Band Ever ["eman96" ] [AVALON] Support Bands [jas2347@xsite.net] Re: [AVALON] RE : 'B' Sides [ecwoods@mindspring.com] To leave the list, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon-digest ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 21:04:42 -0500 (EST) From: jason and jill Subject: [AVALON] ADMIN: smoe.org scheduled power outage (fwd) smoe.org will be down starting on saturday morning. do not adjust your set. do not be alarmed. >Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 11:31:32 -0500 >To: guests@smoe.org >Subject: ADMIN: scheduled power outage > >The location where smoe.org is housed will be without power for >10 hours Saturday morning (starting at 6AM or so). > >jeff - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 02:12:13 +0000 From: thom.wallace@net.ntl.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] RE : Brand name ? Johnny Reece wrote: > Whether it be new material, or a big > splash advertising the millionth 'Best Of' of his/Roxys material, no > matter - as long as it works. Like it or not, he needs the ordinary > punters, up to a point. In truth, the Record Company needs to see that the > 'ordinary punters' want Bryan, because if they don't, they won't support or > promote him in any future endeavours. Nasty little business really, ain't > it ? Reecey Well said Reecy.Tom Wallace. > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 21:27:19 -0500 (EST) From: Colleen Matan Subject: [AVALON] to market, to market On Fri, 17 Mar 2000 thom.wallace@net.ntl.com wrote: [...] > personally don't think that the "Slave To Love" cd is aimed at folk like > myself anyway, but if I were going to purchase it to keep my collection Right. That's what I said when I asked about squeezing the die-hard fans. > Colleen do you have some info that nobody else has? Because the last I > heard no release date has been scheduled for Ferry's next studio album. No, but I remember--and I guess I could be 'misremembering'--that Ferry said during his spate of interviews last fall that there might be a new album of originals released in the fall of 2000. I thought he repeated it a few times in a few of the articles which were posted to or linked to on the list. > wouldn't rule anything out. Btw, didn't you think that the "Slave To > Love" album was an early april fool joke? I think that the release date Yes. An album of his released only in Sweden (which was how this information was initially presented to us)? No offense at all to our Swedish list members, but did (and does) this not seem the slightest bit odd? And it wouldn't have been the first time someone has pulled the wool over the eyes of Avalonians. Hence my skepticism. > clearing the deck of baggage. Even if Roxy don't reform a case can still > be put forward for an autmn release as his profile is higher now than it > has been for years. With the amount of items being released this year > they may well hold of till the start of next year and that way the album > wouldn't run the risk of getting lost in the christmas deluge. In the > end though we will all just have to wait and see. I don't really understand why he seems reluctant to go the independent distributor route as his chances of getting another record contract with a major label rather slim (especially for an album which has already been declined once, no?), don't you think? Pride, perhaps? I ask this because I'm not Dr. Pangloss. To say that Ferry "needs a hit" in order to be successful, as some have done, is rather tautologic, no? OF COURSE that's what he needs. It's the obvious solution. But the path to that solution is not so easy. It's clear that his self-penned work is NOT going to yield him that "hit" at age 50whatever. You all can dream away a million scenarios, but the sad truth is that his time in the sun is over. He might eke out a few moments on the sidelines, but it's over. The business of record companies is making money. And he is not going to make money anymore with his original work. Should he then turn himself into the British Neil Diamond, and give up writing original songs and just pick and choose from other songwriters (hey, leave Neil alone--his early stuff is nothing to turn your noses up at, you Fripp worshipers)? Merely sing other people's songs? Hope he can find the right one like Tom Jones did a few years back and turn himself into a middle-aged one-hit-wonder? Or should he sell his soul in this way and get this "hit" from endless retreads of singles which are two decades old? I mean, what kind of success is that? You all can beat your fists against reality, but the truth is he's never going to be a big star again. 1000000000 trillion compilations later the truth will be the same. His profile might be raised an inch or two, but do any of you really think he is somehow going to score a #1 song again? And you know? So f*cking what. He had a great run. He's STILL making music and making a living from it. He's already had more success than 96% of all musicians out there, most of whom have to play weddings or for their families at parties and have to keep their day jobs. And if he or any of you are moping about where he is today, well, that's just silly. He grew up dirt poor and is now fabulously weathly (PUH-LEAZE, he has plenty more money than most of us here, and I refuse to shed any tears for "poor Bryan"). He didn't do too poorly for himself. And, before we start up this nonsense again, it's not that "Colleen is A Bad Fan because she says mean things about Bryan." Because if that is what you are taking away from this, then you are not really reading what I am saying. OF COURSE I would love for Mr. Ferry to have a string of #1 hits in the year 2000--and beyond. But you know, I would still love him just as much if he doesn't. I don't think he should be held to some standard of success which is most likely unattainable and which puts on him unrealistic expectations and way too much pressure. I think he should be allowed to relax a little. He's earned it. > "Would that someone who was really in the know would step forward..." If > they did then we wouldn't be able to enjoy speculating on the list about > what may or may not happen. At this point, we've been waiting YEARS for a new original album. Personally I'm tired of speculating. Colleen - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 03:00:34 -0000 From: "Ivor Canning" Subject: Re: [AVALON] RE : Brand name ? Johnny Reece sums it all up: > Let's not get carried away here, I know loads of us Avalonians all nod in > agreement about Ferry's profile being much higher, etc etc, but it is to > us - because of recent gigs, TV bits etc, and because of who we are. To > many, many people, they don't know he's still doing it. 'Didn't you used to be Bryan Ferry ?' >The friend in question > listens to the Radio - often - but of course our Bry is sadly absent from > the airwaves these days, as it's all Celine Bloody Dion, the vile Cher, or > hordes of airbrushed Children that we are subjected to. Yes, but then to be fair, he doesn't exactly give programmers much to go on does he ? I should think the career-span of the average DJ is less than the gestation period of the average Ferry album. >Somehow, somewhere, > Bryan needs, dare I say it, a 'hit'. >Whether it be new material, or a big > splash advertising the millionth 'Best Of' of his/Roxys material, no > matter - as long as it works. ...and if he can't work any faster, compilations it will have to be ! Hell, if they manage to get Dean Martin and Andy Williams in the charts... >Like it or not, he needs the ordinary > punters, up to a point. Too true. Ultimately, this music thing he does is his job. Starving artists in garretts may be a romantic image but I don't think the man who successfully secured major-league management and record deals from nothing is too interested in that sort of lifestyle. At the same time let's keep this in perspective, we're only talking about a compilation, for goodness' sake. Those of us in the UK with long memories will recall jaws hitting the floor at the sight of Bryan duetting with Twiggy on a mock-classroom set back in the 'golden age' of 1974...(how were we going to live *this* down at school the next morning ?). A man who will sell his soul for a part in 'Petit Dejeuner Compris' isn't too precious about this 'image' thing - and neither should we be, so long as it doesn't affect the music. When he drops hints in interviews about doing that Andrew Lloyd Webber tribute album he's always wanted to do, or producing 'Jive-Bunny' style Roxython megamixes, THAT'S when I will start to worry !! >In truth, the Record Company needs to see that the > 'ordinary punters' want Bryan, because if they don't, they won't support or > promote him in any future endeavours. >Nasty little business really, ain't > it ? Reecey... Yeah, but aren't they all ? Ive. - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 03:12:32 +0000 From: thom.wallace@net.ntl.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] to market, to market Colleen Matan wrote: > I don't really understand why he seems reluctant to go the independent > distributor route as his chances of getting another record contract with a > major label rather slim (especially for an album which has already been > declined once, no?), don't you think? Pride, perhaps? Why should someone who is currently selling out show after show on a world tour consign himself to the backwater of the indie market. If I had turned out the quality of recordings he has over the years I think I would have a certain amount of pride in them and my ability to stay part of the main line of the industry. Tom Wallace. > > > -------------------- > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 21:32:47 -0600 From: "Will Frechette" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Support Bands Hey I saw that Cranberries/Collective Soul show and I didn't see you there. What state did you see them in? I saw them at the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee, at the Summerfest grounds. BTW I liked the way that little chick from the Crans started the show. She comes out in this Black leather duster (long black cowboy coat) and a big black cowboy hat, playing a red ES 335 (BB King/Chuck Barry) (OH wait a minute BB King's turned black) (wait I don't mean he's turned black, obviosly he's been black all the time. Lucille was always a red 335 untill about 10 or 12 years ago. I think so anyway) playing one of their more driving ballads. hot show. CSoul doesn't do much for me but that Heavy song they have rocks with large ass All your weight, it falls on me, it brings me down, get the f^*# off me, no I mean it, get off of me Will and I liked Power Station a little better but I've enjoyed some Du ran Du ran - ----- Original Message ----- From: > Last summer, I saw Collective Soul open for the Cranberries (though they > were a double billing). Both bands gave great perfomances. I think > Collective Soul are another group that is underrated. > While I am on the summer of '99, I also saw Duran Duran in concert. > They were fantastic. Simon LeBon's voice was better than ever! He > looked great, too..They really gave it their All... > > .....Hoping BF comes back to States for a few more dates this year... > Wish I could be at the Portsmouth show, as it is on my Birthday! > Heidi - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 22:28:10 -0500 From: "Decophile" Subject: Re: [AVALON] RE : Brand name ? - -----Original Message----- From: Johnny Reece To: avalon@smoe.org Date: Friday, March 17, 2000 7:55 PM Subject: [AVALON] RE : Brand name ? >the vile Cher, LOL! >Somehow, somewhere, >Bryan needs, dare I say it, a 'hit'. Well, he certainly isn`t going to get it from ATGB and most certainly not from any re-hashed box set. Has anything off ATGB receive any airplay....on any station...anywhere? Not here and he just isn`t going to get it until he produces something geared to a mass audience. One other thing I would like to know from those who have attended shows on this tour: What has been the seating capacity of the places he`s played and has he sold them out? >Like it or not, he needs the ordinary >punters, up to a point. In truth, the Record Company needs to see that the >'ordinary punters' want Bryan, because if they don't, they won't support or >promote him in any future endeavours. Nasty little business really, ain't >it ? Reecey... Again, all advertising and promotions will have to be bank-rolled by Ferry. The record company will not do it for him. Until this tour, together with album sales, cover all of the cost owed to the record company and begins to net him a profit, he will be unable to sink any money in an advertising campaign. And forget the reissues and the box sets. That`s just the record companies attempt to squeeze more money from the established fans...period. Any attention they happen to bring Ferry and/or ATGB is completely incidental. Gene - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 22:39:02 -0500 (EST) From: Colleen Matan Subject: Re: [AVALON] to market, to market On Sat, 18 Mar 2000 thom.wallace@net.ntl.com wrote: > Why should someone who is currently selling out show after show on a world > tour consign himself to the backwater of the indie market. If I had turned > out the quality of recordings he has over the years I think I would have a > certain amount of pride in them and my ability to stay part of the main line > of the industry. Yes, but how many records is he selling? That's what record companies want to know. And he's still unsigned as far as we know. Colleen - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 22:39:51 -0500 From: jspellma Subject: Re: [AVALON] to market, to market thom.wallace@net.ntl.com wrote: > Why should someone who is currently selling out show after show on a world > tour consign himself to the backwater of the indie market. If I had turned > out the quality of recordings he has over the years I think I would have a > certain amount of pride in them and my ability to stay part of the main line > of the industry. Why? Because the major labels suck. I don't think going the indie route is slumming at all, rather taking control of one's career. It worked for Zappa, he started his own label and got his own distribution deals after years of being dicked around, and his music still reached his hard-core fans. Bryan Ferry hasn't been a priority for any label for over a decade. One original album in the last twelve years with all that backlog of material is a real shame for his fans. Jim - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 19:48:35 -0800 From: "eman96" Subject: [AVALON] Greatest Rock Band Ever Does anyone else here think that Roxy Music were the greatest rock band ever? Or do you prefer the Beatles, Stones, Sex Pistols, CLASH, Other - ? I'm serious, If you could take only one Rock LP/CD with you to the DI, would it really be Roxy ? !st Roxy: Avante Garde Rock and Roll. 2nd. Roxy: Artistic Pop. ? - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 22:34:49 -0600 From: jas2347@xsite.net Subject: [AVALON] Support Bands Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 00:26:48 EST From: AMeyersLD@aol.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] Support bands In a message dated 3/16/00 11:10:04 AM, m_shanahan@hotmail.com writes: << the worst had to be a local group in support of blue oyster cult in '77, whose name i can't even recall now - eh, er, maybe 'the rockets' >> I once went to see the BOC specifically because of their opening act at the time: BeBop DeLuxe. (Did I capitolize that properly?) The BOC audience HATED them. Andrew do you remember what venue they played? Yes, I could see that happening to them with the BOC crowd. If it was '76 I was already in LA. I would have loved to have seen that concert. I was very much into Be Bop Deluxe at the time. Bill Nelson is a guitar god! I did not have a chance to see them in LA. They did a Midnight Special show around that time. I saw BOC on a triple bill at the Arie Crown theatre in 1974 . The bill was Argent, BOC and Jeff Beck. It was a rocking night to be sure. Speaking of opening acts, Luther Vandross with Ava Cherry opened for Bowie on the Young Americans tour ( also at the Arie Crown). In as much as they tried, some in the audience was not having any of it. He was very intrumental in helping Bowie with Young Americans and his whole "soul phase". He was singing backup for Bowie during that tour. Well Mr. Vandross is big stuff now. Ava, I don't know what happened to her. Do you remember when Elton John and later Bowie appeared on Soul Train? I was just thinking why Roxy was not asked to appear. Love is the Drug was disco, funky, and very danceable and would not have seen our of place duing that time. I'm sure Bryan would have been grinning ear to ear if they would have the chance to appear on that program. His ultra cool and those tuxedoes would have went over very well. - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2000 13:58:28 -0500 From: ecwoods@mindspring.com Subject: Re: [AVALON] RE : 'B' Sides Well, that would certainly explain it! :>) Haven't seen the actual 45 in quite a while, as it's packed up. I can't even remember what it was a B-side for. I look forward to having a CD-quality copy of it on the Ferry box set. The cassette copy I made off a heavily-used 45 sounds like he's singing underwater. In pig-Latin. Like you, I hope they give us something new in the box set. "Lover" was a nice surprise on TTOIA. Maybe we'll get at least one gem like that. Crystal - ----- Original Message ----- From: Johnny Reece Subject: [AVALON] RE : 'B' Sides > Hi Crystal, 'As The World Turns' didn't turn up on 'Thrill' - as it's a > Ferry take, not Roxy. Expect it to appear on the forthcoming Ferry box > though, no doubt. Though, some unreleased or 'live' bits appearing on there > would be nice... Reecey... - -------------------- To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ End of avalon-digest V5 #113 **************************** ======================================================================== For further info, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: info avalon-digest