From: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org (avalon-digest) To: avalon-digest@smoe.org Subject: avalon-digest V7 #185 Reply-To: avalon@smoe.org Sender: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-avalon-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk avalon-digest Saturday, June 1 2002 Volume 07 : Number 185 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [AVALON] Re-make/Re-model show tomorrow [Edwin van der Ende ] Re: [AVALON] OT Bowie ["Andrew Shearer" ] [AVALON] Edinburgh meet ["Douglas Robertson" ] Re: [AVALON] It doesn't look good for America [KB Porter ] RE: [AVALON] It doesn't look good for America ["Arnold Schulberg" ] Re: [AVALON] any volunteers for list meet-up webpage? [Colleen Matan ] [AVALON] People magazine review ["David Firmin" ] [AVALON] Support Act - Edinburgh ["Gayle" ] RE: [AVALON] SPOOF: World exclusive: Bryan Ferry can't be bothered anymore ["Tracy Elliott" ] [AVALON] Bryan on Dtch television in 30 minutes ["Han Snijders" ] Re: [AVALON] Support Act - Edinburgh ["Gayle" ] To leave the list, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon-digest ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 10:21:49 +0200 From: Edwin van der Ende Subject: [AVALON] Re-make/Re-model show tomorrow Hi everybody, Just intercepted this message on my mailbox from Ron Remake regarding their last show before the summer : Jawel, jullie zijn allen weer van harte welkom bij Re-make/Re-model4s voorlopig laatste optreden voor de zomerstop in Het Wapen van Strijen aan de Molenstraat 7 in Strijen, v.a. 22.00 uur, vrij entree. 5 minuten geleden de definitieve setlist (30 nummers) naar de bandleden gemaild, dat wordt uitpakken, dat wordt weer feest!! zorg dus dat je erbij bent, je mag dit niet missen!!! And for those of you who never really took the time to study any Dutch : Yes, all of you are very welcome at Re-make/Re-model's so far last show before the summer break in "Het wapen van Strijen", Molenstraat 7 in Strijen, starting at 22.00h, entrance is free. 5 Minutes ago sent the entire set list (30 songs) to the band members, it's gonna be big, it's gonna be a great party!! Make sure you are there, you just can't miss it!!! Even those avalonians in the UK who have nothing booked for the weekend, feel free to drive yourselves to Harwich or Hull and take tonight's ferry to the Netherlands, start driving and turn left at the end of the channel tunnel, Go to your local airport and buy a ticket to Rotterdam or Amsterdam. If anybody wants directions in the Netherlands just let me know ;) As for the Dutch fans, I do expect all of you to either be there tomorrow or send me an e-mail explaining what can be so important that you have to miss this show ;) See you all tomorrow night, or well, at least some of you, in Strijen, I'll be the one blinding your eyes with my flash gun ! Greetz, Ed ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:49:18 +0100 From: Leonard_Thomson@firstbs.com Subject: [AVALON] pre gig invitation Myself and Nigel Hollis will be indulging in some pre-gig refreshment in the Cafe Royal at 6:30 on Saturday night (East end of Princes Street, very well known haunt). If anyone would like to join us, we would be delighted. Easy to spot us - cuppla lecherous old gits sporting RM badges !!!! Cheers, Len ****************************************************************************** The information contained in this message is confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If you have received this message in error or there are any problems please notify the originator immediately. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden. This mail and any attachments have been scanned for viruses prior to leaving Bank of Scotland Group network. Bank of Scotland Group will not be liable for direct, special, indirect or consequential damages arising from alteration of the contents of this message by a third party or as a result of any virus being passed on. Bank of Scotland Group reserve the right to monitor and record e-mail messages sent to and from this address for the purposes of investigating or detecting any unauthorised use of its system and ensuring its effective operation. ****************************************************************************** ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: 31 May 2002 07:41:12 -0000 From: roxylia@freemail.it Subject: Re: [AVALON] any volunteers for list meet-up webpage? That's a good idea Colleen. Unless David prefers to set up the page himself again, I can do it. I have a little free time now and it would be a pleasure if I could do something useful for the Roxy world. Cecilia >It's getting to be that time of year again (hey, with so many tours >following each other, it feels like a yearly event) when Avalonians >gather. What was incredibly useful last year was the page that David >Squires kindly set up which listed who was attending which show, where >their seats were, and where the pre-show meet-up was being held. I am not >volunteering David as I know he's quite busy, but I am hopeful someone >might be able to host such a page again for this tour. It's helpful in >that it both puts Avalonians together and cuts down on the number of >messages which aren't of interest to most of the list. > >Thanks in advance to anyone who might be willing to take this on. > >Colleen > >___________________________________________________________________________ The >subliminable footer says: >To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: >unsubscribe avalon > > > Cecilia ~~~~~~~~~~ But marriages made in heaven Can they survive in this life? - ----------------------------------------------------- Compra e vendi su eBay: registrati gratis! http://www.ebay.it/registrazione.html messaggio inviato con Freemail by www.superEva.it - ----------------------------------------------------- ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 10:40:47 +0100 From: "Simon Galloway" Subject: [AVALON] 6 Music reminder DREAM TICKET Friday 30 May Defining live performances from The Motors, The Cure, UFO, Wah! and topping the bill, Bryan Ferry recorded at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in 1995. http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/bbcsessions/dream_ticket.shtml <><><><><><><><><><><> And you can listen to Do The Strand on the website now! SimonG ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 10:33:25 +0000 From: "Andrew Shearer" Subject: Re: [AVALON] OT Bowie A few people have mentioned Bowie recently - there's a review in the Times today of the new album. Regards, Andrew Oh and BTW can you imagine my amazement Saturday afternoon when I turn the radio on and there's the intro to This Is Tomorrow! I was totally disorientated, I started checking the cd player to see if that was playing instead but no, it was coming out loud and clear from Radion 2. _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 12:01:33 +0100 From: "Douglas Robertson" Subject: [AVALON] Edinburgh meet Hi All Edinburgh Sat, A few Travelling Avelonians are meeting in the Scotsman Hotel at 5pm (Brasserie bar) I think ive spelt it ok, spellchecker cant handle this one. Directions East end of Princess st across George 4th bridge, first hotel on right, sits above Waverly railway station, 5 minute walk from venue well maybe 10 after a sherbet or two ?. See Ya Alan ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 08:20:18 -0400 From: "M" Subject: [AVALON] Vote: Eminem vs. Bryan Ferry! Hope everyone has a great time tomorrow - can't wait to read the reviews! Someone by the initials"D.W." was being a BAD influence and telling me the other day that there was still time to hop on plane. If only.... Jam! Showbiz is having a chart battle - Eminem vs. Bryan Ferry! Which album will have a higher spot on the Soundscan Chart this week you say? Eminem: Other names: Slim Shady, Marshall Mathers III First single is "Without Me" Dresses up like Osama in new video Big fan of Tipper Gore and George W. Bush -- just kidding Bryan Ferry: Reunited with former band Roxy Music last year Roxy Music formed in 1971 in London Ex-Roxy Music member Brian Eno guests on "Frantic" Covers two Bob Dylan tracks on "Frantic" To vote: http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusic/jam_chartsbattle.html The results so far: Total Votes for this Question: 116 So far, 70% have voted for Eminem - The Eminem Show So far, 30% have voted for Bryan Ferry - Frantic ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 08:27:03 -0400 From: KB Porter Subject: Re: [AVALON] It doesn't look good for America [ Couldn't find it in the Billboard Top 100. Amazon.com Sales Rank: 29 ] Ditto, nothing on Billboard. cdnow.com: 99 of top 100. ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 08:33:26 -0400 From: OBrienFerry@AOL.COM Subject: [AVALON] Bryan in the Daily Record There is a 2 page article in todays Scottish Daily Record on Mr Ferry and it's only 10P J.O'B. ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 13:46:42 +0100 From: "terrypaulrigz8c" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Vote: Eminem vs. Bryan Ferry! I don't think we should lower ourselves to such silliness, do you? Terry "O" NP: Dead of Night LIVE/ Depeche Mode - ----- Original Message ----- From: M To: Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 1:20 PM Subject: [AVALON] Vote: Eminem vs. Bryan Ferry! > Hope everyone has a great time tomorrow - can't wait to read the reviews! > Someone by the initials"D.W." was being a BAD influence and telling me the > other day that there was still time to hop on plane. If only.... > > Jam! Showbiz is having a chart battle - Eminem vs. Bryan Ferry! > > Which album will have a higher spot on the Soundscan Chart this week you > say? > > Eminem: > Other names: Slim Shady, Marshall Mathers III > First single is "Without Me" > Dresses up like Osama in new video > Big fan of Tipper Gore and George W. Bush -- just kidding > > Bryan Ferry: > Reunited with former band Roxy Music last year > Roxy Music formed in 1971 in London > Ex-Roxy Music member Brian Eno guests on "Frantic" > Covers two Bob Dylan tracks on "Frantic" > > To vote: > http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusic/jam_chartsbattle.html > > The results so far: > Total Votes for this Question: 116 > So far, 70% have voted for Eminem - The Eminem Show > So far, 30% have voted for Bryan Ferry - Frantic > > > ___________________________________________________________________________ > The subliminable footer says: > To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: > unsubscribe avalon ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 08:53:31 -0400 From: "M" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Vote: Eminem vs. Bryan Ferry! Subject: Re: [AVALON] Vote: Eminem vs. Bryan Ferry! > I don't think we should lower ourselves to such silliness, do you? Beats me but either way you know. I couldn't resist voting about some LOTR stuff recently..... M ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A young New Yorker called M Was frequently seen with old men Described as fantastic She preferred lots of plastic Especially Barbie and Ken. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 08:52:31 -0400 From: "Arnold Schulberg" Subject: RE: [AVALON] It doesn't look good for America Uh, is there an American single release? Arnie - -----Original Message----- From: owner-avalon@smoe.org [mailto:owner-avalon@smoe.org]On Behalf Of KB Porter Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 8:27 AM To: avalon@smoe.org Subject: Re: [AVALON] It doesn't look good for America [ Couldn't find it in the Billboard Top 100. Amazon.com Sales Rank: 29 ] Ditto, nothing on Billboard. cdnow.com: 99 of top 100. ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:01:38 -0400 From: "M" Subject: Re: [AVALON] any volunteers for list meet-up webpage? > might be able to host such a page again for this tour. It's helpful in > that it both puts Avalonians together and cuts down on the number of > messages which aren't of interest to most of the list. And people can also form off-shoots of the list at like, Yahoogroups, to plan and discuss meet-ups and maybe talk about anything else you wanted to, instead of trying to send e-mails to a bunch of people. On one list, there's a splinter group for meet-ups in Dublin. I used to be on another list where there was a main mailing list and there were also regional ones. M ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A young New Yorker called M Was frequently seen with old men Described as fantastic She preferred lots of plastic Especially Barbie and Ken. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:16:56 -0400 From: KB Porter Subject: Re: [AVALON] Frantic "Where do San Simeone and Hiroshima fit into this..style/eclectic mix or eras?" My very rough estimate: Hiroshima... - Mamouna era San Simeon - Boys and Girls era (But - the opening notes of Hiroshima... always causes my brain to think that Windswept is starting.) Soooo, I'd place both of these cuts firmly in 'Ferryland' style! Both make great lounge, cocktail music. Plus, they're wonderful pieces to drive by - out on the open road, where vistas blend in to and out of view as the mind flows through these tunes - set on cruise control, ultra-glide. Pure escapism! ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:13:52 -0400 (EDT) From: Colleen Matan Subject: Re: [AVALON] any volunteers for list meet-up webpage? On 31 May 2002 roxylia@freemail.it wrote: > That's a good idea Colleen. > Unless David prefers to set up the page himself again, I can do it. I > have a little free time now and it would be a pleasure if I could do > something useful for the Roxy world. Cecilia, thank you very very much! Colleen ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:14:14 -0400 (EDT) From: Colleen Matan Subject: Re: [AVALON] any volunteers for list meet-up webpage? On Fri, 31 May 2002, M wrote: > And people can also form off-shoots of the list at like, Yahoogroups, to > plan and discuss meet-ups and maybe talk about anything else you wanted > to, instead of trying to send e-mails to a bunch of people. On one > list, there's a splinter group for meet-ups in Dublin. I used to be on > another list where there was a main mailing list and there were also > regional ones. I'm not telling anyone what to do, but here is my experience: for a temporary group with small membership and a one-time use, Yahoogroups is a pain to use for users and it's a waste of resources. My experience with the meet-up set-up is that it takes a minimal amount of emailing behind the scenes to chose a venue, and then one email to the list to let folks know where it is. I don't think it's a big production. The great value in the webpage is that cuts down on dozens of people endlessly asking about each show "where are we meeting beforehand?" "are we meeting beforehand?" (along those lines it'd also be great if someone would volunteer early for each city to coordinate behind the scenes). Colleen ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:16:52 -0400 (EDT) From: Colleen Matan Subject: [AVALON] a frequently asked question: why isn't my mail making it to the list? Answer: Possibly because you are doing one of these things: --not posting from the address which is subscribed to the list --replying to a digest message and appending the entire digest --using one of the 'forbidden' words (s*bscribe or a variation, etc.) in the first 5 or so lines of your message. I will forward, as I am able due to time constraints, messages held up due to the last condition. If it's due to one of the first two, however, it's your responsibility to send your message appropriately. Colleen ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:32:38 -0400 From: KB Porter Subject: Re: [AVALON] It doesn't look good for America "Uh, is there an American single release?" Arnie, I don't really know but I've not seen mention of any single release. I guess we inhabit forsaken land where Bryan Ferry is concerned - or is that, the darts really did miss the hitting the continent! ;) KBP ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 14:31:08 +0100 From: "Simon Galloway" Subject: [AVALON] BELFAST 2002 - plans for CD tree type thingy... You all know that Bryan will be live on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday evening, so here's my plan. I will be recording this broadcast straight to CD, and I would offer to do copies for others, but I have a lot happening in my life right now that leaves little room for such activities. However, I am prepared to make a master CD, and if there are people on the list willing to tree it (by what ever method suits them best) then contact me off list and I'll co-ordinate getting the masters out to them. Sound fair? Happy Jubilee Weekend (if you're that way inclined) SimonG ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 09:34:32 -0400 From: OBrienFerry@AOL.COM Subject: [AVALON] Frantic KB Porter writes <<"Where do San Simeone and Hiroshima fit into this..style/eclectic mix or eras?" My very rough estimate: Hiroshima... - Mamouna era San Simeon - Boys and Girls era (But - the opening notes of Hiroshima... always causes my brain to think that Windswept is starting.)>> I would say by looking at the musicians involved that Hiroshima is from around 1995 when Bryan was still working with Robin Trower (Sonnet 18 1997 is Trowers last credit)I remember reading about Jonny greenwood being invoved with Ferry around 1996. Dave Williams appears on some tracks too (the clipped guitar on Goddess is obviously him) and Bryan worked with him up until around 1995/6 The Frantic version of San Simeon I think was recorded just after the Roxy tour. I know he was back in the studio then and the people he is working with were on the Roxy Tour. There was a bit of press about him working with Lucy Kaplansky during the Roxy tour and I think he might have recorded her part during a spell in between shows. He also did some recording just before the summer shows in 2000 and this must be the tracks that have the As Time Goes By tour band string section/Zev Katz & Colin Good This is guess work on my part but looking at the evidence it points that way. Though, he may have had the mutitracks out with the RED RECORD button pressed at all these periods. he might have recorded Dave Williams in 1995 on Goddess and finished the song off with Colin Good and Lucy Wilkins last year after the Roxy tour with most of these songs and that would dispell my theory. J.O'B (One of those too long lunch breaks) ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 08:34:55 -0500 From: Karen Swenson Subject: [AVALON] Irene on the radio Oops, thanks Colleen for the reminder. Didn't check my return address. Last night: Knock me over. I came inside and heard the name of BF mentioned on our local left-wing "community radio" station. That grabbed my attention! They then played "Goodnight Irene." which has led into a diverse set of "rootsy" stuff. Of course I called and commended them. Usually I'm lucky to hear something like VP once every six months or so on this station, Bryan being much too "commercial" for them, although they did use Love is the Drug for a "gender dilemma" show promo a couple weeks ago. Also, heard "Avalon" while browsing the salad greens at the grocery last week. Karen ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 07:32:39 -0700 From: "David Firmin" Subject: [AVALON] People magazine review Like a classic motorcycle or vintage Wayfarers, Bryan Ferry is enduringly cool. On his first album of mostly original material since 1994, the former Roxy Music frontman remains the Sultan of Style, delivering a cocktail-party-ready collection of arty sophisto-pop. Incorporating blues, country and folk into his richly textured rock, Ferry creates a dreamy place where Avalon meets the heartland. Although Ferry has found a kindred songwriting partner in former Eurythmic Dave Stewart -- with whom he composed four tunes, including the gorgeous "Goddess of Love" -- he hasn't forgotten his Roxy mates: He cowrote the lilting closer "I Thought" with Brian Eno, who also supplies backing vocals and keyboards, and brings in drummer Paul Thompson for a few good licks. Ultimately, though, this disc belongs to Ferry and his haunting tremolo. Bottom Line: Ferry good *** ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 18:02:03 +0100 From: "Gayle" Subject: [AVALON] Support Act - Edinburgh The support act for Bryan in Edinburgh is Horse (McDonald). I've seen her loads of time and can guarantee you will not be disappointed. For those of you who don't know her, she is a gay singer/songwriter from Glasgow with one of the most unique voices I've ever heard. She has been around for 10 yrs or so, with her band (also Horse) and now solo. Anyone from Scotland will probably recognise her from TV. She's done the Hogmanay Live concert in Princes St in the past. More info at www.horse-randan.com I was excited about the concert already, this has just made it even better! See you all there (I'm in Block A - Row G) Gayle ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 18:15:59 +0100 From: "Tracy Elliott" Subject: RE: [AVALON] SPOOF: World exclusive: Bryan Ferry can't be bothered anymore Wondeful - as good, if not better, than the sunglasses ....... I think I must have been the person with the dart ...... double top, now that's in that glass behind the bar, not even in sight, right? T - -----Original Message----- From: owner-avalon@smoe.org [mailto:owner-avalon@smoe.org] On Behalf Of M Sent: 30 May 2002 18:20 To: avalon@smoe.org Subject: [AVALON] SPOOF: World exclusive: Bryan Ferry can't be bothered anymore I scribbled this quick spoof yesterday. I submitted my spoofs to my writing group. They liked them but didn't fully get them since none of them are fans. Oh well. M World exclusive: Bryan Ferry can't be bothered anymore By M England - After receiving many complaints from fans about the setlist for his latest tour, we called singer Bryan Ferry to get his response. In a world exclusive, he revealed his process for determining setlists. "There isn't much deliberation," he admitted. "I used to labor over it for countless hours because I wanted it to be perfect. I've done that too many times now and got fed up. Fans complain no matter what you choose so I may as well make it easier on myself. I write names of songs that I don't mind performing on pieces of paper, toss them into a hat and select them randomly. It's much more fun that way and doesn't tax my brain. I sleep better at nights. Amazingly enough, "Jealous Guy" is somehow always chosen. The powers-that-be must have something to do with that. Then, I decide on the first and last songs and let my sons decide the rest of the order. It makes them feel important. They've started fighting too much though with the last couple of tours and I make them vote now." To conclude our conversation, we asked Mr. Ferry if he would be touring America later this year. "I don't know. My tour manager puts up a map on a wall and throws darts at it to determine concert locations. His aim must been really off that day to have missed a place as large as the United States." Fans, there you have it. Stop complaining. ________________________________________________________________________ ___ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 11:41:09 -0700 From: "David Firmin" Subject: [AVALON] Cover boy From: www.bostonphoenix.com Bryan Ferry gets Frantic BY JEFF OUSBORNE Bryan Ferry opens his stunning new Frantic (Virgin) with a cover of Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue," a counter intuitive choice that, from the opening bass line, takes on a cosmic rightness. You wouldn't expect Roxy Music's suave former frontman to have much in common with the ragamuffin early Dylan. But keep in mind: Ferry opened 1973's These Foolish Things (his first solo album) with a faux soul version of "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall." And three decades later, there's nothing fake about his take on Dylan. If the original "Baby Blue" was a howl, and Van Morrison's 1966 cover (with Them) was pure moody menace, then Ferry's is raucous bash 'n' pop: all stomping backbeat, slide guitars, and Ferry testing his lung capacity on harmonica. Had Roxy Music been incubated in a Tennessee roadhouse and not at a British art school, this is probably how the band would have sounded. Yet there's no glib way to talk about Roxy. The band's first incarnation was fueled by the volatile chemistry between Ferry, an elegant songsmith with a endless thirst for pop and R&B, and his doppelgdnger, Brian Eno, a visionary who preferred strange textures and musical dissonance. At their best, as on 1973's For Your Pleasure, they channeled European and Hollywood glamor by way of arty, post-Velvet Underground noise much the way the Rolling Stones had harnessed gritty American blues a decade earlier. Roxy were progressive without pretension: Ferry always looked better in a suit and tie than he did, say, emerging from dry-ice fog in a Yes-style cape before plunging into a 28-minute song suite. Likewise, the band were glammy without being trashy, and never as flashy or startling as David Bowie. When Eno left, in 1974, Ferry's sensibility predominated as Roxy moved through the art nouveau disco of 1979's Manifesto to the majesty of their swan song, 1983's lush and luscious ambient-dance masterpiece Avalon - an album responsible for the conception of thousands of children over the last 20 years. Since These Foolish Things (Virgin) the now 56-year-old Ferry has released 11 albums. Two years ago, he checked in with As Time Goes By (Virgin), a collection of '30s- and '40s-era chestnuts like "The Way You Look Tonight" and "As Time Goes By" that proved disappointing. You always knew he was born to wrap that quivery, whispery voice - one of the most easily recognizable in pop - around a collection of standards. But the result was inert. His impeccable taste had outstripped his talent. That misstep only makes Frantic more of a joy. There's no defining sound on the album; instead, Ferry's flawless, pragmatic good taste finds its own equilibrium. Like a sailboat in a storm, he always rights himself. He reads "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" as a piano ballad, throwing light into crevices of the song that Dylan's version only implied. And then there's that Voice: you can practically hear the curlicues and serifs hanging off the words. His version of Don Nix's "Goin' Down" is a smoldering, three-chord Memphis blues filtered through Avalon-era Roxy, complete with spidery guitar work from Mick Green and David Williams. His reference points are broad. A medifval-fair riff from "Ja nun hons pris," which is said to have been written by Richard the Lionheart, introduces the power ballad "A Fool for Love." Elsewhere, Ferry does a spot-on version of Leadbelly's bar-room standard "Goodnight Irene," with some killer fiddling by Ken Smith. But the real payoff here is on the originals. The astonishing "Goddess of Love," a tribute to Marilyn Monroe written with ex-Eurythmic Dave Stewart, is one of the most perfectly realized songs of Ferry's career. With melodic and lyrical allusions to the Velvet Underground's third album ("Marilyn says/I've got nothing to wear tonight"), the tune soars and dips on top of a frothy guitar-cum-synth-pop arrangement that'll make you nostalgic for 1986. Eno shows up as writing collaborator, guitarist, backing vocalist, and keyboardist on the lovely "I Thought," a delicious pop confection with the kind of sweet, offhand music-hall melodicism and wit that used to be Ray Davies's bread and butter ("I thought you'd be my streetcar named desire"). And the shadow of Roxy hovers everywhere. Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood shows up to repay his band's considerable debt to them on "Hiroshima," a busy, bleeping chunk of cosmopolitan art rock that would have sounded equally at home on Roxy's early releases and on Radiohead's OK Computer. "San Simeon," a creepy, gothic meditation on William Randolph Hearst's vulgar castle, picks up where Roxy's "In Every Dream Home a Heartache" left off in 1973. You get the feeling Ferry's been saving up this album. If he's undoubtedly a peer of Bowie, and a progenitor of "cool" middlebrow singer-songwriters like Sting, he's also making a case to be considered along with one-of-a-kind stylists like Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, and Tom Waits. Frantic seems conclusive evidence. pic http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/music/other_stories/images/02287705.gif *** ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 21:31:48 +0200 From: "Han Snijders" Subject: [AVALON] Bryan on Dtch television in 30 minutes At ten a clock Bryan will be on Dutch television. The TV-show. Han ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 15:56:14 -0400 From: "Arnold Schulberg" Subject: RE: [AVALON] Re-make/Re-model show tomorrow Hey, since Bryan is otherwise occupied, see if R/R want to do a U.S. Maybe THEY would come to the Charleston/Huntington metroplex! Arnie - -----Original Message----- From: owner-avalon@smoe.org [mailto:owner-avalon@smoe.org]On Behalf Of Edwin van der Ende Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 4:22 AM To: avalon@smoe.org Subject: [AVALON] Re-make/Re-model show tomorrow Hi everybody, Just intercepted this message on my mailbox from Ron Remake regarding their last show before the summer : Jawel, jullie zijn allen weer van harte welkom bij Re-make/Re-model4s voorlopig laatste optreden voor de zomerstop in Het Wapen van Strijen aan de Molenstraat 7 in Strijen, v.a. 22.00 uur, vrij entree. 5 minuten geleden de definitieve setlist (30 nummers) naar de bandleden gemaild, dat wordt uitpakken, dat wordt weer feest!! zorg dus dat je erbij bent, je mag dit niet missen!!! And for those of you who never really took the time to study any Dutch : Yes, all of you are very welcome at Re-make/Re-model's so far last show before the summer break in "Het wapen van Strijen", Molenstraat 7 in Strijen, starting at 22.00h, entrance is free. 5 Minutes ago sent the entire set list (30 songs) to the band members, it's gonna be big, it's gonna be a great party!! Make sure you are there, you just can't miss it!!! Even those avalonians in the UK who have nothing booked for the weekend, feel free to drive yourselves to Harwich or Hull and take tonight's ferry to the Netherlands, start driving and turn left at the end of the channel tunnel, Go to your local airport and buy a ticket to Rotterdam or Amsterdam. If anybody wants directions in the Netherlands just let me know ;) As for the Dutch fans, I do expect all of you to either be there tomorrow or send me an e-mail explaining what can be so important that you have to miss this show ;) See you all tomorrow night, or well, at least some of you, in Strijen, I'll be the one blinding your eyes with my flash gun ! Greetz, Ed ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 14:37:23 -0700 From: "David Firmin" Subject: [AVALON] A Quick Word Times Online June 01, 2002 FRANTIC SOME might express surprise that Bryan Ferry should title his new disc Frantic, for he is the epitome of laidback cool - a Newcastle Bobby Short - but in life and art he knows the heart's workings (no less a judge than Robert Cushman has praised his version of These Foolish Things). This instance of frantic, then, is not an allusion to Johnson's definition of it as "outrageously and turbulently mad" but to point out its rapid mutation from phrenetic: a 14th-century coining, via Old French, whose first syllable comes from the Greek which, with some anatomical lassitude, compounds the heart and mind; the suffix brings a state of mental derangement. This sense had become rare by the 19th century, as had the spelling, and for some centuries its sense had further shifted, from religious fervour to any heightened state of being. CHRISTOPHER HAWTREE *** ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2002 00:10:40 +0100 From: "Gayle" Subject: Re: [AVALON] Support Act - Edinburgh I meant to say at a Horse concert a while ago, I seen her do 'In Every Dream Home A Heartache' but I don't think she'll have the bottle to do it tomorrow. It wasn't bad though. Gayle ___________________________________________________________________________ The subliminable footer says: To unsub, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: unsubscribe avalon ------------------------------ End of avalon-digest V7 #185 **************************** ======================================================================== For further info, mail majordomo@smoe.org with: info avalon-digest