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| September 2, 1998 |  |
Big Country Live in 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1998 UK Restless Natives Tour:
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| August 14, 1998 | |
In A Big Compilation |
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| As posted by Rich Kamerman to the Big Country Mailing List: According to an article in Billboard Magazine (dated 8/22/98), "Polymedia plans 2-CD 'Collector's Edition' overviews of ABC, Big Country and Soft Cell for October." There is no other information provided. [Webmasters note: Ian Grant says he has heard nothing of a new compilation, and he assumes this is the U.S. release of Restless Natives & Rarities. If true this means RN&R is set for release one month later then originally indicated]. |
| June 24, 1998 | |
A New Conquest? |
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| Some info from Phil Lisle: I've heard that they have been speaking to Ray Davies who is forming a new label called 'Konk West' or Konquest or something like that, which will be aimed at the North American Market. |
| June 1, 1998 | |
Restless Natives & Rarities |
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The wait is finally over. After years of delays, and an ever-shifting track listing, the Restless Natives and Rarities CD has finally been released. The soundtrack portion on Disc 2 is from the film Restless Natives. The entirety of Disc 1, as well as parts of Disc 2, are various b-sides and demos mainly from the Polygram era. More information on this 2-CD set can be found on the CD Discography page. Although the original track listing was voted on by Big Country fans, the final track listing was altered for a variety of reasons. The biggest omission is "Troubled Man"—a track that Polygram has apparently LOST the master tape to! The remixes were removed for the possibility of a remix album (which was the original idea a number of years ago). And, to answer two burning questions, "When A Drum Beats" and "Promised Land" are the longer versions, not the butchered single edits previously released. Ian Grant informs us that Mercury will release this album in North America sometime in September. |
| May 22, 1998 | |
The Official Big Country Web Site |
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Click here to visit The Official Big Country Web Site, maintained by Alex May. The merchandising section is still being worked on, as well as a members section, but the bulletin board is working great—stop by and drop off a message to the band or their management. Stuart, Tony and Bruce have answered messages and provided information…but Mark has not made it in so far. |
| April 28, 1998 | |
Kings of Emotion Rises from the Grave |
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On April 27th Kings of Emotion: A Diverse Collection was finally released, although the final track listing appears to be rather disappointing compared to what was originally planned for this 2-CD set. A track listing can be found on the CD Discography page. (It appears that KOE may be released in the US on June 23rd). Ian Grant asks that BC fans not support this compilation since it was released without the band's consent. Apparently Snapper refused to wait for Stuart to lend his assistance on the project. I can't ignore that it exists, so I'll let everyone decide what they wish to do in regards to this rather strange little collection. |
| April 24, 1998 | |
"One Day to the Next" Single Release |
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A press release from Great West Records:
Big Country bass player Tony Butler is marking International M.E. Awareness Week (May 11th - 17th) by releasing his song One Day to the Next. All profits from sales of the CD single will be donated to support the charity Action for M.E. which supports people with the disease and their families and friends. Tony was compelled to write the song after his wife, Jackie and daughter Joey were both struck by the illness. He said: "It is a song intended to make those who do not suffer understand the devastation M.E. causes to families like mine". M.E. (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) affects approximately 150,000 people in the UK alone, including children as young as four. The symptoms include chronic exhaustion made worse by physical or mental exertion, migraine-type headaches, muscle pain, sleep disorders, bowel problems, loss of memory and concentration and multiple food allergies. These symptoms can fluctuate from day to day and hour to hour, leaving the most severely affected bed bound, and the luckier ones able to carry on with a limited lifestyle. The most severe of all cases are found in teenagers. There is as yet no cure for M.E., but a good proportion of sufferers can and do recover in time, as Jackie and Joey have. Early diagnosis is vital because it allows the sufferer to manage their condition before it becomes too serious, giving them a better chance of recovery. It is with this in mind that Tony is releasing One Day to the Next to promote maximum awareness amongst the public and health and education professionals. The CD (on the GWR label) is available mail order at £6.50 (inc UK p&p) from Action for M.E., P.O. Box 1302, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1YE. For more information about Action for M.E. please contact Kerry Tolley, press officer, on 01749 679193. |
