From: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org (oppositeview-digest) To: oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Subject: oppositeview-digest V4 #131 Reply-To: oppositeview@smoe.org Sender: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-oppositeview-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk oppositeview-digest Monday, May 20 2002 Volume 04 : Number 131 Today's Subjects: ----------------- OV: Saturday Night at the Bush ["Jane Armstrong" ] OV: Shepherds Bush Empire / near the end [Kelly Doudna ] Re: OV: Saturday Night at the Bush [OMYMAE@aol.com] Re: OV: Shepherds Bush Empire / near the end [OMYMAE@aol.com] OV: Good idea from REMHQ ["Chris Fleming" ] OV: Monday night before/after The Barras [Diamur64@aol.com] OV: Idea for the Dels in the US [SngWrite1@aol.com] Re: OV: Monday night before/after The Barras [MinervAthene@aol.com] OV: Review Sunday Mail 19 May ["Claire O'Rourke" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 10:16:48 +0100 From: "Jane Armstrong" Subject: OV: Saturday Night at the Bush I thought it would be hard to top Friday night's gig at the Shepherd's Bush Empire - with a string section and the inclusion of "Nothing Ever Happens" and "In The Frame" - but Saturday night just blew me away! The band all wore smart suits and ties for this performance - even Andy had a shirt and black tie on - so we knew it would be special somehow. But I wouldn't have like to have been around those suits when they took them off. It was very, very hot and sweaty!!! And wearing a jacket and tie when you are giving your all as Justin and Iain were doing is enough to make the strongest person wilt. The audience was fantastic too - everyone sang along to all the songs, including the new ones. You'd be amazed (or maybe not considering how much ! publicity Mercury have given to the album) how many people we met at other venues who'd not even known there was a new album out!! Be interesting to see if it charts again this week. Jackie, Hilary and I had got there very (too) early to ensure a good queuing position, and we'd heard them rehearsing a couple of different songs during the soundcheck - and these were included in tonight's set. Instead of "Jesus Saves" they played "Being Somebody Else" with a truly BLISTERING solo by Iain. In fact Iain was on top form all night - playing his socks off. Though his guitar hero gesturing and posing looked a little odd when he was dressed as a stockbroker instead of a Rock God :-) Just wish he'd lay off the chewing gum though! A friend of mine, who'd never seen the Dels before but who's seen Iain with Eileen Rose was just blown away with his playing. She said she'd not realised what a fantastic and versatile player he is. I must say that although I enjoy "Jesus Saves" on the album I felt it didn't really quite work live somehow - and BSE seemed a much better choice as far as I was concerned. After the usual farce of going off stage, letting us cheer for more, and coming back on again, Justin played the most beautiful version of "Tell Her This" (for which Andy dug out the accordion - sadly missed until NEH on Friday) followed by a spine tingling "In The Frame". OV'ers took up more or less the whole of the front row again - with the majority being from the US. It was wonderful to meet so many there. There were also two really lovely Dutch girls standing behind Lori, Rosemary and I, and a guy from South Africa who joked that he'd had to emigrate to London in order to achieve his ambition of seeing Del Amitri. Jackie and I got to Shepherd's Bush at 3 and were really embarrassed when the whole band except Iain and Quinner and most of the crew wandered past at some point or another! How sad were we?! But it did afford some amusement when Jackie looked over to Shepherd's Bush Green and spotted a man lurking around the toilets taking a photos of the venue. I looked over and immediately recognised the legs which had been standing in front of my nose all these gigs - it was Justin photographing the front of the venue with the "DEL AMITRI" sign up. He should have taken the picture on Friday - it had "SOLD OUT" up there too then. He nearly gave us a heart attack as he dodged the traffic to cross the road. We'd already almost witnessed Kris being mowed down. We would have hated it if all those people had flown across the ocean to see the band, only for Justin to be knocked down by a London bus! Mark strolled over for a chat and was glad to say that Jude is most likely bringing baby Maddie home today. He has been playing brilliantly since she was born on Wednesday - he's obviously over the moon - and had us in stitches during ATLTK when Iain and Justin dragged the last notes out and he sat there firstly doing a winding up sign, followed with his head in his hands and then his fingers in his ears waiting for them to get on with it so he could play his final notes. These guys just keep getting better and better - and never fail to deliver. The audience LOVE them. It's criminal that they haven't got the recognition they deserve and that the album has had no publicity. If only the Mercury bods were there last night to see the reaction of the crowd. Croydon tonight, and Iain's 40th birthday, so that should be special. But they'd be VERY hard pushed to top last night. Jane ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit my home page: http://www.delamitri.co.uk/~janea Del Amitri pages: http://www.delamitri.co.uk/~janea/Delpage.html Why not join the chat every Thursday at 9pm UK time: http://www.delamitri.co.uk/~janea/chat.html The Devlins discussion list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheDevlins ICQ No: 34643730 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 03:39:56 -0700 (PDT) From: Kelly Doudna Subject: OV: Shepherds Bush Empire / near the end This will probably be my last posting before I return home. I just want to say to everyone (and the band) how special it was to be able to participate in this tour and meet the people from the list. There are a couple of spoilers which are called out. I was a little disappointed because my ticket for Friday night had been for the second balcony (seated, yuck, but next to two nice Dutch girls) and while the performance was once again magnificent, I didn't feel connected being so far up and away. They did change up the play list a bit, and... ***SPOILER---> ...for the encore even brought in four girls playing strings (for a minute I thought I was at an ELO concert as the 2 violins, viola, and cello were those bright blue, electronic kind of instrument). They played Nothing Ever Happens and In the Frame, the first time I've see those songs. Just Before You Leave really kicked a$$ with the actual strings. ***END SPOILER*** After the gig, I finally found Jane and spoke to her, Eddie, Taire, and Lori for a few minutes in the rain. Last night things were much better from a personal standpoint. My ticket was for the main floor, and I found Jane and Co. in the front right away but was myself in the third "row" behind two different Dutch girls. After Cousteau, Jane made those two let me through, and I had my spot on the fence. I know some of you are old hat at this being in the immediate front thing, however, I must effuse for a minute. That was the closest I have ever been to Justin Currie's sweat, and it was fabulous! It was a real rush practically being able to hear his real voice before amplification and imagine that he might actually have meant to make eye contact with me specifically. Drunk in a Band was particularly fun that close. I was going to mention this after Manchester: I find it amazing that they can keep hold of the necks of their guitars and basses, and hit the right frets with all that sweat running down their arms. ***SPOILER---> Again, they mixed the set list up a little. Last night Jesus Saves was gone, but in its place we got Being Somebody Else. That was always one of my live favorites during the Twisted tour (and actually probably my second favorite on the album--what can I say?...I am one of those who turns to mush for Here and Now). They kept In the Frame, but didn't do NEH again, and probably added one other different song, but now I can't remember what that might have been. The strings were once again present. I wonder if they'll have them for the remaining gigs. Someone will have to let us know. ***END SPOILER*** I'd also be curious to see set lists for all the gigs. I think one of the links on Alison's site is to someone who does set lists, hopefully they'll do it for this tour?... (Yes, I just looked. http://www.nobetterlocation.co.uk is the one I'm thinking of. He has a "mail me" link, so those of you who have been keeping track could maybe take a couple of minutes to mail him with the various set lists, pretty please?) Over the course of the evening, Jane made sure to introduce me to the rest of "the girls" in the front row and Andrew, so everyone, it was nice meeting you, however briefly. Have fun at the last two shows. I just wonder if there won't be a second tour. They seem so genuinely overwhelmed by and appreciative of our enthusiasm, and the gigs that I've been to have been packed. To refer to Iain's diary entry, they ARE the best band in the world!!! There. I've almost used up my remaining easyInternet time! Thanks for reading :-) Kelly returning to Minneapolis tomorrow P.S. I was just reading Iain's new diary entries, and I see he feels the same way as I do about cushy, velvet chairs. And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IAIN!!! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 06:52:39 EDT From: OMYMAE@aol.com Subject: Re: OV: Saturday Night at the Bush Excellent review! You guys got a way of making us feel like we're a part of it. Let's hope they make it to the USA- Surely they are loved!! Travel Safely, Kim in NJ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 07:01:56 EDT From: OMYMAE@aol.com Subject: Re: OV: Shepherds Bush Empire / near the end Travel safely, Kelly. Your reviews and play-by-play were fab to read this week; a pleasure! Hoping for a US Tour; I'm w/ you- Here is to a great month of music!!! Truely; Kim in NJ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 12:36:47 +0100 From: "Chris Fleming" Subject: OV: Good idea from REMHQ Anyone on the list who is a fan of the Band REM, just to let you know. that they have released an album on their website called r.e.m.IX. You access it on their website www.remhq.com and you can download the whole album. and artwork. What do the other listers think of this idea???? Chris Drink and be Merry and before you go out Change Everything http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HavenRLFC/ http://mysite.freeserve.com/havenrlfc/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 12:39:06 EDT From: Diamur64@aol.com Subject: OV: Monday night before/after The Barras Going to the Barras tomorrow to see the guys...anyone want to meet up for a drink or two? Dianne :o) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 13:10:36 EDT From: SngWrite1@aol.com Subject: OV: Idea for the Dels in the US http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/printedition/suncalendar/la-000035207may19 .story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dsuncalendar POP EYE Label Has Just One Requirement: Sell 10,000 By STEVE HOCHMAN May 19 2002 With the Island Def Jam Music Group gambling $20 million on Mariah Carey after she was paid more millions to leave Virgin Records, it's clear that the major labels are more ready than ever to risk their resources on acts with potential album sales of millions. Marc Geiger's new label sets its sights a bit lower. "If you can sell 10,000 records, you're in if you want to be," says the music business veteran, whose iMusic venture will officially launch this summer. In fact, the ability to sell a minimum of 10,000 CDs is the only criterion for label candidates. Geiger doesn't care what style of music you make, what age demographic you appeal to, whether you can dance or what language you sing in. "We're not even saying, 'If your record's good enough, we'll sign you,'" he says. The way to make this work, Geiger says, is to keep costs low. The label is not offering big advances to artists, nor will it propose expensive promotional campaigns for mainstream radio and TV exposure. What it is offering artists is full ownership of the master tapes, total creative control and a 50-50 split of net revenues. Contracts will be only for one album, and expenditures will be made only with full agreement between the artist and the company. Geiger has already had several notable takers. John Doe, the band Berlin, rappers Tre (from the Pharcyde) and Speech (from Arrested Development), and English band Gene have all signed on, with 20 more in negotiations, he says, adding that the approach is particularly suited to artists who have had some level of mainstream success and major-label support in the past and retain a reliable following but who no longer fit in the major-label and mainstream radio world. Doe is using the label to release his first acoustic-based solo album, "Dim Stars, Bright Lights," with such friends as Aimee Mann and Jane Weidlin in guest roles and plans for an August release. The onetime Geffen and Elektra artist says he has no problems with the smaller scale of the plans. "I got to a point pretty quickly where I wanted to make records," says Doe, who remains a member of L.A. punk leader X. "I didn't want to wait for someone else to say I could. Maybe there is an ego hurdle, but not for anyone who's a true creator. If I had the opportunity to work with a major label, I would probably do it. On the other hand, I don't think I would get as good a record or be as satisfied." iMusic is part of a bigger company with major distribution (through BMG), and can operate in effect as a "hybrid" of indie and major services. Geiger says that iMusic is a fulfillment of ideas at play at ARTISTdirect, a company he co-founded six years ago as an Internet-heavy platform for music acts. It's had ups and downs, but has maintained a leading presence in developing artists' Web sites and fan databases. It presaged iMusic by releasing albums by acts ranging from Mann to Cher. Last year, ARTISTdirect started a joint venture with Interscope Records founder Ted Field to create ARTISTdirect Records, a label vying to compete on the major scale. Geiger, who is vice chairman of ARTISTdirect, believes the time is better than ever for a label that can target what he sees as an increasingly overlooked but extremely fertile "middle ground" of the music business. Geiger has assembled a small staff for iMusic, but will be able to draw on resources of the bigger label, if appropriate, on a project-by-project basis... ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 13:18:34 EDT From: MinervAthene@aol.com Subject: Re: OV: Monday night before/after The Barras In a message dated 19/05/2002 17:40:50 GMT Daylight Time, Diamur64@aol.com writes: << Going to the Barras tomorrow to see the guys...anyone want to meet up for a drink or two? Dianne :o) >> Love to - I've been trying to find out where/when from the message boards, but I think everyone's too preoccupied with the gigs already!! :) Sarah ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 21:26:08 +0100 From: "Claire O'Rourke" Subject: OV: Review Sunday Mail 19 May Hi guys......to everyone who is going tomorrow night, I hope you have a great time and enjoy this fantastic city we have here....I will be charging #10 perperson for tours of Justin's neighbourhood after the show, mail me offlist :0) (as if I would.....keeping him all to meslef! I was very dissapointed that there was no mention of last Thursdays fantastic gig at the barras in last weeks Sunday Mail (most popular Sunday paper in Scotland) but I thought they werw perhaps waiting till Monday....not so.....perhaps 'top critic' Billy Sloan was as gobsmacked as me at the amazing gig and it took him a week to recover? anyway....this appeared under the headline of 'DEL OF A NIGHT AS BAND IS RE-BORN' and a gorgeous pic of Justin at the gig looking his usual edible self. Del Amitri Barrowland Glasgow May 9 (four out of five stars....what on earth happened to the other one!???) Pop fads come and go, but clearly nobody told DEl Amitri. The Glasgow group weren't even hip when they enjoyed their greatest chat success more than a decade ago. But if this is causing concern to the Dels, it doesn't show. Thats what I admire most about Justin Currie and co. In short, they do what they do in the knowledge their brand of guitar pop will always find a target. The Dels were a band reborn here, despite attempts by some critics to kill them off. They opened with Always The Last To Know, which still sounds fresh 10 years after it hit the charts. They followed with a superb When I want You, which has one of my favourite Currie lyrics; 'If looks could kill, I'd need a license for my face'. They're not content with past glories. Buttons On My Coat, from the new album is outstanding. It's built on a foundation of U2-style guitarfrom Iain Harvie and some fine three part harmonies. He's on form throughout, switching from screaming metallic riffs and feedback on his electric guitar to delicate runs on his accoustic. Currie never gets enough credit as a vocalist. He's one of the best singers in the business and his voice is sublime killer tracks Move Away Jimmy Blue and Stone Cold Sober. Wisely, they don't play Nothing Ever Happens, their biggest hit from 1990. Instead we get a modern descendant Casdh and Prizes, which deals beautifully with greed and commercialism. The song has the added bonus of another screaming Harvie solo, which Neil Young would be proud of. If this is the musical direction the Dels are moving in, they should be applauded. Theres no doubt they alienated some fans with their latest single, Just Before You Leave, played here as an encore. It's closer to 1970's Philly sould than 1980's jangly Scots guitar pop and it's evidence the Dels are prepared to push the barriers. The Dels head back here on May 20. Grace them with your presence. Billy Sloan Sunday Mail 19 May 2002 NB....The paper also carries and advert for tomorrow night, so if anyone is having second thoughts about coming there are still tickets left! Get yersel's up here!!! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 02:38:47 -0400 (EDT) From: ladysongstress@webtv.net Subject: OV: Re: oppositeview-digest V4 #128 Can anyone tell me what I will need, to pass through customs, from Boston Mass. USA to London? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 08:32:30 +0100 From: "Jane Armstrong" Subject: OV: Re: Re: oppositeview-digest V4 #128 A passport and your legs. Jane > Can anyone tell me what I will need, to pass through customs, from > Boston Mass. USA to London? > Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 09:31:12 +0100 From: "Leighton J. [LN]" Subject: OV: RE: Hello Greetings everyone, Jimmy blue here, just returned into work on Monday morning after going to Shepherds Bush on Saturday night and then Croydon last night. Two great gigs and had a great time. Enjoyed Croydon better due to the size of the hall and better sound. My friend and I had seats up the back but ran to the front when the boys came on stage. Great Lights, Great tunes, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY IAN! Closing the night with a rendition of STATUS QUO - ROCKIN ALL OVER THE WORLD was a blast. Ian was presented with a cake and was quite surprised and moved I think. Justin lead them in the QUO sway and everyone was jumping and singing along, it was fantastic. I was gutted when Justin STOPPED playing NEH. He started it and everyone went mad and then he stopped. DAMN. WHY DON'T THEY PLAY IT LIVE? Anyway, Big hello to anyone that was at Shepherds Bush or Croydon over the weekend and if you are the 18-25 year old brunette, curly hair, standing say about 10 rows back in the middle, wearing a lilac/Purple top and singing along all night then big Hello and please drop me a line. Anyway, Welcome to a new week and good luck to you all. Jimmy Blue! - -----Original Message----- From: Diamur64@aol.com [mailto:Diamur64@aol.com] Sent: 18 May 2002 17:16 To: oppositeview@smoe.org Subject: OV: Hello Hello Everyone, I'm new to this list and wanted to drop by and introduce myself. I've been a fan of the dels for a long long time now...in fact it's a wee bit frightening to realise just how long. I feel sorry that they don't get the recognition (or airplay) that they deserve. They should do a bit more to promote themselves. After all, their music/lyrics are the best and deserve to be heard by a much wider audience. Anyway, enough of my grumblings...don't want you all to think I never stop moaning!!! Going to see the boys at the Barras on Monday night...should be a good one. :o) Cheers Dianne :o) ------------------------------ End of oppositeview-digest V4 #131 **********************************